The Rug Has Been Pulled Out From Underneath My Feet

Not a lot to say except there is a huge hole where my wrestling family and schedule used to be, as CWF Mid-Atlantic has closed the Mid-Atlantic Sportatorium and the CWF Dojo & Training School as well as canceling all remaining events for 2019.

I convinced myself it was simply a business decision after nearly 20 years with CWF and the sudden shut down a day before the second-biggest event of the calendar year.  I knew about it maybe 40 minutes before the announcements hit the internet Friday, but I had no clue just how much of the company was to be gutted on what I will always remember as Black Friday.

I don't have any "new" information and the silence from friends and co-workers is deafening beyond the "I'm numb" comments.  Am I bitter?  No, not really, I almost walked away from the sport a couple of years ago, my last exit was orchestrated and ready to go, but circumstances changed and wrestling events became fun again, much like when I first became involved.

The reality of it all set in Sunday morning, after sleeping in and realizing I had no photos to edit, no websites to update, no HTML to wrestle with and could enjoy football.  Except I didn't.  I had it on all day but barely paid attention to what was happening in the game.  Background noise to the single drip of water I sometimes imagine hearing (yes, imagine, because I have tinnitus very bad in both ears from years with the bands).  OK.  Maybe I am a little bitter.

Memories will likely be my final "Insiders Soapbox", but that could take years to author.  So many stories deserve to be told, and so many deserve to die in the dustbin of history.  The biggest personal loss is the interaction with hundreds of young competitors, trainees, tech staff and support staff that I enjoyed above all else.  Don't have much to say beyond that right now.  I've probably said too much.

Leaps and Bounds

Tommy threw me a curve ball and released the first #RoxX music video, the lyric video for original "Brand New Me" which was released earlier on Soundcloud.  Check it out HERE:

RoxX - Brand New Me

Today I arrived at noon at the studio expecting to record vocals for 2 originals.  I mis-read the email or something, today was video shoot day!  No problem.  Basically shot in what I wore over there.  We shot almost 3 1/2 hours of footage for a 2 1/2 minute Beatles track we covered a couple of years ago, "It Won't Be Long".  Did some funny stuff, much not exactly intentional, but a little prop humor was included in the mix.  He's got all of this footage PLUS an entire video he'd already created for the song (without lyrics since we didn't write it) and I'm thinking he weaves us around the Beatles '65 and '66 photos, so fingers crossed I'll be seeing at least a rough version of it soon.

You realize, this started with two old friends recording music in the basement.  Honestly, I'm still kind of stunned to be doing it, I enjoy almost every minute of it, including the creative parts and original writing.  I'm sure nothing of mine sounds "original" due to the fact I've got about 75 years of music crammed in my 61 year old head.  Know whut I mean, Vern?

That "other" change in the weather that gets to you.  It's got me right now.  Several straight days of sinus pain and throbbing in the front of my face, resorted to my old stand-by meds last night for a good night's sleep.  Already dosed myself tonight, eagerly awaiting a little bit of relief.  I'm pretty lucky these days with these allergies.  Lucky because 25 years ago I was going to a doctor 4-6 times a year for sinus problems and on prescription meds.  Today they have eased off and spring is not the murder it once was.  IF I have a bad season, the last few years it's been in the fall.  Hey, I'll survive it and make it back to studio tomorrow to sing even if I wake up with a sore throat.  Got a half gallon of throat miracle in the 'fridge right now, Orange-Pineapple juice, if it becomes necessary!

To the Walls

We slammed it out of the ball park at the 19th Annual CWF RUMBLE, had people screaming for over 3 and a half hours.  Twitch replays are getting a lot of use and folks are talking about our product, our talent and our company once again.  I'm not saying they ever stopped, mind you, but we are still a destination for many of the up and coming rising stars in the wrestling game today.  It's what we do, and dammit, we do it pretty well.  So proud of the folks we have working with us today.

Tommy is sending new music (finally) after spending nearly a month cramming and learning video production and the first one is a freakin' ROCKER.  The heads up on the second one, which I've yet to hear, is that it's a period-sounding tune, something similar to the popular music of the 20's or 30's.  I can't wait.  I keep thinking of Queen's '39.  Love it.  I'm eager to get back in the studio, I can't wait to see what kind of upgrades and additions have been made in my month away.  Time for some new #RoxX!

