Photos from Dae Yen Sa International Buddhist Temple and Meditation Center, SACRED ART RETURNS!

Photos of Dae Yen Sa's week of SACRED ART RETURNS! The monks of Gomang Monastery visited and created two sand mandalas. One photo is of the prayer flag flying at TibetFest 3.

See all these photos and more at Dae Yen Sa's website: http://groups.msn.com/DaeYenSa/sacredarttour2.msnw.

Dae Yen Sa is located in New Hartford, CT. Schedule and other information is also available at the website. TibetFest this year was held in Goshen, CT and comes around once a year!

Storyteller Goes to Dae Yen Sa Temple, New Hartford, Connecticut

A welcoming sign.

This article can be viewed along with its original photographs at http://www.msnusers.com/SpiritalLearningCenter/2002.msnw?action=get_message&mview=0&ID_Message=20114&LastModified=4675597710723062600&all_topics=1


Life is crazy, frantic, wonderful, and even darn hard at times. Saturday, however, is a wonderfully warm day in Connecticut. Pushing towards the middle of November, that is a treat where I live. Today is a day to go out and let all that warm sunshine in. Since I have nothing scheduled for a change, and am more free than usual, I do something special. All my usual work gets pushed aside. That is special for me in itself. I also decide to visit Dae Yen Sa Temple in New Hartford, Connecticut. Friends have invited me there in the past always emphasizing how it is, "...a real Buddhist temple."

Learning and expanding ones experiences are often wonderful opportunities. At times, they are definitely character building "difficult," causing blushing and making a person feel three times too small. Today my visit keeps pace with the wonderfully, sunny day and I feel just a little taller for it. Prior to going, I do my homework for the people who are asking me about the Buddhist experience. My brother often attends Buddhist temples, so I ask how does one go about doing this? My brother is quite a talker and an even bigger writer and I figure he can make it easy. His only response is, "Be sure to take your shoes off." I read a chapter in a book that informs concerned people about how to go about respecting religions and their ceremonies, but it is more background rather than the actual process. I really don't think it even mentions shoes. I obtain the temple schedule from the internet. Sunday is the day for Korean services. Saturday is the "American Buddhist" schedule.


This is Dae Yen Sa Temple's Saturday Schedule modified to include the walking meditation posted in the temple but not mentioned on the net.

8:15a- 8:45
Walking Meditation

9:00a - 10:00a
Bowing, Yoga, Buddhist Practices, breathing exercises, eating fruit and drinking tea, and other things you would be interested in doing.

10:00a - 10:30a
Meditation Instruction

10:30a - 11:30a
Meditation "literally means 'sitting absorption.' The most concentrative meditational form of Zen practice. Zazen is the fastest means to awakening..." Zazen & Chanting

11:30a
LUNCH! A delicious, home-cooked, vegetarian meal. Truly delightful, second only to actual enlightenment.

After Lunch
Bike riding and other fun activities.




Armed with the schedule and other information from the site I set off on my journey in my car, "The Little White Bull." (For anyone who does not know me well, I name all my cars.) Despite my best intentions to be a perfect visitor, I do probably what a lot of people do when they are trying to be so precise... I goof up. I miss the turn because the sign near the main road falls down. I am half-an-hour late for the first class, driving in past the beautiful stone sign for the temple, and the classic Asian rock structures. I am not paying attention to my second error-- blasting the radio. "Oooops!" I say to myself as a turn off the thumping rock song whining about "no huggy, no kissy until I get a wedding band..." I jump out of my car and slam the door. Oops again, I sure hope that temple has some descent sound proofing. Quickly looking through the glass as I go along towards the main building, I see everyone is in the temple and not the other small structures. After all this, I do at least remember to take off my shoes and quietly tiptoe in. I am still under the impression that shoes are important. Diamond mind is probably important for large gatherings, so you can find your shoes again too. Thankfully, there will be no problem here. It is a nice small gathering inside.

