Day 4372: 36th Annual Costa Mesa Dojo Jr. Marathon and Eastside.

   

"Gloom": junk collage, ink drawing

 

  

Want music?

    

Click : Doobie brothers, What A Fool Believes.

 

  

 

 

2GN2S

36th Annual Costa Mesa Dojo Jr. Marathon.

Tuesday late afternoon, I went to our Costa Mesa Dojo since I was asked by Sensei Roy Center if I could help coach at the 36th annual Jr. Marathon. I agreed since I have a long history with this event, and am thankful that it has been kept going.

You see, the original theory behind it as that anyone would work hard for a trip to Hawaii, a big screen tv, or a surfboard, that was a given.But, would they work hard, by choice, for dumb or lesser prizes?

The marathon is voluntary. It involves a lot of running, push-ups, jump rope, focus punches, kicks, jumping jacks, kata, medicine ball, kumite techniques, the number of which is determined by their belt color. 

collecting "dumb" prizes"

When they have completed all stations, usually twelve, they can help themselves to suika, Japanese for watermelon, which is really satisfying after their exertion. To watch this event is life affirming, in that they try so hard and as they finish their placement will determine in what order they pick their "dumb prize". 

It take a lot of organization and preparation on Sensei Roy's part, and a lot of help from adult karate-ka who give their time to coach. I think everyone agrees it is so worth their efforts.

Coaches after the Jr. Marathon at Ramen Tatsunova.

Tuesday AM: Eastside Art group at Erin's studio.

Erin Houghton in Erin's Art Studio

Once a month our group of eight meet to be together, discuss any and everything and maybe do some art too. We take turns hosting the type of art. Tuesday was with Norma and Erin showing us three projects to see and try any or all three if we wanted.

The day involved clay flower pots, rocks, painting, and a huge assortment of cacti. I should have taken pictures, but as you may have noticed lately, I am not always "on the ball",  as they say.

 The day was a huge success even though we were missing Libby, who was ill,  Jody who was babysitting, and Jeri who was in Paso Robles.

Throwback Thursday ...

September 20,1934 - -August 14, 2024 

Takayuki Kubota: (窪田 孝行, Kubota Takayuki " Tak"),  a Japanese-American karateka, known as the founder the Gosoku-ryu style of karate. He holds the title of sōke (grandmaster) for his development of the Gosoku-ryū, and is the founder and president of the International Karate Association. He is also the inventor and holder of the trademark of the Kubotan self-defense key chain. Kubota was a self-defense instructor for the Tokyo Police department in the 1950s, where he was noted for his expertise in practical karat and later taught the Los Angeles Police Department.

Soke Kubota was a great man, a legend in Karate. He had a wonderful sense of humor and kind nature. His skills and speed were amazing. He and Demura Sensei are good friends and I imagine them together now. Kubota Sensei was the highlight of the 1972 movie, "The Mechanic", which is still the best Karate action I have ever seen.

My sincere condolences to the Kubota family and his many, many students and friends.

He will be greatly missed.

 

  

 

A 2+  minute video, Treating Jabu,  here

 

 

 

  

 

Just because ...

  

 

Tropical Mockingbird

 

 

Thursday's Smiles ...