DLopez

OOOooooo!! Cool geography trivia here! Okay, without looking it up (be honest), who can name all the countries in Africa that begin with a 'B'. Hint: there's only 3. If you had to look it up, don't post with the answer please!

Even as young as you are at 15, it will take more than just one hour a week to change your body's metabolism to start losing weight. If class is only once a week, you'll have to excercise on your own... like every day would be good to do something aerobic. You need to put your mind to it and understand that it won't happen quickly, and you'll be tempted to give it all up when the training and the hunger pangs start hurting bad. You can do it though, but lifestyle changes aren't easy.

Let's stop and think about this for a second... On the one hand, you are looking to your instructor to teach you something you do not yet know, right? Then, when he shows you, you express doubt that what he's showing you is valid, and basically question his knowlege, as if you know better than he does. But wait!!! Isn't the whole reason you are there is because you originally believed he can teach you something you don't know? Only after having it demonstrated on you, do you then believe that he indeed knows what he's talking about. I guess I don't get it,... exactly when will you be satisfied that what he's teaching you will work, and you will take it without question or making him prove it on you every time? Now, even in my MA, there are techniques that probably wouldn't work if I try it on someone shorter or taller than me, but there are other techniques that will, so I must learn all of them whether I'll be able to apply them all the time or not. I guess you should be very happy your instructor doesn't care that you question him all the time, but here's one thing to ponder... Maybe he does care? Maybe if you were respectful to him and didn't question his ability and knowledge (which is essentially what you are doing), perhaps he might be inclined to show you much more than he has to?

Man, I wish I could remember my dreams like that!! I can't give any analysis, but it sure was entertaining to read in a weird, David Lynch kinda way! Sometimes the best dreams are the most fantastic ones!

OFF WITH THEIR HEADS!!! P.S. - Did I mention I LOVE chicken? Especially BBQ'd!

I don't know who this Matt Thornton is, but he is woefully ignorant of Asian culture, especially with regard to bowing. Does he ever shake another "American's" hand? If not, then he sounds like a real jerk, but at least he'd be consistent. If he does, then why won't he bow to someone of Asian culture? You see, what's this guy clearly doesn't understand is that in Asian culture, the bow is synonymous with the western handshake. I wouldn't be using this guy for any more examples to follow, as he sorely needs a clue or two. As for instructors that want to be addressed by their title being haughty, well, not my instructor. Anyone else have a haughty instructor? If anyone sounds haughty, it's this Matt Thornton dude. Sorry if I come across harsh, but something about ignorance being bandied about with such bravado like that just irks me.

I'm inclined to think that grapplers also meet their match when the other person simply outweighs them! Let's see, there's a reason why there's weight classes in all competition wrestling... Hmm... what could it be...

I dunno, that sounds like a recipe for disaster as the other thugs now have a easy target on the ground that they can easily kick or hit while you're wrestling around with the one guy. If you want the best defense against getting ganged up on, I'd say obtain a Concealed Handgun License, and pack it. Depending on what state or country you live in, your mileage may vary. Other than that, try to run like heck from that situation.

Why not just call them simply "fighters"? If that's what they're into, and that's what they're all about, just get straight to the point! Besides, from what I've been reading, the "fighters" aren't into titles anyway, so they most likely won't complain about it. I find it amusing how so many think that removing the "fluff" from their training will make them better at their chosen style, and that simply by virtue of practicing a particular style, they will become (if not already are) invincible. Hehehehe!

Khehehehe! We call 'em "fart pipes" down here!

It was really weird the way the symptoms felt. It felt exactly like an engine misfire, except when I connected my scanner to the car's computer, it reported the engine was running fine and there were no misfires. I was scratching my head at that point. I'd convinced myself that only the motor could produce that type of vibration, as it woud still be there even when I did a stall test - put car in 1st, hold brake, rev RPMs up to ~3500. I kept thinking the tranny gears aren't turning then, so it can't be there. Never thought the TC would be getting out of balance somehow. The TC that went bad was a 3600 stall Vigilante... but this new motor has way more grunt down low than my old heads-cam only motor, so I'm replacing it with only a 3200 stall Vigi. I'm gonna put that low-end torque to use. I've seen some pretty wicked GNs at the track! There was one that had a transbrake - he'd stage, then rev it up good to spool up the turbo and would easily pull the front wheels when he left the line! Not bad for just a 6-cylinder motor!!

No no no!! I'm black belt candidate, or black-brown belt. From now on, all my testing will be for black belt. How fast I get there all depends on how well my instructor feels I've learned ALL the material. I've been training 5 days a week since January after joining black belt club back then. BTW - my instructor has already confided in me that indeed, my son and I did pass. WOOT!! Funny, in my previous stripe test before this one, we did each form 10 times each (up to dae geup hyung), but for some reason, this time we only did them twice each. We did them at the very end of testing, so maybe he'd seen enough to conclude the testing? I had already prepared myself to do them 10 times each again.

Hey, I love chickens!!! They taste like... chicken.

You'd be amazed at how much money you can save by doing basic maintenance on your vehicle yourself. Brake jobs, oil changes, stuff like that, really isn't difficult if you only need to know how to do it on your car, and it's so cheap too! Plus, you have the satisfaction and confidence that no shortcuts were taken - that the job was done right. I started off doing that, and then I wanted to learn more, and next thing you know, I'm swapping engines and transmissions like I change socks!

