Samurai -- a bit bruised, a bit battered, but still grinning!
Samurai
passed my black-belt exam! WOOHOO!
Sorry, just had to share that. *beam* Apart from anything else, it's
a sort of apology to any folks I haven't replied to in the last few
days. Preparation has kept me rather busy, I'm afraid. Normal
transmissions will be resumed shortly. ;)
--
___________________________________________________________
\^\^//
,^ ( ..) Samurai Dragon ~~ UDIC Code ~~
| \ \ -==(UDIC)==- d++e N T--Om+U146MA7'L8u-uC++
\ `^--^ \/ uF-uG++uLB+uA+nC++uR nH+nP+++
\ \ \ (Remove fish to reply) nI++nPT+nS+++nT--wM-wC y+ a22
ksj ^--^ ___________________________________________________________
MdmeDis
Sam...@daisho.prestelcod.co.uk says...
> After possibly the most demanding three hours of my life today, I
> passed my black-belt exam! WOOHOO!
Congratulations. That must feel *really* good! Guess I'll have to show
some respect, now...
--
Disoriented Dragon
-==(UDIC)==-
D'ya ever have those days when you think
maybe its you, and not the rest of the world
that's fucked up?
Lost Dragon
>passed my black-belt exam! WOOHOO!
Sounds painful. Remind me not to try.
How long did it take you to make it to that level? Is that the
highest level there is? I really don't know anything about the
martial arts.
/| .oo__. .-----.------Lost Dragon Software------.-----. .__oo. |\
{ \| ,-'' | _O_ | ---=== Member: UDIC ===--- | _O_ | ``-, |/ }
`,_/,(_)\_ | | | http://www.lostdragon.com/ | | | _/(_),\_,'
<...{_)_)_''`-----`-Official Dungeon Bane Web Page-'-----'``_(_(_}...>
Phillip S Zibilich
> In article <35b271ef...@news.prestel.co.uk>,
> Sam...@daisho.prestelcod.co.uk says...
> > passed my black-belt exam! WOOHOO!
> Congratulations. That must feel *really* good! Guess I'll have to show
> some respect, now...
> --
> Disoriented Dragon
> -==(UDIC)==-
> D'ya ever have those days when you think
> maybe its you, and not the rest of the world
> that's fucked up?
"Samurai?? Respect????? Bwahahahahahahaha!!"
Darkling walks over to Sammy and says,"I'm just kdding you know. No hard
feelings, eh?" He pats Samurai on the shoulder -- just to have an
over-the-shoulder throw demonstrated on him.
"I guess not."
:->
--
--------------------------------------
Darkling Dragon --==(UDIC)==-- --==(unSPLUT)==--
Phillip Zibilich \/ Ultima Dragon and
ps...@gnofn.org Emulation enthusiast
"Time is a play thing. But when
it breaks, you're fucked." -- psz
--------------------------------------
Jeremy Bowers
(Samurai) wrote:
>After possibly the most demanding three hours of my life today, I
>passed my black-belt exam! WOOHOO!
>
>Sorry, just had to share that. *beam* Apart from anything else, it's
>a sort of apology to any folks I haven't replied to in the last few
>days. Preparation has kept me rather busy, I'm afraid. Normal
>transmissions will be resumed shortly. ;)
A hearty congratulations!
Now what? I don't exactly want to say, "Now have fun with it"... in
fact, I'd encourage the exact opposite, at least around me...
(symphonic leaves before he says something he'd regret)
--
Symphonic Dragon
http://www.cps.msu.edu/~bowersj2
-==(UDIC)==- -DAMNSTOP- (member of the Ancient Order)
Gaseous Dragon
>> Sam...@daisho.prestelcod.co.uk says...
>> > After possibly the most demanding three hours of my life today, I
>> > passed my black-belt exam! WOOHOO!
Fantastic!!
Many congratulations!!
No doubt a just reward for many hours (and years) of effort....
Gaseous ponders....
Does this mean we have to stand waaaaaay back if we want to SPLUT you from
now on?
