Horas muertas...

Scrabble (Apalabrados)

This has got to be one of the cleverest E-mails I've received in a while. 

Someone out there  must be "deadly" at Scrabble.

(Wait till you see the last one)!

PRESBYTERIAN: 
When you rearrange the letters:
BEST IN PRAYER

ASTRONOMER: 
When you rearrange the letters:
MOON STARER

DESPERATION:

When you rearrange the letters:
A ROPE ENDS IT

THE EYES:  
When you rearrange the letters: 
THEY SEE

GEORGE BUSH:
When you rearrange the letters: 
HE BUGS GORE

THE MORSE CODE:
When you rearrange the letters: 
HERE COME DOTS

DORMITORY: 
When you rearrange the letters:
DIRTY ROOM

SLOT MACHINES:
When you rearrange the letters: 
CASH LOST IN ME

ANIMOSITY:
When you rearrange the letters:
IS NO AMITY

ELECTION RESULTS:
When you rearrange the letters: 
LIES - LET'S RECOUNT

SNOOZE ALARMS: 
When you rearrange the letters: 
ALAS! NO MORE Z 'S

A DECIMAL POINT: 
When you rearrange the letters:
I'M A DOT IN PLACE

THE EARTHQUAKES: 
When you rearrange the letters:
THAT QUEER SHAKE

ELEVEN PLUS TWO: 
When you rearrange the letters:
TWELVE PLUS ONE

AND FOR THE GRAND FINALE:

MOTHER-IN-LAW:
When you rearrange the letters: 
WOMAN HITLER

Iaido de cine

Iaido Key Concepts

Chiburi: cleansing of the blade. Chiburi also has a spiritual meaning of cleaning one’s soul.
Iaito – literally sword for iai, practice sword – unsharpened, typically made of alloy.
Jo-ha-kyu – the rhythm within a kata as slow-to-fast-to-slow movement.
Kesa-giri – the diagonal cut that follows the keiko-gi line. Named after the kesa/lapel that monks wore.
Keito – holding the sword at the hip while in attention.
Ki-ken-tai-itchi - Ki is spirit, ken refers to the sword, and tai refers to body.   Spirit, sword, and body as one.
Kiri-oroshi - cutting down. Usually it is a 2-handed cut down from over the head.
Kokyuu - The act of inhaling and exhaling.
Metsuke – one’s gaze or look.
Mono-uchi - The “cutting” part of the sword.
Notto – returning the sword to the sheath or saya.
Nukitsuke - the cut made, in one continuous motion, from drawing the sword.
Obi – the belt wrapped around the waist/keiko-gi, in which the sword is placed.
Seitei – basic, fundamental. Seitei Gata is fundamental techniques kata.
Seiza – formal kneeling/sitting position.
Shibori – the wringing motion of one’s hands when performing a cut.
Shinken – literally “live sword” – used to describe sharp swords made in the Japanese style.
Tate-hiza – raised-knee position when kneeling/sitting.
Teito – holding the sword loose by the left side.
Torei - bow to the sword.
Zanshin – remaining spirit/heart.
Za rei – kneeling bow.

COUNTING IN JAPANESE

1. Ichi (eech)                    

2. Ni (nee)                        

3. San (sahn)                    

4. Shi (she)                       

5. Go (go)                         

6. Roku (rook)

7. Shichi (sheech)

8. Hachi (hach)

9. Kyu (koo)

10. Ju (joo)

Kendo Concept & Purpose (All Japan Kendo Federation)

The concept of kendo is:

to discipline the human character through the application of the principles of the katana.

The purpose of practicing kendo is:

to mold the mind and body, to cultivate a vigorous spirit, and through correct and rigid training, to strive for the improvement in the art of Kendo, to hold in esteem human courtesy and honor, to associate with others with sincerity, and to forever pursue the cultivation of ones self.

Thus one will be able:

to love his/her country and society, to contribute to the development of culture, and to promote peace and prosperity among all peoples.

Etiquette (Rei-Gi) II

GENERAL DO’S AND DON’TS:

Be committed and come to class regularly.  If not, you not only waste your time, but you waste your instructor’s time and you may keep class progression at a slower pace.