Perhaps I am not yet the greatest guest. The yoga teacher is the perfect hostess allowing me that gentle space to recover rather than start off with a wilt. She kindly invites me right into the class despite my lateness. This is truth in advertising. Their website, located at http://gobuddhism.com/prayer-activity-schedule/ states, "You can come in at any time; don’t ever think you’re late. You can only be on time at our temple." How wonderful is that!?

One of my burning questions about attending the Buddhist temple is, "What do I need to bring." This answer starts to receive answers at the first class too. I go to where the mats are in the closet for the yoga class. Of course the best part is that the class itself is wonderful! I have some past exposure to yoga and this time, I realize that each teacher has a special energy that they add to their teaching. Some classes are very technical, others are fun, some are happy. Leonora, whose spiritual name is Ji Yen sunim, has a class that "sings" with warmth. (The people serving at the temple receive a special name followed by sunim.) It is not one of those "way too easy" classes either, since a person can perform to their own ability and flexibility. There is intoning of a syllable together, rubbing our hands and releasing energy in prayer. They refer to what we do as a "Cooking" or Karma yoga. It has been so long since I have held a syllable like that with others, I realize I miss that wonderful harmonizing experience and all the chi heat in my hands. Our voices together remind me of my new singing bowl.

This day is filled with many more wonderful people! I am introduced to Sue Yen sunim who is enthusiastic, friendly, and ever busy when she is not meditating. I continue to see her throughout the day in the classes and busy with many other details of the temple. Sue Yen sunim is one of the founders of the temple. I take many photos throughout the day. Originally when I look at my picture of Sue Yen sunim folding temple cushion covers, I wish to have a better photo of her. Then I see the photo differently realizing that she is captured in her finest form of taking care of us.

Dae San sunim, the Master at the temple and another founder, arrives. I see Rev. Brian Vaugh, recognizing him from the internet photo gallery, in the circle too. The tea ceremony time begins and another item is provided for me. The meditation cushions are arranged for us and everyone takes their place in the circle. Rev. Brian Vaugh, a former Catholic monk and now a Buddhist Priest, teaches us about not breaking the circle and about drinking tea together. Someone immediately breaks the circle and all this produces are smiles and a kindly spoken, "We will just pretend she is not doing that." (I know what you are thinking, but it wasn't me.) The Master speaks about drinking tea and the experience of it. In the ceremony we open ourselves to all the sensations of the tea, smell, feel, warmth inside of us and even our neighbor drinking tea. That is a completely new experience for me. We pass the tray of tea around the circle bowing and accepting tea from our neighbor and passing on the gesture to someone else. A tea ceremony is a little wish for me. The Master's photo holds a little surprise for me. In it, he is holding the meditation posture he teaches us. I did not realize at the time of taking the photo that he did that!

The meditation instruction, chanting, meditation itself, and Dharma talk has so much information in it! I cannot possibly share it all here without being longer winded than even my usual. The meditation position is set up for each attendee with any changes due to disability or comfort level as appropriate. One lady joins in sitting in a chair. The Master makes certain adjustments to positions for other people too. Master Dae San sunim speaks very simply, sometimes adding that his English is not "so good." However, I understand him and his points too, or at least in my mind I believe I do. He speaks about mediation and seeing. If a person gets a clear message of someone's death for example, it is important to remain quiet. That is because you may be planting the seed of their illness in mentioning it to them. He also speaks about holding a mantra and applies the term differently than I have heard before. Holding a fear thought, for instance, is a form of mantra. His example of oneness is wonderful. He speaks of a mother saving her children in a fire. She goes into the house each time without concern for herself but only thinking of her children. Over and over she goes into the house with courage and love because if she cannot save her children, it is as though she does not try to save her very own life. Although I am not a mother, I understand that concept very well with that story context. He stops to occasionally ask a student questions. We meditate and later the Master asks if anyone has anything come into their mind. No one says anything and I wonder if I might misunderstand him meaning a "seeing." Otherwise, someone must have something! I have this writing come in, last weeks event made a visit, what I might do tomorrow, some people popped by... bells... dragonflies... Well... We meditate for awhile. Each time I think things, I simply return to meditation. With the question on the table, I remain quiet like everyone too. After all, I am new and so far, no blushing .

