A group meets in the dojo to train every Monday night. We practice the Dan rank requirements, explore application, discuss concepts, review videos or pose questions. There is no curriculum or class instructor.
This past Monday, we decided to challenge ourselves one step further. Each Monday we are going to come up with an assignment for the week. Assignments could include bunkai, reading an article, creating a drill, researching a concept, learning about history and culture, preparing a lesson...or whatever else crosses our minds!
Simply put...we are a group of black belt students keeping our training moving forward.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Tuesday Tip: Know Important VSC's
My sister called me and sounded worried. I can always tell when something is bothering her. Eventually she told me about some disturbing telephone calls she received.
The Phone Call
My sister answered the phone. The caller spoke her name in a soft voice. The caller made an obscene request then hung up. The phone rang again and the same caller addressed her by name. The caller told my sister that he was right outside her house. Since she does not have caller ID, she immediately used Return Call feature (*69) on her phone. This feature allows you to automatically return the last call you received. The phone number came up "Private Caller".
The phone call shook my sister up. The caller knew her name and said he was right outside the house. I was glad she was not home alone. The next day she called her telephone company and was given advice.
Immediately after receiving an obscene/harassing/threatening call use the Call Trace (*57). Call Trace service records your number and the caller's number and stores the information with the telephone provider. The telephone provider will only release trace information to law enforcement. There is a fee and special requirements for this service. Only used this feature if the call is considered life threatening or if the harassment is to the point where you wish to press charges. Please check your local phone book or call your service provider for more information.
Obscene or Harassing Calls are a crime under PA and Federal Laws. The local 2010 Yellowbook directory suggests the following steps if you receive obscene, harassing or threatening calls.
1. Hang Up at the first obscene word.
2. Give no info such as your name or address.
3. Advise your children to give no information to strangers.
4. If the call persists call your local Business Office or Police Department.
Tuesday Tip: Know Important VSC's. A Vertical Service Code (VSC) is a special code dialed in conjunction with a telephone number, usually preceded by an asterisk or * (star), that activates a special telephone service. Here is a list of VSC's.
Please note that not all services are available to all areas. Check your local phone book or call your service provider for available features.
The Phone Call
My sister answered the phone. The caller spoke her name in a soft voice. The caller made an obscene request then hung up. The phone rang again and the same caller addressed her by name. The caller told my sister that he was right outside her house. Since she does not have caller ID, she immediately used Return Call feature (*69) on her phone. This feature allows you to automatically return the last call you received. The phone number came up "Private Caller".
The phone call shook my sister up. The caller knew her name and said he was right outside the house. I was glad she was not home alone. The next day she called her telephone company and was given advice.
Immediately after receiving an obscene/harassing/threatening call use the Call Trace (*57). Call Trace service records your number and the caller's number and stores the information with the telephone provider. The telephone provider will only release trace information to law enforcement. There is a fee and special requirements for this service. Only used this feature if the call is considered life threatening or if the harassment is to the point where you wish to press charges. Please check your local phone book or call your service provider for more information.
Obscene or Harassing Calls are a crime under PA and Federal Laws. The local 2010 Yellowbook directory suggests the following steps if you receive obscene, harassing or threatening calls.
1. Hang Up at the first obscene word.
2. Give no info such as your name or address.
3. Advise your children to give no information to strangers.
4. If the call persists call your local Business Office or Police Department.
Tuesday Tip: Know Important VSC's. A Vertical Service Code (VSC) is a special code dialed in conjunction with a telephone number, usually preceded by an asterisk or * (star), that activates a special telephone service. Here is a list of VSC's.
Please note that not all services are available to all areas. Check your local phone book or call your service provider for available features.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
10 Self-Defense Prevention/Awareness Mistakes
The last few months have been incredibly busy with work and the holidays. I was often rushing here and there while trying to accomplish many things simultaneously. I would catch myself breaking some of the basic tenants of self-defense prevention/awareness strategies. I shake my head and say "I should know better!" Every once in a while it is good to review the basics.
10 Self-Defense Prevention/Awareness Mistakes
1. Walking alone or running alone with head phones. This is my personal awareness pet peeve. I see people doing this every day. Take a look around your neighborhood and see how many people are plugged in and not paying attention.
2. Gas tank on E. I catch myself driving on fumes way too often. I think I can get to one more destination before I need to pump gas. My Dad fills up the moment it reads half a tank. I should be more like my Dad. :)
3. Distracted. Who hasn't been busy...overburdened with packages, on the phone, texting, etc. Make awareness a self-defense priority.
4. Unlocked. Lock your car and home (including windows). I only have one set of car keys and tend to leave the car unlocked. I need to get an additional key and lock up.
5. Ripping not shredding documents. I have a shredder but it is in the garage. I need to shred documents/mail with personal information instead of ripping them up.
6. Not carrying a cell phone. I have gotten in the habit of leaving my cell phone at home. I need to carry it and keep it charged in case of a family emergency.
7. Keys at the bottom of a purse. Always have your keys ready. I am good at this one because I do not often carry a purse. :)
8. No emergency car kit. I put a flashlight back in my car. Other useful items...blanket, band-aids, fix-a-flat/pump, flare and tire gauge.
