sensei8

So exciting to know that the training continues no matter what you're facing, like this pandemic. The fire's still burning bright as ever in your MA training, and that, that is what the floor reveals. You're on top of it, and you're training not as you have too, but as you want to.

Thanks Brian. While I can start seeing the light at the other side of the tunnel regarding to obtaining grants, what lies for us in Las Vegas still remains a mystery, but quite promising.

You're STILL a beast, Brian!! You're dedication is quite admirable across the board. Even in the ups and downs, you still do what you need to do. Thank you, Brian!!

Thank you, Fat Cobra; last time we did a big move like this was when my wife, Linda, was pregnant with our 26 year old son, Nathan. Dad's excited, for sure.

Thanks, Ken. The strip is havoc, and I mean to not go there if I can avoid it. The difficulty is when my wife wants to go to the strip; she's already said she wants to go to the Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat at the Mirage.

My wife, Linda, Nathan, our son, and myself are relocating to Las Vegas, NV on April 26, 2021; we're driving the cars and cats just as soon as the moving company finishes loading. This relocation isn't a temporary one. Moving company will arrive at our home on the aforementioned date. Only bummer is that the moving company won't reach Las Vegas until between May1-6, of which we'll get a motel meanwhile. Two-fold reasons for our reaching this decision are: 1) To be near my 90 year old dad; my brother lives 4 hours away...I'll be just 3 miles away. We've already secured an apartment, electric, and cable. 2) The Universities Cancer Center will help me secure grant(s) to offset my treatments. I've had no luck in getting the help in Houston to secure any grant(s) whatsoever. Securing Doctors in Las Vegas, NV is underway across the board. Viva Las Vegas!!

Welcome to KF, hunter_02; glad that you're here!!

Don't you just hate dictionary definitions sometimes? I feel that, in the case of talking about the "legitimacy" of a style of MA, the dictionary definition falls short, and indeed, out of context with what many of us MAists refer to as "legitimacy" within the MA world. We don't really care what the law says; we care about different things like lineage, practicality, etc. I found similar problems with the actual dictionary definition of "Martial Art" when I was writing one of my articles. It was frustrating to me, but the definition basically only defined "Eastern" styles as "Martial Art." So, I think Oxford falls short from time to time. I'm not in favor much of a dictionary definition either, especially when the MA is concerned. I seem to have tripped all over myself in my explanation in my last post, when in actuality, I was poorly stating that I'm not much of a fan with any Governing Body wanting to insist that without their stamp of approval, that MA holds no water. My Soke refused to obey the powers that be in Okinawa Karate because Shindokan was his baby, and he wasn't going to jump through their hoops so that he would be blessed with their stamp of legitimacy. Soke didn't need them, didn't want them, and didn't seek them out; the powers that be back then, approached him, and he showed them the door quite unceremoniously. Then, he came to the USA. I've felt the sting of from Governing Bodies, of which, I've hold my own disdain towards them for my own personal and professional reasons having rose in the ranks all the way up to Kaicho. So, once again, just train without worrying about what some might or might not ever say; they've their opinions, whomever they are, and you have yours. We are discussing legitimacy, and with that, many opinions will surface without an agreeing consensus across the board on any type of legitimacy and where it can omit from and the like. The legitimacy will take care of itself by itself; proof is on the floor.

