Where has the month gone?

I have neglected my blogging duties.

It’s been a busy few weeks, all leading up to this weekend. Tonight Neil will earn his black belt. He is very excited.

These first couple of weeks of October have been beautiful weather-wise. We’ve had temperatures in the upper 70’s to low 80’s. Just the last couple days has the temps “cooled” to the 60’s.

October 2 both John and Neil attending seminars with Bill “Superfoot” Wallace. "Superfoot" is an American martial artist who was a Professional Karate Association world full-contact karate champion. He was the Professional Karate Association Middleweight Champion kickboxer for over 15 years. He relinquished the crown in 1980, undefeated. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Wallace_(martial_arts)

October 6 Steve and I went on a Betty Lou Dinner Cruise on Lake Monona with the Stamms and Nolans. Again, we had gorgeous weather so it was a great evening. The dinner buffet was Caribbean food and it was all very tasty.

October 9 Neil had his Acceptance Day. On this day, the candidates go through all their forms, combinations, self defense, and perform their personal form in front of their school’s black belts. If the black belts feel the candidates are worthy of wearing the black belt, the candidates are “accepted”. The day ends with the candidates sparring the black belts. Neil’s Acceptance Day lasted just over four hours.

John earned his first Masters Star at his October 11 Star Test. Each Masters Block is about six months long. This first block was escrima sticks. As with regular karate, there are forms and combinations using the escrima sticks. The students also had to devise a fight scene.

Tonight is Neil’s Supertest. This is very similar to a regular belt promotion test except on steroids! At the end of the couple hour test, Neil will have earned his black belt.

Sunday will be the black belt graduation ceremony.