dano

Yes, we have an Acura MDX with a built-in GPS. Very helpful as it will also tell you where the nearest ATM, restaurant, or gas station is whereever you are traveling.

First concert was Lionel Richie and Tina Turner at the Worcester Centrum in 1984. Best concert was Ozzie Osbourne with Metallica opening up for him. Yes, I has some diverse musical tastes

A 1973 Volkswagon Bug. Bought it in 1984 for $750. It had no heat, which made for some very chilly drives around Boston in the winter time.

Inspiring

Cracked ribs during sparring. Those little buggers take a while to heal.

I'm a little frustrated with my MA school and want to know if I'm overreacting or not. Any advice or words of wisdom from this forum is always helpful and appreciated. Here it is: I go to my MA school a lot. If I'm not out of town traveling for work, I'm at the school that evening for a workout. Usually, I'm there 4-5 times a week and give 110% effort. When I first get there, I pull my card and the instructor gives me credit for being there that day. Typically, when the card is full (40-50 workouts), you typically test for your next belt (underbelt) the following month. Well, this month my card is full and I confidently know all the requirements for the next belt. In addition, I arrive 15-30 minutes before class to practice, and I practice at work. In two weeks, the next test is taking place and I'm not on the list. I asked my instructor if I was going to be on the list, and the answer was, "maybe in a month or two". I'm confused and frustrated. There are some people in our school who come once, maybe 2x a week, and in six months test for the next belt. They don't remember all the forms and their technique is sloppy...But that person tests. I focus and try to build that muscle memory with practice and frequent trips to the school. But, no test for me. Is it because I haven't paid enough monthly dues?? I feel like I'm being penalized for dedicating and pushing myself to improve. I have no problem asking the instructor about this, but thought I would check with you folks beforehand. Am I overeacting? As always, thanks for the help. Dano

Congratulations. Great work and great site. Very helpful to a lot of people. Dan O

Thanks again for the help. I watched the video a dozen more times, then went to class to try it out. Still needs alot of work, but I think I'm spinning after the first kick better. Will work at it again this evening. The BB of C, our school teaches a combination of three styles; TKD, Hapkido, and TSD. Dan O

Thanks for the replies. The video was especially helpful. I'm 42, 6'3", 215# and feeling the "tourque" to get my body and legs around has been difficult. The video did a good job breaking it down. I'm looking forward to trying it on the mats this evening. To clarify, the hurricane kick at our school is a back leg, out-to-in cresent kick, then with the leg you landed your cresecent kick on, you do a spinning roundhouse kick, kicking with the same leg. Just FYI, after that You Tube video link DWx sent was done, the small screen showed two additonal video you could watch. Did anyone see that video of the match between UCLA and Stanford. That person lands an incredible tornado kick. If you missed it here is the link: Thanks again for the help. Dan O

Any suggestions or advice on ways to execute a better tornado kick? Also, any practice tips that will help with this type of kick is appreciated? As I'm moving up in rank, this kick is required in a number of open hand and weapons forms and my T-kick needs some work. Thanks in advance for the help. Regards, Dan O

I purchased the martial armor from Century for my sons. In tournaments they (both are under 18 ) are required to wear some chest protection. The ones provided by the tournament organizers were too big and bulky. The Armor is lightweight and fits well. It also won't ride up on you when you throw kicks like some of the other bulkier chest protectors. The Armor is thinner then most chest protectors and doesn't provide the same level of protection that the thicker can offer. But, both my sons liked the Armor and have used them in a number of touramanets. Hope that helps.

You can also check out this website and search for tournaments by date and by state. Also, you can set up your own search (by states) and it will give you email alerts when any new tournaments are listed. http://www.karatetournaments.com/ I found this to be very helpful. Hope it helps. dano

Started almost two years ago at the age of 40. One of the best things I ever did. Go for it. You'll love it.

How about a digital video recorder that takes good pictures? I have a Sony 20X HandyCam that take great video and can be quickly switched back and forth to take pictures and videos. I've used it to record sparring sessions and MA tournaments then review later. While it is not as small as some of those camera/video phones that fit in your front pocket, it is roughly adult palm size and fits in a gym bag, pocketbook, or coat pocket. Picture quality is good. Hope that helps. dano

That was funny.

"ONE" by Metallica and a close second is "Wasted Years" by Iron Maiden. Kind of dating myself, but those songs are GREAT when getting ready for a tournament or a tough training day.

Shotokan-kez, making small gains in weight is a positive sign. The little guy needs to keep it up. I'm pulling for him. If you or your family are researching other medical facilities to help your nephew, there are two outstanding cardiac places in the US, Boston Children's Hospital and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (aka CHOP). I don't know if that is realistic to get to the US, but those are some incredible medical care places who handle international patients. I wish you all well.

Hello Shotokan-kez, I am sorry to hear the news. It's tough to get a diagnosis like that. I know first hand as my middle son was born with only three heart chambers (his diagnosis was single left ventricle and transposition of the great arteries, aka TGA). After four heart surgeries (two of which were open heart surgeries), he is an active nine year old who loves and participates in baseball and karate. While I am not qualified to give medical advice, my suggestion to you and your family is to talk to more doctors. Reach out. Do your research, seek them out, find the best and most experienced with the little guy's heart defect, and ask them what you can do. We traveled 500 miles to find the best doctor for our son. It was worth it. I feel for what you and your family are going through. Medical technology has come a long way and new life saving techniques are being done all the time. You need to find the one that will help you the best. I wish you and your family well.

That's awesome. Congratulations. Get some sleep now. You never know what tired is until you wake up repeatably every night to take care of a crying infant. It's all worth it though.

It's addictive. Never thought about MA until my sons wanted to try it out. Once they started, I took an interest in it. The rest is history. Great workout, great stress reducer, improved flexibility, and knowing that I could take care of myself or my family if the situation presented itself is very reassuring.

While I have not worn the century martial armor, I own two of them. I bought them for my sons who were participating in tournaments. They liked them because they were not as bulky as the chest protectors supplied by the tournament folks. They fit well and have a lycra mess-like material on both sides that is flexible when you move (and grow). The protective foam is not thick and will not protect you well from a hard punch or kick. But, if where you spar/tournament fight only allows light to moderate contact, then this would offer decent protection. My sons liked them and it provided some protection, so it was worth it for me. Hope that helps.

At our school, chest protectors are optional. I do not wear one. Except for the one time I had a rib injury that needed protecting.

I'm the Director of Sales for a large mining company on the East Coast. My dream job would be the #2 knuckle ball pitcher for the Boston Red Sox.

Happy belated Birthday. To me, 30 years is a great time in your life. Enjoy it. Last year ,my 40th birthday, was a little tough but like a lot of people have said, you are as old as you feel and act. Enjoy, and don't sweat the number of candles on your cake.

Welcome Givnal. I started a year and a half ago when I was 40. While I regret not doing it earlier in my life, I'm glad to be doing it now. It's a great workout. Lost 15 pounds (now 210) and, more importantly, keeping it off. I'm more flexible now then I was 15 years ago. Plus, I've entered over a half dozen tournaments on the East Coast which is great for my competitiveness. Keep going with the training and stick with it. The benefits will become even more evident over the next several months. The only downside I have found in starting at this age is the re-coup time. After strenuous workouts and tournaments, it takes a little longer to get that hop back in your step. Last, stick with Karateforums.com. There are some very helpful and insightful people on here every day to help with your training. Best of luck to you.