Young son Josh visited for parts of 3 days for a high school reunion another hour and a half up the road.  Spoke to him maybe 10 minutes tops as he would get up early and stay gone all day (just like the last one 5 years ago) and left at the crack of dawn for the trip home Sunday.  As much of a challenge helping raise one kid was, I can't imagine three little ones at once.  He handles it like it's no big deal.  So proud of him.

My sanity is constant and secure and still by my side almost 24-7.  Yes, my sanity is a furry joker that has been my companion for over 3 years now, a transplant from Maryland, Pip.  Seriously one of the most intelligent cats I've ever seen, he communicates his wishes very clearly.  Especially at 4:30am when he suddenly decides he wants to go downstairs and eat but he's afraid something may be hiding in the kitchen.  Yes, one of us has to get up and walk him down to the kitchen and then pet on him for finally eating (HA!) and stagger off toward the stairs to go back up to bed.

Pip's found a thousand ways to get your attention, and he's a master of physical contact.  When he wants you to go downstairs before dawn he's found some exclusive moves he uses on Karen.  Like walking up to her face and patting her on the arm with his paw.  If she ignores or sleeps through that, he does it again, but with a little bit of claw extended.  Karen has woke up screaming that Pip was popping her on the nose.  He's made me jump out of my skin a couple of times too, he's got this thing where he stands on his back legs and taps me on the shoulder when I have my back to him in the computer chair.  When you are home alone and someone taps you on the shoulder, one tends to jump, ya know?

Controlling The Vote

No, you didn't expect this topic here, but it's the only place I feel I can state my case without the disapproving eyes of Facebook chiming in.  On the heels of the media saturation yesterday of the creepy looking teenager on the climate change rant, I posted a simple graphic which I have used in the past on Facebook:

Facebook immediately hit me with "violation of community standards" and told me to remove it or they would, and it would be hidden until they made a final decision.  That took less than 3 minutes, they told me this was a "hate" post.

What do I see?  I see Facebook DEFENDING the reputation of one Adolf Hitler in order to silence my opinion about what is going on in the country today.  There is NOTHING improper about the above meme, and it IS historically correct.  It's an actual Nazi propaganda photo used before WW2.  Facebook is not helping the history illiterates in this country today.  Not one bit.

What do I REALLY see?  I see Facebook afraid of the voice of an American.  An American who was guaranteed the freedom of speech just for being born here.  You see where I'm going?  #Murica

What It's All Aboot

Revelation:  I'm much more interested in the Atlanta Braves push to the post-season currently than I am about the NFL's first and possibly second week.  Unheard of in my house, I mean ever!

Tommy has began a new project, a new extension of his art, video.  He is spending days nose to the grindstone learning his new video program and how to produce his own stuff.  He's yet to show me anything, but I'm assuming it's not very far off!

Bit the bullet and purchased an actual smart phone.  Ditching the flip phone as soon as I'm confident on the new monster, which I will admit, I enjoy so far.  It's much like learning a new computer operating system, and if you approach it like that, it almost makes sense!  #Samsung

Glad NOT to hear from a friend tonight.  He was having some problems with his lady friend, who left him stranded across town after work with no ride home.  Two nights straight it seems.  I will assume the best and they worked this out.  #FingersCrossed

Ever been freaked out by a cat?  Pip now walks up behind me when I am working at my desk, stands on his back legs and taps me on the back.  When you KNOW you are home alone and this happens, your first response is to freak!  He got me two days straight.  Now he wakes Karen up by tapping on her arm.  She bursts out laughing at him.  She gets up, he gets fed, win-win for the cat.

Well, I'm older.  I'm not THAT much wiser.  I'm not in the best shape, but I'm functioning and feeling "normal" much more than otherwise.  I have places that pop that probably shouldn't and a few that decide at any time to suddenly ache.  Very randomly.  Still having fun working in wrestling, treading into new areas every week there these days, cutting edge stuff in some cases.  So I'll say it again:  I am WINNING!

This is an ANGRY post

Seriously.  Angry.

Yesterday afternoon I saw a story on Breitbart's Facebook page about a movie being released later this year about leftists hunting down and killing Trump supporters.  Yes, that's what the article said.  The article also stated that even left-leaning ESPN has refused to show the movie's trailers on their networks, which was the headline of the story.

The moment I clicked "share" and posted it I got an immediate 24 hour ban from posting.  Sure, I asked for a review, three times.  The last one marked the case as "closed" and had NOTHING written.  The message was absolutely blank.  I'm not new at the social media game and this is the first time I've ever been barred from ANY platform.  I did go back and remove the post, deleted it, but not after I screen captured it for everyone to see.  Here it is.  Is there something sexual or explicit about this post?  Did I "sound threatening"?

