Kung Fu and Love

Kung Fu and Love
A great gift for Valentine's day or Chinese New Year

Sunday, December 30, 2018

HOT POT: divisiveness and togetherness. FEN JIU BE HE HE JIU BE FEN

3A recent twitter storm over hot pot has inspired me to recount my own hot pot experience. The twitter war has been over whether it is racist to make fun hot pot, or something like that. I have often surprised people when I told them I am not that into hot pot, especially since when I do go to hot pot I grab all the organ type parts and pig out. They assume that my whiteness or germaphobia is the reason why I wouldn't like it. It's actually that I dont understand the cost and hot pot, or shabu shabu or da been lo was introduced to me as an excuse to down all sorts of alcohol and the swishing of meat in broth was sort of an expensive side activity, like darts.

When I said to my wife I didnt understand the cost, she said, "That's cause you never tried to prepare it yourself. There's lots of little parts." Which brings me to the other way hot pot aka da been lo was introduced to me, which was an activity done at home as a party. I did have fantastic hot pot with childhood friends and teachers L Chan and M Li and live shrimp was involved. (That was probably the best hot pot I have ever had) But the hot pot moment that really stands out in my mind was the time me and my Si Hing tried to throw a hot pot party at the Kung Fu school, a grand attempt to bring FOB and ABC and various other flavors of Americans together into one blended thing...it was a happy night but we never attempted this again.

Si Hing: "We should get all the guys together like a lot of people do now and da been lo. Just get together to have fun. Have the kids and the adults. But we have to borrow the electric pot and buy these frozen fish balls etc. There is a lot of preparation."

The night of the grand event was actually the hour after the kids class. Americans showed up with girlfriends bearing gifts of Champagne and dressed up in clubbing gear while the children and I wore Kung Fu clothes, not realizing the level of formality the event had taken on.

As the preparations were being made one of the more suburban Jook sing ish kids started a rebellious chant of "We want food!" Which was emphasized by banging on the home made kids table which was a board on top of those plastic chair stools old ladies sit on the separate stems from leaves on the vegetables.

Sifu: Hey you guys know what you are doing?

We tried to explain hot pot aka shabu shabu aka da been lo to our Sifu and my Si Hing's father. "Such a thing will never work " He shook his head, "You guys are young and lack experience, step aside."

The  hot pot pieces were then all boiled at once and served to the kids basically turning hot pot into boiled dinner, (which is how much European food is made and served correct?) And then the adults formed a line and da been lo sort of became a soup kitchen, albeit tasty and home cooked.
The rebellion stopped, though some American women who had never before tried "Chinese Fondu" did not get the chance to experience this. In retrospect kids could have burned themselves if the hot pot would have been to be carried out. And in a way those Americsn girlfriends who probably by now, more than a decade later, have been to many a Chinese hot pot restaurant, got to experience something unique that night.

The kids ran around, conversation was made, nothing was actually shabued but everyone was fed and the champagne was opened.

It was fun, but I don't think a Moh Goon party like that was attempted except for lion dances where food was ordered or once for my birthday when again food was ordered and shots were put out for the lion to drink  and drunken kung fu was performed. But never again was home hot pot attempted at Moh Goon that I am aware of.

I wouldn't say it was a failure, it just wasn't what was envisioned. Of course as I am writing this my wife is now saying we should attempt to do home hot pot for New Year's eve.

Sure...what could go wrong?

Sunday, May 20, 2018

Origins of Cobra Kai. Cobra Kai 2

Finally watched the fianle with Garce and argued about what they should do on season 2. In Karate Kid 2 they travel back to Okinawa to discover if Origins of Miyagi Do Karate. I think they should travel to South Korea (Kreese's teacher is supposed to be South Korean.)

But who would play good Chozen or Miyagi tyoe characters. Just as Karate Kid 2 played with a dark side of Miyagi Do, maybe the light side if Cobra Kai should be played by Stand Up Comedian Eliot Chang. But the tole should be serious, just like Pat Morita played a serious Miyagi... well not too serious, which was the criticism of Toshiro Mifune's audition.

Would be cool to have an Chloe Kim be in there as the star of Cobra Kai's good branch. I mean they suggested Sam Larusso would be stepping onto the mat ans snow boarding is a perfect foil to Robbie's skateboarding.

Bur what about the origins of Cobra Kai? I would suggest a non traditional origin. For instabce I heard a story of a Korean Martial Artist who hot wired a Japanese plabe during the occupation and flew to Japan wanting to be a Kamikaze pilot....he didnt know how to fly a plane, he just did it.

He then was put into some prison camp or something with a group of other Korean men who had all bad assedly done the same thing. He read Musashi's book taught himself martial arts, shaved iff one eyebrow and isolated himself in training and later challenged all the Dojos in Japan and won. They made him a Japanese hero even though he is Korean because he is so bad ass. They made movies based on him (with nods to Bruce Lee's Chen Jen) but I think that would be the perfect origin story yo Cobra Kai, and a perfect way ti show the positive aspects of a way of thinking that comes out as strike hard strike fast no mercy.

Some kind of Zen intervention is needed to bring the Hawk and Miguel characters bacj to the light side and to fight Kreese and Terry Silver.

Like I sais, Elliot Chang would he a good mentor and Chloe Kim a great easy going fighter that is competetive but fun as well and maybe focuses on snowboarding and maybe might even lose well, similar to how Robin Hood loses to Little John... fighting with no mercy, losing, but then recruiting Little John.

The tree and the serpent

Grace finally agreed to watch Cobra Kai properly. The date of the all vallry tournament was yesterday so the creators jokingly apologized for upstaging the royal wedding.
Simultaneously I was looking up stuff online for this lion dance ritual I wanted to make my own but draw from  older sources and probably mix it with western stuff because I am mixed....in any case, I was looking in ancient places.

The story of the nian suggests an ancient origin because it suggests the origin of the word for year... nian. Han writing is from the north, but ask a northern Chinese person about the story of the nian and they will look at you funny.

Tell them the story well enough and they will believe that you just taught them something about their own culture. By try to actually trace the story and think about what really makes sense.... and you might come to a conclusion that the traditions, in the form they are, are newer than yoy are... and draw from older traditions....much like what I am doing now.

Cobra Kai, Karate Kid, and Martial Arts in general all do this.

Miyagi Do Karate comes from a fisherman who gets lost and learns Kung Fu on China (this is similar to the actual story of Karate, which is Fukianese White Crane and was once called Chinese hand instead of empty hand) it is practuced by the Miyagi Family in Okinawa. (actual Karate becomes widespread in Japan when an educator makes it part if the curriculum, interestingly at around the same time Suzuki develops his method of violin teaching. The goals are similar and the Karate educator is a pacifist.)

In Karate kid they play with these ideas through Mr. Miyagi, the teacher and then his friend and nephew who represent Modern Japan in the 80s.

