Mr. Mike

welcome Denton. DFW by way of WI here. good to hear another Texan. choose your school wisely.

you need to keep a close eye on everything...eyes, hands, minute finger movements, veins in nech/forehead, muscle ticks, foot movement or lack of, fidgeting, calmness, etc...you have to take in the whole picture in order to assess the siuation accurately...don't succumb to 'tunnel vision' or the belief that any particular part of a potential attacker's body will tell you what they are doing...while you look into his eyes, he'll kick you into oblivion, or when you watch her chest, she'll clap an ear...take in the big picture, also your surroundings. Watch for additional threats.

update: brown IKCA plan for shodan next year sometime.

so this other gal barely knows your name? walk up and introduce yourself. Ask her out. See if she's game. If not, don't get bummed...try again. There must be more 'fine' gals out there. Dude, I remmeber 9th grade like it was yesterday...you're right in the middle of a dating pool and don't even realize it. Open your eyes, sieze the day. No confidence? Think of it this way, if 75% of all girls you ask out will say no, then 2 of every 8 will say yes. Look for the answer 'no.' Then once you get it, you won't be so crushed...plus you may just be surprised. oh and brush up that confidence...apparently this is the no. 1 thing in women's polls that they look for.

perhaps this guy was faking it for comedic effect?

thanks, but I've been out of that for nearly a year's time now. I'm not blind...I know when I am putting my family in harm's way. We are out. I still have my sister ask for help either financially or otherwise, and I am disinclined to offer any more assistance until she figures it out on her own. My take is, 'if you don't want the help, don't ask.' Or, 'if you ask for help, and I offer you help, don't get mad for the help that I offer.' I've dealt with his PO, and my sister was extremely upset with me for even trying to help. She accused me of trying to break them up. Oh well...one of these days...I would go into the financial side, but that is a different story altogether...

your original question was "is 3 months worth it?" Look at what you learned in two days. Imagine...3 more months. You may even be hooked longer.

I spend alot of time in the mirror also. I happen to enjoy taking pride in my appearance. What's wrong with looking decent and enjoying it? So long as you aren't being vain, there's no harm in it.

I guess the point is that I didn't need to. Slam my actions if you want; we all have our own opinions. I was trying to help, and he was attending counseling. I've always tried to give a second chance. Yes, my sister does need help...NO, she doesn't want it, and won't listen or follow when it's offered. Maybe someday, I may find her tied to a refrigerator, maybe not...who can say? DId I want to smash his jaw, or take a knee, or throw him down the stairs? SUre. I also wanted to kill him. Did I? Of course not. Why should I have when I owned the situation? My entire point was that I could have killed the guy had I not excercised self restraint.

if your hips hurt, take it easy for a couple of days. As for strengthening your wrists, any upper body excercises should work due to the fact that you have to grip the weight with your hands, and support with your wrists. Talk with a personal trainer, or go to your local Y. Mine has a physical consultant that I can ask quesdtions like that of. Otherwise, use the heavy bag with light to medium power for a bit a couple of times a week...eventually you will get there.

My school has been around for about 6 years, and currently is seeing a huge growth explosion...we went from 110 students to abotu 135 students in the last month or so...YEAH!!! those management and sales CD's, books, courses, etc. are paying off. We also have a leadership team of about 7 members to help with the instruction, one head instructor, and 2 BB instructors. That is for our core program of Chinese Kenpo. Our other 2 programs maybe have 15 students between the two. But they are getting there.

not if you don't let it. be mature...we are supposed to keep things at a higher level.

Thank you Patrick, well said. White Warlock, everybody is different. I think Funakoshi is the one who said that the definition of Karate lies in the development of character. So for me to say that the finding purpose, and countless experiences is very important, is to lend credibility to Gichin's writing. I could have experienced the 'growing up' and the relationships elsewhere...anybody can, and yes it si a part of growing up...My self development has skyrocketed through the constant pushing myslef harder than I ever thought I could, the endless introspection, and the devotion to the passing of 'my' art to others. In my line of work, as you already noted, you kind of need that cloth diploma hanging around your waist for the sake of credibility. I am a businessperson as well as a practitioner of the arts, so I need to let others know that I am eminently well qualified to teach them, their children, etc. That would happen easier wtiha black belt than just throwing on some workout gear and trying to convince. ALso, the 1% of the 3% is something we talk about alot in my school...it is great motivation. It goes like this: 3% of the general populace will ever train in any sort of formalized fighting system, be it karate, TKD, whatever. Only 1% of those will see it through to BB. So if you have 100,000 people in your town, figure on 3,000 ever taking any sort of Martial Art. Out of those 3,000 only 30 will follow through to BB. THat means out of 100,000 people, 30 will get their BB. That is a pathetic number, and a great number all at the same time. It's pathetic in that only 30 people out of 100,000 will have the discipline to ever complete most long term endeavors. It's a great number in that it puts BBs in a vast minority...kind of an elite warrrior class. As BBs we also have a greater responsibility to society. A responibility to stand for what is right, to fight for good, and to protect where needed. Might sound pretentious, but then maybe so am I for believing in honor.

cajones is no replacement for ethics and foresight.

