Time to raise the bar

Recently finished some more trainers. The WWII Barung (pictured with the original) is definitely my best work to date.

Sulu Kris

WWII Barung

Also working on a duplicate scabbard to go with the barung.

A sense of humor all his

When I was growing up, preparing for a career was implied to mean, get a college degree. Once graduated, you then started building your resume. Um, yeah. Hindsight says there was a lack of advice with that.
So Cole has benefited in that he understands that even what you do in high school has a huge impact on what College you get into. And what College you get into has a huge impact on who hires you (or in his case, what grad school you get into). Not to mention ACT scores, ect.

Right away in the 9th grade it's about building that resume. What sports did you play, what classes did you take (in his case dual enrollment and advaced placement classes means he'll be a college sophmore when he graduates HS), were you on the National Honor Society, ect.

One thing that he did this year was enter the regional Chemisty competitive scholarship program. the top 5 qualifiers from each school are invited to take another test at the local university. More importantly, the top 20 winners get cash! 11-20th get $30. 1st is $600, 2nd is $500, and so on.

So as a junior competing against almost entirely seniors and even kids from private science prep schools?
Yep, spanked them all. The prep kids perrenially win every year so his teacher was especially jazzed about it.

Cole and his school's valeditorian this year, who took 9th place.

But listen to Cole's answer here at the end. Most of the kids are coming up expousing on what prestigious college they're going to and what they're studying.

Cole's answer was much more simple *g*

Kia Hamster rap

I'm not a Kia guy but ya gotta love their latest commercial skilzz.

Latest diversion

So if you have kids all grown up now, or if you need to be able to realize your's could be alot worse, this makes for a nice diversion. Does bring back some memories though.......

http://shitmykidsruined.com/

The broken toe and the $180k Porsche are my favs so far.

Mother's day

Happy Mother's Day.
It's been 22 long years now since mine was taken unexpectedly.
Changes everything. I try not to be morose about it but it's a bit hard on a day like today.
So, you've prolly heard it but, if you can, Call Your Mother. It will mean a lot to both of you.

Latest Trainers

The PT finally released me from Physical Therapy last week to a home program. A bit over the planned timeline but not out of the norm.
So I can lift what I'm comfortable with (not much right now) and do what I want within reason. Will still be another 6months before I'm back to better than new fighting-wise but that's fine.

So one thing I'm slowly getting back into is making trainers. If you'll notice, in the upper right hand corner is a link to my online album of trainers.

Here is some of the latest work:

Kuku Macan with Leopardwood

Mushtaq's Silat Knife design with Bacote wood

Mushtaq's Silat knife made with Osage Orange. Sustainably harvested from a local tree that had died. Beautiful wood, no?

KABAR TDI rig knife for a local LEO to use as a trainer for his rig carry, Burlwood handle

Bankung sword

Spring is here in force

Spring is here in force.

The new bulbs from last fall are up.

Tulips are definitely a few weeks ahead of schedule.

Tuliptime festival this year could end up being a StemFest.