It's been strange. It's been a much simpler routine with no choices and actually not a lot to do. Karen has caught up with her television routine on demand and is to the point she is actually watching some new shows as they air the first time. I'm enjoying the pre-2000 Nascar races shown on Fox and love the interaction between the competitors in the Fox I-Racing Invitational series. Nascar is back in a couple of weeks in overdrive, MBL is suggesting July 4 will be opening day and those ice hockey guys are ready to go back to war too. I am more than ready for baseball for sure.
Karen's employers met in the parking lot on Friday afternoon, just to let everybody know what was going on. The company reopened 105 stores in 5 states on Friday and they are awaiting a "go" from Raleigh before calling in employees as the lockdown ends here Saturday. I almost figure she will be back to work within a week, as Belk is appearing to be a leader in companies returning their workers to the payroll and to work.
Hobby Lobby reopened stores in the NC Triad area yesterday, while remaining closed in "hotter" areas virus-wise. The Feds (the CDC) has "updated" the death count and this pandemic is looking to be less and less fatal than even the regular flu, for which supposedly, there IS a vaccine for. Nope. I won't consider anything backed by Bill Gates, W.H.O. and George Soros. Don't ask. Gates is being sued over deaths in Africa connected with him jacking around with vaccines, and he's probably responsible for nearly a quarter million paralyzed kids in India for the same reasons, jacking around with vaccines. #RealTalk
On the #RoxX front I've accepted the challenge of trying to film my own parts for a "home lockdown-style" music video, shot on my phone. OK, the phone's not a problem, HD cameras on front and back, same stats on both. Ran through it completely a few weeks ago, uploaded the video to Tommy. He makes suggestions, so no, this isn't the end, I'm just getting started. A week later I shot two complete versions using my LED light strip for color and effect and uploaded them to Tommy. A week later I reach out and ask how he's doing and he replies he's had some technical difficulties. Suggests I do my video in segments. So I re-shot it last night, ended up uploading four segments to complete the song. I hope? To be continued!
Sunday, May 3, 2020
Thursday, April 9, 2020
Rocking the Quarantine
Karen is home, on "furlough" and now unemployment, and we have spent a lot of time "sheltered at home" even though most of our neighbors apparently are essential workers. Everything that was "normal" for me no longer exists, travel, wrestling, etc., and I feel like I'm going to explode from the new enthusiasm Karen has gotten for cooking. No, I am NOT complaining, but I bet Biscuit Factory thinks I've dropped off the face of the earth, only visiting once a week. But hey, I LOVE the bacon and egg biscuits Karen makes for me.
Last RoxX song Tommy sent, I actually wrote lyrics for in a single day. So a few weeks later, here comes another one. Can't think of a thing for it. For days. And lo and behold yet another original arrives awaiting lyrics. So with two songs to write, I sat down and listened to the "first one" and actually got the first verse written, then shut down on the chorus. Fine. Loaded the "second one" and within a half hour had the first verse and the beats of this song done. I have never attempted to write two songs at once, but I'm going to keep doing the same thing until one or the other is finished. I'm sure returning to the studio depends on finishing at least one more original since we like to knock 2 songs a session out when possible.
Tommy informs me that we are releasing the Cherokee legend inspired "Uktena Demon of Darkness" on Soundcloud on Saturday. Links will appear on Facebook, Twitter and Soundcloud sometime around high noon.
Last RoxX song Tommy sent, I actually wrote lyrics for in a single day. So a few weeks later, here comes another one. Can't think of a thing for it. For days. And lo and behold yet another original arrives awaiting lyrics. So with two songs to write, I sat down and listened to the "first one" and actually got the first verse written, then shut down on the chorus. Fine. Loaded the "second one" and within a half hour had the first verse and the beats of this song done. I have never attempted to write two songs at once, but I'm going to keep doing the same thing until one or the other is finished. I'm sure returning to the studio depends on finishing at least one more original since we like to knock 2 songs a session out when possible.
Tommy informs me that we are releasing the Cherokee legend inspired "Uktena Demon of Darkness" on Soundcloud on Saturday. Links will appear on Facebook, Twitter and Soundcloud sometime around high noon.
