The weekend: pretty much as expected
Aikido: Same instructor both Friday night and Saturday, and for once repeating many of the same techniques. I liked the chance to think about what I was doing and come back to try to correct things the next day. The major theme of the lesson was really aimed at the black belts, but it was focused on the initial engagement. Controlling the geometry of the initial engagement is something I'm spending a fair amount of concentration on, as my mistakes there ripple through the entire technique.
I did catch the last half of the Blue House show at Dana Street. Blue House is a three guitar trio. While they aren't absolute top quality, they seem to have been performing together for some time. They mesh very tightly, and have a repertoire that their voices serve fairly well. They do a mix of original and covers. While I like the originals a fair amount, I was struck by the fact that I enjoyed their cover of a Beatles tune much more than the original version. While they had less instrumentation and production, they brought more pure musicianship than the normally broadcast version. Every time I see this group I promise myself I'll go further out of my way to see them again. Wish they didn't keep scheduling gigs against my Aikido classes.
(Aside on covers: Just went to Starbucks, where the sound system was playing a true butchering of Cat Stevens. After some contemplation I decided that this must be deliberate, and while painful is a valid artistic expression.)
Blood donation: Donating platelets is a different experience. For me, it's harder to get used to the idea. Normal blood donation is very familiar. They poke you, you bleed. This is something that has happened all my life. Platelet donation, like the double red cell donation, they take out what they want and put the rest back. With additional anti-freeze added. (I know, anti-coagulant. Still.) It doesn't help me get used to the idea when the additives cause my lips to start tingling. It helped even less when I couldn't focus on my laptop because my vision went double. Still over all I'm more comfortable with the experience than I was last time, and I'll go back. It may turn into a regular "after aikido" thing for me on Saturdays, as there isn't much other time available. Hopefully it won't wipe me out so much next time.