tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-354314952024-03-13T05:44:51.578-05:00Crunch Time<i>"...for those times when you feel disgusted by the whole human race".</i> -HarveyHapkidohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01504614784293274146noreply@blogger.comBlogger685125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35431495.post-8139729026600589932010-01-22T17:02:00.002-06:002010-01-22T17:19:54.758-06:00A Matter of ExtremesI've been suffering an internal battle, lately...and not the kind that can be resolved with some fiber or pepto bismol, unfortunately.<br /><br />The conflict is with, well, conflict. I'm not given to confrontation. It's not fear that has me shy away - after all, if defending myself would ever be a problem, all these martial arts have been a waste of time.<br /><br />As an example, there's a guy a work, we'll call him Buzzkill, who MUST have his hands in everything: conversation, questions, issues, etc. And it's, frankly, very annoying. He not only puts himself in the middle of everything, he has backhanded comments & insults aplenty for everyone there who is obviously incompetent compared to him. Not to mention his CONSTANT complaining...<br /><br />Now, I've spoken to my boss about this because talking to this looney toon is beyond pointless. However, the real issue is that it's becoming all about him. The office centers around this emotional terrorist & there's a palpable sense of gloom when he walks in at night. If I'm going to continue working there, this must stop.<br /><br />Now, the conflict issue: I'm given to extremes in these cases. I've never been able to do anything but give up some ground or blast through in full-blown confrontation. A middle ground, where I don't wind up getting reprimanded by my boss but still let asshat buzzkill know his commentary needs to get lost, would be ideal.<br /><br />I'm just not very good at the middle ground.<br /><br />Honestly, I just want to tell him to STFU, stay out of my way & when I need his help, I will ask directly for it. (OK, I really want to go upside his head...which is one of those extremes) The problem is that I want him to get confrontational. I want him to get in my face & ask to take it outside. I'd love nothing more than to translate his emotional torture on us into a physical manifestation of my frustration.<br /><br />That is plain wrong & to be a decent human being, it must be avoided.<br /><br />How, then, do I confront this in a dignified manner, even if the antagonist is anything but dignified?Hapkidohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01504614784293274146noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35431495.post-5039821540686516372010-01-20T12:55:00.002-06:002010-01-20T12:57:51.319-06:00Woody WoodpeckerA Mexican woodpecker and a Canadian woodpecker were in Mexico arguing about which country had the toughest trees. The Mexican woodpecker claimed Mexico had a tree that no woodpecker could peck.<br /><br />The Canadian woodpecker accepted his challenge and promptly pecked a hole in the tree with no problem.<br /><br />The Mexican woodpecker was amazed.<br /><br />The Canadian woodpecker then challenged the Mexican woodpecker to peck a tree in Canada that was absolutely 'impeccable' (a term frequently used by woodpeckers ). The Mexican woodpecker expressed confidence that he could do it and accepted the challenge.<br /><br />The two of them flew to Canada where the Mexican woodpecker successfully pecked the so-called 'impeccable' tree almost without breaking a sweat.<br /><br />Both woodpeckers were now terribly confused. How is it that the Canadian woodpecker was able to peck the Mexican tree, and the Mexican woodpecker was able to peck the Canadian tree, yet neither was able to peck the tree in their own country?<br /><br />After much woodpecker pondering, they both came to the same conclusion:<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong><em>Apparently, Tiger Woods was right, when he said, your pecker gets harder when you're away from home.</em> </strong></span>Hapkidohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01504614784293274146noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35431495.post-63757032498642739752010-01-20T12:44:00.003-06:002010-01-20T12:51:26.834-06:00Weather DelayI went up to Iowa to visit Miss Hammy this past weekend & expected to fly out on Monday morning. On the way to the airport we got a call informing me my flight was delayed. After checking with the airline, we were flat-out told there's no way out of CR...<br /><br />Well, that was a bummer (ha ha).<br /><br />We met one of my friends for lunch & caught up a bit. Also, I was afforded the opportunity to go to class.<br /><br />Now, I have a reputation for being a little tougher when leading - not that I want to run anyone into the ground - but I'll push the pace & if people need to catch their breath, there's no shame in it.<br /><br />Four people accused me of trying to kill them...<br /><br />C'mon, guys! I leave for a few months, show up for one class & you think I'm trying to put you six-feet under? Really?