Rip-offs - Restitution and Realisation

I just had an interesting 24 hours. Now I am not getting on my high-horse here - but I think this is worth saying. I found out several days ago, there were a couple of people here in Australia, distributing lists of ripped-off MMA and BJJ products via their e-mail database. I was more than a little concerned to discover that my BJJ Curriculum was on that list - and for sale (albeit without the manuals, etc) for a paltry $50.
It didn't take long for me to track down information on the two individuals doing this - and get in touch with them. After the dust settled, they both just paid me compensation for illegally copying and selling my materials - but they differed significantly in their follow-up e-mail responses.
One did the manly thing - admitted his mistake, apologized profusely and thanked me for allowing him the opportunity to settle this matter easily and quickly. For me it's not about the money - it's about the principle of the thing; so I will be magnanimous about the matter and even send him a 'original curriculum' in appreciation of his newfound view on the matter. The other guy (and also the worse offender - the one who is sending the list out to everyone and having them pass it on to their mates) although he paid me what I asked for, was less than apologetic. He was more concerned with telling me how bad his health was, how he 'didn't need this crap' - how 'some people out there were spoiling it for everyone' (I don't even know what that means) - what an idiot!
I almost hope he starts distributing his list again ...
This whole copywrite thing is a big, grey area. Most people don't give it a second thought - especially when it involves a blockbuster movie rip-off or a downloaded computer game, etc.
I look at it this way - if one caveman wanders over to another tribe, sees a better way to make fire - then he is entitled (even driven my the survival imperative) to go home and teach his own tribal members how to make fire. If however, he runs into the new camp - and steals their fire - (or bow, axe, etc) then that's way different. it gets even worse, when he steals their stuff and then goes a HUGE step further and sells it to other people for a profit. That I really cannot condone - in fact, I despise it.
If someone has a ripped off copy of one of my DVD's, and is using it for their personal use, I'm not as happy as I could be - but hey, I won't lose too much sleep either. But when someone steals my stuff, then aggressively sells it to others for profit - it's time to slide down the bat-pole, and head out into the night.
To end on a positive note - these people are in the minority. There are way more people who value the work and effort it takes into creating something beneficial and of great value - and who pay a reasonable price for that work. In my own case - I always pay.
In the past, I have to admit, I have tried some software on occasion that I have bought overseas somewhere - but if I like the program and find a use for it - I invariably go out and buy an original. People should be paid for their work. Once an idea is out of the bag - it kind of becomes public property - like making fire, or cooking rice - but I think each of us, in our won way, knows where to draw the line.
Have a great Christmas everyone - be well, stay safe ... enjoy the time with family and friends.
JBW

The Super Squirrel

For myself, life has always been about LIVING. I have never been one to put too much thought, focus or effort into financial security and such. That being said though, it is important that even though we should live fully for TODAY - there is no doubt that we should plan for TOMORROW. Now, there's no need to be obsessive about it, but by turning say 10% of our thoughts and focus onto putting away for tomorrow, we greatly increase the scope of our options for the future.
Recently, I have caught up with some old martial arts friends from the past, and have been saddened to see them struggling financially. A big part of the martial arts is about the understanding of leverage - and so not to apply those self-same principles to our lives off the mat or outside of the ring, seems a great pity. it takes work, that's true - but to fully live our lives in the ways that we want to live them, usually requires money. Even squirrels store nuts for the winter - and they have brains the size of .... well, squirrels!
So when making those new years resolutions next week - or when buying yourself or someone close to you a gift - perhaps include a book or two on 'planning for tomorrow. 'The Richest man in Babylon' for example, is great small book on the power and leverage of savings - an easy read - and it can make a huge and positive difference in your or someone else's financial health.
Don't become fanatical about it - but don't bury your head in the sand either. Gather a few nuts BEFORE the winter hits. Be the Super Squirrel ...
Happy Christmas to everyone,
JBW

Two time Grapplers Quest Champion

Our American Black Belt, Brian Johnson, just won the prestigious Grapplers Quest Tournament for the second year in a row. Winning every match by submission, it looks like his longest match didn't last for more than two minutes. Brian runs a great school in Seattle - my favourite American city. I am looking forward to catching up with Brian and his students this July when I head out to teach Chuck Norris's Back Belts at te annua; UFAF tournament. After that work is done - I'll head up to Seattle for two days and spend some time with Brian and my other good friend there, Korbett Miller.
Well done Brian - fantastic effort!
JBW

Take a look at Brian's matches on You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRcizHdXz_Y

