Tashabear

I have one on my left shoulder and one on my right calf. They're both fairly easily concealed (I rarely wear shorts, skirts, or tank tops) and I doubt either will expand significantly. I tend not to like flash (tattoo specific designs). Many tattooers are talented artists in their own right and enjoy the challenge of designing something personal for their clients. Try finding artwork you like and then finding an artist whose style you connect with -- everyone has their strengths. They can work with you to draw up something you'll really be happy with.

Nope, not touchy. Merely pointing out imprecision of language, both in the fact that a simple "I don't think" would have taken his statement from incorrect fact to personal opinion, and that I am not a "bro", a "brah", or any other slang term that would imply that I am male. Unfortunately tone doesn't express well in text. I wasn't touchy or attacking in the first place; just pointing out that Krav hasn't cornered the market in gun techniques. I don't believe in punctuating with lol or emoticons, so the cheery tone was lost.

Then state it as opinion. You stated it as fact. Also, not a bro. Guess you didn't really look at the username.

The heck it doesn't. I've been doing gun techniques since I first started studying martial arts 15 years ago, and I only took Krav for about a month before the instructor's attitude disgusted me so thoroughly I walked out.

We are? I must have missed that class. Sincerely, Tasha Fixer

Meh. There's a difference between driving aggressively and driving dangerously, and between those two and road rage. I remember a colleague complaining about the drivers in Kuwait, and thinking "Really? That's a Tuesday in Boston..."

Every art is both offensive and defensive. Generally, they emphasize the defensive. After all, what school wants the reputation for turning out students who pick fights? I've seen black belts turned out of schools for that. Also, one thing you must get over in the martial arts is having people in your personal space, touching you. There is no way to do techniques, even ones that don't involve grabbing, without getting within arm's reach of each other, and if they're at all jujitsu or grappling-related, you'll be all over each other. It's unnerving at first, but you quickly get used to it. I think you'll have fun with it, Gemeaux.

I tried it once. I liked the techniques, HATED the instructor. Had more ego than teaching skill, which is unfortunately all too prevalent in the martial arts. It really is a "destroy your opponent" sort of thing, and strenuous enough to count as a workout.

About 25 miles west of where I am now, in Central Massachusetts. Portland, Maine, would be nice, too -- there's an awesome, artsy vibe that I love. But I don't want to leave my dojo, so MA it is. I was born here, I grew up here, this is where all the people live that I love best.

Congrats! (What did you apply for?)

Something with a stampede string, if you insist on being in windy places. :-)

Have you ever read Curly Girl? Might help you figure out ways to deal with her curls at night. Loose braids, a satin pillowcase, or sleeping in a nightcap might help keep her curls from getting tangled overnight.

That's why Mom made me cut my hair... All that, and tender-headed to boot. As for elastics, try thicker ones, like these: http://www.scunci.com/products.php?pcID=151&products_id=552 I LOVE THEM. They hold without catching in my hair.

Oh, I wear my hair down all the time, but NEVER EVER did in uniform. Also, my four-year-old niece hates having her hair in her face, but also hates hair accessories, so she took matters into her own hands and cut her own bangs a few weeks ago. She actually did a decent job, till she started in on the sides. Luckily her hairdresser was able to even it out without shaving her head. Here's the funny thing about my hair, though: my sister and I inherited our father's wavy/curly hair. It's pretty coarse, too. Our mom's hair, OTOH, is stick-straight and really fine. She needs a perm for it to have anything resembling body. As a result, she has no idea how to care for curly hair, and just kept mine short all the way through school rather than figure it out. (Case in point: I'd come downstairs with my hair all curly, ready to go out, and she'd ask me if I was going to brush my hair before I left. REALLY unclear on the concept.) I didn't *grow* my hair till I was in military school in Vermont and not allowed to go off campus for a haircut. There was no way I was going to the on-campus barber; he drank and had a hard enough time with the guys. By the time I was a junior I'd learned how to French braid and Dutch braid behind my head and my hair was well below my shoulders. It hasn't been shorter than shoulder length since then, and I was in uniform almost the entire time. I find that Spin Pins are a great way to keep hair in a bun, BTW, if you aren't used to doing your own hair. I braid mine, twist it flat against my head, and insert the Spin Pins or regular hair pins. I wish they'd had Spin Pins when I was in Basic; you would not BELIEVE how many girls showed up with waist-length hair, one bobby pin, and a stretched-out elastic. I had a whole box full of hair hardware, and routinely braided other people's hair for them.

I have to choose between Browncoat, LOLCat, and Pennsic t-shirts tonight when I go to the gym.