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Meanie.:lol:
I can only hope You treat any Defense the same way
Do not offer a limb when you do not have to, especially as a goad as some are want to do to initiate the other strike. But if a machete is coming toward your head, lose your arm over the fatal strike.
When learning Krav Maga, and Muai Thai, I would say nearly everyone who had been practicing over two years. Never underestimate aggression and inertia.
O'rly?
If he created something he called "Okinawan Karate" and taught it to you, that's cool and all, but really, there's no such thing.
You have no idea how unimpressed I am with the notion that you're a senior in college now.
The perception of someone my age is like telling me you just took the training wheels off your bike. Good for you, but Lance Armstrong, you ain't.
Why not give us some updated videos of your knife skills now as they have progressed according to you... and why not throw the first palm change in from your bagua as well. Then show us how they work.
Wow. So we can safely assume you have less than two years of training in Krav or Muay Thai? Two arts you left out of the hodge podge of arts you claim in your MMA sparing video?
Kent is not my teacher but my teacher and Kent do share the same line through Wang Shu Jin. My teacher trained under someone who trained with Wang Shu Jin, while Kent trained with Wang Shu Jin. Alot of the videos Kent put out do speak about the similar things my teacher refers to however my teacher's teacher also trained with 2 other Bagua teachers so our Bagua is a bit different. Wang Shu Jin passed in 1981 so I am sure Kent has been practicing at least since then so his knowledge on Bagua is excellent. I have spoken to Kent briefly through his Youtube channel you can send him a message.Oaktree, if it is permissable, would there be a way to obtain the contact information (e-mail) of your teacher. I would love to speak with him. As I said before, I have been watching his videos for quite some time. Sadly my own master passed away, and though the styles are different, your teachers grasp of the basics, and of course beyond that, is enough it's allowed me to retain, and even improve on my own ability in the art. I could not do tight circles until I watched his introductory video on it, and for some reason how he explained it made it finally click in a sense I could use it in combative training.
"First, there's no such thing as "Okinawan Karate" as a ryu."
I agree, and you did not see me saying it was a ryu. In fact I've said the opposite- it's rather undeveloped, and there is a good reason. Okinawan Karate is not tied to a family, or single branch of art. It has drawn from southern style Gongfu elements, combined with south Japanese martial art styles, and finally added to by American military combat training, which was added during our occupation of that land.
However, just because it is a ryu, does not mean whatsoever that it is lacking in techniques specific to a style which can only be found in Okinawa, or by people who have learned from those in the area. You'll find because Okinawan is not a ryu-like style that many claim it is what spread martial arts, and inspired a multitude of styles. I'm not saying that, merely that who I learned from referred to it only as Okinawan Karate, with elements of Shotokan and Tang Soo Do added.
And to me, your perception that age is of any relevancy to enlightenment in martial arts, is like saying to someone who breaks cinder blocks they should practice breaking boards more.
Likewise, how is age relevant when a person can do just that.
There is a Master I have who I respect particularly. As my good training partner Alec put it, what he was looking for from his student was himself. And he promoted only when his standards were met.
We had an individual who received their 4th at 17, and Master Khan would bow to him as respectfully as any master. Because here's the thing- Master Leahy is just that, and a genius at the arts. An absolute genius.
And at 13 when he received his 3rd dan, he was a force to be reckoned with.
Though you may not have encountered such individuals, perhaps it is time for you to step outside the confines of the one school you have attended and see a bit more of the world... through the eyes of a martial artist of course.
I do not claim to be great, to win tournaments, to deserve to be in movies. I have offered explanations for techniques, and stated what I can do with honesty.
My apologies for coming off harsh at all, it is getting old fast, the skepticism of people who would find that we agree on a lot of things, and there is little need for the headbutting I feel occurring.
We had an individual who received their 4th at 17, and Master Khan would bow to him as respectfully as any master. Because here's the thing- Master Leahy is just that, and a genius at the arts. An absolute genius.
And at 13 when he received his 3rd dan, he was a force to be reckoned with.
Please do not strawman. My statement was that people who have trained in those styles for that amount of time, normally have the kicks capable of breaking bones. Then again, I think taking over a year to earn the first dan in any (in terms of skill level) to be absurd. I have practiced in both styles for longer than two years, but not long enough for me to particularly say I've specialized in the techniques. Krav Maga is an amalgamation of techniques from different arts, though with the guideline of efficiency stressed. I happen to enjoy krav maga because it focuses on aggression to neutralize an attack, and I've that to work for me.A
He and I both have a background involving numerous martial arts, and as such, we tend to switch styles a lot.
