the phoenix

This is good marketing...and I still wonder who it REALLY is about!!! The world may never know

I love it! It was snowing and about 32 all day today I thought it was very tolerable. I work outside year round and I can deal with the cold, even if it's sub-zero windchill. It's the summer heat that gets me.

WuchildNZ that is a great story! This guy sounds like an amazing athlete to accomplish so much. Hats off to him! * tinny bit of shameless self promotion* I was on my feet ( out of the chair) ALL DAY TODAY!!!!

I'm looking into a new truck this year (or next)! It's down to the Ford Super Duty 250 or the Super Duty 350 Dually, 4x4, max. towing package.... and an 80 HP chip just for fun. *sigh*

I have gotten a lot of good info from this post. I think it might be my "I don't stand a chance" mentality that makes me panic as much as anything else. Very good advice!

I was already looking for a different school before this happened. A different style actually. The instructor is young but seems good and I'm sure he is still learning himself how to handle all the issues that pop up with newbies. I have felt panic several times now but have been able to work through it without having to stop. I am sticking with a female partner and that helps. I did catch myself holding my breath when I knew the next exercise was one I'm not comfortable with but knowing I was doing it helped me remember to breath. I appreciate all the advice, it's very helpful!

I am in fact looking for another school but have not come up with the right combination yet. I am a little discouraged.

Thanks for the suggestions! I think I need to work on my patience and get into some private lessons.Perhaps I push for too much too soon. I am so use to doing things without thought or difficulty that it is hard to accept my own limitations sometimes. A "disclaimer" to my partners is a good idea...I still feel really bad about that and my elbow hurts! Happy New Year!! The Phoenix

I guess you could say I'm physically small ( maybe not so much after the Holiday!) Even though I am a small female I have never before been bullied and have never been anything but secure and confident. I have to admit to being a little timid after my "unfortunate incident" I am having trouble adjusting to my new way of reacting/over reacting to any situation where I feel trapped and I am afraid this will hinder my training. Maybe private lessons are the way to go.

I'm not sure this is the right spot for this post and I have been debating asking for a little while but I could use some feedback. I have been attending a self defense class while I look for an appropriate style/school and have twice now had a bad reaction to some of the lessons. I am mortified to admit it but while working on breaking a choke hold I fainted. I was not in any way actually being choked. then a few days later working on another technique I freaked out and lashed out at my partner and gave him a nasty black eye. I am beyond embarrassed and am not sure how to handle myself. I didn't get much feedback from my instructor who clearly didn't know what to say and I feel horrible for hitting my partner. Does anyone have any experience working through something like this or any suggestions?

I picked up the best assortment of gift cards...Barnes and Noble, Starbucks, the movies. That Starbucks card came in handy on the monster 14 hr drive I have to get home! I hope everyone had a great Christmas!

Ketamine and a dozen other sedatives and painkillers.

you are right cymry I use to work in Veterinary Medicine and it was my work truck that was taken. I was unaware at the time and am still baffled by the fact that PEOPLE get high on ANIMAL drugs. Stupid is as stupid does I suppose. Or maybe they just wanted the truck? It may have been pre-meditated but I can't say for sure.I think perhaps it is sort of irrelevant in the end what the motivation was.

Perhaps the chances are tiny but the repercussions can be HUGE! And as far as demographics go, I am a 35 year old, white woman and was in a VERY upscale location when my vehicle was taken. It can never happen, happens all the time.

Thanks Tony and usc96 for the tips, very clear and informative. I'll have to try those out.