The temple group is a small, intimate one. People are relaxed, showing this in their easy stances and casual gatherings. The classes seem very personal and I am always receive encouragement to join in even when it is informal talk between sessions. The people are very active too. They have retreats and special guests as well as cultural events. Wendell Deer With Horns is visiting next week for Traditional Native American Thanksgiving. (I really hope I can attend. I am very curious about the "Wendell" part of the name and I have some exposure Lakota traditions.) The grounds are also quite lovely lots of nature surroundings. Rev. Brian Vaugh, whose spiritual name is Ban Ya sunim, is very informative. Since he has a Catholic background too, has a interesting experiences to share in that regard. He points out that there are three Buddhas at the front of the temple, their meaningful hand positions and the special hand position of the Doctor Buddha as well. He unfolds some of the mysteries of the temple site. The special structure where walking meditation is performed contains special relics.

Following the days events, everything ends with a nice vegetarian meal shared together. People bring dishes and much of it is prepared by Sue Yen sunim, the ever thoughtful receiver of guests. A special plate is put out for the hungry ghosts too. We sit together and discuss the days events and introduce ourselves more thoroughly. I get a chance to speak to the soldier who joins us for the day. He is here from Iraq and going back there soon. He is working in intelligence. One of the reasons he drives up to Connecticut, besides having lived here before, is for this day at the temple. Today is Veteran's Day and he is specifically invited to join us.

I get the idea of how to contribute to the temple too, just with friends talking or asking what the temple needs right now. There are donation boxes in the temple that are quite obvious. A small donation box also resides in the lunch room. Also the people bring their "pot luck" contributions for events and unprepared food to be cooked there for future Saturday gatherings.

Another nice surprise is after the dinner I get a chance to learn a little about Korean cooking. We make "egg rolls" but I would call them dumplings. I always appreciate learning how to make ethnic dishes from people of those cultures. It is my experience that they never quite taste the same when you just try to do it out of a book. The few of us who stayed just a little longer to cook, get a little more discussion in of the mornings experiences. Like painting together, point of view of shared events is always fascinating. Everyone's scene has a little of their own personal style and reflection.

At one point in the day, I am asked what "I am." That is always a great question. I describe myself as a "seeker" explaining a little about my religious background and how I just have a little exposure to Buddhism. It is very nice how nothing is a stumbling point and someone will fit into the circle in some way. This means they belong in somehow whether they be a late guest, someone who needs a different meditation position, or a person simply sharing an experience. For anyone asking about visiting a Buddhist temple I would advise to just go! It is a friendly experience which fits nicely into their practices of kindness. If Buddhist temples are like the one in my special sunny day, even if you goof up, it is ok. That is life and learning at its best, after all.

Connecticut Tibetfest 2 -- 2006

CONNECTICUT TIBETFEST 2! 2006



http://www.msnusers.com/SpiritalLearningCenter/2002.msnw?action=get_message&mview=0&ID_Message=17269&LastModified=4675592905339630895&all_topics=1


Use the link above to see this article complete with the beautiful photos!

To start off, Tibet fest is simply wonderful. I highly recommend the event! It is much different event this year than last year. Apparently each year may have its own special flavor. Since the event is only two years young in Connecticut, I have no way to tell just yet.

There are some notes to keep in mind if you are a person of time and schedule. One thing I should remember from last year is that Tibetan time differs from how I view time. The gates open at 10 and the performances start at 11 a.m. according to the brochure. What time the festival actually starts at I don't actually recall. I forget to ask the time somewhere after 12:30. I am not complaining about the festival mind you, I am complaining about myself. I did not remember to sleep longer. I did use this extra time to look around at all the booths of food, art and merchandise.

The scheduling of events is also interesting this year. The brochure of who goes on when is apparently a theory that does not hold up. There is no telling what is happening next on stage. This year it does not matter, since the event itself is much simpler and smaller with not a lot going on at the same time. There is a disappointment for me at the festival too. The monks from the college do not appear this year. Apparently they are not on tour so I could not squeeze in another one of those special classes they offer. I am also looking forward to the multi-phonic singing experience of last year which do not occur this year. Last year, one of the performers also chants multi-phonically. He also is not present this year with his spectacular rock and roll performance on folk instruments . I am consoled by one of the organizers who tells me gently that the monks may be back for Tibetfest 3.