In Cobra Kai, Danny is the American who grew up with the Karate kid movies and loves the symbolism, but ultimately is not Mr. Miyagi, and all Larusso has are the teachings.

Simitlarly Johnny is getting his teachings from an 80s movie, from his students, and from people around him. The women in the story, whether it is Danny's wife, Miguel's mom, seem to be the adult voices. The voices of reason. The grandmothers both have more pugilistic views. Aisha often has rational interpretations of strike first that bring the Cobra Kais away from acting too crazy.

My point with all this is that even though Cobra Kai is fictional, it toys with old stories that are ancient.... but one of the symbolic and ancient stories it may be destined to toy with intentionally or subconsciously...has its orugins bot in the east but in the west. After all, the Cobra, snakes, nagas, dragons, these are holy things in the east... in the west too before Christianity. Arthur used the serpent but that is a pagan symbol.

The symbol of Cobra Kai is obviously the snake. What is the symbol of Miyagi Do? It is the Bonsai... the tree. Cobra Kai, is telling the story from the Serpent's point of view.... you see whete I am going here? In fact this symbolism is the only thing that is good about Karate Kid 3.

Hopefully Cobra Kai 2 will draw from the plethora of Kung Fu movies. I mean. Robbie is easily  Yang Guo from Condor heroes...

But the "blueprints", as Larusso would say, of these movies is more easily seen in Genesis. Which makes sense given which culture is actually writing the story.

In fact in an interview they compare Ally to Helen of Troy.

Grace was asking me what the point of Cobra Kai is, and why not keep Miguel with Danny. Keep it formulaic.

The point is two countries fighting and that there is always another side to the story.

The point for me is, story tellers are so creatuve and imaginitive that they can make something new and awesome that draws so well from ancient rituals that you believe that they are older than they are. Instead of getting mad about this... get inspired.








Tuesday, May 8, 2018

Cobra Kai

I binged watched this series already, and talking about it, yes most likely I will have spoilers... so don't read on if you plan to watch it! The thing is, the original movies are formulaic and I have to see this series, in terms of plot,  really has the others beat. Even though you are watching within the Karate kid formula and with many of the same themes... you really don't know what to expect exactly... or even who to cheer for!

The only flaw is that there is no Mr. Miyagi type character, because nobody can replace Pat Morita. Some people thought that the Mr. Miyagi asian master character was racist, some embraced it. All I will say it is a shame that there is no Asian hero... but I like how they played with the Asian stereotypes.

Again spoiler alert..l but the Asian guy (who is a minor villain) is an Alpha male jock who is a love interest. In other words... he is the new Johnny.

Daniel's character is split in two... and basically we learn that life is not as simple as good and bad. This plot is more complicated.

There is also that feeling of 80's verses the modern generation, and how i some ways you can bond more with your enemy than your own family at times, because you are more similar.


It made me rewatch Karate Kid 2 and 3 (you should just read the recap for 3, some good ideas but not worth the time) with Noah. I guess we should rewatch one but Noah was adamant that he remembered everything.



And so...although there will be much written and has been much written about these movies, I will talk about it from my Martial Arts perspective.


Even though Johnny is depicted as a "loser" for having a strip mall Karate Dojo... that is my freakin dream. And yes, Cobra Kai is a bad ass form of martial art. Although they make the following lines seem sort of evil, I am going to compare it to White Crane.... two styles of White Crane.


Here is what Johnny posts on the wall of his Dojo.


1. Strike first
2.Strike Hard
3. No Mercy



This is considered the unsportsmanlike dark side in Karate kid one. Larusso (Being in NJ, we actuall know some Larusso's now lol) any way, Larusso tells Johnny, "Why would you bring this back to the valley."

Johnny, "Because the lessons worked."

Larusso sarcastically, "Strike hard strike first no mercy? Yeah that's really the lessons that kids need."


In truth. Johnny seems to be learning more from his students than the other way around. And I have to say, I really empathize with him. And Danny Larrusso can't really say shit because he hasn't been teaching Karate! He basically left a void this whole time which Johnny does his best to fill. He steps in as a leader to these youth who are outsiders like Larusso and whom Danny's daughter even left for more popular kids. And by reawakening a rival for Danny, in a way, Johnny is showing Danny (inadvertantly) that he has gone astray. Danny needs Johnny in order to be Danny. And this time around. Danny pulls some inexcusable asshole shit and shows that he has some character flaws he needs to work on as well.


Anyway, here are four words of philosophy from Tibetan White Crane. (My style of Kung Fu is not fully this form... but my basics are essentially this. I don't teach kids the philosophy (no time) but I do teach them the moves, which in and of themselves aren't savage, or even useful if they are only practiced once a week, something I have to remedy...


I might not even have the order right but.

1. Jeet
2.Chuen
3.Seem
4. Chan


Bruce Lee took Jeet and created Jeet kuen do. It is an intercepting fist that is able to start second but finish first. In other words, dun du dun!!!! Strike First!


Yes, Tibetan White Crane is an OFFENSIVE Martial Art. The Crane.. .is an Offensive animal. It is a predator. And there are Snake and Crane forms. But the Tibetan White Crane has it's origin story in Ape and Crane. Where a wild Ape attacks the crane with cups and the crane "defends" itself by attacking. It avoids the moves and strikes the eye. Tibetan white crane incorporates both animals, the the systems outside of my school that I have seen are heavier on the ape than the crane in my opinion. But maybe that's like a level thing and the Crane moves are more hidden.


Chuen gum paw saec... or penetrating gold and destroying rock... an exagerated and mythical allegory that says... Strike Hard!  Yes if you are going to strike than strike hard. A crane is a peaceful animal, but it strikes the fish (not an enemy but prey) to kill it and then eat it.

Fai yuet Seem deen.... just like the song...  "And they were fast as lighnin".....Obviously, in any sport or skill, after you are smooth and good.... being fast is helpful and cool looking, and when fighting... important.


Chan Fai... handicap.... in other words, cripple the opponent. ie. NO MERCY!


Ok, so is this evil or too much?

I would argue not. And Even when Johnny teaches Xolo or I think the character's name is Miguel... Danny 2.0... the throat strike... or the bite of the Cobra, he explains that the throat strike is only for extreme situations. In other words, even Johnny in all his aggression does hold back.


And the thing is.... if you are going to fight, then yes no mercy. Because you will show mercy, the other person doesn't, and your dead. As much as I would like to believe that I would have the skill to put someone into a BJJ choke hold and simply put them to sleep as seen on many a youtube video...I don't believe I am that good to hold back. What if you do that, because you are trying to be nice and then they stab you?


As some of my Si Hings in China said, who were unfortunately separated from our Sifu when he came to the states, they said, there are two options. 1. don't fight. 2.You fight (because there is no choice, or you feel you have no choice, or in many cases you can choose not to but for whatever reason you are decding to fight) Lau sei kui. Basically kill or maim or at least knock them out.

Why?

