Kenjutsu in Dallas

[Glock: For Hire]

Simple. i am looking for a Kenjutsu School in Dallas or perhaps a jujitsu school that teaches the former as part of it's curriculum. I know of the Dallas Kendo and Iaido Club but they do not teach Kenjutsu. However I did find the Iaido practice fascinating and beautiful.

There was a place called Dallas Budokai. Sadly they aren't listed in the phone book or on line. I know that this is very typical for a traditional school.

Thanks for your help.

Domo!

[Walker]

Surely no cowboy samurai is going to give you the time of day if he don’t know who you is.

[Warren Wright]

I live in Dallas. Here is a link to the Budokai you mentioned.

http://www.dallasbudokai.com/

regards,
Warren Wright

[carl mcclafferty]

Gloch for Hire:

I have a student who just started teaching outside Dallas you can reach him at bostick@digitex.net! Being a cop (like most of us) he'll insist that you leave your glock at home and reveal your secret identity. LOL

Thanks
Carl McClafferty

[Glock: For Hire]

Thanks for the help guys. I really appreciate it alot.

Dave Brown
aka Glock: For Hire

[Charles Mahan]

I would like to suggest that you stop up in Denton during one of our practices. I think you might find something of interest at 223 Oak St, which is just off the square. Classes are offered on the following schedule, Mon 5:30PM to 6:45PM, Tues 7:00PM to 8:30PM, Thur 5:30PM to 7:00PM, and Sat 9:45AM to 11:00AM.

We practice Iai, but not the Kendo federation Iai. Specifically it is Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Iai, under the auspices of the Zen Nippon Iaido Renmei and the Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Seitokai. Our sensei, John Ray, holds a 7th dan and has maintained very close connections with the Seitokai in Japan. In fact, John has only recently returned from training trip to Japan where he was lucky enough to train directly under Ikeda-soke, the 22nd leader of MJER. Feel free to ask around. Ray-sensei's credentials are well known.

MJER may not be exactly what you are after, but it is the real deal, and is worth the drive to check it out.

You can learn more at: www.dentondojo.com (http://www.dentondojo.com)

Charles Mahan

[pgsmith]

Hey Carl,
So you convinced Joe to start teaching? That's cool! When is he going to put up a web site?

Cheers,

[carl mcclafferty]

Paul:
It only took four years to convince him so far, website is probably a long way off LOL.

Charles:
I agree that working out with John Ray Sensei in MJER would be a good idea for anyone and worth the drive. I don't think the "real deal comment" wasn't directed towards us and I don't think anyone has ever questioned John's credentials. Yamada Sensei SGR will be here in El Paso on the 16th, you're all welcomed.

Thanks
Carl McClafferty
PS Give John my best. Tell him I'll stop to visit next trip to Dallas and will call first.

[Charles Mahan]

Charles:
I agree that working out with John Ray Sensei in MJER would be a good idea for anyone and worth the drive. I don't think the "real deal comment" wasn't directed towards us and I don't think anyone has ever questioned John's credentials. Yamada Sensei SGR will be here in El Paso on the 16th, you're all welcomed.

No, it was certainly not directed at you and yours. Nor was it directed at anyone. It is an affirming statement regarding our school, not a disaffirming statement regarding any other. I'll try to explain why I stuck that in there.

I have lurked for several years on this list and others. In that time, I have seen a lot of people posting queries for places to train. Of these people, a certain number dismiss Iaido as not-real or somehow less than kenjutsu, and state so in their queries. Usually these people have ascertained by reading various lists that Iai is about meditation and self improvement to the detriment of the fighting system, or that Iai is only a subset of a fighting system, or that Iai sucks(as has been stated a few times), etc. etc. ad naseum.

These are simply false viewpoints as anyone who has trained in a koryu long enough to have a genuine feel for the system can tell you. (How's that for qualifying a statement ;) )

The comment was meant to reassure members of this particular audience that MJER, as practiced under the auspices of the ZNIR and particularly under John Ray sensei, is in fact legitamate and very powerful. It was not meant to disparage any other group in any way. I personally have little interest in what others do, but I admit I am a little defensive of what I do.

