Sent by Tim Walker.
Doctor: Size-D Breast Implant Stopped Bullet, Saved Woman
Thursday , February 25, 2010
A California woman, who was wounded during a shooting rampage inside a dental office last summer, was saved by her size-D breast implants, according to her doctor.
Lydia Carranza was shot in the chest when a gunman opened fire at the Family Dental Care Clinic in Simi Valley on July 1, 2009, KTLA.com reported. Dr. Ashkan Ghavami, a Beverly Hills plastic surgeon, said he believes her implant stopped the bullet from hitting her heart.
"I saw the CT scan," he told the Los Angeles Times. "The bullet fragments were millimeters from her heart and her vital organs. Had she not had the implant, she might not be alive today."
Although the spokeswoman for the hospital that treated Carranza said it’s not clear whether the breast implant had any impact on saving her life, a firearms instructor said it is possible.
"Common sense would dictate that any time you have something that interrupts the velocity of the projectile, it would benefit the object it was trying to strike," Scott Reitz, a deadly-force expert witness with 30 years' experience in the LAPD told the Times.
"I don't want to say a boob job is the equivalent of a bulletproof vest," he added. "So don't go getting breast enhancements as a means to deflect a possible incoming bullet."
As a result of the shooting, Carranza’s implant was completely destroyed. Ghavami now plans to perform reconstructive surgery at a reduced cost, according to the report.
Also - Here on the radio in Ft. Myers, there was a story about a woman somewhere in the US who was accidentally shot and her "love handles" caught the bullet. She said she felt something and she's relatively unhurt. An argument for NOT losing weighgt.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Another resource
I was having lunch with Dr. Rowe, his two daughters and a grand-daughter. The subject of self-defense came up and Debbie told me about Girls Fight Back. I've taken a look at the site and you may want to also.
http://www.girlsfightback.com/
http://www.girlsfightback.com/
Friday, February 26, 2010
"All you need is one person to show you... your own power"
I met author Tom West recently. He's written books on learning disabilities (The Mind's Eye is one) and he sent this along to myself and Dr. Rowe. The speaker in this clip is Aimee Mullins, who was born without shinbones and has won Paralympics events. The post title here is a quote from her speech. Her observations and the stories of her life demonstrate the impact of attitude, opportunity and having the right teacher. Parts gave me goosebumps. There are a few points I don't agree with but overall it's worth taking the time to watch and to share.
http://www.ted.com/talks/aimee_mullins_the_opportunity_of_adversity.html
For info on Tom West see this link.
http://krasnow.gmu.edu/trustees/biotw.html
http://www.ted.com/talks/aimee_mullins_the_opportunity_of_adversity.html
For info on Tom West see this link.
http://krasnow.gmu.edu/trustees/biotw.html
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Germany trip
I was over at Marc Sigle's studio recently. It's always great to visit his studio. I've made some friends over there and hanging out with them is fun. Turns out Marc even has a student, Lenny, who speaks Klingon and has even been on TV as a consultant about it. Who knew?
Marc is always a great host and took time out of his schedule to spend a day and we went to Zurich, the capital of Switzerland. Along the way we stopped at Rhienfall, where the water from Lake Constance creates a beautiful waterfall and flows on to become the German Rhine. Zurich is a classic European city and the weather was exceptional for winter. The sky was blue and the weather was warm enough to go without a jacket at times. The snow-covered Alps in the background made for a memorable view.
The classes I taught were well-received and we did a lot of varied material. Marc's people are coming along and I see improvement in those who are newer black belts and the browns coming close. Thomas Kozitsky from the Dusseldorf area was there and we had some interesting chats. He's an engineer by trade and asks good questions.
Airport security has been stepped up over there, too. If you're going, get to the airport a little earlier.
All in all, another great trip.
The classes I taught were well-received and we did a lot of varied material. Marc's people are coming along and I see improvement in those who are newer black belts and the browns coming close. Thomas Kozitsky from the Dusseldorf area was there and we had some interesting chats. He's an engineer by trade and asks good questions.
Airport security has been stepped up over there, too. If you're going, get to the airport a little earlier.
All in all, another great trip.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
A legendary eater
Ed Parker was not only know for his pioneering of kenpo and the martial arts in the US but stories abound of how he could eat. The standing joke is "You gonna eat those bones?" amongst those who knew him. If you were at the table with him and looked like you were not going to finish what you had in front of you, he'd often ask if you were going to eat it. If you weren't, and many got the hint, he'd swoop down and the food would disappear. The joke implies he'd even eat the bones.
