Dec 96 mailbag

December, 1996 Mailbag:

Hello and Happy Holidays.
My name is Susan Owen and I am a NiDan under John VanDeLaare in Battle Creek, Michigan. I received your information on summer camp, and was very pleased that you had remembered us. Don't know at this point whether I'll be able to make it out to Boston for that, as I am leaving for Manzanillo Mexico in a week and a half to compete in the Pan American Martial Arts Games as a member of Team USA. I'm very excited about this, but it is costing me quite a bit of money, and a week's vacation from work. Not many area businesses have been interested in sponsoring me, but I have raised a little money. Thought you might like to know that Uechi Ryu and the NAC will be represented at an international event. Just wanted to touch base with you and let you know that I appreciate the work that the NAC does for Uechi Ryu schools all over the country (and soon the world, I understand). My e-mail address is kb8ydn@juno.com , if you would like to reply. I am sure you get a lot of mail, so I don't expect one. Happy Holidays to you and yours, and best wishes for a safe and prosperous New Year.

Susan Owen
NiDan
Uechi-Ryu
Battle Creek Budokan

Thanks for your encouraging words. I'm sure I am expressing the sentiments of all Uechi-ryu students and teachers when I say good luck at the Pan am Games. It is a first and we are all very proud. Please write an article regarding your experiences, to share with our readers. GEM

Dear Sensei Mattson:

I am a former student of Uechi Ryu Karate Do. My name is Lawrence M. Jackmin. I was awarded the rank of Shodan on 5/15/83. I trained at Cornell University first under Mr. Hank Helfeld and later under Mr. Steven J. Ostro who was, at the time, a Nidan and former student of Mr. Jon Mills.

About one year later, Mr. Jon Mills arrived at Cornell and I was fortunate to train with him for a year, prior to my Shodan test.

Unfortunately, shortly after my test all of us went our separate ways. Mr. Mills travelled to Japan, Mr. Ostro to California and I went to Albany, NY for an extended period of professional training. That was the end of our dojo in Ithaca, NY and, sad to say, my Uechi training.

I did not train in the martial arts for the next 11 years. I married and started my family. Several years later, my youngest daughter showed an interest in Karate. Since there is no local Uechi Ryu dojo, I enrolled her in a fine Koei-Kan Karate dojo here in NY. It did not take long for my desire to train to lead me to join the dojo as well. I joined the dojo 3 years ago and I am now training seriously once again.

Tonight, while I was "surfing the web" I looked up at my framed Uechi Menjo. I punched Uechi Ryu into the search engine and located your home page. I truly enjoyed reviewing it. I hope you don't feel my correspondence is too forward. I must admit I feel somewhat uncomfortable addressing a man of your rank in such an informal manner as e-mail.

I thought you might enjoy my story. I wish you continued good luck with your ventures.

Extend my very best wishes to your immediate and Uechi Ryu family for a safe holiday season.

Respectfully,

Mr. Lawrence M. Jackmin

Good luck with your training. Hopefully you will be able to join us a camp next year. Keep in touch. GEM

Hi George

Name here is John Van De Laare. I am in Battle Creek Michigan. Just got my e.mail install and I though I would drop you a note and notify you of my e.mail address.my address uses my Ham Radio call sign.kg8po@juno.com. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

John Van De Laare

Welcome to the Internet world, John. Keep in touch. GEM

I got a call from Al and Amanda Bennett last week. They had just moved to Denver from Florida and had gotten my phone number from Rod Mindlin. They invited me down to see them this weekend and I had my first Uechi-Ryu lesson. These guys were great to me and if they are representative of the rest of the people in Uechi-Ryu I am more inspired than ever to part of this wonderful martial art.

To say thanks for their kindness I wanted to order them a copy of your video magazine #006 with the Superempi kata. I had told them how beautiful it was and wanted to share it with them.

Thank-you very much.

Brandon Broderick

A copy of vidmag #6 went out today. Pleased to see that you were able to meet the Bennetts and were treated nicely. I believe you will find the majority of Uechi students and teachers to be equally hospitable and willing to share their art with others. GEM

DEAR SENSEI & SUSAN

SORRY FOR THE LONG SILENCE, I AM NOW BACK ON LINE AT MY HOME COMPUTER FOR COMPUSERVE.....

LOVE & BEST WISHES OVER CHRISTMAS, ALL THE BEST FOR 1997

BOB CAMPBELL

Good to have you back Bob. Now we've got to get you connected with Powwow and schedule as one of our first guest instructors. GEM

Sensei,

I wrote to you a few time before your last summer camp about weapons kata. I have learned an Ieku kata and would like to learn more of the history of this kata. I am not sure of the neme of the kata, though I believe it to be of Matayoshi origin. If I send you a copy of the kata, would you be able to help me with some of the inormation I am looking for? Thank you.

Tim Prodyma
Tim Prodyma
crane@midwest.net

I'm sure on of our resident experts will contact you with the information on the Ieku kata. GEM

Just a short note to wish each of you and your families a happy and healthy holiday season and may 1997 be even better for you.

Randy Danielsen

Thanks for your good wishes Randy. Hope to hear lots more from you in '97. GEM

Kyoshi Mattson-san!

I wish you and your family all the best for the next year and a merry christmas from Vienna, Austria

Markus Pasterk,
Karatedo Shudokan

Christmas and Happy New Year's Cheer to everyone!

John.

Dr. John G.L. Lovas
Div. of Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology
Faculty of Dentistry
Dalhousie University
5981 University Avenue
Halifax NS CANADA B3H 3J5

E-mail: jlovas@is.dal.ca

Hello GEM!!!

Hope all is well, Raffie and I talked today and he got me in the mood to write this little piece for you about holidays with Master Uechi on Okinawa.
Let me know what you think.
I think it might be something nice for everyone to read....

Take Care
Mark
Excellent article Mark. I'm sure everyone will enjoy spending the holidays with Uechi Sensei, through your experiences. Domo! GEM

1. Sir, I tried your web site's "what is new " and nothing I tried could connect.
2. Sir, back in 1978 and 1979, I studied with Mr. Kressge (imporper spelling I'm sure) and his wife Kim in St. Petersburg FLA. When I returned to FLA after the USMC I could not find his school. Do you known where or how to contact him? I just wanted to pay respects I learned a lot from both of them. thank you - Terry Adkinson

Service was down for a short time Fri PM and Sat AM. Everything should work now. One thing you can count on to accompany the "technological revolution" is techno-breakdowns! Last I heard about Ted Kresge was that he became a "born again" preacher and had stopped teaching karate. Anyone hear from him lately? GEM

Good morning, and a Saturday morning at that. Just finished class, the temperature is up to 10 from a low yesterday of 0. 20 more inches of snow yesterday, the plows did not get through to our road until late morning, we chanced it and made a break for work before these prehistoric creatures feasted on a row of mail boxes near us...I was thinking about "Sanchin by the Sea" in another context--"Sanchin in the Snow"--having said that it is time to move on....

