The Red Cross along with seven local bars are encouraging designated drivers to drink up this New Year's Eve. In an effort to promote sober driving among revelers in central Illinois...participating bars and restaurants will provide nonalcoholic beverages free to designated drivers...
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Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Saturday, December 27, 2008
2008: A Look Back (MMA)
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2008 was a big year for Metamora Martial Arts.
For nearly a year we’d been planning on an open tournament, and on April 5, 2008, we did just that. Eight schools, 70+ divisions, 100+ competitors. Lucky for me, I was put in charge of a ring for the first time, and I think I did a good job. Not great, but for first-time, on-the-job training, I don’t think I did too bad. Here’s to another awesome tournament on April 4, 2009!
I got to train a few different ways this summer, courtesy of Mr. Hawkey. Black belts did some private training at his home in Sparland, in a secluded woodsy area. And, as if that wasn’t enough, he also taught whoever was interested the beginnings of the sai. It’s my goal to get certified in the sai, but my schedule last semester and apparently the forthcoming one are going to prevent that from happening because I’m not available to see him for certification.
It was also over the summer that we realized we’d won some awards from Black Belt Magazine. Metamora Martial Arts was named Best Children’s Program and Best Humanitarian Act (for our Relay For Life break-a-thon). For a program that’s only been around just shy of 7 years, I think that’s an awesome accomplishment. Go big or go home.
The Missouri trip was somewhat bittersweet. The trip was pretty fun – mostly chillin with Adam and a few others. The busride was especially fun, for me, because we were jammin tuneskis from the iPod, and I was leading the charge singing for the group. I think everybody seemed to enjoy it, and I was completely hoarse the next day and didn’t really want to talk. However, one little incident kind of blew up – winding up in my suspension from MTHS for three months and severely threatening my future as the chief instructor at MGS. The details are stupid, but suffice it to say that everybody needs to stick to their own business and not worry about bringing others down with them.
After that little incident, my spot as the chief instructor at MGS was secure. Mr. Chianakas has finally realized his dream of having three black belt instructors lead his grade schools. Plus, Justin and Adam are also in charge of their own schools, and I think the fact that us three are playing such a big part in this now nationally recognized program is awesome. Being an instructor at MGS since the very first night we opened there, this whole thing is pretty cool.
We also got to prove that we do serve the community through a blood drive we hosted in August. Since I couldn’t give blood because of the tat I got in January, I was still able to help out and Susan said we had a great turnout. From the sounds of things, it sound like we’ll still be able to do it next August.
So if we did all this in 2008, it looks like we have some damn big shoes to fill in 2009.
For nearly a year we’d been planning on an open tournament, and on April 5, 2008, we did just that. Eight schools, 70+ divisions, 100+ competitors. Lucky for me, I was put in charge of a ring for the first time, and I think I did a good job. Not great, but for first-time, on-the-job training, I don’t think I did too bad. Here’s to another awesome tournament on April 4, 2009!
I got to train a few different ways this summer, courtesy of Mr. Hawkey. Black belts did some private training at his home in Sparland, in a secluded woodsy area. And, as if that wasn’t enough, he also taught whoever was interested the beginnings of the sai. It’s my goal to get certified in the sai, but my schedule last semester and apparently the forthcoming one are going to prevent that from happening because I’m not available to see him for certification.
It was also over the summer that we realized we’d won some awards from Black Belt Magazine. Metamora Martial Arts was named Best Children’s Program and Best Humanitarian Act (for our Relay For Life break-a-thon). For a program that’s only been around just shy of 7 years, I think that’s an awesome accomplishment. Go big or go home.
The Missouri trip was somewhat bittersweet. The trip was pretty fun – mostly chillin with Adam and a few others. The busride was especially fun, for me, because we were jammin tuneskis from the iPod, and I was leading the charge singing for the group. I think everybody seemed to enjoy it, and I was completely hoarse the next day and didn’t really want to talk. However, one little incident kind of blew up – winding up in my suspension from MTHS for three months and severely threatening my future as the chief instructor at MGS. The details are stupid, but suffice it to say that everybody needs to stick to their own business and not worry about bringing others down with them.
After that little incident, my spot as the chief instructor at MGS was secure. Mr. Chianakas has finally realized his dream of having three black belt instructors lead his grade schools. Plus, Justin and Adam are also in charge of their own schools, and I think the fact that us three are playing such a big part in this now nationally recognized program is awesome. Being an instructor at MGS since the very first night we opened there, this whole thing is pretty cool.