I was told that Mr. Tom Kelly was eating with him and a group one evening at a Chinese restaurant. Mr. Parker was talking and had a piece of meat in his chopsticks. Mr. Kelly snatched it out of his chopsticks with his own chopsticks with an underhand pick. You had to be pretty close, friend-wise, to do that to Mr. Parker. I think if I tried that I wouldn't get my arm back.
I was in Honolulu with him, coming back from Australia. He took a group of us to his favorite restaurant, the Golden Duck, for Chinese. He ordered for us and soon the lazy susan on the table was full of food. He said "You guys stared at it and didn't do anything. Then I thought "They don't like it". Then, you attacked it!"
It was great food. It's a shame the place was later torn down but I'm told by Ed Jr. that's it's re-opened.
Steve White tells a story about being at a home where Mr. Parker was the guest of honor. The host's wife baked a cake, cut it into small pieces and stacked them on a plate. Mr. Parker, of course, was the first to get the plate. He was in the midst of telling a story and while he talked he ate a piece of cake. He kept eating while he finished his story and Steve said he also finished the cake. It reminds me of what Tadashi Yamashita said when he watched Mr. Parker eat when on a trip to Chile. His comment was "Unbelievable".
I could go on with more stories but they're a fun part of the lore of the system and you'll hear some from time to time at some gatherings when the seniors are present. The down side is that in his later years his appetite caused him to gain weight and develop gout but it sure didn't slow him down. I don't tell these stories to tarnish his memory, I tell them fondly. I smile when I remember. His birthday is coming soon, it's in March and he's been on my mind.
I was told that Mr. Tom Kelly was eating with him and a group one evening at a Chinese restaurant. Mr. Parker was talking and had a piece of meat in his chopsticks. Mr. Kelly snatched it out of his chopsticks with his own chopsticks with an underhand pick. You had to be pretty close, friend-wise, to do that to Mr. Parker. I think if I tried that I wouldn't get my arm back.
I was in Honolulu with him, coming back from Australia. He took a group of us to his favorite restaurant, the Golden Duck, for Chinese. He ordered for us and soon the lazy susan on the table was full of food. He said "You guys stared at it and didn't do anything. Then I thought "They don't like it". Then, you attacked it!"
It was great food. It's a shame the place was later torn down but I'm told by Ed Jr. that's it's re-opened.
Steve White tells a story about being at a home where Mr. Parker was the guest of honor. The host's wife baked a cake, cut it into small pieces and stacked them on a plate. Mr. Parker, of course, was the first to get the plate. He was in the midst of telling a story and while he talked he ate a piece of cake. He kept eating while he finished his story and Steve said he also finished the cake. It reminds me of what Tadashi Yamashita said when he watched Mr. Parker eat when on a trip to Chile. His comment was "Unbelievable".
I could go on with more stories but they're a fun part of the lore of the system and you'll hear some from time to time at some gatherings when the seniors are present. The down side is that in his later years his appetite caused him to gain weight and develop gout but it sure didn't slow him down. I don't tell these stories to tarnish his memory, I tell them fondly. I smile when I remember. His birthday is coming soon, it's in March and he's been on my mind.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Success stories
I will be at Marc Sigle's school in Esslingen next week. It's just outside of Stuttgart. Marc has a very successful, well-run school there. Much of that is due to Marc going out and getting the best education he can in the martial arts business and the arts themselves. He then trains his staff and implements what they have learned. I've seen many people go for education and training and then come back and do nothing with it. Not so Marc.
It amazes me that someone would spend time, effort and money to go to a business seminar, for example, then say that the success of the speaker is due to luck or location. I have two students who are now both very successful that had small studios when I met them. Both worked regular jobs and had part-time schools. With a good martial arts education (what we call a strong floor or what you teach) and business skills learned by taking business seminars, visiting successful schools and modeling after them, and networking, both these men grew part-time schools into flourishing studios with hundreds of students. That's not luck, that's work. Steve did this with a second floor location and Marc did it in a basement location. They have good staff, ongoing training and a positive attitude.
All that said, I enjoy my trips to see them both and am looking forward to seeing Marc and his group again. Besides, my weinerschnitzel levels are low. I have to go there. I think they put something in them to make it addictive.
