Getting to Know You, April 2018

[Darkmeer]

12 hours ago, TGP said:

Question, April 24: Have you ever taken any self-defense or combat arts courses?

 

Yes, Tae Kwon Do and Hapkido.  My father insisted.  I'm reasonably proficient and can disable enough to escape an encounter after disabling someone's ability to chase after me.  I learned the bo staff (about 6-foot staff) and the short staff (about 4-foot staff) techniques, and the Dan Bong in Hapkido (very handy!).  I also learned some basic sword and dagger techniques, which terrify me as an adult knowing I learned them at age 13.

 

I am naturally a pacifist, thus sparring is about as violent as I get except in matters of personal defense and defense of children against violent, public abuse.

[Rahz]

12 hours ago, TGP said:

Question, April 24: Have you ever taken any self-defense or combat arts courses?

Back in high school, after years of begging my parents to take some (I have a bit of a temper...) I took Aikido and savate (French kick boxing).  During one of my first aikido classes I was paired with this lovely little lady in her 60s... OMG did she hurt me!  I was 18, track team, already doing kick boxing and the more strength I threw at her, the more I hurt myself.  I know for a fact that my sensei did this on purpose.  I had a very different outlook after that first class.  It was an amazing experience.  Both kids are now in aikido classes (though it's more judo than aikido...).  I plan on getting my daughter into krav maga when she's a bit older, the plan being boy looks at her the wrong way, she tears out his throat, after breaking both his clavicles and ankles..   

[Jokemeister]

13 hours ago, TGP said:

Question, April 24: Have you ever taken any self-defense or combat arts courses?

 

I'm great at rolling up into a ball and screeching like a banshee.  Does that count?

[TGP]

16 hours ago, aku-chan said:

I did Karate as a kid.

 

Do you see what you did there...?

 

16 hours ago, Cyradis said:

Not unless you count archery.

I do.

I have a 55 pound bow. 

 

14 hours ago, NebulousMissy said:

Naginata for one semester? The fine art of hitting people with sticks...

No live blade on the end of the stick then?

(Silly internet claims there is a big scimitar blade on the business end of those. Silly internet.)

 

12 hours ago, kristof65 said:

Does archery count?  How about defensive driving? Firearms training?

1) Yes. 

2) Not so much. (Unless your ride is an M1A3 Abrams, then sure.)

3) Absolutely. 

 

My collection of combat arms training was all denominated in semesters. I had a go at fencing, archery, pistols, and rifles. 

 

I learned that the only martial arts where I have any possibility of being useful to my side are those where I launch projectiles at targets/foes from a fixed position. 

[TGP]

Question, April 25: How many pairs of shoes is too many and how close to that limit are you?

[redambrosia]

51 minutes ago, TGP said:

Question, April 25: How many pairs of shoes is too many and how close to that limit are you?

I take a very practical view of shoes. I have my everyday shoes (which mostly get worn to work), I have my wet weather shoes (mostly worn in the winter), and then I have a few pairs of summer shoes, which are typically flats in a couple different colours and a pair of sandals. I have two pairs of Fancy Shoes, which I only wear for special occasions (like the wedding I'm going to on Saturday), one for summer and one for winter. And I typically wear the shoes until they fall apart. 

 

Right now though, I'm down my sandals and winter boots. So, seven pairs of shoes are a good number, but I'm only at five right. 

 

Hubby has three pairs of shoes. Boots, Everywhere-But-Work shoes, and his work shoes. On the other hand, he doesn't wear dresses and need cute shoes to go with them. I'm pretty sure that even if he had been born a girl he'd still only have three pairs of shoes

Edited April 25, 2018 by redambrosia
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[paintybeard]

12 hours ago, Zink said:

 

As a kid my brother and dad were obsessed with karate. I was 7 years younger than my brother so there was never anything like a fair fight but I was their practice dummy. When my brother graduated he became a blue belt in kickboxing. He'd come home and teach his new techniques to us. During this time my dad also taught a self defense course which I was obligated to go to. After high school I dabbled a bit in judo and karate but nothing serious. Last year my kids and I started karate but the sensei was too crippled up and retired. We do a little at home but without regular classes we just don't do enough.