THE FOOD

This year, I reverse my decision on the food. Last year, my first bowl of mushy noodles ends my culinary explorations of the day. To be fair, it was towards the end of the day before I did have a bite last year. I decide it is far better to start a spontaneous fast than do that again. This year, I am with someone who offers me a nibble. All the food I try is quite wonderful! A first mishap is trying a cup of butter tea. "Yak butter tea?" I ask the merchant with a smile. He laughs hard and says something very sweet about how nice that would be. This tea is made with butter and salt added, he explains to us smiling quite wonderfully the whole time. I only have a sip to say "I tried it." My companion is the lucky purchaser of the tea and almost refuses to drink any tea at all after that due to taste bud trauma. Perhaps this is an acquired taste. I am convinced to try a nip or two of the food. The noodles and dumplings are well flavored, nicely spiced, and not at all mushy like last year. The shredded salad with cilantro, additionally flavored with toasted sesame oil is a treat too. Convinced to try the chai tea when it becomes colder in the evening, partially lured by the sweet spicy smell in the air, the butter tea experience fades into past memories (almost for some). What a pleasant surprise! Perhaps last year, my first choice of food is simply unfortunate.

THE MUSIC


For such a small event, the music is quite surprising. Performances go on all day and include such names as Phurbu and Ravenna. Tenzin Kunsel is an excellent 11-year-old Tibetan singer from New York City. Pepa Tsering introduces and plays many different folk instruments. He completely surprises us with a Tibetan rap song he writes performing it complete with the parody of hip-hop dance moves in his traditional boots. To me that is the performance of the day! It is a song dedicated to the animals in Tibet who are now being hunted, not just for food, but simply for sport. Every singer, has something very special to offer with each song containing a teaching, introduced with history, or presenting a folk instrument.


The event is small enough for everyone to mingle. We are introduced to a little singer who sits at our table. On stage she is best described as a beautiful, smiling performer! The people are very friendly with children beaming their bright smiles everywhere. I find people much more outgoing at this smaller event than last year.


Loten sits at our table for a little while too. Singing bowls are for sale at the fest, and several of them can be heard between sets resonating in the background. Loten is plays sever instruments I have not seen before and also a singing bowl. I must say, I sincerely love the way he dresses and looks! If I had a police line up to pick out the "real thing," I am quite sure he is my pick based just on looks alone. On stage, he explains he performs by feeling the audience, singing and playing inspirationally. None of his music is planned ahead of time. He laughs deeply like a great Santa Clause in his songs. Lots of the Tibetan music seems to have the "great laugh."


All the singers gather at the end of the festival to sing their special prayer. The audience stands and sings along with them with their hands in the prayer position too. Dadon is among them, a known Tibetan singer from the '80's who escapes Tibet over the mountains when she is five months pregnant. She apparently tries to perform a political song in the home country prior to her escape, getting her deeply into difficulties. She is currently on a come-back for performing and is in the tiger striped dress with the red shawl. Techung is back this year too. He is also a well known performer.

TRADITION!

Thanks to the small festival this year, I actually get a chance to catch the traditional dances! Last year, I missed them every single time. Pretty ladies dance while tapping long sticks in a rhythm making their own music beat.


If you are a person who travels with their dog, this festival is an event for both of you. There are lots of dogs all over the grounds. I met a large, soft, smiling creature called a Tibetan Mastiff. Other less Tibetan dogs are in attendance too.


I enjoy strolling the booths to see all the objects for sal. I spot a highly decorated conch "horn" sold along with some jewelry and other artifacts. Many of the items for sale at the fest are antiques. A person can spend the better part of the day asking what everything is and its history. Merchants take the time to blow the horns, play the instruments, demonstrate the singing bowls and talk about their merchandise.


