alanseijas

Thanks for the kudos on the weight loss. It was hard, but worth it. it's funny, I see people that I haven't seen since January, and they don't even recognize me. I had a whole conversation recently with someone, and after 5 minutes; he realized it was me. He said, "Alan???? Is that you???" I went from a size 38 waist to a 30. Now I'm just trying to maintain. Oh yeah, I shaved my beard that I had for 6 years; too. That definately helps the whole not being recognized thing. It's not caffeine, because I don't drink coffee or even soda. I do, however, drink a lot of water; so it's not lack of fluids. Anxiety? Well, maybe you just hit it on the head. My wife thinks I'm having panic attacks, and maybe she's right. I've had some really big changes this year, and I'm really stressing out. It's not like me to feel like I'm helpless and weak. I don't know..... Life can be really hard. Thanks for listening. I'll let you know.

Just kiai on every technique or repitition. I had the same problem until cured this way.

Hello. I'm 34, and started karate training in 1983. I broke my ankle, and didn't get back to the dojo until recently. I had taken 12 years off, and gained 100 pounds. I'm 6 ft tall, and weighed 240. In January, I went back to the dojo; and since then have lost 70 pounds. I was feeling great, until just the other day. My heart beat was sssooo strong (not fast), I was moving the bed with my heart while trying to sleep. I had to get up. I felt a little better 2 hours later, and went back to bed. Since then, I'm short on breath and energy. I even get bouts of pressure in my chest. I went right to the doctor, and she said my blood pressure was higher than normal; and scheduled me for a Halter meter and a sonogram which I have to go to the hospital for Friday and Saturday this week. Now for a little background---- 4 years ago, in a quest to loose weight, my friend suggested "Stacker." It's an Ephedrine based product, and I was taking it for 2 weeks. The last time I took it, I thought I was going to die. My heart was pounding out of my chest, and I never touched it again. It was then that I quit smoking, too. I am wondering if anyone here has had similar experiences with this, and if anyone has any information as to whether I possibly hurt something in my heart with that stuff. My doctor said no, but I am scared. I have 2 kids and a wife that I do not wish to leave. I'm even afraid to work out. My blood pressure normally is 110 over 80 and now it is 130 over 80. My resting heart-beats-per-minute is 70. What is yours? Thanks for any info, and for listening. It feels good to vent a little here.

Ask yourself this question: If you were attacked or put in a dangerous situation, do you feel that when your last resort of fighting was inevitable that you would envolve the use of your MA training? I think you would, so that makes you a martial artist. Good luck.

Personally, I am happy with my Sho-Dan rank. I don't even have any interest in testing above it. I started training in 1983, and I think that this 8th + dan stuff is ridiculous. Especially in my beloved style of Isshinryu because the leading authority alive today is master A. J. Advincula 7th Dan. He told me that Master Shimabuku promoted him to 7th, and he will die a 7th. He's a true master, and a hell of a great guy.

I have always hated Sanchin.

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.

alanseijas-san ganbatte!! Thanks, I will!

Wow! The Tower Of Babylon would be no problem for you! Lesson 11 is giving me problems. I had to listen to lesson 6 like 5 times, too, before I could advance. It's a lot of fun. I'll probably never use it, but at least I'm accomplishing something during my commute to work! I was thinking of learning Spanish next. Do you think that will screw me all up? I think the hardest thing about Japanese is sentence order. It's backwards!

Weapons scare me. You never know if someone is "packing." Another quick story---- When I was 18 (you all know how fired up I was then!), I was driving down the road. All of the sudden, this car comes flying up and gets right on my rear bumper. I start leaning out of the window and yelling at him to back off. It was dark out, so I couldn't see the driver. He wouldn't back off, so I put my blinker on; and pulled over. He promptly pulled behind me. I jumped out and ran to his car ready for a fight. My older brother got out, made like a gun with his hands, and said, "bang, you're dead." What a valuable lesson he had taught me. I never got out of my car or sparked any type of fight on the road again.

Thank you. How is it that you are so versed in the language, if I may ask?

You can say that again!!!!!!

I am no kid, I am neither clueless nor ridiculous, AND WHO IS LAUGHING AT ME?!!!!!!! YOU?

Sumimasen, wakarimasen. Mada jozu ja arimasen. You are obviously much more advanced than I. I have the Pimsleur method level 1, and am on lesson 11. Can you tell me, please, the word meaning "this evening." Is it "bam" or ban"? As in "dinner", is it "bamgohan" ka "bangohan"? Also, do you pronounce the "h" in "sHichi"? Domo arigato gozaimasu!

Again, it was 15 years ago. I did leave her after the second time she did it, and haven't seen her since. I know it wasn't his "fault," but I did have a conversation with him about her and him being only friends. I told him I'd kill him if I ever found out that anything more had ever happened, and I always do what I say I'm going to do. I am a different man today. Even if my wife cheated on me, I wouldn't go after the guy.

I never said I was PROUD of it, I was merely answering the question posed by this thread. BTW, what is a "G" and a "GTA"? Anyway, I was 19 years old. That was 15 years ago! I have changed A LOT since then. I also said that when she did it again, I had learned my lesson; and walked away. I am now married to someone else whom I love, and I have 2 boys (6 and 3) that are my pride and joy. We ALL have things in our past that we've done that we probably shouldn't have done. Just try to tell me you've been a perfect angel your whole life. The experiences we have in life shape our personalities in every way. It is a part of my past. It does, however, make a great conversational piece. Can you tell me you didn't enjoy reading it?

How did you thin it down (what did you use)? What was the ratio? Thanks!

Really? Where might I find that?

Is anyone in here studying the Japanese language? Watashi wa nihongo ga scoshe hanashemasu. Demo, mada jozu ja arimasen.

Thanks for the replies. I think I've got the name wrong. I do remember "The Revenge Of The Ninja" with Sho Koshugi. Great movie! Not what I'm searching for, though. This was an OLD movie. It was dubbed, and I'm sure they changed the name of it for America. It was shown quite often on the old "Kung Fu Theater." As for e-bay, what should I search for (under)?

Sepultura-- The 6 foot deep hole dug in the ground before the burial of a deceased human individual OR the heaviest band ever to walk the Earth (I miss Max!)! Sorry, I've no help on your search for MA; NICE username, though. Wish I thought of that. Maybe I'll change my name to SLAYER!

How do you pay your bills? I would love to just work-out all day and not work! Maybe you get paid to teach those classes?

Yeah. He's not a jerk, but I think he's a little mad that I didn't buy it from him. I can understand that, but it was a great e-bay deal. I've already used it, and it's not returnable. Now that I've used the "Warrior" gear, I don't want to use any other. It breathes so well, and fits great. It has added protection right in the places you need it. The only problem is that it's expensive, and I'd hate to have a set just laying around at home...... The black idea makes sense. Rats, now I want black.

I bought this great new gear for kumite. It's the Macho Warrior gear. I bought it in blue, and I love it. The only problem, is that my Sensei only wants white gear in the dojo (I didn't know that). Does anyone have any suggestions to re-color this gear white, or should I sell it and buy new? Thanks in advance........

It was a pretty big school, so the BR's were large. I don't know..... It was a long time ago. Maybe 20 people? There were some in the hallway, too. Oh well. Memories, memories.........