Be on-time if not early to class.  If late, enter quietly without distracting others.  Dress, prepare, and warm up before joining the session.  Wait until an exercise is complete, step into the group, and bow.  Similarly if you have to be excused before the end of the practice, let sensei or a senior know.

Never sit or rest without permission unless you feel ill during class.  If ill or injured, bow out and get well.  Only you know your body.

Make the most of every practice.  Come prepared mentally and physically.

It is customary to walk behind a kendoka wearing armor and standing or sitting in position. If it is unavoidable, stretch your right arm in front of you, bow slightly, and excuse yourself while passing.

While instruction is being given by the sensei, sempai, or visiting teacher, do not interrupt, contradict, or be uncooperative. Do not allow your attention to wander during instruction.

Do not lean against the wall or on a shinai, using it as a cane.

Do not wear a hat, speak loudly, or use abusive language in the dojo.

Always place your shinai or sword out of the way, where others cannot stumble over or step on it. Do not rest it against the wall in an upright position.

Never step on or over a shinai, iaito, bokuto, or any representation of a sword.

Never kick, step on, or move someone’s bogu; treat them with respect.

Always bow to your opponent before and after a keiko.  Show respect by saying loud and clear, "onegaishimasu" while bowing before engaging and "arigato gozaimashita" after engaging.

If your armor becomes loose or untied, raise your right arm to signal you need to stop, step back, correct the problem, then start again with a standing bow.

Always place safety first.

Always take the opportunity to practice with higher ranks, and never allow a sensei or senior student to stand idle.

Always show your best reigi (etiquette), shisei (attitude), and kigurai (pride) wherever you practice.  Not only do you represent yourself, your represent your dojo, your sensei, and your sempai.

Etiquette (Rei-Gi) I

ETIQUETTE (REI-GI)

Rei-Gi (manners) is perhaps the most important thing that kendo and iaido can teach us, and it coincides with traditions of old.  Simply showing respect and courtesy in all you do will help you grow as person throughout your life.  Learn it and live it.

THE DOJO:

When entering the dojo, remove your shoes and place them outside the door in an orderly fashion.  After entering the dojo, politely bow to show respect.  Generally, the bow can be directed at the front of the dojo or to Sensei.  

After you bow, find your place along the outer portion of the dojo and place your gear in an orderly fashion.  Generally, seating will follow a progression from highest rank to lowest rank or least tenure in the class.  Remember to respect your gear and your swords; even the shinai should be considered a sword and placed carefully upon the ground and carried in an appropriate manner.

As a beginning student, you will often be asked to help with tasks such as cleaning the dojo, sweeping the floors, setting up chairs, etc.  It is important to be on-time and ready to go at the scheduled class time, so these tasks should be performed in a manner to permit class to start on-time.  Once these tasks are complete, all students should be dressed and ready to go.

PRACTICE (KEIKO):

Our classes typically begin with the study of iaido, the way of drawing the sword, and prior to kendo.  As a member, you are not required to study both kendo and iaido, you may choose either.  It is, however, recommended that you study both, as they will only enhance your learning and are complimentary in nature.

It is customary to join the lineup at the beginning and at the end of the practice, sitting on the left hand side of the person who has a higher grade or more tenure than you.  The command Seiretsu (Line Up) will be given, followed by the commands to bow (Rei) and to start practice (Keiko).  If you study iaido as well as kendo, we will lineup to perform stretching and basic warm-ups to begin the class.  When in doubt, follow a student with experience in the progression of things.

Sensei will then discuss practice or announcements are made (while in seiza), followed by a command signaling the end of class (dismissed).  If you would like to thank someone who was particularly helpful to you during the class, please do so after finishing the session.

During Sunday’s class, Kendo Kata will commence after iaido.  Kendo kata is a fundamental study of the basics of kendo and is an important part of learning the way of the sword.

Your advancement in kendo and iaido is shown by your movement, behavior, appearance, and attitude, and this begins before you enter the dojo.   Other students, both higher and lower in rank or grade, will judge you on these principles and learn from your example.