What's it like to attend an Intensive program?

[Poink88]

...I don't think there was aggression, at least on my part, just a disagreement and difference of opinion. ...

It is easy to get snagged on the negative side of things when there are lots of positive. It happened on one of my threads recently. We are just human...we react to what we are passionate about or what we "perceive" as an attack or plainly something we disagree with.

As they say, show someone a paper with a small black dot and everyone will comment about that dot...no one will see the entire white page.

 

[Adair M]

Day three of the Fall Intensive was: More wiring. More needle pulling. More bud selection.

I pretty much did nothing but JBP because that's what I told Boon that I wanted to do.

There was another student there who didn't touch a JBP. He worked on cypress the whole three day, because that's what he wanted to learn. Evidently, there's a lot of them in the Vancouver area which is where he lives. So, that's what he wanted to learn. So, while Boon is rigid in that he wants you to learn his way of doing things, he's flexible in that he knows everyone has different interests and tries to accommodate that. He has a vast variety of trees in his garden, and can show examples of just about anything, and let students work on them. With proper supervision, of course!

By the end of the three days, you're pretty well pooped out. At least mentally. The information comes in constantly. Even while I'm working on my project, I try to keep an ear open to hear what Boon is telling another student. Everyone there is very cooperative, helping out one another, sharing tools, wire, muscle when called for, etc.

Miscellaneous info: I have always brought my own tools. Since I fly in, I have to check a bag. Those sharp tools could never be in carry-on luggage! Boon has plenty of tools, so you don't have to bring your own, but most do. Boon supplies the wire. Most everyone marks their tools with colored electrical tape. I've never lost a tool there, but identifying your tools with distinctive tape makes clean up at the end of the day easier. We usually clean up at 5:30, so go to eat at 6.

The food: As I've said in other posts, Boon provides lunch and dinner. If you want a beer or wine, that's on you. We usually go for some kind of Asian food. At the Korean place, there's a seat next to a call button mounted on the table. Invariably, that's the seat I get. And even though I try my hardest NOT to press the button, my elbow always seems to find a way to press it. It brings the waitress over, and when she sees it's me, she always laughs!

The food is always good and since I live in a rural part of Georgia, quite different than what generally available at home. The final Friday meal is at an Italian restaurant. More about Friday's later.

Usually, after lunch one day, we'll go to Grove Way nursery. Maybe spend a half hour there. Browsing the pots, trees, tools. I've occasionally been able to pick up a tool to add to my collection. Boon has some tools for sale , too. I have bought scissors and heavy duty tweezers from him.

Ok, Fridays. On Friday, at the end of class, Morten Wellhaven comes in and leads a discussion about what we learned at the Intensive. I wasn't prepared for this the first time, but I do enjoy hearing the insights the others have learned. And, that's when we get our course completion certificates. I store mine with all the handouts in a three ring binder. I've collected enough handouts now that if I need to know something, I can go back, find the handout, and refresh my memory.

I've been there when a couple of students "graduated". That is, they completed 3 years of Intensives and did the special show Intensive in January. I think there's been a total of 24 or 25 graduates. You receive a diploma suitable for framing. Oh, yeah, they're given a test! I'm kinda dreading that!

Then the week end celebration at the Italian restaurant! There's usually a couple bottles of wine! We work hard at the Intensives, and we eat well. I always sleep for a full day when I return home.

 

[Poink88]

LOL...most of Boon's posts on Facebook are about food, dogs, and bonsai (divided almost equally )

 

[mcpesq817]

Thanks Adair for posting this. This has been a really enjoyable read. Don't let Smoke get you down or draw you out into a fight. A lot of us would love to hear more about your experiences without all the needless distractions of insecurity-filled rants from him.

I wish I had the time to attend one. Boon is a great teacher - anyone who has spent time with him whether in a workshop or an Intensive will tell you that.

 

[Vance Wood]

How about your statement that went something like, "I'd rather step on a 6 inch nail than do anything that Boon says to do." Sounds pretty aggressive to me. Or maybe it was, "I'd rather step on a 6 inch nail rather than do anything that a Boon student says to do". I can't remember. I'm not going back to check.

That's a good idea. If you are going to quote me make sure you know for sure what I said:

I also know you want me to go to one of Boon's intensives. I don't believe that you mean anything but well for me but in my experience with a lot of Boon's students I would rather step on a six inch nail and drive it all the way through my foot.

