So, two significant and fairly geeky events occurred to make this a very busy weekend for me.

First, New York Budokai (my iai dojo) received a visit from two very distinguished Japanese teachers. Tsumaki Sensei and Endo Sensei are high ranking teachers of Tamiya Ryu, one of the three styles of iaido that we study. The fact that they flew halfway around the world to teach us for a weekend is quite an honor but, in particular, Tsumaki Sensei's visit is significant because of who he is. His late father was the Soke (or headmaster) of the Tamiya Ryu style throughout the world. Although it will be a year from his father's passing before it is known for certain, it is rumored that Tsumaki Sensei will be named the next Soke. That would mean that I was personally taught by the future Soke of Tamiya Ryu. Pretty cool despite the fact that I didn't understand a word he said.

The second and no less significant event was the release of the 7th and final Harry Potter book. I know, I know... children's books? How old am I? Wasn't my degree in Literature? Yes and yes. But the stories have been a blast and having read the first six, I needed that little bit of closure. The reason I'm only now getting around to completing this entry is because I was too busy finishing the book. I'm now done and I can go on with my life (for what it's worth). I don't know which makes me a bigger nerd — playing with swords or obsessing about adolescent wizards — but what do I care? As long as I'm having fun.