It amazes me that someone would spend time, effort and money to go to a business seminar, for example, then say that the success of the speaker is due to luck or location. I have two students who are now both very successful that had small studios when I met them. Both worked regular jobs and had part-time schools. With a good martial arts education (what we call a strong floor or what you teach) and business skills learned by taking business seminars, visiting successful schools and modeling after them, and networking, both these men grew part-time schools into flourishing studios with hundreds of students. That's not luck, that's work. Steve did this with a second floor location and Marc did it in a basement location. They have good staff, ongoing training and a positive attitude.
All that said, I enjoy my trips to see them both and am looking forward to seeing Marc and his group again. Besides, my weinerschnitzel levels are low. I have to go there. I think they put something in them to make it addictive.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
The doctor is in
Marc Rowe sent this to me from the British Journal of Sports Medicine. If you can translate the medical-ese it says the tai chi master didn't lean forward or back, he kept his center. What do you know?
Br J Sports Med 2003;37:339-344 doi:10.1136/bjsm.37.4.339
Original article
Kinematic and electromyographic analysis of the push movement in tai chi
+ Author Affiliations
Department of Sports Science and Physical Education, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Correspondence to: Ms Chan, Department of Sports Science and Physical Education, Kwok Sports Building, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong;chan_suk_ping@alumni.cuhk.net
Accepted 16 September 2002
Abstract
Background: Tai chi is a form of exercise derived from the martial art folk traditions of China. The force used in tai chi includes different principles of mechanical advantage. No studies on the kinematic features of tai chi exercise have been published.
Objective: To analyse the kinematics and electromyographic characteristics of tai chi.
Methods: An experienced tai chi master was asked to perform a sequence of basic movements: ward off, roll back, press, and push. The movements were videotaped and digitised using a motion analysis system. Electromyographic activities of the lumbar erector spinae, rectus femoris, medial hamstrings, and medial head of gastrocnemius were recorded by surface electrodes. The push movement data were analysed.
Results: The medial hamstrings and medial head of gastrocnemius muscle groups maintained low activity, with higher electromyographic values in the lumbar erector spinae and substantially higher ones in the rectus femoris during the push movement. Both concentric and eccentric contractions occurred in muscles of the lower limbs, with eccentric contraction occurring mainly in the anti-gravity muscles such as the rectus femoris and the medial head of gastrocnemius. The forward and backward shifts in centre of gravity (CG) were mainly accomplished by increasing and decreasing respectively the joint angles of the bilateral lower limbs rather than by adopting a forward or backward postural lean. The path of the CG in the anteroposterior and mediolateral component was unique, and the sway or deviation from the path was small. The master maintained an upright posture and maintained a low CG (hips, knees, and ankles bent) while travelling slowly and steadily from one position to another.
Conclusion: The eccentric muscle contraction of the lower limbs in the push movement of tai chi may help to strengthen the muscles.
Br J Sports Med 2003;37:339-344 doi:10.1136/bjsm.37.4.339
Original article
Kinematic and electromyographic analysis of the push movement in tai chi
+ Author Affiliations
Department of Sports Science and Physical Education, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Correspondence to: Ms Chan, Department of Sports Science and Physical Education, Kwok Sports Building, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong;chan_suk_ping@alumni.cuhk.net
Accepted 16 September 2002
Abstract
Background: Tai chi is a form of exercise derived from the martial art folk traditions of China. The force used in tai chi includes different principles of mechanical advantage. No studies on the kinematic features of tai chi exercise have been published.
Objective: To analyse the kinematics and electromyographic characteristics of tai chi.
Methods: An experienced tai chi master was asked to perform a sequence of basic movements: ward off, roll back, press, and push. The movements were videotaped and digitised using a motion analysis system. Electromyographic activities of the lumbar erector spinae, rectus femoris, medial hamstrings, and medial head of gastrocnemius were recorded by surface electrodes. The push movement data were analysed.
Results: The medial hamstrings and medial head of gastrocnemius muscle groups maintained low activity, with higher electromyographic values in the lumbar erector spinae and substantially higher ones in the rectus femoris during the push movement. Both concentric and eccentric contractions occurred in muscles of the lower limbs, with eccentric contraction occurring mainly in the anti-gravity muscles such as the rectus femoris and the medial head of gastrocnemius. The forward and backward shifts in centre of gravity (CG) were mainly accomplished by increasing and decreasing respectively the joint angles of the bilateral lower limbs rather than by adopting a forward or backward postural lean. The path of the CG in the anteroposterior and mediolateral component was unique, and the sway or deviation from the path was small. The master maintained an upright posture and maintained a low CG (hips, knees, and ankles bent) while travelling slowly and steadily from one position to another.
