Patrick

Thanks all. I just realized that there are about 40,000 KarateForums.com posts in that photo. Thanks for posting this, Brian. I really appreciated you, and your family, making the trip up. When I found out that I would be speaking in Topeka at Podcamp Topeka (http://www.podcamptopeka.org), I wanted to see if there was any way that Brian could make the drive so that we could meet up. He brought his family along, meaning that they all had to get up at, what was it, 4 AM? Some ridiculous, awful time. But, they made it and I was able to meet and hang out with Brian for a good part of the day. I met him literally right before my keynote in the morning and was able to talk about the connection during the presentation. It's a little rough (and a bit hard to hear), but you can watch the keynote here: http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/10675060 I also led two breakout sessions - one on experimenting in social spaces and a second on moderating an online forum. I proposed that second one knowing that Brian would be there, so I invited him to join me and he stood and addressed the room at numerous points, talking about how we manage the community here at KarateForums.com. He did a great job. Meeting and spending time with Brian was one of the highlights of the event for me, after having known him through this community for so long. I believe he's the first person that I met that I first met at KF, and the second current or former member of staff that I've met (following James Dasher, a.k.a. member #2). I look forward to meeting more people I've met here, in person, in the future. Patrick

Congrats conrad665!

Welcome aboard, Wolfman08. Here are some ideas: How did you find KarateForums.com? Can you tell us more about your arts? How long have you been practicing them? Why did you get started with them? Besides the arts, what are your hobbies? What do you do for a living? It'll flow from there. Thanks, Patrick

Sorry GeoGiant.

Thanks for sharing this, Alex. Link to buy the book: http://www.amazon.com/Brazilian-Jiu-Jitsu-Closed-Guard-Knowledge/dp/0981504469/ (buying through a link posted on KarateForums.com leads to us receiving credit for the sale). Thanks, Patrick

Good luck, GeoGiant.

Hey Bdon-87. Welcome.

Cool. We should try to set a time to play or something. Danielle being in the UK is 5 hours ahead of us, I believe, but that's not too bad.

Thanks for the replies, everyone. Patrick

I am sure that some people would consider it presumptuous (for them). And then I am sure that some would consider it motivational (for them). I would say that neither person is wrong. It's really about what you're comfortable with and what makes you happy. If you were to buy it and wear it around without earning the right to wear it... yeah, that'd be improper. But, that is what you are testing for, in the future. You are not testing for the right to buy a black belt. You are testing for the right to wear a black belt for your chosen style. You might want to ask your instructor what he or she thinks, though, to make sure it won't cause any clashes. Just my thoughts, as a non-martial artist. Thanks, Patrick

Hello, KarateForums.com recognizes one member every month as the Member of the Month for their positive contributions to this community. The January 2011 selection is... Nevinyrral. Congratulations! Thanks, Patrick

I just recently came to find (because I asked, lol) that my two most senior staff members - Heidi (ninjanurse) and Brian (bushido_man96) - share a birthday and that day is today! Happy Birthday Heidi and Brian! Thank you for all that you do around here! Patrick

I miss him being around, certainly. But, we'll see how it goes. I felt that they badly mishandled the Derek Jeter negotiations. But, I'm optimistic about next season.

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!