Gaseous Dragon -==(UDIC)==- In an alternate reality, Ron Windeyer
r...@wantree.com.au
http://www.wantree.com.au/~rsd
ICQ 14725047
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
d++ e- N T-- Om+ U1!2!35!7'!S'!8!L! u++ uC uF++ uG+ uLB+ uA nC+
nH+ nP nI nPT nS++ nT-/+ wM wC++ wS++ wl-- wN+ y+ a47 -==(UnSPLUTable)==-
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Destrius
>
> After possibly the most demanding three hours of my life today, I
> passed my black-belt exam! WOOHOO!
>
> a sort of apology to any folks I haven't replied to in the last few
> days. Preparation has kept me rather busy, I'm afraid. Normal
> transmissions will be resumed shortly. ;)
Congrats. Remember, though, your black belt means nothing to one trained
in the arcane Arts like me. :)
--
+------------------------------------+-------------------------+
| Destrius Dragon | |
| Official Mad Mage | "Am I dreaming of the |
| -=*[~UDIC~]*=- -=*[UnSPLUT!]*=- | butterfly, or is the |
| moc.seiticoeg@suirtsed | butterfly dreaming |
| (read that backwards...) | of me...?" |
| UIN: 4404418 | |
| http://destrius.simplenet.com | ooO(...) |
+------------------------------------+-------------------------+
UDIC: d+++ e+ N++ T-- Om+ U1234567!8!AWS'! u++ uC++++ uF-
uG++++ uLB+ uA+++ nC+ nR nH+ nP++ nI++ nPT++++
nS++++ nT-- wM wC+ wS wI+ wN+ o- y a16
---| 庄心宇 |---
kusne
> After possibly the most demanding three hours of my life today, I
> passed my black-belt exam! WOOHOO!
>
> Sorry, just had to share that. *beam* Apart from anything else, it's
> a sort of apology to any folks I haven't replied to in the last few
> days. Preparation has kept me rather busy, I'm afraid. Normal
> transmissions will be resumed shortly. ;)
>
Congragulations!Do you expect mobility tomorrow? ;-)
What form are you taking?
Ensorceleur-Moine Dragon
Sable
>
> After possibly the most demanding three hours of my life today, I
> passed my black-belt exam! WOOHOO!
> Sorry, just had to share that. *beam* Apart from anything else, it's
a sort of apology to any folks I haven't replied to in the last few
days. Preparation has kept me rather busy, I'm afraid. Normal
> transmissions will be resumed shortly. ;)
You're not kidding, right? A black belt in what, may I ask? Well,
anyway, hearty congratulations to you. You've made a big step.
Jarek Sobolewski
Contemptous Dragon
Tierrie Dragon
Tierrie Dragon
ps. In what? Taekwondo? Judo? Karate?
BrightCoral Dragon
<r...@wantree.com.au> wrote:
>> Sam...@daisho.prestelcod.co.uk says...
>> After possibly the most demanding three hours of my life today, I
>> passed my black-belt exam! WOOHOO!
>
>Gaseous ponders....
>
>Does this mean we have to stand waaaaaay back if we want to SPLUT you from
>now on?
To Gaseous Dragon:
Not to worry, we can still *SPLUT* him from the air.
To Samurai Dragon:
Way to go! I'm impressed! Congratulations!
BrightCoral Dragon
kusne
> On Mon, 20 Jul 1998 14:51:48 +0800, "Gaseous Dragon"
> <r...@wantree.com.au> wrote:
>
> >> Sam...@daisho.prestelcod.co.uk says...
> >> After possibly the most demanding three hours of my life today, I
> >> passed my black-belt exam! WOOHOO!
> >
> >Gaseous ponders....
> >
> >Does this mean we have to stand waaaaaay back if we want to SPLUT you from
> >now on?
>
> To Gaseous Dragon:
> Not to worry, we can still *SPLUT* him from the air.
>
My instructor once jumped over this 6'3" student (something like that -- he was
huge) touched his feet lightly on the student's shoulders and then completed
the jump with a soft and graceful landing. I was shoked!
Ensorceleur-Moine Dragon
Samurai
>>After possibly the most demanding three hours of my life today, I
>>passed my black-belt exam! WOOHOO!
>
Well, the adrenaline stops stuff happening at the time being too
uncomfortable, and the ol' body more aches than hurts afterwards, so
it's not _too_ bad. ;)
>Remind me not to try.