Christmas Countdown

This is the last full week of training that we will have at my Geelong School before Christmas. I am so very glad to be home from my travels - and am loving being with my family. Tonight will be my first class since my return - and I am very much looking forward to it. We are preparing for the end-of-year gradings to be held next monday and tuesday nights. An exciting time for everyone involved - and a great way to finish up 2008!
Christmas is a fun time for everyone - giving treats and gifts to family and friends is what it's mostly about for our family - well that, and having fewer demands on our time.
The day after Christmas, a friend and I are heading for a four day walk into the Wilderness of Tasmania's Central Plateau - one of my favourite places on the planet. We havn't been there for two years - so I am really looking forward to it.
The day after I get back from there, my family and I are heading to Singapore for a wedding (Kon & Charmaine) - then on to Bali for 6 days.
In bali, I'll be catching up with two old training partners of mine from the early 80's. That will be interesting for sure! Apparently, they are both still training. They were hard-core back then - but that was 25 odd years ago - I am really looking forward to the catch-up!
Anyways - a bit to do before that happens. And ultimately, TODAY, is the time that matters most. Living in the now - and extracting the most we can out of living in the present is something that has been central to my philosophy for three decades now. In fact, as a youngster living in Indonesia - I used to wear a pendant that simply read "LIVE TODAY - DEATH WAIT'S FOR US TOMORROW". A bit morbid perhaps - but I was, after all, just a reckless 20 year old.
Still, for most of my life since then, I have been fairly excited and enthusiastic about each and every day I have lived. When giving martial arts instructors teaching advice - I often mention the importance of 'BEING FULLY ENGAGED" in every class we ever take. NEVER, just go through the motions. ENTHUSIASM and FULL-ENGAGEMENT breeds more of the same - and this in itself, stems from the concept of fully living i the NOW! As the old saying goes - LIVE FOR TODAY - BUT PLAN FOR TOMORROW.
Anyways - just got back from the pool an hour ago, where my wife and I swam a few laps together - she's a great swimmer, and she coached me with a few pointers that may have improved my feeble efforts somewhat. A quick bite to eat after this short blog - then a couple of friends will be arriving from Canberra for two of days training - Travis Faure (ADF) and Andy Gibbs (AFP) - so that's a nice bonus.
My blog has morphed into a bit of a 'dear diary' effort these past ten days - apologies. Don't despair - I'll get back into my usual format soon.
Best wishes,
JBW

My new MMA MAts

A huge thanks to Craig Moorfoot, Peter Saliaris, James Jelley (And Melissa & Amy of course) who helped me put down my new MMA mats yesterday. Thanks also to Gebsy for finishing of the edge trim for me. They arrived at 12 noon - and were all layed down (and cut in) by 5pm. These new MMA Mats are simply the best training surface I have ever been on. Absolutely perfect for both stand-up and groundwork. They look great, feel great and are the next evolution upward from the jigsaw mat concept. No interlocking edges to collect dust and dirt - the look is clean and expansive - and the surface is far, far easier to mop or sweep. The fact that they are 2 metres by one metre each, makes for a larger, more open look. A perfect fusion of tradition and modern. I love them. For any interested in seeking out new mats that do the job perfectly for both stand-up and groundwork - contact Paul Jolley at Jols for details (03 94892333) - ask for the MMA Mat.
I am anxious to see how the students respond when they walk in for their last week of training before Christmas. Happy Christmas all.
JBW

Last post from Bangkok

Leaving Bangkok in 12 hours time ... all being well. The airport has just re-opened for business now that the rebels have departed. Looks like I am good to go for a flight at 9pm tonight. Went to the Jitti Gym this morning, said my goodbyes. A great place - a great bunch of people. I ay consider having Jitti come out for a weekend seminar at some time ... his English is pretty good - and he has an impressive depth of knowledge on the art of Muay Thai. Plus - I like him.
I'll head downtown now and might catch a movie - hit a few bookstores and while away the rest of the day until airport time comes around. May even go set a few more birds free from a Buddhist temple - although I have to see, I am not a big fan of the begging monks. This will almost certainly go against popular opinion - but to those monks, I say 'GET A JOB'. Work like everyone else if you want to eat - I am sick of seeing these people go on about a life of prayer - while they are happy for others to do the work and feed them. Don't get me started about Tibet! I have spoken to several Tibetans who rejoice that the priests are no longer 'enslaving the population' (their words - not mine). Perhaps I am being a little unfair - the monks are good at some work - they are good at catching birds so people can give them money to release them.
Anyways - time to go - I am very much looking forward to getting home to my family and my students.
best wishes,
JBW

