sensei8

That's the billion-dollar question of which I'm more than sure that will vary greatly. The meaning of life is understood according to the beliefs that people adhere to. Why are we here? Do we serve a greater purpose beyond the pleasure or satisfaction we get from our daily activities, however mundane or heroic they may be? Is the meaning of life internal to life, to be found inherently in life’s many activities, or is it external, to be found in a realm somehow outside of life, but to which life leads? What is the meaning of life? The meaning of life is connecting with the purpose, and for that purpose to guide us into development and service. We have this intrinsic, burning desire to know what we are made to do, but before can get on board with developing into that, we need to understand why we are here. There are any number of subjective answers to this question. I'm sure that whatever our belief system is, so is that which drives our answer to this answer. What's the meaning of life?? The summation of 'Why' is to the summation of 'Because'. The meaning of life is not being dead. There's no meaning of life, we simply exist. Interesting question, as its answers, for sure!!

I've never used one, neither have anyone I know. Yes, many benefits can become from using an electrical muscle stimulation device. For example, *Increased muscle strength *Enhanced muscle endurance *Improved blood circulation *Pain relief With everything, there are risks and side effects. For example, Potential Risks *Skin irritation *Burns *Allergic reactions Side Effects *Muscle soreness *Muscle spasms *Tingling sensation As a substitute for traditional strength training exercises, as with everything, there are the pros and cons. I'm sure that this device can provide many benefits, however, I can't help, on a personal note, to feel that this device can't provide me the same overall benefits as a well-rounded strength training program can. Any current physical conditions or injuries might be aggravated or worsened by the use of this device. So, I'd have a serious conversation with my doctor before I'd use this device or any other equipment in my training regime. Good luck.

This subject is quite sensitive to me because of the spiraling downfall that occurred which eventually caused the SKKA, the Governing Body I was once the Kaicho and a member of for a tad over 5 decades, to close for good. While the founders of the SKKA, our Soke and Dai-Soke, were the Kaicho (President) and Kancho (Vice-President) everything was a fine-tuned and well-oiled machine. When they both knew that their retirements were inevitable, they both made some significant organizational changes that would serve its Student Body as well as the SKKA the best after they both were gone. Soon after they both had passed away, the SKKA elected me as the Kaicho and Greg Forsythe as its Kancho. The trimming of the fat, so to speak, was continued as Soke and Dai-Soke had meant it to be. For many years, Greg and I ran the SKKA like a Swiss clock. Then tragedy came to the SKKA. A very mournful and dark cloud settled over the SKKA. One that I had never thought possible. Emergency Elections had to take place. For now, I was to remain as the Kaicho. Still, EGO was the new driving force behind the SKKA. Whenever several key members of the Regents as well as Directors had eventually forced me out through affirmations, every tool available to oust me was so well played that according to the SKKA's Legal Team, my time had come to vacate not only my position as Kaicho but my membership with the SKKA was also dissolved permanently. When that happened, the networked dojo's that are under the umbrella of the SKKA, slowly and one-by-one quit the SKKA. So many, that before long, the SKKA no longer had any network at all. Even worse, the Hombu's Student Body were seeking somewhere else to continue their Shindokan training. The SKKA is no more!! I wholeheartedly concur with Noah's listed Pro's and Con's above!! I will note the differences the SKKA of old had going for them, and this is not to say that the SKKA of old was better than what Noah has listed. The SKKA of old Pro's were what Noah listed. The SKKA of old Con's turned into a Pro... *Political machinations and scheming...Strictly forbidden!! Yes, The SKKA of old had its Higher Aarchy, however, it was ruled with an iron fist of checks and balances with serious repercussions across the board. *High rank trading between friends...That was never ever allowed. That could get someone expelled for cause. *Too controlling of curriculum or training methods...The SKKA allowed dojo's under the SKKA umbrella complete free reign. The SKKA never interfered with how a networked dojo was operated. Strictly forbidden!! *Too expensive to be a member...Students' membership was a part of the tuition, which as long as I can remember, wasn't very high at all. I never paid more than $50 a month and as low as $25 a month. *High testing/certification fees...Before they were dissolved, Kyu Testing Cycles were $50 and Dan Testing Cycles were $100. The SKKA of new had no Pro, just one Con...EGO!! The SKKA of new has soured me against any Governing Body and I've no interest whatsoever in joining and/or forming another one.

