mistergpicklez's blog

#357 - Magnum

Let's start things out with some videos:

 

Filling up a Magnum

If that wasn't titillating enough for you...

 

Dry ice + Magnum

Want something else Magnum related?  Sure you do!

 

P.I. Opening

OK.  How about a Star Wars version?

 

Star Wars P.I.

Sort of related...

 

Sledge Hammer

Enough with the videos already!  Ok.  I hear you.

Tournament

For those of you who care, I did a tournament two weeks ago now I'm hosting a tournament.  So far, I've gotten 3 e-mails and a voicemail from instructors who are NOT coming.  I feel both pride and sadness when I get these messages.  Pride in that the people respect me enough to let me know they won't be showing up, but sadness because they aren't going to be able to help make the tournament a success.

All the messages convey the fact that they want to be there but are unable to because of various reasons; however, they wanted to let me know personally because I attended their event (and all the events).  I don't want to go into too much detail, but I don't have a good feeling about the upcoming tournament attendance.

When we were a school of 75+ (not including black belts), I didn't worry about it.  Our average attendance over the past 5 years has been about 80 people or more.  I think we'll be lucky to get 50.  I don't think anyone from Dothan will attend because school started.  I'm not sure we'll have any from Florida, and the North Alabama crew has generally given me the finger in the past; however, this year I'm not conflicting with Relay for Life, so I may have more attendance from them. 

When it comes down to it, tournaments are a thing of the past for martial arts organizations.  Super succesful orgs like the ATA, do NOTHING but closed events (like my tournament) and they make a fortune, but they are a powerhouse with over 1500 schools.  Our organization has nearly 50 instructors with only 12 or so active schools.  It really makes you think...

Rules

I'm hoping that we'll allow a full rules change for kata and weapons competition for next year.  We are going to test out the flag system this year in the Black Belt division, I think.  Here's how it works:

1.  Competitors are paired up as if in fighting and brackets are created which includes using the bye system.

2.  Both competitors perform their kata at the same time.

3.  Once the competitors are finished, the judges make a decision (Red or White).

4.  The winner proceeds to the next round and can change their kata or make adjustments etc. 

What this does is eliminate the old Grand Prix scoring system.  I say that because the numerical scores don't actually mean anything, but act as place holders.  The way it works is all of one judge's scores are isolated and the top 4 scores are picked out.  The 1st place score gets 10 points, 2nd place gets 8, 3rd gets 6, and 4th gets 1.  After that, each competitor is isolated and his/her points are added up (if applicable).  The winner is the one with the most points.

This scoring system leads to problems in that there are often ties.  Also, it is MUCH more subjective.  Sure it is subjective enough as it is, but with the flags it is cut and dry.  You either think the red competitor is better or the white competitor is better.  Period.  No thinking, "Well, this guy was not as good as the 3rd guy, but he was much better than the 1st and 4th guys.  Damn!  There's 3 people left.  I need to get a number on my card!"  Also, there are no repeats of scores; thus, there are NO ties.

OK.  I've ranted enough.  Talk at ya later.

 

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#356 - Birthday Blues

I had a birthday yesterday.  I turned 35 years old.  This is significant in a couple of ways.  First, I'm now qualified for the "Senior" division in karate.  I don't think that I'm quite ready to be put out to pasture competition wise, but it will certainly be easier for me not having to compete against my friends and my own students.  I don't know what I'm going to do, but I do know that Seniors have the option of dropping down to the Men's division if they so choose. 

Second, I'm not a big fan of birthdays in general.  I never understood why people make such a fuss over it.  I guess it is significant for kids, but even when I was a kid, I don't think I cared too much.  For me, I take my birthday as a time of reflection and goal setting.  I didn't meet any of my goals for last year.  One day, I'll get things together and finally be worth a damn. 

Back to the birthday thing, in general, people only care about their own birthday and those of their immediate family.  I'm bad about birthdays.  I don't ever remember them.  At any rate here's a common scenario:

Random person:  How are you today?

Birthday girl/boy:  It's my birthday.

Random person (surprised look*):  Well, Happy Birthday!

Birthday girl/boy:  Thanks!*

*Actual (and genuine) enthusiasm may vary

In a lot of ways, birthdays are just excuses waiting to happen.  People always try to either a) get extra shit or b) get away with shit on their birthday, and for whatever crazy reason, we let them get away with it - many times without verifying the facts.  To use myself as an example, some things didn't work out for me yesterday as I had planned.  So those things seemed much worse because it was my birthday.  Big effing deal.  One of the biggest things I hear is: "No one remembered my birthday..." and then they have a pity party for themselves.  You want to know why no one remembered?  Because no one gives two shits about birthdays.

On the flip side, I don't understand why people get in the mindset that if it's their birthday then normal rules don't apply to them.  It is just another day.  Move on.  I'm finding that I'm in the minority with my birthday stance as nearly every culture celebrates birthdays and it is something that has been done since the man started measuring time.  Whatever.  I still think birthdays are regular days and should be treated as such.

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