Taking a beating every day is getting old is getting old.  I've been getting beat up for as long as I can remember.  I think I will take this karate thing more seriously.  

    For too long have I been the victim of people that have no respect for rules, honor, or human life.  

    There is that karate school five blocks away.  Maybe I can put an end to this.  Maybe I learn to defend myself.  
   
    I'm tired of being a victim.  I don't want to be a hoodlum, but I don't want to get pushed around either.  One of these days, a beating could go too far, and I could be dead.  This must end.  I begin training next week.  

    In this neighborhood, there are two kinds of people: people in a gang, and people that get their asses kicked.  I don't want to be in either category.