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MY SURVIVOR II APPLICATION
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LEM D. ABSHER
1) PERSONAL INFORMATION
First Name: Lemuel
Last Name: Absher
Nickname (if any): Lem
City: Gallatin State: Tennessee Zip: 37066
E-Mail: absher1@bellsouth.net
Gender (please circle): Male
Age: 40
Marital Status / Significant Other:
Married, 10 years to Melanie Cecile Absher
If you have children, please list their names and ages:
Daughter, 20 Amanda Renee Freeman (married 2 children)
Kayla, granddaughter age 3
James Michael, grandson age 1
Son, 18 Adam Ryan
Son, 3 Alexander Charles
Daughter, 2 Alison Cecille
What is your current occupation?
I am a self-employed Martial Arts Instructor.
Sumner County Karate Club, Gallatin, Tennessee.
In which other occupations, if any, have you been employed (please list the last three (3))?
Retail and Restaurant manager
Shipping/receiving expeditor and forklift driver
Stand-up comic
What is your level of education and what school(s) did you attend?
We moved around A LOT when I was a kid. I attended 21 different elementary, middle and junior high schools.
1977 graduate of Gallatin Sr. High School, Gallatin, Tennessee
2 years of college at Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville, Tennessee
Name three of your favorite hobbies.
1. Reading. I usually read 4 or 5 books at a time (about 7 per month total)
2. Disc golf, I like the challenge of beating my own best game. I even helped design our city-owned disc golf course
3. Computer graphic design.
Not including your current place of residence, in which other cities and/or countries have you lived
and for what period of time?
I’ve lived in Los Angeles for 3 years, Palm Beach, Florida 1 year, Detroit, Michigan for 1 year, Anaheim, California 1 year, Elsinore, California 1 year, Sandusky, Ohio 1 year, Bowie, Maryland 1 year, Chevy Chase, Maryland 1 year, Huron, Ohio 1 year….. and so on. As I stated earlier, we moved around A LOT when I was a kid.
Have you been treated for any serious physical or mental illness(es) within the last three years?
/ NO
If yes, please describe in detail, citing dates, diagnosis and any on-going problems:
Please list any allergies you have ( medications, food, hay fever, dust, ect.) and your current
treatment for them:
I am VERY allergic to poison oak, poison ivy and poison sumac. Usually an anti-biotic injection clears it right up.
List three adjectives that best describe yourself:
1. Positive
2. Creative
3. Humorous
If you could hold any political office, what would it be and why?
President of the United States. If you’re going to set goals, set’em high!
I figure I know as much about being the President as George Washington did before he got the job. We, the United States, could use a “blue collar” mentality in the position. Grandpa used to say, “Sonny-boy, if you keep on doin’ what yer doin’, all yer gonna’ git is what ya’ got!”
As long as we keep electing lawyers that is the “loop-hole” mentality we will have to endure from our leaders.
What is the accomplishment you are most proud of?
I celebrate daily the joys of my family.
However I guess that’s not exactly what you are looking for so;
In 1996 I took 18 of my students to compete in the World Congress of Martial Artists (WCMA) World Championships. Athletes from several different countries were there.
Just before the competition I went outside to check on my athletes and they were very nervous and a couple of them had even bitten their fingernails down to bleeding nubs. I knew they needed a “tension breaker” so I called them together and asked them, “How many of you are world champions right now?” When no one raised a hand I continued. “So the worst that can happen today is that you go in there do your best and come out the exact same person you are right now. The best that can happen is that you can go in there and have a lot of fun and make some new friends.”
When the dust cleared that day, those 18 athletes had won 24 medals, including 3 world titles, 12 silver medals and 9 bronze medals.
Do you have pets? If so, please list their name and type:
I absolutely love Blonde Labrador Retrievers but they always seem to die under my care so I don’t have any pets at this time. When Alex and Ali get older I’m sure we’ll try again.
Are you a vegetarian or do you eat meat?
I am definitely an omnivore! Kangaroo stew?…hmmm could be good…where’s the paprika?
What is your favorite TV Show?
