March 16, 2008 * 9th Lesson

“I’d never hit a woman, but I’d shake the $!*# outta one”
- Chris Rock

I hit a woman today. And then I apologized. But in boxing, saying “sorry” isn’t considered chivalrous or good manners. And so, with each apology (there were many), my sparring partner pleaded with me to:

a) hit harder;
b) stop apologizing.

Still, I couldn’t bring myself to slug a woman in the jaw. My next sparring partner was our boxing instructor - Jonathan Bochner. But I couldn’t hit him either. Not for niceties, but rather for fear of what the consequence might be. And again, I was reprimanded for being too gentle.

Perhaps I should register for seniors Tai Chi.