The Peacock Throne

" Hey! We need a driver" the voice said. I found myself volunterring to drive a

bus load of international dignitaries to see the heart of our city.  After that, Shala from

Iran called for another view. During talks she never stated missing the Chador

or black garb required for women in her country.

She purred as she said my name  "RRRRRRRich". She ask to see dance moves.

She was the dancer,however with  the loosiest hips expected of a sexy Arab . The other

odd but entertaining talent she had was: Taking her middle finger,connecting it to her

1st finger --then flexing the two ,to create a "crack' heard across the room.

Shah of Iran "Peacock Throne" was the Media Hype of the day for the country

and its politics. With a diplomat named Shala,pretty much confirms it all.

1972 The Triple Heaters, Robert Trias,Ron McNair and the Oil Embargo

Dr Ron McNair seen here relishing his memorbilia.

Photo credit Black Belt Magazine

I've circled his United States Karate Association diploma

Frayed by time,I've still included my own so readers get a close-up view

Why is this important?

U.S.K.A. brought us artist together like never before or since.

Tournaments made us tough. Dr. McNair who was supposed to be smart and

not a 'toughee' yet he saw  value of Martial Arts. McNair was not too busy or arrogant

to take classes in the arts.

It was through U.S.K.A. we saw Yankees (should be called Lankees) long legged

westerners compete and shine in our own light. Thanks U.S.K.A..

Triple Heaters?

Number 3 is the scour of the Arab Embargo . Simply put. Stories abound

how frigate schools were because governments mandated we keep thermastats

lows saving energy. Remember we practiced barefoot. "Brrrrr."

Rocky Mountains & Tang Soo Do

Catch a flight to the Rocky Mountains and you meet the founders

of a USA initiative. Richard Reed helped shape a unifiing group called

American Taekwondo. Reeds facility was high up in the Rockies and had generous

enrollment . Reed was an astute businessman.Children appeared angelic in white

uniforms and played gleefully on the Judo mat.

Bill Wallace,Yeh! There really is a Superfoot

Professor Oatis Archey, of Ball State University visited my Dojo once .

He remarked ,"Wallace has some of the fastest reflexes of record on the University'

Human Performance Machine. A type of speed test unit at the time.

Interesting to see Wallace evolve. He was always cunning. His early fights he

would leap block himslf with a high knee and counter with a knife hand.

He kept his own rules: Frayed  Belt when most of us wanted sparkling new Black Belts.

Don't bother me with forms or refereeing. I'm busy stretching."Call me Bill." When

the majority of teachers wanted to be called Sensie or Master.

We all see speed and talent in our atheletes. But most just 'peter out'.

Superfoot endures.

1971 ...The Close Call

Dick Hedrick...meet  Dick Lugar

A 'close call' .

Mayor Lugar second from the left mosied in  for a photo op .  With  eyes

for enterprise and qualifying for the 'pot of federal dollars' being offered at the time

we sat for a hand full of sessions.  Highlights of the class was to watch training film 

featuring the magnificent speaking voice of Earl Nightingale.

Lugar had another close call. Ripe for  bid at U.S. Presidency,

Lugar's announcement was pre-emptied by the media blitz of the U.S. led invasion of

Iraq.

(Photo credit) Allison News-Allison Division of General Motors