Department of variable reinforcement

[rachelmanija]

I was the only brown belt in a small advanced kata class yesterday (brown and black belts only) and the instructor decided to focus on my kata, Bassai Dai. At the half-way point, he had everyone else step out and watch me do it, so they could all critique me. We do this occasionally, and it's not actually as horrific as it sounds, but is still nervewracking. So... I did the kata. Long silence. Finally:

Sensei A (rather grudgingly): Actually, that was pretty good.

I think the last time I heard that from him he was being encouraging because I was a white belt. I just about purred like a kitten. All the way through the ensuing critique, even.

In other news, I am now officially successful: I've been asked to meet a friend of a friend who's an aspiring writer to give her advice/a pep talk/living proof that it really can happen. I said sure.

This came about because of my lunch meeting yesterday, which got off to a refreshing start when Mr. Hollywood knocked his glass of iced tea into my lap. (It dried instantaneously.) It was a fun meeting, and tempting possibilities were dangled both by and before me. I also got an advance copy of Augusten Burroughs' latest book, MAGICAL THINKING.

When I met with a different Hollywood person, I got copies of Holly Black's TITHE and THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES. I hope that when I meet with... I guess it's OK to make a vagueish reference... a manga publisher, they don't stint the freebies.

Comments

[klwilliams.livejournal.com]

Congratulations on the kata critique! That's great. I remember the one (and only) time my sensei had me do a technique to him, and he just said it was good and went on. I was walking on air.

Congrats on the Hollywood meetings, too. Even if nothing else comes of them, at least you get free books. :-)

[thomasyan.livejournal.com]

Tangent: Variable reinforcement, eh? Have you heard about the study with pigeons or rats where there was a level that when pushed might dispense food? If it never dispensed, the animals soon gave up. If it always dispensed, the animals just pushed it when they were hungry. But if dispensed randomly, then they acted like people in Las Vegas, trying over and over to hit the jackpot.

[rachelmanija.livejournal.com]

Yes, that was what I was thinking of: praise dispensed very occasionally keeps you eager for more.

[thomasyan.livejournal.com]

Suddenly, this provides some insight into Shinji and his father in "Neon Genesis Evangelion"!

[rachelmanija.livejournal.com]

There's something to that. Though I should hasten to add that there are otherwise absolutely no similarities between me and Shinji, Sensei A and Shinji's father, or our respective relationships.

[thomasyan.livejournal.com]

absolutely no similarities

Heh. You mean you haven't locked gazes with someone for 5 minutes before popping off their head with your mecha and shortly afterward entering a world of bad newsprints, crayons, and water colors?

[tweedkitten.livejournal.com]

how would you like to do another meeting, but this time with lao shi? unfortunately i'm in meetings and working overtime A LOT the next few weeks, so this sunday night -- the evening of father's day -- is the only time i have to coordinate a meeting between you two, since he has a few questions that we think would be easier explained by you.

otherwise, you both have cell phones. XD

[rachelmanija.livejournal.com]

I think I'm free Sunday night.