Eli, 18

Chinese Kung fu, Wushu, and various other martial art related findings :D

[transboy-kickass]

Some reflections on my first two competitions as a male competitor

This weekend, and the weekend before last, I competed as a male for the first time! It was a really exciting and emotional time, so I thought i’d take some time to reflect on how it went for me.

So I started college wushu last semester, and for the first time I was in a place where everyone read me as male, so aside from one close trans friend I made on the team, no one knows I’m trans. This makes traveling with them a little complicated, but I manage by only changing when I take showers, sleeping with a very loose sweatshirt on so I don’t have to bind, and other things like that. Being in a place where I’m ONLY perceived as male, as well as doing the sport I love more than anything in the world, has been so amazing I can barely describe it.

Now on to the competitions! Even though I KNOW i’ve been working my ass off for the last semester and a half, there was always a little nagging worry in my mind that I would go to competition and not be able to keep up with the other boys there because I’m trans, or someone would figure out i’m trans and not let me compete, or whatever. But the work I put in payed off! Not even looking at scores, I am happy with how I did in terms of my growth from the beginning of the school year.

Looking at scores though, I medaled in 5 out of 7 events, 4 golds and 1 bronze :D and between the two competitions I improved the scores on the dorms I did twice by .11 and .13!

Overall, I’m really really pleased with how it went, and competiting in the male catagory felt like coming home.

[melaninondeck-deactivated201907]

Michael Jai White demonstrates how to use your body to throw punches with technique- I was also taught something similar to this, R.I.P. Kevin Ferguson a.k.a Kimbo Slice

[mango-thot-deactivated20190520]

This is one of the major advantages kickboxers transitioning to MMA have over former amateur or pro boxers. Kickboxers, especially ones trained in Dutch style or Muay Thai throw strikes like how Michael Jai White is demonstrating because the idea is that staying mobile while striking, if you’re not the faster person, becomes a huge disadvantage as you reset to throw strikes. Practicing deliberate movements to strike without wind-up is a good way to keep your defense up while being able to attack quickly. It sacrifices power coming forward though. Thus, most kickboxers in MMA are counter strikers.

[transboy-kickass]

ever have those days where everything just feels like this

[transboy-kickass]

do you ever have those days where all your practice just feels like this....

[unbfacts]

Man of the moment Keanu Reeves has shown his generosity by giving away £50 million of his earnings from the Matrix sequels. The 38-year-old decided to hand over the money to the unsung heroes of the sci-fi blockbusters - the costume and special effects teams.

[drst]

*fistbump*

[bitchwhoyoukiddin]

Confirmed.  He’s also dumped millions into cancer research.  I really do love Keanu Reeves a lot.

[fluffy-overlord]

Keanu Reeves is like the nicest person. He still lives in an apartment/flat and he gives most of his money away to charities and people who need it. He even invites some paparazzi people to sit down and eat with him when he’s at a coffee shop or restaurant. He’s such a nice person.

[utf2005]

[airspaniel]

When I was working on the UWS, one of my delivery guys accidentally backed his scooter into a parked car in front of the restaurant. I went out to help, since the driver didn’t speak much English, and it turned out the car belonged to Keanu Reeves. He helped us pick the scooter up, and when I asked if we could exchange insurance information (because the front of the car was pretty banged up), he kept telling us not to worry about it and put his hand on the driver’s shoulder and said “I just want to make sure you’re okay, man. Are you okay?” And he was so sincere about it and so kind that I decided in that moment I would always defend Keanu Reeves at all costs. He is an excellent man.

[jehovahhthickness]

I need to be more like Keanu Reeves because I’m evil compared to him.

[putmeincoach]

“Next few centuries”

Keanu dropping hints that he is an immortal.

[sunquark]

i love keanu reeves

[holdtightposts]

My wife and I were dining at Nobu’s in Honolulu and sitting across from us was Keanu or at least I thought it was. We kept talking about whether it was him or not and finally, I decided to throw some old school Bill & Ted at him.

I stood up and threw my arms up into the motion of an air guitar, my wife is begging me to sit back down, and I pointed at the guy who may be Keanu Reeves, and said, “Most Excellent.”

He stood up and did it back at me. Then we both had a moment and pointed at each other. I sent him another of whatever it was he was drinking. It was a cucumber sake martini. That was the end of it.

Or so I thought.

He left before we finished our meal. By the time we were done, dessert came that we didn’t order. We thought, “oh, must be compliments of the chef.” Then the bill never came. When we asked for it, our waitress said Keanu Reeves took care of it.

IT WAS REALLY HIM. And he left a note. It said, “thanks for the refresh. Keanu.”

When I finally saw him again years later, because of work. I brought it up. Then he air guitar and said, “most excellent. I remember. At Nobu’s. Thanks for the drink.” We chatted a bit and I got an autograph for my mum because she’s a huge Keanu fan. Then that was that.

What a moment.

[50shadesofyodaddysdick]

An angel

[elusianknight]

And he does a lot of anti human trafficking work iirc. Seems like a really awesome guy.

[missshirley]

Back when I first moved to NYC, I got a job as a theater usher. We were all young, 18-20 or so, and it was heavily impressed upon us that we needed to treat the theatergoers with TOTAL respect at ALL times or risk our jobs. As such, we were all totally underprepared for the drunk guy who tried to steal a bottle of wine from the lobby bar during intermission. We were trying to politely get the bottle back, but he was growing loud and belligerent. Since the second act was now starting, this was a countdown to all of us being in trouble. 

