The Snake, The Crane, The Myth

                                                               

 

Being perched in the USA  this history-making day it is fitting to present an Eagle. It is a symbol of 

the pride of our nation Perched means one is high-up to take a view of the world landscape.

What's still soaring is the mythical tale: It is a battle between a Snake and a Crane. The Crane is that 

beautiful the long-necked, wide-winged bird featured in Chinese Art.

Interestingly, a form of exercise has been handed down imitating the twists, turns of this

mythical battle. It's called : Tai Chi (Tai Chi Chaun).

The antagonist:

"It's California-styled, it's not authentic"

"It's too tame, people want action"

"It takes years to master"

From the protagonist:

" The Horse head rising to the heavens"

" Cloud hands"

" White Crane Spreads his Wings"

The list goes on. Tai Chi is the complete package: Exercise, Self Defense that can be of benefit

throughout a lifetime. Ignore? Explore?

Meanwhile, what is real is today is a historic day in the USA. Time to soar above the landscape:

The Snake, Crane and the myths.

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El Toro Bravo

 January is winding down. It just arrived. The next episode (TuffBook -3) is in the works.

The most popular is Mystery of the Green Menace. It will be a tough act to follow. Now one knows how

George (Star Wars) Lucus & Co felt when needed to energize his team for the next Star Wars 

installment.

What else?

Opening a parcel of merchandise and noticing a label, it read "made in Mexico". Unpacking further,

one notices a 20-inch (just guessing) strand of hair. Most likely from a female attendant.  No! It's not 

exactly a message in a bottle. No comments about Tariffs or

Immigration either. Just a happy ending, the package arrived. El Toro  Bravo!

                                           

The Art of the Deal vs The Art of War

                                          Art of the Deal vs The Art of War 

His name is Sun Tzu his book the Art of War is studied in Business and Military schools.

Was he that great or did time exaggerate his fame? Was he a political-propaganda tool?

Politics is everything,-everything is politics, we can be sure of.

Past Master Kun (circa 1929) is said to have developed a Iron Palm Strike Technique.

                                       

It was said to be so powerful it could demolish 36" of Clay Roofing Tiles.

Was he that strong or was it a propaganda story out of China?

Monday is U.S. Presidential Election Day. Donald J. Trump  ( The Art of the Deal) Many will attend, 

many will avoid and many more will watch because politics is everything, everything is.. politics.

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Westward With Beyonce

Beyonce is a trailblazing artist. She makes waves for her lyrical prowess and transformation.

Beyonce adapted a Western-style act. This shift of homage and re-invention has sparked

much debate.  Beyonce has defined a raw hard hard-hitting beat. She is known for chart-topping hits

and has built a loyal fan base. The pivot to a Western theme has raised eyebrows.

The country community questions her authenticity. On one hand, some traditionalists view

it as a commercial stunt. Purists argue that country music's essence lies in the lived experience

of rural life. She's got the wide-brim hat, the horse, the entourage, the cause, what more do the purist 

want after her Christmas 2024 Football Time Show?

Meanwhile, Shikira's due to energize this year's Superbowl ....and that's another story....

                                                          

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                                     Wiseman Part 2

                          

Last time we referred back to the era of SunTzu make the point that there is a lot to learn from books. Our beloved Mr. Myagi (The Karate Kid)  once remarked ,"Daniel-San you learn Karate from a book?"

Fans need to be reminded  trendy Backpacks are being carried by youth worldwide to school daily. There are countless library visits by seekers of knowledge.

One Kempo Karate professor suggested to his students to not ever engage in altercations out side the gym. The simple reason is, if a kid beats-up someone he may get expelled or his parents sued. 

Some of our most talented Black Belts lives have been lost. Fire-arms outnumber Black Belts. The Belt is not a Bullitt Proof vest. The praise, recognition and ego inflation of earning a Black Belt can  lure one  into becoming a Bouncer or Body Guard and taking risk of being a victim of gun violence.

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                     Once Upon a Time There was a  Wise Man

His name was SunTzu . He was an advisor to the Emperor.

That was a incredible position to attain circa 500 B.C.

 He makes history because his writings still resonate after millennia.

His principals, set-out military strategies which are used in corporate boardrooms as well  as by disgruntled spouses these

days.

Sun Tzu (not to be confused with Sunsu of martial art kata fame) believed in the use of spies. Learn about, then dishevel the target and yet not engage in physical  combat if possible.

Look at what you could learn from studying or being an apprentice to SunTzu during his era? After his reputation blossomed he was a prized resource for the rulers. To get a "earful" of wisdom from this one wise man would have taken more than an army of spies, perhaps.

                                   

                                                  The Hong Kong Train Missed a Stop

Shaw Brothers & Golden Harvest cranked out movies fast. Thank goodness for the interest because

that's how Bruce Lee blossomed into Superstardom. He remarked, "My movies did more (got recognition)

then my books and classes combined."

The Hong Kong Movie Train featured Ron Van Cleef as The Black Dragon. They never discovered

the guy many thought was ready for prime time. His name was Victor Moore.  He was not friendly.

Most martial artists were not. The stoic demeanor was needed to project in matches.

Victor by co--incident met Bruce Lee and participated in Bruce's demo. in the U.S.. Victor was a

showman, and technician and deserved to be in the movies. His whirlwind moves and scene-stealing

antics made him one to watch at amateur tournaments. The Hong Kong Movie Train missed a

stop not discovering Shorei Stylist Victor Moore. Perhaps it did not see enough character...?