I live in the UK so I'm not allowed anything other than double-barrelled shotguns and low-calibre rifles, and even then under incredibly strict restrictions, an extensive license and a ban on simply carrying them with you. Concealed firearms are out of the question, and using any kind of weapon such as brass knuckles is not allowed; I think you can own weapons such as nanchaku or replica/antique swords without a license so long as you keep them in private property and pass a background check before purchasing.

Basically, all I have going for me over here in Blighty is my hands.

That is unfortunate but understandable. Lots of areas have different laws regarding different weapons and it is always good to be on the right side of such restrictions. Laws between states in the USA are very different as well. There is no "one size fits all" rule of law here for the most part. Hopefully if you ever end up needing your combat training it will never be against someone who doesn't care about said laws.

It never hurts to have training for fighting, although you should hope you never have to use any of it, sometimes people leave you no choice.

Most of my martial arts practise is done for self perfection rather than self preservation (though I'm certainly capable of protecting myself and others), though I subscribe to the philosophy that the best way to defend yourself is to avoid situations wherein you need self-defence skills.

That´s why I have guns

That's why I have these guns! *Flexes*

I hate working out. It´s just boring as all hell and it can be all for nothing if you suddenly lay there with a knife in your guts

That said, I have been working out before.

And that's why my self defence hobby involves both improving my self-defence skills and making sure that when I take my shirt off, the view is magnificent.

But if you want to protect yourself from sharp object, you should really get as fat as you can get! That´s what the gladiators of old did; they weren´t as sixpacked as they are in the popular movies now, not by a long shot. Lots of fat protects the internal organs so much better than a layer of muscles which, no matter how hard, is alot thinner.

Function has always taken priority over good views for me!

And improving self-discipline.

Unfortunately, in your absence we learned that Blackie is a chiseled marble of a greek god of perfection; meaning you will have to work out 2-3 times as hard to match his magnificence. (despite any assumed paunch or clouds of vapor Blackie claims to have, we just see that as godly traits).

I've spent the past month doing 15-20 hours of exercise per week, every week. I'm probably OK...

That´s what I don´t like about working out; you can still get a knife in you. No working out in the world can ever fully protect you. Plus, you have to maintain the same level of practice or you´ll start losing all your hard work!

Stupid body.... snassin´ frassin´.....

Ah, but do clouds of vapourous aura follow you wafting pleasant odors?

By the way, what did you ever decide on the beard/moustache issue? Have you grown one out since we last saw your magnificence?

You see, this is where the self-defence part comes in; my working out means that if somebody comes at me with a knife, I can break their arm, break their leg and get the hell out of dodge. Or possibly just break their arm and then manipulate the limb so they can stab themself and, as I haven't touched the knife, do so in a manner that's completely legal. The irony of this idea amuses me greatly.

Besides, I enjoy the practice so maintaining it is a prospect I'm very willing to take part in.

Edit for mALX: I shower, so that sorts that issue. And I've decided to go without the goatee. I might try growing one while I'm away, but I don't think I can be bothered.

This post has been edited by Colonel Mustard: Jul 29 2013, 12:31 PM

I suspect it´s not that easy in real life. Many martial artists have ended up in a hospital because they thought they were big shots. A knife can quickly disable anyone, especially if you don´t suspect it.

Besides, if we take the knife out of the equation, you don´t need to break anyone´s arm or leg. It´s very sufficient if you put a finger or a stick in their eye or attack their throat with the space between your thumb and index finger. And for that, you don´t need to do push-ups for all eternity

Hitting the right pressure points is also a bloody fiddly approach and not guaranteed to work. And= elbow, a foot and fist doesn't need that level of precision and is also less likely to leave you open. And in any case, that's why my main approach is avoid such situations entirely in the first place. Best way to deal with a problem is to not have the problem in the first place.

And like I said, I enjoy the push-ups. Maybe I sound like a nutter, but I genuinely want to do them.

Wise words This has been my main approach in life.


You think I just think you sound like a nutter!?

But truth be told, I did enjoy my karate sessions too. Those mits were so much fun!

Just about every part of my body has some muscular definition; *except* my stomach. Darn genes.

The exception of that is for some odd reason I apparently look good in an excercise shirt according to one of my brothers skype chat buddies whom looked in on one of oir workout sessions.

That being said years of cycling and just plain walking long distances has made my legs quite muscular, probably my 'largest' muscle group overall.

No, you don't get pics. ;P

I dont trust the interwebsa and I like my privacy.

Besides its more mysteriois this way...I do have a mystique to maintian.

No, you don't get any shirtless selfies of me, either. If I did so I'd then be forced to lobotomise myself rather than live with the shame and self-contempt.

Well dang.

*deletes empty folder titled "Great Oaks of Chorrol. Caution: Hawt!"