Clear Lake Iaido

Joe and I left Houston at about 4:30, somewhat later than our usual departure time and promptly ran into heavy traffic while making our way through Houston during rush hour. However our late start time also meant we missed Dallas' rush hour and the drive up I35 to Denton went smoothly putting us at the dojo at about 11. After getting a bite to eat at the Brickhaus Cafe a few doors down we moved our stuff inside and bedded down on the mat for the night. Early next morning we arose, put our stuff away, and walked the few blocks to the town square where we had breakfast at Ruby's diner. While there we noticed that an antique car exhibition was just starting to set up around the square. Back at the dojo, we dressed as the Karate students started arriving for their class, and then drove to the Denton Optimist Club, the dojo being too small to hold everyone. We managed to drive right by it the first time (and we were looking), but doubled back and found it just in time,-- John and Tanida pulled into the parking lot just after we got there. Inside were a lot of familiar faces we had not seen in a while, including Doug & Neil from Baton Rouge, and Dan Beaird from Austin. The morning session lasted about 3 hours and involved everyone in Seiza no Bu. There were some variations especially in Tsukikage and Shatou from what was taught at Victoria. Shortly after class broke for lunch I had just agreed to go eat with Doug and Neil at a Subway when John sensei comes up and suggests we all go to the town square for lunch so Tanida can see the antique cars. So John, Tanida, Jim, and most of the out of town students (me, Joe, Doug, and Neil) piled into John's van or Neil's car and off we go. I was the only one who decided to remain in keiko gi (to save time dressing), and slipped on the pair of geta I arrived in. The square was closed off to all but foot traffic so we had to park behind the dojo. We walked around the square admiring the cars until we eventually ended up at a food vendor's tent. After purchasing our food & drink we retired on the grass for a leisurely picnic before heading back. The afternoon session involved everyone in Toho on one side of the hall while Tanida sensei worked with pairs of students at a time on Mae. After all the students had been cycled through, the group was split in two, -- one side instructed in Tatehiza by Tanida sensei, and the other was left to practice on their own. After a while he came over to the other group and did some additional one on one instruction in which we learned a lot about Zengogiri. We bowed out at 3 PM to allow folks to clear the hall and prepare for the party at sensei's house that night. By that time we had accepted Jack's invitation to stay at his house that night, so we drove back to the dojo to pick up all our stuff and then headed for the party. We got there a few hours early to help set up, and to sit and talk about our developing web site, suggestions for private practice, etc. A lot of people came to the party and we all had a good time. Jack found some photos from a visit he paid early last year to our dojo, and the copies he gave me are now in our dojo photo album. During the course of the evening Neil and I convinced John sensei to agree to practice with us at 8:30 AM Sunday morning after he dropped Tanida off at the airport. We eventually followed Jack to his place and crashed. The next morning we rose early and left the house before Jack and Sandy had awakened, but not before leaving our contributions. We intended to get breakfast after getting to the dojo, but sensei arrived right after we did, so we quietly endured our hunger to spend as much time with him as possible. We visited on the front steps before going inside and warming up (with subritou) in a leisurely fashion then started on Toho. Dan Beaird showed up shortly, then later an apologetic Neil & Doug arrived. Apparently the clock in their hotel room was off by an hour. After a very good practice sensei left to go back to his family, Dan left for Austin, and the rest of us headed for Ruby's on the square for lunch before going home (by that time I was starting to get light-headed from the combination of exercise and no food). All in all another budoful weekend.

© 2001       Last Updated: 2001.12.16       Credits