LLLEARNER

I used this successfully when I played paintball a lot.

I work in Augusta and Waterville. Go to school in Waterville and live in Pittsfield.

Visualization works. Has anyone ever watched louge athletes at the Olympics? It helps enhance the decision making process.

Thanks LLLEARNER, I'll look in to this book or two.The book focuses on more subconscious survival rather than the conscious survival you describe. One has to learn, either through handed down knowledge or experience to turn around from a fork in the road. During a survival situation, like a home invasion, the subconscious (or lizard brain as Massad Ayoob calls it) picks up on details that help your decision making without your realizing it.

This reminds me of a good book by Gavin de Becker called "The Gift of Fear". He has a follow up book that I have not read yet, as well.

I am not superstitious. I also do not believe in luck in the sense that it is something that just happens. What I do believe in, is a sense of order that calms the mind and allows it to focus without distractions. This manifests itself as rituals before athletic events, or carrying certain objects on a regular basis.

Bassaiguy is also in central Maine. Almost an hour north of me.

I am in central Maine. There are a couple others from New England as well here.

I am working my way through it now.

I don't think I am older than you, but I have also noticed the same attitude changes. I blame the parents. Even though my daughter and I are in the same karate class, she knows not to appeal to me if she is in trouble with Sensei. She has had to do punishment push-ups and scolded. She knows she is accountable for her own behavior.

I agree. I don't intentionally target the chest area (or groin on men), but incidental contact happens, and I feel there is usually that understanding.

My take on this. In sport when participants understand the risk and willing enter the ring then game on. In training, I follow the same philosophy. To not hit is disrespecting your opponent. They are coming to you willingly and should be treated with respect. Training usually has an understanding to not use full power, and I abide by that. If it is a smaller female I still want to make sure she has to work for victory. In a defensive situation (assuming you are not the aggressor) then all bets are off. I look for escape if possible and use the least amount of force necessary to prevent death or serious bodily harm.

Congrats on the new house. You could always swing your sword outside in the winter and call it conditioning.

I love the British spelling! We are moving from town called Gladstone to a town called Escanaba. Overall, it's less than 10 miles from door to door. You American's keep dropping letters everywhere Let me know if you need to borrow some spare ones!!! Those letter were unnecessary.

I have an Outslayer. The length is great as my 6 year old can use it. Be warned. It is very hard. Gloves are necessary for some people.

“There is no first strike in karate” doesn’t literally mean “you should never throw the first punch” (or kick). It means don’t start the fight. If you’re certain there’s no way out of an imminent physical altercation, a pre-emotive strike is quite often the best defense. So long as you’re certain there’s no other resolution. For example... I was walking to my car late one night after work when I worked in the Bronx. A few feet away, a guy walking towards me asked if I had a light. Once I responded I don’t smoke, it became clear that what he was pulling out of his waistband was a gun. As he was pulling it out, I punched him as fast and as hard as I could in the jaw, dropping him to the ground. I soccer-kicked him a few times while he was on the ground to ensure he wouldn’t get up, then I ran faster than I ever ran in my life (and hopefully will ever have to run again). Did I violate Funakoshi’s precept? Nope. And if I did, it’s a pretty stupid precept. Side note: After I settled down and thought about what happened, I thought I did the stupidest thing I could’ve done. I thought I should’ve stopped and did want he wanted. My boss at the time put it all into perspective: I didn’t know what he actually wanted, although it was probably money, and how do I know he wouldn’t have shot me after he got whatever it was that he was after? How do I know he didn’t just want to shoot me for no reason? I’m alive and unharmed, so it wasn’t the stupidest decision. It would’ve been the stupidest decision if I knew for certain he was only after the $8 in my wallet and I got shot over it. A pre-emptive strike is a beautiful thing. You did right.

“Man who catch fly with chopstick accomplish anything.” – Mr Miyagi

I admit my limited experience. When my Sensei has corrected my stances, I have seen immediate improvement in the flow of the kata. While I cannot claim grace, my kata are getting a lot smoother. The corrections have always set up the next move so there is less adjusting. Also this goes back to the idea of perfect practice in any discipline, especially physical ones. Vince Lombardi said "practice does not make perfect. only perfect practice makes perfect." By training perfectly, we set ourselves up better to adapt to changes.

I don't give a second thought to what the "cool kids" do. Cool always changes. When I was younger comic books were not cool. Now block buster movies are made. I have never done drugs or drink in high school. I don't listen to music. My brain automatically tunes it out after a few minutes. Audiobooks keep me mentally engaged. I don't watch sports, except UFC, but I don't follow it like a true fan. I like not fitting into any one group. My politics are all over the map, but make sense to me. I tend to be more philosophical than most of my associates. But, I do my own home remodels and auto repair. I don't consider myself an artist, but get creative in the kitchen. I have no problem going to the CEO of the hospital with questions or concerns if that is the best way to get an answer. I also privately half-joke that I will have his job someday. But, I also enjoy working on the "low end" of the food chain. I am too blue-collar to be truly at home in a white-collar crowd. But, I also don't quite fit in with the stereo-typical blue-collar crowd.

The Neflix series Punisher releases on NOV 17. I am excited.

I need to finish Season 1. I have not had much time for TV. Buuuuttttt....... See my post.

I would have to agree. Even though I am new to karate, I can already see a difference. I noticed that sparring allows me to try techniques in a better manner than just drilling. Not to knock drills, but they can become too slow for the effective feel of a fight. When I train hospital staff at work, I hate to see the watering down of the curriculum because people complain. I understand that the hospital is trying to minimize risk and having to accommodate physical differences, but the lack of authenticity in training will leave too many people too vulnerable in a conflict.

This reminds me of the kids in our school with wide eyes when the learn that Sensei knows, and talks to, their school teachers. I chuckle every time I see it.

Hope you have a kickin' birthday!

There used to be a show on the History Channel that looked at movies based on true events. If I remember correctly the most accurate one they found was "To Hell and Back". They had people who were there as a guest audience and they said, if anything Audie Murphy downplayed his role in events. Edit: It was History vs. Hollywood