DLopez

Whatever. As soon as that guy with the hat would have grabbed my hand, he'd be down on the ground writhing in extreme pain as I effortlessly executed Sohn Mok Soo technique #11 on his silly no-skill a... er... self. That "fight" wouldn't have lasted even two seconds. I'm feeling good! Had a great workout this morning, and ready to give my fingers a working sparring on the web boards!

You know what would look cool? A dragon (oriental dragon, not European medieval dragon) that not only curls upon itself like in pictures, but the tattoo actually curls up from it's tail down around one of your legs, then up around your entire torso, like it's climbing up your body, with it's head up at the top of your back! No?

Vote "None of the above"! What movie was that from... "Brewster's Millions"? Funny!

Sure it will. The President still cannot write laws (Bills actually), he can only sign them into law or veto them. The Judicial branch can still declare any law unconstitutional regardless if the President and the Congress want the law. The Senate still has to approve any cabinet and judicial appointees by the President. And so on and so on. I think you are confusing "checks and balances" with policy. If a particular party dominates the Legislative and Executive branches, then chances are they will get their way with policies, but I don't see the problem with that because that is what the majority of the people want, else they wouldn't have elected all those representatives from that party into office in the first place. Now, if you don't believe that the majority should get it's way with policy, then you simply don't believe in democracy.

Well, it is a competition of sorts, but you do have to admit, that as hotly contested this election was, there were no reports here of rioting, looting, and bombings before, during, or afterwards (that I know of). I guess that differs slightly in that regard as say, an equally hotly contested British game of soccer, which we've heard on this side of the ocean, often results in chaos and hooliganism! Besides, the President does not get total say in our form of government, believe it or not, thanks to The Constitution, which provides the checks and balances between the three branches to prevent either branch from becomming unaccountable. The Founding Fathers were very deliberate in NOT modeling our government after the British model, so I understand how it appears strange how it works to y'all.

KSW strongly promotes the tradition of etiquette - the giving of proper respect to each and every person in and outside of class. That's probably one of the hardest things to do 100% of the time.

Okay, oh wise one who eschews aeronautic swine... If the Hwa Rang Do did not exist, and the obvious logical inference that Koreans did not practice any indigenous martial arts, then all Korean martial arts should look very much like either Karate or Chinese Kung Fu, right? Please explain why my MA doesn't look like any other Japanese or Chinese martial art. There may be the obvious similarities (kicking for example), but there are far more differences (stances for example) than similarities as to make it obvious it is NOT simply a "version" of either a Japanese or Chinese MA. Your conclusion that based on the origins of TKD, that the Hwa Rang Do (and probably all other indigenous Korean martial arts history) is fictional has me wildly curious how you made such a jump! Please explain! I eagerly await what's sure to be a very creative response!

I don't see your logic. Three candidates is more than 2, no matter how you try to slice it. Now, if you're just frustrated because there aren't more candidates THAT ESPOUSE YOUR VIEWPOINTS, then that is a completely different and extremely "political" argument, so we won't go there.

Ya, I'm hoping this discussion isn't viewed as "political", but rather as educational about some basic government processes. Not on my ballot. My ballot listed Bush, Kerry, and Badnarik as presidential candidates. Here, this site lists all the 3rd party and independant candidates running in the various states. Choices? You want choices? But that isn't etched in stone anywhere. Each state can change how they cast their electoral votes if they choose. For example, Nebraska and Maine have reserved the right to apportion their electoral votes based on the percentage of the popular vote each candidate receives in those states. In this election, Colorado had on their ballot a proposition to apportion their electoral votes in the future, but it was defeated - the people of Colorado didn't like that idea. You do have to vote to change the system though.

I'm sorry, but that's simply not correct. Every vote does count. Regardless of the electoral college, all states require a simple majority to declare a winner for that state, and that majority could be by ONE vote. One side wins, and one side loses. That is the democratic process. Be proud to participate in it.

I think more young people did get out to vote, but the thing is, they weren't the only ones that made extra effort to get out and vote. That's why the relative size of the "young" vote didn't seem to increase. But great job nonetheless. Don't believe the lies that not every vote counts! IMO, the future looks bright, especially the next 4 years.

Silly rabbit! Tricks are for kids!

KSW is about as balanced as you will find. It teaches in-close grappling and joint-lock skills, and the usual striking skills. But wait! There's more! You learn many, various weapons, and even learn healing arts if you stick with it long enough! Internet smack-sparring is not offered though. I learned that "on the street".

Being drunk in public with other drunks... definitely sounds like a recipe for something bad to happen. Sad story indeed.