*grin* It's not everyone's bag, I have to admit.
>How long did it take you to make it to that level?
I've been training for nearly eight years now.
>Is that the highest level there is?
Nope -- in fact, the black-belt is really just the beginning -- it
marks one's transition to being a serious student. :) Japanese
martial arts like mine have levels of black-belt, called 'dans'. I'm
only first dan now. Technically, it's possible to get as high as
tenth, though very few people ever manage that.
>I really don't know anything about the martial arts.
Well, it's my hobby, but if it's not yours, there's no real reason to!
:)
Samurai
[munch]
>A hearty congratulations!
>
>Now what? I don't exactly want to say, "Now have fun with it"...
>in fact, I'd encourage the exact opposite, at least around me...
Heh. Just knowing I have the thing is enjoyment enough for the
moment!
>(symphonic leaves before he says something he'd regret)
*chuckle* You're quite safe -- the point of what I do is to use it
only when absolutely necessary, and I haven't yet seen anything posted
here that will qualify for that. ;)
Samurai
[munch]
>Fantastic!!
>
>Many congratulations!!
Thank'ee kindly.
>No doubt a just reward for many hours (and years) of effort....
One would certainly like to think so! :)
>Gaseous ponders....
>
>Does this mean we have to stand waaaaaay back if we want to SPLUT
>you from now on?
Well, that's _entirely_ up to you, Gaseous. *toothy grin*
Samurai
>MdmeDis <GS...@ix.netcom.com> wrote:
[munch]
>> Congratulations. That must feel *really* good!
Thanks. It does, rather. :D
>> Guess I'll have to show some respect, now...
*faint* *THUD*
;)
>"Samurai?? Respect????? Bwahahahahahahaha!!"
>
>Darkling walks over to Sammy and says,"I'm just kdding you know. No
>hard feelings, eh?" He pats Samurai on the shoulder -- just to have
>an over-the-shoulder throw demonstrated on him.
Hey, and I was unconscious, too. Not bad!
>"I guess not."
>
>:->
*grin*
Samurai
[munch]
>Congragulations!Do you expect mobility tomorrow? ;-)
The bruises were a bit tender, and one shoulder a bit stiff, and my
nose still hurts a bit, but other than that there weren't too many
problems, thanks. :)
>What form are you taking?
As I said to Contemptuous, it's in ju-jitsu -- you know, the one Mel
Gibson's character uses in 'Lethal Weapon'. ;)
Samurai
[munch]
>Congrats. Remember, though, your black belt means nothing to one
>trained in the arcane Arts like me. :)
Many martial arts train one in the use of more than one's physical
form, my friend.
But thanks anyway. :)
Samurai
[munch]
>You're not kidding, right?
I certainly hope not -- I went through a lot of discomfort for
nothing, otherwise. :)
>A black belt in what, may I ask?
Jujitsu. I've tinkered with a few other styles, but my 'mother' art
is that one.
>Well, anyway, hearty congratulations to you. You've made a big
>step.
Thanks. It is a big step, yes, but certainly not the last!
Lost Dragon
>uncomfortable, and the ol' body more aches than hurts afterwards, so
>it's not _too_ bad. ;)
Hmm. I can play "Mortal Kombat 12" (whatever) for hours and not
have a single bruise afterwards.
<ponders>
Am I a black belt too? =]
>I've been training for nearly eight years now.
Yeeeeez.. By the time I finished, I'd be too old to be dangerous
anymore ;)
>Nope -- in fact, the black-belt is really just the beginning -- it
Gah!
>marks one's transition to being a serious student. :) Japanese
D'oh!
>martial arts like mine have levels of black-belt, called 'dans'. I'm
>only first dan now. Technically, it's possible to get as high as
>tenth, though very few people ever manage that.
Yeesh. The things you have to do to get a little respect around here
:D
/| .oo__. .-----.=- Lost Dragon -=.-----. U
{ \| ,-'' | _O_ |==- Dungeon Bane: A New Shareware CRPG -==| _O_ | D
`,_/'(_)\_ | | |===-- http://www.lostdragon.com/ --===| | | I
<...{_)_)_''`-----`=====-- Currently in Development --====='-----' C
BrightCoral Dragon
>My instructor once jumped over this 6'3" student (something like that -- he was
>huge) touched his feet lightly on the student's shoulders and then completed
>the jump with a soft and graceful landing. I was shoked!
