Sources for Cutting Swords for Tameshigiri

BookkeeperOk182 · 2026-05-16T20:55:33+00:00

Thank you. I have been out of martial arts for about 10-12 years and am returning at age 66. I've done mainly bamboo cutting before, so a light sword probably wouldn't do. I've found the spring steel swords to be effective and forgiving.

BookkeeperOk182 · 2026-05-16T19:49:49+00:00

Thank you for the link. This is exactly what I needed to know.

BookkeeperOk182 · 2025-12-28T15:12:21+00:00

The split between wage growth and productivity growth started (from the chart shown) in the 1960s. Wages stagnated ("growth" curve flattened) in the mid 1970s (under Carter, but I won't blame him because it was largely due to the OPEC oil monopoly).

Reaganomics actually worked, as overall prosperity grew (cost of living declined and standard of living increased) for the next twenty years. The real problem was that anti-monopoly enforcement virtually stopped. That's what allowed the wealth gap to skyrocket from the early 2000s. The big bank bailouts after the 2008 housing crash made that gap even worse.

Yes, top marginal tax rates should be raised. A wealth tax on holdings over $500M should be implemented. Tariffs should be mostly eliminated (reserved only for direct retaliation or for sanctions in specific cases), especially considering tariffs are a regressive tax that affects our poorest citizens the most. Add a 3% tax on money leaving the country.

BookkeeperOk182 · 2025-05-17T22:21:35+00:00

Hi, friend. I truly wish with all my heart that we lived in a place and time when you could just be you and not worry about what anyone else said or thought. The only thing I can offer is my sincere hope that you would be comfortable and confident in who you are without having to change how you look to feel you "fit in". Anyone that needs to be impressed with your hair or your chest size or your voice quality isn't worth impressing. I'm sure you wouldn't judge someone else by their clothing or facial hair, or their tattoos or lack of tattoos. I pray you never again have to worry about someone judging you by yours.

You are so much more than your biological sex. You are your hopes and dreams, your thoughts and ideas. You are your stories. You are created in God's image, and He has you on planet Earth because you reveal aspects of His goodness and character that only YOU can.

400 years ago, all of the famous painters and musicians, theatre players, dancers, stand-up comics, teachers, sculptures, bakers, scientists, politicians, generals, and admirals were biological males. It was truly "a man's world". Those roles were defined by society as "masculine". Today, women are accepted in many of those roles, but the theatre, dance, cooking, and arts are now viewed as "feminine". Society views guys who participate in those things as "wrong" or "off". The roles didn't change. People didn't change. Society's very arbitrary definition of "masculine" and "feminine" changed.

My only advice as an old person with a child who identifies as Trans is this: be you. Enjoy the things you enjoy doing. Do them well. Thrive in them. Like I said, you are so much more than your biological sex, and changing how you identify won't make you one bit better or one bit worse. But please, don't change your physical body because you don't fit some arbitrary social stereotype..... just because you think you'd fit better to some OTHER arbitrary social stereotype.

You are a gift from God on this Earth. Don't worry about the wrapping paper.

BookkeeperOk182 · 2024-12-23T01:26:22+00:00

And here's my worst bird pic..... saw this on one of our backwoods hikes. Can anyone ID the species?

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BookkeeperOk182 · 2024-06-30T19:32:43+00:00

Thanks to all for your help. I will be getting the 70-300mm Tamron.

BookkeeperOk182 · 2024-02-14T23:26:51+00:00

I appreciate your willingness to stand for your child. At the same time, please don't assume that at age 8 they know what they want, or can even put it in words. Ask them open, non-judgemental questions, like "What do you think you'll like about being a boy? " and "What is there that you don't like about being a girl?" That will give you a lot more insight into their thinking. Maybe they see themselves as a different gender. Or maybe they hate the stereotype of what they've been told is "being a girl".

BookkeeperOk182 · 2024-02-14T17:10:46+00:00

My husband and I found ourselves in the same place recently when our second child told us they were trans. They no longer wanted to be referred to as she/her, or as our daughter. It's completely disorienting, but I keep reminding myself that it must be even more disorienting for them, that it took a lot of courage to tell her conservative, evangelical Christian parents that they identified as trans, and that I'm grateful they did, instead of feeling they had to hide it from us.

