bushido_man96

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.

If you have the choke applied properly, then you have their balance broken for the most part. Also, you are looking at about 5 seconds, if you have the choke sunk on good. Your head is open, but they have to get around their buddie's body to hit you.

The silver does look nice. I am still partial to the gold, though.

Sounds funny. The nice thing about one-steps is that you will eventually get a turn. I would give it right back to him. Tapping is tapping; it doesn't matter where, it should still be noticeable. Perhaps addressing the instructor is the way to go here.

I would go check out all 3 schools, and then make my decision from there. As mentioned above, the level of instruction might make a difference. Or, you could do one for 3 months, then the other, then the other...and just keep rotating.

I think that 2 can be done with relative ease. I think 3 could be done, but I think it would get more difficult as you add more. Depending on how similar the styles were would add to the complexity as well. In the end, it just depends on how much time you have, and what one's level of retainment and ability to store information is.

I think that you can use a choke against multiple opponents. If you apply it from a standing position from behind, then you can use the person you are choking as a shield from the others until he is asleep.

Something to keep in mind when in this stage of training as well is to be observant of where the gun is pointing, and whether or not you are moving it in that direction, or the bad guy is, and where bystanders may be located. Bushido-Ruach; another idea to try when practicing gun disarms, slap leather drills, etc., is to try using rubber band guns. They are cheaper, and not as fragile as the pellet guns. They don't have the same dimensions of the training guns, but if you want the realism of getting shot in the process, they really add to it.