In the mail I received copies of the Pacific Association of Women Martial Artists Newsletter with one article you might like to publish.

Ron Klein

In the "good old days", Harry Brawley used to host weekly outdoor classes in Newton. We would work out, then jog 5 miles then return to Harry's home for a gourmet breakfast! We also experimented with Winter workouts in the snow. . . a short-lived experiment! I do miss those meals Harry! GEM

Welcome Shinwa Dojo-PAWMA's newest sponsoring school

Shinwa Dojo of Schoolcraft, Michigan has joined PAWMA as a new sponsoring school. As a member of the North American Chapter of the Uechi-Ryu Karate Association, Shinwa Dojo will be working directly with PAWMA to address women's issues in martial arts training.

Renshi Ronald Klein, Sensei Katherine Klein and Sensei Susan Edel-Newell are liaiasons representing 100 dojos in the Uechi-Ryu Association. In addition to their karate and kobudo training, Shinwa offers self defense for women and is a member of the American Women's Self Defense Association. Renshi Klein obtained sexual harsassment information from PAWMA which he presented at Uechi-Ryu's international conference. The information was used to adapt into plicy for their Instructor's Certification Program. During the conference, Renshi Klein acknowledged the assistance of PAWMA and also discussed the value of women only programs.

Kyoshi George Mattson, President of the Uechi-Ryu Karate Association stated that they,"maintain high black belt standards through certification of instructors"-and are interested in supporting martial arts organizations that are "dedicated to quality and excellence."

Welcome Shinwa Dojo! Welcome Uechi-Ryu! We appreciate your dedication and support."

Please let our readers know that PAWMA has a new web page : WWW.pawma.org

Our school's female instructors also belong to the Nation Women's Martial Arts Federation. We feel it is important to support these organizations, they have been of great help to us in our women's self defense and martial arts programs. Would it be of interest to have a discussion on the merits of all women's programs at the Camp?

Another excellent source for information by the way is Judith Weiss's Assault Prevention Information Network (one of the best web sites I have seen).

Take care and thank you for your encouragement and help.

Later-gotta clear the driveway-not enough students doing Sanchin to pack it down and clear a path......

Ron

Hi George,
My name is Joe Bellone and I'm writing because of an article I'm putting together about principles in Uechi-ryu Karate-do. I teach classes for John Zachistal (I'm currently a Yondan) and I also study with Walter Mattson. For the past five years I've been studying Chinese internal arts. I'm currently a student of BaGua Zhang with Sifu Park Bok Nam.

I was wondering if I could submit the article to you and if you'd put it on the Website. By writing this article, it has helped me in my understanding of the style, and by sharing it with others, it might help them.

Thanks for your forum, your webpage is very good.

thanks you,
Joe Bellone

Pleased to publish any of your work Joe. You may email the article to me as part of the email or include as a *.txt formated attachment. GEM

I saw the following Rueter's article and sent it to Ron. Naturally he had a few words to say in response. Thought you might enjoy both the article and Ron's reply: GEM

Practice Not Perfect Without Genes

NEW YORK (Reuters) -- All the practice in the world may not let you beat Greg Norman's golf swing or Keri Strug's backflip, because in the end, it's all in the genes.

"People come to a performance test with a particular genetic endowment, and no matter how much practice another person might have, they'll never quite meet the performance of (a) person with a higher genetic endowment," said Scott Hershberger, assistant professor of psychology at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas.

Hershberger conducted a series of tests examining the motor skills of sets of twins, trying to test the limits of what practice alone can do to assist innate genetic ability.

Motor skills form the basis for complex activities involving hand-eye coordination -- activities like driving, or playing sports like golf or tennis.

"We had sets of identical twins and sets of fraternal twins involved in the study," says Hershberger. Identical twins share 100% of their genes, whereas fraternal twins share about half on average. Hershberger added that all of the twins were chosen on the basis that they had been separated soon after birth and reared apart. This eliminated shared upbringing as a possible factor in study results.

Hershberger tested each twin's motor skills by asking them to use a long rod to keep in contact with a rotating disk. The length of time the rod remained in contact with the disk determined each twin's score. All of the subjects practiced the task over a period of days.

Unsurprisingly, Hershberger said, "Everyone was better at the task in the end than they were in the beginning."

But "over time, the identical twins became more and more alike in performance, whereas the fraternal twins became less and less alike," he said.

The reason? "Since the identical twins are building upon a common genetic substrate," said Hershberger, "practice is going to have the same effect for them." But with the fraternal twins, practice will only display the genetic differences that remain between them.

Since everybody in the study improved over time, Hershberger says environmental factors (like previous inexperience or insecurities) slowly became less important.

"Let's say at the beginning of the study, 50% of the reason why people performed they way they did was because of environmental effects, and 50% was due to genetic effects. Well, at the end of the study, 74% of the difference was due to genetics alone." he explained.

So practice can mean perfect -- but only as far as genetics allow.

So will most of us, practice though we might, ever be able to beat Steffi Graf at tennis? Alas, Hershberger says, "presuming that Steffi Graf has a better genetic endowment than you, no." SOURCE: Nature (1996;384;356-357)

Copyright c 1996 Reuters

-------------------------------------------------
I now understand my calling. My training is in Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering. Though my career has been focused on bacteria, fungi and invertebrate parasites (are there others?), I can see a new direction. By combining by knowledge and skills in martial arts with recombinant DNA technology, molecular biology and genetic engineering perhaps we can come up with something really special. The molecular genetics of Budo. Identify the genes, transfer them via some integrative viral vector system to improve a karate-ka's kata or an Aikidoist's ukemi!

We have companies like Amgen, Genetech, CloneTech etc.. We could follow Dr. Hershberger's lead and form a new company-perhaps Budotech, or Genekobudo (The warrior way of the Gene tools?).

