This past weekend I won my first ever tournament in #martialarts. I competed in forms (kata). It was the 39th annual #Kenpo Karate Championship in Hawai'i. I wasn't sure I wanted to go, but then I figured, "What the hey, I'll give it a try." I went with no expectations other than I'll do my best. The art I study is #Kajukenbo.

Feeling not-great from health stuff, and was flake on doing parking lot Kenpo while younger son was in his MMA lesson.

But then, as he got out of the car, he said, “And it’s a beautiful day for doing katas!”

45 minutes and 22 katas later, damned if he wasn’t right. #Kenpo #MartialArts #Parenting

Stood up a new, new mastodon instance, so I'm creating an #introduction post for this server.

I'm a developer/manager with most of my focus on sql (MSSql and Oracle primarily) and C#. I manage a newly created, small team of devs focused on creating a fully cloud hosted application.

In my spare time, I also study two martial arts: American #Kenpo karate and #Balintawak #Eskrima. I decided to start this server with a focus of hosting individuals interested in either #kenpo or #balintawak.

Patrick talking with their Kenpo Teachers

Me: I've actually tried this neat training technique. I do the katas kind of feet-first. Like, I do the stance change and let that pull me naturally into the movements I'm supposed to do.

Teachers: That's... actually what you're always supposed to be doing.

Me:

Teachers:

Me: Yes. I definitely knew that.

#Kenpo #MartialArts

Also, have not posted any big news on Kenpo workouts because it boils down to "I have all the old stuff back, and now I guess I practice this for the rest of my life?" I dunno.

I started making katas as a way to spice up practicing the basics, which is a unique kind of nerdity. #MartialArts #Kenpo

Tiger and Crane on untouched snow for this week’s Parking slot #Kenpo. #MartialArts

Tonight’s parking lot #Kenpo dojo buddy tonight, along with the stand-in for my staff, since I left the sticks at home by mistake. #MartialArts

(Trying to teach my older son the wrist flex used in Hand of the Dragon (A))

Me: Nope, not quite. Focus less on lowering the hand and more on bending my hand toward my wrist. Hands a little closer together. Now try bending SHIT DOWN I GO!

You don't get the wrist flex until you get it. Darnedest thing when you're used to striking.

#Kenpo #MartialArts

Last night’s parking lot #Kenpo was “test your stances and steps” night, with both a slippery top snow layer and a frozen-over uneven layer thanks to tire ruts. Nevertheless, many imaginary bad guys got their butts kicked.

First real exercise since I recovered from RSV enough to do one workout and then, two hours later, slashed the heck out of my thumb with the damn kama like a doofus. Not my fastest or strongest, but I survived, and the imaginary enemies I was fighting did not! #Kenpo #MartialArts

New post on the website! I said awhile ago I was making a surprise for my martial arts teachers, and it's finished! They liked it, and I thought I'd put it up to share with anyone who is interested.

KENPO ON ICE!!!

https://patrickweekes.com/2022/12/24/kenpo-on-ice/

#MartialArts #Kenpo

A post on First-Degree Black Belt on the blog. https://patrickweekes.com/2022/12/22/1st-degree-black-belt-just-do-it-perfectly/

#MartialArts #Kenpo

My old martial arts teachers have been incredibly supportive of me getting back into Kenpo and have sent videos of all the high-level stuff I only half-remembered and had no references available for (because not many people still do this style, or at least I haven't found the ones who do on YouTube).

I am preparing a surprise for my teachers when I see them over winter break. I am so excited! #MartialArts #Kenpo

The good news is that my parking lot dojo is warmer. In fact, it’s above freezing!

This is also the bad news. #MartialArts #Kenpo

New martial arts post up on my website: Anything Can Be a Strike

(These posts are about my return to Kenpo, the martial art I practiced when I was younger, looking at stuff with fresh eyes and also getting healthier.)

https://patrickweekes.com/2022/11/23/2nd-degree-brown-belt-anything-can-be-a-strike/

#martialarts #kenpo

Neutral ⚪️🟡
Confront 🟠
Fight 🟣
Maim 🔵
Kill 🟢

So then Shihan is like, what comes after kill? And the room is silent. MY TIME HAS COME.

I raise my hand. “Bury the body.” #kenpo