Ameristar & Harrah’s Casino

[Sifu Wayne Skiver]

Thank you very much for the invite.  Actually it turned out quite good that I called Sifu Justin Meehan concerning this today.  With as busy as I have been I totally forgot that tomorrow is his annual founders day event.  So though I would have said yes to you it appears I cant anyway!
  I will send you a "Gung Hei Fat Choi" though, and you and I can arrange a meet & discuss very soon.  Sifu Justin did say he would be happy to witness/judge our little contest though.  Looks like we will be shooting for March.  

[SiGung Vincent A. Cabais]

I will send you a "Gung Hei Fat Choi" though, and you and I can arrange a meet & discuss very soon.

I would agree that we should meet VERY SOON since our busy season is finally over.  The best times for me are 5:00 pm - 4:00 am, Monday thru Friday, Anytime (24 hours) Saturday & Sunday.

I say that we do this In Person.  We have a lot to discuss.

[Sifu Wayne Skiver]

Yes..."In Person" As I suggested from the beginning.  Interesting time frame: between 5pm - 4am??
The weekends are easiest.  Our busy season extends through Feb.  We have 3 shows this week alone.  Sundays are usually not too busy.  

[SiGung Vincent A. Cabais]

Sifu Skiver,

Sundays work well for me also.  My two apprentices and my schedules are usually free on Sunday.  In fact this Sunday, 19 February 2006 @ 1:00 pm would be ideal.  Do you have any preference on the location?  I look forward to meeting with you.

[Sifu Wayne Skiver]

Thats actually not good for me as I have a private lesson at that time.  I teach 7 days a week as well as other projects.  How about this coming Tuesday?  I know I have some free time in the early afternoon.  Sorry but my schedule became far busier than I foresaw.  Is there a problem meeting me by yourself?  
  As the last time I invited you to lunch yet you brought along Kevin.  You have no need to bring others, I will not.  If you have any concerns you really shouldnt.  

Sifu Skiver

[Sifu Wayne Skiver]

Sifu Cabais,

  I understand that we are both busy.  I am growing steadily busier still.  On top of that its looking harder to nail down more than one judge at a time for any certain date.  
  I say we just go ahead as was discussed earlier in this exchange and concentrate our efforts on a larger event.  We can "do our thing" so to speak there.  It will (as I'm sure you know) be far easier to get the other instructors to an event such as that, as well as some outside judges as well.
  From our last 3 shows we have booked two of next months weekends already.  We do at least one or two shows a month year round but we are booking more than ever before this year.  On top of that I find myself personally busy with my publisher, working out the details of my book release. For the time being it looks like this isnt happening anytime soon.  But as I said, lets get a bigger, broader event going and our teams can have thier contest there.  Perhaps an event could be scheduled in the fall when Grandmaster Chiu next visits.  I know at least three other teams that would happily attend.
 
Live well and train hard,
Sifu Skiver

[SiGung Vincent A. Cabais]

I understand we are both busy men.  I have very little time too between teaching, work, and my family.  I feel that meeting with you is important enough for me to make the time, whether I have it or not.  I gave you my available times which did not include afternoon's on Tuesday.  We could meet on Tuesday at 6:00 pm or pehaps Sundays after your private lesson.  We could do it at Kobe Steakhouse.  My treat.  You are welcome to bring your family as I will bring mine.

Is there a problem meeting me by yourself?
As the last time I invited you to lunch yet you brought along Kevin. You have no need to bring others, I will not. If you have any concerns you really shouldnt.

Sifu Skiver

Do not misunderstand, I do not have any concerns meeting with you, but I currently have two apprentices.  It is their duty to attend me at such meetings not becauase I have concerns but because they can learn something about the nature of being a Sifu.  It is not only my obligation to teach them all of the gong fu that I know, it is my obligation to teach them everything I know.  Even when dealing with other Teachers.  Learning to meet with another Sifu is an important part of their growth.  Wouldn't you agree?

Therfore, I leave it up to you.  If you truly want to meet; let us meet where others can learn from our interacation.

[SiGung Vincent A. Cabais]

Well... it has been nearly a month and a half sice I posted my reply to you, Sifu Skiver.  It would appear that you are not disposed to meet with me.  I understand and that is your choice.

However, I am still interested in having a Public Liondance Competition / Fesitival for either St. Louis or the Midwest.  I think it would greatly benefit the culture that we all seem to love and bring to light the truly diverse population here in St. Louis, Missouri.

Sifu Davenport, is your team ready?  I would like to get started on this and I could really benefit from your counsel.

[Ron Davenport]

Sifu Cabais,

                We are still working really hard. We have had very little to time to participate in recent events largely due to the USAWKF (United States Wushu Kung Fu Federation) selecting me for the "2006 USA Chinese Martial Arts Team", as well as, Team Captain for our Region and Team Qualifier Center for others to qualify for the 2006 Team. We have many thing to prepare for before the U.S. Team goes to China in October 06. I'm am personally interested in such an event (lion dance), but as you can see, we have very little time to concentrate our efforts on other events outside of the U.S. Chinese Martial Arts Team. We are also preparing for the www.zhangtaiji.com/tournament.html" target="_blank">National Championships and Team Qualifier being held in Chicago in June 06 by Master Hong Chao Zhang.

As U.S. Team Captain (East Central Region) and Regional Qualifying Center we invite all schools to attend the National Championships or contact me if interested in trying out for the U.S. Chinese Martial Arts Team.

I hope that when my time free's a little we can take part in future events.

 

Talk with you all later.

Sifu R. Davenport.

[SiGung Vincent A. Cabais]

We have had very little to time to participate in recent events largely due to the USAWKF (United States Wushu Kung Fu Federation) selecting me for the "2006 USA Chinese Martial Arts Team", as well as, Team Captain for our Region and Team Qualifier Center for others to qualify for the 2006 Team.

Congratulations on your appointment, Sifu Davenport.  I wish you all the best of luck!  Make all of us proud.

[Ron Davenport]

Thank you Sifu Cabais! I'm hoping that the other schools in our area will jump on board as well. Know what I mean? I don't want to be the only one representing..... So lets get other schools involved. Hopefully you have members that are interested in trying out for the US Team...... Everyone is welcome to tryout.

Sifu Ron.

[SiGung Vincent A. Cabais]

I hear that Harrah's was very disappointed this year, with the team that they had selected.

Nowhere near the professionalism or the capabilty that our Troupe can offer.

I knew it would happen.

[Ron Davenport]

If you dont mind me asking, what team performed this year at Harrah's?

Ron.

[SiGung Vincent A. Cabais]

Sifu Davenport,

It was nice to see you at the Chinatown Festival!  I'm glad Bill Hong decided to contact you all.  It was also nice to see Paul Lee, from Iron Dragon (after I realized it was him) at our Universal Gifts & Furniture performance.  I've always liked him.

What Team am I referring to?  I would rather not say.  It would be unfair for the other team.

Suffice it to say; Harrah's St. Louis was not happy.  They tried to book us a bit too late this year.  Our schedule was extremely full this year.  Besides... our Troupe needed the rest after 8:00 pm.

[Ron Davenport]

Sifu Cabais, I understand. I just wasn't aware that there was another team since Sifu Wayne left the area. Just curious.

Ron.