In A Fog

I have no rants this week, not even an interesting thought for myself let alone to blog about.

I am not sure why but last week was terrible for training and focus. It started by missing a couple of days of doing anything. No forms, no pushups, no weights or running. Life happens of course, and days like these interfere, however, I couldn't seem to pull myself out of it.

The more I didn't do the more I didn't want to do (sorry grammar police).

It was a slippery slope ...no physical activity made me feel sluggish and down and the result was no motivation to do any physical activity.

The simple solution is to just do it!(thanks Nike).

It was tough, I begrudgingly dragged myself to the gym and forced out a pathetic workout. Just like that the Endorphin release (as the theory goes) put me in a better frame of mind and I felt like I was back in control again.

I still feel like I am in a fog, I don't have alot of drive or focus back yet.

Right now the important thing to do when your in a fog is to keep going, don't stop and assure yourself the fog and lack of focus is only temporary.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

I'll have to Think about it.

I am amazed by people whom are what I call "deep thinkers" or maybe a better description would be philosophical individuals.
I have decided that I am a lazy thinker.
I live in a world where I want answers. Its either black or white, yes or no, wrong or right. Of course I know life is not like this, as a matter of fact it is rarely black or white, more 99% a mass of colors with many circumstances to consider.
Anyways, I listen to the thoughts of others.
Why do I not process thoughts like they do. My brain seems to stop and say thats enough. I have all the information I need to make a decision.

Diving into the deep philosophy world tires me out... Does life have to be that complicated? Do we need to beat the issue, the topic to death? Whats with all the metaphors and riddles?
42 What?...Can you people please get to the point!

Sorry, that was out loud.

This is my brain giving out on me. You see, I manage to push myself physically the extra mile...one more lap, two more pushups, just another rep... but I do not apply this to the old grey matter.

The question is do I need to? Should I start trying to?
If physical activity keeps the body young should not mental activity do the same for the brain?

I have always had enough common sense to get by on but I find myself becoming more opened minded as I age(mature), I am more apt to listen to the "blah blah blah" of my philosophical company where I used to shut them down with a point blank rebuttal ...or maybe I am just getting soft.

I don't know, I guess I'll just have to think about it.


JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

What has kung fu done for me?

I hated this question when I tested for my Black Belt. I spent months trying to answer this question in my head and when it came time to express it publicly for the school banquet I completely deviated from my written speech and improvised.

So now the topic has come up again, this time its seems ridiculously easy to reply.

Kung fu hasn't done anything for me...Silent River Kung Fu has done everything for me.

Now before you think I am trying to score points with the big guy, I am seriously not the type to go to that kind of trouble.

The fact is, over the years as many people have found out I practiced a martial art the comments and questions were always the same..."What style do you train in?" "What belt level are you?" ..."Yeah , I tried karate for a while, it was boring after a while" or "Yeah, I was in taekwondo, but the school was all about tournaments" or my favorite" Yeah, I took martial arts a few years ago, but the instructor was weird, he let his pet snake crawl around the floor while we did push ups! I quit after that..."

My point is, its not the particular martial art, its the school supporting the martial art.

I know I am super lucky to have stumbled across Silent River Kung Fu. I did not research the school or the owner or even watch a few classes before joining. I think there are lots of good schools but very few extraordinary schools.

So what is SRKF doing for me. It has reinforced work ethic, discipline to achieve any goal I set my mind to. I have not only learnt empathy for others but now I practice it. It has put me in a global frame of mind and reminds me every week to think outside of my little bubble.

I think it is important to attend on a regular basis because you are given a gentle reminder(and sometimes not so gentle) of these concepts to keep in front of you when you are out dealing with the civilians of your world!

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta Canada

Historical, Economical or Political

Edmonton municipal (city centre) airport closure is a local hot topic. This blog may not have an underlying message but as "Bob Layton" from our local radio station says, it may be a good way to vent and say good bye.

I won't get into the debate about why it should or should not be left open. That has been done and obviously the professional presentation to keep the airport alive has not convinced the people who hold the power. I 'm holding back right now because I can think of about ten good reasons it should stay active off the top of my head....however...

This airport has history, for alot of people, for me personally I was 17 years old when I started working at the Edmonton Flying Club as a dispatcher. The building is still there and still looks the same. When I drive by it, I can glimpse back in time when I was a young teen with my first real job. (Yes, I once was a teenager). I went on to refuel and groom the aircraft and then finally apprentice as a mechanic. At that point I left Edmonton to go to school for my apprenticeship.

I did come back to work at different hangars around the airport periodically over the years. Over those past years I have watched the airport go from a vibrant transportation hub, all different sizes of aircraft from commercial, corporate, flying schools and private recreational to a sad neglected quiet field.

I recall, you could finish a hard days work and walk across the street to the local establishments for a beverage and be sure there would be someone to sit down and chat with from the aviation community. The aviation community is a tight one and this airport was a neighborhood and a mutual meeting ground for everyone all over the provinces and territories. There was and is no other place like it.

Of course this is my history, long before me it was a World War II aircraft training post. A walk through the the museum at the airport is well worth your time. Actually, quite amazing what went on a this little airport.

I guess I am one of those people whom are effected by the closure at the heart of the matter.

Its like watching a loved one die a slow and painful death with all her dignity forcefully taken away. You almost wish they would pull the plug and get it over with because you can't bear to see her it this state anymore when you know the inevitable is coming. May be a little over dramatic to others but it is exactly how I feel about it.

