Last Chat.

Last Friday, I talked with Sensei. It seems that we are heading back to the old place.

The owner returned the calls made by Christian Jasmin. He lowered the rent a good 200$ monthly to something more reasonable now. Renovations are on.

How long could it take? Hard to tell. But, there is some light at the end of the tunnel.

Let's Play Basketball.

Last night, we were only four attending the class at CEGEP Rosemont. Sensei had not come back yet. In fact, he is doing it today. We had to wait 15 minutes since the girl in charge of the keys was late.

Then, she announced us that starting yesterday, we were to train in one gym besides her office. So, no more "palestre". More room and space ... and baskets to play basketball. So, we got a ball and play a good 45 minutes. Pretty good exercice.

Then, we did a short warm up with jumping jack flashes, pushups and setups. As if we needed that. We completed the class with our 18 katas.

MKC Uncertain Future: one comment.

I publish here the comment made by Georges Pantelis in reaction to the previous post since it is not that easy to see if there are comments or not. The link is pretty small. When I have the opportunity, I will increase its size.

"Hello Fellow Karatekas,

Although I agree that this ordeal has taken longer than expected, I have had discussions with several of you and we have all expressed our concerns and disappointment. An update concerning the College; we had confirm and book the college through June July and August, and prepay. The teacher had told me and maybe some of you that upon his return he will make an aggressive effort to get a Dojo. Also,the College will be closed for the 3rd and 4th week in July, there will be no courses for the last 2 weeks in July unless we find another temporary place, but if not, this will free up more time for the teacher to get something permanent.

Personally I believe that we have and will lose some students due to this situation, once we get back on track and get our new place, we will get the word out in hopes that our students will return and solicit for new members. Thats the best that we could do. At the present time we need to believe and motivate ourselves. I am pleading with my fellow Black Belts to do as much as possible to encourage,motivate,participate to salvage the few we have holding on.

Please pass on the word that there will not be any evening classes at the Rosemont College. We will keep everyone posted on any new developments.

See you at the Gym!

George"

MKC uncertain future.

Yesterday, I talked with some members and nothing good got out of this discussion.

There are many complaints that things are not improving fast enough.

It seems that we had a good deal for a place on St-Hubert. The owner really wanted the club. Those who visited it found it interesting, Sensei included. But then, one black commented that he didn't like the place because there were not enough windows, it was too narrow and the roof too low to practise kendo. So, the opportunity went with this shitty spring wind.

I also heard that we could go back to the old place. The owner had talked with Sensei about this possibility. Christian Jasmin left three messages, but no return call so far. No construction workers in sight. So, it doesn't smell good.

The boxing club's ciment floor gives a hard time to some members' "old" joints, me included.

The CEGEP Rosemont's slippery floor bothers others. Personally, I find it a bit too far. But, now that spring, or a pale copy of spring, is here, I can use my bike to get there. So, until next fall, I am OK.

Speaking of next fall, I was told that we don't have any location for the evening classes for september. So far, Sensei hasn't given his OK.

Then, the rumors are that some people will leave the remains of MKC. They will take this opportunity to try something new or different. I talked about that last January. Things have to return to normal fast. I talked of a six months dead line.

Why? Because people will try temporary solutions that, with time, will become not so temporary. Then, with the summer vacations, some members will become lazy and will stop training.

Change of Schedule Evening Class.

M. Watanabe asked that we change the schedule for the following wishing that the attendance will be improved.

Starting May 1st, the new evening schedule will be:

· Monday night from 6:30 to 8:00

· Wednesday night from 7:00 to 8:30

· Friday night from 6:30 to 8:00

Bruce Pitre wrote:

"On a personal note: Understanding that both temporary places that we have are not ideal, a dojo is only a training facility lead by a sensei. In our situation, the sensei and the quality of the training as not change, only the room. Actually, I feel that it is part of our learning to adapt to new situations and become more skilled. Adaptation is a key skill sought for in today live, professionally, personally and also in karate. I am sharing this with you because I was disappointed when sensei told me last night that some have stop training «because they did not like the training rooms».



We still have many challenges in front of us as a karate community. Not only do we have to help relocate the dojo and get it running, we also have to celebrate its 40th anniversary. "

Georges Pantelis added:

"Thank you Bruce, I agree with your comments. It is our lifetime sport! Lifetime being the key word! "

And Hai Phamhuy commented:

"Thanks for the information and also thanks for taking care of announcing it

I am quite sad and share your disappointment regarding comments made by some colleagues about the places etc. I humbly think this is just part of it. We all know that our school is going through a very tough time but I am very confident that there is somehow an acceptable solution ahead.

Sensei has shown a huge courage and it is obvious to me that we have to give him all the assistance and encouragement we can, starting by going on with a regular training and the so-called "esprit de corps" like they say in th army.

I look forward to seeing you in a very near future.

Again, many thanks."

G.P. Shorinryu Fundraising

Here is an update, I received through Facebook.

"Hi GuysI want to thank all of you for the help in the fundraiser for the teacher, we raised $2548 with the silent Auction and donations, this will help him rebuild after the fire,

If any of you still want to contribute contact me and I will give you the information necessary thanks and keep up the good work

Joe

Ps the the Teacher had a good time and was quite touched by the support"

Evening Class Schedule Changes

Attention, Attention!!!!

Due to some scheduling conflicts, the Wednesday course at College Rosemont will now begin at 19h00.

Therefore, Tuesday @ 19h00, Wednesday @ 19h00 and Friday 18h30.

Thank you all and have a pleasant training...