Posts by Richard

“At my table is Richard’s childhood friend Holly Crest.  Holly, what personal qualities did you detect when you first met Richard?” “Jon,” Holly says, “I think his quality is dedication. I’ve known Rick since we were five years old. In high school we were in the drama department. Rick was very dedicated to his craft…

I just finished my workout at Fisher’s Gym, I’m on my Honda zooming up Troy Street, and I immediately drive between two flashing construction road-markers, which I fail to see until I am next to the flashing lights. Now I see one out of the corner of my left eye, and a fraction later the…

With my poker winnings in pocket, I visit the Lemon Grove Honda dealership and buy a Honda 350 motorcycle.  The salesmen think that I’m an odd duck, but they really don’t care because they see I have cash in hand to pay for the bike. My ride fills out the paperwork, and they are totally…

I’m growing tired of using my ten-speed bike and since I can ride a bicycle, I’ve come up with a brilliant idea, “Why not a motorcycle?” The only problem is money. Then comes the solution. Sunny (a drug dealer from the bad old days) starts training at Murphy’s San Diego dojo. (Sunny was one of…

“Nine bucks,” says the older man with the military bearing. His heavily muscled body is dense and defined – nothing steroidal, bloated or excessive. He has an old school, no pain-no gain physique that is slowly molded it to its sturdy form. The man is Gene Fisher, who I call “The Lizard Eater.” During the…

I sigh and then collapse to the floor. This time, it is Douglas who lifts me to my feet. “You’ve got to stand up,” Douglas orders, worried at this last minute collapse might cause me to fail the test. He says firmly, “You’ve got to stand up and properly bow out…now!” Although battered and bruised,…

In round four, my opponent stomps the floor like a bull revving up for a charge. He abruptly switches his stance. He lunges, grabs my front hand and pulls it down, neutralizing my defense and exposing my face. Then he runs past me, bopping my left eye with his left fist and, in that flashbulb-popping…

As soon as the second round begins, I absorb a towel-snapping-like Bruce Lee heel kick against my back, followed by another leg-spinning heel kick to my solar plexus. This double-whammy momentarily rocks me. I absorb them, but feel the pain of the same combination of kicks several more times during the second round. Although wobbling,…

After doing my katas and defenses against knife- and Billy-club attacks, I’m already gasping for air from the stress.  “Mr. Turner,” Murphy commands, “On deck.” He points to my first opponent signaling for him to step forward. Then he says with an emotionless tone, “Bow to me, bow to your opponent, Hajimay-fight.”  I charge with…

Once inside the Dojo my Dad can see the blood lust in the eyes of the spectators. “Son,” my Dad asks concerned. “Do you think you should be fighting all these guys? It sounds and looks dangerous.”  “Dad,” I say, “You’ve never backed down and I’m sure you don’t want me to either. So just…

“Seated at my table with me is karate black belt, Diego Gonzalez. Diego, you started fighting with Mr. Turner fifty years ago. Please share with us a few fighting and fun stories.” “Okay, Mr. Racherbaumer. When Mr. Turner first started training, and I had to fight in a match against him, Sensei would say to…

It’s a blasting, hot summer day, it’s time for my second, marquee karate test, “and it isn’t going to be fun!”  Douglas, my Father and I step inside the Tijuana dojo. Douglas says, exasperated, “It feels like an interrogation bunker, and today the temperature topped 105 with 90% humidity! We aren’t going to even be…