Taegeuk Zen

[ehowton]

The mornings were cool in Wichita, and calm too. The wind died down sometime overnight and didn't start up again until later in the day. Because I passed out every-other-night, those mornings I was the first one up and would take my second cup of coffee out to the large carport and stretch before bringing myself to attention with a whispered command: Charyot [sogi], attention stance. Just like my days in the Air Force out on the tarmac during morning formation. Since the time change, it was just dawn out on these mornings out on the porch, and the coffee aided in warming the body as did the exertion of the stretching routine.

I placed myself in ready stance with another whispered command, then went through my forms. The sun rose and glinted off the dew covering the acreage as nearby construction workers started up their heavy machinery and began their day as early as I had. I worked on my breathing, placement of my feet, the transitions between the movements and as I worked I realized it was a picture-perfect setting for a montage.

An elevated camera swirling around the guy on the mountaintop training as he prepares for the next scene where he emerges, ready to face his challenge.

I had but one obstacle in my way - lack of a sweeping score to accompany me.

Introducing my forms soundtrack. Eleven highly truncated selections woven together for a quick workout. I also made a 14-minute version, and then a merged 26-minute version, but neither of them turned out as seamless as this one. So I just put it on repeat :P

Enjoy.

Running time 12:07

1. Nara-Yama
   
   • "Japanese Melodies"
     
     • composed by Kohzaburo Hirai performed by Yo-Yo Ma
       


2. Nakasendo (The Old Road)
   
   • "Enchanted Forest, Melodies of Japan"
     
     • (Traditional) performed by James Galway and Hiro Fujikake
       


3. ChonNyunHak (Millenium Crane) Title
   
   • "SopyonJe"
     
     • SooChul Kim
       


4. The Eternal Vow
   
   • "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"
     
     • composed by Tan Dun performed by Yo-Yo Ma
       


5. Gone With Leaves
   
   • "Hero"
     
     • Tan Dun
       


6. Panda Po
   
   • "Kung Fu Panda"
     
     • Hans Zimmer
       


7. Lovers (Flower Garden)
   
   • "House of Flying Daggers"
     
     • Shigeru Umebayash
       


8. Japanese Radio Source Cue
   
   • "Farewell to the King"
     
     • Basil Poledouris
       


9. Kung Fu Dancing
   
   • "Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers"
     
     • Fun Thomas
       


10. The Mountain of Fruit & Flowers
    
    • "The Forbidden Kingdom"
      
      • David Buckley
        


11. As One Tale Ends...
    
    • "The Forbidden Kingdom"
      
      • David Buckley
        

Watch the video.

Comments

[anakngtinapa.livejournal.com]

You look fierce in that photo!

[ehowton.livejournal.com]

I REEK OF FIERCENESS!

[kat-rowe.livejournal.com]

very cool :) good music really helps the workout process in my experience

[ehowton.livejournal.com]

I did consider Conti's "Gonna Fly Now" for my montage...

BTW - saw that scene in your avatar just yesterday! My wife was catching up on her shows and I stopped to watch the fight :D

[kat-rowe.livejournal.com]

cool :) We knew Druitt had some mad blade-skillz but damn did my eyes goggle at that scene. I now so want a flashback of Druitt practicing sword-fighting with Watson since, of course, Holmes was quite good with a blade himself. Would be pretty awesome to watch

*tries not to read too much into her fascination with long, point things*

[ehowton.livejournal.com]

Your avatar does the scene justice. - I love it.

[kat-rowe.livejournal.com]

me, too. I've wanted one of that scene since I saw it and I only found this avatar two days ago *pets it*

[thesweetestnote.livejournal.com]

I have been inspired Master Howton. I will compose an original work just for you! Free of copyright :) All instrumental of course ;)

[ehowton.livejournal.com]

Surely I am not deserving of such an honor!

[thesweetestnote.livejournal.com]

Sure you are! It might suck anyway ;P LOL

[ehowton.livejournal.com]

ITS MAGNIFICENT!

[thesweetestnote.livejournal.com]

Thanks! It may have started a new career path... thinking...thinking...

[ehowton.livejournal.com]

Its certainly something I'd like to hear more of!

[irulan-amy.livejournal.com]

Nice photo; I definitely wouldn't want to tick you off. Brilliant to make your own forms soundtrack, I would expect no less. :)

[ehowton.livejournal.com]

Nah, I'm a "White Belt" which means I spend the majority of my time trying to not trip over myself with the footwork :P

[thesweetestnote.livejournal.com]

Belt colors...effective footwork...a Jedi craves not these things ;P