Thursday, March 19, 2020
To Whom It May Concern:
For the last few months my son has had this notion that it is his place to tell me I have no sense when it comes to politics and what's going on in the world. He suffers from TDS, for which there is no known cure, and using every opportunity he can to call me out for supporting our president.
In December, he posted that he was no longer going to discuss politics online (to my relief), but a short time later he appears on my Facebook wall EXPLAINING how anyone who supports Trump is an "asshole". He also told me after Trump was cleared by Congress in the sham impeachment for me to "not bother" replying, as he "knows what I am going to say" and he's "not going to read it." So fine. I have quit communicating with him at his request.
So why does it escalate to the point he's copying my posts, sharing them as "photo of Randy" to get my friend's attention to tell them Trump is bad, or a liar, criminal and whatever else they "believe"? Your guess is as good as mine.
Personally, I take these as personal attacks as there has been not one ounce of respect for MY beliefs since the attacks began. I do not like being talked down to, I'm not some middle school dunce, and face it, he is confused as to who is the parent and who is the child in THIS relationship. Yes, I pushed him to speak his mind, and not let others walk over him. Apparently, I taught him nothing whatsoever about respect and how to speak to your elders.
I understand he feels he has equal footing to speak his mind, but calling me and my friends names on Facebook isn't exactly a method of debate. Holding my grandchildren over my head (not sending any messages or photos for nearly 2 months now) is not a way to win an argument. It's a way to make me even more bitter at how I am being treated and talked to. And don't get me started on what it's doing to his mother.
Nope, we're not the 'victims' here, there are none. To me, the entire argument, or reason to argue, is childish. Nothing anyone says to me is going to make me suddenly consider our president as "crazy" after eight years of Obama. You'll have the same amount of effect on me as when a JW knocks on my door. Realize this and move on.
In December, he posted that he was no longer going to discuss politics online (to my relief), but a short time later he appears on my Facebook wall EXPLAINING how anyone who supports Trump is an "asshole". He also told me after Trump was cleared by Congress in the sham impeachment for me to "not bother" replying, as he "knows what I am going to say" and he's "not going to read it." So fine. I have quit communicating with him at his request.
So why does it escalate to the point he's copying my posts, sharing them as "photo of Randy" to get my friend's attention to tell them Trump is bad, or a liar, criminal and whatever else they "believe"? Your guess is as good as mine.
Personally, I take these as personal attacks as there has been not one ounce of respect for MY beliefs since the attacks began. I do not like being talked down to, I'm not some middle school dunce, and face it, he is confused as to who is the parent and who is the child in THIS relationship. Yes, I pushed him to speak his mind, and not let others walk over him. Apparently, I taught him nothing whatsoever about respect and how to speak to your elders.
I understand he feels he has equal footing to speak his mind, but calling me and my friends names on Facebook isn't exactly a method of debate. Holding my grandchildren over my head (not sending any messages or photos for nearly 2 months now) is not a way to win an argument. It's a way to make me even more bitter at how I am being treated and talked to. And don't get me started on what it's doing to his mother.
Nope, we're not the 'victims' here, there are none. To me, the entire argument, or reason to argue, is childish. Nothing anyone says to me is going to make me suddenly consider our president as "crazy" after eight years of Obama. You'll have the same amount of effect on me as when a JW knocks on my door. Realize this and move on.
Saturday, February 29, 2020
Take a Flyin' Leap Already!
I've made a point to watch all of the XFL possible this season and after the idea that "hey, this looks like football", the reality of the situation is beginning to set in. Watching two 1-2 teams battling in a giant NFL stadium with a sparse crowd is not inspiring. After 4 weeks, I know a few outstanding players, but in this brand of football, that seems to be mercurial too. I like the PAT options and wouldn't have an issue if the NFL did something similar without removing the 1 point 3 yard kick option. I'm getting used to the kickoffs, and I understand it was designed to be safer for the players than the traditional NFL style kickoff. I also understand that getting a return past the 30 isn't in the cards very often, they've taken the prospect of a kickoff return out of the game for the sake of safety.
