tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2524352043863959090.post4139106077517619140..comments2023-10-15T08:45:58.934-05:00Comments on Slop-n-Goulash: Dinner of Champions!: You Gotta Know When to Hold 'Em...Slop -n- Goulash: Dinner of Champions!http://www.blogger.com/profile/10609954816213004079noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2524352043863959090.post-27479216417127395152008-07-14T15:21:00.000-05:002008-07-14T15:21:00.000-05:00Hey "Rose" at karate class has pink sparring gear!...Hey "Rose" at karate class has pink sparring gear! Oops - I just gave away her identity because she is the only one with pink gear! And Rose is very cool!Slop -n- Goulash: Dinner of Champions!https://www.blogger.com/profile/10609954816213004079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2524352043863959090.post-72737103010019100382008-07-14T12:33:00.000-05:002008-07-14T12:33:00.000-05:00I AM very cool. Just wait til I get my pink light ...I AM very cool. Just wait til I get my pink light saber! :)The Melan'jackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00507532719985255410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2524352043863959090.post-80050504693945289792008-07-11T15:05:00.000-05:002008-07-11T15:05:00.000-05:00You all have the right attitude and the comments t...You all have the right attitude and the comments to this post alone have been a learning experience. Thanks!<BR/><BR/>And BTW, people who talk "jedis" are not geeky. My son would think you were very cool. : )Slop -n- Goulash: Dinner of Champions!https://www.blogger.com/profile/10609954816213004079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2524352043863959090.post-34326781107270665572008-07-11T12:42:00.000-05:002008-07-11T12:42:00.000-05:00I know how you feel, because I wanted the whole wo...I know how you feel, because I wanted the whole world to know I trained when I first started, too. But now I don't so much advertise--not because I'm afraid of being labeled geek so much because... that will become obvious when I start talking about Jedis and comic books--but because of a sense of humility I've developed after having been pounded into the floor repeatedly by my instructors. <BR/><BR/>I look at my students now and laugh when they get all "Look how badass *I* am" because they really don't know that much. They're really not capable of any amazing feat. After a year of training, anyone can do what they do. <BR/><BR/>Eventually, you'll realize that it doesn't matter what you know, how much you train or what you can do, there's always more to learn. There's always someone who knows more than you and someone who knows more than them. You should be awed and grateful that these people are willing to share what they know, respectful of your lineage and all the people who this knowledge has been passed through before it got to you, and show your appreciation by teaching once you've gained enough mastery to do so.<BR/><BR/>So if I don't tell too many people I'm a martial artist, it's not because I'm not proud. I am. Boy howdy. It's because humility is one of the virtues I've learned as a result of my training. By which I mean I'm still learning it. By which I mean I will always be learning it.The Melan'jackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00507532719985255410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2524352043863959090.post-49900123612896985832008-07-11T07:39:00.000-05:002008-07-11T07:39:00.000-05:00Hey "Rose" - thanks for the kind words, but c'mon....Hey "Rose" - thanks for the kind words, but c'mon...you knew I was this funny! LOL I promise and pinky-swear to not tell any of your secrets in this blog!Slop -n- Goulash: Dinner of Champions!https://www.blogger.com/profile/10609954816213004079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2524352043863959090.post-89572444978791475942008-07-10T23:19:00.000-05:002008-07-10T23:19:00.000-05:00hey girl! this is "Rose" :) (which is funny cause...hey girl! this is "Rose" :) (which is funny cause that was one of my choices) but I'm much more like my flower. I had no idea you were so darn funny!!! Well, I did, but this stuff is hilarious! I also didn't know you read so much - I've got tons! for you. And I LOVE Kill Bill :) no wonder we get along in class. Keep up the great work - I read them all and enjoyed them a lot. I'm bookmarkin ya so only nice things about the ditz cause I'll see em :) ps - great pic on the home page!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2524352043863959090.post-6045395258079202502008-07-09T19:53:00.000-05:002008-07-09T19:53:00.000-05:00You nailed it, Steve! And that is another one of ...You nailed it, Steve! And that is another one of those self-image issues I have - people thinking I'm geeky - and I'm not even touching on the subject of my training in m.a.LOL! I truly agree with you and am also glad you brought up the subject of not speaking for my school/Sensei because I would hate it if anyone thought I was trying to do so. They know more than I'll probably ever know (but it won't be for my lack of trying!) As always Steve, I appreciate your views and comments.Slop -n- Goulash: Dinner of Champions!https://www.blogger.com/profile/10609954816213004079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2524352043863959090.post-57761128181576734592008-07-09T11:49:00.000-05:002008-07-09T11:49:00.000-05:00Okay. Here's my take. While you may or may not w...Okay. Here's my take. While you may or may not want to talk about martial arts training, every one of the reasons you listed are bogus, in my opinion. Unless you live in a combat zone, chances are you're not going training to be a working ninja. Because you train in a community center, I'm thinking that you aren't in danger of belonging to a cult. <BR/><BR/>The number one hazard of advertising that you train in a martial art is that the person you're telling will think you're a big goober. I don't hide that I train in BJJ any more or less than I would if I were telling someone I golf or play hockey or compete in intramural softball. Meaning, I don't work it into a conversation, but if it comes up, I'm fine telling someone I train in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. <BR/><BR/>Gauge your audience. If I'm talking about football and I'm talking the ear off of someone who hates the sport, I'm probably not making a good impression.<BR/><BR/>The second big hazard of revealing that you train in martial arts is misunderstanding. For some, all martial arts are the same, even though what I do has little in common with what you do. I grapple. You swing bo staffs and do kata. Nothing alike. So, you have to be prepared to explain in 10 words or less what you do, if they ask. If they're genuinely interested at that point, then of course you can expound a little. I usually tell people something like, "It's a lot like Judo, but we focus on groundfighting." Or, "It's like wrestling, but instead of pins, we work for jointlocks or chokes."<BR/><BR/>The third hazard is context. You want to be careful not to imply skill or authority that you don't possess. On my training blog, I am careful to speak only for myself. While I represent my school, I am not a <B>Representative OF my school</B> (if that makes sense). My actions and my writing reflect on my school and my coach, either good or bad. But I don't officially speak for him or the school. I also can't speak with authority on the subject of BJJ. I know what I know, and I'm not an expert. <BR/><BR/>Bottom line for me is that if you want to tell people, more power to you. Just be prepared for them to think you're a little geeky.Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10085160494038535606noreply@blogger.com