Challenge!!

I feel karateka should strive to be stronger and faster than yesterday, last month or last year. I further feel that lackluster behaviour only will backfire on yourself. So when the subject of the Reykjavik marathon came up this week, me and the extremely positive Eythor decided that we do a halfmarathon this year and a full marathon next year........

Anyway, here is the challenge: I think that all of you guys can do 10 km if you just set your heart to it..... Then halfmarathon next year, sounds like a good goal to get healthier and will also provide you with more aerobic training (which karate really dont give us enough of)

Impress me by showing up and finishing the 10 km, 21 km or if you already are a superman: 42 km. (Thats right, the 3 km is not a challenge and therefore dont count.... ;-) )

So far, Eythor and me are doing the 21km and Åsa, Gusta and Jon Andri is doing the 10km. Leave a note in my comments about which distance you are doing and spread the word. Sign up at www.glitnir.is

Gay Pride

Downtown today was a massive crowd, most everybody smiling and rainbow-coloured stuff everywhere. Gave me hope for mankind, after all. Why on earth shouldnt everyone be allowed to be themselves without being shamed for being different? I think people should be less afraid to show who they are and the rest should be less judgemental.

For christmas i want a rainbow button that says Virðing and a pink t-shirt that says: Sorry boys, i am straight.

(sortof....)

;-)

SUMMER!!! (Finally its here.......)

WOW, how much i like the sun and warm weather!!!!! Gives you icelanders a clue how much i like being here and teaching you all, since i put up with your crazy weather..... (hihi)

Other than that; Laugarvatn was fun, Birkir blew bubbles and the foodperson had been swapped with a woman that actually could cook....(!!!) Other than that, not much is going on these days...

YEAH, WAIT!!! I have bought two new guitars on ebay!!! One 7-string electric that sounds all evil and one 12-string that sounds like a whole orchestra. Very happy. Ebay is sooo the place to shop. Wouldnt have had the money to buy these in Iceland, and shopusa.is really makes shipping a breeze, too. (i sound like a commercial, so i better sign off now)

:-)

Back in ACTION!!

Very happy!!! Weather today actually looked like a half decent summerday!!!! (The sun is following me now....)

And my new dogi from Japan is really nice. Shureido makes dogis that are not cotton, and in my opinion, they are well worth the extra expense. They stay white, they are comfortable to wear, dont stick to your body when you sweat in them and they last forever (almost) Also the people making them gets the measurements correct so they come with the right length arms and legs. All good. If in doubt, consider this: My previous dogi i have been using for about 20 hours pr week, and i have washed it almost every day for 2 years, and it hardly shows any wear at all.... For high quality equipment, they cant be beat, in my opinion.

And my new belt is getting white very quickly, 2..... (Hihi...)

BUT!!! I had a 2 week break from karate, and now i have trained 3 days and my legs are *tired*!!!! (I think breaks should be "bannad" from now on) Ohwell, i guess i will be getting into the rhythm again shortly.

And regarding other news, i guess the biggest thing happening soon is the gashuko at Laugarvatn in two weeks. Senseis Kawasoe, Lim, Isak and i will be teaching, so here is a great opportunity for everyone to get some different ideas and some enthusiasm to jumpstart the fall-season.

Greeting from Norway :-)

Juhu!!!

Been in the land of (almost) eternal sunshine for a week and a half now.... Long time injuries seems to appreciate the one week break, and i cant wait to start teaching and training again.

The trainingcamp i attended last weekend is in my opinion the best value for money big camp out there. Excellent teachers, easy travelling from iceland and not too expensive. Senseis Amos, Trimble, Kompier and Langley impresses me with well-planned, dynamic classes that is thought-provoking and inspiring. If you are chasing karate excellence then this is one camp you should consider joining me for next year. (And the people really rock it out on Singstar.....!!)

Five more days of relaxation with family and then back home. All good. :-)

Vacation, weather and some random thoughts..

Tomorrow morning i am off for some good weather.....

;-)

I love being in Iceland, love the fact that i teach karate for a living, and the fact that icelanders are supernice. (Even though their language is wrong...)

Thanks for making me feel welcome. Looking forward to return shortly.

Then some karate-thoughts:

Tension is not helping your technique. Make an effort to be on time. Dont ask me bout opening the windows cause i am freezing and my hip is bad already. (Lets put a bag in the door if the airquality is poor) Welcome visitors, that way you get more partners and i put more effort into teaching a class of 20 than if we are only 5. They will also return the favour, i am sure. Remember the stuff i taught so we can move on. Listen to what i tell the others and then concentrate on the same issues. I can only guide you in the right direction; What you must bring to it is your full concentration and max effort, both mentally and physically.

Reading the above chapter it looks like i am all down on this experience, but i am not. I am just passionate about your progress. Sometime i actually think that my desire for you to get a black belt is even bigger than yours. I think this is because of all the great stuff that has happened for me as a result of training karate-do.

Thanks for a great spring season, folks, and lets keep pushing hard.

:-)

New York (and somemorestuff)

WOW!! (Yeah, i know i should update more often....)

After spending 8 days in the big apple, i now have a new fav city in the world. Very, very exciting place. Training with Richard Amos sensei in an almost private setting also makes for very detailed feedback (and very sweaty norwegians.....) We were 6 this year, and there is no way i am not making this a yearly event. Next year, though, some of you icelandic high grades needs to join in.

We were very unlucky with the weather, though. :-( (It rained more on the weekend i was there than the monthly average of june.....) But nothing could stop me smiling since i got to see Stomp and a tiny off Broadway-show called Bush is Bad. Furthermore, the prettiest store in the world is on 59 and 3rd..... Its an Apple-store, and it was sooo "beeeeeep" amazing. (Even i almost wanted an iMac or an iPod....!!!!)

Then i flew home to make it to Kato senseis gashuko at Laugarvatn. Good training, questionable food, and i cant wait until the 2 "mediumsized" sugarburners are past the "Lets make noise cause we are HYPED!!!!!"......... ;-) (Thanks a lot for remebering my birthday, btw)

All in all, it has been an exciting last couple of weeks. Now i am looking forward to first time in Iceland on their national holiday. I have no idea what to expect but will post some comparison with the big norwegian day. (And i also pledge to make updates here atleast a bimonthly thing)

:-)