I actually like the idea of position players having the coach in their ear without it being shut off before the snap. That works on both sides of the ball and is a good way to make the game move faster. One question arises from commentary on today's first game: Since there is no coin toss at the beginning of a game, will there be a coin toss prior to beginning an overtime period? Anyways, they may make it the whole season, and I'm really not seeing the injuries you see almost every week in the NFL, but that may be because this isn't the same quality and speed of football as the big league. I dunno, the XFL is a good excuse to not watch college basketball before March Madness, but I don't see it being any sort of a challenge to the dominance of the National Football League. #SorryPerry
Tommy keeps grinding out music ideas, I keep writing lyrics for his ideas and it seems right now we are currently on auto-pilot. Things that used to make Tommy scratch his head ("how do you make this fit in here?") he just goes with to see what MY ideas are. We can seriously complete my vocals for an average of two new songs per 4 hour studio visit, so we do try to have more than one project to record before we contemplate recording. Our last three or four originals are crazy progressive and I'm excited for where we seem to be heading music-wise. And really? A four-hour studio session sometimes starts with anywhere from 40 minutes to an hour sitting in the garage catching up before any business is attended to. I really dig the comfort level I have going to record. His motto since day one has been "if you don't like it, no one will EVER hear it". In other words, "go for it!" #RoxX
If you're on Twitter, search the hashtag #RushFamily for the absolute coolest bunch of music lovers on the planet. We all gather to discuss the music of the spheres and our favorite 3-piece Canadian band Rush daily!
I actually like the idea of position players having the coach in their ear without it being shut off before the snap. That works on both sides of the ball and is a good way to make the game move faster. One question arises from commentary on today's first game: Since there is no coin toss at the beginning of a game, will there be a coin toss prior to beginning an overtime period? Anyways, they may make it the whole season, and I'm really not seeing the injuries you see almost every week in the NFL, but that may be because this isn't the same quality and speed of football as the big league. I dunno, the XFL is a good excuse to not watch college basketball before March Madness, but I don't see it being any sort of a challenge to the dominance of the National Football League. #SorryPerry
Tommy keeps grinding out music ideas, I keep writing lyrics for his ideas and it seems right now we are currently on auto-pilot. Things that used to make Tommy scratch his head ("how do you make this fit in here?") he just goes with to see what MY ideas are. We can seriously complete my vocals for an average of two new songs per 4 hour studio visit, so we do try to have more than one project to record before we contemplate recording. Our last three or four originals are crazy progressive and I'm excited for where we seem to be heading music-wise. And really? A four-hour studio session sometimes starts with anywhere from 40 minutes to an hour sitting in the garage catching up before any business is attended to. I really dig the comfort level I have going to record. His motto since day one has been "if you don't like it, no one will EVER hear it". In other words, "go for it!" #RoxX
If you're on Twitter, search the hashtag #RushFamily for the absolute coolest bunch of music lovers on the planet. We all gather to discuss the music of the spheres and our favorite 3-piece Canadian band Rush daily!
Friday, February 14, 2020
Changing Priorities
Yep, it's time to change priorities. That being said, I suppose I have effectively retired from the indy pro wrestling business. I have been somewhat shocked and stunned by the lack of contact and communication from the majority of the folks I've been working with the past 20 years. It's like I've fell off of the face of the freakin' earth.
It's ok. As I said before, I got this.
I've been offered spots and a couple of positions, all of which I have declined, as things are already changing. Someone contacted me about an event near Charlotte next month, asking if I could announce. Well, to be honest, in order for me to do this event, I would have to rent a car, take the rental from my home in High Point to Burlington to borrow the ol' CWF PA system, then drive down toward Charlotte for the show. After the show I'd have to run back to Burlington to pass the PA system back to the owner before returning the car early the next morning. I don't think I'm willing to do that any more. That's it.
It's not that I totally miss it, but I realize now how small of a cog in that machine I actually was. I get kind of giddy seeing posters full of guys I've worked with over the years, especially ones where they are headlining in another city or state. Some of "my guys" are representing us in WWE, NXT, ROH and AEW and many of the other alphabet soup of promotions and that in itself is exciting. I wish them all continued success, growth and safety. They're still my brothers and sisters.
