sensei8

Patricks WON 31-27. Their regular season undefeated at home since 2006 streak at home is still in tact. I went 8 out of 13 picks for week #15, and that's still not good enough for me to make a living on picking the winning team. Only one left to still play in MNF: Bears VS Vikings = Bears win. GO COWBOYS!!

Well...I'm sure there's a big smile on your face because your Ravens WON, and the Steelers LOST. Post season's still alive for your team...Congrats GeoGiant!!

OK...let's see how I did with my predictions... Chiefs VS Rams = Chiefs win, but ONLY if Cassel is back under the center. I predicted the Chiefs to win...they WON 27-13 Cardinals VS Panthers = Panthers win. I predicted the Panthers to win...Panthers WON 19-12 Eagles VS Giants = Eagles win. I predicted the Eagles to win...Eagles WIN 38-31 Lions VS Buccaneers = Buccaneers win. I predicted the Buccaneers to win...Buccaneers LOST 23-20 Browns VS Bengals = Browns win. I predicted the Browns to win...Browns LOST 19-17 Dolphins VS Bills = Dolphins win, and if they do, they'll break that crazy alternating win-loss-win-loss-win...thingy their stuck in. I predicted the Dolphins to win...Dolphins LOST 17-14, and that crazy thingy of win-loss-win-loss is still haunting the Dolphins Redskins VS Cowboys = Washington win, why not, it's not been the Cowboys year, and not even when they're at home. I predicted that the Redskins to win...Redskins LOST 33-30 Colts VS Jaguars = Colts win. They're dangerous the most when their backs are against the wall. I predicted the Colts to win...Colts WON 34-24 Saints VS Ravens = Saints win, even though, imho, this will be a close game. I predicted the Saints to win...Saints LOST 30-24 Texans VS Titans = Texans win. I predicted the Texans to win...Texans LOST 31-17 Seahawks VS Falcons = Falcons win. I predicted the Falcons to win...Falcons WON 34-18 Jets VS Steelers = Jets win. However, the Steelers might more than likely dominate this game, but, I'm going off of emotions and I want to see a Jet win here!! I predicted the Jets to win...Jets WON 22-17 Raiders VS Broncos = Oakland win. I predicted the Raiders to win...Raiders WON 39-23 Patriots VS Packers = Patriots win. Brady's not lost a regular season game at home since 2006. AT THE TIME OF THIS POST...THIS GAME HADN'T STARTED...it doesn't start tonight until 8:20PM So...in the 13 games that were played at the time of this posting...7 correct predictions...that's ok...not great. Oh well...I tried!

Yes, it was an ugly game, but a win nonetheless, and man oh man...that was one incredible punt under incredible circumstances...AWESOME!! GO DOLPHINS!!

With Cassel out for now, and the game Croyle had last week, I think you might be right in that we'll more than likely see Palko start. This isn't a bad thing really because he's got a 71.0 QB rating with 2 out of 3 completions and 8 total yards, hey, it's time for him to show up to play and to help the Chiefs win. Believe...believe...believe in the 3rd string QB!! GO CHIEFS!!

