I practice tai chi in a class twice a week. Yesterday, my teacher told me I was resisting too much. No resistance is a key principle of tai chi. Physically, as soon as you resist, there’s an area for your opponent to grasp, push against and exert force. The idea is not to resist, but… Continue reading Resistance
Category: Water (Personal)
Sangoma graduation. Part 1: Vegetarianism
As I mentioned earlier this week, I was away from the 4th to the 11th, attending a friend’s graduation as a sangoma (note that the Wikipedia article needs some work!) in the village of Mtambalala, about 25 minutes drive from Port St Johns in the Transkei. It was a hectic experience, leaving me with lots… Continue reading Sangoma graduation. Part 1: Vegetarianism
New Year in Woodstock
Well, I missed the People’s Republic of Windsor Road party, but Anique and I were both tired, and attending parties these days with Dorje is not that much fun – most of the time is spent running after him making sure he takes cigarette butts out of his mouth, and then leaving early when it… Continue reading New Year in Woodstock
The Tao of Neverness
A new reader of my blog recently asked me just what the hell all this metal, earth, water stuff was all about. For those who haven’t read my first post, I agree, it can be confusing. And judging by the inconsistent way I’ve categorised some of my own posts, it can be confusing for me… Continue reading The Tao of Neverness
Full moon, naked in the Palmiet, and nine-to-fiving
It’s full moon, I’m in that slightly beyond overtired stage where I’m not going to fall asleep anyhow, so what better way to spend it than writing something. Dorje, my beloved 14 month-old son has been getting louder and more restless at night, so much of my waking time I feel like an extra in… Continue reading Full moon, naked in the Palmiet, and nine-to-fiving
Donald Trump
I’ve just finished reading a biography about Donald Trump. My excuse for such a deed is that I’ve been watching The Apprentice, the reality TV show where a number of applicants get to compete against each other for the dubious privilege of working for Donald Trump. The book, Lost Tycoon: The Many Lives of Donald… Continue reading Donald Trump
Guinness, Shiatsu and the CES
I belong to the Cape Town Community Exchange System, a local currency (or LETS). The system has been fascinating for me, as its caused to me to think about how our economic system works (or not). For someone who’s never had any formal economic training, the system allows me to examine the implications of various… Continue reading Guinness, Shiatsu and the CES
Same-sex marriage
Interesting news that the Supreme Court of Appeals has approved same-sex marriages. I say interesting because although I support the ruling, it raises interesting questions for me personally. I am unmarried, although I have a child, and am in a stable relationship – at least as much as I believe is possible 🙂 For me,… Continue reading Same-sex marriage
Touching the Void
Just come back from watching Touching the Void (also available as a book. It’s a superb film, leaving me exhilirated to be alive. The trailer hadn’t appealed to me, but a friend had told me the whole story in great detail over lunch. She recommended I see it anyhow, and I’m very glad I did.… Continue reading Touching the Void