Hai Karate: A Visit With The Past

 When one does a blog which often concerns itself with the past I have sometimes been given suggestions or various items which people think might make an interesting topic. These range from an interesting looking rock that looks like a duck to a recent gift from my cousin , a bottle of old Hai Karate aftershave { pronounced High Karate} discovered in a discard box in her garage. Yes this icon from youthful memory. This aftershave was made from appx the late 60's to early 80's. Made by as it says on the bottle , the Leeming Division of Pfizer Corporation zip code 10017. Yes the same people that brought us Viagra brought us this green liquid. Most likely some that used this aftershave back then use Viagra now.It's that old.  Anyway I have not yet opened it , so that is what I am going to do now.  Be right back................still holding.............................................................BLAU...............OK , what to say? I did not like it for one. A base tone of aluminum with some citrus is how I best can describe it.  It is quite possible that the age of this aftershave has altered the experience , circa late 60's bottle after all according to my cousin. The question also arises , did I once smell like this. Yes , I received a bottle for Christmas in 1969. Memories have come flooding back. My last High School Christmas in my hometown , the 60's ending , a wedding attended in March of 1970 which I had no memory of until just now.  High School graduation has just come to mind and an old high school flame as well as Donna Blasch my college sweet heart . This budget aftershave bought by my parents probably in a drug store in or near Castleton NY has stirred a few memories. It also reminded me of my mother who hated the 60's and could not wait for them to be over and for her son to get a hair cut.  One of her self improvement gifts this no doubt was. At least , I did not smell like Old Spice I remember was one of my reactions. Yet for some , this is probably an Icon from the past. I imagine Brut or Jade East is the closest hangovers from that era if you wish to indulge in memories induced by smell. As for this bottle , it is being donated to an animal league in the 11509 zip area that deals with the feral cat problem in our area. They have an ebay account that they use to fund their activities and have told me they welcome this gift that really sells well on ebay. Amazing!  If you wish to indulge further you can Google the name and see some of the old commercials. But to those that might obtain this or another bottle I can only repeat the words of the commercial..........Hai Karate.......Be Careful How You Use It.