Runnin' on Empty

The last few practices, I have been focusing my effort on 'empty mind', not blue printing or over-analyzing what my opponent is attacking next. Therefore I will have the 'freedom' to move in my mind and with my body in Kendo. So far I think the result is mixed, of course there were times that it was due to my own weakness and carelessness, but other times I was able to run on feeling and succeeded.
Today, Mr. S advised me to keep practicing on my kote attack, so that it would be more sharp... but also as an opening for my men attack. He told me that there are different kind of kote and men attack, not just the basic form we usually practice. He advised us to take time during each basic sessions, to learn our own timing and different variations of the same attack.
We also starting to talk about our planned Kendo training trip to Japan next year.
That Mr. S is certainly an interesting character, more than meets the eye.
Today's practice was short, me and Mr. Golden Hair had an interesting practice. I think I over excitedly knocked him down on one of my men attack and he knocked me down next in retaliation. I was dazed for a bit, but I shook it off... It was all in good fun though, no problem.

Speaking of empty, it looks like my sleeping problem crept out on my again. I have been having problem sleeping and having strange nightmares... I immediately went to my trusted Chinese doctor and my home... Well, I found that there more problems on the horizon rather than my own...
Anyways, to be short, the doctors advised me to keep active, to keep companies, so that I won't be alone and 'empty'... so that crazy thoughts wouldn't creep up my mind and disturb me as well. I was also prescribed some xanax, the first in my case... I should take them should I feel difficulty sleeping.