Metamora Martial Arts - December 2007

Tuesday, December 25, 2007 - 11:53 PM

So I know what you're thinking - "This guy's updating the site on CHRISTMAS?!" Long story short, yes. But I was taking some time to relax and flip through the latest issue of Black Belt Magazine (one of the four I have stacked up that haven't been touched since getting them in the mail). Lo and behold, I found a little surprise...

Metamora Martial Arts has been nominated for two national awards from Black Belt Magazine!

Best Children's Program
Best Humanitarian Act/Event (Relay for Life Break-a-thon)

Please click this link to vote for us! I only voted for our categories, so I guess that's all you really need to vote for, haha. Seriously, please make your vote heard. Our program is mentioned with the likes of big businesses like Sharkey's Karate in Naperville and even Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas!

Sunday, December 23, 2007 - 9:43 PM

I just wanted to give everybody an early Christmas present...

I pieced together the entire skit last night from three different cameras and it looks pretty solid, I think. I've watched the finished product at least half a dozen times, and every time I do, I notice something new that strikes me as hilarious. But until next summer, this is all that will be made public of the 2007 holiday skit.

This will be my last update for the next couple of days. Enjoy the holiday!

Friday, December 21, 2007 - 4:16 PM

First of all - I wanted to forward an announcement to you I got from Mr. Stephens early this morning and couldn't update till I got off work.

Class announcement
When: Thursday, 12/27/2007 (formal class 6 - 7 pm...open mat 7 - 8 pm)
Where: RGS gym
Cost: Standard $5 per student

Formal Class: We'll line up, bow in, light cardio, stretching, then katas/ippons/taetsus, then light sparring (mouthpieces please) I'd like to use about half the class time for work on sparring. We'll end class with announcements and bow out.
FULL GI IS REQUIRED FOR THIS CLASS! (one of my little quirks)

Open mat: This is a good opportunity to refresh your Bo skills. We'll also be doing Judo throws, and for older students, we'll work on chokes and joint-locks, and, if there's enough time, we'll do a few knife defenses.

I'm looking forward to seeing a big turnout.

Happy Holidays to everyone.

We've got over 80 pictures in the gallery from last night's holiday party - hopefully there will still be even more since I saw a lot more cameras last night! Feel free to upload your own and/or comment the ones already in there. I just wanted to point to the About section for a brief waver on the pictures brought to my attention through MySpace today. For those of you unaware, there is actually a legal snag in our picture-taking and video-taping, but I believe I've taken care of it.

The holiday party was fun. Check this thread for more info after just short of 24 hours after the madness. Last night we had some good laughs, some great food, and even a few tears I do believe. Plus, the special guest appearance of none other than Hulk Hogan! The skit recap should be available in the next week, hopefully. I've decided the skit will only be available in its entirety on the next DVD release scheduled for summer 2008!

Award winners have been updated on this part of the site. If you want codes to put some graphics I made in your signatures at the forums or somewhere on your MySpace, they are located in the above thread on the forums.

Monday, December 17, 2007 - 6:51 PM

This week is kickstarted by several big announcements! First of all, January 2008 schedules are now available for download at the forums. They are also available for download through the Events link, and will likely be handed out in class at some point this week. Keep in mind the schedule changes!

Also, check the High School forum for news and updates on the awards party. It looks like Balls of Fury will be the video we watch.

And, XBBC's "relaunch" will occur soon enough. Until it does, Mr. C has asked you post goals for the program. I'll be chiming in on those later.

EVERYBODY - remember to bring cameras to the awards party. I've left a big hint in one of the threads about what or who will be involved with it. A gallery has been created, so hopefully we'll see a lot of pictures added since not too many have been added lately.

Friday, December 14, 2007 - 3:57 PM

The end of another big week means it's only getting closer to the end of the year! No classes at the grade schools next week. I've made a photo gallery for the holiday parties held this week at grade schools and next Thursday at MTHS for the high school program.

Speaking of the MTHS party, the black belt skit is both hilarious, exciting, sad...a real gamut of emotions. I got the scoop on it last night and finally read the actual script today. I'm not saying our past skits have been horrible, but this one looks to out-do all past skits.

That's all I got off the top of my head. Stay tuned to the forums for new updates!

Tuesday, December 11, 2007 - 11:19 PM

Hopefully everybody had fun tonight at the MGS holiday party! There is another party (AND PICTURES!) tomorrow night at Riverview, with the final grade school party taking place on Thursday at Germantown. Remember, these are the last grade school classes until 2008!

If you have pictures from the event, please make sure to upload them to the gallery. I've got several in there. It looks as if by the end of 2007, we'll break 1,000 pictures in the gallery!

REMEMBER that t-shirt order forms are due by Thursday. If Mr. C does not have order forms, you will not receive a t-shirt because there will only be one printing.

Just a note saying that the roster page has been updated.

White belts - all of your requirements are on the left under the Requirements link. If you forgot part of Tai Kyoku Kumi or Ippon 1 or Taezu 1, it is on the left.

Monday, December 10, 2007 - 10:45 AM

Happy Monday morning to everybody. Remember this week is picture week AND pizza party week! Pictures are at RGS and MGS, with pizza parties at all three grade schools. Check the forums for details. Parents - PLEASE take plenty of pictures and we'll put a new album up on the gallery.

Also, one important announcement - possible cancellations. Your best bet to figure out whether or not karate class is cancelled is whether or not the high school or grade schools cancelled. If weather gets worse throughout the day, check the forums. They will be your best bet to figure out whether or not we will have karate class.

Voting for high school awards is now up. Such awards include best black belt instructor, best assistant instructor, various animal awards, and one brand new award for 2007! Please visit the forums for the document.

T-shirt order forms are due this THURSDAY!

And it's almost the end of first semester, meaning I'll have some time to throw together a brand new video covering this past semester! Hopefully I can have it together by the new year.

Wednesday, December 5, 2007 - 4:19 PM

Make sure to check the forums for updates on a new schedule. For the first time since I've been with this program, we will NOT be holding regular practice on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It has switched to Mon/Wed.

**I need profile information!** Check out some of our roster profiles for me, my brother, Gabby, Clay, and Thomas. Seriously, I'd like to get some personality on that page. I've updated the page with some of our new belts, but make sure you tell me if you have been promoted to a new belt!

Speaking of new belts, a good number of white belts are now just one step away from becoming yellow belts. I tested them last night and we now have a lot of two-stripers, and Trini is now a yellow belt!

Don't forget picture night this Thursday at MTHS (be there by 4 for individual, 4;30 for team) and Germantown (6 for individual, 6:30 for team).

A list of links to definitely check out...

Demo Team is back
Movie Vote for 12/20 party
White Belts get tested
New Schedule starting January 3, 2008 for the high school program
New Year payment changes for grade schools
Testing, Parties, Pictures - notes on all three

Saturday, December 1, 2007

It's the holiday season and the Metamora Martial Arts Shop is a place you don't want to pass up! This year for sale are 2007 DVDs and apparel, along with CUSTOM belt racks. Make sure to order belt racks soon in time for Christmas. Also, make sure to buy any gear outside our program through the shop and then one of the images placed on the page (Karate Depot, Century, and UFC).

Also, keep checking the forums. So many updates have occured over the last week it would take awhile to create a list for you. One specific note I want to mention is that I'm offering to compile tournament footage from Rantoul for individual competitors like I did for the US Open. Check News & Updates for more info.

Pictures this coming Thursday for MTHS and Germantown programs!