>
>Ensorceleur-Moine Dragon
I thought that only exist in kung-fu movies & books! You actually
*saw* him do this? I guess then maybe I should believe the tale about
people running around on rooftops as well.
BrightCoral Dragon
Daniel Burke
> I thought that only exist in kung-fu movies & books! You actually
> *saw* him do this? I guess then maybe I should believe the tale about
>
> people running around on rooftops as well.
>
> BrightCoral Dragon
And jumping up onto rooftops backwards ;)
-Dantec Dragon
-===========================(UDIC)================================-
On second thoughts... lets not go to camelot, tis a silly place.
d++++ e- N+ T+++ Om++++ U1347'S'8!KA!LW!
u++ uC++ uF uG--- uLB+ uA nC+ nH++++ nP+ nI++ nPT nS++ nT+
wM---- wC- wN+ o--
y+ 15
The Tome Of The Avatar
http://denmarkwa.net.au/~dantec/build.html
Icq: 11650779
Vassago
Wow! :)
Lord Vassago Dragon
d e N+ T++ Om--- U1234567'!S'!8!KA!L!WM
u uC++ uF+ uG---- uLB++ uA---- nC+ nR nH+ nP nI nPT- nS+ nT+
wM--- wC-- wN+ o++ oA+++ y+ 29/07/1981 ad
nospamplease...@sympatico.ca
Sven
Samurai wrote in message <35b271ef...@news.prestel.co.uk>...
>After possibly the most demanding three hours of my life today, I
>passed my black-belt exam! WOOHOO!
Congratulations, Samurai!
And because I can't think of anymore to say, I'll just congratulate you
again! :)
Actually, I'm considering taking classes in martial arts, around
September-ish maybe. I'm just wondering; at 20, am I not too old to start?
The only people I know who are into it started at 10-14 years old.
Well-Dressed
Destrius
>
> Quoth Destrius <u...@the.sig.addy>:
>
> [munch]
> >Congrats. Remember, though, your black belt means nothing to one
> >trained in the arcane Arts like me. :)
>
> Many martial arts train one in the use of more than one's physical
> form, my friend.
Uh, I sort of meant that magic could defend me from any attack you may
make, but never mind... :)
(oh yes, and I agree with you too. I like Chinese martial arts, esp.
using a staff.. well sort of a staff... :)
-clip-
> But thanks anyway. :)
-clip-
You're welcome. :)
Samurai
>Oooh a black-belt! Armani? CK? A|X? DKNY? What kind?
It's actually a fanbelt. ;)
>Tierrie Dragon
>
>ps. In what? Taekwondo? Judo? Karate?
I suspect you've probably seen my replies to this elsewhere by now,
but it's in jujutsu.
(Heh. I've managed to type it a slightly different way every time so
far. Gotta love non-Latin alphabets!)
Samurai
>On Mon, 20 Jul 1998 14:51:48 +0800, "Gaseous Dragon"
[munch]
>>Does this mean we have to stand waaaaaay back if we want to SPLUT
>>you from now on?
>
>To Gaseous Dragon:
>Not to worry, we can still *SPLUT* him from the air.
Hmm. That'd probably be your safest bet, actually, since I haven't
ever tried Japanese archery.
>To Samurai Dragon:
>Way to go! I'm impressed! Congratulations!
Thanks, BrightCoral!
Samurai
[munch]
>My instructor once jumped over this 6'3" student (something like that
>-- he was huge) touched his feet lightly on the student's shoulders
>and then completed the jump with a soft and graceful landing. I was
>shoked!
Quite impressive! What art do you practice, Ensorceleur-Moine, if you
don't mind my asking? I'm vaguely aware of special jumping techniques
existing in a couple of styles, but I've never seen any practiced.
Sheldon Nylander
> After possibly the most demanding three hours of my life today, I
> passed my black-belt exam! WOOHOO!