My students who are 6 years old ask me this question, and I have never answered it with acquiescing their request. If you would like to see how I spar, you can find a video of me on this forum already. I have nothing to prove to you, for I know what I can do, and even if I did show you, what would it prove for me, save that what I said originally was not improper, and was disagreed upon for difference in stylistics. In the end, nothing is solved, and I'm stuck once again in a loop of not being taken at my word- which on a forum for martial artists I find a tad disrespectful.
I hate using this as a measuring stick, but I may have to here. Since the UFC consists of pro fighters, I wonder...how many broken bones from kicks have we seen in MMA? Am I reading this right....you think its absurd if it takes longer than a year to get a BB? Son, you have alot to learn. Any real school will make you train many years before a BB is given.
I hate using this as a measuring stick, but I may have to here. Since the UFC consists of pro fighters, I wonder...how many broken bones from kicks have we seen in MMA? Am I reading this right....you think its absurd if it takes longer than a year to get a BB? Son, you have alot to learn. Any real school will make you train many years before a BB is given.
Out of curiosity, how long have you trained in each of these arts that you claim?
That's just completely wrong. Really. Completely wrong.
"Age doesn't matter? I promise you when you are 40, you will look back at your words and think yourself a fool."
You have stated that you are expert in a variety of things
"You've put yourself forward as an expert, and even asked advice of others if you are 'just too darned good' for your students.
suggesting that actual masters of their arts who post here should watch your video and learn from it. OMG. No, seriously. OMG. If you were a bit more snide, I'd actually think you meant it as a form of humor, like that Jim Carrey clip! Yeah, you're that bad.
But that doesn't make you a senior member, it doesn't make your an expert, and your bonafides look to a lot of us like a collection of McDojo junk certificates.
I am actually giving you credit for at least possessing the rankings you claim
I've tried using humor to get through to you. I've tried gentle hints, even if they were a bit acerbic or sarcastic.
You may find that the hostility you currently find uncomfortable will become something worse; silence. At that point your opinion moves from absurd and incorrect to irrelevant. Everyone puts you on ignore and you can pontificate to yourself.
What you do have is talent, youth and enthusiasm, and those stand you in good stead. As I've said, if you could dial the "I love me" ******** down a couple notches, you'd probably do just fine. I don't think you're a troll, I think you're an egomaniac with maybe a little Asberger's in the mix.
Sorry, but thats a joke! IMO, I don't believe in giving a BB to anyone under the age of 16. Sure, some schools do a Jr. BB. That, I can agree with to a point. Of course, when they're adults, they need to re-test. But a 13yr old thats a 3rd dan...LMFAO! I'd laugh at the student as well as the teacher! Anyone who does that, is running a mcdojo!
"First, there's no such thing as "Okinawan Karate" as a ryu."
I agree, and you did not see me saying it was a ryu. In fact I've said the opposite- it's rather undeveloped, and there is a good reason. Okinawan Karate is not tied to a family, or single branch of art. It has drawn from southern style Gongfu elements, combined with south Japanese martial art styles, and finally added to by American military combat training, which was added during our occupation of that land.
However, just because it is a ryu, does not mean whatsoever that it is lacking in techniques specific to a style which can only be found in Okinawa, or by people who have learned from those in the area. You'll find because Okinawan is not a ryu-like style that many claim it is what spread martial arts, and inspired a multitude of styles. I'm not saying that, merely that who I learned from referred to it only as Okinawan Karate, with elements of Shotokan and Tang Soo Do added.
I believe actually Master Murray hails from central United States, but I could be incorrect. He spends virtually all his time traveling, and giving seminars.
And even if he DID make it up, I wouldn't have retained its usage if it was a fail art. It works, and it is distinct stylistically from other forms of Karate I have learned, or seen, while retaining core tenets which allow it to still be aligned as karate.
The term 'acujutsu' I have never heard anywhere save from a few people I have trained with, under the same master. All acujutsu is the systemized application of using acupuncture points incorporated into combat. This has existed for as long as acupuncture has been understood.
That does not mean however that it is not incredibly effective.
The turned lion stance I use most often when sparring is my own modification to the bagua stance because of my own unique background. Just because something is innovative, should not disclude its utility. That being said, Okinawan martial arts have existed for some time.
