Lori O' Connell is a writer, a third-degree badass, a black belt in Can-Ryu Jiu Jitsu, and runs her own Jiu Jitsu school in Vancouver, Canada. In her book, Weapons of Opportunity, she narrates her journey from student to sensei in the world of martial arts. Her quest takes readers from one school and teacher to another as she introduces colorful characters along the way.

O’Connell divides the book into 41 metaphorical weapons (chapters). Myself, I organized the book into the three subjects she writes the most about: martial arts, boyfriends, and beer. Lori uses her weapons training as a gimmick throughout, with effective chapter titles like "Weapon #15: A Piece of Cake." (Yes, chop it up, swallow down, gain weight, and angrily kick somebody’s ass. Repeat.) She writes, "I cut a cake that featured a black belt of icing. I had a piece, but I could not tell you what flavour it was now."

I read on in the spirit of giving her prose a chance: "Weapon #23: A Tray of Assorted Cheeses" got me excited again, in a Woody Allen sort of way. Was she going to attack somebody with a parmesan triangle? Quote: "He set down a tray containing a package of unsalted soda crackers, two glasses of fresh orange juice and a plate of assorted cheeses: Fontina, Caprice-des-Dieux, and my favourite, two year old white cheddar." That was reason enough to name the chapter as such.

So, I continued, now snacking on cheese as I read, hoping for more martial arts misadventures (I actually made a punching movement a couple of times). Alas, I see the metaphoric intent here, but the back cover of the book clearly says these weapons "furthered her personal development and deepened her understanding of what it means to be a martial artist." If that is so, I need a rack of cakes, and more cheese, please.

Lori is a fantastic girl with an interesting life and a penchant for using odd, often edible objects as she draws readers into the deadly game that is martial arts. So, if you’re ready to enter the dojo, say “HI-YA!” as you read the book (and be sure to pair it with an ‘04 Bordeaux).

See the original review.

Laura Koffler