Blog
Hit two Birds with one Stone
I went in for a little knee arthroscopy today. I had butterflies in my stomach last night to the point of freaking out. I spoke to John and Melissa Will last night who calmed me down. John said the reason for the nerves, for such a minor op, is a long history of my negative association with hospitals. As soon as the hopsital called me up yesterday I starting feeling anxious. I spoke to Richard Norton, Victor, Dr Chris, Rob Naumoski etc to see if that might put me at ease. The knee was long overdue which will take about two weeks to fully recover which is about the same time my right foot is fully mended.
It was difficult for my wife to agree to the operation on my left knee whilst having a broken right foot at the same time but I just want to get things over and done with. This way I get to hit two birds with one stone. The difficulty faced was how to use the crutches with both feet not being able to walk for a few days. Problem solved, it was easy. Victor called me up and thought I wasn't going to the classes tomorrow. When there's a will, there's a way. All I have to do is rub some of this magic potion onto some of our students.
GA
PS: Yes, the knee is extremely sore when I try to walk.
A Step in the Right Direction
It is an amazing feeling when people notice and try to do something for you when you’re on a handicap. That is certainly is the case when you’re on crutches. You are the first one to enter
the elevator, cars stop for you to cross the road (even though you were just standing around with no intention to cross the road) and you’re the first one to get served at any shop counter. People can be good human beings when they want to.
I actually get more attention and sympathy when I have the pants rolled up exposing the full length of the boot, making it look more serious. When I have the pants down, I only get 'he'll get over it' attitudes.
I was standing around in the office of the Dental Surgery waiting to be called in. An old gentleman got up and offered me his seat because he could see I was on crutches. That was a bit of shock to me – it’s usually the other way around. Maybe, it was his way of feeling better about himself, he is in better condition than me. It’s only a thought and I shouldn’t be taking anything away from this nice man. I am just not used to this role reversal. I had to explain to dentists, nurses and receptionists what had happened to my foot. Everybody in the room was keen to listen so I took a deep breath before I started my speech. I was trying to down play my handicap which is what I did about any weaknesses, I had at the time, before a martial arts competition or street situation. I lifted myself off the ground and did other strange things I have picked up along the way using the crutches. These sticks weren’t designed for acrobatics which almost flung me onto the ground. I recovered well and it looked like part of the act; I almost got a standing ovation! I discovered later, that day, one of the rubber feet had badly split. I rang the pharmacy to claim on my warranty (with tongue in cheek) so I get another pair for new challenges. I guess if there is any point to this blog it just shows the personality of a martial artist.
It is really amazing (not much fun, though) to spend 6 weeks with your leg in a cast with a couple of sticks taking you for walks but every day is a step forward (pardon the pun).
GA
Let the Blog Wars begin!
John Will may have started up a craze when he got into blogging many years ago (at least for me, anyway). I don't mean the facebook type of stuff but something meaningful about martial arts and life matters. It was John who told me that I should start up my own blog. Around about that time, Shihan Richard Norton was also on board and it we sometimes laugh about it as if we are competing with each other. 
Shihan Richard had recently revamped his blog and has since placed some interesting articles. The latest which includes an old and funny flm clip of a great fight scene with Richard and Jackie Chan but have a read of the blog first before getting excited and hitting the play button to watch the video. Go into his blog to watch the film.
GA