From: mary@Cayman.COM (Mary Malmros)
Newsgroups: rec.martial-arts
Subject: Re: 10th Dan & Badass Karate Bullshit
Date: 13 Nov 92 21:27:42 GMT
Organization: Cayman Systems Inc., Cambridge, MA
In-reply-to: y41@aix320a.urz.uni-heidelberg.de's message of 11 Nov 92 12:48:58 GMT



WARNING: hit "n" now if you have no sense of humor.  It's Friday and I
feel like a wiseass.


In article <1992Nov11.124858.931@sun0.urz.uni-heidelberg.de> y41@aix320a.urz.uni-heidelberg.de (Jeffrey Hazelwood) writes:

   Ok folks pay attention.  

Yes, sensei!  

[a few scuffling noises, hurriedly quieted as the rec.martial-arts sempai
 glare the unruly ones into silence to hear the Words of Wisdom]

   10th Dans
   ---------

   Anyone claiming to be a tenth Dan is most likely full of shit. Anyone 
   studying from a 10th Dan is most likely under the 10th Dan Spell.
   The 10th Dan Spell is a very dangerous thing. People under the 10th 
   Dan Spell are very gullible. 

OOOOH!  REALLY???

   As far as traditionalists are concerned, if they are traditionalists
   then they wouldn't be wearing a belt in the first place, unless of
   course their jeans are too baggy.

Gosh, I never heard THAT before.

   Summary:  It doesn't matter what kind of Dan you have.

   Badass Karate
   -------------

   There is no Badass Karate, only Badass People.  Anyone who thinks
   they are a Badass or most likely NOT.  Unfortunately, many people
   who are under the 10th Dan Spell (see above) also easily fall under
   the Badass Spell.  

NO!  You're KIDDING!!!  You mean if I study at "Joe Blow's Totally
Lethal Death Killer Street Kung Fu Karate School", I WON'T automatically
become a totally lethal death killer street?  Or something?

   A 70 Year old man whoopin' some young guys ass???? Possible, but 
   highly unlikely. Get real. I have never met a 70 year old man whose 
   ass I couldn't kick. Not that that means there isn't some tough
   old guy out there, it's just I don't believe he could whoop my ass.

You don't have to believe it, grasshoppah...

   I guess you folks believe those guys in the Kung Fu movies can really 
   jump from the ground to the top of the Temple as well. 

HA!  Next thing you're gonna try to tell us there's no Santa Claus.  

   As far as the different styles are concerned, it is obviously dependant 
   upon the skills of the individual.  You can practice the Hardest style 
   and still be a pussy or you can practice the Softest (thought to be weaker 
   by many, though not true) Style and be tough.  You can also know every kata,
   technique, kung fu form, and every martial art there is and still
   get your ass kicked!  

This is an incredibly, incredibly profound observation, and one that I
have certainly NEVER heard before in this forum.

   Summary:  There is no Badass Karate, maybe a few tough folks.

   Advice 1 The Martial Art World is full of bullshit "Masters".

THANK YOU SENSEI!

   Advice 2 Just because the teacher is oriental doesn't mean shit!! They can
	    bullshit in very clever oriental ways. 

THANK YOU SENSEI...UH...TEACHER...UH...COACH...UH...JOE!

   Advice 3  Learn, and don't worry about belts, Masters and other nonsense.

THANK YOU JOE!

   I hope no one Death Touches me!! Ha Ha Ha Ha!

Trust me, they already have...

I think it's time for me to go put on my nice shiny belt and bow to my
oriental master and practice a bunch of kata in an attempt to delude 
myself that I could actually defend myself ON THE STREET!!!!!!! hahaha...
--
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 Mary Malmros     | Cayman Systems Inc, 26 Landsdowne St, Cambridge, MA 02139
 mary@cayman.com  | Phone 617-494-1999  Fax 617-494-5167  AppleLink CAYMAN.TECH