January, 2004
Meant to be obsessed
Previous Issues
In a park in the Hudson River Valley, there is a stone
wall.
It's five feet tall, and made of rocks that were found in nearby fields. It's the kind of stone wall that has been made by farmers for centuries, to show their boundary lines and to keep their livestock from wandering.
But this wall is different. It doesn't keep anything
in or out. It doesn't separate one property from another. And it certainly
doesn't behave like any wall you've seen before.
This wall undulates. It weaves in and out of trees like
a snake, curving left around this maple, and right around that oak. It
finally finds direction as it nears the bank of a little pond. Then, this
strange wall plunges right into the water. It comes out on the other side,
and runs up a hill to vanish on the other side.
It's called "The wall that went for a walk",
and it was created by sculptor Andy Goldsworthy. It seems to have no other
purpose but simply to exist.
It makes me wonder about the conversation one person
might have with another on the idea of building such a wall.
I'm going to build a wall.
Fine, where are you going to put it?
In the middle of the woods.
To keep the rabbits and the deer from eating your crops?
No.
To keep your pigs and cattle from wandering?
No.
To keep your children safe?
No. It has no purpose like that.
Then, why do you need it?
Because I have this vision of it in my head, because it will be a beautiful
addition to this world, because people will look at it and wonder.
Well, it seems a little crazy, but I suppose there's no harm in devoting
an afternoon to that.
It won't take an afternoon, it will take years!
Years?
Yes, years. Two or three of them, at least.
Well, if you want to waste your life, there's no one to stop you.
Yes, but, I'm going to need help. I'm going to need a team of craftsmen
from England and Scotland to build it under my supervision. I'm going
to need some land. I'm going to need some money.
I'm not sure that this can be done.
It has to be done! There is no other way.
Goldsworthy, you're obsessed.
But when you see this wall, you thank God for Goldsworthy's
obsession. It is a thing of beauty. It weaves through the trees like it
grew up with them there. It dives into the water like a ten-year-old boy.
It makes you happy for the dreams and whimsies of man. It improves your
life.
We were meant to be obsessed. There are things that were
meant to take over our lives, to make time pass in a flash, to make people
wonder if we're crazy, and then later, to be amazed at what we've done.
Listen to the voices. Because if no one else hears them, it's especially
important that you do.
"He ne'er is crowned with immortality who fears to follow where airy voices lead."
Goldsworthy's Wall
Winter
Cancellations
If the weather outside is frightful, call first before coming to class. Now and then, we may have to cancel a class. If that's the case, we will leave a message on the dojo voice mail to let you know. Just call 325-9160. When the message begins, press 7 and you'll hear if there are any cancellations.
Recent
testing
The following people tested for their next rank in December: For 3rd Kyu, Jeff Miller, Derrick Mitchell, and Tim Vann. And for 6th Kyu, Robbie Ramden and Mohan. Everyone did a fine job. Thank you for working so hard to prepare for your tests.
Steve
Update
As most of you know, our friend and dojo member Steve Ridley has been paralyzed by a stroke. He is still at Strong Memorial Hospital. While there are many challenges his circumstances present, here is one of the most disconcerting ones: Though he is unable to move, he still feels pain and discomfort. Steve suffers from bedsores, from medical procedures, from numerous IVs. Your visits bring him a brief respite from that pain. If it's been a while since you've seen Steve, or if you've found it hard to visit at all, please find some time to go. Hold his hand, tell him what you've been doing, share a little bit of your life. It will brighten his.
Upcoming
events
Brown and black belt class Monday, January 5 at 7 PM.
Beginners' Class Wednesday, January 7 at 7 PM.
Mind/Body Training Thursday, January 7 at 8 PM.
Weapons Class, Monday January 19 at 7 PM.
Mind/Body Training, Thursday, January 22 at 8 PM.
Video Night, Monday, January 26 at 8 PM.
Winter Camp with Maruyama Sensei, March 12-14 in Lawrenceville, NJ.
Kokikai International Event, May 2004 in Japan.
Love is all we have, the only way that
each can help the other.
- Euripides