a family afternoon spent
practicing karate skills, self defense, getting a good workout
socially distant, outside, under a very hot sun
at beacon park, in detroit
lots of sweat, lots of water, lots of fun
“karate is a form of martial arts in which people who have had years and years of training can,
using only their hands and feet, make some of the worst movies in the history of the world.”
-dave barry
in 1977, elvis presley, while riding to madison from the airport, noticed a street fight in progress at a service station. while his limo was stopped at the nearby red light, the king ran from the car and threatened the combatants with a classic karate stance.
the young men recognized elvis and stopped fighting in favor of shaking hands with the star. elvis reportedly left after ensuring that everything was settled and taking time to shake hands with several onlookers. elvis died 52 days later.
the incident was reported by thomas still for The State Journal, who called it presley’s biggest brawl since Jailhouse Rock. a plaque to commemorate the event is installed where the gas station once stood. it shows elvis with a guitar and in a pseudo-karate stance and describes the incident.
‘if there hadn’t been an elvis, there wouldn’t have been the beatles.’
-john lennon
—
credit: atlas obscura, the state journal, thomas still
mama hangs on tight
as she
takes her
baby chicks
off to
master
their moves
their kicks
their spins
their control
as they
jump and skip
through the city
over and under
everything
in their way
and
they can’t wait
to
unleash their power
so much energy
harnessed here
—
the speed of the boss is the speed of the team.
– lee iacocca
I didn't have my glasses on.... 