Of Blogs and Black Belts

AGH. In six weeks, I will be testing for Shodan-Ho. Or at least I should be if I pass the pre-test(s). So, this has led me to my usual frenzy of finding information about whatever topic that I happen to be interested at that time. So, now it's black belt requirements. I've found that different schools have different requiremnts. Despite being of the same type of Karate. Or the same type of Tae Kwon Do, Ju-Jitsu, Judo, etc.

So, I was reading one school's requirements that stated a Godan (5th Degree Black) would only need a total of sixteen years to be eligible. While another school needed thirteen to even be considered for black belt. That's really a huge gap in years. The Godan school seems to have a faster rate of progression than the school with the thirteen years. Mind you, it's minimum years. But still.... That could result in some pretty young Godans. There's nothing wrong with young black belts. To an extent. They should not be owning their own school, or be holding a bajillion-dan black belt. Young, I would define as 30 is too young to be a Roku-Dan (sixth degree.) Maybe even Godan.

Within the school that I attend, 35 is the minimum age needed for Yondan. So, Yondan here may be older on average than some other school. But I do not actually know. Because I don't have a black belt, so I can't be qualified to make judgement about qualifications.

Either way, I hope I will be taking my Shodan Ho (Junior Black Belt) in six weeks and passing it on the first try. And not end up like the poor guy who forgot how to do Seisan halfway through the kata. Everything went downhill for him after that.

And instead of doing my homework, I'm writing this post and reading stuff about black belts. This site is a pretty good site about the philosophies of karate. See here. It's an online magazine called The Shotokan Way.

School Should Be This Way

I don't think my idea is revolutionary, but it would be interesting. School should be four weeks long, then a two week break. Then repeat.

For all the teachers and professors, it would allow them to teach things in one block at a time. There would be no odd weeks with only one or two days. So, it would be more convenient.

As for the breaks, having too long of a break can be boring for students. Also, two weeks is enough for everyone to recharge.

This method would result in less school days per year for some districts. But it would allow for schools to have major off site trips for the students without the hassle of missing class.

It sounds great. I don't know how it would actually work. But it isn't bad of an idea. The current way that school is set up revolves around the old planting and harvesting schedules. Most families don't live on farms anymore. So why not be modern?

Free

At what point does a free item become not worth it to receive?

 If it takes a tremendous effort, like hiking ten miles to receive a free television, would you do it? I personally wouldn't.

What about buying an expensive item? If it is a value for it's price, I would buy it. There was a study done on the longevity of clothing. The results found that buying expensive clothes was actually cheaper than the cheap articles of clothing.

What about if store A sold cereal for $5.50; whereas store B sold the same one for $5.80? Store A sounds better.

Let's say that store A required a ten mile drive. Store B was a half block walk? How about now? Store B sounds better due to the cost of gas is way more than $0.30.

So the overall idea is that : Do the cost of time and travel justify the savings of the product in the long run?

Voicing Thoughts

When is it okay to voice our opinions out loud?

If we do, should it be constructive criticism or outright slamming or shaming of the other person? Or do we just imply our thoughts?

Usually, when our thoughts are positive, we don't give a second thought about it. But if it's negative, people may hesitate.

Personally, I would like for people to be honest and tell me the truth. But not to the extent of saying negative things about me for their pleasure.

So, sharing our opinions is a good thing. But we must be considerate.

Life Hacks

If you haven't seen the millions of reposts of life hacks, you're quite behind.

The problem is, once you see the first few articles about it, the next are all repeats. I've seen the same hundred or so pictures being reposted. Kinda gets irritating after some time.

Some, I highly doubt even work. But if they do, they are pretty cool looking.

My search for new life hacks have lately been turning up empty handed. They're all the same. Someone post new ones. Or at least stop reposting the old ones. Thanks.

Questionable Pieces of Advice

When life gives you lemons, squeeze lime juice in its eyes.

Compare your strengths to people's weaknesses. That way, you'll always be better.

Get in someone's way so that you get all the light and glory. They will have to live in the shadows.

Acknowledge when someone is wrong. Then shove it down their throats.

When you're done feeling sorry for yourself, go give it to someone else to feel.

I'm Not Aware

When I read blogs like this. I wonder if I am as silly as these people. Am I that inconsiderate?

If I ever am, I apologize to those who would have to put up with me. And I apologize those who have to work in retail or other types of customer service. You folks definitely deserve better treatment. So, thank you for putting up with shitty people.

And for everyone else, be mindful of your own conduct. You probably are more unaware than you think.