Hello Go fans!

I'm going to start a regular blog post involving my Go Move of the Day.  It probably won't happen every day, but I plan to post a move here when I really like it.  Usually the move will have something to do with what I look for when teaching Go to other players.  Now remember, I'm just an AGA 6 Dan so I have much to learn myself and I can be off base with what I post.  Your comments are, of coures, welcome.  I already have gotten feedback from some of my professional friends concering some of these posts :)

So here is todays Move of the DAY!

After black 37, I really like white 38.  This move solidifies whites postion in the bottom right corner.  I believe that most ama players would try to kill black 37 becuase they feel that it is an outrageous move.  But it is a great probe by black.  Even though I really like this move by white, White sadly loses the game on the top and resigns at move 85.

While in Korea I show a new move in the Big Avalanche. An Sa Bo Nim showed me the proper Jung Sok and I thought I would share that with you today also.

Here white squeezes black from the outside after gaining a liberty at 1.  Can Black play 10 at 'a'?

More blogs on Go to come later!

Jon

Happy New Year!

This has been, for me, one of the most eventful years of my life. I actually spent close to 4 months traveling the US and Korea this year. This marks the longest period of absence from Seattle since my college days at Oberlin. At the beginning of the year, I was in Texas having recently attended the marriage of my brother Bernd and his new wife Maria. They are both doing well and my brother is scheduled to finish his Bachelor degree this upcoming October. His plan is to get a teaching certificate and coach at the Junior High level.

Following my sojourn in Texas I traveled to California for the Jujo Jiang Tournament and Las Vegas for the Toyota Denso Tournament. Finally, I returned home. I quickly fell back into my standard routine of studying go, dancing, yoga, guitar, learning Tango, teaching Go, and competing in the Spazz 360 dance contest at Re-Bar. The Dance competition was great and I met many excellent dancers here in the Seattle community. It has had a profound impact on my dancing; most notably, increasing my enjoyment when out club dancing.

This year was marked by two unexpected surprises. First, Professor Hahn Sang-Dae visited the Go Center. Professor Hahn has coordinated many trips for Baduk players. He told me that he also arranged for Baduk players to come to Korea and study. I told him that I was very, very interested. Due to Professor Hahn's diligence, both Matthew Burrall and I were able to study in Seoul, South Korea for 3 months at Yang Jae Ho's Dojang.

The other surprise this year was completely unexpected. My friends Claytie Mason and Alissa Mortenson decided to do a re-staging of their play The Secret Ruths of Island House. After the first run of the play, I mentioned to Claytie that I would like to take a stab at providing a higher quality on the Audio material used during the play. During the first play they had a couple clips from the original interviews that they based the play on. The quality was a little low and it was hard to understand what the women were saying at times. Claytie was kind enough to present me with the raw tape from the interviews and we spent the next month creating a collage from all the interviews. It was an exceptional experience for me and one that I will cherish for the rest of my life. In the end, the clips that we produced for the play were a substantive part of the work and have even been mentioned favorably in some reviews. With the play winning Gold Pick of the Fringe in Boulder and Best New Play at the San Francisco Fringe Festival, it was a great run for my friends who performed in the play and for me as I watched from afar as they received their much deserved accolades.

While the play was running in New York, Boulder and San Francisco, I was busy with my life of Go. Directing the first Go Camp in the Seattle area at Pacific Lutheran University, we had another exceptional year and met new friends from Texas, California, Hawaii and, even, our own state of Washington. Next I attended the Us Go Congress in North Carolina. The site for this years Go Congress was fantastic. The Black Mountains (more like hills) are beautiful and made a wonderful back drop for Go and our daily treks to the Soccer Field. Getting to see all my good friends from the US Go Community was a blast. I even found a way to win my first Ing Game. (This probably means they will have to end that tournament ;)

