I’ve had the most amazing weekend and have so much to write about its difficult to find where to start, but here goes.

Following Wednesday’s testing for Jyo Kyo Nim (1st degree black belt) I went up to Kings Lynn with Helen to practice for Saturday evenings Kuk Sool Won Masters Exhibition. It was the first time I was to wear my new Generals Uniform, and I have to be honest, I was more than a little bit nervous.  However, I needn’t have been, as soon as I saw my fellow students, instructors and friends, all my nerves want away and were quickly replaced by excitement, pride, and happiness.

After a while the demo team were called to the arena floor to be introduced to their respective instructors, who would be arranging our section of the Demo. SBN Chris French took us through our routine, Ki Cho Hyung (form) and 4 Joo Muhk Maga Ki Bohn Soo (techniques).

I was a long day, and I was really surprised just how hot you get wearing the Generals’ uniform, I was dripping by the end of the day and looking forward to a shower. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining, I loved every bit. I’m so pleased that I decided to take part (thank you Helen) as it was something I’d never be able to experience again.

Here are loads of pictures just from Fridays demo practice, If there are any you’d like copies of just ask.

Me, Jyo Kyo Nim Andy, looking more than a little bit nervous

JKN Andy, SBN Dave (our instructor), JKN Laura, and JKN Laura

Getting ready for the demo practice

Grandmaster and president In Huk Sah

Splitting up into our respective teams for the demo

SBN Chris French preparing us for what’s to come

First run through, even lining up isn’t a simple as it looks. (I’m still smiling)

Practicing our entrance

Don’t we look smart in our Generals uniform

In front stance ready to start Ki Cho Hyung

Ki Cho Hyung

Ki Cho Hyung

Ki Cho Hyung

Some of the other teams practicing

Getting the stances just right for Ki Cho Hyung

JKN Laura, me and JKN Laura ready for Ki Cho Hyung

Practicing the four Joo Muhk Maga Ki Bohn Soo techniques

Practicing the four Joo Muhk Maga Ki Bohn Soo techniques

Practicing over and going over the details, tomorrow is our big day.

More to come . . . .

…

Here’s just a few of the many pictures Helen took at my Kuk Sool Won Black Belt testing.

On the way in . . .

Warming up . . .

This is it, about to start . . .

Stretching and warming up . . .

More stretching and warming up . . .

Even more stretching and warming up . . .

Adjusting my uniform . . .

Bowing to Kuk Sa Nim, Master Sung Jin and Master Alex

Getting ready for kicks . . .

Back kicking . . .

Really enjoying myself . . .

Horse-stance and squats . . .

Its all over and celebrating . . .

More celebration . . .

I’ve passed and I just can’t stop smiling . . .

Me and Jo Im Kwahng Jahng Nim Martin Ducker.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Oh my god, I did it, I did, I did it!!  I’ve passed my Kuk Sool Won Black belt testing.  I really can’t believe it, it just hasn’t quite sunk in. I’m still buzzing from the grading, and it’s a great feeling that I’m going to remember for a very long time.

I’ve been a Dan Bo Nim for two years, so it’s going to be great having a new title, and my new title is Jyo Kyo Nim Andy

I haven’t stopped smiling, my face hurts. I’m finding writing this hard, as even my fingers are smiling.

I’ve a busy weekend coming, with lots of Kuk Sool stuff going on, Demo, presentation and European tournament, so I’ll be back soon with updates and photos.

Wow, I’m a Black Belt, can you believe, I can’t.

Just been looking around the Kuk Sool Won website and found my in the 2010 promotions listings. How awesome is that!

Click here to check out the site: Kuk Sool Won 2010 Promotions 

I’d better pass the testing now!

About four years ago I started a journey, one that would bring me great highs and lows, cause me pain and yet bring immense pleasure. During these years I made some wonderful, caring, thoughtful friends, friends that will stay with me for the rest of my life. These friends I’ve made have picked me up when I’m down, knocked me down when I’m up, and most of all saved my life when it felt all but over.

So what was this journey that has had such a profound effect on my life, has shown me that I can achieve anything, and that I can overcome all that I put my mind too? . . . Well it’s the National Korean Martial art, Kuk Sool Won.