On the music front, we're kicking it back up a notch after recording and releasing our third Rush cover, Tom Sawyer, in the last two weeks. We've also recorded another new original, titled Perpetual Night, which I'm still waiting for the first mix of. Tommy tells me he's working on yet another original and we're knocking around Rush cover #4, Spirit of the Radio in the near future!
Click here to listen to the new #RoxX release, TOM SAWYER!
All this and we've got some music videos to produce as well. Our first three (this IS a learning process) show improvement in the progression, and right now we're kind of struggling to determine which original to produce on video next.
It's ok. As I said before, I got this.
I've been offered spots and a couple of positions, all of which I have declined, as things are already changing. Someone contacted me about an event near Charlotte next month, asking if I could announce. Well, to be honest, in order for me to do this event, I would have to rent a car, take the rental from my home in High Point to Burlington to borrow the ol' CWF PA system, then drive down toward Charlotte for the show. After the show I'd have to run back to Burlington to pass the PA system back to the owner before returning the car early the next morning. I don't think I'm willing to do that any more. That's it.
It's not that I totally miss it, but I realize now how small of a cog in that machine I actually was. I get kind of giddy seeing posters full of guys I've worked with over the years, especially ones where they are headlining in another city or state. Some of "my guys" are representing us in WWE, NXT, ROH and AEW and many of the other alphabet soup of promotions and that in itself is exciting. I wish them all continued success, growth and safety. They're still my brothers and sisters.
On the music front, we're kicking it back up a notch after recording and releasing our third Rush cover, Tom Sawyer, in the last two weeks. We've also recorded another new original, titled Perpetual Night, which I'm still waiting for the first mix of. Tommy tells me he's working on yet another original and we're knocking around Rush cover #4, Spirit of the Radio in the near future!
Click here to listen to the new #RoxX release, TOM SAWYER!
All this and we've got some music videos to produce as well. Our first three (this IS a learning process) show improvement in the progression, and right now we're kind of struggling to determine which original to produce on video next.
Friday, January 17, 2020
The Last Word?
It's been a couple of months and I have been involved in exactly one event, CWF BATTLECADE XX on Dec. 28th. I've ridden the emotional roller coaster and made peace with my situation and the state of the sport in this area.
We left the area fully well capable of training the next generation of pro wrestlers, and with the list of guys who have came through our doors that are performing in WWE, NXT, ROH, AEW and all of the rest of the alphabet of wrestling companies around the world, right now, we are good. We are accomplished. And we ran the area for 20 years. Twenty.
I felt the rug was pulled out from under my feet a couple of months ago and was seeing the end of my life as I knew it then. That's not how I see it today. I spent a LOT of my waking hours in the promotion of events, wrestlers and companies in the past 30+ years and today I can look back and say "I did well, WE did well."
There's also now what I see as oversaturation in the local market, with wrestling events happening all over every weekend, in small towns, armories and wrestling schools and arenas. Oversaturation also indicates that no one will make financial inroads when everybody in the area is using the same formula week-in and week-out. No matter how hard everyone tries, there are no more unique, one-of-a-kind events, regardless of how they are advertised. There will be very few "break-out stars" as there will be so many faces vying for exposure and fame.
Yes, perhaps there is too much indy pro wrestling today. Perhaps there are too many wrestlers in training. Perhaps the marks outnumber the actual smarts, since so many smarts are nothing but marks in the first place. I was the one looked at sideways a couple of years ago when I stood up and said it was time to tighten the circle.
"NO!" they declared, "Now is the time to get anyone interested on the inside!" If everyone interested in pro wrestling is on the inside, who then is left to buy tickets? That will be the $64 Question in this area moving forward.
Well, "they" got their way and everybody with even a passing interest in the sport has been welcomed inside, inside the industry and inside of the locker rooms. No one from today's generation will ever know what it's like to be seen near a locker room door holding a camera and hearing multiple voices inside declaring "Kay Fabe!" because someone has a camera outside of the locker room.
Wait until the real indy stars start feeling the oversaturation in their pay envelopes and in their bookings, when promoters will start short-selling them by reminding them of all of the other "up and coming" young folks that are willing to take their places on the card for less money.
