Capoeira seems waaaaay too complex for me

It's not that complicated. Depending on where you study, for instance, it doesn't have any prescribed sequences to learn. Krav has its self defense techniques that must be memorised, traditional eastern arts have forms that get longer and longer--capoeira is mostly about improv, once you know the individual moves. More like sparring, but without much physical contact.

Everyone, in any art and any skill level, has limitations.

Except for one guy I know. I hate him.

How'd that get double-posted?

To sum up--I'd study just about anything with the right teacher, and I'd avoid anything with the wrong teacher. I recommend the latter method of unselecting classes to everyone. As for the former, the right teachers can elevate one art beyond others quite demonstrably.

And if self defens is part of why you are interested, learning to work with and around what you are able to do make sense.

Yeah, that's a good point.

capoeira is mostly about improv, once you know the individual moves.

Ah, I see what you mean. It looks so pretty, though! I could never do that.

I'd study just about anything with the right teacher

I guess I'll look around to see what's around and if there's a teacher I like. Thanks!

Unrelated to martial arts—unless I am playing Streets of Rage 2—anyone have a recommendation for an inexpensive vacuum? I don't need to spend eighty to a hundred bucks on a vacuum for such a small apartment, but I'd like one that actually...vacuums. The one I have makes noise but doesn't seem to really pick up much.

Whew. I had to watch the Saints on tape delay, but I could place all of Dana's exclamations easily. And then the 30 minutes I tacked on to the end of the recording weren't enough to catch the last minute or so of play!

OK, people who know about martial arts. I've got a question that *no one* has been able to answer for me, in about five years of asking. Is there a martial art that I could do? I use a wheelchair or crutches, although I have good upper body strength, and can stand some of the time (I'm used to falling, and wouldn't mind, if I had a mat to fall over onto). I am so desperate to do something more interesting than pilates and swimming. Any ideas?

Hey, check out Google! It's celebrating Melbourne Cup Day. I'm chuffed.

Huh. Google's not showing anything new for me, billytea. Maybe it's based on your ip address?

I get bored very easily with exercise. I'm on the verge of quitting my running group, which I loved the first time I tried it. But it's not doing it for me this time around. Aikido was great until the head of the dojo got arrested for child molestation. I shouldn't let that put me off a whole martial art, but it did. Biking remains fun, so maybe I just need to focus on that for a while.

I am a little bit interested in fencing (waves at amych), but not enough to drive 45 minutes to try it.

Barb, when you come to Seattle, you can come ballroom dancing with ME!!

Ooooh YAY!, Yes!!

ION, Morning came entirely too soon. *glares at doggies and wills their body clocks to adjust NOW*

Not enough coffee to alleviate this gronk.

Substitute cats for dogs, and I am right there with you Barb.

I've finally pulled out Ray, the trusty light box. This is, I think, the latest in the year I've ever pulled him out (it's usually mid- to late-October). And I'm not actually *depressed,* per se; I'm just dragging. Even with the time change. So -- Ray.

I mean, there was a pleasant sensation once the OUCH and $%^&NEEDLE@#$% stuff went away, but not enough to make it worth it had I not wanted some permanent darkness on my skin.

Get bigger tattoos? I totally got an endorphin rush from my back piece and the bats on my forearm.

Man, nothing else has ever given me the endorphin rush that getting my tat did. I'd get another, but I can't think of a design. (Okay, I *do* want a semi-colon. Seriously. But not very big, and I don't know where I want it. So that's not a big deal and I can't forsee the same endorphin rush that I got from the lotus.)