Please take a look at Articles on self-defense/conflict/violence for introductions to the references found in the bibliography page.

Please take a look at my bibliography if you do not see a proper reference to a post.

Please take a look at my Notable Quotes

Hey, Attention on Deck!

Hey, NOTHING here is PERSONAL, get over it - Teach Me and I will Learn!


When you begin to feel like you are a tough guy, a warrior, a master of the martial arts or that you have lived a tough life, just take a moment and get some perspective with the following:


I've stopped knives that were coming to disembowel me

I've clawed for my gun while bullets ripped past me

I've dodged as someone tried to put an ax in my skull

I've fought screaming steel and left rubber on the road to avoid death

I've clawed broken glass out of my body after their opening attack failed

I've spit blood and body parts and broke strangle holds before gouging eyes

I've charged into fires, fought through blizzards and run from tornados

I've survived being hunted by gangs, killers and contract killers

The streets were my home, I hunted in the night and was hunted in turn


Please don't brag to me that you're a survivor because someone hit you. And don't tell me how 'tough' you are because of your training. As much as I've been through I know people who have survived much, much worse. - Marc MacYoung

WARNING, CAVEAT AND NOTE

The postings on this blog are my interpretation of readings, studies and experiences therefore errors and omissions are mine and mine alone. The content surrounding the extracts of books, see bibliography on this blog site, are also mine and mine alone therefore errors and omissions are also mine and mine alone and therefore why I highly recommended one read, study, research and fact find the material for clarity. My effort here is self-clarity toward a fuller understanding of the subject matter. See the bibliography for information on the books. Please make note that this article/post is my personal analysis of the subject and the information used was chosen or picked by me. It is not an analysis piece because it lacks complete and comprehensive research, it was not adequately and completely investigated and it is not balanced, i.e., it is my personal view without the views of others including subject experts, etc. Look at this as “Infotainment rather then expert research.” This is an opinion/editorial article/post meant to persuade the reader to think, decide and accept or reject my premise. It is an attempt to cause change or reinforce attitudes, beliefs and values as they apply to martial arts and/or self-defense. It is merely a commentary on the subject in the particular article presented.


Note: I will endevor to provide a bibliography and italicize any direct quotes from the materials I use for this blog. If there are mistakes, errors, and/or omissions, I take full responsibility for them as they are mine and mine alone. If you find any mistakes, errors, and/or omissions please comment and let me know along with the correct information and/or sources.



“What you are reading right now is a blog. It’s written and posted by me, because I want to. I get no financial remuneration for writing it. I don’t have to meet anyone’s criteria in order to post it. Not only I don’t have an employer or publisher, but I’m not even constrained by having to please an audience. If people won’t like it, they won’t read it, but I won’t lose anything by it. Provided I don’t break any laws (libel, incitement to violence, etc.), I can post whatever I want. This means that I can write openly and honestly, however controversial my opinions may be. It also means that I could write total bullshit; there is no quality control. I could be biased. I could be insane. I could be trolling. … not all sources are equivalent, and all sources have their pros and cons. These needs to be taken into account when evaluating information, and all information should be evaluated.” - God’s Bastard, Sourcing Sources (this applies to this and other blogs by me as well; if you follow the idea's, advice or information you are on your own, don't come crying to me, it is all on you do do the work to make sure it works for you!)



“You should prepare yourself to dedicate at least five or six years to your training and practice to understand the philosophy and physiokinetics of martial arts and karate so that you can understand the true spirit of everything and dedicate your mind, body and spirit to the discipline of the art.” - cejames (note: you are on your own, make sure you get expert hands-on guidance in all things martial and self-defense)



“All I say is by way of discourse, and nothing by way of advice. I should not speak so boldly if it were my due to be believed.” - Montaigne


I am not a leading authority on any one discipline that I write about and teach, it is my hope and wish that with all the subjects I have studied it provides me an advantage point that I offer in as clear and cohesive writings as possible in introducing the matters in my materials. I hope to serve as one who inspires direction in the practitioner so they can go on to discover greater teachers and professionals that will build on this fundamental foundation. Find the authorities and synthesize a wholehearted and holistic concept, perception and belief that will not drive your practices but rather inspire them to evolve, grow and prosper. My efforts are born of those who are more experienced and knowledgable than I. I hope you find that path! See the bibliography I provide for an initial list of experts, professionals and masters of the subjects.

