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.

Wearing Keiko-gi [稽古着] in Public

Blog Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)

We have a couple of dojo in my village here in Northern California and the last few years I have noticed something that triggers a bit of my concern, the wearing of the keiko-gi out in public. Yes, the dojo concerned are commercial in nature and I am not sure they teach a more traditional form of karate and/or martial art but they do wear the keiko-gi. 

I also consider that the dojo in question all involve the very youngest of adults. Nothing wrong with this because this type of training and practice even when sport oriented still provides benefits all young adults should be exposed to. I do have issues with wearing the keiko-gi, to include the obi, around town before and after training and practice. 

I guess I am a bit old fashioned because it seems a bit ostentatious, i.e., pretentious, showy and flamboyant to say the least. I guess most just assume that the keiko-gi is no different from the gym wear people put on to go to the gym to lift weights, ride stationary bikes or do the Zumba routines, right? Yet, for some reason I don’t see karate and martial arts training and practice as the same as going to the gym and doing Zumba. 

I guess that is a bit snobbish of me but I also consider that in my day others might see the keiko-gi, especially the obi if black or red/white paneled or even red, as a challenge or as a status symbol saying one is better than another or others. 

I also feel strongly that wearing it in public is just not acceptable much like the modern trend for some younger women to wear pajama’s out to go shopping or to get coffee. I kinda think it is being lazy. 

I guess it is a bit like growing up and being taught that you wear certain socially acceptable outer wear and if you are going to the gym you carry your gym stuff in a gym bag, change at the gym, work out, shower, change back and back out into public. 

Wearing a black belt and white uniform just seems to say, “Look at me, I am a black belt, I have abilities and on a subconscious level to some it can convey a challenge.” Then we have to consider some of the principles like humility, enlightenment and humbleness that are often sold as part of the training practice, right? Wearing and displaying to impress, attract notice or as some statement of who we are, what we are and what we are capable of, or is this just the American way? 

Personally, the keiko-gi is something that is folded/rolled in a certain way, the bound by the obi and placed, my view here, in a gym bag for transport to and from the dojo. It is not a gym sweat pants and top, it is not a form of socially acceptable outer clothing and it does, even if we don’t recognize it as so, transmit messages to others that don’t fit the mold meant to be a more traditional karate and martial arts discipline. 

Even as a Marine during my time we only wore our, “Utility Uniform,” at work. We were required to change into either a dress modified uniform or civilian cloths to go home, if we lived off base. On base living we could wear the utility uniform but if we went to the movie theater or a restaurant we wore civilian cloths or dress uniforms. Off base you could drive directly, without stops, to your home and the base but had to change otherwise. 

I guess it is my military personality that drives this but I do remember that we wore, as kids growing up, certain types of clothing dependent on what we did socially be it go to church, off to school or just going out to the neighborhood field to play. 

Regardless, I feel that wearing the keiko-gi outside the dojo to be a faux pas. I social no-no and just not done, what do you think? 

Bibliography (Click the link)



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