IcemanSK

Ya gotta admire her enthuiasm, if not her judgement.

That is funny!

[ I had a student once, an orange belt, who after he obtained his Doctorate insisted that everyone address him as "Doctor" in class. Not that I would have minded but he would correct the instructors in class all the time! Needless to say his ego finally got the best of him and he eventualy dropped out. Ugh! That would be hard to swallow. Calling this MD instructor doctor is at the lead of our GM, not the instructor. We are very formal in class & out. My instructor have never called by anything other than Mr. Jensen in any correspondance or in person. Not my choice, but his. It seems odd to me, but it's how he chooses to show respect to me. Calling him by his first name would be unthinkable for me.

I would probably call my instructor "sir" when speaking to him if I saw him on the street (rather than Grandmaster). We live on opposite sides of the country, so I haven't had the occasion. If I had a judge or a doctor in my class, I wouldn't probably call them by their title in class, but I sure would in their offices. We have an MD in our organization. He has his own school. He is called Doctor by even my instructor. Very soon, he will test for 4th Dan (Master rank in our school) & he will still be called Doctor, rather than Master. My point is that being polite is never bad. But class decorum need not apply outside of class, usually.

I put "Best of the Best" in my que for blockbuster (like netflix, they mail them) & I got BoB 2 & 3....but not 1. The only one of the 3 worth watching IMO.

What magazine? What company made it? Do you have a link?

I wish I could say, "Wow, that's storiy's so incredible, I don't beleve it" but I CAN believe it. In high school & college I trained w/ a bunch of guys who were all good friends, too. One guy started an MA school a few years later. He & another one of our tight group went to a seminar together. Our friend (the schhol owner) invited that friend to a seminar he was holding at his school. The schhol owner charged our friend $$ to attend this seminar. The topic was on the same material they'd learned the week before!!!!!!!! Most of our group became less close to the school owner after that.

Typical "guy" sense of humor. When I was in college, my best friend & I were the highest ranks of a group of high school & college age guys that all trained together. The two of us took the rest of the group out for Korean food the night before belt testing. Our rationale was, "You perform a Korean art better with Korean food in your system." For those of you who don't know, Korean food is full of garlic. The next day: It was a gas festival. It was all in good fun & the lower rank students insisted that we do it before each test. Our instructor suggested we do it AFTER the test to celebrate. Another time, during a guy's (early teens) testing for his yellow belt (1st belt test). He was obviously very nervous & uncomfortable. He wanted to do everything right no matter what. The testing board couldn't figure out what was wrong, but something was bothering him: he tried not to show it. He stepped forward with his first down block, his cup shimmied down the inside of his pant leg & hit the floor.

From what I understand, while they LOOK like MMA gloves, there really isn't much padding in them. I haven't seen them, so I can't really say.

Sometimes, I sound briliant to my students. Yesterday, I tied a brand new yellow belt on a student that was INCREDIBLY stiff. After reading these posts, I could simply say, "When ya get home, have your brother hold one end, while you twist the other. It'll soften after doing that often. Then store it rolled up." I learn so much reading these threads. Your royalty checks are in the mail

TKD Jarrod is a fitting nickname. It's not bragging to talk about such a trememdous accomplishment. Heck, you'll be the first to say, "It wasn't easy." Keep it up, Champ!

I wish I had a company to recommend, but I don't. I just want to congratulate you on a tremendous job of loosing so much weigh. That is fantasistic! You should be very proud. I'd try Century Customs, as well. They might be able to hook you up. Keep striving toward your goal!

I like Brandon's idea of folding it in half & twisting it. Also, store it rolled up. That will soften it, too.

Although is seemed to be "temporaily unavailable" I'd suggest this forum. http://www.itf-information.com/main.htm They also have info on the patterns! They've helped me in the past. Best of luck.

I've been on several plateaus in my MA career. They are usually very frustrating. I've always tried to change up my workouts a bit (running, more forms, bag work, even buying a new uniform). Sometimes it's worked & sometimes it just takes time. Plateaus happen to everyone. I just wish there was one sure way to get past them. The only one I know is to get training.

I'm sorry to hear this. This must be very difficult for you. I wish you the best in your search for another school.

Do you have the RIGHT to be upset? I'm not sure at what you are upset. If it's your instructor for not testing you before you were diagnosed with asthma, I'd say no. He didn't test you then for a reason, but it wasn't to jip you out of getting your BB before your diagnosis. Upset at yourself for getting asthma? That would be a waste of emotional energy. It happened, & there are great meds out there to help it be a non-issue in your life. Upset at the disease? Sure. Take the meds & listen to your Dr. & it will be manageable. I'm 38 years old & was diagnosed at age 4. I started TKD at 14. I've had setbacks & struggles (& had to have my inhaler nearby during tests) in my life. I can only imagine the shock of a diagnosis when you're older & planning on the "big test." I'd encourage you to not spend too much time being upset, & try to figure out with your Dr. & instructor how get past it. Remember, "Perserverance" & "Indomitable Spirit" are 2 of the tenents of TKD. This is where they come in handy. You can overcome, my friend

Perhaps I'm wrong in my assessment of this gal @ the tournament, then.

He & his family are in my prayers.

Welcome back, Laurie!!!!! I guess Heidi is the one to talk to if we have problems. Heidi, can we talk? j/k

You've mentioned all the things I'd consider "red flags" in a MA school kid's program. I'd encourage you to look elsewhere.

Hmmm my belt is a little worn around the back and knot, and yet elsewhere looks jet black and as good as new. Because of the way I tie my belt the two layers rub each other. At the moment the wear is downmost because I always tie my belt the same way, but if I was to flip it then the wear would be visible. And I guarantee that I have NEVER tried to fray my belt - I actually prefer belts to stay nice and black anyway. But I'm guesing Angela, that the wear on the back of your causes it to be gray. This belt showed the cotton core of the belt. So this belt showed black or white core of the belt....there was no gray that shows normal wear.

I went to an open tournament over the weekend. There was a gal there who was a traditional karate-ka (slightly oversized Tokido gi & belt). Her belt was dark black (not gray) but frayed around the back, as well as around the knot. I thought it was odd to see a belt frayed around the back....especially since the belt showed no signs of "normal" wear (discoloration, etc). The belt went w/ an overall look of a "traditionalist", but didn't seem honest. She was an American gal in in her 20's trying to look like a 60 year old Okinawan master. It just didn't seem to fit. Having said that, her technique was impressive.

The back of the head & the groin are the regular "self-inflicted" targets for a lot of folks.

http://www.usatekno.net/USATekno/shopping-cart/img-products/unp2.jpg Hope that works. Thanks Brandon!