new poster, new student

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[GabrielMar]

My name is Gabriel and I started Aikido 5 months ago (October). I am having an "on again/off again" relationship with my training. Regardless, I still keep going to the dojo.

I am now an office dude at a major law-firm. I just started that too. I was in the Navy from 1989-1993, became a welder in '95, got layed-off a lot in 2001, started going back to school when I turned 30 and got a job as a bouncer at a large night club while going to school. I studied business and art.

While in the Navy, I was stationed in Sasebo, Japan. I had a girlfriend there that took me to "The Ninja Museam", sorry I forgot the actual name of it.

My past experience with martial arts includes: 3 years Tae Kwon Doe; 6 years collegiate, Greco/Roman, and free-style wrestling (including some championships), and 8 years of heavy armored fighting in the SCA (if you know what it is, I count it as a martial art).I'm not involved in the SCA anymore.

I decided to start Aikido while I was a bouncer. I discovered I have quite the ability in a street fight and quite a temper. That was a recipe for disaster. I also need to lose some weight, 50 lbs would be cool. Aikido, in my research, seems to help control tempers and such. So far it's kinda' working, just smile like the Budddha.

Speaking of Buddha, my mother was Thai and she passed away in 1999. I returned her ashes to Thailand and being the only son, I had to go into a Buddhist monestary for a spell. It ended up being 10 days and was quite an experience.

Well, that's my story. Thanks for reading and I appreciate your time.

-G

[akiy]

Hi Gabriel,

Thanks for your introduction and welcome to the AikiWeb Forums!

-- Jun

[Bronson]

Hey! Another ex-SCAdian. You, me and Lan (who's still active) can bounce stuff off each other :D

Quite the life you've led there.

Anyway, welcome to the forums.

Bronson

[Jamie Stokes]

Hello Gabriel,

welcome to Aikiweb.

Interesting resume, of the thumbnail sketch type.

What is SCA? With heavy armour?

As for the temper control, I choose Akkido for one of those reasons.

As for the on/off training relationship, sounds like my first expereince with Aikido.

Warmest regards,

Jamie

[GabrielMar]

Sorry to be so late in replying to some questions, I sprained my ankle a few days ago and have been layed up for awhile.

Jamie Stokes asked:

What is SCA? With heavy armour?

SCA = Society for Creative Anachronism(s). It is a medieval re-creation (recreation) society that uses the time periods between 600AD-1600AD. Most of the cultures represented are european in nature but many other cultures are present. Fighting is one aspect to participate in.

The fighting is the non-choreographed kind. SCA has many options to choose from including heavy (armor of various styles and weapons made of rattan and pretty much full contact), light (lighter armor and missile weapons) and fencing (with cool looking clothes and various opponents). Some areas also have medium fighter too.

I was a viking type that fought heavy. Mostly sword and shield, but really proficient with a greataxe.

Bronson wrote:

Hey! Another ex-SCAdian. You, me and Lan (who's still active) can bounce stuff off each other

Ya' mean like tennis balls? ;)

I used to fight in "Bear-Pits", unsanctioned fights that my knight would put up. "The rules of the list are put aside" he would say before every tournament. I would throw down my sword and board and wrestle with opponents. It was effective. What was funnier is that no one ever got hurt in these tornaments but you'd go to a crown event and half the fighters would get injured.

I just noticed that my info is lacking next to my name. I'm in Portland, OR and my dojo is NW Aikikai. I'm off the mat for 4 weeks now due to my ankle (not Aikido related) and am frustrated. I'll be all good though.

-Gabriel (Rollo for you scadians)

[Brehan Crawford]

Whoa hey another Portlander. Hi there!

I train across the river from you. :)