A Brooklyn Halloween: Kaiju, Crowds, Missed Chances
In the Dojo Volume 3 Issue 10
By Josh Paul Sensei, AOSB Head Instructor
Kaiju are science fiction and fantasy creatures, generally "Godzillian" in size and character.
Halloween is traditionally the biggest holiday of the year at AOSB. The dojo kaiju (monsters) creep out of the closets, adorn the walls, and are celebrated by smashing seriously overstuffed pinatas with bokkens. The celebration is spooky, scary fun, but not really scary. Not like the actual world, which is scarier than anything we could create. And because of the scariness, we’ve again postponed our Halloween party. The dojo is fully functioning and vaccinated, but nobody, not even the kaiju, wants to squeeze dozens of people onto our 16 tatami. After all, what is now scarier than an indoor crowd?
Nevertheless, we are thrilled and grateful to still be training. One year ago, we were offering limited-attendance, no-contact, socially distant classes. We emerged from this vaccinated and with some normalcy. In the spring, New York City essentially declared victory over Covid with a fireworks display, a victory that was undermined several days later by the CDC re-issuing mask mandates, sewing doubt and anxiety about if/when we may be forced to return to restricted practice.
“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.”
Thankfully, that has not come to pass but the specter of disease and government restrictions on if, when, and how we pursue our path persist. There is no certainty that our current practice will be available tomorrow. Today, there’s the opportunity to train, to pursue our aspirations, and to meet with like-minded people in an aspirational space. Take it. The time to train, to pursue your goals and your path, is now.
Opportunity is not an infinite resource. Opportunities lost, and the consequent regret, are perhaps more terrifying than any kaiju or any crowd. Don’t tell yourself you’ll train tomorrow. Train today and again tomorrow. The adage, “Don’t put off until tomorrow…,” is a cliché. That doesn’t diminish it's import.
With that terrifying thought in mind, we’ll leave you with some terrifying images from past Halloweens.
Use your opportunities. If you're not already on the mats, get there now. Sign up today for free trial classes, an adult intro packages, or a new member packages for an adult or kids!
