Making Gemstone Pendants

So for a few months now I've been practicing making gemstone pendants. I started off going to the bead store and asking them if they had any advice for me. Without any holes drilled in the stones they were mostly at a loss, but they were able to give me the information I needed. Since then I've been making some really fun stone cabochons like these:





I'll be teaching a class on making cabs at the Grey School 2010 Illinois Conclave. I can't wait! There's sure to be a blog post about the events next month.

Anyway, I just thought I'd share that with you. Maybe I'll post a tutorial one of these days.

My Favorite Thing

Just these.

Started Karate Today...

So I started Shotokan Karate today (which I always have to focus not to mispronounce "shotakon..." embarassing...).

I'm not really sure if I like it yet. I know it's all about discipline and everything--I actually started when I was around ten and gave up for health reasons--so I feel like I have to stick it out for a while before I decide what I really think of it.

It's good for my health and everything, which I like. And I like the whole philosophy behind it. But I can't pretend to enjoy it. I'm not going to be performing my best if I'm constantly watching the clock for the end of class.

I'd considered taking up Jeet Kune Do for a while as well. I'll have to explore the principles of martial arts in general before I do that, though, so maybe Karate is just a stepping stone for me.

I always did feel like Karate was kind of the little brother of martial arts. (No offense intended, Karate lovers... or older siblings)

Well anyway, I have private lessons again on Monday. Only one day to rest, whaaaat! D: I'm too used to being lazy!

May Updates and Mahjong

So I've gotten into Reach Mahjong lately. I'm still not entirely familiar with the set of rules (because dang, that set of rules is big), but I'm good enough to win a hand every once in a while. It's been a long time since I last declared Reach--I should practice!

I'm aware that there are a lot of online sites and applications dedicated to playing Mahjong online. Feel free to go check those out yourself--I'm too lazy to check them out for you. I'm currently using Touhou Unreal Mahjong, because semi-crossover boardgames are fun.

Keep in mind that different rule sets, and indeed different sources, use different terms. (Pungs, chows, pon, chi)

But it's an interesting sport. It seems too complex to be a simple common board game, although I suppose Scrabble would seem overly complex to a foreigner as well.

Reach Mahjong also goes by the romanization Riichi Majon. If you're interested in playing, go look it up. It's good fun!