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October 6, 2008
Ask a Ninja Presents “The Ninja Handbook”
If you like the "Ask a Ninja" series online, then you don’t want to miss "The Ninja Handbook" by Douglas Sarine and Kent Nichols. This book has you laughing before it even gets started with a ninja will, just in case of the worst possible scenario. I don’t want to give it away but it’s a fill-in-the-blanks form that is just plain hysterical.
If you take this ninja business seriously, then you’ll appreciate the chapters telling one how to form a proper ninja clan and how to name that clan so as to be respected ninja folk. If you take the "Ask a Ninja" guy and squeeze his videos on to paper, you pretty much have the book.
Like the videos, "The Ninja Handbook" is full of sarcasm and dark humor that will have you laughing throughout. You better hurry up and read it fast though because like the videos, this book "looks forward to killing you soon" as well.
It takes a lot for a book to make me laugh out loud and that’s exactly what "The Ninja Handbook" does. If you are a fan of the internet ninja legend, then you don’t want to miss this book. There are humor infused chapters throughout.
One of the chapters on getting "ninjaish" details how to make your "mark" lose their way on a mission. "The Ninja Handbook" states:
. . .if your mark is stupid enough to be using a GPS system. Simply hack into the navigational program they are using and rewrite the algorithm from "shortest possible route" to "most round-about-and-ass-backward route possible. (75)
The book also provides some helpful insight to beginner ninja’s. Some of the suggestions are:
Replace all variations of hello in your vocabulary with head punches (43)
Get raving compliments about your great ideas and imput for at least 30 meetings or classes that you did not attend. Being a ninja is not about being there; it’s about having the impact of your presence felt whether you are there or not. (43)
Pick a fight with an inaminate object at least four times your body mass. (43)
This book is loaded with hysterical ninja training methods and with illustrations that are just as hysterical and useful. If you’re interested in picking up a copy for yourself (and trust me you’ll want to) go here. If you need more convincing and want to check out the ninja himself, go here and check out some of the videos.
For its laugh-out-loud humor and practical yet comical advice on becoming a "ninja," BBM gives the book. . .
October 4, 2008
Black Belt Karate
Chris Thompson attempts to tackle a tough question – "what does one do after black belt?" The two most frequent times for karateka to quit are early on (inside the first year), and right after they get their black belt. What’s missing from schools these days? Why is black belt seen as the end of the road?
Chris Thompson is an 8th degree black belt in the Wado-Ryu system. He is also the Chairman of the British Traditional Karate Association. I’m not entirely sure who he trained under, as his lineage is not readily available. Nevertheless, Thompson Sensei displays a great deal of knowledge regarding modern karate throughout this book.
I’d like to start off by saying that this book was a pleasure to read. Not at all heavy handed, as you might suspect. Thompson Sensei could have easily fallen into the trap of looking down upon readers who haven’t pursued the martial arts properly, but he opts to keep things light and informative.
Here is a peek at the kind of content you’ll receive:
1. Introduction to Karate – history, styles, basics…the standard affair.
2. Fundamentals – etiquette, stretching, waza, makiwara, kata, and drills.
3. Competition – rules, regulations, titles, guidelines.
4. Reference – how to tie your belt, term glossary, other odds and ends.
Each section is presented in very digestible chunks, and could easily be referred back to should a student need a quick reference guide for the topics involved.
I think my favorite part of the book is the sample self defense techniques that are shown. Rather than just showing a frame by frame example of kata, Thompson shows how certain techniques can be utilized in a self defense fashion. These insights are valuable for beginner and black belt alike.
Here is a pet peeve of mine though. Check out this picture from the book:
I have no personal problem with anyone in the picture and I am sure they are all skilled martial artists. But here is the thing – Thompson’s assistants probably have about 10-15 years experience. 20 at the most. Why do their belts have 40 years worth of wear and tear on them? Their belts are even more worn out than their instructors! One of two things could have happened here:
1. They bought a brand of black belt that intentionally skimps on the stitching, therefore making it easier to show wear.
2. They placed these belts in a giant rock tumbler.
Again, I have no problem with these practitioners. But what they have done is committed a faux pas against the concept of sabi. Sabi is an appreciation for that which is old. Objects in our everyday lives exude sabi when they have developed a unique character all their own do to use and age.
Black belts are one of the best examples of the natural growth of sabi. As a belt becomes worn from practice, it becomes more beautiful and valuable in the eyes of traditional martial artists. Having a belt that shows premature sabi sticks out as badly as a tiny man wearing a very oversized coat. Something just isn’t right.
But let’s place my grouchiness aside! The pictures themselves are very well made and serve to illuminate the techniques involved. Thompson found a good balance of using pictures to enhance the content without overpowering it.
my one true concern about this book is its main concept – helping students progress past black belt into the fog beyond. The topics covered in these chapters are all very valuable, but still basic. Technique combinations…tournament rules…historical snippets…these are things that students should be working on UP to black belt. Beyond that, there should be a discussion of mind and spirit alongside physical movements.
