This actually goes way back to our time in New York but, like so many things, it got lost in the shuffle of the move...

With the move coming up fast, I decided that May was the last month I could remain fully involved with my Iaido dojo. With finding a mover, packing and uncertainty about work, there was just too much to do for the dojo to remain a distraction. I announced my departure and my sensei responded, "well then, I guess you're just going to have to test for your shoden."

Gulp.

No small feat, and no small honor to be asked to test for shoden (first degree black belt). I would be testing alongside my friend Mitch who, for time and dedication, is far more advanced than I am. I knew that I had a lot of work to get ready. For about a month and half, renting space and practicing for hours on my own, I focused on fixing as many of my bad habits as possible and learning the mid-level (chūden) forms required for the test. When the time eventually came, I went before my sensei confident but nervous and did what I thought was a pretty good demonstration. Apparently, my sensei felt the same and they awarded myself (as well as Mitch) the rank of shoden in Musō Shinden-ryū.

Now, all I need is to find a dojo out here in San Francisco to continue my training. Any suggestions?

Posted by Thom at 8:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Ok. So the relocation is complete. It has been a little over two weeks since we arrived in San Francisco. We're all moved in and unpacked. The boxes have been recycled. All the insurance claims have been filed. I am officially licensed to drive in the state of California and the car is officially tagged to park on its streets. And yet it still somehow feels like we're just visiting. Figuring things out comes with time. And, looking back on the move to New York, I calm myself with the memories of just how unsettling that move was (or at least felt at the time) and yet we managed to thrive. We just have to do it all over again.

We had a good time on the drive out but, it wasn't without it's highs and lows. Being the baseball fans that we are (go Cubs!), we visited the Baseball Hall of Fame in New York. The museum can be done in day but the surrounding area is gorgeous and has a lot to offer — definitely worth the trip. We also managed to squeeze in some visits with my mom in Cincinnati and friends in Chicago before we buckled down and gassed up for the long hall. Four days of straight driving from Chicago to San Francisco — hotels, truck stops and chain restaurants the whole way. But, one new set new tires and one lost cell phone later, we eventually made it to Cali.

Want proof that we pulled it off? Here's a small set of photos (yes, that's all of them) from our trip out. Enjoy. And stay tuned for (hopefully) more frequent updates on our new life in San Francisco — each update more exciting and action-packed than the last.

Posted by Thom at 9:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)