As for the idea, that no one has questioned Ray-sensei's creditials, this is true on the surface and false a little deeper down. I have certainly never heard or read anyone attack Ray-sensei directly. That said, there are those online who make very disparaging remarks about Iai ,and thus MJER, as systems of combat. These remarks reflect both on myself, my sensei, the ZNIR, MJER seitokai, and Iaidoka everywhere. Thus a little reassurance that Iai is the 'real deal' seems to be in order.

When online, I try not to make disparaging remarks about others. One reason is the old saying, if you don't have anything nice to say... Another reason, is that I try not to talk about things I don't know enough about. These two principles help keep me from looking like too big an ass while online.

I apologize if the previous post sounds like anything other than an endorsement of the Dojo in Denton.

Charles Mahan

[JohnRay]

McClafferty-sensei, I would like to offer you a personal invitation to visit our small school anytime... you are always welcome.... and congratulations on your student's beginning to teach. As your student, I am certain that he will be a positive addition to those of us already practicing the sword arts here in North Texas.
Sincerely,
John Ray

[carl mcclafferty]

Ray Sensei:

Thanks John, I appreciate the invite. I will introduce Joe, you'll like him. Nice man, good cop. Knowing you will can only improve him.

Carl McClafferty

[Maximilian]

:look: Glock with a name like that I would be very hesitant
to recommend you to the instructors I know. The name implies
a degree of violence. That implies you wish to learn not for
the Art but as ways to improve your arsenal of lethality.

A responsible Teacher will never take you in. I would not
and would not recommend you to anyone I know. In here we
are a serious group of people and we can easily know and
see in words what your really mening is.

A change of heart and attitude may get you in the door.

Good Luck,

Maximilian Schell

[Senjojutsu]

I will leave it up to Mr. Brown to argue if his screen name is crass and denotes a certain mindset.

However I just want to say in the study of Iaijutsu, no matter what its ancillary spiritual benefits, does center around the techniques of effectively slicing open another human being.

The original bunkai of many of the waza, especially at the Okuden level, are "first-strike" or assassination techniques.

Legend denotes MJER founder Hayashizaki Jinsuke Minamoto no Shigenobu underlying motivation in developing his sword art was to revenge his father's death.

Many of the soke of the various Batto and Iai Ryu lineages actually had to KILL people in the course of their lives using their swords. It went with the job description of warrior and swordmaster.

Those of us who have invested years in martial arts study understand the "when do I learn to kill" students do not last. They lack the discipline, get bored, and leave to study whatever happens to be the "ultimate fighting system" for the given year based on magazine covers or advertisements.

I just don't want the study of Iaijustsu to be sanitized for today's political correctness. It will then cease to be "the real deal".

Regards

[Glock: For Hire]

Maximillian,

If you knew me personally you would be embarrassed by your response.

I do train with a handgun. I am very disciplined and serious about it. I train with the heart of the "life giving blade", i.e. the blade that is used to destroy evil is protecting life. Are you familiar with that philosophy?

Judge me based on my character, my dedication to training, and or my respect towards others. Judging me based on a handle on a website is careless and embarrassing. If I had a name like samurai, or sword, or ronin : for hire, you would never have responded in such a manner. You probably would have felt it to be in the spirit of the board. Besides what is a ronin, a masterless samurai for hire.

Perhaps this will help.I am a student of the 20 rules of "Zen and the Art of Combat Pistolcraft".

They are as follows:

1.) Skill at Arms, to take life is used only in defense of life.

2.) Skill at arms and the carriage of arms both allow and require a morality and philosophy above those of the unarmed man.

3.) Discipline is required in life, combat and training. The undisciplined weapon-bearing man is a fool.

4.) A man who knows merely his weapon and technique will fail.

5.) A man who knows neither himself nor his weapon will fail.

6.) Trust your mind and body in an emergency. It is too late by then to think.

7.) Learn to feel, to be in touch.

