One daruma down

[klwilliams]

I took my black belt test on Saturday, and passed. My uke was an old friend who, for her fifth kyu test, I was her uke. She got her black belt several years ago, while my back was injured.

Since I can't do suwari waza, I did a lot more standing techniques than usual. Of course my sensei asked me to do sankyo from various attacks, which is one technique I was hoping to slip by unnoticed (I'm not comfortable with the turning version. I just don't see the point.). I did all right, though. The guy who tested before didn't do very well on the randori (three attackers at once) part of his test, and I think that my sensei thought I wouldn't, either, because he sent in the attackers staggered (first one, then the second joined him, then the third joined them). When the second attacker came in, I don't know what I did, but I somehow tripped and fell over, but I got right back up, and did very well. (I know I did, because just about everyone watching the test made a point of telling me so.) I like randori, because it's smooth, graceful, and lets you through lots of people across the room.

So, now I'm a black belt. Now I have to be a black belt, which is a little scary. (On the way home from the test, I stopped by the martial arts store and bought a black belt. I ordered my hakama this morning.)

And my cold is almost gone.

Current book: PALADIN OF SOULS, by Lois McMaster Bujold

Comments

[kathlaw.livejournal.com]

I ordered my hakama this morning.

What's a hakama? And to be precise, you're a black belt in Akido, right?

BTW-- I read PALADIN OF SOULS on Sunday, and adored it. Perhaps because of my age, I liked it even better than CURSE OF CHALION.

Of course I did have that moment of writer's despair in thinking I could never write that well. But I whapped myself vigorously about the head and shoulders and got over it. :-) Because of course I don't have to write like her; she can't write like me, either. And she doesn't do screenplays, thank heaven.

[klwilliams.livejournal.com]

> What's a hakama? And to be precise, you're a black belt in Akido, right?

Yes, I'm a black belt in aikido, and in aikido, black belts wear black belts and a hakama over their gi. A hakama is a pair of traditional Japanese men's pants, and looks like a long pleated skirt.

> Perhaps because of my age, I liked it even better than CURSE OF CHALION.

Me, too. Something about a 40-year-old woman saving the entire country and finding true love just appeals to me.

> Of course I did have that moment of writer's despair in thinking I could never write that well.

That's because you're comparing your first novel to her fifteenth (or whatever it is now). Go read her first novel.

[kathlaw.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I've seen akido sparring in full costume and that's a great swirling skirt.

That's because you're comparing your first novel to her fifteenth (or whatever it is now). Go read her first novel.

Good point. I have hopes of attaining SHARDS OF HONOR level.

Major Congrats!

[theodosia.livejournal.com]

I'm so happy for you -- this is such a major achievement!

-connie.

[maestrateresa.livejournal.com]

Happy, happy, joy, joy!
We knew that you could do it, though, 'cause you're good, and you know what you're doing :):):)

[rustmon.livejournal.com]

*chuckle*

first of all, CONGRATS! :) Yay! I was so pleased when I heard you were testing, and I was like 'Go Karen! Go Karen! Go Karen!' ;)

You said something which rang very true to me:

So, now I'm a black belt. Now I have to be a black belt, which is a little scary.

Scared the heck out of me the first time I put the damn thing on. Still scares me. :) (Not like I've been a knight all that long, but still....)

YAY!

[klwilliams.livejournal.com]

Scared the heck out of me the first time I put the damn thing on.

Yeah, I know. It makes everything different, all of sudden. You've got this big mark on you that makes you more visible, and if you mess up, everyone will notice. It's past "put up or shut up" time.