Blade13

They're illegal in the US as well. They have to be sold as "Heavy Duty Paper Weights." hahaha Thats what mine were called when I got mine when I was 7 or 8.

The noise they make when they flop around adds a flare to the Wushu forms that gets higher scores. I would think that the combat steel would look better for a movie though.

Yeah, Pacificshore is right. Spring steel is VERY flexible and very light. Its also known as Wushu steel. Most metal weapons used in Wushu are made from spring steel. The spring steel swords are not used in actual combat as far as I know. I certainly wouldnt use my spring steel broadswords in a battle. They're really thin and couldn't do much damage.

Aye, I am a firm believer in dreams. I have no doubt that you really CAN do anything you want if you try hard enough. I don't think thats just a line from saturday morning cartoons. I'm usually always doing something that will help me accomplish my goals, and I've already gotten a few. So yay! Ya know... I swear I have some superpower I haven't found yet. haha

Actually I'm watching one of the cartoons right now. haha Yeah, the Ninja Turtles definately influenced me to take up martial arts and I'm thankful for it every day. I still proudly watch the Ninja Turtles movies, cartoons, read the comic books, and I have the theme song on a cd in my car. Leonardo was always my favourite because he trains obsessively, like I do. Michaelangelo was great because he had such a flair for the important things in life... like pizza and surfing! Don is awesome in his own way because without his inventions, the TMNT couldn't do jack. Raph... wow... Raph... his comments could cheer anyone up... or make them want to punch them. Speaking of TMNT pizza... has anyone ever tried any of the pizza flavours on the show? I tried marshmellow, whipped cream, and pepperoni pizza with extra cheese about 10 years ago and its still my favourite food! Its great! Ya know whats odd? The Ninja Turtles are kind of an escape for me. I'm never as happy as I am when I'm watching the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I worry about nothing and I am completely happy. Its a great thing. I'm almost 17 in case anyone was wondering. lol THERES GOING TO BE A TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES VIDEO GAME!?!?!? AAHHHH!! Ok, now THAT is a reason to get a video game system. *twitch* And yes, I watch the new episodes. I can't wait for the new movie. I heard it was coming out next year. *dances with glee* Yes.. I'm very odd. God bless Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. Oh, and by the way, the lyrics to the theme song are... Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Heroes in a half-shell TURTLE POWER They're the worlds most fearsome fighting team They're heroes in the half-shell and they're green When the evil Shredder attacks These Turtle boys dont cut him no slack Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Splinter taught them to be Ninja teens Leonardo leads, Donatello does machines Raphael is cool but crude Michaelangelo is a party dude Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Heroes in a half-shell TURTLE POWER Anybody know where I can get a pro TMNT costume like from the movies to wear in a tournament? haha Wait, actually, I do want one. lol I'm in a band and we thought it would be cool for me to wear the suit for one of our shows.. and I have some money to spare. Why not spare it on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles?

As always, I'm getting new weapons.. here are my most recent additions. Spanish Longsword: My friend gave it to me. He got it when he was in Spain (His father is in the military, so he travels a lot.). Its 400 years old, and has actually killed someone. He told me a lot of history on it and proof that its authentic, but I really dont feel like typing that, lol. Morgan's Dagger from Cutthroat Island: My friend gave me that too. He said that he used to collect swords and stuff, but he got out of it and they would both do more good on my wall than under his bed. Aside from that I got an acryic bo with a spiral design. It reflects light and is great for contemporary forms competions. I also got an 11 section chain whip. That thing is intense! SO heavy! I thought I ordered a 9 section, but I was wrong and got an 11. I wasn't aware that they made 11 section ones. I'm going to start work soon on a longbow. I've already made a few arrows. I'm getting a stave soon when I can spare the money. And of course, I doubt it will be a long time before I have to come back to this thread to make a change in my list. haha

