I need a rubber band AND a rope. For the rope I guess it's better to find a gym. studio. I just love climbing and want to learn more. That said, I started working on my jumps which I know will help strengthen my legs. It may also be very helpful with my macaco practice. For that I'm also extensively working on shoulder flexibility and strength. So here's what I do for jumping
(after some progressions though)
Deep Knee Bends
Deep Knee Bend Jumps
Toe Raises
Toe-Raise with Weights
Stomach Crunches
Jumping Rope
I need more.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
A single bus ride and the signs that were sent to me...
In 2 minutes, I passed by these signs:
"Get your dream job!"
"Are you facing bankruptcy?"
"We have great financial news!"
"Christ is risen, he really did!"
None related, all random; but this is the order in which they were seen from south to north.
Or from north to south it would be:
"Christ is risen, he really did!"
"We have great financial news!"
"Are you facing bankruptcy?"
"Get your dream job!"
Signs are there for a reason.
"Get your dream job!"
"Are you facing bankruptcy?"
"We have great financial news!"
"Christ is risen, he really did!"
None related, all random; but this is the order in which they were seen from south to north.
Or from north to south it would be:
"Christ is risen, he really did!"
"We have great financial news!"
"Are you facing bankruptcy?"
"Get your dream job!"
Signs are there for a reason.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
A Comfortable Stretch
Ever since I had this neck injury, I was overly cautious of certain moves, especially flips (I'm still afraid of diving forward or backward which is how I hurt neck permanently). Then I started doing yoga couple of years ago, irregularly back in Istanbul, regularly since two years in Miami. With capoeira though I couldn't afford my yoga classes so it became irregular again, or I incorporated it in my daily "light" training. I may want to start yoga again both in order to support my capoeira and my body, once I move to Boston and see if I make enough money.
I've been practicing certain capoeira moves; I broke them down into single motions, mostly based on flexibility so as to get down to the basics and acknowledge the move as clear as possible. Also to help my body learn gradually rather than with an unpleasant shock. Everytime I find something else to work on, which used to be a frustration for me but now I take them as new challenges especially ever since I started feeling the improvement clearly. It's slow but it's there. However I should also be careful with my shoulders and neck and go easy with certain moves. For instance for 2 weeks I must have been (and same in capoeira classes) putting too much pressure on my shoulders. I loved it but now I have this nasty neck pain, going all the way down to my shoulder back and now the left arm. I don't know if I should go to class today. I know this pain is also related to my excessive studying schedule. I have no choice though for this dissertation has to be finished in a month. I'm having breaks and stretching my neck especially but I know unless I'm back to a normal pace, it won't go away entirely.
So, I've been finding nice websites, blogs or forums on stretching and flexibility. Also some cool yoga websites like yogajournal.com. Americanparkour is also a very good source for alternative training practices. I'm still not advanced at all and I don't think I have a systematic work out schedule. Much like a reflection of my life now.
I've been practicing certain capoeira moves; I broke them down into single motions, mostly based on flexibility so as to get down to the basics and acknowledge the move as clear as possible. Also to help my body learn gradually rather than with an unpleasant shock. Everytime I find something else to work on, which used to be a frustration for me but now I take them as new challenges especially ever since I started feeling the improvement clearly. It's slow but it's there. However I should also be careful with my shoulders and neck and go easy with certain moves. For instance for 2 weeks I must have been (and same in capoeira classes) putting too much pressure on my shoulders. I loved it but now I have this nasty neck pain, going all the way down to my shoulder back and now the left arm. I don't know if I should go to class today. I know this pain is also related to my excessive studying schedule. I have no choice though for this dissertation has to be finished in a month. I'm having breaks and stretching my neck especially but I know unless I'm back to a normal pace, it won't go away entirely.
So, I've been finding nice websites, blogs or forums on stretching and flexibility. Also some cool yoga websites like yogajournal.com. Americanparkour is also a very good source for alternative training practices. I'm still not advanced at all and I don't think I have a systematic work out schedule. Much like a reflection of my life now.
Friday, June 5, 2009
NY Turkish Consulate kaka
It's been a month since I've sent my passport to NY for extension. If I were there it would have taken an hour to get it back, but just because I was (still am) too busy and too broke (still am) to fly over there I had to mail it and condemned to wait for a month. It's over a month now and I need my passport for my Boston trip at the end of this month. Shall I trust my consulate and wait until the very last minute?
