Mid-May 2016 Update

Things are moving along slowly (but at least moving along). My son Micah has had school work, other duties, and a two week trip to Florida that have kept him out of the Taekwondo dojang for awhile, but I've been as solid and faithful as I can with two jobs keeping me pretty busy. We will be "formal pre-testing" for yellow belt this week. That should mean another stripe for my yellow-stripe belt, and that much closer to yellow... I've started training some BJJ on my own when I can as well; I ordered "16 Chokes" from Gracie Academy, and I'm going to start the Combatives/Technical Blue Belt curriculum soon. The cool thing about working for Delta is that I can fly out to California to train with the Gracies when I've completed the DVD/on-line training; all I need is some time off to do it!

This weekend there was a martial arts expo out in Orchard Park, but I was not able to attend because my son Jesse graduated from college this weekend (Magna Cum Laude!!). We are all very proud of him.

The 28th we are having an international Karate/Taekwondo tournament in North Tonawanda, and Master Gorino's school will be acting as hosts. Master Park will be coming down from Toronto, so everyone is pretty excited. Micah and I will go to watch, check-out what a tournament is like (I _assume_ it's mostly forms and point-fighting, but I don't know for sure), and we'll help out where and when we can. It sounds like fun...

I have gone a bit crazy acquiring blades for the collection in the past year, and I've been promising a "Knife Nut" update for quite awhile now. I took some pix of a few blades today on the iPad to upload, but of course I'm missing some key app and Blogger won't recognize my photos. Stay tuned (_love_ that "modern technology").


White Belt Out.

Quick May 2016 Update

I have earned my first stripe on my Yellow-Stripe Belt in Taekwondo. Next stop, Yellow Belt. It's a lot of fun, but my shoulders (especially the right) are still a major problem. I'm starting to wonder if rotator-cuff surgery is in my future. We shall see. For now, I'm pushing through (carefully!).

I picked-up some books on Taekwondo, which I will post separately to add to the "martial arts library" list. I'm planning on ordering the Gracie University curriculum on DVD for combatives training, the 36 self-defense techniques that lead to what they call a Technical Blue Belt. I need to add some "ground game" to my training, but don't have the time and money to also pursue BJJ right now...

I picked-up a _bunch_ of awesome blades over the last several months; I know that I'm _way_ overdue for a "Knife Nut" update... coming soon...

It's my "birf-day" today. They said I was crazy to be doing martial arts at 52. (They might be right!)...

White Belt Out

2016 Update!!!!

Well, it certainly has been a long while. As I mentioned in my last post (almost six months ago?), it was getting difficult to keep up with posting anything new, as it was nearly impossible for me to focus on fitness and martial arts training while working three jobs and a business, and trying to eat, sleep, and see my family every once in a blue moon.

The good news is things are settling down (a bit), and after the better part of a year (10 or so months) working 17 or 18 or more hours per day (!), and having to give up training, I've been able to shake some time free by eliminating one of the jobs. I also started taking Taekwondo classes with my son, so I'm back in the game working punches, kicks, and forms. I also have my Carb Night Solution coach getting some weight-training and exercise workouts together for me, and hopefully I'll be able to get back to fencing as well (had to lay it down for a bit due to work schedule and conflict with Saturday morning Taekwondo). One of the big reasons for me taking Taekwondo, rather than working any of the previous arts I was involved in, is that I can do it with my son. He is a "middle child," is 15 years old and really needs "dad time" right now. Plus, he is very motivated to participate and progress, so I want to support him, and use his energy to keep me progressing and moving forward as well. I will continue to share updates and insights as appropriate (but probably not as frequently as in the past). I'm still working days and nights, and time is at a premium. But there is light at the end of the tunnel... And, I promise I will get to another "Knife Nut" installment up soon!

In the meantime, here is a look at my new master and his dojang (if the hyper-link isn't active, cut and paste into your browser): http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=master+gorino&&view=detail&mid=2DE91EC014DEB3A10E1F2DE91EC014DEB3A10E1F&FORM=VRDGAR

White Belt Out

A Long Time!

Yes, it has been, I know.

I got tired of posting the same things for so long, but the truth is, that working the schedule that I do (and now it seems I'll be picking-up a third job in addition to the two I already have and my business, so that's, four?) has severely impacted my training program, and that my age has played a factor as well-- I have a few injuries that just don't want to heal in a timely manner! So most of my martial arts pursuits have been put on-hold, although I am still training as a fencer, and looking at opportunities to start getting involved in the competitive circuit (my coach says it's time).

The good news is that I was able to lose 50 pounds with the Carb-Night Solution! That is official, as I weighed myself awhile back and came-in at 215, from an all-time high of 265 (uh...). The not-so-good news? I just came off of a three week vacation, and man, was I off-program. WAY off-program. I ate like a champ, and carbs featured prominently (as did ice cream almost every night for a couple of weeks). So I probably put nine or ten pounds back on, and I re-started the Carb-Night program today.

So I'll keep y'all informed on my progress re: martial arts, keeping the weight in-check, and general fitness, but right now, things are moving pretty slowly.

One thing I have done is acquire a bunch more blades, and I have a few more pretty hip items coming in soon. So for those "Blade Enthusiast or Knife-Nut?" fans, I should be able to post a few additions pretty soon. Stay tuned!

White Belt Out

Putting It Back Together

I had a couple a great fencing lessons over the last few weeks; Coach Rob is starting to press me beyond the mechanical basics, into developing an actual approach to the game. While this tends to expose (again and again) how much work I still have to do, it is fun and I can see some growth. At least conceptually; it's always the application that's the hang-up, aye?

