bushido_man96

Ideas like this are great for taking the students out of the school, and into a parking lot, or the park, or the mall, where you can actually use the environment to make your points and practice the principles. This is an example of being aware and using the surroundings to your advantage.

NEKyoSa is right. Just throw a simple technique, like a punch or a palm heel to the face. Take some time to practice the combinations on your own, visualizing the attack, blocking it, and then following up. Keep it simple, and it will come easier.

Supermans are when you lay on the floor, with your arms stretched out past your head, and feet out behind you, on your stomach. What you do is then lift your arms and legs up off the ground, keeping them straight, and kind of supporting yourself on your stomach; think of Superman flying through the air; that is what you will look like. You can either hold the position for a preset time, or do reps, or do it both ways. Back hyperextensions are done on a type of chair in the weight room, like one that you can do ab work on. You brace your feet into it, lower your body, and then raise it up level, hold a second or 10, and then repeat.

My mom was in TKD for a while, and even though I out ranked her, I would never require her to refer to me as "Mister." And I always called her mom. I think I can see where you are coming from, and perhaps you and your brother should talk about it, and see where you both stand. Perhaps he feels good calling you sensei, because you have earned it.

A Game of Thrones; Catelyn Cat’s party has been met up with riders from the Vale, Ser Donnel Waynwood. They had been attacked a few more times by the clansmen of the mountains, and they thought they were doomed to another, when he and his men rode out instead. He states that Lysa will not allow anyone to ride out; she keeps the men around to protect the Vale, but they know not from what. Cat notes that Tyrion has befriended Bronn, and the two were always together. Tyrion has also been riding armed with a dirk, his axe, and a chain mail hauberk. She has even begun to wonder if she was wrong about Tyrion. They are met at the gate by Brynden Tully, known as the Blackfish; Cat’s uncle. Before making their way to the Eyrie, Ser Rodrik must stay, as he cannot continue. Marillion asks to continue, and Bronn jumps on the bandwagon, too. Cat doesn’t like him, but he did help out, and had proven himself a valiant fighter. However, he took too much to Tyrion for her liking. Story time: Brynden is the brother of Lord Hoster Tully, Cat’s father. They had always quarreled, and Hoster referred to him once as the black goat of the family. Since their family emblem was a trout, he took the name Blackfish instead, and has since worn his emblem as a black trout. The war between the two ended when Brynden told Hoster that he would go to serve Lord Arryn when Lysa married him. He left, and the Hoster never spoke his name again. Brynden always listened to Cat, Edmure, Littlefinger, and all the children when younger. He listened now, too. Cat told him all that had passed. He stated that her father must be warned, because Riverrun lay right in the path should the Lannisters seek battle; it is not as well defended as the Vale, and Winterfell is so far to the North. Many in the Vale are angry at the death of Jon Arryn, and the naming of Jaime Lannister to the office that the Arryns had held for nearly 300 years (which office?). Lysa counts her son, Robert, the True Warden of the East (this office?). But the boy is 6, sickly, and prone to crying much…the boy is not quite right. Lysa claims to be courting for a new husband, but Brynden believes she is playing the game, and plans to rule on her own until Robert is old enough. Lysa is not the same as when Cat left, and feels she will not be helpful. Her marriage was of politics, like Cat’s, but it turned out less happy for Lysa. She fled the Lannisters, and now Cat has brought a Lannister to her. Brynden feels that she may be wrong about Lannister. At the gate to towers, we meet Lord Nestor Royce, and a girl named Mya Stone, who will take Cat up the mountain this night. I believe Mya is a child of King Robert’s; perhaps her first. She is about 18 years old. The mention of her last name reminds her of Jon Snow, and she doesn’t like the feeling at all. Finally, Cat and Lysa meet. Lysa greets her warmly, but when she dismisses her household help, she turns very sour very fast. She is angered that Cat brought Lannister to her. She warned Cat so that she would run from the Lannisters, not fight them. Also, when Jon told her on the death bed that the seed was strong, she thought that she meant their son, Robert. She had no clue what he meant. Lysa feels that she is safe in the Eyrie; that it is impregnable. Cat does not think so. In regards to Tyrion, Lysa thinks that perhaps she will “make him fly.” Notes: This is another long chapter, with a lot going on. The description of the Eyrie is unreal. What a place. Ned and Robert fostered there with Jon Arryn as boys.

That doesn't mean that you don't have to like the guy. But I wouldn't show a false respect for him, either.

If I were you, I wouldn't pretend to respect the guy at all. If that is how you feel about it, then I would make sure not to play along with the politics that litter the Martial Arts. I am not saying that you need to go out and disrespect the person to everyone, but if you don't respect him, then don't pretend to.