Quantum Leap is my all time favorite show but since it only airs on SciFi in reruns I guess I need to be a little more current….Survivor it is the most addictive television show I’ve EVER seen.
What is your favorite movie?
Cool Runnings (the story of the Jamaican bobsled team). Funny and inspirational
What is your favorite music to listen to?
I prefer the oldies (50’s-60’s and 70’s rock)
Describe your perfect day:
Wake up about 6:00am and romance my wife, Melanie. Get up spend the morning with my children Alex and Ali. Spend some time doodling on the computer. Do whatever needs to be done around the house. Swim with the family for a couple of hours. Go to the dojo (karate school) for a good work out with some of the best people on earth, my students. Return home about 9:00pm to a dinner prepared by my talented wife. Tuck the kids into bed. Share about an hour of conversation and unwinding with Melanie. Go to bed about 11:30. Romance Melanie and then go to sleep.
Gee, I just described my normal day. I guess I’ve got it pretty good eh?
What magazines do you read?
Martial Arts Combat Sports
Black Belt Magazine
Do you belong to any affiliations or organizations?
I am the Registration Chair for the Southeastern Association of the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU). I oversee the registration of about 16,000 athletes and 1,000 teams each year. There are 34 AAU sports ranging from Aerobics to Wrestling. This is a volunteer position and I average about 20-30 hours per week performing my AAU duties. I am also one of the webmasters for their web page www.seaau.com
And I chair the SEAAU Mert Baker Memorial Award for Outstanding Athletes Committee.
I serve on several AAU National Executive Committees including; Convention Committee, Law and Legislation Committee, National Martial Arts Council, Library and History Committee, Registration Committee and the Sullivan Award Committee. These committees oversee the activities of over 500,000 athletes world wide.
I am the National Chairman of the Open Martial Arts Federation, a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing the awareness and development of independent martial arts schools and athletes.
I am a coach and member of the WCMA United States Martial Arts Team.
I have served on the Sumner County Crime Stoppers Executive Board for over 5 years.
I am also quite active with our area Chambers of Commerce.
Do you have any body art ( piercing, tattoo, etc. )? If so, please describe:
Zero, goose egg, uh-uh none!
What is your favorite sport?
Full Contact Tiddly Winks! The Death Sport of the new Millenium.
Who is your hero and why?
Audie Murphy, the most decorated soldier in U.S. history.
At age 16 he lied about his age to get into the Army during WWII. He proved his heroism and dedication by performing beyond his abilities. He overcame poverty as a child, duress as a soldier and even became a Hollywood icon while being the first to star in his own biographical film, “To Hell and Back!”
I had the pleasure of meeting and speaking with him when I was 14. I had read his book and was excited beyond belief to meet someone of his caliber. To this day I don’t remember much about that conversation. I only remember being in the presence of greatness and it felt good.
List three (3) items you would take with you to Survivor II / Australia, if allowed and why?
1. Buckmaster survival knife. It easily replaces a back pack of tools. It was designed and developed for the U.S. Navy. The 7 ½ blade knife features a wood/metal saw, wire cutter, screw driver, compass, air and water-tight hollow handle, phosphorous matches, sheath, sharpening stone and hand guards..
2. Classification of plants & animals from a Groote Eylandt Aboriginal point of view by Julie Anne Waddy. If I’m going to be there it would be an excellent idea to know what plants were safe to eat, what served medicinal purposes and what was poisonous. Likewise for the indigenous animals.
3. The New York City White Pages. Great source for toilet paper and kindling.
What would be the craziest, wildest thing you would do for a million dollars?
What have you got in mind…. Try me! I’m open to suggestions. I’m applying for Survivor aren’t I?
What would you NOT do for a million dollars?
Murder another human being.
What is your favorite topic of conversation at a dinner party? What topics are off limits?
I don’t attend many dinner parties. I find them, generally speaking, to be pretentious and dull.
The topics vary from politics, to religion to child rearing to the martial arts to…. Well, just about anything. However no subject is off limits with me.
What skills do you bring to Survivor II / Australia that would make you a useful member of the
group?
A positive attitude!