I didn't and I called them today. As a consequence of my bitter experience, I've decided that it is indescribably annoying how NY Turkish Consulate's 1888 call line when addressing an English speaker says "your call will be answered in the order it was received", while Turkish speakers are expected to settle down for "lutfen hatta kaliniz" which basically means "just stay on the line, will you?" Now you may not see a significant difference here but there is! Why don't you tell me, a Turkish speaker, that there is an order, there are people before and after me, so eventually I will be answered, may be so soon, and that may calm me down because I know there IS an order; make me confident rather than leave me with sure I'll stay on the line but how long??? anxiety. Lame.
I didn't and I called them today. As a consequence of my bitter experience, I've decided that it is indescribably annoying how NY Turkish Consulate's 1888 call line when addressing an English speaker says "your call will be answered in the order it was received", while Turkish speakers are expected to settle down for "lutfen hatta kaliniz" which basically means "just stay on the line, will you?" Now you may not see a significant difference here but there is! Why don't you tell me, a Turkish speaker, that there is an order, there are people before and after me, so eventually I will be answered, may be so soon, and that may calm me down because I know there IS an order; make me confident rather than leave me with sure I'll stay on the line but how long??? anxiety. Lame.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Short Term Major Plans
1. Finish dissertation by the end of June or the first week of July,
2. Defend before July 22nd,
3. Officially graduate by August 7th and finish up all paper works about it,
4. Go to Boston at the end of June to meet women's studies and Stand for Children and Cambridge TV and the homeless shelters,
5. Find a roommate or an apartment possibly for August,
6. Find a bed to sleep on, and a comforter, for comfort! The rest may come later,
6. Help Kemi find a roommate which may mean you have to move out by the end of July,
7. May stay with Sinan for couple of weeks,
8. Visit Turkey for 2 weeks at the most,
9. Find a capoeira school in Boston, most probably Mandingueiros with Mestre Chuvisco.
10. Just to make it ten: Buy a thick winter coat, they're probably on sale now.
All these have to be done in 3 months. Auuuuu!
I believe I can do it!
p.s. A goal for a life time: Simplify yourself.
2. Defend before July 22nd,
3. Officially graduate by August 7th and finish up all paper works about it,
4. Go to Boston at the end of June to meet women's studies and Stand for Children and Cambridge TV and the homeless shelters,
5. Find a roommate or an apartment possibly for August,
6. Find a bed to sleep on, and a comforter, for comfort! The rest may come later,
6. Help Kemi find a roommate which may mean you have to move out by the end of July,
7. May stay with Sinan for couple of weeks,
8. Visit Turkey for 2 weeks at the most,
9. Find a capoeira school in Boston, most probably Mandingueiros with Mestre Chuvisco.
10. Just to make it ten: Buy a thick winter coat, they're probably on sale now.
All these have to be done in 3 months. Auuuuu!
I believe I can do it!
p.s. A goal for a life time: Simplify yourself.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Red Tree Scribblings II
I.
(5.14.09) It's almost 9am. It's going to be hot today. I've heard it's going to rain. This interesting man passed by today, walking his dog; or may be he's paid to do that, I don't know. What's odd is that he was holding a thick walking stick, and each time they stopped he tapped it on the ground rhythmically until I turned and looked; he was looking at me, strange but I guess wanting to be noticed? So I did. Then he stopped and pointed his stick at me and said "boom" or something close to that. Then he walked away only to stop couple of more times to do the same thing. :S Perhaps he's training the dog? I liked it.
It's a beautiful morning, I'm covered with sweat -and not because I trained hard, but because it's ridiculously humid-yet I can feel the healing. I want to read more on "the mind"; eager to be close to understanding. I want to find that book on Wittgenstein.
