Just out of curiosity, do you know what degree your uncle has achieved?
I'd imagine he's up there if he's been at it 15 years.
"He studied with a tiny little (lethal) Korean guy in Florida for 15 years."
HA!!
They're all "tiny little" & yes, extremely lethal guys (& gals).
I met our Grand Master -- the one & only 9th Degree -- at the regional tournament last month.
To think there's only *one* 9th Degree Black Belt out of the tens of thousands who practice his Songahm made the experience a very special one, indeed.
Personally I work under the direction of a 6th Degree "Master" who ownes 2 -- soon to be 3 -- schools in this area.
She's taken a real liking to me for some odd reason -- perhaps because we're both older as opposed to all the "kids"? -- & saw to it (personally) I had a one-on-one introduction to the Grand Master & his wife (since out school hosted the tournament).
She had him sign an ATA Tee & photograph for me (in Korean, of course...) while he & I talked sports cars (his wife & I drive similar automobiles).
Anyway...I've never met a more *gentle*, polite, & humble TIGER who also happens to be a fierce American allie.
"I know that is one intense discipline."
Taekwondo's an amazing art form; and, almost anyone who really has the desire, can achieve a modicum of success IF they want it, &, IF they try.
I'd recommend it to anyone for any number of reasons.
(~especially runners...)
"I was talking with a friend the other day about Martin guitars. He is an absolute monster player (also a full time musician), and we decided that these things play like Strats with 11's on 'em.LOL. I can't put the thing down."
HA!!
An addiction that's not illegal *or* immoral and won't make ya fat. Almost makes ya wanna pinch yourself, eh?
BTW: I'm really angry with myself for not dropping a pic of my instruments into the package I'd sent you, Mr.A.
What a silly waste of an opportunity. geshhhh.
In any event, when my sister-in-law heard my Martin, she decided she'd like to have one & began shopping around.
She wound up buying a preowned Gibson Hummingbird of all things -- at an *excellent* price -- & this Easter when they're down visiting us, I'll be able to get my hands on it.
She tells me the Hummingbird has an entirely different & brighter sound for a Dreadnaught size guitar; while, having all the quality of a Martin. We shall see.
If it sounds anything like it looks -- as it is a beautiful instrument -- it should be alright.
"You'll hear me on the tapes I'm sending you. Not great quality sound ( I do 'em on a little box), but they're for practice anyway. I'm gonna add a few extras to the typical jam-along thing I usually do."
Can't wait.
Plus, tapes will give me a pretty good idea what style & type of music you enjoy playing the most.
Don't worry about the tape quality, either.
I've every DBX sig proc box there is on my monster system so I can do amazing things with recordings long before the sound makes it to the biamp drive 901s & JBL subs.
...just ask my neighbors. ;^)