Not to beat a dead horse. The definition of legitimacy says...Something legitimate is the real deal; according to the law. "the quality of being allowed and acceptable according to the law"~Oxford Dictionary With that being said, who's law says that something of the MA is or isn't legitimate? A recognized MA Governing Body? Who said that that MA Governing Body is legitimate? Other men?? Which other men?? Not all noted MA Masters are the powers that be over Shindokan. I respect them wholeheartedly without any reservations. That's where the relationships end. Yeah, yeah, I know some Governing Body a long time ago formed by a group of men who were practitioners of some MA. They got together, and based on their reputation, that, whatever that was, claimed the necessary legitimacy. All followers thereafter attached themselves to that that was created and formed. Yes, many noted men have/do determine(d) that which is or isn't legitimate in the realm of the MA. That then turned into, and remains, the naked truth within the MA. MA history is important, yet it shouldn't be much more important than serious training. Oftentimes, a MAist focus is askew. I believe that the focus on legitimacy will be at the forefront of many MA practitioners minds, for quite a long time, if not, forever; I've been listening to this very same topic for 56 years, so far. Instead of focusing on that which might not ever have the lowdown of an answer for this topic, a MAist should be effectively training to the Nth degree; as if their live depended on it. Just start teaching it, whatever it is, and if it has quality, it will attract students, and then it will be both taught and learned. Sweep the naysayers under the rug, and do your thing. More than not, us human beings, have a propensity of seek out acceptance and approval from whomever and whatever. "The term Jeet Kune Do was coined and put into use in 1967 by Bruce Lee in an attempt to put a name to his martial expression. Lee wrestled with putting a name to his art as he constantly veered away from any type of crystallization (and thereby limitation) of its essence, however, the simple need to refer to it in some concrete way won out and Jeet Kune Do was born."~ Bruce Lee Foundation Imho!!

Received a phone call from my Oncologist referring to what my Team and my doctor decided the treatment plan. RADIATION No pill, which I was hoping for. I was hoping that Radiation was for a date in the far future. My doctor and the Team decided that this is the best path to go. This is primarily to prevent the cancer from becoming aggressive, of which the cancer isn't. So.... Consult Monday March 22, 2021 Arrive by 2:40 PM CST Starts at 3:00 PM CST (1 hour) SC Radiotherapy It's then that I'll know just how often this might be. Hopefully, not that often; I'm cool with once every two weeks, or even better, once a month. My insurance is covering my Radiation Treatments. Am I scared?? YES!! I never do good with the unknown!! I've promised to too many people that I will not get on the internet to read. That's because I tend to be my own doctor, and I think the worse, and depending on what I read, I shut down for a moment.

The Bo is my most favorite Kobudo Weapon; my 2nd most favorite Kobudo Weapon is the Short Stick, just half the size of a Jo Staff...similar to the Baston of Arnis. The Short Stick is compacted, unforgiveable, and direct. It's a fantastic companion to our Short Range Techniques; up and close, and will get an opponents attention quick...oh yeah, acquired speed of the Short Stick can be numbing in more than on way. I LOVE THEM!!

No...and Yes! No school needs children as a part of its Student Body to financially survive. Yes, a school can survive financially with having only adults as a part of its Student Body. Either way, to a good CI, demographics never matter at all...if I might be course, a student is revenue, and a business needs revenue to survive, no matter if it's for profit or not. Things, someway and someplace, require some type of legal tender to survive. Overhead needs never take a rest, ever. The CI has the authority to do whatever it believe is the best for whomever this might concern. After all, it's their school; their decision. The school is a business. Therefore, students are customers, whether the student is a child/youth or an adult. Paying students generate revenue for said school. Sales Revenue=Sales PriceXNumber of Units Sold...month worth of lessons. If a CI is capable of teaching students, then either a child or adult can benefit said school. Sometimes, CI's are quite selective as to the demographics that are to make up its Student Body; that too is their choice. I see that revenue can be earned by either demographic; quite affable and agreeable towards a schools bottom line. Understand and study ones P&L Statement; the answer(s) lie within the P&L. Imho!

Once I checked in and paid my co-pay around at 0930, I say in the waiting room for me to be called in. I waited about 45 minutes, and I was starting to think they either forgot me, or they tried to call for me, and I wasn't in the waiting room...my water pills are necessary, yet, its timing isn't convenient, nor does it apologize. 50 minutes in total since I checked in, have passed. Irritating, for sure, but importantly vital. Leuprolid is stored in a freezer. Therefore, before any injection, it must first reach room temperature. Understandable! Can't imagine what that would feel like, well, I can imagine that but I'd prefer to not. I'm ushered into the back my the nurse who's administrating the shot. Time for my negotiating skills to save my backside another assault. Last injection to my backside wasn't enjoyable at all because for half-hour my backside was on fire. Nurse stuns me and asks me where would I like it?! I roll with that question, and inform the nurse that the first time for this shot was in my left shoulder; no lingering pain. Second shot was in my backside, and I shared to my nurse that that wasn't good for me at all. Nurse tells me that she hears that complaint quite a lot, and many nurses only know how to aim for the backside. Nurse verifies where my previous shots were given. Nurse informs me of where I can have the injection can be administered. Backside...I don't want that again. Stomach...I don't relish that whatsoever. Either shoulder...BINGO! We've a winner! Shot administered! No pain, no dull headaches; I'm on my way home. Next shot will be on May 25, 2021. This is a little disheartening. As of this post, I've not heard from my Oncologist Team, as of yet. I'll contact my Oncologist first thing tomorrow; time to reach out.

