TF, you probably shouldn't read this. No, really don't read it.
Like you're gonna listen.
I'm only gonna say thing because I see TF take a lot of (sometimes well deserved) heat on this board. And he's my friend, plus I'm his student.
And here's the deal; he prob. would rather I stay out of it and maybe I should, but I'm not asking his permission. This is the thing: TF is snarky. And not only that he's very funny. I laugh every time I'm with him. And that makes the hard training easier to tolerate. And he's opinionated. Unlike most Texans, he'll actually tell you what he thinks. And being a displaced Californian living in TX, I find that refreshing.
But listen friend (NPTKD), and this is off topic, you have got to figure out how to not ever let somebody's opinion, given on an internet forum, bother you. This is a mode of entertainment for many people. Never assume that it's just straight information being given. Never take it personal. Always read it with your "filter" on.
TF knows and freely admits that he can be a jerk. He said so at the beginning of this thread. And so he certainly deserves some the the hailstones that come down on him in the form of flames on this board. But what you get in return is this: his honest opinion. He can't help it. He's got to tell you what he thinks. He's really no good at hiding it.
And here's the other thing. He teaches me. And inspires me and my children. (BTW, he doesn't insire me cause that would just be wrong). The man knows his martial arts. Sure he's rough around the edges, but having to deal with those edges never makes me lose anything. I only ever feel like I come out being a better person for being around him. And I'm not an easy guy to teach, being middle aged and arthritic.
One last thing, TF's tone in real life is much more tolerable. In print it looks more harsh than he means it. He's simply being brutally honest. When he talks, his vocal mannerisms take most of the mean out of it. My family and I are often the butt of TF's jokes, but it's cool. We always go home and share the latest thing he said about us with my wife and she laughs too. Cause it's funny. And to tell you the truth all us humans are worth laughing at and we gotta start at ourselves. And after all the cramp, cra.., (somebody spell that word for me PLEASE), After all the "stuff" in life, I need that.
But hey, it's no wonder the guy HAD to learn martial arts. His mouth would have never let him survive this long if he had not. In fact, I'm pretty sure he has a full set of teeth. Surprising huh.
Now, I have no intention of defending him again. Cause he really doesn't need it. I just had to get that off my chest.
See, I told you not to read it.
