My typical *bad* luck!!

One year of Aikido and traveling activity with an incredible low amount of injures, and all minor ones.

One tough year, at both the physical and mental level: people close to me know that it has not been easy, especially mentally, for different reasons (mostly, I know, because of my stupid head creating its own problems!)..

One long year with several trips, nights in dojos and sleeping on different floors and madrases, and never had a problem.. not even suffering much snoring this year! Or much cold, even if I have been mostly sleeping off airport floors covered with an Ikea blanket (even shared it once, but that was last year, so it does not count!).

One sweaty year of great practice in several countries with tons of different people: advance, beginner, tough, solid, soft, hard, stiff, and more.. and still I have come back from most seminars without serious injures.

One flying year with quite a few major seminars/appointments with senseis I really like, moving toward the “gran finale” of this coming weekend, back to Moscow with Irie sensei…

Following the heart?

Recently I had to make a tough Aikido choice that has been described by a few friends as “following my heart”, while for me it has actually been the opposite, more a brain decision, for which I thought it over and at the end it was not something easy. I actually had to leave aside my heart. Something not easy for me, as people that know me can tell..

heart pains

On my way to Moscow!

Last seminar of the year and last long trip for this year as well: from tomorrow I will be in Moscow for Irie sensei seminar. First time in Moscow for Aikido, (been there twice for work) but I have met several times lots of really good Russian aikidokas around Europe.

Early flight on Thursday, 7 am from Schipol, as for my previous trip to Norway for Kuribayashi sensei seminar, but instead of biking to the station before 4 am and taking an extremely early train to the airport, this time I will leave home late night tonight, and spend the night at Schipol airport. The main reason is the luggage, that I can’t carry on the bike and there are no buses so early in the morning to Utrecht station. Also I think it is the first time I spend a night at Schipol airport! Quite amazing it is still missing from my large list (I will publish it soon) of airports where I slept/spent a night on the floors.. 🙂 (and in one occasion with extremely sweet company that made the night shorter and warmer, for me at least).

Third time this year I manage to practice with Irie sensei: every time though I feel I am worse and I have much more to learn, but the chances to practice with him will remain limited for me. Unfortunately this will add some problems to my new year search of a new dojo, here in Utrecht or in Amsterdam, if finally I decide to go and live there. In Amsterdam I got more options of Aikido I do understand and enjoy better, than what it is offered here in Utrecht.

The time of this seminar is also quite good given that in the past few days my mind has been extremely busy and negative for different reasons. I can finally connect again to what I need and miss: good Aikido and much practice. Intensive practice. And it is great to see some good friend. A break from the “local” air (even if the thoughts are not so geographically local). And the cold temperature can help to freeze my poor brain so maybe it lasts longer! 🙂

I am happy also to see again Moscow: now I have to decide if taking the medium good camera or just trust the mobile phone..

Given I still have to upload the pictures from Indonesia, many friends would think I am not interested in photography anymore..

Do not despair, have trust! It is just a.. busy period..

Have a great weekend all of you out there.. but I will post some from Moscow for sure.. if I will have some remnant energy after practice!!

PS – after this trip I will cut my hairs very short. About time but too cold for doing it before Moscow!!!