Patrick

Hello, Thank you for visiting KarateForums.com. I wanted to draw attention to the fact that Brian Walker (bushido_man96) has hit 25,000 posts. Similar to when Heidi (ninjanurse) reached 10 years on staff, I am in awe of this accomplishment. It's a crazy number, but what makes it truly meaningful is the quality of the posts that Brian has made here over the last 9 years. Think about all that those 25,000 posts represent. For Brian, I'm sure it represents a lot of personal growth, friendship and fun. But also, think about what they represent for others. How many people has Brian helped, supported or simply created enjoyment for? Easily thousands of people. Maybe more. It's incredible, the impact that one person can have. Brian is kind, smart, generous, helpful and always hungry for knowledge and growth. What 25,000 posts doesn't really show is everything that Brian has done as a member of staff here; helping to maintain this community, so that others can benefit from it. Numbers don't reflect the care in which someone approaches the role of moderator, how much of a team player they are and how they make other members feel welcome. Please join me in congratulating Brian on this milestone. Brian - thank you for the tremendous (hard to find a word that adequately describes it) contribution that you have made over the years. Thank you for everything that you've done as a staff member, for being a team player, a professional and a loyal friend. It means a lot to me. Sincerely, Patrick

Hello and welcome, Mr. Bryers. Glad to have you. Patrick

Welcome to KF, Milhafre! Best of luck with your first test! I'm sure some of our members will have some advice for you. Thanks, Patrick

You miscalculated, Bob. I've been wanting to get rid of you for years, and this represents the perfect opportunity. You've given me a great loop hole here, and I fully intend to take it! :lol: Of course, just to confirm this publicly in case anyone would actually wonder, I look forward to your continued contributions as a member of our team. Thank you for your support over the years. I think Hawkmoon said something worth highlighting: "As one of the first guys to 'chat' with me..." Those first few members who interact with a person are what make someone feel welcome here, and feel as though they are a part of our community. For many members, like Hawkmoon, you have been one of those first few. You've touched a lot of people here. I'm sorry to hear about these health troubles and that they are causing you to take a step back from the martial arts, but I look forward to hearing about your return. Sending positive thoughts your way. Thanks, Patrick

I was really saddened to wake up to the news of Stuart Scott's passing. Like many sports fans my age, he was a part of my childhood. Such an engaging personality and an enduring example of strength. He'll be missed! On a martial arts related note, during one of the tributes, there was a brief clip of him boxing and it mentioned how he had used MMA to restore the energy taken by his cancer treatments. This article talks about it: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/12/sports/espn-anchors-private-battle-with-cancer-becomes-a-public-one.html Also, here is a clip, from March, of Scott performing a rear naked choke on another ESPN personality, Michael Smith: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrLEoys3wds Rest in peace, Stuart Scott. Patrick

Awesome. Thank you for sharing your journey with us. Patrick

Hello and welcome, vaporman. Glad to have you. Patrick

Welcome to KF, Lisa! Patrick

Happy birthday, Brian! Thank you for everything that you do here. I hope that you have a great day. Patrick

Happy birthday, Heidi. Hope that you have an awesome day. Thank you again for everything that you do here at KF. Patrick

Hello, Thank you for visiting KarateForums.com. We recognize one member every month as the KarateForums.com Member of the Month for their positive contributions to this community. The January selection is... stonecrusher69. Congratulations! It's wonderful to be able to honor such a long term member. stonecrusher69 joined our community on April 23, 2002 - not quite a year after our launch. Thank you for all of your great contributions to our community over this time. Sincerely, Patrick

Thank you for sharing this, Danielle. I think the questions you raise, regarding curriculum adjustments to reflect this data, are really smart. It only makes sense to tailor your curriculum to the reality of your surroundings. Which isn't to say that you should ignore the opposite, because you might travel internationally. But as far as a focus. Really interesting data. Patrick

It's awesome how you used your ki to make explosions in the sky!

Sorry that you had to deal with that, chrissyp. Glad you and the other person are alright. Patrick

Welcome aboard, Kwon_Artist. Which styles of karate do you have near you?

Seems like either Watt or Rodgers will win the MVP. Romo had a higher QBR than Rodgers, but it seems like he's going to get dinged because he had a better supporting cast on offense. Still, can't take anything away from the QB with the 6th highest passer rating ever. The Dolphins put together another mediocre season. Since Brian started this thread back in 2006, they have had a grand total of 1 winning season. It's been a rough decade. Ouch. That said, it was fun having a 4,000 yard passer and a 1,000 yard rusher (happening together for the first time in franchise history). Tannehill is very clearly the best QB that we've had since Marino, and it's not even close. I'm encouraged by his progress. It just seemed like the injuries piled up and we had no one who could step up. Especially Brandon Albert. When he went down in week 10, that was really big. We went 3-5 after that point. Losing Louis Delmas in week 14 was meaningful, too. Our rushing defense was just terrible, all of a sudden, starting in week 12. In our first 10 games, we allowed 4 teams to rush for over 100 (and none for over 200). In our final six, we allowed all 6 over 100, including 2 over 200. It was a crazy swing. Oh well. Congrats to fans of teams who made the playoffs. The Panthers won today (the Cardinals only managed 78 total yards against them) and, as I write, the Ravens are beating the Steelers, 7-6.

Thank you for the kind words, mal103. You are definitely a part of that. We appreciate it. Patrick

Thanks Pat. Patrick

Welcome aboard, AlbanyDude. Congrats on your return. Patrick

Thank you for starting this thread, chiliphil1. Congrats on the anniversary, Devin! I was sick for New Year's Eve. Felt something coming on the night before and, sure enough, it developed into a sore throat and congestion for a couple of days. Still getting over it, but feeling a lot better. So, I pretty much rested the whole day, watched the countdown and went back to bed. Patrick

Happy New Year, everyone. Patrick

Thank you for the submission, Devin. Enjoyed reading this. Patrick

Sure thing. They actually made a calculation error and had to adjust the numbers, but obviously the week is over now. Here are the week 17 numbers: http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/nfl-week-17-playoff-implications-someone-has-to-win-the-nfc-south/