Thursday, December 18, 2014

Fearless Fitness/Martial Arts: The Good Touch

Fearless Fitness/Martial Arts: The Good Touch: In martial arts life and love we are all susceptible to the fantasy of 'the good touch'. The old Kung Fu master touched h...

The Good Touch

In martial arts life and love we are all susceptible to the fantasy of 'the good touch'.



The old Kung Fu master touched his assailant, with no apparent effect. 
 Days later, the assailant died a sudden and mysterious death. 
 He was a victim of the legendary dim mak, the touch of death.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ar1yXYOsxQk#t=233

The Cantonese term 'dim mak' does not translate to 'death touch'.
A more accurate translation would be 'press artery'



There are pressure points on the body that when manipulated 
 cause immediate excruciating pain;
 also vital areas that require a small amount of force to inflict great damage.
As martial artists we are trained to protect these areas.


When it gets Intimate

Understanding the manipulation of these meridians allows for heightened awareness and
 states of arousal during intimacy actually creating a hungering for them.
This understanding leads to new sensations and/or states of arousal,
where we can achieve even more pleasure.


The Intimate Fighting Range

Though some pressure points happen to be located along arteries.
This does not make 'Dim Mak' synonymous with pressure point striking or grappling.
The 'Bubishi'  is the how and the where...



But is the practice of the how and the where a stand alone fighting STYLE ?

I think not .....
As a companion art I believe in the validity of Kyushu.
It's study is like a dictionary of striking points and methodologies.
As a stand alone defense system it's dangerous to believe in it's stand alone efficacy .

Martial Arts , Life and Love are all founded in part in Fantasy & Myths.
One such myth is that Kyushu alone will save you against a 'motivated assailant'.



Knowing how to hit,
 (boxing & kicking matrix, small circle ju-jitsu);
the development of interactive skills ie:
 movement vs firepower,controlling distance, 
set point control and aggressive defense,
ring generalship and controlling the pocket are hallmark attributes
 we train these attributes on a daily basis so as not to be vulnerable.

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Fearless Fitness/Martial Arts: Martial Arts Vs Martial Secrets

Fearless Fitness/Martial Arts: Martial Arts Vs Martial Secrets: I wrote this 4 years ago in a delodid haze while hospitalized....it is the foundation of my next two blogs  "The good touch" ...

Martial Arts Vs Martial Secrets

I wrote this 4 years ago in a delodid haze while hospitalized....it is the foundation of my next two blogs 

"The good touch"


https://sites.google.com/site/fearsltd2011/home/events-blog/martialsecretsmeetmartialreality

Thursday, December 11, 2014

Fearless Fitness/Martial Arts: The Walk of Shame

Fearless Fitness/Martial Arts: The Walk of Shame: In music they call it a 'one hit wonder' . Like Soft Cells'   Tainted Love. Buster Douglas is a great example in the '...

The Walk of Shame

In music they call it a 'one hit wonder'.
Like Soft Cells'  Tainted Love.

Buster Douglas is a great example in the 'fight game'.



A 42/1 underdog handed Tyson his first professional defeat in 1990.
or 
Leon Spinks defeat of Mohammad Ali in 1978
Spinks career record 26 wins 17 losses making the Ali victory
a kinda one hit wonder....



As far as life and love goes, we all know our share of 'walking travesties'.
We see them out at the local pub or hear their whispered stories
on the mat at the gym or by the water cooler, their lives a succession of 
'Walks of shame'.


As always in my musings I avoid the obvious, I leave it to you the reader to imply it.



One of my early karate teachers discouraged me from going to tournaments.
He told me that the rules were designed to eliminate the strengths 
of our style...specifically 'the grab'.



Joe Lewis encouraged what he called 'limitation sparring'.
A drill where you would eliminate one or more of your 'Aces'.
The idea was to enhance tactical efficacy in the event of injury or 'bad rules'.

Arthur Rabesa has such drills both on you tube, and his website.

I took 'the walk of shame' from many early tournaments.

