i've never been comfortable throwing the first punch, but i've given some drivers some serious abuse, to try and draw a response that would give me an excuse to administer a good beating. i cycled to work through Glasgow city center for over ten years, and had nutters almost kill me on a few occasions.

on the one occasion that i really really wanted to throw a punch, a red transit van had come speeding around the corner(on my side), slammed the brakes on just after i had, and skidded right into me. by the time it hit me, i had already stopped, but i was still up on the bike. i just had time to turn the handlebars, so my legs wouldn't snag on them, when the bike shot out from under me. i got flipped into the air a little, rolled on my back across his windscreen, and landed on my feet right at his door, facing him. his window was down just enough that a really well thrown punch would have got him, and i was so so tempted to try. but if i missed, then he would have had my arm in his cab, and, going by the size of the guy, would probably have ripped it off. i did grab his keys out of the ignition and phoned the police. this got him upset, as did my [obviously bogus] claims to having damaged my knee, but i still couldn't draw a fight out of him. replying to his every comment with "up your arse, mate" was starting to have an effect, but the police arrived, so it was all in vain.

i think in this country, they treat being angered by someone putting your life at risk, or 'road rage' as it's become known, as a hanging offense. you're not allowed to be upset in any way at how other people drive, or they take you away and 'do things' to you. this is balanced by being allowed to express other types of rage by using a car to kill and maim your enemy, and say it was a wee accident.

I don't know any martial art, but I used to have a pretty bad temper.

I've been in lots of fights when I was younger. This happened especially when I was in grade school. I am very short and small (even among my Asian peers), so I naturally was the target of bullying.

However, I never settle for being the target, as I always fought back. It didn't matter how big they were, I always punched back when they picked on me. I sure am going to teach my son/daughter to do the same. Being passive just encourages other to pick on you as well.

I didn't win all the fights, but whoever picked on me stopped picking on me again after I stood up for myself.

Now, thirty-pounds of muscle and fifteen years of weight-lifting later, no one wants to pick a fight with me anymore.

P.S. I actually haven't been lifting for the past three weeks. I injured my right shoulder after I benched too heavy for too many consecutive days. I am frustrated by the injury and I am getting impatient. But I should heed my own advice to my patients in not returning to exercise too soon.

I feel that my body is not as young as it used to be. I have to be extra careful now. After all, I am over the hill already (after thirty, everything goes downhill).

I used to be able to dish out all sorts of abuse to my body (like running fifteen miles after not running for months). It always bounced back fairly quickly. Not anymore.

I am an old folgey now. Thanks, Addicted. I am sure I'll recover eventually, and I know I won't be starting from square one. It's frustrating nevertheless. I am sure you can relate to the feeling, being an athelete yourself.