Girlfriend got me Skyrim, a hand forged Japanese grafting knife and this popup book: I am a lucky, lucky, lucky man.
Working on a winter language over the next two weeks with Russian kids / teens. My group has four young martial artists in it, which is quite nice 'cause we can have a little chat about stabbing people. One of the guys used to do Olympic fencing but has recently switched to Polish sabre and feder (?) and two of the kids do karate (one traditional and one a modern full-contact competition type thing). And one of the smallest, cutest girls you could ever meet does "Russian hand (fist?) fighting", which appears to be a modern mix of MMA and Krav Maga, "We can even hit people with chairs"...or maybe it's pro-wrestling she does!! I might spend the day getting them to fight and letting people come and watch for a small fee. (In all the years I have been working with Russians, I have met one kid who does SAMBO and never met anyone that wrestles! )
Tonight's Christmas crisps are white stilton and cranberry, and if I finish them, I may start the Doritos...
Just been a good year in general, and a great holiday, constant smiles for no apparent reason, and for the first time in a long time a real positive outlook on 2016.
I was doing some cleaning and going through letters I just add to the "to open later pile". Because all my important stuff is online. The aggravated burglary and assault case that was happening since my incident in July has come to an end. All 3 pleaded guilty, sentencing in early January!!! They pleaded not guilty a number of times, and I wasn't really looking forward to trial on the 26th.
Daisy Ridley (Rey in the new Star Wars) has just gone way up in my estimation... Here she is deadlifting 80kg: https://www.instagram.com/p/6puNsxFE1e/ Impressive, most impressive...
Last night in sparring I was working my footwork and entries having read a load about Dominic Cruz and TJ Dillashaw...managed to get a dominant outside angle off a parried sidekick and shift to my right and then landed a great left hook between the guard and an overhand right over their left shoulder....I then hung around in the pocket admiring my work and copped a straight left in the face.
I'm currently in Malawi for work and it makes me giggle every time we have to stop the car for a pig, chicken, cow or goat to amble slowly across the road.
Off to my first Tai Chi session tonight. Just doing a 4 week beginners course to spice up the new year. I've got my sandals on, I've hugged a tree and had tofu for lunch. My chakras appear to be aligned and my aura is on point. Anything else I need to do to prepare?
Work. I was asked last Wednesday, 'would you be able to go to Malawi to help with some training', I said 'yes, that should be fine', the reply was 'good, you fly out on Saturday'! Last minute decisions are great! I get back on Monday morning and am moving house on Tuesday!
I am going to die of exhaustion next week! The journey back will take about 25 hours! On the plus side, I have already started stocking up on the local coffees for my return!
You doing plenty of travel on African roads? As we were told when we went on honeymoon to Kenya and Tanzania driving on the roads is called "an African massage".
I'm booked in for spinal surgery when I get home.... Today we did a facility visit in the morning then made the decision to get some lunch (from the local Spar - which made me giggle), before we went to the next site. What they neglected to mention to me was that the 'road' to the site is a tad bouncy - it's a good job I don't get carsick, but my digesting apple danish was not hugely happy with the turn of events. I am very glad we have a 4x4, but even with that my neck will never be the same again!
I have never in my life seen corrugated roads. Until Africa. It's like they make roads out of cattle grids or something.
LOL! It's rainy season here so, as well as the normal, very bouncy dirt tracks, we have to avoid large, water filled holes too (as well as the goats, chickens, pigs and cows )plus locals on bikes loaded with logs, charcoal, flour etc.). It's nuts! But still a fantastic experience!
