Author Topic: I'm armed and dangerous, baby, yeah. (Read 3387 times)

CaptainPenguin · « **on:** August 09, 2003, 09:42:27 PM »

Today, that is, Saturday, August 9th, 2003, I tested for and received my first-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do.

That's right: I'm a black belt.
That's right: I'm a black belt.
That's right: I'm a black belt.

My skill is so great, that I have to say it three times.
Not only do I have magic talking penguin powers and pirate Yarr fighting, I have a black belt in Tae Kwon Do to boot.

Now, whenever I shake somebody's hand, I can say "Careful, that's a weapon."

One last thing: I'm now a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, baby, yeah!

sniperspy · « **Reply #1 on:** August 09, 2003, 10:18:05 PM »

Im a 3rd degreee black belt captain! And Im a lot younger than you too!

CaptainPenguin · « **Reply #2 on:** August 09, 2003, 10:44:58 PM »

Bah!
That doesn't make it any less of an accomplishment!
*Goes to mope in the corner and glare at Snipes while cradling his new black belt*

Strolen · « **Reply #3 on:** August 09, 2003, 11:12:43 PM »

I have three black belts, a brown belt, and a brown and black belt that is like intertwined...that one has no belt holes, the buckle goes through the pattern. I also have a blue belt that I wear with my work clothes. My wife has a rainbow belt that she never wears.

Doesn't sound too impressive that all you have is one belt...

(Congrats Cap'n, that is pretty cool. When I come to the states we will have to go start some bar fights.)

Strolen · « **Reply #4 on:** August 09, 2003, 11:15:11 PM »

Oh, since it is Tie chuan doe, instead of saying "Judo Chop" when you hit something, do you have to say "Tyeh Kewhan dhou Chop"?

CaptainPenguin · « **Reply #5 on:** August 09, 2003, 11:43:11 PM »

Actually, we either say "HA!" or nothing at all. The proper terminology is "Knife-Hand Strike".

Strolen · « **Reply #6 on:** August 09, 2003, 11:49:46 PM »

It is not who has the highest degree belt, it is who can actually kick the others a** in a real fight.

Just cause a 7 year old has a black belt doesn't mean squat, but he still has one. A lot depends on the school and how the teacher tests for each belt. Each teacher may have a skill level they require....or even a monetary cost that is required prior to earning the belt.

To compare belts is meaningless. To discuss skills and methods would be more interesting and telling.I took karate for a few years with a teacher that didn't believe in belts which is probably where I get my philosophy...or maybe it was Karate Kid. Either way...

Then again, I get issued a gun when I need one so I don't plan on getting close enough to mess with hand to hand combat. In that case, unless the dude is smaller then me, I will probably get my butt kicked. The AF doesn't really teach much in the hand to hand arena. I can run fast though so that would be my self defense in many cases.

CaptainPenguin · « **Reply #7 on:** August 09, 2003, 11:55:37 PM »

Strolen · « **Reply #8 on:** August 10, 2003, 12:05:25 AM »

You want some of this. YOU WANT SOME OF THIS.

<sound of feet fading to the distance>

Come and get some of thiiiiiiiisssss.....

MoonHunter · « **Reply #9 on:** August 10, 2003, 02:13:31 AM »

There is a big difference between forms and fighting. Why I would be hard pressed to beat a black belt in most arts in a tourney fight, I could take many of them in a street fight. I am the proud wearer of 9 first rank belts (initiates/ new student), in 9 different arts. One of them is even black.

It all harkens back to the days.... (exit disolve and enter dream sequence)
An old instructor of mine (TKD) said that when he was a brown belt, he was watching the black belts clean the dojo floor with his contempories. He knew he could take them, but they kept winning.

Later that day, he came upon one of the black belts getting his clock cleaned by some thug. He took on the thug and put his head through the wall.

He later asked his master why? He informed them that the dojo was a game, to teach form. It is what you do with it that makes the difference.

That is why I learn Jui-Jutsu vs Judo, "te and ko"s vs "do" styles, and American Ecclectic Karate and JKD instead of more popular styles. Fencing was the same. I learned round (open combat) as well as line fencing (sport).

CaptainPenguin · « **Reply #10 on:** August 10, 2003, 02:14:11 AM »

Oh, it's on!

