Clairemont, San Diego

OharastheSamurai

Justin Knapik, Xennon Dalanon, Garrett Herr, Ross Makoske, Leslie Edwards, Richard Nye, Sifu Ben Stanley.

Started learning Nami Ryu concepts from DVDs way back in 2005.
Began training in Choy Li Fut Kung Fu at the White Dragon Martial Art School in March of 2006
Began my training in no-Gi submission grappling in February of 2007.
Began learning Dog Brothers Martial Arts on August 10th of 2008

Blue Sash in Choy Li Fut Kung Fu

Weapons:

Staff (Gwun)
Broadsword (Dahn Do)
Flute (Dung Siu)
Cane (Quai Jeung)
Five Dragon Double Cudgel (Ng Lung Gum Gan)
Katana
Baston (Kali Stick)

I know some principles, techniques and footwork from German Longsword fighting, but I do not practice it as part of my usual workout.

Training has changed everything about me since I started in March of 2006. I am a better person for every hour I ever spent sweating and working.


Two silver medals in sparring and open weapon form at the 2008 Dragon Cup.
Trained with Grandmaster Doc-Fai Wong.

Fight at the next Dog Brothers Gathering of the Pack. Master and perfect everything that I have learned. Train hard and master at least 3 systems of martial arts (oh yeah, I've got some high goals). Study Nami Ryu Aiki Heiho with Sensei James Williams at some point. Train with Guro Crafty of the Dog Brothers, and some day study Kali and Jeet Kune Do under Dan Inosanto if I get the chance.

Martial arts, listening to power metal, reading ungodly amounts of material about basically everything. My favorite topics are philosophy and world religion.

Studying any number of topics, writing song lyrics and random poetry. Trying to get my black sash.

DragonForce (BEST BAND EVER!)Rhapsody of Fire, Sonata Arctica, Epica, Kamelot, Stratovarius, Within Temptation, Everon, Hammerfall, Luca Turilli, Battlelore, Arch Enemy, Throwdown, Finntroll, Blind Guardian, Crystallion, Dragonland, Power Quest, Axenstar, Aeveron, Dionysus, Kotipelto, Wizard, Iron Mask, Highland Glory, Holy Knights, Firewind, Domine, Wisdom, Serenity, Shadowplay, Dawn of Destiny, Venin Noir, Dragonfly, Persuader, Anubis Gate, Anima Borealis, Elexorien, Ensiferum, Turisas, Morian, Pyramaze, Thy Majestie, Wizard's Hymn, Ekzistencia, Lord, Slipknot, Amon Amarth, Freedom Call, Secret Sphere, Operatika, Drakkar, Skyfire, Heavenly, Demon Hunter, Atreyu, Dimmu Borgir, Stone Sour, Fear Factory, Apocalyptica, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Jimi Hendrix, Killswitch Engage, Bleeding Through, Lamb of God, Shadows Fall, Otep (if I see it on Fuse), Project 86, Eighteen Visions, Skillet, Staind, Metallica, ACDC, Shinedown, Marilyn Manson, God Forbid, Hatebreed, P.O.D. (LOVE EM!), Trust Company, The Used, My Chemical Romance, Papa Roach, Nine Inch Nails, Submersed, Breaking Benjamin, Sevendust, Linkin Park (their old stuff), Earshot, Tool, A Perfect Circle, Mudvayne, Motorhead, Probot (every now and then), Godsmack, KoRn, Static X, As I Lay Dying, Memento, Taproot, and I manage to squeeze in a little Sum 41 here and there.

UFC, WEC, Pride, The Universe.

300, The Last Samurai, V for Vendetta

Choy Li Fut by Grandmaster Doc-Fai Wong, Shaolin Five Animals Kung Fu, The Book of Five Rings, Sun Tzu's the Art of War, Living the Martial Way, Jeet Kune Do, Filipino Martial Culture, Budo Secrets, Hagakure, Bushido Shoshinsu, Bushido by Inazo Nitobe, Striking Thoughts.

"Walk as a Warrior for all your days."
- Guro Marc "Crafty Dog" Denny

"If I can live my life while giving just a fraction of what Mother Theresa did, then it will have been an accomplishment."
- Sensei James Williams


"My country is the world, my religion is to do good."
-I don't remember who said this one

"Time is shortening. But every day that I challenge this cancer and survive is a victory for me."
-Ingmar Bergman

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbow'd.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Lies but the horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find me, unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

-William Ernest Henley

"Without passion man is a mere latent force and possibility, like the flint which awaits the shock of the iron before it can give forth its spark."
-Henri Frederick Amiel

"You are a piece of an eternal existence that is only conceivable by the name "IS". You are recycled star dust that has been spiraling throughout the universe until it coalesced in YOU. You have value, and no one on earth, not even GOD could take that from you. You are you, and there's no one else like you, but one day you will die. But this is not a reason to be sad. REJOICE that the stardust made you, rejoice that each moment is so much more beautiful because, as a living being, your days are numbered, and each moment could be your last. Remember that your life is unlike any other, and it is you who must control it. You are the captain, and no other.

You are your own teacher, your own preacher, your own saint, your own savior."

-Me

"To meet death well. Many words are spoken of this. Another question is asked about what a man should do or say at the moment of his death. I say he should quote the lyrics of a very good Breaking Benjamin song. He should simply take a breath and softly say goodbye."

- Me

As you can imagine, I love martial arts. The study and mastery of combative activities has basically defined my existence for a little over 2 and 1/2 years. I love it all, and I want to learn it all. I'm a pretty independent guy, and I often set myself apart from the general populace because I usually don't like massive crowds. I'm a practical guy, with zero patience for BS. The way I figure it, if someone is upfront with me, I will always respect them, even if I disagree.

I want to do something great for the world. I don't know what it is yet, but what I want to do is to give the world an example, something they can look at and say: "Yeah, that's how it's supposed to be."