This is actually a very interesting study. I would recommend reading Harvey Liebergott's book "Paper, Sissors,Rock." Mr. Liebergott makes the point that many "Masters" are not athletes nor so genetically endowed, but people who struggled and crawled upward through the knowledge of martial arts. I think he made the point that as athletes many of the Masters would have been sitting on the bench in highschool ( second stringers with heart). It was through perseverance, effort and hard work for decades that they, as seniors (>50+) finally achieved what we call "Mastery." Genes are the ultimate biochemistry and provide the canvas, but there is so much more that goes into the art...and how do you really know what your limitations are unless you try??

Thanks and Best Wishes to all of you this Holiday!!!!!!

Ron Klein, Ph.D.
Molecular Biologist-Geneticist-second stringer
"Purveyor of fine cloning vectors."

Mr. Mattson: At your request I have put together a very brief review of the history of Uechi Ryu in Australia, featuring some of our highpoints. I am not "live" on the web, I can only send emails, so I'd appreciate it if you could kindly put it in the Uechi web pages for me, thanks.
George Chaplin sent us your Black belt grading book -its great. We used it
last week in grading a student to 3rd kyu.
Best Wishes for Christmas and the New Year
John Long

I've posted your excellent "history" in the article's section. Thanks and keep in touch. GEM

Date: Thursday, 19-Dec-96 11:40 PM

Hello George,

I was trying to post a topic on the general discussion form and received a return message that something was not set up correctly. I'm not sure if it is my machine or the site? Please advise. Thanks.
Keith Jakle
-------- REPLY, End of original message --------

Hi Keith:
The "Forum" (roundtable dojo) will only handle small messages, under 50 words. When the server changed over to a Windows NT operating system, the forum (UNIX) began working badly. The new one, for NT was recently released, but we discovered it is filled with bugs and crashes often. so, until Digital gets it straight, we are staying with the old, reduced (but dependable) version.

If you wish anything posted to the website, just send to me in email form. (best to use a TXT (ASCI) format. I'll post your article. Thanks and keep 'em coming! Have a happy holiday season. GEM

Finally had time to check out the latest contributions to the Web Site. I really enjoy the letters. One letter asked about the Chesenkon Bo and I noticed a reply. I wanted to add that we have incorporated Chesenkon no bo kata into the Kobudo proposal as posted on the site. This small weapon is easily adapted to the Uechi kata. I use it in our kata to help our students see some of the more subtle pressure points "hidden" in our movements. It is also helpful in explaining some of the continuous sequential striking patterns and throws I demonstrated at camp last summer.

Though we make our own Chesenkon bo from inch dowel and nylon cord (the length should be enough to protrude from a closed fist by about 1/2 inch, the cord looped through two holes in the center through which the middle finger is inserted. The ends of the dowel can be rounded or flat. These were used to draw fishing nets. A solid version is also available from KEMCO Weapons made of hickory or purple heart (cost is around $45/pair, phone 610-286-7771, ask for Fran).

The keychain weapon is the Kubaton. ASP has a very interesting version of "civilian baton" we are now using in our civilian self-defense program. It is called the P9 (the police version) weighs 13oz and snaps out from 6 1/2 to 9 inches (just like the other Alps). The civilian version (in many designer colors to impress your favorite mugger) weighs about half as much. We are putting together a nice program based on these types of self defense tools as part of our Self Defense Program. You can order the civilian version of the P9 from anyone who sells the ASP batons. ASP is also selling a kubaton like thing called a "keychain defender," which contains a 3 second shot of 3,000,000 Scoville Units of pepper spray. I'll have to show Jim Maloney how he can really get those pressure points using this thing. (It works by the way---which is why I have really got into "splashing hands.....")

The discussion of Supra empi and "splashing hands." I found Bill's interpretation of this movement to be very insightful. The kata's movements (very consistent with much of Uechi-ryu) are for close quarter combat. One should have enough body sense that if you touch someone (no matter where) you are, by feel and training, keenly aware of vital targets. I really feel that training sticky hands blindfolded enhances ones senses. The "splashing hands" when applied in a bunkai fashion also accomplish this. Try doing the kata blindfolded to really "feel" the movements, then apply splashing hands to an attacker in bunkai, assuming that you have lost your vision (at least partially). This useful for those of us who are serious about self-defense programs and field test pepper sprays. At Camp this summer Bill Glasheen has volunteered to demo "supra empi" after we show him how the keychain defender works (see above). Jim Maloney and I will flip a coin to see which of us will perform the laying on of the defender and which of us will get to spray--perhaps we could hold a raffle?????

But seriously, the concept introduced by Bill is important. Kata should be felt or experienced-not just performed to build up a sweat. I highly recommend doing our kata blindfolded to enhance tactile awareness.

I also want to thank all of you for your support and help regarding the Code of Conduct and Ethics. I also want to thank you all for your friendship and support.

From the NAC in Michigan---

Best Wishes this Holiday, may the New Year bring you joy and happiness, stay safe and treasure the moments of joy and those you love.......

Ron Klein

Hello George
Enjoy your webb page.My dojo is in northern Maine. Would you please add it to your dojo directory?
Thank You, Jim Robinson
JIM ROBINSON'S KARATE SCHOOL
7 MARKET ST.
FORT KENT, MAINE
04745

Nice to hear from you Jim. Check out your new listing in the "Instructor's" section. Keep in touch. GEM

George et al

I have several questions.

1) Has Sandra Lubben published yet?

2) If not, why not?

3) If so, could I have the honor of an autographed copy of her work (I pay for, of course)?

If she needs someone to push her to get in print, she doesn't need to go very far.

Bill Glasheen

I agree that Sandra is a very talented artist and deserves to be published. Peabody Publishing Company would be pleased to discuss this possibility with Sandra! GEM

First I would like to thank you for bringing the Uechi-ryu community closer together with your wonderful Internet Home Pages. There is such a wealth of information contained in your sites, I am tempted to spend my entire lunch hour "surfing" through Uechi-ryu / Okinawan information. However, the true purpose of this note is to inform you that Sensei Earnest Sumpter is planning to open the "Philadelphia Uechi-ryu Karate-Do Academy" in early to mid-December. (Ernie is a student of Master James Thompson and a former partner of Sensei Al Saunders in a dojo here in Philadelphia).

The address of the new dojo is:

7147 Germantown Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19119
Tel: 215-248-4855

Thank you again for access to great information, products, services and a connection to the art. As a student for three years, I find this extremely valuable in enabling me to feed my passion for insight into the spirit of Uechi-ryu.

