sensei8

See if the electric company would set you with AVERAGED Billing. That way, the bill doesn't ever cost no more that the agreed on amount per the contract you and the electric company work out. I did this in CA. You see my $700...that was the Average I worked out, and without that being set up, my monthly bill would've been 2.5 more than that. I was open from 10am to 10pm, six days a week! If not, then be extra proactive with the managing of your electric bill. Otherwise, your monthly will have the tendency of skyrocketing to the stratosphere. I do like the rent you negotiated; WELL DONE!! Landlords will tend to do that especially when the buildings been vacant as long as yours as been. Landlord can't make any money with an empty building. In the MA, the words "IN TIME" also apply to supplies and equipment. When I opened in 1977, I had 1 hanging bag and a few focus pads. No mirrors, no mats...nothing. But in time, as the student body grew, so did the equipment in the dojo. In time, you'll fully equip to your needs....IN TIME! Money doesn't grow on trees, but the bills sent to you monthly do grow on trees; paper, that is, that bills are written on!!

Solid post!!

As a father of a special needs adult, this story moved both me and my wife; touched us deeply. Thank you, Brian, for sharing this article!!

I can respect that schools like this have to satisfy their P&L's bottom line. What better way to pad the bottom line? Cater to kids/parents!! Got to pay the bills and make a living some how and some way without selling their integrity!! Imho!!

For now, my one and only goal is to lose 75 pounds!!

That...well...sucks; sorry to hear that, Brian!! Give Vicky and the kids our love!!

As you can imagine, this will be nearly impossible to accurately pin point exact monthly prices for electricity usages. Why? *Hours of operations? *Term plans? *What, if any, devices and the like that will require electricity, AND, how long are they going to be dependent on that electricity on a 24 hour cycle? *What lights, if any, are left on after closing? *What's the insulation and things like that adequate? If I were to open a dojo where I live in Pearland, TX, suburb of Houston, this is what I'd be facing... Price per kWh is based on the average monthly ... Average Monthly Use 1500 kWh/2500 kWh/3500 kWh Average Price per kWh 12.90¢/12.70¢/12.50¢ Early Cancellation Fee: The greater of one-sixth of the estimated billing for the remainder of the term for electric service per ESI ID or $300.00 per ESI ID. Negotiating for a plan that fits your needs is crucial. Can't hit the nail on its head, well, don't open a dojo or anything. I've had 3 Kyuodan Dojo's... CA $700 per month average TX $250 per month average OK $590 per month average Square footage, type of light bulbs, type of receptors, quantity of lighting, how many outlets, type of Heating and A/C units. Manage the thermostat by signing it..."DON'T TOUCH!!" Location and zoning have a lot to do with what plan you can and can't have!! You're going to have to be very proactive on everything that goes on your electric bill.

Welcome to KF; glad that you're here!!

The Grinch Stole Christmas...Jim Carrey Play it every Christmas!! We've about 3 others that we watch as well, but the Grinch with Carrey, that tops the list.

OK...nice article; I enjoyed it...thanks for sharing it!!

WOW WOW WOW...that's all that I can say...I was blown away by everything I saw in the video and blown away at what can be done with a computer, editing, and all that stuff, including the knowledge to make that type of video. I'm a 10th kyu when it comes to things like that. Got a new camcorder from my wife for our 25 anniversary, and I STILL haven't operated it yet because I simply don't know HOW!! GREAT VIDEO...thank you for sharing!!

To the bold type above... Shouldn't it read... Kihon Kata Kumite Can't learn Kata without first learning the Kihon and so forth. Having said that, I'm not a math wiz, quite stupid with math, but shouldn't Kihon at the top of this pyramid looking thingy.

The etiquette of the gkr is THEIR etiquette!! As far as you striking the 2nd Dan, well, the 2nd Dan should've better defended himself, especially against a 9th kyu; no excuses for his inabilities!! In short, hit the upper rank, and it's their fault if they DO get hit...I say...hit away!! While it might be a form of etiquette to get the blessing of ones Sensei before training in another style of the MA, it should be remembered that it's YOUR choice, and not that of your Sensei. This type of etiquette was deeply rooted back in the 60's - 80's, but now, imho, those days are days from yesteryear, and not so much realized today. I don't own my students, in that, they're free to train with whomever and in whatever style of the MA they want.

Solid post!!

Solid post!! To the bold type above... If that's true, and that's why they think that, then I wonder just what do they think about of the ADULT THAT'S TEACHING THE KIDS?!?!?!

Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year to every KF member and their families!! First Christmas in Houston, TX, a bit bittersweet not sharing the holidays with our daughter, Krystal and her husband, Jason. So, it'll just be my wife, Linda, and our son, Nathan, and myself this year. Thank God for Skype!!

I like it! Me too!!

Why not both? We have a set of 'official' bunkai for all of our kata, but they are by no means meant to be the only use of them. Hence, Oyo!!

Firstly, I'd like to welcome you to KF, shifucrane; glad that you're here!! Secondly, solid opening post!!

Kids are just one demographics of Karate students!! If Karate was just for kids, as some have suggested, then there'd only be kids in Karate dojo's world wide. To me, their statement fails to incite, therefore, it's a failed statement!! Imho!!

Congrats, Liam...way to go!!

Welcome to KF; glad that you're here!!

Well, that's a nice form of SHUGYO; way to go, Liam!! Btw, I can't view your link.

Congrats on earning your Shodan, Devin; well deserved!! I enjoyed the pictures, Devin; thanks for sharing them; looks GREAT!! Bad Sensei for lying to you, but such a nice lie!! What a Christmas present!!

Compelling article; thanks for sharing that, Danielle. Too soon? That's for her to decide! That's up to Holm's, and her manager, and whomever else if she should have some fights before her and Rousey tangle up again.