vertigo

Hmm... mine would be where I run from the camera. I hate pictures! ahh.. i end up having them anyway. I have never had to "pose" though.

While warming up for kumite, you elbow strike your drawing arm... I wish this was a fake one like my others :lol: it was hilarious though.

I'd say ignoring it is the best technique.. Laughing with them works too, if nothing else, probably confuses the heck outa them . Of course, remember, there is a certain point where any kind of verbal harrasment crosses the line, where these techniques are either not effective or even a good idea... you don't need to be a verbal punching bag. (keep in mind though, this isn't free reign to beat the pulp outa them.. find other ways around it first, if possible)

I too am cellphoneless... oh well, doesn't bug me too much

My initial reaction to that is: If you enjoy Judo, why stop? That is your call though... Do you want to learn a new art more than you want to continue Judo? If you can answer that question, you're problems are solved! (If only it were that easy ) Good luck with your decision

I don't drink either tea or coffee... just doesn't work for me. However, I LOVE the smell of it (as odd as that is ).. I'd just as soon brew a pot of coffee just for the smell.

we can't tell you I only got to level two the first few times I tried..

Wait a second!! How'd this article get in the karate section?!? Very good "article" I might think that 3 years is a little excessive to practice a kata.. at the moment. I've only been in karate for 6 months, so 3 years sounds like a lot right now. Your points on the visualization of the attacker during kata were very good, and I agree fully. When you imagine (as much as possible) an attacker in front of you, kata does turn into your own imaginary battle.. and thus, you can feel the added energy in the kata. Still being very much a beginner, this is still tough to do, but when I can, I find myself moving faster and with sharper attacks..

I haven't had a sensei-related injury yet I have been the "demonstration dummy" occasionally, mostly going over the application of kata... its always a nice thought knowing that he's going to (for example) throw a full speed forearm into your throat, just short... first time that happened, I was just sitting there thinking "don't move don't move don't move... phew! :P" Doesn't matter that I know he's been doing this forever and is very routine for him... it still freaks me out a little bit yeah, no kidding.. I recently elbow struck my drawing arm, full speed.. I ended up putting a small hole in my hand (how did I do that? ), and it started swelling right away... naturally, I start laughing at the sight of my hand getting bigger by the second.

Welcome to the forums

wouldn't surprise me much

^ Sounds like what my sensei has told us regarding black belt levels.. "Once you hit shodan, congratulations! You're ready to learn now"

My dojo doesn't give out a new black belt for each grade. It seems that you just continue using that belt.. We don't have stripes either. My Sensei has probably had his current belt far longer than I've been alive... it is very worn in... One question for those who might know.. he does have a piece of red tape on one end of his belt.. does this have any signifigance?

Wow.. I had no clue we had this many kicks .. The only ones I had been aware of were the ones that G95 listed above... and I can hardly get these down well (kicks are not really my thing), so I'll just stick to those at the moment (and many more moments to follow ). Although I wouldn't doubt it for a second that some of the other kicks listed show up later in limited circumstances.

Umm... I don't know. I suppose it all depends on the organization, and I don't think it'd be tough to find out. I know my sister's TKD club has patches on their uniforms... it is also late here though not that late

I also agree with the above opinions. With hard enough work, anyone can reach their goals.

Hmm... well, if I was still learning everything I would normally and continue improving? Psh.. at that point, I wouldn't mind being an 8th kyu for life.. I wouldn't care - as long as I was still learning and getting better. A black belt (for example) is not just putting on a belt, it's a level of skill... so what difference does it make if you just take away the belt? edit: I do not mind belts though, as contradictory as that is. It's nice to have a tangible level to shoot for. i.e.- in golf, it'd be tough to know how good you were if you never kept score.. as I type this, I am almost positive there will be those who disagree with my whole 'its nice to have tangible levels' idea... oh well, that's the way it is... this is just my opinion

I have The Sum of All Fears, still haven't read it all yet though... I wanna say I read Hunt for Red October a long time ago, but I could be mistaken... I've had people recommend Rainbow Six to me though.. how is it so far?

yep, it sure was.

Just figured I'd share my day with everyone One of the best karate experiences yet! It was a blast... My kata went well... although I still really don't have Heian Nidan down too much, I still managed to pull a 2-2 record (didn't qualify for final round) in our 10-7kyu kata competition. Kumite went much better! I was rather surprised, I ended up with fourth place in 10-7kyu division. Our club really represented here, taking 1st-4th place. Only thing that went a little awry in kumite: in my second match, I dropped back in to a downward block, and forgot to indicate before attacking! I am very glad I was aiming above my opponents head, not at it. So no medals for me, but a great overall experience. It was a blast. (other than when I was warming up for kumite, I managed to elbow strike my drawing wrist right on a bone.. full speed left a nice bruise)

Yep, you play over the net.. You "build" a team made up of mlb players and compete against other teams. You get points for how good your players did during a span of time (week, day, whatever)

I'm in, Patrick.

Indeed you have! Welcome to the forums.

Welcome to KF, adino.

I'd say if you trained for a while with these Senseis, and were at your black belt test, you must have a pretty decent relationship. I don't think it would be odd to talk to them about their lineage. Phone call/ in person?? hmm... I don't know, that's your call And no, i don't have a written tree, it's just something I know. Good luck with your decision, and if you do, talking with your Senseis. Enjoy it! If you haven't talked to them for a while, they might also enjoy hearing from a past student.