<br /><br />Hapkido went a little better, with my techniques going well, my falls looking good & generally just having a good time. That's just a fun class for me.<br /><br />Best of all, Miss Hammy & I had a whole extra day together! So, if that's how travel delays turn out, I'll take more of 'em!Hapkidohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01504614784293274146noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35431495.post-950614664643303202010-01-11T07:04:00.002-06:002010-01-11T07:29:13.718-06:003rd Degree In SeparationI've decided to get ready for my 3rd degree test. I'm only a bit overdue (7/31/2009 was my eligibility date) so maybe I should think about getting ready.<br /><br />The first step I took was joining the local gym - which I've been attending regularly. The workouts have been mostly cardio, though my brother has helped me with some minor weight training. He does a system of opposition: when he works one set of muscles, he then works the muscles that pull in the opposite direction. It feels balanced & it seems I'm not so sore the next day.<br /><br />The second step is learning the two forms I need to promote to 3rd Degree: <a href="http://www.natkd.com/movies/Forms/ITF/14choongjang.divx">Choong-Jang</a> & <a href="http://www.natkd.com/movies/Forms/ITF/15juche.divx">Juche</a>. If you watch these, the former doesn't seem too bad to me. The latter is a bit more involved & I think it'll take a lot more time to put together (much less make it look good).<br /><br />Next, I have to design 5 one-step sparring techniques (basically, punch defense) which are mostly complete. I'm centering this around punching combinations from an attacker. This came from the idea that an aggressor won't just stop after the first punch & the attacks will keep coming. It seems to flow well & I've even incorporated some good HKD concepts into them.<br /><br />When all this comes together, I'll do a video of my forms, self-defense & one steps to send to my instructor. If he's satisfied with my performance, hopefully I'll be able to test for 3rd Degree after I do a refresher on all the terminology...Hapkidohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01504614784293274146noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35431495.post-5888352193819762572010-01-10T22:01:00.002-06:002010-01-10T23:12:19.302-06:00Guns & AmmoWell, let's worry about the gun, first...<br /><br />I'm (still) looking into purchasing a good firearm. So far, there are many good choices out there by Springfield, Taurus, S & W, Kimber (on the high end) & others.<br /><br />What I want in a handgun are the following features:<br />- Semi-automatic<br />- Ambidextrous action **<br />- Potential for concealed carry but not too small (no subcompacts)<br />- Manageable recoil<br />- Simple maintenance<br /><br />As for the (**) I need ambidextrous action only because I'm a lefty & I'm not aware of many lefty-specific guns out there. I tried a very nice Springfield that was well within my price range but the righty action was not practical in the slightest as my left index finger could not activate the slide.<br /><br />For caliber, I'll go where it's best but .40 seems to work very well for me. I'd rather avoid the 9mm but am not averse to .45ACP if that load works for me.<br /><br />So, with this refined list of ideas. are there any suggestions?Hapkidohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01504614784293274146noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35431495.post-69007489687283746122010-01-10T04:09:00.002-06:002010-01-10T04:29:55.053-06:00Thank You For SmokingI'm not a smoker...never have been (OK, unless you count an annual cigar).<br /><br />So, understand that my topic here doesn't really support smoking so much as our ever-eroding liberties. Some of these, as you will read, are being removed at the simplest stroke of a pen with "feel good" tactics.<br /><br />Recently, a local radio station (93.3 The Planet) played a commercial announcing a terrific new product available at all North Carolina (we're close to the border) restaurants & businesses: fresh air. This was accomplished by prohibiting smoking at all businesses, public & private.<br /><br />I don't care so much on the public - if the state determines that will be the policy, the infringement on my rights, while it does exist, is sensible and minimal. This is a reasonable policy as few restaurants are publicly-owned & most public businesses are relevant to essential services (DMV, Registrar, etc.)<br /><br />However, <strong><em>privately-owned</em></strong> businesses should be allowed to determine if smoking is allowed on their respective properties. If I'm the proprietor of Al Gore's House of Hummus and Holistic Medicine & want it to look/smell like a crowded pool hall on Saturday night, that's my right, not some elected clown riding a desk. If my revenue suffers because my target demographic - non-bathing, organic-loving, damn dirty hippies - wants to stay away from the bikers and union guys who frequent my place because it's OK to smoke, that's the risk I take as the owner.