If you take this approach to martial arts instead of treating fighting like a game, you will probably get into less fights. That is a problem  sometimes because you get many Martial Artists, probably myself included, who don't fight much, for better or worse. In terms of developing your art? Probably worse.  But then if you fight all the time and get injured or whatever or beat the crap out of people who don't make you better.... well that doesn't help you get better either. Maybe it makes you worse.

If you fight and you are merciless in the fight and that gets around. As long as you don't force the situation up, people are less willing to fight you... even if you kind of suck at Kung Fu.

It wasn't until I rewatched Karate Kid 3 that I realized that Miyagi Do Karate is about the Kata and the roots and improving yourself inside and from there you will always know what to do. In fact, there is a lot in the movies that portray it as an internal art, more like Tai Chi. And it is defensive. Wax on Wax off is like Fujianese White Crane... but there is still the secret Drum counter punch of Karate Kid 2, much like the been ngow... actually exactly like Been ngow, which is an attack.

The Crane kick is an attack two when you think of it, and although Wikepedia says its not a real move Teen Gong Kuen has many a version of it, and it is done in a charging aggressive manner, with follow up punches.
   

Cobra Kai, is more about changing your outside, flipping the switch, like Lip transforming into Hawk, and then later you discover yourself (or maybe not) It isn't exactly evil... the truth is, you need both. Which makes me excited for future seasons... will the two forms of Karate be reconciled and become one in future generations?


The Cobra.


The Cobra is portrayed as something badass but evil.

But lets take a look at one of the jokes in Cobra Kai.


Johnny has to sublet to a Yoga class, which covers up the three lessons of Cobra Kai.... but then they get into... Cobra pose!

In fact, the idea of unleashing the serpent is all over Yoga.. watch Wild Wild Country....

Also there is a Buddhist story where Buddha as a child i meditating and the Cobra fans out it's body to provide shade for him....

Also the Tibetan White Crane body is like Bruce Lee's with the back like an iron fan... is like the Cobra's back.


Mein Lei jum and many of the forms are full of snake strikes, and BJJs chokes are like that of a boa constrictor....a gentle form of attack that is slow... but deadly.


There really isn't a lot of snake techniques in Cobra Kai in Karate Kid one... but you see more about the origins in Cobra Kai the youtube sereis, and from Karate Kid 3 and training methods in Cobra Kai the series, you get the sense that it has origins and history in the military. John Kreese's Sensei was South Korean and Kreese and Terry Silver served in Vietnam together. Kreese is racist against Asians calling Miyagi "slope" *this does not happen in the Youtube series, and Kreese's racsim  is bizarre since his sensei is Asian though we never meet him or learn about his personality. But I suppose he is supposed to be like that from the war. There is also a seen in Cobra Kai, where Johnny trains Miguel... which looks similar to a Navy Seal drill.


In other words, it would be really cool to learn in Season 2 of Cobra Kai, what we learned in Karate Kid part 2.... the origins of Cobra Kai. Is it part of US military training? Did Kreese take the wrong path or was his Sensei also an asshole?

There is a legendary fight which supposedly took place between Tae Kwon Do Master  who was the Drunken Master Villain. A Knife martial artist from Vietnam challenged him in South Korea and the Tae Kwon Do Master refused. Then when attacked, he killed him with a heel kick. or so says Wikipedia somewhere. In any case.... that would be cool to tie into this story... perhaps show a peaceful version of "Strike First, Strike Hard, No mercy" 


Yeah if you can't tell, I freaking love the series and the approach they took and it got me into practicing my basics again. I'm going to try to do Basics and Mein lei jum everyday on my own, and then also teach my kids on the schedule I have them, which involves more play... but I really want them to do the basics and mein lei jum endurance training too eventually.

I want to have a group that practices several times a week and is into the Martial Arts part of Kung Fu.


The series draws you in and you totally cheer for Cobra Kai and you also realize that there are flaws to being too pacifist. Even though the movies pretty much toy with that, and then show that ultimately you should be pacifist except when defending life, or a village. But not for honor or a plastic trophy.


But even still Miyagi said in p[art three, "it's ok to lose to your opponent, but not to fear." Not fighting out of fear is different than not fighting out of principle.


Ultimately, at the end though, and even throughout, you get the sense that Johnny is very close to something...a higher way of Karate, but always something is thrown in to throw him off that path, and more and more it seems like, if Miyagi could step in at that moment.... that Johnny would be able to achieve that mental enlightenment or be set right. Can he learn from Daniel or his students? The truth is that Daniel is also not really quite Miyagi and has a lot to learn as well. It almost seems like they can learn from each other... but then the plot throws a wrench in reconciliation... which shows true mastery of story telling.


And in the end.... Pandora's box is opened in terms of possibilities for Season two.


This is the best stuff I've seen in a long time... would be nice to see some more Asian characters though for season two. 

Sunday, April 29, 2018

Media cartels

If you haven't seen Netflix's "Bright" with Will Smith or "The Week Of" with Chris Rock and Adam Sandler and many other SNL stard you must. They are the best movies you will see in terms of action for "Bright" and  "Comedy" for "The week of."

I almost had a heart attack watching the situational comdedy of Sandler and Rock put together. It was like the office on steroids adding 10 years of pent up political incorect ethnic humor that is usually filtered through a stand uo comedian talking, but instead you are in the moment. I was more than rolling on the floor. I was in fetal position running parrallel to the floor in circles, eyes vlised and ears covered shouting, " No no no!" But still unable to stop watching.

Grace said they should have released it in the theaters. One could argue the same if bright. And for not releasing it in the theaters, as Amazon's "Manchester by the Sea" was, these direct to Netflix feature films (not series like "Stranger Things") with real blockbuster actors and real scripts and directors were attcked by rotten tomatoes and "real" movie critics abd the "real" movie industry like a shark out of water thrashing on land or on deck, attacking whatever it can knowing it will die and taking whatever it can with it.

Like Spielberg bitching at the Oscars.

Like monkeys bitching about this new primate that learned to control fire.

And its because they are threatened. Especially with #metoo effecting established media mire than up and coming organizations who may have the sane accusations, but are more capable of quickly rebranding themselves.

Friday, April 20, 2018

Savagery999

Ok, so in a lot of comic books and agents of shield etc. The worst thing us nit jyst sacrificing life , but especially children. Agent Mei has to kill an inhuman child to save everyone else and she is a hero, but it kind of destroys her.

So what am I gettubg at?

Well I was watching proud smiking wanderer and there is a scene where the sun moon cult (manachaeists) are killing this giys entire family. The guy is a hero trying to retire from Jianghu the martial world, gangsta life, whatever....

The point is, they are going to let one kid live if he will denounce his family. So the kid does. The hero the father then curses that child as being an animal, not having human qualities like honor etc.

And this is not the only example. Many times on British shows like Sharpe's rifles you will see children die and the characters value an idea or a flag over life.

But in modern American comics this is usually not the case.

