RECCE ROOM

Many people will ask a jiu-jitsu instructor what the most common moves are in a fight. The full answer has many layers. - One possible avenue of answer might involve the most commonly used techniques between two people who both know and practice jiu-jitsu. - Another answer might be based around the most common moves used in MMA or similar. - A third possible answer might center around the most likely moves used by a jiu-jitsu practitioner if attacked. And while there will be some (natural) variation in the three collections, some techniques will be broadly applicable. Most Likely Moves for Self Defense Yep, name says it all. Here are the moves you need to learn for self defense, in order of importance: 1. Rear naked choke.  This is the most likely to be used, and the most simplistic and effective. 2. Straight arm lock from the guard. Once you learn how to use the guard to neutralize the attacks of a larger opponent who happens to be on top, you must realize that t...

On Friday, Dec. 19, my pastor, Greg Locke, played "Santa Claus" with the ministerial staff of the church with some local residents. The plan was to take fresh, crisp, $100 bills to 10 random people as a gift - as a blessing. All went well, until ... well, I'll let Pastor Locke describe it. (From his Facebook post): If you know me, then you know it takes quite a bit to raise my temperature. However, today myself and the manager of the Goodwill of Mount Juliet had a very intense conversation to say the least. I was calm but I was very firm. You would think that a place called Goodwill would actually allow some of it to be shared every now and again. It takes a lot to shock me, but today's act of stinginess did just that. Today our church had the great blessing of going all over town and randomly blessing different people with $100 bills as a Christmas bonus. Walmart, no problem. Kroger, no problem. Dunkin' Donuts, no problem. Goodwill, are you stinking kidding...

A college professor calls for repeal of the "stupid 2nd Amendment." Methinks it is the professor who is stupid. What other rights does he not want??? .

The Ruger Mini-14 (and, by extension, the Mini-30) is one of those guns that ought to be a stalwart in most collections. They ought to be bought and sold with great frequency. They ought to be more than a has-been in the gun world.  What's not to like?  The Mini-14 is chambered in a popular caliber (.223 / 5.56 mm). It is somewhat inaccurate for the cartridge, but most shooters wouldn't know. It is a magazine-fed semi-auto. It is lightweight and easy to use. With minimal effort, one can mount a scope of choice... or just stick with the perfectly fine iron sights that come standard. It is based off the same fundamental design as the M1 and M1A - two revered rifles.  So why is it so relatively unpopular? Here is a basic list of some of the reasons. Call it a perfect storm, if you will. Cheap AR15's - meanwhile, Mini-14 prices are soaring. (This due primarily to the fact that ARs are produced by many competing companies - but the Mini-14 is not) Bill Ruger...

Here is an article listing seven reasons why police brutality is widespread and systemic - not merely anecdotal ("a few bad apples"). .

This article gives three reasons a normal, rational human would not trust police: 1. Low IQ applicants, only. 2. Incentive to kill. 3. "Protect & Serve" is a myth. .

I mentioned earlier this week that several years back, I was much heavier (over 100 pounds heavier), and diabetic. Three years ago, I was almost 40 pounds heavier than I am today, and was on diabetic medication- 5 mg of glyburide and 2000 mg of metformin per day. Usually, about three to four hours after taking the glyburide, my BG levels would crash into the 60's. It was an unpleasant feeling to say the least. The metformin caused "intestinal distress" (read: extreme daily diarrhea). Note: Now that my fasting BG readings regularly hit the 60's without medications, it feels totally different! Today, it has been almost a year since my last metformin pill. Almost two since my last regular dose of glyburide. My BG levels are lower than they ever were when I was medicated. A paleo approach has done the trick again. Note: Funny... you NEVER hear about diet & exercise working when the diet includes grains - "healthy whole grains" or otherwise!  How to...

Merry Christmas! Put the "Christ" back in Christmas. Put the "Christ" back in Christian. .

In 2009 (when I started this blog), I was not in as good of health as I am today. Currently, I am over 100 pounds lighter, and far stronger than I was then. Here is a comparison: Dec. 2009 Dec. 2014 Height 6'2" (188 cm) unchanged* Weight 323 lbs (146.5 kg) 212 lbs (96 kg) Chest 52" 46" Waist 45" 36" Bicep 11" 15" Quad 33" 27" Max run: 300 yards 6 miles Push ups 21 100 Pull ups 0 20 Cholesterol: 205 123 Fasting BG**: 240 69 HbA1C 11.6 4.6 Paleo diet works. It works well. It lets you lose enough weight so that you can exercise and truly get yourself in shape.  Lose weight at the table.  Get fit at the gym (or outdoors). * - Did you really expect my height to change? ** - BG = Blood-Glucose level. Also known as "Blood-Sugar....

From time to time, I'll see diabetics on Facebook pages, blog comments, twitter, etc. refer to their blood - sugar numbers as "bs." This is a pet peeve of mine, albeit small. The correct abbreviation is "BG" - for blood-glucose. "BS" is an abbreviation for bull$h!t ... also known as "bovine-scatology." So, for clarity: BG indicates your blood-glucose or blood sugar numbers. BS indicates when your diabetic doctor or DIEtician says "healthy whole grains" are a necessary part of your diet and that they don't raise BG numbers. .