What did you think of his decision to bench Garoppolo straight away? Seemed quite surprising to me and a little risky for an interim coach who presumably wants the permanent job! I believe that Garoppolo's benching was appropriate because he has been quite inconsistent as a QB. Appears that the interim coach has the Raiders interest in mind. How it'll reflect on the gridiron is another thing.

TEXAS RANGERS ARE THE 2023 WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS!! Final score 5-0. Rangers are WS champions for the first time!! CONGRATS RANGERS!! Both starters Nathan Eovaldi and Zac Gallen were stellar with 6 scoreless innings. Each teams fought their ways out of several tight situations with both teams leaving runners in scoring position but to no avail. Many gasps of relieve could be heard on and off the field. Rangers are a team when they're on the road as a force with 11-0 record. Rangers got on the board in the 7th inning and then on the top of the 9th inning they got 4 more insurance runs. Rangers had 9 hits with zero errors while the D-Backs had 5 hits with one error...that error was quite damaging by allowing 2 runs in for the Rangers. Semien launched a 2-run ball that went yard in the right center seats. Then, at the bottom of the 9th inning, Sborz was 3 up and 3 down for the win. How about them Rangers!?!?

I agree with Mark Davis's decision to fire McDaniels and Ziegler because as Mark put it..."It just seemed we were going in the wrong direction." Not that the Raiders are playoff/wild-card bound, hopefully new interim head coach, Antonio Pierce, can bring some new spark to the team and get some pride back.

Thank you so much for the Halloween pictures, Patrick!! You 3 sure know how to celebrate a holiday.

What a Game!! Between both teams, 18 runs, and when the dust finally settled, the Rangers won Game 4 with the final score 11-7. By the bottom of the 6th inning, the score was Rangers 10 and the D-Backs 1. It was all the Rangers, all of the way. Rangers - Semien: 2 for 4, 3-Run HR, 5 RBI Rangers - Seager: 19th career postseason HR - 2nd All-Time among Shortstops Rangers - Jankowski: 2 for 3, double, 2 RBI, 2 runs Rangers - 1st time in World Series game first 10 runs scored with 2 outs Just when one might think, like I did, that the Rangers might shutout the D-Backs. Boy was I premature in what I thought. The D-Backs refused to just lay down and let the Rangers have their way. No sir. Not that easy. Inning 1: Tied score 0-0 Inning 2: Rangers 5 and D-Backs 0 Inning 3: Rangers 5 and D-Backs 0 Inning 4: Rangers and D-Backs 1 Inning 5: Rangers 0 and D-Backs 0 Inning 6: Rangers 0 and D-Backs 0 Inning 7: Rangers 0 and D-Backs 0 Inning 8: Rangers 1 and D-Backs 4 Inning 9: Rangers 0 and D-Backs 2 FINAL: Rangers 11 and D-Backs 7 For the Rangers that means that they've made it 10 straight road game wins Game 5 will still be held at Chase Field. Game 5 tomorrow's starting pitchers will see the Rangers RHP Nathan Eovaldi (4-0, 3.52 ERA) vs RHP Zac Gallen (2-2, 5.27 ERA) Rangers have now forced the D-Backs backs against the wall, and this type of pressure of having to win 3 in a row can make the behind tea, one of 2 things, dangerous or careless. I see the Rangers winning the 2023 World Series on the road. GO RANGERS!!