"Second, it's like saying "I was a white belt, and now I'm a green belt, so I know EVERYTHING now.""
As I have said before, if you were the most experienced martial artist, who would you choose to learn from? You NEVER stop growing, and you never have total insight.
Nothing in martial arts comes from you, even if it was you who invented the technique. It was through others you learned the movements to give you the ability to create that technique.
And to me, your perception that age is of any relevancy to enlightenment in martial arts, is like saying to someone who breaks cinder blocks they should practice breaking boards more.
The argument is stupid either way- when is breaking either a board or cinderblock condusive toward protecting yourself.
Likewise, how is age relevant when a person can do just that.
There is a Master I have who I respect particularly. As my good training partner Alec put it, what he was looking for from his student was himself. And he promoted only when his standards were met.
We had an individual who received their 4th at 17, and Master Khan would bow to him as respectfully as any master. Because here's the thing- Master Leahy is just that, and a genius at the arts. An absolute genius.
And at 13 when he received his 3rd dan, he was a force to be reckoned with.
Though you may not have encountered such individuals, perhaps it is time for you to step outside the confines of the one school you have attended and see a bit more of the world... through the eyes of a martial artist of course.
I do not claim to be great, to win tournaments, to deserve to be in movies. I have offered explanations for techniques, and stated what I can do with honesty.
My students who are 6 years old ask me this question, and I have never answered it with acquiescing their request. If you would like to see how I spar, you can find a video of me on this forum already. I have nothing to prove to you, for I know what I can do, and even if I did show you, what would it prove for me, save that what I said originally was not improper, and was disagreed upon for difference in stylistics. In the end, nothing is solved, and I'm stuck once again in a loop of not being taken at my word- which on a forum for martial artists I find a tad disrespectful.
When people discuss self-defense, you do not see me requesting videos of their performance. I have nothing to prove here, just to learn, and share.
The ability to wield knives, or how to shoot a gun, does not necessitate extreme skill in being able to disarm. And wielding and disarming are very different.
Example; in kendo I learned how to weild a shinai, bokken, and katana. It was not until a sifu visiting from Japan instructed our budokai group in kenjutsu that I learned about the guided disarms for Japanese swordwork.
If you would like to see a good palm change, I advise you to look up the teacher Oaktree posted videos of. He is a very gifted teacher and practitioner.
Please do not strawman. My statement was that people who have trained in those styles for that amount of time, normally have the kicks capable of breaking bones. Then again, I think taking over a year to earn the first dan in any (in terms of skill level) to be absurd. I have practiced in both styles for longer than two years, but not long enough for me to particularly say I've specialized in the techniques. Krav Maga is an amalgamation of techniques from different arts, though with the guideline of efficiency stressed. I happen to enjoy krav maga because it focuses on aggression to neutralize an attack, and I've that to work for me.A
Additionally, neither Alec, nor myself utilized muai thai at any point in the footage I chose to keep for the video- that does not mean we have not practiced it. However, you can see in numerous parts of the video krav maga utilized. I believe I also left Muai Thai out because of spacing constraints for what I could tag, but if you'll notice I did include MMA which tends to utilize muai thai. I strongly think it missleading to state we were practicing an art, in the video, when I edited out any techniques were of that style. Seems disingenuous. That being said, if you look at 16.1 seconds to 17 seconds in the video, there is a very clear Muai Thai stance Alec uses. That was the first one I came across, and I am certain there are more, since it is a style he likes a lot more than I do. the only unfortunate side is that his knee injuries keep him from being able to execute their brutal kicks, and hence why he opted to use chung do kwan kicks, when he kicks at all in the video.
He and I both have a background involving numerous martial arts, and as such, we tend to switch styles a lot.
My apologies for coming off harsh at all, it is getting old fast, the skepticism of people who would find that we agree on a lot of things, and there is little need for the headbutting I feel occurring.
I would venture to say then that the black belt in that school is ritualized. That's fine, to each school's own philosophy.
But with dedication, one should be able to learn the execution of the techniques in the system within a month, tops, if they were truly committed and devoted their time to it. It only takes, from what I was told, around 500 sequences of a technique for it to become muscle memory, and about 2000 for it to become instinctual response memory.
So that we don't memorize useless clutter, our brains have a technique where they effectively edit out repetitousnous. For example, if you touch your nose and foot at the same time, you feel them simultaneously. However, physically the nerves from your foot take longer to arrive, and as such we should feel a delay, even if minor. The reason we don't, is that the brain edits out that gap.
