I was watching this movie today (or rather finishing it) and I have to say a few thoughts that are unrelated to the subject of the movie came to mind. The first thing you think is that some of the injustices depicted, are almost tame compared to the police shootings we've seen on social media. Has to make you wonder.
Secondly, when people get shot in this movie... there is no blood. I'm not complaining. I'm just saying that I think I could do that. I mean you mainly rely on the skill of the actor. But even though you know what they are doing... I mean you still get the point. And this film was lauded. I mean what's so hard about that? You can probably get the sound of a gunshot to put into your video pretty easily.
Finally, the way everything ends at the end.. and I don't want to give away anything... I have to say it really should be family first. Well... don't know really hard to say.
But that's a sticky situation I don't know. America is so strong we never really have to think of it like that, as if not having a country is a possibility.
At first I sort of didn't like the movie... but it grew on me as I watched it today. I wasn't expecting the style.
Is it weird that watching that movie makes me want to make movies even more? Like I feel I could do that? Or a cheaper version of it? Maybe it's Naive of me.
What is Kung Fu and lion dance? Part self defense and fighting, part meditation and culture and part performance with drums and arts and crafts. Come and learn this art on Saturdays at 108 Stirling Road. Warren, NJ We work with Murray Hill Chinese School which also offers many other programs both cultural, academic and athletic. Check ou their website here https://www.mhcs-nj.org/
Kung Fu and Love
A great gift for Valentine's day or Chinese New Year
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
Being Positive even when succeeding
Learning and teaching Kung Fu I have struggled most of the time. When you are used to struggling sometimes it is strange to you when the doors are actually somehow open or seem to be.
You become as suspicious as Tso Tso seeing Zhuge Liang playing a flute on top of a wall of a seemingly abandoned city.
In any case, in addition to the classes I teach to kids at the house and the three month stick fighting thing I do, We are now going to focus on a long term Lion Dance and Kung Fu troupe. It's focus will be about team building and camaraderie. We are still working out how the group will make money...and part of the problem I had with it was that yes I believe I need to be compensated since I am being compensated for my classes now.
I mean I do volunteer for my community, but often, not only are those classes a lot of work, I suspect they are MORE work than the ones I get paid for... when I could be doing a class that I could be paid for during that time slot. Obviously I must get something out of it that I do not get out of the classes that pay... and the truth is, the "business" model that I have been using for the past ten years... is simply not working. But neither is the "I do all the work and don't get paid" model. It's not just that I don't get paid, it's that I put forth a lot of effort and I see very little result in the students.
But now that Grace is on board, she has a lot of ideas and has friends who have ideas for creating a new type of lion dance team that is more about the Jamaica Plain Lifestyle.
You become as suspicious as Tso Tso seeing Zhuge Liang playing a flute on top of a wall of a seemingly abandoned city.
In any case, in addition to the classes I teach to kids at the house and the three month stick fighting thing I do, We are now going to focus on a long term Lion Dance and Kung Fu troupe. It's focus will be about team building and camaraderie. We are still working out how the group will make money...and part of the problem I had with it was that yes I believe I need to be compensated since I am being compensated for my classes now.
I mean I do volunteer for my community, but often, not only are those classes a lot of work, I suspect they are MORE work than the ones I get paid for... when I could be doing a class that I could be paid for during that time slot. Obviously I must get something out of it that I do not get out of the classes that pay... and the truth is, the "business" model that I have been using for the past ten years... is simply not working. But neither is the "I do all the work and don't get paid" model. It's not just that I don't get paid, it's that I put forth a lot of effort and I see very little result in the students.
But now that Grace is on board, she has a lot of ideas and has friends who have ideas for creating a new type of lion dance team that is more about the Jamaica Plain Lifestyle.
Monday, February 13, 2017
Spring Kung Fu and Shilelagh's too.
The Spring Kung Fu class will be starting up in March. For $60 you will learn some kick ass Kung Fu for the months of March April and May. (That comes to $20 a month in case you were counting, which is extremely affordable.)
With St. Patrick's Day being in March... we are going to play with that idea. The class will be focusing on a (STAGED!) short stick fighting form that is done with two people. (If the class has an odd number of people I will jump in and partner with someone.) Using this short stick form as a base, I will show how you can modify it for use with other weapons as well. The Shilelagh is easiest since it is also a short stick. Equally as easy is a stage combat single sided sword (a "do") However with swords with an actual edge, to avoid destroying the sword there are a few tricks you can do. This also works for using weak cosplay swords.