*puts on a black suit and a fedora* ... I actually have one of those.... lol

Wow.. that's insane. I got on tonight to make this topic! I spent 7 hours playing paintball today. I love it! My friends and I have our own field. Its huge! I don't see how people say that paintballs hurt a lot though. Maybe its because I don't feel pain like normal people, but I got shot in the crotch today during a "suicide run" (when you were already killed and you come running back into the game running down the field firing wildly) and I never missed a step with the running. I also got shot in the collar bone, armpit, inner thigh, kneecap, shin, between the first two knuckles on both hands, forearm, chest, abs, etc. (We played a LOT, lol) I feel perfectly fine though. The only protective gear I had was my mask. hahahaha My friend got cocky with his laser sight and tried to blind me with it so his teammate could kill me. His laser let me know right where he was because I saw the straight red line from me to him. I shot him in the neck from like 80 feet and it spattered under his helmet. He was all green. It was great. What kind of games do you play? We have a lot of different games. For instance... Protect the President: Someone is designated "President" (They don't get a gun.) and a few people ("Secret Service") have to protect them while they go down the field. While they are moving, a few snipers will be in the field trying to kill them. The Secret Service has to make it to the other end of the field to win. Either that or kill the snipers. Gettysburg: You can only load one ball into your gun at a time. No hoppers! Capture the Flag: If you don't know about this... you don't play paintball. haha Lots of other stuff as well.

In my town we have road scrapers(for some of the dirt roads). They would work! MUAHAHAHA!

I admit it! I do ALL of them, except like.. 4 or 5. Yup, I have a freakish obsession w/ MA.

WOO HOO!!! lol Im definately goin.. a few times. lol

Yup. I'll admit it. When I'm doing a demo, the girls in the audience are always on my mind, lol. I had to do one at a school function recently and a lot of them started talking to me after the show. *adjusts tie like Rodney Dangerfield* hahaha *wipes away fake tear* I love martial arts. Oh yeah, MA helped me get a job as a personal trained because of my muscles and such that I've gained for it. Right now... I'm working for a model. (female) Seriously! *adjusts tie again!* Yup. Ive used it, and it works pretty well.

Groin! lol Thats always a good pressure point. Aside from that, I'd go for the eyes. Neither of those are really pressure points, but really good targets. For pressure points I'd go for hitting them on the side of the leg on.. that nerve. lol It will make it feel like you broke their leg, but they will be unharmed. Or.. you could just actually break the leg by kicking it harder. heh.. That works too.

Thats beyond insane! I would leave if I were you. Are there no quality schools in your area you could go to?

Thats great! hahaha

I don't normally like to judge myself, but I'll just tell you what other people have said about me. "Holy sh*t! Humans aren't supposed to be able to move that fast!" "How the h*ll do you do that?!" "GOD D*MN!" and... etc. Yeah... I know a lot of potty mouthed people. hahaha I would say Im pretty fast. I would like some clarification on the rating system before I give myself an official rating. I would guess that Im like an 8 or 9 though. Oh yeah, I can run a mile in under 6 minutes now. Im not sure if that applies here... but Im just proud. haha

Wow.. for some... strange... reason that i dont understand... I actually wanna try that. hahaha I think I'll wait a few years though.. get in some extra conditioning. lol

*bows*

Its possible to do it yourself, but yeah, it wouldnt be any specific style. Even I think its impossible to learn a specific style w/o an instructor. Anyway, I learned this way and Ive won multiple tournaments in the black belt division (fighting and forms). People are usually awe-struck when they find out that I never took lessons. It would be VERY hard to become proficient w/o some work with a partner though. I explained better on the "Self Taught?" thread thats pretty similar to this one. http://www.karateforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=4966

I agree, spreading your legs for balance is a must. I have a ton of respect for anyone who can do them without spreading their legs. I can do one handed pushups on my fingertips though. Im pretty proud of that. haha

Ya know.. 666.. the mark of the beast. Five 6's has gotta be worse. hahaha It doesnt actually scare me, but its good for a slight bit of humour.

**EDIT** ack, double post. sorry.

wowie zowie! *hides in the corner with a bottle of holy water*

Yeah, I can do it. Listen to what KickChick said. Theres some good pointers in there. Until you've done the suspended splits for a while and can do them comfortably, make sure you stretch well before you try it. I would still recommend stretching even after you can do them easily. Always make sure that you concentrate while you do it and dont relax your legs. I lost my concentration once while doing this, and even though it was only a split second, my legs went way too far, and *POP!* I pulled a hamstring. That sucked... a lot.

That rocks Patrick! Congratulations to your friend!