Return to the Dojo and PINK

After a few weeks without the physical relief of kendo training (oxymoronic in many ways, but that is how I partially view kendo), I had my first training session in bogu.

Impressions:
1) It could have been a lot worse (like, it could have been a Saturday...)
2) People were going fairly easy on me or themselves (possibly both)
3) I stuffed up my legs a lot last week (walking on hard pavements is hell on my joints)
4 ) I need to work on a lot (self-evident really)

I have always taken my own sweet time in doing things, so I wasn't about to rush about doing too much on the first day. I guess that helped, along with being prepared to learn how get hit, for a certain amount of physical discomfort and limitations. Pain is a given and I can't say that it really scares me as much as some people. I guess I have a bit more than I would in my arms and shoulders today, but that is to be expected after not training for a while.

Won't bore on about it, but it was interesting and I wasn't too tired at the end of the session, although I was finding it hard to lift my arms, cos of lactic acid buildup I think (really need to work on that).

Didn't really linger too much after training as I went to pick up a bit of food on the way to the Sydney Entertainment Centre. It was the first time I'd done a night concert duty (barring Homebake, The Great Escape and Big Day Out) so it was interesting and I was expecting particular casualties, which oddly did not appear.

The opening act was mediocre and there was quite a period of time between that and the start of the show. Can't say that I really know many of Pink's songs, although I recognised a few. In the end, due to the complete lack of casualties where I was posted, I got to see almost the entire concert. The opening and ending were really good, with a lot of colour, movement, aerial acrobatics and lights. The stage was a fascinating study of props and furniture, with a really good interaction between the performers. The window in between had a few slower songs, with an acoustic-like session, I guess, during which time we were told to rotate posts (it got a bit confused at some point between the people in charge). I had earplugs in the entire time and I could still hear everything, except when people were trying to talk to me, the sound was that loud. First rule in first aid is always protect yourself.

A really involved evening, with new experiences. Absolutely dead by the end of the night as I struggled to stay awake on the way home. Didn't return until 1am. The train was a bit delayed. Don't talk to me about Cityrail.