[Eddy Smiles]

BobD... Unfortunately the "no child left behind" concept has been much more prevelent in the martial arts than it probably ever will be in our school systems. We've turned out Black Belts who never should have earned their purple or brownbelts but the martial arts' Black Belt mill just keeps chugging along in the name of increased profits and greater retention turning out unqualified instructors. That's not true of all schools. There are still some out there that retain honor and integrity but they are becoming fewer and far between as the competition between school becomes greater. As such they are turning out instructors, Black Belts, who have no idea as to how to teach. They hardly know the basics themselves so it is inconceivable to think that they are capable of teaching others. In fact, most schools worry more about entertaining their clientel than they do instructing them because beside competing with other martial arts schools they are competing with all the electronic gagetry that fills the minds of those students. In this day and age it's amazing that martial arts schools are able to continue to exist!

[Pyrographer]

Eddy, don't sell yourself short. And remember this is all about enjoying what you're doing, not trying to be as good or better than someone else. Then it is no longer is fun!

Now that the cast has come off my arm I can get back to work (in moderation says the Doctor) and I can also get back to work on my LAST book that was supposed to have been done last week and now won't be until summer! It has been farrrrrrr too long since I have been able to do any burning and I'm suffering from boredom and withdrawal.

Of course I haven't done much of anything for the last 8 weeks except be miserable.

Nedra

[Eddy Smiles]

Glad to hear that you're feeling better and getting your life back into order. Life is always full of challenges. Sometimes we are the doggie and sometimes we are the fire hydrant.... it's always so much more pleasanter to be the doggie!.... I recently spent a couple of months being the fire hydrant myself and I agree, it's not fun! Good luck!

[Pyrographer]

No, it's not fun and I do agree that life is full of challenges but I guess that's what keeps you on your toes

Nedra

[Lindy]

Hi Eddy,

Those are just wonderful and what a wonderful idea. Keep up the good work.

Lindy

[Eddy Smiles]

Lindy...

Thanks! Over the next 6-weeks my goal is to make 5-6 more with varying themes... some with figures executing different martial arts techniques and others demonstrating courtesy and respect. It's also been awhile since I burned and painted any dragons so if time permits I hope to do one or two of them also. It might sound ambitious but I'll be where there wont be any television or computer so distractions will be at a minimum...

[tnartist05]

Very nice work Eddy! Forrest

[Eddy Smiles]

Thanks Forrest! I got five more plaques burned but I got so busy carving "up in them there hills" that I didn't have time to get them painted so I brought them back down here to the flat lands where I can paint them at my leisure in the comfort of my den on hot, muggy, days....in between hurricanes that is....!