sensei8

Yesterday, my wife, our son, and I went over to one of my nieces house for the purpose of having a belated birthday get-together with many relatives in attendance over barbeque and socializing for my wife; it was her idea, and one that I fully supported. The event started out in normal tones with the usual salutations of greeting each and everyone with "hello" and many handshakes, as men do, and hugs/kisses, as women do. Many kids were there as well, and they were not saved from any hugs/kisses, and the occasional cheek twisting or back-slaps. After all, we're family through and through to the bone!! And as things at barbeque gatherings settle, the women huddle either in the kitchen and/or the backyard deck, while the men huddle around some sporting activity and/or the BBQ grill. The kids, well, they're everywhere playing as kids do play. We had our huge fare of meats on the grills, and we had our share of alcoholic beverages as well as non-alcoholic [soda/tea/lemonade/water] beverages. The music was blaring...having a good time with family. I don't drink any alcoholic of any sort; it's not my thing, not now and not ever!! I don't judge those who do drink alcohol, it's their choice, and their adults, and we've a few family members that don't know how to exercise a modicum of restraint/control on drinking. And, we're at someone else's home and I don't make the rules of their home. At my home, NO ONE'S allowed to indulge in any alcoholic beverages EVER!! About two and half hours in, one of my nieces' husbands starts getting quite loud and abrasive in his language, and yes, events like this give him an excuse to drink heavy. Other than that, he's a social drinker. The home we're visiting and gathering together at is his home. He's the host, he's the BBQ cook [he's some mad skills in that area], and up until now, he was quite affable in his demeanor. One thing lead to another thing, and the violence erupted with the aforementioned husband of one of my niece's is in the core of it all. His anger is aimed at his wife, one my niece's and this one husband has a history of domestic violence. He's currently attending meetings to address his domestic violence; and, until now, he's been a pillar of change. Several members, including myself, intervene quickly to squash his supposed intent; he was in his wife's face, spewing colorful metaphors at her, and the veins in his neck were bulging: he was ANGRY!! My niece kowtowed quickly in retreat to save herself from him, and what he might still do! Our interventions only outraged him the more, but with me at the front, he knew he'd better cool down and back off NOW!! He retreated back inside of the house, and this gave us the moment to try to figure what just occurred. The once fun atmosphere was replaced with an unsettling tension and fear; I sensed that this wasn't going to just go away with his retreat. I was right!! He came out from inside the house towards where my niece was with a vengeance of intent. I put myself back between my niece and her husband. The only way I knew to deescalate the moment was to be that force that would keep him at bay, and if my presence was enough to cause him to pause and rethink, then I'm pleased to know that he wasn't without his complete faculties to decide that going through me wouldn't be good for him. He glared at me, and that's all he could do, and he knew it, and then stormed away, but this time to his car, then speed away. It was at this time, I told my wife and my son that we're leaving, and we're leaving now!! So, we left the party! Upon arriving at home, his started getting a volley of phone calls from several family members asking me why we left...why we didn't stay...and so on and so forth. Other husbands/boyfriends were STILL at the party, and these other men can protect their families/girlfriends/kids/etc. WAIT A MINUTE!! My job is to protect my family, and I did just that. My immediate concern, whether my family likes it or not, is to protect my wife...my son...my daughter...THAT'S IT!! By me deciding that we are leaving, is my way of defending THEM above all!! Separate them from what had just occurred as soon as possible. I don't apologize for it, and I won't apologize for protecting my wife and son!! It's my way, and my family knows this, and the other family members know this of me as well. It's no surprise. In my opinion, the propensity of violence still remained, and while the husband might've left, he will return soon enough, and my family and I weren't going to be there when he decided to come home. I've lost many close friends because I've chosen to leave their "parties", and take my family with me without any formalities at all because I believed that the propensity of violence still remained. The friends I've lost because of my chosen actions to vacate surprised me, because I warned them all about what I would do if violence of any degree erupted...they understood, but forgot, or didn't think I was serious. I didn't apologize to them either; I did what I felt was right to protect my family. If my actions are wrong, then, by God, I'll remain wrong, but unapologetic for protecting my family the way I see fit. My family is mine to protect...that's what I did!! The party, I hear, calmed down and finished without anymore outbursts, and that's because he never returned last night; slept it off at one of his relatives houses. All left the party happy and full and content! I will not visit my nieces home ever because I believe that as long as her husband is there, the propensity of violence still remains a possibility. One of my relatives asked me if I was afraid of him? Is that why I won't go back to their house? OH PLEASE!! I reminded that relative that I'm not afraid of anyone, especially him...and that relative knows that, and so does my niece's husband!! I won't put my family in harms way by returning to their home...EVER!!

I almost put this up in the KF forum, "Martial Arts and Politics", but then I thought otherwise... http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/wal-mart-won-t-sell-ronda-rousey-s-new-book-because-she-s-too-violent-180144157.html I admit I'm surprised at Walmart, but, it's their company, and not mine.

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

The bold type above...Excellent suggestion!!

Excellent tutorial, as always!! Can't control what you can't grab!! You're poor gi top; it's been someone's lunch, Alex!

It might be, but to eliminate possibilities, I'd encourage you to see your doctor to see for sure. Good luck, and please keep us up to date. Is there anything else that you might share with us MA wise, so that we can go from there. Please visit a doctor!!

