Last few weeks...

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                                   The last three weeks of my life have been simply amazing. For the most part, the events contained in the short 21 days have been positive and a blessing that enrich my existence.
Sure, for every few great events there usually follows one that is negative or not so great. But....we take the good with the bad and try to dwell on the things that make us happy.

                                    The last post detailed birthday number forty eight, and the year ahead. Since then, I've had a race, some new ink and a new addition to the family. Yep. That's right. Stay tuned.

                                     On Saturday last I had the privilege of running the Clark County Running Club's Turkey Trot 5K down at Marine Park in Vancouver. These races are always well attended as there are turkeys given away to lucky names picked. This race was no exception as at least a hundred turned out in the cold drizzle. Yet that rain went away at the most perfect time for our race!! This took us along the waterfront to Wintler Park and back. As I was unsure of how my legs would feel after a lot of work days and some sciatica issues that morning, I decided that as I had another race in a week, the Hot Buttered Run, I would go out slower and see what happened. Yeah, right. As if I could ever go out slow on a shorter race. Nope. Here are some photos from the race:

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                                                                    A lot of fun was this race and I ran much better than I expected. My time was 21:59 at a 7:05/mi pace. If I can only do the same at next week's race, I shall be supremely happy. A very nice Saturday 5k race for sure and thanks to Russ and CCRC for this.

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                                                                    The next day, on Sunday, I traveled to The Parlour in St Johns, Portland, to receive some new ink on my filling up canvas of a body. This was no ordinary tattoo though.As many know, I'm an admirer of Japanese art, especially woodblock prints from the 16th-20th centuries. During this time period there were many artists of renown who also produced shunga, or erotic art. No, this was not porn for them but art, in rich detail and superb colours, showing the Japanese side of sexuality and human living. And, as I'm also a student and researcher of human sexuality, these elements of art and sex combine to make for some stunning works. So, what better way to celebrate sexuality and art than to have one of these shunga pieces tattooed on my body.
Sure, this would be provocative, taboo to some, and a real dare to ink.

                                                           Really? Why?  Seems the West, especially the United States, has a lingering problem with sexuality in almost any form unless through Hollywood or religion. neither of those being reality in my opinion . And I don't like either of those two in their portrayal of love and sex. Not a bit. Other cultures seem to have a much better understanding and acceptance of sexuality that does not make it a dirty or disgusting thing, or only for reproduction. Yet another reason I like this Asian form of art. So...I searched for quite awhile in hopes of finding the piece I wanted. Alas, I could not find one that did it for me in all aspects. I DID find two though, that if combined would be a wonderful example of shunga . These are the two pieces that I settled on:

If one has not viewed shunga before and is a bit timid with sexuality, it can be a bit daunting to look at. Yet this writer sees such beauty in it!!!!

   The piece to the left is contemporary but done in the style of Ukiyo-E artists. This one is by Senju Horimatsu . I decided that I'd rather have the lovers kissing instead of the way either had them positioned. And I knew this would be detailed work. Notice the tattoos on the man's legs and arm. Amazing.  Here is the completed tattoo, which is on my left hip.

                                           
                                           Simply stunning work!!! Thanks so much, Doug!!

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                                                   Now,  about this addition to the family. Well, after the Seattle Shakuhachi Matsuri in October, I realized that my need for a better instrument was crucial to me learning this beloved flute. So, I looked at selling a few things, got some funds together, and contacted Perry Yung at Yung Flutes in New York. He had a Japanese made Tozan style 1.8 shakuhachi, that was harvested and made in the mid-late 60's. This flute had incredible sound and was within my budget. Finally, an advanced flute for my studies!!!! I paid for the beauty and received it a week later after a detour to visit Hawaii. What a delightful addition to the "family" this shakuhachi is!!!

The root end of this flute is beautiful as is the whole thing!!!

The photo at left is the flute, now named "Hideo", next to my Earth model flute (also from Perry Yung) .