Certainly, this would be enough excitement for one year, but I was truly blessed this cycle. With the coming of September, Matthew and I were off to Seoul Korea for 3 months of intensive training at Yang Jae Ho's Dojang. In Seoul, Matthew and I met old friends and made many new friends. Among the old friends we met were Kim Myong Wan 7p, Kim Sung Rae 4p, Yuki Shigeno 2p, Kim Dae Yol, and Eric Lui and his mom. The bounty of new friends was quite extensive. An Young Kil 5p, I Ha Jin 2p, Daniela Trinks, Professor Hahn, Professor Park, Kim Sung Rae's daughters and wife, the professionals from the Yeoung Deung po-gu professional study group, Hong Yong Il and his family, the members of the Baduk English class in Seoul and Daejan, the list goes on ...

My time in South Korea was very good for me. I got a strong understanding of what I liked about South Korea and the extensive studying of Baduk was very rewarding. I was also surprised to find some of the things I truly appreciated about the United States. South Korea is very homogeneous and here in the states I have so many friends that cross cultural and ethnic backgrounds that I forget how blessed I am at times. The isolation in South Korea (mainly due to my lack of Korean) and the lack of multi-cultural ism brought into sharp relief all the bounty I enjoy here in Seattle. I have to say the only major draw back during my trip to Korea was the size of the domicile in which I resided for the 2 and ½ months. I was situated in a small 10' x 8' room that included a desk, TV, Refrigerator, bed, tiolet and shower. The Bed was 6' long and situated between two walls. Since I am 6' 1" I was relegated to sleeping diagonally. I think I lasted about 2 months until the room started to take its toll on me.

Highlights of the trip included: Jeung Ju for the Korean Go Congress (the Be Bim Bop from Jeng Ju is extremely tasty), Namhansanseong for a hike with Daniela, Mondo Grosso and Big League Chu at Club Garden, the trip to Daejan for the first game of the semifinals of the Open Samsung Cup, and finding the first vegetarian restaurant just one short block from the Dojang!

I strongly recommend that anyone that has the chance to live abroad for a period of time to take that opportunity. Learning what is rewarding in other cultures is always of great value, but the time to find what you like about your own culture is also valuable. I hope your year was as eventful as mine and I hope that next year will find you with even more joy! I'm looking forward to an especially wonderful year myself.

Peace and love,

Jon

Tonight, I will be going to Club Garden in Apgujeon for the last time during my trip to Korea.  It is kind of sad.  I have really enjoyed dancing at Club Garden!  This weekend is a full one for Matthew and I.  As our departure creeps up on us at supersonic speed we have a very, very full schedule.

On Wednesday, Kim Sung Rae Sa Bom Nim came into the room where Matthew and I study at the Dojang.  He had Baduk Monthly (December) and a Big Smile.  Opening the magazine up, he showed me this great picture of me in the bleachers at Jeong Ju at the Prime Ministers Cup!  It was pretty cool :)  So next day, Matthew and I purchased a copy for each of us of Baduk Monthly.  (The best thing is, we purshased the Magazine at the news Stand in Seoullung Station!  Can you imagine buying a Baduk magazine at a news stand in America? hehe) There is also a very small picture of Matthew and I dancing at the closing festival in Jeong Ju. Matthew was tentative of dancing at first, but really had a good time doing it. It was a traditional Korean communal dance where we all linked hands and skipped, danced in an elliptical fashion.

You can find the Arirang TV Show at

http://www.arirang.co.kr/Tv/Tv_Video_On.asp?PROG_CODE=TVCR0106&code=Po5&m_view_t=Vi&ptitle=

I had to sign up to see the video but it was free. So ...  If you want to see it ... I look kind of scary but did a good job representing the Seattle Go Center, etc.

Answers later today to the problems and, if I can get them in, one of the tests Matthew and I have been doing of late.

More later!

Jon

 

And my friends who sent me a Vegan Care Package from Hawaii!

Jon

 

As the end of our stay in Korea looms, there is much Sadness. Matthew and I have made so many friends here in Korea that we will miss them greatly when we leave. I worry that we will not have time to properly say goodbye to all of them. Already, our plans for the final week and a half are practically full.