Rangers had 3 runs in the top of the 3rd inning. Those 3 runs were all that was needed to oust the D-Backs with a final score of 3-1. With that win in game 3, the Rangers lead the WS over the D-Backs 2-1. The D-Backs fought a good fight up to the last out by scoring in the bottom of the 8th inning. Both teams used the bullpen to their best advantages. Chapman still has the speed but imho, he didn't have control of his placements in the box. Some batters Chapman had faced swung at junk which helped him, but I was sweating while he was in the mound. Don't get me wrong, Chapman can still throw major heat, but all of that heat is cooled down when his box placements are more balls than K's. Rangers Seager was the only HR of the game. Seager made a sliding stop at shortstop which started a double play in the bottom of the 8th inning that most assuredly might've saved the game. Garcia throw a bomb to home to get D-Backs Walker out at the plate in the 2nd inning. The Rangers now have won 9 straight wins on the road during this postseason, but it took its toll with pitcher Scherzer and outfielder Garcia have succumbed to lower back injuries. Starter pitchers for tonight's Game 4 of the WS will have the Rangers Heaney and D-Backs Mantiply with both sides more than likely depending on their respective bullpens. GO RANGERS!!

Apparently he got cut in the neck by a skate blade. I assume it sliced his carotid artery. This has happened at the NHL level, and it was only by the quick intervention of the medical staff that the player survived. That's the reason that goalies are now required to wear neck protection. I'm pretty sure they're going to require players to wear neck/throat protection going forward. Man, that's tragic. Thoughts and prayers with his family and friends. I wholeheartedly agree!!

Cowboys took care of the Rams quite handily; they never looked back...43-20. That win gives the Cowboys 2nd in the NFC East...5-2. Next, our rivals, the Eagles in their house with the Eagles 1st in the NFC East...7-1 with a squeak by of a win against the Commanders. I was quite shocked at how the Broncos dominate against the Chiefs. Seemed the Chiefs just couldn't get their stuff together at all. Every time the camera was on Mahomes he appeared to be shaking his head in disbelieve...I shared the same look myself. 2 interceptions didn't help either. Good news is that the Chiefs are still 1st in the AFC West...6-2. Next, the Dolphins at Arrow Stadium, who are also 6-2, who are 1st in the AFC East as they took care of the Patriots 31-17 GO COWBOYS!!

I agree here.It sounds like you've got a good training partner there, which is fantastic. One of my favorite adages: when one teaches, two learn. Keep up the good work. To the bold type above... I just love that, Brian!! Perhaps, you can add that to your Signature.

My favorites are dealing with Escape rooms. Some of my favorite escape room movies are: Cube 1 Cube 2: Hypercube Cube Zero Escape Room Escape Room: Tournament of Champions No Escape Escape From Marwin Even though the Saw series is an escape room type, they just never caught my interest. For the most part, I'm not a big fan of horror movies at all. To me, the Nightmare on Elm Street series, Friday the 13th series, and Halloween series are all comical to me. On the flip side, there are many horror movies that I never ever want to see, It, for example, and there's one that I'll never ever finish it, I tried many times when I was in high school, but I spent more and more time out in the lobby playing video games, nor do I ever want to finish watching it...I see a tv coming soon of that movie or hear the music, I'm changing the channel fast, especially in October.

Back to back Stanley Cups are hard. VERY hard. Part of the reason is that when you win the Cup, you by necessity have a shorter offseason than everyone else, and therefore less time to rest and recover from those nagging injuries that you played through in the playoffs. Not to mention that there is the luck of the Hockey Gods at play -- which playoff team can stay the healthiest and not lose man-games due to injury is a big factor. I agree. I mean, back-to-back in anything can be quite difficult. Of course, as someone who lives in Las Vegas, I have the hopes and dreams to see that. We've seen the WNBA Aces who've just won their back-to-back Championship and no matter how the Knights season ends, I have crossed my fingers for the difficult, which is great because back-to-back is supposed to be difficult. GO KNIGHTS!!

Sounds like you've had a very productive two weeks of training and teaching. You're very well rounded; becoming complete and balanced as both a student and a Sensei. Aaron's maturing in both him and his techniques. Taking the training well and if he chooses, he too will be a formidable MAist across the board. Train hard and well.

Defending Champions Golden Knights are now at 7-0-0. Last night's game was a very hard-fought win against the Flyers, but a win, nonetheless. Great start for the season and the Knights looks strong on both sides of the puck. Even though there's still 75 games remaining in the regular season, I'm quite optimistic for a back-to-back Stanley Cup. GO KNIGHTS!!

