I Received My First Black Belt.

“Today I tested, passed and received my first black belt. It is in Aikijutsu/Jujutsu (Defensive Combat). The almost four hours of testing was rough.

With the basics under my "belt," I an now posed to start learning details about this martial art, as well as improving my current techniques.

Here are some previous strings on the subject.

I can't quit aikijutsu

Thanks, Matt. And my belt is Orange!

Some pictures will be posted here within a few days.
last edited: 3/01/08 2:30:45 PM”

“Congratulations! You are a true inspiration!

”

“Congrats NS. That's quite an accomplishment!”

“Good job and congratulations!”

“Wow! How many years have you been practicing Nowslimmer? Congratulations.”

“Congrats!”

“Go Paul!”

“Way to go Nowslimmer! You've got a lot to look forward to as you begin learning the art.

Congratulations!!”

“That is fantastic. Way to go.”

“You the man NS!”

“nowslimmer - this from Bruce Lee ...

Before I studied the art, a punch to me was just like a punch, a kick just like a kick. After I learned the art, a punch was no longer a punch, a kick no longer a kick. Now that I've understood the art, a punch is just like a punch, a kick just like a kick.”

“Congratulations Nowslimmer. Phil's right, you are an inspiration.

Sarge's Bruce Lee quote reminds me of an old Zen saying "when an ordinary man attains knowledge, he is a sage; when a sage attains understanding, he is an ordinary man."”

“So hows about a campfire toasting, or tossing, lol”

“NOW are you the guy who is getting slammed down !????

Just Kidding MR SLIMMER aka Lee....


Are you comming to trail days this year....? We all missed you last year.”

“Congratulations! I work for the NC Dept. of Corrections and most of our self-defense training consists of Tae kwon do with some ground fighting techniques thrown in. I know just enough to get my ass handed to me on a silver platter!”

“Good job NS...we'll see ya on the trail sometime.”

“Thanks for all the congratulatory, other well meaning and interesting remarks. I appreciate it.

I hope to get a copy of a DVD of some or all of the action. A bunch of us celebrated at a dinner party after the martial arts program. Then we gathered at a classmate's home and watched parts of a video that someone's wife took. Mainly we watched the action where each of three of us separately fought off five attackers for five minutes. I did the first 1.5 minutes, while seated in a chair! For one minute the others attacked me from the front and then from my back side.

It was my idea, sitting in a chair and was approved by my instructer. It went well. I did a lot of lock joints on their arms, wrists and fingers. I did a few other things as well. My instucter managed to get a close view of one lock and even commented, "That's got to hurt," in reference to the lock being inflicting on the person. The person did not "tap-out" or holler, so I assume that he was OK and that it just looked good.

Sassafras - I've been doing this for seven years on the calendar, but participating less than 50% of that time. I've managed numerous trips and have experienced some other things, too.

Phil - I've never forgotten your telling me about having a lot of fun installing my pictures. I really appreciated all the effort that you put into that project. So, thanks again.

hitme - I hope to enjoy a lot of campfires during the remainder of the year. I hope you'll be able to join at some of them.

Refrigerator - My plans are not fixed yet, but I believe that I will make it to Trail Days this year. Thanks for asking.

Cloudwalker - Thanks for your comments. In the Central Florida Area some martial arts people have commented that people from our group with blue belts are able to do as much or more than people with black belts in their own groups. We progressed in this order: blue, green, brown, black.

They have opportunities to see us in action at various clinics. Some martial arts have developed into sports or have branches in sports, which have rules. We modify things in class to try to prevent injuries. But in the outside world, we might have to enter into combat type fighting and would not be subject to rules. We learn to inflict pain and/or worse.

Sarge - That was a good quote you posted. Thanks.
last edited: 3/01/08 8:33:50 PM”

“You da man, Slim! Way to go!!!”

“Paul....that is wonderful!!!!!!...You are awesome!!!....I hope to see you at Trail Days!!!!!”

“very nice acomplishment "under your belt" YO NS! Keep on truckin!”

“Congrats! You're quite an inspiration.”

“Congrats,

I remember my first black belt too. It was one of those shiny glistening leather ones. Man did it hurt!”

“Congratulations Nowslimmer. I know that you've been studying your art for quite some time. It's good to know that there's still some schools/clubs that require their practitioners to be really proficient before giving them their black belts.

There's so many yahoo schools that give their students black belts in about a year.... :o(”

“Good for you. So, who actually got this thing, you or Bonecrusher?”

“congrats!”

“Cool, congratulations.”

“Thanks, stanlee. Your post helps to explain some of what I said above to Cloudwalker at 11:30:25 PM. To add on, our International Organization last year recognized our group as the most outstanding group in their organization in this country. Our Instructor, also, received recognition as their Most Outstanding Instructor in the country.

In addition they have several national clinics for Centrtal Florida each year and they have been moving them from Orlando to our Melbourne(mainly in recognition of our group). So I was very fortunate in being able to join this group and to have such an great instructor.

And with my physical problems, this organization has another bonus for me. I do not have to be able to do everything. I can pass on anything difficult for me. I only have to learn such techniques so that I can teach them some day.

Life can be great each day, if one participates.”

“Congratulations.

Doug”

“Moved to Back to the Gym.
last edited: 6/05/08 7:59:43 AM”

“major congrads. NS, just take it nice and slow!”

“Kewl Beans, NS.”