Page of quotes

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/v/virgil.html

found that from my google mail box today.

Good times

Ki Cho Hyung

Well now I've got all 6 parts learned, I need to learn the last four Ki Bohn Soo, to make that fifteen. Then it's time for a test. Apparently, I'm past my first test for stripe, I should have had that at 3 parts Ki Cho Hyung and 5 Ki Bohn Soo, but now I'm up to all 6 parts Ki Cho Hyung and 11 of 15 Ki Bohn Soo.

It is done

It ended up taking the last three guitars I had to come up with the dough.

It was a sad day. And the plumbing still has a minor leak at the bottom, which makes me think of the pipe having a problem, since it's the same exact place as last time.

Now that 10 years of memories that where touchable have left, I found something on the way out:







That's all I have left of those times. For their part the guys at Richard's knew how hard it was. We swapped tales for awhile, and reminisced about days gone. I did take a nap. Got my spare put in the trailer and the old tire by the dumpster. So now if a car tire goes out I have the full sized spare to replace it with. Hooray! I have what money Ches gives me tomorrow, and that's all until the next Friday. Which that paycheck is probably slim pickens too. We shall see I suppose.... We shall see.

Day 2 of waterlessness

Well, the same joint is giving me problems today too, the lower water main intake.... grrrrr... For some reason I think maybe the pipe is just slightly out of whack in the front, because it's the only one that is having problems.

However, now the CC is down to nill, and I have to sell all three guitars today. I have a maybe about the towers tomorrow. However, I doubt it based on what he was talking about.

So goodbye Rickenbacker 4003, Harmony hollow body, and Squire with a Floyd Rose. Hopefully the three get me enough, otherwise I don't know where to get the money.

Let me stop dancing around the issue

and tell you straight up. I'm poor.

I need to raise about 600 bucks by Friday. So looking at my schedule that means tomorrow after I get done with the water system, I'll be going down to sell my guitars, at least two, because I sold the inverters today, but that's only 50.

If you know anyone interested

I today sold to Richard's officially my P bass, and then my Kustom Hustler blue tuck 'n' roll (4x10) combo amp, and my 2x15 Kustom by Ross in Cascade tuck 'n' roll.

And I have two sets of 2x12 car audio Kenwoods, a Kenwood amp, and a Rockford Fosgate amp.

Two different power inverters one 2000 watt, one 5000

Also my 1960 Kustom Black Tuck 'n' roll matching P.A. towers with 3 8's and 2 10's plus the 300 watt matching head.

Oh and two matching 1970's Kustom Tolex 4x12 P.A. towers with horn.

Work Filled day

Went to Ace, and got everything to change out a leaky shut off for the hot water tank, and then the main shutoff decides not to work. Which the last time it was used was for the addition of the Washer and Dryer, but no visible reason for it to not work now. So I have to call the city to get them to shutoff my water while I change out both of them. Great times there.

So I moved on to project #2. Finishing up things on the trailer. I got the wheel wells trimmed out of both sides, cut the line ups to flush, added in another brace bracket on the joint on each side, and another on each side at the rear. Redrilled the back for the two newer holes, sealed up the whole thing... hopefully, and Adjusted the locks for the new lid position, and couldn't find my third lock so I have to get another one. Now if I could just find my digital multimeter, and find the short in the left blinker on the trailer I'd be set; for sure, and able to put the wires off to the side, and mount up the side lights that are purely for caution... so I guess I really don't have to have them.

Oh and I just finished up all the Chanbara level two papers. Complete with images, and text in a fun filled manner. Printed them off, emailed them to the people who need to see them, and made sure to make both black and white, and color copies. Which reminds me I should fix the Sparring Rules page, and update the Chanbara rules.

Kids these days

That statement has been used in America over and over. Unbeknownst to most people that use it the statement really means: Parents these days. More and more I have noticed that in America they send their kids to school and expect them to be taught values there. Values are supposed to be taught at home. School is for learning social interactions and the subjects therein. I remember no class offered in K-12 called Values. As such with children being the reflection of those who conceived them, who raise them, and who teach them. Why is it that by the time they get to school the conceivers and the raisers have left the primary responsibility behind. That of teaching the values for them to live their life on. I see kids television shows teaching kids more about how to be good than their parents. In fact some shows are prefaced with what they will teach your kids as far as values and more go. Ex. This show teaches children how to use their imaginations, how to be accepting of the differences in people, and how to play well with others.