9. Forgetting where you parked the car. This happened to me once this shopping season. When the parking lots get crowded, my usual parking area was full. I parked in the nearest available space. The only problem...I did not initially remember where my car was parked.
10. Women going to parties/bars alone. My husband added this one to the list and it is his personal self-defense prevention/awareness pet peeve.
There are many more but these are the ones that immediately came to mind. Please add to the list!
10 Self-Defense Prevention/Awareness Mistakes
1. Walking alone or running alone with head phones. This is my personal awareness pet peeve. I see people doing this every day. Take a look around your neighborhood and see how many people are plugged in and not paying attention.
2. Gas tank on E. I catch myself driving on fumes way too often. I think I can get to one more destination before I need to pump gas. My Dad fills up the moment it reads half a tank. I should be more like my Dad. :)
3. Distracted. Who hasn't been busy...overburdened with packages, on the phone, texting, etc. Make awareness a self-defense priority.
4. Unlocked. Lock your car and home (including windows). I only have one set of car keys and tend to leave the car unlocked. I need to get an additional key and lock up.
5. Ripping not shredding documents. I have a shredder but it is in the garage. I need to shred documents/mail with personal information instead of ripping them up.
6. Not carrying a cell phone. I have gotten in the habit of leaving my cell phone at home. I need to carry it and keep it charged in case of a family emergency.
7. Keys at the bottom of a purse. Always have your keys ready. I am good at this one because I do not often carry a purse. :)
8. No emergency car kit. I put a flashlight back in my car. Other useful items...blanket, band-aids, fix-a-flat/pump, flare and tire gauge.
9. Forgetting where you parked the car. This happened to me once this shopping season. When the parking lots get crowded, my usual parking area was full. I parked in the nearest available space. The only problem...I did not initially remember where my car was parked.
10. Women going to parties/bars alone. My husband added this one to the list and it is his personal self-defense prevention/awareness pet peeve.
There are many more but these are the ones that immediately came to mind. Please add to the list!
Friday, January 1, 2010
Looking Forward - Looking Back
From Wikipedia:
Looking Back
It has been two years since this blog was created. It began with posts discussing ACL Reconstruction and Recovery. My goal was to return to martial arts and I shared my ACL recovery process. As my knee became stronger, my blog posts shifted to martial arts, tai chi, bullies and parenting.
This blog has given me the opportunity to connect with fellow martial artists for which I am grateful. Please check out the excellent blogs listed under Martial Arts Links. A big "Thank You" to all the readers and to the people who left comments on this blog.
Looking Forward
My employment situation is changing slightly during the next few months. The busy time is now over and we are preparing for Halloween and Christmas 2010. There is talk that we will be starting a four day work week. This will be new for me but I think I can get used to it! :)
I will continue my martial arts training in Okinawa Kenpo and Tai Chi. The year 2010 will mark my 18th year in Okinawa Kenpo and my 2nd year practicing Tai Chi. In June, the dojo will reach its 15th Year Anniversary.
As for this blog, I want to continue writing and connecting with martial artists. I have learned much from reading your articles. Your writings have been inspiring...thank you.
Happy New Year!
In Roman Mythology, Janus was the god of gates, doors, doorways, beginnings and endings. His most prominent remnant in modern culture is his namesake, the month of January, which begins the new year.
Looking Back
It has been two years since this blog was created. It began with posts discussing ACL Reconstruction and Recovery. My goal was to return to martial arts and I shared my ACL recovery process. As my knee became stronger, my blog posts shifted to martial arts, tai chi, bullies and parenting.
This blog has given me the opportunity to connect with fellow martial artists for which I am grateful. Please check out the excellent blogs listed under Martial Arts Links. A big "Thank You" to all the readers and to the people who left comments on this blog.
Looking Forward
My employment situation is changing slightly during the next few months. The busy time is now over and we are preparing for Halloween and Christmas 2010. There is talk that we will be starting a four day work week. This will be new for me but I think I can get used to it! :)
I will continue my martial arts training in Okinawa Kenpo and Tai Chi. The year 2010 will mark my 18th year in Okinawa Kenpo and my 2nd year practicing Tai Chi. In June, the dojo will reach its 15th Year Anniversary.
As for this blog, I want to continue writing and connecting with martial artists. I have learned much from reading your articles. Your writings have been inspiring...thank you.
Happy New Year!
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Lost In Translation
I hear the words.
I understand the concepts.
My tai chi instructor describes the techniques in detail. He teaches using visualization and analogies. He discusses the physics of the movements and the anatomy of the joints.
We practice and are told to feel the techniques...to understand our movement is to understand the opponent.
I practice.
Somewhere between my mind and my body....it is lost in translation.
I understand the concepts.
My tai chi instructor describes the techniques in detail. He teaches using visualization and analogies. He discusses the physics of the movements and the anatomy of the joints.
We practice and are told to feel the techniques...to understand our movement is to understand the opponent.
I practice.
Somewhere between my mind and my body....it is lost in translation.
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