Lazy Sunday

Trained this morning - was the only one doing so. Everyone else was sleeping - except for one fighter (Sak) who though 'bleary-eyed' was happy to step into the ring and hold pads for me for an hour. Afterward, I took him on the subway to a big shopping Mall and corrupted him with lunch in a restaurant, a movie and a visit to Starbucks. We saw Ombak 2 - an action martial arts movie set in ancient Thailand. Not really my kind of movie - but I am pretty sure that Sak loved the whole experience.
Doing these kinds of things is an easy thing for most westerners - we tend to take such things for granted. For much of the earths population though, these things are luxuries, beyond their everyday reach. At times like these I feel embarrassed at the amount of choice and affluence I have in my life.
In honor of my good friend Dave Meyer, I also bought a bunch of birds from a vendor in the street and set them free. I felt good about doing so for about five seconds - then it occurred to me that by paying for this privelege, I am in fact increasing demand for the Thai's to go out and catch more birds - so more people can pay to have them set free. Sorry Dave ... not sure whether I did more harm than good. For those who don't know him, David is extremely passionate about animal rights - it is my view that the world would be a far better place if it were inhabited by more people like him. It's mid afternoon now - time to chat my family and take it easy for the rest of the day.
Two more days in Bangkok and I am headed home. I should blog one more time between now and then.
Stay well,
JBW

And that about wraps another day ...

Training this morning was a load of fun. Five rounds of sparring with Rachasak - a former dual-stadium champion with over 300 professional fights under his belt. VERY, VERY good. Beautiful in the clinch - and exraordinarily difficult to lay a shin on. Afterward, I spent some more time with another younger fighter - working on some defence and 'lead leg' work. There was just the three of us in the ring - as everyone else was sleeping due to a big previous night - it was the Kings Birthday here in Thailand - and everyone went out to watch the King's Cup (Huge Muay Thai event) - and I suspect most of them were sleeping off hangovers. So the gym was very quiet - I enjoyed it a lot.
I then headed down to Chatuchak market and bought a couple of things for my family. The to a movie - Quantum of Solace (English soundtrack - Thai subtitles).
After the movie I headed back to my hotel, where I did some considerable work on the proposed new 3rd degree black belt requirements for Chuck Norris's organization (UFAF).
It looks very probable that UFAF will adopt this curriculum as their official syllabus requirements in the future - I feel honoured and humbled that they are looking to my lead on this.
Anyways - time to hit the pool, do a few laps before heading down the street for dinner.
Stay safe,
JBW

Wrapped up and good to go

Another good day - met with student Craig Moorfoot this morning down in Sukhumvit (more of a touristy part of town). We had a coffee and walked around for an hour or two. I then caught the subway back home, collected my training gear and headed off to Jitti gym again. Spent an hour with Jitti - had a great workout. Worked on combos' in the ring - and a few clinching ideas (here's a pic of Jitti wrapping y hands before todays workout)
Training finished - then took the subway back a couple of stops to the area I'm staying in. Walked the kilometre or so along some streets close to my hotel and scrounged up some dinner from a couple of street stalls (see pic) The whole meal cost me about $5 Aussie Dollars ( and half of that was spent on the juices I bought at my hotel) Great value.
Might let dinner digest for a bit, then hit the pool for a few laps before kicking back for the evening.
Off again to training early in the morning - before heading down to the Chaduchak open-air market, late morning.
Time to go ... best wishes,
JBW

Notice what no-one else notices ...

... that way you'll learn things that no-one else knows.
This is a specific talent that I have always tried (often times painfully slowly) to nurture. Especially when I am in a country where I do not understand the spoken language. Overly depending on verbal instruction is s sure-fire way to impede the learning process. We learn by looking, by feeling, by tasting, by smelling - not just by hearing.
Today I had a good day. I hooked up with Jitti (owner of Jitti gym) at 2pm for an hours training before the other fighters started rolling in for the late afternoon session. We trained in the ring - working on various combinations and Muay Thai strategies for the first forty minutes. The it was a few rounds of padwork, followed by a cool down and stretch.
The relationship between fighter and master pad-holder is one built over time. Each has to learn how the other one works. The fighter needs to familiarize himself with what the trainer wants when he presents the pads to you in a certain way - the trainer needs to get an idea of the fighters weaknesses so that he can correct them and improve performance. This process can be frustrating, fun, exhilirating and exhausting, all at once. But it is the name of the game - particularly, with respect to the art of Muay Thai.
Training done for the day - I am heading out to sample some local food in the back-streets of my neighbourhood. When overseas, I like to get away from those areas haunted by tourists - and get in with the locals. Authentic food, authentic people - the authentic experience.
It is my lovely wife's birthday today - so Melissa, if you are reading this Blog "HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEAUTIFUL - ALL BEING WELL, I'LL BE HOME SOON! I LOVE YOU! XXX X"
Sorry about that readers - my blog, my rules.
Best wishes all,
JBW