So many new things to learn; so many things to remember and practice, or repeat everyday to keep them fresh, like speaking. And it cannot be a boring repetition for it never repeats itself. All repeats, or counterparts may feel alike but each time they are capable of opening up to new things. Every return, to a thing, to someone, to a place is actually stepping forward to a new thing with hopefully a sense of excitement and exploration, as well as a sweet familiarity and coziness. So little time though; and I'm thankful that I have my beautiful family, friends who are equally generous and curious, and adventurous to a certain degree. Life cannot be boring when it provides me with so many new perspectives even when I think unconsciously, pretentiously that I now know fully, it sends me a rasteira with an impish smile. :) Knowing and learning are not concrete, they're not substantive and that's what's so exciting about them: things move, they evolve and so do you, if you allow it. My mind shall be in harmony with them, or at least try to, again like in capoeira. Challenge, struggle, malicia but always in harmony, balanced and attentive. It's not about avoiding and not repeating the mistakes, but simply enjoying the knowledge, to evolve until the end. I pray I never stop.
II.
5.15.09
I was in my usual routine. They came and took pictures of the tree, with me and my bike under it. I'll be in strangers' pictures. A group of junior high kids are working on a school project (I assume) with their teacher guiding them under another tree in the park. Good teacher.
III.
5.17.09
Today two photographers came to take pictures, of the tree as usual. They asked me if they could have me in them. Funny the others didn't ask and I couldn't have cared less. So the first one told me not to look at him, just mind my own business. I wasn't inclined anyway. The one that came an hour later said she wanted me and my bike in the picture, that she's a painter and I would to be in her painting. :S
Lovely, orange caterpillars were crawling all over my bag today. I would have love to imitate their graceful motions. They observe, feel and make sure where to land before stepping forward (or curling up and down), so beautifully. I envy the flexibility, and slowly but surely I'm getting closer to a full macaco (it's some kind of a back flip). I need to eliminate the fear of breaking my neck.. I know I can do it, but for some reason can't seem to trust myself to place my second arm on the floor on time and jump backwards. I broke down the movement. I need to feel confident with each move. So now I'm working on ponte (the bridge) to have a better back flexibility, which is also good for my shoulders. They need to be stronger and more flexible. My handstand is getting better and better, I can hold it at least 4 seconds now, and I'm able to walk on my hands, couple of steps though, for now. Walk over is still stiff, but will improve with my ponte exercises. I believe if I can get macaco, I'll be able to do a lot of stuff. I'm also working on some moves that includes queda de rins (That's something like falling on the kidneys by resting your body on one of your elbow). They're also good for my arms, they need to be stronger. However lately I've been having shoulder pain, nothing serious though, just sore I think.
(5.14.09) It's almost 9am. It's going to be hot today. I've heard it's going to rain. This interesting man passed by today, walking his dog; or may be he's paid to do that, I don't know. What's odd is that he was holding a thick walking stick, and each time they stopped he tapped it on the ground rhythmically until I turned and looked; he was looking at me, strange but I guess wanting to be noticed? So I did. Then he stopped and pointed his stick at me and said "boom" or something close to that. Then he walked away only to stop couple of more times to do the same thing. :S Perhaps he's training the dog? I liked it.
It's a beautiful morning, I'm covered with sweat -and not because I trained hard, but because it's ridiculously humid-yet I can feel the healing. I want to read more on "the mind"; eager to be close to understanding. I want to find that book on Wittgenstein.
So many new things to learn; so many things to remember and practice, or repeat everyday to keep them fresh, like speaking. And it cannot be a boring repetition for it never repeats itself. All repeats, or counterparts may feel alike but each time they are capable of opening up to new things. Every return, to a thing, to someone, to a place is actually stepping forward to a new thing with hopefully a sense of excitement and exploration, as well as a sweet familiarity and coziness. So little time though; and I'm thankful that I have my beautiful family, friends who are equally generous and curious, and adventurous to a certain degree. Life cannot be boring when it provides me with so many new perspectives even when I think unconsciously, pretentiously that I now know fully, it sends me a rasteira with an impish smile. :) Knowing and learning are not concrete, they're not substantive and that's what's so exciting about them: things move, they evolve and so do you, if you allow it. My mind shall be in harmony with them, or at least try to, again like in capoeira. Challenge, struggle, malicia but always in harmony, balanced and attentive. It's not about avoiding and not repeating the mistakes, but simply enjoying the knowledge, to evolve until the end. I pray I never stop.
II.