Then Keanu walks up. Calmly charms the guy. Slips the usher behind the bar cash to cover the bottle, without the guy even noticing, and walks him back in to his seat like it’s a normal thing he does every day. He didn’t know the guy, didn’t know any of us, but effortlessly deescalated the situation and quite probably saved some jobs that night. 

Just a wandering do-gooder, this man.

[walkingoutintherain]

#everything i’ve ever heard anecdotally about keanu reeves #further convinces me that he is the chillest immortal #like he’s probably just spent centuries donating blood instead of drinking it (via @revolutionarygirlshati)

[transboy-kickass]

i don’t know what this is called, my friend got it from an old kickboxing coach but it’s so much fun

[theronindiaries]

Kani Basami aka Scissor takedown. It’s a super verse and effective move but be careful, it’s banned in judo and most BJJ comps. It’s super dangerous and I’ve personally seen 3 ACLs get destroyed because of it.

Even if you do it right, if uke (person getting thrown) resists the wrong way they get tons of shearing pressure on their knees and can roll them on tiger ankles. It’s even ended the career of a promising judo BB, so it’s not just dangerous for newbs.

That being said it’s so easy to set up, it has a great success rate, and tbh in a fight you shouldn’t care terribly much if you destroy their legs.

Use it wisely.

[dontworryjustjitsu]

Lol we call it the scissor throw in spanish too!!

This is also the throw with which a black belt injured my foot and had me out of trainings for a month (sometimes it still hurts when wearing high heels).

So yeah, dangerous throw, proceed with caution.

Also… I’m doing the reverse variation of this throw for our duo show in the next competition 🙃

[theronindiaries]

When even black belts hurt people with a move you know it’s spooky. It’s soooo good tho

[transboy-kickass]

Thanks guys! the scissor kick (or takedown) is something a little different in kung fu, but it’s similar enough i probably could have put two and two together lol. Everyone should be careful trying out a new technique though. Make sure your partner is aware and ready for what you’re going to do!

[that-free-trickour-dance]

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No slowmo, no problem 

@mirme_taekwondo @shinmincheol

[transboy-kickass]

Me: *makes my friends take 1000 pictures of me doing wushu in every possible situation*

[biggest-gaudiest-poltergeist]

‘cannibalize the rich’ is a legitimate political platform

[biggest-gaudiest-poltergeist]

i know this was a post advocating cannibalism but merlin’s beard i just witnessed a murder

[transboy-kickass]

i don’t know what this is called, my friend got it from an old kickboxing coach but it’s so much fun

[marias-studyblr]

Important TED talks

Summer is time to relax but we should take the time to think. Here are my favorites ted talk videos that I think everyone should watch:

The virginity fraud - Nina Dølvik Brochmann and Ellen Støkken Dahl

This is what it’s like to go undercover in North Korea - Suki Kim

My escape from North Korea -  Hyeonseo Lee

The Muslim on the airplane - Amal Kassir

The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong - Amy Morin

The skill of self confidence - Dr. Ivan Joseph

How to stop screwing yourself over - Mel Robbins

The Magic of Not Giving a F*** - Sarah Knight

Why the universe seems so strange - Richard Dawkins

The pattern behind self-deception - Michael Shermer

Militant atheism - Richard Dawkins

Why domestic violence victims don’t leave - Leslie Morgan Steiner

Lessons from death row inmates - David R. Dow

Lessons from the Mental Hospital - Glennon Doyle Melton

Why we choose suicide - Mark Henick

What’s Wrong with Dying? - Lesley Hazleton

I’m Taking My Body Back - Rupi Kaur

My philosophy for a happy life - Sam Berns

The surprising habits of original thinkers - Adam Grant

The surprising secret to speaking with confidence - Caroline Goyder

Want to sound like a leader? Start by saying your name right - Laura Sicola

Programming your mind for success - Carrie Green

All it takes is 10 mindful minutes - Andy Puddicombe

[transboy-kickass]

my favorite shoes... that I got when I was training in China.... they died.

[swordlesbianopinions]

no more vagues or subtweets

engage directly in swordplay and duel for your honour

[transboy-kickass]

three of my star students got their red belts today, including our schools new newest red belt! he’s only nine years old. I’m feeling really emotional because I’ve been putting in a lot of time with these three to prepare for this test, and it really payed off. I’m one proud sifu.

[devilishyy-deactivated20210404]

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Shaolin Yin Shou Gun

#Repost @theshaolinstudent ・・・ Our young Shifu showing off with the first staff form🥊🥋🤸🏼‍♂️⛩. #theshaolinstudent #china #kungfu #martialarts #exploretheworld #travel #explore #adventure #judo #karate #taekwondo #juijitsu #wushu #sanda #wushusanda #brucelee #fun #follow #l4l #nature #buddha #buddhism #blog #sports #boxing #kickboxing #wingchun #wingchunguru #systema

[soetjihati]

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I got to learn Mantis finally!

[bfappreciation]

 ╭ ◜◝ ͡ ◜◝ ͡ ◜◝╮   (      my bf       )  ╰ ◟◞ ͜ ◟ ͜  ◟◞ ╯

O °  〃∩　 ∧＿∧ ⊂⌒（ ´💗ω💗） . ヽ_っ＿/￣￣￣/ 　 　 ＼/＿＿＿/