13/02/2008 In Check It Out by andy
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I’ve always heard that when someone copies you, it means that you’ve had a good idea. When I had an idea to make a Taido T-shirt a couple of years ago, I just wanted one for myself. But when I would wear it around other Taido students, people would always ask me where they could get one. Japanese students especially always ask about them, and a few of my friends can be spotted wearing them on YouTube.
Over the past few months, I’ve noticed something really funny on CafePress, the site that makes and sells my shirts: a whole bunch of imitators. The truly hilarious thing is that none of these shirts are made by people who practice Taido. There are “Hokei Specialist” shirts, “Taido Dad” shirts, and even a “Canadian Taido” shirt (which I think is great because there is no Taido in Canada).
13/02/2008 In Archives / Info by andy
This is an article that I originally wrote at the request of the Finnish Taido Kamae Magazine. While by no means exhaustive, I believe it’s a good background on what sets American Taido apart from that practiced elsewhere. Since only a Finnish translation will actually be published, I’m posting it here for the benefit of Taidoka in English-speaking countries.
Taido in America is very different from Taido anywhere else in the world. Though based on the same original principles as those taught in other countries, American Taido has developed under a unique set of circumstances which has led it to become its own entity. In many ways it even looks different from the Taido practiced elsewhere. In order to understand what makes American Taido what it is, it’s necessary to know a little of its history.
10/12/2007 In Taido/Blog by andy
So another year has gone by, and Taido/Blog is officially two years old now. I’m pretty excited about that, and I’m also excited about the end of 2007 and all of the symbolic meaning of an approaching new year. I’m already looking forward to a ton of great things that will be happening in 2008. But first, a short look back.
So far, 2007 has been a super-great year for me. In addition to marking my 30th birthday, I’ve enjoyed a deepening relationship with my girlfriend, a job that I find rewarding and fun, and a general sense that things are moving in the right direction.