In the spirit of Paleo eating, there is a lot of debate on the merits of a high-fat diet with regards to blood cholesterol and body fat. Most of the arguments against Paleo point to the "medical science" reports of high-fat diets leading to obesity and high cholesterol levels. However, no one can point to a study that concludes that a high fat diet lead the person to being obese or having high cholesterol levels. Show me a study where you have control groups. Show me a study where one group of participants ate a high-fat diet and no grains. Show me a study where one group of participants ate a high grain diet and no fats. Keep the protein levels virtually the same, for the sake of science. Folks, this is the scientific method. It is not too hard. Show me a study that has done this that concludes that a high fat diet is bad, and I will rethink my whole position. Until then all you have is anecdotes, based on faux science. "Science" where no studies were ...

This meme speaks for itself: .

Do you remember that time you referred to Republicans as being anarchists? We real anarchists got a real kick out of that. Perhaps you should go into comedy... .

Some of the Sandy Hook victims' parents are going to sue Bushmaster. So, because a criminal stole a gun and used it illegally, the manufacturer is somehow to blame? How about this... whenever a police officer's gun is stolen and used illegally, we sue that officer and his precinct? .

People are starting to eat better, and this report demonstrates that. How long until grains start declining in popularity? .

I recently found myself on a flight to Dallas. There was fog in the area delaying arrivals, so the pilot was forced to land the plane in Shreveport LA to refuel. The hilarity begins when the flight attendant gets on the speaker: "Ladies and gentlemen, if there are passengers whose final destination is Shreveport,  you may disembark the plane upon our arrival. However, your checked bags will not be available when you get off the plane. Checked bags will have to go with us to Dallas and catch a later flight to Shreveport." Nitwittery. .

Rolling Stone magazine did a story on a woman who claimed to have been raped. Then they issued a note , basically recanting the story as the woman's claims were suspect. This, friends, is the real "rape culture" in America these days - men being persecuted and prosecuted for consensual relations, and sometimes in instances where no relations took place. Men are getting raped by our legal system every day because the system will take a woman's word, yet not accept a man's absolute proof. Men are getting raped by our legal system every day in the form of alimony and child support. And on... .

Carolyn McCarthy, a big proponent of gun control, though she often knows not why , is leaving Congress . Good riddance. .

Back in the summer, Eric Garner was killed by a NYPD cop who used a choke to do the deed. It was all caught on camera. I even did an article about it. Recently, a grand jury failed to indict the Jack-Booted Thug. Cops almost never get indicted. They often are only reviewed by their own and cleared of wrongdoing. .

From a reader: "Hey, Usagi, I've read some of your stuff on your brother's divorce. I'm in about the same boat. Got any dating / woman advice for guys like us?" I do have some advice. Probably  the best summary ever is here . But I'll break it down into a weekly segment for you and others. By Swingset ... Item 10: Lastly, I leave you with this. It's a difficult lesson to be a man. It's a painful, self-sacrificing labor and part of the human condition to be a man. You must accept that much of your life and your ties to women rely on your honor and your good nature. Sadly, most of us choose our mates based on nothing more than a tiny dab of sexual experience and a lot of ignorance about human nature. The women you meet, fall in love with, screw, and hurt, are all human beings with complex pasts, desires and dreams. Treat each woman, no matter who she is, as if she is your best friend's girl. Give her respect, even if you don't choos...

But police wouldn't lie to you. .

Oh the irony of an Internet Tough Guy claiming to be ready to "cash a check anytime" his mouth (or keyboard) wrote... and said individual (I won't call him a man) knows where the dojo is and the class times. Of course he would never show up. 400-pounders can hardly get out of a car, much less challenge anybody to anything. .

Keyboard Warrior 1. A Person who, being unable to express his anger through physical violence (owning to their physical weakness, lack of bravery and/or conviction in real life), instead manifests said emotions through the text-based medium of the internet, usually in the form of aggressive writing that the Keyboard Warrior would not (for reasons previously mentioned) be able to give form to in real life. Found these pictures the other day. Entertaining. Applicable to some folks I know and know of. This post may or may not have been set to post on a full moon on purpose. .

5 Reasons Why Calvinism Makes Me Want to Gouge My Eyes Out. I agree on all five points (pun intended). .

Was at a Sonic recently, and this struck me as odd... The sign says "Employees Only." However, there is still a chart to measure how tall the potential robber is. You mean criminals don't obey signs?!? .

From a reader: "Hey, Usagi, I've read some of your stuff on your brother's divorce. I'm in about the same boat. Got any dating / woman advice for guys like us?" I do have some advice. Probably  the best summary ever is here . But I'll break it down into a weekly segment for you and others. By Swingset ... Item 9: A woman's beauty is her worst enemy, and her only true servant. Be very afraid of a woman who has relied, or counted on her looks to survive or succeed - for when those looks or your attention to them wanes, she will self-destruct before your eyes. You will come home to find her gone, or on top of your best friend. Again, not to drive a point too fine, but stay away from the 10's. A stripper model does not live to enjoy a 50 year wedding anniversary, and she will not change your diapers when you're old. Believe it or not, that stuff really matters. You, like women, are driven by your nature. If you're always attracted to ...

For over two years, I've written a post every weekday. Starting in 2015, that format will change. No more meticulous planning. No more 8:15 post times. Just my thoughts from my phone or tablet... As they happen. .