  There it is. A wonderful addition to my household and one I plan on keeping a very long time, if not for the rest of my life. Superb!!!!!






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Another birthday.

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                                                                      Another birthday rolls around today, adding more numbers to the collection in hand. What is different about this one? I'm HAPPY!!! Yes, a birthday is supposed to be a happy occasion and not a sombre one. I only started celebrating birthdays again a few years ago and each passing one has been better than the last. One never knows the circumstances of life when that Bday rolls around, but I can honestly say that my life is rather good. Sure, having some ups and downs like we all do. One will NEVER get away from that. Yes, a few dollars in the bank account would be nice. Other than that, I'm rather happy. I have my sweethearts to thank for that and want to hug and thank them for making my life what it is.  I'm surrounded by love and affection. I admit, I do sometimes take things for granted and I work on that every day as well as many other things which intrude on my mental,emotional and physical well-being.  It can be a struggle now and then. Still, life goes on and the good far, far outnumbers the bad. :-)

                                                                              While not very true in most regards, the above caption is in some ways how I feel. I DO have many experiences that are delightful and sad both, I feel my life has so much more to come in this regard!!

                                                                               There have been some tough days in the past. And even now there are some challenges I face as life throws curve balls at my head. Yet, I do my best to deal with them in a positive and loving way. Continued love and support from the girls makes this all possible. Without them, life would be but a shell.

                                                                                So, there it is. My birthday blog post. not much here but many thanks and hugs, much love to all of my family, friends and those who care for me at this stage in life. May life be wonderful for all of you and provide love in copious amounts! <3 <3 <3

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Learning things over again.

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                                                                   After the Seattle Shakuhachi Matsuri last weekend, my practice routine took on a new life of it's own. During the workshop with Kaoru Kakizaka it was brought out that breath control is so vital for players and that to blow RO daily for ten minutes would increase that stamina as well as hand strength. This will allow for a BIG sound when playing and to project smaller and larger tones. Physics certainly agree with this so, starting then, I have been doing this exercise daily.  But, a few days after doing so I noticed the right hand thumb started to really cramp up and get achy. In fact, very quickly after playing. Part of this is how I have been holding the flute and the other the weight of the instrument. Most of the time till now, I have been playing the much heavier shakuhachi Yuu, which is a double the weight of my bamboo 1.8 from Perry Yung. I''d never really experienced this level of pain in my thumb and could never remember having this problem when starting my studies with Larry Tyrrell in 2011. Why now?

                                      Well, I knew I was holding the instrument correctly so that was not it. Was I gripping it too tightly? That could be a small part of the problem as I admit to doing this like all beginners. yet something was not right and I couldn't put my finger on it (pardon the pun...even though a bad one as it is a thumb). The last thing I needed right now after finding the path again for the shakuhachi, was to have physical issues with the hands.

                                      Then....I remembered. Back in 2013, an incident with a cat had put me in the hospital for four days, leaving me quite battered and having almost lost my hands. The location of the bites from the cat were concentrated on the two index fingers and both thumbs. The wounds had become septic and infected, traveling up my arm within 24 hours. The Dr did indeed say I almost lost the hands and if I had waited, would possibly lost the arms.

To the left is the photo of what they looked like in the emergency room. Funny how only a little time passes and we forget about some unpleasant things that occur, moving on with life and remembering the good only.  Looking at the photo and seeing the condition of my hands, I remember well the pain and tightness the infection and cat bites caused. While the bites themselves didn't penetrate my thumbs, only my fingers (to the bone in both), they DID cause injury to the muscles and have never fully recovered.
                                 
                                                   My right thumb is now under stress it wasn't when I started this journey and I shall have to strengthen it up to make playing longer times a priority. While not a setback, this is an additional issue I shall have to remember and resolve if I can. Time for thumb exercises and to strengthen the hands up for future playing. Live and learn. Keep away from cats when they are set to attack. :-)

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