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.

Imagine ...

Imagine you have lost most of your hearing!

Imagine having to live with all the difficulties:


• Following conversations, especially fast talkers, accents, or unfamiliar voices

• Understanding speech in noise (restaurants, family and social gatherings, cars)

• Group conversations: figuring out who’s talking, keeping up when people interrupt

• Phone calls: muffled audio, lag, poor microphones

• Missing quiet speech (children, soft-spoken people)

• “Hearing but not understanding”: sounds are present but unclear

• Reduced clarity even when volume seems loud enough

• Sound distortion (certain pitches feel harsh or “tinny”)

• Difficulty localizing sound (where a sound is coming from)

• Tinnitus (ringing/buzzing) that interferes with focus or sleep (common with hearing damage)

• Entertainment access: TV/movies without captions, theaters, live events

• Public places: restaurants, pubic places like coffee shops, grocery stores, other stores and shops, any venue with loudspeaker-only info

• Healthcare visits: mishearing instructions, symptoms, medication details

• Social interactions: pharmacies, banks, drive-thrus, customer support, parties, poor acoustics, multiple speakers and gatherings of friends and neighbors

• Personal  impacts: missed details, slower participation, feeling “behind”

• Bias/stigma: others assuming reduced competence

• Not hearing alarms, doorbells, timers, or emergency announcements

• Traffic hazards: difficulty detecting vehicles, bikes, or direction of sound

• Personal safety: warning shouts, machinery cues, radio calls, other vehicles on the roads and highways 


NOW, imagine dealing with all the people you encounter that compound the consequences and repercussions that come with losing your hearing! Not just one, BUT all those people (1, 2, 5, 8, ... more ... etc.) you encounter in life.


One person, dealing with a loved one with hearing loss might not be so bad? 


Neither the person with hearing loss or those who encounter said person are trying to be malicious, vindictive or an asshole. It's a matter of reciprocity between two or more people just trying to communicate effectively. 


Just imagine the exact opposite of someone with noise sensitivity! Imagine two people with the same issues, but on different ends of the same spectrum! 


Quick habits that help immediately

• Get their attention first (say their name, gentle touch on arm/shoulder).

• Face them and stay in the same room—don’t talk from another room.

• Good light on your face (avoid talking with your back to a window).

• Speak clearly, a bit slower—don’t shout (shouting distorts speech).

• Use natural volume and pause between ideas.

• Rephrase, don’t just repeat (swap words: “appointment” → “doctor at 2pm”).

• One speaker at a time in the house; avoid talking over the TV or water running.

• Use short chunks rather than long sentences/paragraphs.

• Don’t talk while chewing, covering your mouth, or looking at your phone.


SOUND STIMULATION OVERLOAD


Compare what follows to what was read above:


Immediate effects (seconds to minutes)

• Startle / flinch response to sudden sounds (clanks, barking, coughing)

• Irritability or anger spike (“instant edge”)

• Anxiety/unease or a sense of threat even when they know they’re safe

• Disgust or rage to specific trigger sounds (more misophonia-like)

• Physical tension: jaw clench, shoulders up, neck tightness

• Breath changes: shallow breathing, breath-holding, sighing

• Heart-rate jump / adrenaline feeling

• Need to escape (leave the room, close doors, cover ears)


Short-term effects (minutes to hours)

• Difficulty concentrating (attention keeps getting pulled to sound)

• Mental fatigue (“listening tired”)

• Headache or pressure (especially if sound intolerance/hyperacusis overlap)

• Mood decline: cranky, overwhelmed, low frustration tolerance

• Reduced patience and empathy (because they’re spending energy regulating)

• More conflict at home/work (snapping, “walking on eggshells,” resentment)

• Avoidance behaviors: turning on fans/TV constantly, wearing headphones/earplugs


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