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.

What Makes You an Expert?

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

A sensei should be an expert in the art or discipline they teach. A major obstacle to this is there are NO governing bodies that would be considered the authority to bestow on one the title of expert and sensei. We 'assume' that the guy running the dojo is properly trained in all the disciplines that make for a person of good character and ability and knowledge and understanding to be a sensei/expert. 


An expert, the person teaching you how to survive a conflict and possible violent situation, should have a comprehensive, authoritative knowledge and understanding, and the experiences along with appropriate effective skills necessary to teach others. His or her knowledge and understanding must involve authoritative knowledge, understanding and experiences. 


Considering these concepts, have you ever asked about your sensei or yourself what it is that makes you the expert in said discipline?


Is it your black belt? 

Is it your accomplishments in tournaments?

Is it your style of practice?

Is it the years you spent in the dojo? 

A formal education?


For instance, I began learning about karate as a teenager, around sixteen years of age, and I also dabbled in boxing as well. I began seriously pursuing knowledge, understanding and skills in karate and judo in 1972 as a Marine stationed at Camp Lejeune. Circa 1976 I began to train in Okinawan karate, Isshinryu, then actually joined a special services dojo when I arrived on the island of Okinawa in 1979. 


I earned my sho-dan in December of 79 and then went on to train and teach at Lejeune until I was discharged in 1981 around December. I taught civilians until I went to work as a civil servant at the Concord Weapons Station in California. I kept teaching karate until I retired in 1998. I would visit dojo in the area for a period, assited an Isshinryu dojo in Berkeley California for a year then retired to train on my own and study, a more academic endeavor, till today writing and studying and learning about things that were not taught during my tenure as a sensei. Now, without details, does this make me an expert? Does it qualify me as a sensei? Does it even qualify me as a senpai? 


It hsould be noted that during all that time I did earn my way up the belt structure past sho-dan but that is pretty much dependent on who you ask and who awarded me the grade because that part of the system is NOT standardized or governed by any authoritative body like a University or accepted agency of society or the government like teaching credentials of the state for school teachers. 


So, I ask again, "What makes you an Expert?" Don't answer me, answer the question to yourself with your own unvarnished deeply considered thoughts on what you think make an expert and a sensei. 


Read more about what I have to say about being a sensei and teaching, etc. in the following links.


https://tinyurl.com/y6mupflh


at the end of this article there will be a long list of other articles to read on the subjects. Enjoy!


https://tinyurl.com/yy3w92m3


For reference and sources and professionals go here: Bibliography (Click the link)


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