Well... The past few weeks or so have got me quite perplexed across the board. These past few weeks, the ones I thought were going to win, well, they lost and vice verse. Here we are at week #15 and I'm going to see if I can...ahem...guess the outcomes of these games. Chiefs VS Rams = Chiefs win, but ONLY if Cassel is back under the center. Cardinals VS Panthers = Panthers win. Eagles VS Giants = Eagles win. Lions VS Buccaneers = Buccaneers win. Browns VS Bengals = Browns win. Dolphins VS Bills = Dolphins win, and if they do, they'll break that crazy alternating win-loss-win-loss-win...thingy their stuck in. Redskins VS Cowboys = Washington win, why not, it's not been the Cowboys year, and not even when they're at home. Colts VS Jaguars = Colts win. They're dangerous the most when their backs are against the wall. Saints VS Ravens = Saints win, even though, imho, this will be a close game. Texans VS Titans = Texans win. Seahawks VS Falcons = Falcons win. Jets VS Steelers = Jets win. However, the Steelers might more than likely dominate this game, but, I'm going off of emotions and I want to see a Jet win here!! Raiders VS Broncos = Oakland win. Patriots VS Packers = Patriots win. Brady's not lost a regular season game at home since 2006. MNF: Bears VS Vikings = Bears win. Last Thursday game; Chargers beat the 49ers easily...34 - 7. Imho, this game was over before it even started because the current 49ers are not the 49ers of old. Chargers took the 49ers up and down the field willingly at times. 3rd down conversions for the Chargers and a 49er turnover will win it for you every time. These Chargers will be the Chiefs downfall, IF the Chargers have anything to say about it. GO COWBOYS!! P.S. Oh oh...Romo's engaged to be married to former Miss Missouri Candice Crawford. Just when Romo was starting to get his head back into the game, this happens. This is worse than when he broke his collarbone. Idle minds will do the craziest things! Congratulations to Romo and Crawford on their engagement.

It's not over as of yet for the Yankees' bid for Cliff Lee. Why? Well, I'm hoping that the Phillies in mid-season will trade Lee AGAIN, but this time to the Yankees. It's happened before to Lee; mid/late season trade! I don't think that that's too far fetched thinking of me, although it's way out there. Hey,but this is baseball and ANYTHING'S possible. So, I'm wishing on a star for now! And yes, I agree with you Patrick....Sabathia and Lee would've been totally insane, and with Mo closing for them...whoa...I love it!!

Saying what you mean and meaning what you say can be a nightmare for a weatherman. Now...while the 8000 feet of snow is quite alarming to me, but, it's not as alarming to me as this... what's one going to do when ALL of that snow finally MELTS??

I'm with GeoGiant on this one...so...keep practicing...and by all means...good luck!

Joe, That was a very solid article across the board, and when this article comes up for nominations and voting at the next KF Awards; you've got my vote all the way. SOLID!!

Imho, it would depend on one's faith.

Thank you for your questions, and no, I didn't take them personal. At this moment, there's no new major developments. Right now, the Hombu is in full speed towards their move in January. I fly out to the Hombu this Monday morning for the vote on the following: 1) USA Branch Office 2) Pre By-Law ammendments Although I've no voting privileges, I'm being asked by our Kaicho and the Legal Team to address/advise further on these two areas prior to each vote. This is an open door session so that the students aren't left in the dark. Your list is accurate, however it only scratches the surface, nonetheless, everything needs to be addressed asap.

Best escape tool...TICKLE THEM A LOT!!

I seriously doubt that!! It hurts to be even suggested. Yes, I was the Hombu Chief Instructor and he, San Dai-Soke wasn't, but we're best of friends in and out of the Hombu. In that, he respected Dai-Soke's petition appointments across the board. I was nominated for the position of Chief Instructor, and then I was voted in unanimously. What puts 'it' back into his hands, as you put it, is NOT the move, no, it's the mere fact that he was nominated and unanimously voted in as the new San Dai-Soke. Btw, I had his name at the top of the list of the ones who I thought would be a great San Dai-Soke when I turned my list of possible nominations into the Hombu. I mean, man, he was the eldest son of our Dai-Soke, and to me, that's about the best of everything. It's cool to have this and/or that label at the Hombu, but to be the son of our Dai-Soke, well, I'd rather have that then anything else in the world. I may not, per our By-Laws, have voting privileges as Kaiso, but as Kaiso my advise is expected and demanded of me by the Hombu. I only want what's the best for the student body, first and foremost...and this isn't all of a sudden because I don't roll that way! Therefore, I'm more than sure of one fact and that is this: the leadership doesn't view me as wishy washy in any shape, way, and/or form. I'm not the leader of anything. However, I've been part of the Hombu leadership for well over 20 plus years. If necessary, yes, I will come out of retirement to fulfill whatever position the Hombu feels appropriate, and in that, I wouldn't be doing it for me, but for the betterment of the student body. Unification must be paramount between the Hombu AND the future USA Branch Office and the support must be equal to and for the two. Otherwise, continuity won't exist and that is bad for the student body. I don't have to be at the top, no, I'm quite content being at the bottom. Ego and me don't get along!!