WHAT! isn't that what parents are supposed to do?

The kids these days are reflections of parents these days who have ceased to be parents, and are stuck as kids with jobs. They don't understand the responsibilities that come with a child, and no it's not the schools fault for not teaching them about it, or for teaching them about it. I remember when the birds and the bees talk happened between parents and children, sometimes a class was used to facilitate that, but the parents still impressed upon their own children their own beliefs and values about these things. Why is it that I can have a stronger impact on a child when I tell them something than when their parents do? Is it because I am better than them at talking to kids, no. It's because I've already established the acceptable behavior from them, and don't waiver. Parents understandably have to make concessions from time to time, but more often than not a concession is made when it is not necessary or warranted. This sets up a pattern for child behavior as learned from their parents. They then wonder why is it my kids is so bad? Well because you are.

Case in point:

A parent when overboard when their child earned a Yellow Belt, which is the first after white, the belt they in fact tested for. But because other students put forth more effort and learned up to Green Belt, she nearly had a conniption. Rather than talk to me, she ranted and raved out in the parking lot. Then sent me an email, blaming everyone else for her child doing an awesome job at getting his Yellow Belt, but not earning a Green. I calmly replied to her email addressing the areas of concern, and stating to her the obvious, that because of her irrational behavior, her child would not see his accomplishment as an accomplishment, but rather a failure, and therefore for the rest of his life he would be comparing himself with others who were better, but never feeling adequate unless she went and made her emotions clear to him. To this she had never even considered.... Never consider how your child will react to what you do.... WHAT!

Everything you do, is what your kids see, think of it through their eyes. Be the person you want your child to be. Don't try and make them into the person you wanted to be. What parents are missing is themselves. Kids will follow your lead up to a point, then they will rebel. Human nature is test boundaries. If boundaries weren't tested think of the limits on our advancement. However, parents seem to forget the "terrible twos" even though "it seems like just yesterday" when their children get to be teenagers. Oh that's just society, well sorry parents your child's view of society starts at home. If as teenagers they push boundaries, do what you did when they were little or better yet DO BETTER. Think about the consequences of your actions before you act. If allowing them more freedom does help them advance as a person, use that lack of your control to help teach them that. However, if it is going to harm them, by all means tighten up the reigns. There is a medium in between, but until you see that you have the influence you want without knowing it, you can't exercise it. A parent who tries to exercise too much control will get nowhere, and of course your children will rebel, look at Totalitarian governments, but if you exercise none, then look at what happens to a cheetah whose mother dies when it's a baby. That is what you have to work between.

Kids get in trouble because of their parents all the time, and extras get taken from them because of inappropriate behavior on their end. Why not the other way around too?

We are reflections on our parents. Whether good or bad we need to trace our history of knowledge. Only when we are truly grown can we see the good and bad for ourselves, and go on a journey through our internal processes to see where attitudes come from. Unfortunately people who know the wrong continue the cycle. They miss out on the most important part and that is to stop the bad in its track. Because of the history in America of building up egos and self importance, many see themselves as fine the way they are and it's okay to do this, this way, because difference are fine. Sure they are, but when your lack of self correction messes up at least the life of your child, if not their child, and their children's children. Have the cojones to recognize and correct. I know no one is perfect, but at least try to figure out why you do what you do, if it is based on good logic then continue, but if you get angry over minute things and throw a fit to get your way... what do you think your children will learn from you.

Teaching starts at home, the first teachers are your parents. It's time they start acting like it.

J Shizzy

Went to Jin Shan tonight with the fam, we all needed it and it was great as always.

Last night I had to break it down for a Kuk Sool Brown Belt Black stripe. He didn't even talk to me until after class, and it was the first time I met him, but he told me his whole life story after college, and I just had to tell him do the work your given, and the work you want will come to you. I laid a lot on him, but I hope the last thing I talked about went through:

Apply Kuk Sool to your life, you have been training much longer than I in it, should you not apply the lessons of martial arts to life? Ex. A punch comes at you, you don't grab it; instead you deflect and then manipulate the gift you were given. All things in life can be looked at this way. Something you don't want coming at you does, and you need to use it to learn from, and make your life better because of it.

level two level two

What to do for Level 2.....

I think the cover page this time will be the dude with the target areas named.

That's about as far as I've gotten. I'll update the level one tournament rules.

