I almost let this one go. But I’m trying to kill a little time before I call it a day. Seems a good excuse to return to earnest blogging. JD writes:

Those boys believed that with their telescopes they could see the truth. Or, if not with those particular instruments, then with better, more powerful ones. But even the Hubble, boys, won’t give you a glimpse of the truth. Truth is what we do with what we see. And that’s a matter for the Arts & Humanities, with the Sciences lending a helping hand.

I bet you expect me to pick a fight here. Not gonna happen. In fact, I concur with Joe here- with the exception of the very last sentence. Truth is what we do with what we see. Joe sees poetry everywhere. I see quantum fields- which is poetry in a different language.

Two weeks since I arrived in Terre Haute. A nice rainy day. Deer are grazing in the back yard- less mowing for me. I just bolted together our pull-up/dip bars. There are still a few boxes that need stowing. I need one more 2×4 to finish the new bed frame. I’m blogging from my new DSL connection for the first time. Couldn’t get it in Palmer Lake. I’m tucked away in a woodsy corner on the outskirts of town, but still close enough for DSL. A short trip to the office.

I just might set up a granular materials laboratory here- look at some transport or dielectric breakdown problems. When I’m not working academics I’m working on the new house; first thing I did was cut a big whole in the wall. Well, out on the screened porch anyway. Who would build a nice dog pen, but neglect the matter of a doggy door into it? The garage full of “gifts” from the previous occupants is almost cleaned out. Let’s say I haven’t made a friend of the garbage man.

This morning I found I can get the Bloomington NPR station. I will have to drive there (or Indy) when I run out of dog food.

Classes started on Wednesday this week. It will take some time to adjust to the classroom again, but I’m already gaining a sense of familiarity. This experience is similar to the last time I started teaching professionally. At first, it’s a struggle to fill the hour. I know before long, an hour will seem too short to accomplish much. The latter is more comfortable.

Thus far, I feel stretched to the limit every day. But being overwhelmed is definitely preferable to being underwhelmed. I thrive in these conditions.

I’ve set up a rudimentary home page. I will link it up when it’s a little more fleshed out.

Yegads! I’m back. By the time I regained connectivity, I found my host had been hacked. Looks like things are finally up and running now. Blogging from my new university office for the first time. I’m preparing for classes, which start tomorrow, and looking for a way to furnish my lab space with toys. Much to report, but also much to do. The latter wins for now.

Bleary in the aftermath of our farewell party. A decent turnout. Surrounded by friends on a clear Colorado night I wonder- what the hell am I doing? Part of me loathes change. I am a creature of habit. But, on my deathbed, I won’t have to wonder what would have happened if I went for it. I should love this situation- I even have a safety net. I know I have a lucrative job to return to any time. I cannot count my fortunes. Yep, things will work out. Now, the real packing begins.

I was in shape for it. Masatake Fujita Shihan lead a great seminar. Homma Kancho was a spectacular host. The mat was packed- with no room to be thrown, it was not a physically demanding seminar, though the 16 taisabaki variations strained one’s memory (and the atmosphere made a good sauna). The key was: soto sabaki began from ai-hanmi, uchi sabaki from gyaku hanmi. Then one deashi and one yoriashi variation on each side (4), with and without mawariashi (x2), from katatedori and shomenuchi (x2). Not so tough.

Katate-dori Kokyu-variations: when moving omote, begin with ten-chi style misubi; with or without mawariashi.

An interesting kata-dori kokyu: use opposite hand to hook elbow inward, same-side hand to kokyu-nage.

The kose-dori nikkyo to irimi-nage was a blast. One of the few times my heart rate got up. I’ll try to remember that head-pincer move as well, which I can’t begin to describe here.

Ah, I must remember the quick nikkyo-motion to kaiten-nage from katatedori. And the irimi-nage variation. We did so much last night I’m having trouble recalling what we did te previous day; ah yes, mostly wrist and elbow manipulations. Somehow I managed to protect my sore left elbow quite well. And remember on ura shihonage: the preferred way now is to move straight up & down, not stretch outward.

A big Domo Arigato Gozaimashita to everyone involved.

I will soon be heading up to Nippon Kan for a seminar. I wonder if I am in shape for it.

Well whaddaya know, W has a blog too.

This is an interesting chart (W’s disapproval rating through time, and by poll). Both for the obvious systematic bias of the pollsters, and the obvious discontinuities from 9-11 and the Iraq war. This last bit is kind of scary. The public is basically encouraging politicians to wage war, for their own sakes. You think it’s a coincidence the Iraq war rhetoric escalated just before the mid-term elections? What sort of military action wouldn’t improve W’s approval rating? I’m afraid a “total world domination” policy would be just fine with a lot of people. I bet this has something to do with the entertainment value of the news. Keep people entertained, and they are happy.

I returned from what is likely my last time in Boulder (as a Coloradan) around 0230 last night. This was my original middle coast destination, home for three years, and workplace (and centre) for six. I’ve only been back a handful of times the past three years, living outside of ‘Springs, either to visit campus or Boulder Aikikai. A connection with place is a very odd and powerful thing. The sense of place around your own home and neighborhood is fairly straightforward, but through time and distance it can be haunting. I remember writing about this before. I probably will again. So long, Boulder- you have left deep impressions.