Mr. Mike

I've been single for about a year and a half now, and with good reason...she took my car, stole half of the stuff at my business, and destroyed what she and her friends left of it. I should thank her though for giving me the kick I needed to get my life back in order and reestablish my prioritaaahs. Anyway, I've moved on(with bitterness), but am for the better now. I've gone out and seen a couple of gals in the last year, but nothing really seems to work...maybe I'm too picky, or maybe I just don't want it right now, who knows? I feel like the little waggily tail guy in Shallow Hal...I keep finding character flaws in all the ladies I see. Some minor, some bad, like the 23 yr old I went out with who was EXTREMELY afraid of the dark??? OK, lights on all the time??? Not this guy. I can't sleep with them on. Imaturity, too drunk, too much of a tit, whines too much, too bichy, too much of a golddigger(wrong tree hunny!), every little thing you can think of, I've thought of and didn't want to deal with it. Here's the problem: There this girl that I work with(there always is, isn't there?), and I'm highly interested. I guess when I say interested, it's because she's met all the criteria. THey are as follows: independant(isn't looking for a free ride, or doens't have daddy's wallet in her mouth), has kids(that last witch couldn't handle kids...she told me time and again that she isn't cut out for it, and even got downright abusive with them) which is a plus, has her own place and car(do I really need to elaborate here?), has a job(obviously) good looks and personality(when the hell does that happen?), we share similarities in backgrounds(she's traveled and seen things, not a small town hick, and other personal things that I'm too tired to go into right now), isn't afraid to speak her mind, is well spoken/articulate(I F'ING hate piss-poor grammar), we share similar interests, and one of the most important things that I look for, she's goal oriented(she has ambition, I can't tell you how sickening it is to live with somebody who only wants to sleep 15 hours a day and cruise the strip the rest of the time). She's also my age, which is hard to find around here...all I seem to find is girls 10 yrs younger than me, so this is a rare treat(again, maturity wise...it's amazing what 10 yrs will do for a woman). Only thing is, I don't have much time to date. My typical schedule is like this: 5am, I get home and either catch up on some practice time or computer work til I get my kids up at 6:30 for school; I take my daughter to school at 8am and get to bed around 20min after that; I sleep till 3pm, get up, shower and my son gets off the bus at 3:30. I eat and at 3:50 my daughter has to be picked up from her school. Then we go to the Karate school at 4pm where I teach the 4:30 and sometimes the 5-6 class as well as other things that I need to do there. I then take the 6-7pm class and on thursdays and fridays I take the 7-8pm advance classes too. Then we go home and eat supper, the kids go to bed and I go to work at 9pm...then get off work and if you need to see the next day just start at the above paragraph again. So, Like I said, I have no time...well, without sacrificing what is important to me. But, I don't want to have her wait(like I could if I tried, right?)and end up snoozing and losing. Thing is, I'll have more time in Sept. which is the date that I WILL test for my Black Belt and get all the phenomenal cosmic power/itty bitty lving space that comes along with it...namely recognition as a professional and full teaching credentials. It is unfair for me to ask her to just 'standby' till sept. but in the same respect, it would be unfair for me to see her very occaisionally until then. Oh yeah, I should mention that she likes me too. One of the girls that we work with likes to play Devil's Advocate and let little info slip to me(and most likely the other way around if I know women well enough) that she is waiting for me to ask her out. She said she is going to ask me out to coffee(yes, gentlemen, this what 'old' people do for entertainment...sorry, no wild parties any more, so enjoy it while you can) one of these mornings, but was waiting for me to ask her out. So, SHould I go for it, and quit acting like a little damned 6th grader? Or put it on hold as I've done many other things lately? Holy crap, I've written a book...and my high-school typing teacher said I would never type...all your typing teachers are belong to us!! I guess bottom line is, what would you do in this position?

take your time and visit every studio in town...see what you like...ask for demonstrations. Every good school should be willing to help you with what you want to know. You can ask 50 different people here and get as many different answers, because we are all VERY dedicted to our own particular style, so bottom line: you have to pound the pavement and see what you like.

