Big Kung Fu

Good Lord, affirmations that all is not lost!  A young gentleman by the name of Pokey Lafarge, has reaffirmed my inspirations for the old ragtime blues of the 20’s.  Spawned by musicians in the juke joints of old trying to mimic the piano jazz rags with a guitar (the music not pokey, I imagine he was spawned by some unsuspecting woman).  I first heard the thumping funk and solemn soul of ragtime blues when I happened upon a Blind Willie Mctell album in a second hand store.  Forever it scarred me, cursed me with the desire to play like those men played and cry out songs like they cried.  Well guitar is a motherfucker to learn for one so distracted such as me, but its people like Pokey that inspire me to fight through my lack of talent.

When I was homeless in the seafoam of santa cruz I met a travelling man who played the same style, I’d buy him a burrito to play me tunes on my lunch breaks,  if I had used my better (less practical) judgement I’d have followed that man every mile he ran and pestered him to teach me to play.

Alas, I fell for the white picket fence in some ways and now I struggle…but people like Pokey…God Damn, they give my mangled fingers, my charred lungs, my lonely guitar, a voice…a tune…and a thumpin thumb beat throb.  It quenches, and revives long dead tramps and drunks that call me to sit, play, and sing.  Truely talented Pokey deserves your ear…

Increasingly, I find the world too modern for its own good.  We’ve distracted ourselves to the extent that the true callings of our insides are dulled by devices, and decidedly divisive dogma. DAMN DUDE!  Can I get a throw back?  Why is the rewind button broken?  We’re stuck on fast forward and play isn’t even an option anymore…

There is an imprint left behind when something is used. Ever have that favorite pair of jeans or that worn in pair of kicks that always seems to bring a feeling of companionship whenever you put them on.  Or an old car that’s seen alot of miles at your hand. These things have been imprinted by all that they have witnessed in silence and helplessness.  Unable to affect the outcomes, they can only bear witness.  But it is easy to see their trials and travels, written in dents and delapidation.  I look at these things, I see their paths and talk to them.

I enjoy the rebuilding process. I enjoy taking an old car and speaking to it with wrenches, It tells me of old adventures, through its broken parts and worn accessories it tells of miles gone by and places past. Old boats, old bikes all things who served their purposes and have been left to die. Watching them lurch to life again and begin a whole new set of wanderings. The new things this world is creating got none of the style or timelessness of the old. I feel for them and for us. Their purpose seems to be, that they are easily disposed of.

On an update note…Fuck hilary, fuck obama, fuck the election process. I have my opinions I have my beliefs but debating them here doesn’t serve the purpose of this site.

People on soapbox’s annoy me sometimes. Friendly discussion is one thing, but i created this site for selfish reasons alone. I’m here talking to myself for the most part. If someone listens in so be it.

Plus, its hard for me to sit here and ignore the silent cries of all the old things in my garage. Begging for the day they see purpose again.

So I’m a jerk, I’m an impulsive puts who starts a blog and posts five times annually. Like I give a damn how people perceive the half cocked projects I start without any intention of following through with.

Follow through is for golf, and I’ve been doing a bit of it lately…yeah….instead of posting all the hair brained ideas I’m constantly inundated with. My brain is not my own.

In other news I have been following the presidential caucuses(sp?) causcusii?, caucii…and I’ve found at least one link to a news report that I do think explains some issues and really is a objective bipartisan look at what the candidates are really about.

Here it is…

Are the holiday’s over?  Can we move on?

Actually, I must say that this christmas has been one of the most enjoyable to date.  I was able to stay home, for the large part.  As well as avoid holiday traffic, hustle, bustle and busy business.   I was able to be the santa of my own house; quietly assembling toys, sleepily cussing the chinese and the manner in which they construct miniature kitchen sets of mdf and possibly lead laden paint.  I was able to watch wonder and joy unfold under my own roof, drowsy young eyes, widening, glowing.  It was altogether wonderful.  I totally have kids I found out.  Two of them, their mine, I made them…and they’re the most bizarre creatures I’ve ever come across.

I was able to get together with a long time friend.  We spoke of the intricacies of history based, real time strategy video games.  He schooled me on politics, and I expressed my intention to keep track of the upcoming presidential race.  He was shocked I think, knowing the disdain for the subject I usually maintain.  And he gave me some advice, good advice, I believe.  And it seemed that his political views are growing more towards what I always envisioned they would be.  I know he’ll read this at some point.  And I hope his comments come streaming forth.

