This might bring some trouble...
Well well...
what did i see on tonight's Extra (channel 9's slander/how to save money on your phone bill/abuse the random crim. show) but a preview for tomorrow's take on their cynical view of the world....and what did i see?
"The Death of Chivalry"
Well good people, first some background to the story.
The Middle Ages brought light to chivary itself. the ages themselves were considered to have been brought around about the time of the fall of the Roman empire. T'was an age of knights in shining armour and lots of conquest (supposedly to free the holy lands of Palestine from Muslim domination - sort of like the Bush war on Iraq only the bastard wants oil, he doesnt give a flying fuck about the dirty sand-dwellers).
More importantly, this period in time brought about the knight. This noble man, the knight, was a defender of the freedom who realized the perfect fusion of the religious and the military spirit -chivalry. All knights were 'sposed to take the knightly vow and this (for the purpose of the blog) gave the knights a code of manners, ideals, and aims. Key tenets were those like loyalty, fair play on the battlefield, honour and courtesy (like givin' the weak a fair go). It was a set of limitations which the strong and mighty placed upon themselves to set a good example to the weak an' feeble...ie the poor shits who put food on the knights table every night. More to the point, chivalry was celebrated in literature of the time and talked up quite a bit, which led it to survive the middle ages and be expected upon all modern men.
Supposedly, chivalry nowdays is more related to how we dress - that it's respectable; conversation - expected to be cultured and free from slang or swearing; respect for women; hospitality to guests and the like; and general courtesty - doing things like opening doors for chicks, cleaning the mess you make, etc
The women's rights movement has brought about a sort of equality among the sexes....unwittingly challenging the need for chivalry, as it places women as "poor and defenceless people" that need to be helped to do things.. It makes women different and unequal to put them on a pedestal - it reinforces traditional power relationships. It plays up the rightist/whore extremes of stereotypes where it is ok to treat a whore like dirt. It ultimately puts women into a box that constricts and confines their potential. Through all this women have been continually seen as the victims of the two sexes, and some women have seen this immunity to be an opportunity to misuse the status, challenging men and declaring them 'discriminating' should they try to put the uppity women in their places.
These days, with the occurence of terrorisim, liability corporate scandals and mistrust in general...it seems an unlikely time when chivalry is pretty much dead and gone, even though it is badly needed. Who have we to blame but the women's rights movements?
Now brought to the current day, where women have by all reasonable views, created a double standard. That they asked for equal rights, but still expect to be treated like a princess and payed for everywhere they go, have doors opened, it goes on. Now i know mosy blokes can be lazy sometimes (or most times) but how's this for equal rights ladies? you open your own door, or better yet, open ours! maybe YOU could pay for us guys on a date sometime? challenging the idea of women's rights? no, just supporting it. hate to say i told you so....
Dont get me wrong, i have a tremendous respect for women in general - look at how i treat Jess, but someone had to raise these questions.
Til next time.
Scars.
I think you cant be a real man, or consider yourself one until youve been through a lot of hardship.
call me whatever you want....but i think unless youve been through hardship that may or may not have changed how you thought, and tested you as a person....you are soft. weak. whatever.
you look at a grizzled council worker....an army veteran...a politician (to a certain extent, but not so much as the others....) or any like professions, and i guarantee you'll find that person to have much more .....
character than someone like a white collar worker....a suit (executives, ceo's, management, whatever fits there) or a trust fund baby....and you'll see the difference.
short and succict for the reason i want peoples thoughts on the subject, i dont want to form their opinions....i want to make you
think. comments appreciated.
Scarily accurate, and distantly relevant
try reading this and not questioning something -
http://actualthought.blogspot.com/and is currency a sham? read here -
http://www.fame.org/HTM/Vieira_Edwin_What_is_a_Dollar_EV-002.HTM
Philosophy
I came upon a document a while ago, which ive also seen as a book numerous times - Hagakare or Way of the Samurai. it's very interesting...and gives some points to think about
'According to their nature, there are both people who have quick intelligence, and those who must withdraw and take time to think things over. Looking into this thoroughly, if one thinks selflessly ..surprising wisdom will occur regardless of the high or low points of one's nature.'
