monkeygirl

I will listen to practically anything: classical music (I sing soprano in a community chorus that just performed Brahms Requiem this weekend) oldies jazz - especially swing music like Glen Miller classic rock - classic Aerosmith, Bad Company...hate the Rolling Stones, though...Mick Jagger is annoying disco - as corny as it is, I love it! 80's music like Journey and 'Til Tuesday (not so big on the hair bands like Poison since all their songs sound the same...Bon Jovi's pretty good though), grunge - Nirvana, not Pearl Jam...*shudders* pop - Michelle Branch, etc. ska - No Doubt, Cherry Poppin' Daddies hard rock like Metallica rock/rap mixes like Linkin Park easy listening like Coldplay and Norah Jones punk rock like Blink 182, Green Day and yes, I will even listen to country music. However I WILL NOT listen to pure rap, or that stupid whiny new brand of R & B they've come out with...where the "lead" singer just blends in with the background singers and repeats a rather short melody. That music ticks me off, mainly because it's boring and annoying.

Welcome to the forums, Tera! I've seen you around and really enjoyed your posts. Keep 'em coming!

Keep the conversation respectful, everyone. Besides, isn't this thread supposed to be about boxing? How did it turn into a TKD vs. BJJ thread?

What a great way of putting it, karate_woman! I agree completely. In fact, I was watching an old tournament video of myself as a green belt, doing my green belt kata in competition. I won with the kata but I was still amazed at how much I've changed and improved. Also at how long my hair was...I had a ponytail :pony: and now my hair is really short

Mine is done and submitted! The stressful part is over, now comes the suspense

Welcome to the forums!

To be honest, benedictbm is Bam Bam because...we couldn't really think of anything else! Plus it had a nice ring to it. Oh and about my board breaking experience...I didn't squeeze my fist tight enough and ended up hurting myself

I think the symbolism of banging their shoes on the statue is pretty great...Saddam used to walk all over the Iraqi people, and now they've toppled him and are returning the favor. As far as showing someone the sole of your shoe: generally only dirt would see the bottom of your shoe (unless you're like us martial artists who kick all the time ), so to show someone the bottom of your shoe would be to liken them to dirt? But that's just pure speculation on my part.

I'm not sure what make of kamas I have, but I know they're not Mike Chat. I got them from Century...I think they're Competition Kamas, the ones with the holes in the non-sharp blades.

My dojo requires us to where foam boots, and shin guards are optional. I wear shin guards just because they bruise like a peach I love the shin guards but I hate the boots. They're so clumsy feeling...it's really hard to find any that fit well. I'm always stepping on them, plus they weigh down my feet and make me kick slower. I prefer the light, free feeling of kicking barefoot. Unfortunately that's not my decision

Welcome to the forums! We're very big on respect here

If I happen to be at the beach, I do it...depends on how many people are looking

Hey buuuudddyy!!! Welcome to the forums! Once you get this figured out, you should have some fun and learn some stuff

Don't forget to make your own introduction, jake!

:lol: There's bunches of rednecks where I live, and I can relate to some of these

Welcome to the forums!

My best advice: let it hurt. Don't try to cover it up or ignore it, or deny it. Just let the pain run its course, let yourself cry. Once you're done, it will still hurt for awhile, but I think you'll feel some relief. I think it helps to be alone until then...a day or two. After then you should try to get back into your normal schedule, little by little. Each new day will make things a little better. Some will be worse than others; the healing process isn't a straight shot from feeling bad to feelin good. Some days you'll feel pretty good, and then the next might be bad again. Just give yourself time. Do things that you enjoy, try to cheer yourself up. Whatever you do, don't dwell on the relationship, and don't blame yourself!!! The simple act of being this sad means it probably wasn't your fault. If you need to be angry at her for awhile, go ahead. It helps a little. Just don't let it go for too long When you feel like seeing her again, see a trusted friend or family member instead. You need to be away from her right now, rather then drag out old feelings. It's going to take time. It took me a few weeks to stop feeling sad and sorry for myself after one bad breakup. It took me about a year and a half before I was completely over him, to where I could just be friends with him and not feel any more pain/guilt/regret whatever. What kept me going that whole time: my friends, family, and the knowledge that I would be better one day. I hope this helps a little. Talking to a family member or good friend face-to-face is going to be a lot better than talking over the internet. Also, don't let your lady instructor take advantage of you when you're like this

Welcome to the forums! If you would like to chat, there is a link at the bottom of the main page. It's not very active, but if you show an interest, maybe it will be! Welcome again

I'm sorry, there's just something perpetually funny about weird grammar

oot_man: I do this all the time when I'm in front of class! However, I'm only really coordinated enough to do it for simple moves If it's a long complicated move, I have to turn around so I'm facing the same way as the class...I can't go on calling my right hand my left hand four times in a row. It'll mess me up for a week

There are many schools who train for competition. If you are in a style like Muay Thai, BJJ or something else in the no-holds barred area, competition might be helpful to you. Competition can help with adrenaline stress, as well as learning to fight against unfamiliar opponents, rather than the classmates you face class after class after class. So it may be helpful, but is it necessary? Absolutely not. In some cases it may actually hinder you. I say this because certain MA's do point sparring in competition; a stop-and-go style of fighting which is unrealistic when compared to the street. It's a great, complex thing in itself, but isn't necessarily going to help you in the street. There are plenty of schools who teach techniques that are effective for the street, but don't participate in competition. So, while competition may help in some cases, it is by no means necessary.

Welcome to the forums, Ryno! Glad you like it here

The main problem is with my forward and backward rolls. Forward roll: kama tips forward and to the outside, comes back to the upright position. Backward roll: Kama leans back and to the outside, continues into the upright position. So technically they're rolls, but I call them spins. Does that clear things up?

That is awesome!

Thanks! Somehow the idea of a heavier kama slipped my mind. I'll try that