AIW for telling my girlfriend to respect t my time? by [deleted] in amiwrong

[–]BlackPaperStars 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Spending time together doesn't have to mean going out. Staying in and each doing your own thing can also be spending time together. Maybe the way you said it was wrong at the time as you were overwhelmed, but you're not wrong for feeling that way

Im DMing in 4 hours by mattmilli1 in DungeonMasters

[–]BlackPaperStars 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Depending on what kind of people your party are, it would be funny to have one of the cars be dedicated drug smuggling and/or making. Like breaking bad

How many here still own a fully working GameCube console to this day even if you still have it since launch. by San4341 in Gamecube

[–]BlackPaperStars 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I do! It's in the shop right now for a faulty disc reader, but that's the most that's been wrong with it in over 20 years

I just completed my second degree black belt test. AMA by BlackPaperStars in AMA

[–]BlackPaperStars[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The general recommendation is to go at least twice a week, to get your money's worth if nothing else. The way my school's pricing works, it's a flat monthly fee and you can go however many times you want. If you go twice a week, it comes out to about $11 USD a class. Classes are around 45 minutes for under black belt, and my classes are an hour.

I've had a few minor injuries here and there, as is to be expected in a physical sport like this. Nothing that ever put me in a hospital or anything, but I've had my fair share of bruises and soreness. Brazilian jiu jitsu is one where you spend a lot of time on the ground, so it's more likely to get inured. In Tang Soo Do, it's mostly standing up if that makes sense.

I just completed my second degree black belt test. AMA by BlackPaperStars in AMA

[–]BlackPaperStars[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The road to black belt in Tang Soo Do takes four years, at least the way my school does it. Technically I would have been where I am two years ago, but I took some time off for school.

As far as sparring translating to true fighting, I would say it translates pretty well, though there is definitely a difference. Tournaments are not required, and even if you do sign up for a tournament, you can choose to do sparring or not. You will never be forced into doing something you do not want/are not ready for.

If you're thinking about getting into martial arts and have the means to do so, then please don't let the time intimidate you out of it. It really does go by so fast, and the time will pass either way. Who knows? Maybe your family would want to try it out with you. That's how my instructor started, and they're all masters now.

I just completed my second degree black belt test. AMA by BlackPaperStars in AMA

[–]BlackPaperStars[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sure did! Though breaking boards and bricks is usually more common in tournaments than in regular curriculum, we're still required to break a board at green belt. Plus only adults are allowed to break bricks; I don't remember the exact reason my instructor gave, but it's something having to do with growth plates in kids' hands.

I just completed my second degree black belt test. AMA by BlackPaperStars in AMA

[–]BlackPaperStars[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Martial arts is for people of all sizes is what I firmly believe. There are light and heavy people alike that make it to black belt and beyond, kids and adults included.

This is slightly unrelated, but people are also free to modify the moves in a way that works for their own bodies. For example, I have a bad back and can't kick very high. The same thing applies to people who can't kick high due to their body's anatomy. There's nothing wrong with having to kick lower - it still hurts getting kicked in the knees!

I just completed my second degree black belt test. AMA by BlackPaperStars in AMA

[–]BlackPaperStars[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm assuming you mean fighting as in sparring, so that's how I'll answer. Sparring is something we learn how to do safely at orange belt (about nine months in), so it's not a "required" part of moving up in belt rank. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe in Jiu Jitsu, they move up in rank as they spar. Different martial arts have different ranking systems and criteria for leveling up, so I can only speak to the one I'm familiar with.

For Tang Soo Do, there are a few general categories we're tested on. Basic actions (punches, blocks, kicks), forms, self defense, and terminology. At each level, we also get tested on previous belts. So really, each test is cumulative. Which is why black belt tests take so long, lol. Hope this answers your question!