<br /><br />The simple fact is it's my call as the proprietor of the business. While the state may claim to have an interest in prohibiting smoking to help the innocent non-smoker, the fact is the non-smoker may choose what places to frequent & avoid.<br /><br />The military protects us. Bureaucrats? Not so much.Hapkidohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01504614784293274146noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35431495.post-55023042119202046722010-01-08T17:39:00.003-06:002010-01-08T20:11:45.834-06:00Where In The WorldOK, I've been gone for awhile...no particular reason other than being neglectful of my blogging responsibilities. I'm hoping to correct that & resume blogging more regularly.<br /><br />Basically, I'm getting settled into a new routine in SC & pretty darn thankful to not have a freezing IA winter slapping me in the face. My new job is a job - basically a means of making money - that gives me little enjoyment because there's no organization in the organization/ Mostly, I get the idea management is in the "wishing" phase of improvements. Yeah, that doesn't inspire confidence...<br /><br />My brother & I are planning to start JKD lessons next week. We got a pretty good deal for private lessons. Also, I ordered a TKD book for forms & it arrived today. Now, I can start working on my last 2 forms for 3rd degree. Lastly, there's a HKD school right down the road that my instructor's instructor knows & he's going to give a call on my behalf. I don't know that I'll attend classes but will at least give the courtesy of showing up & talking to the Chief Instructor there.<br /><br />Also, I joined a local gym, Peak Fitness. Pretty nice, especially for $20/month. They have plenty of good equipment & a small room where I can work on my forms. I went over all of mine tonight & did pretty well...just a couple hiccups in Koryo, a 1st Degree form. Mostly, I just have to tighten them up & record a video to send to my instructor so he can be sure I'm ready to test.<br /><br />Well, that's the quick & easy update. I hope all is well for y'all & talk to you soon!Hapkidohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01504614784293274146noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35431495.post-78056801243537481532010-01-06T19:20:00.002-06:002010-01-06T19:31:28.671-06:00Stupid Liberal MathProblem: Terrorists are contemplating or attempting to attack the United States. You are POTUS and a liberal who is beholden to your far-left constituency. How do you handle this problem overseas and domestically?<br /><br />Overseas: Send in a double strike of Predator drones to hit a terrorist enclave in Pakistan, ensuring suspected terrorists are swept clean off the map and no longer a persistent threat to the USA.<br /><br />Domestically: Arrest the underwear bomber & read him his "rights" that are normally reserved to US citizens. Ensure he is given a trial in accordance with the US Constitution because, after all, he is innocent until proven guilty and this is not an act of war, it's a matter for the civilian courts. For others, pull them out of Guantanamo Bay and transport them to the scene of the horrific crime they perpetrated on the citizens of this country where they may also receive a trial under the protections of the US Constitution.<br /><br />I'm OK with the overseas answer...it gets a B.<br /><br />As for the domestic policy, it's not worth a letter, just the finger.Hapkidohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01504614784293274146noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35431495.post-49171474082654679352009-12-21T18:59:00.004-06:002009-12-21T20:08:32.765-06:00Wow! What a Day! Part IIHey Ya'll.<br /><br />The final drill went suprisingly better than I had expected. It was a live person drill over the phone to fix an issue. I don't get to pick who was on the other side but nonetheless the call was successful. After the call I was asked what the name of my mock client was. Then the instructor's eyes got big and he asked me if I figured out who I was talking to. Truth was I didn't even think about it. After I thought about it for a few seconds I was able to put the face to the voice. Then my eyes got big.<br /><br /> ....It was none other than the Site Director. My boss's, boss's boss. The highest ranking guy in my site... city... state. *A great guy I must add. How many top dogs do you all know that will stop what they are doing and help a trainee?*<br /><br /> All I can say is that I was glad I didn't know that before the call came in. My nerves were already pegged out. Besides, I passed with the Big Boss getting a first person view at my performance. That can't be all that bad.<br /><br /> Today we went live in a limited respect. We still have 1 week of training then four of us move on to an advanced training for another two weeks. In my limited live interactions I connected on 5 of 5 issues with only one mistep that was not a critical issue but still I wish I didn't miss that one. Overall I think I did quite well but to be honest I think I got 5 easy soft issues. I shuddered at what some of my co-workers received for first live interactions. Tomorrow is another day. There will be more than 5 interactions for sure. I hope I have as much faith in my skills tomorrow as I did today.