A Testing That I've Never Wanted

[Harkon72]

I wish you all the best Bob, these things happen for a reason. You deserve all you will achieve, osu!

[sensei8]

I wish you all the best Bob, these things happen for a reason. You deserve all you will achieve, osu!

Thank you!!

[sensei8]

Well...

It's lunch time, so I'd figure I'd surf KF until my testing resumes in about 90 minutes.

I was privy to my testing requirements late last night, and I've got to say this. What I first read was not what I thought that our Dai-Soke would've approved. However, I didn't read between the lines because once I hit the floor, the dots and dashes made a lot of since. The testing panel is putting me through the paces just as our Dai-Soke would've; if not even moreso. Even though he wouldn't have tested me for Kudan; that would've been bestowed upon me.

Greg asked me right after we broke for lunch, how I felt!? I feel fine!!

[DWx]

Best of luck Bob

Maybe when you're finished you can take us through what you had to do?

[kensei]

Good luck bob, hope it went well. But if you did not want to test....you did not have to. If you want to honor your instructor you can go in and tell them you are not interested in the rank advancement yet and that you feel that its not your time.

I feel thier are reasons for the way our inner voice directs us and if not testing is what yours is saying then I say dont!

[quinteros1963]

I hope it went well

[sensei8]

Thank you all for your kind words and wishes; they mean everything to me!!

Kudan!!

It's official; I passed Hombu's testing cycle!! All in all, I believe that if Dai-Soke was still alive; he would've approved the test across the board.

I've still mixed emotions, some personal as well as some professional, about how this came to fruition; years of constantly consisting and years of them not paying any attention to my desires. On a personal note; I only wish that Dai-Soke had oversaw the testing cycle. On a professional note: I still strongly believe that my rank should've had nothing to do with my abilities and capabilites to fulfill my duties and responsibilites as Kaicho.

Long in the short; the Hombu will keep their mouths shut; or at least I can hope.

[sensei8]

Best of luck Bob

Maybe when you're finished you can take us through what you had to do?

I'd be more than glad to do that just as soon as I get home...it's been a long 3 weeks away from home.

[sensei8]

Good luck bob, hope it went well. But if you did not want to test....you did not have to. If you want to honor your instructor you can go in and tell them you are not interested in the rank advancement yet and that you feel that its not your time.

I feel thier are reasons for the way our inner voice directs us and if not testing is what yours is saying then I say dont!

You're absolutely correct. I didn't have to but I believe that this was an acceptable option because I totally refused the promotion for many, many, many years.

But the Hombu kept pushing me to accept Kudan because it's written in the By-Laws and they weren't even interested in changing the wording, and I tried many avenues to convince them across the board. By-Laws was all they knew, and it didn't matter that Dai-Soke told them to "back off" in his special way.

It is what it is!! I figured that the only way to shut them up was to offer them to test me, but they took it hook line and sinker to my surprise. I figured that they'd say that Kudan and Judan are untestable ranks, but they threw me a curve ball when they quickly agreed to create a testing cycle that would honor our Dai-Soke; and it was a cruling test, to say the least...I've enough boo boos to last awhile...they tried to kill me.

The matter is over and I wish that it didn't have to come to this; meanwhile, I wear the badge of Kaicho with pride, and as far as Kudan, well, that's to be seen for the moment.

[ShoriKid]

Congratulations sir! I've been watching the forum like a hawk for word of how this went and asked my brother yesterday at the start of class if he'd seen any news. I'm glad it's over for you, the constant pressure from your board. I look forward to hearing what sorts of things a a Kudan has to do to pass a test. Again, congratulations sir.