Hi Jellybean 1986 welcome to Saddo's.
Darn i was travelling the world for a year when you got born, good year 86!

If you think that is X slagging someone off wait till you get into the everything goes section of this forum ; fun in there ,good for the ego. make you better all round mentally,spiritually; which helps you keep your cool when practicing no fighting .

On the black belt note; i dont agree with it, but a certain dojo..ok its Zen do kai ; out here in Australia has a Jet black;
can reach it by going there full time for a year I belive.