Furthermore, there isn’t mention of truly important concepts like distancing, timing, zanshin, and all that other good stuff which separates one black belt from another. Sure, it shows maturity if you know how to behave at a tournament, but in my mind, it doesn’t reach for the high heights that martial arts mastery should shoot for.
Ultimately, I think this book is very useful…but falls far short of its implied goal. Perhaps if this were listed as a guide for intermediates rather than advanced students, I would be on board. But since it seems to get caught in base-level land, I would recommend other books for practitioners really looking to dive deeply into karate.
Ikigai108 gives Chris Thompson’s Black Belt Karate…
If you’d like to purchase a copy, click here.
September 29, 2008
Sesame Street K’Nex
There is nothing like building your very own Sesame Street character. Nothing. While Big I gave up Sesame Street years ago, Lil C has continued to enjoy Elmo as well as Ernie and Bert. Now she has little miniature versions of them to play with.
K’Nex has created a whole new line of Sesame Street toys where children can create and recreate Sesame Street characters. Plus, children can create their very own by mixing Bert and Ernie up to create a brand new character. In addition to the pieces for creating the characters, there are additional pieces and instructions on how to create bugs, butterflies and other Wali-like characters.
Once Ernie and Bert are put together, there’s not a little one on the planet that is going to want to take them apart to put them away. Case in point: Ernie and Bert have been sitting at the foot of Lil C’s bed for weeks now.
Each set comes complete with detailed and easy to follow instructions for completing your character assembly. The pieces are large enough for little hands to maneuver and the pieces fit together without much pressure needed. The toy is really perfect for the suggested age group of 2-5 year olds and retails for $21.99 (Sets will vary in price. See website for details).
If you have a K’Nex fan in the house and especially if you have Sesame Street fans, you won’t want to miss this new line of very fun toys. The only potentially negative about these sets is that I wish they had just a couple more pieces so you didn’t have to disassemble one of the characters in order to make new creations. However, you can always buy another set to add to the variety.
If you’re a reader of this blog, you don’t have to worry about buying a set on your own, because in cooperation with K’Nex and Childs Play PR, we are offering a Sesame Street K’Nex playset to one lucky comment-leaving reader. All you have to do is leave a comment in the section below. Drawings will take place in one week and the winner’s name will be passed directly along to the company for direct shipment.
If you’re not the lucky winner, you can buy a set here in The BBM Review store!
For being a fun toy all around, BBM gives K’Nex Sesame Street sets:
September 28, 2008
The Responsibility Project
Responsibility, it’s a word that parents and teachers use constantly. If you’re a parent and a teacher, it’s an absolute staple in your vocabulary. If you’re looking for help on teaching about responsibility with your children, look no further.
Liberty Mutual has started a website called "The Responsibility Project" and it’s a useful resource for any parent. The website features a blog about all things responsibility related. If it has to do with taking ownership or is something that has come up in the off the beaten path news, you can find it here.
It also features several short films that range from animated shorts to more serious films that address the issues of responsibility and moral decisions. The "Lighthouse" film is short and sweet and brings up the issue of responsibilities as a member of society. It’s a refreshing and wonderful site, loaded with resources to inspire you and to inspire others.
You can also evaluate your own thoughts about responsibility as related to friends, managers, co-workers, and even chefs at the restaurants in your life. In the "What’s Your Policy?" area of the site, one can create policies for dealing with just about anyone.
The site gives one a lot to think about and is a good place to stop on a lunch break or if you’re cruising around the internet and tired of all your usual haunts.
Someone has finally taken responsibility for teaching responsibility and I couldn’t be happier about it. BBM gives "The Responsibility Project". . .
September 17, 2008
Ringling Bros Circus
I think we all have a memory of going to the circus as a child. For me, it was seeing kids my age taking rides on the elephant. I so desperately wanted to run down there and ride so high up on the elephant, but shyness and fear kept me from doing so. I loved watching the animals with their trainers and seeing the trapeze artists swinging from the rafters. It was intoxicating and exciting and the memory stays with me today.
Do you want to make the same memory for your child, but do you worry about the expense of it? Well, the Ringling Bros Circus has a great offer for you. Right now, you can purchase tickets at 20% for the shows listed below. You need to use the Coupon Code MCC. Tickets can be purchased right on their website. You just plug in your zip code and the site finds the show closest to you and voila! You’re going to the circus for 20% off. Share this code with family and friends, too, so that everyone can join in the fun!
Indianapolis, IN – Sept. 4-7, 2008
Kansas City, MO – Sept. 10-14, 2008
Grand Rapids, MI – Sept. 18-21, 2008
Denver, CO – Oct. 2-13, 2008
Boston, MA – Oct. 8-13, 2008
Cleveland, OH – Oct. 24 – Nov. 2
Chicago, IL – Nov. 6 – 30, 2008
St. Louis, MO – Nov. 6-9, 2008
Auburn Hills, MI – Nov. 12 – 16, 2008
Highland Heights, KY – Feb 27 – Mar. 1, 2009
Cincinnati, OH – Mar. 4 – 8, 2008
Start your own family tradition by taking your little ones to the Ringling Bros Circus. For making a family activity more affordable, I give the Ringling Bros Circus a:
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