8.) Your weapon is part of you, part of your body, not added to it or grasped by it.

9.) It is enough to learn one thing from each practice session.

10.) Fire each round in practice or combat as if it was the only one.

11.) Watch others. Learn from their successes or mistakes, but watch everyone.

12.) Never skimp on equipment, but do not substitute equipment for skill.

13.) Your enemy is merely a man.

14.) Return an attack with aggression, not fear.

15.) The unprepared man criticizes the prepared man until the enemy appears.

16.) Do not take a half-hearted measure. Be definitive in all movement. Be precise.

17.) Speed comes from smoothness, the elimination of excess movement, and definitive thought, not by merely faster movements.

18.) Never compare your capabilities against those you compete or shoot with. Comparison creates doubt. There is only one great contest, to which there is never doubt to the winner.

19.) Your weapon is never to be displayed unless you intend it to be used.

20.) You will be accountable for your actions with your pistol: to the law immediately, and to your conscience forever.

All of these rules apply to all martial arts.

If you are in the DFW area or find yourself here please feel free to drop by the DFW Gun Range. I work there part time. I would love to be able to personally discuss philosophy or your recommendations for a kenjutsu and/or iaido school.

Thanks.

Best wishes

David S. Brown
aka Glock: For Hire
(214) 630-4866

[David T Anderson]

Originally posted by Glock: For Hire
Maximillian,

If you knew me personally you would be embarrassed by your response.



David -- the point is we _don't_ know you personally. Your postings [the ones that I've read ] indicate that you are a serious and well-motivated person, but before that, your nom-de-plume suggested to me that you were quite the opposite. Also, you started off this thread by breaking one of the few rules we have here...the one about using your real name as a signature on each post.

I would venture to say that there are many martial art dojos that wouldn't have given you a second chance after making similar mistakes. You might want to consider that....

[carl mcclafferty]

David:

Being cops we're not too offended by you liking to practice shooting, we like it ourselves. One of our student is a Bi-athlete (skiing/shooting). She's Really good. Several other do a run/shoot/run competition.

Otake Sensei of TSKSR told me his rule is to accept anyone, chase no one. As long as you obey the style rules most Japanese instructors would not care what you E-Budo name was. I don't think John Rey Sensei in Dallas nor Joe Bostick will care. They might tease you, but that's about how important it is since it will be your sincerity in training that counts. If there's some Japanese instructor who will not give you chance to train because of you "handle" I'd be really surprised and would like know his name.

But if some school wants to exclude you, thats their own business of course. But I wouldn't change you personal E-budo name over it.

Carl McClafferty:cool:

[Glock: For Hire]

To all,

I apologize to those offended by my screen name. I plan to keep it however. I also apologize for violating E-Budo's rules. It is my fault because I didn't thoroughly read the rules. I promise that at the end of all my posts my name will be clearly legible.

I also promise never to use my E-Budo handle whenever I introduce myself to any future sensei(s)I may wish to train under. I actually enjoy using my real name when not in cyberspace.

Now my rant. I find it hypocritical to talk about martial arts only to be labeled as someone who revels in violence because it's intimated by a screen name that I like guns. As was stated earlier the original purpose to all these "arts" was to quickly and efficiently end the life of another human being. Sad but true. Though I may be wrong but I'm pretty sure that the first samurai warriors weren't amazingly concerned about the meditative aspects of drawing and cutting with the sword. I might be wrong.

To all I freely admit that my screen name choice was a mistake and a breech of etiquette. I had no intention to insult anyone or demean the seriousness of this sight. However to be judged as some purveyor of violence looking to increase my "arsenal of lethality" is insulting. Question. Is a practitioner of a jutsu ryu adding to his/her arsenal of lethality because he doesn't practice a do way?
Is a practitioner of a do way ethically superior because his art is meditatively oriented? Is a jutsu practioner bereft of morality because his art emphasizes combat and thus death?

Let's not get to arrogant here. Our martial arts tree may have different branches, but we all share the same roots. Thus if your martial art, be it aikido, jujutsu, iaido, firearms, et al, is causing you to be an ethical person and treat others decently, then I don't have a problem with that. Rant over.