I actually coached my first group fencing class yesterday, filling-in for Rob who had a BJJ event. We did some stretching, cals, played some games, and did some free fencing. I don't feel like I totally messed up the class, so I guess that's pretty good, and it was kind of fun.

I went back to Judo class Friday night after a long absence (probably six weeks?). Injury, Mom's passing, financial issues and working second shift messed me up, but it was great to get back in and get to work. I'm looking forward to spending more time there, and eventually advancing beyond white belt in at least one art!

In the battle of the bulge, things are still moving forward (but still a lot more slowly than I'd like). Last night was Carb Night, but I didn't have as much time to enjoy it as I should have-- my van broke down and it took about four hours to wait for AAA to come and get me and get the van dropped-off at the mechanic's (and get a ride home). I squeezed some good eating into the short time I had, but it was a bit of a bummer. Back on the austerity eating plan today, of course.

General workouts are still tough to manage, but i'm finding a way to jam a crowbar into my schedule and at least get some weight-lifting in, if not as much cardio as I'd like (or feel that I should be doing). With the weather getting better, maybe I'll be able to get outside more to do some of those activities. I know that if I can combine the Carb Night Solution with the level of exercise I was getting before my knee and shoulder issues popped-up, I will drop the rest of the weight I need off like an old blanket (or hot soup, or something).

Speaking of bummers, guess which "fight of the century" I'm going to miss? I've only got to work one Saturday night for the next several months, but yup, you guessed it, I'm working on the night of Mayweather vs. Pacquiao. Unbelievable. I briefly (for a few insane seconds) considered asking the couple to move their wedding date (because, you know, it's Mayweather vs. Pacquiao!!! C'mon)... But no, I guess I'll have to watch the news, because there's no way I'll be able to protect myself from hearing the outcome long enough to actually watch a recording of the fight before someone spills the beans. Arrrgghh! Fight of the century. I was actually thinking of ordering the pay-per-view and having a fight party somewhere...

I should have some new blade pix to post pretty soon; in the meantime...

White Belt Out

So here's that "Blade Enthusiast or Knife Nut?" update one time...

OK, straight to the edged weapons this blog is becoming slightly kind of a tiny bit famous for, a little, sort of...


Warming-up with some fine traditional pocket knives; a Schatt & Morgan/Queen Cutlery special edition, and an old Atlas from Japan. Both with jigged bone handles.


A French pocket folder called (apparently?) a "Leonard," by a manufacturer called Laguoile (pronounced "la-yoll" I'm told). The pattern is typical of many Euro-folders, though pretty understated compared to the Spanish-style folding knives.


A butterfly knife from Pakistan; I don't know if it has a name, but it's cool.


A Timber Rattler (TR107), also made in Pakistan. Nice looking knife, but it's more of a "wall hanger" than a "work horse."


Four views of a fairly decent reproduction of the famous World War II Fairbairn-Sykes British Commando Fighting Knife. Again, this one is more of a presentation piece than a field knife, but it gives one a visceral reminder of why you wouldn't want to be a Nazi sentry when the Commandos arrived in-theater...


I need to do a little more research, but apparently this is also from WWII (and a legit piece, at that). This is most likely a Japanese shirisaya tanto that was made by cutting down a larger sword, and was probably issued to a field officer or NCO (but possibly a kamikaze pilot, although that is much less likely). The way it was manufactured, and the inscription indicate a late date (near the end of the war; again, so far as I can tell from research available at this time). I don't read Japanese; I've been told that it is likely some type of patriotic motto, rather than the signature of the maker, but I need to find someone that can translate the characters for me. Pretty cool though!


A scimitar-type sword called a Talwar in India (where I believe this is from), or a Shamshir in various parts of the Middle East. Even if this is a reproduction (I don't know where the collector I got it from originally acquired it), it's pretty sweet. This one, and the Japanese tanto had some heavy black rust spots (I cleaned some of them, before reading some commentators that said I shouldn't), which I found out is a pretty good indicator of age (rather than cheapness), while red rust spots generally mean the blade is being eaten and should be cleaned and oiled asap!

That's it for now, but I got some good deals on some sweet knives and I'm pretty jazzed...

White Belt Out

Update...

...Because I can't think of a better title right now (and don't want to try)...

I had a good fencing lesson on Friday. We covered a lot of movement/footwork/parry applications (as opposed to just footwork drills or simple free-fencing without much guidance). Having some parameters and restrictions can really help focus the mental aspect. It's getting the brain to respond fast enough, and the body to respond to the brain, that I'm dealing with. So many possibilities with just three or four parries and a few attacks. I'm looking forward to getting back to Judo (and BJJ, Systema, and Escrima). I like to see what techniques and mindset I can apply across martial disciplines. Sometimes one thing at a time is best though, I suppose...

This past week's Carb Night was postponed until Sunday due to the Easter holiday. Good eatin'; my wife made mac & cheese with bread crumbs (to go along with the ham, lamb, and a host of other Easter staples), and I must say I fully participated. Later we ordered a pizza, had some colas, and man that was good. Back on the wagon this week, of course.

I picked-up a few cool new pieces for the blade collection this week (I found a collector that is liquidating a lot of his stuff), but I will save that for a separate "Knife Nut..." post, coming to this blog shortly, so check back soon.

Until then, White Belt Out