Every year, St. David’s Catholic Church in Davie, Florida hosts the American Bushido Open. Karatekas can compete in sparring, empty hand forms, weapons forms, and musical forms. Unlike the competitions that USA Goju Federation sponsors, the American Bushido Open is on a much larger scale and open to competitors from all styles. This was Austin’s 2nd year at the ABO.

Despite nursing a sprained ankle, Austin decided to compete. I know the sensei will highlight his accomplishments at Monday night’s class. This young man is a true warrior. Last year, he threw up and still won second place in the sparring competition. This year, he came to compete, injury and all.

His chosen events this year were the empty hand form and the sparring. He never declines an opportunity to spar. For the empty hand form, he carefully chose a kata that did not involve moving the feet. He thought he could beat the system, but unfortunately, it’s a very esoteric form; judges are human and we all favor what’s familiar.

Austin never declines an opportunity to spar. This round, he was matched up against a USAGF student from another dojo. They started off faster and more furious than I’d ever seen him fight before. The fight ended quickly when Austin connected with a clean shot to the head and sent his opponent to the corner grabbing his face and crying. The judges called the match and got an ice pack for the fallen competitor.

I got this shot just before he landed the fateful punch. I was shooting with the Nikon D80 in continuous mode. When you scroll through the images in iPhoto, it looks like a flip book animation.

His next opponent was a tall and lanky kid who outmatched Austin in reach and mobility. He would lose that match.

The third match was lost before he even began. I’m not being negative here. He was matched up against a girl. It’s a lose-lose proposition. If you win, whoopty-doo, you beat a girl. If you lose the match, you lost to a girl!

Last year’s American Bushido Open was his first competition ever. He complained about the plastic taste of the protective mouthpiece. He was struggling with new contact lenses. He was sick to his stomach all morning. He threw up after the second sparring match (and still won second place). Last year’s trophy was bigger, but this year’s victory was bigger. He gave everything, except a wonky ankle.

Ariana’s First Halloween

One of our friends and fellow cat lover purchased the black cat costume from the gift registry. Based on Ariana’s timeline, we figured it would fit her OK. When we saw how the “newborn” and the “0-3 months” clothing fit on her, I thought, “man, she’s gonna be swimming in this costume!”

The costume fit just fine and she looked absolutely adorable! We also realized how stunning she looks in black.

Once You Go Black…

A discussion about black clothes rarely excludes Austin. Catering to his homochromatic wardrobe desires has had some positive impact. He’s stepped up the level of care he has for his belongings… as long as they’re black.

Austin decided he wanted to be Michael Jackson. Let me preface what follows with this: I’m not being mean, I’m being honest. He doesn’t look anything like Michael Jackson. Please leave a comment if you disagree. He just likes the idea of wearing all black, especially if there’s a leather jacket involved.

Renee and I decided to stay home and distribute the candy. James got a great reception last year, being an all-black cat. Some trick-or-treaters were genuinely scared of him! We call him “Winnie the Puma,” so the notion of being afraid of him is foreign to us.

Trick or Treat

Austin went trick-or-treating with his friends Gabriel and Cory. Cory’s grand plan (which he completed) was to go around our townhouse complex, his townhouse complex, and another nearby townhouse complex! I don’t envy Cory’s parents. He’s hyper enough without post-Halloween levels of high fructose corn syrup in his system. I don’t want to be anywhere near that kid until the candy is gone.

What’s With These Stickers? 

If you live in the suburbs, you’ve seen these stickers. You see them on SUVs and minivans. You are guaranteed to see them at the grocery store, the mall, and obstructing traffic between 2 and 3 pm each weekday.

It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that these stickers are representative of the driver’s family.
Austin got stuck on calling them “happy people stickers.” At the time, he was 12, and 12 year old boys think that anything besides video games, high speed car chases, and explosions are stupid. He still doesn’t work very hard to hide the disdain in his voice when he speaks of these “happy people stickers.”

Renee and I share this disdain as well, albeit in a milder form with just a dash of cynicism. Don’t get me wrong. I am absolutely all about my family. I love my family. My children are everything to me. But these stickers are perversely pervasive. You see them everywhere. They’re worn with pride like a badge that proclaims to everyone who tailgates you, “I am swayed by marketing and advertising.”

