White Warlock

Aye, and that's my point. I too don't want others to notice, to get the impression i'm showing off, or want to encourage some njub to bounce off my chest. And yet, i still do these things in public, as do you... and as does Drunken Monkey. So while our goal may not be to advertise, there does seem to be an underlying intent with our actions. For we still do these things in public (in the presence or witness of others), and yet not more than to consider them a 'spurt' of, "Watch me. Oop, did i do that?" You see, there is something there. Something that shouldn't be happening. Something... We do these things for a reason, and not merely because, "it's there." Brings up a memory. I recall the times i would attack trees with hand/arm strike/block combinations. I would do this while walking, and not missing a step, usually in the company of a friend or acquaintance. I recall most of the time they would look at me odd, or make some derogatory comment, and i would respond with, "it looked at me funny." In those times, it seems i may have been attempting to 'show my wares' or 'initiate discussion about martial arts.' I frankly can't step back in time on these things, and determine specific intent, for intent was quite a fuzzy navel whenever such actions were involved. But, what does stick in mind, is that it continues to happen. I still do these things. Subtle, not so blatant, and rarely with the intent to give anyone around me a degree of discomfort... but still... something...

Agreed, well said Trappersan, and welcome.

Every day, all the time. Consciously and subconsciously, i find myself practicing. I open doors with my knees or slide through doors with a sweeping hand technique that follows through to me making a shoulder impact, then hold them open for others with a back step. A week ago i'm waiting for my car to be repaired, and i see this shock absorber display, so i start treating it like a wing chun dummy. And just the other day i was at a Rite-Aid and i started playing with various items as a prescription was being filled. Grabbed canes and swung them about. Grabbed gum packets and juggled them. Performed a few stationary hand techniques. And then someone commented. I noticed that i actually liked the fact someone noticed, which made me realize that these actions may not merely be practice, but an opportunity to advertise. This, in and of itself, ended up bothering me. Because if i'm doing this not merely to practice, but in the hopes others will go "ooh, ahh" then i'm holding to the wrong motivation.

Kill Bill, Sauzin is correct. You may feel sorry for bringing it up, but if this truly happened, and you're not merely attempting to shock us with a fabrication (common for someone of your age, so please don't feel uncomfortable if this is the case, or feel offended if it is not), then whatever 'rationale' you may have imposed, is false. Look, the action you noted was criminal and it could happen again. Maybe not to you, but to someone else, and possibly to someone you care about (your little sister or brother perhaps). Indeed, the next time it happens, the results could end a life, or cause permanent disability/scarring. Now, you could argue that what he did was for your own good, but that's the argument posed by every victim of abuse. It was not for your own good. Period. Please, tell your parents. At the very least, do this.

thank you.

I've not seen these so-called studies, but i'll take your word for it. Anyway, visualization works best when you are the only sentient variable to contend with. I.e., visualizing the perfect dive, the perfect run, or the perfect choreographed kata. But, when you are dealing with an adversary, visualization can get you in trouble... especially when things don't work out how you visualized they would. And, in a confrontation gone physical, it is 'always' not how you visualized it to be. So, don't get all caught up in visualization. It's a good thing to do, when looking at the big picture (the scene), but not at the little picture (the fight).

Umm, no. there is only one type of adrenalin.

Shorinryu, there's this disorder called borderline personality. It's essentially a disorder whereby the person pushes people to the edge (thus the 'borderline' title). They examine your character, your persona, and try to find your buttons... then proceed to press them repeatedly. Lots of kids develop this survival behavior, but grow out of it. Looks like that student of yours never did. I.e., don't let it bother you so much.

Umm, Vinnie, doing something like that could get you 10 to life.

Cutting to the core of your questions, we do not know what your friend's experiences or training may have been. He may not be telling you, for whatever reason. We also do not know the extent of, or quality of, training that the antagonist received. In the end, it is the practitioner, not the style. How he trains, not what he trains in. His commitment and tenacity, not his school's credentials. etc...

Sounds like that so-called martial artist wasn't very good, especially with attempting to implement a wristlock while the opponent still has the ability to strike. Also, do you know the training history of your friend? It may be that him being humble is an indication he's had quite a bit of training. Anyway, the aggressor's actions were criminal and your friend should press charges. Letting him get away with this is wrong on so many levels.