That was not aggressive, it may have been strident but it was the truth. Boon's students over the years have proven themselves to be the most condescending and mean spirited people on the Net. not all of them, but enough to make the tast of a Boon intensive unsavory in my mind. Hence the six inch nail metaphore. I wonder something; do you want me to go through and pick out of context all of the unkind things you said about me?

 

[Adair M]

Gee, Vance, I have a bad memory. Remind me please where I suggested you attend a Boon Intensive?

Look, I'm sorry if you've had run ins with other Boon students. That's not my fault. It's not Boon's fault. You're laying blame on the wrong people.

If you have a problem with me, then deal with me. Boon doesn't control what I write here on Bonsai Nut. Maybe you don't like criticism, maybe all you want from this site is a bunch of "atta boys". So be it. I will no longer provide what I would consider helpful information to you. You don't want it. OK. I get it.

You know, going to Boon's is kinda like joining the Marines. You know that part where they break you down to build you back up? When I started there, I thought I was pretty good. Boon had to show me that I had a lot of bad habits that were in aggregate holding me back.

I was fortunate enough that I had been given good advice before going. John Kirby told me to go "with an open mind". I thought I had. Remember my initial resistance about the unwiring? I realized I was "closing my mind". Had to step back, and open it again. I still do. I have 40 years of bad habits. Only 2 years of good habits. I'm working on it.

Vance, I'm really trying to make peace with you. We both love bonsai. We both apparently try to help others with bonsai. I will admit to total ignorance about the horticultural aspects of mugo pine. I've never had any luck with them. You have. So for horticultural mugo pine, you're the go to expert. Go back and check. I have never, ever posted on how to grow a Mugo. I don't know how.

On the other hand, my JBP thrive. I have heard you espouse information about JBP that is old, outdated, and just plain erroneous. I ask that you stop doing so. Tell people that there are others that are more successful than you with JBP, and they should seek out JBP advice from them. Heck, I don't care if you don't send them to me. Refer them to Brian Van Fleet. He's good.

You like examples: In one thread you state that JBP should be kept dry to create short needles. Uh, that's not correct. I water my JBP at least daily, unless it's raining, and I usually water twice a day. Sometimes three! And I can get JBP needles down to 1/2 inch. Frankly, that's TOO short. I just wanted to see if I could do it! Withholding water is the way it was done 50 years ago. Not today.

 

[GrimLore]

Adair M - Thank you for the overview and sharing. I am not and will not say anything referring to Boon or his "SOBs" as it is not warranted.

Grimmy

 

[Franky Bets]

That's a good idea. If you are going to quote me make sure you know for sure what I said:

I also know you want me to go to one of Boon's intensives. I don't believe that you mean anything but well for me but in my experience with a lot of Boon's students I would rather step on a six inch nail and drive it all the way through my foot.

That was not aggressive, it may have been strident but it was the truth. Boon's students over the years have proven themselves to be the most condescending and mean spirited people on the Net. not all of them, but enough to make the tast of a Boon intensive unsavory in my mind. Hence the six inch nail metaphore. I wonder something; do you want me to go through and pick out of context all of the unkind things you said about me?

hmmm This thread was started with really good intentions. This is the exact type of thread ive been looking for. Then like most things on the internet, someone Cheerio's were pissed in. And like usual, derailment. Everything about this thread helped, insight, etc. Then I get to the last page and what do ya know. Someone calling a certain persons students condescending and mean spirited. Only to notice, the only condescending and mean spirited dude is this guy from Michigan. I always figured its best to face to face or pm such bs. And instead of deterring a newb like me from the topic that was meant to be helpful.

Michigan? No wonder, your whole state Halal yet?

 

[KennedyMarx]

Thanks for this thread, Adair. I was personally curious about Boon's intensives. At that moment it's not feasible for me to go myself, but I hope to someday have the means.

 

[Poink88]

As Smoke said before...knowledge is scattered here like crumbs. You won't find them all in one place but if you look hard enough you will (very likely) find the tidbits you need/want.

I appreciate Adair for offering knowledge as much as needed...he doesn't hold back and just give a small piece for the sake of his "amusement" and wait to be begged before giving the next tidbit.

Thank you sir.

 

[Jester217300]

Michigan? No wonder, your whole state Halal yet?

