Someone asked me that recently, and, well, when I thought about how to reply, I started to realise what an enormous question that was to me.  Isn't it strange?

On the surface, Hajime no Ippo is a manga written by George Morikawa that started in 1989.  The main character is Makunouchi Ippo, a humble and sweet kid who got picked on at school. One day he met a boxer who took him to a boxing gym.  From there, he slowly learned boxing techniques and climbed up the ladder... but more than that, Ippo becomes the embodiment of the merits of hard work, spirit, and perseverence (all very "Japanese" attitudes, as the writer likes to emphasise).

But for me, what it is to me...  It's more than just a manga.  It's a goal that I strive towards, and the fact that it has boxing in it only adds to its appeal.  The character of Ippo never backs down, never tires, never stops using his head.  He won't train blindly, and he won't get carried away by the crowd, or what's "cool".  He has amazing focus, an utmost faith that if he does his best, everything will turn out okay.  And how could it not?  When I say "does his best", I don't mean just in boxing, but in the way he deals with the people in his life, friend and foe alike.  I'm up to chapter 680 or so, and Ippo is now out of high school and is 19-20 years old.  He's grown to be a very strong, caring senpai to his new kouhais, is always respectful to the people that he trains with, defeats, or even casually meets.  Completely humble, with a burning sense of dedication and perseverence to being the best he can be.  He's become something like a role model for me.

In a place like Hong Kong, you see a lot of shittiness.  The people here can be absolute scumbags, and when you live in the dirt, it's hard not to get dirty.  But reading this... this cartoon comic, the writer has sent me a message to be resolute and strong, and to walk the right path.  I'm truly inspired to live up to the ideals, and thankfully, Ippo is a million chapters long so I'm able to saturate my daily life with it, so I'm constantly reminded of what I'm striving towards.  In the mornings, during lunch and before bed, I'll read a handful of chapters.

Oh!  And it's all thanks to Stacy Koh who linked me to it!  I truly thank her from the bottom of my heart, and hope she's doing fantastic.  But anyway, thanks for reading that rant.  That's what Hajime no Ippo is, anyway. 

It's a manga.

This... this is amazing.



Wow, a crisp, exhilarating breath of LIFE just washed over me.  Staggeringly incredible.

Because of many reasons, but mostly because I think I've found my new drug.

That certainly warrants a new entry in this here life journal of mine, does it not?

Without further ado, that drug is Muay Thai.  Every time I enter the class, I am filled with this horrid fascination at the strangely familiar shapes that my instructor (Gary, you're a champ mate) demonstrates and delivers with surprising efficiency of movement.  typically this is shortly before he tells everyone to do side kicks for 2 minutes straight, into 10 pushups, into 2 minutes of side kicks with the other leg, into 10 pushups, before handing everyone a skipping rope to utilise for 5 minutes.

But you know what the weirdest part is?  Despite having spent... oh, four days being sore from head to toe, every day, while still having to show up at work and perform...  I willingly return to the gym.  Every time I go through a class, I find myself panting, vision fading, wanting to throw up, and aching like a little bitch, but...  I'm filled with a hunger, a desire to improve...  It leaves me wanting more.  I mean, okay.  A bit of a disclaimer I suppose - I'll be the first person to admit that i'm not entirely familiar with the concept of being run completely ragged and enjoying it.  But I haven't taken to anything like this in a long time.

As an example, I even call myself a guitarist and a drummer, but it's been YEARS since I've come home from anything, and decided to spend my spare time reading articles on either of those two instruments, watching youtube videos, and wanting to join up to a forum dedicated to them so that I might be able to improve my skills.  Muay Thai is giving me a natural high like crazy! I have nobody to talk to about it and it's buzzing about in my head like a persistent itch.  I must SATE this itch!  I love the elegance, and the brutality of it.  I love that it's nothing like anything I've ever done before.  I love how it makes me feel!

Speaking of itches, for some reason I'm able to exercise and really wear myself out, sweat like a dog and not react aversely.  It's not as though my eczema has cleared up, I mean my facial region (which is the main problematic area) is still as bad as before, but it's not getting worse.  This is really surprising and builds my confidence a lot.  I hope my enthusiasm for these lessons will continue, since they're really quite expensive ($150 AUD a month), but it beats y'know, drinking alcohol every weekend.  It's actually good for me, for starters.

MYESR(_YGHWRAGNKD I love where my life is at.  I could repeat the past week many many times over before I'm sick of it, right now.  All I want to do is just learn and learn and learn about it.

I'd also like to shoutout to Millie, GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR EXAMS, ESP YOUR CHEM ONES.  I am sending you my energy every day until we meet again!

Fuuuuuuck Muay Thai is so much fun.  I just hope my technique isn't horrible =/  re-training my TKD kicking technique to Muay Thai is so difficult!

Dear Everyone,

Whoever you are, whatever you're going through,
I hope you have a nice day.
And if it's already night,
I hope you have sweet dreams and a better tomorrow.
Don't feel lonely, cause I love you guys,
I love you all <3 :3

Blogging is easier when I have a fast internet connection and a fast computer, so I don't have to wait 5 minutes for the editor to load each time I feel like saying something....  So I thought that today I'd give a shoutout to my boys in the Red Soldiers! 

Well, we're about halfway through 2009 and still goin' strong, I am very happy to see us moving forward not just in our games, though certainly I know that in our individual gaming pursuits we have improved and advanced quite far, but also in our real, gritty, day-to-day lives.  Much love to y'all, I hope you've been alright and continue to be alright, and I just know that when we one day reunite as a full crew we will have many tales of adventure to share.  Cheers guys.

-RS-   SHUKUDAI | DRAAKUR | AXE | SNAP | SHOTOKAN