If one cannot learn, say, the first 100 basic techniques in a system in a month, I would advise them to work on their ability to absorb information and how they train. For most forms, and katas, I need to watch it twice and can emulate it in the style. A lot of people who cross-train in styles eventually find themself able to do this.
I see no reason, with an adequate teacher teaching the technique, a student should not be able to execute it correctly after it is explained to them, given that physical limitations are not doing just that. Of course I understand that not everyone has the flexibility to do a vertical side-kick. But if you then migrate to another style which has a verticle-front kick, there is no reason one should not be able to within a week, tops, to execute the vert front kick as well as the side.
The master form in IKC Kenpo contains every move in the entire system. You learned the system, you've learned that style of kenpo. For the employer I work, to teach their curriculum, I had to learn it in a week. I hate the form, but because of it learned the kenpo system. Am I a master? No. Am I ranked in it? No, but I do still possess my third Dan. Have I incorporated every technique into how I fight? No, but few implement, fluidly, with complete control every technique they know how to do, in a fight.
Once you learn the techniques, you have a lifetime to learn how to perfect them. Hopefully one has chosen a teacher who will be there to correct when necessary, but honestly, with proper explanation, once execute properly and physical limitations are overcome, there is no reason it should not be executed everytime thereafter correctly.
The oldest would be Moo Duk Kwan which is 19 years. The most recent would be Xingyi which I began studying 3 months ago. One should never be satisfied with the plateau they reach. Enjoy it, appreciate it, but then move on, grow, and live.
There is also no reason, upon changing or learning a new style, to quit the old. I went 5 years where I refused to do Moo duk Kwan, because of my disgust of TKD. However, I eventually matured and got over that, and practice the styles everyday. The only techniques I've give up were those which turned out to be harmful. When first taught to fall, I was taught to catch by one's wrist. I later learned in another school exactly why that's a terrible idea, when I learned how to fall and mitigate the force with the forearms and ridge of hand. Different techniques, but one will probably someday break my wrist, while the other I've done on every surface I can think of (which wasn't sharp) and haven't gotten any serious injury.
Don't get me wrong, pounding pavement is never fun. But at least I haven't broken anything.
When you remove techniques, or alter them, you have created a seperate, but similar school of thought, and thus form of the style.
The day I withhold anything from anyone because of their age I'll eat my own belt. Agism is bigotry no matter how you look at it, be it young or old. If you were black, or Jewish, or from a different culture, I would not disclude your merit and ability.
The only thing I have stated to be an expert in is how to wield a knife. Apart from that, no clue what you're on about.
And as I recall, you missed the point of the thread entirely, which should probably tell me that you just aren't ready for martial arts on that level. The question was not, 'If I am too awesome' it was if there comes a time for a student, when as the teacher, they no longer are treated the same, and possibly why. I have, and always will consider myself the student. I love to teach, but I have always felt myself the student rather than that.
The thread began with my experience, but was about asking you what you would do in the situation, if others have felt it, and what they did. You twisted it into the conversation being about me being 'too awesome' when that was the exact opposite point I was trying to reinforce.
In all our conversations, you focus on things tangents, and nonissues. If the subject of that thread is im hitting too hard, the answer is obvious, common sense- tone it down. That could have been answered in one reply, and would not require a thread. I could ask my teacher that. You should consider, possibly, that the experience I had, was one I was trying to use to let others know that such things may eventually happen when one transitions from student to teacher, and it is not because they are doing anything wrong. Again, you spent several pages arguing with me about the relevance of age.
That's fine, I don't think age has anything to do with your ability to survive, within reason, if you are trained. A 2 year old might have as hard a time as the 110 year old would.
Even if I was the best martial artist on the world, I'd still find reason to come to a forum like this, and discuss with other martial artists to keep growing.
Interesting strawman. I'm very new to this forum- I thought you a grandmaster based off your title. If I have asked any people to watch and learn from my video, well I don't think I have. I've offered the video for others to utilize. If they see me making mistake, I hope they will not do it. Others who have been critical I have told to look closer at the video, that does not mean learn.
I hope you guys enjoy the video, find valuable insights for possible improvement and critique, and can find things to use yourself from this video.
.....
I am hoping the diversity will allow the video to appeal to many, especially as an example of the benefits of cross-style training.