The 2023 NLCS has reached its zenith as the Arizona Diamondbacks are the 2023 NLCS Champions by besting the Philadelphia Phillies in a 7-game series for all the marbles by the score of 4-2 in the sold-out Citizens Bank Park. The 2023 World Series is upon us with all of its glory as the Texas Rangers VS the Arizona Diamondbacks in their best of 7 games. Passs out the peanuts and crackerjacks to enjoy the Fall Classic. Game 1: Rangers host the Diamondbacks on October 27th Game 2: Rangers host the Diamondbacks on October 28th Game 3: Diamondbacks host the Rangers on October 30th Game 4: Diamondbacks host the Rangers on October 31st Game 5: Diamondbacks host the Rangers on November 1st* Game 6: Rangers host the Diamondbacks on November 3rd* Game 7: Rangers host the Diamondbacks on November 4th* * Denotes if necessary Game 7 of the NLCS saw the Phillies for the very first time ever played in a game 7, while the Diamonds have only played in a game 7 which they won against my beloved Yankees. D-Backs are returning to the WS for its second time and their first since winning it in 2001. They hit, they ran, their gloves where places where the Phillies balls died, and they pitched. And I mean they pitched. The D-Backs sent out a small band relivers to take care of D-Back business. One particular D-Backs relieve pitcher that caught my attention was Kevin Ginkel. He's the meanest and gnarly slider that I've seen. His sliders had the Phillies batters in the bottom of the 8th swing from the basement empty with one K after another. I worry him and what a headache he'll cause the Rangers batters. Whiffing at a slider can be embarrassing. GO RANGERS!!

11-4!! My dreams have been fulfilled to the Nth degree thanks to the Texas Rangers. The Rangers are going to the World Series and they're watching to see who they'll host in the WS...the Phillies or the Diamondbacks. Finally, some team has dashed the hopes and dreams of the Astros and put one big smile on my face. That some team was the Rangers. If I could still do a somersault, I'd do one from just pure excitement alone. Don't get me wrong, the Astros are a team to be respected...and I do. I mean, numbers don't lie...2022, 2021. 2019, 2017 VS 2010 and 2011. The first set of numbers represent how many times the Astros have been to the WS, and the second set of numbers represent how many times the Rangers have been to the WS. The Astros have won two WS while the Rangers have not won any WS. Here's some more numbers... Inning 1 = Rangers 3, Astros 1 Inning 3 = Rangers 1, Astros 1 Inning 4 = Rangers 4, Astros 0 Inning 6 = Rangers 2, Astros 0 Inning 7 = Rangers 0, Astros 1 Inning 8 = Rangers 1, Astros 0 Inning 9 = Rangers 0, Astros 1 Rangers 11 Astros 4 Scandal aside, the Astros are a team to be reckoned with and never to be taken lightly. The same can be said about the Rangers, and they took care of business in Games 6 and 7 when it counted. Garcia is the ALCS MVP. The Astros home field became a disadvantage during the 2023 ALCS Series for them. As befuddled as the Astros was as to why their sudden inability to win at home was, that fact sealed their fate. The Astros lost 22 of their final 29 home games. This fact was not the Astros only time. Nope. The Astros lost all 4 games on the 2019 WS against the Nationals. Yes, the Rangers also lost their 3 home games, however, the Rangers had the best of the draw by only having to play at home 3 times and not the bad draw of the Astros 4 home games. I shudder had it been the other way around. GO RANGERS!!

Houston, TX. Minute Maid Park. 2023 ALCS Game 6. Houston Astros VS Texas Rangers. Top of the 9th. Rangers up. Rangers on top by 4-2. 5-2. Now, 3 Ranger batters are sitting atop of 3 bags. The crowd's boos are deafening. Garcia's up. He's been booed all night. Garcia has struck out 4 times. WHAM!!!!!!! GRAND SLAM!! Garcia hits a 375 foot line-drive into the left field seats. 9-2. Yahoo Sports puts it the best... "The Astros got a run on Nathan Eovaldi in the first inning of game 6. The Rangers responded and never looked back." The Astros home field woes continue, and I hope their woes spark the Rangers into the World Series. Game 7 Monday at Minute Maid Park. GO RANGERS!!