I believed 'the master'....

I left those tournaments feeling weak and used after successive defeats.
I lost so many times my friend Tom didn't wanna go any more haha !

Roosevelt said,
It's far better to dare mighty things, 
To win glorious triumphs,
even though checkered by failure.....

Something had to change.
Joe lewis had always told me that he didn't have much respect for fighters
that were under 200 pounds. I was only 170 !!
A slow middleweight .... but I'd be a fast heavyweight.

After a tournament in my hometown of Pittsfield , MA
a referee came to me and said your gonna have to really hit your opponent
if you want to get the win. They are watching they're guys NOT YOU.



Lesson Learned !

With the help of a friend Dave Sinopoli (weight training advice)
 and boxing coach Dickie Eklund (footwork).

 I Lifted & 'Danced' (footwork drills), my way to 208 pounds
 Now I could hit like a heavyweight move like a lightweight !


Let me be strong enough to know when I am weak,
and brave enough to face myself when I am afraid,
Let me be proud and unbending in honest defeat,
 and humble and gentle in victory.

-Robb Buckland-




Monday, December 8, 2014

Fearless Fitness/Martial Arts: WHITE LIAR

Fearless Fitness/Martial Arts: WHITE LIAR:   The truth comes out a little at a time  And it spreads just like a fire  Slips off of your tongue like turpentine    You b...

WHITE LIAR


The truth comes out a little at a time 

And it spreads just like a fire 

Slips off of your tongue like turpentine 



 You better be careful what you do 

I wouldn't wanna be in your shoes 

If they ever found you out 


 It never really added up any way 

You said you went out to a bar 
And walked some lady to her car 
But your face has more to tell 
Cuz my cousin saw you on the street 
With a red head named Bernice 

Turns out you don't lie too well 
Here's a bombshell just for you 
Turns out I've been lying too 

Yeah I'm a white liar 

 -Miranda Lambert-
'White Liar'



  In December of 2013 I decided for the convenience of remote deposit
 and other features to open a bank account with a national bank.

 I had a 'parting of ways' with Bank of America, 
 that left me with Wells Fargo .

 My first visit to the bank was an interesting experience.
I was greeted and treated like royalty.
My teller was a young Russian girl,
when I asked her how to access the 'upgraded features'
I was told I was 'establishing a relationship' with the bank,
and those fantastic features that had attracted me to them
 would be available to me after a year .

It's been a year !!!
And it's Facebook official !!




  Denise Lora Webster Davis says.....
The truth always comes to surface, Honesty starts by being honest with yourself 
 The choices your made im the past got you where you are today.
 Open up your heart and let the truth in for it will set you and those around free 
 and you will start to see a new meaning when you let the love and honesty inside.



I feel compelled to come clean with you my trusted readers.
The whole time I was 'establishing a relationship' with Wells Fargo
I was actually 'maintaining a relationship' on the side with Kennebunk Savings.


Honestly I don't feel I was being dishonest or 'cheating'.

After all a man has to
'MAKE HIS DEPOSITS SOMEWHERE !!!'


Friday, December 5, 2014

Fearless Fitness/Martial Arts: Mr Right or Just Mr Right now ?

Fearless Fitness/Martial Arts: Mr Right or Just Mr Right now ?: So often in life we settle for what we can get rather than what we really want. I'm at work, just after Black Friday...........  no...

Mr Right or Just Mr Right now ?

So often in life we settle for what we can get rather than what we really want.


I'm at work, just after Black Friday...........
 not the best time of year to be in the Timeshare sales industry.
 Definitely the worst time for marketing for this industry.
It's said to be a success in sales all you have to do is talk to a lot of people,
what is potentially exciting about that is there are lots of people.
Now don't get me wrong,
 I understand that for every sale you miss because of your enthusiasm,
 you miss a hundred more from lacking enthusiasm. 

It's hard to be enthusiastic about a 40 something woman
 with disheveled hair and an English accent (unless she's in your bed, lol),
But, when it's your only customer for the day ....on a SATURDAY !!
Lawd help us !!!

