Sweet Romance: 君がいるから

If there is a consistent source of inspiration in my creative life it's music. I have more than one book idea that was inspired by a song and I often listen to music while I write, tailoring my playlist to the mood I’m trying to set in the scene. I also drive down the road singing along at the top of my lungs and dancing behind the wheel, but I try not to subject others to that part. I thought it might be fun to share some of the music that inspires me when I’m working. The first is one of my favorites of all time and a regular go to when I want a sweet romantic feel in a scene. This song isn’t inspiration for a first kiss or night of hot passion. This is two people who mean a great deal to one another discovering their love, reaffirming their love, or perhaps being reunited after a traumatic separation. It even works for non-romantic love, in the case of friends with a deep bond to one another.

This, for me, is one of those rare songs I always play two or three times every time it comes up in my playlist simply because I love it that much. It is in Japanese, however, so I provided a translation below the video.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WHVyzPTyv8&w=560&h=315]

"kimi ga irukara" (Because you’re here)

The rain which began to fall still hasn’t stopped crying Although the coldness was too painful because I didn’t have an umbrella with me… The one who warmed me up, was you

I, who have lost my voice, only sleeps as if I’m dead Although I cried as I became lost amidst the dream I can’t wake up from… The one who found me, was you

It was sad and distressing, if I look back Traces of the dream so transient Here and now, once again,

"arigatou"

Is what I want to convey to you

If you will laugh, I’ll sing If you wish for it, I’ll be by your side If you are doubtful, I’ll say it as many times as it takes Until my voice withers…

Can you hear me? Am I reaching you? Because you’re here, I’m here.

...

Translation from here.

Because I’m always collecting more music, I’d love to hear what your favorite sweet romance songs are?

One New Thing: September 2012 – Blades and Dark Places

I sprint in after putting yet another coat of paint on the soon-to-be steampunk Nerf guns, my thoughts racing with all the things I need to get done before the Halloween party tomorrow. Setting up the final playlist is a critical item I can knock off the list easily enough (I believe this will be version 4.0). I rush up the stairs to my office to complete the task, sit down at the computer, and think, "It's been a while since I posted on my blog."

For September, I finally did something that I’ve wanted to do for a while now. I attended my first Iaido seminar, the PNKF (Pacific Northwest Kendo Federation) 2012 Iaido Seminar & Tournament.

This was an amazing experience. This particular seminar was special in that there were a number of visiting instructors from Japan there to teach the sessions. I learned so much from these instructors and, as a fun bonus, got to work on my Japanese language skills as well since they were all using translators. I was even talked into participating in the team portion of the tournament on the second day. At the end of the weekend I was worn out and my head was spinning with new information. Time extremely well spent.

Since I don’t have any photos of this (beyond the lovely group photo above) I also thought I would share some pictures from our September caving trip. This wasn’t something new, but it's been a long time since I went on a good caving trip and we took someone along who was new to caving, so it’s close enough.

Now back to the playlist and the painting.

Happy adventuring!

One New Thing: March 2012

Isn’t it funny how fast a month can fly by. It seems like I just posted my one new thing for February a couple of days ago.

Seriously, if time looked this good flying by, I might actually learn to keep track of it. (Image from London Particulars Etsy shop.)

So what’s new for March? This time I went with the try a new activity option again, an activity I’ve wanted to try for many years now. Iaido.

So, what is iaido?

There are many definitions out there, though they all say generally the same thing. We’ll use this one from FightingArts.com:

Iaido Definition

Iaido is the contemporary Japanese art of drawing the long sword. Iaido contrasts with kenjutsu (combative swordsmanship), techniques done with swords already drawn, and kendo, the Japanese sport of fencing. Basic iaido kata combines drawing the sword with either a defensive block or cut, usually followed by another cut, then chiburi (moving the blade in such a way as to remove blood and tissue) and noto (returning the blade to the scabbard). While kenjutsu and sword-drawing techniques (batto-ho) were originally taught together, they are now usually, but not always, taught as separate art forms. Iaido, as the sword-drawing forms became known in the 1930's, is now used not only to teach sword techniques, but as a form of mental and physical discipline, emphasizing correct technique and form, meditation and character development.

In iaido, you learn the different kata (forms). To give an example, here is a video that shows the first form, Ippon-me – mae. The recording is a little rough, but it gets the idea across.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDfcu9BP5fI]

So, why iaido?

There are so many reasons (aside from the obvious appeal of a small woman wielding a deadly weapon), but I’ll only hit on the major points.

An obvious one is my interest in Japanese culture and history that has led to many things including my learning the language and investing a lot of time in Japanese cinema and music.

Another draw is something that also contributes to my penchant for writing fantasy. I love swords. They are simple, honest, and elegant weapons and none are so beautiful, in my opinion, as the Japanese katana. I mean, look at this thing:

The third and last motivator I will mention is my desire to find something in my life that would quiet the hundreds of characters in my head and help me relax/focus. The complexity and physicality of iaido has proven to be exactly the all-consuming yet strangely meditative activity I was looking for.

But wait! There is an unexpected sword-swinging glorious goodness coming from this new passion. It turns out that iaido is actually helping with the shoulder problem I have been fighting for almost 20 years now. My massage therapist, who sees me every week to keep my pain levels tolerable, is a big fan of how it is helping loosen up the muscles in that shoulder (allowing her to get in deeper and inflict all kinds of wicked suffering upon me).

Now I am shopping for my own iaito (unsharpened sword for practicing iaido). Even with the bokken (wood practice sword), I have found that the simple act of performing the formal bow to the sword at the beginning and end of class has instilled a deeper respect for the weapon. I look forward to building that relationship with my iaito.

Iaido has given me everything I wanted from it and more, including experience with the feel of using a sword and insight into the relationship between warriors and the weapons they wield. Both of which are things that I can apply to characters in my books.

Lastly, for those of you who say there is no practical application to learning sword forms in the modern day, I offer you this: