HKC Seminar 2006

[Khelkhet]

I decided not to post the images themselves so people can decide for themselves whether to go look at the pictures or not, but here is the URL where I'll be posting images..

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v486/Khelkhet/seminar2006/

[Khelkhet]

Hopefully everyone made it back to Toronto (And Kingston!) safely. I am back home now as well, and besides being barely able to move and almost unable to walk, I'm Ok. :P If anyone on here happens to hear from the senseis please let me know if all is well:)

More pictures to come, as well as some thoughts on the weekend after I have had time to sleep and maybe get back some of the strength in my shoulders and knees. ;)

[Steve]

Hey Khelket...its Steve.

you're not the only one who is sore....jeeeez! my thighs and butt are killing me. But that seminar was worth it!

[Khelkhet]

It was -definately- worth it. I am both very excited and very grateful that I got to go this year. Although some of the plans were rocky at first and not much went as initially planned, help from people in the club, local and otherwise, made it possible and I really appreciate -all- of the help offered to me to make it possible for me to be there. I had a blast.:cool:

I think probably the most meaningful thing for me, or maybe more accurately the thing that sticks in my mind is that it's okay to be slower than other people. I keep thinking of the things Hogi Sensei said about not -having- to be quick and strong. It's a huge relief.

I liked that they would do drills for a bit but also have a break between them. When we first started on Friday I wasn't sure I would be able to continue after the first hour or so, I was aching already. With the breaks, though, I could stretch out my left calf (Which was -really- hurting already, heh) and I felt really stupid being so far behind everyone. I liked that after saying what the drills were in Japanese they explained them in English too. Hmm, I think I also enjoyed that they were willing to 'hang' with us a little bit. Saturday afternoon we had Donairs and then that night, Sushi, and it was nice to be able to see them as regular people, too. Hogi Sensei was going to sing for us at the sushi place ;) And Johnson Sensei 'encouraged' me to try Octopus. I think that despite the agony, the entire weekend was worth it. I learned a lot, and I felt a huge sense of relief as everyone seemed to understand or at least be able to relate to everything I was feeling and offer constructive advice. Even people I had previously had a bit of conflict with seemed a little different toward me. It was good to feel like I was actually a part of the team. I wish that the new people to the club had been able to be there, I am very eager to tell them all about it. I have videos and pictures, though the pictures will need to be photoshopped in some cases and in others are really too blurry...But either way, it was definately a weekend I wont soon forget. I hope to get to see the Senseis and even Steve again before too long...Maybe somehow we'll be able to go to Ontario and visit -them- the next time.

[Neil Gendzwill]

Maybe somehow we'll be able to go to Ontario and visit -them- the next time.I strongly encourage you to do that, so that you get a broader picture of what kendo is really like. Hopefully you will also get to meet some of the strong women players in TO who you can look to for examples of what is possible.

You are of course invited to come to the Saskatoon seminar in March, although Toronto is probably a more reasonable goal in terms of time and money (and bang for your buck - many sensei). The way our seminar is structured is pretty good for newbies.

[Steve]

Hey! What do you mean "and even Steve..." hrrrmph!

;)

[Khelkhet]

Er, I mean -especially- Steve! ;)

Seriously, though, Jason and I spoke briefly on Sunday and the idea was tossed out that maybe we might get a chance to come to Toronto or Kingston or something to visit yous guys at some point.

[Corvus]

I am also happy that there have been some clearing of thoughts.

The Seminar was .. Honestly uncertain up until about 5 minutes to Start time. Then by Satuday.. Very well. I am pleased with the results.

Due to some problems with local internet inconsistant connections, I could not update the Site about Sunday am cancellation, and the regular class as beeing going on as per usual.

Steve, See you .. in the Spring perhaps?
'Khelkhet' see you on Sunday. PS could you bring in the pics and vids? I will bring in my USB drive so as to make them available on the website.

Later.

[Corvus]

Thanks, the .RAR is online, but I have yet to go through and see what to choose. :) I know of one that I will put up before this week is out, or so I hope/intend to.

Later..