Saturday, September 29, 2007

One more


Some of my photos




Sunday, September 09, 2007

Go read this

And then see if you can do something to help...
http://awesome.goodmagazine.com/transparency/006/trans006tellmemore.html

I can't believe this is still happening, and people do not know enough to form an opinion.
Post this elsewhere, if you feel like it.

Wednesday, September 05, 2007

One of the best days ever


Every once in a while, there are just those days that will always stay in your memory.

Last St. Patricks Day was one of those, and I was sorting through the pictures, and found this one that wraps it up perfectly.

Plus, I love my wife, and this is one of the better pics I have been able to take of her.

Happy Birthday Mushtaq


At every turn over the last decade, you have been there for me, to pick me up, train me, spank me down when I get a little full of myself. You have also been there when the inevitable backstabbings occur.
You have been the wise old man so many wish to be, but can never aspire to.
You gave me introduction to the martial arts I love so much, and cleaned up the ones I studied
before I knew you.
You opened my eyes to the world, and taught me to see the fun and joy in it, alongside the bad.

You introduced me to some of the most important people in my life, and took me in as family.

You made me learn how to organize and teach.

But most of all, you have been my friend, through thick and thin.

Happy Birthday, old man, and know Jae and I think often of you.
Talk to you soon...

***REVIEW*** Hellbows by MAA Keating

Hellbows by Master at Arms James A. Keating
A Review by Terry Trahan
As most of you who know me are aware of, I have been a fan of MAA Keatings for years. In a lot of my teaching,
full credit goes to him as I share a concept, or explore the depths of a technique.
While mostly known for his work with edged weapons, he is equally skilled at multiple areas of martial arts/self defense.
In this DVD, he touches on integrating knifework, but this video is all elbows, all the time.
Coming in at about 48 minutes, it harkens back to the Comtech Specificity series that were made for specific weapons.
My favorite was the push dagger tape. Well, taking that same idea, Mr. Keating has done an elbow specific instructional.
I can hear it now, "Elbow specific, how many ways can you use an elbow?" and other such comments. Suffice to say that whether
you are a beginner, or a veteran martial artist, there will be plenty to learn, and plenty that you probably have not thought of before.
MAA Keating is the prime example of teaching conceptual chains for martial movement, and he applies this conceptual process
to developing use of elbows into a high form of extreme close quarters defense.
Starting with an introduction, covering what material he will teach, he takes the drill Hubud-Lubud as his base for introducing
the use of this tool. After working the regular Hubud, he then transitions it to an elbow developmental tool.
I am tempted to write everything contained on this video, but you will have to buy it to really grok the material.
From "simple" destructions, to basic dumog, this is by far the most educational DVD I have had the luck of seeing recently.
The 5 Elbow Shields alone are worth the price and more. These were shown in Modern Knives video magazine issue 2,
but they are expanded upon in this DVD, and branched out conceptually.
As stated earlier, he touches on knifework in this one, specifically on reverse grip work, using the framework developed
through all the elbow drills. It is a natural progression, and if this is the only knifework you learn, it will serve you well in a
self defense situation.
It is hard to go into more detail without giving away the henhouse, but I have to rate this one very highly. It seems that
MAA Keating is forging ahead in this world of mega production, and doing his own thing as he is so good at, and is regularly
putting out good material. Keep an eye out for the DeQuerdas DVD, and, if you haven't taken a look recently, check out some
of his newer stuff, such as Panantukan Knife-Boxing.
Also, if you haven't, consider subscribing to Modern Knives Video Magazine, it is quarterly, and full of great information.
For further information, please goto, www.jamesakeating.com or www.modernknives.com
Thanks for reading.