I just wish I lived in Edmonton so I could vote next go around!

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta ,Canada

Is it Going to be a Bad Day?

Last night I spent 2 1/2 hours working on my blog. I was trying to paste a table in and every time I posted everything shifted and jumbled. Not happy!
I thought fine, I'll put it to draft and move on, no big deal.
This morning my son woke me up at 5am! Ok, so who needs sleep!
Consequently, I did not work out this morning, I forgot to make a healthy lunch. I missed the bus, so alright, I will just drive in today. I was starting to run a little late, starting to get cranky now. Parked the car only to find the meter wasn't dispensing tickets!!aaahhhh!!
Before I accept that its going to be a bad day, I had just read Sifu Davies Blog and how he pointed out the importance of positive thinking.(thats what I got out of it, he's a complex dude!)
So instead, I will special order something healthy from the food court, I will walk up the stairs twice today(I'm on the 11th floor) and go do pushups at lunch time, and most important, make act of kindness a priority today.
This should turn the table...yes?

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Stop the Press!!..whats a press?

Too much bad news, too much shocking news. Its coming fast and its always trying to be more alarming then the day before. I had to catch myself as of late. I was feeling crappy and dismal. I wasn't sure why then I realized life has become increasingly serious in my head. I seem to have lost my sense of humour and sense of hope. Whats wrong with me...(deep sigh)?

Oh wait...could it be the constant bombardment of information that is unethically reported and announced in such a manner as to shock, anger or panic people ? Is it the smiling faces at 6pm that give you the 45 second blurr on whatever pieces of information they could put together in rapid fire succession, just long enough to raise your eyebrows, they smile and tell you tune into the late news edition "we'll keep you posted" (because we care).

So then you say enough of that, off the TV goes, only to find your favorite radio station is following suite. Forget about the Internet, thats 2 hours worth of surfing trying to get all the facts from so many different sources.

What has got me irritated today, is last weeks unfortunate line up of celebrity deaths. I won't go into detail for unless you live in a cave you know all about it. I am just fed up with the feeding frenzy, the lack of compassion, the medias obvious capitalizing on tragic events and to top it off I hear the radio shows that decide they are going to chat it up about "celebrity death pools" and Internet sites (news based) that have already mocked and joked as far and as tasteless as they could take it.

I am digressing from the main point I am trying to make, the "celebrity " frenzy was just a breaking point, the real political, economic and international events , however, I find are reported in much the same manner, is it time to turn off the garbage? but how will I stay informed.

I went looking for some genuine good news , that is hard to find, or maybe it is not reported in the same manner so it doesn't stick out as much, but it is out there.

I do find the BBC seems to report in more of a objective point of view.

I'll keep looking.

The media can manipulate, sway, influence all facets of our lives.

I guess I have a question... why does the biggest influence in our lives seem to go so unaccounted for?

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta Canada

Homeless not Soulless

There has not been a day missed at work where I have not encountered the homeless.

When I drive my car I park east of Boyle Street and walk to Canada Place. I walk right past the Salvation Army, Women's shelter and a myriad of characters.

I haven't been living under a rock, I know major cities have an inner city population of homeless and poverty stricken individuals, however, when you experience it for real everyday, I find it to be a shocking reality.

I am new to the downtown lifestyle and the fast pace busy people that surround me. I notice my seasoned coworkers do not even notice the wandering individuals begging, sitting or mumbling around them. I wonder if it is just a matter of time before I start to numb myself to the obvious as well.

Its strange, there is a regular group of homeless ( I say homeless but honestly I do not know if that in fact is true, I know its not fair to label someone like that without really knowing but I will go with it for the sake of discussion) Anyways, I see some these individuals the same I would see my co-workers , everyday, around the same time.

There is "sidewalk" guy he sits just outside the Salvation Army and uses the same line all the time "Excuse me ma'am, I'm hungry, some change, money for a cup a coffee?'...I gave him my banana once but I think he was disappointed and put it to the side. There is "pizza guy" he gets himself in trouble at the food court going from table to table(manages to get someone to buy him a piece of pizza the odd time). There is "grandma" lady, she has her cigarette outside the Salvation Army building. She doesn't say much but she always makes a big spit in the road standing from the sidewalk. Finally there is "can of coke guy" , he buys one can of coke and around 10 am everyday sits in the same place and drinks his can of coke while looking like he is deep in thought. I have to say he catches my attention the most. He looks very sad,his hair is long and gray and matches is beard and mustache. He wears a winter jean jacket and jeans. He keeps to himself and seems to be looking out past the crowd of people thinking about something.

I sit and wonder what his story is, actually I wonder what all of their stories are? What happened? Are they happy? Do they have family ?

It bothers me, alot.

These people are or were somebodies child at one time. Did things go bad that long ago. Could you imagine your child growing up and ending up a lost soul. How do these people slip through the cracks?

The irony is, I work in a government building, people come and go in such a mad rush and most times don't even notice the guy on the sidewalk.

Its just like the Christmas commercial where the people in poverty blend into the wall as shoppers hurriedly rush by.

Is it just a matter of time when I won't notice them either? Will I become complacent? The problem with complacency is it sneaks up on you.

I offer eye contact, a smile and above all respect, I don't want to loose that . I believe you cannot pass judgement until you walk a mile in someones shoes.

These people are homeless not soulless.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta ,Canada