I can certainly sympathize. When I came back from living in Europe, I moved in with my parents for a while, until I could go back to college. They played a great many control games, and even attempted to give me a curfew! (9pm!). Needless to say, we had many fights. It was probably a bit easier for me, though, as my moving back in was their idea, and had a definite end point (my return to college six weeks later).

I hope things smooth out for you soon.

Congrats on the new car, too!!

Ummmm, one thing I wanted to comment on...

(the Gurkhas are from Burma, sort of like mercenaries that the British military has used over the years, and their knives are fabulous).

OK, now, I know it's probably not a good idea to correct a Buddha, especially when said Buddha now lives on the same landmass that I do, AND is a black belt and happily acquiring weaponry... So I shall take a slightly different tack...

LB, you have, um, perhaps slightly misspelled the homeland of the Gurkhas. It's spelled N-E-P-A-L, not

Burma (or as Burma is known today, Myanmar).

They are a very interesting people, and Gurkhas have been in the British regular army (not mercenaries) as both soldiers and officers since about 1820. They do indeed make very fine knives.

I would hire you in a second... but as a fan, I'm biased.

Best of luck LB. I hope all goes well.

JS

LB, you have, um, perhaps slightly misspelled the homeland of the Gurkhas. It's spelled N-E-P-A-L, not

Burma (or as Burma is known today, Myanmar).

 

They are a very interesting people, and Gurkhas have been in the British regular army (not mercenaries) as both soldiers and officers since about 1820. They do indeed make very fine knives.

I stand corrected! ::

But the knives are still really cool ... I have a 6" and a 24" ... not replicas, either, but the real thing. Quite expensive, too.

LB, sounds like you may need some mediation time. Sorry about the parent issue, man that sucks. I can only stay with my mom 5 days at the most, then I start wigging out. They don't seem to ever want us to grow and then don't want to let go either. Makes for real mind %$#@.

I think getting back into your Karate will be a very good thing. I am just shy of my blackbelt in Taekwondo and I know working out helps me with my stress and calms me as well. Something about mind over matter!! LOL I never got into the knives so much, but I did learn how to fight with a staff which is my weapon of choice. I actually keep a small one near my bed at night incase anyone decides they want to visit uninvited!

Little tid bit I am proud of, in 1988, Taekwondo became an official sport of the Olympics, but the first time any sport becomes official the first competition is exhibition only. In 1987, my Grand Master, D.W. Kang assigned me to train to be on the Team that was going to go to Korea to compete. I came so close, but I spun around on my right knee and blew out my ligaments and other things in my knee. But, I only tell you this not to brag but to let you know that I understand how much martial arts can help a person mentally as well as physically!!

Anyway, keep your chin up so the S**t can't hit you in the face. Old saying of mine. One day at a time. You have a lot of people out here supporting you and your efforts.

Sincerely,

Boxerdude :2hands:

LB, you have, um, perhaps slightly misspelled the homeland of the Gurkhas. It's spelled N-E-P-A-L, not

Burma (or as Burma is known today, Myanmar).

 

They are a very interesting people, and Gurkhas have been in the British regular army (not mercenaries) as both soldiers and officers since about 1820. They do indeed make very fine knives.

 

I stand corrected! ::

 

But the knives are still really cool ... I have a 6" and a 24" ... not replicas, either, but the real thing. Quite expensive, too.

Those do sound cool! The Gurkha knives (Kurkis) are very famous, and rightfully so.

BTW, you want to talk about arguing with the parents? I was in Nepal with mine, and wanted to buy an absolutely beautiful handmade 18" Kurki, complete with Karda, for $30!!!!! (today it would be far, far more, especially to get here!) Mom had a fit: she was sure I'd get arrested if I tried to bring it through customs! (she was wrong). I was 19 at the time, but they had paid for the trip, so I gave in and didn't buy it. A decision I'll always regret.

Since then, I've even bought double-sprung stilettos (the blade both extends and retracts at the push of a button) overseas, and customs didn't take them off of me (I sorta forgot to declare them.. ) One that I picked up in Thailand is disguised as a fountain pen, and has a 6' blade.

My favorite gadgets were some I saw (but did not buy) in the bazaars of Northern Pakistan: concealed firearms of every conceivable design! Pens, lighters, etc, etc, etc. VERY clever. Even a knife with a single-shot derringer built into the haft! Of course, I wasn't about to try and get those through customs, so I didn't buy any, but they were great to see.

LB, you have, um, perhaps slightly misspelled the homeland of the Gurkhas. It's spelled N-E-P-A-L, not

Burma (or as Burma is known today, Myanmar).

 

They are a very interesting people, and Gurkhas have been in the British regular army (not mercenaries) as both soldiers and officers since about 1820. They do indeed make very fine knives.

 

I stand corrected! ::

 

But the knives are still really cool ... I have a 6" and a 24" ... not replicas, either, but the real thing. Quite expensive, too.

 

Those do sound cool! The Gurkha knives (Kurkis) are very famous, and rightfully so.

BTW, you want to talk about arguing with the parents? I was in Nepal with mine, and wanted to buy an absolutely beautiful handmade 18" Kurki, complete with Karda, for $30!!!!! (today it would be far, far more, especially to get here!) Mom had a fit: she was sure I'd get arrested if I tried to bring it through customs! (she was wrong). I was 19 at the time, but they had paid for the trip, so I gave in and didn't buy it. A decision I'll always regret.

