Flies In The Kitchen

I first met James Houston when I decided to start learning karate in my mid-20s, living in a small, southwestern Virginia town along the New River. I wasn't sure what to expect when I signed up for karate, only that it seemed like there was a good blend of experience, and I knew that I wouldn't be the only one who had no idea what he was doing.  We began each class with what is known as the Dojo Kun, five statements spoken aloud, each beginning with the number 'one', presumably to indicate equal importance.  It went like this:   One. To seek to attain perfection of character. One. To live with politeness and discipline. One. To honor the code of ethical behavior. One. To strive for excellence through efforts. One. To refrain from impetuous conduct.     It was really what drew me in, initially, the idea that this morality code was primary, just as much, if not more important, than the physical conditioning and fighting.  More Miyagi Do as opposed to Cobra Kai, you might say.  In the two years that I studied w