A merchant demonstrates and explains how to use some beautiful prayer wheels on display placed in the cup amidst all the merchandise. They are turned clockwise "counting" the prayer inside on each turn. We don't really understand that, but they are lovely to look at. I am thinking, "I can look it up later," as the demonstration goes on.


A single monk makes a sand Mandela this year. At least I think he is a single monk. (Wink.) The Sand Mandela construction is by Lama Tenzin Legmon. Fun enough, for the younger crowd, there is an arts and crafts booth to make a sand on glue Mandela for something a little more permanent.


My favorite photo of the day is a monk crossing the grounds. Except for the background, the posture of this walk across the grounds strikes me as timeless. I imagine the staff is there in his hand instead of that little pen.


I also find various displays in the building. One speaks about the Dzogchen teachings of Chogyal Namkhai Norbu, Rinpoche in Conway Massachusetts. Although I did not get to meet her, I am told a traditional Tibetan medicine doctor, Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo, is also attending the show. She resides in Northampton Massachusetts (a great town in my opinion). She also has a monthly series the third Friday of every month for a $15 suggested donation. I would go if these were local to me!

SOMETHING NEW... SOMETHING OLD

The festival day is filled with old and new. I don't have the knowledge to know exactly what is old and new, but my eye tells me that lots of the Tibetans definitely "mix it up." Is that Johnny Dep?


My pick of the day for jewelry is a strand of little skulls... in case I forget about "impermanence." It brings out that non-existent pirate in me. Although I believe these are based on an old idea and design, the work strikes could be new. I forget to ask. Still, I really like them. They would go great with my Halloween costume and other spooky events. If I owned my own company, I would wear them to the board room. Wait... I do own my own company. I just don't have a board room or a board.


Lots of other old and new can be seen. Singers are in the traditional dress and braids with have their sound boxes peeking through at back. So many local Connecticut Tibetans performed too.


Salt lamps, said to change the ions in the air for good health are for sale. They are not traditional as far as I know. I do appreciate their soft glow. Other non-traditional offerings include Italian ices for the food, Coke and other sodas for sale, local artists selling wares with natural or spiritual emphasis. A clam chowder bread bowl is tasty and familiar treat. We are unable to find a real cup of coffee though.


We got to see "a little" action soccer and some other less traditional sports. There is a little something for everything and everyone. There are other "great fun" moments at the Tibet Fest. It is a great day for all ages, with some of the younger people having lots of room to run and play around. There is a pond full of turtles, and lots of children gathering for soccer and Frisbee.


The day is a wonderful, sunny one. There is a lot more than I mention here going on at the fest. If you ever get a chance to attend, I would say to try it! A good time was had by all... as far as I know.

We Laughed, We Fought, Nobody Cried

Goodbye to Kenpo Month




Hopelessly outnumbered, King Aragorn sought to inspire his men against what seemed like sure defeat against the swarming hordes of their hellish enemies. Riding in front of his gathered, but rather lowly army, he shouted, "I see in your eyes the same fear that would break the heart of me. A day may come when the courage of men fails, when we forsake our friends, and break all bonds of fellowship. But it is not this day.

This day, we fight!’

- J.R.R. Tolkien



June 1st is finally here. Kenpo month is now officially over. The question remains. What will happen now?

One of the principles I learned in martial arts, and other philosophies, is that I show what I truly am by my own actions. That is living your Way, not simply talking about it. It is not always as important to provide evidence about what you are against, as it is to represent what you are FOR in the world. Many would tell you it is far more important to show what you are for in your actions as an example to others. This is positive movement and in the spirit of contributing .

On May 19th Kennethpo posted a very well thought out response to the ups and downs of Kenpo Month entitled The Truth. Kennethpo makes several good points including that the statement on the UKA website invites martial arts people of all kinds to join and participate. I would like to add one thing to Kennethpo's well thought out response. There were posts for Kenpo Month like I have not seen for awhile. On a very good website quantity can be nice, but I prefer quality any day in most areas. There were several great posts by many people during the month too. To get a good website going, you only need a good handful of people making intelligent, thoughtful posts, and the rest naturally follows. The worst case scenario is having ten good posters discussing interesting subjects together that are stimulating to read.