Thursday we will be going to Youngdeongpo Gu for our final Professional review session! Friday we have dinner with Maeda Sensei! Saturday will be our final gathering with the English Baduk classes from both Seoul and Daejon. Sunday we get to spend the day with our good friends Kim Myung Wan, An Young Gil and I Ha Jin. Seems Monday is a 'break day' for us.

Tuesday we head to Deajon to see the Samseong Cup. We will be going with Yang Sa Bom Nim and 8 of the students at the Dojang. Back to Seoul on Wednesday and we have leave on Thursday :( Sniff!

The only mistake on my trip to Korea was taking the small room at the 'hostel' (for lack of a better word) where I live. Matthew and I took some pictures of the room, but ..., they really don't convey the sheer lack of size. The room, being aprox. 8 feet by 10 feet, has a desk, toilet, sink, shower, 6' bed (I'm 6' 1") with no overhang, refrigerator and chair. Oh and since no storage, my two large suitcases are smack in the middle of the room! It has been tough, but I won't make the same mistake next time I spend a significant time somewhere.

Friday night will also be the last night I go Dancing in Korea. I have had an exceptional time dancing here in Korea at Club Garden. I highly recommend this club for its warmheartedness, dance floor, sound system (thought it can get a bit loud) and great web site (www.clubgarden.co.kr) . The clubbers here in Korea have been so gracious in their appreciation of my dancing that it has been rather daunting. I have seen so many people taking pictures of me while I have been dancing it makes me wonder where they all are? Of course, I'm sure most of the pictures are actually very scary as I (as some of you may already know) can build up a bit of sweat ;)

In closing this Blog post I would like to give thanks to some of the people that have made this trip possible for me (certainly, this is not an exhaustive list and if I forget your name remember its an omission of the brain, not the heart.)

Jennie Bolton, my Mom, Steve Stringfellow, Chris Kirschner, Kim Myoung Wan and his family, Dennis Wheeler, Yang Jae Ho, Kim Sung Rae, Professor Hahn, Professor Park, Steve Burrall, Barbara Burrall, Scott Arnold, Lee Anne Bowie, Deborah Neidermeyer, Brian Allen, Judy Debel, John Hogan, John Hudson, Seiichi Aso, Frank Fukuda, Max Nakano, Bill Chiles, John Richards, Gordon Castanza, Mike Malveaux, An Young Gil, Daniela Trinks, I Ha Jin, Tyler Sellon, all the pros at the Yeongdeongpo Gu Review session, Kang Seung Hee, all the kids at the Dojang, Andrew Gross, Ryan Grant, Matthew Burrall, Kristen Burrall, Heidi Koonz, Charles Rolland, Jenny Eggers, Claytie Mason, Paula Mookerjee, and Michael Chen.

Sometimes, just a well timed email brightened my day!

Thanks all!

Jon

I just watched the show on Arirang TV about Foreign Baduk players.  I missed the first 6 minute because I was out getting dinner.  I stayed home today because I was feeling really bad, but I knew I needed to get out and get some food.

It is pretty weird to watch yourself on TV.  I think I did a good job of representing the Seattle Go Center and Go players in America, but I still look like a freak :)  They have the show listed up on the Arirang Website but now VOD yet.  When its up there ... yada yada yada.

Now for the great news!  Public Enemy is going on tour and they will be in Seattle AFTER I return. Rock and Roll!  For those of you that don't live in Seattle here is the complete tour.  So get out and see the world's greatest Hip Hop group.

PUBLIC ENEMY TOUR!!!!!