<br /><br />All in all. I love my new job. It is a 180 degree dynamic change from my previous abortion of an employer. Shoot. I couldn't get positive attention from a manager there let alone a Director. Life is good just as long as I don't watch the news.RonnyEngrishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07724113631585670467noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35431495.post-10262396008492535922009-12-20T22:46:00.002-06:002009-12-20T23:57:19.221-06:00Two DefinitionsThere is a lot of discussion lately, with regards to this <strike>government entrapment of the people</strike> health care bill being justified by Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution, which authorizes Congress to "provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States".<br /><br />However, I believe this is a shortsighted argument - based on two definitions.<br /><br />The first definition comes from <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amend">Merriam-Webster's</a> dictionary on the word "amend":<br /><br /><blockquote>1 : to put right; especially : to make emendations in (as a text)<br />2 a : to change or modify for the better : improve (amend a situation) b : to alter especially in phraseology; especially : to alter formally by modification, deletion, or addition (amend a constitution)</blockquote><br />Specifically, I'm referring to definition 2b: to alter formally by modification, deletion or addition (amend a constitution). By adding an amendment to a document, the preceding terms listed are altered and new terms may be added. In the case of the United States Constitution, amendments are added to further restrict the powers of government (exceptions: 16th Amendment, authorizing Congress to collect taxes; 18th Amendment, restricting the rights of the people, which was repealed by the 21st amendment).<br /><br />As a direct example of how amendments change the terms of those that precede them, all we need to do is look at Article 1, Section 8, Clause 1 (authorizes Congress to collect taxes) and the 24th Amendment (abolishing the poll tax). The federal government was granted a right and the United States Constitution, which inherently distrusts government, was amended to restrict this granted power.<br /><br />This brings me to the second definition arguing against government-controlled health care - the 10th Amendment:<br /><blockquote><p>The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.</p></blockquote><br />Now, Congress is authorized to provide for the "general Welfare". This is plainly written in Article I, Section 8, Enumerated Powers and not open for dispute. The United States Constitution, as we know, does not trust the federal government and the 10th Amendment, which I believe the Founders intentionally placed at the end of the Bill of Rights, explicitly states if the United States government is not explicitly granted a power by the Constitution, it is reserved to the States or the people.<br /><br />For those who hold the 1st Amendment and 2nd Amendment sacred (as we all should), I implore you to look at the other 24 amendments in this boon of Liberty. The 10th Amendment was not placed last in the Bill of Rights because it was the least important. It is there because, as is fitting for any amendment to a contract, it is the most important in limiting what the government may do to the people.Hapkidohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01504614784293274146noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35431495.post-82552521623662267162009-12-14T19:29:00.005-06:002009-12-14T20:56:50.896-06:00Wow! What a day!I once ate at a great Chinese Restaurant in Dillon Colorado where I learned a valuable lesson. I had ordered a dish that was advertized as spicy about a week earlier and had returned with about a dozen friends and ordered that same dish. This time I asked the waitress if I could get it "A little spicy, because the last time it wasn't that spicy." MISTAKE! The dish that came out of the kitchen could be used in the NASA space program to launch shuttles into space. My face had the tint of Carrot Top's hair. I ate every morsel even though the poor waitress had to upgrade me from a glass of water to a pitcher.<br /><br />I tell that story to tell you this one. Some lessons learned have more than one application.<br /><br />Recently I found myself in a Job Transplant situation not unlike our friend Hap but without the relocation and Praise God, in a much shorter timeline. *Hap. Much love and respect for surviving that and making the relo decision. It was a hard choice, and probably harder than anyone will ever know.*<br /><br />I currently find myself in a class of intelligent people who even with multiple holidays, and inclement weather closing us down for a day, somehow find ourselves ahead of the learning schedule. The speed at which we have learned the information I attribute to the skills of our instructors. Those instructors recently asked for feedback. Someone *not naming names ME* suggested a variety of real-life scenarios instead of the typical ideal lesson-reinforcement scenario. Just so we do not get caught blindsided when we see one. For some reason the Chinese Restaurant lesson did not seem to be applicable in this instance. BOY WAS I WRONG.