The bottom line is that Kenpo Month can allow all posters to post and kenpo people can still represent who they are with kenpo posts 24/7. In this way no posts, interest, or membership would be lost from the site. Opposing views can be seen as adding to discussions and subjects rather than win/lose situations. Websites need posts as well as posters so active movements can be set up in a way that is becoming more unheard of in the world... A fight for the everyone wins situation. As Kennethpo puts it about posting kenpo, "How about next month we start an infinite amount of months of 24/7..."

Most of us are brought up with certain ideals personal, cultural, and even some passed on to us through our martial arts schools. Do you represent freedom? Respect? The Way? Every day, in all ways each of us has the opportunity to show where we are really coming from. Some individuals in the world can accomplish this even under very difficult and the most horrible of situations. I read about them and wonder how they have the strength to make such sacrifices to really show what they believe in.

Do I think Kenpo Month is a success? Yes I do. Any movement in a positive direction is successful. There were many great posts and chances are, some of us learned something. About the only real casualty I know of from May is Sherman Bergman. Rumors abound about this predicament. First there is the post FREE SHERMAN BERGMAN and now I hear he is suffering from injuries. Could that possibly be a coincidence? It is just like the Bruce Lee cover-up. I blame Shaolin killer monks. ;-)



Now I am know about as much about gang speak as anyone from suburban Connecticut speaking NBC English might, but I thought I would add this about "representing." We hear it all the time in many places in our lives.




Represent means to represent your hood... ur home town... something of that sort... representing is like showing off where ur from...
WASSAAAAAAAAAAAA, ...where are u from?
---Quoted from the Urban Dictionary



Congratulations to the people who came out for Kenpo month to participate and contribute. You show us where you are from! Let us hope there is more.



EvonneTheStoryteller
Retired Faux Hostile Press Reporter

POST TERMINATORS STRIKE FROM ALL SIDES! (UKA)

Kenpo Emergency Practically Declared!




"I'll be back!" (From, The Terminator)

Several kenpo people have gone missing. Where are they??? The air is thick and heavy with a presence we can feel but not see. We know they are there.




Suddenly I am called back from the Australian Knitters International Homemade Sock Toss to cover the tragedies unfolding in a martial arts community. UKA turns into a bad movie flick starting the third week in Kenpo Month off on the wrong foot. ("...The other right!" as my instructor would say.) It is this martial arts genre that I enjoy. There is suffering, barriers to overcome and learning to be had by life's lessons. As we say in the press business... I don't know about Cuba though... It is much nicer to watch. Somewhere else, in a land that might be far away for some of us, socks are being tossed. It seems so innocent now.

You have not failed no one Grasshopper, only your own ambition. (Kung Fu: The Movie)

One difficulty is that the movie, or Kenpo Month, should have started with the opening classic story... it could be any one of us having a Grasshopperish flashback. I like the martial arts story in Hidy Ochiai's Book, A WAY TO VICTORY, which is an annotated BOOK OF FIVE RINGS. It points out that people are sometimes defeated first, THEN they fight and lose. Henry Ford said, "Whether you think you can do something or you think you can't, either way, you are right. These lessons could apply to Kenpo Month for any friend or foe.


In this story a boy has to fight a samurai to defend his family's honor. He is 13 years old. Musashi gives the young man this advice:

"Now this is what you must do. When you meet your opponent, hold the short sword in your left and the regular one in your right hand. Carry both swords high above your shoulders as you advance toward your opponent. When the distance between you and your opponent becomes close, stand still and wait for him to attack you first. ..."

[The advice and techniques go on and the boy then practices. Musashi continues]

"Young man, I have one more think to share with you for your absolute victory in the duel. ...
"There is no question that you are going to win in this battle. But you are still young and your opponent is an experienced samurai. I think it is good if I give you and additional power that will make you certain of your victory. That is, I am going to pray to the God of Ants, who will protect you against your opponent for sure. As you stand facing your opponent, just before you advance toward him, remember to look down at the ground where you stand. If an ant is found crawling around near your feet, it means that the God of Ants has listened to my prayer and in now way can you lose."

