What Must You Think of Me!

For years I have heard people joke about the iTunes recommends section of the iStore "you don't know me, iTunes!!" Though the suggestions sometimes feel insulting, I can see the path fairly clearly and the conclusions are logical, even if taste is not. Amazon recommends however, those require leaps of the imagination.

Regular readers will be aware that I teach karate and enjoy cooking. It should come as no surprise that I have purchased books about karate and cookbooks such as home canning guides. Both are activities I want to do safely without injuring or poisoning anyone and with all due respect, I don't believe everything I find on the internet.

After teaching karate for 10 years, I worry that my drills might be getting a little stale, so one of the books I purchased was about conditioning for martial arts. I thought I'd learn some new exercise ideas to liven up my advanced classes (I didn't, the book was useless). When Amazon recommended books on Kettlebell training, it didn't seem that far fetched. "Jailhouse Strong" was a little unsettling, both that it exists in the first place and that a search engine would lump it in with fitness and martial arts. Why does everyone think all dojos Kobra Kai from Karate Kid?

What really surprised me were the prepper book suggestions. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the term "prepper" it is a new word for "Survivalist" - people who actively prepare for the apocalypse. As a Red Cross trained Disaster Relief volunteer, I understand the importance of having an emergency kit in case of fire, flood or natural disaster, (even though I don't) but that is child's play to the prepper. Preppers are more the modern equivalent to the bomb shelter builders of the 1950's. Prepper websites include such topics as, "safely crossing a fence with a firearm" and debating "bugging out vs hunkering down". All this because I wanted to enjoy my favourite roasted tomato sauce during winter when produce available at the grocery store is flavourless. 

Taken individually, these recommendations are funny. Put them together and you get the kind of profile the NSA would red flag. What Amazon seems to be suggesting is that I am hording supplies for the inevitable doomsday that I may or may not be planning to cause and preparing my body to survive my prison stay once the authorities catch up with my unhinged ass. 

Seriouly, Amazon, you do not know me!

The Long Fist of the Dating Law

"Where do you meet people?" I hear this all the time from adults. Once outside of academic institutions, we generally only come into contact with other adults through work or through friends. If you've had the same friends long enough, you've probably met all their dating eligible friends already. Being a fan of continuing education and "special interest" classes, I continued to meet potential mates long after leaving university.

The longest relation I ever had was with someone I met at the dojo. We trained together for years, earning our black belts together. Like dating someone you work with (which I avoid), dating someone you train with can be awkward if the relationship ends. Regardless of how poorly it ends, you will still have the same Sensei so unless one of you plans of giving up martial arts, you will be thrust together, often and aggressively.

Fortunately my ex is a pretty mature guy and we have managed to remain, at least civil if not friends. Generally we see each other at seminars greet each other politely and then go with our different crowds. Recently though, we have been exchanging friendly text messages. Mostly regarding advice on gifts for Sensei, some have turned more personal and friendly. 

Great, I thought, we've turned a corner, we will be actual friends now. We meet at seminars and hug. We chat, we train together. All is good. Guards came down, spirits and friendly banter rose, all was good. And that was why I was caught off guard but not shocked when I was the recipient of a long fist to the nose at a kung fu seminar on Saturday.

You can't go home again, at least not without your guard up.

Passing The Torch

Last Saturday, eight remarkable young people who I have had the pleasure of teaching for the past ten years successfully graded for their Shodan (first degree black belt). What an incredible journey it has been watching these little children grow into young adults - who are all now taller than me.

These kids are disciplined, hard working, successful in several different areas (most are on the honour roll), polite youth. Their etiquette is impeccable, better than most adults I know. They are a tight-nit group who look out for each other. And people still make comments to me about karate being violent and aggressive. My students have never been in trouble because of fighting. How many hockey coaches can say the same of their players? 

I salute these students, most kids don't stick with something for 10 years. Heck, most adults don't make it to black belt. Congratulations class, you did what I didn't think possible, you made me even prouder of you than I already was!