Even though in practice we constantly sacrifice life for ideals, ammendments, rights, business money and other interests.  Just thought it was interesting.

Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Defining heroes and villains

I have been watching Marvel's Agents if shield, and between that, Black Panther, and all the Netflix Marvel series abiut the Hand, I not only noticed the evil Asian villain theme... but if you compare those stories with the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, the 108 heroes, the journey to the west, or Louis Cha's novels, you will notice that the modern western villains tend to dhare more in common with the heroes in older Chinese culture. And you cab flip that around too.

Heroes like Coulson, or Tchalla are more similar to the villains in the old Chinese stories.

Here are some examples I will talk about.

In ancient China, and ancient other places, heroes can eat human flesh, require that their children die and other horrific things, and still be the heroes.

Villains like Cho Cho, seem to be good leaders and have their stuff together and obey the laws.

More specifics on this later.




Friday, April 13, 2018

The sun

Im up to the point in agents of shield where simmons gets back from the planet where there is hardly any sunrise... err I guess because she is at one of the poles. My kids were asking during some dramatic scene why they were going crazy because thete is no sun.

Today in Nj the sun is out amd it actually feeks like summet and I can say
that has had a huge effect on my outlook on life.

In the city it woukd be i even mire so I am sure because young women will be dressing accordingly in bright colors and happy attitudes. 

My kids will be playing outside l8bger today I am sure. Though with the joy comes allergies for all of us.

Yesterday I watered the plants and it well more on my story about turninh my head another time. For now, posituve thoughts and vibes.

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Agents of Shield

I'm hooked on this show. Not in the way I was hooked on the various Marvel series. I'm not really hooked on the plot at all. Its more like I like watching these people like they are my friends and family. I'm hooked on it in the way past generations were hooked on Gilligan's Island. Mostly I like watching Chloe Bennett make snarky comments. Its amazing how entertaining that is. The fight scenes? Well, I keep watching and thinking, "oh I see how the cut right there." Especially with Ming Na Wen. Like oh yeah, i bet they told her to tilt her head just so in a classic follow up to a kick executed by the stuntwoman.


To be honest... the show is kind of lame. So lame that it is good. Does that make sense? Its an escape from reality. Maybe its because I have no crew of my own, and I totally wish I could be on a show like this even if it was only on youtube and I didnt get paid.

Monday, April 9, 2018

8th Avenue

Brooklyn's Chinatown is so awesome. Its damn near the Wakanda of. Chinatown's in that it has all the benefits of an awesome Chinatown, low prices almost as if there were an exchange rate, good food, hell food that you may not have seeb before if you tend to stick to your own province, and yet I don't see any of the negative stereotypical stuff. Drugs prostitution etc. I just saw a Chinese community with wide sidewalks that my kids could run down, a huge park which overlooks NYC and the Statue of Liberty. We had "da biang" which i think is ja biang or a fried cake at this hole in the wall with dim lights. It was awesome. I realized to fully exoerience the food, I might have to pick up some Fujianese. Otherwise I won't really know what I'm ordering.

Friday, April 6, 2018

Yoga

I'm gonna start stetching more and meditating more and taking my training more seriously. Not so much because I have specific goals... but otherwise what am I doing with my life. I realize my back is hurting because I stacked two matress on top of each other and that's too soft. So I moved then to Amah's room. Will probably put them down in storage. I'M gonna sleep on the floor instead. And this w ay I'm more likely to Yoga myself to sleep and to Yoga myself awake in the morning.

I've been doing some of the Rashneeshpuram crazy meditation... but that stuff was intense the way I was doing it. Maybe only a once a day type of deal. Good for after work to relieve stress.

I get strease out teaching my kids too. Jonah has a hard time focusing on moves which makes me angry. So... we might just do other stuff. Or maybe I'll just have Noah or Grace teach him.

Performance at Rose Mountain care center

Well just arrived here. Jonah is being a terror and Noah is begging for Minecraft

Friday, March 30, 2018

With determination

I saw a self help mean that said to start the day with determination. I realize that a lot of guys... people... who seem more successful wake up early and work out. Im not really concerned about how little I work out. I tend to start the day sipping tea and staring out the window at the deer in the woods.

Buy perhaps I would feel different if I woke up earlier and did some bad ass Kung fu. Should I?

Thursday, March 29, 2018

Wasted potential

Have you ever worried about wasted potential? Wondered... what am I doing with my life? I have. I have thought about what I would do if I had a million dollars
Or this or that... and I have realized that money is actually holding back in anyway. I mean pretty much I must do what I am doing no matter what... which isnt much. I totally binge watched a ton of Netflix thia week. I realize that my father would binge watch TVB tapes as well despite having 12 hour restaurant shifts and then his other side job which was to watch (and play) at a gambling house.

Does it really matter too much what yoy house looks like or where it is located if you are watchinh in the dark?

I don't feel that this activity is waste of time either. Sure if it is my whole life that is kind of lame. So the question is not so much what should I be doing instead of what I am doing... but in addition too.

Tuesday, March 27, 2018

Vacation

I've been binge watching Marvel stuff on Netflix. Its weird how you can actually feel like you are accomplishing something.
I sort of tried to adapt the Rashneeshpuram meditation to Kung Fu. Yesterday I did two quick sessions. Its surprisingly tiring. I'll try to fit some in today. Eventually I want to try 3-5 sessions a day and also regular basics and practice as well.

Thursday, March 22, 2018

Snow day tv watching

Jonah was sick and then we had a snow day... which meant that I watched a giod deal of TV. First I finally saw Abacus: small enough to jail.

It kind of made me want to open up an account at the bank just to show support lol. My first bank account was at Asian American Bank. I liked how the symbol was a Kei Lun and I knew a lot of the people who worked there.

I tried to date one of the tellers actually. And then later I would become a bank teller at another bank and get hit on by men and older women.

Asian American Bank got bought out and the owners were pretty freaking happy I think. It was before all the mortgahe trouble and all that. I wonder, if they had not been bought out, if they would have had a similar trial by fire as Abacus did.

Then I watched Wild wild country. Its a documentary about Rashneeshpuram in Oregon which existed between 1981-85.

I never heard of it. Pretty crazy stuff.

Then  I started playing guitar again and wondered why I haven't been.

Monday, March 19, 2018

St. Patrick's day

I sort of felt like we did St. Patrick's Day last weekend because that is when we went to a parade. The 17th was actually my first official day teaching Kung Fu Class at Murray Hill Chinese school. All the previous classes I taught were lion dance classes and I have a feeling I'm not really going to see the two students I trained for the CNY performance that much.

The class I ak teaching now is Kung Fu first, but I snuck in some lions and dragons and drums. Drummers are actually a hot commodity in the lion dance world because for some reason... not that many lion dancers can drum. To br honest... I heard the drum and I could do it. Of course I still had tips and improvements. Yes I've gotten better... but basically  I could just play. And that is actually true of a lot of drummers for lion dance.