Hey. I tried to warn everybody and you all thought I was screaming in the night or something. As a matter of fact, I have no urge currently to step into another building for anyone's event. The fire has died down quite a bit and I am enjoying using my time driving down different avenues. Yes, I'll be there when CWF decides to run another event, but don't hold your breath at this point. We are looking at a market with 3-6 events within driving distance every weekend, so why bother? A few short years ago, that was NOT the case and new promotions generally fell as quickly as they rose. Today? Too many places and too many faces. Wrestlers are not unique today, and with everybody involved, the mystique is taking a shot below the belt, to be honest.
No, I'm not bitter. I'm no longer angry. I've woke up from a fog that saw me willingly spend good money to continue to keep a firm grip on my "spot". All it took was for the whole shooting match to close down and the fatigue hit me right between the eyes. I have learned to enjoy time away from people, as much as I miss the familiar faces of the last 20 years, the ones that want to communicate are right there at my fingertips online. The rest?
I dunno. But I get it. I got this. And I'm cool.
We left the area fully well capable of training the next generation of pro wrestlers, and with the list of guys who have came through our doors that are performing in WWE, NXT, ROH, AEW and all of the rest of the alphabet of wrestling companies around the world, right now, we are good. We are accomplished. And we ran the area for 20 years. Twenty.
I felt the rug was pulled out from under my feet a couple of months ago and was seeing the end of my life as I knew it then. That's not how I see it today. I spent a LOT of my waking hours in the promotion of events, wrestlers and companies in the past 30+ years and today I can look back and say "I did well, WE did well."
There's also now what I see as oversaturation in the local market, with wrestling events happening all over every weekend, in small towns, armories and wrestling schools and arenas. Oversaturation also indicates that no one will make financial inroads when everybody in the area is using the same formula week-in and week-out. No matter how hard everyone tries, there are no more unique, one-of-a-kind events, regardless of how they are advertised. There will be very few "break-out stars" as there will be so many faces vying for exposure and fame.
Yes, perhaps there is too much indy pro wrestling today. Perhaps there are too many wrestlers in training. Perhaps the marks outnumber the actual smarts, since so many smarts are nothing but marks in the first place. I was the one looked at sideways a couple of years ago when I stood up and said it was time to tighten the circle.
"NO!" they declared, "Now is the time to get anyone interested on the inside!" If everyone interested in pro wrestling is on the inside, who then is left to buy tickets? That will be the $64 Question in this area moving forward.
Well, "they" got their way and everybody with even a passing interest in the sport has been welcomed inside, inside the industry and inside of the locker rooms. No one from today's generation will ever know what it's like to be seen near a locker room door holding a camera and hearing multiple voices inside declaring "Kay Fabe!" because someone has a camera outside of the locker room.
Wait until the real indy stars start feeling the oversaturation in their pay envelopes and in their bookings, when promoters will start short-selling them by reminding them of all of the other "up and coming" young folks that are willing to take their places on the card for less money.
Hey. I tried to warn everybody and you all thought I was screaming in the night or something. As a matter of fact, I have no urge currently to step into another building for anyone's event. The fire has died down quite a bit and I am enjoying using my time driving down different avenues. Yes, I'll be there when CWF decides to run another event, but don't hold your breath at this point. We are looking at a market with 3-6 events within driving distance every weekend, so why bother? A few short years ago, that was NOT the case and new promotions generally fell as quickly as they rose. Today? Too many places and too many faces. Wrestlers are not unique today, and with everybody involved, the mystique is taking a shot below the belt, to be honest.
No, I'm not bitter. I'm no longer angry. I've woke up from a fog that saw me willingly spend good money to continue to keep a firm grip on my "spot". All it took was for the whole shooting match to close down and the fatigue hit me right between the eyes. I have learned to enjoy time away from people, as much as I miss the familiar faces of the last 20 years, the ones that want to communicate are right there at my fingertips online. The rest?
I dunno. But I get it. I got this. And I'm cool.
Thursday, December 19, 2019
I'm a Complicated Man ya'll.
Who is the man that would risk his neck for his brother, man? (Shaft)
Can ya dig it?
Can ya dig it?