Sorry for the extent of this post, but as you get to know me, you'll find out that arrogance and self righteousness are not things I suffer gladly.

Peace to all.

David S. Brown
aka Glock: For Hire
er, I mean aka Katana: For Hire,
no how about Samurai: For Hire, wait
I think Ronin: For Hire is better.

[Charles Mahan]

Question. Is a practitioner of a jutsu ryu adding to his/her arsenal of lethality because he doesn't practice a do way? Is a practitioner of a do way ethically superior because his art is meditatively oriented? Is a jutsu practioner bereft of morality because his art emphasizes combat and thus death?


Or is the whole do/jutsu label thing an affectation of western origin wich will not aid anyone in determining anything about a particular martial art? Read the archives. The Do/Justu arguement is long, old, heated and very boring.

Basic summary, and please don't anyone start this debate again, I'm mearly trying to summarize for a new poster. It's a silly arguement about a distinction which simply does not exist. There are "do" schools which focus primarily on the spiritual nature of their art. There are "justu" schools which shun the spiritual side of the art, and emphasize effective technique. These two extremes, are just that, extremes. The vast majority of schools fall somewhere in between, and the label "do/justu" will not necessarily tell you which end of the spectrum the school is on.

As an example, MJER as practiced at Ray-sensei's dojo in Denton sounds more like a "jutsu" art as frequently defined online. When discussing technique, the emphasis is pretty much exclusively on the combat aspects of the technique. We don't meditate. There is no discussion of spirtual enlightment. I suspect Iai has spiritual benefits, but they are automatic and do not get emphasized as it were. This has been the case with visiting sensei from Japan as well, and yet what we do is called IaiDO not IaiJUTSU. Why? I suspect, because that's what Yamashita-sensei called it. Why do they call it IaiDO? I don't care. It just is, and that's good enough for me.

All I'm saying is don't put too much faith in the Do/Jutsu label.

Hi Guys;

Mr Schell said:


Glock with a name like that I would be very hesitant
to recommend you to the instructors I know. The name implies
a degree of violence. That implies you wish to learn not for
the Art but as ways to improve your arsenal of lethality.

A responsible Teacher will never take you in. "

__________


Huh???? Am I really reading this? LOL.......

Yo Max, Go plant some daisies :) and make sure to do so without using any sharp object that might be capable of committing violence. I mean this is a Koryu Kenjutsu thread afterall.

P.S. Glock, You're welcome to visit my dojo anytime. In fact Carl Mc, John Ray and I need to get together sometime for some laughs...being fellow Texans and all.

Toby Threadgill / Soryushin Dojo
Dallas, Texas

[pgsmith]

Gotta agree with you on that one Toby! I read that and laughed out loud (not good since I'm at work!). I don't see how you can possibly swing a 3 foot razor around without realizing that the purpose of the tool is to introduce a person's insides to the world at large. We have had a few instances where, when explaining how a certain technique is designed to disembowel or hamstring the opponent, you get a "that's disgusting, do you have to say that?" kind of reaction. I always say "yes, I do" because you just can't lose sight of the fact that the sword was originally made to do just that, and that is what you are training to do despite the fact that you probably never will. By the way, I haven't been including you in local sword art training opportunities because I thought you were on your way north. Did the deal fall through and you're staying in town Mr. Threadgill? (Enquiring minds want to know!)

Cheers,

[JohnRay]

Mr. Brown: I did't even notice your screen name... although I lean toward long pointy things, we have quite a group of gun afficiandos. We practice iaido up here in Denton and you are most welcome to visit and have a look. Despite the vocal criticism on this forum on iaido recently, you might be surprised at what you see.
Carl, the next time you're in town, how would you like to get together with Toby and me for a little suds and steel.. not necessarily in that order. Paul, you are definitely invited as well. My place is open to you all any time....
John Ray

[James Williams]

Dave,

Toby Threadgill is teaching what you are lookin for. I would defintely check his school out as a place to train. I would like to warn you however that he has friends who would not be offended by your nom de plume, quite the contrary. In fact Toby had a Aunt that could outshoot anybody in half of Texas.

