Enviroman

eh, it's ok. it's not that different from Icy/Hot and that does nothing for bruises.

If you cleared $3000 a month (after school rent) you'd be well above the poverty line. Even if you cleared $1500 you'd just barely qualify for any assistance (assuming ~$3800 for rent and utilities for MA school and that Texas takes into account a small business' expenses) as your gross annual income would still be in excess of $60k per year. Does your spouse not work? Well you choose to teach that much. If you decided to cut back on teaching (I'm not saying you should) you could have another job if you so wished. Denistry (or any other advanced degree profession) != Tae Kwon Do (or any other MA). Both require a lot of training but one requires much more skill and knowledge than the other (you can debate it, but I'm fairly certain that your average person has a better shot at becoming a qualified instructor than becoming a dentist). Then again, people are willing to pay you to learn, so the more power to you. I believe in capitalism and you are just taking advantage (not meant in a derogatory manner) of a market that is willing to pay your fees for your service. I think the problem most people have is that martial arts, historically, is well an art. They feel that by profitting and commercializing the art you are detracting from it.

Seems like a scam to me. The website design, the mysterious $20 application fee, all of the warning against trying to show up at their location, etc. I'd not apply, but you do so at your own (probably high) risk.

haha...where I come from a high AP music score isn't something to brag about.

Hey, how's it going? Enjoy your stay!

I'm not saying the book wasn't entertaining, but it's certainly not a classic, either. I was expecting more from the book... Oh, and I wholeheartedly disagree that she needs to stick that basic plot scheme. While she may need to adhere to the student's yearly schedule, she definitely doesn't ahve to utilize the same exact plot devices over and over...

we certainly didn't have AP Music. My terrible high school had a total of 6 APs. I could only take like 2 exams because they were too expensive! Either way, my college barely gives AP credit. They will give it in a few subjects, but mostly you'll just be placed higher.

Inside Kung Fu is decent. You can have it delivered for like $30/year.

Where are you headed in the fall? I wish I would've received a 5 on my AP Calc exam. I think I got a 3 (this was like 5 years ago!). I suck at math.

See I thought it was a predictable, trite, and overly derivative. All of her books follow a similar, if not nearly exact, plot skeleton. You start with Harry at home. He gets "broken out" of his home at the Dursley's, he meets up with his friends and tells them of some new plot. They discuss the plot for a while and then the books slows to a near grind. This is where quidditch takes up a LOT of time. Eventually they win the big match and it's back to the main plot. There's always a twist (she tries dilligently to point you in the wrong direction) and Harry ends up the hero...but ultimately loses someone. This fills him with anger, confusion, and just enough inner fire to put him through to the next book. Don't get me wrong, the books are entertaining to a point. There are plenty of better writers than Rowling, but Rowling has tapped into a generation of readers (both young and old) with a fantasy world that plays backdrop to a mystery novel.

How exactly is it hurting you? Do you feel like less of a martial artist because other martial artists feel that your style isn't as good as their style is?

I drive 15 minutes or so? With little traffic and if I catch all green lights I can do it in 8-10. I can't imagine commuting 1 hour for a job let alone martial arts! In my opinion, it's truly up to the person to determine what is "too far." For me anything more than 20-25 minutes away is too far (considering you're looking at nearly an hour of total travel time). ----------------------------------------------------------- You can determine if it's cost effective: You have Dojo A that is 12 miles from your home. It costs $65/month. Gas is $2.45 a gallon. Dojo B is 40 miles from your home and it costs $35/month. You attend either one 3 times per week. Your car gets 25 MPG. Dojo A will run you ((24*2.45)/25)*3 = $7.06 per week in gas. Dojo B will run you ((80*2.45)/25)*3 = $19.20 per week in gas or an extra $48.56 per month. $76.80 + x < $65 + $28.24. So, in this example the monthly cost of the dojo B would need to be less than $16.44 to make it cost effective. Man, I'm bored at work. Obviously, this is assuming you find either school to be worth your time.

This number grows and grows. Why not 100%? I heard from this guy that his BJJ teacher said that everyone actually crawls into battle! And that in a few years we won't even need legs because we'll do EVERYTHING from the ground!

Did anyone read it? A friend turned me on to the series a few years ago and I just finished the 6th book yesterday...not too bad, but I felt it seemed rushed (the writing, that is).