(which we will do first... in fact the sharp swords will only be employed in a matter that is safe... so if we don't get to it... no biggie)
You can also employ light sabers for those who are training to be Jedi Knights or Sith Lords.
Some fun bonuses will be:
-Review of the two man fighting form "Dai Do cherng/ big knife polearm vs. Spear)
-Push hands
-push sticks
-Basics
-Chi Gung
-Animal dances
Towards the end of the class we will participate in the Wake Up the Earth Parade where we will parade as various animals (based on Kung Fu movements) and do a demo of the form we learned at the end. This will be done in conjunction with Kung Fu students from the Curley School as well as Nativity Preparatory School.
This class is going to be fun and our group is quiet friendly and fun to be around.
Fridays at 8pm is the time and the secret location in JP will be given to you once you contact me to sign up.
Normally I charge $60-$70 dollars an hour for my Kung Fu, and even more than that for workshops and performances. As much as $800.00 an hour for a show. (That's a show with me and my two boys... not a 12 man team)
But it isn't all about the money. It's about the Art and camaraderie. Plus other skills pay much more than Kung Fu an hour when it comes down to it. If I was in it for the money, I would be doing something else.
This class is about getting a group together and having fun.
I could do the class for free, but then people would flake out and not learn the form.
With St. Patrick's Day being in March... we are going to play with that idea. The class will be focusing on a (STAGED!) short stick fighting form that is done with two people. (If the class has an odd number of people I will jump in and partner with someone.) Using this short stick form as a base, I will show how you can modify it for use with other weapons as well. The Shilelagh is easiest since it is also a short stick. Equally as easy is a stage combat single sided sword (a "do") However with swords with an actual edge, to avoid destroying the sword there are a few tricks you can do. This also works for using weak cosplay swords.
(which we will do first... in fact the sharp swords will only be employed in a matter that is safe... so if we don't get to it... no biggie)
You can also employ light sabers for those who are training to be Jedi Knights or Sith Lords.
Some fun bonuses will be:
-Review of the two man fighting form "Dai Do cherng/ big knife polearm vs. Spear)
-Push hands
-push sticks
-Basics
-Chi Gung
-Animal dances
Towards the end of the class we will participate in the Wake Up the Earth Parade where we will parade as various animals (based on Kung Fu movements) and do a demo of the form we learned at the end. This will be done in conjunction with Kung Fu students from the Curley School as well as Nativity Preparatory School.
This class is going to be fun and our group is quiet friendly and fun to be around.
Fridays at 8pm is the time and the secret location in JP will be given to you once you contact me to sign up.
Normally I charge $60-$70 dollars an hour for my Kung Fu, and even more than that for workshops and performances. As much as $800.00 an hour for a show. (That's a show with me and my two boys... not a 12 man team)
But it isn't all about the money. It's about the Art and camaraderie. Plus other skills pay much more than Kung Fu an hour when it comes down to it. If I was in it for the money, I would be doing something else.
This class is about getting a group together and having fun.
I could do the class for free, but then people would flake out and not learn the form.
Monday, February 6, 2017
A Superbowl Confession
Last night when we won the Superbowl the Facebook page exploded with everyone's comments. But I will tell you the truth. I watched the first half of the game and then Grace went to bed saying, "It's over already."
Jonah was sick... but I actually did not go to sleep. Instead, I switched to Netflix and started binge watching "Reign" a show that really was made for teenage girls, about Mary Stuart AKA Mary Queen of Scots.
My point is... I'm weird.
I think when I was in school and people could really see that I didn't have a lot of interest in sports games on TV (I played them at recess, I just didn't watch them) They viewed me strangely.
It wasn't that I seemed perhaps less American... I went to school with a lot of people that were not born in this country and I was.
It was more like, that I was not fully HUMAN.
Most people sitting down for the Super Bowl were thinking about strategies and battle plans.
My thoughts were more along the lines of being amazed that in City after City, these giant stadiums are built solely for the purpose of football... and that they can actually MAKE money.
Would Americans in the 1800's been able to have imagined this? Well what will our culture be like 200 years later?
When I found out that they won at that the Victory Parade will be Tuesday, I thought, "Maybe I should cancel my dentist appointment."
Not to go to the parade, but to avoid it.
I heard their were riots in Boston and Atlanta.
To make a blanket statement about race... it does seem that while black people will riot when something is lost... strangely white people riot when they win. Like Nordic Savages frothing at the mouth it is the excitement of winning that boils their blood to violence.
In fact, one could argue that the founding of our Country was actually one prolonged and organized riot starting with the Tea Party and ending with.... well maybe it never actually ended.
