Student spotlights!

Mr. Dean Farrington

Interviewed by Lori Stinson

06/2004

L: Tell me a little bit about yourself (life outside the dojo).

D: Let's see: I'm a husband and father to a wonderfully supportive family. I am a Network Security Engineer specializing in Network Intrusion Detection and Incident Response for a living, and a part time author of computer security books/training materials. Since all that takes up about 150% of the hours available in a week I'll stop there.

L: You are the longest running student here at the Phoenix Quest Center. You have been very dedicated in your study of To-Shin do. What is it that draws you to the art of To-Shin do?

D: One of the things I have always liked is the recognition that how you are feeling influences how you will react. Most styles do not have a way to allow for that except for reacting offensively or defensively. In To-Shin do you can use variations of the same technique from all elements (and hence emotional states). A particular technique may always be applicable to a certain situation, but will I always have the right attitude or intention to carry it off ?

I also find the history associated with Ninjutsu fascinating, having a military background I find many similarities in the tools and techniques used by the Ninja to the tools used by the military for unconventional warfare

L: What is your favorite part of training? Are there areas of the art you would like to study more in depth?

D: I would like to learn more about the traditional aspects of Ninjutsu and spend some time learning the aspects that are covered more in the Shadows of Iga classes. Unfortunately I have not had the time to attend those classes, but hopefully someday I can find a way to fit them into my schedule.

L: What part of training do you find the most challenging?

D: Keeping in the right element for the technique we are studying at the time. I have to work extra hard at keeping with proper response for what we are studying and not reacting according to how I am actually feeling at the time.

L: Most people don't realize that you are part of the Phoenix Quest Center leadership team - providing much needed "behind the scenes" help with Center's website. Mr. Stinson and I really appreciate you taking the time to help us out. By the way, how do you balance work, having a family, training, and all your other activities?

D: It's tough, I just have to prioritize things and make sure the most essential get done. I like taking pictures so coming to graduations to do photography is fun for me, it just sort of evolved into posting the photos directly instead of sending them to Mr. Stinson to post. I'm just someone who likes to help out when he can see an opportunity.

As for the rest of life, well I'm sort of a natural workaholic so I just keep cramming in stuff until nothing else can fit in a day and I'm not sleeping enough.

L: Do you have any advice for the newer students?

D: "Just keep going", it's sort of the universal advice. It applies to your technique, your training, and life in general.

Right now I'm a fair bit older than the last time I studied Martial Arts, but I'm finding it easier to ignore some of the distractions of life and "keep going", not get distracted by other interests. If you have to make a compromise in order to accommodate you schedule, find a way to cut back on your training but don't stop. Once you stop it is so easy to keep finding excuses to not start again.

L: Is there anything else you would like to share?

D: This is where I'd like to share some deep and profound thought, unfortunately since I don't have any of those….

I would however like to take an opportunity to thank Michael and Lori for running such a great place to learn! I have no interest in schools that are interested in tournament trophies or where the students are looking to "one up" each other for standing in some "pecking order", I like what we have here in the Phoenix Quest Center which is a place where everyone helps everyone else. It's not about who is better, it's about helping each other learn and understand so we all grow.

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