But I also know that the skill can be trained. So I handed out 10 pairs of rolled up magazines and we did drumming meditation and stretching. The drumsticks were held for Chuen pow cup... and then used for light sabre dagger fencing...ie. the kids play fought with the them under the condition that they didnt actually hit or hurt each other. It was just for a few minutes but I figured it was important to introduce the concept of fighting in their minds and not through a static drill that might not even be that effective. Better to break up the class with some fun.

So my St. Patrick's day wasn't that Irish.

Then I realized that Grace's cousin had sent me a picture of tha parade the week before... of himself! Marching and playing the bag pipes... suddenly I totally aanted to do that. Truth is as a kid, I wanted to do lion dance... and bag pipes. Hell maybe both at the same time.

Maybe this is a sign that I should get on that.

Friday, March 16, 2018

Forced basics

Noah's Kung Fu looked really good yesterday. He could even do roundhouse kicks and sweeps I thought were beyond his ability. He looked as good that I taught when we did 100 basics for class...is ut because asnpunishment he had to do 90? Does doing more basics enable you, even within the same class to perfirm your forms better? He said it was because he was angry for being punished.

In any case we all worked hardbat Kung Fu yesterday because I was also pissed that he wasn't listening and out it into my Kung Fu. Instead if Chap sau I yelled Chap Shao! We were tired and cracking up from being tired. We did three round of everything except lion danve... because I forgot and by the time we stopped it was dinner time.

Basically I realize that there really is no getting around skipping aspects of the class. Basics are importantband so are meditation and stretches and calisthenics. And inside all of this I am trying to add in ground fighting and jiu jitsu mives just ti expose them to it. But they will not "roll" the kicks come out and also they cannot do the jiu jitsu moves... not really.

I think they woukd have to lose to children there age who are also weaker to understand.

Thursday, March 15, 2018

BRITANNIA

I've been watching this on Amazon.. and so had Noah. Too violent for Jonah. I think they ttied for aspects of historical accuracy because I read the book entitked the Druids and aome of the events recorded by the Romans appear in this show, the response to the dead by burying the messenger with a note in his mouth in particular. Woukd live to know what Joe Callahan blogger on Arete has to say about it, given his expertise in history and his own genetic background.

Basically I ended uo having some deep conversations with Noah about racism that were easier for me since the cast, although it has black romans... basically the savages are white. And therr is disiote about how the Druids really were given that most of the history about them thay has survived is written by the Romans.

But see if we are watching Naruto or something American depicting Chinese or African Americans....well it gets complicated. I mean we watched Black Panther, and although black people seem to love the movie now....I wonder if it would be considered racist or blackploitation in 50 years.

Anyway befor e Black Panther, and I do believe that Levar Burton's assessment that the movie is probably a turning point especially since it made so much money.

Shows about White Savages were so popular. Because everyone would watch it. Black people will enjoy it despite a lack of representation, because it is depicting whites in a way that people of color were often depicted in movies pre 1960.

And white racists woukd love the same media because it is often about their pantheons. Think Vikings.

Anyway, if I talk to Noah about representation, even when talking about Asians I will have to dabce around a ton of political correctness because not only will Noah repeat what is said... he will get the terminology all mixed up and then all this bs will be pinned on me.

However if I talk about Romans and Druids people have nothing to say about the poltical correct terms of either group.

Even many Nordic people find the word Viking to be offensive because it means pirate and not all people in Iceland were robbers on the high seas. Many did not participate, choosing dairy farming instead.

I mean the only people who could possibly get offended woukd be a Latin teacher or a historian of the Druids. I think they would give Noah a pass.

It's also interesting how race is not yet quite in the structure that is in today. Again there are pale skinned barbarians. And there are Dark skinned Romans. And since being Roman or speaking Latin is that time periods equivalent of being "white" today... well you see its just an interesting concept. That there can be racism that isn't based on color, but more so on language.

Group leadership

My punishment for Noah when I get emails from school is thatbonstead of doing chuen pow cup... we have to do all the basics. So there us a consequence for the whole group for his behavior... that actually is something we shoukd be doing anyway. When I taught littke Kelly and August and Brandon, who are now in college and highschool, we always did All of the basics each class. Grabted those classes were once irbtwice a week, and these classes are every day. Plus we have other stuff to do. Lion Dance, fighting forms... I found it ironic that having done all the basics, we finished earlier yesterday. Its because I didnt try to teach them any ground fighti g or grappling moves for break.

The truth is, even though the i ternet us sull of BJJ instruction for a few moves... thise moves are actually pretty complicated and difficult to do. Thats why there are so many instruction videos.

Could I get as complicated about a punch? Yes probably, but I don't think it woukd help. And it is also true that my kids punches leave a lot ti be desired, especially Jonah... but then its not like they can't punch at all. The answer is of course... more basics.

Wednesday, March 14, 2018

Group punishment

I have been reading Noah a book called Sadaharu Oh. He was a Japanese baseball player... also Chinese because his father was Chinese and in Japan, you don't get to become a citizen for being born in ghe country like in the US.

Anyway, he talks about being pu ished as a group. Like the team woukd have to slap each other if one person made a stupid mistake abd how that built group dynamics.

I have seen this done badly in BPS mainly because all the boys received punishment but not the girls... but more on this another time

Nice cover

Once when I worked as a bank teller a Si Hing of mine visiting from Chicago daw me getting ready for work.

"Nice collared shirt..... nice tie...stable job.....Good cover!" He joked.

From now until I pick uo my kids I will play at the daily grind...which in all honesty for me is easier than a lot of people's jobs.

But I do want to get to the point where I am teaching Kung Fu or doing my mystical crazy dances and arttistic stuff and that is my main identity. I'VE GOT BUSINESD CARDS LOL!

Tuesday, March 13, 2018

Merlin

I found the perfect show to watch with Noah leading up to St. Patick's day. I live atuff about the Druids and magic. But in that nasty way where they show the flaws of those beliefs too.

I'm obsessed withe the Merlin story and all that kind of stuff, which seems u related, but most of the stuff I read tries to tie Merlin to the Druids, rightly or wrongly.

I guess I woukd love to go around in the world drumming and lion dancing and storytellibg but also meditating and doing the esoteric stuff as a way of life... and I realize writing this... what is stopping me. People actually make living teacjing Kung Fu, wushu even, after clearing rent and have asked if I would teach lion dance and work with them. Some people make a living teaching traditional Kung Fu which is out of fashion and people travel quite far to go to their school.

At first I feel I wouldnt want to open a school for various reasons, but a chain of schools that teach various artistic movements, yes Kung Fu, MMA, weapons fighting... but also playing with lightsabers or playing pirate, making lion heads out of cardboard and drums out of buckets....something more open andnout there.... that woukd be more up my alley. The money maker would be birthday parties and events.

I always think of a school as a place that I had to teach and protect, which sojnds like being chained. But if it is a chain that collects money, a business that I run. Like McDonalds....exceot healthy and creatuve and inspiring, the good stuff without the bad... that woukd be awesome.

