Fond

Me and my sister on Santa's lap. My sister Mariann was born May 31, 1967, when I was six years old. Her arrival meant I was no longer the only kid in the house. One key memory I have is from the summer of 1972, when I was eleven and at Boy Scout Camp in Forestburgh, New York - and, for the first time ever in my life, I experienced what it felt like to miss someone. I was missing my sister. I knew I'd be seeing her in a few days, so it wasn't a heart-wrenching experience, but nevertheless, it made enough of an impact that I remember it to this day.

Mariann and her husband Ed Hardin.

Mariann, son Luke, daughter Elysabeth.

My cousin Gregory Cullari was born December 27, 1961 - only seven months later than I. He grew up at 48 Pinewood Avenue, West Keansburg, New Jersey - right next door to 44 Pinewood Avenue, the house where I grew up. His mother Anna was the older sister of my mother Frances. Bound by time, space, and family lineage, Greg and I became bound by spirit as well. Here he is shown with his beloved nieces, Kristin (left) and Deanna (right), who have their own places in my heart.

Greg and his beloved Frodo, who left us in 2009. There was a deep connection between these two.

Greg's nephew AJ (Kerrigan) and AJ's son Andrew and daughter Claire. AJ is the brother of Deanna and Kristin and, like each of his sisters, has a special place in my heart.

Mariann and Greg.

Shihan John Ralph

Sensei Mike Mackintosh

Shihan John Ralph and Sensei Mike Mackintosh together - three pix.

During the year I lived in Red Bank, New Jersey, I didn't participate in martial arts, but I did take part in boot camp style exercise classes at the Power Center in Red Bank, which was founded by John Nies, pictured here. This kept me in a state of proper physical condition in preparation for my next adventure. John is a very New Age kind of guy. He believes and teaches that one should "live the Seven: Nourish your Body, Elevate your Chi, Breathe with Intent, Pray for Others, Know Thyself, Connect with Nature and Serve your World."   

During part of the time that I lived in Bayville, New Jersey, I trained in Muay Thai at the Tong Dragon Mixed Martial Arts Center, which was founded by Eric Colon, pictured here. Mister Colon is a straight ahead, no nonsense guy, much like my old Shihan John Ralph, and in fact the two men remind me of one another. It actually turns out that much of what my old Shihan was teaching as karate was in fact Muay Thai, and since those portions were my favorite, I'm glad of it, and feel as a result that I can say I have more Muay Thai training than would seem obvious based on the time I spent at Tong Dragon. 

David Culp was my Kung Fu teacher. I came to him after I had already trained in Karate, Bootcamp Style Exercise in Red Bank, and Muay Thai in Bayville. The word in Chinese for martial arts teacher is "Sifu" (the equivalent of "Sensei" in Japanese). Sifu David taught me Six Harmonies Kung Fu, which is a little known style here in the States. I like to think of it as "Monkey Style" because that's what it looks like when done properly - which means when Sifu is doing it and I am watching with my jaw dropped. Sifu taught me one on one in his martial arts studio in his back yard. This was a great honor for me. One on one training is by far the best way to learn a martial art. I knew Sifu was a master after watching him move for 30 seconds. This is the discernment I had gained after years of prior training. I know a master when I see one.

The first photo directly below is my Kung Fu teacher's teacher, Sifu Chen Ying, who was born and learned his art in China, then moved to Chinatown in New York City. The second photo directly below is his teacher, Sifu Wan Lai Sheng, who lived his whole life in China.

Our cat Boots - greatest cat in the world - was born March 8, 2011.

Our puppy, Max, a xoloitzcuintli (Mexican hairless) is shown here on April 19, 2022, the day he flew to New Jersey from Texas where he was born. He was two months old when he flew. I like to say Max is Tex-Mex!