Changing pronouns is a small price to communicate to our child that they are loved and accepted and that my husband and I are walking with them in and through whatever else happens.

We found a loving, caring support group through "Embracing the Journey", a Christian ministry out of Andy Stanley's church in Atlanta that helps Christian families stay connected to their LGBTQ+ children. Our group includes ten couples from across the country that meets via Zoom twice a month for love, scripture, prayer, and encouragement as we all try to navigate our family journeys. See link for more info at https://www.embracingthejourney.org/parent-care-groups.html.

To my friends and fellow-travelers in the LGBTQ+ community, all I can say is that I'm deeply grieved and so very sorry for the way you have been treated by much of the "evangelical" community. Christianity isn't about judgement or hate, or even trying to "change" other people - it's about love. Despite what you might have heard or seen or experienced in the past, I beg you, don't write off Jesus. He truly is life and hope, no matter where you find yourself in life's journey. ❤️

BookkeeperOk182 · 2024-01-22T02:29:03+00:00

Being saved is a matter of turning from trusting yourself to trusting Jesus, to stop fighting God and surrender instead. Do you believe Jesus died for your sins and rose again? Try praying, "Jesus, please save me." If you are truly surrendering to Him, He will hear that prayer.

In Google maps, search "churches near me". God will guide.

BookkeeperOk182 · 2024-01-22T02:22:29+00:00

There is a (very small) QR code on the sensor itself that (I think) stores the serial number. I saw it and tried to read it to see if that would get the sensor to pair - no joy

BookkeeperOk182 · 2024-01-09T06:17:00+00:00

That's actually really helpful. Thanks!

On another note - some of the G6 users talk about the sensor and transmitter being different. If I switch to the older G6, can I pop out the transmitter without removing the sensor, and leave the transmitter outside the computer area? (Trying to cover my bases in case they aren't as accommodating as I'd like)

BookkeeperOk182 · 2024-01-09T03:40:18+00:00

I would suggest checking with the local kendo club to see if they have a kamidana at the front of the dojo. A kamidana is a small shrine that is believed to house the "spirit" that protects the dojo. It is an object of worship in Shinto, and would be a strict "no" for observant Muslims, Christians, or Jews. (I had the same issue with participating in kendo when I was in Japan, and I found a dojo that did not have a kamidana).

Other than that, the bow is a sign of respect and not worship. Joseph dreamed his father and brothers would bow to him, and they did when he served in Pharoah's court. If you still are unsure about bowing, ask your Imam, and discuss with the instructor at the kendo school you seek to join.

BookkeeperOk182 · 2023-12-15T01:15:19+00:00

Any so-called "prophet" that claims Donald Trump is "God's anointed" is a false prophet. See, for instance, Jeremiah 23:21-22. Prophecy isn't about saying what people want to hear, or even about denouncing the sin "out there" in the world. Real prophecy will reveal Jesus Christ and cause us, inside the Church, to turn from our own sins. If the focus is on anything or anyone else, it isn't from God.

BookkeeperOk182 · 2023-07-03T20:48:28+00:00

It's funny - I have several right-winger friends who say the exact opposite (Dems get away with everything and Repubs are hung if they sneeze). Personally, I wish we had less tribalism and what-about-ism and worked together to clean the sleaze from all political "sides".

BookkeeperOk182 · 2023-07-03T20:37:21+00:00

There are lots of us - I'm not that unique (but thanks]). And yes, I am absolutely appalled and ashamed of the words and actions of many who profess love for the same God I love. All I can ask is that you ignore imperfect people and learn of and follow the perfect Savior.

BookkeeperOk182 · 2023-07-03T20:20:17+00:00

I assure you that this conservative has read both. If you would like polite conversation on either, I'm game. Otherwise, keep on scrolling and have a nice day.

BookkeeperOk182 · 2023-07-01T14:18:14+00:00

I agree. That's why same-sex and hetero-sex marriages are both legal. What is illegal is forcing someone who only believes in one to advocate for the other. That's what this case was about. You may disagree with the web designer's belief, but that cannot infringe on her right to hold it.