Sincerely,
Carla R. Stephens, Ni-kyu

Thanks for letting us know about Sensei Earnest Sumpter's new dojo. I'll post the new dojo information in the "Instructor's Directory page. Please pass on to Ernie our very best wishes for a successful Grand Opening. Keep in touch. GEM

Greetings George,
Carmine would like to know if you would possibly forward the following message to Joe Montgomery at your convenience (since I don't have his email address).
Thank you very much, George.

Happy Holidays,
Betty Greenberg (bettytax@capecod.net)

MESSAGE TO JOE MONTGOMERY
Hello Joe,
I was shocked to see your name on George's website. It's
been a long time! Hopefully, I'll see you at one of
George's workouts after the first of the year and and can
reminisce
about performing the techniques the "old way".

Best Regards,
Carmine DiRamio

Because my email address book was destroyed, I suggested publishing Betty's letter. Her answer was:

Hello George,
Thank you for suggesting to include my dad's note to Joe Montgomery in the December mailbag. That would be great! I know my dad is looking forward to getting back to your workouts soon -(hopefully, right after the first of the year) - he had nothing but GREAT things to say about them each week! Again, thank you, George, for responding so promptly.
The best to you during the holidays.
Betty G.

Sensei Mattson....

It was a pleasure to receive your note of thanks. We know we speak for the entire Dojo when we say that having you and Susan visit us was the highlight of our year. Many of our students have not been able to attend your summer camp yet and were very excited having you attend the tournament Saturday, and conduct the seminar on Sunday. Sometimes we need encouragement and guidance along our path, and you were able to provide both those things as well as some needed revitilization of spirit.

Sometimes it is easy to fall into the trap of only working on the external aspects of our Karate; placing a foot or arm in a rote position without thought to why we do such a thing, and neglecting the spirit and intellect. From the "electricity" we sense from many of our students, your visit fostered a return to a balanced Uechi Ryu (body/intellect/spirit) in them.

We try and foster a sense of being a part of the "Uechi-Ryu Family" at our Dojo as opposed to being just some place to work out. It is the same feeling we sense at your summer camp. So from your extended northern family..... thank you, and you will be certain to see many of us in August 97, if not before.

Ryan Baker,Brian Bailey,
and the members of the Dartmouth Uechi-Ryu Karate Dojo.

George

As you know, I was involved in teaching the superempi kata at the Uechi camp of Summer 1995 due to Simon Lailey's travel problems and my exposure to the tape of him doing the kata. As you recall, I learned the form off the tape (as best I could given the limitations of learning by tape) and wrote it up. At the Summer 1996 camp I started teaching it before Simon showed up. I had both the pleasure and embarassment of having him surreptitiously watch me run through the form in the back of the group before he identified himself. After seeing first hand how Simon did the form, I discovered that 1) the Chinese change the form almost daily and Simon no longer did it the way it was done on tape, and 2) I ended up with a form that was close to but not exactly like what he was doing at the time. The exercise was very enlightening for me as some of what I "made up" when I wasn't sure what he was doing was occasionally as interesting as what he was actually doing.

What prompts this e-mail is a letter you published from "Brandon":

I would like to ask you about some of the bunkai - like what I
call "dribble the basketball", what do you think that series of
three double hand waving movements from represents?

Interesting name for the technique; it is truly an enigmatic motion for a martial arts form. I called it "splashing hands" and the groups at the camp really liked that description. Anyhow I came up with what I thought the technique meant, and as it turns out, Simon had a very different idea about what it was. Both our attempts at interpretation were valid (I think). It speaks to the philosophy that we should not impose or freeze one individual's interpretation on others as individuals often come up with their own creative and valid uses for motions. Anyhow I will share the two interpretations. Individuals out there who have seen the motion can make up their own minds.

SIMON'S INTERPRETATION

Simon said he was told that the motion was a person grabbing an opponent and bringing them down to the ground. Nothing fancy, just grip onto the shirt, hair, whatever and send them head first to the floor off to the defender's right side.

BILL'S INTERPRETATION

I tried to look at the context of the motion in relation to what came next. In both cases the kata performer subsequently "spots" the next technique. The first time one uses the left hand to spot a right upper forearm strike. The second time one uses the left hand to spot a jumping right crescent kick. So...I hypothesized that the kata performer had somehow lost use of the eyes (eye gouge, sand in the eye, darkness, whatever) and needed to "grope" to sense where the opponent was. Once contact and recognition was made, the kata performer then grabs the appropriate body part and executes the remaining part of the sequence on where he/she senses the person is. This is actually a very southern Chinese interpretation: sticky hands and the like.

With this in mind I thought the name of the technique should then be "groping hands". All at the camp agreed to avoid the lascivious connotations for those with minds in the gutter, and retain my original, more poetic name of "splashing hands".

But I could deal with "dribble the basketball"!

Bill Glasheen

Hello friends,

I will be dropping aol very soon. My new and permanent email address is part of my Kenyukai web site. Please send all mail to Shihan@AlanDollar.com Merry Christmas to everyone!!!!
Alan Dollar

Dear Mr Mattson,
Some time ago I enquired by email (which sometimes goes amiss) as to the availability of your Uechi Ryu Video No 10, which I was lucky to view whilst in the USA in April this year-the one with the historic coverage of Master Kanei Uechi training etc. If it is possible to get this on VHS pal for UK/Australia format I would very much like to purchase a copy. Please let me know if this is possible and the cost, thanks very much in advance.

Two of us in Western Australia made it to Shodan this year.

Also I was wondering with all your memories of training in the early days in Okinawa whether you have considered writing it all down in a book for everyone to read -such historical information, and I'm sure many interesting anecdotes would be well received by everyone in the Uechi Ryu/Shohei Ryu world.
Sincerely
John Long
I have another book in the works. . . but with a low priority. But if you are interested in the "early days" in Okinawa, check out this month's issue of Bugeisha. Regarding the conversion from VHS to PAL . . . any suggestions out there? Congratulations on your recent promotion John. Stay in touch. GEM

Hi, my name is Jon Dilley, I am a student of Seiyu Oyata in Kansas City.

I recently saw your question concerning the "fist bo" in the Dec. letters of the Uechi Ryu home page sponsored by Mr. Mattson.

