2009 Holiday Photos Thread!

[enterprikayak]

So it's an older pic? That's such a cool idea. What a clever son you have JustTripn. He must get it from his clever mom and dad.

[justTripn]

The picture of the artwork is older. The artwork in the current Christmas pic has some marshmallows missing.

[enterprikayak]

lol

[Aikiweezie]

My Holiday celebrations are now complete!

Here is the Yudansha Kai of the Chicago Budokai at Kagami Biraki

(That means the black belts of the Chicago Budokai, which is the name of our group at the Japanese New Year Celebration)

[Asso]

Meaningful image.

[Ludmila]

Here is the Yudansha Kai of the Chicago Budokai at Kagami Biraki
(That means the black belts of the Chicago Budokai, which is the name of our group at the Japanese New Year Celebration)

Are you also the black belt, Aikiweezie? I congratulate you! As far as I know it is the highest degree.

[Aikiweezie]

I am a black belt. Second degree. My instructor (the man in the middle with the beard) and the man on his right are both 6th degree black belts. My Sensei has been training for over 40 years compared to my 10. I have a loooong way to go before I am ready for my 3rd degree.

[Ludmila]

I did not know about the degree for every color. Is 6th degree the highest? Goog luck to you in the self-perfection!

[Distracted]

Actually the colors are for the ranks below black belt. Once you get to black belt you're supposed to be above all that showiness. In the style I took for 20 years the only way you could tell a first degree black belt from a sixth without watching them fight was to guess by how worn out their belts looked. Mine still looks like it just came out of the package, creases and all.

[justTripn]

I guess my son was in the spirit of things because he quit right before his black belt test because it would have cost 100 dollars to take the test. He said he knew what he need to know, and he knew that he knew it, so why did he need the belt?

[Distracted]

Mr. Miyagi would be so proud!

[Ludmila]

Thanks for info, Dis! I had seriously occupied myself only with chess where there is no visible sign of the rank.

In the style I took for 20 years the only way you could tell a first degree black belt from a sixth without watching them fight was to guess by how worn out their belts looked. Mine still looks like it just came out of the package, creases and all.

In that case the experienced fighter (wrestler) who is careful with the cloth may have an advantage while his adversary did not estimate his real power.
I hope you'll keep taking good care of your black belt.

And, seriously, the big successes to you all who spending the time so productive!

[Distracted]

Thanks for info, Dis! I had seriously occupied myself only with chess where there is no visible sign of the rank.

In the style I took for 20 years the only way you could tell a first degree black belt from a sixth without watching them fight was to guess by how worn out their belts looked. Mine still looks like it just came out of the package, creases and all.

In that case the experienced fighter (wrestler) who is careful with the cloth may have an advantage while his adversary did not estimate his real power.
I hope you'll keep taking good care of your black belt.

Since I blew my knee out two years ago my black belt has been sitting on a shelf collecting dust. It will be new forever, I suspect. Oh, well. At least I got it before my knees gave out.

BTW... great photo, Aikiweezie!

[Ludmila]

It is sad, but you have the good achievement to remember, Dis.

[Aikiweezie]

I guess my son was in the spirit of things because he quit right before his black belt test because it would have cost 100 dollars to take the test. He said he knew what he need to know, and he knew that he knew it, so why did he need the belt?

Oooo. common mistake. That's really too bad. Black belt is just the beginning. They don't teach you the good stuff until after you achieve black belt.

Distracted, Have you ever thought about taking it up again? Some arts can be practiced well into old age (not that you're old) and even with blown joints.