400 - 0
There are so very few chances in this life to actually meet the people you most admire. When the auspicious occasion presents itself you just have to absolutely go for it. Late one Saturday night not too long ago I found myself standing on a sidewalk in Santa Monica with my two brilliant friends Sean and Joel at a Sushi bar on Wilshire.
Then it happened - he came out of the shadows.
The dark silhouette of a figure coming towards me. I just knew it was him. The same way an animal recognizes the unique arc of his own predator -- with a slight sense of rising alarm and in slow motion. It was none other than MMA Ju-Jitsu legend Rickson Gracie! Of course, I was quite taken aback at first since this was the last place on earth I had expected to see 'the MAN.' As he glided by I smiled and bowed my head gently and he gave me a wink. . . the kind that self-possessed celebrities do when they know with a confident glance they have been recognized and understand in a nanosecond that you won't be 'one of those' fans who is going to be a nuisance.
As I explained that Rickson (pronounced like Hick-son) had just passed us by, Sean and Joel (whom I love like brothers) just didn't get why I was so thrilled see this living legend. The fact of the matter was that I had just finished watching his definitive documentary on dvd and he was really at the forefront of my mind. The point I tried to make to my young palawans was how important it was to show respect to the special ones while we have the chance -- and not wait until the opportunity passes by.
So, after our dinner I found just the right time to go unobtrusively up to this undefeated *(400 wins and ZERO losses) World Champ and introduce myself. It was a dream like chance to be able to appreciate the man in person even for just a fleeting moment. Gracie, to his lasting credit received the attention with all the class of the hero he has been to me so many times over in the last two decades. We spoke briefly about our mutual affection for three-time world champ Brazilian Grand Prix driver Ayrton Senna, and his interest in photography and Brasil. . . and then I took my leave quite pleased that once more I had kept the personal bargain with myself to recognize one of my personal heroes - person to person.
obrigado,
dz
There are so very few chances in this life to actually meet the people you most admire. When the auspicious occasion presents itself you just have to absolutely go for it. Late one Saturday night not too long ago I found myself standing on a sidewalk in Santa Monica with my two brilliant friends Sean and Joel at a Sushi bar on Wilshire.
Then it happened - he came out of the shadows.
The dark silhouette of a figure coming towards me. I just knew it was him. The same way an animal recognizes the unique arc of his own predator -- with a slight sense of rising alarm and in slow motion. It was none other than MMA Ju-Jitsu legend Rickson Gracie! Of course, I was quite taken aback at first since this was the last place on earth I had expected to see 'the MAN.' As he glided by I smiled and bowed my head gently and he gave me a wink. . . the kind that self-possessed celebrities do when they know with a confident glance they have been recognized and understand in a nanosecond that you won't be 'one of those' fans who is going to be a nuisance.
As I explained that Rickson (pronounced like Hick-son) had just passed us by, Sean and Joel (whom I love like brothers) just didn't get why I was so thrilled see this living legend. The fact of the matter was that I had just finished watching his definitive documentary on dvd and he was really at the forefront of my mind. The point I tried to make to my young palawans was how important it was to show respect to the special ones while we have the chance -- and not wait until the opportunity passes by.
So, after our dinner I found just the right time to go unobtrusively up to this undefeated *(400 wins and ZERO losses) World Champ and introduce myself. It was a dream like chance to be able to appreciate the man in person even for just a fleeting moment. Gracie, to his lasting credit received the attention with all the class of the hero he has been to me so many times over in the last two decades. We spoke briefly about our mutual affection for three-time world champ Brazilian Grand Prix driver Ayrton Senna, and his interest in photography and Brasil. . . and then I took my leave quite pleased that once more I had kept the personal bargain with myself to recognize one of my personal heroes - person to person.
obrigado,
dz
2 comments:
And so you shall never again be there young silent boy containing his undiscovered brunt of gracious influence
waiting patiently for an echo....Jo Risk
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