Zhong Gau- our only form is the Master Form, which is all of our defense techniques in the order that they are taught with varying transitions between them, so not really anything that would be considered 'classical chinese forms.' hopefully that answers your query. we do have other forms, but they are very short and only for the first two belt levels...otherwise after 1st dan we are required to make a creative form.

I did indeed say Jut Sau! Kenpo may be my style, but I use anything that works...I know of no system that can be kncked. Everything has it's plusses. THe others were (bear with me now, I was busy trying these and not too busy writing them down) Bong Sau, and Lom Pau(again, hope I seplled those right.), there others, but I couldn't remember all the names, just teh way they are HIGHLY effective!

well, just keep at it...remember, perfect practice makes perfect! welcome

I agree for the most part with waht he's saying. We train wtih fully padded Blauer Tactical suits so students will get the crap scared out of them, and WILL get hit, as well as the chance to experience hitting something other than the heavy bag or air with full force whilst being scared. Still if you are training this way, a person gets accustomed to it, and when the street issue happens, they run the risk of buckling under the pressure. I disagree your Kempo comments, Vinnie, but then I would becasue it's my style, and has worked very well for me. But again, I train differently than many others. In regular line drills, if I don't get it right, I get hit...HARD! So, I wear some protective padding...I compete every chance I get to get the human element involved...I go to the mat with other students in submisson matches...and there is no substitute for knowing what to expect in a streetfight. I've been in too many...mostly when I was younger, but I know I can take a hit, and most importantly, I know that I won't be overcome with the adrenalin...it's just like another aspect of my training, but I don't have to change out of my gi afterward, i have to get outta dodge.

1. any karate, well trained 2. Pa Qua Chan 3. Tai Chi Chuan 4. Judo 5. Combat Hapkido 6. from here to ten is simple, a combination of all the rest and lotsa nonstop training. an opinion here, so please don't flame.

IKCA American Kenpo is basically the same as what Bruce Lee was doing...Keeping what worked and throwing away what didn't. No, Not every situation will be the same as in training, in fact most likely, not a single situation will ever be the same as in training. here, check this out:http://www.karateconnection.com/IKCA3.PDF Go to the article about the night I met Bruce Lee, by Chuck Sullivan. There you will see what I meant by Keeping what works and throwing away what doesn't If you can't decide between striking and grappling, here's an idea: CROSS TRAIN! Learn the best of all worlds.

if you're serious, and this post wasn't a joke of some kind, then I would suggest to walk away...every time...if they chase you, run away, if they surround you, pick the weakest one to run through on the hell out of there...you get my point? if this happens in the open, then somebody in authority should have noticed by now, if not, then make them aware of it, even to the point of being a snitch...who cares if you're a snitch with his health. If it happens where there is nobody else around, stop putting yourself in that situation...take a different route home, or to wherever. Take notes: A brave soldier is not violent. A skillful fighter does not lose his temper. A great general wins without a battle. A mighty rule governs through humility. This is known as the virtue of not striving. -Lao Tzu if you learn one thig from that it should be to not try and confront them. You beat them with fists, they come back with knives, you beat them with knives, they come back with a gun. I've been there...I decided to take action when I was 15, and I have nasty scars and broken teeth to show for it...not nearly as cool as a trophy from a tournament.[/u][/b]

in sparring, I use kicks alot as well...the reach is better, but that is sport karate. in a real situation, I wouldn't hesitate to close that gap and make the moron wish he had an arm left to tap with. remember to keep sparring(which is basically karate tag) and real fighting seperate. ever sit and watch the black belt sparring divisions at the tournaments? they are mostly kicks, in fact, I think they look kinda ridiculous leaning way back and hopping after their opponent on one leg with that other shin snapping about...but it works for karate tag, and works well...you wouldn't see them doing that on the street though.