Max,

Careful on the ecosystem when you plant those daisies. It sounds to me like you need a little violence in your life. You seem to be missing out on the duality that is a part of Universe reality. By the way I have protested to the lions about the violent way that they get their food and also the elephants for knocking over trees when they are really hungry, and oh yes I have petitioned the Big Guy about those awful storms that cause death and destruction.

Pax Vobiscum

[HanashiBugeisha]

Welcome to the BBoard, Dave. I've been here on E-Budo for a while...but I mostly lurk and learn...and only post when I actually have something fairly intelligent to say ;)

It sounds like there are some mighty fine people from the great state of Texas that are involved in Japanese sword arts. I am involved in Iaido and Kenjutsu here in Wichita, KS. Apparently Texas is the place to be! I know talking with a few people here and on another forum, it gives me a reason to visit Texas and perhaps, with permission, share in some budo and conversation. Sounds like the perfect vacation for me!


Oh, Dave....I too enjoy shooting. I have several handguns....and I don't want to post about guns here on E-Budo...but I just had my Colt Gold Cup customized a wee bit. And I recently had the feed ramp polished on my Glock 22...and I also added a Lasermax internal laser (takes the place of the original guide rod/recoil spring) last week. Glad to see another budoka that enjoys firearms as well.


Best regards,

Matthew Ash

Wichita, KS

[Scott Irey]

Mr. Brown,

I am "just and iaido guy" so take my recomendation for whatever you may feel it is worth. If you are anywhere near Denton Texas, please take the oppurtunity to sit in on one of John Rays classes. He is not only one of the finest men I have met, he is one of the finest practitioners of MJER iaido outside of Japan today.

As for Toby, although we have never met, I have heard nothing but good things about him from our numerous mutual aquaintences and friends. Certainly do not miss out on an oppurtunity to visit his dojo as well.

I am sure you will be able to find much that is valuable and worthwhile between these two men.

[Tonya Easton]

:laugh: :toast: :laugh: :toast:
Almost laughing too hard to type! Must be something about texans... The safe isn't big enough to hold the guns and the swords both! And I'm a girl! :D :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

I have to admit most of them are my husbands, :o ... emphasis on MOST :D !

Hey Pg... can you walk yet after last weekend sekiguichi ryu seminar ????

[pgsmith]

Hi All,
John - Thanks for the invite! Don't worry about the 'vocal critism' recently. Some of these folks would criticize a horse's color even if they got it for free, and there will always be differences of opinion.
Carl - that means the timing is all up to you now!
Tonya - I was walking funny for a couple days, but still better than you on that toe! :) Shoot me an email and let me know how testing went.
All - This is obviously NOT the right forum for anyone to say that you shouldn't display any violence! Thanks for the smiles everyone! Think I'll go out back and shoot me some daisies now.

Cheers,

Paul,

The rumours are true. I will be relocating to Evergreen, Colorado this summer. The new house & dojo are under construction as I type. For this reason I have stopped taking on new students, as the great group of guys I leave behind are as yet undecided about how and where they are going to continue their training. Some are even threatening to move to Colorado. My oh my......

As far as playing with pointy things the sword class at my dojo is officially only a Yanagi ryu kenjutsu study group, so I don't really want myself advertised as "teaching" kenjutsu. (There is significant ken & tanto waza included in Takamura ha Shindo Yoshin ryu but it is by no means comprehensive enough top be considered a stand alone sword art ). Actually The Yanagi ryu classes are more like a group therapy session where we try to figure out how to do this stuff without slicing off a limb. This morning I took an advanced student of Yanagi ryu back the the airport after a 5 day visit. He didn't throw up or laugh out loud at us so maybe are making some progress.

Carl,

See you need to get up this way soon. I mean... where but Texas can a bunch of comedians compare suds, sharp steel, and lead flingers. Is this a great state or what! After I move I'll miss some of the characters but not the heat.

