Women talk too much. They never know when to shut up. They’re incurable gossips. Catty. All they do is complain. Nag, nag. So many stereotypes have focused around women and talking. Girls are taught to play quietly, not to shout, not to raise their voices. Don’t speak up. Don’t raise your hand. Don’t interrupt. Listen [...]
On 10 October 2006, in Stamford, CT, a woman was sexually assaulted in front of her children in the parking garage of a Marriott hotel. Police arrested the culprit three days later and he was sentenced to 20 years in prison. End of story, right? It should be. But the Marriott claims the woman “was [...]
Training Women in the Martial Arts: A Special Journey Authors: Jennifer Lawler & Laura Kamienski Publisher: Wish Publishing Buy from: Amazon Don’t let the thiness of this book fool you. Training Women in the Martial Arts may be only 118 pages long, but it’s 118 pages packed with information and ideas. One of the authors, [...]
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There are many things I wish our schools taught, in the way of basic life skills. When I graduated from high school, I was well-prepared for more schooling (college), but ill-prepared for life as an adult. If it were up to me, I’d mandate a course on personal interaction — i.e., how to get along [...]
When I was pregnant with Dynamo, I wondered if I’d really have the courage to protect him. If push came to shove, would I be too frightened to think of anything except my own safety? Luckily, I’ve never had to find out. But I did get something of an answer one day when Dynamo was [...]
Presidental Fitness Challenge: One week later and so far, so good. I finished last week with six days of exercise for a total of 1924 points. One week down, five more to go. Rank Testing: In my Integrity post, I’d written that I planned to test for my next belt rank on 18 April. I [...]
I’m still thinking about BBM’s post on self-defense (Making It Work in the Dark). I’m not sure why this topic has grabbed hold of me and won’t let go, but I find myself ruminating over it at various parts of the day. My school actually addresses this issue, both in it’s student handbook and during [...]
Recently, I sparred for the first time in 15 years. I think I must’ve taken the teenage black belt they put me up against by surprise. I watched his eyes go really wide when I sprang at him straight out of the gate. He’s one of Dynamo’s friends, so even though he’s seen me in [...]
self-con.trol n: control over one’s own impulses, emotions, or actions. –Webster’s Dictionary Okay, I admit it. Self-control is one of the main reasons I enrolled Dynamo in taekwondo. He’s struggled with self-control … well, basically since he’s been born. He tends to lash out in anger over the smallest things. I’ve talked to several men [...]
