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-   -   Mark's revised adventure (http://www.aikiweb.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21371)

Mark Freeman 06-01-2012 03:48 AM

Mark's revised adventure
 
Anyone who read my thread posted last year, http://www.aikiweb.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20207 will probably have concluded that my travel plans had come to naught. Well, plans sometimes change, and mine are no exception. So for a number of different reasons I won’t go into, here is my revised plan, which is for the next 3 months, all on to take place.

I have a flight booked into Seattle on the 21st of June. Then I have 90 days (the max I can stay in the US, without going through the costly and uncertain process of obtaining a Visa). So I will have 3 months of travelling to as many dojos as I can, meeting as many people as I can, learning as much as I can, along the way.

There are many aikiweb posters I have come to know from their writing over the years, that I would like to meet and practice with (many kind offers from my original thread, which I hope to take up). Quite when that will be is not too certain, as I have decided to ditch the idea of working to a fixed route and itinerary. I am going to try the ‘going with the flow’ approach and set off, in the vehicle that I have sorted out (a 1977 VW camper), and see where the process leads me. I probably have enough time and just about enough money, to see both coasts and some points in the vast interior. But, I do want the freedom to be able to stay somewhere, if I meet someone who has a good stuff I can learn from.

I would appreciate any suggestions of teachers you feel I simply ‘must’ meet. Although my aikido practice has been Tohei’s ki model based, I am looking forward to experiencing all styles. I have met Ikeda Sensei when he came to the UK recently, and enjoyed his teaching immensely. Are there any/many teachers there in the US who you feel are operating at a his or a higher level, and that I might get to feel?

Any suggestions on etiquette and the right way to approach my encounters, would be gratefully received. Is it OK to just turn up at a dojo and politely request to practice? Should I make contact with the sensei by phone/email before hand and request permission? As I will effectively be a ‘rankless ronin’ I will be carrying a black and white belt, it makes no difference to me, which one I wear. Should I mention the grade I hold in my own organisation?

Anyway, I am really looking forward to meeting many people on this little jaunt, so look out for an older Englishman in an old German bus, looking for new experiences. He maybe coming your way very soon.:)

regards,

Mark

MM 06-01-2012 06:25 AM

Re: Mark's revised adventure
 
Hi Mark,

If you find yourself near the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area, let me know. I'll buy you dinner and go over the training I do.

Mark

Brian Beach 06-01-2012 06:33 AM

Re: Mark's revised adventure
 
On your way down the coast I would stop by here and see Mike -

http://www.aikidoofashland.net/about_dojo/friedl.htm

RonRagusa 06-01-2012 06:55 AM

Re: Mark's revised adventure
 
Hi Mark -

Glad to hear the trip is still on. Our invitation's still open. Let Mary and me know when you're approaching western Mass. and we'll set something up.

Ron

Budd 06-01-2012 07:31 AM

Re: Mark's revised adventure
 
If you make it up to the Buffalo/Niagara Falls area of New York, lemme know.

DH 06-01-2012 08:20 AM

Re: Mark's revised adventure
 
Hi Mark
Sorry I will be missing you in Seattle I will be there for a week and leaving June 15th.
Shoot me a P.M. if you are interested in meeting up with like minded Aikido people I know there. I would suggest avoiding their regular classes and opt for their IP nights or private get togethers.
Dan

Allen Beebe 06-01-2012 08:35 AM

Re: Mark's revised adventure
 
Hi Mark,

If you are in Portland Oregon feel free to look me and the guys up. I'll be playing host to some strange Dutchman at that time so be warned!

Allen Beebe

Mark Freeman 06-01-2012 08:45 AM

Re: Mark's revised adventure
 
Quote:

Mark Murray wrote: (Post 310091)
Hi Mark,

If you find yourself near the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area, let me know. I'll buy you dinner and go over the training I do.

Mark

Hi Mark,

will do, I have been interested in your posts for quite some time, so it would be great to meet and train with you (nothing too 'modern' though;) )

regards,

Mark

Mark Freeman 06-01-2012 08:47 AM

Re: Mark's revised adventure
 
Quote:

Brian Beach wrote: (Post 310093)
On your way down the coast I would stop by here and see Mike -

http://www.aikidoofashland.net/about_dojo/friedl.htm

Hi Brian,

thanks for the link, I will look him up. Do you train with him yourself?

regards,

Mark

Mark Freeman 06-01-2012 08:52 AM

Re: Mark's revised adventure
 
Quote:

Ron Ragusa wrote: (Post 310096)
Hi Mark -

Glad to hear the trip is still on. Our invitation's still open. Let Mary and me know when you're approaching western Mass. and we'll set something up.

Ron

Hi Ron,

will do. As you can see, I am entering on the opposite coast. This is mainly due to me doing some research on buying and registering a vehicle in the US (Mary Malmros had warned me it was different in different states). It seems, post 9/11, it is very difficult for us 'foreign' folk to do. I have a good friend in Seattle, who can sort it all out for me, hence the change in plans.

