Bio-Vlog

Sensei said I must beef-up by putting on muscle. My weight training for my brown belt is coming from Gene Fisher. I’m getting bigger and harder; heavier and stronger. At 145 pounds, I hit 250 pounds on the bench-press, I can pull-down 220 pounds, although Fisher has to get me started, as the stack is…

Jim, Jerry Morris and I are on our way to the desert of Palm Springs, California to go BB gun hunting.  Our prey are offbeat, as we hunt each other. We all have goggles to guard our eyes and Daisy BB guns. The BBs sting, but not penetrate the skin too deeply. I say to…

After the diving crash, a sharp pain drills through my skull. Amazingly I am still conscious, at least conscious enough to know that a wave of water will soon crash into me. In a panic, thoughts flood my mind. “Start swimming! If you don’t, you will be engulfed by a wave and body-slammed against the…

Cliff diving has elements of risk smart people are unwilling to take. But as far as I am concerned, those risks are an opportunity to test one’s will and pit my mind against the fear-triggering asthma attacks. Jim Blowers, his friend Jerry, and I arrive at the Diver’s Cliff. There’s a fellow standing on the…

The officer says sternly to me, “I want you to produce your license, and I’m telling you I want it now!”  So I hand over my identification card that boldly states, “Not an authorized driver’s license.” But what causes me to go breathless with worry, is it clearly states that I am both “Asthmatic” and…

I’ve now driven my motorcycle into construction signs, had my tail light clipped turning in front of an oncoming car and driven my right leg into the bumper of a parked truck. I realize I have to figure out a safer way to blindly drive my motorcycle. An opportunity presents itself. My friend Roy Otterman…

“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,…