Hi cats,
My time has come. I no longer have the enthusiasm to do all the work involved in organising B.K.O.s or E.K.O.s. It's been fun, since 2008, but I can no longer afford to dedicate the time required to it. Hopefully I've left them both in good hands (fingers crossed ;) ) - Thanks to those who've volunteered to step up & take them on.
I'll try to get along to the next ones.
See you around,
Void
You're not exiting the Kendama scene, just let someone else push it forward.
I really hope to keep seeing you around ;-)
Thanks for all you've done for expanding and promoting Kendama.
It surely had its ups and downs, bit taking a step back and looking at the big picture you can be really proud of all you've accomplished.
It's like letting a kid go on its own :-)
my heart is breaking a little bit overhere ....
It was a hell of a responsibility and you definitely did it justice but I fully support your choice to sit back and let someone else take it on. Especially after 8 years!! That deserves some serious respect. You have helped establish a scene here in the UK with these events (and more) and I'm sure many others will be inspired by what you have done as well as see the need to continue them.
I hope to see you at the next event, which I'm sure you'll enjoy with less stress!
Thanks, Void!
Dear Void, the way you handled and organised everything the last 8 years was amazing. With your dedication and enthusiasm you have inspired many players over the years, and got new ones hooked along the way. The people following in your footsteps have a great and stable base to build on for the future, it's like they say: "standing on the shoulders of giants".
In Amsterdam, I could notice that it was becoming a bit stressful for you to bear everything on your own. I'm glad you will hopefully have the time now to relax and enjoy these events even more and continue to influence the kendama community in your signature way. You will always be the person who showed me and Janne how to properly do a swing-in and that is something you do not forget lightly :-)
Until a next event Void! Does that mean you have time now for workshops? And to compete again? Would be great to reclaim your British title :)
Thanks guys.
I may show up, I may compete again, I may run workshops again. Who knows. Yes, Hans, my ingrained cynicism was beginning to shine through brighter than ever. Jade is prettier than jaded. Looking forwards to doing whatever I feel like doing, and not
having to do anything. I'll still play kendama.
Quote from: Jak on 18 November, 2016, 18:42:36Especially after 8 years!!
Err, that's nine, actually, or, if you include from when I first started planning, ten. :)
Your hard work and commitment over the years has made an invaluable impression on the scene over the years. Seems like an eternity since Doncaster, when mugens were so cheap you could dangle them in the lake :) Hopefully, passing the duties on to others will give you the opportunity to enjoy the events as you more than deserve to!
Looking forward to getting knocked out of the first round of something by you in the future; it will be a pleasure!
Many thanks, D
He he, memories... http://tlmb.net/galleries/BJC2008/pages/page_226.html
Heard about the news today at the Stuttgart Game Fair from Marc Wibbels. That wakes me up from my forum hibernation.
It was basically you, Void, who brought me really to Kendama at the EJC 2010 in Munich. I already played a very little bit, bought my first proper one at a booth there and was directly registered by you for next day's EJC.
I can fully understand that it became too much for you, running the BKA virtually as a one-man-show, although many others participated and contributed. But my impression is that you were the main mover (I think your avatar also stated that, even though it only says "BKA mover" now). Your competitions, actions, tipps and tricks motivated and inspired my over and over again. So it is also with sadness to see you leave the bridge. I really hope that the great community will continue. I know from own experience how hard it is to keep something like that running, when the founders quit. But I guess the momentum is there.
Thank you so much for all the work and I really hope that you at least stay in the community.
Quote from: The Void on 19 November, 2016, 23:11:57
Looking forwards to doing whatever I feel like doing, and not having to do anything. I'll still play kendama.
That's key, you have to enjoy the time you spend with Kendama, otherwise it becomes a chore instead of a joy.
I'm sure you'll be back soon doing something else to promote kendama, it just doesn't go with you to stay idle for long :)
Sad to here Mr The Void. It was good to meet you this year at BKO and hopefully at some future BKO too.
Incidentally who has the reigns now for the BKO if I may ask?
I agree with all of the above. It is sad to see you gone, did I ever tell you the first people I saw playing kendama was on the First Clicks DVD?
And once again thank you Void for making me the first 2-time European Champion! I hope to see you at competitions and giving others a battle, showing them how kendama should be played! (no grip changes! etc)
@LarsVegas Thanks.
@KenSan Thanks. The posse of
@Maicodama @Kofi @mreasyguy &
@BenPycroft24 are hopefully on the case, and coming along with some news soon.
@Dimensions No, I don't think you did tell me that. :) As for being EKChamp, you did that, not me.
Cool. I look forward to some news.
Thank you Void for everything you've done over the years for the game and community! I appreciate the trust you put in us for the future BKO and above all EKO and I hope we will be able to carry the torch further and make it burn even brighter. The works have already begun! And I am definitely hoping to see you compete at the next BKO (might even join myself) and making it tough for the youngsters at the EKO!!! ;)
Thanks for creating and maintaining a scene here in the UK. Sadly I'd not met you as yet or made it to a BKO so far but was planning to attend next year if anything is on the cards.
All the very best to you in your new well earned free time.
Greetings!
First of all sorry for the lack of presence here on the forum. I'll try to do better especially going forward.
A massive thank you to you
@The Void for paving the way for us here. I distinctly remember the first proper kendama video I saw was you and Matt Nix doing the ladders. As for competitions go I've definitely enjoyed every single one, especially my first BKO which feels like just yesterday when we were jamming at that huge park in London. Hats off to you my good friend and also you'll be expecting a little something from the ARK Family in the next BKO.
As for those that don't already know ARK is running the next BKO.
It will be held in Exeter and a venue has already been picked for it also. I look forward to seeing you all there.
For those that turned up to Bristol last BKO I hope most of you can make it.
Much love and thanks again
@The Void.
Thanks Jakub, John & Maico.
I felt like making this pic: [log in to view it]
What an absolute STAR
@The Void has been over the years, introducing so many people (including me) to the joys & frustrations of Kendama.
I've only just heard the news you are standing down Void (been off the radar for couple of months due to slipped disc in lumbar spine) and I must say I have always been sincerely impressed with the time , effort & enthusiasm you have put into BKA. I have wanted to support it more but family life has taken over!
Thank you, thank you, thank you for the help, encouragement & support you have given me over the years & for the years ahead!
A new chapter for BKA begins!
Sonicpearse
Cheers, Sonic. Sorry to hear about your back. Nasty stuff. Get well soon!
I'm not really one for forums as I'm sure you're all aware by now, but I feel I have to chime in here.
Void, you have been the heart of the BKO. Let's hope the heart transplant that's due to take place this year goes well!
Thanks for all of it. :D
I cant help to just feel sad... :'(