10-20-2019, 07:21 PM
(This post was last modified: 10-20-2019, 07:44 PM by Drunk Monk.)
Free wifi via JetBlue is pretty cool.
Parting FL thoughts.
Most of the attending VIPs were Hong Kongers. They do NOT support the protesters. They beleive things have improved in HK like education, standard of living, freedom, since UK rule. Sure PRC has it's issues, but they feel it's a 'kids today' problem. This generation doesn't remember UK rule and don't understand how things have improved under PRC. It offends them that the protesters shut down public transit, like the subway and airport and that small businesses are getting shuttered. They beleive the only people profiting are the rich, that the rich are taking advantage of the ignorant. Hmm, that sounds familiar...
I ate really well. HKers love food. Dim Sum and banquests. Exotic dishes. Lots of good seafood. There was no drinking however. I had a Tsingtao with the Master Li (the host) two actually because I didn't want him to drink alone. But many of the elder masters don't drink anymore, due to health reasons.
They shared an intense amount of stories, nothing I can publish, stories of challenge matches, gang wars, early chinatowns, Bruce Lee (one master is the only surviving witness to the legendary Lee v Wong Jackman match beyond Linda). My roommate often took Bruce out for Chinese food when he came to DC to visit Jhoon Rhee. Also, these guys were connected to so many Shaw Brothers stars. The last time I was here was when I met Chan Koon Tai.
The face changing master changed my mind about the art. I've always thought it was kind of cheesey, that if I just got the cool mask, I could do it. I've seen this act many times (Greg reminded me on my gram that Legbone was really impressed by one that went down at our earthquake benefit). This master was super fast and triggering it from all over. Here's the weird part. I videoed one change. He saw me do it and came right up to me, put his face in my iphone, and changed to the Monkey King. I posted that on my gram too. I've frame-by-framed that. The switch happens in one frame only and it looks like it's morphing. wth? I'll screen grab it later and post it.
For the cfs:
The host, Master Li, knew Shek Kin (he's actually Master Mimi's godfather - it was so fun to spend some very short moments with her and to finally meet her husband). Shek Kin was Mr. Han in Enter the Dragon and a noted master himself. He was an eyewitness to when our Great Grandmaster Ku Yu Cheung, killed the horse with his iron palm. Closest validation of that story by a known eyewitness I have ever heard. I learned a lot about the BSL cross-fertilizations with Choy Lay Fut, Hung Gar, Tai Shing Pek Kwar and Chin Woo. The Pek Kwar Dan Do set that the face change master taught was our set. A variation naturally, but I shared a bit of my version and he was very amused. I enjoyed his interpretation (except for one awkward spin that brought his blade facing to his armpit) and might poach a few moves. You know I've always loved that set. After this weekend, I'm so grateful that Sifu passed one of the great treasures of Kung Fu Do to us. I'll post some of his teachings on my gram later, when I have faster internet access.
It was a great weekend. I felt so honored and am so grateful for it. It reaffirmed my respect for the legacy we have inherited.
Parting FL thoughts.
Most of the attending VIPs were Hong Kongers. They do NOT support the protesters. They beleive things have improved in HK like education, standard of living, freedom, since UK rule. Sure PRC has it's issues, but they feel it's a 'kids today' problem. This generation doesn't remember UK rule and don't understand how things have improved under PRC. It offends them that the protesters shut down public transit, like the subway and airport and that small businesses are getting shuttered. They beleive the only people profiting are the rich, that the rich are taking advantage of the ignorant. Hmm, that sounds familiar...
I ate really well. HKers love food. Dim Sum and banquests. Exotic dishes. Lots of good seafood. There was no drinking however. I had a Tsingtao with the Master Li (the host) two actually because I didn't want him to drink alone. But many of the elder masters don't drink anymore, due to health reasons.
They shared an intense amount of stories, nothing I can publish, stories of challenge matches, gang wars, early chinatowns, Bruce Lee (one master is the only surviving witness to the legendary Lee v Wong Jackman match beyond Linda). My roommate often took Bruce out for Chinese food when he came to DC to visit Jhoon Rhee. Also, these guys were connected to so many Shaw Brothers stars. The last time I was here was when I met Chan Koon Tai.
The face changing master changed my mind about the art. I've always thought it was kind of cheesey, that if I just got the cool mask, I could do it. I've seen this act many times (Greg reminded me on my gram that Legbone was really impressed by one that went down at our earthquake benefit). This master was super fast and triggering it from all over. Here's the weird part. I videoed one change. He saw me do it and came right up to me, put his face in my iphone, and changed to the Monkey King. I posted that on my gram too. I've frame-by-framed that. The switch happens in one frame only and it looks like it's morphing. wth? I'll screen grab it later and post it.
For the cfs:
The host, Master Li, knew Shek Kin (he's actually Master Mimi's godfather - it was so fun to spend some very short moments with her and to finally meet her husband). Shek Kin was Mr. Han in Enter the Dragon and a noted master himself. He was an eyewitness to when our Great Grandmaster Ku Yu Cheung, killed the horse with his iron palm. Closest validation of that story by a known eyewitness I have ever heard. I learned a lot about the BSL cross-fertilizations with Choy Lay Fut, Hung Gar, Tai Shing Pek Kwar and Chin Woo. The Pek Kwar Dan Do set that the face change master taught was our set. A variation naturally, but I shared a bit of my version and he was very amused. I enjoyed his interpretation (except for one awkward spin that brought his blade facing to his armpit) and might poach a few moves. You know I've always loved that set. After this weekend, I'm so grateful that Sifu passed one of the great treasures of Kung Fu Do to us. I'll post some of his teachings on my gram later, when I have faster internet access.
It was a great weekend. I felt so honored and am so grateful for it. It reaffirmed my respect for the legacy we have inherited.
Shadow boxing the apocalypse