Hillary Swank...that's it. You know, Julie San

maybe this will help: http://directory.google.com/Top/Sports/Martial_Arts/Jujutsu/Aikido/Schools_and_Instruction/North_America/United_States/California/ there are a couple in your area. http://www.metroactive.com/papers/cruz/09.22.99/guide-karate-9938.html the last link may also be of some help...good luck, and happy hunting. it's a shame when the drama gets out of hand.

part three had that girl that played a cross-dressing psycho in "boys don't cry"...man what an adjustment to make after watching that one.

a guy my size doesn't run too fast, so I'll stick with the kenpo and combat hapkido... welcome nonetheless

don't try this at home! http://media.ebaumsworld.com/afroninja.mpg I like how he just keeps flipping the chuks around even though he totally schooled himself...

welcome! Heißen Sie willkommen, ist es gut, von Ihnen zu hören. hope I got that right...it's been awhile.

You just have to tell the overweight people to keep at it, and give them small compliments. For the love of all that is holy, don't ask them if they are losing weight!!! That irks me because it's used mostly by people looking for a quick way to compliment somebody...they wouldn't say that to an anorexic, would they? Tell them the seem to moving around better and remind them that low stamina is temporary. I've lost almost 80 lbs. since getting back into training in April of this year. I was 360lbs when I walked in the door, and I bet some of the people there were just thinking "oh jeez...not another one..." I never let the weight slow me down. I've had prior training, just made poor choices. So imagine the surprise on the faces of some of the higher belts when I would score on them on sparring night. I had many people tell me that they've never seen a person my size move so fast. Either way, I wouldn't think of trying to dissuade an overweight person from joining. Quite the contrary. My chief instructor likes to use me as his success story, which in turn gives me motivation to do that much better. As for how to work around the limitations of obesity, jsut let the student pace him/herself, but don't let them give up. Make them aware that if they push just a little further when they can't possibly give any more, that's when they grow. If we sat down every time we got the least bit winded, where would we get...same thing.

The following is taken directly from the KArate Connection website(Ed Parker's American Karate): "15. I have a bad hip joint and I have trouble kicking with my right leg. Can I still test and get my Black Belt? 16. I have been partially paralyzed by a stroke, left side, can I still test and become a ranked Blackbelt? We have put these questions together because they have the common denominator of a physical issue. Each case is different, because each individual is different and if we can see a way for a person to proceed in the Art and progress, we will work with them to the full extent of our abilities... ...Getting your Black Belt involves much more than being able to do specific moves to a particular level of proficiency. Certainly, that's the first thing that's looked for but physical conditions and many other factors have to be taken into consideration so that we can make Kenpo work for you. Ed Parker was fond of saying that "Kenpo is like a fine suit made from exquisite fabric and it should be tailored to you". Every intelligent person instinctively knows that if two men of equal knowledge, abilities, talent and experience (if you could ever find two such people) were to meet on the field of battle, and one was five feet tall and the other six feet tall, the six-footer with superior strength and reach would have a natural advantage. So to say that a man in a wheelchair is equal in mobility to a man with his natural ability to maneuver, would be ludicrous. Could the man in the wheelchair have superior upper body strength? Yes he could. Could the man in the wheelchair have superior fighting knowledge and strategies, having learned how to make the chair work for him, instead of against him? Yes he could. Would these be enough to assure him a victory? It would surely make a huge difference in his chances. Would he be better off with practiced fighting skills and strategies than without them? Of course he would. So why would anyone wish to deny him those tools, just because he doesn't fit the usual mold? If the man in the wheelchair were to put forth the same effort the mobile man puts out and if the man in the wheelchair were to replace his weaknesses with strengths and, with our help, modify the system to work for him, would he not be deserving of receiving a Black Belt for this extraordinary effort. We think the answer is, yes. In fact, considering those obstacles we might even say, more deserving. We have not had the opportunity to work with a case like this but we would certainly be available if it should ever present itself." Perhaps this can help you make a decision. Good luck, and in the words of Churchill: Never, never, never quit.

