Indigenous Ability

  Let’s set the stage… “ As a general statement, I don't like Yankees, I'm as polite as I can be, but I don't like their behavior. I've had occasions to tell some Yankees that they wouldn't stay alive two days in the counties I come from, acting the way they act, talking the way they talk, shoving people out of the way.   You can't do that .”-Harry Crews As a Bonafide Southern Man who has been privileged to travel the world a bit, I find truth in Mr. Crew words. Me? I like “Yankees” hell I like most people but the behavior he mentions…we’ll come back to that. And it isn’t just a Southern Man thing… “ What Southern women are is loyal, very sexy, polite to a fault, and when necessary, razor-sharp with their wit. And most importantly, a Southern woman (when pushed) will-- in every possible meaning of the phrase—“Kick your ass!”— Branford Marsalis These dual characteristics of Charm and Harm seem to linger in all those I have known who come from true south...

  [All excerpts are taken from The Oregon Trail: Sketches of Prairie and Rocky-Mountain Life by Francis Parkman the observations were penned by a 23-year-old Parkman as he was to embark on a 2-month journey into the Great West.] This volume is a frontier Rough n Tumble classic that hints at many aspects of how life lived Wild is different from the domesticated. It offers many a lesson on how living closer to the bone of necessity can inform us for own venturesome treks or, at the vey least, provide some palliative perspective even if we decide never to set a foot into the unknown. “Meanwhile we erected our own tent not far off, and after supper a council was held, in which it was resolved to remain one day at Fort Leavenworth, and on the next to bid a final adieu to the frontier: or in the phraseology of the region, to "jump off." Our deliberations were conducted by the ruddy light from a distant swell of the prairie, where the long dry grass of last summer was on fire...

  Many martial artists of a certain age have cinema moments to thank for their initial interest in combat arts. Celluloid inspirations have driven countless viewers from popcorn butter-stained theater seats to sweat-smelling dojos and gyms. Those coming up in the 1970s may have found initial inspiration in Bruce Lee films, or the Shaw Brothers films that popped up on many a Black Belt Theater television program. [As a child of the 70s, my own cinema “heroes” were the Charles Bronson of Hard Times and Tom Laughlin of the first three Billy Jack films.] The 1980s launched many a ninja, Chuck Norris, Van Damme, and, dare I say it, Seagal enthusiasts. One cannot forget Jackie Chan also looms large across the late 70s on up into the early 2000s. Of more recent vintage we see the Matrix and John Wick franchises acting as modern-day recruiters for burgeoning martial artists. But we must not forget that prior to the extended “shaky cam” ultra-choreographed, wire-assisted, gr...

  It’s time for The Old Man’s State of the Union Address. Here are a few of things in the pipeline coming soon and over the 2025 Combat Year! The Combination Man Master Series ·         Introduces the “ Every Step of the Trail ” Striking Concept ·         All the ins and outs of making every [ Every ] body movement a loaded strike. ·         Combine with the “ Every Dip in the River Concept ” where every [ Every ] body re-positioning is a Snap or “Uncle” opportunity. ·         The Goal : To build the Baddest Combination of Street Boxer-Street Grappler/Scuffler there is using historical insight. The Art of the Buffalo: Butts, Rakes, Pokes, Prods, "Slaps," Trigger-Punching & Sundry Firearm CQB Mayhem ·         The firearm as blunt object—Frontier style. The 1,312 Submissions Project · ...