>
> Sorry, just had to share that. *beam* Apart from anything else, it's
> a sort of apology to any folks I haven't replied to in the last few
> days. Preparation has kept me rather busy, I'm afraid. Normal
> transmissions will be resumed shortly. ;)
Cool! Congratulations. I always wanted to get involved in the martial
arts, I just never got around to it. Tell me, at 20 years old, is it too
late for me become a serious student of a martial art? At one time, I
considered taking Ken Do, but that's kind of an expensive one to take.
--
Dalboz Dragon
<<UDIC>>
ICQ: 14285834
--------------
d+++ e-- N+ T- Om+ U147 u- uC+ uF++ uG++ uLB+ uA++++ nC+ nH+ nI++ nPT
nS+ nT+ oA+++ y a20
--------------
"It can only be attributable to human error." - HAL 9000 from 2001: A
Space Odyssey
kusne
TOTALLY wrong or rediculous) about it and also the HUGE daunting fact that
the head of the group was convicted with avoiding the IRS which caused all
the schools to break off from the national chain. However, so far I've
had only good experiences. I'm still very worried if this is a true new
martial arts (like Aikido which was founded by well known martial artists)
or does it just make me feel better like a sport. Some of the things that
the teachers are able to do are amazing though.
For improved jumping hight you get into "fat-man" position -- a very low
squat with straight back -- and hop rediculously like a frog. (It's not
advised that everyone do this since I'm no instructor, I may have
described it wrong) The next day you'll feel it all throughout your upper
leg muscles and in your knee so aparantly it works.
Ensorceleur-Moine Dragon
Samurai
>Samurai wrote:
[munch]
>> Many martial arts train one in the use of more than one's physical
>> form, my friend.
>-clip-
>
>Uh, I sort of meant that magic could defend me from any attack you
>may make, but never mind... :)
Hey, the powers of one's inner strength are as great as any magick!
(Well, except perhaps Armageddon ...)
;)
>(oh yes, and I agree with you too. I like Chinese martial arts, esp.
>using a staff.. well sort of a staff... :)
I'm quite a fan of the Japanese staff, myself. but despite having a
different name, it's still a staff. How is the Chinese variant only
'sort of', if I may ask?
>-clip-
>> But thanks anyway. :)
>-clip-
>
>You're welcome. :)
*grin*
Samurai
[munch]
>Congratulations, Samurai!
>
>And because I can't think of anymore to say, I'll just congratulate
>you again! :)
Thanks! Twice! :)
>Actually, I'm considering taking classes in martial arts, around
>September-ish maybe. I'm just wondering; at 20, am I not too old
>to start? The only people I know who are into it started at
>10-14 years old.
Nope, not too old at all, Well-Dressed. I personally know people who
took up martial arts in their 30s, and know of people who didn't start
till they were 80. The main point is to find a club where you're
comfortable, and where the teaching is good.
Samurai
>Now you're gonna kick the bads guys ass like in the movies!
>Wow! :)
*chuckle* The first rule of self-defence is still to run away if it's
possible. YOu don't see many guys in the movies doing _that_!
Still, if it came down to it, one would like to think one could hold
one's own. :)
Ibn al-Hazardous Dragon
known as Samurai on Sun, 19 Jul 1998 22:24:04 GMT uttered the following
message:
>After possibly the most demanding three hours of my life today, I
>passed my black-belt exam! WOOHOO!
>
>Sorry, just had to share that. *beam* Apart from anything else, it's
>a sort of apology to any folks I haven't replied to in the last few
>days. Preparation has kept me rather busy, I'm afraid. Normal
>transmissions will be resumed shortly. ;)
[Ibn, shamefull of his belated arival, strolls up to Sammy, his hands
hidden behind his back]
- Congratulations! This, if nothing else, ought to make any potential
RGCUD spammers think twice. >;) (Or at least; that seemed like a nice
thing to say - perhaps those belts of 'Punt's are a little more
effective.)
[Sammy eyes the hidden hands of Ibn's suspiciously]
- Oh, that? It's a Cinnabon my friend. And it's for you!
[Sammy beams a little more]
- Look! Isn't that an albatross? Over there! ==>>
*SPLUT!*
- Ah, 'twas a pie after all. Better hurry along now. Bye bye!
[Ibn takes off, leaving a Cinnabon on the ground beside Samurai though -
to cool his temper a little.]
