That was July 2000. It was my first time on a test board as a full Kwan Jang Nim. Mr. Shirley was the only one testing for 3rd while my student, Allen Clark (who just got 4th in June), Romy, Tess, and Anna tested for 2nd. Apparently, Mr.Shirley had some type of falling out w/ Greg, which I don't know the details of (nor is it any of my business), but I've only seen him once since then.
Hi KJ---yes, I know about that, but no details. One doesn't like to pry, eh?
>About two years ago, we were both at Keith Anderson's tournament in >Cinncinattito support Keith. At first, I didn't even recognize Allen because >his appearance had changed so much.
He went up to fourth I think some time in 2003, and he just got his fifth earlier this year. It's funny you mention him looking so different to you after four years of not seeing him, because I have the same sense after not seeing him for a couple of months in the summer.
>I'm still running my school just outside of Nashville, but each year I come >up and help the Ohio schools run their black belt test.
Cool---I hope I'll get to meet you, then, sometime in the next couple of years!
>Say hello to your instructor for me.
I will, for sure---we start up again this Tuesday, will pass on your greeting then.
>I didn't get to know hiim that well, but from my viewpoint, I was always >impressed by him both as a martial artist and as a person.
I will do. He is a spectacular person in both respects. And relevant to the other thread we're on in the General MA discussion, I think he also views TKD as an inherently mixed fighting art---nothing at all like the virtually exclusive kicking art that it has morphed into in some quarters as a result of the Olympic influence. He's always trying to get begininng students to remember to `keep your hands up while you're kicking!!' And I know he's done some hapkido, and his approach to self-defense is very realistic. I really lucked out finding him as my instructor.
Hi KJ---yes, I know about that, but no details. One doesn't like to pry, eh?
>About two years ago, we were both at Keith Anderson's tournament in >Cinncinattito support Keith. At first, I didn't even recognize Allen because >his appearance had changed so much.
He went up to fourth I think some time in 2003, and he just got his fifth earlier this year. It's funny you mention him looking so different to you after four years of not seeing him, because I have the same sense after not seeing him for a couple of months in the summer.
>I'm still running my school just outside of Nashville, but each year I come >up and help the Ohio schools run their black belt test.
Cool---I hope I'll get to meet you, then, sometime in the next couple of years!
>Say hello to your instructor for me.
I will, for sure---we start up again this Tuesday, will pass on your greeting then.
>I didn't get to know hiim that well, but from my viewpoint, I was always >impressed by him both as a martial artist and as a person.
I will do. He is a spectacular person in both respects. And relevant to the other thread we're on in the General MA discussion, I think he also views TKD as an inherently mixed fighting art---nothing at all like the virtually exclusive kicking art that it has morphed into in some quarters as a result of the Olympic influence. He's always trying to get begininng students to remember to `keep your hands up while you're kicking!!' And I know he's done some hapkido, and his approach to self-defense is very realistic. I really lucked out finding him as my instructor.
