February

Okay, so it's been two months since my last post and there have been ups and down and tiny stuff, not really worth mentioning, good and bad. I had two nasty bouts of depression with slightly scary suicidal moments, but also some excellent days, creative, productive, impressed, and inspired. 

I suppose my biggest crushes these days have been the Cats on Apple Trees stamps, which I think I've more or less purchased all (except the word ones and aquatic animals, bar a large octopus which was so cute); then an unexpected discovery of SOLO Board games, which... holy cow. I did NOT know those were an option. I absolutely love the idea and cannot wait to have enough money to get a few 😁 Luckily they are hella expensive and so ... Slowly, snail, slowly. Not to mention I had to purchase a new printer and a new screen, which both stopped working at the same time, and I got myself some JBL headphones, which I absolutely adore. They are really really pleasant. I thought I will miss my tiny ancient iPod too much and yet I haven't touched it since. Comfy and effective.

My biggest crush these past few weeks has been the vicious karate instructor, though, the hot Bosnian Serb - whom I've known the longest of the lot and yet 15 years ago I don't think I even dared look at him, let alone speak with him. And there had never been any doubt that he is effective, but to actually see him come out of retirement for a brief moment, to promote his club, and execute everyone else as if it's a walk in the park (it was a national tournament) ... I have never wanted to rip someone's keikogi off with my teeth as much as I want to see that man naked. I've edited a ton of his pictures and he's just ... You know me. I value the photogenic aspects of any event, let alone a battle. Who wants a boring battle?  

        It's not just that he's savage and beautiful, no - the main erection I got from all of it was because for the first time I've used Perko, my new camera (which I bought a year ago), setting it so that it followed a specific person and for the first time since I have it, I succeeded in gripping the focus and tracking the speedy movement of unpredictable subjects. That whole event combined - Go's victory, his friendly attitude towards me, and success in making good (sharp) sports photos... well. Consider the sense of self for the winter season elevated ...

Our main instructor was also the main referee and I don't think I've ever seen the man as proud or cheerful as he was that day. Would have given my left elbow to see him fight one day, though.

See how nice it is when people actually pose for me? Look at that face. He looks so sad and so... calm at the same time. I could take a hundred more portraits of him... if he stood still long enough.

Fantastic form on the man. He wasted no movement, no boasting or posturing... Just... like a mungo. 

The only other member of that club, Go's old master, was a kata master. Terrific performance, too.

His opponents looked absolutely miserable, continuously backing into the line, knowing it will all be over soon. Plus I noticed he tugs on his pants before he takes someone's head off with his foot.