05-18-2018, 12:47 PM
Ah, yes. Linda. I remember one notable time she came to Wing Lam. It might have been when Ted and she were covering for Sifu while he was on an extended trip. Or maybethey just came to visit. We were just outside the side door in the alley leading to Vito's Pizza. She was giving me all sorts of tips on posture, on where the eyes go, and on pausing, when doing a simple set. These were fundamental things, essential for performance, things Sifu had never pointed out to me, or probably to many others. It was before Sifu really got comfortable speaking a lot of English to us. I'd guess 1983 or 1984.
In the last two or three years, Sifu would point out to our Tai Chi group how, in the early years, he didn't really talk to the students. He'd turn to me and say, "Isn't that right, Cranefly?" And I'd nod, recalling those days. His spoken English in recent years had gotten really good. It was another tool, or weapon, he'd mastered and added to his arsenal of teaching.
As for my hips, I got the results of the x-rays and then saw an orthopedist.
Here's the classification system they use"
Tönnis Classification of Osteoarthritis by Radiographic Changes
GRADE DESCRIPTION
0 No signs of osteoarthritis
1 Mild: Increased sclerosis, slight narrowing of the joint space, no or slight loss of head sphericity
2 Moderate: Small cysts, moderate narrowing of the joint space, moderate loss of head sphericity
3 Severe: Large cysts, severe narrowing or obliteration of the joint space, severe deformity of the head
I scored me a 3. Yay! Still. after talking to the doc for maybe 20 minutes, he convinced me to wait. "You'll know when it's time," as he put it.
I still have no pain. I'd really like to increase my stability and flexibility, both of which are being affected. But it's not clear I'd gain much in that department. And what I'd be sacrificing giving up on my own hips is substantial.
Not certain I'll come Sunday. But it would be nice to see Linda again.
In the last two or three years, Sifu would point out to our Tai Chi group how, in the early years, he didn't really talk to the students. He'd turn to me and say, "Isn't that right, Cranefly?" And I'd nod, recalling those days. His spoken English in recent years had gotten really good. It was another tool, or weapon, he'd mastered and added to his arsenal of teaching.
As for my hips, I got the results of the x-rays and then saw an orthopedist.
Here's the classification system they use"
Tönnis Classification of Osteoarthritis by Radiographic Changes
GRADE DESCRIPTION
0 No signs of osteoarthritis
1 Mild: Increased sclerosis, slight narrowing of the joint space, no or slight loss of head sphericity
2 Moderate: Small cysts, moderate narrowing of the joint space, moderate loss of head sphericity
3 Severe: Large cysts, severe narrowing or obliteration of the joint space, severe deformity of the head
I scored me a 3. Yay! Still. after talking to the doc for maybe 20 minutes, he convinced me to wait. "You'll know when it's time," as he put it.
I still have no pain. I'd really like to increase my stability and flexibility, both of which are being affected. But it's not clear I'd gain much in that department. And what I'd be sacrificing giving up on my own hips is substantial.
Not certain I'll come Sunday. But it would be nice to see Linda again.