What happens in Vegas...

What an amazing adventure LK1 and LK2 had over the weekend! It started out great - they met up with their friend Thumper and arrived at the airport with plenty of time to spare.

Famous last words, let me tell ya.

It was announced that the incoming plane that would take the LKs to San Francisco was late arriving from Chicago - by about 30 minutes - and it was anticipated that the connection would be missed to get to Vegas. There were 11 people on the plane (13 really, the LKs were in disguise and had been checked as luggage), and all were sitting in the back. We were told that they would try and hold the plane for us and let us off early - but alas that did not happen. The plane took off 10 minutes before we arrived.

So - what to do now? One of the problems that was immediately realized was - the LKs were testing for 3rd degree on Friday morning - with a mandatory testers meeting at 8am - and they were stuck in San Francisco overnight. United booked them on the 8:30 flight, but after much whining, agreed to put them on standby for the 5:50am flight. But we were told that it was completely booked.

After spending at least 3 hours in baggage trying to get luggage off-loaded so it could go on the standby flight, Thumper and the LKs spent the night in the lobby - wide awake. Did you know you can stay in an airport for over 6 hours and not get questioned about why you're there? And if you bring in at least 15 taped boxes and leave them in the ticket line, you can walk away from them and nothing is said - probably because there was no hint of a security guard anywhere, who would you report the unattended boxes to? Simply amazing.

Finally - at 3:30, Thumper and LK1 and LK2 changed into their uniforms and managed to get tickets - and actually made the 5:50 flight. They landed in Vegas at 7:30, ran to baggage to get the luggage, and made it to the Convention Center with 10 minutes to spare before the meeting.

Testing went well - other than taking 3 attempts to break the boards.

Competition went as could be expected. Friday night they had dinner with some fabulous friends, and finally, after being awake for more than 36 hours, they managed to get some rest at the hotel. All told, by the time they got home Saturday night, they'd had 7 hours of sleep out of 67 on the road. Greatness.

The LKs came very close to competing in Creative Weapons on Saturday - but the corner judge said that they'd been modified and weren't protech. Turns out, the center judge later said had he seen them, he would've allowed them, just for fun (simply because the LKs joined the ring at the last minute and didn't have anything planned as far as, you know, a form or anything).



Stay tuned - the LKs are going to learn a new weapon as soon as they find out if they passed to 3rd. Watch out long-range bo, here they come!

The Llama kamas are going to....LAS VEGAS!!!

It's been awhile since there's been an update on this blog, so here goes.

Tonight, LK1 and LK2 are traveling to Las Vegas to attend the ATA Spring Nationals. While there, they will be testing for 3rd degree, competing in traditional weapons (Oh Sung Do), Creative forms (with Ozzy, thank you very much), and traditional forms and sparring. While there, they will be meeting up with lots of friends during competition and testing, and for dinner - let's get this party started!

Currently, they are waiting for the day to go by faster, because it seems to be crawling by. The bags are packed (except for their jeans and a t-shirt), the airline info is printed, lunch has been eaten...what else, what else?

See you in Vegas baby!

Theme of the Month - GOALS

The first Texas tournament is this weekend!

The theme of the month is currently GOALS - setting goals in our personal lives as well as our taekwondo lives. In thinking about what the focus should be this month, LK1 and LK2 have decided the following is what they will be striving for at the tournament:

1. Meet new people - this should be fairly easy...what tournament have you ever been to that you don't meet someone new?

2. Have fun - well, duh. That goes hand-in-hand with being at a tournement, I would think.

3. Improving scores in traditional forms - Worlds was a high, it's true. 7-6-7 hasn't happened in a long time. But if that could be done again, that would be nice.

4. DO NOT SMILE AT THE AUDIENCE (OR TALK TO THEM) DURING WEAPONS COMPETITION - this is a big one. Originally, the LKs were going to try and compete with DBME (um, yah, it's kind of funny picturing llama kamas competing with a weapon), but they're most likely going to fall back on Oh Sung Do. And when they do, the major goal of this tournament is to not smile at the audience (or talk to them) during the form. Hey, it could happen.

5. Win one round in sparring - one round at a time, that's all it takes.

Personal goals -

My baby turns 14 this weekend (sob). How did he go from 21 inches tall, and 8.5 pounds...to 5'9", 140 pounds, and a size 12 shoe? Sheesh. My goal is for him to have a fantabulous birthday - and I just KNOW he's going to love his birthday present! (it's still a secret - he might read this between now and then)

A New Season, A New Plan

The llama kamas realized one morning that a new tournament season has started! (Don't ask what they've been up to since Worlds...it seems the older they get, the worse their memory is).

After browing thru old posts, and pictures taken from Worlds...and hearing who was attending the Texas Twister in a few weeks - the llamas have a new plan! Their goal for the tournament season this year...is to get pictures with as many Taekwondo students as they can! From white belt to 9th degree black belt - everyone's included! So if you know about the llama kamas...or stuffed goats...find Mrs. Barton and she'll get your picture with them and send you a copy.

Won't that be fun?

They are also in the process of designing a new means of transportation...seems that riding around stuck in a belt all day is wearing, and with Grand Master's signature, that is not a Good Thing.

The scrapbook has been started - and it should be noted...the iPhone pictures lack resolution, so there will be a camera, along with a notebook to make sure that names and dates are recorded correctly.

So look for the crazy lady carrying around stuffed animals on red sticks - at the very least, you'll get a giggle.

6:30am Sunday Morning, June 28, 2009

The weekend is almost over and the llamas do not recall being so tired. As exciting as Thursday was...Friday prooved to be even more exciting. The day started out bright and early - with Master Rose's Top 10 Competition in XMA Form.



And he won! The llama kamas were so excited they could hardly stand still - this was the first time they'd watched someone they knew win World Champ. Later that evening, the llama kamas attended opening ceremonies - watching Grand Master break his boards was awesome. And they met some new friends...

Master Benson getting ready for XMA competition

The Llama Kamas meet Barbie


Mister Henderson ready to compete


Senior Master Kohl



The Llama Kamas get signed by Grand Master


But most exciting...the Llama kamas meet Mike Chat - the creater of ATA XMA. A former Blue Power Ranger, open circuit chamption, and all around a great sport.


The day ended on a high note, with this photo taken on the trip back to the hotel

June 25 - The First Day is Over

The Llamas woke up bright and early, and looked forward to getting everything underway. They were nervous, excited - but most of all, they couldn't wait to experience Worlds for the first time



The day started out early with testing - and the Llamas had a great view of many high ranks midterming and testing for rank - the demonstrations seen today were very inspiring - from forms, to sparring, to board breaks, the llama kamas got to see it all. They got a chance to meet Matt K from the ATAForums, and had lunch with him and others at Wasabi.



And then...the time came for Top 10. The Llama Kamas received some last minute instruction for an Oh Sung Do...and then they were up.



While they didn't place in the top three, they were very happy for the experience - and they made new friends ;) They were too scared to go up on stage to receive their pin, but they did watch.



And their instructor was very proud



Finally, they were able to call it a day, and get some very much needed rest.

June 24, 2009, 7:30pm - The Llama Kamas are on the lam(b)

Well, they finally started their journey - after a grueling three hours at the Llama Style Station, the llama kamas managed to get home and pack up and headed out to live out their destiny. They were slowed by some hideous traffic whilst driving thru Greenville, TX, but eventually got thru it and ate now more than halfway thru with their roadtrip. And even though the tree hours seems at first glance to be a setback - they are undeterred - this will be the Worlds to remember


The Llamas on the Road