As far as the Yudansha student base... The overall mood is starting to turn from total and utterly bewilderment to one of a feeling of great optimistic about their future. Yes, they are complete aware of the whole situation. That was decided by our San Dai-Soke right off the bat. It's to be understood that the student base would have any animosity towards the Hombu's totality. I was full of animosity when the news/information was first brought to my attention. But, what is one to do? Fight or flight? I decided to fight right from the onslaught. The student base has quelled its animosity towards the Hombu because someone is standing up for them across the board. Nobody to my knowledge has threatened to leave the Hombu. I hurt a faint murmur from some of the student base, but that faint murmur has subsided completely for the reason(s) I've mentioned in the last paragraph. However, not one of the hierarchy Yudansha's have ever whispered that they wanted to abandon ship.

No, testing fees won't ever increase, and that's mainly because when I was Kaicho, I abolished any and all testing fees, and I had the legal team write the amendment to our By-Laws that a unanimous vote of the hierarchy plus 1 must be attained to re-establish any and all testing fees. I did this on the heels of the economic downturn, and I had done this previously with my own dojo before I joined the Hombu as Kaicho; that decision of mine made all of the difference in the world as far as the student body was concerned. I even lowered the monthly tuition with the help of the Accounting Department of the Hombu so that my vision for the student body wouldn't greatly effect the bottom line of the Hombu. I agree that some minor and/or major revisions to our By-Laws must be visited and agreed upon for the betterment of the student body as well as the Hombu. I figuratively have seen the Hombu's knees starting to buckle with my advise as well as me being constantly in their ears. We've 6 months before our annual testing cycle in 2011, and in that time remaining, I'm very optimistic that a USA Branch Office will have been established in such a way that those testing candidates that must test before the Hombu, will be allowed to test at the USA Branch Office instead, unless they desire to go to Okinawa, and in that, the USA Branch Office will have all of its ducks in a tidy line for Hombu support across the board. Onward! No time to sleep for the weary. EDIT: Sometimes I can spell and sometimes I haven't even a clue how to spell!!

Well...the wait is over. Cliff Lee has signed not with the Rangers or the Yankees, even though their offers were handsome. No! Cliff Lee has signed with his prior team...the Phillies; and for less money than what either the Rangers or the Yankees offered. I can respect that of Lee; money isn't his driving force after all. GO YANKEES!!

It's not necessary of everyone, nor was it required of everyone; it was offered for those who wanted to relocate, and in this, the Hombu would have all it's key positions already in place for a more smoother transition for the establishing of the Hombu in Okinawa. Now, key positions have to be selected and then voted upon...this won't be an easy task, and you've already said why...our By-Laws and such. Also, our Hombu, no, our Soke was a antiquated individual when it came to things of modern conveniences. Our Dai-Soke wasn't any better. To date, we've no website, one was in the makings before our Dai-Soke passed away, and it was like pulling teeth from an angry T-Rex before our Dai-Soke finally approved the project. I've flown back and forth from Texas and Oklahoma more than I care to mention for every critical meeting/vote, testing cycles, and the like. I've mailed more letters than to the Hombu than it would take to fill in the Grand Canyon. I've phoned the Hombu more than a dizzy love struck teenager. No, I'm hoping and praying that our San Dai-Soke will FINALLY, one day very soon and way overdue, bring our Hombu into the 21st century. Our By-Laws/Scrolls don't mention anything about bringing us out of the stone age. Our By-Laws, at its present state, prohibits any type of a "branch" because "...the Hombu is the sole authority and governing power." The By-Law is worded in such a way that any and every certificate of rank/title can only be controlled in and by the Hombu. The Hombu is the only authority concerning each and every inkan, and this includes protecting and securing them, and in that, only a very few within the Hombu are even allowed to have in their possessions for any and all official duties. Now, just because there's no USA Branch Office in existence at the moment, that doesn't mean that there won't be one in the near and/or far future. I'm in the ear of our San Dai-Soke and the entire Executive Team to have this happen...I hit them the ball into their court, and they return serve, and it goes on and on. Hopefully, I can return a slam that they can't return serve other than a vote in favor of a USA Branch Office. Some amendments to the By-Laws and the Scrolls need to be revisited as to our current situation across the board.