The concepts and spirit of what I learned and love, even with some of the core movements retained, but not so much that it would hold a business or movement back.

This idea I was afraid of... or I saw as impossible... but the nore I think about it, it isn't.

What is even closer though is me going around doing what I have always done, lion dab e and Kung Fu.... but what not put on the mask of other seasons and holidays as well. Other creatures... yes I was doing thatbin Boston, my eagle and my Kei Lun were tossed in the move but I can make new ones.... just because people are hiring me for "real" lion dance ( which people take very seriously in NJ in terms of choreography and drumming... but nobody even bothets to buy gongs and cymbals... go figure)

Doesnt mean I can't make a deer and a wolf head and fashion a bodrhan out of tape and an old basketball hoop.

I yearn to teach a Kung Fu... that honestly needs to be called something else, as it might not be recognized as Chinese to someone whose eyes cannot see.

Something that touches deeper andbhits the more universal. A Dragon dance that is like the Dragon ranging from the pendragon to the Naga and the luong.

A Nian beast that is the questing beast and the southern lion, and buraks and kei luns and unicorns and even creatures from my own dreams.

I don't want to limit myself with tradition, but to unlock that feared place of the human psyche with it while still looking to science...

Snowy Chinatown

I'm not sure how Boston's Chinatiwn is fairing in this snowstorm... but if I were to net if dim sum is open or closed I would bet that it is open. When I lived in Castle Court and then later stayed at Tai Tung I never really understood the effevts of a snow storm per se, other than that the world bevame quieter and more of a playground. The bousing projects took care of shoveling, and so I only ever shovelled to help others. I had heard of kids making money to sho el, but at some point all the buildings in the area hired professionals to take care of it and so a tenant had nothing to do with snow removal.

The restaurants were always open and a giid number of the workers lived within walking distance. Heck, I would still go to work because yhe work place had heat... and internet... and more often than not it would be a quiet day.

But better way to ease cabin fever than to sit in a hot restauarabt and drink hot tea and have some dim sum, or if at night just whatever the regular menu offered. I remember back then I only ever ordered tien gai bo when eating iut because I rarely ate out, and I preferred to eat something difficult to make....actually thats what the restaurant guys I roomed with all said and I figured they knew what they were talking about.

To be honest, though NJ doesnt have a Chinatown, the rules are the same. When NJ got hit bad with snow we went to a Chinese Take out place (still good!) That was running on a generator. The customets were snow removal workers and us. The family's kids played quietly and nicley in the booths, (not like our kids)

So.... is Boston Chinatown open today in the snow?

Monday, March 12, 2018

If there is a law against it

I already knew this... but more and more I am realizing if there us a law against something, its because people do that all the time. Find something that people do everyday and there is probably a law against it.

Like when something happens in the news and people shake their heads and say its the way of the world and nothing can be done... I guarantee there is some kind of law already in place that just isn't being enforced.

And anything you could think of there is also a law somewhere against that and maybe even a law saying you can't make that law.

And in the end... people continue to do what they do. Kind of makes you wonder.

Sunday, March 11, 2018

Troubles

We went to a St Patrick's day parade today, which was great. But increasingly we are ha ing trouble with my children's behavior or rather the effect that my children's behavior has on the family unit.

Right now I am ignoring the situation actually because I feel that if I stepped in it would only increase the problem.  I have said to friends that what pushes my buttons is stuff surrounding my kids. I will get very angry quickly. Right now, Noah is crying bloody murder over stuff like being ou sihed for not eating his food. At this point I don't know who is right or wrong.

Ir rather I feel that everyone is wrong and the household needs a regime change. I. Some ways the truth is that despite everything, I am actually more in charhe than other men who are breafwinners are of their households.

A week ago I felt that Xi Jinping was overstepping bounds.... but given todays events, I can see his logic.

The logic is " I watched and waited while yall tried to work stuff out... and now I realize things will only work if I am in complete and utter control."

Thats how I feel now. Of course that cannot happen even if I was the bread winner. The mere fact thatone has to earn instead of create shows lack of control.

Thursday, March 1, 2018

Kung Fu classes

I have these Kung Fu classes that geel like they will never start...everytime they almost start it ends up there is an event or something. I am teachibg the class midsemester and I have decided sincebthe kids already learned some hand form and ninchucks from another teacher, that the best thing to do us show them a staff form. That way everyone will feel theu are learning somethi g new. Of course even if I taught a hand form it woukd be different, but they might geel they are being forced to start over. Plus there are aspects of the staff that are going to be really easy, and other aspects that are difficult.

I think there needs to be some form of playing that involves free play  not quite sparring two person exercise. Maybe even ground techniques. There are no mats so nothing really hard. Nothing where anyone can get hurt. But definitely they need to be able to see what all the stances, movements, and techniques are for.

Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Chinatowns

For New Year's we visited quite a few Chinatown's. Brooklyn, Philly, Boston. Travelling to another Chinatown kinda feels like travelling to an akternate universe. Like those movies where you change something in the past and that has consequences for your future. Like in Philly, the biggest Lion Dance club us the Philadelphia suns and it is run by a church. To make a Boston comparison, that would be like if Boston Chinese Evangelical Church had the largest Liin Dance troupe. See? Isn't it weird to play this game? Weird and fun right? There were other differences too. I wanted to do a post on the Chinatown Blog about it...but  feel like I dont have time to do something real formal...maybe I'll just share this post over. This post I am writing on my phone while waiting for my son's bus to come.

Thursday, February 22, 2018

Parades

Well we did many a Chinese New Year event and parades, from Brooklyn to Philly to local NJ events. This weekend we will go into Boston as well. We will miss Manhattan, but honestly parking is so hard...maybe next year... and with a team.

Funny stories about fircrackers...I will tell you next time.

Thursday, February 15, 2018

Chinese New Year's Eve

Chinese New Year kind if crept on me. I did a few events for it already. But the whole cleabibg the house and decorations thing was haphazard. I did what I could. I have valentines candy in a Chinese New Year candy dish. At least they are red colored. Hong baos shoukdnt be hard. And u did clean up a little. The problem is the house still has a lot of stuff and now us not the time to tackle it.

Tomorrow is no school. But I have to go to work. A neighbor offered to watch the kids, but what if my kids misbehave? Well I guess that's better than work right?

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

Writing a novel on your phone and other stuff

I tried writing a novel on my phone, and realized this was over zealous. I wrote one characters introduction twice. How can I write without seeing the words ftom my orevious post? I almost want to gi back to hand writing, though I know that will take even longer when editing.

And them I found several nivela I had written in their rough draft form. I read part of them to Noah and so so many mistakes. Perhaps tomorrow I will begin combing through these books while reading them aloud to him.

Recently my schedule does not involve much reading or writing. I cook clean and teach Kung Fu and practice a littke while watching the Condor Heroes... the 1983 version.