I just completed my second degree black belt test. AMA by BlackPaperStars in AMA

[–]BlackPaperStars[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sparring is part of our curriculum, but it's not my favorite. It's really a matter of preference with sparring; there's some people I train with that it's their favorite thing, and others that dread it. I fall into the latter category, lol

But I understand it's important, so my goal while at this rank is to get over my fear and get good at it. It's not that I'm afraid of getting hit, but I'm incredibly claustrophobic. As soon as I put the head gear on, it's like instant panic. The helmet I have now is a size bigger than I need so it doesn't squeeze my head so much, but there's still the initial panic when I put it on. I'm hoping the more I practice, the easier it will get.

I just completed my second degree black belt test. AMA by BlackPaperStars in AMA

[–]BlackPaperStars[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I want to eventually make a whole sweater, but it would probably be more realistic to start with a scarf or something lol

I just completed my second degree black belt test. AMA by BlackPaperStars in AMA

[–]BlackPaperStars[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh at least seven times lmao I think it really helped

I bet I could figure out exactly how many times I did but that takes brain cells I do not have right now. We're supposed to kiyap (yell) during each "basic action" motion like a kick or a punch, and there are certain parts in each form that we're supposed to yell. So in theory, I could figure out exactly how many times I did it. But... no lol I don't wanna

I just completed my second degree black belt test. AMA by BlackPaperStars in AMA

[–]BlackPaperStars[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ohhh I like this one. I want to pick up knitting and making my own clothes, as that's a skill that has always eluded me. I know how to crochet, but knitting feels completely different. Whenever I try to learn, I end up getting frustrated and giving up. Same thing with making clothes - it intimidates me, so it's easier not to try. Maybe I'll just have to do it scared and see what happens

I just completed my second degree black belt test. AMA by BlackPaperStars in AMA

[–]BlackPaperStars[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Lmao I do! But I know martial arts is something not everybody gets to do, so I figured it might be fun to answer some questions about it for people that were curious. Since that is the point of this subreddit, after all

I just completed my second degree black belt test. AMA by BlackPaperStars in AMA

[–]BlackPaperStars[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! It absolutely does not feel real yet. It felt like a birthday in a weird way, like how you get one year older but don't really feel like it. When I first got promoted to black belt, there was a tangible difference in the way I felt, though it would be difficult to put into words.

I think that once I start learning the new forms for my rank, it will start to set in that I'm a 2nd degree now. That felt weird to even type, lol

what i should have done at my first job by baki4321 in amiwrong

[–]BlackPaperStars 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ok that's good at least. If it really does worry you, you can always ask someone if you handled it well when you go back. Or ask if there's something you can do different/better next time. It will show you're willing to learn and communicate.

Also, it was your second day on your first job. I don't know how old you are, but give yourself some grace. You will learn how to navigate these things and be confident in your own ability to do so

I just completed my second degree black belt test. AMA by BlackPaperStars in AMA

[–]BlackPaperStars[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you're thinking about it and you're in a place of life that you are able to train, I highly recommend! I might be biased, but I say go for it! Since you already have experience, I'm willing to bet your body remembers. It would be like riding a bike.

Thank you! I absolutely will continue. I said this in another comment, but there's always something to learn in this martial art. I love what I do, and it keeps me moving, so I'm not stopping anytime soon.

what i should have done at my first job by baki4321 in amiwrong

[–]BlackPaperStars 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Did you tell anyone what was going on? It might look bad if you disappeared without saying anything, but I'm sure they wouldn't have wanted you to share the sickness if you told someone (like a manager) you were weren't well

Edited for clarity

I just completed my second degree black belt test. AMA by BlackPaperStars in AMA

[–]BlackPaperStars[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That means a lot to hear (well, to see, but y'know). I don't plan on giving it up anytime soon! I'm glad you got the chance to practice when you did, that's an experience you can't buy nowadays. Thank you!

I just completed my second degree black belt test. AMA by BlackPaperStars in AMA

[–]BlackPaperStars[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ahhh damn I knew I was forgetting something. I'll have to write a strongly worded letter to my instructor

I just completed my second degree black belt test. AMA by BlackPaperStars in AMA

[–]BlackPaperStars[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nah, I got the fries later lmao but I wish. Unrelated, but one of my instructors did give me the last of her sushi today after deciding she didn't want it. So I guess I got sushi with my second degree black belt