KSMA Expansion

Cologino Milani:
12:14 PM
8lb 4 oz
19 ¾”
Very healthy!

Congratulations Tony and Jen!

O Bobbe, Where art thou?

Those of you who read this space on the net know that Bobbe has been down for the count for a few months now. We were supposed to have him visit this past weekend, but alas.
So we muddled through and went to McDonald's...

Actually, the Michiganders rolled into town about 3 on Friday afternoon and we all started to gather at my place for the meet-n-beat. It was good to hang with everyone and shoot the breeze. Chuck unrolled his towel filled with knives. Why a towel? You have to ask?

The locals started to filter in around six and I started making pizzas with Tina's assistance about that time as well and we patted and peeled 7 pies for the crew. Tina did most of the patting as I was attacked by the Green Pepper Brigands and suffered a nick to my left index finger which required immediate assistance and hobbled me in the kitchen. Those green peppers were tasty!

yeah - that sucked

Friends don't let friends taste test at the liquor store

Product

Then we let the libations lead the way and just chilled the rest of the evening. It was good.

Saturday morning we enjoyed french (freedom) toast and the energy was very good for the group.
I led the first aspect of the day with something I am going to show at the Gathering in Grand Rapids this year so Chuck and his minions can get familiar with it. It has a lot of potential for everyone from beginner to those well beyond me.

I'll take "The Pen Is Mightier for $500, Alex"

Too much fun!

'Fore we knew it, it was lunch time. If you like Mexican food, then it's El Aguila Real you want.

After lunch, Sterling showed us some Center Axis Relock material. WE used airsoft guns and a box with garbage bag over it to represent center mass. This was a good experience and everyone enjoyed it very much.

Good Times

Next up was Dan and at my request we did some Wing Chun. I have missed that aspect of my past and it was very fun to explore those pathways again. We focused on sensitivity with bridging and the options available depending on the situation presented.

Somewhere in there we touched on some aspects of that thing Bobbe does and worked switches with hubud. That was a lot of fun and everyone really dug that. We all want Bobbe to be better so he can show us the errors of our ways!

We wanted to keep going and my old friend Amy showed up, so Sterling jumped back in and we did some PSP. We focused primarily on the Ales (evasions) of the system. That was good to review.

The afternoon wrapped up by reviewing some of the highlights of the day. This was really good. If someone had something they wanted to go over again, then we did. That most certainly helps in taking it home.

Har-Har

Big Monkey Plucks...

The evening was rounded out with a trip to what is becoming the de facto KSMA haunt, The Royal Mile. This is a great pub in the Des Moines area and the food is pretty darn tasty too! If you come to town, I will take you here.

Oi! Tossers!

BANGER

We used to just call 'im, Cap'n

Thinking of Bobbe

You can't look evil, we know you

In these hard times, Tony is starting a mining operation

After the Mile, we headed back to the pad to hang and have some fun.





We did a little more CAR stuff for a few people that were not around for the daytime activities.

Vocals, Keys and Firearms

Sunday was pretty much breakfast for the Michiganders and then some conversation and review of some of the stuff from the day before. We did an After Action Report for about an hour and then had to say our goodbyes until May.
Someone mentioned the Karate Kid and I turned everyone on to

Bust out the smear

This was a great primer for The Gathering of the Tribes over Memorial Day Weekend.

Spring Gathering - 2009

The Annual Spring Gathering of the Tribes is just around the corner. This has become one of the highlights of my year, and I always look forward to the chance to renew friendships as well forge new ones. This is an excellent opportunity for us to share our training experiences in an open forum free from politics and pressure…trade ideas, support each other…and build a stronger tribe.


Here are the particulars for anyone interested:

Dates: Friday – Monday, May 22 -25th

Friday: arrivals/meet/greet informal clinics
Saturday: workshops 9am -5pm (feast/bonfire to follow…potluck style)
Sunday: Workshops 10am – 4/5pm
Monday: Wrap up.
(There are always side clinics ongoing throughout the weekend.)



Cost: $75/person for the entire weekend. That includes staying with us if you want to…most people end up sleeping at our place. Either in the house proper or in the padded Training hall right on the property. Breakfast and coffee are usually served around 8am. (not necessarily in that order…) There are shower facilities as well as laundry facilities on premises. We just need to know ahead of time how many to expect.


Contact Info:
Chuck Pippin or 616-364-0019
Jay Carstensen
More Information is available at Innovative Martial Arts




This year we’re adding a new workshop as a trial…a blade-making class. You’ll get to make your own custom knife. It’ll be done in stages and will cost $75. We have 1 spot left open. Last year we did an impromptu class with Guru Jay Carstensen and Maha Guru Buzz Smith. Their blades turned out great! J




This year, as always, we’ll have world class instructors sharing their arts and combative concepts with the whole group. I will update everyone on the workshops as I get more information.



If this is something that interests you, please contact myself or Jay Carstensen as soon as possible. Our space is limited…and tends to fill up quickly! I’m looking forward to seeing everyone again soon!