sensei8

As with anything, if one is forced, the person in question will begin to hate the MA. Give that person what they want, and for cause, let them go. The sooner the better for all concerned.

Anything after Sandan!! Anything before that was an unnerving grind for me!! Please don’t misunderstand me, I loved everything to the Nth degree during those times. I’d never trade those years for anything!! Nonetheless, even to this day I’m ashamed of the mind set that I laboriously grinded through. Why?? I despise rank chasing because rank, imho, is not why anyone should be on the floor. Seeking knowledge and experience through improving one’s MA betterment and integrity is far more noble than chasing rank, and that’s exactly what I did…I chased rank; it consumed me!! I chased rank like some obsessed fiend. Yet, right after I earned my Sandan, I completely surrendered my worthless mind set of chasing rank. I was only 20 years old when I earned my Sandan. I chased after earning my Sandan because I believed that once I earned my Sandan, I could open my own dojo…which is exactly what I did despite anything else. I knew way back as a JBB that all I wanted to do was to teach and own my own dojo. I was a JBB for 5 long grueling years, however, in my twisted mind, I believed that I needed to earn my Sandan at any cost and at any risk. So, I would only want to relive those years after I earned my Sandan, and not before.

I thought that the Tag-Team competition was a very interesting concept. I’d love to see it in a real tournament.

The coach isn’t always at fault!! The head coach answers to those who are in a higher pay rate. The motto of WE WIN TOGETHER AND WE LOSE TOGETHER sounds good until accountability is required.

Congratulations, JazzKicker; well deserved!!

On another note… The Raiders, my wife’s favorite team of all, lost to the Broncos at home 29-19, their 7th straight loss, which will soon be 8 straight losses when they play against the hosting Chiefs. Raiders are saying after their most disappointing loss that they’re dealing with QB uncertainty after losing Minshew with a season-ending collarbone injury. Wait!! Raiders signed Minshew to a 2-year contract that I believe that the Raiders wasted a lot of money. Minshew has not been the diamond QB, just like Prescott. First Raiders play yesterday against the Broncos, Minshew drops the football, which to me was an omen of how that game was going to end…with another loss!! Get rid of Minshew!! Yes, he’s out for the rest of the season, but either trade him or make him the 3rd string QB. Minshew is not the only problem!! Perhaps the Raiders Head Coach needs to be fired!! Something’s seriously wrong with the Raiders because I don’t believe that the Raiders are that bad of a team!! Raiders stall badly in the Red Zone consistently!! Poor Raiders!! On the Cowboys… Cowboys need to fired McCarthy and hire Belichick!! Problem with that is that Belichick wants to be both the Head Coach AND the GM. Jones has been the GM of the Cowboys ever since he bought the Cowboys, and I don’t see Jones relinquishing the GM spot to anyone, including Belichick!! Oh yeah, fire Dak!! That won’t happen because Jones loves him!! Jones must love losing more than winning. What’s a NFL team have to do??

Yes, very happy to see the Knights come alive in the 2nd quarter with those 5 goals on the ice to beat the Canadians 6-2. Crosby is such a great player overall. Yes, big milestone for the future HOFer. GO KNIGHTS!!

Poor bird!! MLB, for good reasons, will shut the game down whenever there’s lightning in the area!! But, snow, sure let’s keep playing as though it’s the NFL.

No. I’m still Type 1 diabetic. But my numbers are decreasing/diminishing slowly. Returning back to being a Pre-Diabetic is promising according to my doctors.

I do remember the Sleet Bowl between the Cowboys VS Dolphins back in ‘93. Lett’s tried but in those conditions I can’t blame him for the Dolphin win. You list some CRAZY SNOW CONDITION games that still blow my mind!! I remember that Tuck Game…what a player(s)/teams won’t do to win a game. I can remember that there have been about half-a-dozen MLB games games that have been played during a snowstorm!! Crazy pro players…one and all!

That game was insane!! Saw one fan wearing only shorts…YIKES!! I was impressed how the grounds crew staff kept the field so orderly with leaf blowers!! I remember the Snowball game in 2017 with the Colts and Bills. 17 inches of snow…give me a beak!! Glad to see Browns with the win because they’re struggling a lot and my heart goes out to the teams that have the job of being the spoiler team for the top teams. Just gotta love the underdog!! GO COWBOYS (Even though they are out of the playoffs)

So far, I found myself very optimistic over how my Golden Knights have preformed so far this season. Great to see that the Knights are in first place in the Pacific Division with their having a 12-6. The Knights have edged in front of the Flames who have edged past Kings and Oilers respectively. I do need to keep an eye on the Canucks because they can be quite alarming at times and play that spoiler team at the wrong time. It’s early in the season but my hope for the Knights this season a high in anticipation. GO KNIGHTS!!

Yes!! Happy 23rd Half-Anniversary!! A awesome post and celebration, Brian; thank you for all you’ve done and continue to do for KF and its members!!

My mistake. I was always lead to believe that Shito-ryu originated in Okinawa, like most major styles. I feel real dumb now.

The fight continues with my Prostate Cancer. Saw Dr. Goodman yesterday morning for a follow up. Dr. Goodman is very glad to see that my progress remains on the positive side. I’M STILL IN COMPLETE REMISSION!! I lost another 10lbs, so, I now weigh 267!! In a year’s time I’ve lost over 100lbs. This weight loss will help me to go from Type 1 Diabetes to Pre-Diabetic and will help me fight my cancer. My PSA remains at ZERO. Dr. Goodman reminded me that my PSA can’t get above a 2, of which he is very sure that my PSA will not reach that scale. My testosterone is at 76. So, I got a bit to go to reach the testosterone level of 275. It’s a slow climb. My body hair is sprouting back up again here and there, whereas before I had no body whatsoever. I long for the day when I can be intimate with my wife again because it’s been over 4 years in that regard!! That’s what the treatments have done but like my wife tells me over and over, she’d rather have me alive over the intimacy I long for. Next appointment will be on March 20, 2025!!

