Red J

Welcome to KF.

Excellent point KSN Doug. If you ever have to use your training to defend yourself it is usually on the attacker's terms not yours. Unless you walk around barefoot, it would behoove you to learn how to kick in shoes.

As you train you will find your natural strengths and areas of opportunity. Everyone is different. My attitude is to train hard, do your best, and have a good time. The gi thing...they all seem to fit differently.

Agreed!

I have toyed with the idea but I have not come up with something that I can commit to. My big problem with getting one is that I know that you can't trade it in six months down the line for something that you like better.

Tobias congrats. Do you do Kobudo exclusively now? Is it just weapons or a system that incorporates weapons? You may want to list the weapons as some of us probably do not know what is available to you. Your post has piqued my interest. So it's not so pointless.

IMO the instructor makes or breaks the experience for the student. It all comes down to knowing the material and people skills. Fancy equipment and such don't mean squat if you have a clown teaching you. Some of my best training was in an outdoor dojo.

It sounds like the instructor has a good record of preparing his/her students. Focus on your goal and go for it!!! Keep us posted.

I would say to check out the schools and observe the classes. Take the one that you like the best. IMO any MA experience can only be a benefit. If you could do a follow up post on what you are looking for then you will get more specific feedback.

Welcome!

The media did have a part to play in the presidential fiasco. Take the following scenario. I live in South Florida and voted in the morning. My brother lives in the Panhandle and got off work in the late afternoon. He almost did not vote because of the networks calling the race. He told me that many people west of Tallahassee that live in Florida but in a different time zone did not vote because of the reporting. Precincts in those areas reported less traffic during the last hour than did the polls in the EST zone (ie polls just miles apart that close an hour later because of the time zone). How many voters failed to vote because they thought the race was over? We will never know either way.

The last one reminds me of the terrorist that tried to blow up a car and instead burned his lips on the exhaust pipe!

So when you are "bonking" there is no chance for "bonking". Seriously, keeping hydrated and eating those little snacks makes sense in order to maximize your workouts. Thanks for the tip.

I keep watching it. Stick man has not lost yet!

Good line, how true.

Actually the last mistake was during the Democratic Primary. McBride versus Reno. McBride won and will be in the governor's race. Hopefully this November will be smoother.

Yes, our machines have changed. They are now touch screen computers and only allow for one race per screen. It's super easy and before you finalize the vote, the last screen gives you a recap on how you voted and an opportunity to change it. You can skip races that you don't want to vote for but you can't vote twice in one race, the computer won't allow it. The technology is great, but the problem is that volunteers are relied upon to man the voting precincts. This is where the last error came into play with the volunteers being late in opening polls on time. It was further exacerbated by the govenor ordering that the polls remain open two extra hours across the state and some workers had shut down the machines. As a result, some votes were recorded by hand as when a machine is shut down it has to be reconfigured.

IMO: The electoral college is outdated. The popular vote should determine the victor. Campaign finance needs to be reformed to keep out the influence of special interest groups. Personal issues should only be relevant when dealing with character and past performance. IE keep the families out of it. I don't vote along party lines, I vote for who I feel is the best person (or sometimes the lesser of two evils). I hope this helps.

I think the big difference is that in the dojo everyone chooses to be there. This choice is built around a strong common interest. The bond is made through similarites in attitudes and lifestyles. In school people attend for many reasons, one is that education is compulsory. With so many people coming for so many reasons, I can understand why you feel this way. When you get out of school and into ventures that are made by choice, I think that you will make stronger connections. The most important thing is to have an open mind so that you attract these people through your thoughts and actions. Life is a journey.

Thanks for the link. Do you have any more?

Congrats X!

Interesting web site. I especially liked the story: Judo Team: 1; Carjacker: 0 "WE HAD THIS GUY LIKE A PRETZEL ON THE GROUND" states judo team member Score one for the good guys!

You can generate a lot of power with your elbows. They can be devastating. Try it out on the bag, you'll be surprised at the power you generate with a proper technique.

Amazon and Superfoots

Great job Patrick, I especially like the ranking chart and stats.