hello all. I'm 30 yrs old, live in WI, originally from San Antonio TX, single parent of two kids, interests are matial arts, cars, reading, cooking. I have 13yrs experience in the martial arts, starting american freestyle karate when I was 17, and am currently less than a year away from black belt in the IKCA. My plans are to open my own school someday and teach as many people as I can the myriad benefits that the martial arts have to offer. any questions, please ask.

yes, Mr. Metz is my instructor, confidant and very good friend. That man has a heart of gold. He's running me through and accelerated instructor's program right now, and opening more schools soon. He also teaches Okinawan Kobudo and Combat Hapkido, as well as TKD to the right people. So, how did you know of him? The IKCA is one of the most well organized associations I've ever stumbled across. I like the way the curriculum is laid out for the students; no guessing games, no * esoterics. I've had the opportunity to train personally with Mr. Leroux. What a fantastic stylist! He introduced me to the principles of Jut Sau and other dynamic training ideas. How far are you in the IKCA tapes?

I don't think there is a minimum age, as long as THEY are ready. It's also a great way to help instill decent values. My son sstarted when he was 5, and he's doing great. My daughter is 8 and she is doing a good job with it also. AT our school, we don't hesitate to correct them if they are inaccurate, but it's to a different degree that we would correct an adult. With the children, it's important to keep in mind not to get overly technical, for exaple, if a defense technique employs leg checks, we would overlook the inaccuracy or sloppy leg placement in favor of gross mechanics, until they have mastered the basic movements. They have more time to develop than the adults usually wish to take. According to our association's rules(IKCA), they have until the age of 16 to test for their adult black belt. Until then, they are junior black belts. So if a child were to fulfill the requirements for Junior Black Belt at the age of ten, they would have another 6 years to polish and refine. That's alot of time.

I practice Chinese Kenpo as taught by Ed Parker. IKCA Love it.

our school has a leadership team which is comprised of a few black belts, but mostly colored belts, who act as junior instructors. My job is to teach the little dragons class, which is a whole lot of fun, but more stressful than teaching the youth and adult classes. In the youth and adult classes, you instruct them, and they're ok with it, but in the little dragons class, I always worry about mom or dad sitting there mentally picking me apart, plus my son is in my little dragons class, so that was kind of weird at first for both of us.

I guess my answer is a bit simpler than most here. I would simply slip the attack(assuming a right hook) and counter by either using his momentum against him by grabbing the arm and hip tossing, or slip and parry/grab his wrist as he goes past the point of impact, then take the legs out; all the while using his momentum against him. There are so many factors to consider, such as is it a tight hook or a long sweeping hook? I wouldn't bother to block the tight hook, just slip it, but the long hook, I would own all day by getting inside and showing him what Farfergnugen is all about . See, I'm starting to get loquacious here, and I just thought I had something simple to state. argh.

I would say to give Ed Parker's Kenpo a try. One of the basic elements of the system is that it taylors to the student, not the other way around. Ultimately, it's up to you waht style to try, but I wold say that any style is better than giving up. Most schools will offer a trial membership. Why not test drive a few of them to see which one seems right? Or simply sit and watch some classes at any of the schools in your area. Good luck, and I wish you the best. THe training has completely turned my life around, but nobody wants another sob story, so I'll spare you The story mentioned above was indeed very touching, and is s tesimonial to the human spirit. Kinda makes you think twice before complaining that your feet are a bit sore, or your shoulder aches inthe morning, or you can't get rid of that pesky zit. Never take anything for granted, not even the air that you breathe. Think I'm kidding about the air, just visit a terminal lung cancer patient in the hospital.