We also got to prove that we do serve the community through a blood drive we hosted in August. Since I couldn’t give blood because of the tat I got in January, I was still able to help out and Susan said we had a great turnout. From the sounds of things, it sound like we’ll still be able to do it next August.
So if we did all this in 2008, it looks like we have some damn big shoes to fill in 2009.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
2008: A Look Back (Total Nonstop Action)
I’ve blogged several times about my solo venture to Bound for Glory in October, so I’ll just leave it at that. Since then, the storylines have helped back up the Nash turn on Joe and Sting’s subsequent win, but I still disagree with taking Joe out of the title picture and having a different member of the Front Line try to take Sting’s title. But, whatever.
http://www.adambockler.com/see/raster/boundforglory08/index.html
TNA held their first house show in Bloomington in June. I don’t remember everything blow by blow, but I got to spend a night with Blake, which was fun, and see wrestling quite honestly like I’d never seen it before. The six-sided ring, and a host of talent that I’ve never seen in person before – Samoa Joe, AJ Styles, Curry Man / Christopher Daniels, Shark Boy, etc. Some people I hadn’t seen in nearly a decade, like Kip James (formerly Badass Billy Gunn). Anyway, the show was awesome. We failed to score backstage passes like suckers, but oh well.
Robert Roode was about 5 feet away from me watching the James Storm match, I think. I don’t know if they’d formed their team by then, but maybe he was scouting and studying what Storm does in the ring a little better to get a good feel. I didn’t want to talk to him for fear of creating a diversion from the action happening in the ring. Velvet Sky was a little farther back.
http://www.adambockler.com/see/raster/tna_6-20-08/index.htm
http://www.adambockler.com/see/raster/boundforglory08/index.html
TNA held their first house show in Bloomington in June. I don’t remember everything blow by blow, but I got to spend a night with Blake, which was fun, and see wrestling quite honestly like I’d never seen it before. The six-sided ring, and a host of talent that I’ve never seen in person before – Samoa Joe, AJ Styles, Curry Man / Christopher Daniels, Shark Boy, etc. Some people I hadn’t seen in nearly a decade, like Kip James (formerly Badass Billy Gunn). Anyway, the show was awesome. We failed to score backstage passes like suckers, but oh well.
Robert Roode was about 5 feet away from me watching the James Storm match, I think. I don’t know if they’d formed their team by then, but maybe he was scouting and studying what Storm does in the ring a little better to get a good feel. I didn’t want to talk to him for fear of creating a diversion from the action happening in the ring. Velvet Sky was a little farther back.
http://www.adambockler.com/see/raster/tna_6-20-08/index.htm
Friday, December 12, 2008
2008: A Look Back (Bob vs. Adam)
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Harvester of Sorrow vs. Stone Cold Steve Adam (c) - Metamora Backyard Wrestling Championship
Bob “Hit and Run” Dixon and I have found throughout the course of our friendship that both of us were big wrestling fans during the industry’s boom periods of the late 90s. I can remember sitting with him and Ryan and Wes in graphic arts in high school and talking about all that stuff, with the only name I can vividly remember being Vader, of all people.
Anyway, sometime over the spring or summer, we were in the driveway and started hitting each other with different shots and wrestling holds and whatever. Not too long afterwards, we had a real garbage match in the dark in the backyard. But we decided that night that we wanted to put on a wrestling match.
We got together one night after a night of wingz at Webb’s in Washburn, but on the way back ended up canceling the show because of storms. So we waited and built the suspense for a few more weeks.
There was absolutely no rehearsal for this match. I’d made a Facebook event for it and thought 10 of our friends showed up. Well, the best advertising is by word of mouth. Right before our entrance music hit, there had to be at least 30 people crowded around in my backyard. Honestly I felt bad for everybody that showed up looking for something good. But it was really entertainment value and not a true scientific chain wrestling type of match, so whatever.
I had to watch the match after I got done writing that last paragraph. Honestly, in wrestling terms, it was pretty awful, but it was a damn entertaining match and I hope we can do at least one match this coming summer.
http://www.adambockler.com/see/video/wrestlingmatch61808.html
Bob “Hit and Run” Dixon and I have found throughout the course of our friendship that both of us were big wrestling fans during the industry’s boom periods of the late 90s. I can remember sitting with him and Ryan and Wes in graphic arts in high school and talking about all that stuff, with the only name I can vividly remember being Vader, of all people.
