It has been a long time. 6 and a half years in fact, since I have started my training. Its not easy, being a student of karate. There are a lot of bruises involved, and a lot of sore muscles. But it has been worth every minute of it, because the skills and responsibilities that come with the training are completely unique.
I study the style of karate known as Shotokan Karate. Shotokan Karate was founded by Gichin Funakoshi in the first several decades of the 20th century. Shotokan Karate is not the biggest or most popular style, but it has a reputation for long and deep stances, and numerous kata. There are many Shotokan Karate organizations around the world, but I am a member of the Central Illinois Shotokan Karate Association (CISKA). This organization is mainly located in Illinois and Missouri, but has members all over the Midwest.
In Shotokan Karate, we study three principles; Kihon, Kata, and Kumite. Fondly known as the three K's, Kihon stands for basics. These are the basic techniques which we learn. Kata is a series of movements symbolizing a fight against multiple opponents using the basic Kihon. There are 27 Shotokan Kata, all unique and different. I have learned 7 of them so far. Finally, there is Kumite. Kumite is sparring, and it is what most people first join Karate to learn. Kumite is divided up into levels. There is 3 Step, 1 Step, 3-5 time, slow, semi-free, and free sparring. Students can learn sparring as early as 9a kyu, when all students begin at 10c kyu.
The karate belt system begins with the white belt. There are two stripes that must be earned as a white belt; the orange stripe, and the red stripe. The orange stripe indicates a mastery of the first four Kihon, and the red stripe indicates mastery of the first Kata, Taikiyoku Shodan. Next is the yellow belt, which gives 3 step sparring and a new kata, as well as two new kihon. Following are the red, blue, and green belts, two levels of purple belt, three levels of brown belt, and ten levels of black belt. Each level or new belt introduces a new kata, new basics, and a new level of sparring.
Shotokan Karate's motto was written by its founder and sums up the spirit of the art.
'The ultimate aim of Karate lies neither in victory or defeat, but in the pursuit of perfection.' - Gichin Funakoshi
As Shotokan Karateka, we strive to improve character, sincerity, spirit, discipline, and self-control. This is the purpose of karate, and the purpose of its students. I give my training credit to the whole black belt panel of CISKA, but especially head Sensei Rick Brewer, technical chairman Sensei James Hartman, and dojo leader Sensei Kevin Oedewaldt. Hai, Sensei.
Monday, March 10, 2014
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge
Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge
Job #1 Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge
In Chapter 1 of Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge [By Ambrose Bierce] I found a passage that throws me off... How exactly can he seem to make time slow down that he anticipates with eagerness each one second beat of his watch? Is it just a 'I'm gonna die I'd better make each second count' thing or is it something more...
"And now he became conscious of a new disturbance. Striking through the thought of his dear ones was a sound which he cound neither ignore nor understand, a sharp, distinct, metallic percussion like the stroke of a blacksmith's hammer upon the anvil; it had the same ringing quality. He wondered what it was, and whether immeasurably distant or near by - it seemed both. Its recurrence was regular, but as slow as the tolling of a death knell. He awaited each stroke with impatience, and - he knew not why - apprehension. The intervals of silence grew progressively longer; the delays became maddening. With their greater infrequency the sounds increased in strength and sharpness. They hurt his ear like the thrust of a knife; he feared that he would shriek. What he heard was the ticking of his watch." [Chapter 1, 2nd paragraph from end]
Job #1 Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge
In Chapter 1 of Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge [By Ambrose Bierce] I found a passage that throws me off... How exactly can he seem to make time slow down that he anticipates with eagerness each one second beat of his watch? Is it just a 'I'm gonna die I'd better make each second count' thing or is it something more...
"And now he became conscious of a new disturbance. Striking through the thought of his dear ones was a sound which he cound neither ignore nor understand, a sharp, distinct, metallic percussion like the stroke of a blacksmith's hammer upon the anvil; it had the same ringing quality. He wondered what it was, and whether immeasurably distant or near by - it seemed both. Its recurrence was regular, but as slow as the tolling of a death knell. He awaited each stroke with impatience, and - he knew not why - apprehension. The intervals of silence grew progressively longer; the delays became maddening. With their greater infrequency the sounds increased in strength and sharpness. They hurt his ear like the thrust of a knife; he feared that he would shriek. What he heard was the ticking of his watch." [Chapter 1, 2nd paragraph from end]
Job #2 Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge
The events surrounding this story; how a man desperate to do anything for his country tried to do a brave thing, but was lured into a death trap and killed in a violent manner, remind me of a book I once read about a missionary named Jim Elliot. He was a brave man, and loved God so much that he was willing to become a missionary in a foreign country. He was invited to go to a tribe down in South America, and try to share the Gospel with them. They appeared friendly for a while, and then ambushed him and his friends, slaughtering them ruthlessly in the name of their pagan gods, just as the Federals in the story Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge ruthlessly hanged a man in the name of war.
