Since childhood, I have always made a real effort to avoid violent confrontations and altercations. Except on very rare occasions, this philosophy has always been successful. Years ago, I had several lessons in Judo, and later on a year or so of Tae Kwon-Do. The latter is a Korean martial art. Now I don't want to give the impression that I attained a 3^rd degree black belt in either discipline. I arose only to the 3^rd level in Tae Kwon-Do, which was an "orange belt". Unfortunately, after a lengthy period of instruction in both martial arts, I only attained the proficiency sufficient to get just enough false self-confidence to get myself beaten up if I should ever attempt to perpetrate an altercation. Somewhere I have some pictures of me at a local Tae Kwon-Do tournament. Unfortunately, I have no idea where they are, which, on the other hand, is fortunate because they all show me lying on the mat on my back. About the only time I wasn't lying on the mat was when I entered the competition area. For all I know I probably tripped on the mat on the way in and ended up on my back on the mat even before the competition started, which would be entirely consistent with my standard operating procedures. If they issued a Black Belt for being proficient in the intricate knowledge of what the gym ceiling looked like, I certainly would have earned it in record time. At this point, I must point out that I would not avoid a confrontation if my family or property were threatened. That's an entirely different matter. When my adrenalin factor kicked in, I'm sure I would be a most formidable opponent, as long as I don't try any Martial Art moves since it is unlikely there would be a mat to protect me as I without doubt would be immediately knocked on my back.

 

Interestingly enough, in 1965 there was one willing exception to my avoiding a confrontation philosophy. When I was a sopomore in High School, my reckless and hormone-laden system actually wanted to participate in an altercation! The reason was that "T.J.", who was a senior at our high school, was planning to fight some guys. What precipitated this was that allegedly some guy from Huron was secretly dating his girlfriend and winning her affection. At least that is what he claimed was the motive. He planned an act of revenge. He was going to have a rumble against the perpetrator and a bunch of guys who were friends of the guy who had stolen his girlfriend. The rumble was to take place on the next Friday night on Hahn Road. I heard about this via the information passed around between all the guys in the high school. Naturally, all the other guys, including me, wanted to back up "T.J." on Hahn Road to uphold the honor of him, our self-respect, and our High School. As best I recall, the guys we were supposed to fight with were all from Huron. When I heard about it, I approached "T.J." and offered my services. I said to "T.J." that I would gladly back him up. Being very thin throughout High School, he said, "Thanks, I'm sure not worried now" in a sarcastic manner. Nevertheless, I vowed I would be there to help him. All the other guys said the same thing. We were all filled with enormous expectations as Friday night approached when we Berlin Heights guys clashed with the Huron guys to "clean their clocks". Well, Friday night approached, and I "chickened out" and didn't go. On Monday morning at school, I eagerly sought out some guys and asked how the rumble went. I quickly found out that no one showed up from either Huron or Berlin Heights! It was all a bunch of "Rumble Ramble"! I never did know for sure whether the rumble plans were legitimate, or if "T.J." was just making it up to impress all the guys. I always suspected that it was all a clever and cunning semantic subterfuge perpetrated by "T.J.". In other words, "A pack of lies". Oh well, at least I got to appear "macho" for a few glorious days until that Friday night!