My vote counted!! Did the smart thing and got to the polls right as they opened. In, out, and still had plenty time to grab a Fourbuck... er, Starbucks coffee on the way to work!

Martial "sport".

Well, I have seen a roundhouse to the head end a fight just like that, and it was just one kick to the head, so ya, that would qualify as "not much" in the way of high kicks. I do have to say it was pretty effective... Oh wait, it was in a parking lot, and not technically "in the street", so that must be why it worked.

Thanks aefibird! Ah yes... Excellent question! You have noticed the "generals" uniforms, the ones with the bright trim. Those are "formal" uniforms, and not worn during training or in competitions. Only black belts may wear a general's uniform. I'm pretty sure that 1st and 2nd degree BB generals uniforms look the same, with silver trim. This is where I get fuzzy, and perhaps KSN Tony or KSN Doug can help out, but I think the all red trim in the pics means 5th degree black belt (Kwan Jang Nim - or Master). Higher Master ranks add gold to the red trim. I think Sa Bum Nim (4th degree black belt) has silver and red trim... not 100% sure... anyhow in the tournament, anyone in a general's uniform was 2nd degree black belt or higher - they were the judges. Another type of uniform worn in KSW is shown in the pic where I'm throwing a straight punch. In the distance, to the left, there is a Jo Kyo Nim (1st degree black belt) with yellow trim along the bottom of his dobak (Korean word for "gi"). That's an instructor's uniform (Jo Kyo Nim means - "instructor"), and I believe those can be worn during training and competitions, but I think when I get mine (eventually!!), I'll try to keep it nice looking and not wear it that often! In the meantime, all us "underlings" get the regular student dobak, with only our belt to indicate whatever level we are at.

Well, it's something to be concerned about if you fail to learn how to fall properly. There is definitely a proper way to fall. If Hapkido is like KSW in that regard, you should learn how to peform a front fall, side fall, front-side fall, back fall, circle fall, and cat roll. I don't know how Hapkido classes operate, but I'd be surprised if they didn't show you the "beginner" method of falling first (falling by itself, not from throwing), before making you fall on thinly padded carpet or by being thrown. Joint lock and throwing techniques are designed to be brutal on your opponent, so that's why you saw the practice not going at full force.

WW is right. In Texas, any bodily harm would add to the assault charge and make you liable for "Assault with bodily injury". That's a Class A misdemeanor in Texas. (IOW, just short of a felony)

From my personal experience, there are times I had to carb up before a workout, simply because if I were to run out of gas, I wouldn't get a good workout. Working out isn't just burning fat, it is strengthening the muscles too, and your muscles need food to perform. You will "hit the wall" if you try to rely on stored fat to power you through a good workout. I think people get confused because of the energy bars and carbo-liquids they see on the shelves and think they're for working out. I would agree to a point that if you're working out to lose body fat, then ya, it isn't helping to carb up before and after a workout. Competitions and endurance tests are where I find carbing up to really help immensely.

That may be fine advice if you are unskilled in TKD-style kicks. But to assume that because they don't work for you, they won't work for anyone else is pretty short-sighted. We all know you're in love with MT and all, but again, that doesn't mean it is THE best MA for everyone and that other MA styles aren't equally effective in the hands of a person skilled in it. I have the feeling you're going to start talking about how you would counter a TKD kick and all, but you would be assuming that you won't ever run into a TKD'er that is just plain badder than you. Closed minds really bug me.

You soccer fans will appreciate this! This guy is awesome! Mr. Woo! PS - don't gripe 'cuz I called it "soccer" and not "football" or "footsie". Just enjoy the vid.

So, bottom line is, there is nothing wrong with powerlifting for martial artists, because a good martial artist will definitely be "stretching constantly" (and hopefully correctly), right? I used to weight train excusively before learning MA, and I did have to overcome the handicap of stiff, inflexible joints, to get flexible as I am to date (not that I am super flexible yet!), but as I continue work at it, I can feel and measure my flexiblity getting better and better. The good thing is, I haven't lost any of my strength - I still can bench ~350 lbs. I've mentioned this before, but professional (and even college) athletes, whose livelihoods depend on quick, explosive reactions, power train all the time. Those athletes embrace it's benefits. I don't believe power training is something to avoid just because you're a MAist.

Yeh, all the customers wanna do is party party party. Sucks. No, not really! So, caught me hitchhiking with my soo do, huh? Ya (sigh) its something I have to work on... hey, I need more practice! I also saw another goof on the video... Near the start, on the set of jong gwans to the right, my right hand doesn't quite make it down to my belt after a punch. Don't think the judges saw it. Minor little details, sure, but those are the differences between 1st place, and no medal at all.