But you have not seen me question a person's background to the degree of accusing who has taught them of being fraudulent. And that's insulting enough to get a person banned from some schools.
If martial arts was about degree collecting, maybe a snide comment like this would be relevant. Unfortunately, degrees are but commercialized things which exploit a deep spiritual ritualization in martial arts.
A real teacher will wear their belt to keep their pants up. It is not the rank, or belt which is why you should respect a person in martial arts. Who they are is.
Honestly, I'd prefer if people ignored my ranking. I certainly do. I threw away the certificates and trophies I had when I moved out of my parents house. What I've learned is in my head, not on a piece of paper.
What was sarcastic to you, came off as entirely vitriolic as you continuously disclude ability for agism, which is a form of bigotry, whether you think it or not.
To be honest, as you've pointed out you have trained for a paltry time. So have I. But in all our exchanges, never once have you discussed with me the fact that I have more experience than you in the arts. But you see, how condescending that is? That the simple difference of time should have me ignore you. I've been to a school, a very good school, where the black belts often had no idea who the underbelts were. That was the attitude; if you were a beginner, shut up and learn. Watch.
It was not an aspect of the school I enjoyed particularly, not because I had a lot to say, but because it turned rank less into an achievement, and more of a kind of clique entrance to the black belt 'club'.
If people would like to put me on ignore, there is apparently a function to do so. If they find our opinions so averse, and me so rude for giving input, well they're welcome to. I don't really care. If I say something and someone can take something from it, that is my desire.
I don't teach to people who dont want to listen, and I don't learn from teachers who dont desire to teach, but to be correct. I have been accused of a lot of ego-tripping on this board apparently, yet it is ironic that the majority of the people who accuse me of this are lower in rank.
Nothing I have stated on this board has been offensive; so far I have just disagreed with other people about certain things, though you'll find throughout my posts I tend to agree more than not.
But when you say things like this
When you suggest to me I suffer from mental instability because we disagree over a martial art you are far less inexperienced in, please forgive me for saying this, but get over yourself. I have been humble, but I do know I am a good martial artist, and if fortune in my favor with many more years to continue to grow. When you are 70 and nearing 30 or over years of training, I will be nearing 50 years and will be just past the age you are now. Please understand when you tout age, experience, as a qualifier, than you might want to give the due respect you demand toward others, from someone who has experience. And believe me, I have been more than patient with how you communicate with me about something I've held more dear in my life than you have. But that is assumption, and one without base. Much like many have made toward me, which were needless.
However, people who care about the art, really, are past superficial things such as age, or clothing. We care about learning, growing, and assisting others in doing so, once our time comes to.
If you can't see past my age at what I do have to offer, it is your loss friend, not mine.
But understand, when it comes to martial arts, the only thing I will take personally is disrespect toward the art, and those individuals who are truly good teachers, and people I respect. When you go beyond questioning the validity of my background, and begin to blanket judge who has trained me, and their own value through that, you have assumed far more than is anyone's right, without actually knowing a person.
The same people you claim I offend have also been the most oft ones to see the deeper messages behind my posts, and can come to an agreement. It is said that if you were to gather all the great masters, they would agree on everything. Gather their students, they wouldn't agree on anything. I see this here- the people who have given me the most negative input, are also those who are loudest in their outspokenness, and limited in their own inexperience.
When our student body grew to over 250 at Master Khans, the landlord upped the rent for the location to the point he would have had to have tuition be 200 monthly per student. And we all would have gladly paid it. He chose to retire, and close his school, rather than turn his school into something to earn a profit. I was out of state when this happened, but I heard on the final day over 500 people showed, and it's heartwrenching to hear of people weeping over it, en masse, but that was how much we loved the school.
Every person I've promoted for free, and I only charge when it is necessary to keep a roof over the head where we train.
If you would like to say he ran a Mcdojo, know that he promoted over 200 black belts in his martial arts career. And every single one deserved it, without exception. He had 0 problem failing people for even the smallest reasons. It's why I left an actual Mcdojo school and changed to his. And it saved me as a martial artist.
Why would you retest someone when they have already proven themself? Would you ask your master to retest for his dan, or would you give a martial artist the integrity, and respect they deserve which I am giving to you guys. Which I had thought the norm in martial arts.
Really? One moment you're talking about your unique background and your innovativeness, now nothing comes from you? Hmm.
A genius? According to who? I'm afraid we won't be automatically accepting your appraisal in this instance...