Credit


I don't particularly care if I get credit for what I write about. I am diligent in providing sources when I "quote someone or some book directly" as that is proper. If my posting with my perceptions and viewpoints seem familiar it should because it will be derived from what I have learned from others. When it is important I provide a bibliography especially when I quote directly but if I simply "redact" some information into my own words, thoughts and ideas I don't bother. That is pretty much proper and ok for the medium.

I am not a narcissistic person so I don't go out and whine and cry when someone uses what I write regardless because I am simply overwhelmed when I read something from others that speaks to what I write and believe. I have never asked for nor require others who use my postings to make sure everyone knows it is mine because honestly it is about getting the information out there for people to consider and use to make their fighting arts something they can enjoy and use when needed. I freely provide anything I write, say or do free and without any real restrictions. I believe when someone MUST HAVE credit they are either in it for the money or they suffer from a narcissistic personality disorder at some level. 

When I write directly, as I have in the past, and pass along material I have learned form others I usually give them credit at least once. I have several times provided credit to what I have learned, academically, to others but sometimes I miss but it is obvious where the information comes from.

Example, I write from my perspective on self defense and violence and I can tell you no one is "fooled" into thinking it is all my own creation. It mostly comes from what I am learning, daily, from luminaries who have actually gained their knowledge from "experience in violence and self-defense" such as Rory Miller and all his books and videos and then there is Marc MacYoung's books and postings and blogs and books and videos and etc. There are others such as Wim Demeere, the Kowadan blog, the Isshinryu Forum, and especially regarding Isshinryu luminaries such as Steve Armstrong, Don Nagle, Allen Wheeler, Long, Mitchum, Advincula and Andy Sloane not to leave out all those who publish and practice here and on Okinawan, i.e. Sensei Uezu, etc. 

At least I put myself out there trying to live up to Tatsuo-san's desires, as I perceive them, to promote Okinawan Isshinryu and their culture and beliefs and I do so without calling people names or trying to denigrate them, their practice of martial arts or their belief systems. No one wins when you speak ill of others regardless and I do realize that sometimes it happens - if I have done so to others, I apologize, but as to feeding the narcissistic needs of any one individual simply because of their misguided "need" to be held up on a pedestal and adored by the masses - Not going to happen. 

Off to soap box. Get back to studies and practice. Learn from everyone regardless for there are always gems among the coals piles. Dig deep, learn and then pass it along - freely and with reservations because what you think you know may not be what you need to know and facts may not be facts. Change, as Tatsuo-san would indicate - I believe - is inevitable and natural. Let go of the ego and pass along what you can to others, isn't that what "sensei" means anyway, pass it along to all and not just who you pick and choose as worthy to you - shall I say again, narcissistic. 

Then again, who the &^%$ am I anyway? Just another martial artists trying to learn, train and practice with the tools I was given and what I learn from others. No one is the original source of any of this stuff but merely students passing down and adding to the huge thing we all call martial arts. 

Oh, in case you wonder, just do a search on all my blogs, etc. and you will find that when I miss giving appropriate credit I usually come back and correct that when I am informed of my mistake or I do a blanket credit to make sure every now and then missed opportunities are given credit regardless of how I do my own stuff. But then again, those who already are aware don't bother because that is not important to the grand scheme of things. 

Am I on a tirade? Guess it is time to let it go. Gone :-) Oh, before I go, if you read a post or material I have written and FREELY given to all of you then simply make a comment and I will gladly give credit where credit is due. Don't just whine and cry to your crew, say something directly and I will make the correction. Phew, done. 
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