I don't get it.  There is no recourse and no communicating with these left-wing nutjobs at Facebook except through their platform and they've already "10-4ed" me.  Here's their notice to me about the above post:

You scratching your head too?  I certainly am.  Um, since when is gagging someone (an actress that favors Ivanka Trump) "nudity or sexual activity"?  Did I anger their lords and master in Hollywood?  Why was it instant?  Were they watching as I typed the actual post?  The original post is still up and visible on Breitbart's Facebook page.

Any ideas?  I'm certainly bamboozled over this one, ya'll.

Major Update

Today, after weeks of fretting and bothering (think Winnie the Pooh), I was set straight about the details around my previous post.  I had to speak to the landlord today and she tells me it was NOT the child on the ambulance gurney, it was the mother.  And yes, she attempted suicide because earlier in the day the DSS removed the child from her.  As ugly as the story remains, I'm just very relieved to discover somewhere Brandi is doing fine living with relatives.  Mother has been "moving out" ever since, including several truck loads removed, but as of today, she still has the key and claims she still has clothes in the apartment.  Doubt she'll get any of them, the HPPD was in the parking lot watching the apartment yesterday morning after leaving an orange warrant alert on their front door.

Tommy is back on full production mode, spitting out new material for original songs.  We've recorded two new ones in the past couple of weeks and have another ready for studio next week.  Hoping to have a second song to add to that session before then, as I seem to be rolling with lyrics as well.  We'll hold off on cover songs for a bit, with the possible exception of a couple of Beatles tunes we jammed on at the last session.  I am considering pitching Cheap Trick's only #1 hit, The Flame" to Tommy as a possible future cover.  More as it becomes available #RoxX followers!

We have hit the summer running in CWF Mid-Atlantic, with Corruption winning the tag titles at Absolute Justice and the first round of the 2019 Johnny Weaver Memorial Tournament under our belts, the second round begins on Saturday July 27th at CWF OH WHAT A SUMMER at the Sportatorium.  Tickets, as always, available at cwftickets.com.  And yes, we do have #Neckbone ya'll!

With a little weight taken off of my mind and shoulders, I'm looking forward to surviving yet another North Carolina July and August, hoping the hurricane season is very uneventful when it kicks in.  Jury duty, which was a potential nightmare last week, was simply a 2 hour trip to Greensboro.  I got there, found the assigned parking garage, parked on the assigned floor and hiked 2 blocks to the courthouse.  Made it through security and herded into a juror assembly room with 137 other folks just to be checked in, parking validated, roll call and dismissal.  I was home exactly 2 hours after I left.  Dodged a major stress bullet there, they can not call me for another 2 years.  I shall endeavor to remember I like to post at least a couple of times a month on here...But I won't make any promises.  That's how I roll.

She called me "Mr. Randy"

Yesterday, sitting in the living room after dinner watching television, we notice a couple of police cars rushing in and parking directly out front of our place.  A fire truck follows them in, then a third police car.  As the ambulance pulls up, everyone else dons protective gloves before entering.  Minutes later, they're passing around face guards (spit shields) to those going back inside.  Then three more police cars, supervisors I'm guessing, unmarked cars arrived.  Paramedics, police and firefighters were in and out and relatives were starting to gather outside.

After 20-some minutes they finally enter with a stretcher and eventually they return to the ambulance with my neighbor's daughter on her side.  They sat in the ambulance for nearly another 20 minutes before shutting off the emergency lights and driving away slowly and silently.

Today, all I know for sure is that it was probably a suicide attempt, possibly successful?  The media and police will not report any details on anything remotely associated with someone attempting to take their own lives, which I understand.  

I've watched this young woman grow up from a little girl.  She's lived here nearly 8-9 years and when she first moved here she was a bright-eyed sidewalk chalk artist that was exceptionally polite and energetic.  I don't know her name, I never asked, I normally referred to her when I saw her the same way every time, "Hello beautiful!"  She called me Mr. Randy when she was small. 

Is it wrong that my eyes are a little wet right now?  Not knowing sucks, ya'll.

Still Wrestling...

Been a crazy few weeks again, capped by EVERYTHING TO LOSE at CWF ABSOLUTE JUSTICE 2019.  As I arrive at the building in the afternoon I spot "daddy" Garry Stevens in the building and seeing him again was way overdue.  Seems another old buddy "El Fuego" Jesse Ortega contacted him about going out to dinner and basically told him "we can go to wrestling too" and there he was.  Larger than life and grinning like a possum!  