'All is fair in love and war' was the creed of the day, and the Federals fulfilled their creed, but at what cost? At the cost of another man's life. A life that could have shone brightly in history. A life that could have been saved. A god created being was killed in a simple matter, and not even in a straightforward fight that could have earned him honor in his death; he was baited, trapped, and killed like a rat or other common pest that one wants to be disposed of.
Job #3 Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge
Percussion - “Striking through the though of his dear ones was a sound which he could neither ignore nor understand, a sharp, distinct, metallic percussion like the stroke of a blacksmith's hammer upon the anvil...” [End of Chapter 1]
Manifestations - “Death is a dignitary who when he comes announced is to be received with formal manifestations of respect...” [Chapter 1]
Ramification - “These pains appeared to flash along well-defined lines of ramification and to beat with an inconceivably rapid periodicity.” [Chapter 3]
Ludicrous - “To die of hanging at the bottom of a river! - the idea seemed to him ludicrous.”
[Chapter 3]
Preternaturally - “They were, indeed, preternaturally keen and alert.”
[Chapter 3]
Acclivity – An upward slope.
Chafed – To have made sore by rubbing against an object.
Ramification – A subdivision of a complex chain or process.
Eddies – A movement of water, counter to the main current, that forms a small whirlpool.
Embrasure – A small opening in the parapet of a fortified building, usually used for firing or hurling projectiles through.
Job #4 Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge
Why did Peyton Farquhar try to burn a bridge occupied by an entire Federal company by himself? He was obviously infatuated with some idea of glory to be gained by doing so, but why? There were pickets posted everywhere, and a company is made up of 100 men. Being outnumbered by that much, why would he even try? Why wouldn't he get some Confederate company or regiment to take out that area instead, seeing that he was highly connected within the Confederate world?
Job #5 Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge
Washington Irving's writing style, being Romantic/Gothic, was full of food, romance, and fantasy. It was dark and mysterious at the same time though, and this allowed for a good short story. Ambrose Bierce's writing style, being Realistic, was full of descriptions and cold hard fact. However, due to how Bierce used the descriptions and how he only placed fact on areas that needed it made it seem at once very engaging and almost empathetic, and yet cold and heartless. Out of the two writing styles, I prefer Ambrose Bierce's Realism.
In the story of the Headless Horseman, the theme and events of the story are about a strange man that set out to do what he thought possible, guided by irrational thought and irrational fears, and he got what he deserved due to that irrationality. In the story of Owl Creek, the theme and events of the story are about a young gentleman who set out to accomplish the impossible, and suffered for it. It describes exactly what fantasies played through his head as he died. The second is much more bloody, but it demands empathy because it is almost realistic, except for the man being able to dodge bullets and a cannon, and escape from 100 men all the way back home to his wife... It sets a very human figure before the reader. In the first story, there is much more romance and much less blood, but it sets the figures back at a distance, to be observed and not to be pitied, encouraged, etc.
Monday, September 24, 2012
Mathematical Equations - Date Edition
Back With Dates
I'm back with more dates and mathematical calculations...
9/14/12
[14 x 12] /9 = 18.6666666667
9/15/12
9/15~3/5 of 12 [12 x .6] = 20
9/16/12
12/16 = 3/4 of 9 = 6.75
9/17/12
17 - 9 = 8 = 2/3 of 12
9/18/12
9/18 of 12 = 1/2 of 12 = 6
9/19/12
9/12 = 3/4 of 19 = 14.25
9/20/12
12/20 of 9 = 3/5 of 9 = 5.4
9/21/12
9/21/12 divided by 3 = 3/7/4 = 3 + 4 = 7
9/22/12
22/12 divided by 2 = 11/6 9/6 divided by 3 = 3/2/11 11 - 2 [9] divided by 3 = 3
9/23/12
9/12 = 3/4 of 23 = 17.25
9/24/12
9/24/12 divided by 3 = 3/8/4 = 8 divided by 4 +1 = 3
I'm back with more dates and mathematical calculations...
