The Leader’s Leader

I must write stories outside of serious news. So I give up stories of my great big art.   

I never make stuff up.  Reminded of these stories days ago , my strong  experiences are real. 

My friends, Richard and Jerry, included me when Professor Donald West visited.  Professor West had leadership positions as Chairman of the Department of Criminology, Cambridge University, United Kingdom.  He led the Society of Psychic Research in England.   I described for Donald details of the last few years. 

I became a traveling companion of Donald’s.  He admitted experiencing more enjoyment  in his time with me, than the rest of the year. 

I enrolled in a San Shou class in 2003.  No, San Shou is not the California place of which I’m mayor.  San Shou is a martial art.  On my third London visit, in 2003,  I attended a boxing class. 

I talked with the coach, who was born in Ireland.  He watched me hit the heavy bag.  Then he said I should lead the class!

So I put thecollege-age students through the drills, while the Irishman watched, open mouthed and wide-eyed, in the back. But he disappeared afterthe course. 

The next year, Donald and I decided we would visit Liverpool.  Professor West was born in Liverpool, and hadn’t returned in quite awhile. 

The first thing one notices about Liverpool is why the Beatles were motivated.  The industrial setting was rather dreary.  We visited the place where the Beatles first played. 

Then we walked outside Liverpool.  “Look, there is a place I never could go,”  Donald said.  The place was the amusement park, with rides, etc.  “Well, Donald, you must go now,”  I smiled in his eyes. 

His parents pushed him hard, so he studied his way out of Liverpool. 

So I led Donald, 80,  around the park.   “I always wondered about that contraption,” he said, looking at a tall slide.  “Donald, you must go.  I won’t take no from you.  Follow me.” 

So I grabbed blankets, and climbed up the steps.  Now, I should have had Donald go first.  I got on the blanket,then spun down the slide, thinking Donald would quickly follow.  But minutes passed before Donald followed.  He had anxiety, having never done the slide before. 

I bought the hot dogs and soda refreshments. 

I met a man in the 1980′s, Bud.  He was in his 40′s, but enjoyed feeling much younger.  Great! 

But for every 1,000 men who have this idea, I say one qualifies.

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