I personally witnessed the bloodiest match in my 30 year career and surprisingly, only ONE man was bleeding.  I don't know how Aric Andrews went as long and hard as he did with all of the plasma he splashed all over the ring canvas, the floor and the front row.  I'm also thinking, hey, I've been ringside for every sanctioned Kazi Rules match that there's ever been.  

Here's a VERY GRAPHIC PHOTO.  

My camera girl Katie got woozy during this match and said she was getting sick.  I watched most of it from the screen on my camera, unaware at the moment of just how much blood was splattered all over the place.  But when it was over.  Oh boy.  

Saturday ended with emergency personnel at the Sportatorium following the event and I found an exit and headed for home around 11:30.  As I pull into my driveway I realize I never told Ulysse Demos goodbye, as he is heading back home to France.  He has a match next Saturday in France and I expect a full report from him on it!

And for the record, thanks everybody that makes these things happen.  That means everyone who gives their time and cares about how things are done.  I see things getting done, like clockwork, especially by the younger crew and the newest trainees.  Think about it, just a few short years ago Cain Justice helped me run event sound and was responsible for playing entrance music.  And you know what?  Maybe THAT is one of the biggest draws to me to indy pro wrestling today...The fact that people ARE making their dreams come true.  Right Trev?

Where Have I Been For A Month?

Crazy few weeks, wrestling is fun again and in a CRAZY turn of events, our own TKOPA's Ulysse Demos & Teddy Ireland Jr. won the 3rd Annual Kernodle Tag Team Tournament AND the CWF Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Championships along the way!  CWF's summer bombshell ABSOLUTE JUSTICE 2019 kicks off a hot streak of events on June 1st leading to the Weaver Cup Tournament Finals in August.  We're making history, ya'll!

Nothing to report on the music front, as we haven't recorded in a bit, Tommy's back to work on his 'day job' and currently remixing some of his older works.  When the faucet turns back on to "new music creation" he'll probably try to drown us!  Still sitting here counting the minutes until he deems it time to release Subdivisions and Man I'll Never Be covers!  #RoxX

Now that it's beginning to be actually hot, I'm noticing a lot of watery eyes and runny nose feelings.  Just what you need to make you look forward to the season where there is no threat of ice on the roads.  Complain, complain, complain.  All I ever do.  Right?  Outta here back to doing a lot of nothing, as it's Karen's day off and I am at her disposal!

When Electricity Came To High Point

Resumed recording activities and just about exhausted everything we had planned and ready to record.  We have ONE song on the to do list currently, and it's out of left field.  Paul Revere and the Raiders' "Hungry"!  Our last original, which I referred to as "Screaming In Silence" has been nearly completed, with a brand new name, re-christened as "Everything You Feel".  It's became a song of feelings and one friend tells me it is "soothing" to listen to.  That's cool as it gets, ya'll.  Subdivisions turned out as well as I could hope for, actually even better.  Such a loyal cover of the familiar Rush classic, makes the hair on my arms stand up listening to it.  #RoxX

We ran two fun events this month, resume a heavier schedule on Friday May 3rd & 4th for the 3rd Annual Kernodle Brothers Tag Team Tournament.  This year's event also marks the two-night Don Kernodle 69th Birthday Bash, coinciding with the Kernodle Tag Tournament at the Sportatorium.  Our friend from France, Ulysse "OPA" Demos, has returned and re-joined his partner Teddy "TKO" Ireland Jr. and qualified for the tournament!  TKOPA is back in business!  Also, my friend Jimmy Harris has pulled the plug on Benefit Championship Wrestling, due to constantly increasing venue prices.  Of course, "Little" Jimmy moving to Charlotte probably has a lot to do with it too, but we made some history and collected some cash in the past few years.  LIKE A BOSS.

After seeing this morning in the news that the NBA Playoff television ratings are at an all-time low, I realize I'm checking back in on Atlanta Braves baseball daily again.  Really enjoying the attitude and energy of the new young guns.  Hope it continues and they can get some stability in the middle relief area, they're going to need it going forward.  Found myself staring at a split-squad game in pre-season and realized I was gonna be hooked again.  Watched the Braves through some REALLY ugly seasons way back, from day one that cable television came to High Point.  Second most important day culturally here right after when Electricity came to High Point.