I just returned from the vet.
My cat of almost 16 years, Iggy, is now at peace.
Me
Raising cane
My martial arts school had an informal gathering this afternoon. Why?
He who looks too hard at the outside gets clumsy on the inside
When you’re betting for stones in an archery contest, you shoot with skill.
When you’re betting for fancy belt buckles, you worry about your aim.
And when you’re betting for real gold, you’re a nervous wreck.
Your skill is the same in all three cases – but because one prize means more to you than another, you let outside concerns weigh on your mind.
He who looks too hard at the outside gets clumsy on the inside.
-Chuang Tzu
This came into my inbox a few days ago. It’s relevant to where I am in life right now. When things don’t matter, I’m doing great. When important things are on the line, I don’t do so well. I’ve written about my trials in this, and also what I’m doing about it and how it’s working well.
Just good things to keep in mind.
Grab bag of gun stuff
A couple months ago I walked into a local gun store just to check it out. I actually was shopping for a .22 pistol but ended up walking out with a new AR-15. Why? Why not. It was there. It’s a Bushmaster, which isn’t my #1 choice, but these days beggars can’t be choosers.
Until last night I kept the rifle locked up. I wasn’t sure if I was going to keep it. After much thought I opted to keep it, so last night I broke it out, gave it a cleaning and lubrication, and packed up my range bag so I could head to the range in the morning to get her broken in and zeroed in. So what follows here are a bunch of random thoughts and experiences from it all.
Cat update
The two older cats were slated for the one-way trip to the vet earlier this week, but Wife belayed that action. Too many things were tugging on her mental and emotional state, so she wanted to postpone it.
It was good that she did.
Seems Orange Cat is getting better. It may not be lymphoma. He may just have some ugly digestive problems. He’s been on a steady diet of canned food and it seems to be improving his situation. He’s still not totally right, there’s still something abnormal with him, but his condition’s a bit better so… we’ll see where it goes. One day at a time.
Other cat tho… she’s continuing on the slow downhill course. The tumor on her hock continues to grow. She’s still managing OK. As I’ve been thinking about it, if she was out in the wild, she’d just have to live with it. Does she have any “feelings” one way or the other about it? I don’t know… it may just “be” and she just exists with it. I really can’t say. But again, she doesn’t come across in pain or much discomfort. So she chugs along. I know there will be a line to cross that says “it’s time”, and it’s coming. Just not right now.
So… we’ll see. Life’s kinda funny and interesting.
Selling the XD(m)
Caleb links to 5 videos where top shooter Rob Leatham shills for the Springfield XD(m).(Rob is sponsored by Springfield, thus). They’re good videos and really showcase the XD(m).
I can’t justify spending the money right now, but there’s no question if I needed to replace my Springer Precision customized Springfield XD-9 that I would replace it with a Springfield XD(m) in 9mm… and of course, send it to Springer Precision for customization. I’ve gotten to shoot a couple XD(m)’s and it’s great. The new features of the XD(m) (vs. the XD) are sound, not just hype.
I’m posting this because people frequent my blog looking for advice on choosing a gun or about 9mm handguns, or what the “best handgun” is. Certainly this is a matter of opinion and who knows, someday my opinion could change. But for now, I love my customized XD and would only replace it with an XD(m) (also customized).
Is Hand Placement Important?
Just finished a workout (Kuk Sool-based) in the front yard. I want to cool down before I hit the shower, so that gives me some time to write up something I observed during the workout.
Hand placement. Does it matter?
Memorization, Precision, Smoothness
I’ve heard Master Harmon say this before, but he brought it up again in yesterday’s seminar, and it struck me deeper than it has in the past. I figure this is because there’s a growing harmony in the various aspects of my life, and it’s great when things flow and harmonize this way. Let me explain.
Kuk Sool Won Seminar 2009
The annual Kuk Sool Won seminar rolled through my school tonight.
Topic: dan bong.
Dan bong is one of my favorite weapons, so I was looking forward to this seminar. I can’t cover everything, because there’s just no way to type it all up. But I did want to give an overview of the event and what I took from it.
Be the change you want to see in the world
Mahatma Gandhi said “Be the change you want to see in the world.” A wonderful and noble thought.
Reading this from Roberta X reminded me of a thought I had a few weeks ago.
Driving around town with Family, Wife noticed a car with a bumper sticker that had the Gandhi quote on it. I do think it’s a beautiful thought, but I started to wonder how many people actually do that.
For instance, I wish to see people being more responsible for themselves, so I work to be more responsible for myself. I work to teach my children and other children in my care (e.g. my work as a Cub Scout Den Leader) about being responsible for themselves. I want to see people that work hard to be rewarded for their efforts, so I work hard, climb the ladder, save my money, and teach my children the same. I don’t want to see people go hungry, so I use my hard-earned money to buy food for my church’s food pantry.
Then I see people that want to spread the wealth. But then I ask them to spread some of their wealth directly to me, and they never seem to pull out their wallets. If the change (and hope) you wish to see in the world is to spread the wealth, then shouldn’t you be that change and start by spreading your wealth?
I see people that want others to pay for their health care or their groceries or their gas or whatever. But again they never seem to want to pay for mine when I ask them to.
I see people demanding mandated volunteer service (ignore the fact that makes no sense, or that it’s akin to slave labor), but I never see those same people volunteering.
Oh I see. You want *ME* to do that, but the gander just wants to sit back and reap the benefits. I see. Sow nothing, reap something. I see. Don’t consider the sustainability of that course of action, since you just want your big screen TV now. I guess someone didn’t have The Little Red Hen read to them as a child. Maybe that’s why some of us get a wee upset at such propositions of hope and change.
If you want to see change in the world, it starts with you. You need to change yourself and be that change. If you can’t be that change, maybe it’s not such a great change. If you can be that change, I can at least say I’ll have more respect for you.