And later this week I’ll be taking my final test for my Black Belt, my ultimate aim over the past four years. I’ve been thinking about what to write when this moment comes for some time now, and yet I’m still struggling. There is much to say, so many people to thank, and I just can’t seem to find the right words to express just how I feel, but I’ll try.

Kuk Sool Won has been good for me (understatement). OK, there have been times that I could have given up, and I looked for any reason to quit. But, and it’s a huge but, the realisation that, even during the bad times, I loved the challenges, being forced to confront myself, by myself. The exhilaration, the friendship, there was no way that it was going to walk away.

Over the years I’ve learnt much: kicking techniques, hand striking, forms, techniques, falling principles, sparring, breathing exercises, and etiquette. OK, I’m never going to be the stereotypical “ninja” you see in the movies, but I am the best, or very close to being ,the best that I can be, and that makes me very, very proud.

I can do things that I never thought possible, I have confidence, determination and passion for my martial art. At last count I’ve taken twenty testing’s, nine of which have been as a brown belt, and that’s over 50 hours of pain, passion and commitment.

So without further ado, here are some quick thank you’s, just a few of the many I have to say:

JIKJN Martin Ducker:

Your passion, drive and understanding have been an inspiration to me, without which I could not have achieved as much as I have. You have welcomed me into your school, your family, and had faith in me. Thank you Sir.

SBN Rob Poll:

Even when I tried to hide at the back of the class, you never let me take it easy, pushing further and harder, teaching me I can always do more. You have been my role model, my goal, my friend. Thank you Sir

SBN David Ellis:

You’ve never given up on me, even when I wanted too. You’ve encouraged me continually. I’ve enjoyed our classes and your great sense of humour enormously. Thank you Sir.

PSBN Jon Denny

What can I say, words are simply not enough. You saved my life and gave me my future. You have been and always will be my friend. You said to me a long time ago, “Which is worse, failing or not trying?” I now know the answer. Thank you Sir

JKN Helen Collis.

Without you none of this would have been possible. You have been my conscience, my instructor, and my healer. Through thick and thin, you’ve been by my side, even when it would have been easy to step back. You let me believe I was right, even when I was wrong, helping me to restore my crushed ego when things went bad . I dedicate my Black Belt to you. Thank you Mam.

Last weekend Helen and I, along with another 125 guest, celebrated Mum and Dads 50th wedding anniversary. We spent the day in the pretty little village of Terling, in Essex, where Mum and Dad met over 50 years ago. In fact, Dad helped build the hall where the celebration party was held. I was a wonderful day, with a lovely surprise, as Auntie Mary came over from Canada especially for the event. She was one of the bridesmaids 50 years ago, so it made the day even more special.

It was so nice to spend the day with family, and I think it’s great that we get together to celebrate important days such as these. Seeing so many people happily reminiscing, laughing, and enjoying themselves.   I for one am looking forward to the next family get together.

The hall after Helen, Paul, Tracy, and I decorated it

Auntie Catherine, Dad (Chris) and Auntie Mary fresh from Canada

Mum, Dad and the bridesmaids

Getting ready for the toast

The wall full of memories

Mum and Dad cutting the cake, and a very nice cake it was too.

Eleven of Mums fourteen brothers and sisters

The celebration in full swing

…

I spent a wonderful afternoon with my grandson Joshua yesterday, it’s great to see him, and he always makes me smile. He’s been a little poorly, tummy problems, but it’s great to see that he’s on the mend and looking so fit and healthy.

He’s sitting up now, and loves playing with his toys, which end up being chewed as he’s also just started teething. Here’s a few pictures of his beautiful smile, just wish I could capture his little baby chuckles.

…

A major hurricane (Hurricane Shazza) and earthquake measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale hit Essex in the early hours of Friday with its epicentre in Basildon. Victims were seen wandering around aimlessly, muttering “Faaackinell”. The hurricane decimated the area causing approximately £30 worth of damage. Several priceless collections of mementos from Majorca and the Costa Del Sol were damaged beyond repair.

Three areas of historic burnt out cars were disturbed. Many locals were woken well before their giros arrived. Essex FM reported that hundreds of residents were confused and bewildered and were still trying to come to terms with the fact that something interesting had happened in Basildon.

One resident – Tracy Sharon Smith, a 15-year-old mother of 5 said, “It was such a shock, my little Chardonnay-Mercedes came running into my bedroom crying. My youngest two, Tyler-Morgan and Victoria- Storm slept through it all. I was still shaking when I was skinning up and watching Trisha the next morning.”

