Day 1069: The sign of a good teacher.

Geisha 8, collage & Ukiyo-e type print, digitized

I come from a family of teachers & engineers.
So I know good teachers, up close and personal.
But today, after surviving a tough day class ...
I was reminded of one of the traits of a really great teacher.

He is able to get more out of his students ...
than they know they can accomplish.
Thank you Demura Sensei.

87 degrees & humid, Santa Ana, CA

A smile for Tuesday ...

Day 1068: A special, annual picnic!

Cover, a junk mail collage

It's that time of year ...

Demura Sensei's 

Annual Genbu-Kai Karate Picnic!

Held in beautiful Irvine Park ...

for games, food, friendship and not a gi in sight!

Just a few of the faces from Demura Sensei's local dojos ...

who brought great foods to share ...

and take time to play softball, bocci ...

even a pinata for the kids ...

on a warm, humid 90 degree day ...

but perfect!

A smile for Monday ...

Day 1067: A slow Saturday, duds & Netflix

"Redder", junk mail collage

Day #1067 and still chugging along! Today it's uphill!

The number of consecutive days amazes me.

But of course there are plenty of "duds" ...

dud/dəd/ noun
a thing that fails to work properly or is otherwise unsatisfactory or worthless. 

Duds: unexploded shells on the Somme, still there today. Image thanks to shipscompass at flickr 

Maybe you can tell I am struggling today?

Waiting for divine intervention... soon!

...

And that would have been it, but

WonderWoman and Superman went out to dinner.

So I got to spend time with GH 1 & 3 and Netflix.

I don't have Netflix or movie channels, so a movie night!

GH #3 picked ...

which was fun to see again after so many years.

Then GH #1 picked "Jiro dreams of Sushi",
which I had never heard of?

a 2011 award-winning American documentary.

You can see a 2 minute video trailer by clicking here.

One review said: “The best sushi in Japan can be found in a Ginza subway station. Its 85-year-old chef, Jiro Ono, is not merely a brilliant cook, he is a difficult patriarch who runs his 10-seat three star Michelin restaurant with an iron hand. Put down the California roll and partake of a slow-motion 20-course paean to perfection.”

I was so impressed by this elegant movie and also ...

the fact that my 17 year old Grandhunk picked it,

after watching it twice before. 

They all like sushi.

A smile for Sunday ...

Day 1066: All ears and nodding ...

"Close", junk mail collage

Today I listened to my first podcast.

Have you ever listened to a podcast?

Here is the link to the one I heard.

http://balzerdesigns.com/arting/

It's an hour, six minutes!

I know, I know, we are all too busy for that much time.

But, I thought I'd try a few minutes ...

 it featured artist Jane Davies (who I admire) and ...

Jane Davies

 Julie Fei-Fan Balzer & her Mom, Eileen Hsü-Balzer.

Not a video, so of course there is no picture.

At first I sat looking at the tiny white screen as they spoke.

Like party lines on old country phones when I was very little.

Then I started working on collage as I listened.

So, I listened and worked, and loved it!

I found myself nodding in agreement, then

laughing at still other scenarios.

It's wonderful when your mind creates the visual.

So I enjoyed the whole thing ...

it was like having company as I worked.

I highly recommend this fun time.

...

Hope you have a wonderful weekend.

A smile for Saturday ...

Day 1065: Assistant Mama Bear on duty.

"Red-faced", drawing & collage digitized

Yesterday's surgery was a success and all are home safe.

Well almost. Superman had to fly to LV for a trade show,

 WW & Grandhunk #1 got home from the hospital at 2PM.

I checked in that AM for assistant duty.

Took GH #3 to lifting for FB @ OLU 10 - 11:30

Then lunch.

 GH#1 showered and is resting/sleeping with a guard.

GH#1 & Bella on guard duty

GH #2 had work then a BB game for OLU  (they won).

I took GH#3 to his cross fit training at 4 PM, 

then picked up food for tonight.

WonderWoman & 3 dogs picked up GH#3 @ 6PM

So 4 out of 5 are home for the night.

I am now home, how was your day?

A smile for Friday ...

Day 1064: Bumps along the way ...

"He", digital collage

Every so often it seems there are bumps along the way.

Grandhunks # 3, 2 & 1 (left to right)

Tuesday evening's last supper before the surgery ...

Sometimes you can feel helpless, right?

GH#1 & WW selfie, surgery morning

Concerned, worried, helpless & finally relieved.

Grandhunk #1 had TMJ surgery Wednesday.

It was successful and I visited him in the afternoon.

In fact I was there when they brought in a longer bed since

his 6' 4-1/2" frame had extended beyond the end of the regular bed.

WonderWoman is spending the night in the adjacent chair. 

Mama bear personified. 

Superman & his brothers were there when I left.

He gets to go home Thursday ...

there will be ice packs and lots of rest.

I made a get well card ...

 87 degrees, Santa Ana, Ca

For  FB Throwback Thursday ...

Yoyogi Stadium, Tokyo, Japan 1980

A smile for Thursday ...