Anyway, I look forward to seeing you and Mary, later in the summer.

regards,

Mark

Mark Freeman 06-01-2012 08:53 AM

Re: Mark's revised adventure
 
Quote:

Budd Yuhasz wrote: (Post 310099)
If you make it up to the Buffalo/Niagara Falls area of New York, lemme know.

Hi Budd,

will do, thanks for the invite,

regards,

Mark

Marc Abrams 06-01-2012 08:54 AM

Re: Mark's revised adventure
 
Mark:

My previous offer is still good!

Travel safe,

Marc Abrams

Mark Freeman 06-01-2012 08:59 AM

Re: Mark's revised adventure
 
Quote:

Dan Harden wrote: (Post 310102)
Hi Mark
Sorry I will be missing you in Seattle I will be there for a week and leaving June 15th.
Shoot me a P.M. if you are interested in meeting up with like minded Aikido people I know there. I would suggest avoiding their regular classes and opt for their IP nights or private get togethers.
Dan

Hi Dan,

you can't get away from me that easily Dan, I will track you down somewhere over there and make sure I get some more hands on time with you! (maybe Orange County, Ca?)

I will be in touch by P.M as I am keen to work on the IP as much as I want to roll around and have fun doing aikido.

hope to see you pretty soon, I want your feedback on my progress, and more to work on:cool:

regards,

Mark

Mark Freeman 06-01-2012 09:02 AM

Re: Mark's revised adventure
 
Quote:

Allen Beebe wrote: (Post 310103)
Hi Mark,

If you are in Portland Oregon feel free to look me and the guys up. I'll be playing host to some strange Dutchman at that time so be warned!

Allen Beebe

Hi Allen,

I will definitely be in touch, if you can handle a strange Dutchman, then you can definitely cope with a Brit with a dodgy sense of humour;)

look forward to it,

regards,

Mark

tarik 06-01-2012 09:02 AM

Re: Mark's revised adventure
 
Seattle and the west coast (SF Bay Area and the LA Basin) are great areas to begin with lots of good teachers. I hope we get a chance to meet, but if not, have a wonderful trip!

Jim Sorrentino 06-01-2012 09:06 AM

Re: Mark's revised adventure
 
Hello Mark,
Quote:

Mark Freeman wrote: (Post 310087)
I would appreciate any suggestions of teachers you feel I simply ‘must' meet. Although my aikido practice has been Tohei's ki model based, I am looking forward to experiencing all styles. I have met Ikeda Sensei when he came to the UK recently, and enjoyed his teaching immensely. Are there any/many teachers there in the US who you feel are operating at a his or a higher level, and that I might get to feel?

If you get to Baltimore, Maryland, I strongly recommend a visit to Baltimore Aikido [http://baltimoreaikido.com/]. Both Chuck Weber-sensei and Charlie Page-sensei are old students of Saotome-sensei and Ikeda-sensei, and have also hosted a wide range of teachers, including Bill Gleason-sensei and Mary Heiny-sensei. If you make it to Baltimore, then continue down the road for 40 miles or so to Washington, DC's Aikido Shobukan Dojo [http://www.aikido-shobukan.org/]. If you time your arrival on the east coast around early to mid-September, there is a stong possibility that Saotome-sensei will be in residence at the dojo. Of course, if you've made it that far, I hope you'll be willing to drive another 15 miles and visit my dojo in Arlington, Virginia [http://www.aikido-nova.org/]. Although I'm not operating at Ikeda-sensei's level, there are a couple of people on the mat whose work you may find interesting.

Quote:

Mark Freeman wrote: (Post 310087)
Any suggestions on etiquette and the right way to approach my encounters, would be gratefully received. Is it OK to just turn up at a dojo and politely request to practice? Should I make contact with the sensei by phone/email before hand and request permission? As I will effectively be a ‘rankless ronin' I will be carrying a black and white belt, it makes no difference to me, which one I wear. Should I mention the grade I hold in my own organisation?

My experience both as a host and a vistor has been that a phone call or e-mail to the dojo contact listed on the website a day or two before you arrive is always appreciated. (If you PM me when you're getting near to the east coast, I'll do whatever I can to help smooth the way.) Some dojo charge a small mat fee, and others (like mine) do not. ASU dojo recognize ranks from other organizations, so if you visit any of the places I've mentioned, please wear your black belt and hakama.

See you on the mat, I hope!

Sincerely,

Jim

Mark Freeman 06-01-2012 09:07 AM

Re: Mark's revised adventure
 
Quote:

Marc Abrams wrote: (Post 310110)
Mark:

My previous offer is still good!