Let us know up here in arctic Texas when you may trek north from Del Rio.

Tobs

[James Williams]

Tobin,

Well I would say you guys have been successful in your kenjutsu studies. The last time I looked there were some pretty good scars but no one was missing any limbs. And, thanks for asking, my thumb has re-attached just fine.

And as they say in Texas "You can go to school but it don't make you smart.".

James

[Walker]

:idea: Hey, speaking of Texas and Texans isn’t there a guy in Dallas that gets people to pay him to shoot them? You guys need to tell the newbies that they can get shot for free if they just ask nicely.
:laugh:

[Cady Goldfield]

You people make Texas sound like the happening place to be. I have to go to Dallas/Ft. Worth in late April. Can anyone recommend a good place to get shot at?

James,

How'd we get you quoting Texas idioms...LOL...

I know this is sort of off topic but.....

How about these Takamura-isms: (I guess I stuck around for the entertainment until I was into SYR way too deep)

P.S. You must read these with a Sidney Toler accent to get the full effect!

______________


If you don't have so many scars you need a sharper sword.

Toby san! Why you no move? ( After cracking my head so hard with a bokuto I grew a horn. This was just as I asked a dumb question.)

Hey, Toby san, POW! ----You see consterations? ( Head butting me during dinner when he found out I was interested in astronomy. Tak did love his Irish Whiskey!)

Only use dull sword on friend. Sharp sword for enemy and self.

_______________


After my last "laceration" I told Don Angier, Well.... at least Takamura Sensei would be proud of me because the sword was reeeeally sharp.

:)

Tobs

______________

[Diane Mirro]

...'Course the kevlar is optional but the body piercings are mandatory in Deep Ellum.

But the REAL partyers will head south several hundred miles the last week of April to party down here in ol' San Antone during Fiesta, 10 days of wall-to-wall people, parades, music and madness on the Riverwalk--makes us really appreciate the lesser zaniness of the rest of the year.

Yeah, Texas seems like the place to be for swords...until you realize that I have to drive 300 miles each way once a month to get up to Dallas to train with my instructor, and that Carl's another 150 miles away in Del Rio--that is, when he's not 550 miles away in El Paso...a distance, Cady, that puts you (back East)in hailing distance of over a dozen states and provinces. Think of all the swordpeople stuffed into that amount of space! Somehow, though, we don't mind travelling as much here in Texas.

Anyway you guys, let me know when the next Texas shindig is. (Sorry I couldn't make the seminar, Carl--my group had already promised to demo at the Asian New Year festival here.) I'm already going through sword show withdrawal pains--what a wonderful time it was last year with John, Carl, Scott, Paul and all the rest of the fantastic folks last year. It was well worth the total exhaustion that followed. I hope I can convince Mike to resurrect it next year, but eBay is really sucking the sword market dry...

[James Williams]

After thinking about this I just wanted to put some things in perspective, lest we forget that it is by violence that we became a free people and violence sustains us still. For those who think otherwise here is a perspective from a people who were faced with their destruction and realized the consequence of failure.

"Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory there is no survival". Winston Churchill

Let us give credit where credit is due for the privileges that we take for granted as our birthright. Those very privileges which are so often used to denigrate the very people who protect the denigrators with their blood.

"The spear and song in her do meet, and justice walks about her street".

The Soldier

It is the soldier, not the reporter,
Who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the soldier, not the poet,
Who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the soldier, not the campus organizer,
Who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.
It is the soldier, not the lawyer,
Who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the soldier who salutes the flag,
Who serves under the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag,
who allows the protester to burn the flag.

Charles M. Province

When you have buried your brothers in arms you don't forget them or their sacrifice.


James

"I have seen a fiery gospel writ in burnished rows of steel..."

[Cady Goldfield]

Hi Diane,

Yep, sounds like Texas is a sword-rich state but with a lot of distance between dojo. But even here in tiny Massachusetts, I drive 150 at a pop to train with Dan. Twice a week training = 300 miles a week. 1200 miles a month. :)

Cady

[Chuck.Gordon]

Originally posted by James Williams
When you have buried your brothers in arms you don't forget them or their sacrifice.