I have always been a team player
I am a self-starter who usually winds up motivating any group I am in.
My sense of humor seems to relieve the inevitable tension, which appears whenever a group of people are thrown together.
Physically I am quite strong and a pretty decent athlete.
My martial arts training has taught me to look past pain and discomfort and perform the task at hand.
I have a knack of looking at problems and finding direct, effective solutions.
What types of people would you choose to have with you on Survivor II /Australia?
Like-minded positive individuals who are willing to get the job done!
What types of people would you choose NOT to have with you on Survivor II /Australia?
I can work with anyone. I understand ignorance but have a hard time accepting stupidity.
If you were stranded, who would you most want to be stranded with?
Pamela Lee….just kidding.
My friend, my lover, my wife Melanie. There is no one I would rather share time with.
What is your primary motivation for being on the show? What is your secondary motivation for being
on the show?
Primary reason? What an opportunity to see what you’ve got inside! See how far you can drain the gas tank and still keep going. Sounds like a blast to me!
I’ve also realized in recent years (since Alex and Ali were born) that I’ve started to (GASP!) “grow up”. When I was younger I would take ANY challenge which sounded like fun. I would hang-glide off mountain tops, sky dive, repel off cliffs anything that sounded dangerous and exciting. I even skateboarded down a 2 mile long hill in our area and reached speeds of over 60 mph just to see if I could do it. I don’t mind maturing and gaining wisdom but ‘GROWING UP?” That is absolutely out of the question. This opportunity is what I need to regain that “edge” I’ve let get dull with my day to day life. Call me Peter Pan.
Secondary reason, well I guess if I’m going to be honest it would be the money. I’d like to have my kids’ college taken care of and my later years to be covered. I just bought a house and I’d like to have it paid off. Normal, “If I had a million dollars” kind of stuff.
If you saw Survivor I, which former contestant did you like the most? Why? Which contestant did
you like the least? Why?
I liked B.B. He worked his butt off and expected the same from everyone else. His only weakness was in not being able to “handle” people better. If he had been a little less “abrasive”, I think he would have gone the distance. He and I would have had a lot of fun together.
I didn’t like Ramona. All excuses and she didn’t start working until she was almost voted off the island the first time. Sick or not you’ve got to do the job. She had NO sense of teamwork.
Why do you believe that you could be the final Survivor?
I don’t know if I could be. That’s the reason I want to try. If it was a sure thing why would I bother?
I am physically and mentally strong.
I am a reasonably intelligent person with a lot of drive and determination.
I tell my students, “When life places barriers before you, it is your job to study the wall, learn from it and then kick your way through the darn thing!”
I want the chance to kick through this wall.
MY SURVIVOR II VIDEO: THE FOSTER'S BEER SPOOF:
Voice Over "How to speak Australian."
Lem jumps into a VERY large group of martial artists and knocks them all down with one sweep of a 4 foot staff.
Voice Over "Fair fight. Lem Absher, Australian for Survivor".
Several screaming bodies fly over the camera. Cut to: Lem standing over those same bodies.
Voice Over "Frequent flyers. Lem Absher, Australian for Survivor".
Lem laying on the floor with a black belt jumping up and down on his stomach. (Anthony enjoyed doing this a little TOO much!).
Voice Over "Greasey spot".
Several martial artists pick Lem up and drag him off screen
Voice Over "Spot remover".
Two black belts attack Lem the first one is dispatched with a few VERY quick hand strikes and he falls to the side. The second appears to be struck to the groin and Lem pulls his hand back with a very large yell. Lem opens his hand and 2 white balls fall from his grasp and bounce on the floor.
Voice Over "Vasectomy. Lem Absher, Australian for Survivor".
Elapsed time 45 seconds.
For the next 2 minutes I discuss my life and how a "Suvivor" must be versatile and able to do a little bit of EVERYTHING.
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OTHER APLLICATIONS:
Submit your application for posting here!
Lem D. Absher
Sumner County Karate Club
E-mail:
Contact Survivorfan.freeservers.com
SUMNER COUNTY KARATE CLUB
Go To SCKC
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