You're right, the MA style needs not to be effective to be legit; just the practitioner. The MA is just a thing, and things need someone to demonstrate how effective it works to others, but that thing better be effective, or the breaking down of it is already on the horizon. You won't be effective if all you learn is kata. So it is relevant what style you are learning. Lets be honest, if you would have to bet on one, who would you choose: someone with 3 years of muay thai experience or someone with 5 years of for example tai chi or aikido?So saying that it comes to practicioner is wrong. There are styles that are legitimate but no mater who would practice them and how long would still not effective in a fight. We seem to be on opposite sides on this, and that's quite fine. I thank you for your opinion, and I respect it as well.

UPDATE: On February 19, 2021, my wife, Linda, and I meet with my Oncologist in order to discuss my Scan results. These meetings always make me so nervous; the unknown can rest so unsettling on my sleeve. >Cancer remains stable; everything >Cancer, a very tiny, tiny spot, is ONLY on my L4 vertebrae. Which is located at the very bottom of my spine, just above L5, which is the very lowest vertebrae. The L4 myotome is a group of muscles controlled by the L4 spinal nerve and includes parts of several muscles in the back, pelvis, thigh, leg, and foot >Bone and CT Scans are GOOD; treatment is right on track >PSA went DOWN from 1.6 to 0.86 >Testosterone, which is the protein that the cancer cells feed off, level is NOW AT 43. This is good and bad, depending on which side one wants to know about. Decreases in testosterone can lead to physical changes including the following: increased body fat. decreased strength/mass of muscles. fragile bones. I'm still doing whatever necessary to lose the weight...I still feel strong...I take calcium for bone strength. >NO CHEMO >Radiation MIGHT be possible...maybe >The shot, LEUPROLID, still every 3 months; I will get that shot on February 25, 2021 >Continue exercise and diet >This week my team will be meeting to discuss what our next treatments plan(s) might or might not be. One, is to discuss if I'll be put back on the pill, BICALUTAMIDE 50mg >Great chance that we'll beat the cancer. However, it's too early to use the word "Remission", as of yet Revisit will be on May 28, 2021 with my Oncologist. So, that's it for this update. Thank you for allowing me to share this fight with you all!!

RW wrote: You're right, the MA style needs not to be effective to be legit; just the practitioner. The MA is just a thing, and things need someone to demonstrate how effective it works to others, but that thing better be effective, or the breaking down of it is already on the horizon.

Solid post!!

I'm not sure if effectiveness is a good measure of legitimacy.Because compared to mma or boxing most traditional karate styles with only point sparring, or for example internal kung fu styles like tai chi would have hard time to defend their legitimacy. Forget the style, it's just a thing, and that thing doesn't really do anything. It's the practitioner that must execute effectively. Call the MA style whatever, and the whatever might be one's core, but without the practitioner being effective, and that's what most MAists look at is the barometer of whatever, the practitioner better be effective somehow or someway. If not, the style is going to appear worse than a whatever. Imho, without a highly plausibility of consistent effectiveness of whomever, the whatever is meaningless. I'm not referring to point sparring either.

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.” ~Sun Tzu "Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer" ~Sun Tzu I believe that these two Sun Tzu quotes might be a preference of what Bruce was getting at about in page 8, paragraphs 6, 7, and 8. However, like you, Brian, Zen stuff confuses me. It'd be great if other members here would chime in to this thread.

Any legitimacy of any MA style depends not on what others may and/or may not say, as if their approval legitimizes any said MA, but on its effectiveness. However, for said MA to be effective, the practitioner MUST BE effective; more than not, because THAT practitioner is the vehicle/representative of that said MA. I mean, if the MA style and/or the practitioner isn't effective, then who cares one way or another. Imho!!

