Biomass-to-Energy Discussion Turns to Fisticuffs

I’m trying to arrange a meeting with one of 2GreenEnergy’s great supporters, an international, high-flying guy whose fantastic biomass-to-energy project I support without reservation.  His base in the U.S. is Chapel Hill, North Carolina, a place I like a great deal, but I don’t visit often on business.  When I asked about his travel schedule, hoping to arrange a mutually agreeable meeting place and time, he wrote: “I’m in Vegas often for the UFC fights (“ultimate fighting”); I love them and try not to miss one when I’m in the States. I look forward to meeting you.”

I responded:

As I’ve told you, I love your project, and I’d like very much to meet you.

Not to sound like I’m totally out of the pop-culture (which I am), but what’s the main attraction of UFC?

It’s not that I don’t appreciate a good fight.  When I was 10, my best friend and I laid awake into the wee hours after the Cassius Clay/Sonny Liston fight, talking about the stunning event, challenging each other with our thoughts as to the turning point in the bout.

Three decades later, I boarded a flight back home (as the super-frequent flier I was at the time) to Los Angeles from Columbus OH, after the 15-ring day I had just experienced as a business consultant, only to realize I was sitting next to a huge, muscled black man with a ridiculously large gold and jeweled ring.

“I’m going to go out on a limb and guess you’re an athlete,” I smiled, leaning toward him and offering my hand, which was immediately swallowed by his.  I looked up at his massive grin. “Yes,” he whispered softly. “I’m James — James Douglas,” he beamed politely.

“As in James … ‘Buster’ Douglas?” I asked, wide-eyed.  He nodded humbly, and generously let me pepper him with questions about fighting, technique, his wife, his kids, his aspirations.  I asked about the sanity of Mike Tyson, and the ethics of Don King, a man who, I would come to learn, would sell his own grandmother for a pack of cigarettes.  We laughed like school kids.  I know I’ll never enjoy a flight any more thoroughly.

In any case, it’s an easy trip to Las Vegas from here.  I’d be pleased to meet you at your convenience.