...Musashi directly mentions in one of his writings, Dokko-Do, "I respect Buddha and gods, but I do not depend on them," which highlights Musashi's absolute belief in self power... Musashi's gesture of praying to the God of Ants ... was a gesture to induce a certain psychological strength in the young samurai.

...The boy walked toward his opponent with a confident manner and with his eyes focused on the opponent at all times. As predicted by Muashi, the opponent thrust out the sword to stab the boy in the chest. The boy blocked it with the sword in his right hand and counter-attacked with the short sword in his left hand. The boy won, successfully avenging his fathers's death and thus restoring honor to his family.

(Pg. 20-21.)

They're Baa-aack" (Poltergeist... One of them.)

This week of Kenpo month has been full of surprises right outside of the box. May 14th marks the return of ExpressDog, the person who set off the fuse for the original UKA strike. He announces his return. "WELL IF YOU ARE GOING TO FINALLY TALK KENPO THAN THE ONE THE REAL EXPRESSDOG01 IS BACK." Despite this surprise return, posting falls off. Dr. Monty Lee, obviously having read Musashi, delivers the crushing blow directly into the lull in posting momentum with this post on May 15th:

From the looks of things so far, only about 25 of the members here have been active during this month of Kenpo. For the most part it's been Kenpo with a few sidebars. However, the "silent" majority is just that........silent. Who knows, maybe the Ultimate Kenpo Alliance has become a paper tiger; over 600 members, yet in all honesty, how many of those 600 are still here?


Morale quickly falls to the bottom, as far as posting goes. Suddenly Dr. Monty Evil is joined by a chorus (2 or more) of postings with everyone agreeing that Kenpo Month is bombing! What does Dr. Evil Monty want? ONE MILLION DOLLARS??? That is still quite a bit of money in this current movie.

May 16 finds UKA with another surprise twist of plot. The Kenpo Month leader agrees that UKA is a paper tiger and appeals not simply for kenpo posts, but just to say hello! This should not be too difficult unless turning from martial arts to Zombie genre film. Perhaps it is a fusion of the two? That would be.... interesting. Zombies are considered slow for martial arts. I am very sorry if I have offended any of my zombie readers, but I believe there are studies. Jarrette Glaz appeals to his troops with the post entitled To All of the 714 Members Here:

I just checked the membership here & it's says that as of May 16, 2006 at 12:20p.m. there are 714 members here.
I'm purposing that all 714 members at least say "Hello" by the May 20th to really see how many members are still here. I'd have to agree with the Papertiger post. It seems to me that a really hardcore base of about 10 members are always active, and about 10 or so on occasion post, and about 3 on a very rare occasion. So, I'm here. Are you?





Members check in and post 17 times the first day, including Monty who posts twice. Shaun of the Dead comes to mind. It is important to note that Shaun of the Dead was a very good movie. This critic recommends it highly. It highlights those funny times in life when you can't tell the zombies from the living.

Jarrette gives Kenpo Month a poor rating. It is hoped by some that Jarrette will hang in there! This is much higher difficulty level than the sock toss, unless you don't already know how to knit! It is not easy being a leader.

Moral appears to be falling like a rock into water. Kickboxers, led once again by General Bunny strike another blow on May 17th:

I've been sitting back & reading. Seems that some of the crew here is just abit "peeved" at us kickboxers. Well, well, well. I say this, If you don't want us, they hey! You don't want us!". It's all good. If you want us to leave, then we will. Only thing, by the time every kickboxer drops his/her membership here, this place will be at least 200 members less. That will leave about 500 more, but really out of that 500, how many are really around? But, if that's what you want, just let me know. I'll be out of here as fast as you can say, "What the heck happened?"



Many people post in support of General Bunny. My favorite is Kiki's response:

so exciting.

SOMEONE HAS TO DO SOMETHING! (Lots of characters scream this in films. Most of the time it is too general of a statement to note who or what film. I have had managers yell that too. I consider it very realistic.)