In the Gracie family, Dan ranks are awarded every three years up to 8th degree. From Black to 8th degree black takes about 24 years of continuous training after earning your black belt. It should be noted that any break in training for even a short time, restarts your time. If I were to earn black belt and train for a year after that, then a month off, I would start my training time over again. So, three years from the time I come back from my month off. He is exceptional. How much so? Watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQWBBVadUIc Disregard the content and just take notice that you'll see Bryan Mossey teaching Pedro Kali. That's right, Pedro takes Kali in his own school. That's the commitment he has to the arts. An 8TH DEGREE BLACK BELT who has trained with the gracie family all of his life, trains in a class as a beginner. Kali is something Dan Inosanto got him interested in. Dan, on the other hand, tells Pedro all the time about how much he loves BJJ now. This is what you get when true masters get together. They like anything that works. Thanks for the info!! A true master of the martial arts!!

This link is from the American Shotokan Karate Federation, and it might help you out. Once you open the link, scroll down to the KUMITE RULES section... http://www.askf.org/Dojo/tournaments.asp#Kumite

Did you see the video of Professor Sauer vs. the bodybuilder? Yeah...that one is classic. Mr. Utah was definitely out of his element, especially when he found himself in an Sauer armbar. Nothing else for him to do but to tap!! Yes, it's a classic

Professor Sauer must be an exceptional martial artist with extraordinary skills because I noticed that his rank tenures from 5th Dan to 8th Dan were short; 2000 to 2010. I only mention this, not as a critic, but only as a sign of my deepest respect to him!!

Brian, In a normal world, no, it shouldn't make things to much different. However, I believe that a USA Branch Office would solidify the continuity here in the USA.

Good points! Only testing candidates for Godan and above are required to test at the Hombu. All other testing candidates aren't required to test at the Hombu. However, if those candidates from Yondan to Jukyu want to test at the Hombu, then that's allowed with prior Hombu approval. Most, if not all candidates who want to test at the Hombu and not their dojo are always welcomed...and by that, I've never known the Hombu to refuse such requests. I can tell you that there are the following petitions for Hombu testing in June/July 2011, and those ranks are: 2 Yondan's testing for Godan 1 Godan testing for Rokudan 1 Nanadan testing for Hachidan That's 4 that will need to go to the Hombu!! Now there is a sub-article within Article #1 that states that the Hombu can send representatives to a hosting dojo and conduct Regional Testing Cycles, however, the following Ranks from the Hombu must be available: A) Minimum rank for the Center Seat: 1 Hachidan with a Hanshi title. B) Minimum rank for the Co-Center Seat: 1 Nanadan with a Kyoshi title OR 1 Hachidan with a Kyoshi title. The Sensei of the Hosting Dojo will sit to the very first chair to the immediate left of the Center Seat. Remaining seats (4) are filled in at the discretion of the Hombu, and they must be active Godans. Total Hombu presence: 6 plus the Sensei of the Hosting Dojo. Either way, it was very doable when the Hombu was in the USA already. Now, well, without a USA Brance Office, that will not be as easily doable as before.

CONGRATS...and it's well deserved!!