malhaku

Hello Everyone!

I am extremely new to bonsai (a little over a month,) but I am already completely addicted. Reading tons of books and browsing a large number of sites. I have always been curious, but never delved in. Lucky for me, the moment I decided to finally learn more and give it a try I discovered that an introductory class was being taught 5 minutes from where I work by Bill Valavanis.

Four classes later I already have a decent collection of trees I have started. I'm just hoping they don't all die for me to learn the necessary starter lessons...heh.

Anyhoo, I have been reading a lot on the forums of BonsaiTalk and the Helpful Gardener Bonsai sections. Someone on bonsaiTalk mentioned the spring styling contest so I came over to check the site out. Even picked up a tree at a nursery last night to enter with. I know I have zero chance of actually competing with all the veterans out there, but thought it would be fun to participate.

See you around the forums,
Jeremy

P.S. (Weird Tangent) If anyone out there is involved with Odyssey of the Mind, that's my other passion. Should you be at world finals in a month, stop by the problem 5 sites (not sure which division I'm doing) and look for Khaki Man.

JLDoggett

Welcome Malhaku! You have an excellent teacher in Bill, he certainly knows his bonsai.

As for OotM, we have it in the schools here (I serve on the Board of Ed), but didn't know they had an adult division.

__________________
"Resolve to be tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant with the weak and wrong....because sometime in your life you will have been all of these"

And I further resolve to click on an ad, each time I visit, to help support the site and to be welcoming to lurking guests when you join! After all, you're already here.

Phil

Welcome aboard Jeremy. Seems you are off on the right foot what with all the reading and having a class under William. Ya can't go wrong on that matter.

Don't worry at all about entering the Spring contest. Its not just for the veterans but to all of those no matter what their experience may be.

~Phil

__________________

Please, always keep in mind that the typewritten word does not always convey what you wish to say, and to always treat others as you would have them treat you. Think twice-submit once.
I started out with nothing....and still have most of it.
"Its hell out there, give them hell back." ~ Prowler/Victor Gray 12/31/1943 - 11/24/2008

anttal63

yep jeremy a great start for you 1st 4 lessons with a cat like bill!
welcome aboard like phil said no sweat on the comp; just get yourself out there and have some fun with it, you will learn alot from the exercise.

__________________
Antonio......
__________

malhaku

Wow, thanks for all the kind words of welcome. The classes with Bill have been great. I'm actually really really bummed that tomorrow is the last one.

To JLDoggett: I should have added that I judge OotM. I competed for 8 years and have judged since graduating high school. This year will be my 8th year judging world finals. (on top of judging two NY competitions, and running regional and state score rooms in PA.)

Phil

OotM huh! I have more than enough problems to solve as is just keeping the spammers off of this site! vBulletin has now come out with an entire new upgraded Gold version for the site. I can either tackle that one myself, run for cover and hope that the site is still here or shell out the $135.00 to have them do it! Thats enough problem solving for me!

~Phil

__________________

Please, always keep in mind that the typewritten word does not always convey what you wish to say, and to always treat others as you would have them treat you. Think twice-submit once.
I started out with nothing....and still have most of it.
"Its hell out there, give them hell back." ~ Prowler/Victor Gray 12/31/1943 - 11/24/2008

Paul Williams

Welcome Jeremy. Hope you have nothing but good luck with your trees.
Good growing
Paul