F
Ibn al-Hazardous Dragon /\
-==(UDIC)==- F / \ F
-==(the UnSPLUTables)==- /\ /____\ /\
Wouldst thou reply, /__\/|\__/|\/__\
Eatest the pie! / || || \
_____________________________/______||__||______\___
d++++ e- N++ T+++ Om- U46!7A!W! u uC++ uF- uG-- uLB-
uA++ nC++ nR nH nP nI++ nPT+ nS+++ nT+ wM---- y a25
Sven
Samurai wrote in message <35bb9946...@news.prestel.co.uk>...
>Quoth "Sven" <deri...@SPAMBGONE.publishnet.nl>:
>>Actually, I'm considering taking classes in martial arts, around
>>September-ish maybe. I'm just wondering; at 20, am I not too old
>>to start? The only people I know who are into it started at
>>10-14 years old.
>
>Nope, not too old at all, Well-Dressed. I personally know people who
>took up martial arts in their 30s, and know of people who didn't start
>till they were 80. The main point is to find a club where you're
>comfortable, and where the teaching is good.
I've been checking out some schools:
Kick-boxing: The fighting here is pure brutal and animal. The people I saw
were testosterone-laden bullies. And it focusses way too much on attacking
instead of defending. I'll return here when I develop a desire to have my
chest kicked in. Or when I have a black belt in any of the other martial
arts ;)
Karate: much, much better than kick-boxing, but more focussed on attacking
than on defending. Worth considering, though.
Aikido: liked this one a lot, but progress seems a little slower than with
the other martial arts. But I could be mistaken. Aikido seemed very
concerned with being a philosophy and an art, even more so than Karate or
Jiujitsu.
Jiujitsu: my favourite so far. The students seemed really capable (even the
newer ones) and into it. I like the style; mostly defensive. The atmosphere
of the Jiujitsu and Aikido classes was a lot friendlier than that of the
Kick-boxing and Karate classes. I think I'll choose this one.
I have just checked them out very briefly, so I don't know about their
specific styles (well, kick-boxing is obvious). I think I'll join Jiujitsu
around the end of August. Any tips for a beginner?
Well-Dressed
Samurai
>Chung Moo Doe (aka Chung Moo Quan) -- okay I know all the rumors
>(most TOTALLY wrong or rediculous) about it and also the HUGE
>daunting fact that the head of the group was convicted with
>avoiding the IRS which caused all the schools to break off from
>the national chain.
Alas, there are a _lot_ of scam artists in martial arts, since they've
never been officially regulated in the West. IMHO, they should be.
That's not to say that the art itself is bad, though.
>However, so far I've ad only good experiences. I'm still very
>worried if this is a true new martial arts (like Aikido which was
>founded by well known martial artists)
It was indeed.
>or does it just make me feel better like a sport.
Having never heard of it before, I really couldn't say. Basically, if
the techniques taught look like they could cause damage to an attacker
without damaging the defender, even without body armour, then it's
probably at least passable for self-defence.
>Some of the things that the teachers are able to do are amazing
>though.
Well, it is perfectly possibly they got those skills from other
martial arts. When Jigoro Kano founded Judo, all of his best students
were already experienced practicioners of Ju-jitsu. On the other
hand, they might have gained them from your style. Without knowing
more about it, I really couldn't say.
>For improved jumping hight you get into "fat-man" position -- a very
>low squat with straight back -- and hop rediculously like a frog.
>(It's not advised that everyone do this since I'm no instructor, I
>may have described it wrong)
No, we do that sometimes, too. It's designed to build one's thigh
muscles, and does work. However, there's a risk one can damage one's
knees doing it.
>The next day you'll feel it all throughout your upper
>leg muscles and in your knee so aparantly it works.
It's even better when you've got a broom-stick over your shoulders.
Samurai
[munch]
>Cool! Congratulations.
Thanks, Dalboz!
>I always wanted to get involved in the martial arts, I just never got
>around to it.
Well, it's certainly not everyone's cup of tea, but I find it pretty
rewarding.
>Tell me, at 20 years old, is it too late for me become a serious
>student of a martial art?
Not in the slightest. I know people who took martial arts up in their
30s, and know of people who did so in their 80s, so 20 is actually
quite young. :)
>At one time, I considered taking Ken Do, but that's kind of an
>expensive one to take.