5.15.09
I was in my usual routine. They came and took pictures of the tree, with me and my bike under it. I'll be in strangers' pictures. A group of junior high kids are working on a school project (I assume) with their teacher guiding them under another tree in the park. Good teacher.
III.
5.17.09
Today two photographers came to take pictures, of the tree as usual. They asked me if they could have me in them. Funny the others didn't ask and I couldn't have cared less. So the first one told me not to look at him, just mind my own business. I wasn't inclined anyway. The one that came an hour later said she wanted me and my bike in the picture, that she's a painter and I would to be in her painting. :S
Lovely, orange caterpillars were crawling all over my bag today. I would have love to imitate their graceful motions. They observe, feel and make sure where to land before stepping forward (or curling up and down), so beautifully. I envy the flexibility, and slowly but surely I'm getting closer to a full macaco (it's some kind of a back flip). I need to eliminate the fear of breaking my neck.. I know I can do it, but for some reason can't seem to trust myself to place my second arm on the floor on time and jump backwards. I broke down the movement. I need to feel confident with each move. So now I'm working on ponte (the bridge) to have a better back flexibility, which is also good for my shoulders. They need to be stronger and more flexible. My handstand is getting better and better, I can hold it at least 4 seconds now, and I'm able to walk on my hands, couple of steps though, for now. Walk over is still stiff, but will improve with my ponte exercises. I believe if I can get macaco, I'll be able to do a lot of stuff. I'm also working on some moves that includes queda de rins (That's something like falling on the kidneys by resting your body on one of your elbow). They're also good for my arms, they need to be stronger. However lately I've been having shoulder pain, nothing serious though, just sore I think.
Red Tree Scribblings I
I.
Regularly since November and almost everyday since May, I've been spending a reasonable amount of time under the comfort of a big, red and a generous tree in a park close to my apartment. This is the same tree I had my first hallucinative drug under (actually I took it before and then sit under the tree). It was green then, unbelievably red now. It's such a bliss to be there. I train, play capoeira, eat and drink, read and write, and take a nap whenever I feel like it. People come and go, have a tendency to talk to me sometimes which is nice, I believe. Mostly children. According to my notes, I had Mathiew visiting me on May 11th. He can't possibly me more than 4. I was training when he saw me. Without hesitation and determination on his lovely face walked towards me, I liked it. "What's your name?" he asked. :) Never been so stupidly happy with this question, he was charming. After that he said he wants to train with me, said he likes to exercise at school; but didn't understand why I play on the grass and red flowers falling from the tree and squish them. I didn't know what to say. I said I don't know, but it feels like they like to be squished since they haven't told me otherwise (which is probably not an imaginative response but for some reason he liked me anyway). Then I did a cartwheel to show him they're not actually hurt. He didn't seem to be convinced but joined me anyway. We played a little and then he wanted me to show him how to do a handstand. So I did. Then a black puppy came; he was eager to play with us and cleaned our bare feet with his warm licks! His mom took a picture of us. I would have loved to see it.
II.
There are ants walking up and down, left and right on the tree. Everything seems to have a route. Animals seem to know instinctively, plants are perhaps destined already what life they have, did not care to know may be? What do I do for mine? I'm leaning against the tree but ants don't touch me. They feel me, accept me, it is nice to know I'm here. We don't disturb each other, we're perhaps aware of our temporary visitor's status and that the tree is kindly hosting us. Too romantic I am sometimes but this is what I wrote that day and as much as I remember the feeling that allowed me to doodle like that, I'm thankful. I remember it was a pleasant feeling to recognize the generosity of the tree and not failing to think it belonged to me; and that wherever I go there will be a tree to sit under and doodle as silly and merry as possible.
III.
A bird came around 6pm. First walked (or rather jumped) around a while, careful with not leaving the trail of shadow. Then perched on the lower branch of the tree. After a while another one came by flying; vaguely I saw but the first one startled a little bit; and I noticed its sharp reflex while trying to avoid unwanted accidents. I realized how so many things in my life as light as a flower or that bird bear numerous and potent meanings, openings, felt heavy with affection. Things as heavy as a rock, and sometimes they're beautiful too, or as monstrous as a so-called inevitable burden we see them as; might be nothing but the "imaginary rope" that is on the floor to trip us as Kafka contemplates. Things that are light but filled with the universe itself; things that are beautiful and yet heavy with nothingness. Am I high?!