<br />About 3 PM today my brain came to a screeching halt. I had a total cranial meltdown. The scenario we encountered was not just one realistic situation but five all wrapped up into one with a twist. I could not believe how many mistakes I made. I still don't know how this one got ironed out in real life. *Yeah someone actually went there.*<br /><br />Everyone needed help. It was ugly.<br /><br />No more pride. No more asking for the advanced stuff.<br /><br />That was real smooth of me and tomorrow is the first, and biggest, of the make-it-or-break-it drills. Where did my confidence go? Oh yeah it is sitting in the back seat with my pride. I think I will do okay but one thing is for certain: I have tons of respect for my peers who have gone before me.RonnyEngrishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07724113631585670467noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35431495.post-52088604130419761062009-11-20T19:20:00.002-06:002009-11-20T19:40:09.255-06:00Honorary BeltingThis <a href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2009/11/obama-lee-myungbak-korea-black-belt.html">article</a> was passed to me by Harvey of <a href="http://badexample.mu.nu/">Bad Example</a>. President Obama, during his recent visit to South Korea - as part of his apparent world tour (take that global warming believers!) - was awarded an honorary black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Since I'm a black belt in TKD, it's well within my authority to comment on this "achievement".<br /><br />First, I assume he's 1st degree. Being a second degree, I outrank him.<br /><br />Second, I'm not offended at the award even though it wasn't earned. It's an honorary belt, just like an honorary doctorate from a university. In fact, this is an apt reference since one may actually get a degree in TKD in some South Korean universities.<br /><br />Many of the comments on the article are just waaaaay too sensitive on the subject of an honorary award. No, it's not like the Nobel Peace prize. While both are political awards in my mind, the Peace prize denotes some form of accomplishment while the black belt, in reality, is just a piece of cloth around one's waist - the perceived value is put there by the observer.<br /><br />Also, and let's be honest, there are black belts available for the asking out there. If you want to look at any martial arts website out there, you can order the belt & an official-looking certificate and *BOOM*, you're a black belt. It's a symbol, not a determination of actual competence in an art.<br /><br />Now, it would be inappropriate for the president to claim status as a black belt since it was given & not earned AND the fact everyone will know it's honorary from the start of class. Accomplishment allows for character building, not the other way around.<br /><br />Here's what a <a href="http://hapkido-essay.blogspot.com/2007/04/first-degree-essay.html">black belt means</a> in my opinion. Yes, I wrote an essay for my 1st degree (AND got my cool tagline from Harvey as a result!).Hapkidohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01504614784293274146noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35431495.post-62304529476847693522009-11-13T17:09:00.005-06:002009-11-13T17:13:04.813-06:00Dr. Seuss ReduxFor the older kids out there...<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kASbKfToE7g/Sv3nu-mCp2I/AAAAAAAAAII/LsvhIZKWbls/s1600-h/cat4.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 281px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403729922177017698" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kASbKfToE7g/Sv3nu-mCp2I/AAAAAAAAAII/LsvhIZKWbls/s400/cat4.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kASbKfToE7g/Sv3nqDlnFqI/AAAAAAAAAIA/iHEbDyZkhLk/s1600-h/cat3.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 290px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403729837618042530" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kASbKfToE7g/Sv3nqDlnFqI/AAAAAAAAAIA/iHEbDyZkhLk/s400/cat3.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kASbKfToE7g/Sv3niyaGNEI/AAAAAAAAAH4/EDT-JwDbsYM/s1600-h/cat2.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 370px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403729712747263042" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kASbKfToE7g/Sv3niyaGNEI/AAAAAAAAAH4/EDT-JwDbsYM/s400/cat2.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kASbKfToE7g/Sv3nch-qksI/AAAAAAAAAHw/RZSpEFsOVHs/s1600-h/cat1.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 289px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403729605258023618" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kASbKfToE7g/Sv3nch-qksI/AAAAAAAAAHw/RZSpEFsOVHs/s400/cat1.jpg" /></a> </div>Hapkidohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01504614784293274146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35431495.post-56106021724208597292009-11-13T06:42:00.003-06:002009-11-13T06:44:40.618-06:00New Job3 weeks in.