Dallas/FtWorth All things considered, I wouldn't date somebody from school...just a personal rule...same as dating somebody at work. I violated that rule, and just got out of a bad thing.

brava...I never thought of it like that... what a paperework mess that would be, eh? another problem is that as with any organization, it will tend to corrupt. Something like the bar is easy...the laws of the nations are written in clear and concise copies. That isn't true for most of the schools/styles/arts out there. Think of the MA industry as a sort of pre 1776 usa. Too many chiefs, not enough indians. If we wanted to standardize it, we would have way too many wars to wage...both paper and otherwise. Personally, I think that if we are talking teaching here, then we should promote a ntaionally accredited teaching course, or at least something industry specific...much in the way of the Kovar's Instructor Training Program. Eric_, I think you already know a bit of something about that, as you are well on your way to getting your teaching certificate and hopefully someday running your own school within the bylaws of the IKCA.

My BB means many things to me: 1. I'm the first in my entire family to get one. 2. I told myself that I wouldn't stop until I got one, and countless injuries, jammed fingers, dislocations later...I guess it has something to do with seeing something to completion. 3. Countless memories, relationships, experiences along the way. 4. Refinement of character...a sort of growing up and finding a purpose...even at my age, I still needed to do that. 5. I'm 1% of the 3% 6. My confidence and self respect is where it has never been. 7. I can teach my art to others, and positively impact the lives of my students the way my instructor has positively impacted my life. the list could go on forever. You may notice that 'knowing how to fight' isn't in there. I think Gracie said "My Black belt only covers 2 inches of my butt, I'm responsible for the rest." Yeah, the BB holds some prestige for me. I know that it has been watered down and in some cases just shouldn't be given, but we can only blame the greedy instructors who hand them over for a 'small' fee. as for the 12 yr olds getting the black belt...put yourself in those shoes...would you turn it down? Not if you were that 12 yr. old. He feels he worked just as hard as we all feel we've worked, and ini most cases is probably prouder than we are to get that belt. At 12 yrs old, that is most likely the greatest acheivement he could have made. We shouldn't take that away from him byt telling him he doesn't deserve it...we should however, take exception to the teacher who handed that belt if it is, indeed, undeserved.

nah, I think people are referring to the fact that after enough time the BB tends to fray and look white around the edges. I've been studying chinese kenpo since last april, and am going to be brown this month. This isn't typical. I have prior MA training, so I didn't need too much time to study the basics level. I plan to be BB for Cinco de Mayo. Usually, it takes no less than 18 mos to go from brown to black, but like I said, I have prior knowledge, and already know my material...I just have to refine my stuff, and pass that 20 man mass-attack as needed for BB. In my system, it should take about 4 yrs to get to BB. More or less depending upon circumstances.

I actually discourage this depending upon the maturity of the two. If things go downhill, training can become very awkward. If the two can keep it at a higher level, then all should be well. I actually had my ex(and mother of my youngest) coem and look into training with us...that would have been hard, so I asked the head instructor to talk to her. He simply told her that whatever problem you have with mike stays outside that door...don't bring it here. Funny thing, I never saw her again. THere is this one gal that I sometimes end up spending way too much time with, but two things stop me from pursuing it. First is that I'm 10 years older and an instructor, while she is a lower belt student...that may not work so well. Second is the fact that I just don't have the energy to keep up with all the going out and the nightlife. WEll, there are a few more reasons...one is that I plan to relocate to TX next Sept. That just wouldn't work. I guess in short, if you wnat to go out with her, keep it on a higher level, be mature enough to realize that if things don't work, there was MA training before her, and there will be MA training after her...it's up to you how you react to it.

please see your other post. Hopefully the insight will help.

you're kind of asking which would be better for dessert, apple cobbler, or ice cream. Juijutsu is so different from karate. Both will get the job done, but you may have a preference. GO and watch some classes at each school. Also, the schools should be running specials where you get some free beginners classes...take advantage of those. You will get a taste for what each discipline is like, and if it suits you. ALso, when you are watching classes, watch the higher belts...they will give you a good idea of how the advanced levels will suit you as well as the effectiveness of the head instructor. Take your time and research your options...your journey into the martial arts shouldn't be a hasty decision. Think of it as you would a property purchase, or a marriage, since both require as much mental preparedness from you, and both should benefit you in the long run if not rushed into. Good luck and godspeed.

I've had it for a few years now, and have found that my MA training actually helps to alleviate the pain. I stretch my foot every day before and after training, so that helps considerably. I haven't needed orthotics since I started training. Take your time and get better...do everything your therapist tells you and you'll be doing fine in no time at all. I especially enjoy tiger balm rubs on the sole of my right foot, as well as stretching my toes up as high as they can go and deeply massaging the plantar fascia. I do remember vividly what a pain it was to wear the immobilizer night and day for almost 4 months. I wouldn't wish this afliction on anybody. Great luck to you.

I really enjoy watching the first few UFC's. My favorite has to be between Keith Hackney and Dan Severn. If I had to pick a current, I would go with Rich Franklin and Chuck Liddell.

definitey the Porsche 996 twin turbo...man, those tires are waayy wide there's something about 0-60 in less than 4 sec. that just makes my gums water!

for a long time my nickname had been Sonic, due to the Sonic the Hedgehog tattoo on my forearm, but after the trip to the West Coast Kenpo Confederation, my new nickname is Pumbaa. Apparently, I can clear the savannah after every meal. Well, I cleared the minivan after every meal anyway...sorry, I can't handle junkfood all that well.