 

 

I have a large amount of knowledge of that one and a bit of experience with the related discipline Being Run Over By Cow.

 

Had a foot stood on by a cow while working on my uncle's farm as a teenager. Isn't it amazing how they look you placidly in the eye and WON'T MOVE!

[paintybeard]

1 hour ago, TGP said:

Question, April 25: How many pairs of shoes is too many and how close to that limit are you?

One good pair of black uniform shoes for weddings, funerals and job interviews.

One pair of good walking shoes with decent ankle support for most outdoor events.

One pair of well insulated wellies for serious wet weather.

One pair of crocs for indoors.

That's enough, probably have others lurking in various cupboards, but never used.

[Gargs]

2 hours ago, TGP said:

Question, April 25: How many pairs of shoes is too many and how close to that limit are you?

 

I don't understand the question. ;)

[Chaoswolf]

QApr 24th--Since firearms and archery both count, then I can both to my answer for yesterday.

 

2 hours ago, TGP said:

Question, April 25: How many pairs of shoes is too many and how close to that limit are you?

I don't know.

 

I currently own 4 pairs: winter boots, work boots, dress shoes, and moccasins (not sure whether those count or not; I wear them as slippers, but they do have hard soles, so in theory they could be worn outside).

[VitM]

2 hours ago, TGP said:

Question, April 25: How many pairs of shoes is too many and how close to that limit are you?

 

I don't know if the limit is a discrete number, but I have way too many shoes regardless.  And yet, somehow, still don't have a "proper" shoe for every occasion.  

[Geoff Davis]

2 hours ago, TGP said:

Question, April 25: How many pairs of shoes is too many and how close to that limit are you?

 

Now that I'm retired from the military I have about 20 fewer pairs of footwear bring me much closer to the reasonable limit of two: chest waders and whatever I'm allowed to wear to work.

[WhiteWulfe]

3 hours ago, TGP said:

Question, April 25: How many pairs of shoes is too many and how close to that limit are you?

I'll playfully say when you can't fit anymore into the closet, it's probably too many.

 

Realistically though, I'd say about eight pairs.  Sounds odd coming from a guy, but...  I usually have two pairs of work boots (my main pair, and a "backup" pair that's either new and being broken in at home, or the older pair in case breaking in new ones isn't going so well), two pairs of hikers (same reasons as work boots), and then I used to have two pairs for going out to the club.  Both were comfy, it was just dependent on what I was wearing at the time and which would match better.  I used to also have sandals, but haven't done such for years now. 

 

At the moment, I only have three pairs of shoes/boots, but still. 

[Rahz]

3 hours ago, TGP said:

Question, April 25: How many pairs of shoes is too many and how close to that limit are you?

Whatever number my wife has is definitely too many (don't tell her that!!).  I have 8 :2 work shoes (black and brown), 2 outside boot/winter shoes, 2 pairs of sandals and 2 pairs of hiking/running shoes.  

[Dilvish the Deliverer]

3 hours ago, TGP said:

Question, April 25: How many pairs of shoes is too many and how close to that limit are you?

Do you have the money to afford shoes?  Do you have the space to store them when you are not wearing them?  Then they are not too many. (kind of like minis)

 

I've got a bunch of shoes at the house; mostly because I still haven't gotten rid of all of my old uniform shoes.  As for ones that I wear regularly, I have a pair or steel toes work shoes, a pair of tan canvas walking shoes, a brown leather walking shoe, black Italian leather loafers (for suit wear), a pair of running shoes and my old uniform boots that I wear for messy work or snow shoveling.  Other shoes that I have not work in a while but that I still keep around:  white (gray now) leather sneakers for working in the garden, my white leather dress shoes and the corresponding black leather dress shoes that went with my Navy uniforms.

 

Oh, and I have a pair of slippers for walking around the house.