*nod* Unless you can find a club that provides the equipment, it is,
yes. If it's just training with weaponary you're interested in,
though, rather than actually hitting other people with it ;) there are
several martial arts devoted to, or at least incorporating, weaponry.
(In mine, we train with katanas if we can afford them, but since a
decent one will cost over $1,000, I shall stick with my $10 wooden
sword for now!)
Sheldon Nylander
> *nod* Unless you can find a club that provides the equipment, it is,
> yes. If it's just training with weaponary you're interested in,
> though, rather than actually hitting other people with it ;) there are
> several martial arts devoted to, or at least incorporating, weaponry.
I'm more interested in achievement and some physical conditioning. But
being able to hold your own in fight would be nice, if it came down to
it. I was a white belt in American Tang Soo Do about 10 years ago, and
was going to follow through on it, but never did. So I know of the
general philosophy of trying to avoid a physical confrontation first and
whole-heartedly agree with it.
> (In mine, we train with katanas if we can afford them, but since a
> decent one will cost over $1,000, I shall stick with my $10 wooden
> sword for now!)
I like my swords. I've got a nice collection started at home. My
favorite is the replica of the Dragon Sword that is used in "Highlander
the Series". But I have a metal, collapsible practice sword. You can't
hit it against anything; it'll break too easily. But it's good for
practicing forms.
Samurai
>Samurai wrote ...
>>Quoth "Sven" <deri...@SPAMBGONE.publishnet.nl>:
>>>Actually, I'm considering taking classes in martial arts, around
>>>September-ish maybe. I'm just wondering; at 20, am I not too old
>>>to start? The only people I know who are into it started at
>>>10-14 years old.
>>
>>Nope, not too old at all, Well-Dressed. I personally know people
>>who took up martial arts in their 30s, and know of people who
>>didn't start till they were 80. The main point is to find a club
>>where you're comfortable, and where the teaching is good.
>
>I've been checking out some schools:
>
>Kick-boxing: The fighting here is pure brutal and animal. The people
>I saw were testosterone-laden bullies.
It isn't _always_ like that, but there's certainly mroe scope for
brutal usage during training than in most other martial arts.
>And it focusses way too much on attacking instead of defending. I'll
>return here when I develop a desire to have my chest kicked in. Or
>when I have a black belt in any of the other martial arts ;)
Well, kick-boxing _still_ doesn't appeal to me, so ... ;)
>Karate: much, much better than kick-boxing, but more focussed on
>attacking than on defending. Worth considering, though.
Karate tends to expand a bit more as one progresses through the ranks.
In fact, most martial arts look more alike at higher grades. It's
just a question of where each art's speciality lies, and in karate, as
you say, it tends to be on striking rather than anything else.
(Any karate-ka reading, please feel free to shoot me down now. ;)
Anyway, as you say, karate is worth at least considering. Certain
elements of it, like the kata -- set series of movements and
techniques practiced alone -- I enjoy greatly.
>Aikido: liked this one a lot, but progress seems a little slower than
>with the other martial arts. But I could be mistaken.
No, you're pretty much right. When you're good at it, aikido can be
absolutely devastating, and the beauty of it is, you use very little
force yourself. However, because it's geared towards redirecting an
opponent's aggression, it takes longer to master than some other
styles.
>Aikido seemed very concerned with being a philosophy and an art, even
>more so than Karate or Jiujitsu.
Probably true. Karate-do and Ju-jitsu both have underlying
philosophies, but that of Aikido is integrated more into the
techniques, I think.
>Jiujitsu: my favourite so far.
Nice to hear my choice gets independent support. :D
>The students seemed really capable (even the newer ones)
At the risk of being shot down again, I'd say Ju-jitsu is usable more
quickly than most types of martial arts. In theory, the stuff a
beginner learns in his or her first lesson can be put to use if
they're attacked that day.
>and into it.
That's more a function of the club than the style, I have to say, but
_I_ certainly enjoy Ju-jitsu more than any other art I've tried.
>I like the style; mostly defensive.
At lower levels, yes. Again, it's a question of emphasis.
>The atmosphere of the Jiujitsu and Aikido classes was a lot
>friendlier than that of the Kick-boxing and Karate classes.