I can appreciate that, but to dismiss the quality of training you might receive from a particular instructor or trainer simply because of what he calls himself, without even witnessing for yourself firsthand whether his 'title' is justified seems a little presumptuous. If you're looking for a place to learn, how can you pretend to know whether the training is valuable or not judging simply by what the instructor's title may be? Basically, I agree that you need to train in a place where you trust the instructor and you are comfortable. But to dismiss the quality of the curriculum because of the attitude that only 'dogs have masters', well that's seems a little silly to me.

Ya, me too! I am still learning more and more about Kuk Sool Won all the time! Here's a good link that goes into detail about the ancient roots that Kuk Sool Won is based on: Ancient history of Kuk Sool Won I was trying to find particular information on the cane as a weapon, but other than mentioning it, not much is written describing it. However, I have seen it demonstrated extensively at the masters exhibition held during the World Kuk Sool Won Championship Tournament, both live and on video. To see a Master demonstrate cane techniques is really fascinating!

I finally got my new engine installed in my car, and during test drives, noticed a very strong vibration whenever I pressed the throttle... In fact, it was the same vibration that was present before with the old motor, only stronger now. I had thought it was a problem with the old motor, and that the new motor would solve it. Well, I discovered the problem when I took of the transmission oil pan off and looked at the tranny filter. Lots of metallic filings in the oil, big chunks of clutch disc material, and the oil smelled burnt. My torque converter is disintegrating, and is taking the transmission with it. So now I need a new torque converter and the tranny needs an overhaul. So, new engine, new tranny... I guess it's still a lot cheaper than a new car! Especially since this new motor will be no slouch! I'm anticipating ~500 rear-wheel horsepower at least! Still, it's always something it seems... (Just thought I'd start a little car-talk thread!!)

It will be a while still before I get to it, but the cane as a weapon is taught in the standard Kuk Sool Won curriculum, among many other weapons. I feel very fortunate that I won't have to go pay at another school to learn weapons! I am learning the Bong (long staff), Jool Bong (Korean equivalent of nunchakas) and the straight sword currently. Weapons training has added an awesome dimension to my martial arts training! I so look forward to every weapons class.

Yeh, the reason I got them is because we've moved our Saturday morning classes outside to the parking lot (weather permitting), which is quite enjoyable as the classroom can get a little stuffy. Good martial arts shoes should be very light and allow you to pivot without putting undue stress on your ankles. Going barefoot in the concrete parking lot would not be comfortable at all. These shoes are very comfortable, and I highly recommended them.

I think you are misunderstanding what is meant by the title of "master". It's not master as in a master-slave relationship, it simply means he has mastered the material - and until you have mastered the same material, you are simply not at his level. Who knows, your brother might have missed out on the opportunity to learn some quality boxing skills from that instructor simply because he can't deal with giving someone that probably knows a heck of a lot more about boxing than he does, the respect that that commands.

If I had to guess, it sounds like she probably felt like once she was shown how to do a few techniques, she got what she came for. I think a lot of folks have the same attitude about taking 'self defense' classes. They figure after being shown how to do several self defense moves, that's all there is to it and they don't need to invest money and time in the 'practice' sessions - that they can do that on their own. Just a hunch. BTW - is it ok to tell her if she smells really bad? (just kidding!)

In Kuk Sool Won, etiquette is the #1 most important idea, therefore, we ALWAYS address our instructors by their title, and respond with "yes/no sir" to questions to everyone. Some of the various titles are: Dahn Boh Nim - black belt candidate (me!) Jo Kyo Nim - 1st degree black belt Kyo Sa Nim - 2nd degree black belt Pu Sa Bum Nim - 3rd degree black belt Sa Bum Nim - 4th degree black belt Kwahn Jahng Nim - 5 degree black belt (Master) Chohng Kwahn Jahng Nim - Chiefmaster Kuk Sa Nim - National Martial Arts Teacher (our Grand Master) My instructor is 2nd degree black belt, so I address him as "Kyo Sa Nim, sir" inside our school. Outside of the school, we address him by his first name. His wife (also a student) has a title as well, we address her as Sa Mo Nim. Addressing our instructors by their titles is done out of respect for the knowledge and position they have earned. It's the same as bowing to them, it's a show of respect.

Boop-bee-doo-bee-doop!

OH. MY. GAWD!! That was by far, the TOUGHEST test I've had in my two years in KSW!!! It was two hours long, and we started off by doing ONE WHOLE HOUR straight of various jumping kicks and jumping combination kicks, just to "get us warmed up". Then we went outside (it's hot in Houston today!) and proceeded to do 1000 of various punches from the horse riding stance - LOW horse riding stance that is. By the 1000th punch, I don't know which was burning more, my shoulders or my buttocks! Then when we were nice and exhausted, we had to do all the techniques that we know, and do them quickly and precisely. I only know up to Di Eue Bahk Soo #3. I really had to focus when I'm tired like that, but I knew the techniques, so it was more of a breather break for me at that point. Then, before we finished, we did each of our forms twice, so for me it was Ki Cho Hyung, Cho Geup Hyung, Joon Geup Hyung, Goh Geup Hyung, and Dae Geup Hyung. I think I passed because when we bowed out and I shook my instructor's hand, he said "Congratulations, Dahn Bo Nim". As tired as I still am, I feel GOOD! Again, thanks for all the well wishes!

Thanks for all the well wishes! Tonight's classes were not as strenuous as I thought they were gonna be - I hope that's a good sign that my conditioning is where it needs to be. But I'm off to sleep now - I want to be fresh tomorrow. I'll post to let everyone know how it went! Dean