First Class

First class, Inner Arts taught by The Tribe's Sensei. We go around the circle for introductions. “I’m blahblahblah from the Bronx. I’m a third dan black belt in jujutsu and I’m going for my black belt in tai kwon do (just for kicks ;-) I want to learn the Secret Chi Spiral Tsunami for Pain and Profit ™ ”

“I’m the Gypsinator. I’m a black and purple sparkly belt Master of the Universe and I’m going to pump YOU up”

NOnono! There’s too much pomp and seriosity for goofing around so I just say something like “I’m from West Virginia and I don’t know anything. I want to learn everything!”

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, to Karate Kamp We Go!

Or more appropriately:
HI YA! HI YI! To Karate Camp Wich-ya!

Someone asks "why on earth are you going to Karate Camp?" I look at him, befuddled. "Because I CAN!" DUH!

The oldest of Denise's 7 kids didn't make the grades she needed for ROTC so she's grounded. Denise invites me in her place. It's a no-brainer.

Now, I teach Centered Riding, and many incorporate much eastern energy work into my training. I can Tai my Chi with the best of them, but I haven’t had any formal martial arts training since a brief stint with Shotokan in the dim and distant past. If I had several of me to send out into the world, martial arts would be a passion. I am jumping out of my skin with excitement!

The kids are watching Open Season on the way up, so we naturally we decide we all need cool nicknames. I am dubbed… The Gypsinator! (I’ll be baaaack).