I like this answer.

True but how much damage each strike causes is the point. This leads into... Definitely not always true, especially in self defense situations. A wheel kick is pretty stinking strong but it is also awkward and easily avoided (as TKDBill pointed out). A series of small, less powerful jabs is most likely a lot more effective than one huge knockout haymaker. Well, yeah...again the amount of power is the whole point. A large knockout attack that will ultimately leave you vulerable to counterattack if you miss isn't very effective. True, but try striking an attacker that is flailing away madly with a well placed spinning back fist or an ax kick. It rarely works and it almost always leaves you in a poor position if you fail to connect fully. It doesn't. The speed and balance requirement (and resulting position) of a quick roundhouse or front kick is far superior to that of a wheel kick or other rear leg kick. Same goes for a reverse or vertical punch versus a backfist. Your theory is essentially the same as economy of motion. Use the best attack for the situation (which, invariably, is the attack that is the quickest and leaves you in the best position). So I'm not sure what you're going for...

Here is a list that I found online for a homemade dit da jow: Artemisia (Liu ji nu) - 5g Borneol (Bingpian) - 1g Carthamus (Honghua) - 5g Catechu (Ercha) - 8g Cinnabar (Zhusha) - 5g Cirsium (DaJi) - 1g Dragon's Blood (Xuejie) - 30g Mastic (Ruxiang) - 5g Musk (Shexiang) - 1g Myrrh (Moyao) - 5g Pinellia (ShengBanXia) - 5g Mix/slightly crush the herbs and submerge in a bottle of strong alcohol (80 proof vodka/gin/chinese rice wine). They say to put it into a dark container and store it in a closet or some other dark and cool place. I'm going to try and track down these herbs in China town here in Philly this week or next.

Mine almost makes you more nervous, just to test you. I was just kidding.

I think it is shidoshi, if I'm not mistaken.

Requiring people to sign legally binding contracts to ensure you get paid is far from a sign of a good school. If it is indeed a good school there should be no need for a contract as the program should hold a majority of the students. A contract simply guarantees the owner money. When you hear someone say "we require contracts because our Sensei gives as much as he expects from his students" that simply means "I want to make sure I get my money." It does not mean "you should show commitment by forking over $700 in advance or signing a 12-month contract to "prove" your commitment." I agree if that is what the funds are being used for. I've seen schools charge in excess of $300 for black belt fees! Unless they are flying in masters and grandmasters from around the country (which they most likely are not) the fee should be just enough to cover whatever expenses arise. I agree. Those "Tiny Tigers" and "Junior Black Belts" are nothing but marketing ploys to draw in ignorant parents to drop off their kids for a few hours a week. Teaching youth quality MA is a whole lot different than using "cutesy" marketing gimmicks. I'm 99% sure he was referring to arts that are grounded in tradition. For example, a Hung Gar Kung Fu school that ignores all of the traditional aspects and just pushes people through the ranks.

"8. no private instruction, or private instruction being an 'extra' expense, " This is really the only one I disagree with. I've never been to a school that has free private instruction. I know they exist but you cannot consider that a qualification for a non-McDojo, or "real" school. In fact, I'd be willing to say wityh some confidence that a school with free private instruction (as in a monthly fee that inclues X number of private lessons) is in the extreme minority. Otherwise I agree with the rest of your points.

Congrats. Every "I passed!" post seems to be like your post. The "I was super nervous but in the clutch I pulled it off and I couldn't believe it" mentality-thing. Don't these sensei instill self-confidence?

You're very generous...

haha, it's obviously your decision. if you can afford the travel time and money, go for it.

It's not too different than dating in the work place. The general consensus is "don't do it." It generally leads to: 1) Preferential treatment (if a difference in rank exists...as in manager/subordinate or maybe black belt/colored belt). 2) Public bickering. Relationships go through tough spots. It happens...but when it spills over into work (or MA) you are now affecting others. 3) Loss of fun for all involved. If your relationship heads south, chances are you won't want to constantly be around that person on a daily basis. Unfortunately, this tends to force one or both parties to leave their place of work (or dojo). Of course there are exceptions. I've read a lot of anecdotal "evidence" in this thread about people doing great after meeting at their dojo. But most of the time this is not the case. You may just save yourself a huge headache by not dating when you work/play