A force to be reckoned with? Let's just say that's highly doubtful... and that, if he was so impressive back then, but you're the "top dog" now (according to your postings here), then you would consider yourself someone to reckon with now... uh, nope.
Step outside the confines of our schools? Oh boy, son, you really don't have much of a clue as to the number of individuals and skill levels we've met and dealt with. You'd really have to do better than that to impress us....
And finally, just because you don't understand the argument (due to lack of experience, maturity, and, well, age... ironically...) doesn't make it stupid. Especially when you're getting it from multiple people who are seeing and saying the same thing.
Moving on to experience, I think you mistake my admitted lack of experience wearing a gi with a lack of experience in all things martial. Having served my country as a Marine MP, and later in civilian law enforcement, I have experienced actual fights, real brawls, genuine threats with knives and guns, and I've had to suck it up, wade in, and make arrests. I've fought with drunks and wrestled with angry spouses when their assaultive drunk husbands were being arrested. I've been spit on, puked on, bled on, kicked, punched, and attacked with a knife; and it was real, not simulated. It was not in the dojo, not on a tournament floor, in some cases it was life or death. I've delivered a baby and watched people die in front of my eyes, their blood, guts, and in some cases, their brains all over me. I may not spend a lot of time talking about it on MT, because this isn't the place for that and I don't particularly relish reliving the details. Suffice to say, my life experience is the genuine article. You may live to gather that kind of experience too, but you don't have it now, and nothing you've ever done compares to my experiences.
However, not being an expert myself does not mean I do not know good karate when I see it. I train under a well-respected sensei with a known lineage only 2 generations from the Soke of Isshin-Ryu. These men and women each have 30 years experience and in some cases, 40. They do good karate, and I know what it looks like. However, I am not qualified to know what is good or bad about other styles, and so I kept my critique of your performance limited to what I do know; such as keeping your head in the well. I even complimented you on your balance and (from my perspective) speed. I also said I saw no Isshin-Ryu techniques in your performance, which you claimed were in there. If they were, they were so poorly executed that I could not recognize them. Again, I don't have to be an expert practitioner to know good from bad Isshin-Ryu. And you asked for feedback. Now you claim you didn't want your techniques criticized, only the video itself? Whatever.
You say you've been mugged twice, but refuse to supply details. I can tell you hair-raising stories about fighting a drunk whose buddy tried to stab me with his bayonet while I wrestled on the ground with his partner in the Mojave desert. I can tell you about trying to stop a guy from breaking my arm over a pipe rail while he kicked me in the nads, I ended up breaking HIS arm, and if you've ever done it (which you have not), you'd know that it's a lot harder than it seems on paper. That remark about kicking a guy's knife hand and breaking his arm; what a hoot. I had to jump on my guy's arm to break it; 190 pounds straight down onto an arm propped over a pipe rail. I know what it feels and sounds like. I know what blood, guts, and bile smell like. I know what very dead human bodies smell like. I know what a corpse feels like when you try to get a pulse. That's experience; the kind that counts. What I learn in the dojo is applied to my lifetime of experiences fighting and THAT, my young friend, is more than you could possibly imagine. Your condescending remarks that perhaps I just don't have enough experience to understand you is laughable. Son, I was knocking people out cold and dragging them out the door by their stacking swivels before you were born; literally.
If you ask for honest feedback, you get it. You don't like it, and interpret it as a personal attack. The only thing I have to say about you personally is that I don't care for your attitude much at all.
At your age, no one could tell me anything.
But you speak of me not going into detail of the altercations in my past. Why should I? Many have gone through life struggles of far more severity and difficulty than I did, and were affected much more by consequence. I do not see those experiences in a pleasant light, because my own reaction in at least one I am not happy with. There were great consequences from them as well. I am finding it difficult not to express what I would like to say because I do not particularly desire to speak about those events. Suffice to say one resulted with me having sustained a stabbing, having stabbed another with their own knife, and knocked the other assailant unconscious. What ashames me, is that I stood over the other and strongly considered putting the knife in him as well, for there was a very strong... something told me not to do so would be wrong. But I didn't. I later would learn that the individual, once 18 and released, raped a person and landed back in jail. When I was 18 I had to bear the casket of a close friend who committed suicide. I have supervised territorial disputes by drug dealers, and witnessed multiple deaths as well. NOVA has a pretty bad underground, when one actually looks. I have been paid to hurt people, and to defend. I have since chosen to mitigate, rather than confront..