So, you may or may not know, but I recently started a Bujinkan (ninja) class every Monday and Friday. Thoroughly enjoyed the most recent one yesterday. Amanda laughs because it's all I can talk about after I get home. A big contrast to my Iraqi class, which I have NO problem just leaving at the gate when I leave post.
Anyway, class yesterday was awesome as usual. Different people come on the Friday class than the Monday class. Many of the more experienced people come on Friday, making it a little.... intimidating for me. Here I am in the back trying to pretend that I know what they're doing and imitating the rest of them as best I can. It was a little silly last night, because I got completely lost more than a few times. Especially when they put out this 18 inch barrier and told us to perform 3 moves while we approached and went over the barrier. I'm sitting here like "um, what? specify please?" But no, the intention was for us to just make stuff up. I'm pretty sure I looked fairly ridiculous doing a roll toward the barrier followed by just flipping over it. But it was fun.
Things got a little more interesting when they gave us a small stick and told us to keep passing it to eachother as we went over the barrier. You know that game where you try to not let the (whatever) touch the ground? Yeah, a variation of that. So I approached the barrier, the dude tossed the stick toward me, I started to jump over the thing and reached out for the stick before I rolled forward. I ALMOST caught it too, it slipped out of my hand unfortunately. But I have to say, it felt REALLY cool.
On another note, I'm really amazed how friendly the other guys are in class. It's almost like a (third?) family. They're all very patient with me and are really good about showing me in slow motion what exactly is going on. I'm glad my friend Sergeant Kramer got me started with this.
6 years ago
That sounds so awesome! I'm glad you've got something to talk to Amanda about when you come home. Some days, all I get is a "Good." out of Jared when I ask how his day was so I like conversation starters. :) I don't blame it on Jared. I blame it on him being a boy. haha
ReplyDeleteNow, the more important part of this comment...are you allowed to take video of this fun/funny stuff you're doing? :)
Allowed? I don't see why not. Physically able? Probably not. I'm usually otherwise occupied :).
ReplyDeleteYou can, however, youtube bujinkan. If you find videos of people doing weird stuff like running up walls, you know you're in the wrong place.
ReplyDeleteDon't worry--I'll tag along one of these days and get video for you! I'll let Nathan gain a little more profiency first. He's only been 3 times, so he's still very much a beginner and doesn't want to be video-d just yet!
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