Drills I have some of

Relaxation techniques to teach

Sportsmanship

Control

Understanding the different wins.. I'll get that quote from the kendo master about winning with Men....

Go for the point you can get not the point you want.... and the drills that go with that

Learn from every loss, and every point the opponent gets, learn to study opponents too.

..... ideas ideas... now to put them into formation. Also to make another 1.5 hour class not all theory and talking.

Master's Camp Coming Soon

I know for certain that at this Master's Camp there will be a division amongst students. Those who were there last time and those who were not.

That is at least in my group.

I am teaching Chanbara Level 1 and Level 2

I hadn't heard this until I inquired if I could be invited back to do perhaps either a Sparring clinic or the Iaido that I had planned originally, especially since most students that would be attending would have sparring gear, and therefore new students to the camp would not have to buy the Chanbara sword.

Also now that Adult sparring is allowed, I thought it might be a good idea, but we shall soon see what all else there will be.

KCK

and a map 10 years outdated for schools locations, and streets. Only showing KCK nothing else, like when the road it says has a detour past where I need to go and suddenly I'm in Missouri, no help from the map then...

Otherwise a good day, but I had to leave class early, because of my hips from sitting all day, and my ankle.

Good Music

I had plenty of good tunes to Wichita and back... mmmm getting paid for a day and for mileage.... huzzah!

From here to there, and back

Went to work from 8:30-12:30, then to Independence from 2-8 to finish printing fliers for Wichita, and tomorrow I'm going in at 4:30-8 at the Club, and then off to Topeka for delivery, and then down to Wichita to drop to another delivery person... apparently not Sensei Kelly. So I'm guessing I'll be done in Topeka around 9:30 or 10, and then in Wichita about noon. Then back up probably about 3.... hopefully they don't change my plans from Wichita to Independence...

More cool stuff

well they've up the ante from 5 to 8 and then some from 18-40 or more depending

Today we got certified to teach 8 Animal Kung Fu, with 5 per animal and a DVD detail the mid level forms and advanced ones for each individual animal.

Wasted Day

ate with mom, did a little work on the trailer, changed my oil... went to best buy and got ink and two CDs

Across the Universe Soundtrack
Flobots

so not completely unproductive, but still not what I wanted to get done

End of the Summer

Officially, it's the end of the summer. Camp is over, the last awards night is done, merchandise is returned to the office, and our "Fall" instructor's meeting is Saturday.

I know I have a lot to work on, and more work to do. I only hope that I can make some others better than me.

Tonight many said thanks, but I redirected with all I did was show you the path, you had to go down it, therefore I did little, and you did it all.

Wanting wiser counsel

Before I revoke the rank, I wish to be given guidance. Currently I am on the fence, but leaning towards taking, especially after today. Sh has a multitude of items to address, and return. Many of which were supposed to be in my possession before the weekend, and are needed before well, yesterday. Her lack of responsibility is apparent, and lack of self-discipline therein. The drastic step of removing an earned rank is a hard decision to come to, especially in the case of my first Black Belt Student. I wonder more if that reason is from self not from them. Students are reflections of there teachers much as they are reflections of their parents. I can see her parents in her, little as she would like to know it, but unfortunately their lessons over the years, have sunk in and yet mine appear to have, at least temporarily been pushed to the side over selfish motives.

too tired

On Sunday I was so tired after work, that I couldn't raise my hand enough to eat without it falling down.... I am still tired today.

Wedding and a Funeral

Just as I was coming back from the rehearsal dinner in Topeka, Ian called, and his dad passed away. Funeral on Monday. Apparently his dad didn't have a will or anything, and never legally was married to his step mom. So as the oldest son, all the financial, and property issues fell to him. He had to take out a loan just to fly out here.... He's hanging in there, but barely. It's one of those things where he just doesn't know where to start. All I knew to do was offer any assistance I could, whenever it was that he needed it.

Knock 'em down to build 'em back up

If only they would take the easy knockdown. I fear I am going to have to do more. It is getting ridiculous. I was mostly angry because of the it's not my fault and it's okay game she was trying to play. I am currently debating it still because the lack of respect, self control, and self accountability, are not fitting of a black belt.

I said it today at the camp:

To everyone else you are karate. You are the only person they know in karate. Therefore to them you are what everyone who does karate must be.

The inability to admit fault for building two peoples expectations up to a certain standard is unacceptable. Feigning to not know the rules as a cop is is just as unacceptable. Then denying what the test will be over after having been through it and even failed on the section that the students had not prepared for was like a circus.

