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Tuesday, May 08, 2018

Stingray #23/S02E13: "Cry Wolf" (May 8, 1987)

Posting the twenty third and final episode of the TV series, Stingray, to mirror the airdate from 31 years ago on this date of May 8, 1987. Hope you enjoyed!





Series Background

"Ray" is a shadowy character with a mysterious 'secret agent' past. People in trouble often come to him for help, since he has a lot of important and powerful contacts. He refuses to be paid for his services; however, those seeking his assistance must promise him a favor. Some time in the future, Ray will come to them and ask to collect on that favor, giving them some task that is often arduous and/or dangerous. The title of the show comes from the vintage Corvette Stingray that Ray drives.

"Stingray" attracted his clients by advertising a black 1965 Chevrolet Corvette "for barter only".

"Stingray's" real name and actual occupation are never revealed in any of the installments; throughout the series, any attempt any other character makes, in any installment, to track down his identity inevitably and invariably leads in the wrong direction and/or to a dead end.


Enjoy!



Episode Synopsis

Ray comes to the aid of a crop duster pilot who gets caught in the middle when two rival marijuana growers insist that he poisoned the other's fields.






Other episodes of Stingray posted:






For more information, please check:



Tuesday, May 01, 2018

Beyond Martial Skills by Badger Johnson




Contrary to popular belief, the function of MA in one’s life should be the following:

1) By striving for ability beyond the norm or beyond the current self, MA is somewhat unique in that the diversity and range of study is wide and complex.

2) There are several systems which can be managed and enhanced. They include intellectual systems, planning systems, strategic systems, generalship systems, and physical systems.

3) One could intensely study a few contributory systems and only increase one’s martial ability slightly. For example, upping one’s game in endurance, burst, durability, planning, and quick apprehension, plus adaptability and mobility would result in a very formidable array of skills.

4) Taking the concept of ‘absorbing’ and expanding it to cover the existing talents, we have:

  • ’absorb that which contributes to your natural talents’;
  • ’absorb what is possible given your situation’;
  • ‘absorb that which is timely and functional’;
  • ‘absorb that which will bring steady, forward progress’.
…and leave the rest to develop along the way.

5) By not clinging to a popular or scripted path, one is free to diverge and converge on that which is useful and able to be functionalized, and over time, end in the best of all possible outcomes.

6) More than ‘absorb’, be open to possibilities, even those outside of physical martial arts. Be capable of a balanced response, and cultivate abilities to use verbal and behavioral paths.

7) With adaptation being the main goal, even those skills, abilities and traits which may not seem to be martial in aspect can be related and gathered, including acquiring and training a partner, building relationships and teams, learning about historical battle methods, and always going from the general to the specific in plans and ways and means.

© Badger Johnson April 2018



Please check out Badger Johnson's other essays:

Stingray #22/S02E14: "Caper" (May 1, 1987)

Posting the twenty second episode of the TV series, Stingray, to mirror the airdate from 31 years ago on this date of May 1, 1987.





Series Background

"Ray" is a shadowy character with a mysterious 'secret agent' past. People in trouble often come to him for help, since he has a lot of important and powerful contacts. He refuses to be paid for his services; however, those seeking his assistance must promise him a favor. Some time in the future, Ray will come to them and ask to collect on that favor, giving them some task that is often arduous and/or dangerous. The title of the show comes from the vintage Corvette Stingray that Ray drives.

"Stingray" attracted his clients by advertising a black 1965 Chevrolet Corvette "for barter only".

"Stingray's" real name and actual occupation are never revealed in any of the installments; throughout the series, any attempt any other character makes, in any installment, to track down his identity inevitably and invariably leads in the wrong direction and/or to a dead end.


Enjoy!



Episode Synopsis

Ray must rescue the father of a Soviet defector who is being held captive by the Russians in the hold of an ocean liner.






Other episodes of Stingray posted:






For more information, please check: