MSPav

If you buy a pair of sais, make sure that the end of the "blade" extends to just past the tip of your elbow.

Ahhh, I see. If I only had known their techniques a few years ago! I had a nasty run-in with a refrigerator, but I kicked it in the meat tray and managed to get away.

Sure! Practice, practice, practice. Start slowly, get it right, then build up speed.

Thanks gheinisch!

Car lifting uncle? Uncle Ironfist?! I didn't see that on the website! Ok, I didn't miss those; they've changed the site since I was there last.

AARRGGHH!! I can't stand that sort of crap! I used to play competition squash, back in Australia, and I had to go through that crap. I didn't go to the practice session with the court owner's wife because I didn't like her style of playing and after just 6 months I was good enough to thrash her students anyway. I was captain of my team and won every game that season (let alone every match!). The others in my team (her students) won and lost almost evenly. Because of my playing we won the championship, but I went down a grade while they went up two grades! I quit, which I now wish I had not done. I should certainly have changed locations and played for another court.

Can you talk to your grandmaster about it? If so, that would be the best approach. If you have one of those masters who are in the "don't talk to me, you lowly non-10th dan" category, then you might wanna start looking for another place to learn.

I remember my first MA classes. There were kids there who had high level belts, and for the most part they were arrogant little gits who couldn't fight. I don't think it should be determined by strength, but these guys were sloppy technically and shouldn't have had such a belt for that reason alone.

I'm sorry, Dragon, I'm sure you're a nice guy and all, but you don't seem to have a realistic view of a knife attack. For one thing, if you're grabbing his arm with your opposite arm, then how are you going to punch his jaw? You'd have to punch over the top of your and his arms - not very effective. Secondly, if you even see the knife coming, you'd be best off hitting him pre-emptively rather than waiting for him to attack you first. That's pretty much the law of knife-fighting: be prepared to be cut if you fight, hit first, hit hard, and run when you can. I guess it does depend on how good a martial artist you are, too. Some people would have no problem in a mugging; others would really suffer.

Just make sure you don't learn anything here, then.

I can totally relate to what you're saying and it's probably a good thing that I missed my reunion by being out of the country at the time. Of course, I'm 29, not 40, so I've not been carrying this around for nearly as long as you. I hope that this doesn't sound too much like platitude, but you gotta somehow forgive 'em. It's more for your sake than theirs. Or at least, if you can't actively find a place of total forgiveness for them, then try to be open-minded about meeting them. As the saying goes (which karate_woman alluded to), the best revenge is success. Hate hurts you; do your best to get rid of it. Don't even think: "If they start anything...!" If anything does start, I'm sure you'll react your best if you're relaxed and not dwelling on it. Otherwise you might wear yourself out with stress beforehand. And you won't look like someone who's come in with a score to settle. Those people are never welcome at reunions. All the best, dude.

Heya!

Hi! Oh, man, now I miss the beach again.

Yo!