Tim,

Thanks for the invitation! I'll put a visit to your school on my, "things to do list" the next time I'm in Southern California...


Big Bald Betty,

"Bump Uglies"?

That sounds blantantly homo-erotic, -you just stay the •••• away from me!

;)

Mike,
are you truly saying that you don't believe Tim can throw you? If so I really wish you would come down to the shen wu school. If he can't throw you I would devote some time to following you around and trying to learn what you know, and I think Tim probably would to. You are making a pretty bold statement, if you believe it to be true, you should go to shen wu and video tape your abilities. You do understand that Tim is not a super fat man who enjoys fibbing to people about his magic powers, exploding his ego at every turn and making people worship him like a fat demigod. I'm sure you're also aware that he is not in the business of tricking people with funny dance moves, tricky foreign words and fantasy stories about the good ol' days "back in 79 I drove a coke truck, and it was dangerous." Tim is an athletic, complete martial artist, he has thrown all forms of people who thought they were something special because they held a posture for 20 minutes.

I'm personally all for the magic of the martial arts, and discussions of meditation and energy, but fighting is fighting, and Tim is a seasoned expert, who are you? As far as I can tell, there is absolutely nothing to back up your claims about being expert at resisting throws. From what I’ve heard, it sounds like you have no experience with the martial arts outside of doing forms and the like. I don’t believe you to be anymore qualified to make judgments about “Torsten” and his ability to fight then any other person. When it comes to fighting ability, I don’t think you have any yourself; if you do, where did it come from?

Like I said, if the day ever comes (very unlikely, testing something is a mark of true martial ability), please invite me, seeing Tim unable to throw you inside of 10 seconds would shock me completely and change my whole perception of the martial arts.

-Chris Hein

Chris,

I'm not 100% but, I believe I heard on Empty Flower that Mike worked in the security field?

Chris,

I tried sending you an email to christopherhein@yahoo.com, but it got sent back by mailor-demon...

would you plese send me an email to: strongcomic@yahoo.com so that we can get a few things straight?

Regards
m.strong

Personally, I am in awe of the way humor permeates every facet of your posts.

I swallowed my snuff reading the first one.

Bob#2

Mr. Strong,

What kind of mind do you have??? You don't like to touch men??? How can you throw someone if you don't touch them???

The eloquent Betty...

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I SMELL TROUBLE

mike strong, your posts are rather fictional sounding, almost as if youve had to much time to compose them. and i must admit, being someone personal woman man, is not something i would be proud of.

if you had any experience at all, you would know not to underestimate.

I sent you your email, but what is it that we need to get straight?

What makes you think Mike is underestimating anyone?
How do you know that you are not underestimating him,.. or me?
You don't know Mike...or myself,..but yet you guys have already made some pretty big assumptions..

Mike is a big strong guy with amazing skill, and many many years of MA experience under his belt...He has trained with some of the best masters in the world..and I feel very fortunate to know him..

Tim, I would like to come visit your school to see how, and what, you guys train, and maybe make some friends and connections...yet,..the way your guys are talking,..it sounds to me that they will try and jump us as soon as we walk in the door!

What the hell is with this "macho" mentality anyway..?If you and your guys are on such a high level,..shouldn't everyone be past that already?

I have no problem with fighting...on the contrary...I love to fight.I do it all the time..It excites me very much... Win or lose,.. I always end up learning something new about myself, and that of strength of others as well...You know what I'm talking about.

I live in a rough neighborhood...I grew up fighting all my life as a means for survival...but I never go out and look for it..Why would I...If I did that I'd lose evertime,.. and my efforts would all be for nothing!..you know the old saying,.. "what goes around,.. comes around",..and if I followed that path, I would have to reap what I had sown. and most likely be dead by now...Hence why, I don't follow that path.

If you guys plan on ambushing us when we come to visit..Then why would I have any desire to come at all..{I'd rather avoid a wave, then take it head on..It's better for my health}I am very much past the whole "I need to prove myself" mentality in my lifes journey..I'v BTDT enough in my life already!
YES I'm an asskicker,.. but I don't go out looking to kick ass!

I think that it would be prudent for all, to calm down, and take a deep breath...

I'd still like to come visit and train,..but only if this hype and propaganda goes the way of the dodo...I'm not going to allow myself to be put into a potentially dangerous sittuation,..I'm way to smart for that..

Tim, if you are on the level that I think you are,..I'd very much like to come spar, and train, and share. Mike and I are not at war with you guys..lets be friends!

We might just all learn something new and positive about ourselfs and eachother.

I just think this has all gotten way out of hand!
Thats why I'm swallowing my pride and typing you this letter..
I life I would much rather make friends then enemies,..I hope you feel the same way.

-Ten Whitechild

just my two cents-

1- I doubt the poster posting as "Mike Strong" really is Mike Strong. (because no real martial artist would think he couldn't be thrown - that's hysterical).

2- It was "Mike Strong" who first claimed Tim couldn't throw him (this was not in response to any threat from anyone... just a dilussional statement, to which, several other posters balked).


3- I've studied at the Shen Wu school for 5 or 6 years now- and have never seen anyone ambushed or treated with anything but kindness and respect (even some who didn't deserve it). I understand how some of the posters sound a little too macho at times, but no one ever has to worry about being mistreated at Shen Wu.