*Sound of waddling fading into the distance*

CaptainPenguin · « **Reply #11 on:** August 10, 2003, 02:16:29 AM »

Well, no matter what you guys think, I think it's a big accomplishment. And if one of you ever got a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, I would be the first (As long as nobody beat me to it) to congratulate you. 5 years of work is nothing to sneeze at, after all.

Strolen · « **Reply #12 on:** August 10, 2003, 02:36:51 AM »

No way I am trying to take anything from your experience. It takes a lot of dedication to accomplish what you did and I am sure a lot of sacrifice too. It is a great accomplishment and I didn't mean to belittle it. Just having some fun with it.

It is something I will never get around to doing so I really have no idea what it takes to get where you are so anything I say contrary to your accomplisment is meaningless anyway.

Sorry for taking your victory so lightly. Congratulations!!!!

CaptainPenguin · « **Reply #13 on:** August 10, 2003, 02:38:29 AM »

Well, I may have been a little childish about it, but...Hey! Look over there!

*Runs off while they aren't looking*

Strolen · « **Reply #14 on:** August 10, 2003, 03:40:37 AM »

Looking...

"Where? What."

Looking back to see the wobbling form running away.

"What the he...?"

sniperspy · « **Reply #15 on:** August 10, 2003, 10:45:44 AM »

"don't worry, I'll catch him!"
*runs to get the penguin but trips over his own feet and sprawls on the floor.*

Agar · « **Reply #16 on:** August 10, 2003, 03:23:44 PM »

Congrats Captain Penguin! Not only are you a black belt, you have learned the Tenchi Muyo school of anything goes martial arts SECRET TECHNIQUE!!!

I myself am experienced in Sashimi, Misoshiru, Katsu and Gari, and am skilled in weilding Hashi.

CaptainPenguin · « **Reply #17 on:** August 10, 2003, 03:40:06 PM »

Cool, yo.

Ylorea · « **Reply #18 on:** August 11, 2003, 01:50:47 AM »

Quote from: "CaptainPenguin"

Today, that is, Saturday, August 9th, 2003, I tested for and received my first-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do.

As I did do my share of eastern martial arts, I can only say: I would like to congratulate you at this great achievment.

No matter what others say or try to make you believe, to me you have proven to be a person of firm principles and determination.

Yours sincerly,

Ylorea

CaptainPenguin · « **Reply #19 on:** August 11, 2003, 02:24:13 PM »

Mmmm...Pie.

Ylorea · « **Reply #20 on:** August 12, 2003, 01:43:38 AM »

Yesterday I did not have time to read thru the entire list of posts...

Today I did and now I would like some comments.

Achieving any belt before the brown belt in most country's does depend very much on the school you train in.
However here in the Netherlands, once you have achieved your brown belt in any of the eastern martial arts, before you can ever reach black belt status, you must have competed in national tournaments and gained a certain number of victory points.
The number of points grows and grows for each succesive Dan you would like to achieve. (The numbers are different for the different martial arts)
The exams for the black belts also are never in "local" exams, but always organized by the national ...... (whatever it is called in english, in dutch it is "de bond").

Reaching black belt status (at any age) is a real and serious achievement, that I would never take lightly.
I do know that life in this aspect is different in Japan, but out here in Europe this is common practice.
I have no idea how all this is organized in the states, but I would like to point out that some of you might reconsider their response.

A black belt is not the (only) the recognition you can fight a decent fight, it is much more. A black belt should also mean you understand the culture and ideas of your art and you have achieved a certain level in the art you practice.

Yours,

Ylorea

*A young women steps up to the captain and bows before her sensei*

CaptainPenguin · « **Reply #21 on:** August 12, 2003, 11:05:55 PM »

*Eats some pie and drinks some grog*

Ylorea · « **Reply #22 on:** August 13, 2003, 02:04:35 AM »

Better watch the pie captain...

My experience is that you can not realy expect to achieve forth dan if you grow all too fat ;+))

Adel · « **Reply #23 on:** August 13, 2003, 11:35:02 AM »

but don't worry peguins are extra cute when they are a little chubby

CaptainPenguin · « **Reply #24 on:** August 13, 2003, 02:21:32 PM »

Hmmm-hmmmm. I'm just going to keep my reply to myself, to preserve young ears and eyes.