ripssurf

al,

i certainly dont want to get hit by the crossfire, i know i should be ducking, and you said it perfectly, but why the frown? im a little confused about that. as for myself, and that is the only person i can speak for, 90% of what i put into this endeavor is about that journey. id actually love to sacrifice everything to even come close to being in the same ballpark as some of the masters. it is this journey that drives me. along this journey, along this path, i will gain experience. i will say it again, i do not have the same experience as you, i surely respect you, mr wood, mr pall, mr kimura, and yes, even charles because of your experience. my point is, unless i play with the big boys, start to act like the big boys, and accept my lumps dished out by the big boys, i will never become a big boy in the bonsai world.

someday, i will move back to japan. 仕方がないよ！ (shikata ga nai = it cant be helped, there is no way around it, there are no two ways about it, etc...) when i get to japan, i have about 30 azaleas, old cherry trees, wisteria, maples, etc that i will be responsible for not just keeping alive but also improving. that responsibility is a part of what is driving me in my bonsai development.

for people like me who must mature in bonsai terms faster than someone like mr wood who has had years to develop a (wonderful) style or someone such as yourself who has tremendous talents and gifts, thrusting myself into the middle and declaring my intentions is a way of forcing myself to confront certain defects and inabilities that exist in my practice now. time and patience can gain you everything, but you must use time and patience to further your goals. however, that being said, for those whose goal is to enjoy the hobby to it's fullest, for those whose goal is for themselves and those close to them to enjoy their own work, i do not cannot begrudge them that joy.

al you are one of my bonsai heros, at least as far as BT is concerned (wouldnt BT trading cards be cool). furthermore, if this was the road you traveled down 3 or 4 years ago, then i think Will and some of the others on BT are heading in the right direction. i only ask for your further help and guidance along with others. that way we too can develop enough confidence to be able to put out quality specimen trees and displays.

be patient with us. guide us, but please understand that, like a bonsai planted in the ground we must be allowed to develop.

yours in maturation,

jeff

ps by the way. i also (along with ryan) wondered where you were taking your "hurricane styling" thread. if you dont mind, i would like to show some pictures of the trees (mainly slash pine) near my house to show you the effects hurricanes have had on local trees. i think you make a great point though, too often criticism and advice is given without proof and without fact.