The application from my brother to work on Psi was rejected. I’m upset for Psi, but glad for Jabber for the 10 projects that were accepted.

I’ve just been told that my previous version of this article sounded very bitter, which it probably did so I’m cutting it.
I’m very sorry to anyone who previously read the old version and took offense, it wasn’t my intention. I also understand that my posts to jdev sounded very bitter so I’m also sorry for that. I am sad, obviously, because I care about the progress of Psi more than perhaps I should. The JSF council are far more impartial than I am and probably made better decisions on the SoC applicants than I would have.

Categories: Jabber, Psi
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This post for a change isn’t about Psi, isn’t about Jabber and isn’t about anything anyone will care about: it’s about me selfishly advertising my happiness.

As some of you will know, last weekend I undertook the delightful 250mile trip to Manchester to take my next grading in TaeKwon-Do. The grading panel consisted of Mr. Doulton, a 6th degree and Mr. Iqbal, a 5th degree. The grading itself was tiring and stressful for me but I didn’t underperform as much as I had expected to, which is very pleasing.

Results were in for training last night; I passed the grading, so have been promoted to Black Tag/Black Stripe (insert whichever terminology you’re happy with. If you practise another martial art, insert your final colour belt here).

Now I have to look to the future; the next step for me to work towards is 1st degree black belt. While it’s far from certain I’ll ever reach the level of fitness, technique and understanding required for the grade, I’m looking forward to the improvements I’ll certainly see while I try. Only recently have I begun to understand how far I have to go from techniques that hopefully look approximately correct, to the performance of techniques that comes from an understanding of their basis and a great deal of practise. It’s going to be a long road but in this case the journey really should be as rewarding as the destination.

Categories: TaeKwon-Do
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