"you and he could be twins," he says, smiling and offering his hand.

he receives a reserved half-smile in return and we clasp hands briefly. although the deep breathing rhythm lends itself to a deeper, more resonant voice, my name has to be repeated at least three times before he takes a stab at his own rendition. saying it slowly, he apologizes for the mistake. after a few moments of introductory banalities, we turn away from each other as he takes his leave. returning to the heavybag swinging from the ceiling at the edge of the mat, this is a light workout of doubles and triples -- jab-jab, jab-hook-right, jab-elbow, hook-hook, and so on. crisp technique creates a crease in the bag where it is struck; the crease, of course, becomes smooth again only a moment later. a punch that glances off the bag, however, tends to skin the knuckles in a somewhat unpleasant, blood-blister way. the humid heat of the auxilliary training area enforces the need for frequent hydration breaks and pauses for shadowboxing.

after about fortyfive minutes of punching, the fists begin to sport a light crimson crosshatch pattern. accomodating them to prevent breaking the skin, punches become palm strikes, simulated clinching and kicks/knees/elbows. the feedback of the heavybag feels good, footwork is still solid and crisp. it's been a long time.

hour and a half. cooldown, stretch. shins are sore, knuckles are dotted with rouge. body is empty of tension, mind is calm. it's not the fighting that makes it worth doing, it's feeling of doing it that matters. the same way in jujitsu, using joint locks and throws: the application of leverage and the sensation of weightlessness just after being thrown. in the air, time it, feel the position of the body in midair, and the clean dissipation of force through the extremities while landing. slap the mat, roll with the momentum and stand again to engage the opponent. knife disarms, gun disarms, joint manipulation, body dynamics. there is so much to learn... for the first time, being a white belt is actually fun, mainly because it's hard and everything is new. combined with the knowledge that one year from now, things will be very different.

recent activity threatens to overshadow
a basic concept.

study this, study that. shine an apple and leave it on her desk... become absorbed into the academic structure.

sit next to the right person. allow him to see himself in the reflective darkness that pools and swirls in a steady gaze, both mirror and shadow, open yet opaque. allow him to infer amplified selfconfidence and project his values; don't interrupt, only disrupt in order to deepen his identification with the simulated reflection of himself. soon he offers answers to exam questions, without having been asked.

there is another. this one seems to have a bit more understanding of things. during a break, he and i walk to the market to buy a snack. his technique is well-practiced -- seeing the long checkout line, he tells me to watch him work. having come to class from his day job, he wears a tailored suit. broadshouldered and above average height, he comports himself with an air of casual authority. in addition to the checkout counters, there is also a customer service desk equipped with a cash register. accompanying the register is an attractive young girl, no older than twentytwo.

as we approach the counter, he tells me of a similar situation in the past. describing his technique in detail, the outcome is clear before the first words are spoken. polished black leather steps slide him deeper into character as his face brightens into a playful grin. the girl seems a bit repressed and harried, bored and unsuspecting.

items in hand, he looks her in the eye. the grin broadens into a winsome smile as he showers her with effusive, generic praise. at first she seems skeptical, half-aware of the game and yet intrigued nonetheless. infusing his plight with a humorous spin, he deepens his commentary to interweave harmless compliments with compliance tactics. he may not have realized the full extent of his natural skill -- consistency, social proof, the inherent authority of his appearance, keying in on her latent desire to be appreciated. moments later, she is smiling, giggling and ringing up his purchase on the cash register.

as we walk away, she seems a bit off-balance, still smiling and saying a cheerful goodbye.

there is a certain set of skills that can be applied anywhere, anytime. no surprise that schools don't teach it, and most people aren't fully aware that it even exists.

audio: rj valeo . jarus