Patrick

I have been playing Black Ops with my brother a lot on his system under his name. I went ahead and created an account for myself, however, just in case I get a chance to go on their. It's iFroggyPatrick.

I don't mean to make this overly general, but I had some thoughts from reading your post, Montana, and thought I'd share them. Hope they fit in somewhere. I wouldn't take that statement personally. Maybe it was how that person felt and that's fine. Everyone has to select people in their own way. I have written a book. It was published by a reasonably sized publisher and, at one point, stocked by every (or virtually every, at least) Barnes & Noble in the country, plus some other stores (like Chapters/Indigo in Canada). Anyone can write a book. And most books offer some redeeming qualities. Even a "bad" book that offers you a few interesting morsels is worth the $10-$20 price tag it likely carries on Amazon.com. Books, especially books that a major publisher believed in or that sell well, are stamps of approval and legitimacy. A book in and of itself is a stamp - that is why vanity presses exist. Because a book, even a book that no one has bought, can still help you get opportunities, speaking engagements, clients, etc. But, plenty of smart people who are the top of a profession aren't authors. At the end of the day, when you look at someone and you try to ascertain the quality of their work, you should look at many factors. In the context of a Sensei, I think the most important things (in no particular order) would be: their experience (this can include their published works and what they have done), how they share that experience, how they treat people (and how comfortable you are with that) and the environment of the classes that they teach. It all factors in. For example, if the Sensei is a brilliant person, but a total jerk - some will put up with him or her, in respect for his or her brilliance. Many will not. If you have a Sensei who is nice, but has no experience - again, some deal. It's like, here at KarateForums.com. What we want, as a community, isn't people who know a lot or think they know a lot. Knowing a lot isn't, in and of itself, inherently valuable to this community. That knowledge must be in the right vessel. Knowledge shared in a kind and respectful manner is golden. That is where knowledge is valuable and everyone has something they can offer, if only they wish to do so in a kind and helpful manner. Writing a book is an accomplishment. Writing one that is well received is an accomplishment. So, I am not discounting that act at all (I wrote mine over a 5 year period, during which I was also managing this community and the day you hold that first copy is like holding your first child - LOL, OK, no - it's not, but it is a special moment, let's say). And there is nothing that you can take away from that. At the same time, the value of someone, as a professional or person, goes deeper than that, certainly. Hope this adds something. Thanks, Patrick

Welcome aboard, Jason.

Happy New Year! Patrick

Cool.

Thank you for the submission, Brian. Patrick

Congrats Elizabeth. I believe I found the video! http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=113534628712579&oid=170344202989209&comments Patrick

Yeah, Flacco has put up some good numbers these last two years. Obviously, we were lucky to have Marino. Since then, it's been a challenge. Pennington in 2008 was a very good year (19 TDs and 7 INTs). We got a decent season out of Frerotte. But, that's about it. Oh well. I'm hopeful. I wonder if there is some way we can get Peyton Manning away from Indianapolis. Seems extremely unlikely, but you never know. Michael Vick would be a nice addition, though I am sure he feels great loyalty to the Eagles for giving him a chance. If neither of those is an option, Kyle Orton and Kevin Kolb would both be worth a look. So, there are some players out there. Hopefully we land one of them.

Yardage wise, we now have the third best defense in football. Seventh best against the pass, sixth against the rush. Many of our skill defensive players are young. Meanwhile, on offense, we're twenty-first. Fifteenth passing and twentieth rushing. But, the yardage is deceiving. What the real stat is, is passer rating. We're twenty-eighth there. We have some pieces on offense, but not enough and Henne just hasn't shown much. Given where the team is, I hope that they make a serious run at a good veteran QB.

Merry Christmas!

Congrats.

Welcome to KF, CrimsonPhoenix!

Ah, yeah, that's right. No worries. Added you! Patrick

Happy Festivus.

Hey all, I got the OK from Heidi to post this here, so I thought I'd mention that she (ninjanurse) is now a grandma! Congrats Heidi (and everyone else involved )! Really happy for you and I'm sure you'll make a greay one! Patrick

Congrats.

Hey Danielle, Are you sure that is your Mario Kart friend code? As far as I know, they are only supposed to be 12 digits. I don't have room to enter 16 on my Wii. Hmm. Thanks, Patrick

I am going to go ahead and close this thread and push replies to your new thread. http://www.karateforums.com/passed-my-1st-dan-grading-yesterday-vt40079.html Thanks, Patrick

Yeah, that's the end of our playoff hopes. We have to take a look in the offseason and see if we can improve at the quarterback position.

Congratulations.

Congrats!

Sorry to hear that.

That's really cool, Lupin1. Patrick

I lived in New England for around 15 years and I'm pretty sure we had 8,000 feet of snow at least one year.