The Temple at Chichen Itza

I took this picture of the Temple at Chichen Itza (Yucatan, Mexico) in September, 1999.

Checked out an open tournament yesterday...

Just back from an open martial arts tournament in Jonesboro, AR. I went to check it out and see some friends (from a different style than mine) competing. The Taekwondo/Karate division had some really good action, but I found myself at the grappling ring for most of the day. It's amazing to me how jiu-jitsu has transformed the martial arts world. Everyone seems to cross-train in it now. I wonder if Bruce Lee were still alive, would he train so heavily in the ground game? My guess is that he would...

I was disappointed with the weapons competition, however. It seemed the emphasis was all on forms with lots of flash and speed, not so much about the practitioner's ability to actually use the weapon against an opponent...

Sparring versions of the popular weapons are available for competition, so it would be much more interesting to compete with/watch combatants actually spar with sticks/etc.

All in all, it was a good tournament, and some of my friends did well, so not a bad way to spend the better part of a day...

Sometimes, even I know what I'm talking about...

To add to my post of 3rd August, 2004, I discover in my local newspaper, the Democrat Argus:

According to the Missouri Department of Economic Development, the unemployment rate for Pemiscot county was 10.4% for June. Almost double the national rate...

Bush finally makes a brilliant move...

What a great pick for CIA chief in Mr. Goss- this guy may be the most qualified person for the job in the history of the CIA... I can't believe that a President (ANY President) actually picked a real spy for the job! It almost gives me hope for our government, but I can't be tempted that much. Link below:

CNN.com - Porter Goss is Bush's choice to head CIA

Big Weekend

Back from Lake Norfork, AR, one of the premier freshwater scuba diving locations in Arkansas... Wife J. and stepdaughter K. both had a great time hanging out and swimming with the extended family. All the kids really wore themselves out, which was great!

Of course, I did a little bit of scuba diving, but I chose the wrong end of the lake to dive in this time. The north side was all mucked up, so visibility was horrible... Sometimes, you can learn things about yourself and your diving when the visibility is only a few feet. How you handle claustrophobia and compass usage quickly come to mind.

Naturally, a bad day diving is better than a good day at the office, so I still had a blast... Now back to the grind, back to listening to all the election B.S., back to day-to-day life! Remember, the vacations make all the work worthwhile...

Off to the Lake...

Mini vacation on Norfork Lake, Arkansas starting tomorrow. No blogging
(unless I decide to call in with audioblogger) and no martial arts, but
a lot of scuba diving, eating, movies, and quality family time... Maybe
some pics when I get back...

Case in point- another decaying town... (Gideon, Missouri)

The Decay of Southeast Missouri

I've been noticing something about Southeast Missouri lately. Consisting of many small towns, we rely heavily on agricultural business and on small factories for the survival of our economy. Many of our small towns are in rapid decay. The small factories are disappearing.

Why? One observation rapidly springs to mind. Small factories can no longer afford to remain in this state. The union pinheads in St. Louis and Kansas City have a stranglehold on the weak legislature in Jefferson City. For years, rural Missouri has cried out for our becoming a 'right to work' state, but to no avail. It's common sense to those of us in third-world Missouri that if you want to attract industry to the area, you don't slap them in the face with onerous regulations and artificially high labor prices (unions).

On the flip side of the equation, the legislatures of Tennessee and Arkansas had the wisdom, foresight, and frankly, the balls to become 'right to work' states. Strangely enough, each of Western Tennessee and Northeast Arkansas' towns seem to have one or more factories or large businesses. In both states, their small towns are growing, and a thriving labor, housing, and service market exists. Go figure...

A picture included on the next post...

And from the Left...

Now this is a Far Left Love-fest...

Over at the Nomad Tavern...

Great post on taxes and the economy...