Martial Arts

Whatever style you decide upon, make sure it's taught in your area. JKD (the Bruce Lee style) is almost as hard to come by as wing chun and ju-jujitso

Look to your objectives. If you have a more or less immediate need for self defense, take a look at western style boxing. It is very hard to beat, especially within a 6 month or less time frame. If you are looking for a lifetime activity, boxing is a poor choice. The body just can't take that kind of abuse over a long period of time.

I've tried studying martial arts from a book, I got out of sync fast, but I'll try again.

Does Jeet Kun Do involve all that grunting that Bruce Lee does in his movies?

I think that Aikido looks really smooth (literally as well).

Yeah, ray, I've heard that part of the notably rigorous training routine encompasses screaming like a little girl and making superfluous grunting.

I'll do fine.