LLLEARNER

Welcome!

She does know what your going to do. She is in your head dude!

Thanks Matsu. The Doc is good with it. She wants to treat me aggressively. The one I chose and was just approved 2 weeks ago I think is Ocrevus. But, the side effects of the other treatments included Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy. PML is an untreatable, incurable brain infection that I have a slight risk for due to a positive test for John Cunningham virus JCV. I tested within the threshold (barely) of being eligible for some of the other treatments. Some of the ingredients in other meds can allow it to pass the blood brain barrier BBB. Most of the drugs suppress the immune system as well. I am more okay with having severe physical problems in the far future than I am with having an incurable brain infection possibly sooner. At least if I have to I can work with a physical problem, but not with severe physical problems. And with it being a new but not totally unknown drug (it is kissing cousins with another) I chose that one with the lower side effects. It only targets 1 kind of white blood cell rather than a bunch of them. It is also easy for the administration. The initial treatment is 2 half doses 2 weeks apart by a 1-hour infusion followed by a 1-hour observation. Then 1 full dose infusion for 1-hour and 1-hour observation every 6 months. Rather than multiple self-injections each week or pills or more frequent infusions.

I think they have a really well developed sense of strategy. They understand what likely avenues for attack or defense are available to an opponent can counter them without conscience thought. There is some natural inclination that they have developed through study/training and experience. I remember watching a show on the Discovery channel that examined elite former military members. One was a Navy SEAL who could stay in cold water for extended lengths of time. Another was a former Mossad agent. I am not sure what role he had, but the examined his reaction time to a threat from the back. Through training and experience his reaction was completed before most people could process the threat existed. He crossed the line of having to think about the threat, decided on a reaction, and respond to the action. It was muscle memory at that point. I think the elite fall into that catergory. No matter the discipline, from an athlete to a math genius, to a musical prodigy.

Welcome.

I hear they are expecting Punisher to be later this year. Rand had only just gotten the power of the Iron Fist. Of course, he is just learning. I also do not expect him to be emotionally stable either. He just came home 15 years after losing his parents. He just gained incredible power. I would expect the wounds would reopen. There were a couple points that he specifically learned on camera. I think there were areas to improve. They had the time. I was happy to see Madam Gau get more screen time.

Today I had another doctor appointment to discuss medication. I have spent the last month studying the therapy data. Last week a new drug was approved by the FDA. Although the data looked promising, I was hesitant about being a first generation adopter. However, the side effects of all my other choices did not look promising. Price is not that much of a concern as most MS therapies are priced roughly the same. Apparently, there is a trial that I am probably eligible for involving that drug. I told them I was interested in the trial for the new one. So, I should be hearing from them soon. I should probably mention that the new one is not brand new. It has been used in Europe for some time. It is also kissing cousins with another drug used for MS off-label. While it is new, there are more knowns.

I might be interested. I live a little more than 3 hours north of Boston. If I can get some overtime this summer I could be persuaded.

She got her second stripe. She was so happy to have earned it. She has done a good job of practicing and keeping the goal in front of her. Funny thing after class tonight. While we were putting on our boots and coats, Sensei was talking with a newer student. He mentioned that he knows all the teachers and checks with them regularly. His eyes got big. My daughter then asked if he knew her teachers. He said he does. Sensei's wife is a teacher and has been for a long time.

I saw a short write up on this and it looked interesting. I did not know it was 800 though. It still looks fun.

I need to start that next month after my semester is over.

It depends. Mostly we cooperate when we work together to develop a skill. We compete when we kumite.

Good one. Now where do I really send my money?

Thanks a bunch guys

No problem. shotokanman also has good ones.

Here is Taikyoku Shodan. Heian Shodan

I understand the struggle. Maybe talking with her Sensei could shed some light on what needs improving or how her kata should look. There are also several good youtube videos. Some of the better (in my opinion) look like old VHS tapes. The quality of instruction is great and they break to kata down really well even if the production values are not what we expect today. I will post links later.

Same here Lllearner, I was just expecting little improvement but tbh never thought of the points you raised, I was focused more on basic techniques ! I know what you mean. I have a pad that I use for her Kata practice. I run around her to be position for her next punch. I found this slowed her enough to actually make it into her stance before moving to the next. I had to reset my expectations and adapt how to practice her skills. Sometimes I feel bad when I correct her technique, but I also do not want to praise bad technique and have her learn it wrong. I just have to remember if it is good for her age.

In my observations... My daughter started shortly before her 5th birthday. So I see the same thing. It is harder for her because it is not a children's class. The class is a mix of adults and kids of different ages. Kids classes tend to have more learning through using games and switching focus on shorter intervals. Kids just have shorter attention spans. She has been praised several times about her ability to focus and pay attention by the Sensei. Mostly I want her to be coachable and learn to work with long-term goals. It is easy for her to clean her room when an ice cream trip is on the line. But it can be harder for her to envision the next stripe or belt that may be months away. It also gives us something to do together.

It is not the answer I was hoping for, but it does help. I was just focused more on the mechanics. I could see it vertically if we were fighting deer.

I am. She has worked hard. I was a little worried when she had to do it alone. But, she did it better than with the group. She gets to distracted sometimes. She also showed no fear.

Just a question on the spear hand strike. Why is the hand held vertically (at least in Heian Nidan) when human ribs are horizontal? My way of thinking is that a spear would need to be horizontal to make it past the ribs.

I am gonna just shamelessly, although incompletely steal Brian's line here, because it most assuredly applies to this question. I do have some doubts about most of us being well adjusted. I think that martial arts tend to help us BECOME well adjusted eventually if it is done correctly, but keep in mind that we do engage in gratuitous violence for fun. There is something a little out of step with most people in that as a basic principle. So do most people engaged in sport. Organized sports can be seen as a controlled outlet for the violence inherent in human nature.

That is awesome

It is the sole responsibility of parents to educate, instill morality and respect in children. Unfortunately to many in modern society have given that role up in favor of schools, activities, coaches or "whoever". To many broken homes and absentee fathers really messes up society. How can a parent expect someone who sees their kid a few times a week to do that huge job. A responsible parent will use other sources as reinforcement. This Sensei teaches values I want my kid to learn, so he attends that dojo. My parents (father mostly) used to tell principles and teachers that if I acted up they could spank me. No that may go too far, but the idea that parents are actively ensuring the people around their kids hold the same standards and expectations holds true.