Karate-based Drama
Sep. 2nd, 2020 01:35 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
bjarvisI had a few mysterious email broadcast messages this past week which left me scratching my head, and then exploded into all-out drama.
Only a week ago, I tested for a senior-level brown belt successfully. There was a general broadcast message that our dojo was looking for larger space, something which can accommodate a class while respecting social distancing. I also got an email indicating they were doing away with monthly credit card subscriptions in favour of monthly Paypal invoicing.
A few days ago, I got an email from my instructor that indicated he had some sort of disagreement with Victory Karate, our dojo, with a side mention of litigation. I couldn't make out the issue: it felt like I was reading one side of an email conversation, comments being made in response to questions I couldn't see. In a subsequent email, he also mentioned that individuals may have to do leverage the state consumer agency to force Victory Karate to stop monthly credit card billings. Huh?
On Tuesday, I got a Paypal invoice for the month. It was not from Victory Karate, but Karate Class Online.
I couldn't attend a class on Monday because of work commitments, but I did a zoom-based class per usual on Tuesday. For the first time in three years, Mr A was notably not wearing a Victory Karate t-shirt or gi, and it was glaring in its absence.
Today, I'm finally getting the pieces together thanks to email discussions among the other students & parents of students: there's some sort of break between my instructor and Victory Karate. It appears that the old dojo is still offering a couple of zoom-based classes in the evenings of Monday-Thursday with the junior instructor. My instructor meanwhile is doing his own full schedule of classes, 3:40 to 8pm, Mon-Fri with Saturday morning sessions, just as before.
I get this is a business issue and I shouldn't be personally invested in the drama of it all, but I do know all of the actors in this particular play, and I have an involuntary ringside seat to watch the end of friendships. I suppose part of my discomfort is also that it's so sudden and unexpected: I had no idea there was any sort of tension in play. It's a bit distressing.
I suppose as time rolls on, I'll get used to whatever this new situation is. Even if I'm double-billed this month by competing sides, I'm going to not make any decisions or dramatic moves, hoping that a clearer direction will be visible in the fullness of time. I suspect enough people are already making questionable decisions based on strong emotions, so mine don't need to be added to the mix.
It's all very sad and upsetting though.
Only a week ago, I tested for a senior-level brown belt successfully. There was a general broadcast message that our dojo was looking for larger space, something which can accommodate a class while respecting social distancing. I also got an email indicating they were doing away with monthly credit card subscriptions in favour of monthly Paypal invoicing.
A few days ago, I got an email from my instructor that indicated he had some sort of disagreement with Victory Karate, our dojo, with a side mention of litigation. I couldn't make out the issue: it felt like I was reading one side of an email conversation, comments being made in response to questions I couldn't see. In a subsequent email, he also mentioned that individuals may have to do leverage the state consumer agency to force Victory Karate to stop monthly credit card billings. Huh?
On Tuesday, I got a Paypal invoice for the month. It was not from Victory Karate, but Karate Class Online.
I couldn't attend a class on Monday because of work commitments, but I did a zoom-based class per usual on Tuesday. For the first time in three years, Mr A was notably not wearing a Victory Karate t-shirt or gi, and it was glaring in its absence.
Today, I'm finally getting the pieces together thanks to email discussions among the other students & parents of students: there's some sort of break between my instructor and Victory Karate. It appears that the old dojo is still offering a couple of zoom-based classes in the evenings of Monday-Thursday with the junior instructor. My instructor meanwhile is doing his own full schedule of classes, 3:40 to 8pm, Mon-Fri with Saturday morning sessions, just as before.
I get this is a business issue and I shouldn't be personally invested in the drama of it all, but I do know all of the actors in this particular play, and I have an involuntary ringside seat to watch the end of friendships. I suppose part of my discomfort is also that it's so sudden and unexpected: I had no idea there was any sort of tension in play. It's a bit distressing.
I suppose as time rolls on, I'll get used to whatever this new situation is. Even if I'm double-billed this month by competing sides, I'm going to not make any decisions or dramatic moves, hoping that a clearer direction will be visible in the fullness of time. I suspect enough people are already making questionable decisions based on strong emotions, so mine don't need to be added to the mix.
It's all very sad and upsetting though.
