Tag: Rick Tucci

Selling the Baby

by Living Wherever We Are, posted in Embracing Uncertainty, Martial Arts
    When Rick and I first spoke of selling Princeton Academy of Martial Arts (PAMA) there were many thoughts about how do you really sell your baby.  The one that Rick birthed and raised for almost 27 years and I have known and loved for almost 16 years and have adopted.  These many years Rick has crafted EVERY detail of the Academy just so.  The attention to detail, care, and love he has poured into creating this Martial Arts Mecca, growing it from a mere seed to a World Renowned Institution.  All this was done purely for love of the Martial Arts and a passion for how the Martial Arts process can transform an individual. As other personal business owners know, we eat, sleep, and breathe PAMA.  Just like a child it was given lots of love and care.  If we sold it to someone just for a big payout, I can imagine us waking to nightmares just as one would if your daughter marries a deviant.  Whhooo, glad that has not been the case.
    I still remember the look on Mike Lee’s face when I approached him about his interest in taking over PAMA.  First it took him quite a few days to process that Rick and I would be moving on, after all, for years he has been my Chinese brother/training partner and Rick’s dedicated student for 20 years.   When I say that the three of us are close – He has traveled with us all over the world – Peru, Switzerland (2x), Sweden (5x), Paris (2x), Belgium (2x), not to mention all of the US trips, the thousand upon thousand hours of training, meals, drinks, and many, many laughs. Mike had a picture of us in his wedding slideshow as his Italian family.  We even spent Thanksgiving together this year!
The Signing
The Signing
    The closing went smoothly because leading up to it there was no infighting or no harsh negotiations between Rick, Mike, and their lawyers.  During the past few weeks before the transition Rick and I keep giving Mike additional things to help him and Rick has even decided to loan some of his more exclusive artwork to the new Princeton Academy.  Mike wants to become a successful entrepreneur and professional Martial Artist and we want nothing but success for him and for the future of PAMA.  Most closing, I imagine, are harsh, clear chop, and hand over the keys.  We are and will always be willing advisors for Mike, his extended family here for support and encouragement.
Obligatory handshake picture
Obligatory handshake picture
    Mike is moving the Academy to the new location in a few weeks and we are co-habitating 14 Farber Road but we are more then used to hanging together in close quarters.   That’s what family is about, someone who will treat your baby with the same care and intention. 

Deconstructing a Lifetime One Weapon at a Time

by Living Wherever We Are, posted in Embracing Uncertainty, Martial Arts

This week presented the challenge of compressing 5800 sq. ft. academy/second home and almost 27 years into a modest 10×15 storage unit.  I liken it to the natural birth of our 9lb 2oz baby.  While the later culminated with embracing a gleaming cherub, the former not nearly as attractive, both seem to have defied the possible and given a great sense of triumph.  Although we premeditated well ahead of time the contracting of these past few weeks, the forethought did not make it any less agonizing.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

The arduous process of sorting through administration has a way of pulling you out of the emotional and into the rational.  There is no sentimentality in sorting through ancient receipts and maturing paperwork.  Although, I will say that the stacks of paper set for destruction and shredding gave a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.  Just like a home, one seems to expand into the space, and we sure did at PAMA.  I have been known to be zealous when it comes to shedding and giving away unnecessary items.  There is a certain sense of bliss in that it for me.   (Anyone need any picture frames?)

As you can tell from the video, the collections and collections of martial arts weaponry (all of which are NOT included here), personal equipment, books, and memorabilia are immense.  I am thankful that we all share the same enthusiasm for the Martial Arts so the collections will continue to be appreciated.  After moving everything into storage our daughter’s only protest was that she wanted her wooden dummy back!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

For Rick, I applaud him for his poise and grace as we undressed the walls of his numerous certificates, honors, and magazine articles.  All of which must have given him pause, as it did me, to deconstruct a lifetime of accomplishment and dedication. Stripping not just the physical but also, the attachment that is held in all of the honors and titles that he rightfully earned through years of sweat and determination.  I admired one last time the wall of his honored instructors/teachers and stood in awe at the boxes and boxes of private lessons and seminars videos that he has retained as well as his massive amounts of personal notebooks.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Interestingly, as we delicately packed the moving truck with collectables, weapons, historical martial arts periodicals and photographic memories one would anticipate sadness but there was lots of laughter and our hearts were light.  It is freeing in a way to know that the “stuff” is just material items and really does not define us.

In closing, I would like to quote one of Ricks all time favorite artists Paul McCartney from one of his solo albums.  It is very fitting for Rick at this time.

“It’s the same me that stands here now

When I think that all this stuff

Can make a life that’s pretty hard to take it in, that was me”

Love and Knife Disarms

by Living Wherever We Are, posted in Martial Arts

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Current and past students came from far and wide to reunite and live the experience one last time as a master, Guro Rick taught his last seminar as owner of Princeton Academy of Martial Arts.  It was an excellent seminar, as all of us have become accustomed to as students of Rick.   Taking advantage of the unseasonably beautiful weather, the attendees worked through various knife work drills outside in the sunshine.  Later in the afternoon things progressed inside the Academy with knife disarms, tie-ups, and Rick guiding people to brainstorm their disarms issues, using it as learning experience for the students.  The last elements covered were Kali/Silat entries and takedowns.  There was much information shared but Rick’s intention, which he made clear, was to give the attendees something that they could take home, practice, and progress with.

The mood of the day was uplifting and high energy, one could feel the electricity about the room.  The mood was blithe with over 50 attendees, many of which could not help reminisce throughout the day.   And yes, at the closing there were some eyes welling.  As I perused the group, watched Rick teach during the seminar, and spoke at closing to the group, it was difficult not to get teary and get choked up.

I believe that many others feel just as I do.  It has been nothing more than magical.  For almost 27 years Rick has made PAMA a place of solitude.  Within a group one is truly alone with oneself while training.  Uniting the mind and body daily, because no one can help, as you are getting punched and kicked or the weapon being wielded towards you.  You must be in that moment with yourself, feeling the life surge through the physical body as your human instincts kick in.  Not that of maiming or harming another but, that of self-preservation and preservation of life.  More and more in this world there are very few places where we can truly feel, understand being alive and in control of that life right down to our core.  And sometime even shaking within that core from the sheer bliss, release, and relief.

Living and breathing the warrior’s path even till his departure; Guro Rick over the years has shared not just the physical parts of the arts but analyzing and discussing the details of the human psyche.   Altering students not just in the flesh, but also in the dark corners that most people do not want to explore.   No one is truly losing Rick as an instructor, every time people train they will be able to hear his voice and visualize the motions and hopefully, more importantly, live through his guidance as courageous warriors.

He is not leaving martial arts completely nor will he be leaving his students floundering.  They will be taken care of carefully by the new Sifu Mike Lee and Lao Si Mike Wolhfert and the rest of the assistant instructors.  This blog was created as a meeting point for us to all to remain together on this journey.  I imagine that Rick and I will continue to talk about Martial Arts daily as we do now and continue to train but, I do look forward to what genius may come out of this transformative process.