Alot of people I know train with the chizikunbo. They are as Mr. Mattson said, a stick that protrudes just past your fingers when held in your fist. They differ from the "kobutan" in that they are held to the hand by a strap of leather that goes around the middle finger. The leather strap creates a "pivot point" on which the chizikunbo is rotated for different techniques.

I hope that helps, and feel free to write back.

sincerely,

Jon Dilley
jon.dilley@mail.pubworks.org

(rei) Hi George, it's Rich Caruso from Ft. Lauderdale with a quick note of thanks for your great help with "breathing" during your last trip to D.J.'s dojo. (As a reminder, I was the Nidan with the good fortune to be part of your video). Your explanation of the three breaths and a little kiai when performing Sanchin has helped me a great deal. Feeling comfortable and natural about breathing has been the most difficult aspect of study for me.

I'm relatively new to computers and recently found your web page. It's great! But unfortunately I was able to receive it only once. I can't seem to get it again after trying many times. My password logs in O.K. but I can't get anything more. I just thought you'd want to know, and of course I'd love to see it again. Rich. (rei)

George,

I hope I'm not annoying you with the virus info I keep forwarding to you. Given your obvious interest in computers and the web, I figure you might find some of it useful, or at least interesting. It would appear that "penpal" is indeed a hoax. In fact, a company that designs and sells antivirus software specifically mentions it as a hoax (see below). However, as I have said before, even if "penpal" is a hoax, that does not mean that there could not be some other form of e-mail virus now or in the future. So please pass along any other warnings that may come your way!

The new info that I have (from Andrew on The Magical Ring) is a series of links that can be used to check out whether a virus-warning is real or a hoax. I have checked out some of these sites, but most of the following is paraphrased from Andrew's messages.

The U.S. Department of Energy's Computer Incident Advisory Capability has two links for checking on virus validity:

http://ciac.llnl.gov/ciac/CIACHoaxes.html

shows the internet hoaxes while

http://ciac.llnl.gov/ciac/CIACVirusDatabase.html

has a list of viruses and their validity/outcome. Another similar site for keeping up on virus info is The Mcafee site

http://www.mcafee.com

The antivirus company that provides good virus info is

http://www.datafellows.fi

and they specifically discuss "penpal" at

http://www.Europe.DataFellows.com/v-descs/penpal.htm

Thank you.

Glenn Humphress
th20405@ltec.net
Lincoln, NE

Thanks for the update Glenn. Keep them coming. GEM

Mattson Sensei,
I would like to thank you for your kind words of support for the opening of our new dojo. We have recently welcomed students from Gorden Breyette sensei's and Ric Martin Sensei's groups. Any member of the Uechi family group is truly welcome. I am happy to announce several promotions that occurred on Okinawa last month within the Kenyukai at the Kadena Dojo. Shinjo Kiyohide sensei was promoted to hachidan (8) by Toyama Sensei. James Foley Sensei was promoted to rokudan (6) and his student Robert Mcmaster, a student at the Shinjo dojo for a year, was promoted to shodan. I know all will join me in congratulating them. Finally, I wonder if you could send me the e-mail address of Mr. David Missipo, student of Takayasu Takemi sensei in Paris. I read his letter with great interest and would like to get in touch with him.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
John Ray

Congratulations to Shinjo Sensei on his well deserved promotion as well as James Foley and Robert Mcmaster. Hope you received David's email address, mailed separately. GEM

Tried to log on to PowWow tonight about 7:10. Did you cancel? Turns out Stuart is in a series of long meetings this week and could not attend, but I passed on the basic info about shihan certification through Shirley. As you know, I also blind-copied the e-mail I sent to Tribal Voice about our interest in and use of PowWow. Tonight I was going to try out some of my new "faces" (find the Faces for the Faceless page via Tribal Voice) as ID during the conference. Will send you a URL list of downloadable chat softwares worth considering for use, including the ichat plug-in for Netscape and WorldsChat.

I Found the attached zipfile of Japanese iconic symbols at a big font-oriented website (http://members.aol.com/aborigins/fonts.htm I think, but I'm not sure about the fonts.htm), and have discovered alt.binaries.fonts. Looks like they might be pretty useful.

If I recall, someone around the Uechi page - if not yourself - had been looking for Celtic fonts. They're at the above address as well as in the readme files, which are from within other zips found at the same site; I'll forward you the other zips if you're interested.

Also attaching an icon I came up with. Not in the finest graphic form yet - my icon editor is fairly limited - but the concept was to unite the Uechi symbol with the "circle and four arrows" motif of the Stl'atl'imx as a logo for the Seton club. I'm looking for a better icon tool, and have thought of making an animated GIF or Java file that would make the Uechi symbol spin within the outer circle. If you've got the CD-ROM from QUE's Using Windows 95, there's a small program called IconSafari that's quite useful for making animated icons.

Mike Cleven
mcleven@bigfoot.com

You have to check with the website more often. I had to change the date because of schedule conflict. Hopefully will see you tonight on Powwow. I wasn't the person looking for the Celtic fonts, but I'm sure the person will read your message. Thanks for the efforts. GEM

I saw that you had a picture converted on your webpage by a man named Harry Skeffington. Does he have a sister named Brenda? Does he live in/around Boston?
Kathleen Gwin
khgwin@aol.com

Since my email address book has been destroyed, I cannot contact Harry. Hopefully he will see your message. GEM

I wanted to see if this e-mail address was good, I lost your e-mail address... I have started learning Superempi, wow it is a long kata!

After reading Pat McCarthy's bubishi I am really interested in "vital point striking". I wrote him a letter asking about his translation of "The Secrets of Wudang Boxing" which he said explains the striking points mentioned in the Bubishi, but I don't know it will get to him through Tuttle Press. Does the tape you offer on your web site deal with these same vital points?

Thanks Brandon~~~
Jim Maloney works with the same pressure points as everyone else. The big difference is that Jim shows the relationship to Uechi-ryu in a clear, easy to understand manner. I highly recommend his course. GEM

More from Brandon. . .

Well as you can see below, the Netscape e-mail didn't work but I think
my regular CC mail will now...

I have been wanting to thank you for the WONDERFUL tape on Superempi (tape #6)...