I'm questioning the viability of this job.
There is no passion to be found in playing small,
just settling for a life that's less than the one you are capable of living.
Regret has a way of staring you in the face ......

I think the greater danger is in not aiming too high.
In life like in golf why settle for a bogey when you can shoot for an eagle.
Two words that nevered settled well with me are maturity and content.
I think they 'spell' decay ......



Obviously stymied by my 'right now' choice of employment ........
I've turned too the lovely and talented aspiring blogger Holly Arland
 for her take on this topic based on her experience.



Saddling up, settling down, or just settling?


Mr. Right, Mr. Wrong, or Mr. Right now?

Why does this cowgirl read the body language of a 1200 lb majestic creature,
 but sees the body language of a man as a foreign ?

 Is the man as confused by the signals that emanate from him  ?

 Is it the distance he sets, the moral he lacks,
 or the sexy scent he puts off that confuses me?

Horses lack the capability of being deceitful for personal gain
 but have a sense of survival most humans thirst for !

 People seem to lack the moralistic capability of honesty and loyalty. 
So how is a high - minded woman like  myself supposed to identify
 Mr. Right, Mr. Wrong, Mr. Right Now
 or
My, Mr. after 9 years  going to leave you alone in a world.....
A world which was created for two…. by two ?

What qualities prevail over the others? 
How do I rope a cowboy who will, compliment and balance me?

 What scale do I use? 

Am I searching for what's nonexistent or undeserved by yours truly? 
What is the definition of settling? 
Do I settle for the first thing that trots this way,
 like a horse with no gait? 
It's an ugly, uncomfortable ride . 

  Can I break a man like a wild horse and eventually call him my cowboy?
 What's the difference between settling for less
and compromising oneself?


 Forget settling down I am saddling up….
 Where are my boots??


My BFFL Gabby says....

Whether it be with work or romance,
everybody expects there to always be a right answer or "Mr. Right".

 When you take a look back and try to explain how you got where you
are there is no straight and narrow road.

 Life is full of mistakes and experiences and its not those situations that can answer your questions but how you reacted and your attitude.

 People like to blame Mr. Wrong on the man himself,
 but obviously what he does works for him and what he is trying to accomplish.

 Mr. Right Now is a forced action.

 They are the person that is placed in front of you
when you are looking for something specific.
 The funny thing about life is
 that the best things happen when they are least expected.

 Stop looking!!!

 Mr. Right and Mr. Right Now are a figurative concept imagined by people who feel that there questions always have to have an answer.

 Focus on yourself and things you love; your job, riding horses, martial arts, golf ...

Build yourself up and not what you are looking for, but what you need will just appear.
 Don't spend your life wondering or worrying spend your life living.

 When you are ready life will know.

Sunday, November 30, 2014

Fearless Fitness/Martial Arts: A Matter of Inspiration..a letter to a friend

Fearless Fitness/Martial Arts: A Matter of Inspiration..a letter to a friend: A flower that continues to bloom in the face of adversity is the most beautiful of all. Adversity, pain & heartbreak are all seeds fo...

A Matter of Inspiration..a letter to a friend

A flower that continues to bloom in the face of adversity is the most beautiful of all.
Adversity, pain & heartbreak are all seeds for the improvement of ourselves,
 or those we mentor.


I remember as a 13 year old boy meeting you for the first time.
You were a pretty intimidating guy, the kinda guy I wanted to become 
after being repeatedly bullied on the school bus.

Children must be taught how to think not what to think....you did that.
The mind of a child is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled.


You were not so much a teacher to me but an awakener.
We live our lives between the act of awakening and the act of surrender.
Each morning we awaken to the light, an invitation to a new day in the world of time.
Each night we surrender to the darkness to play in the world of dreams,
 where time is no more.


Often the profound effect we have on others goes unnoticed by us.

As parents we want to be heros to our children.
As warriors we want to leave the mark of our will, our signature,
on the hearts and minds of our students, and all who's lives we touch.

