bushido_man96

Well, I occasionally think I'm annoying... and I can just imagine what other people are thinking if I think that I'm annoying. I'm sometimes make jokes and say things that are met with the chirping of crickets (aka awkward silence). I find I'm a lot more satisfied with my day when I'm quiet. I also tend to laugh at a lot of things, even if they're not that funny, and I'm sure this gets annoying. So what do you think? Well, I think we all have times like that. If you want to be more quiet and listen to more things, then that is fine. I don't think it will change you much, just that your personality will show up less, because you express yourself less.

A Game of Thrones; Bran Bran sits in his window seat, watching Rickon play with the wolves. He describes each of the direwolves. Shaggydog (Rickon’s) is all black, with eyes of green fire. Summer (Bran’s) was “sliver and smoke, with eyes of yellow gold that saw all there was to see.” Bran feels that Summer is the smartest of the litter, and the most wary. Summer is also the smallest, Bran thinks. Nan is tending to Bran, and he is irritated with her. She would tell him stories, but he hates them all now. He only likes the scary ones, so Nan begins a scary one; about a long winter that came thousands of years ago, and the “white walkers” (the others) came for the first time, and how they led undead armies against the living. They hated iron and the sun. She also talked of the deaths of high and low alike due to the winter, which she also called the long night, as if the sun disappeared. The “last hero” went searching for the children of the forest, to help defeat the Others with their magic, but Nan got cut off before she could finish. Nan’s story was interrupted by Maester Luwin, who takes Bran to see a visitor. As Hodor carries Bran into the throne room, he sees Tyrion standing in front of Robb, and he is not being welcomed. Robb is still suspicious of Tyrion, and does not trust him. Tyrion has a gift for Bran, which is a blueprint of a saddle and riding tack to make so Bran can ride a horse. When Robb questions him as to why, Tryion states that he did it because Jon asked it of him. After a time, in which Tyrion is almost attacked by all three direwolves, he departs. Yoren and the other Black Brothers sup with the Starks that night, and he gives news of Benjen’s disappearance. Robb refuses to believe it, showing a bit of childishness in the process. Later, Robb promises to have Bran ride out to meet their mother when she returns, and they will one day soon ride to the Wall to visit Jon (foreshadow…). Notes: We learn the Old Nan is older than dirt it seems, and the 7 foot tall Hodor, who’s real name is Walder, is her great-grandson, and her only surviving heir. She may be as old as Maester Aemon. Bran also notes a difference in Robb, when he is being “Robb the Lord,” and when he is himself. Bran has another dream, this time climbing a tower, with his legs limp. At the top are two gargoyles, who climb down to meet him. He tells them that “he didn’t hear” what they said, and then is awakened by Hodor.

Well, you know what you want to change, so now just work on changing it. There isn't a lot of magic to it. Just try to talk less, listen more, etc. Why do you want to change? Personally, I like who I am, and don't want to change much of anything (except for maybe lose a few pounds...).

I am not so sure. Everyone has a weakness. Even the most skilled fighters can have a weakness. One may be overconfidence. Another is the fact that not many craniums can withstand a solid thwack with a lead pipe, either.

That may be the case, but anticipation and reaction time are not the same thing. And when you make assumptions, you will eventually be wrong.

I didn't care for Fearless, but I liked Rumble in the Bronx. I also like the fights in the Bourne series.

That is cool. Lebelle also had a challenge match that he fought with a Boxer. Anyone hear of that? It was quite the deal as well. He ended up submitting the Boxer, I believe.

And different organizations have different standards. It all just depends on the standards of each; that is why it would be difficult to standardize every style into one.

A good rule of thumb when starting a business is to have 3 months worth of capital saved up to cover the first 3 months of operation. You can basically forget about making any money over at least the first 3 months of startup. That could be why he can't get a business loan. He needs to set up a business plan that shows the bank how he intends to make the money, and in what kind of increments. Projecting growth will help too. The bottom line is that he may have to keep doing what he is doing now, and save up more money before he can get going. If he isn't making any money where he is now, he sure isn't going to be making more money by taking on more overhead.

bushido_man96 makes a good point. Also, without getting into a deep discussion, I will say that I have found my self-confidence has improved as I have accomplished challenging goals in life, many of which involved MA. Ed Yes, Ed. I agree. I think building self-confidence and other moral attributes has more to do with just involving yourself in something constructive, whether it be the Martial Arts, a sport club, or any other activity.

So are the standup moves, for the most part. Fighting two people is not going to be any more successful standing up than it will be on the gound, other than the fact that you can run. And if you are running, then you are not fighting, so it isn't the same thing.

I agree that style is part of it, but the rule set has some influence as well. It did so with Muay Thai in the U.S.

Wrestling has a basis in combat, just as much as Jujitsu does. It has just been modified over the years into a sport. Medieval Combat Masters-at-Arms used to teach what were called "grips" that are very similar, and in fact identical, to what many Jujitsu techniques look like. I had a friend that Wrestled in high school, and he could very easily modify his takedown-and-pin mentality to a takedown-and-punch/knee/elbow mentality. Wrestling is a very good, combative style, and it has always looked very aggressive to me, because the competitors are always working for a pin or to score back points.

As a golfer tees off... during a tennis match When the minister asks you "do you have the ring?"

That does sound like a good one, pitbullJudoka. I just finished reading my 7th Clive Cussler novel, and am on the 8th. I also have a book on the Kansas City Chiefs that I am picking my way through as well. I am also sprinkling in my latest issue of Black Belt Magazine.

This is closer to what I am used to. You and I live right in Tornado Alley.

I would tell here that she should adjust her distance a bit more until she has got a handle on it. That may help her get the picture.

Good luck at your testing!

Are you saying that there is another axe kick other than the axe kick that I listed?

Well, that is your experience, but I am sure others have found other results as well.

You say that the contact at the Kung Fu studio was too hard? Was it a full contact, no pads setup, or just hard sparring? What was it like?

When doing step-sparring, I think control is important because you are allowing yourself to be a target. However, when it comes to sparring, I think that more contact is important. It is important to know what happens when you don't defend successfully. Therefore, I think that the situations are a bit different, and require a different approach. If someone hits you while doing one-steps, maybe give them a pop back. In sparring, you just have to up your level of contact to keep up.

Karate, or any other Martial Art, can help you with your self-confidence, but the most important factor in improving your self-confidence is you. It all starts with how you view yourself, and how you think about yourself. Martial Arts will bring a new type of activity to you, and as you begin to see that "hey, I can do this, and I enjoy it," you will begin to improve your self-confidence. I think that there are many activites that can do this for you, too. Many people gravitate towards the Martial Arts because they are an individual activity, and the only competition that you have to have is with yourself. Begin by believing in yourself.

I don't think that MA should require a license. I think it is fine just the way it is right now. The politics behind the MAs would not allow such a thing to happen, I believe.

That is awesome!