I'm with Pete. I had Badminton on my NES back in the 80's and it wasn't even tough.

Dogmatix wrote:


We do iaido at my dojo (which is primarily aikido), but I'd also like to try more kendo. It's pretty expensive to start, though.

SuperflyTNT wrote:


I "lettered" in forensics [the art of competitive public speaking; and I was pretty good for coming from a school that didn't have a debate team], and *band* for fuck's sake. Badminton is at least a sport. At "adult" levels, not that backyard shit you play, one of the fastest around. (And, isn't "Pete's talking out of his ass again" one of those opinion things to which we're all entitled? ;-P)

Jackwraith wrote:


Yea, the bogu [armor] cost can be breathtaking, but, it's really a 1-time-ish purchase. If you're not going completely custom hand-stitched Japanese gear, you can get in under $300. That should last you up until you're closing in on the dan ranks, at which point, a splurge purchase of your "forever" kit (easily $750-$1,500) might be in order.

I put in a year before I moved too far away from my dojo to make it practical out to the western 'burbs [beginner Kendo was Friday evenings, which would have put me driving 20 miles through the evening rush-hour...or 90+ minutes at least at the end of a work week). I got *just* enough time to get the basics but not enough to earn my bogu, which sucks for me as I'd have to start over.

I was excited as hell to find one closer to home but I discovered the hard way that it's completely dominated by hyper-competitive American military types. I'm sorry to our F:AT vets, but these mutherfuckers could suck the fun out of a combo beer-tasting/titty-judging contest at a summer beach party. They're in it because it's a martial sport where you get to shout and hit people with sticks, mostly first experienced when stationed at Okinawa. Me, I took it up because I was interested in the sport a little but mostly fell in love with the precision, philosophy and physical activity of kendo. I stopped giving a shit about trophies and "winning" 20 years ago, but I can't get into the groove of learning anything and improving when I've got some Marine O-4 screaming at me that I'm "a weak fucking link" and "not worth training against". If he was an actual 6-dan and an instructor, OK, I'll take that abuse because it's his job to teach me and my job to take it. But a shodan? Fuck you. You're way better than me but still *absolutely nothing* more than something distasteful stuck to the bottom of Sensei's shoe. The fact that you wear an eagle, globe & anchor in your day job doesn't mean shit in the dojo, so get over yourself.

My previous dojo also taught naginata, which is probably only offered at a half-dozen spots across the entire US. I *really* would like to get back there, but Friday nights and Sunday early AM for kendo and naginata are just about the top two most horrible times in my world these days and I am just not that highly motivated at this point....

Band at least produces something. One of my best buds from back in the day is a music producer and Toastmasters president. Both of those skills (music and public speaking) are useful.

I just have a problem watching an Olympic sport that has equipment bought at Wal-Mart with picutres of children on the box, dig? LMAO

Not Sure wrote:


I LOVE the biathalon. I too had no idea this sport existed; MORE COVERAGE CTV!

good to know. both Ken and I are interested in knowing who else here is into biathalon

SuperflyTNT wrote:


So I guess it's just a perception thing then. You don't like the equipment, fine, what about the performances, which is really what matters? Badminton'll give you a real workout in no time and these people are in tip top shape. Athletes, I think they're called.

Dogmatix wrote:


That sounds badass and something I would love to do, as well. I sympathize with your jarhead situation. We've had a few military guys at our place, but most of them have been really even-tempered (I think aikido tends to bring that out in you) and good guys. One of them was a full bird who was responsible for all Southern hemisphere security at US embassies for a while. We did get one who thought his testosterone was nectar to the rest of the world. It took all of a couple sessions of our instructor almost literally mopping the floor with him until that stopped. He didn't stick around long.

To the husband or boyfriend or pimp or whatever, of 400m winner Sandra Richards Ross etc, please, you are (I presume) an adult. When you wear a baseball cap at a jaunty angle it does not make you look cool, tough or interesting. it makes you look like a fucking retard. The end.

Was he on your lawn, Pete? You should tell him to get off of your lawn.