What baffles Renee and me is that despite their widespread use, we have not yet seen such stickers at any of the retail outlets we frequent. If you know where one can find these stickers, I’m dying to know. I would never buy such an item, but I am just that curious about this and a great many other things.

Driving home one night, we were stopped at a red light. Immediately to my left, we see the minivan pictured here. The “happy people” are crammed tightly against each other and they reach halfway across the rear windshield!

Upon closer examination of the photo later, I counted 13 individuals! We were not able to determine what the last two on the right are. We believe they are cats or dogs, but that’s still a lot of kids.

Photoshop Has Many Uses 

I am very proficient in Photoshop, as I use it in a professional capacity just as much as I use it for pleasure. Whether it’s for graphic design or photography, I know Photoshop.

Laughter is great therapy. Comic relief is universal. I enjoy making people laugh. You read the last paragraph, so you know where this is going. Heheheheh.

Last year, Austin befriended a neighborhood kid who is, at times, difficult. Actually, he’s always difficult. The only difference is Austin’s tolerance. They get along OK for a while, then Austin gets really sick of him. Lather. Rinse. Repeat.

During one of the “friend cycles,” I snapped the photo you see above (or to the left, depending on your web browser’s settings. I love web design. NOT!) I don’t know if I had any premeditated intentions when I took the photo. He asked me about a piece of equipment, and I was simply demonstrating it for him.

After a recent falling out, I launched Photoshop and got to work.

This was double-duty therapy since this kid can get under my skin too.

The first image was a relatively simple manipulation, but it definitely elicits laughter at every viewing. This image distortion is partially possible without the help of Photoshop, but I wanted to amp it up.

Since I didn’t set up such a shot with such a use in mind, I had to dig within the archives. The only suitable photo I found is the one at the beginning of this post.

I used a perspective correction filter to distort the image. This was done to simulate using the widest zoom setting and shooting from above looking down. Then I used the Free Transform tool to stretch his head, and the Warp tool to, well, warp it even more.

One thing every Photoshop jockey has done is to put a different head or face on someone’s body. Depending on the skill level of the Photoshop user, the results are either glaringly obvious or scary realistic. I will let you grade my effort here.

I even did the extra credit work and made this model’s hair color match the kid’s. Austin was, of course, eager to share it with his other friends. They all know this kid too, and are equally annoyed. I thought it would be best if Austin prefaced the unveiling of this image with, “I’ve been chatting with this girl online and she sent me a pic. Tell me, do you think she’s hot?“

USAGF Karate Weapons Seminar

Today, Austin participated in a weapons seminar. In his particular style of karate (United Sates of America Goju Federation), students are offered the opportunity to learn how to use various weapons such as the escrima, bo, sai, and nunchaku. Austin has worked his way through the escrima, advanced escrima, and he is now learning how to use the bo.

At the conclusion of the seminar, Master Joseph Kelljchian addressed all the students. He is the founder of this style and has garnered tremendous respect among his students and within the martial arts community. Master Kelljchian praises students for participating, and reminds them of the advantage they have when facing life’s challenges.

It’s evident that Austin has developed so much due to his participation in martial arts. He came to me last year as a young man who lacked focus, conviction, and discipline, except when it came to video games. He has always struggled in school, and this year, he is enjoying it and doing well.

Taking Austin to class and paying monthly dues is just the beginning. Without our active participation, Austin won’t reap the benefits of martial arts. One of the other students remarked that the kids whose parents stick around during class do better than the kids who just get dropped off and picked up.

A health club membership doesn’t make you fit and trim. Regular exercise does. A bookshelf full of self-help books doesn’t help you. Reading them might get you a little closer. Learning, being, and doing puts you on the right track. USAGF karate is only $30 a month. It’s a tremendous value that’s enhanced by our active participation.

To learn more about USAGF karate, start here.

So he told us he was going to enjoy playing in the water while he still could. About 30 minutes later, he came back in with his clothes totally drenched. Apparently they went to see if the pool was flooded like the rest of the complex. And they ended up jumping into the pool fully clothed. It made a big impression on him. He said it was quite exhilarating!

It reminds me that one can always find the magic in a moment. I was so proud that he chose to see the potential of the situation rather than being mad about the rain.