It almost has to be. Karate and kickboxing are practiced at arm's
length, since they rely predominantly on strikes. Because Ju-jitsu
and Aikido deal with grappling a lot more, you are in close contact
with the people you train with for a lot longer. It tends to be a
good incentive to get to know someone. :)
>I think I'll choose this one.
Well, it's your choice, of course, but since it sounds like you like
the club itself, I have to recommend style. :) Before you decide,
though, see if you can find some Chinese martial art clubs -- I don't
know a lot about them, but there may be one of those that appeals to
you.
>I have just checked them out very briefly, so I don't know about
>their specific styles (well, kick-boxing is obvious). I think I'll
>join Jiujitsu around the end of August. Any tips for a beginner?
Listen, watch, and ask questions if you don't understand. And if you
feel other students are being too rough on you, ask them to tone it
down a little. If they refuse, reconsider your choice. This is a
personal thing, but I feel any club which feels it has to be very hard
on newcomers just to prove how tough it is, isn't worth bothering
with.
Anyway, HTH! If you have any other questions, drop me an e-mail. And
remember to remove the fish! ;)
Samurai
[munch]
>[Ibn, shamefull of his belated arival, strolls up to Sammy, his hands
>hidden behind his back]
>
>- Congratulations! This, if nothing else, ought to make any potential
>RGCUD spammers think twice. >;) (Or at least; that seemed like a nice
>thing to say -
*G* Thanks for the thought, anyway.
>perhaps those belts of 'Punt's are a little more effective.)
*nod* A Mallet o' LARTing is probably more use in this case, yes. :)
>[Sammy eyes the hidden hands of Ibn's suspiciously]
>
>- Oh, that? It's a Cinnabon my friend. And it's for you!
>
>[Sammy beams a little more]
>
>- Look! Isn't that an albatross? Over there! ==>>
An albatross? Don't you mean a three-headed monkey ...?
>*SPLUT!*
>
>- Ah, 'twas a pie after all.
*sigh* Yes, you _did_ mean a three-headed monkey.
;)
>Better hurry along now. Bye bye!
>
>[Ibn takes off, leaving a Cinnabon on the ground beside
>Samurai though - to cool his temper a little.]
Well, I suppose if people are splutted to congratulate them on
joining, I can put up with one for my black belt. :) And he _did_
leave a cinnabon, after all! *contented munching*
Samurai
>Samurai wrote:
[munch]
>> If it's just training with weaponary you're interested in, though,
>> rather than actually hitting other people with it ;) there are
>> several martial arts devoted to, or at least incorporating,
>> weaponry.
>
>I'm more interested in achievement and some physical conditioning.
Fair enough -- there are a variety of arts that can offer you that,
mine included. You should be aware that the coloured belt around your
waist won't be the sole measure of your achievement, though. Most
people going into martial arts just to get that black-belt are either
quickly disillusioned, or kid themselves as to their abilities. It's
an easy trap to fall into, so it's worth being forewarned. :)
>But being able to hold your own in fight would be nice, if it came
>down to it. I was a white belt in American Tang Soo Do about 10
>years ago, and was going to follow through on it, but never did.
>So I know of the general philosophy of trying to avoid a physical
>confrontation first and whole-heartedly agree with it.
*nod* And being trained to a reasonable level in martial arts helps
with that immensely, I think. Since one feels more confident in
threatening situations, one can remain calmer, and not exhibit the
victim mentality that could make one a more tempting target.
>> (In mine, we train with katanas if we can afford them, but since a
>> decent one will cost over $1,000, I shall stick with my $10 wooden
>> sword for now!)
>
>I like my swords. I've got a nice collection started at home. My
>favorite is the replica of the Dragon Sword that is used in
>"Highlander the Series".
That is the katana, right? I'm a particular fan of Japanese swords --
they're so much more stylish than most of the things we forged in the
West.
>But I have a metal, collapsible practice sword. You can't hit it
>against anything; it'll break too easily. But it's good for
>practicing forms.
*nod* I'm holding off on getting a metal sword till I can afford one
capable of holding a live blade. It makes you much more respectful of
the weapon if you know it can decapitate you if you get it wrong. ;D