alanseijas

I have many. Driving fast (real fast!), Vodka (not while driving, though!), money (can't get enough), spaghetti with meat sauce (MMMMMM), blonde haired girls (I'll leave the comment out here), Heavy Metal music played way to loud (jammin'!), burn outs with lots of smoke, sitting in my stretch rack at 188 degrees, model rocketry, and learning the Japanese language. Don't blame me, you asked!

Not to get off topic here, but quickly; shazaam (I remember that tv show BTW!), travel to https://www.isshin1.com for a good look at the Megami and her history. I have trained with Master Advincula, and he is as amazing as his patch. One other very unknown site is http://olemiss.edu/orgs/karate/megami.html

BLH28, 2 questions if I may. Were you enraged, and possibly went too far there; and where did you learn Jeet Kune Do? You may have read my posts on this topic, and I'm no angel when refering to my past. I definately got enraged and went too far a couple of times. I'm just saying that rage is dangerous, and I've learned fom my mistakes. What if you had actually killed him. Do you think the judge would care if he threw the first punch? Jeet Kune Do is perhaps the most controversial martial art being taught and practiced in the world today. One of the major problems the style faces is that there are few people qualified to teach it. You need a legitamate individual to truly train properly and call it JKD. What are his training methods? Who has he trained with? Is he certified in the JKD Society? Is his certificate authentic? Most of the instuctors teaching the original JKD can trace their lineage to either Ted Wong, Taky Kimura, Jerry Poteet, or James Yimm Lee. The three recognized most for teaching Lee's CONCEPTS are Dan Inosanto, Larry Hartsell, and Richard Bustillo. Where did you train, and who under; may I ask?

I drink EVERY night. I LOVE my vodka. I buy the cheap stuff ($15 for the big bottle), and I'm through it in 3 days. The first thing I do when I get home is hug my kids, and a close second is straight to my glass. I never drink before going to the dojo, but I start as soon as I get home. I am an alcoholic, and I know it. I don't get hostile, I remember everything, I don't get hung over, I don't say stupid stuff; I just ENJOY it. Excessive you say? I agree. I just went to the doctor today for a full physical. I lost 70 pounds since January, and thought I should get checked out. My doc told me to eat more, and drink less. My blood pressure is high, and she said slow down on the booze. How can I do that? I mean really---- How am I going to do that? How am I going to do that????????????

"Fighting fighting. Same Same" "But you know karate!" "Someone always know more..." I love that silly movie. I know it word for word, and Daniel said, "But you knEw karate!" Sorry, I'm a stickler!

Well, mouko_yamamoto, did you pass?

Now you can tell people you beat up Sho Koshugi!

Tatsuo Shimabuku's uncle's name was Ganeku. Master Advincula has told me the story of the verticle fist-- he is my Sensei. Travel to https://www.isshin1.com to discover all you'll need to know about Isshinryu's history. Jaa mata.

I don't see anything wrong with practicing at 3:00 am. My parents own a shore house, and I love to go to the beach late and do kata when I visit. You have to watch your kicks, though; sand in the face!

I used to do the same thing w/ my friends. Always testing one another....

I just re-read my post here, and wanted to clarify that my boys train at the same dojo as me; and I'm taking them to their class while I watch(and smile the whole time). Daniel's been in 2 years, and Michael almost 1. Thanks again.

rather than having spent the evening seating on the couch watching the tube. Only after I put my boys to bed! (6 and 3 years old BTW) Thanks for all your kind responses. It's good to know I'm not alone with this.

Great topic, and great replies! I would like to ask anyone if they have similar feelings to mine. Sometimes, I don't feel like going to the dojo; but I always have a really good time when I'm there. My brain will try to make every excuse it can to not go, but when I get home; I think, "Wow, that was great!" Maybe it's because I work 6 days a week, and feel like I'm missing my children grow up. That makes me feel guilty. I don't know. I am a very "hands on" father that spends every possible waking moment with them. I love karate, but I love my kids more. Why do I feel selfish going to class? I only go once a week at this point, but as I said before; they're in bed by the time I get home. I do take them to the dojo on Wednesdays. I even leave work at 3:00 to do it. I take my 3 year old first, go home, and then take my 6 year old. I feel like there just isn't enough time for everything. I WANT 8 DAYS A WEEK(with 2 Sundays, of course!)!!!!!!

Just a time thing for me. I love to be with my kids, and they're in bed before I get home. I hate that!

Well, it wasn't on the street; but I worked out a couple of times with this guy Tony about 12 years ago. We went into his basement, and made room to fight full contact with no gear. I was a BB, and he had NO rank at all. Just what he'd seen in movies, and read in books. He repeatedly kicked my * over and over. We went at it 3 different days, and I lost all 3!

Thanks. I figured spray paint was a bad idea....... I havent done anything yet. Been sick, and haven't been to class anyway. Please keep the ideas coming, though. I think I'll try the acryllic paint like previously suggested. I'll try it on a small part first.

You mean soak it in bleach? I don't know. Wouldn't that smeel pretty bad. Sweat + bleach?

My Sensei makes the lower ranked students clean the dojo. The highest ranking student hands out the jobs. Sometimes it's a junior BB that even tells his orange belt mom to clean the bathroom! Everyone does it, and is glad to. We are all proud of our dojo.

I think, SMR, that you are confused about my original argument. I was replying to Goju1's comments, there. My original statement said that I have a problem with the AMERICAN Senseis teaching Japanese with the wrong usage and pronounciation. I'm sure that if you have a Japanese Sensei, he is speaking Japanese correctly. A karate instructor is not exempt from standard business practices at all, but IMO, don't teach what you do not know. I wouldn't want a mechanic working on my car if he thinks he knows what he's doing, but in reality has it all wrong.

Ranks are so over-rated, anyway. If you're good, people will know it. You don't need a fancy belt with lots of stripes to prove your techniques are sound and practiced. Turn yourself into a 10th Dan.... Go to Japan with that rank, and see what happens to you.

To me, them speaking in broken English is not as bad as us speaking in broken Japanese. Remember, we are learning THEIR art; and they are just doing their best to teach US. Wouldn't it be right to honor them, and learn how to speak their language properly as well as their techniques? Also, if they're coming to your dojo; I'm assuming it's not in the Riyukan Arcapellego, and they have traveled away from their homeland. That would give them more of a right to speak brokenly, IMO. If you went to their homeland, and spoke incorrectly, I doubt you'd find anyone to teach you at all. Now I'm not saying I'm great because I speak Japanese. I just took the time to learn it properly, because I believe they deserve it. Itte kimasu. Jaa matta.

As a student of the Japanese language, I agree with this totally. Most pronunciations in dojos are ridiculous, never mind the incorrect usage. I think if you can't say it correctly, stick to English. If one was to follow that line of argument, you might as well say that if you dont do the Karate techniques properly, you shouldn't do them at all. That you cant do something properly is not a reason to give it up, is it? That is true, too. If you're not doing your karate techniques properly, you are in danger of getting hurt. My argument is that while your Sensei will be able to correct your techniques, he cannot correct your Japanese if he doesn't know it himself; and most don't.

Hey Tote--- I was just wondering what your heart rate beats-per-minute is at rest with all of that working out. Will you tell me?

Wouldn't a Japanese instructor appreciate the effort, though? Better than ignoring the roots of your chosen art, I would think. Maybe. I don't know. I do know that when I can't understand a foreigner's English, I don't like it. I would think that they would feel the same way. ?????????????

Yup. Still do it, still hate it.