Close minded much? Please stop posting.

 

[PaulH]

Thank you Adair! this post is the kind of thing I come here for.

Others seem to come here for this: http://youtu.be/kQFKtI6gn9Y

 

[Vance Wood]

hmmm This thread was started with really good intentions. This is the exact type of thread ive been looking for. Then like most things on the internet, someone Cheerio's were pissed in. And like usual, derailment. Everything about this thread helped, insight, etc. Then I get to the last page and what do ya know. Someone calling a certain persons students condescending and mean spirited. Only to notice, the only condescending and mean spirited dude is this guy from Michigan. I always figured its best to face to face or pm such bs. And instead of deterring a newb like me from the topic that was meant to be helpful.

Michigan? No wonder, your whole state Halal yet?

To put it as kindly as possible falling way short of the kind of language I am capable; Franky Bets: You sir don't have a clue what you are talking about or a position from which to make accurate observations about me. In short sir you are full of shit. If not allowing someone to knock you down and then crap in your face while expecting a thank you may I have more please is mean spirited then I am guilty.

Adair: I used to train my sub-branches exactly how you have yours in the video. Since I started going to Boon's he showed me that by tightening the angles, it makes for a better shaped branch, and better looking pads. It changes the shape (as seen from above) from a rounded shape to more of a triangular shape. Ultimately, it makes a better looking branch.

You have not specifically told me or suggested to me that I go to Boon's classes in this post but you did earlier. However; you have used the Boon word like a bludgeon since the second page suggesting, as is common with all of you Boonies, I cannot, and no one else can either, do bonsai unless they do it Boon's way. This of course is not Boon's fault, it is yours, along with anyone else who; under the influence of stary-eyed hero worship looking like Sponge Bob Square Pants thinks their association with Boon, or any other master for that matter, automatically makes you,----- or anyone else with that same pedigree, believe they are bonsai gods.

When the truth is known a lot of you don't do your own work but you pay to have someone else come in and do it. Some of you when discovered that after ten years of study with Boon have nothing to show for the effort and expense run away and hide.

You have no idea how destructive some of your brethren have been to some people's lives because of this. Some of you seek to destroy the reputations of those with whom you disagree which tells me you are probably not capable of an original thought not filtered through the eyes of Boon.

You asked the question about Naka. That if you had told me the stuff you told me was from Naka I would have accepted it. That too is in error, I hold no one in high regard that their word is graven in stone with a fiery finger reaching down out of Heaven. Holy Crap Adair, I did not say you were not right, and neither did I argue it. I simple did not think it was your business why I did it the way I did it at the time I did it.

I have had to figure all of this bonsai stuff out by myself since 1963, I suppose I can't blame you for that but you have no clue what I have been through. The really sad thing is that to a great degree I have faced resistance on almost every step of the way. When people should have tried to help or make constructive suggestions I was told I was wasting my time.

I watched a special on ESPN last night about Knuckle ballers and how they are treated like the metaphorical red headed step child in the world of professional Baseball. In the end they win games while at the same time being vilified. I kind of feel a kinship to these guys. I guess from this point on I will have to be considered the ultimate outsider because I will not take classes with one of these people, and I will remain for ever without a pedigree. The Knuckle-balling-red-headed-step-child of bonsai.

Believe me I appreciate what you have tried to share but give me a break tell me something I don't know.

 

[jedge76]

Michigan? No wonder, your whole state Halal yet?

I second the "don't post here anymore" recommendation.

 

[Vance Wood]

Thank you Adair! this post is the kind of thing I come here for.

Others seem to come here for this: http://youtu.be/kQFKtI6gn9Y

You Know Paul you are right. If you don't want an argument don't start one. If you don't want your hand bit don't stick it into a dog fight. Most important to people who come at things like you have: If someone calls you a know nothing, mentally unstable, gutter slime, dog crap, puke chunk you simply say thank you, and life will be nice. You guys don't seem to remember how this got started.

I posted a series of videos about this poor pathetic little Mugo Pine. Everything was going along fine until Adair decided to critique my methods and then would not leave the subject alone. I did not start this fight or disagreement and I think it is sad that you have come at this thing without reading the entire issue or viewing the videos. Of course I know you too are an SOB: I find that funny as well.

 

[Adair M]

Wow, Vance, you read my intent completely wrong.