Will Kenpo Month end on this exciting note? Will there be Kenpo Month II, III and IV! My spine is still tingling. I hurt it in an accident three years ago.





Dining and Entertainment Section
Dodge Ballish Sports, Martial Arts, Horror Movie, and Fusion Reviews
Faux Hostile Press
Evonne the Storyteller
Three- Legged, bearded and at large...
Yes, the vacation is over.

Kenpo Strike Does Some Good!

Stories of Good Will Pouring In.

For Good Karate Keeping Magazine I am taking names and... and I can't recall what to do after taking names. That might be a little out of my league for someone who is semi-retired, and preferring Margaritas However, I definitely did take names. There are too many names to mention this week, and that is a positive sign for a Kenpo Month with so many great posts. Today, I am simply enjoying myself but I am going to mention one special name: Masa. ;-)

This week I actually gained some knowledge and enjoyed reading UKA posts about fashion, manners, style, finance and living. One new piece of information is the post on Kenpo fashion and the checkered uniform. Who knew? Apparently they are famous. Perhaps everyone but me knew however, in any case, not me. I never saw them before. Other great posts came before and after the fashion one too. I read the post on Dojo Fees with great interest. The Kenpo Bow post was also packed full of information. I did not realize that they had so many different meanings in the same art. I had been told by my early instructor that different families have different bows and meanings. I also completely missed the Fred Ettish chapter on kenpo and the ring. Apparently, I am a little confused about kenpo and Fred Ettish since he is not American Kenpo and his school is called Matsumura Kenpo. I read Kenpo Joe's post and looked up the name of Fred Ettish's school. Sad news also came during this kenpo week. Leilani Parker, beloved wife of Ed Parker is ill with cancer and expects another six months to share with this world. The family, in a post passed forward from Edmund K. Parker Jr., asks for well wishes. I wish Leilani Parker and her family the best during this time.

Kick boxers did kick a little with Ernesto "The Rooster" Diaz-Gonzalez making a post comeback including some (more) unexpected poetry. In all seriousness, the kenpo posts did go from kenpo to fighting or fighting to kenpo in many instances. Thanks for all the great posts! It definitely was a great kenpo week with a spice of some other information mixed in.

Reporting with an umbrella drink,
Evonne the Storyteller
Good Karate Keeping Magazine

KENPO MONTH BATTLE!

BREAKING NEWS!

(UKA, FHP) After a slow showing following opening day, shots were fired (online) on Tuesday in a surprise attack on UKA kenpo strike members. Kickboxers, led by General Bunny Tartaglino demanded equal treatment and continued to post. General Bunny preceded postings by Billy Elder, Hugh Beaumont, Gypsy Moth, Dean Elder, Hector Fernandez Vega and Brent Brentwood under the banner Kenpo 24/7...I don't Think so! Hans Sraussner, although not directly on the attack team, appears to be talking kickboxing and may be considered at least an ally to that cause.

Protestors, making a stand for kenpo 24/7, include Mike Nace stating that Kenpo is the purest form. Guardian and Angela Page appear to be opposed to the war. Yuk Joe may be working both sides. Skyeyes, assistant manager of the war conflicted site, attempted to mediate and made statements reinforcing managements decision to allow everyone to post.

Despite sniper fire, several Kenpo posters appeared seeming more fueled by opposition than ever. Monty Lee, Guardian, Blammon, Kiki Tashara were credited with strong showings. Adding to the strong kenpo showing is Professor David Brose along with Kenpo Joe posting the Professor's amazing kenpo images including Prof. Sig Kufferath, Danzan Ryu Jujitsu Black Belts, Prof. Wally Jay, An open letter from Prof. Jay in the "Tegami" Newsletter, Jay, Chow-Hoon, and Prof. Brose himself!

The fight appears to be changed from man against himself to post. Now the struggle is kickboxers posting kickboxing content vs. kenpo people posting content. So far no protestors or fighters have been removed from either side and stances appear to be holding ground. No sources could be reached regarding how "Bunny" got that fighting name.

Reporting from the front,
Evonne the Storyteller
Faux Hostile Press (FHP)