I have gone through the tape and diagrammed something like 130 moves, it took five sheets of paper! (Most kata take one sheet 20 - 30 moves). I would like to ask you about some of the bunkai - like what I call "dribble the basketball", what do you think that series of three double hand waving movements from represents? I am also interested in the tape series on vital points/knife & gun disarmament. I think I was typing an L instead of a number 1 in your e-mail address and that would explain why it doesn't work. Please send any responses to Brandon_Broderick@juno.com

Thanks and you have done a great thing for the Karate enthusiast of America
- thankyou Brandon~~~

Funny. . . Bill, Mario and many others were asking the same thing about the "dribble" move! GEM

Date: Wednesday, 11-Dec-96 11:48 PM

From: Laura J Corso \ Internet: (gabe2@pac.gte.net)
To: gmattson \ Internet: (gmattson@usa1.com)

Subject: Christmas

Hi George & Susan, Mele Kalikimaka (merry christmas) to you and yours. We love your website and enjoy reading all the Uechi news. John is keeping up his workouts with a fellow on the Big Island, Peter Lupki,and Graham Hadley here on Oahu. Have a wonderful holiday season. Aloha, John & Laura Corso

Hi Laura, John, Peter and Graham. . .

Thanks for contacting me. I was told your dojo listing was disconnected!! I get a few inquiries every few months and would like to send all students and teachers your way when they visit your wonderful island. Please update a telephone where people can contact you and I'll also include your email address. Hope to one day visit you myself!

Very best holiday wishes. GEM

(More on the computer virus scare)Thanks George.
My response to those two messages was that statements of "it cannot be done" are too often proved wrong and that it is better to be safe than sorry. As the following message mentions, the main benefit of passing along such warnings is to raise awareness of the potential threat so that people can be on the look out for actual viruses that may come their way. (Actually all of this sounds like an extention of karate philosophy.) At any rate, I thought you might be interested in this one more response that I received. It was sent directly to me (rather than posted on the Magical Ring), and she is also responding to the somewhat sarcastic reply that I posted to the Ring in response to the first two messages that I forwarded to you. (Okay, it was an overly sarcastic reply written too soon after reading those messages. I did send off an apology to the Ring today for the attitude displayed in my reply, after I had a day to reflect on it.)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Glenn,

I didn't want to clutter the Ring mail with this advice, but I wanted to let you know that you shouldn't take that personally; it was likely not intended as a barb toward you directly. The person who wrote it was likely just a little ticked off at the great number of hoax viruses he hears about on a regular basis. First of all, no, you are not to be blamed for your lack of knowledge on how viruses operate. It is true that as of now an e-mail itself cannot contain a virus, but you're right, for all we know the techonology may be up and coming. Besides, executable files *can* be attached to e-mail messages, and the unwary user may unwittingly download such a file to his computer, run it, and receive a virus.

Secondly, *I* am a computer consultant myself, but that didn't stop me from forwarding the message to a few of my friends. If this "penpal" message is floating around somewhere, it may not contain a virus per se', but if it's otherwise a nuisance to computer users, then why not help people avoid it? Forwarded warnings such as yours help people around the world avoid things like the file PK300.ZIP (I don't recall the exact filename), which actually was going around the Internet infecting all who tried to decompress it.

As always, *much* better safe than sorry.

Kathy Montgomery,
Fellow Ringer of Magic
km4275@csc.albany.edu
Albany, NY
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Glenn Humphress
th20405@ltec.net
Lincoln, NE

Date: Wednesday, 11-Dec-96 12:33 AM

From: Glenn Humphress \ Internet: (th20405@navix.net)
To: gmattson \ Internet: (gmattson@usa1.com)

Subject: E-mail Virus Warning

Hi!

I copied your December 6 warning of an e-mail virus to a mailing list that I subscribe to. The following two messages were sent by other subscribers in response. Apparently well-meant warnings are more of a nuissance to computer programmers/consultants than are viruses. I cannot help but wonder if this is a case of: because they have not figured out how to incorporate a virus into a standard e-mail, it obviously cannot be done. At any rate, I thought you might be interested in the info.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------Subject: FW: E-MAIL VIRUS ALERT
Date: Tue, 10 Dec 1996 13:41:58 -0500
From: Neil Daniels (via David Wisbey)
To: "The Magical Ring" <clannad@asgard.law.und.NoDak.edu>

About two times a year there is a "WARNING" about a virus contained in an e-mail. In most cases you can feel free to ignore them - it is absolutely impossible for a standard e-mail to contain a virus, since it is just a text string, and is NOT an executable program. No discussion needed, this is absolutely true.
*** These warnings are self-perpetuating nonsense !! ***.

HOWEVER! If you receive an e-mail which has an executable program attached, you should take all precautions which you would normally take for any downloaded program - scan the attached program for viruses. This is the same as if you are specifically downloading a program from some network - always check for viruses.

Note the distinction:

1: E-Mail's themselves CANNOT contain viruses.

2: Executable programs, regardless of how you acquire them, CAN.

------------------------------------------------------------------------Subject: Re: FW: E-MAIL VIRUS ALERT
Date: Tue, 10 Dec 1996 19:06:05 -0600 (CST)
From: Matt (bech@ksu.edu)
To: "The Magical Ring" <clannad@asgard.law.und.NoDak.edu>

Well put Neil. I'd been planning to send a similar letter to quell any fear that Ringers might have, but you've already done it for me. Thanks. Just so you all can feel comfortable in this letter from Neil and it's truthfulness, (some people argue that the above letter is the real perpetuated myth,) I'd like to add my "authoritative" second to Neil's letter, as a fully-fledged professional Computer Consultant. Again, thanks Neil, you saved me a bit of writing, and I (as someone who constantly deals with the myth of e-mail viruses) greatly appreciates your efforts to educate.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Glenn Humphress
th20405@ltec.net
Lincoln, NE
Thanks for the update Glenn. Since I've never encountered such a virus, I have no idea whether they exist or not. Having experienced "crashes" however, I'm willing to listen to the warnings. . . especially when they come from reputable organizations such as the FCC. (Which Gordi's warning came from) Anyway. .. your sound and logical advice is worth repeating and listening to.

Date: Wednesday, 11-Dec-96 07:44 AM

From: Branmic1@aol.com \ America Online: (BRANMIC1)
To: gmattson \ Internet: (gmattson@usa1.com)

Subject: Troubles?

Hi George and Sue, Wed. Dec 11,
96

I am still having trouble gaining access to the Dojo roundtable area . I have logged in and followed all the directions. I get an error message "You do not have permission to perform that function" ...... I said please and all .... Hmmmm ... so.. I logged in again, this time under my other (this one) screen name and started over because up till now I have been unable to gain access under STODOJO as we tried from your office some time back. Do I need to access it through Netscape, Or is there another secret ? If you have any suggestions please drop me a note ...

