Originally Posted by 47MartialMan

This doesnt make complete sense to me. How can one be a beginner for some time? How can one consider themself "just starting"-for some time? I have no intentions of offense or controversy, are youe saying that you are a beginner or just starting? Which, per my interpretation, seems to be the same.

Would you feel more comfortable with the word novice? Apparently semantics is extremely important on this forum. To me, beginner and novice would be interchangeable. I know the basics (and the history) of my style and I can handle myself well, but I would never presume to be anything other than a beginner/novice at my current level. Someone that's been married for thirty years would look at my paltry two and 1/2 and say I was just starting or maybe even a beginner. Hope this clarifies


Per when you were a doorman? May I ask, what age are you now and what age were you a doorman?

I was a doorman starting about the age of 20 and did it part time until age 26 or so. Mostly at a private after hour club and at special events. Started doing it again about six years ago for special events and for friends that own local clubs, probably only 8-10 times a year. Although the Irish pub I used to work at is now under new management, so I probably won't have that gig anymore. I'm forty one now and I'd have to say I'm much better at talking people out of being stupid than I was as a youth.


Xing Yi-are you giving the reference of Xingyiquan-also spelled as Hsing I? Who is you Shifu? Shifu is spelled, per Wade Giles/Pinyin as Sifu, Si fuh, Shifu, varying dialect from general Chinese, Manderin, Cantonese, etc. So either spelling is correct.

Yes, that's the one. Although I study a style called Ma Lineage Xing Yi Liu He Quan also referred to as Xin Yi Liu He Quan. Before I go throwing my Shifu's name on the internet I would first like to ask his permission. I don't think he would have a problem, but I'd rather not presume.