<br /><br />3 days of training in the first week. None since<br /><br />No supervisor. (Not as sweet as you might think)<br /><br />No organization in the organization.<br /><br />Suggestion: Get a clue, dummies.Hapkidohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01504614784293274146noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35431495.post-26338309592862965162009-11-11T14:13:00.002-06:002009-11-11T14:19:13.735-06:00Happy Veterans' DayThank you to all those who have served & all those who are serving this great nation of ours. The freedoms you all protect are the greatest gift anyone can provide to another.Hapkidohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01504614784293274146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35431495.post-11455783777519780702009-11-03T17:28:00.001-06:002009-11-03T17:31:00.290-06:00Gun WrongsBecause there's an obvious opposite to Gun Rights...<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzdkGrF1UcsPdA35eSBN4osi4ejFpHoDDwcQJMDRaCyLbdoTG9eaqG781iq5SEU4iij_dxNBTGwIw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Hapkidohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01504614784293274146noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35431495.post-73736851708306286542009-10-29T17:05:00.003-05:002009-11-02T10:47:08.437-06:00Wow. The School's WebSite actually says that?!?I was looking at a friend of mine's high school website. He went to an inner city school that he likes to say was more like a prison than an actual school. His wife emphatically agrees. When she saw where he went to school and grew up she was surprised. He eventually moved away from that environment and now states that the worst school in our area is better than the school for the gifted where he grew up. I thought he was feeding me his usual line of 'hee-yuck hee-yuck' humor but then I went out to his school's web site which he admitted he was surprised it even existed. It is a pretty basic website obviously done in-house by the students, but to our surprise one of the links is pretty telling of what they deal with in that school system.<br /><br />Under the heading: "Odds and Ends / Found on the Wall..." it states:<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">Found on the Wall...<br /><br />Found on the wall in the literacy center at South Division High School in Milwaukee<br /><br />If ever there was an argument for why throwing more money at our public schools is not the best way to get higher achievement, this is it.<br /><br />The problem facing our schools today is not lack of funds; it is lack of talent. We have under qualified people filling many of the key positions at our inner city schools. Some half-wit administrator felt that allocating funds to develop a “literacy” center in place of assigning those funds to attract a teacher with the talents and skills needed to improve the skills of the students.<br /><br />Maybe there was a need for a literacy center. I wouldn’t be critical of an administrator developing such a program if it proved to be useful. It is going to be an incredibly hard sell to merit a literacy center staffed by people who can’t even write a simple sentence. But I am critical. I am critical that a person could be hired to work in a literacy center who struggles with basic syntax.<br /><br />“Discovery the doors to books open.” This seems like it could almost make sense. "Books open the doors to discovery" is a great message to send. I can’t even imagine the hell a dyslexic individual trying to get help in this “literacy” center must be going through.<br /><br />I have an idea. Let’s not hire incompetent people to teach. What happens when incompetent people teach? They teach incompetently. Therefore, no education takes place and we have just hired a $30,000/year baby-sitter with benefits.<br /></span><br />Here is the link if you don't believe me:<br /><a href="http://www.1dynamicplace.com/SDHS/index.html?lang=en-us&target=d136.html">http://www.1dynamicplace.com/SDHS/index.html?lang=en-us&target=d136.html</a><br /><br /><br />All I could say was.... "Wow" and it made it past all the censors. Way to go sneaky Web admins. Just goes to show you that the school administrators don't know how to use a computer and check on this kind of stuff. But what do I know I am just a dumb country bumpkin.<br /><br />Sounds to me like Acorn was alive and well in the Inner City Public School System. If this is not an advertizement for Home Schooling than I don't know what is.RonnyEngrishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07724113631585670467noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35431495.post-52064483996370543262009-10-12T21:11:00.004-05:002009-10-12T21:19:13.573-05:00More Equestrian MathIn this equation (wow, that really works for this!), we have the following:<br /><br /><br /><br />1 - Hap (the fateful protagonist of our story) - 180lbs<br /><br />2 - Packer (the very cool, calm & collected Paint) - 1200lbs<br /><br />3 - Random Horse #14 (big, stupid doo-doo head) - 1000lbs<br /><br /><br /><br />So, here's the situation: Hap & Packer leave Barn at approximately 2pm, moving at a fast walk (6 mph, or so). After the first turn, they encounter Random Horse #14, who decides his curiosity, and possibly non-gelding equipment, is suitable for a challenge to the Hap/Packer team.