Chadster

As I was saying that I have been into bonsai for less than 2 years. Sometimes seeing the politics and the knives left in the backs of those who 5 minutes earlier were "pretending" to be friendly and cordial with leaves a sick feeling in my stomach. If Bonsai Al and Rips don't mind I'll bring it down to a local level. Because Al goes down to Kims and buys an imported trident does that make him any less of an artist? Someone else put in the years and years of work getting that nice taper and movement in that trunk. I've seen this tree, and IMHO it's only a matter of time until this tree is winning ribbons. There are those who would turn up thier nose and say, "Huh, I can go out and buy an already 'almost made' tree too! Do about 25% more refining and put it in a bonsai pot and win ribbons too!" I personally think Al is a talented person when it comes to bonsai. (Not to brown nose) On the other hand, there's Rips. There are those who would say, "Well, he has nice roots and nebari... but not much else..." I have to add in all fairness, Rips is a friend of mine but I am trying to be objective here. There are many who talk crap about others and like everything else it's probably not going to change. Can a newcomer like me learn something from Al about styling and refinement? Of course... and what is that knowledge worth? How about Rips, IMHO he can teach me alot about propagating, growing and developing... things that are generally thought of as a more horticultural side of bonsai. It could be said that anyone can go buy material, but if you don't have the "horticultural" basic knowledge to keep it alive and more importantly heathly... what do you have? A nice dead or sick tree! How about looking at it like this, versus just becoming a member of the "Counsel of They" and the select chosen few. Why can't I learn the take from the strengths that both have to offer and be better and my bonsai be better off because of it?

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Psalms-91