Tour dates are as follows: Dec. 5 … San Diego, CA … House Of Blues Dec. 6 … Tucson, AZ … Rialto Theatre Dec. 7 … Tempe, AZ … Marquee Theatre Dec. 10 … Los Angeles, CA … House Of Blues Dec. 11 … Anaheim, CA … House Of Blues Dec. 13 … San Francisco, CA … Mezzanine Dec. 14 … Sacramento, CA … Empire Dec. 15 … Eugene, CA … McDonald Theatre Dec. 17 … Seattle, WA … TBA Dec. 18 … Spokane, WA … Big Easy Dec. 19 … Billings MT … Shrine Dec. 20 … Rapid City, SD … Rushmore Dec. 21 … Sioux Falls, SD … Ramkota Hall Dec. 22 … Fargo, ND … Playmakers

Peace ya all!

Jon

Ok. First some answers from way back when (um like 10/11 ...):

Problem 1

Problem 2

Now for some new problems, finally:

Dennis, Sirocco, Karoline, Brian, Deborah, John H, and Julie

Andrew, John H the other, Sandy, Matthew

Scott, Kristen, James, Mike, Richard

Michael and the Steves.

I got some other ideas for problems so if you didn't see your name, don't worry I got you covered.  Of course you should try to do all the problems but don't post an answer for the problem if your name isn't below it.

Peace+

Jon

 Today, being Monday the 20^th in Seoul Korea, I did not wake up until after noon. Normally, I don't need an alarm clock and wake easily when I'm supposed to. In fact I thought it was 9:00 AM when I got out of bed. This usually means that I'm either sick or been burning the candle on both ends. I think it is probably both.

This week was quite fantastic. On Friday, Matthew and I went to Yong In to watch a professional, traditional dance troupe do their workout. The dancers were quite exceptional and we got to see a Fan Dance, a Sword Dance, a solo drum dance by the professor and Sa Bom Nim from Myong Ji University, and several other dances. One of the dances they were working on was new and it was really interesting to watch the progress they made in a single day.

Thursday, Matthew and I went to the professional review session in Yeongdeong Po. This week, I thought I wasn't as tired after the session as normal, but I went home after it to take a quick nap and did not wake up until after the Dojang was closed!

Saturday. Now Saturday was BIG fun. First, Kim Sa Bom Nim invited us to his house for Dinner. His family lives in a beautiful apartment near the Dojang (we walked there following Tae Young his daughter.) Because I don't eat eggs or cheese Mrs. Kim made me a vegan Kimchi Noodle dish that was excellent! Mr. Kim was worried that I might find it to hot, but it was perfect. After dinner we finished up two games we started before dinner. I also played hush hush Silverstar, the 5 kyu program from North Korea. The opening was pretty fantastic for a computer program, but towards the middle of the middle game it started to make some, shall we say, rather odd moves.

After this fantastic dinner, I went to Club Garden to see Big League Chu play and Dance. Normally, in Seattle, the clubs close at 2:00 so I stop dancing at that time. Here in Seoul they stay open much later. Club Garden stays open till 5:00 AM so there is plenty of time to Dance. Big League Chu does a great job of taking the big Dance hits and giving them his own individual flavor. To say the least I danced hard and when I left just before 4:00 AM I was totally spent. At one point during the nights festivities, I went out to dance on the floor and the people near me all formed up in a circle to watch me dance. Kind of like a break dance circle. Was pretty strange feeling since I'm pretty sure its the first time it has happened spontaneously like that. In fact, after I did one move, they started clapping ... go figure. It was a great time and there are a ton of wonderful dancers and people here in Seoul. So Saturday was a great day :)

Sunday ... Does the fun ever stop here in Korea? I don't think so ... At the Dance rehearsal on Friday, I found out that there was a Traditional Korean Dance show on Sunday night at 7:00 PM. Professor Park and Professor Hahn were gracious enough to give me and Daniela tickets to go see the show. After meeting Daniela at the Shinsa station at 5:30, we went to a very nice Vegetarian restaurant in Shinsa. We finally arrived at the Dance theatre for the performance at 7:00 and sat down to watch almost two complete hours of traditional Korean dancing. I know all my hardcore dance friends in Seattle would have loved it. There were close to 50 performers in total. The Korean audience really liked the dance/drum combinations the most. The Koreans have a long tradition of dancing while drumming and it is great to watch. A man sitting behind me and Daniela at the concert was so into the drumming that he started to exclaim LOUDLY at several rhythmic points during the performance. It reminded me of being with my friend Charles at a particularly good political speech ;)

Oh and on Wednesday night, they showed my game on Baduk Tv. Next day, I was chased down the street with a large, angry mob throwing rotten fruits and vegetables at me. I tried to say I was sorry, but I couldn't find the words in Korean ...

