bushido_man96

I tend to rotate mine, but I'm not sure it makes a difference as far as power or technique is concerned. It probably has more to do with comfort than anything else.

The sheep are just normal people. They aren't necessarily scared; they just don't have the ways or the means to fight if they need to...lack of training, weapons, or, they just don't want to, or, are taken by surprise, by the wolf in the night. The sheep isn't always afraid. But when the sheep is attacked-mugged, robbed, or what have you, he may not have the recourse to act. This isn't being humble, or fearful. It may be fear at the time, but who wouldn't be? The sheepdog is the protector of the flock. He knows that his duty is to protect the flock, no matter the cost. Now the sheepdog isn't really a superhero; he just does what his job is, which is to protect the flock. The wolves here are the criminal element, preying on the weak, old, young, innocent, etc.

Well, my work schedule now keeps me up late at night, with nothing much to do but post on KF, read, and watch movies. Of course, most of my favorites are Martial Arts related movies. So, I thought when I was watching one, I'd post about it here, and see what y'all had to say in return to my ramblings. This weeks movie, on 04/28/2010, is Gladiator, with Russel Crowe as Maximus. This is one of my favorite movies of all. I love the background, and of course, the fights. I enjoy the storyline, too. I really like Maximus' character and qualities. I think the movie can break up into thirds as to the story makeup. In the first 1/3 of the movie, we meet Maximus, who has a nickname - "General." We see many people refer to him by this one-word nickname, and he is respected, but not just for his ability to fight. He also puts the fighting into perspective as a general in an exchange he has with Quintas: Quintas: "People should know when they are conquered." Maximus: "Would you? Would I?" He is respected by many, and feared by others, but not necessarily for his ability to fight, but because he inspires others, and lead them. Also, for the genuineness of his characte. In the second 1/3 of the movie, he gains a new one-word nickname - "Spaniard." The others don't know him as a general, but they do know he can fight. And he fights for a different reason now; because he is required to, and not necessarily to entertain, much to the chagrin of his handler, Proximo. But others still recognize his character, and he still makes allies. In the final 1/3 of the movie, he regains his "General" nickname, when he reveals himself to Comodus in the Coloseum. And his charisma saves him from the emporer, and allows him to exact his revenge in the end. I love the story, and the fight scenes in this movie. And I'll be honest; I almost cried at the end of this movie.

04/28/2010 FL side kicks, 3x10, each leg. Also did some stretching.

I envy you. My work schedule has caused me to miss classes, and this will likely continue until July. So, unless I get some training time solo, I'm out of class for a time. I've been back once since I got back from Academy.

That seems to be a purely American custom, most places in Europe would see that as being either symbolic of cutting the friendship or giving bad luck. Depends on the region, I'd guess. In America, a lot of people carry knives because they are very useful as a tool, are legal in most cases, and make for good self-defense in a pinch.

I remember a high dan grade once telling me that we've only got two cheeks to turn... But, at any rate, you make some interesting points. I'm not big on the "turn the other cheek" idea, but that's just me. As far as the weak being humble because they have to in order to survive, this I'm not so sure of. There is a difference in being humble, and being fearful. Its the wolves, sheep, and sheepdog idea.

Well, Martialart, I will say this, it appears that you are making lemonade out of lemons. Kudos for taking your training seriously in that venue. Perhaps it will make others follow suit.

I agree with DWx. You can still have the hand tight, with gaps in the fingers. I think most instructors don't like to see the gaps, because they want the technique to crisp and clean, and so teach that if the fingers are gapped, its "bad technique," when in fact, there probably isn't much proof that this is the case.

Wow, that's something else.

4/27/2010 Did 3 sets of 10 slow and deliberate push-ups.

What are the SEA games?

Sensei Pat Nakata's classes only wear gi pants, a white t-shirt, and no belts.

Bingo.

I give my instructor a gift every month...its called the membership fees.

Man, if that is true, it really is too bad.

You don't buy clothes you can't kick in...

Sorry, Joe. Tori is probably more appropriate. Totally agree with this. I hate it when people throw a punch but don't even try to make it connect. In most cases I'll just leave it and not block and if they ask why, its because I didn't need to block. The other end I experience on this, mainly with one-steps, is when the defender will yell and then move right away...if I see this going on, I'll delay my attack, so that they aren't getting so anticipatory. The other thing I see happening is when the attacker punches to where they know the defender is going to move to. Both are not good deals.

That sounds like an awesome opportunity! Enjoy yourself.

You and my dad, Bob! I read a lot anymore, and I'd have to say that I really like Clive Cussler, and his Dirk Pitt novels. I read all his others, too, though, and Isaac Bell is a lot of fun. I've recently latched on to William Deitrich's Ethan Gage adventures, which are fantastic if you like to see your characters interact with events throughout history. Gage is involved with Napolean, Jefferson, and plenty of other historical characters, and he is a former apprentice of Ben Franklin. His stories are a romp. Ah, so many others....also of recent has been Matthew Reilly. That guy can make action just fly.

Good job!

I say, if its a target, then hit it. If she doesn't want to wear the chest protector, then that's her decision. You can still punch to the stomach, and to the top of the chest, above the breasts, and still get good contact. For good targets, though, look to the stomach and the kidney area. Don't shortchange yourself on targets because she won't wear a chest protector. Go after it!

I don't own a place, but I did teach at TKD, and I have been attending Aikido as well. I don't attempt to bring Aikido into my TKD class, as it would take away time from TKD curriculum. Also, I don't have enough experience to really teach anything Aikido, so I just keep it as my own training time to learn and grow.

They are variations. Most of it just depends on the instructor lineage.

It is possible to up the contact levels in sparring and not get hurt every day. Using the proper safety equipment can help with this. As far as Shotokan gaining more respect if they make the contact harder, may be true. It may not, as well. I imagine that there are some Shotokan gyms out there that do some harder contact sparring. I do think that it would be a more convincing experience to some as to what the contact can actually make one feel like when fighting, and it would not be a bad experience. But, whether or not it ever changes, we'll have to see.