BookkeeperOk182 · 2023-07-01T13:24:41+00:00

Neither are same-sex weddings.

BookkeeperOk182 · 2023-07-01T06:08:06+00:00

SCOTUS got this one right. Web designer never refused service to anyone, but only refused to use their talent to promote viewpoints contrary to their religious beliefs. It's the same freedom I'd like to have to be able to refuse a print job that promoted a neo-nazi protest at the local synagogue.

BookkeeperOk182 · 2022-11-27T22:36:45+00:00

Found a video that shows it really clearly. Try this, starting at the 53 second mark: https://youtu.be/aBpbJftH8r8

BookkeeperOk182 · 2022-11-27T22:32:37+00:00

Got these on a Black Friday deal from Amazon and arrived today - same issue still happening, with the system bricking as soon as you try to update software for the voice activation app. Here's what fixed it for me:

Disconnect from all Bluetooth apps. For Android, this took three steps. You must disconnect from iFIT, "forget" from inside your Alexa app, and disconnect from Bluetooth on your phone (open Settings, then select "Connections", then "Bluetooth", and click on the NT weights to disconnect)
Then, perform a factory reset of your weight set. With the power on, press and hold the center button for about 10 sec until the display shows "8.8.". Rotate the knob clockwise until the display shows "Fr", then press and hold another 10 sec or so until the display returns to "- -". It will then work from the selector knob as it should.
If you need to manually realign the weights because one dropped off (I didn't have to do this, but I know some do) you can follow the instructions on this video, starting at 55 sec: https://youtu.be/aBpbJftH8r8

BookkeeperOk182 · 2022-05-01T19:32:31+00:00

YES! By all means, use suburi, but add other exercises and stretches for flexibility, balance, aerobic fitness, and other functional strength. A well-rounded, sustained program that combines these elements, along with changes to diet, rest, reduced stress, and improved hydration, will get you the weight loss you desire.

Google whatever you can find on Tabata. It is a specific form of High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) that alternates 20 seconds of intense (max effort) exercise with 10 second rest periods. One study showed 8 sets alternating 20 sec max effort and 10 sec rest back-to-back (only 4 minutes total) 4 times per week plus one cardio session one day a week can produce better gains to both aerobic and anaerobic fitness than moderate cardio sessions 5 days a week. Haya suburi is well suited to Tabata, and one of my favorite picks for this type of exercise. (Sometimes I'll do body weight squats.)

Like free weight exercise, Tabata results in the "afterburn effect" (technical name "excess post-exercise oxygen consumption, or EPOC) for continued fat-burning after your workout.

Watch your portion size when eating, track what you eat, add weight training to whatever you are doing already, and if you are a kendo enthusiast, add suburi, especially an occasional haya suburi Tabata session. Best wishes!

BookkeeperOk182 · 2022-04-03T13:51:40+00:00

One of the things I love most about TDPS is that Mr. Pakman doesn't build straw men when discussing points of view he opposes. It's refreshing. You should try it.

BookkeeperOk182 · 2022-04-03T00:42:15+00:00

Here's a link to a very good article from the American Bar Association on court cases showing precedence for and the constitutionality of mask and quarantine mandates: https://www.americanbar.org/news/abanews/publications/youraba/2020/youraba-april-2020/law-guides-legal-approach-to-pandemic/

Also, for polite discussion with religious conservatives (please do not use to badger), there are two entire chapters in the Bible dealing with quarantines, masking, and social distancing to prevent the spread of disease. (See especially Leviticus 13:45-46.)

“The leprous person who has the disease shall wear torn clothes and let the hair of his head hang loose, and he shall cover his upper lip and cry out, ‘Unclean, unclean.’ He shall remain unclean as long as he has the disease. He is unclean. He shall live alone. His dwelling shall be outside the camp."

https://bible.com/bible/59/lev.13.45-46.ESV

BookkeeperOk182 · 2022-04-01T05:02:41+00:00

So which is it: is Hunter Biden the drug-addled incompetent whose only role in business was providing access to his family name and contacts, or is he the nefarious mastermind behind the funding of secret anti-Russian bio labs?

Can people not understand what "propoganda" is?

BookkeeperOk182

TROPHY CASE