Teaching my kids is going to give me a stroke. I must make sure to make them do Kung Fu first... before anything else. If I let them play outside first they are all tired...if its homework first, the work just never gets done.

Also, now that they know a fighting form and a hand form its correction time.... which is si much harder than just showing moves. To teach a clear technique... maybe its just not worth it. Its worth it to show them but maybe not to demmand that level if performance.

I tried to show them something "easy" and of course Noah can just do it anyway, but Jonah sort of can, but then quickly loses patience.

I guess the key is just a little everyday... maybe even a little several times a day. 10 min. In the morning. 10 min after school, 10 min  befire dinner. But then its like pulling teeth and 10 min. Turns into 1 hour...

We'll see.

Thursday, February 8, 2018

Chapter Three Haiku cookies

The girk spoke softly in the flickering light, from which fire or candle was the source was unclear. Old Xiong wanted to turn on the lights but the girl, who nire and more seemed to give off an aura not onky of mystery, but of something oerhaps nit quite right, had eyes on him. The stare seeme ti freeze him where he was. But the okd man laughed thinking "I am an ild man and this pretty young woman is staring at me. I am enjoying the experience. That is the onky reason why I am not getting up to turn on the light." So he spoke aloud, "Kara turn on the light." But Kara was enchanted to. And so had the sinking feeling one gets when your car  has lost control and is swerving into oncoming traffic.

He cleared his throat and looked at Kara.

"So....." said Kara trying ti save old Xiong face by speakibg first whike he played nysterious Sifu..  though perhaos this play acting woukd be useless against a womab whi comes to your hoyse apoearing out if the shadows at midnight. "What's your name?"

"I am the rightful warrior queen of the kingdom in the reflection of the moon on the lake."

"Errr... so we shoukd call you...." Old Xiong began..

Her eyes flashed copper...."Serena"

Thursday, February 1, 2018

Chapter two: a girl selling cookies

One day a young sprite of a girl walked up through these tunnels andbrang the door. A boy and a girl guarding the door called from within as they trained wooden swords and cross bows on the visitor.

"Gwai sing dai ming!" What is your surname and what is your name!

"Serena, is what I am called." The girl answered without missing a beat. She coukd have been an old 13... or a young 30. She was hard to place. She looked young, but she had an air of immortal gravity about her. "I have no surname. I lost it."

The boy and the girl guards imagined she lost it in the tunnels or perhaps left it on the bus.

"Do you want us to help you find it?"

"In a way, yes." Said Serena. "I'm looking for the owner of the Phoenix sword. I have brought these cookies as a gift."

They boy and girl had no idea what that was, but they became very excited when they heard Serena talk about it. "Well this is the Dragon Phoenix school of healing arts.  So I think you have come to yhe right place. But we can't let you in because you are a stranger and you might be an adult. Are you an adult? Anyway, even if you aren't an adult you are a big kid and we don't know you so we have to get a grown up. Wait here....Old Xiong!!!! OLD XIONG!!!! There is a lady at the door, ir maybe a kid, but a big kid. She could be 13
and look old, or she could be 30. She has cookies. Can we have them?"

Old Xiong came running quickly on sock covered tiptoe.

They never got visitors. The houses were quite far away from each other and nobody ever went up to someone's door unnannounced. They would have sent a message ahead by some means or another.

Old Xiong looked at the girl woman. It was true, she could of been 13 or 30... but she had the severity of someone who was 300.

"How can I help you?"

The woman simply stepped into the house with such grace that Old Xiong could not bar her way.

" I brought these Haiku Crescent cookies... each cookie has a poem inside."

Old Xiong grabbed them. He was lax, and none of the 18 had allergies...in fact despite the possibility if it being somewhat disvriminatory he did not accomodate children with serious allergies.

But who knew what was in these things. The girl had them in a bag..." ok chikdren can take one home each when their parents pick them up."

"One each? There are only three here....whats wrong with you? Why are you so nervous?"

"I don't think parents woukd appreciate a stranger around their children."

"No problem, I'll come back tonight."

"Some of the older children sleep over."

"I will visit you in you dreams."

There was nothing flirtatious or joking about her manner. It was all business, which made Old Xiong think that hisnlast guess in age was the closest and that he was in the presence if an immortal, or perhaps a demon. She did not turn to leave, but instead walked further i to the house. Old Xiong followed her down the hall and lost her.

The 18 thought it was hillarious and played a game where they tried to find her.

Old Xiong called all the parents and suggested that they pick up their children. He believed there was a snake demon in the house.

It was Friday anyway and most parents picked up their kids, and some did not. They thought the snake demon woman sounded fantastic and asked if they coukd dress up as Snake demons as well.

Old Xiong's wife thoughtbhe was crazy anyway, and his sons thought that maybe he was on some scheme or something.

In any case. Old Xiong burned incense to Kwan Gung and readied himself to do batyle.wity evil spirits. He asked Kara to take out the oak sword and parctice Pik Che geem faht and the Hail Mary sword form. Old Xiong readied his one sword and suddenly the shadows flickered in the firelight and the girl.woman appeared.

"There are three of us now....take out the Haiky Cookies."

Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Chapter one: The Dragon Phoenix School of Magic and Healing Arts.

It was an ordinary enough looking house on the top of the hill. Unlike other houses in the area it had a winding walkibg path out front. A tunnelled maze with grape vines providing a roof and apple trees tied and carefully  trained together on wire for a wall. It was alk strangely meticulous as nibidy had ever been seen to actually trim ir tend to this feat of garden mastery.

There was a place for cars to pull up and drop off children who would scurry through the magical tunnels up to the doorway into the house. You see inside the house was an afterschool program with 18 students. Never more than 18 and never less.

It wasnt always 9 boys and 9 girls, and they were usually of different ages, colors sizes and shapes.

Why were they there?

Inside the house was the Dragon Phoenix School of Magic and Healing Arts run by this Old Xiong, a wiry old man who ran around jumping up and down outside with the kids brandishing all manner of cardboard weaponry.

It had started with his two sons... and when they had grown too old for that nonsense he had opened this afterschool of sorts. They 18 children ran up and down the hill, dressed as pirates. The old man taught them moves and breathing techniques which the children mostly ignored. They did their homework and were fed. They played videogames and learned to play the lion drum and do the dragon dance. They played chess and go and jerng kei. They did research on the in ternet and coded. In the mornings they went to the local Public school, which was annoyed and somewhat suspicious of 18 children in one household. You see, some of these 18 were rich kids whose parents  had hired the crazy old man as a sort of mentor. Some of these parents had been taught by the old man themselves. Some of the students were poor and the parents could have cared less about the old man's teachings. They wanted their kids in the towns excellent school system.

The old man's wife was the one who made the money. And though some say she was older,  she had somehow preserved her youth. Some say with the old man's magic. Some say with magic of her own.

