It’s titled The Million Dollar Da$h. I had an “adventure” in late 2015 that gave many of my coworkers a lot of laughs, those closest to me a lot of pain. Most of it was in my head but I put it to paper during my 6 weeks on paid administrative leave at work. (Another chapter in my book) My so-called adventure is only a portion of it, much of the rest is just family stories and etc etc that I find interesting and amusing. My fear is I’m the only one that finds them interesting and amusing. Lol. It’s written anonymously so if it stinks no sweat really. I’ll post a chapter or two free of charge but feel free to donate to my GoFundMeat account.(Not a real account)
Aloha @Meat, I did much the same. Finishing up my book and then will figure out how to publish. I appreciate any tips you might provide. My book sounds similar to yours. All true stories about the life lessons I learned from a lifetime of martial arts. I hope it will sell. All I know is my students want to buy it even though they heard many of my stories in class before. I started writing it because my wife wanted to start writing and I did it to write with her. I also completed a couple of children's books along the lines of Berenstain Bears. My challenge is getting the art done.
I like the fact that most of my adventures took place before the interwebzs was invented or in wide spread usage. No proof is a grand thing to have.
I have done Judo and now Jiu Jitsu but neither on a high level. (Yet) Today my son joined me for the first time, 5 AM sharp. He was a high-level wrestler and I felt it this morning, ouch! Enough about us, you are my hero Hanzo. I’d be one of the first to buy a book of yours. Mine is in the garage still in rough rough draft form. I forgot, there’s some heartache in it too. Life isn’t fair as we all know.
This sounds like a luxury indeed. I deleted all of my social media accounts last month and it's still going to take them a month to fully delete them (just in case I change my mind.) It's nice to have the burden lifted.
You are too kind, @Meat. Mahalo. If you guys ever make it to Hawaii, you can roll with my daughter and the various schools she goes too. Her Hawaii sensei is also a wrestling coach, so she has been working out with the wrestling team too. Helps her stand up.
I didn’t even think I just reacted, run! I entered the forest in the pitch black and rain wondering if this is a dream or reality. About 100 feet in the underbrush ripped off my left shoe and then my right. Finding them in the darkness would be impossible, the rest of this dash would have to be in my socks. (First paragraph of my book. I bounce around then explain what’s above later. Lol.)
Best quote ever, “Once you’ve wrestled /grappled everything else in life is easy.” Dan Gable. It’d be a pleasure to meet you all someday.
@Meat, hope you don't mind, here is the forward a student volunteered for my book. If it is troublesome, let me know and I will remove it. Forward Enter into martial arts and tai chi world with hanzo, where connections are made that can be applied to learning how to have a full life. This book does not explain how to execute a spinning back kick technique or describe tai chi forms. It has to do with the principles important in martial arts and tai chi and how they can be applied to life. Hanzo writes like he’s telling a story or explaining a concept in his tai chi class so it feels as though he’s casually ‘talking story’. The writing is done in such an amiable way and with such humor that the chapters can be read very quickly. Resist the temptation to speed through the book. Pause and let his words sink in, then re-read the chapters as many times as you need to. You’ll hopefully be rewarded with “Aha” moments. He says it better than I can: “That is why concepts are so important. Sometimes, they can be grasped in an instant and sometimes you do not get them in a lifetime. “ (p. 90) We are all works in progress. So, what is the bottom line message when it comes to martial arts, tai chi and life? “Go home safe.” ~ Anonymous Student, A.A.
A dumb little story I included in my book. My girls both loved all things M&M’s. I took the oldest to a candy store because they had about 50 different colors in containers, a clear bag was given so one could make cool colored layers. She fills the bag all the way to the top and I’m groaning because it’s going to cost me a fortune. I say “let’s go pay now.” She replies “This one is for sis, I haven’t done mine yet!” (F-me) Years later the younger one got M&M headquarters on the phone somehow, she had a question. “How come there are no brown characters in your commercials?” The gentleman asked for her name but she got scared and hung up. About 6 months later the brown characters debuted during the Super Bowl, hmm.
Showing up at a vape bar soaking wet with no shoes wasn’t suspicious, lol. I pulled it off though, the girl even made me a hot chocolate while I used their phone and called for a ride. Lol. I repeat, when you’re stupid you need to be smart.
I included my strange strange departure from my dream job without mentioning any specific names or places. Imagine getting called in on a Sunday trouble call and finding your office painted and decorated in a humiliating and offensive theme, this in 2022. Beating people up wasn’t an option so I resigned. Being uncomfortable for me isn’t an option either.
I’ve got material for another chapter for my book, lol. Just when I think it’s ready for publication then…Minding one’s business (mostly) is a sure-fire way to invite problems. I must seem weak. Lol.
One chapter of my book dates to 1979, June. Little League baseball was huge in my town and we were playing for the city championship against the East champion. My team was leading 2 to 1 with two outs and a runner on 2nd, bottom of the 6th. My friend on the opposing team pops it up to our 1st baseman to end the game right? Nope! George drops the ball! The runner from 2nd scores to tie it and the batter ends up on 2nd. The next batter hits one to the fence to end the game and my Little League career, painfully.
Talking to my buddy yesterday he says, “you should write a book.” Lol. I reply “I already did, it’s in my garage.” There are times when I think it’s quite good and then the doubt sets in, oops. I mean who wants to hear about a guy that escapes the police through the woods in only his socks, in December? Lol. My original idea was a tease with this event and then fill in the rest with stupid/semi-interesting tales from my family and or my life. In fact I just stumbled upon my great great grandpa’s pics and article about helping save Japanese fisherman off of the coast of Washington State. (1930’s) The Emperor recognized him and his crew for Pete’s sake! (A chapter) Good job gramps!
Here’s where my GGPa and GGMa lie. He’s the one that helped rescue the Japanese sailors. There’s another grave I need to find so I can piss on it, nobody messes with my Mom!