Congrats, advfhorn; well deserved!!

I've stated this belief many times here, and that is, of all of the ranks there might be, white belt is the most important belt because without it, no other rank is possible whatsoever. Imho.

Thank you, ramymensa, Brian, and Patrick for all of your very supportive and encouraging words; means everything to me. On another note, I received my 2nd Covid-19 vaccine yesterday!! My wife, Linda, and our son, Nathan are STILL waiting to receive their 1st Covid-19 vaccine. My left shoulder, at the injection point, is very sore this morning; I had to put on a tank-top to prevent my t-shirt from rubbing up against it.

Yesterday, February 9, 2021, was Scan day; Bone and CT. Went through the normal check in procedure at 730am; which has 2 parts; financials and the like. Took a ride up the 3rd floor, where Nuclear Medicine is located. Checked in there at 8am. Was ushered to the back; this is where the IV is inserted...top of my left hand, at 830am. That went well. This Tech/Nurse doesn't pass me off to anyone else in this department; she inserted the IV, Dye, and she will conduct my Bone Scan; she's 25 years experience, I feel comforted with knowing that. Now it's the waiting game; that IV contains Radioactive Dye, of which I have to wait 2.5 hours for the Dye to go through my body. This Dye allows the Scan to take pictures of whatever the Doctor has ordered. It's the waiting that can drive me batty, but what's one to do. Bone Scan will begin at 1030am!! During this waiting time, I'm instructed to go down to the 1st floor; that's where I can find Radiology...I found it...I've been there before. So, I check int there...15 minutes later, the CT Technician has come to take me to the CT Scan room. It's roughly about 840am. Have you ever done an MRI? There are several types of MRI machines. but for the most part, the patient is moved in and out of a tube like machine. If you're claustrophobic, that procedure can be quite unsettling, to say the least. I'm severely claustrophobic!! While the CT only took 10 minutes, it seems far much longer due to my being claustrophobic. Tech took the necessary scans, inserted more medicine in my IV; it was cold. In and out of the scanner I went, and every few minutes, that scanner would talk to me..."Please inhale deeply, and hold your breathe"..."Breathe normally". During this, I can peak through small slits at the Scanner, and I can see the Scanner spinning right over me. All done now. The worse is still to come, in that regards. So, now I'm back upstairs at Nuclear Medicine; it's about 905am; sitting in a TV room to watch some TV; time doesn't go faster while watching TV. While watching TV, that Tech/Nurse now removes my IV; it's done it's job, so therefore, it's no longer needed. 1030am; Bone Scan time! I will be inside of 2 different machines, the first is the worse of the two due to me being claustrophobic. In any Scan, your movements are restricted one way or another, and the Scanner is right in your face. Turn your head this way and that way...holding that posture for 5 minutes, which this lasted for 15 minutes. Whew, I survived that. The light was left on and they kept talking to me; there's about 3 Techs assisting my Tech/Nurse. Now to the next Scanner. This ones not as bad because it's a bit more open, yet, the scanner and all is in my face, and my movements are restricted. This part of the Bone Scan takes 20 minutes. During this procedure, I'm very, very slowly moved out of the Scanner machine...one moment at a time. I can track progress by looking up and slightly back at roofing ceiling tiles and vents and lights. Otherwise, I'd have no idea that there doing anything, and that I'm just laying here wondering. Finally, the scanner is out of my face, and I can breathe once again. This scan takes scans from the top of my head to toes. All done. 5 minutes later, the Doctor says that the all the scans are complete. There's always a chance that certain procedures have to be redone for one reason or another. Bone Scan and CT Scan are complete!! Results forthcoming when I see my Oncologist, and Lab Work on February 19, 2021!! My hopes are that my PSA has not raised, that it's still at 1.6 or lower. Hopes that my cancer is STILL NOT AGGRESSIVE!! I pray for great news from my Oncologist. For next 24 Hours, I had to stay 15 feet minimum away from Linda and Nathan at home; I’m was radioactive!! I've great faith in the Great Physician!!

Welcome back, ramymensa; glad to have you back!! Solid post, as well.