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ARTICLES AND COMMENTARY

THE ICA GOES TO MINDEN

  I finally got to kill two birds with one stone last weekend, by visiting my friends in Minden, Louisiana. Clyde and Trish Stanley are special friends of Reese and I, so part of this was definitely pleasure. The rest was business, but pleasurable business. Clyde and Daryn Clark had visited and participated in one of our ICA Jams this year so I owed a visit. Plus, Clyde serves on the Senior Board and Daryn on the Development Board. Also, many of the students are members of the ICA.

  Clyde put me right to work, teaching two classes Thursday night and giving two seminars Saturday. In between, we visited his high school MMA group on Friday afternoon and met Coach Mike Dick and a group of impressive young MMA enthusiast. Some are students in Clyde’s school but others are not. Clyde has done a heck of a job with these people, while being assisted by one of his black belts, Taylor Dick. They have won impressive meets and I can see why. Good people, good coaching and a commitment to the program by the principal, Mrs. Robin Tucker.

  I had the most unusual thing happen to me that has ever in a seminar. My uke attacked me. I was using one of the guys to demonstrate some stand up techniques and out of no where he attacked me. I was stunned and thought for an instant that it was a joke. It was no joke. The kid just snapped. I immediately thought, ”oh Lordy, I’m going to  jail if I do what I feel like doing.” To make a long story short, I handled him until my judgment for the situation could register. After that, I was able to deal with him at a minimum of damage to him and none to me. Thank God for cross training. This was “situational combat” at it’s best.

  I later sought him out and had a long talk with him. He has a lot of home problems that could make anyone snap. I felt very sorry for him and was grateful to be able to spend some counseling time with him. In truth, this is what most of us, that have been a round a while do. Teaching the martial arts some months is only a side line compared to the personal problems we deal with. Good Martial Arts instructors get no where near the credit for helping shape good citizens that they deserve. And school teachers think that they are under paid for what they go through.

  The rest was smooth and worth every minute of the trip. It always is. Clyde and Trish are successful in everything they do. They have made a very good life for themselves and their friends. They operate their business, the karate school, and a passel of adopted animals with equal ease. Their students are the envy of every sensei that would meet them. He has blended a six figure year karate business, with students that anyone would be lucky to have. I was telling Joe Laney on the phone about them. I said those people will fight. You don’t have to warm them up for that. They are natural born fighters. Teaching them how is like teaching a fish to swim. I’m taking a tranquilizer gun next time. Especially for Daryn. He has one speed. My shin and knee tells the tale of an excitable, overly aggressive, Daryn.

  At the end of the Saturday seminar, I had the pleasure of awarding Clyde Stanley with a Sho-dan in Dragon Sen-I Jutsu. Clyde had been one of my inspirations for my new system, and a good bit of his “Half Circle Jujitsu” went in to it. Our mutual training sessions, his understanding of its concept, and his participation in the Saturday seminars convinced me to give out my first black belt outside my own dojo. I hope I will have the privilege of awarding others.

  The 14 1/2 hour trip down was an enjoyable days removal from home realities. The trip back was a little more challenging, as I was worn out and had come down with a heavy cold three days before. We got back late Sunday night and I have had classes the rest of this week. I have begun to recoup a bit today and will be back to full speed by next Monday. October has been and will be, a further blessing. Sandwiched between the Minden trip and the ICA JAM THE 24^TH, is the stuff martial arts dreams are made of.

  Thank you Mr. Long for opening the door. Our efforts on your behalf will insure that no one closes the door behind you.

  There is one more Harold Long story or article to come honoring him during this month of his passing. It is his family’s favorite.

  Thank you Joe Laney, Willie Wilson, and Wayne Wayland for honoring my request to anyone who had a web site, to do an article or tribute, to Mr. Long this month. If anyone else has, please let me know, so the appropriate appreciation can be shown.

  Hope to see you at Joe Laney’s dojo October the 24^th for the ICA jam.