<br /><br /><br /><br />If Packer decides that RH14 is, in fact, deserving of being put in his place, how long can Hap hang on for the wild ride?<br /><br /><br /><br />Bonus question: When do Hap's lungs give out from the screaming?Hapkidohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01504614784293274146noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35431495.post-38312441983172407602009-10-10T19:59:00.002-05:002009-10-10T20:17:35.779-05:00Stop Playing FootballPresident Obama, S-T-O-P using our military as a political football for your special-interest buddies!<br /><br />First, you were indecisive about taking out the Somali pirates who held an American ship & her crew hostage. Next, you had to be shamed into meeting with Gen. McChrystal - probably a major inconvenience between pitching Chicago for the 2016 Olympics & your talk show tour - for a whole 1/2 hour.<br /><br />Now, you've decided to <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/10/10/president-says-end-dont-ask-dont-tell/">openly allow gays in the military</a> - a move that, based on your few previous actions, suggests you intend to further suppress morale among our brave men & women in uniform by using them as the impetus for your next special-interest "touchdown".<br /><br />Before we get any farther...do I have an objection to any person, regardless of sexual orientation, serving his or her country? No. People have done so, honorably, and without some self-aggrandizing need to trumpet their preference in human genitalia. My objection is making sexual orientation the issue. Openly allowing homosexuals in the military - particularly on the heels of the POTUS showing ZERO leadership in responding to his commanding General - will tell the good people currently serving that they're part of some beltway experiment in political correctness.<br /><br />Damned if that's what we relegate them to!<br /><br />So, Mr. President, you score points with your hard-left constituents, most of whom probably loathe the military more than Rosie O'Donnell hates spinach. Of course, the goal is not to prevent, "cutting from the military's ranks people with needed skills for fighting". That's a total political answer that disguises chagrin as consideration. The idea seems to be unsettling the military to the point of discouraging recruitment.<br /><br />In a word: Shameful.Hapkidohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01504614784293274146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35431495.post-57206160534819588272009-10-09T17:15:00.002-05:002009-10-09T17:32:02.267-05:00Deep Thoughts: Nobel Prize title for winners.For those days when there is nothing better to do than to ponder through musings of a twisted mind.<br /><br />***************************<br /><br />I got to thinking today, when I person gets knighted they attain a certain status. They can be called "Sir Knight". When someone reaches the heights of their education in their line of study they get to be called "Doctor". When a martial artist kicks enough butt in Badaahhhhh... *uhem* Bad Arse style (keeping it clean for Mrs. Who ;) ) they get to be called Master.<br /><br />I think now that Barak Hussein Obama has earned the title of Nobel Peace Prize Winner he should be able to use the title "Leader Extraordinaire."<br /><br />Yeah I think it should do.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>B</strong></span>arak<br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>H</strong></span>ussein<br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>O</strong></span>bama<br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>L</strong></span>eader<br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>E</strong></span>xtraordinaire<br /><br />Anyone else got a fitting title for this new prize winner?<br /><br />Hmmmmmmm.RonnyEngrishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07724113631585670467noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35431495.post-37116945547645196272009-10-09T13:16:00.004-05:002009-10-09T13:44:23.757-05:00ASPCA Animal Lover PrizeFresh on the heels of President Barack Hussein Obama (mmm, mmmm, mmmmmm!) winning the <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/10/09/international-media-reactions-obama-peace-prize/">Nobel Peace Prize</a> & shocking the world by doing so with under two week's experience AND without any significant accomplishments to further peace in the world, comes another timely choice for an award:<br /><br />The APSCA World Animal Lover Prize has been awarded to Michael Vick, of the Philadelphia Eagles for his notable accomplishments in expressing his regret for operating Bad Newz Kennels - a now-infamous dogfighting ring.