Fenris-wolf

Only just started wearing a gi again -I used to do Seido Karate about 4 years ago and I just started up Judo and Jujitsu. For one thing, I have yet to buy a new gi and so I'm borrowing a club one. But personally it's not a big deal, I've been known to wear it when I'm particularly late or can't find clothes/a bag. But even as a 13-year-old girl you get some weird looks in a gi.

We listen, I just think everyone's revelling in the joy of Oxyclean right now.

I don't really have any "idols" as such... Not that I can think of, anyway. I have a lot of respect and admiration both for my instructor and any other sensei (provided it's not a mcdojo! hehe, I love that term). Also, a couple of my teachers from highschool -I won't say that I aspire to be like them or that they are an example, as such, but they are people I can respect and trust, which isn't something I got from my parents. My role model/s would have to be the seniors at my dojo -even though we are very casual I am inspired and encouraged by their example.

I have to comment! It depends how you do it really -if your sensei and theirs have agreed on certain rules it would be rude, apart from anything else, it break them to make a point. Also, if you are putting in different moves to try and teach them something, it is not arrogant but fulfilling the objective of sparring -to learn. If you are doing it to prove where their art is deficient (which is how it sounds, but I'll give you the benefit of the doubt), it is very arrogant. Not to mention, there is no reason to put in groin kicks! That is a really stupid thing to do. There's no way you can "lightly" kick somone in the balls, and quite frankly I'm sure they're aware that the danger of a groin kick is very real in a street fight and that is very different from sparring! It kind of reminds me of how one of our fighters (Muay Thai) lost a Karate fight because the guy kicked him in the groin and he showed pain. Funny that!! Anyway, I hope I'm not going on about something already discussed, I was too impatient to read the entire thread before replying!

Ninja's are mammals... Couldn't they be a little more specific???

Oo, oo, GrrArg, I used to watch Buffy compulsively!! Kinda got over it, but it will always have a special place in my heart. And I looove that ad! Even after 4 seasons it still made me laugh. P.S. What'd you think of Angel? I watched 4 episodes in a row and decided it wasn't worth it. But apparently it gets infinately better about half-way through season one.

Hm, I'm 18. Oh, and Aznkarateboi... of course you count! 13-19 = teenager in my opinion. Or I suppose 11-19/13-18 depending on your perspective. And then of course there are the 40-somethings teenagers like some people I know!

Eugh. It also means any woman who does attempt to pull her own weight isn't going to be believed by anybody who's witnessed the strange counter-sexism in the armed forces.

True, but it's getting better... You were in the army Sai? What'd you do?

What do ya'll think of this? Being female, I definately am supportive of this. I now know that women in New Zealand are allowed to do anything (bar special forces) in the Navy in NZ, but last time I looked (sometime last year) we weren't in the Army. Anyways. My point was why do we make it easier for women to get into the armed forces? This makes no sense. It's like a young man who's a bit small for his age being allowed in because otherwise it's discrimination. I mean ! Silly... All's fair in love and war, and no-one in the enemy forces is going to go soft on you cause you're a girl. It's dangerous for the woman and her workmates. Honestly, why is logic such a difficult prospect for government offices?! If a woman can pass all the same tests as a man -anything that's applicable to their job, anyway-, she should be accepted. If she can't, she shouldn't. Love to hear your opinions.

Hm, a bit lame I know, but just interested. Or even Aussie/the Pacific in general. Haven't met any New Zealanders yet...

Depends, obviously. But if it's possible to run (without being hit!), I run. If it's going to be more dangerous to run that fight, I fight. Or I play along then fight. Getting away's always safer though! Of course there's the whole "if he/she doesn't get me they may get somebody else" and if I thought that I would be hard-pressed to leave them to it.

Yup, you're totally right and it's one of my weaknesses. I train a lot, but I'm pretty bad with motivation outside of the dojo. Will be remedying this soon though. (Jogging, stretching, weights )

Praise is good, but sparingly. My instructor is stubbornly positive, but it tends to be contructive critism rather than praise most of the time. Also means that when you get complemented you're very happy and excited.

Hmm, interesting thread! MA Short Term Really really want to fight in August (Muay Thai). But on the other hand want to be completely ready when I do fight so maybe not. I guess just improve technique and stamina. General, huh? Long Term Want to go to Thailand to train before the end of 2005. Oo, exciting! Life Short Term Get a new job!!! Slightly longer short-term, get into University (should find out this/next week ) Long Term Hmm. Get a job I enjoy, continue to progress in MA (all and any I have access to at a given time!), be a more relaxed and kinder person. Would like a family, but that is fuuuture tense!

Yup, my vote's with you. 'Course, cheeseballs are pretty good...

Oh yeah, sure. I mean, my opinions are probably going to be pretty different from the average Americans since hardly anyone owns handguns over here. (New Zealand) I definately agree that "Guns don't kill people, people do." That applies to all weapons. I'm just pretty wary of handguns in general. I mean, they're designed purely to hit people! Nothing else, just people. That isn't a very nice implication. Not trying to start an argument either, don't worry.

Oo! Mead... isn't that similar to whiskey? Ish. I read a lot of fantasy books and they're always drinking mead, but I've never heard of it in modern reality. ie: I know that it's a Celtic drink, but that's about it.

Well, I spent a few hours once trying to find an interesting name that nobody else had on Hotmail (a mission and a half ), and now I've found something it's pretty much my name in everything. Fenris-wolf is a nordic legend, the wolf that ate the sun or something, I don't remember the whole thing. Is seen as representing "evil" by some but mostlyis just a force the way a bush-fire is; destructive but needed. That was very badly explained, but you get the idea.

Telsun, why are you considering Christianity? (I'm not trying to put him off, CheekyMusician, I'm just offering an alternative opinion) Do you find it touches something in you? As a semi-athiest (I say semi because being athiest actually means you believe in nothing, and that's not actually true of myself or many other athiests), or at least a non-religious person, I have explored various religions and I decided not to stay with it because it felt unnatural to me. You say you're worried you're looking for escape; does Christianity feel "right"? Do you feel it fills a space that has always been there? Or are you trying to convince yourself to believe in something? You don't need religion to enjoy life, even if you feel you're a failure. Only you (IMO) can decide that you are great, do not let anyone else decide that for you. If you find religion, that is wonderful for you but do not convince yourself to believe out of a perceived need. That is dishonest to the yourself and your chosen faith. Just my 20c, hope I don't offend anyone.

MA, I know where you're coming from, but I'm a little scared by your enthusiasm for packing firepower. It's far too easy to hurt yourself or someone else who's innocent; even if you have a gun, it's quite likely that if you're scared you won't use it or you won't be able to use it. Imagine if Sansoouer's mother had had a gun. What would she have done? She could have shot her own son. Sure, it's not likely, but I think there is more danger from giving an unexperienced person a gun than letting them find another way. Just IMHO.

I wish I could contribute, but I'm just not worthy of my geek badge...

Ah-ha! The women they have on magazines advertising "kickboxing" classes... ie: aerobic classes where they jump around and do something vaugely resembling punching. Grr.