The nature is what teaches me the most. Capoeira is what (or one of most prominent things that) teach(es) me to recognize my body, my potentials, my strength and passion, my will to learn and enjoy and laugh more.
Regularly since November and almost everyday since May, I've been spending a reasonable amount of time under the comfort of a big, red and a generous tree in a park close to my apartment. This is the same tree I had my first hallucinative drug under (actually I took it before and then sit under the tree). It was green then, unbelievably red now. It's such a bliss to be there. I train, play capoeira, eat and drink, read and write, and take a nap whenever I feel like it. People come and go, have a tendency to talk to me sometimes which is nice, I believe. Mostly children. According to my notes, I had Mathiew visiting me on May 11th. He can't possibly me more than 4. I was training when he saw me. Without hesitation and determination on his lovely face walked towards me, I liked it. "What's your name?" he asked. :) Never been so stupidly happy with this question, he was charming. After that he said he wants to train with me, said he likes to exercise at school; but didn't understand why I play on the grass and red flowers falling from the tree and squish them. I didn't know what to say. I said I don't know, but it feels like they like to be squished since they haven't told me otherwise (which is probably not an imaginative response but for some reason he liked me anyway). Then I did a cartwheel to show him they're not actually hurt. He didn't seem to be convinced but joined me anyway. We played a little and then he wanted me to show him how to do a handstand. So I did. Then a black puppy came; he was eager to play with us and cleaned our bare feet with his warm licks! His mom took a picture of us. I would have loved to see it.
II.
There are ants walking up and down, left and right on the tree. Everything seems to have a route. Animals seem to know instinctively, plants are perhaps destined already what life they have, did not care to know may be? What do I do for mine? I'm leaning against the tree but ants don't touch me. They feel me, accept me, it is nice to know I'm here. We don't disturb each other, we're perhaps aware of our temporary visitor's status and that the tree is kindly hosting us. Too romantic I am sometimes but this is what I wrote that day and as much as I remember the feeling that allowed me to doodle like that, I'm thankful. I remember it was a pleasant feeling to recognize the generosity of the tree and not failing to think it belonged to me; and that wherever I go there will be a tree to sit under and doodle as silly and merry as possible.
III.
A bird came around 6pm. First walked (or rather jumped) around a while, careful with not leaving the trail of shadow. Then perched on the lower branch of the tree. After a while another one came by flying; vaguely I saw but the first one startled a little bit; and I noticed its sharp reflex while trying to avoid unwanted accidents. I realized how so many things in my life as light as a flower or that bird bear numerous and potent meanings, openings, felt heavy with affection. Things as heavy as a rock, and sometimes they're beautiful too, or as monstrous as a so-called inevitable burden we see them as; might be nothing but the "imaginary rope" that is on the floor to trip us as Kafka contemplates. Things that are light but filled with the universe itself; things that are beautiful and yet heavy with nothingness. Am I high?!
The nature is what teaches me the most. Capoeira is what (or one of most prominent things that) teach(es) me to recognize my body, my potentials, my strength and passion, my will to learn and enjoy and laugh more.
Must See List
Must See:
First Time in Cuba, 1967
I remember seeing the trailer in MBC before the Herzog documentary. It's about this village in Cuba and the first time the community there saw a motion picture. They watched Modern Times from Chaplin. All of them were talking to the camera -or perhaps the person who is operating the camera- so naturally about how they hadn't seen a film before and in the mean time they were being filmed. What amazed me was the fact that I was watching Chaplin with them, watching them watching Charlie, and then watching them watching themselves while they were watching Charlie.... Camera thrills me. :S
to be continued...
First Time in Cuba, 1967
I remember seeing the trailer in MBC before the Herzog documentary. It's about this village in Cuba and the first time the community there saw a motion picture. They watched Modern Times from Chaplin. All of them were talking to the camera -or perhaps the person who is operating the camera- so naturally about how they hadn't seen a film before and in the mean time they were being filmed. What amazed me was the fact that I was watching Chaplin with them, watching them watching Charlie, and then watching them watching themselves while they were watching Charlie.... Camera thrills me. :S
to be continued...
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