karate...del ray beach...

Went to the summer SAKA camp in Del Ray Beach FL....wow is all I can say. I love Del Ray. We stayed at the Hyatt and eveything you could want was in walking distance.
Hats off to Jeffery Lynne and Tom Leeman and others for putting together a wonderful expierience.
Master Koyama did and excellent job teaching his view of karate. He is 80 years young...I hope I look that good at 80. All in all it was one of the best camp experiences I have ever had.
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Banjo....

I got a banjo....and it is a lot of fun. You should try it sometime cause it is hard to not smile and play a banjo. :)

Monday is here. Happy mothers day.

Happy Monday and Happy Mothers day yesterday to all. We are almost to the end of school...and the summer is starting to fill up...wow. Hope to get in some fun time....get some fishing in with the buds and son.
Got to help my son train hard for karate and pass his black belt test in the fall....pray it works out. He is also involved in tutoring this summer...hope that helps him for the fall and school.
Kids are already heavy into swimming and things look good so far...meet in a couple weeks...
Had a good mothers day with my wife and my parents came over for dinner...got leftovers...which is a good thing. Anyhows....hope yall have a great week....
until later...

kendo

I have a bag full of kendo gear sitting in my office. Why? Because I am interested in learning. Learning what? As you may know I am a karate practitioner. Okinawan karate was based partially defending one's self against the guy with the sword and armor. So why not learn some of how that works and be able to understand the other side of it? Plus it is fun. I am excited about beginning this learning experience. More later. 

I got a viola for Christmas

So I got a viola for Christmas. Now I have to find some instructional materials and get the basics down and maybe get some lessons later...maybe. I figure I can learn a good bit on my own and have friends who are string players who I know can help me out. I already play mandolin, so I know a little about instruments tuned in 5ths. Viola just sounds interesting. It is pitched lower than a violin and generally plays harmonies. Strings are C G D A...and since I play guitar and sing baritone it should fit well in the range of stuff I do....even playing melodies. I tuned it up and bowed it some and it has a bigger sound than I expected. The low end resonates well...If I can learn to play it I think it will be a lot of fun. So we shall see how it progresses in 2014. My son takes strings at school and plays violin. May in the future we will be able to do some stuff together or with friends....here's hoping.