Thread: What else are you all into?

Art, drumming/composing, and engine building.

I played in a drumline for about 5 years. Here are some shots of the electronic drumset, though I still have an old acoustic:
DTX-IIs-1
DTX-IIs-2

Photo of the custom engine I built -- a fully forged, solid-roller, 383ci LT1 stroker motor (for use with an ATI D1sc Procharger):
LT1-1

My main hobby is the martial arts. I do Judo, Aikido & Jodo (short staff) a total of about 12 hours a week, occasionally a little more. I'm presently writing a book about Judo, which is self-induced torture. I'm learning a whole new respect for authors Lots of research, tons of editing and I'm really dreading the photography work in the near future. I admit I am looking forward to reading texts unrelated to the martial arts one of these days.

I also play guitar, backpack, hunt dove & quail, a little fishing, really enjoy cooking, participate as a moderator in 4 forums (2 I'm an admin), and a teensie bit of web management & DNS as needed, and write dojo newsletters.

I used to shoot IPSC competetively, but simply don't have the time anymore.

Getting fat (that one I'd like to get out of), juggling, soap making, Saxophone, guitar, piano, stage drama. I also like hiking, camping, and sailing.

I really want to get into martial arts and kick boxing, mostly for the fitness regime but partly because I've been an avid fan of kick boxing for years. Only trouble I have is finding a sensei who will not require that I bow to the room and flags. I have a strong religious standing against honoring inanimate objects. Showing respect to the sensei and my fellow students is a must but I can't bow to a flag or room without feeling like I'm committing a form of idolatry. Ohio doesn't protect against religious discrimination within private institutions and classifies such classes as private institutions so I'm hosed .

Originally Posted by FUD

Getting fat (that one I'd like to get out of), Only trouble I have is finding a sensei who will not require that I bow to the room and flags. I have a strong religious standing against honoring inanimate objects. Showing respect to the sensei and my fellow students is a must but I can't bow to a flag or room without feeling like I'm committing a form of idolatry. Ohio doesn't protect against religious discrimination within private institutions and classifies such classes as private institutions so I'm hosed .

If God doesn't understand a culture that uses a bow as a greeting and a form of respect (that is all you are doing)..... what am I saying he does understand. You are in no way paying worship to or even significantly humbling yourself to the school or flag, it is your intent that determines the meaning in the gesture not your outward action. In the martial arts this is a part of what you must give unto ceaser, your respect for the school's history and the country of origin a small tax for the lesons you will learn.

I once saw a DoJo in the rec room of a church, they included a picture of Christ on their "god wall" ever since I have done so mentally wherever I have trained.

Very true Tim. There are some Christian-based organizations within the martial arts community. I forget which industry trade magazine my sensei receives, but there is a karate organization that advertises in the back section.

Bowing in Asian societies is just like a handshake here in America.

Tim and I are both. Sorry. Don't want to hijack the thread.

Martial arts is cool, never really got into it though. I should, Randy Coulture's school, Team Quest, is about 10 mins from my house. Tons of good wrestlers/grapplers there.

Originally Posted by sensei_kyle

Very true Tim. There are some Christian-based organizations within the martial arts community. I forget which industry trade magazine my sensei receives, but there is a karate organization that advertises in the back section.

Bowing in Asian societies is just like a handshake here in America.

Tim and I are both. Sorry. Don't want to hijack the thread.

I am into shooting, weight lifting and martial arts. I used to work in the personal protection and bodyguard fields and compete in martial arts and powerlifting, but the years of heavy weights, broken bones, and destroyed joints has caught up with me. I currently have a much more low key and job, and have been through some surgery, now I am just trying to get back into the gym, re-learn how to shoot, and find a place with a heavy bag so I can workout the shoulder a bit. I was recently able to bench press a wopping 90lbs and do 8 pushups without much pain, so there is some light at the end of the tunnel. Once I can pass the lethal weapons act physical exam I plan to get my PI license and am debating doing some private protection works in some of the clubs in the area, but I may be to weak and to old at this point...we shall see.

Originally Posted by FUD

I really want to get into martial arts and kick boxing, mostly for the fitness regime but partly because I've been an avid fan of kick boxing for years. Only trouble I have is finding a sensei who will not require that I bow to the room and flags. I have a strong religious standing against honoring inanimate objects. Showing respect to the sensei and my fellow students is a must but I can't bow to a flag or room without feeling like I'm committing a form of idolatry. Ohio doesn't protect against religious discrimination within private institutions and classifies such classes as private institutions so I'm hosed .

I am active on the Sumo forum as well, and 2 years ago this was apoint of discussion, since Sumo is full of shinto ritual, and there is no way that you do do professional Sumo and not follow ritual to the letter.

The general concensus was thus:
If you are not into shinto (for example because you are christian), you follow the rituals out of respect for your sensei and the art itself. So if you bow or chuck salt, this has nothing to do with the soul of the dojo, but rather a way of doing things to honor tradition and your peers / sensei.
When you shave you follow a ritual as well, but that doesn't have to mean you think your razor has a soul. Rather, it is a way of doing things that becomes second nature after a while.

If you are a religious person I think you should talk about this with your minister. I am confident that he would have a similar opinion.

I love to take my guns out and shoot.

I play guitar and bass.

In the winter my son and I build model cars, I fully detail mine.

I'm also a HAM operator with an advanced class license.

Bowhunting. Got a new longbow last year that I'm learning to shoot after years of compound shooting. Longbow is a lot more satisfying.

Hope one day to fix up and old car - maybe a 55 Chevy. I really miss tinkering on cars. Can't tinker too much on the newer ones.

DISC GOLF!!!!

If you don't know what it is check out this link http://www.pdga.com If anyone that lives in the Washington DC, Northern Virgina, Maryland area, and would like to play sometime please send me a PM. I have plenty of discs to bring for other people to use, and there are several courses in the area.

The sport is now world wide. I have been playing for about 12 years now and I really enjoy it. I also enjoy home improvment projects, and playing EverQuest2 online.