Image via Wikipedia
Well, the building that the West Seattle Karate Academy is located in has gone up for sale. That means that the dojo is moving…a whole three long blocks down the street.
The new space is a little bigger, a little nicer, and right next to my chiropractor, not bad. Standing in the dojo the other night, alone, I was taking account of what needed to be done to get the move going. And then the moment turned into a sentimental accounting.
Looking over to my right I saw the window that Ito threw Devin into and that spot is where Devin used duct tape and paper towels to stop the bleeding from the glass. “Oh yeah!”…I turned and looked at the other window Lawrence Kane broke. There is the cabinet that I kicked…”Mmm, never did replace that broken door. “ “Aahhh, the wall that Ito threw Tony into, man, that left a big hole.” I ran my hands over that back wall seeking any incongruence or bump; “Oh yeah that is where I punched through the wall.” My hand moved more; “Huh…I don’t remember that one…big, too.”
I stood up, nose to the air; I could smell the late-night cooking from the catering company next door. When we moved in almost a decade ago the catering company was a tattoo parlor, a tattoo parlor that sold weed out of the back. I remember having to close the back door on some summer nights to keep the ganja smoke from wafting into the dojo.
The area above the door where we store the mats, yeah, those mats cover the .22 caliber bullet hole in the window. Heading for the front door to leave I stopped to look at the floor; the wood floor we laid down almost nine years ago had held up well. I then started to recall the occasional throw-up and the getting down on the floor to bleach and scrub up the blood from lips, noses and cuts.
When I review what I have written it sounds like a horrible place, a place populated by irresponsible, macho jerks. But no, no it is not. If that were true then the dojo would be closed because nobody would train at the West Seattle Karate Academy. I would say instead that these stories are just a result of focused training and the, oh, let’s call it the “uneven character of the neighborhood.”
Well ,the new dojo is going to be great – a great facility and a great place for focused training. And, as always, if you are in Seattle, bring your dogi, you are always welcome.
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=0a80b29c-576d-49de-8080-bcc14c5a86f3)
« “I might be off on a rant here…” Bankruptcy of purse or bankruptcy of life? »
Re-living memories when moving to a new location is always a poignant time. I was heartbroken when we had to leave the California & Grham location….leaving a spot where tons of wonderful memories were made…and leaving West Seattle for a year was tough. (we sneaked in during the demolition process to get pieces of our painted floor as souvinirs…hahaha!)
Congratulations on the move, and I hope to drop by soon to say hello.
The CA. and Graham spot was nice one – it worked well.
Roger Wilco
I've had to move the school several times in the past. Never fun to leave a part of your life behind.
Best of luck with the new place Kris!
I have fond memories of all the dojos/dojangs that I trained in over the years, but none as fond as the very first one I trained at. Reading your post brought back vividly some of the many wonderful memories I have of training there. Some quite painful, but if you aren't in the loop, you'll never know what we mean when you say that.
Great post, perhaps your very best!
Wow, hope the move goes well! This brought back some memories of the first Dojo I attended as well.
Ahh nostalgia. Ironically it is now a tattoo parlor in downtown Bremerton. At least it was the last time I was there.
Great memories of the old dojo … and now looking forward to new memories in the new dojo.
Best Wishes!
Allen Yuen
Congratulations on the move to your new digs! Let me know if me and some of the guys can bring a couple trucks and help ya with the moving!