I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat ~ Sir Winston Churchill

I’ve been very busy since I’ve returned from Colorado. I’ve presented on swords and on service, and had a good sparring match with the Uchideshi. I’ve had a piercing re-inserted after it fell out. I’ve gone without a lot of sleep. I’ve seen all of my clients, kept them all out of the hospital, the jail, and from dying. I’ve kept other well-meaning professionals from depriving them of what they need. I’ve written all of my reports, except for the last one, and I hope to finish that one before I leave.

I relearned a valuable lesson about too much ritual, and overestimating your ability to focus when you’re tired, and using an unfamiliar sword. I taught that’s the time for the one-in-a-million mistakes to happen, and they did. I was there, and connected and bound while there was a primitive and unplanned rite of passage of pain that was entirely my fault. I have a new respect for a Warrior, and I’ve a very appropriate gift for her.

Now, it’s time to burn.