My Life and Karate, Day Twenty-seven

My dojo, Sun Dragon Martial Arts and Self Defense, is running its major yearly fundraiser. We're a nonprofit martial arts studio, which is something of a rare beast, and we raise money every year for our scholarship fund and the free self-defense classes we offer in the community. For my part, every day until the day of the Kickathon, I will write a random amusing anecdote about karate and self-defense, or possibly just whatever strikes my fancy. Enjoy!

I confess I missed last night's update - so close to perfection, too. Also, if you've found your way here from Stumptuous, welcome! And now, on with the blog.

Tonight in class, our instructor talked a little bit about maintaining focus and composure in practice, even - especially - when doing things that make us uncomfortable. She said "Has anyone ever said something totally insulting, and you got so flustered you couldn't respond? Practicing keeping your composure here will help your brain get used to that feeling, so it doesn't totally lock up when you're stressed." I could certainly relate to that - today more than usual.

I am not a girly girl. I tend to wear baggy t-shirts and jeans, my hair is as often buzz-cut as anything, and I spend very little time worrying about my appearance. This is, however, partly a defense mechanism - I am rather well-endowed in the chest region, and if I wear tight shirts or look particularly feminine, I get attention that's unwanted at best, and usually unpleasant.

This morning I grabbed a shirt that I haven't worn in ages. It's just a long-sleeve tee, but it's got a particularly wide neckline - wide enough that I had to move my bra straps over a bit so they weren't hanging out. I'm thoroughly tattooed around the shoulders, so on the one hand it's nice to be able to show off the art. But in the elevator on the way to work, I realized that I looked way more femme than usual, and it made me uncomfortable.

Nothing in particular happened today to justify it, but it has, in the past. I remember one time at a restaurant out in the Hill Country, some good ole boy came up to me out of a clear blue sky and said, "You're pretty, but you need to wear some makeup."

What do you say to something like that? There were so many different things wrong with that statement that I couldn't pick one to call out. I just stared at him, appalled, and he went away. I didn't feel particularly insulted, because the opinions of ill-bred idiot strangers are not particularly valuable to me, but I certainly wished I'd had some snappy comeback instead of just a blank stare.

Hopefully self-defense practice will improve the odds of getting a quip out before I punch the next bastard to pull something like that right square in the throat. Really, people. Who raised you, anyway?

Some days I suspect my instructor despairs of ever teaching some of us the principles of non-violence. She keeps trying, though.

If you haven't already, please do donate $5 to our fundraiser - the event is on Saturday, and this is the last big push to meet our goal.