Hi all - Daniel and I went to the Saratoga tournament this morning -
had fun and competed both in individual kata and kumite.

Daniel did a good Heian Yondan and also "stood his man" as we say in
Germany when he met a strong opponent in Kumite. I had to learn that
fighting against someone twice my length who knows well how to use
this to his advantage is not easy - did not get past the first round.
Did not matter though, had a hell of a time and one quickly gets
acquainted with everyone else - these people are a very nice and
open-minded crowd. No unpleasant clash of big egos. Just good fair
spirit, friendly vibes and good laughs.

You should all come next time (spring next year) - comparing levels,
you would all do pretty well. You will get a chance to have the
competition and unknown-opponent-element added to your experience, and
we'll have a party afterwards when we get back to Santa Cruz - at
Jon's place, where we can throw some kicks to find out if the new
fence he just finished building is any good :-)! Kidding, I offer my
garden too (and the fence, which is my neighbor's anyway!).

Osu! Kai