Amen.

Chuck Gordon

TOMMY
by Rudyard Kipling

I went into a public-'ouse to get a pint o' beer,
The publican 'e up an' sez, "We serve no red-coats here."
The girls be'ind the bar they laughed an' giggled fit to die,
I outs into the street again an' to myself sez I:
O it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, go away";
But it's "Thank you, Mister Atkins", when the band begins to play,
The band begins to play, my boys, the band begins to play,
O it's "Thank you, Mister Atkins", when the band begins to play.

I went into a theatre as sober as could be,
They gave a drunk civilian room, but 'adn't none for me;
They sent me to the gallery or round the music-'alls,
But when it comes to fightin', Lord! they'll shove me in the stalls!
For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, wait outside";
But it's "Special train for Atkins" when the trooper's on the tide,
The troopship's on the tide, my boys, the troopship's on the tide,
O it's "Special train for Atkins" when the trooper's on the tide.

Yes, makin' mock o' uniforms that guard you while you sleep
Is cheaper than them uniforms, an' they're starvation cheap;
An' hustlin' drunken soldiers when they're goin' large a bit
Is five times better business than paradin' in full kit.
Then it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, 'ow's yer soul?"
But it's "Thin red line of 'eroes" when the drums begin to roll,
The drums begin to roll, my boys, the drums begin to roll,
O it's "Thin red line of 'eroes" when the drums begin to roll.

We aren't no thin red 'eroes, nor we aren't no blackguards too,
But single men in barricks, most remarkable like you;
An' if sometimes our conduck isn't all your fancy paints,
Why, single men in barricks don't grow into plaster saints;
While it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, fall be'ind",
But it's "Please to walk in front, sir", when there's trouble in the wind,
There's trouble in the wind, my boys, there's trouble in the wind,
O it's "Please to walk in front, sir", when there's trouble in the wind.

You talk o' better food for us, an' schools, an' fires, an' all:
We'll wait for extry rations if you treat us rational.
Don't mess about the cook-room slops, but prove it to our face
The Widow's Uniform is not the soldier-man's disgrace.
For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Chuck him out, the brute!"
But it's "Saviour of 'is country" when the guns begin to shoot;
An' it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' anything you please;
An' Tommy ain't a bloomin' fool -- you bet that Tommy sees!

[Jack B]

Cady,

Anywhere in south Dallas will work...

Seriously if you have a chance to come up to Denton, you would be welcome to visit The Dojo (texas variety) and be treated to a "shot" or two of whatever is on special next door!

Jack Bieler

[Cady Goldfield]

That's mighty nice of you, Jack. Thanks. I'll try to smuggle some New England lobsters with me and we can race them against armadillos. :)

Cady

[carl mcclafferty]

Toby:

What Paul forgot to mention was that I was gutted like a fish just under 3 weeks ago, so it will be a few more before I start working SGR again. Than it will several more before my legs quit screaming at me. But should I be up in your, paul's and John's neck of the woods before that I will do my best to show off my steel. Being a 26 year Border Patrol Chief, I can shoot a mite also and being Scot/Irish I've been known have a few group tighteners. Not at the same time of course. :~)
I've moved over El Paso way now, that's where the seminar and dojo were/is.

Cady, they'll explain "neck of the woods", "shoot a mite" "group tightener" and "El Paso way" to you when you arrive. Its all in our pocket dictionary. I just put it in code so the kinder and gentler among us don't have a heart attack. :~) ( Imagine their fright! He has a sword, shoots bambi and drinks singlemalt scotch and whiskey; and the Japanese like him, let him train and teach!) Well there goes any future "Sierra Club Monthly" award.

Diane, No problem, but you missed a reall good party. I even wore my utili-kilt for the get together. Paul's wife "Sherry" got me to stop long enough to get a picture which I expect to see with a ransom note.

Well off to the office, to earn a living.
Carl McClafferty