Big news from today’s karate training session! Having had the stuffing kicked out of me during the grading session at our annual training camp a couple of weeks ago, I wasn’t too sure that I’d get my upgrade to 9th kyu, which would have entitled me to a black tip on my orange belt. But, in a continuation of my recent run of luck, when our Kancho (founder) announced the results, I got a jump to 8th kyu, entitling me to a stylish blue belt (I’ll try and post a new photo soon). Perhaps this will discourage my opponents more effectively than the Fed Fellowship has done!
For those readers who live in Brisbane or the Gold Coast and are interested in learning karate, I strongly recommend Seiyushin for a traditional and rigorous style of karate training. Kancho Nagayama was the winner in the 1988 All Japan National OpenWeight Tournament, and is a great teacher. The group is friendly, and open to a wide range of ages and skill levels (roughly 5 to 50 at present), and welcoming to both men and women. Dojos are in St Lucia, Toowong and Southport.
John Quiggin 
Shouldn’t someone of your years be taking it easier, what with the increased risk of fractures and so on? If you really must suffer for some weird reason or other, try a hangover – the lead up will offset the disadvantages slightly.
For what it’s worth, Alexander the Great is reputed to have forbidden his soldiers to grow beards as it allowed their opponents something to grab during combat.
What does not kill me makes me stronger!
Seriously, I think that karate builds up bone mass and therefore reduces the risk of fractures in my (rapidly approaching) old age.
Congrats, John.
After three fractures over the years, my last major injury was torn ligaments. I suspect you are just moving the wrinkles in the carpet around. There are invariants at work here.
Don’t forget the pessimist’s formulation of the laws of thermodynamics:-
– You can’t win.
– You can’t even break even.
– You can’t get out of the game.