Peas and lub,
Shane

I don't think anyone at shen wu is going to "jump you" I'm sure everyone will offer to put on gloves with you, and spar in a very normal manner. However making statements like "I'm an asskicker" or "there is not a chance Tim Cartmell can throw me" are very very bold statements. statements like this would lead one to believe that you are very good at fighting. The students of Shen wu are also good at fighting, and like to learn new things, if you are so amazing I'm sure we'd all like to see it. Personally it sounds to me like you guys live in fantasy land, where there are dreams of being a top level security guard for some chinese nationalists. Or of the sweat times when you lurked around the corner and saw some bad stuff with the cops. You all talk a fine game, and I'm sure you're both great dungeon masters, but I think for you to continue talking like you do, we will need to see some evidence that all your abilities exist.

-Chris Hein

I'm going to California and I want all the "asskickers" and Homophobs out there when I'm there visiting Uncle Tim. We can have challenge fights and live in tough neighborhoods...I'll bump uglies with everyone!!!

(Village People Sing!)
"Y...M....C....A, Y...M....C.....A"

Now, who sounds crazy. You fellows are making the Betty sound reasonable!!!

Remember, Betty loves ya...!

Ten Whitechild- it sounds like your pride isn't the only thing you're ready to swallow.

Bob#2

Hey, my stories are told for entertainment puposes only,- they are MEANT to make you laugh.

They are TRUE STORIES, but if you don't like them, or you think I'm making them up, that's fine...

Fair enough.

...I have a hard time believing guys in a Hsing I/Ba Gua school could be such dumb jocks, or that the words Big, Bald, & Betty acttually describe a real human being, but if that's the way it is, - then that's the way it is.

Now, I know Ten sounds a little...(what's the word?)... ARDENT in his posts, but his passion for martial arts and his natural fighting savey are only exceeded by his mellow, caring nature...

...(okay I'll admit, Ten scares me a little), but I really think that he's some kind of crazy, misunderstood genius that will one day prove that his maddness is a force for good in the world.

I really don't know anything about this trip to Garden Grove that he has planed, but it seems that he has invisioned me in it; so, why not?

I'm not really worried about getting "jumped", I just hope nobody tries to hurt my feelings by insinuating that my teacher is fat, or stuff like that.

Ten,

First off, many of the people that post here aren't my students to begin with, so the usual disclaimer applies (you know, "the views expressed here are not necessarily those of the management"). But everyone is welcome to voice their opinion.

All kinds of people come and train with us. Some of the others think they can't be hit, thrown, submitted etc. Because we train realistically, we know that anything can happen to anyone, including us, and we like to see how others do things. We're not the ones making assumptions. No one that has ever come to my academy with good intentions has ever been treated with anything other than respect.

You and Mike are welcome to come and visit anytime you like.

Now that the dust has settled a little bit..
I'd like to say:

Chris,...Fare enough..

Shane,...I wish there were more people like you on these boards..

Mike,...well,.. you know..

Tim,...Next time I'm in town, I would be happy to stop by your academy..I assume that respect is something to be earned,.. You have to earn mine, and I'll have to earn yours, and thats the way it should be..But we are not enemies..In fact we might be potential friends, or even good friends,..That's the way I hope things will unfold..
For me, it would be an honor to meet a fighter of your level..It would be a real treat to spar with you..From what I'v heard of you,{your book, your posts here, and what I'v heard abroad,..} you'd make a good sparring partner! {with your permission of course!} that's why I'd like to meet you! It's just the way some people were talking crazy had me raising my eyebrow alittle bit...

Anyway,
See you soon,

Ten

It's nice to know that you think Tim would make a "good sparring partner".

As if you're even in the same level... please... Ten get your head out of your ass.

I'm going to send an email to Roy Jones or Antonio Tarver.

I'll tell them that I watched them box and I think they're pretty good and would make a good sparring partner.

I've interacted with Mike and Ten through various emails and PM's. They both seem like real good guys and would be interesting to train with.

I look forward to meeting you both someday.

Hi Gang, I just wanted to put in a bit of my experience.

I've trained with Mike Strong before, and he's a real good dude. I think his background in wrestling and Aikido combined with a lot of very dedicated IMA practice make him a real good training partner. He is very difficult to throw!! The throws he did on my were very effective.

He is also a very well read man and knows a lot about a lot of stuff. His stories are also always entertaining. He's one of those guys who just seems to always run into the weird and bizzare and I think it suits him well. I admire his courage and ability to get out there, visit people and places and get what he can out of it.

On another note, I've been lucky enough to visit Tim's school a couple of times. Despite the bluster on the web these guys are all a great bunch of gentlemen who are kind to any who show up at their door. I've been warmly welcomed each time, and on open spar day you get to work at whatever level you want to work at, and it can be a very good learning experience. Meynard and Shane are both friendly and open and will help you find what you are looking for. Not to mention Tim, he is everything "they" say he is! So I recommend them to any and all who want to get the Shen Wu Experience. It's fun!!

To MikeS- You're gonna like these guys!!

-Jess O'Brien