Michelle J

New Martial Arts Students

Today I taught a short martial arts class to my six-year-old daughter’s stuffed animals. She had set up a school for five of her favorite stuffies, who were seated dutifully in a line on the couch. “OK, mommy, it’s your turn to teach,” she said. “Ok, students!” I walked over to the carpet by theContinue reading “New Martial Arts Students”

Praying to Beyoncé

I consider myself not an extrovert, but a super-hyper extrovert. During Covid I went a little Cuckoo. I couldn’t hang out with real friends, so I started talking to my imaginary celebrity friends. Some of my imaginary celebrity friends are in my Personal Pantheon. Within this Pantheon, Beyoncé is Queen. People in olden times usedContinue reading “Praying to Beyoncé”

Dinner Party

Alex and I hosted a dinner party tonight for four friends. The kids had sitters. Tonight was the first time we’ve hosted a dinner party since Covid. The night had a good rhythm, J and I played music, our friends all got to reacquaint, Alex and I got to do the “Hosting a Dinner Party”Continue reading “Dinner Party”

Expansion of the Martial Arts

I no longer train in a traditional martial arts school. I no longer go to a place where I take my shoes off and line up with my classmates. I no longer take belt tests to advance my rank. Instead I have a teacher who lives a ten-hour drive away. She offers me and herContinue reading “Expansion of the Martial Arts”

Bandmates Wanted

I posted a flyer looking for bandmates the other day, but it wasn’t an honest attempt to find people: First of all, the flyer I posted is too hard to read and too self-centered. I mean, leading with “Marvelous Frontwoman” kinda makes it all about me. And while I AM a marvelous frontwoman, a flyerContinue reading “Bandmates Wanted”