Never mistake a desire to express years of experience and knowledge for arrogance.  It is in your nature to expound, encourage discourse, and relax on your well built foundation my friend.

I apologize to my single reader readership for the pause in blabber.  I replaced busy bodying with total immersion in the world of warcraft; Guzzlebru’s guzzlegear takes the trollbane server by storm, all the trolls are wearing it!

May all your holidays be filled with friends and family.  Mine were and it was a welcome time for once.  I love you.

Had Enough? Am I the only guy in this country who’s fed up with what’s happening? Where the hell is our outrage? We should be screaming bloody murder. We’ve got a gang of clueless bozos steering our ship of state right over a cliff, we’ve got corporate gangsters stealing us blind, and we can’t even clean up after a hurricane much less build a hybrid car. But instead of getting mad, everyone sits around and nods their heads when the politicians say, “Stay the course.”Stay the course? You’ve got to be kidding. This is America, not the damned Titanic. I’ll give you a sound bite: Throw the bums out!

You might think I’m getting senile, that I’ve gone off my rocker, and maybe I have. But someone has to speak up. I hardly recognize this country anymore. The President of the United States is given a free pass to ignore the Constitution, tap our phones, and lead us to war on a pack of lies. Congress responds to record deficits by passing a huge tax cut for the wealthy (thanks, but I don’t need it). The most famous business leaders are not the innovators but the guys in handcuffs. While we’re fiddling in Iraq, the Middle East is burning and nobody seems to know what to do. And the press is waving pom-poms instead of asking hard questions. That’s not the promise of America my parents and yours traveled across the ocean for. I’ve had enough. How about you?

I’ll go a step further. You can’t call yourself a patriot if you’re not outraged. This is a fight I’m ready and willing to have.

My friends tell me to calm down. They say, “Lee, you’re eighty-two years old. Leave the rage to the young people.” I’d love to—as soon as I can pry them away from their iPods for five seconds and get them to pay attention. I’m going to speak up because it’s my patriotic duty. I think people will listen to me. They say I have a reputation as a straight shooter. So I’ll tell you how I see it, and it’s not pretty, but at least it’s real. I’m hoping to strike a nerve in those young folks who say they don’t vote because they don’t trust politicians to represent their interests. Hey, America, wake up. These guys work for us.

This recent BSL business and my recent decision to read, “Where have all the Leader’s gone?” by Lee Iaccoca, has gotten me into a bit of a mental kerfuffle. In my life I’ve never seen the good in even thinking about politics much. It seems to me that our government is BROKEN. Totally. The one remaining vestige of true democracy as set forth by brilliant, forward thinking, revolutionaries…yes, the constitution. Is being consistently side stepped by the current administration. And increasingly it is apparent that money runs the world. Which I know is a asinine statement of facts. But in the context of governing a populace is a horribly bad idea.

Regardless, I’ve never wanted to follow politics for the simple reason that it ONLY ever lead me to frustration, fear, and a massive loss of hope for the American people.

Enter Lee Iacocca’s book. Though I’ve only read the first 50 pages or so…Lee has accomplished his goal of rabble rousing a few of us to action. And I’m ON THE VERGE of taking action. Yes, on the verge…if I commit more than that I’ll only let us down.

The actions I’m on the VERGE of taking are thusly…

1. Do my best to inform myself of the facts regarding the state of our country and its officials.
2. Accomplish this only via web based sources.
3. Form opinions, and stances based on the information I gain.
4. Commit to doing my part in the context of democracy and free speech.
5. Vote.

Mind you, I’ve never done anything like this…I’ve always had opinions and ideas about where things were headed. But they’ve always been based on very little factual evidence and a whole lot of half crocked opinion.

So, if Lee has inspired me to do this, I think his book is invaluable to American’s. Especially, the apathetic, the apolitical, and those who like me…feel a bit defeated and dishonored by our government.

Some time ago, some friends and I created a (now defunct) blog called, belowstreetlevel.com . It was initially created with the express intent of subverting youth culture. When we figured outwe had no idea how to subvert youth culture, it went the way of a politico pundit type thang. Being very apolitical, I kinda bowed out. But as I recall there was some great stuff there at BSL, so I think I will try and resurrect it in a fashion…here’s a nice holiday recipe you’re sure to enjoy…

Many of you may have your own favorite recipe, or may have tried this one…to you and Yours from BSL.