Anyway, sometime over the spring or summer, we were in the driveway and started hitting each other with different shots and wrestling holds and whatever. Not too long afterwards, we had a real garbage match in the dark in the backyard. But we decided that night that we wanted to put on a wrestling match.
We got together one night after a night of wingz at Webb’s in Washburn, but on the way back ended up canceling the show because of storms. So we waited and built the suspense for a few more weeks.
There was absolutely no rehearsal for this match. I’d made a Facebook event for it and thought 10 of our friends showed up. Well, the best advertising is by word of mouth. Right before our entrance music hit, there had to be at least 30 people crowded around in my backyard. Honestly I felt bad for everybody that showed up looking for something good. But it was really entertainment value and not a true scientific chain wrestling type of match, so whatever.
I had to watch the match after I got done writing that last paragraph. Honestly, in wrestling terms, it was pretty awful, but it was a damn entertaining match and I hope we can do at least one match this coming summer.
http://www.adambockler.com/see/video/wrestlingmatch61808.html
Thursday, December 11, 2008
2008: A Look Back (1st Quarter)
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I was going to do this in individual segments, but didn't want to waste space with separate blogs that didn't really need any division. So here is roughly a recap of the first quarter of the year.
Swingram’s NYE Bash
So I guess there is really no way to talk about the year 2008 unless we take a look back at the New Year’s Eve party that was…Swingram’s New Year’s Eve Bash 2K7.
Sam had informed us of his parents being gone for the weekend in Iowa, I believe. Naturally this meant he was going to host a party. A party full of anything but dead pigeons.
Those that were there could probably tell the stories better than I could, which means they’re lying or their inebriated points of view are just better.
Anyway, some highlights of that party for me…
• Sarah with some kind of cocktail or something (maybe just straight-up vodka) in her hands when I arrived. This was also the most sober I think I saw her that night.
• Seeing some friends that I don’t get to see much, like Matt Winkler, Ben Seckler, and Kyle Cunningham to name a few.
• Beau awkwardly benching all night on Sam’s weight bench. On a later trip to the mall we talked about this, and Beau asked something to the effect of, “So that’s what I was doing? I wondered why my body hurt the next day.”
• Chloe Daniels. Moving on…
• Searching for the Dirty Dave / Delayna makeout sesh I was sure was happening.
• Me and Jon riding Sam’s scooter down the road. It was so cold, and that thing was such a piece of crap, but I was laughing really hard the entire time while I was on it because of the experience.
• The weird kids from East Peoria that kept moving to different parts of the house in an effort to find whatever hogwash MTV was airing.
• Myself giving a toast to the late Fat Dan Nauman at midnight.
• Somebody (Swingram himself?) saying “First to find the champagne bottle gets the whole thing!!!” and Jon jumps off the top couple stairs, hits a wall, and literally tumbles down the stairs until he hit the floor. Assuming I’d need to drive him to the hospital, I rushed downstairs to see if he was okay. I don’t remember what exactly Jon said, but I’m guessing it was a burp followed by a few laughs.
• Carrying Sarah out in the snow on my shoulders to hand her over to her parents.
The party was hilarious and it was a great way to cap off a year in which we’d graduated from high school and most of us went to college. It also set the bar in terms of rage for the year ahead.
The Okinawan Blade
Let’s take a break from the ridiculousness of life. I had been thinking about getting a tattoo for close to a year. I’d wanted to get it soon after getting out of high school but timing didn’t work out. So I waited until January and got what I’ve used as the symbol of our program ever since I started the website.
I like it because it represents everything I’ve been involved with in the martial arts. From being a white belt to creating our website, earning a shodan, leading demos and seminars, and the lifelong relationships I’ve made in just over five years, I decided before getting inked that no matter how old I am, I’ll look at this blade with pride that I was able to do something special. I sat here for a bit thinking about putting it into words but, every time I look at that beast I’ve got a different story to tell.
I wear it with pride.
Adam Bockler – American Gladiator
It’s no secret I view myself as sitting on the top of the world, more often than not. I figured I was doing well in school, was in the best shape of my life (at that point), and wanted to try something different. So I heard American Gladiators was filming a new season and decided, “what the hell?” I filled out a giant application, and filmed some spots of me working out solo and throwing Tony and Mark around in the basement.