You have done that in me Thank You, It is an honor to call you a mentor and a friend.


Friday, November 21, 2014

Fearless Fitness/Martial Arts: The pantless hermaphrodite

Fearless Fitness/Martial Arts: The pantless hermaphrodite: Winnie the Pooh was banned from a Polish playground for being an   'inappropriate hermaphrodite' Winnie the Pooh has b...

The pantless hermaphrodite


Winnie the Pooh was banned from a Polish playground for being an

 'inappropriate hermaphrodite'



Winnie the Pooh has been banned from a Polish playground
 because of his “dubious sexuality” and “inappropriate” dress.

This says something about us as a global community.
Humankind has an innate ability to find something wrong with everything.



My friend John Hall and I have always been of  the belief that wearing no pants
 symbolizes a day off, Doesn't Pooh deserve a day off too ?

He's a mythical character made up by an old man, I imagine that must be pretty tiring.
Perhaps the 'old man' is suffering from Alzheimer's and forgot to draw the pants.
Winnie the Pooh is also 'dumb as a box of rocks' maybe he forgot to put his pants on.
I'm a big proponent of 'no pants' if it was socially acceptable I'd sure do it.

Wouldn't you ?


He eats alot of honey, maybe his pants are being washed from frequent spilling.
Maybe, he likes to feel the air on his 'Winnie'.........
or he 'poohs' alot and requires quick access.

Whatever the truth is I think the 'bear should be bear'.....just sayin.




They say life is so much sweeter
Through the telephoto lens of fame
Whether you're late for church or you're stuck in jail
Hey, word's gonna get around
Everybody dies famous in a small town

-Miranda Lambert-


It's said that when someone shares their favorite songs with you,

 embrace them, because they’re giving you a small glimpse into their soul.

I try to do this in my stories each time.
Why do we close our eyes when we pray, cry, kiss or dream?
 Because the most beautiful things in life are not seen but felt by the heart



The safety of being a 'big fish' in a small pond, is like living on an island.
No one will ever discover your pretense if you don't cross 'the bridge',
 never venturing from the 'safety net'  of a small town.


Pooh is safe in the 'Hundred acre wood' without his pants, 
without the judgment of the global community, with his honey.

Life is easy for him as long as he doesn't cross 'the bridge.'
He'll never develop courage, because he won't have to challenge adversity.



Every adversity, every failure,
 every heartache carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit.
-Napoleon Hill-


Friday, November 7, 2014

Fearless Fitness/Martial Arts: Rotting on the Vine

Fearless Fitness/Martial Arts: Rotting on the Vine: Time you enjoy wasting, is not time wasted. Iv'e been through 2 legal pads of notes trying to make this damn thing perfect. At least...

Rotting on the Vine

Time you enjoy wasting, is not time wasted.
Iv'e been through 2 legal pads of notes trying to make this damn thing perfect.

At least I'm laughing at myself and my 'OCD shotgun' approach to this. 
I feel like a day spent without laughing would really be a wasted one.
At least I'm doing that !!!

Trying to live with a sense of urgency often makes things seem overwhelming.
Sometimes it's better when things aren't perfect.
At least that way you know 'it's' real.
Creativity, is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art, is knowing which ones to keep.


I'm working on a DVD project with one of my mentors, Art Rabesa.
We are highlighting Arts' encyclopedic knowledge of Power In-Fighting and training methodologies with an R.M.A. twist ......FEARS style !!!

Excellence is attainable, but perfection ?
In our profession, precision and perfection are not dispensable luxuries,
 they're necessary attributes.




I was doing my weighted walk through the cemetery today.
Leaves were blowing everywhere, Summer's death has completely given way
 to the decay of Fall: now too soon replaced by Winters frosty grip.

It reminded me of how we all hope for breakthrough rebirth moments.
My training went through a renaissance after experiencing the power of Art Rabesa.

