Sometimes I will post things of interest to me that are not related to books or martial arts.
Take this latest news about Tesco, for example.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-24361465
On two occasions in the last three years, I've been stopped by security guards because they thought I had items on me that I hadn't paid for.
Both times, I had my receipts, and was furious to be stopped. I mean, with guards watching your every move, and CCTV all over the place, you would think they would have reasons to stop you, right?
I know they are doing their job, and I do go round fast when I food shop (it's not my favourite experience).
But that doesn't mean I'm a thief.
It seems I am not alone in having heavy handed behaviour from Tesco.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2029808/Tesco-branded-shoplifter--happen-YOU.html
Surely they need to look at the systems they have in place, and the people executing those systems.
I would have still been annoyed if thee security guards had apologised, but apparently "Sorry, we have to check these things out" or "It's our job, hope you understand, really sorry to have made you feel upset"
is not something some Tesco security guards are taught to say, instructed to say, or feel they should say.
Tesco, I'm part of a growing band of people who won't be sorry if you lose more customers.
Wednesday, 2 October 2013
Monday, 30 September 2013
Reading, Writing, Martial Arts - what else is there?
Well, of course, there's many things out there. I try and write about what I know, what I have learned over the years. So as much as I enjoy reading, writing and reviewing books I have read, I will share with you some views I have about martial arts too.
I **might** just drop in the odd movie review as well. I hope you'll have a view on it too!
I **might** just drop in the odd movie review as well. I hope you'll have a view on it too!
Currently Reading "The World According to Bob" by James Bown
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18043373-the-world-according-to-bob?ac=1
Having read and thoroughly enjoyed 'A StreetCat Named Bob', it's really no surprise that this book follows in the same vein. Bob is a totally cool cat, and truly, the book's strapline doesn't lie - the duo do have many more adventures and it is a fun, if scary read, sometimes.
Fun - because anyone who has a cat will know of their little 'ways' in the manner only an owner knows.
Scary - because some of the situations they find themselves in are indeed 'what the hell?' moments and you can't put the book down because you want to know what happens next.
Anyway, it's a top read so far. I understand there are seven boos in the series, so whilst some may feel it is more of the same, I honestly feel like it's a very fresh read. It leaves you with a nice feeling inside. How mant books can you say have done that for you?
The Mentality of a Martial Artist
As some of you may know, I teach martial arts on a full-time basis. What is most important then, as an instructor, and indeed, as a student, is the mentality.
If you are an unwell, ask yourself can you push yourself through your training, even if you have no idea what the lesson on that day may entail.
If you are injured, how did this happen? You know, most of my student's injuries have come via the gym, where abnormal weights were lifted. Or it might have been at the football ground.
When I was aged 19, as well as training in martial arts, I also played ice hockey for a 'B' or reserve team. I was never professional. I played for the enjoyment. We were a team that provided the warm up for the crowd whilst they waited for the main event to start.
They would cheer us on, all the same, because some of that team played in the senior A team, and others dropped back to the C team level.
That year, in 1992, I suffered my worst injury to date. I was in a collision at high speed with one of the opposing team. I smashed into the barrier at rink-side, thinking my leg was broken but actually, my knee had been all but shattered. This shattered my theory about the knee being the hardest bone in the body.
Seven operations later, my knee was functioning again. During that time, I had many highs and lows, but I never stopped training, even from the hospital bed. I would do all manner of punch drills, blocking techniques.
I never gave up. Especially when the doctors told me I would not play ice hockey again, or throw a punch in a martial arts tournament.
And you can't, when something inevitably gets in your way.
The mentality to win, to come through, to see a future where you'd like to be, is what should consume martial artists on a daily or yes - hourly basis!
On that note, I'm off to teach now.
If you are an unwell, ask yourself can you push yourself through your training, even if you have no idea what the lesson on that day may entail.
If you are injured, how did this happen? You know, most of my student's injuries have come via the gym, where abnormal weights were lifted. Or it might have been at the football ground.
When I was aged 19, as well as training in martial arts, I also played ice hockey for a 'B' or reserve team. I was never professional. I played for the enjoyment. We were a team that provided the warm up for the crowd whilst they waited for the main event to start.
They would cheer us on, all the same, because some of that team played in the senior A team, and others dropped back to the C team level.
That year, in 1992, I suffered my worst injury to date. I was in a collision at high speed with one of the opposing team. I smashed into the barrier at rink-side, thinking my leg was broken but actually, my knee had been all but shattered. This shattered my theory about the knee being the hardest bone in the body.
Seven operations later, my knee was functioning again. During that time, I had many highs and lows, but I never stopped training, even from the hospital bed. I would do all manner of punch drills, blocking techniques.
I never gave up. Especially when the doctors told me I would not play ice hockey again, or throw a punch in a martial arts tournament.
And you can't, when something inevitably gets in your way.
The mentality to win, to come through, to see a future where you'd like to be, is what should consume martial artists on a daily or yes - hourly basis!
On that note, I'm off to teach now.
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