Yes, the katana is a slashing/thrusting weapon, not a hacking weapon. Personally, i see this discussion as a tad silly. The reason being, the outcome is being posed by the assumption that the wielders (whomever is losing) don't know how to use said weapons properly.

The point i was attempting to make with my earlier post was that you have the 'opportunity' to learn a very effective set of ground skills. You should run with that opportunity, and put your ego aside. Ask him to teach you, whilst giving him a partner to practice with. In time, he might gain respect and start asking you to teach him. But there's no need to force him to gain respect, or force him to want to learn. It's his obstacle. Don't make it yours.

i had a friend in high school, back in the Jurassic period, who once challenged me to a friendly wrestling bit. He repeatedly beat me soundly, and i thought i was pretty good before then. Anyway, he was a CIF champ for his weight division and encouraged me to join the high school wrestling team, where my passion for the martial arts escalated exponentially.

Agreed. Again, it is the practitioner, not the style (or, in this case, the weapon). A personal example was when i had a student of mine attack me with a nunchaku. I was armed with a bo. I easily deflected all his attacks whilst continuously 'touching' him on his chest or abdomen. In frustration, he argued that it was an unfair fight because my weapon had a really long range and was sturdy. I let him argue his point. Even agreed with him. I then asked for the nunchaku, handed him the bo, and asked him to attack me. The rest, you can figure out for yourself.

Hey! Don't knock the super deadly diving crane attack!

Hmm.. i've heard this comment a few times before. What's with all this 'control' issue? Just let yourself go.

After my initial posts in this thread, i've been avoiding adding any additional comments, for fear of squelching your enthusiasm. Personally, i'm all for you getting into writing such a story. Not all stories are for all persons. Some like short stories, some long. Some prefer science fantasy, others historical fiction, or even autobiographies. So, whatever you write, there will definitely be a niche for it. The catch is, in order for it to be a 'best seller,' it has to be a large niche AND it has to be written well. I don't consider it bad writing, or even lazy. Much depends on the 'length' of the story, as well as what the writer wants to focus on. But, i would say it is a lost opportunity. Presentation of visuals, bringing in the reader's various senses (taste, touch, smell, etc) into a story is far more important a feature at the onset of a book, than merely getting the resumes of the characters out there in the most expeditious of fashions. As well, doing so tends to undermine the 'mystique' associated with characters. Now, in some stories, that's exactly what you want to do, so you can highlight how the clearly understood character 'reacts' to unusual circumstances, or even mundane ones. However, the vast majority of 'interesting' stories with action heros rely on said mystique. The mystery of the character presented in bits and parts as the reader goes along. Not only does the story capture the reader, but their interest in knowing 'more' about the character(s) hooks them into the next chapter, and the next. Writing is an art. There are some definite basics that need to be understood, and which many fledgling writers care not to educate themselves on, but there really are no rules for how you paint your story. Take the paint, the brushes, the medium... follow the basic guidelines for color, shade/shadow, contour, dimension, and run with it. When your skills improve, maybe you can remove dimension, or color, or shade/shadow. Hell, dabble in it with a few short stories, to get the feel of working with handicaps. But, always keep in mind, attempting to emulate a great writer... can only be done if you are that great writer. Be yourself, write your own stuff. Nothing is original, so presentation... the art of it all... is what will carry the success of your writings.

Really? I could have sworn you said you were an unwashed pugilist.

bugs

Bah! That's my line!

jed, is this truly worth debating over? I'm sure you realize the points that have been presented.

Excellent point.

hmm... i pulled out a Banquet brand turkey pot pie from the freezer, shoved it in the microwave for 5 minutes, and ate it with a fork. Oh, you mean there's more to this whole thanksgiving thing?

hehe, well i was actually being honest. I've been working on remodeling a home pretty far from where i live, so i've been staying here for a week now... without having shaved. Hell, i still need to trim my friggin' beard. Lookin' pretty ragged. Oh yeah, and i'm cybering with my laptop connected to my cell phone. I'm so... hip. < a moment of silence >