Apparently looting, muggings and car crime were unaffected and carried on as normal.

The British Red Cross has so far managed to ship 4,000 crates of Sunny Delight to the area to help the stricken locals. Rescue workers are still searching through the rubble and have found large quantities of personal belongings, including benefit books, jewellery from Elizabeth Duke at Argos and Bone China from Poundland.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

This appeal is to raise money for food and clothing parcels for those unfortunate enough to be caught up in this disaster. Clothing is most sought after – items most needed include:

• Fila or Burberry baseball caps
• Kappa tracksuit tops (his and hers)
• Shell suits (female)
• White sport socks
• Rockport boots
• Any other items usually sold in Primark.
• Food parcels may be harder to come by, but are needed all the same.
• Required foodstuffs include:
• Microwave meals, Tins of baked beans, Ice cream, Cans of Colt 45 or Special Brew.

22p buys a biro for filling in the compensation forms. £2 buys chips, crisps and blue fizzy drinks for a family of 9. £5 buys B&H and a lighter to calm the nerves of those affected.

**Breaking news**

Rescue workers found a girl in the rubble smothered in raspberry Alco-pop. ‘Where are you bleeding from?’ they asked.

“ROMFORD” said the girl, “woss that gotta do wiv you?

I enjoyed an awesome Kuk Sool training session last night. It started off with some crash mat work (where hurt my neck) and moved onto a relentless routine of forms, breakfalls, kicks, and hand strikes.  I don’t know why, but it could be my approaching Black Belt testing, but I feel like I’m on fire when I’m training, and it’s a good feeling! I have so much energy, motivation and desire for my Black Belt, I feel like I can overcome anything.

Today Helen and I went the Wings and Wheels festival at Henham Park, where we enjoyed seeing a wide variety of planes, cars and motorbikes amongst the other attractions. I particularly enjoyed looking at the older cars with a touch of nostalgia. I’m thinking I might like to get one too. I can just see us driving down country lanes with the wind in our hair, with a picnic and champagne in the boot. Maybe one day when we buy our cottage in France.

The aircraft were stunning, and watching the Hang gliders loop just before landing was simply breathtaking. I spent ages at the Norfolk Hang Gliding club, while they tried to encourage me to have a join. However, I have trouble flying in a plane with engines, so they had no chance of getting me in one without them!

It was great to see the our friends new business the Big Red Hire Engine (click here) on show, and Jonathan, you can take the helmet off, lol. That said, you did look very smart in your fireman’s uniform. Good luck in your new venture guys. And if you need a fireman, don’t call me, I only start fires, lol.

Here’s some pictures of the day.

Wings and Wheels Henham Park 2010

My iTunes has been pretty much broken these days with the notification message:

One Moment Please.
Connecting to the iTunes Store.
Loading

If iTunes doesn’t open, click the iTunes application icon in your Dock or Windows Task Bar.

So iTunes does not itself know it is in iTunes. Very philosophical. I tried logging out of my iTunes account and cannot log in back. I can log in using iTunes for Windows on my Windows machine but not iTunes for Mac. I have also reset everything.

Signing in to iTunes give me the following:

[iTunes We could not complete your iTunes Store request. An unknown error occured (-50).]

I can’t use iTunes Store any more and Apple Support doesn’t seem to have a similar problem listed.

Okay actually, I sort of solved it accidentally a few minutes after I write this. I just randomly delete some files that says iTunes such as the cache and I chanced upon the right file to delete. There appears to have been some problems with iTunes preferences. I don’t exactly know which particular setting is incorrect; I don’t recall editing my preferences in the past couple of months. Anyway, I deleted the preferences file. Mine is found in:

This causes iTunes to launch the set up wizard for iTunes where you have to click through all over again, as if it is a new installation, and the iTunes Store is working again.

Helen and I have had an exciting day today, as we booked our summer holiday today. So just when the usual summertime rain hits the UK, we’ll be off to sunny Greece to bask in 40^o sunshine. We have a lovely apartment and pool in the foothills of a mountain, just a short walk from the prettiest little fishing village on the island. We’re child free for a couple of weeks, so it’s going to be a serene and very , of long mornings, relaxing, and lazy romantic dinners by the sea.

These are pictures of our little seaside village.