Beyond the obvious two well-known phrases that the acronym has been used for in this forum and among us, what does it mean to be a Student of Boon, and why do we take the title with such pride? Is it a feeling of elitism or superiority over the "bonsai bottom feeders," as some seem to feel? Is it sheer hubris and a hand gesture of thumb against the nose and a "nana nana boo boo?" Or is it something completely different?
Why don't you hear people calling themselves "S.O.K" (Kimura) or "S.O.M." (Murata) or "S.O.W" (Woods) or "S.O.M" (Madison)?
Becoming a student of Boon provides many of us with our first real exposure to the highest quality teaching by a true Master. Roving bands of bonsai demonstrators cannot provide the kind of systematic, broad-ranging, and comprehensive schooling we receive from Boon. The curriculum is stunning. Individual bonsai enthusiasts traveling around the country cannot provide convention-goers access to some of the best bonsai stock and prebonsai and show-ready bonsai in North America for the masses to actually work on, to actually wire, and needle-pluck, and candle, and defoliate, and repot, and moss. And Students of Boon learn that all these should not be done in the same two hour demo!
So we get a strong curriculum, following a specific syllabus, with the best information in the world, and we get to practice this on trees above our own level of experience, all under the watchful eye of Boon.
But that doesn't explain the fervent loyalty. It doesn't explain our tongue-in-cheek claiming of the title "S.O.B." Howard Smith hinted at it a bit in another S.O.B. thread:
Also, Boon does nothing to promote elitism. He is simply so damn good at what he does, his students get excited about bonsai, and as a SOB, I know I get excited talking to other's who have experienced the same. I also feel like a part of an extended family seeing the same faces over the years while working hard on nice bonsai.
Sylvia and I both feel such a warm level of mutual respect for every student of Boon; it is quite a refreshing experience, so unfortunately we need to find a more private forum to keep it positive.
Yes, Boon is fantastically good both at all things bonsai and at teaching bonsai. But it is far more than that. What is it about this tiny little man with the goofy grin that inspires such hero worship? If you ever spent any time with Boon, you would know. His is the most genuinely sweet spirit I have ever met, and I have been looking for many, many years. While he is firm with us and somewhat of a taskmaster, his obvious love for bonsai and anyone willing to sacrifice for it is just amazing. The support and uplifting spirit of the environment is evident even when a student is being corrected.
But it isn't a cult of personality, either. That sense of camaraderie infects everyone in Bay Island Bonsai and the Bonsai Boon Intensives. I have never felt more accepted by any group in my life! What a feeling of community! There is no politicking in the club or among the students, although we did receive an odd request from recent graduates to refer to them as "Your Royal Graduateness."
In fact, it's just the opposite. The students, regardless of their level of achievement, regard each other as colleagues and friends. It sounds goofy, but the feeling of love and acceptance is just amazing.
I proudly call myself an S.O.B. not with an air of exclusivity. I wish every bonsai enthusiast could experience the same thing. There's just one worry, however. If every one of you wants to be in the Intensive, the price would probably be out of my reach. So I would be stuck in Remedial Wiring forever!