Feels like forever since I've had the time and energy...
Feels like forever since I've had the time and energy to log onto LJ. It has been, for whatever reason, an exhausting and draining semester - possibly because I've picked up two new elements in my life. They improve (I think) the quality of life, but they do take time.
I think I mentioned that I've started taking formal art classes - Head Drawing, Figure Drawing, and - when there are enough students to fill the class - Gouache Illustration. (I've posted samples from each on my Facebook site). Stupid to start art classes when I'm struggling for both time and energy to write, but I had the chance to work with a professional illustrator (Glen Orbik) who is also a) a good friend and b) a phenomenal teacher.
And, after years of wanting to return to martial arts but being unable to do so for financial reasons (martial arts are EXTREMELY expensive) I've found a sort of Parks 'n' Rec version of koryu - old-style, non-tournament, non-competition, non MMA samurai weapons training - which at the moment is being taught for free (but you have to practice on your own a couple of times a week, which I do). A friend had given me a bokken (dummy training-sword - not the split-bamboo shinai of kendo) years ago, and another friend (with whom I trained back in the '70s) lent me his bo, and the park where we train is close to my house. What could be better?
The downside is that I'm tired all the time, and have to get back to work now.
I just wanted to say, I finally watched The Desolation of Smaug and am totally enjoying the Peter Jackson version of the Hobbit. I like the fact that it's not as intense as LotR; I totally don't mind the Legolas-Tauriel romance (I'm waiting to see if Kili gets offed in the Battle of the Five Armies saving her life, and/or if she gets killed with him); I love Radagast and his bunny-rabbit Iditerod (though Radagast's characterization is totally cribbed from The Once and Future King, and I don't care); and that was one of the best dragon-fights I've ever seen.
I think I mentioned that I've started taking formal art classes - Head Drawing, Figure Drawing, and - when there are enough students to fill the class - Gouache Illustration. (I've posted samples from each on my Facebook site). Stupid to start art classes when I'm struggling for both time and energy to write, but I had the chance to work with a professional illustrator (Glen Orbik) who is also a) a good friend and b) a phenomenal teacher.
And, after years of wanting to return to martial arts but being unable to do so for financial reasons (martial arts are EXTREMELY expensive) I've found a sort of Parks 'n' Rec version of koryu - old-style, non-tournament, non-competition, non MMA samurai weapons training - which at the moment is being taught for free (but you have to practice on your own a couple of times a week, which I do). A friend had given me a bokken (dummy training-sword - not the split-bamboo shinai of kendo) years ago, and another friend (with whom I trained back in the '70s) lent me his bo, and the park where we train is close to my house. What could be better?
The downside is that I'm tired all the time, and have to get back to work now.
I just wanted to say, I finally watched The Desolation of Smaug and am totally enjoying the Peter Jackson version of the Hobbit. I like the fact that it's not as intense as LotR; I totally don't mind the Legolas-Tauriel romance (I'm waiting to see if Kili gets offed in the Battle of the Five Armies saving her life, and/or if she gets killed with him); I love Radagast and his bunny-rabbit Iditerod (though Radagast's characterization is totally cribbed from The Once and Future King, and I don't care); and that was one of the best dragon-fights I've ever seen.
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