surely its an artform with its bad acting and great script writers?

Yes, dude. Totally agree with you.
Ok, so anyone ever faced a real challenge?

i've always wanted to learn martial arts, i just can't find the time anymore....

honestly , thats a silly thing to say on an internet forum. you can always spend less time on the internet if you truly wanted it. just say you liked the idea but dont want to put the work or time in.
not dissing you, but be honest with yourself. time is never an excuse.

and yes, ive had real challenges, but its been a while.

What was it, tsunami?

stories like that just sound like bragging and that isnt what the arts are about.
1. ive been dumb enough to get into a big brawl at a party with 5 on maybe 15 people, i was one of the five. didnt go down or get hit and did alot of damage.
2 a few guys driving drunk and not letting my sister get out of the car had to be talked to and they didnt want to listen.
3. working at clubs in miami for a few years brings trouble too.
4 now i just fight in the ring.

I got confidence, disipline, a better awareness of my surroundings, and physical fitness from my 13 years of martial arts experince