<br /><br />"Sure, he abused, mistreated and ultimately maimed poor animals", stated the ASPCA spokesperson, "but you have to look at his words since then, which decidedly paints him in the light of a person who regrets what he did because it cost him millions...uh, can we edit that last sentence out?"<br /><br />Vick, who recently was allowed back into the NFL after being released from prison, obviously was deserving of the prize because, as the ASPCA spokesperson puts it, "While he hasn't actually shown real remorse for his actions, Mr. Vick was overheard saying, 'I'll bet you I never try that sh*t again!' to a fellow Eagles player. This indicates his intention to love animals and thus earned him our coveted award this year".<br /><br />Other winners of the ASPCA Animal Lover Prize include <a href="http://gossip.about.com/b/2007/08/28/britney-spears-investigated-for-alleged-animal-cruelty.htm">Britney Spears</a> and <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24544686/">rapper DMX</a>.Hapkidohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01504614784293274146noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35431495.post-18591191802923036642009-10-07T21:52:00.002-05:002009-10-07T21:55:10.475-05:00Hap vs. 5,000 VoltsIn a word: OUCH!<br /><br />This incident involved wet ground, an electrified fence & a 1200lb Paint Quarterhorse.<br /><br />In other words: 1200lb horse + 175lb Hap x 5000 Volts = ?<br /><br />Juggle that equation in your head for awhile & let me know what you think...Hapkidohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01504614784293274146noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35431495.post-13002992706633687362009-10-07T08:55:00.002-05:002009-10-07T09:05:32.672-05:00Congress Shall Make No Law...But that apparently doesn't <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/10/07/high-court-takes-case-cross-public-land/">apply to the courts</a>. Who can decide what's best for us by judicial fiat.<br /><br />The main argument against a cross memorializing the sacrifice of WW I veterans is that it "excludes" other veterans from being honored.<br /><br />Excuse me f***tards but just because a memorial is in honor of a particular group doesn't mean it's specifically intended to give a different group the proverbial finger. Yes, I'll grant that the park agency should have allowed a Buddhist symbol to be placed on the land. However, tearing down the cross doesn't put a Buddhist symbol up there.<br /><br />I'd be inclined to believe this was a pro 1st Amendment argument if it was constructive (i.e. - let's allow ALL religious symbols to be placed) in nature. Of course, the ACLU, in it's infinite Christian-bashing "wisdom", cannot abide a cross on federal land & supported a former National Park Service employee who quite possibly had honorable intentions for bringing forth the lawsuit.Hapkidohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01504614784293274146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35431495.post-53036370501918238312009-10-06T09:57:00.004-05:002009-10-06T10:07:54.463-05:00THE Christmas Gift of the YearFolks, have you ever wondered what it would be like to experience, firsthand, the generosity of "The One"?<br /><br /><br /><br />Do you find yourself in contempt of the American economy, way of life & capitalism, in general?<br /><br /><br /><br />Admit it, you've secretly hoped for a game you could play that allows you to do both of these wonderful things at once.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Introducing: <strong><em><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:180%;color:#cc0000;">Obamopoly!!!</span></em></strong><br /><br /><br /><br />The object of the game is to destroy American capitalism by having the government take over EVERYTHING!<br /><br /><br /><br />Tokens include a bus, a teleprompter, a sprig of arugula (have you seen the cost of that lately?) & a waffle iron.<br /><br /><br /><br />So, do you wanna play? NO??? Well, too bad, everyone's playing and, quite frankly, in this game, nobody wins...<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kASbKfToE7g/SstcjD-BGHI/AAAAAAAAAHo/w_w2Hh53NNc/s1600-h/obamopoly.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389503136509532274" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kASbKfToE7g/SstcjD-BGHI/AAAAAAAAAHo/w_w2Hh53NNc/s400/obamopoly.jpg" /></a>Hapkidohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01504614784293274146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35431495.post-83208110341987259092009-10-05T13:27:00.002-05:002009-10-05T13:28:40.723-05:00Killing Kittens Since 1992...<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kASbKfToE7g/Sso6vXuOgdI/AAAAAAAAAHg/UUy2j_0Y6h0/s1600-h/rightwing.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 299px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389184489598386642" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kASbKfToE7g/Sso6vXuOgdI/AAAAAAAAAHg/UUy2j_0Y6h0/s400/rightwing.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div>Hapkidohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01504614784293274146noreply@blogger.com0