The "New" TKD

    I just tried watching the WTF TKD world championships but couldn't finish it. When they can call the participants "players" and no one disputes it, it says all you can about the direction being taken as a MA. While I understand the WTF is merely an organization and does not represent the whole of the art: more and more it seems to be acting as a watermark. Contrasted against ikken hisatsu, and simply as personal opinion, I can't seem to get behind point fighting that sacrifices defense, form and power, just to tap an opponent. I'm all for diversification, but it's sad to me to see traditional arts with applicable self-defense techniques, pushed aside for the sake of a gym class exercise. Forgoing usefulness in self-defense or even combat sports, points fighting, in my opinion, takes both the form and function, out of martial arts. When you have neither aspect, what do you have, besides a game?

Adventures in Life Abroad. A Friendly Rant.

   So my first roommate in the new apartment was from France. Never having met anyone from France who wasn't a giant hairy asshole(French Canadians don't count!), I was unsure of what to expect. It was only for a few days so either way I was sure I'd be able to deal. Aside from the time I asked him "What about cleaning?" to which he replied "I dunno"(3 months and you never cleaned?), he was quite a nice guy. Though, I will give it to him that he was not born in France but immigrated there from India. All-in-all, however, I will have to say that it was a pleasant few days. He worked long hours so I didn't get to know him well, but I can say it was a positive experience. After this I received an email that the next roomie was to be a man from Italy. While I am normally the type who likes his space, I will admit to hoping I could learn a few things from him. I have friends who live in Italy and rave about it. I love the food, family focus, and beautiful language. What's not to like, right? Well the day he arrived, my breath was taken away. Literally. This was the most foul-smelling human being I have ever encountered. For the next month, I avoided this man like he were a leper. I stayed in my room as often as possible, and when I needed to leave I would do so with a purpose. I casually suggested bathing to him on multiple occasions, but since I'm the non-confrontational type, I never flat out told him I could not share the same air with him. I wasn't home the day he left to return to Tokyo. I expected nothing to be gone, as he seemed like a nice guy, and I was correct. However, something was added. In response to the note I left him(wishing him a nice trip, safe travels, and saying it was nice to meet him), he left me with a larger one. This note was not, however, a friendly one. Inside it he informed me that he did not rent a shared space apartment for the cost, but for the companionship. So summarily, he was pissed and felt like I wasted his time and money. He also seemed to feel I have been wasting my own time by not leaving day after day to casually explore a town I somewhat know. Completely ignoring the time I mentioned to him that my reason for being here was primarily MA-related. I have more important focuses regarding my time and spending at the moment. Though, maybe it was karma, for once informing a friend that I had wished he would find a ditch to finish decomposing in, as he certainly smelled the part of a rotting corpse. Though I wish I could have returned in time to suggest that if he were looking for companionship to bathe and then go to a bar, or maybe the pound, and adopt a puppy. As I am of no obligation to be friends with a shedding, unclean, middle-aged man.

   Now the next and final roommate is here. He's about my age, from India, and apparently speaks decent Japanese. He works as a software engineer. Our backgrounds, religions and a few other things seem to be somewhat different, but I think it will be a good experience. He seems to be a good guy and has a good head on his shoulders and I even got him to play a little 360. Hopefully things will be much better this time around.