Put a dime in the way-back-machine
Jul 18th, 2006 by Peter
4 days before we moved to our new apartment a voice from the past appeared. I just placed my fat butt on the bike and pedaled towards home, as the phone rang (yeah – I know most people thought I heard voices, but not in this case). The guy who called me was Carsten, an old buddy from way back when I studied and taught TaeKwonDo. It was 20 years ago.
20 years ago! 20 years? Suddenly I feel old. I was 14 years old back then, and decided to start practicing martial arts. My hometown was a small one, and we had no such thing as Karate, Kung Fu or Aikido, so I felt happy to see that A TaeKwonDo club started up in the local school in the evening.
To make a long story long, I ended up practicing for 6-7 years, until I moved to Aalborg and a mix of both lame and valid excuses made me stop. By then I already was a 1st Dan black belt and had taught new students for some years. It was a big part of my life and actually still is. I am no way near the physical condition I was back then (some would even say I can’t even tie my own shoes now), but the way of thinking sticks with me. It’s not just a sport, but a way of life.
I was surprised to hear that the club was still going strong. Some of the old guys are still hanging on, and remembered me as I was one of the few from the very first class. The club had 20 year anniversary and decided to celebrate on the yearly summer camp. So they tried to get hold of all the old dudes and dudettes.
I decided to go, and take C. with me even though the timing was horrible. 4 days of notice, and the anniversary was held the same evening as we moved to our new home. As expected we were beat from the moving task, but it was pretty good to see the many familiar faces again. Some more worn than others, some gained weight and some were surprisingly fit. We only stayed a few hours, but it was enough to talk to some of the old guys, see the well-renowned 9th dan black belt Choi Kyoung An teach, enjoy yummy Korean food made by his wife and shoot a few pictures.
I sent my shots to the club, and I can see that a few of mine was used in the gallery from the summer camp.
Strange feeling…. Now I am old enough to have a past.
You wrote..: “As expected we were beat from the moving task” – as I recall it, you didn’t do ANYTHING …. the only ones who “threw” around your furniture was..: me, your brother and “Bertel” .. You only bossed us around while you cried that your foot hurts … :-)
I only recall someone had gained more weight and was sweating more than ever. All names have been changed to protect the innocent (but lets call him ‘G’).
As an objective observer I must back mr. G. up…..despite your viscious slander, he has made a true observation. Go mr. G…and thanx for the DVD :)
I have no comments to the ignorant attack from Kojak. I just refer to this writing