I have not had a chance to retry powwow..due to my schedule. I hope to try it again soon.
Thanks,

Steve
Service is in the process of replacing the old Forum with new, updated one. This should take place within the next couple of weeks. (They are veeery slooow) In the meantime, you should be able to access the forum with its limited functions. If you have trouble logging on (I don't), try using a totally new username and password. Remember that passwords and usernames are case sensitive.

Have you tried the new "chat" program? I'm planning on having a little gathering one of these evenings. GEM

Subject: Virus Alert
Importance: High

This is a warning for all internet users - there is a dangerous virus propogating across the internet through an e-mail message entitled "PENPAL GREETINGS!". DO NOT DOWNLOAD ANY MESSAGE ENTITLED "PENPAL GREETINGS!"

This message appears to be a friendly letter asking you if you are interested in a penpal, but by the time you read this letter, it is too late. The "trojan horse" virus will have already infected the boot sector of your hard drive, destroying all of the data present. It is a self-replicating virus, and once the message is read, it will AUTOMATICALLY forward itself to anyone who's e-mail address is present in YOUR mailbox!

This virus will DESTROY your hard drive, and holds the potential to DESTROY the hard drive of anyone whose mail is in your inbox, and who's mail is in their inbox, and so on. If this virus remains unchecked, it has the potntial to do a great deal of DAMAGE to computer networks worldwide!!!! Please, delete the message entitled "PENPAL GREETINGS!" as soon as you see it!

I learn Uechi-Ryu Karate Do in Paris with TAKEMI TAKAYASU SENSEI.Unfortunately, I can't practise with him so often and most of the time I practise by myself. So I'm looking forward eagerly to your book. Let me thank you for the quality of your site in the web.
David Missipo
Paris

Hello Mr. Mattson.

I was a Ueichi student while in college in Vermont and, having moved home to Anchorage, Alaska, I have no instructor. Are you aware of any instructor here in Anchorage that would be able to work with me?
I thank you in advance for your time.
Shane Langland
President
Eagl Enterprises

Dear George:
What are chiziconbos, and do you use them in your style ? Thanks!
Lisa
lroman@ix.netcom.com

I believe it is a hand held "stick" that is round and extends both sides of the fist by an inch or so. It can very effectively be used as a weapon and also can be used with blocks. (can be very painful to opponent) Kimo Wall, Sensei is very good with them. (If it is the same weapon)

We use anything handy. . . including common items found in one's pocket. . . however it is not part of the formal training. Ron Klein is also very good with them. (if it is the weapon I have in mind)

I've also seen a commercial version used with a keychain.

Hope this has been helpful. GEM

I loved the article on practical self defense for life.. I am very interested in a video showing practical real life techniques that can be applied. do you know of any good video about this??

plese let me know.
thank you
Luis Herrera
Durango Mexico

Try the Maloney video series, Vidmag 11,12 & 13. Best self defense available anywhere. Practical and well taught for all ranks. GEM

Dear Mr. Mattson,

I am writing to you in hopes that you will be able to tell me how to get in touch with Kimo Wall. My friend received his black belt (1st degree) from Kimo Wall at the University of Massachusetts in the early 80's and to this day talks about Kimo and wonders where his is and what he is doing. Thanks to your site on the web I'll be able to update him on Kimo's general whereabouts. I see from the web page that Kimo is teaching a weapons seminar on Dec. 7th in Massachusetts, but unfortunately my friend will be unable to attend. Do you know when Kimo will be on the east coast again or any of his future seminars? When Kimo mentioned schools in his letter to you he mentioned one in New York, do you have any idea where it is located? Would it be possible for you to give me Kimo's e-mail address (if he has one)? My friend would love to study under Kimo again or in one of his schools or clubs. Any help you can provide would be most appreciated! Thank You for your time.

Sincerely,
Dorothy Rosener
Thanks for writing. Unfortunately, I'm going to be away this weekend also, so will miss seeing Mr. Wall again. However, if you contact his associate Giles Hopkins UMASS Kodokan Karate & Kobudo
call 413-586-2329 or by email at "giles@physed.umass.edu" I'm sure he will help you contact him.

Good luck. GEM

Hi sensei. Really got a kick out of the powwow last week, and am looking forward to the next one. Have you explored www.tribal.com very much? I got three or four pages into the Interview with the Prophet (a worthy if rambling read) and explored about eight levels of "the REAL Tribal Voice", which is all sterling artwork of the very best kind. No wonder they call it Cosmic Colorado. I've put Powwow on my own computer, which unfortunately is only an old 386SX Acer portable that doesn't have a sound card, and have established my own ISP account. My actual current e-mail address will be mcleven@direct.ca, but this will be the destination address for my permanent redirection address, which is mcleven@bigfoot.com. I'm not sure with Powwow whether the bigfoot.com redirect will work, so I'll sign in on mcleven@direct.ca; any notices of upcoming powwows will route near-instantaneously to the direct.ca address even if sent to the bigfoot.com address. I guess I'll have to consult the tech advisors at Bigfoot and Tribal Voice to see if using the Bigfoot address will function in the Powwow environment, or if there's too much of a delay in the e-mail re-addressing function. I'll be able to sign on and type in anyway, so don't forget to let me know independently of informing Stuart and Darwyn at tlak_malh-kalha@bc.sympatico.ca. The Chief (Garry John) now has his own ISP account as well; his e-mail address is kukpi7@netcom.ca. "kukpi7" is Stl'atl'imx for "chief"; the "7" is pronounced as a glottal stop, the "i" as "ee", and the "u" as a "oo", the "k" is fairly far back and not aspirated. Look for St'at'imcets in the search engines; there's a guy at MIT (of all places) whose thesis work is on the language spoken at Seton and Lillooet.

Mike C.

Dear George,

What a job ... my admiration.