'People think that they can clear up profound matters if they consider them deeply, but they exercise perverse thoughts and come to no good because they do their reflecting with only self-interest at the centre.'
'Even if it seems certain that you will lose, retaliate. Neither wisdom nor technique has a place in this. A real man does not think of victory or defeat. '
'There are many people who, by being attached to a martial art ..believe that they have arrived at the full stature of a warrior. '
'According to the situation, there are times when you must rely on a person for something or other. If this is done repeatedly, it becomes a matter of importuning that person and can be rather rude. If there is something that must be done, it is better not to rely on others. '
'if there is something that you do not agree with, to speak your mind, to show your opponent his error, and to grapple with the situation.'
'Being superior to others is nothing other than having people talk about your affairs and listening to their opinions. The general run of people settle for their own opinions and thus never excel ..In seeking correction from others, you excel them.'
'In carefully scrutinizing the affairs of the past, we find that there are many different opinions about them, and that there are some things that are quite unclear. It is better to regard such things as unknowable.'
'Living without mistakes is truly impossible.'
these are just a few gems i found. worth thinking about certainly.
P.S. thanks for taking us on the cruise matty. much appreciated.
I recieved the deluxe edition of QOTSA's 'Lullabies to Paralyse' from who else, but the Jess.
I love these little gift giving occasions when it involves someone you're close to...you always know youre going to love what you get from them..and well, its great to celebrate silly (and only in the sense of purpose, not so much the occasion - 6 months is an achievement) little occasions like this :)
I'd like to be the first to treat you with some photos of the aforementioned cd's liner notes...or whatever they are.
The album itself is well....awesome. On the first listen, i noticed a certain lack of 'get your cock out and rock out' songs, so to speak. on hindsight though, this might be a good thing too. given the Queens' have managed to make a new sound for themselves..it's a good. It's got a certain vibe to it too- like youd get if you held a concert for a hundred people in amongst a big bloody forest of fir trees. There's still the trademark vocals of Homme that range from abrasive to heavenly..and the crunching riffs that make em what they are..but it's more moody now. Oh, and the sound effects have got better too, listen to 'Someone's in the Wolf' and you'll know. First thing's first though, the album kicks ass, and thats all that matter to me.
pic6
pic 5
pic4
pic3
pic2
those pics
Some intillegent thinking.
hey people. not too much interesting going on 'sides the end of the school term today and jess's b'day tomorrow :)
i am thinking of getting this jacket here, sometime in the distant future....i'd get a motoGP or WSBK one, but i cant seem to find anywhere online to buy them... :(
that jacket - 199GBP or $488 AUS
Rough times.
granted i dont ever want this to extend into a blog that is petty and such, wingeing on about 'i hate this' and 'i hurt my leg' blah blah. basically, keep it intelligent and such...with a minimum of crapping on about me. that said...i'll proceed.
you all know me, or should by now. if i had to describe myself in a nutshell..i probably see myself as the biggest asshole i know. i am mean, cruel and harsh. i tend to make a lot of bad jokes, and only really get to show a bit of intillegence if im given time to think about things. im not a man that thinks well on the spot (bar physical conflict, where through MA ive developed skills to think on my feet where that's concerned). On the other side of the coin though, i would probably be one of the most serious and honest people around. i rate this as one of my biggest strengths. i am, when people find it in themselves, very trustworthy. I might threaten to leak things, this only being leverage to get you to do what i want. I never will though.
Physically, im probably not huge or imposing, but as mates know, im not small by any means. Now a few months after i quit the TKD org. i was with (i may someday return to the style, i find it really dynamic - particularly the use of one's kicking leg), i am losing a bit of muscle mass. I look forward to the day i resume physical training in MA. I wouldnt rate myself as terrific looking, probably only above average. i think id have the face that'd blend in well in a crowd - symettrical; not many distinguishing features; scarring, though this is almost invisible now..nothing too bad, nor brilliant.
Psychologically, im a whole different cup of tea. Some people have remarked how i seem to have a few paradoxes - that i listen to the type of music that i do (punk, metal, hardcore, hard rock, and rock itself) and keep my appearance fairly neat and tidy. That i have a very disorganised life but keep my room almost immaculate, it goes on.