When a foul wind blows

Another big day.
Laps in the pool - crashed into the wall while swimming underwater with eyes closed. perhaps they were wrong about my IQ! Headed to the dentist to have old fillings replaced with new high-tech material. Torture for me, siting in that chair.
Headed to Jitti gym - hoping to make my day a little better. Got inot the ring with one of the fighters, doing some light sparring for 30 minutes, got nailed with a straight jab that broke the temporary crowns the dentist had put in the day before. I spat them out, and finished up my session with some padwork. I feel sorry for my training partner, who was freaked out by the accident. Hey, that's training! The only real thing I am concerned about is telling my wife Melissa, who told me that going to the dentist in the morning and the ring in the afternoon is close to about the most stupid thing anyone can do.
Right again ... oh, why don't I listen?
A friend of mine turned up though, and made my day a lot better - Adam Kayoom - a very nice guy, a fantastic martial artist (BJJ brown belt - and a good one at that - and holder of a world Muay Thai title).
Adam has attended some of my seminars in the past - and it was a real pleasure finding him turning up at Jitti gym yesterday. I am just about to head off and get together with him in at the gym to work on the clinch game for an hour. Then it's another hour with Jitti - on the pads - before I head back home to enjoy the evening.
Enough for today.
Best wishes all,
JBW

A knife at my throat

It's been a long time since I've had a knife held at my throat.
But after an early morning swim, and quick bite to eat, I experienced it once again.
This time though, it was a Bangkok straight-razor, expertly wielded by an old guy in a back=street barber shop. It cost me one Aussie dollar for one of the best shaves I've ever had. it would have cost me far more for a can of shaving foam - which I would have had to buy. Good start to the day.
Sitting here in the waiting room at the dentist, where they have WIFI, I am able to check a few e-mails, video-chat my family and write this short blog.
Another hour or two of dental punishment befre i head off to the Jitti gym once again. Looking forward to that.
More later - the day is yet to unfold.
JBW

Teeth fixed in the morning and punched in the afternoon

A big day!
Started out by hitting the pool. Followed by a quick breakfast then headed down the street to BIDC (Bangkok International Dentist). Time for a much needed re-do of a couple of old crowns that I have, and a missing tooth on the bottom. Also, getting all my old fillings redone with some new high-tech composite material. This is torture for me - but one quarter of the price here in Thailand. They do great work - and by what I have seen so far, they have way better equipment and better service than any other dentist I have seen back home.
So, after three hours in the dentist chair, I headed to the subway and jumped two stations up-line to Rachadaprisek station, located two hundred metres from the renowned Jitti gym. I was fortunate enough to spend half and hour in the ring with Jitti himself, whilst the afternoon fighters went through their paces around us. A great workout. Jitti is a master pad holder and trainer (and fighter).
Afterward I spent time working the Thai clinching method with another visiting fighter from Scotland. Afterward, I cooled off by watching the training for a bit before saying my goodbyes and making my way back to my hotel. On the way I bought various tit-bits of freshly cooked Thai food from a bunch of street vendors up some of the nearby side-streets. Everything tasted great.
Back at my hotel - had a chance to video chat my wife before taking one last dip in the pool. Staring out my window, I see the lights of Bangkok spreading off in to the distance. A beautiful view.
Best get some sleep - tomorrow, back to the dentist - followed by another afternoon session with Jitti. Bring it on!
JBW

One Full Day ...

Arrived in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) around 6:45 am this morning. Didn't sleep a wink on the plane as it was an AIr ASIA plane with plastic immovable seats - and no space. Tough!
Upon arrival, we took a shuttle bus around to the other terminal and found our way to the Malaysian Airlines counter. There, by an amazing stroke of good fortune, we were able to secure two seats on a flight (not to Phuket as was out plan) but to U-tapao, the old Naval Airport only three hours out of Bangkok. We arrived there safely at about 10:30am - where I gathered together three other 'lost souls' and hired a driver and a mini-van to take us into Bangkok. By 2pm, we were dropped off at a hotel that I had picked at random on the internet.
As it turned out (the universe really looked after me today) the location of this hotel was right where I needed to be. After catching the underground subway down to Sukhumvit rd, we had a bite of freshly cooked Thai food before I gathered the courage to buy a few bits of clothing for my wife. Back to the hotel as the sun went down - feeling pretty good about making into bangkok, when everyone else is trying to get out.
Jumped on the net (my room has WiFi) and found the Muay Thai gym I want to train at is less than ten minutes away by subway. Craig and I headed back out into the night, flagged down a couple of motorbikes and were whisked back to the subway station. Two stops later and a two hundred yard walk, we found the gym I wanted - Jitti Gym. I have set up a session tomorrow with the owners brother - a former Thai Champ.
Back to the hotel - one more coconut juice - and up to my room to write this blog.
A good day indeed - impossible task of getting to Bangkok - DONE - impossible shopping for Melissa - DONE - Jitti gym training organized - DONE - three coconuts and one great Thai meal consumed - DONE!
More to follow ...
JBW