Art said something interesting during a recent phone conversation.
He said, "I don't need to hurt anyone for them to learn this 'stuff'. "

O.K. but I sure remember pain......
I think we gain wisdom from mentors and pain and Art Rabesa provides both.
I'm sure thankful for it too because the experience changed 'my martial art' forever.


In Martial Arts, Fitness, Life and Love were are searching for
someone or something whose 'demons' will play well with ours. 

Arts' 'demons' play well with mine





Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Fearless Fitness/Martial Arts: Living like a Runaway

Fearless Fitness/Martial Arts: Living like a Runaway: Remember:  Life is short, break the rules (they were made to be broken) Forgive quickly, kiss slowly, love truly, laugh uncontrollably ...

Living like a Runaway

Remember: 
Life is short, break the rules (they were made to be broken)
Forgive quickly, kiss slowly, love truly, laugh uncontrollably
and never regret anything that makes you smile.


The clouds are lined with silver and the glass is half full.
(although the answer won't be found at the bottom)
Don't sweat the small stuff,
You are who your meant to be.
Dance as if no one's watching.
Love as if it's all you know.
Dream as if you'll live forever,
Live as if you'll die today.

When I was younger I lived like a runaway.
To be a seeker you have to doubt all truths,
observation and experience will teach you what you need to know.



In the end it's imagination, not knowledge that marks intelligence.
I think the saying goes, 'Without strong roots the mightiest tree cannot stand.'
Experiencing different places, cultures and opportunities has always been paramount 
to my 'taking root'. Funny how people try to get you to focus on what 'they' want.

The discovery of 'the agenda' is the hardest thing to accept when you discover it.
Key West, South Beach, Williamsburg, Cape Cod, New Orleans...on and on,
 Been there done that ! It's not the place, It's the people that make the difference.


There are people we don't want to lose
but can't hold onto.

There are places we don't want to be 
but are meant to experience.

There are things we don't want to happen 
but can't control.



It's your job to climb the mountain and see above the clouds for yourself.
Rather than to believe the 'congregations' interpretation of the view.
We need to be able to state our personal truth without having to prove or 'shout' it.
Our greatest short coming is that we have learned to mask certain feelings,
or portray feelings that weren't even ours.

Friday, October 31, 2014

Fearless Fitness/Martial Arts: All Hallows Eve

Fearless Fitness/Martial Arts: All Hallows Eve: I bet living in a nudist colony takes all the fun out of Halloween ! Halloween wraps fear in innocence. Even a focused eye doesn't...

All Hallows Eve

I bet living in a nudist colony takes all the fun out of Halloween !

Halloween wraps fear in innocence.
Even a focused eye doesn't guarantee a keen imagination.
Without imagination there can be no horror.
The darkness on this night,
 has a special place in the hearts and minds of everyone.


Imagine if the whole world hated you, how terribly alone you'd feel.
But, if you're conscience absolved you of guilt, you wouldn't be without friends.
You would though surely feel like a soulless caricature.

Parents can try to give guidance to the right paths but the 
final formation of ones character is in our own hands.


I think pleasure is found in the wonder of the unexplored
 and the unexpected things that lay hidden ...muted even,
 behind the 'walls' we use to disguise our true selves.



Tonight I'm down with the clown,
I crawl like a tarantula on my toes and thumbs.
Born to carnies, gypsies and bums....

Outside the air feels different, it's cool and bright, 
the veil between realms is thinnest tonight,
whether you believe in spirits 
or not this night, they surely believe in you.

Humans are amphibians, half spirit and half animal.
As spirits they belong to the eternal world, 
but as animals they inhabit time.

-C. S. Lewis-



Thursday, October 30, 2014

Fearless Fitness/Martial Arts: The Grinch who Sold Timeshare

Fearless Fitness/Martial Arts: The Grinch who Sold Timeshare: Did you ever notice Tinkerbell and the Grinch look similar ? They could be related, just sayin'. She does have those  enhance...

The Grinch who Sold Timeshare

Did you ever notice Tinkerbell and the Grinch look similar ?

They could be related, just sayin'.

