lordtariel

Well, I currently train in Shito-Ryu Karate so I'm practicing an external style, but I also practice tai chi and have studied Judo in the past.

That's why I put optional by them I don't actually miss the meat and cheese, it stands pretty well on it's own.

Anybody who has trained under a year is considered a white belt for division purposes regardless of current rank in our tournaments.

Accidentally... Yep, never in a fight though.

Well here's one a good stand-by. It can be done with or without meat. Just throw it in the pot and forget about it. It's pretty easy to modify if you want extra stuff in it. I've never ruined it. Add the water if you find it too strong. Taco Soup: 1 Large can diced tomatoes(28 oz undrained) 1 Can tomato sauce 1 Can sweet corn(Undrained) 3 Cans of beans(15 oz Undrained. I usually use 2 cans of kidney beans and 1 can of great northern beans) 1 Packet Taco Seasoning 1/2-1 Medium Onion 1-3 Cloves garlic 1/2 Cup Cheese(Optional) 1lb Ground Sirloin(Optional) 1/4 Cup Water(Optional) This is pretty easy to make. Just Sautee the onions and garlic in a soup pot.(Cook meat here if you are including it) Add all the other ingredients into the pot and simmer for an hour to an hour and a half(The longer it simmers the better it is)Top with cheese and Serve this with torilla chips or if you're in an unhealthy mood, nacho cheese doritios.

Lots, but I'd have to go home before I can post them. Any requests? Vegetarian, American, Italian, Chinese...

Right now I work as a web designer for a beading and jewelry making wholesaler. This is the type of work I went to school for, but I would really love to be a 3D modeler. It's a hobby right now, but I'd love to take it professionally.

Wow, I'm jealous. Welcome to the forums.

If you're flinging that thing around, you should probably go with a sword that has a full tang. The last thing you want to happen is for the blade to come loose and spear something.(Happened to one of my friends using a Chinese broadsword once. Blade went right through his couch.)

Congrats and welcome.

Welcome to the forums.

I'm a little on the fence between Tokaido and Kamikaze. The Tokaido fit better out of the package for me but both are very good quality. I haven't really broken in my Kamikaze though.

That and other sacrifice throws wind up with you on top of the guy, not just propelling them away.

Another way to help with this is to get a notebook and do some of your writing on paper. If they ask you can say you're doing homeword Besides, you can take a notebook outside and enjoy the sun or on a trip which you can't really do unless you have a laptop.

Welcome to the forums. Never hesitate to ask if you have a question. We're a pretty friendly bunch here.

Have you named him yet? We had a pigeon that nested on our ac unit that I named Blinky cause he'd always wink at you when you went out on the deck.

Depends on the rank and the person. Usually the early belts progress fairly quickly then space themselves out as you get more advanced. Somebody that's more talented may progress faster provided there's no time requirement between belts. I've never been in a school where this is the case. At our dojo there is usually a testing opportunity every month so it's a matter of just getting your requirements out of the way.

Once you get more sure of your techniques, you'll loose some of that inhibition. When I first started, I wasn't so much afraid of my technique hurting someone as I was of making a mistake and clocking someone accidentally. I recommend doing some heavy bag work so you can get used to hitting harder without those feelings of holding back.

This is my assumption as well, but it's also why I asked for the opinions of such people.

I'm not saying you shouldn't defend yourself, it's just that nobody talks about the emotional ramifications of killing someone, it's all about technique. Most people say, "this technique can kill someone so be careful using it." That's it, end of story. No talking about what will happen after the fact either legaly or mentally. Going over this stuff is not necessary for survival(the most immediate issue), but the more prepared you are the better. Look at all the cases of PTSD(Post Traumatic Stress Disorder... I think.) that are out there. Being in that violent of a situation can really mess you up. Blackbelt had a great article about this sort of thing a couple of years back(wish I could remember what issue).

There's nothing wrong with asking questions. Better to clarify something now than have to break a habit.

On the money.

I agree, the key to weight loss is simple: Calories in < Calories used = weight loss There's various ways to do this, reduction through portion control, dietary modifications, exercise and building up your metabolism.

I may or may not disagree with you there depending on your meaning. If by commitment you mean the person is committed to stomping you into the ground then I agree. If you mean they aren't committed in general I disagree. To do well in sparring you have to be committed to your attacks, you can't just do them half-heartedly. That might work against some people, but someone who's good is just going to pick you apart.

Are you ready for the psychological fallout that may occur when you take a life or have somebody try to take yours? There's more to a life and death encounter than surviving, you have to be able to live afterwards. Any comments about this from LEO or military people who have had to take a life? I would say they're probably better equipped to deal with the aftermath of that sort of thing than with your average Joe.