Pro - you are quite amazing - first, let me congratulate on your communication skills - second to none - yes, things are different - when I was growing up, learning knife skills, learning fight techniques , hiking and swimming for hours was the norm - no more - I hiked part of the App. Trail a few years ago - all of those skills came back - stretching...........it is the weakest part in my martial arts .....I run - never stretch - ran marathon - never stretch - my muscle fibers have contracted - very hard to kick (flying, leaping, spinning) - one day I will learn - Chuck    

Hi Chuck,

Lifesaving was the hardest merit badge for me, as I had just learned to swim at summer camp a few weeks beore, and was a small kid also.  I was one of my first three Merit badges.  Lots of Scouts get close to Eagle, and then get distracted by"perfume and gasoline".  We now have programs that assign mentors to encourage completion of the Eagle.  Having spent time in and out of Scouting since the late 60's; I can definitely say that requirements  continue to get easier, and less outdoor oriented, which I disagree with entirely.  I just completed my 20th active year working with Scouting, and this is my last.  (I spent 12 years as an Assistant District Commissioner).  The program is very far different than it was when I was a Boy Scout in the early 70's.  Now no hatchets, sheath knives, severe limits on use of cutting tools, no campfires, there are female Scoutmasters (not all bad, but not a male role model).  It is not the program Lord Baden Powell created any longer.

I took Kenpo and Aikido while a student at NCSU for 2.5 of my years there, then had to drop them to continue passing classes.  It was a painful decision.  I have worked with a number of other martial artists over the years, but in general I have found few the quality of my old instructors.  It seems belts are much easier to get; more a factor of time and money too often.  

My medical problems which hit me at age 37 put a big dent in my Martial arts teaching.  I do some personal combat teaching to select students, but no public classes any more.  I find my Hombu style Aikido to be my best skill as I age (soon to be 54).  You have to stay with stretching or forget the kicks.  Aikido has no such problems.  It is much more difficult to learn well, and is known as "The gentlemans art".  You can defend yourself without permanent injury to your attacker, or as rough as necessary.  It evolved from the Samurai hand to hand art AikiJutsu.  

Thanks for the warm reception from all you NC players!

God bless, and play chess,

ProGunslinger

ProGS - what a great response - believe the team will enjoy hearing from you - congrats on the eagle - I was very close, all merit , all requirements, needed only lifesaving - instructor 235 lbs - I was 14 - could not pull him out - I quit - taught me a great lesson, I will never quit at anything again - interesting on the martial arts - working on my Black Belt in Karate - 1 1/2 belts away - Chuck    

That was a thoughtful response ProGS, I enjoyed reading it.  I was just tweaking you a little with my barbeque comment but you're right, most Northerners grill hot dogs & hamburgers & call it a barbeque.  I like smoking a pork shoulder now & then and have been told I'm not half bad for a Yankee.  I liked your other comments too.  I can see we'll be talking from time to time.  Glad to have you in our group.

Hi ES-Lowe,

There is no question that many who learn of the wonders of NC move here.  All of our ancestors (even my Cherokee ancestors), moved here from somewhere else.  When we all realize that at one time we were newcomers to this land, we are all truly equals in this sense.  

Just as God loves all enough to die for all, we are also commanded to show love to all.  It helps the transition go smoother for everyone when newcomers are willing to become a bit more like us, in our better graces of hospitality and brotherhood.  

While we will always have some of our original homeland in our hearts, we have made a dedication in moving here to call this place our home, and therefore we should treat each other as fellow North Carolinians.  We will try to understand your language, and it helps if you speak slower and learn some of our vocabulary.

Barbeque varies greatly from West to East within NC, and everyone has his/her favorite recipe.  I was not aware that people from the North even knew what Barbeque was. ;-)

My insignia (If you read my bio.) is not a emblem of hatred, but of respect for my ancestors, who believed in State's rights over Federal power.  There are no winners in war, only losers.  I had a row of flags in my yard (when I could afford them), and flew the Christian, American, Confederate, NC, and Scottish.  

My chess name comes from my having owned a Gunshop for over a decade, as well as being a Gunsmith, Hunter, and avid believer in the 2nd ammendment to the constitution.

I am not here to argue with anyone, but to play chess.  I will try to answer any legitimate question.  Most counseling will have to be done email, so contact me if you have something you would like to share with a compassionate listener.

Blessings to you all, and play chess!

Scotty (ProGunslinger) 

Glad to have you on the team ProGS.  I agree with Chuck, interesting bio.  Maybe sometime I'll have the pleasure of conversing with you.  What's your opinion of a Northern transplant who claims to make the best Q in the neighborhood?

Thank you sir - you will find some incredible members on this team - you may want to play a game with PreacherJim - I do need some combat council (Jim keeps killing me ) - welcome once again and thanks for your kind offer (most folks are more fragile than they think)! - look forward to playing you - Chuck   

Thank you Chuck, I look forward to meeting more of our NC players.  I have lived all of my 54 years in NC.

I am also an Ordained Minister, and do Christian Counseling for free, if anyone has a serious issue you need someone to talk with.  I have a good bit of experience listening to combat veterans.  I am here if you need me, and will give my email and phone to those in need.