which is my point. And, if I were going to do anything with someone like that, it should be done quickly, quietly and with finality. Why mess up with stuff that will leave me hanging and wondering, "What's next?" All the other precursive action is about "show" and "machismo....

an environment where we slap folks we have relationships with... In my other, every day environment, why slap or spit. Man... If you're gonna "do it..." DO IT! Why "F" around? Any unwanted move initiated move should be treated with the mal intent that gave rise to the action. I c...

an attacker chose to use a slap... Develop your mindset what you would do if someone physically attacks be it with a slap, a fist, a foot or a weapon. Keep it simple. Don't complicate it for yourself. You want to (re)act. Period. The assault was initiated by the other. Will you respond? That's all t...

forum. No problem talking about "mild stuff". It's the "heavy duty" stuff that gets tricky for the "debriefer" or the "debriefee." I can deal with mild stuff from someone I know casually, say a student in some dojo. but I don't want to hear "heavy duty&qu...

Jim,

And to the the point. Always get a kick out of your perspective.

david

Ian, Not the arboretum. Drove by their dumping area yesterday. Really small stuff and a big pile of mulch (which they make from deadfall). Scavenging can be had in Franklin Park, woods off VFW, woods up off Washington St. in the W. Roxbury/Dedham line and the Blue Hills among other nearby places. Ac...

Ian,

Let me know, next time you're up for some wood scavenging. I'll bring along a good saw and khukuri and my station wagon. May take two folks to drag a good piece wood out.

david

I am an odd mix when it comes to martial training. Actually, not so "odd" in the larger perspective. Anyone who has practiced long enough and has taken responsibility for his/her own training will report feeling initially "odd" as they strike out on their own... "Odd" ...

Susie, nice to see you in words, if not in person!

david

The Arboretum is a lovely place - never thought of it a a source for weapons though. No... but you may want to carry one if you walk through early in the morning or late at night... ;) The newly opened side by Forest Hill Station used be my favorite place to walk the dog early in the mornings, befo...

Ian, Go over to the Peter Hills side of the Arboretum. Right off the road, there is a gated area that the staff deposit blown down/cut off limbs. From inside of the Peter Hills area, you can just walk over there and take a look. The other place for urban wood scavenging is in the "wild" pa...

I don't have time to hang around the courthouse. However, I do keep with the local news and read community papers. I have read of folks arrested for assault with a deadly weapon -- "shod foot." On a side note, the last fight I witnessed was between two guys I didn't know. One guy took othe...

Ian, With cedar, if the grain is straight and relatively free of knots, it would carve into a wonderful Greenland paddle, or harpoon launcher. It's a beautiful wood, finishes well, light and rot resistant. You could make a bokken with it but I would not use it as cedar is not particular tough. It's ...

I used to wear wrestling shoes to train but I find consistent wear weakens my ankles because of the hightop support allows the ankles to work less in lateral movement. Street shoes, by all means, wear them in practice -- BUT NOT WITH PARTNER PRACTICE. Back in the 70's -- my granola college days -- I...

Dana, In my informal group, we always train with shoes on. My shields and bags have gone for years without anything more than the usual wear, specifically the foam compressing. Other than that not a problem with tear. BTW, I use indoor soccer shoes which are made to kick balls and have the reinforce...