When I started over in the TKD organization that I am with now, there was another guy in there that had some prior experience in an Olympic-style of TKD, a school where the major focus was on sparring. He was something like a red belt there, and he could fight pretty well. He was quicker than I was, and could counter well. Well, as he and I were coming back up through these new ranks, he would go to tournaments. This is ok, but he had all of this prior fighting experience, but he started competing as an orange belt (2nd gup/kyu). He continued to compete, all the way up to his 1st dan, where he did well, also. However, I just wouldn't feel satisfied with competing and beating these guys, when I know that I probably had 7 years or better experience over them. I have done this with our TKD sparring, at tourneys and stuff. I would watch and then review. Some buddies of mine and I also recorded our SCA Combat session once, and then sat and watched it as well. We learned a lot, and saw a lot of different things when you slow it down and back it up.

What you mention about your school is what I think used to be typical when it came to gaining rank and responsibilities in MA schools years ago. A sempai is usually a high ranking student, and sensei is usually a black belt, but I don't think that being a black belt makes one a sensei. I am a firm believer that being able to teach is not a skill that everyone is blessed with. Some come by it naturally, and some learn how to do it well. Then, there are those that it is just difficult for, and they may not be cut out for it. Therefore, I don't think that every black belt should automatically be a sensei. It sounds like your instructor has seen the ability to teach in you, and he did a good job of giving you opportunities to teach and learn. I think that is a good thing for you. Congratulations. In my school, we don't really use any titles like the ones that NEKyoSa mentioned. We have them, but they aren't used. All of the black belts are referred to as "Mister," with the exception of our chief instructor, who holds the rank of Master. However, instructor certification in our organization is not granted until the rank of 3rd dan.

Not really. If you follow the character, he didn't really "master" the art. He got his butt pretty well kicked early on by the guy that kept prodding him. If you watch early on, before his capture, you notice that he had some skill with his sabre. Now, I know I will rub some feathers the wrong way, but if you know how to work a sword, then you have a head start on learning the "way of the samurai." Granted, he wasn't an expert swordsman, but his experience helped him, for sure. It was just a matter of focusing more on the sword than the other parts of warfare that soldiers are required to spend their time on.

The guys have it right here, I think. Just worry about your test. If you spend energy worrying about what others are up to, then you will side track yourself, and that will cause you more worry than you need. It sounds like you have been working hard, and are ready to go. Just stay focused, and let it fall into place now. I can understand that you are irritated about this. However, there may be things going on behind the scenes that you are not privy to; perhaps she has been training on her own, and has trouble making classes due to other obligations. Perhaps the instructor has been working with her in private sessions. You really won't know unless you ask, either. Just let things play out. I am sure things will work out well for you either way.

You can stengthen your back with some simple exercises like back hyperextensions or supermans. However, if your back is causing you fits, then you may want to wait until you are cleared by a doctor before you start doing them.

This may be the case, but you have to have an instructor who can show you how the nuts and bolts come together. It may be there, but if you don't have someone to show you the path, you're stuck looking on your own.

You're right there. It is also possible that you are going up against someone with prior experience in a similar style, like maybe a college Wrestler or something, who just doesn't have as much rank in their new style. There are a lot of things that are difficult to prepare for, like this.

A Game of Thrones; Eddard Council meeting. Robert wants Dany, who is with child, dead. He fears that the child is a threat to the kingdom, should they seek what they feel is theirs by right. Varys brought the news to the council, from Ser Jorah Mormont. Robert wants the whole of them killed, including Viserys. Ned is against it, and Robert is furious with him for it. Renly felt is should have been done after the war, but Jon Arryn asked Robert to grant them mercy. Ned said that mercy is never a mistake. He noted that on the Trident Ser Barristan cut down a dozen of Robert and Ned’s good friends, yet Robert pardoned him. Robert doesn’t see it as the same. Of the council, only Ned and Selmy disagree with Robert. The rest of the council agrees that the death should happen (including Varys; perhaps a play-along). After quarrelling over the matter, and Ned will not support it. Robert tells Ned to leave, and Ned leaves, removing the chain of hands about his neck that denotes his office. Ways of doing the job go on as he leaves (assassins, Tears of Lys). At the mention of the Tears, Pycelle shoots Varys a dirty look (a reference to the Arryn death?). Ned returns to his quarters, and make preparations to leave. He is going to leave soon, too, perhaps by boat. He is going over all the goings on in his mind, and worries that with Robert angry now, when he learns of Cat capturing Tryion, what might happen. He wants to leave, but much is left undone. He thought of taking a ship, and stopping to speak with Stannis before moving on to Winterfell. His thoughts are interrupted by the arrival of Littlefinger. Apparently, a Lady Tanda wants Petyr to wed one of her daughters, and is on his way to sup with her. The council decided to grant a title to whoever ends up getting the job done. Ned is disgusted, but Petyr tells him that he did her a favor. It will most likely be botched, and then the Dothraki will protect her even moreso. Ned doesn’t really buy it. Petyr finishes by telling Ned that if he is still around in the evening, he will take him to the brothel that Jory has been looking for. Notes: The Faceless Men are mentioned; a group of assassins from Braavos. The council is also kind of fickle. Renly and Robert seem to both feel the same about the Targaryens. Selmy seems to have a sense of pride akin to Ned’s. Pycelle plays political; you can tell by his answers.

