Monday, July 09, 2007

Making Notes

In less than two weeks I'll be doing a seminar with Kevin Jackson and Scott Finney. The seminar is Kevin's brainchild: an in-your-face introduction to the difference between sparring and fighting for your life. The difference between training for a belt promotion and training for ambush survival.

It's what I do and something that Kevin understands in a way that many martial artists never really do. They learn the words, but not the music. I don't know Scott but Kevin likes him, and that's enough for me. It will be the first time the three of us teach together. Mac would have been in on it but he's out of town on vacation. that will be a big loss for the students. Mac is special- a combination of skill and experience and irreverance that is phenomenal.

When the plans were first made, I passed some preliminary notes to Kevin. He smiled and said nice things (he always says nice things, he's one of the most positive, high-energy individuals I've ever met... and he can cut you five times in under a second from the draw. I love that.) Last week the fliers came out. They're impressive- and they promise a huge amount of stuff in a short time. From the pre-fight interview to after action debriefing; adrenaline control; multiple opponents and weapons.

Today is closing the gaps, bringing the notes (the plan) and the flyer (the promise) together in a tight package. Time-checking the presentations and videos. Composing handouts. Planning the notes on the dry-erase board. Bullet pointing the most important details to emphasize. Making sure everything is covered.

It's fun. Teaching a new program to new people with new partners is always a blast. July 21st. If you can't make it, I'll let you know how it went here.

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