KarateKen

Anytime I get down I try to remember my blessings. There are lots of people out there who have it a lot worse.

Good to hear. The 1-year-old's sleep hasn't sorted itself, but things are pretty good. My brother just booked a trip to come and visit next month, so that'll be fun, too. I hear it might take a while. Everyone I know with kids says that they never get a full night's sleep in the early years. Good luck, it sounds like nothing is easy about good parenting.

I think these are excellent points. When I started, I picked TKD because it was popular and my best friends 13-year-old cousin was a 2nd degree who, according to my friend, "can kick anyone's butt." Being young and clueless I signed up at the first TKD school I tried, never trying any other style or asking questions about what I could expect to learn. Naive for sure. It's common among young adults, and the soccer moms who sign up their kids. There were TKD schools in the area that advertised Hapkido, with the instructor being a 4th degree in Hapkido. In reality, they did not teach Hapkido other than a few basic techniques because the black belt was from a weekend seminar. Take a two-day seminar get a black belt certificate. Do that four times become a 4th degree and advertise it on your website. Some call that unethical, but that is what a few of these guys were doing. In the eyes of the uninformed it looks impressive and gives the instructor credibility, but people who know better see it as a marketing gimmick, at best. I should note that the TKD school I trained at was not doing this. Also, such actions are not limited to TKD schools, and I know there are plenty of TKD schools that are ethical and not just belt factories, it was only my personal experience, nothing more.

Knowledge and experience is where it starts for me. Also, their integrity and how they conduct themselves. Are the prices fair? Are they being jerk who tries to control by fear or are they inspirational? How well do they execute the techniques that they are teaching? Is what they are teaching practical for what I hope to get out of the training? It's possible I could be missing something but those are the key ones that come to mind right away.

With this being your introduction, what do you think? Something you'd like to explore more, or not your cup of tea? Do you have questions about it? Looks like it has practical applications. Seems kind of interesting, based on what little I know I would likely enjoy trying it.

This is the first I have heard of it.

You were making money learning karate?I've heard "you need to spend money to make money" so I was spending and spending and spending but never made anything. All joking aside, no, not directly. However, training martial arts taught me respect, focus, disciple, patience, and helped me mature greatly as well as improved my physical health. So, in a way, it was an investment in quality of life. I started because as a teenager in school I was targeted by bullies where I was repeatedly physically attacked, threatened and assaulted. I didn't want to feel helpless anymore.

A couple I recommend are Verbal Judo by George J. Thompson and Positive Thinking is for Sissies by Sensei Ron Thomas, who also played Bobby Brown in the Karate Kid movie. They are more about life than martial arts. Dealing with conflict, managing emotions under pressure, ect. Stuff that we face in and out of the dojo.

I will check it out. Thanks.

I did it for the money.

Thanks

I battled depression and anxiety for years and was in therapy for years (on and off) because of it. To me it really comes down to doing what you think is best/right at the time you need to make the decision. If you live a life that you feel good about, that helps you become the person you want to become, it is easier to accept that not everything will work out and not everyone will approve of your choices. That's OK, as long as you believe in that you did the right thing with the information you had at the time it is easier to accept results you don't want. At least that is what has worked for me. Also, we often can't have all the information at the time we make decisions. Just do the best you can with what you've got. As Bill Murray said in Groundhog Day "you make choices in life, and you live with them."

I'm just learning about these mico-workouts. Anyone have experience with these? How effective are they? You do a high intensity workout for a short amount of time, usually 20 minutes or less, sometimes just five minutes, and it supposed to help with weight loss. Any thoughts?

For the first time all summer I enjoyed a pink lemonade yesterday. Bought one for the girl who was in line behind me at Jersey Mike's and she gave me her number. I wasn't even thinking that, just wanted to be nice because she was waiting behind my order that was taking a while. I asked her what which she preferred, Coke or Pepsi, and she said pink lemonade, thinking I had not had one in a long time I bought it for both of us.

Absolutely. I would keep training and learning but it would be great to never test again.

It's been a stressful week but I'm good now. Excited about the weekend.

I think there are a lot of actors that train BJJ. I read Jim Carrey is a BJJ brown belt. I believe Austin Kutcher and Nick Cage are also active in it.

Oh that's a classic!

Hope you enjoy your stay.

For a while I was drinking a product called VOOZ, it is a hydration drink from Bang Energy. Had several fruit flavors with electrolytes and some other minerals. Pretty good but I think it has been discontinued.

My favorite five in order: 1. Seinfeld 2. Home Improvement 3. Coach 4. Norm 5. Fraiser

I've been pretty good the last few days. Thanks.

STEAK!! STEAK!! STEAK!! STEAK!! STEAK!! STEAK!! STEAK!! STEAK!! STEAK!! Heck yeah!! Steak is great with...everything. Quick and so fulfilling. It is one of my favorite foods and is easy to prepare, plus, like you said, it goes with everything. Great source of protein as well.

Hydration is always important, especially in the summertime, and with many people facing serious heat over the last couple weeks I started thinking, what are some quality hydration drinks that taste good and are healthy but are not as bland as water? I'm sorry, but water is boring. I drink it and it's healthy but after a while I need something with flavor. I drink water, sparkling water, milk, smoothies, and a sports drink called VOOZ which is made by Bang Energy. I avoid fruit juices and lemonade because of all the sugar. Any other ideas?

I'm alright.