bushido_man96

Welcome to the world of Martial Arts. I'm glad to hear that you've already seen improvement. Enjoy your Martial journey.

That would be nice if it were, Bob, but it just isn't the case anymore. As different styles deversivied, specialization became the name of the game. My case in point is this: styles like TKD, Karate, TSD, and even Boxing, have come to excell in the stand-up game. Judo and Aikido are known for their throws. Wrestling and BJJ are specialized in grappling. Now, this level of specialization isn't all bad, because it has allowed the progression of skills in those specialized areas. Yet they came at the expense of skills in other arears.

Congrats! Well deserved.

Here is another comparison article that I found on the ARMA website: Katana vs. Rapier: Another Fantasy Worth Considering A very objective and well-studied approach to a comparison of these two iconical weapons. There is some good historical information in the article, as well, concerning each style of fighting, and the era that the swords were used.

Thanks. I like Clements's research, and I always learn something.

I found this article rather interesting: Longsword and Katana Considered Lots of interesting points brought to bear here.

Welcome!

Hehe, nice. I remember the Friday the 13th one. Basic, but it got the point across.

Thanks, everyone. No, Joe, not a "princess" per se. But yes, I am proud of her.

I think that there just aren't many courteous drivers out there anymore. People follow to close, especially when they are in a hurry, and I swear that there aren't many who know the rules on navigating a 4-way stop intersection. People just go, and some don't care if it was their turn or not. Rolling stops are the norm anymore, too, and signaling is just an option. It sucks.

I think that they are close to the same. I view fighting as what happens in self-defense. I think that many people view fighting as an action, whereas self-defense is a situation that sets up the fight. For example, not many of us go out looking for a fight. We are peaceful people, by and large, and just want to go about our business. But, as Martial Artists, we train to be able to fight/defend ourselves should the situation arise. I don't want to say that self-defense is a mindset, because I don't think it is. But, we tend to walk around, trying to be aware, and are ready to defend ourselves should we get attacked. Fighting, therefore, is the physical aspect of self-defense. You can use all of the pre-fight options to attempt to deter the physical part from happening, but once it does, I think that then you are fighting. Also, I think that fighting lends itself easily to sport, so it is viewed as mutual action between two (or more). But, I think it overlaps into self-defense.

9-3-09 Bike 1 mile with the dog, then stretched legs for 10 minutes.

A warm or hot wash will shrink a cotton gi, for sure. So, if you need to shrink it, go for it. Otherwise, stick with a cold wash.

Just like any style, you've got good, and the not so good. I've seen and read in my time here that there are politics in other styles as well, and not just Korean ones. Anything tied into the Kukkiwon is likely to have some politics involved. But then again, most times new organizations are started by people who are sick of the "politics" of the system, only to start an organization that begets its own politics. So many times I'm led to believe that it isn't that people don't like politics; its that they like their own politics. For what its worth...

Well, its not necessarily quantity, but quality that counts.

It is society's responsibility but often not the reality. Anything that I can do to affect young lives is all good-even if it's just one person. Taking it "out of the dojo and into the world" is the philosophy that I encourage at my school . Of course there are those who could care less about philosophy and there are schools out there for them. That's a good philosophy, too. But, I think that it would be better if instead it came from outside the dojo, to inside of it. Just my thoughts, though, and I think that more people actually teach kids to be good an responsible than don't, as well.

I'd say that is is anacronistic, to an extent. The SCA is even more so, if that makes any sense, because that organization delves into everything Medieval, ranging from combat, to the making of arms and armor, and to the making of food and the brewing of beer (hey, wait, that's still relevant... ). At any rate, getting back on track, I think that to an extent, it is anacronistic, but, can be relevant, should the situation arise to utilize the skills we learn. And, like Rateh stated, after we get out of high school or college, there aren't many organized physical programs in place for adults. Essentially, we end up living for our kids, as our parents did for us, when we started sports or what not. So, the Martial Arts do give adults an outlet for physical activity. I think that some styles also tend to be more anacronistic than others. From wearing a "traditional" uniform, to learning to weild old garden tools as weapons, or even playing in the roda to music. Others, however, do tend to be less anacronistic (I'm getting good at spelling that word now... ), training with modern weapons and threats, and in street clothes. Anywho, my take on it. Good topic, ShoriKid.

9-2-09 Morning Aiki-taisos Udefuri-undo (arm swinging exercise): 5 minutes Udefuri-Choyaku undo (spinning exercise): 5 minutes Bike 1 mile with the dog, stretch legs for 15 minutes. Evening TKD class: 6:00 - 7:00. Taught this class, and did some basics and forms with the class.

KC plays on Sept 3, against the Rams, for the Governor's Cup. Should be fun, but I think Cassell is a no-go. But, reports state he should be ready for the opener against Baltimore. In cuts today, they cut Amani Toomer, among others. I'm not sure who the #2 WR will be yet, or the TE.

Never have, but I think it would be nice. Not quite that fast, though.

Man, I know I can do without designer clothes. A nice truck, I might buy, but first, I have debt to pay off. Crazy stuff.

I've seen ads that you can play as the Joker??? That's a twist that gamers should enjoy.

My daughter is 13, in the 8th grade, and has her first Volleyball game on September 8th. She has been really working hard in practice, having never really played before. She ran track last year, but this is her first really team sport activity. She's coming along great, but is having a bit of a time with picking up on the overhand serving. But, she'll be a setter and spiker, which should be fun to watch. She'll be on the B team, which I think is great. A team is where you like to see them, but being fresh with this, B team is a great deal for her. She's pumped, and I'm excited about the season, as well. Does anyone else have kids in sports?

I agree, as well. At times when you don't think you have anything to offer, perhaps ask a question. Who knows? It may send a topic off on another tangent, and open up new ideas and thoughts. I've had days where I don't post much, either. I have others when I have an opinion on everything. Even if I have no experience, I may add a thought, and see how on or off I am. Its all good, in the end. Another thought is to not be afraid to venture down to these General Discussion forums. Even though we all have some interest or another in Martial Arts, we likely all do other things for fun, and have other aspects of our lives that we can ask about and discuss. This gives us a great outlet to leave our MAs behind, and to just go on about life in general. Ah, this gives me an idea....

I'm not for sure, but I think mine comes from Napolean. Not that I'm a big fan of his, but his accomplishments can't be denied. I feel that my signature is a "no excuses" comment. Your preparation will directly effect how you perform wheneven an opportunity arises. Some opportunities won't matter to us. Some will. And some, we won't have a choice in, and what/how we have prepared will be noticible in the results of the outcome. Another one that I like, but haven't thrown in there, is "Luck is the residue of design." I like this one, because I don't really hold to or believe in luck all that much, good or bad. However, if you can prepare properly, then you can, essentially, make your own "luck," for lack of a better term. And https://www.chiefswarpath.com, just because I'm a crazy mad Kansas City Chiefs fan.