What I was trying to convey was that even after I'd been doing bonsai 40 years, I learned something that was different, and it makes for better bonsai. And, it's a common mistake, too. It just so happens that Boon was able to show me the better way. Ryan Neil or Bill Valvanis, had I chosen to study with them, would have shown me the same thing.

Since I became aware of it, I notice it. My perception has been heightened. It's difficult to explain, I'll try: some trees just look better than others. Two otherwise similar trees, one looks better. Well, I found that sometimes its the branch structure. Oh, both trees had been wired, but one wired "out", and one wired "in". The one wired "in" looked better. Until Boon showed me it was the angle of the sub branches, I couldn't have figured out why one tree looked better. Once he "opened my eyes", then I was able to see it.

So, I told you I teach workshops. People bring in their trees. I teach wiring, et al. And then we set branches. And almost everyone splays their branches out in too wide an angle. So, I adjust them. And suddenly my students catch on, too.

For 40 years, I had been doing it wrong. So have a lot of other people. Fixing this one little error has improved a lot of people's bonsai.

I saw the same flaw in the way you set your branches on you Mugo. Since many people on this site follow you, I thought that maybe I could save them from doing it wrong for 40 years!

You? I've lost hope. You don't want to learn anything new. Or, at least it seems that way.

Which begs the question: if you could have someone teach you, at a workshop, come to your house, whatever, for free, who would it be? Or do you already know it all?

 

[FrankP999]

I know Adair thru the Atlanta Bonsai Society and there could not be a nicer guy. I appreciate his sharing what he has learned from the intensives. Similarly, I appreciate Smoke and Vance sharing their knowledge. That is why I come to this forum.

 

[Dav4]

For the record, I have known Adair personally for several years, as he is a member of the Atlanta Bonsai Society. I can say with a fair amount of certainty that Adair is a good guy...period, and he also loves bonsai...period...and that's really all that matters here. He's posted in several of my own threads, stating that there may be other, better techniques to use then what I had done, and I am better for it. There are almost always more then one way to skin a cat, right? Keep up the good work, Adair. I think this is a great thread and will, in the end, be a good resource for folks in the future.

 

[Vance Wood]

For the record, I have known Adair personally for several years, as he is a member of the Atlanta Bonsai Society. I can say with a fair amount of certainty that Adair is a good guy...period, and he also loves bonsai...period...and that's really all that matters here. He's posted in several of my own threads, stating that there may be other, better techniques to use then what I had done, and I am better for it. There are almost always more then one way to skin a cat, right? Keep up the good work, Adair. I think this is a great thread and will, in the end, be a good resource for folks in the future.

I do not argue one little point, I have always held Adair in high esteem. We are just having a disagreement.

 

[Vance Wood]

Wow, Vance, you read my intent completely wrong.

What I was trying to convey was that even after I'd been doing bonsai 40 years, I learned something that was different, and it makes for better bonsai. And, it's a common mistake, too. It just so happens that Boon was able to show me the better way. Ryan Neil or Bill Valvanis, had I chosen to study with them, would have shown me the same thing.

Since I became aware of it, I notice it. My perception has been heightened. It's difficult to explain, I'll try: some trees just look better than others. Two otherwise similar trees, one looks better. Well, I found that sometimes its the branch structure. Oh, both trees had been wired, but one wired "out", and one wired "in". The one wired "in" looked better. Until Boon showed me it was the angle of the sub branches, I couldn't have figured out why one tree looked better. Once he "opened my eyes", then I was able to see it.

So, I told you I teach workshops. People bring in their trees. I teach wiring, et al. And then we set branches. And almost everyone splays their branches out in too wide an angle. So, I adjust them. And suddenly my students catch on, too.

For 40 years, I had been doing it wrong. So have a lot of other people. Fixing this one little error has improved a lot of people's bonsai.

I saw the same flaw in the way you set your branches on you Mugo. Since many people on this site follow you, I thought that maybe I could save them from doing it wrong for 40 years!

You? I've lost hope. You don't want to learn anything new. Or, at least it seems that way.

Which begs the question: if you could have someone teach you, at a workshop, come to your house, whatever, for free, who would it be? Or do you already know it all?

Still the question remains: What do you want me to do. Here is a possible solution. Why don't you post a vedio of what you mean and I will try with my thick head to understand it-----seriously.