Tonight, Arirang TV is supposed to show the tape that was made for Heart to Heart concerning Baduk outreach in Europe and North America. They have the links for last weeks shows up already on the net, but I did not see this weeks shows yet. Perhaps they will be up next weekend. When it is up I will post a link for that.

So maybe I'm not sick and just totally wiped out from all the fun and adventures, but in any case, I'm going to post this and then post some problems shortly after. I think I will assign problems to my various friends :) Since I think I know which ones would appeal to each.

Peace,

Jon

PS> I really, really, really hope Speaker-select Pelosi is sincere about getting the troops out of Iraq. Of course, she can be sincere and still not succeed with the complete losers, like Charles Schummer, that are in the Democratic party getting in the way.

Today I play 3 players form the Shodan Challenge on line at 9:00 AM here. Thats 4:00 PM for you west coasters and 7:00 PM on the East Coast.  So if you want to stop by and say hello, log on to KGS and send me a tell (I will be logged on as JonBoley).

Matthew and I keep plugging away at the Life and Death problems.  Somedays we have good days, others ... not so good.  Nothing worse than getting a bunch of our answers back marked WRONG! Ugh, I hate that.  However, it is usually a simple oversite and we fix them quickly.  On rare occasion we get a problem that is a real thorn in our side.

Next week is when the various shows that have been taping us start getting their air play.  Now, when people stare at Matt and I, we will think its because we were on TV and not becuase they think we are freaks ...  You see, I'm a 'The Glass is Half Full' kind of guy.

Oh, I want to thank everyone that has posted on the Blog.  It means a lot to me to hear from you guys and, though I don't get to see you, it is nice to see your comments on the page.

Last week they combined the 3rd group and 4th group into a large mega-league.  We didn't get to play everyone in the 3rd group but it was great to have some games against kids we hadn't played yet.

Well I'm off to bed, cause I got to play in the morning!

Peace,

Jon

Hello Everyone,

Not only did the Democrats crush the Republicans on Tuesday last week, but Matthew and I received a Care Package from Hawaii! Oh Glorious day! Here is Matthew modeling some of the food that they sent us.

At the Dojang, you never know who will show up. Last week, Jiang Jujo and Rui Nai Wei showed up. They are playing some league games at the Dojang so they will be around. They both looked great and I think they really enjoy being active professionals again.

Here is a picture of An Young Gil and An Jo Young playing two of the students at the Dojang.

You can see from this league chart that the Professionals come to the Dojang quite a bit to play the Students here.

So, as always, I have found a couple of restaurants where I go and eat often. One of them is in the Coex (a mall, yes I have become a mall rat) which is one block from where I live (block in Seoul are a bit larger than the ones in most American cities.) Look at what I found on the wall last night!

Democrats WIN! and celebrate!

Here is a picture of the subway taken from the inside. I took this picture so don't blame Matt for its poor quality.

Baduk news. So Matthew lost his game on Baduk Tv also :( He was pretty embarrassed by his play and hopes no one he knows sees it. Of course, the problem is everyone knows when our games will be on TV. In fact, this Wednesday at 8:00 PM (thats Prime Time) my game will be broadcast on Baduk TV here in Korea. OUCH!

Also on the 20^th of November at 9:00 PM, the show Heart to Heart will broadcast its show on Baduk. This is the talk show that I was a guest on and there will be a small interview with Matthew in the middle of it. Arirang is the broadcaster for Heart to Heart and they have a pretty sophisticated web site so those that are interested can actually see me on TV ... I know real exciting stuff.

More later,

Jon