Last week, we looked at the mental aspects of self defense and the combat mindset, particularly when you’re concealed carrying. But there is a whole other area to consider. To be fully prepared, you need to know how to survive unarmed combat.
There are many different fighting arts and styles. Some are more sport oriented, while some are pointed more at the “street.” Many have both characteristics. All of them are useful, if you understand what their function is.
None of them are really 100% street oriented, though, because no one would survive the training. Injuries would abound, and people would never come back. You have to keep safety and reasonable precautions in mind.
Library Cards, Pep Band, and Captain America.
Posted: March 09, 2016
In the absence of a clear topic for this week’s article, I thought I’d cover a couple interesting things that have happened over the past few days. So in reverse order of occurrence, here goes:
After 3 years, I accomplished a huge goal today when my 5-year-old got his first library card. We’ve been going there since he was able to walk. At first, I took him there every week, so he could practice going up and down steps. Then we went so he could ride the elevator. Of course, I got books too, for him and myself.
We’ve also enjoyed the pre-school summer series, and got to sing songs, see special guests, make box cars, and even pet a “slimy snake!” But now that he has his own library card, he told me, “Daddy, I don’t need you anymore. I have my own library card now.”
Self Defense in Today’s Society
Posted: February 04, 2016
Teddy Roosevelt’s entire foreign policy doctrine could be summed up by the phrase, “Speak softly, and carry a big stick.” And who can argue with the effectiveness of the “Powell Doctrine” of overwhelming force in the first Gulf War.
I tell my students that you have to have the skill set to draw from, and the training to back it up. It takes 1,000 repetitions to be able to pull things off consistently under pressure. That may be an exaggeration, but not by much.
But sometimes you don’t have overwhelming force. Sometimes you’re smaller of stature. You might be weaker, or just look different. This can make you a target of opportunity.
Morning Routines
Posted: February 03, 2016
I was out riding my mountain bike with Buddy this morning. Well, I was on the bike. Buddy was running beside me. He’s our almost 3 year Golden Retriever.
It’s our usual morning routine, as long as the weather isn’t too bad. He gets breakfast, and then I take him out on the bike for his morning business, if you know what I mean. We’ll go down the lane and he’ll stop for #1.
You’ve got to be ready for that moment. It often comes with little warning. If you’re not paying attention, someone’s getting pulled off the bike, and it’s not him.
Drive-Thru Mentality
Posted: January 27, 2016
So I admit to eating fast food once in awhile. Usually when I hear, “Daddy, can I have a cheeseburger?” But not all the time. Certainly never a couple days in a row. But today, they were running a little slow. Cars were stacking up in front of us, and we were all getting a little impatient.
Finally, after what seemed like a “long” time, we made our way to the “pay window” and then up to the next window to pick up our food. But then, they told us to move up and park in “Space #1,” because all our food wasn’t ready. Okay.
Usually, it just takes a minute or two, and they’re on it. But once in awhile, you have to sit and wait for it. This time, it took over five minutes. Now I was steaming. I had a five-year-old going, “Is it ready? Is it ready yet? Is it ready?” So is it ready, already? Come on!