Thanks auric for sharing your first ever experience on the Testing Cycle; quite exciting. My first ever being a part of the Testing Cycle panel was quite nerve racking; I was scared and excited out of my mind. My mouth and brain were not together at all. I was having such difficulties in forming a coherent thought and conversation that I was finally instructed to just score and shut-up…of which I did as I was told. SKKA had a rule that whomever was assigned to the Testing Cycle had to be at a minimum rank of Sandan!! The higher the rank being tested, the minimum rank was Godan, as well as the minimum of examiners went from 3 then to 5 then to 7 being assigned!! Nanadan and Hachidan Testing Cycles had to have the company of 7 examiners at minimum and there had to be 2 Senior Ranks minimum of the rank of Hachidan on the Testing Cycle panel. I have to tell you, it’s far easier to conduct your own Testing Cycle at YOUR OWN DOJO without big brother breathing down your neck. Still had to have a minimum of 3 on the Testing Cycle panel, including yourself. So, I got through it and you got through it and after the dust settled down the rest was downhill, in a positive way!! Sounds like you did a very fine job for it being your first time on a Testing Cycle panel.

First of all, they’re all Okinawa styles. They all have a strong emphasis on Kata. They all have effective applications of their self-defense methodology and ideology. Shorin-ryu incorporates quick and linear movements executed from a upright posture. Wado-ryu incorporates sleek evasive movements while utilizing throws and joint manipulations from a more lower posture. Shito-ryu is quite eclectic in how they use their approach to combining soft and hard techniques. They favor a more circular approach while being linear at the same time in any given posture for their effectiveness. All three seem to be quite effective with how they utilizing elements from other MA styles.

Welcome to KF, rtig; glad that you’re here!! Do whatever style fits YOU!! Just like buying a car/house. You’ve an idea on what type of car/house you want to buy!! You look at many before you finally decide!! You’re all in now to that car/house and it now depends on you to make it work across the board!! Maturing in one’s MA techniques takes a lot of time. If your kicking has its limitations, then any quality instructor can still help you become effective. Kicking is just another tool, and kicking high isn’t always the most effective technique. No. In Shindokan, the style I train in, we don’t kick above the waist. In the matter of fact, we concentrate on our opponents legs predominantly. Kempo would be a style that might fit you comfortably. Their kicks are mostly generated to their opponents legs. Nonetheless, Kata is important in training. Any quality instructor adjusts training to fit the student’s limitations. If a Kata requires kicks that you can’t do, high, for example, then you kick low. Like Bruce Lee said…”Absorb what is useful, discard the rest.” I believe this speaks to you in volume as far as your MA journey is concerned and what you’re seeking on the floor. KarateKen has given you some solid truths that deserve to be seriously considered!! Good luck and please let us know what you decide. We got your back!!

Welcome back, stonecrusher!! I agree with Wastelander in that it looks very similar to my karate material!! Controlling ones opponent depends on just how mature ones MA is, and that’s something that shouldn’t be shrugged off.

Cowboys…Cowboys…Cowboys!! That’s about all I have to say!! McCarthy’s days as the Cowboys Head Coach are quickly coming to an end!! Right now, the only good thing about America’s Team is the America’s Sweethearts!!

The one thing that stuck in my mind is why Boone pitched to Freeman. I would've walked him each and every time after he hit the grand slam. Why does Boone not pull pitchers off the mound when the pitcher count is high or struggling?? It's the WS and not a game of friends...it's business, not personal. There are other things that got caught in by crow, but, why?!? Congrats to the Dodgers.

Ken, I'm nominating you to be KF's Sports Reporter, if KF indeed had such a position. Your coverage is on point and well thought out, especially when it comes to sports. I've enjoyed your sports posts thoroughly!! Thank you!!

I only watched 3 games today. The Raiders VS Dolphins and Seahawks VS 49ers and the Chiefs VS Bills games. Raiders lost, again, which pretty much ends their playoff hopes. Dolphin 34 and Raiders 19. Raiders have already been eliminated from this seasons playoffs. The Seahawks barely defeated the 49ers, but they did win for sure. Seahawks 20 and 49ers 17. Seahawks must win BOTH games to the Cardinals for any playoff chances. As KarateKen alluded to, the Chiefs lost to the Bills in a game that I thought the Bills had their minds more in the game than the Chiefs despite the near close game. The 3-6 Cowboys host the 6-4 Texans tomorrow night even though the Cowboys have been eliminated from this season's playoff. GO COWBOYS!! (At least try to get a few more wins)

I agree with Patrick...Tons of fun! Never thought I'd ever say that about the Cobra Kai Series, however, Season 6, Part 2, changed my mind about its entertainment factor. It did help me a tiny bit that there are some valid MAist's in Part 2. Had not what happened to Kwon, that brawl would still be going on. KorroddyDude alluded to the fact that there WILL be a Part 3 (TBD) with 5 more episodes. I didn't catch that until I looked at Cobra Kai on Wikipedia tonight. where, indeed, Part 3 with its 5 episodes return to Nextflix on February 13, 2025. Credit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Cobra_Kai_episodes#Season_6_(2024)

So sorry to read about the passing of your friend. During this time, I want to offer my sincere condolences and prayers to you and your friends' family during this difficult time.