I saw some hashtags about how this will not effect the next 4 years of your life.
I don't begrudge people their fun. I'm just pointing out that I am more interested in the what people's reactions are around sports, than the actual sport itself. If were to join in the chaos (which I am more likely to go hide and avoid it to be honest) while others would scream "We F-ing WOn!!!!!" I would be like, "We're F-ing rioting!!!!!"
Do I wish that I had seen it? I guess. But to watch it alone while Jonah is lying there sick would be doubly depressing. I've only ever watched the game at a party with friends. Because I guess I am not watching the game.
I'm watching them watch the game.
Jonah was sick... but I actually did not go to sleep. Instead, I switched to Netflix and started binge watching "Reign" a show that really was made for teenage girls, about Mary Stuart AKA Mary Queen of Scots.
My point is... I'm weird.
I think when I was in school and people could really see that I didn't have a lot of interest in sports games on TV (I played them at recess, I just didn't watch them) They viewed me strangely.
It wasn't that I seemed perhaps less American... I went to school with a lot of people that were not born in this country and I was.
It was more like, that I was not fully HUMAN.
Most people sitting down for the Super Bowl were thinking about strategies and battle plans.
My thoughts were more along the lines of being amazed that in City after City, these giant stadiums are built solely for the purpose of football... and that they can actually MAKE money.
Would Americans in the 1800's been able to have imagined this? Well what will our culture be like 200 years later?
When I found out that they won at that the Victory Parade will be Tuesday, I thought, "Maybe I should cancel my dentist appointment."
Not to go to the parade, but to avoid it.
I heard their were riots in Boston and Atlanta.
To make a blanket statement about race... it does seem that while black people will riot when something is lost... strangely white people riot when they win. Like Nordic Savages frothing at the mouth it is the excitement of winning that boils their blood to violence.
In fact, one could argue that the founding of our Country was actually one prolonged and organized riot starting with the Tea Party and ending with.... well maybe it never actually ended.
I saw some hashtags about how this will not effect the next 4 years of your life.
I don't begrudge people their fun. I'm just pointing out that I am more interested in the what people's reactions are around sports, than the actual sport itself. If were to join in the chaos (which I am more likely to go hide and avoid it to be honest) while others would scream "We F-ing WOn!!!!!" I would be like, "We're F-ing rioting!!!!!"
Do I wish that I had seen it? I guess. But to watch it alone while Jonah is lying there sick would be doubly depressing. I've only ever watched the game at a party with friends. Because I guess I am not watching the game.
I'm watching them watch the game.
Sunday, February 5, 2017
Disney's Kicking It
My kids have been obsessed with this show about a Karate school. It's silly and I don't even like parts of it. But my kids will watch this and be cracking up and in tears. Mainly I was attracted to the fact that the show is centered around a Martial Arts school, but it's not like it's a gang or whatever. I always wanted to make a show that centered around Moh Goon. I mean it's very Disney, but I was very tickled by the idea of having all these fight scenes and what not. I wanted to ban them from watching it. But since they are sick and seem to enjoy it so much I figure what the hell.
What's my problem with it anyway? I guess it has a lot of Disney-esque stereotypes and you have the Chinese Character for learn or school up there but virtually no Asian Characters (though the main character Jack, might be mixed) Black people all act a certain way, and you are supposed to laugh. Nerds act a certain way, jocks act a certain way, there is the hot blond character that acts a certain way. None of it is overtly racist. In fact there is probably an argument for it being "diverse" and showing multi-culturalism.
My problem is that my kids might not even have been exposed to these "mainstream" categories and lables yet and this is how they learn about them....
It seems harmeless....
But whatever, even i like watching it. And the kids are doing more moves around the house.
The Karate grandmaster is actually called Bobby Wasabi (you see what I mean?) But part of me is like... "Should we make up a silly Kung Fu chain?" I guess this is how the mainstream views martial arts, so it's good to at least know that, even if we don't have to copy it.
I guess at the end of the day, the kids like it and the violence is less than Inuyasha or whatever, and there is laughing in the house.
What's my problem with it anyway? I guess it has a lot of Disney-esque stereotypes and you have the Chinese Character for learn or school up there but virtually no Asian Characters (though the main character Jack, might be mixed) Black people all act a certain way, and you are supposed to laugh. Nerds act a certain way, jocks act a certain way, there is the hot blond character that acts a certain way. None of it is overtly racist. In fact there is probably an argument for it being "diverse" and showing multi-culturalism.
My problem is that my kids might not even have been exposed to these "mainstream" categories and lables yet and this is how they learn about them....
