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Crunch Time

This weekend I'm heading to Guelph for the Annual May Seminar held by Sei Do Kai. It's a time of intense practice with the rare benefit of sensei straight from Japan.

As it's the weekend immediately following Comiccon, I'm a little stressed. My main stressor is always food with my triple sensitivity of dairy, eggs, and yeast. At least there is a Swiss Chalet nearby where I can get something if needed. A friend is also making one safe meal for me as part of a group meal deal. That helps a lot.

I hurt myself at practice last night. While doing o-chiburi, which is a method to clear "blood" from the sword, I felt a little crunchiness in my shoulder and a small amount of pain. I'm going to Guelph regardless, but I may have to spend the weekend doing yoko chiburi instead, use my wooden sword instead, or both. I bought a bandage to wrap it since I couldn't find a brace. I'll get it checked out after seminar.

I got sandals a while back because last year we got in trouble for walking around the building bare foot. Senseis from Japan considered the hallways to be "outside" and therefore footwear is required.

I hit a bra sale today, which is great because I lost quite a lot of weight in the last few years and it was necessary to replenish. Pro tip, avoid the online calculator and go get measured or use the calculator, try that size on, and if it sucks get measured. I'm in between sizes so the calculator didn't work for me and shopping was extremely frustrating. The clerk at La Vie en Rose was very helpful.

I picked up a flask for the weekend. It's a nice little metal one. I'm thankful the young guy went into the back and checked his stock as I didn't really want a plastic mickey-sized one. I bought flavoured coconut water to mix with it as it's about the least dangerous mix for me besides water or organic tea.

I put my gi top and hakama (special pants) through the wash. Yesterday I managed to finish the alterations before class. With my belt at a proper length, I can tie it properly and my hakama doesn't need shortening. I'm thankful for that.

I also picked up paper plates, plastic cups, and plastic forks. We're staying in a dorm, so have to supply everything.

I'm bringing my small indoor grill to grill myself a hamburger for one of the meals. I have empanadas for my lunches and plan to have veggies to snack on with them.

I need to make up some breakfast stir fry. I can do that with the actifry, I think.

I got money out.

I'm not sure there's anything else to do beyond pack a few of the things like my outfit when it's dry, but I always feel like there's more to be done.

Am I there yet?

- Roy Iaidoka

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