Travel safe,

Marc Abrams

Hi Marc,

thanks, I will be in touch. My anti clockwise west coast start, will probably have me up your way in late summer. However, I know you travel around a fair bit, so if you keep me informed, I may see you 'away from home'.
regards,

Mark

Mark Freeman 06-01-2012 09:13 AM

Re: Mark's revised adventure
 
Quote:

Jim Sorrentino wrote: (Post 310114)
Hello Mark,

If you get to Baltimore, Maryland, I strongly recommend a visit to Baltimore Aikido [http://baltimoreaikido.com/]. Both Chuck Weber-sensei and Charlie Page-sensei are old students of Saotome-sensei and Ikeda-sensei, and have also hosted a wide range of teachers, including Bill Gleason-sensei and Mary Heiny-sensei. If you make it to Baltimore, then continue down the road for 40 miles or so to Washington, DC's Aikido Shobukan Dojo [http://www.aikido-shobukan.org/]. If you time your arrival on the east coast around early to mid-September, there is a stong possibility that Saotome-sensei will be in residence at the dojo. Of course, if you've made it that far, I hope you'll be willing to drive another 15 miles and visit my dojo in Arlington, Virginia [http://www.aikido-nova.org/]. Although I'm not operating at Ikeda-sensei's level, there are a couple of people on the mat whose work you may find interesting.

My experience both as a host and a vistor has been that a phone call or e-mail to the dojo contact listed on the website a day or two before you arrive is always appreciated. (If you PM me when you're getting near to the east coast, I'll do whatever I can to help smooth the way.) Some dojo charge a small mat fee, and others (like mine) do not. ASU dojo recognize ranks from other organizations, so if you visit any of the places I've mentioned, please wear your black belt and hakama.

See you on the mat, I hope!

Sincerely,

Jim

Hi Jim

Thank you for that information, that is really helpful. I hope to be over your way around late August (I have to be back in Seattle by mid Sept).

I look forward to the opportunity of meeting and practicing with you and your colleagues.

regards

Mark

Mark Freeman 06-01-2012 09:14 AM

Re: Mark's revised adventure
 
Quote:

Tarik Ghbeish wrote: (Post 310113)
Seattle and the west coast (SF Bay Area and the LA Basin) are great areas to begin with lots of good teachers. I hope we get a chance to meet, but if not, have a wonderful trip!

Hi Tarik,

thanks, keep your eyes open for a white VW bus:)

regards,

Mark

phitruong 06-01-2012 09:25 AM

Re: Mark's revised adventure
 
if you happen to be near my way, please give me a ping. i don't operate at Ikeda level, but i can operate at Phi's level which usually beats out Ikeda's level in term of foods and drinks and company. :)

Marc Abrams 06-01-2012 09:40 AM

Re: Mark's revised adventure
 
Quote:

Mark Freeman wrote: (Post 310115)
Hi Marc,

thanks, I will be in touch. My anti clockwise west coast start, will probably have me up your way in late summer. However, I know you travel around a fair bit, so if you keep me informed, I may see you 'away from home'.
regards,

Mark

Mark:

Dan will be at my place 8/17 & 8/19. I will be gone 7/5-7/8, 7/17- 7/23, 8/9-8/12 , 8/21-9/2.

Marc Abrams

Nicholas Eschenbruch 06-01-2012 10:16 AM

Re: Mark's revised adventure
 
Mark,
in the Bay area, if you get down there, I have found great training and hospitality at Kayla Feder's dojo in Berkeley and Linda Holiday's in Santa Cruz. Both nice towns, too.

In SF, I strongly recommend you check out Robert Nadeau, if you have not seen him before. His stuff and personality dont agree with everybody, but he is definitely impressive in his way.

Have a great journey.

mathewjgano 06-01-2012 11:33 AM

Re: Mark's revised adventure
 
Hi Mark,
It would be great to meet you if you can make it to Tsubaki America! Cool place to see at the least, if you have the time.
Happy journeys!
Matt

Mark Freeman 06-01-2012 11:48 AM

Re: Mark's revised adventure
 
Quote:

Phi Truong wrote: (Post 310119)
if you happen to be near my way, please give me a ping. i don't operate at Ikeda level, but i can operate at Phi's level which usually beats out Ikeda's level in term of foods and drinks and company. :)

Hi Phi, (that always sounds so good)

Phi's level is good enough for me, I love food, drink and company with a well developed sense of humour. Watch out for that ping!

regards,

Mark

Mark Freeman 06-01-2012 11:50 AM

Re: Mark's revised adventure
 
Quote:

Nicholas Eschenbruch wrote: (Post 310121)
Mark,
in the Bay area, if you get down there, I have found great training and hospitality at Kayla Feder's dojo in Berkeley and Linda Holiday's in Santa Cruz. Both nice towns, too.

In SF, I strongly recommend you check out Robert Nadeau, if you have not seen him before. His stuff and personality dont agree with everybody, but he is definitely impressive in his way.

Have a great journey.

Hi Nicholas,

thanks for the recommendation, duly noted. I have stayed in Santa Cruz before, a lovely place.

regards,

Mark


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