It seems harmeless....
But whatever, even i like watching it. And the kids are doing more moves around the house.
The Karate grandmaster is actually called Bobby Wasabi (you see what I mean?) But part of me is like... "Should we make up a silly Kung Fu chain?" I guess this is how the mainstream views martial arts, so it's good to at least know that, even if we don't have to copy it.
I guess at the end of the day, the kids like it and the violence is less than Inuyasha or whatever, and there is laughing in the house.
Saturday, February 4, 2017
Chewing Gum
I finished this hilarious series... and mostly, not only is it entertaining, but it s able to talk about all sorts of things, race, sex, and all the difficulties of growing up in a quick series. Maybe because it's British. Maybe because it's comedy. But it deals with all those things that you just would feel to awkward to cover in a sex ed class.
I loved how Tracy will be in these highly sexual situations and then move like she is trying to turn people on.. and (now this I believe is a skill) make the whole scene.. no.. the whole NOTION of the scene seem ridiculous. You see these type of "hot" scenes all the time in media, whether it is a show, or even more often, commercials. And Tracy just blasts the whole idea of making scenes like that by calling them out ofr being fake.
In a way this series talks about big social problems and family problems. Incest, socio economic barriers, drugs, suicide, religion. Everything is n there... and somehow it's... FUNNY!
It genius really.
I can't wait until my kids are old enough that I can watch it with them.
I mean it solves the problem of the "talk" because today there are all sorts of things you need to talk about.
And yeah... Chewing Gum pretty much covers all of them.
I loved how Tracy will be in these highly sexual situations and then move like she is trying to turn people on.. and (now this I believe is a skill) make the whole scene.. no.. the whole NOTION of the scene seem ridiculous. You see these type of "hot" scenes all the time in media, whether it is a show, or even more often, commercials. And Tracy just blasts the whole idea of making scenes like that by calling them out ofr being fake.
In a way this series talks about big social problems and family problems. Incest, socio economic barriers, drugs, suicide, religion. Everything is n there... and somehow it's... FUNNY!
It genius really.
I can't wait until my kids are old enough that I can watch it with them.
I mean it solves the problem of the "talk" because today there are all sorts of things you need to talk about.
And yeah... Chewing Gum pretty much covers all of them.
Thursday, February 2, 2017
Reading "The Paper Menagerie" for bed time stories.
The other night I read the story the Paper Menagerie, in Ken Liu's book, with the title of the same name. It's cool because it has origami animals that come to life. I had forgotten how racial it is though. When I read it to myself I didn't cry...but when I read it to them, I started bawling at the end. Luckily they had fallen asleep by that time already. I mean real tears were coming down.
I still haven't finished all the stories though.
The Kwan Gung story is long, but I think it will be a story I will read over and over for several reasons. I like how that story talks about the mixing of traditions. And it definitely inspired me to make the Jamaica Plain Chinese New year event an even bigger deal next time.
I still haven't finished all the stories though.
The Kwan Gung story is long, but I think it will be a story I will read over and over for several reasons. I like how that story talks about the mixing of traditions. And it definitely inspired me to make the Jamaica Plain Chinese New year event an even bigger deal next time.
Wednesday, February 1, 2017
Chinese New Year in Jamaica Plain a success.
The event was a success thanks to Nativity and thanks to Chinatown Blogger Adriana Li.
Got some cool picks out of this too that I will be using for myself. lol
Adriana wrote up a post about it on the Chinatown Blog which you can read here.
I wanted to do a recap with the Nativity kids and talk about mistakes, etc. today.. but Noah isn't feeling that well still so we will hold off on that until next week.
I was going to introduce the concept of the guided free form, where the kids follow the pattern of the Celtic cross to create their own form. And also clarify somethings about the relationship with the stage, how to hold the head, and stage presence or at least stage awareness.
But there is no rush for that and they did already do an event this week. I assume they will probably play outside for longer so they very well may enjoy the fact that I'm not able to teach today.
Got some cool picks out of this too that I will be using for myself. lol
Adriana wrote up a post about it on the Chinatown Blog which you can read here.
I wanted to do a recap with the Nativity kids and talk about mistakes, etc. today.. but Noah isn't feeling that well still so we will hold off on that until next week.
I was going to introduce the concept of the guided free form, where the kids follow the pattern of the Celtic cross to create their own form. And also clarify somethings about the relationship with the stage, how to hold the head, and stage presence or at least stage awareness.
But there is no rush for that and they did already do an event this week. I assume they will probably play outside for longer so they very well may enjoy the fact that I'm not able to teach today.
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