I've set up some pages at :
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/intbiz/uechi.htm

I'd like to include your address as an external link - may I ?
Mick Pappas
England
Good luck with your site Mick. I'll link your site next time I update the "hotlinks" and thanks for linking the Uechi webpage to yours. GEM

Happened to be in the local computer/stereo/appliance discount place the other day. I was perusing the latest video technology. The salesman showed me a set of cameras from RCA and Sony that ranged from $2500 to $4000 (discount price) that are the next generation from Hi8. Apparently they produce actual digital images on the tape vs the standard analog signal on the traditional 8mm and Hi8 cameras. They then have lots of onboard RAM so that one can do all kinds of video editing (many capabilities once you digitize an image - one of my specialties in my graduate training). Of course degredation of the image over time on the source tape would be nill. The resolution is supposed to be 500 lines horizontal. You guys ever heard of the format? If papa Santa asks me what I want for XMAS and he is generous, that certainly looks tempting unless the price will go down soon. Could be very handy for me communicating around, and the possibilities seem endless if they really develop the format so we can drop video straight onto the net. By the way, George, saw your comment about disc defragging, etc. Apparently you don't have a child and know just how demanding the latest computer CD games are. Now realize I was dealing with a 486 on Windows with 4M ram, 2X CD drive, and no modem. Some CD games now prefer Windows95 and won't even boot up if they don't have AT LEAST 8M ram. One of the games did run, but would stop every few seconds to read/write to hard drive at obscenely high transfer rates. Anyhow my geek friends have me pretty well set up.
Now if I can just get the phone company to get my second line working; they have so far assigned me two previously assigned phone numbers, and have yet to get the line active.

Bill Glasheen

Hi there:
This is just a short note. I wanted to welcome you to pow wow. I am sorry that I missed chatting with you. I was busy in the real world. However please do add me to your pow wow book and call me again.

To add someone to the pow wow book. Go to the little cross (beside the Red X) open it. Type in or cut and paste the email address. Also type in the persons name in the next blank section. Then click on add. Pow Wow I am there..

My email address is :
lookatme@idirect.com
Also do remember to look up my homepage. http://www.puter-school.com

We have several tutors there in our school that for Free will help you with all your computer and software problems. If we cannot help you directly we will guide you as to where to look. My motto is : Always take a few minutes to help someone, the feeling of helping is so wonderful.

Tip: How to "CUT & PASTE"
If you are real new to the computer world this is a simple trick that will save you a lot of typing. Highlight any address (NOTE YOU CAN DO THIS WITH ANY PAGE OR ETC.) you want to move in any software package by going shift and arrow down over the address. (make sure your cursor is on the address) Now the text will likely look red. Now hold your ctrl key on the keyboard and your C key. This will cut the address. Now make your screen smaller and go to the other software package. Put your cursor in the area you want the address. Now hold down your ctrl key and the V. This will drop the address where you want it. Good Luck and do enjoy.

Your Pow Wow Guide
Barb / LB

Oh I send everyone a joke. This is my Christmas Joke do enjoy! Subject: Santa goes PC
P.C. Santa (Politically Correct Santa)

Twas the night before Christmas and Santa's a wreck.... How to be in a world that's politically correct? His workers no longer would answer to "Elves," "Vertically Challenged" they were calling themselves.

And labor conditions at the North Pole Were alleged by the union to stifle the soul. Four reindeer had vanished, without much propriety, Released to the wilds by the Humane Society. And equal employment had made it quite clear, That Santa had better not use just reindeer. So Dancer, and Donner, Comet, and Cupid, Were replaced by four pigs, and you know that looked stupid! The runners had been removed from his sleigh; The ruts were termed dangerous by the E.P.A. And the people had started to call for the cops When they heard sled noises on their rooftops.

Second-hand smoke from his pipe had his workers quite frightened. His fur-trimmed red suit was called "Unenlightened." And to show you the strangeness of life's ebbs and flows, Rudolph was suing over unauthorized use of his nose, And had gone on Geraldo, in front of the nation, Demanding millions in over-due compensation.

So, half the reindeer were gone; and his wife, Who suddenly said she'd had enough of this life, Joined a self-help group, packed and left in a whiz, Demanding from now that her title was Ms.

As for the gifts, why, he'd never had a notion That making a choice could cause such a commotion. Nothing of leather, nothing of fur, Which meant nothing for him. And nothing for her. Nothing that might be considered to pollute. Nothing to aim, nothing to shoot. Nothing that clamored, or made lots of noise. Nothing for just girls. Nothing for just boys. Nothing that claimed to be gender specific. Nothing that's warlike, or non-pacific. No candy or sweets...they were bad for the tooth.
Nothing that seemed to embellish a truth.

And fairy tales, while not yet forbidden, Were like Ken and Barbie, better off hidden. For they raised the hackles of those psychological Who claimed the only good gift was one ecological. No baseball, no football...someone could get hurt; Besides, playing sports exposes kids to dirt. Dolls were said to be sexist, and should be pass�; And Nintendo would rot your entire brain away.

So, Santa just stood there, disheveled, perplexed; He just could not figure out what to do next. He tried to be merry, tried to be gay, But you've got to be careful with that word today.

His sack was quite empty, limp to the ground; Nothing fully acceptable was to be found. Something special was needed, a gift that he might Give to all without angering the left or the right.

A gift that would satisfy, with no indecision, Each group of people, every religion; Every ethnicity, every hue, Everyone, everywhere...even you.

So, here is that gift, it's price beyond worth.... "May you and your loved ones enjoy peace on the earth."

Thanks for the help Barb. We will be looking forward to meeting with you on Powwow and on your webpage. I'm sure many of us will take you up on your offer of help. Keep the jokes coming! GEM

Dear George

Please teach me about of how is the development long time of the kata suparumpei and what thing of Uechi, Sensei about it . There are official Kata any time?.-

How you development in you Dojo and Structure American Uechi ryu chapter? in Argentina, special my town, George E. Mattson is popular because I speaking in my T.V. Program about for you.-
Thank you Sensei.-
Mario Molaroni <uechi@everex.com.ar>

This new kata is not an official Uechi kata, Mario, bet an interesting link to China which many students and teachers are studying. The Uechi family has not taken an official stand on it's status. We will continue to feature this kata at our annual camp. GEM

You are correct. It is up and running fine. Excellent site I spent over an hour going through the options, found it to be quite interesting. I also placed my order. Thanks again you've a big help. I am sure you will hear from me again. I hope I do OK in my new venture (Uechi-ryu Karate), I am forty years young, I have five children and they keep my young and active. Question, is it OK to ask questions in the dojo during training? I spent 7 years in the US ARMY and you did not ask a lot of questions.....I know this is not the military, however I am not sure sometimes if I should speak at any certain time. Thanks again.
Pat Murphy
SPOONIE/PTM