Scott’s Ramblings

 That is a million million dollars.  One trillion dollars would stretch nearly from the earth to the sun. It would take a military jet flying at the speed of sound, reeling out a roll of dollar bills behind it, 14 years before it reeled out one trillion dollar bills, or if you where to count it out loud without sleeping, eating, or going the bathroom it would only take you about 39,000 years. 

So think about this, according to the Economist the Arab monarchies that reside along the Persian Gulf are trying to figure out how they are going to spend $4,700,000,000,000 to $8,800,000,000,000 that’s right 4.7 to 8.8 trillion dollars depending on whether a barrel of oil cost $50 or $100.  This is their projection of monies they will have to spend through 2020.  The US is the largest user of oil and therefore we are their greatest benefactor.  We are probably going to spend over a trillion dollars trying to bail out our economy, it seems that a simple solution to be nuetral from this expenditure is to not give OPEC our oil dollars.  It is time to find other solutions. 

Drive a scooter and be happy. 

It is important to understand why someone wants to study a martial art before determining what art they should study.  As an example, I will discus Aikido and Krav Maga. 
Krav Maga was created in the 30’s by an Imi Lichtenfeld.  He developed the system for Hungarian Jews to protect themselves from the Nazis.  The English translation of Krav Maga is roughly “contact combat,” which is an appropriate name, since most of the techniques taught are very severe and designed to physically damage and incapacitate an opponent.  Krav Maga is used as the basic hand-to- hand combat system of the IDF.  It was brought to the US in 1981 and since that time the emphasis has become two fold — one brutally efficient techniques for combat and secondarily cardio vascular.   
Aikido was founded in the early 1900’s and really defined itself in the 1930’s by Morihei Ueshiba or O’Sensei for great teacher.  The English translation for Aikido is “The Way of  Harmony Spirit.” ‘Do’ indicates that it is both a self-defense art and a way of personal development – training of the spirit.  The roots of  Aikido come mainly from the sword and Daito-ryu Aiki-jujutsu.  What separates Aikido from it origins and all other martial arts is O’Sensei’s desire to create an art that protects both the practioner as well as the attacker. 
So, why Aikido over Krav Maga?  Both martial arts where founded at about the same time, and both have jujitsu roots.  What separates the two arts, is the emphasis of the founders and the ‘spirit’ of the practice.  Lichtenfeld developed his art for fighting for survival.  There was no need to impose anything other than the bare essentials to quickly and effectively win a fight by doing the maximum amount of damage to your opponent.  
Morihei Ueshiba was refining Aikido as a way to resolve conflict with the minimum damage and ultimately to bring peace to the world. O’Sensei believed that the mind and spirit could learn through the body. He created a martial art which taught the body to blend with the attacker as opposed to clashing with the attack.   
This fundamental purpose and spirit affects every aspect of Aikido and its practice.  In practice, participants are referred to as ‘partners,’ because we recognize that our “attacker,” whether in training or in real life is our “partner” in learning – learning to defend ourselves, learning to develop ourselves and learning to resolve the conflicts within our own hearts.  Aikido techniques are specifically designed to immobilize an attacker while doing the least amount of damage, both for immediate resolution and to minimize the lasting negative consequences.  Aikido practice teaches us to train our minds and spirit to overcome the conflicts, hatred and anger in ourselves. 
In selecting a martial arts system for our community, we must consider the purpose and the consequences.  In our current day and age, how often are we physically attacked?  In comparison, how often are the attacks on s verbal or emotional?  What does the art we practice teach us, about how we perceive the world and our ‘perceived attackers?’  What will be the consequences of our ‘defense?’   
 
 John O’Connell & Scott Berg

A must listen too.  A very comprehensive explanation of the war in Iraq and our oil problems.  I have mentioned before on this blog that I think our country’s dependence on oil and therefore our dependence on OPEC threatens our future and more importantly our childrens future.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MVwL2PcCG8

“OPEC’s objective is to co-ordinate and unify petroleum policies among Member Countries, in order to secure fair and stable prices for petroleum producers; an efficient, economic and regular supply of petroleum to consuming nations; and a fair return on capital to those investing in the industry.”

“The President of the Russian Federation recalled the role of OPEC Member Countries and Russia, as major energy and oil producers and exporters. He underlined the importance of the cooperation between OPEC and Russia and highlighted the Russian readiness for a continuous and comprehensive dialogue with OPEC, for the purpose of achieving stable and predictable oil markets. This is particularly important, given the development of turmoil in international financial markets and its adverse influence on the world economy and oil markets.”

http://www.opec.org/aboutus/history/history.htm

Secure and stable prices for petroleum producers is a  euphemism for how do we most effectively transfer wealth from the devoloped nations to those selling oil.  This weekend I watched an add GM had for the Hummer.  I cannot imagine the US coming to rescue of the auto industry when they continue to produce cars that are counter productive to the health and security of the nation.

Drive a scooter protect the interest of the country, maybe the world, and feel young.

“However bitterly I complain about someone’s poor behavior toward me and about the trouble it causes me, I also find it strangely delicious.  It’s my proof that others are as blameworthy as I’ve claimed them to be- and that I’m as inncoent as I claim myself to be.  The behavior I complain about is the very behavior that justifies me.”

The Arbinger Institute, Leadership and Self Deception — getting out of the box

Arbinger Institute talks about being in the box, which starts with self justification.  I think people that try things like jumping on skate boards, or being thrown real hard in Aikido, or even hitting a golf ball really really well find themselves doing these thing because it gets us out of the box.

May there be just enough clouds in your life to create a glorious sunset

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If what I say resonates with you, it is merely because we are both branches on the same tree. W. B. Yeats

We live our lives believing our own stories.  I am mad at John because he did not treat me with respect, he needs to be nicer to me.  My client does not understand how much I have done for her.  We filter every aspect of our lives through our story.  The moment I change the statement, “my client does not appreciate how much I do for her” to what is it that really is upsetting her, what pain is she experiencing? From these question I can be of service, it does not matter if he lashes out if I am able to understand that what is happening is a manifistation of fear or need.  I have found that the only way that I am able to do this is not to write myself into the story, it is there pain or fear or for that matter happiness I need to be there quiet enough so that I can hear what is needed, not what is said.

As promised Buddy the scooter riding dog and his owner Ed and friend Amy.