She does have those enhanced 'laugh lines',
 from years of trading away her humility
 'trick', by 'trick',
under the spell of 'the liquid muse'........

Leave it to me to say or write 'the wrong thing'....Ha ha !
Don't pick on the pixie !!!



I was bored as hell at work the other day and a friend joked that I had a 'Devilish grin'
My response was something about the Grinch and this story was born.

The Grinch that Sold Timeshare

The Grinch is a bitter, grouchy, cave dwelling creature from Wells, Maine.
His heart was two sizes to small and his only companions were his dogs:
 Meeka, Spiff and Dollar.




From his perch high atop Mt. Agamenticus the Grinch could hear the noisy activities
at the 84 Main Resort in Kennebunk. This annoyed the Grinch and he set out to 
stop the mooches from wasting the sales rep, Lucy Loos'  time.




He crudely disguises himself as a sales manager,
 and sets off to steal the 'gifts' and snacks,
 load them into his sleigh, and bring them back to his perch
to dump them all into the abyss.





As the sun set on Lucy Loos' 3 hour tour, he expects to hear the mooches
bitter sorrowful cries, but is confused to hear them singing a joyous song instead.
Yup, the 'song' of buying questions !!!


He 'puzzles' for a moment until it dawns upon him, perhaps there is more to this
mooches visit than just a quest for gifts and free food.
 This mooch might BUY something.




The Grinch's shrunken heart suddenly grows three times larger.
Lucy Loo turned the table over to the Grinch.
 The Grinch proceeds to work a series of nose bleed price drops, to no avail. 

The mooch owned timeshare, a campground membership,
 an RV, had kids in college,  a vacation home, and were renovating a home,
while raising their grand kids because their kids were on drugs.
 They were buying a new home and couldn't have a 'hit' on their credit.
They were recieving cancer treatments, having surgeries
 and taking care of their sick handicaped mother !!



If they'd have seen this program at a different time...
when their grand kids weren't so young,
there children didn't need so much help with their young children
and they weren't so old this would've been perfect for them. 

They did say though if the Grinch gave them a copy of the paperwork
 that they'd have their attorney, accountant and financial advisor review it.
At that point they'd discuss it with their kids and they'd be back.

On the bright side they said that their sales rep little Lucy Loo
 did a great job, they didn't mind the view of the Sunoco station
and that they learned a lot and had fun.

 SO MUCH FOR MY DAY OFF !


Thank goodness the marketing company
 will only invite them back twice a year !!

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Fearless Fitness/Martial Arts: A Matter of Cognizance

Fearless Fitness/Martial Arts: A Matter of Cognizance: I received a message from a friend after the last blog post about writers block. They asked if I was O.K. ? I think they thought ...

A Matter of Cognizance



I received a message from a friend after the last blog post about writers block.
They asked if I was O.K. ?
I think they thought I was emotionally hijacked or something !!

Per-cep-tion
The state, process or ability to see, hear,
 or become aware of something through the senses.



I try when 'wordsmithing', to leave you with an opportunity to interpret
each sentence, paragraph or phrase for your own personal meaning.

For example the arrow through the heart goes back to Cupid .
It symbolizes the arrow finding love in ones heart.
But, the arrow also symbolizes that love can hurt as well.



A waitress at 'burger night' a couple weeks ago
 was getting off shift and saw me writing.

She asked, "Are you a writer ?"

I replied, " More like a 'wordsmith'....LOL"
She then asked if she could read something I had written.
I let her read what I was working on.

Her head started nodding, then shaking her head she looked up and burst into tears.
She said, "Oh my God this is my life."

You see, it's a matter of cognizance

There is a story of a old woman saying goodbye to her mother for the last time .

She said, 'I wish you enough', 
and the young woman burst into tears and hugged her mom.
She said through her tears, "You've given me more than enough mom."



To her the message was clear.....

I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.

I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.

I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.

I wish you enough pain to make small loves seem bigger.

I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.

I wish you enough loss to appreciate what you possess.

I wish you enough "hello's" to get you through the final "goodbye"


.