So, I felt like doing a journal entry.

I love martial arts. I've been studying for seven years--since I was twelve. I began with Tae Kwon Do, at a school that focused on mixing together Tae Kwon Do, self defense, Escrima, and Jujitsu. We also had teachers who held dan rank in other arts, including Hapkido, Iaido, boxing, wing chun, Aikido, and Capoeira. I had pretty diverse exposure while going to that school. Sadly, at my blue belt (6 kyuu-equivalent), I had to drop out of that school so I could focus more on high school.

I'm in college now, and I have had the opportunity to study other styles. I've studied Kenpo, continued on with Escrima and Jujitsu, and am currently studying a self-defense system based on Kenpo, Aikijujitsu, and Brazilian Jujitsu. I am also studying Tai Chi Chuan, and may soon get into a class for both Aikido and Iaido. I even got to preview a class with the Budokan (the school that teachers Budo Taejutsu--commonly referred to as ninjutsu).

I have not yet earned a single black belt. Over seven years and across six systems, I have not risen to that rank even once. It's a little sad, but I fully intend to keep studying martial arts for years to come--I'll get one somewhere eventually. At this point, though, honestly, I think that I'm probably on the same level as first degree black belts at many different schools. Well, I LIKE to think that XD . Watch my boastfulness get my ass kicked when I go to class tomorrow night!

In the Far East, it is widely believed that there is an intimate connection between the martial arts and the art of calligraphy. Some say that a person who trains extensively in both will be undefeatable in combat. Taking this to heart, I've gotten into Calligraphy (evidenced by the callig devs in my gallery). The thing is... I suck at calligraphy. I'm still learning, though, just as I am still learning martial arts. I can only get better. Right?

The movements that martial artists perform and the movements of a calligrapher's brush are believed to be an expression of the individual's soul. Essentially, as I heard it put in some video on youtube, the stroke of the brush is permanent and the movement of the warrior is a matter of life and death, therefore each action requires the person's spirit to be in its highest state, whatever that may be. It's a difficult concept to really get, I've found. I understand the words and they make sense, but when I try to conceptualize it I fail. It's like reaching for something just inches too far away.

Apparently, I need a teacher of Zen .