During the time for class... oh I didn't know class had started and I was talking to a student who should have been in class after hearing the line up call. Allowing students during a class to gather around without telling them to go back into class, while wearing a uniform and a belt deeming her the authority to tell them such. Not spending the time helping those that were supposedly supposed to test during the given practice time. Assuming practicing of techniques we were kindly shown in a set that we should both be practicing was showing off. Contradicting the validity of kicking targets in class. Failing to better herself as a martial artist.

This is all leading up to a similar story from a great book:

"There was always this guy who never talked at the dojo, just practiced in the corner. I always thought he must be terrible if he's not in sparring class or my class and just off by himself doing the same thing every time I was there. Then one day when I had too much to drink I was spouting off to him and everyone else, and he said okay I'll fix this. And BAM! down I went, he knocked me flat in one blow. That's when I learned that the quiet ones are the ones that know, and the loud ones are the ones that think they do."

While she knows I can beat her at any aspect of her martial art, she still refuses to accept it, and I am at this hour contemplating revoking her belt for her recent behaviors if no explanation is adequately given.

I am told I act older and use age, but in reality she finds patience and thought to mean bad, apparently 19 means something different today than in my day. While I did hate a lot, I knew martial arts was not brought forth from that and to show respect to my elders in both the art and in life, however, I believe her background of an f'd up mom and a not to be seen from except on occasion father, have led her down a dark and dangerous path in life of thinking she can do anything she wants whenever she wants and no one else knows any better. This is what I thought 13-17 was for, and once you got out on your own you learned better. Apparently she is a slow learner.

It is often seen that one who complains of being responsible is truly not so. All I hear on her complaints is about how much everyone relies on her to well do nothing extraordinary. How no one would do things that she wants to do if she didn't initiate it for the group, they would be content to do what they wanted to do. People don't do the dishes they should, and she gets fed up and does them all without telling them they need to help, and gets mad. She takes care of her cat, and no one else would if not her. She pays the bills in her name when they're due, and no one else pays them for her, but they give her their share of the money.

All that translates to me is:

I want everyone to know how awesome I am, and how they are not me. I want inferior people around me to show how much better I am than them. I need people around to complain about, otherwise, I might have to deal with myself.

Ah young drama and the desire for it from foolishness.

Drama is confrontation. Confrontation is what martial artist try to avoid. While some is inevitable, most isn't. This lesson is one that can, and should, be learned on one's own, but her time has past for her to have the luxury. If she wishes to assist, and/or teach anymore classes this is the last straw.

Ripped pants

Another time on the same pants just below the last repair, and of course it was the first time I was at the class. Luckily the seam didn't go all the way open, and no one had to see underneath, but still now I have to repair them.

Today though no such problem, but then again we didn't do so many stretches as yesterday, at least in the class.

I have started taking a free 2 weeks at Kuk Sool Won, just to get so more lessons, especially since they are free. That's my favorite type. I have been practicing Hanshi's Ananku Kata, and now am adding in the white belt set of moves from there to my daily regimen. Now if I could just remember to do my Should Up Push Ups everyday I'd be set.

many great words of wisdom

I want to give all the fish to the ocean - so they come back salmon.

The basic idea is to transcend confrontation. You have to go beyond confrontation.

Training methods are like transportation systems: you have to find out what your purpose (destination) is, and how you're going to achieve it (which path (train) you'll take).

The dojo is the dressing room of the theater - Daily life is the theater

A thousand keiko(practice) is just to forge & temper. Ten thousand keiko is to polish what you forged.

Have nothing to hid, have nothing to be scared of facing up to - that's what we have to teach the kids.

Imagine a road with a destination. A student is walking, but in the wrong direction, and the teacher, watching him, suggests that he take a turn in the proper direction. But it's already too late. The teacher should have suggested a change before that, before he was far off track. A good teacher will walk his student back. The student will think he is being taught basic things, things he has studied that he considers at too low a level for him. Even still, the good teacher knows he should return to that stage so the student can then make a straight passage. Otherwise, the teacher makes two mistakes by not correcting what he should have noticed in the beginning. In actuality, it's not a going back but another process of progress.

Don't become a weapon collector. Weapon collectors have one sword, then ten swords, then a hundred swords, but don't know how to use any of them.

The one who wins the fight is the lowest class, but the one that wins without fighting is best.