A Game of Thrones; Arya This is a big chapter; an important one. Arya is catching cats as part of Syrio’s training. One in particular has lead her all over the castle, and she is pretty much lost. Down an alleyway, she is spotted by Princess Myrcella, Prince Tommen, their septon, and two guards. They don’t recognize her; they even think she is a boy. She eludes them, causing all kinds of stir, and gets even more lost. She finds herself in a dark room, housing the old dragon skulls. She begins running some more, and finds herself in a room with a well, and stairs coming up from it, as near as I can make out. She hears voices, and hides. Two men are talking; one is from the Free Cities. The other is dressed in a half cape, boiled leather, mail, carrying a dirk. He has a scarred face and a stubble of a beard. Wearing heavy boots, he still walked softly; Arya recognizes something about him, but can’t place it (it is Varys). They are talking of what Eddard has found already about Gendry, and of the attempt on Bran’s life; “they made a farce of it, too.” They say that the Lion and the Wolf will be at each other’s throats soon, but it is too soon. The Free Cities man, who is Illyrio Mopatis, wants it to be stalled. The death of the current Hand comes up as well. This alarms Arya. Varys seems to put it off, though, as it is not the same as before. The princess of the khal being with child also comes up, and that they will not act until Drogo’s son is born (they are waiting on the khal). Somewhere, Varys activates a switch to shut off the well in the floor. Varys says that this is not a game for 2 anymore. Stannis and Lysa Arryn have fled beyond his reach, and they are gathering swords about them. The Knight of Flowers writes Highgarden to send his sister to court; Renly and Loras want Robert to wed her and give a child and make a new queen. He does not know what game Littlefinger is playing. What bothers him most is Eddard. He has the book, the child, and will soon learn the truth. He also knows that Cat has arrested Tyrion and taken him North. He fears that the Lannisters will ride soon, and the Tully’s will become involved as well. Mopatis calls him a true sorcerer, and tells him to stall as long as he can. Varys says he needs gold and another 50 birds. Now it gets weird…the birds are special; young, may know letters…and from here, they step to far from Arya, and she can’t make out any more of the conversation. Something about keeping their toungues…the risk…and that is all. She follows them down, and eventually comes out at the sewer, outside the gates. She gets to Eddard, and trys to explain things to her, that he could be in danger, asks if the book he is reading is “the book,” (it is), and if Jon is the boy they are talking about. She is confused, but the mass of information that she heard could have done so much in the right hands. She is interrupted by a visitor, Yoren. He has come to give news that happened in the tavern. Notes: This is a pretty big chapter in the grand scheme of things. Lots is learned here. Another note is Arya’s lack of being recognizable to those that should know her. Things to come. We now know the significance of Renly showing the picture of Loras’ sister to Eddard, and what her likeness to Lysa meant. It also show why Renly reacted the way he did to Ned’s reaction. Although, with Ned’s stake in honor, it should not be so surprising.

I have a blank black belt. I haven't worn it in years, though.

Thanks for the review, marmaduke. I'll keep it in mind. I read somewhere that the author is working on another project as well.

We bought a new propane BBQ grill, and are doing a lot of cooking on it outside. That way, we don't have to fire up the oven in the house. We'll see if that helps some. We also try not to eat out as much as we did. That should help us to save some cash.

4-21-08 Ugg. I am sick this week. It sucks. No class, no lifting. I did go to the park with my son, though, and managed 4 1/2 pull-ups. It felt like, on the first one, that I had pulled myself up just a bit farther. I could feel it differently in my shoulders. I may be getting closer to a full pull-up!

Best of luck to you in your future competitions!

You could go classical; William Tell Overture, or something upbeat like that.

Its good to hear that you had a good time, Treebranch. So, are you anticipating meeting this guy again?

Shock Wave, by Clive Cussler.

The toughest part is the gas prices. But, I have to drive, so I have to buy.