Conclusion: The eccentric muscle contraction of the lower limbs in the push movement of tai chi may help to strengthen the muscles.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Score one for the TKD people
I don't think the charge is correct but you get the idea.
Disruptive passenger didn't count on black belt "fight attendant"
by Scott Carmichael (RSS feed) on Feb 8th 2010 at 12:30PM
Rarely do you hear the words "At that point, I just put him into a choke hold" coming from a flight attendant.
But this is exactly what happened on US Airways flight 1447 last week when passenger Kinman Chan allegedly started freaking out after he doubled up on his dose of medicinal marijuana.
According to reports, halfway into the flight, Mr. Chan started losing his mind - screaming, banging on the bathroom doors and opening compartments in the rear of the plane.
He then went into a bathroom and came out with his pants down. It was at this point that flight attendant Lorin Gorman told him to sit down. When he refused, he also made a threatening motion to her - so she put him in an arm lock, jumped on him, and put him in a choke hold.
The plane was diverted to Pittsburgh where Chan was arrested and charged with disrupting a flight attendant. He now faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Poor Mr. Chan obviously had not expected to run into a fourth-degree Tae Kwon Do expert on his flight. She credits her post-9/11 special training for her skills and ability to deal with small spaces
Disruptive passenger didn't count on black belt "fight attendant"
by Scott Carmichael (RSS feed) on Feb 8th 2010 at 12:30PM
Rarely do you hear the words "At that point, I just put him into a choke hold" coming from a flight attendant.
But this is exactly what happened on US Airways flight 1447 last week when passenger Kinman Chan allegedly started freaking out after he doubled up on his dose of medicinal marijuana.
According to reports, halfway into the flight, Mr. Chan started losing his mind - screaming, banging on the bathroom doors and opening compartments in the rear of the plane.
He then went into a bathroom and came out with his pants down. It was at this point that flight attendant Lorin Gorman told him to sit down. When he refused, he also made a threatening motion to her - so she put him in an arm lock, jumped on him, and put him in a choke hold.
The plane was diverted to Pittsburgh where Chan was arrested and charged with disrupting a flight attendant. He now faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Poor Mr. Chan obviously had not expected to run into a fourth-degree Tae Kwon Do expert on his flight. She credits her post-9/11 special training for her skills and ability to deal with small spaces
Friday, February 5, 2010
Mustang!
A friend sent this to me and it's worth taking the 20 minutes to watch. I flew a Mustang while in New Zealand years ago and also attended the 2007 Gathering of Mustangs and Legends in Columbus, OH shown in the film. Even if you're not "into airplanes" the back story about the meaning of family is touching.
http://www.asb.tv/videos/view.php?v=1bf99434&br=500
http://www.asb.tv/videos/view.php?v=1bf99434&br=500
Thursday, February 4, 2010
More on not turning your back
Soemtimes I get some feedback on these posts and Tony Perez in Brisbane, Australia frequently chimes in. He's got good questions, comments and observations. He sent a note entitled "Always means 99% of the time", a phrase we use in Kenpo meaning it's not a hard and fast rule and allows for some bending. The following narrative illustrates how turning your back may be necessary. I will point out that Tony's experience here follows good tactical application - he transfers a skill used as a pilot (scanning), demonstrates awareness of his surrounding (Ed Parker's environment definition) and commonly used First Aid technique. A concept similar to that of competing harms is found here, too. Tony feels it necessary to chance turning his back to help a downed woman, yet he mitigates the risk by scanning and others helped by supplying light. There are lessons here.
Hi Lee,
Just read your recent story about not turning your back on your opponent. I'd like to share this story that happened to me just last Wednesday night.
It was 9:00pm and I had just finished teaching my ladies class at my home studio. We'd had a great class with 4 ladies who have been training with me for about 5 years now. After class two of them drove off to go home. My wife was talking to the other one and I was tidying up. Suddenly the ladies who had just left pulled up out the front and screamed,"Tony, quick there's a body in the grass!"
To set the scene the attached photo was taken at the front of my home and as the arrows shows, a "body" was lying in the foetal position just 2 houses down from mine! I couldn't believe it.
I ran down the street and stopped just short as I didn't want to become a statistic myself. As you can see there is parkland immediatley behind where the "body" was. It was curled up facing towards me and just to the side of the tree. We've had incidents here in Brisbane where people will feign injury whilst an accomplice lies in wait to ambush the good samaritan. This was definitley ambush territory.
