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Personal

I have no intention of turning this site into yet another personal web blog. To be frank, I don't have that much time on my hands. I'm just a guy trying to be a good man. I would, however, like to share a little bit about myself and the things that matter to me.

Family Blessings

I'm positively blessed with a strong, intelligent, funny, caring, supportive wife. I'd be lost without her. We have two healthy, bright children with quick wits, warm hearts, and bright futures. Our extended families are chock full of loving, fun, talented, supportive people. I try hard every day to be worthy of my blessings.

Interests

My primary hobby these days, and for the past ten years, is martial arts. I currently hold the rank of second-degree black belt (Kyo Sa Nim) in the traditional Korean martial art of Kuk Sool Won. Truthfully, I really don't see myself ever giving up Kuk Sool Won, barring any major injuries.

Why do I love my martial art? I could name a lot of very good reasons, such as self-defense preparedness, health, longevity, mental focus, and self-discipline. Those are all part of it. But for me, there are two primary reasons I study martial arts. The first is that, quite frankly, it's very challenging. It stretches my body, spirit, and mind. It's something that requires a serious commitment and a lot of effort. I like challenges, and my martial art is all about challenging yourself to do better than you ever thought you could. The other primary reason is that in my dojang, as in most others that I know of, there is one absolute law: respect for all. It's the only place I know of where everybody can feel completely respected, accepted, welcomed, and appreciated. In the dojang, we are all students on the same path, and everybody supports everyone else unconditionally. Call me an idealist, but I think more of life should be like that.

Prior to martial arts, I was a competitive bodybuilder. But please, don't conjure up images of a steroid-fueled dumb jock. I was always strictly an all-natural bodybuilder, and I'm a pretty long way from dumb. The reasons I loved bodybuilding were probably much the same as Martial Arts... because it's difficult, and it's something that very few people are willing to invest the required energy to do well in. Why did I stop? I couldn't take the diet anymore!

In addition to my martial art, I have a passion for fly-fishing. Although I'm fairly new to it, I'm totally hooked and will be fly fishing for the rest of my life. It's the most authentic type of fishing there is. When I'm standing chest deep in a trout stream, I feel connected to nature, connected to the fish, and connected to the history of American sporting traditions. Fly fishing is also in keeping with my theme for personal hobbies... it's quite difficult to do well. I'm drawn to challenges!

Lately I'm Reading...

• CNN.com with a small but growing sense of optimism that perhaps we've turned the corner toward more rationality in our national politics.
• The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream, by Barack Obama
• Collected works of Jack London, by Jack London
• I frequently find myself returning to Wisdom of Our Fathers, compiled by Joe Kita

Lately I'm Listening To...

• Everything Nick Cave ever recorded: Nick is easily one of my favorite artists of all times. An incomparable muse.
• The Arctic Monkeys: They're the modern-day Beatles, in the way that Oasis wanted to be but wasn't, only... well... I like them better than I ever liked the Beatles. Blasphemy, I know.
• Wolfmother: Did you grow up on Led Zeppelin and a bunch of Prog Rock? If so, you have simply GOT to listen to Wolfmother.

Copyright (©) 2004-2007, Robert Conway. All rights reserved.

Personal Philosophy: Between stimulus and response, there lies a space. In these spaces lie your choices. In these choices lie your happiness and success.

Want to talk about it?