Wednesday 19 September 2007

self improvement through violence.


Last night I was punched in the face. Very hard. So hard that my nose is swollen, probably broken and I have two black eyes. I asked for it. In fact I paid for it. And it was all for my own good.
As part of my continuing plan for self improvement, I decided to take up karate. To be exact, Kafdo Karate Aikido Jitsu. This is a bit different. Not for me the 'mincing about in white pyjamas pointing the toes at 56 degrees while pondering the ethical implications of catching a fly with chopsticks' type karate. This is proper 'break his arm then stick your fingers in his windpipe til he passes out' self defence style karate. The training is very hard, but it has to be. The whole point of it is that we can fight hard and fast when required. This means we're not going to have time to remove our shoes, slip on our jammies and centre our chakras or whatever else. So we don't. We literally walk in off the street and get kneed in the groin, choked to unconsciousness then give money to the man doing it. It may seem like more of a voluntary mugging than a lesson, but it works. I've only been at it for a month or so, and I already have the ability to restrain anyone with a wrist or elbow lock so unbelievably painful that they will move exactly how I want them, all with one hand behind my back. And his. Now this is actually quite useful in my particular line of work, not to mention certain social situations, but that's not why I'm doing it. I don't want to use this ability, this is why I took up running first. I just want to know that I could do it. So don't start, cos as soon as this swelling goes down and I can see you, I'll have you. Without hurting a fly.

4 comments:

Misssy M said...

And no one will ever call you a "Big Jessie" ever again. Not that they ever have. To my knowledge. Certainly not me, anyway. Well... just that once.

john said...

Hello Keith, i was googling the word kafdo the other day to check on how widespread we are on the internet and came across your blog. I laughed my ass off, and i was impressed with the style it was written. with your permission may i add it to the testimonial section of the kafdo website? Anyway Elliot has been given a sound thrashing for his excessive contact in sparring and i would like to mention now that your training is progressing excellently- keep up the good work!

Keith Lorelei said...

No problem, use anything as you see fit, and thanks for your kind words.
Shifts allowing I should be back in a couple of weeks, although I may not be able to spar, depending on what the ENT specialist says this week. Nose is definitely broken and may need reset. Not too much of a problem though. Can't make an omelette without breaking eggs...

Anonymous said...

Interesting to know.