monkeygirl

I loved Return of the King!! The battle scenes were amazing, and I really loved the ending (I've never read the books so I was clueless through all three movies). This one was so much darker than the first two, which is fitting...it scared me a lot I've heard that they're trying to do the Hobbit but are having some copyright issues (several other people have already made Hobbit movies, I think they were animated or something). Aren't there three more Tolkien books anyway? (besides Hobbit and Silmarilion)

Haggis is good stuff!! No, really! But then again, I'm Scottish (last name is McBeth) so I'm a little biased.

The only MA thing I asked for was a set of handwraps so I don't keep busting my knuckles open every time I use the punching bag in the school gym. I would really like a guitar case for my acoustic, but with my crazy schedule, I kept forgetting to ask and now it's a little too late... *doh*

Heading off to see it right now, actually! :D [/pure joy]

Welcome to the forums!

Sorry but we already have a thread like this: http://www.karateforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=11404&start=0

Happy Holidays everyone!

Mayonnaise is the spread of gods!

The only disgusting foods I've eaten are the ones I've made. None off the list, but when I was five, I delighted in eating a "special" sandwich... On one piece of white bread, place as many pickles as possible and cover with blue cheese salad dressing. Add another piece of bread and enjoy! Don't ask me why, but I ate that every day for quite a long time AND LOVED IT. I think my mother had to tell me to stop. Now, just the thought of it grosses me out. I used to have other "recipes" (more like messipes) but I can't remember them...

As I'm sure you've gathered by now, black belts are not meant only for 20-something bodybuilders in perfect physical condition and health. It's all about skill and how you use it! So, with that in mind: keep training, keep healthy, and good luck!

I'm no conspiracy theorist, but I have to admit that the argument for the moon landing being fake is pretty convincing. Especially the part about there being no atmosphere on the moon and therefore no wind, and yet there are ripples in the American flag... And then, when they sped up the film rate, it looked just like normal walking. But, I suppose you could do that with a "real" moon walking anyway.

That's why we don't allow Comparative Styles threads to turn into "which is better" arguments...eventually, even the most reasonable person will get shut down and flamed. Which just plain isn't fun or productive.

I love all of the seasons in Pennsylvania, they change so beautifully...if I had to pick one, though, I'd pick fall. Lots of colors in nature, good food, good holidays, and I like the temperature, too. I'm not even that upset about the whole school thing.

I think the heavy bag is probably the most important piece of equipment that a martial artist can have. If it's of the kind that stands on the floor, it can even be used to stretch with, or lean your weight on to keep your balance and do resistance drills with your legs, so it's pretty versatile. Oh, and handwraps. Stretching machines can be nice, but they eliminate the best half of the stretch...laying down on your stomach.

Well...some people are just easily pleased... j/k

One time, my older brother accidentally grabbed my gi pants from the laundry pile and tried to put them on. He didn't even notice that his pants were two sizes too small, until I tried to put on HIS pants and couldn't keep them up.

You can actually go to http://www.dipsie.com right now and it has some information. Not much, but it's there.

Owwwwwww that sounds painful!!!

Nah, my mom sent it to me in an e-mail. Although if you want to read something I DID create... http://www.freshangles.com/xpressions/humor/articles/2.html

My friend (a fellow blackbelt) and I made a duck pinata (don't ask) to celebrate the birthdays of two blackbelts from our school...their bdays are 3 days apart. We even had the breaking of the pinata at the dojo, it was pretty cool. Being martial artists, we thought it would be pretty cool to kick the pinata open. Bad idea. For one thing, we made the pinata out of a shoebox, some paper plates, and duct tape, because we didn't want to mess with papier mache. Also, we were feeling kind of evil and thought it would be pretty challenging. SO, not only did the thing hurt like the devil to kick, it took a tremendous beating (we eventually upgraded to a thick bo staff) before it would open...thus causing the candy inside to disintegrate and stick to everyone's bare feet We have since decided that our pinata construction was far superior to any other type That doesn't have much to do with the topic, Quiet Dragon's post just reminded me of it.

1. Add the required amount of shampoo to the toilet water, and put both lids up. 2. Pick up the cat and soothe him while you carry him towards the bathroom. 3. In one smooth movement, put the cat in the toilet and close both lids. (You may need to stand on the lid.) The cat will self agitate and make ample suds. (Never mind the noises that come from the toilet, the cat is actually enjoying this.) 4. Flush the toilet three or four times. (This provides a "power-wash" and "rinse".) 5. Have someone open the door to the outside (Be sure that there are no people between the toilet and the outside door.) 6. Stand behind the toilet as far as you can, and quickly lift both lids. 7. The now clean cat will rocket out of the toilet, and run outside where he will dry himself off. The toilet will be sparkling clean! Sincerely, The Dog

I agree with kilo, plus the homepage had better be really simple. I hate search engines that are filled with ads and pictures and a bunch of distracting information.

No spinning backfists?? Ack! Yes, back kicks are dangerous (I should know, I was nearly blinded thanks to one), but spinning backfists are pretty dangerous too. In Muay Thai and Shotokan matches, the spinning backfist seems to be a favorite knockout technique. And if they happen to be in too close to use the full extent of their arm, they just strike with their elbow! Well, if all spinning techniques are banned, then my other suggestion of blocking hard and sliding in should work. Then again...if you're much taller than the person, your legs would have quite the advantageous reach. Lean back, sidekick straight out (depending on where your opponent's guard is)?

A simple counter is to do a side block, push their leg away so that they lose their balance, and slide in quickly for a counter while their body is exposed and facing you (if this is the kick i'm thinking of). As John_G already described, the classic TKD counter to this would be a spinning counter...allows you to get in close while exposing only a non-scoring area (your back) to your opponent's attack. You could even use a spinning backfist instead of a kick. Put some theatrics into it for the best effect...act like you're frightened and dumbstruck by this awe-inspiring kick of his/hers, then execute the counter. The faster, the better...you will probably catch them completely off guard if you do it quickly enough. Keep your guard in tight (well covering head and torso) during the spin and right up until you throw the technique, JUST in case your opponent gets wise and reverse punches or something.

Please do not ask questions like "which is better", just compare and contrast the two. Thanks.