My job is not so bad...

[Dr. Ivor Yeti]

Yes, I am having their latest EP, yes? They make it on vinyl, yes, like a hipster?

[Greg_phpbb3_import1]

Is there anything better in this world than a vinyl spinning, ethanol burning hipster Yeti?

[Drunk Monk]

i have to carve prototypes for tamo cane heads, which will be mass produced in china.

wood rasp at the ready...

[Drunk Monk]

i have to carve prototypes for tamo cane heads, which will be mass produced in china.

wood rasp at the ready...

[Greg_phpbb3_import1]

That's exactly what I am doing.

[Drunk Monk]

that's just plain eerie...

1st prototype done. 2nd one coming, but I might bail on it halfway through, then finish it on Friday. Taking a short break now....obviously.

[Greg_phpbb3_import1]

Actually, I'm working on a live (actually live) webcast for the MVHS 30th reunion this weekend. But it's a lot like rasping wood.

[Drunk Monk]

Well, my rasped Shaolin cane handles came out okay. One just got carried to Vietnam with the bosses to meet some potential new manufacturers. The other is off to China soon.

FYI, this is the cheap version we get made at Shaolin: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.martialartsmart.com/dvdk-ca117a.html">http://www.martialartsmart.com/dvdk-ca117a.html</a><!-- m -->

Mine are more authentic as the pointy end has more of a horn-like bend. That's right. My stuff is more authentic then what's coming out of Shaolin.

I'm toying with getting into the Shaolin cane biz. Just like my Shaolin Temple Wushuguan Struck by Lightning photo (the one on the cover of my book) which I sold for $140, I'm hoping to parlay my illustrious Shaolin rep into a little pin money on the side, at least enough to cover my tools and supplies.

I've finished my first cane, a test case I did out of poplar. I've got some beautiful dark American walnut for my next one, which will be the first really cool one, possibly market worthy.

[Greg_phpbb3_import1]

I guess. I vote Honduran Mahogany, Cherry and of course Black walnut.

[thatguy]

It's all about the feather inside, isn't it? phoenix, owl and what not...

--tg

[Drunk Monk]

Just before I left for Yosemite, a local master came by and gave me a Jackie Chan shirt. I'm wearing it now. Mind you, this isn't a shirt with a picture of Jackie on it. It's part of Jackie Chan's signature line of clothing, which is huge in China. High quality stuff, all with modern Chinese designs - you wouldn't know it had anything to do with Jackie if you've never seen it. Here's a taste from taobao:http://jackiechan.taobao.com

That same week, another master, this time a noted prominent one, gifted me two Buddhist Malas from Putuoshan, a famous holy mountain in China. One is a classic mala with fragrant green wood. The other is some local craft work, with each bead hand carved into a goofy face...not so into this one. Both are blessed by the abbot of the Putuoshan monastery.

But the kicker came yesterday. We got some samples in, including a rather nice Monk Spade. It's a traditional Shaolin weapon, rather absurd now although recommended as the best weapon for killing zombies by one of those apocalypse Z manuals. I've never learned it. This one has solid steel blades (not sharp), a metal shaft with brass collars with studs and is all nice and shiny because it's all chromed. It's long and well balanced. I'm going to ask my master tonight if he knows a form and if so, if he'll teach it to me.

[Dr. Ivor Yeti]

Free shirts and free, abbot-blessed zombie-killing polearms. Very nice.

I got stabbed repeatedly by 11 different people over the course of 5 hours. I am sooooo going to go get a cushy corporate job.

[Greg_phpbb3_import1]

My brain just had a spike of pain as I tried to reconcile the images of Yeti and corporate job. I must go lie down now.

[Drunk Monk]

He recommended another local master who knows it. I may seek him out. The monk spade is calling me. Listen!

"Dm! DM! Learn me to slay zombies."

[Dr. Ivor Yeti]

Anti-zombie training is never not neccessary.