 

Since then, I've even bought double-sprung stilettos (the blade both extends and retracts at the push of a button) overseas, and customs didn't take them off of me (I sorta forgot to declare them.. ) One that I picked up in Thailand is disguised as a fountain pen, and has a 6' blade.

 

My favorite gadgets were some I saw (but did not buy) in the bazaars of Northern Pakistan: concealed firearms of every conceivable design! Pens, lighters, etc, etc, etc. VERY clever. Even a knife with a single-shot derringer built into the haft! Of course, I wasn't about to try and get those through customs, so I didn't buy any, but they were great to see.

Wow, CJ, you seem to know a lot about this stuff. What gives? The travel sounds cool too!! I wish I could or could have traveled as you guys have. I think I would just love it. Anyway, just curious about where the knowledge came from. Intriging minds want to know.

LB, how did you get interested in all the Martial Arts Stuff? I did it because my little brother started taking it and I was afraid he would kick my ass some day. LOL

Boxerdude

LB, how did you get interested in all the Martial Arts Stuff? I did it because my little brother started taking it and I was afraid he would kick my ass some day. LOL

For me, the martial arts is just another form of meditation ... "Zen in motion," so to speak. It's also a good form of exercise and a great way to vent. Some people scream or have fits when they get pissy ... I hit inanimate objects. :2hands:

Wow, CJ, you seem to know a lot about this stuff. What gives? The travel sounds cool too!! I wish I could or could have traveled as you guys have. I think I would just love it. Anyway, just curious about where the knowledge came from. Intriging minds want to know.

I've long had a serious interest in geopolitics, and history is part of that. I'm not really knowledgeable at all about knives, nor about martial arts. My knowledge of the Ghurkas (and thus their knives) is from reading about the 18th century wars in the area. The Ghurkas and the British (actually, the East India Tea Company) fought a war, and though the Ghurkas lost, they so impressed the British that Nepal (the ruling family is Gurkha) became the UK's oldest ally in the region, and to this day the British Army has Ghurkas as both soldiers and officers. I often read the english-language version (online) of local papers worldwide, as that IMHO is the best way to acquire a good "ground truth" feel for the area, and see things from their perspective.

I'm not really up on the 18th century weaponry, though. I am much more familiar with modern weaponry, mainly US and Russian, with a prime focus on aerospace weapons systems (such as aircraft, tactical and strategic missiles, and their associated countermeasures). I have an interest in physics which comes in handy for this.

As for travel: I describe myself as a travel addict.

So far, I've traveled extensively on every continent except Antarctica. I enjoy "off the beaten path" destinations the most, such as Ushuaia, Argentina (on the southern shore of Terra Del Fuego) and I especially liked the Falkland Islands.

In the far east, I think I enjoyed Macao the most (back when it was Portuguese), Though I also greatly enjoyed Korea, Hong Kong, and the Indian Ocean coast of Thailand. I've been to China but I wouldn't rank it among my favorite places. I've only changed planes in Taiwan, but it is somewhere I'd like to see.

In Europe I've traveled a great deal (including living there for a while), and have seen some of Eastern Europe too. Tallin, Estonia is among my favorites, though St. Petersburg Russia was another. In Western Europe there are too many to pick from, but a highlight has to be Gibraltar. When I present my passport at customs, I often get some very interesting questions regarding some of the stamps in it.

LB, sorry for blathering about myself on your blog... I hope all is going well with your new car, and your situation with your folks.

LB, did you finally get your computer up and running? The last blog you mentioned something about the chinese software? Just curious, if my PC goes down it drives me nuts till I get it back up and running.

How's the new car? Spending more time running around to stay out of the "rents" way? I would be. Anything to get me out of the house.

Any nibbles on a job?

Just curious.

Boxerdude.

Well, it sounds good about the PC and the Car is nice to have when needed. The suite thing, it is frustrating how expensive they can be! Then there is the shirt, the tie, the belt, the sock, and oh the shoes. What a pain.

What are gas prices where you live? In Dallas, regular unleaded is running about 2.85 a gallon. I have 2004 Ford Explorer 4x4 (all wheel drive). I get about 13.5 mpg it this horribly hot place. Have to run the a/c all the time. Run's me about $50 a week for fuel. I do drive a lot though.

Well, hope things on the home front are calming down. Can't wait for Kitty to finish her editting so you can post it.

By the way, you and CJ both recongized Journeymen. I am not familiar with him or his work. Does he have a story on Nifty or somewhere that I should read? Sounds like everyone enjoys his writting.

Boxerdude

By the way, you and CJ both recongized Journeymen. I am not familiar with him or his work. Does he have a story on Nifty or somewhere that I should read? Sounds like everyone enjoys his writting.

Journeyman's story is here:

http://www.iomfats.org/storyshelf/hosted/thejourneyman/

I recall that when I'd come home for breaks during grad school, my parents and I would drive each other nuts. The two happiest moments of each visit was when I arrived and when we said goodbye. They're great people, and we've never disagreed about much.

I hope they don't ever have to move in with me, but I think we'll handle things better in that case than we did when I was 23. It looks sort of like now that if they can't take of each other, they will be past my taking them in either, but we'll see.