shanmonster | I've Got a Joint Lock on My Own Thumb

I fumbled all the way through tiger/snake form last night. The movements are starting to make more sense to me. However, I found the hand positions exceedingly difficult because of some pretty serious pain in my right thumb. I believe it's the arthritis the doctors tell me I probably have (but never shows up on any medical tests). Osteoarthritis runs in the family, and right now, the base joint of my thumb hurts like the bejeezus, and no position seems to relieve the pain, although some worsen it. I took an Advil during kung fu last night, but it didn't seem to help at all.

I think the soreness in my thumb is presaging a change in weather. I have built-in barometers like that. I just wish they didn't hurt so damned much. Argh!

Anyhow, the tiger/snake form did go pretty well. I went over it in my head this morning, while in that half-awake/half-asleep state, and I can get 3/4 of the way through before I get confused. I still need to ascertain what my hands are supposed to be doing through parts of it, though. They move between fists, spear hands, phoenix eyes, leopard strikes, and tiger claws. And that's not even taking into consideration the arm movements, kicks, and stances! There's so much to remember, and my brain is already too full.

As I was getting ready to bike home, I chanced across a group of teens. They watched me unlock my bike and set my sword across the saddlebags, and one of the boys asked, "Is that a real sword?"

"Yes," I said.

"Whoa....."

And then I biked back home to a delicious post-workout meal. Food always tastes best right after heavy exercise.

cynebeah called me last night, and we talked for a long time. Too long, considering what it must cost her to phone from Austria. Her boyfriend keniken was in a terrible incident a month ago. While walking down the street, he was jumped by a bunch of thugs and beaten almost to death just for the hell of it. That's what happens in the UK during football games. A bunch of bleedin' psychos over there--just like in an Irvine Welsh novel. f00dave, when you go over there, keep off the streets during big sports events. They'll murderize you for sure.