9/14/12
[14 x 12] /9 = 18.6666666667
9/15/12
9/15~3/5 of 12 [12 x .6] = 20
9/16/12
12/16 = 3/4 of 9 = 6.75
9/17/12
17 - 9 = 8 = 2/3 of 12
9/18/12
9/18 of 12 = 1/2 of 12 = 6
9/19/12
9/12 = 3/4 of 19 = 14.25
9/20/12
12/20 of 9 = 3/5 of 9 = 5.4
9/21/12
9/21/12 divided by 3 = 3/7/4 = 3 + 4 = 7
9/22/12
22/12 divided by 2 = 11/6 9/6 divided by 3 = 3/2/11 11 - 2 [9] divided by 3 = 3
9/23/12
9/12 = 3/4 of 23 = 17.25
9/24/12
9/24/12 divided by 3 = 3/8/4 = 8 divided by 4 +1 = 3
Monday, September 10, 2012
Cotswold Sheep
Cotswold sheep are very cool. They are uniquely designed to survive on minimal food, have gentle personalities, and have large lambs easily. History can easily trace them to the Romans, who brought them to Britain, and it has been suggested by some archeologists that the Golden Fleece of Greek Mythology was a fleece spun with gold from some of the ancestors of the Cotswold breed. Cotswolds, after having been transported to England, became the main breed, and were used to create some breeds we see today, such as the Lincoln, Hampshire, and Border Leicester breeds.
Cotswold sheep are dual purpose. They can just as easily be used for their wool as they can their meat. Cotswold meat is tender, and lacks the 'gamey' flavor that most other sheep meat has. Cotswold wool is long and hangs in spiral locks, and is classified as medium on the soft to rough scale. Cotswolds, because of their ability to survive in areas with lower quality feed and grass, were used in the west for a long time, for that and for their easy lambing traits.
Cotswold sheep are larger size, with rams from 250 to 350 pounds mature, and ewes 200 to 300 pounds mature. Cotswold lambs grow slowly though, hitting full size between 1 and 1/2 and 2 years of age. For more information about Cotswolds or if you are interested in buying one from me, go to our family's website: www.pullenfarms.com.
Cotswold sheep are very cool. They are uniquely designed to survive on minimal food, have gentle personalities, and have large lambs easily. History can easily trace them to the Romans, who brought them to Britain, and it has been suggested by some archeologists that the Golden Fleece of Greek Mythology was a fleece spun with gold from some of the ancestors of the Cotswold breed. Cotswolds, after having been transported to England, became the main breed, and were used to create some breeds we see today, such as the Lincoln, Hampshire, and Border Leicester breeds.
Cotswold sheep are dual purpose. They can just as easily be used for their wool as they can their meat. Cotswold meat is tender, and lacks the 'gamey' flavor that most other sheep meat has. Cotswold wool is long and hangs in spiral locks, and is classified as medium on the soft to rough scale. Cotswolds, because of their ability to survive in areas with lower quality feed and grass, were used in the west for a long time, for that and for their easy lambing traits.
Cotswold sheep are larger size, with rams from 250 to 350 pounds mature, and ewes 200 to 300 pounds mature. Cotswold lambs grow slowly though, hitting full size between 1 and 1/2 and 2 years of age. For more information about Cotswolds or if you are interested in buying one from me, go to our family's website: www.pullenfarms.com.
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Hi!
Hi,
I live on a farm in Illinois and raise Cotswold sheep and Siamese Satin rabbits. I enjoy doing a lot of things, such as reading, airsofting, and fishing. I enjoy math, history, and science, in that order, and have discovered that you can make any date into a mathematical problem that usually can be solved. Lets see...
9/9/12
12-9= 33% of 9, or 3.
If you have any suggestions for math problems for a date, let me know and I will try to add them.
I live on a farm in Illinois and raise Cotswold sheep and Siamese Satin rabbits. I enjoy doing a lot of things, such as reading, airsofting, and fishing. I enjoy math, history, and science, in that order, and have discovered that you can make any date into a mathematical problem that usually can be solved. Lets see...
9/9/12
12-9= 33% of 9, or 3.
If you have any suggestions for math problems for a date, let me know and I will try to add them.
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