The position the body was in left me no choice than to go around behind and forced me to put my back to the footpath and the bushland behind. Standing in front was casting my shadow over the "body" from the nearby street light and I couldn't see clearly.
I kneeled down to determine if there were any life signs. The "body" was a woman, late 40's and well dressed. Her purse and contents were strewn around her. She had a pulse and was breathing faintly. I held her hand, asked her if she could hear me to squeeze my hand. Nothing. By now my "spidey sense" was tingling and my ladies had parked their car opposite to shine it's headlights on us. My head was on a swivel (good pilot training coming back to me) as I still had no idea what had happened, how badly hurt she was or who else was around.
She eventually responded by sqeezing my hand and finally opened her eyes. To cut a long story short she told that her husband had assaulted her. She had no idea how long she had been there. We had been training less that 50 yds away and we hadn't heard anything.
Whilst waiting for the ambulance to arrive she kept sqeezing my hand ( I was in a real bad position if I'd have been approached from behind.) She kept saying that she was sorry and begged me not to let her go.
I told her that everything would be alright and that she had nothing to apologize for.
Now I would like to say that this is where the assailant reappeared on the scene and that I did what I had to do, but no. The ambulance arrived, asked me a few questons and eventually whisked her off.
We were all shocked that this could happen in our great neighbourhood and so close to where we had been.
For me though, Kenpo's principles, concepts and theories again passed the litmus test - in this case the environment totally dictated what I could do and what I should do - and that meant knowingly exposing my back.
Kudos to my lady students as well for not pretending they "were all that" and using common sense to get help rather than rushing in blindly. It was a sobering lesson for us all and a reminder of the importance of keeping those First Aid skills up to date.
Cheers,
Tony
Hi Lee,
Just read your recent story about not turning your back on your opponent. I'd like to share this story that happened to me just last Wednesday night.
It was 9:00pm and I had just finished teaching my ladies class at my home studio. We'd had a great class with 4 ladies who have been training with me for about 5 years now. After class two of them drove off to go home. My wife was talking to the other one and I was tidying up. Suddenly the ladies who had just left pulled up out the front and screamed,"Tony, quick there's a body in the grass!"
To set the scene the attached photo was taken at the front of my home and as the arrows shows, a "body" was lying in the foetal position just 2 houses down from mine! I couldn't believe it.
I ran down the street and stopped just short as I didn't want to become a statistic myself. As you can see there is parkland immediatley behind where the "body" was. It was curled up facing towards me and just to the side of the tree. We've had incidents here in Brisbane where people will feign injury whilst an accomplice lies in wait to ambush the good samaritan. This was definitley ambush territory.
The position the body was in left me no choice than to go around behind and forced me to put my back to the footpath and the bushland behind. Standing in front was casting my shadow over the "body" from the nearby street light and I couldn't see clearly.
I kneeled down to determine if there were any life signs. The "body" was a woman, late 40's and well dressed. Her purse and contents were strewn around her. She had a pulse and was breathing faintly. I held her hand, asked her if she could hear me to squeeze my hand. Nothing. By now my "spidey sense" was tingling and my ladies had parked their car opposite to shine it's headlights on us. My head was on a swivel (good pilot training coming back to me) as I still had no idea what had happened, how badly hurt she was or who else was around.
She eventually responded by sqeezing my hand and finally opened her eyes. To cut a long story short she told that her husband had assaulted her. She had no idea how long she had been there. We had been training less that 50 yds away and we hadn't heard anything.
Whilst waiting for the ambulance to arrive she kept sqeezing my hand ( I was in a real bad position if I'd have been approached from behind.) She kept saying that she was sorry and begged me not to let her go.
I told her that everything would be alright and that she had nothing to apologize for.
Now I would like to say that this is where the assailant reappeared on the scene and that I did what I had to do, but no. The ambulance arrived, asked me a few questons and eventually whisked her off.
We were all shocked that this could happen in our great neighbourhood and so close to where we had been.
For me though, Kenpo's principles, concepts and theories again passed the litmus test - in this case the environment totally dictated what I could do and what I should do - and that meant knowingly exposing my back.
Kudos to my lady students as well for not pretending they "were all that" and using common sense to get help rather than rushing in blindly. It was a sobering lesson for us all and a reminder of the importance of keeping those First Aid skills up to date.
Cheers,
Tony
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