Two more days...April 6, 2015...opening day...sorry, but I don't care who the Yankees are playing just as long as the Yankees are playing!! Curious and excited at the same time because legends retired, as it's meant to be, to open the roster for new talent. MISS YOU JETER/MO!! GO YANKEES!!

Another gem within the Shotokan Kata Syllabus. Much again, is upheld that the Bunkai offers so many possibilities, that, it might take a lifetime to discover the effective possibilities that await the practitioner. Unlike Chinte that has those darn hops at the end, Jion, too, doesn't seem to start and end at the same point amongst the Embusen. Palm heel strikes/hammer fists are, imho, unique and special to Jion. Many escapes are found as well, including some direct counter-strikes. Yes, what I've just typed are things of my own interpretations. Funny thing, I suppose, is that I'm NOT a Shotokan practitioner by trade, but Shindokan; the foremost is Japanese and the latter is Okinawa; two different worlds, yet so similar in many observations. I love Kata; a valuable and endless training tool, therefore, I don't train only in Shindokan Kata's; that to me limits me...NOT COOL!!

The Kata that we're discussing is a nice one, as all are, imho. Why? The Bunkai/applications are up for US to interpret through Oyo, and sky's the limit per ones imagination. This Kata addresses many techniques that can be effective BUT nothing's overlooked as possibilities. Within this Kata, there's an overwhelming treasure trove of possibilities at each and every step; Bunkai heaven. Then, this Kata has a warm-up for Unsu; the big jumping turn, whereas Kanku Dai has a much smaller version. So many possibilities, and so many things to discover; might take a lifetime to uncover them all.

My wife and I have this already worked out. She screms hysterically, and I fight. Good plan!!

Solid post!!

Sorry to hear about Kris Bryant being sent down to the minors. Possibly, could this be the results of him being brought up too soon to the Majors?!? Good news, I suppose, is at least he's still in MLB, not in the Show, but still in MLB. Hopefully, he'll get his chance again when the time is right!! GO YANKEES!!

Solid post!! I understand the context as well as the content of what you're saying, and in that, it's personal to you, as it should be. We've never taken away the belt itself because that's personal property, and to do so, imho, is akin to stealing...NOT ON MY WATCH!! The taken of "belt/rank" is an Administrative event, and therefore, the "rank/belt" is taken away ON PAPER!! Once the notice/action has been approved by all interested departments, and all the proper signatures have been acquired, and the student has been properly notified, and all appeals, if any, have been exhausted, that said students CI will present said student with a new belt that reflects any and all Administrative actions. All necessary documentations will be added to said students hard-file immediately. The knowledge, is, imho, eternal!! I can no longer take that, as I can no longer take the wind out of the air!!

Generally speaking...If one passes each and every testing cycle at their determined dates/times, and no double/triple grading's, and nothing is out of the ordinary and so on and so forth... We're looking at somewhere near 17-20 years to obtain a Godan, and I'm being quite liberal with my calculations. Perfect testing cycles, meaning that the candidate passed each testing cycle the first time, is not common. Why? I've not meet a perfect student yet!! Mistakes occur often during ANY testing cycle, and to be perfect for 17-20 years is unheard of, imho.

The only reason that I can assume as to why the quite often testing cycles is, and this is far fetched, if the dojo is new, the CI might want to fill the floor with multiple rankings as to appear that the dojo's been in existence much longer than the actual time. I SUPPOSE!! I can't, for the love of myself, understand why one would run testing cycles so often. Now, there's no written rule that says how often a testing cycle should be conducted, and even if there was a rule, imho, the dojo can do whatever it wants to!! Your testing criteria seems solid across the board. What threw me off slightly was when the 12th Kyu grade is "Red and white"! That usually denotes the rank of Hachidan, and not 12th Kyu. Albeit, without an actual picture, I've no idea what the "Red and white" is for 12th Kyu. All in all, I've don't remember having ever seen grades go as you've described...unusual!! I'd be curious to know what the pass/fail ratio is!!

No, I've not been able to locate a recent study beside the 2011 one that I stumbled upon. I'm still searching, although!!

This is me saying goodbye to my short lived ninja skills...

Congrats; well deserved!!

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

That is cool! Maybe he'll have a good chance of making the roster!They're sending him down to the minors for a little while for contractual reasons (If he misses something like 12 games this season, they'll control him for another entire year later on). But the consensus is that the day that's up (April 17th, I believe), he'll be brought up to the majors. Sad thing is, he's in the NL and the only stadium close to me is Fenway, so unless we get a Cubs/Red Sox World Series, I won't be seeing him play in person. Ouch and Drats!!

15 year old testing for Godan??!!?? That, I just don't understand why this would be permitted. Imho, the age alone is one thing, but the tenure is abated severly...again, imho!! Seems to me, and forgive me, all, but if legitimate ranks were important at one time, they're not that way anymore. Reasons like this is why, imho, ranking in general is mocked at!! And I take offense to the implications and being lumped in because I've worked my tail off to earn the ranks I've earned.

Good to hear that you sought out a medical profession for help, and that the visit was a productive one. What type of exercises were prescribed, if any??

Ditto!!

Ah...no...it's not normal. Especially, with your double and triple grading, and how often testing cycles were conducted...not normal at all!! Do you have prior experience in another form of the MA? If not, the double not normal!!

Proof is on the...screen. Nice!!