Capoeira
My Goals
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Progress in capoeira is hard to quantify, but I find it helpful to set goals to work towards. As was the case last year, I probably won't acheive all of these this year, but I will also probably do some things that aren't on the list.

Goals in capoeira for '04-'05
 - add more variety to my game while maintaining the interaction and not overthinking
 - be able to play any instrument while leading the singing comfortably
 - write a capoeira song
 - begin to use takedowns effectively in the roda, while also not making my game overly aggressive
 - get the macaco to both sides! (I really think I can do it this year!)
 - continue to add expression, playfulness, and style to my game, without losing technical efficiency and protection
 
Goals in capoeira for '03-'04
 - again, improve basic kicks and dodges so I can do them with control at any speed in both directions - yep, I think I improved in this area this year
 - make my movements and overall game more fluid/graceful/beautiful - again, still room for a lot more improvement, but I definitely feel like I progressed
 - work on improving control in all my moves at higher speeds; I'd really like to see my Regional game be less sloppy - definitely have more control in fast games than I did a year ago
 - become more comfortable on my hands - yup, I am, but I'd like to now actually get on my hands more during games!
 - solid backflip, both standing and from a roundoff - nah, I've done a couple lucky ones, but I quit working on them; I'm just not so motivated to do so anymore.
 - meia lua reversao - eh, sort of, to one side?
 - play more maculele - definitely; I'm much more comfortable in the maculele roda, and I really enjoy it!
 - learn how to samba - uh, sort of? Ok, not really :-p
 - get better at playing all the instruments in the bateria - yep! Berimbau lessons with Mestre Gaje helped a LOT, and I've played berimbau and pandeiro frequently in rodas... taken my turn on agogo and reco-reco too, when they're there. Atabaque now is my weak spot...
 - attend a batizado in Brazil - that's funny, I never did
 
Goals in capoeira for '02-'03
 
 - a proper macaco to both sides: bleh, still can't get it!
 - the au sem mao to the left: got it! Not as comfortable or high-flying as my one to the right, but that'll come if I just practice it
 - continue to improve my handstand walking and balance when upside down: YES - this is working. I can frequently make it all the way across the mat when "pulling"
 - be able to do ten handstand pushups against a wall
 - really improve my basic kicks so that I can do them all solidly and with control to both directions - getting there. Both sides aren't exactly equal yet, but I'm making progress.
 - meia lua reversao: nope, not yet
 - a backflip would be nice  ;-) - I was half-joking when I wrote this, but now I've gotten the back handspring pretty solid and yes, I DID a backflip! - once.
 - good s-dobrado to both sides: it's pretty good to the left, but I just can't get the timing and the lift to work as well on the right
 - develop my ground game, be able to move around well on the floor - yup. In fact I like ground stuff so much that now I spend *too* much time on the floor!
 - get a berimbau and start learning how to play it: got a sweeeeeeet one for Christmas! :-)
***the main thing*** - improve my game: incorporate new moves into my game and combine moves in new combinations. I've stopped thinking too much in the roda; now I just follow instinct - and I feel like it leads me to do the same moves over and over. I know a lot of very useful moves that I just don't ever use in the game. I think if I practice things a lot in combination, I'll develop the muscle memory to apply particular new moves or combinations of moves by instinct in a game - I've improved somewhat, but I need to play more to keep up the progress...
 - apply to study abroad in Brazil next spring!!! - woohoo, I will be off to Brazil in Feb 2004!!!
 
Goals in capoeira for '01-'02
 
 - kip-up - ACCOMPLISHED. And the no-handed one, too :-)
 - good macaco - uh, not quite :-p
 - au batido - yep!
 - au sem mao - got this too! :-D