And Just Like That

Yesterday ( Saturday July 11, 2020 12PM to 1:45PM ) was a great team day. I am going to focus this blog on what I got out of this because I can not speak for others.

   That being said, WOW! What a great bunch of people we have here. I was not sure if everyone was as gung-ho as me to be there but it sure seemed like it. There was some initial nerves but that was to be expected. Once we settled in, boom, it started to happen just like it should. We shared ideas, we laughed, we critiqued each other's forms, we offered insights, shared experiences, we bonded. A couple of team members had never done a demo before, so we did a quick mock one and I think it turned out pretty darn good for an in prompt - non choreographed - on the fly demo. I also learned to leave the videoing to someone under 50 cause boy did I screw that up, watch the attached video ONLY after a bucket full of coffee.

   One of my take aways from yesterday was the help on my forms. I have been stuck on the ending of my Tonfa form, it lacks finality. I brought this up with Sifu Ward and Sifu Kohut, asked and shared my wants and ideas and boom - again!! With what insight and ideas they shared, I feel I can finally find the ending for my form that completes it, thank you Sifus!!

   Another take away was from Mr White-Horse Strong. I was watching him do his Lao Gar and saw a variation on his ending that made something in my mind say "ahhh, there it is". I asked him to show me his ending angles, he did, I tried it and guess what, boom, again!!! Thank you Mr White-Horse Strong.

   This opportunity to get together like this was awesome, I am so glad it happened. As a team, I feel closer to knowing this group as a team and as individuals. This was priceless, you can not get this kind of feed back from the sidelines, you must engage and put yourself out there to grow and learn from this type of opportunity. I am pumped to think what this team can accomplish if we continue on with this type of bonding.

   And finally, a thank you to my wife (  Deb ) for taking that step and putting a time and place to all the talk about this, where to next dear??

   Go Team Rat 2020!!!