FRUITCAKE RECIPE

1 C water 1 C sugar
4 large eggs 2 C dried fruit
1 tsp salt 1 tsp baking soda
1 C brown sugar lemon juice
nuts
1 FULL bottle whiskey

Sample the whiskey to check for quality. Take a large bowl. Check the whiskey again to be sure that it is of
the highest quality. Pour 1 level cup and drink. Repeat.
Turn on the electric mixer, beat 1 cup of butter in a large fluffy
bowl. Add 1 tsp sugar and beat again. Make sure the whiskey is still OK. Cry another tup. Turn off the mixerer. Break two eggs and add to the bowl and chuck in the cup of dried fruit. Mix on the turnerer. If the fried druit gets stuck in the beaterers, pry it loose with a drewscriver. Sample the whiskey to check for tonsisticity. Next, sift 2 cups of salt. Or something. Check the whiskey. Now sift the lemon juice and strain your nuts. Add one table. Spoon. Of sugar or something. Whatever you can find. Grease the oven. Turn the cake tin to 350 degrees. Don’t forget to beat off the turner. Throw the bowl out the window. Check the whiskey again. Go to bed. Who the hell likes druitcake anyway…

Try it! You’ll like it!

As I posted earlier last month, I am attempting to quit smoking. Many people scoff in disgust at me, or laugh that such a lowly thing as a cigarette has controlled me for 15 years. Yes, 15 years I have smoked on a DAILY BASIS. It is disgusting to me and I laugh at myself when I realize that I have harbored such a habit for so long. And I only want to lash out when I attempt to quit and I find my mind justifying my next fix. Imagine yourself talking yourself out of a decision. You know all your weaknesses and all your strengths. You know what will entice and what will repulse.

Maybe I am making excuses, but it has always seemed so hard.

My resolve is growing daily. I’ve recently found a new outlet. And, criticize me if you will, it is WING CHUN Kung Fu.

Wing Chun is a style of kung fu. That is, Wing chun is an iteration of kung fu…I’ve read that Kung Fu translates to, “a skill practiced” or “something practiced to mastery”. And while I definitely don’t know chinese, I do know that if anything is practiced until mastery, you got some major kung fu going on. I consider myself on hell of a fisherman, and I continue to practice, I’d say I have some fishing kung fu going on. I feel it is time to practice being me, and master being me.

Now wing chun is the style of kung fu that Bruce Lee began learning and subsequently made famous…without attempting to go into the WHOLE LONG PROCESS of describing WING CHUN KUNG FU. I will direct you to http://www.wcats.com. I have no affiliation with this site other than the fact that I have spent a decent amount of time reading the in depth descriptions of the science and artform of WING CHUN that Daniel Xuan has created.

I cannot hope to articulate better descriptions of the scientific methods and theories behind wing chun. Daniel truly has a gift in that regard. I have not spent a dime towards the access fee that Daniel charges to see the more advanced lessons he has created, yet I feel that I have gained a larger more comprehensive view of what wing chun is, by reading his lectures.

I would recommend even the most advanced wing chun student read his lectures, and determine for themselves the validity of his teachings. As a layman I think they are extremely useful. Wing chun is still a mystery to me.

Ok, Ok…the commercial is over…I simply wished to express my respect to Daniel Xuan; creator of Wcats Wing Chun Academy and the Three Dimensional Martial Arts Academy.

My son has developed a glandular problem…

I do believe however, guinness should be called.

I’ve bred the youngest, fattest, ninja…

I dunno what I’m doing with this blog thing…I just want to get exposure. BigKungFu must be taught to the masses!

Here’s bigkungfu’s Technorati Profile

I’ve been unemployed, ;), an since I can only drink beer half the day. I’ve been playing around with Adobe Illustrator. I found this tutorial on the scanner darkly style images. And I’ve been working on images of my kids…

This is my first attempt with Chloe’s noggin’…

Doing it with a mouse is not easy…I could still edit the paths and clean it up. But I’m still learning to get the colors down.

And this is Elijah, a bit more refined this time. The technique is pretty easy actually. If a bit time consuming. I’ve yet to tackle the complexity of the background. But its fun none the less.