And others say there had been inheritance, or that in youth the old man had made a fortune illegally, or had struck it rich discovering Jade in Xinjiang. Or that his healing techniques were world renowned and peoole called for Psychic readings from all over the world... and that was how he made his real money.

In any case, the 18 students thing, seemed to be more about fun and less about an advertised school. It was probably unlicensed. But it was orderly and quiet enough, even with drum playing, which took place in the basement in a room filled with books on each wall, absorbing the sound.

In other words the neighbors did not complain... if they even really knew that there was an afterschool. Parents did not pick up the kids every day. It was actually somewhat sporadic.

And students usually stayed for a year or two. It was usually a transition period in their life. They had gotten too difficult for their parents. Or their parents bhad fallen on hard times and left their kids there until they could get their lives together. And almost always, they came out of it within 2-5 years, renewed and ready to take on the world. Not just parents, but the children or teens.

The old man, didn't try to keep them. He encouraged them to leave, to go out and conquer or start business, or what have you.

They didn't call him teacher or master. They just called him Old Xiong.

One day peoole started talking about this lake that was in a park nearby the house. You see, the neigbors were saying there were strange things going on near it. People are more superstitious than you would think. They were saying the lake was haunted or possessed by snake demons...that sort of thing.

"You would think Old Xiong would be all over that. Isn't that what he does? Exorcisms and all?" Neighbors joked.

The three sisters in their 90's who lived together across the street asked him about it point blank.

"Actually what I do is run up and down hills with children while carrying sticks, make them play Chinese chess with boards made of wood and stones and bottle caps, and watch tv with snacks... and meals too I guess. But yeah sure on the weekend we'll take a trip down to the lake."

Word got around and people watched the house waiting for something to happen. Old Xiong now knew that people were watching, so he made a big show of it when he finally di go down to the lake with the 18. They brought out lions and dragons and drums and he dressed up as a firebird, like the western phoenix with twin flaming swordss for wings. These he doused quickly in the lake before the fire department ciukd see, and inisted they had been an illusion. Nothing but cardboard with light orange colored cloth and led lights.

Then he brought out the Kwai fa boh deen
Scrolls and started chanting in Hokien (or so he claimed) the ancient eunuchs text for pik che geem faht, the sword form which could chase away evil.

He had a female student perform it with a sword made of reinforced paper mache... which also went up in flames and into the lake.

The water actually caught fire briefly and lo and behold, some bastards were dumping there that shouldn't have been. So that was the scientific explanation for  the lake being haunted!

Yeah some people still weren't so sure, but Old Xiong had still put on a show. Some people said he was fake as faries with his magic and healing arts.

But actually Old Xiong had never claimed otherwise. When asked where he learned his Martial Arts he would say, "Movies and Youtube."

He was just having fun with it. And actually that often annoyed people. But there was no question, when you saw him perform even half of a move that he knew what he was doing. In fact that he was a mastet from a long line of masters.

Thursday, January 25, 2018

The Hong Kong Wanderer

(To the tune of Brennan on the Moor)

Tis of a HK rich boy this story I will tell.
He forsook all if his riches, when in love he fell.
His Ai ren, had no money, so to a lo wah kieu she wed.
His parents bade him marry rich, he sailed away instead.

(Chorus)

Sing-jai on the sea, Sing-jai on the sea.
Brave, perhaps foolhardy was young Sing-jai on the sea.

Him being pampered as a youth, the sailing life was tough.
He couldn't boil water, he wasn't up to snuff.
He found some hingdais anyway and travelled the world around.

And when they all jumped ship it was in Boston's Chinatown.

(Chorus)

From the kitchen on the boat he worked the kitchen on the land.
And  fighting chew and screwers when things got out of hand.
And after that was TVB  and gambling through the night.
Unless the chai los robbed the den to steal and show their might.

(Chorus)

One time po jai, a friend of his, while being carted away,
Was seen by his white wife, who in anger she did say,
What if your son were to see you now all in this shameful plight.

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

The will of Adam Cheung

Alright, if I'm gone, all my possessions go to Grace Cheng, the mother of my children. Because I trust her to make an adult decision about who to give it to etc. If that is not possible then it goes to Jonah Cheung my second son. Now, one may ask why I would break the rule, especially among Chinese, of first son takes all. First of all, we are not talking about an empire here. Secondly, I see how these kids play. If I give it all to Jonah he will share with Noah. If I give it all to Noah, Noah will spend it all on potato chips. Noah won't kill Jonah for the inheritance be ause Jonah does stuff for him, like get his shoes. Ok so it if can't go to Jonah it will then all go to Noah, who will no doubt laugh at its meager sum.... And spend it all on potato chips or the adult equivalent.

As to what to do with my body and all that, if you believe in Feng Shui make the best decision on that note but I can't help but notice that people who I have met who were sticklers for superstitions were not the luckiest. Neither were those who didn't believe in anything however. Make your own decision, but think of future generations.

Here is my e signature

Adam Cheung

Tuesday, January 23, 2018

Eagles vs Patriots

When I was a child these were the two teams that I rooted for. Not that I knew a damn thing about football, or cared. It's just I was from Boston and spent summers and Christmas in Philly. I think back then the eagles were a decent team and I don't think the Patriots were anything special. This was ancient times.

The first time that I recall the Patriots winning the Super Bowl I was in highschool and out history teacher had been lucky enough to go to the game... He  told us that as the Patriots had just won and the cheering and celebration was just starting that frim a corner of the stadium a chant could be heard growing louder and louder...

"Yankees suck! Yankees suck! Yankees suck!"

Flash forward to my children's childhood and we live among Yankees fans. I am a Boston fan, and I honestly didn't think that I would necessarily care to bring those sports loyalties with me.... But I have found that the team colors sort if remind me of home. And like I said, the Ragles colors remind me of summers and Christmas with family. My oldest son is an avid sports fan. He calls his grandfather screaming "touchdown!" Into the phone. The younger one plays along, but like me he doesn't really care. I can tell.

We will definitely watch the super bowl. I will root for the Pats, but having won so many times....I actually hope the Eagles win. Sounds to wishy washy and I should pick a side? Screw you. I am mixed race, let alone mixed sports loyalties.

I will also be avoiding all contact with family members on social media until this game is over I think. Or maybe not...I mean it's just a game right?

Sunday, January 7, 2018

Jesus Wonder Woman!

Daughter of a more  benevolent Zeus
Than I remember from the Greek Stories.
She carries Artemis's Roman name.
An earthly name for an incarnate here.

Played by gorgeous enchanting Gal Godot
Whose ravishing hair, height, and accent slay,
It is not beauty that is most charming,
About the war goddess who flies above.

At once innocent while knowing man's sins.
She rejects reality, fights it, Wins!
Her sacrifice is love, her love explodes.
But love is resurrected in herself.

Ascending, arms spread like sol invictus,
The cross that Constantine saw in the sun.
She battles brother Ares, killing him.
With lightning, their father's signature strike.