sensei8

Very clever! Very cool!

In the latest issue of Black Belt Magazine, January 2010, there's a short article on page 18 entitled "Ireland Bans Samuari Swords." Here are some points from that article... *This new law is based on the ever increasing knife crimes. *It's illegal to sale, importation, purchase, and/or possession of a samurai sword. *Those caught manufacturing, importing, selling or renting the weapon COULD face up to seven years in prison. *Handcrafted swords made before 1954 are exempt from the ban. *Possession of a knife in a public place was increased from one to five years in prison. *Police have been given more power to carry out seaches for caches of illegal blades of all sizes. I'm still wondering ---Why are handcrafted swords made before 1954 exempt from the ban? I'd still think that a sword is a sword and if the blade can be sharpened or is already sharp...a sword from 1954 and before can still do alot of damage. It surely isn't like a car in the USA that was made before 1968 is exempt from the seatbelt law! Or is it? Let me just say this one quick thing. A samurai sword is one pretty big knife!

Practice time is vitally important in the martial arts. Even with your very busy schedule of college/studying, you'd be surprized just how much practice you can get in a day. Yes, you'll NEED unwind time from everything from time to time otherwise you'll get burned out of one or another or both. So, find time to just relax and do absolutely nothing. No school/studying and no martial arts, even if just for a few hours. Now. Practice opportunities will present itself to you all through out the day. A few minutes here and a few minutes there will add up to be more than one could imagine. Try to find a day where you do nothing! That might be hard, but, if you've time to watch football or NASCAR or the NBA or the UFC or something on the TV, well, there's the time right there to practice...just turn off the TV and PRACTICE! Practice makes perfect, or as close as one can get. Whether you practice or not; it'll show and your sensei will know if you've practiced or not. I'd not worry about wondering if you're letting your sensei down or not. That's good that you're aware across the board, but, your sensei knows that your a full time student in college and sometimes college MUST and WILL come before the martial arts. Therefore, your sensei will understand, but, at the same time, he'll encourage you to find time. If you don't practice the martial arts then it'll be akin to jumping out of an airplane, but, without the parachute! You'll find the time! And if you don't find the time...well...I think you'll make the time because Shorin Ryu as well as any martial arts takes one thing...and that is...PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE...........!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok! My bad! My point has either been missed or not understood. That's my fault! The reason I don't worry about my becoming complacent is because I'll never be that good. Meanwhile, I'll just keep on training and training and training... I just don't have the time and/or the inclination and/or patience for any complacency! Let others worry about complacency...I just don't!

Well...I didn't do so good on my picks. I got Hathaway and Bispring right, but, that's all I got right. I've egg on my face!

ROFL!!! It would work for me....I'd let the stinky win!

OK?!? I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but, HUH????

I don't charge for testing fees either! Why? I eliminated ALL testing fees at my dojo when the economic downturn took a ugly downspiral. I did many other things to make life easier for my students, for example, I drastically lowered the pricing structure of the lessons as well as the retail side. Why? The martial arts, imho, is a want; not a need. Our students, imho, don't need the martial arts. But, our students, imho, need to be able to pay their rent/mortgage, buy food, buy gas for the car, pay the utilities, and the like. When I took over the Shindokan Hombu, I eliminated ALL testing fees for the same reason as stated above. Why? It was and is my preference, it's something I wanted to do and it's been positive across the board for my students pocketbook, therefore, I'll not charge any of my students any testing fee. How long before I re-start the testing fees? NEVER!

Yepper! It's the old water and oil don't mix thing; they don't go together. Oxymoron: something (as a concept) that is made up of contradictory or incongruous elements

Gi colors? Well...I've several Gi's of different colors/style. For example... White Gi Blue Gi Black Gi White Gi top and Black Gi pants and/or vice versa *Black/Red Demo Gi w/o sleeves Except with the last entry above *, I could be in any of the color Gi and/or combinations. Now, if it's a formal gathering, I'll be in a White Gi with/without Hakama. As far as class goes....any of the top 4 work for me. My favorite...Blue. I had my first Blue Gi in 1975. I once had a stars n' stripe Gi but it was way to loud for me. In Shindokan, there was a time when all kyu students had to wear White. Only black belts could wear a solid black and/or the combination of white/black or black/white. I was the very first one to wear a blue gi in class...and my Soke had a fit. But, my Dai-Soke allowed me and others to wear the blue gi to teach class, but, not during formal gatherings. I pushed the envelope, even with Gi's, but, even with that, one has to leave the envelope alone. Soke and Dai-Soke only wore White! No adventure taking with these two.

Nnnnnnnooooooooooooooo! Run! Not this thread/topic...again! BTW, A junior black belt IS a legitimate black belt, but without rank; Shodan and up!

Nice dodge!

Randy Couture vs. Brandon Vera.......................Vera Michael Bisping vs. Denis Kang...........................Bisping Mike Swick vs. Dan Hardy..................................Swick Aaron Riley vs. Ross Pearson.............................Riley Paul Taylor vs. John Hathaway...........................Hathaway Matt Riddle vs. Nick Osipczak.............................Riddle Alexander Gustafsson vs. Jared Hamman............Hamman Paul Kelly vs. Dennis Siver.................................Kelly Terry Etim vs. Shannon Gugerty.........................Gugerty

Complacency in the Martial Arts/Martial Artist is a oxymoron!

what? I thought figure 8's we were talking about skating

Raisn nuts and bran cereals? Not to my knowledge. But, hey, mom did the shopping and I did the eating!

David didnt beat Goliath with muscle to muscle, he had a long distance weapon. What id Goliath had a bow and arrow, thus having better distance than david? It was like a BB gun and a musket. No comparison upon man verese man. the btter weapon is how David won along with Goliath's complacency. Strength isn't only physical; using what works, now that's true strength. David beat Goliath to the punch! David used his weapon before Goliath had a chance to use his. Way to go David!

You name it....I can't find it. For example, Games, I'm a fan of, and basically....navigate. I click here and there not knowing where in the world I'll end up at. I even tried Mafia Wars but I had no idea what in the world I was doing...I'm just clicking here and there and whereever! The help section wasn't as helpful as I hoped for. Again....Facebook for Dummies is the book I need. I'm not giving up....yet...but I see you and Brian navigating like masters and I'm tripping all over myself. Sheech....I'm beyond computer challenged!

Totally uncalled for. She deserved the indefinite suspension!

Well...I'm old enough but I don't remember any of them. Possibly they were in only certain markets, but, not in the San Fernando Valley in California where I grew up.

My Facebook experience thus far is akin to me trying to light a match....underwater....a bad thing. I still can't navigate, and I still can't find anything, I still...well...I just can't whatever. Sheech!

Nope! I've not seen this version before.

Way to go Joe........WAY TO GO!!!!!!!!!!

CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Have fun!!!!!!!!!!!! RELAX!!!!!!!!!!