Astros leading the ALCS series 3-2. Rangers have had their backs against the wall since game 1...Rangers back remain against the wall as game 6 approaches as the drama returns to Minute Maid Park in Houston. Rangers beat the Astros at home for games 1 and 2, then the Astros go to Arlington and win 3 games. That's either Astro luck or skills OR the Rangers bad luck and no skills. I just don't know. Game 6 Sunday 5pm on the west coast/7pm central. I'm as nervous as a cat on a hot tin roof or something like that. Hopefully the Astros will continue a lose 2 games at home again!! Rangers starting pitcher in game 6 will be right hander Big Game Nate, Nathan Eovaldi. Astros will send to the mound left hander Framber Valdez. Rangers need their bats and gloves alive. GO RANGERS!!

Well, my Cowboys barely survived against the Chargers 20-17 at SoFi Stadium in LA. Cowboys just might as well stay in LA because the Cowboys face the Rams at SoFi Stadium in LA next week. Cowboys increased their standings to 4-3. I'm trying to be optimistic that the Cowboys will return to the playoffs, but the pessimistic side says...ah...NO!! My hats off to Herbert who played despite his non-throwing hand was wrapped up due to an injury back in week 4 in a win against the Raiders while trying to tackle after Herbert threw an interception; his hand got stuck in the helmet of Crosby. OUCH!! Cowboys kicker, Aubrey made 2 field goals; 2nd field goal with 2:19 remaining in the game gave the Cowboys the lead. With one last chance to win or go to OT, but Herbert threw an interception to Gilmore at the LA 33 with 1.22 remaining...that sealed the victory for the Cowboys. As I mentioned earlier, next week for the Cowboys in LA against the 3-3 Rams. I just have a bad feeling about the game against the Rams...I just can't shake it...the Rams and the Cowboys have meet 37 times with a record of the Cowboys have won 19 times and the Rams have won 18 times. Rams are favored by 5.5 points!! GO COWBOYS!!

The Las Vegas Aces of the WNBA have won the WNBA championship once again BACK TO BACK!! The Aces defeated the Liberty in New York on Liberty's home court on October 18, 2023 with a record in the Finals of 3-1. The final score was 79-80; a barn burning nail-biting game from buzzer to buzzer. This championship win for the Aces was done with 2 of their key players out with injuries. Star point guard Gray and starting center Stokes who are both suffering foot injuries sustained in game 3. Despite that, the Aces showed just how good they are. What fueled the Aces was when all of the doubters thought that Liberty would win in 5 games; they thought wrong. Wilson had 24 points and 16 rebounds. Still, Liberty wasn't going to just lay down. Both teams traded runs up and down the court for 3 and a half quarters and tied 60 all with just a tad over 5 minutes remaining in the game. Teams both continued to trade baskets, with only 8 seconds left and trailing by just 1 point, Liberty called a timeout and penciled a play for Breanna Stewart, the 2023 MVP. It was not meant to me. Aces Clark tormented Stewart so much that Steward kicked the ball in the corner where Vandersloot rushed her 3-point shot; she air-balled it and that was it. Championship Parade will be down the Las Vegas Strip this Monday at 5PM. The last time the WNBA had a back-to-back championship was back when the LA Sparks handled their business back in 2001 and 2002. Now for the Golden Knights to go back-to-back their championship of last year, which that feat can be quite daunting. Even though Tampa Bay did that very same thing back in 2020-2021. GO ACES/GO KNIGHTS!!

I might be alone on this but, size needs to be recognized as to what it's capable of unleashing, on the other side of the discussion, skill should know how to effectively manage size and not to be overwhelmed at size while not forgetting that size will hurt. Both need knowledge and experience. For the skill set to effectively manage size, fear must be controlled because the future event appearing real causes the skill to crash. Size is no joke. Neither is skill!! Imho.

This is a great practice to get into. Being open and honest should be the hallmark of what we do, but not all business people see it that way.I agree with Brian wholeheartedly.

Great win against the Broncos. I know what you mean about the red zone, and the problem some teams have with it. The Cowboys red zone success is a mere 26%...dismal!!