Who's the cat that won't cop out when there's danger all about? (Shaft)
Right on
Right on
You see this cat Shaft is a bad mother (Shut your mouth)
But I'm talkin' about Shaft (Then we can dig it)
He's a complicated man but no one understands him but his woman (John Shaft)
Well, we're still alive, we're still kicking and we're speaking from a different place as of late. A place without a constant barrage of information, photographs, profile updates and such involved in running three shows a month. I'm feeling refreshed, excited about Battlecade XX. I'm also having difficulty turning back on the "wrestling promotion" mode, something I can't recall happening in the past.
It appears I was correct on the whole burn-out deal and have a new wind behind me now. I'm already contemplating the next #RoxX sessions in January, we'll be shooting new music videos for remixes of originals Unwavering Light and I Walk Alone. We'll see where CWF's future leads me, as I'm not ready yet to contemplate returning with another company (thank you for the invite!), so I'm thinking I'll be spending a lot more quality time with my cat, the Pip Rocket until the itch returns, then we'll see. Maybe I'll drop in somewhere as a manager, that's something I did WAAAAAY way back. At a Rider's show at that. Do you smell hair burning?
Thursday, December 5, 2019
All Dramatics Aside...
Life goes on. As a matter of fact, CWF Mid-Atlantic is still alive and will indeed put on their 20th Anniversary event, Battlecade XX, on the original date of December 28th. That's all that has been leaked, no venue announcement or ticket information is available as of today. Also, no matches have been announced, but I'm certain it will be the biggest year-end event in our company's history.
The company didn't go out of business, folks, they simply did away with their training school/venue. Cost a lot of money to keep it open and operating and it took its toll over the years over a few of us. I'm content knowing I'm not actually "out in the cold" as I suggested in the previous post, I'm one of the two that the owner depends on for promotion and live event production. I don't know for sure, but I imagine that we will run a much small event schedule in 2020, perhaps doing nothing early in the year until spring. I also imagine that it's possible 1 event a month will be it, we're going back to the days of sponsorships and paid shows, and they require time and effort to promote properly. Not exactly like running 3 times a month just to pay the rent.
I'm good. Heck, I'm great. I have discovered that I can enjoy time at home that would have been wrestling weekends previously, and that makes me enjoy and cherish my time with the company of friends that much more. Who knows? I may start going out to dinner after with the boys again and do away with preview pics at 3-4 am following an event anyways. I'm wide open.
Karen tells me that she is asking off at 5pm on the 28th, I told her to not bother, as I can't sit at home until 5 on nights we wrestle any more, it's going to be an all-day affair again like the old days. So it's fitting that I will also be renting a car for the last event of the year. I don't mind so much, but that will be the 16th rental of the 2019 year for wrestling alone. Hate to think about it now, but I considered it an investment...
The company didn't go out of business, folks, they simply did away with their training school/venue. Cost a lot of money to keep it open and operating and it took its toll over the years over a few of us. I'm content knowing I'm not actually "out in the cold" as I suggested in the previous post, I'm one of the two that the owner depends on for promotion and live event production. I don't know for sure, but I imagine that we will run a much small event schedule in 2020, perhaps doing nothing early in the year until spring. I also imagine that it's possible 1 event a month will be it, we're going back to the days of sponsorships and paid shows, and they require time and effort to promote properly. Not exactly like running 3 times a month just to pay the rent.
I'm good. Heck, I'm great. I have discovered that I can enjoy time at home that would have been wrestling weekends previously, and that makes me enjoy and cherish my time with the company of friends that much more. Who knows? I may start going out to dinner after with the boys again and do away with preview pics at 3-4 am following an event anyways. I'm wide open.
Karen tells me that she is asking off at 5pm on the 28th, I told her to not bother, as I can't sit at home until 5 on nights we wrestle any more, it's going to be an all-day affair again like the old days. So it's fitting that I will also be renting a car for the last event of the year. I don't mind so much, but that will be the 16th rental of the 2019 year for wrestling alone. Hate to think about it now, but I considered it an investment...
Tuesday, November 19, 2019
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.
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.
Thursday, October 17, 2019
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!
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!
Monday, October 7, 2019
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?
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?
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