I suspect i may be suffering from depression - i dont know the symptoms though, and i dont trust psychologists (even though i have an intrest in that field myself - another paradox)...i tend to internalise all my pain. This leads to me appearing outwardly ok, and inwardly broken/tumultuous. I try not to let it get to me though...i like to laugh at stupid things(such as jess's feral noises). I dont believe in using needle drugs as a rule, but am quite happy to smoke marijuana and cigarettes, if offered them.
Latlely, ive had a bit of a hard time though.
To start with - four months ago my parents split up.
I learn my father was cheating on my mum months before he told us. He claims mum had communication problems. this was a fair claim to make, but considering him, nothing but the pot calling the kettle black. in my living memory i can only remember my dad saying he loved me about 3 times. i dont believe he made a sincere enough effort to save the marriage. i never will.
Then i fail most of the end of year 11 exams - due to the above.
I start this year looking for a better go, a fair chance. This doesnt seem to have been that great - my grandad on mum's side passing away 3 days ago. Im glad he's accomplished what he wanted in life - and he died with two sons at his side. He did all his travel prior to his decline, and had a lot of fun. Sold the house to my uncle who he'd shared the house with for 30-odd years, making things a lot easier. paid for his funeral and everything. A truly great man. I will miss him. Last i remember was helping grandad pull out the ferns in my backyard when he flew up from Melbourne. Dry, but fantastic sense of humor. great man.
So yeah, life hasnt been to fair of late. Ive had Jess to help me through it all, and she's the best girlfriend i couldve ever hoped for. I'm truly happy there.
I'm not complaining. I dont intend to - life goes on, and ive got plenty to look forward to.
Have a great day/night all
P.S. using things way in the past as an excuse for your behaviour these days is bullshit. stop doing it - you know who you are.
Ahhh dave dave dave
sorry people who read my blog, ive just been preoccupied with school for a while. shall add something worthwhile soon, but til then, heres some photos :)
me and jess! and a heineken :P haha
me and the mates at my 17th, im the one cookin :P
Martial Arts
Hey.
I have a theory that there IS NO ULTIMATE ART. I came to this conclusion a little while ago. See i think there are many and varied fighting styles because there are different people in the world. Sounds abstract but read on.
Some styles may find it hard or even impossible to counter to a grapple, or ground based moves. I'm pretty sure youre not going to win/come out easily from an armed (non-ballistic missile eg gun/bow/nunchaku) adversary either. It is simply not worth going and fighting them for. They have range, and the ability to deal exponential amounts more force than the human body, even rigourously trained, can.
Now when talking about hand to hand (including kicking) youre bound to see there must be a theoretical level playing ground. There is.
I guess im trying to say it depends on the artist (for lack of a better term). Some arts may be better suited to certain people, and for that reason you will get a better result. To use an example - Mohammed Ali: he is considered the greatest (with some dispute) boxer that has ever lived. If he were to learn judo, he may not even be good. A low rank student may be easily able to best him, rendering his punches useless due to the close-in grappling style. This is only one, there are many others.
Ultimately, the user needs to find their own personal favourite art. I myself progressed up until 2nd kup in Taekwondo, and am much better for it. I know i cannot beat half the people that would challenge me in the street (should any be that stupid) but compared to someone who doesnt know any art at all, and may only know a few punches an elbow and a knee, i am infinitely better off. I say this because most people do NOT know how to kick. Sure, you can boot a soccer ball but that means jack shit in a fight. Just a waste of a good weapon. On the other hand, i can utilise my leg to kick to head hight (which is realistically all you need) and can kick decently. One only has to look at the size of your leg compared to your arm to see which is more powerful... so i am better off, but it doesnt mean i can beat everyone.
I think though, that everyone (women may not need it, as they fundamentally do not feel a need to resolve conflict using violence, not to say they cant learn it) should know some martial arts. To have the power to be able to protect yourself, or win a schoolyard fight easier is a powerful tool and it is stupid not to have that knowledge. As a physics teacher of mine says "your knowledge is like a toolbox. The more you know, the more you can overcome"
As always, comments are good. Cheers.