My favorite filming session came from doing an impression of one of my heroes, Hulk Hogan, host of the show. I dressed up in full Hogan garb and in front of about 20 people in Sarah’s basement, we filmed a pretty kickass promo. I felt bad for some of the dudes there, because they were some of Sarah’s friends most of the rest of us hadn’t ever met before. But the reaction they gave me was good, so that’s awesome.
Monster Jam
Another year of monster trucks, another year of hilarity. Thankfully I didn’t get a plug stuck in my ear this year, but Monster Jam was still awesome. I believe the gang was me, Pepper Water, Bob, Jon & Laura, and maybe Dirty Dave. Justin and Emily were supposed to come, but apparently couldn’t find their tickets, and ended up not coming back even after I spent forever at the box office trying to get them back into the show.
But whatever man, I still got to enjoy monster trucks, so all is good.
Swingram’s NYE Bash
So I guess there is really no way to talk about the year 2008 unless we take a look back at the New Year’s Eve party that was…Swingram’s New Year’s Eve Bash 2K7.
Sam had informed us of his parents being gone for the weekend in Iowa, I believe. Naturally this meant he was going to host a party. A party full of anything but dead pigeons.
Those that were there could probably tell the stories better than I could, which means they’re lying or their inebriated points of view are just better.
Anyway, some highlights of that party for me…
• Sarah with some kind of cocktail or something (maybe just straight-up vodka) in her hands when I arrived. This was also the most sober I think I saw her that night.
• Seeing some friends that I don’t get to see much, like Matt Winkler, Ben Seckler, and Kyle Cunningham to name a few.
• Beau awkwardly benching all night on Sam’s weight bench. On a later trip to the mall we talked about this, and Beau asked something to the effect of, “So that’s what I was doing? I wondered why my body hurt the next day.”
• Chloe Daniels. Moving on…
• Searching for the Dirty Dave / Delayna makeout sesh I was sure was happening.
• Me and Jon riding Sam’s scooter down the road. It was so cold, and that thing was such a piece of crap, but I was laughing really hard the entire time while I was on it because of the experience.
• The weird kids from East Peoria that kept moving to different parts of the house in an effort to find whatever hogwash MTV was airing.
• Myself giving a toast to the late Fat Dan Nauman at midnight.
• Somebody (Swingram himself?) saying “First to find the champagne bottle gets the whole thing!!!” and Jon jumps off the top couple stairs, hits a wall, and literally tumbles down the stairs until he hit the floor. Assuming I’d need to drive him to the hospital, I rushed downstairs to see if he was okay. I don’t remember what exactly Jon said, but I’m guessing it was a burp followed by a few laughs.
• Carrying Sarah out in the snow on my shoulders to hand her over to her parents.
The party was hilarious and it was a great way to cap off a year in which we’d graduated from high school and most of us went to college. It also set the bar in terms of rage for the year ahead.
The Okinawan Blade
Let’s take a break from the ridiculousness of life. I had been thinking about getting a tattoo for close to a year. I’d wanted to get it soon after getting out of high school but timing didn’t work out. So I waited until January and got what I’ve used as the symbol of our program ever since I started the website.
I like it because it represents everything I’ve been involved with in the martial arts. From being a white belt to creating our website, earning a shodan, leading demos and seminars, and the lifelong relationships I’ve made in just over five years, I decided before getting inked that no matter how old I am, I’ll look at this blade with pride that I was able to do something special. I sat here for a bit thinking about putting it into words but, every time I look at that beast I’ve got a different story to tell.
I wear it with pride.
Adam Bockler – American Gladiator
It’s no secret I view myself as sitting on the top of the world, more often than not. I figured I was doing well in school, was in the best shape of my life (at that point), and wanted to try something different. So I heard American Gladiators was filming a new season and decided, “what the hell?” I filled out a giant application, and filmed some spots of me working out solo and throwing Tony and Mark around in the basement.
My favorite filming session came from doing an impression of one of my heroes, Hulk Hogan, host of the show. I dressed up in full Hogan garb and in front of about 20 people in Sarah’s basement, we filmed a pretty kickass promo. I felt bad for some of the dudes there, because they were some of Sarah’s friends most of the rest of us hadn’t ever met before. But the reaction they gave me was good, so that’s awesome.
Monster Jam
Another year of monster trucks, another year of hilarity. Thankfully I didn’t get a plug stuck in my ear this year, but Monster Jam was still awesome. I believe the gang was me, Pepper Water, Bob, Jon & Laura, and maybe Dirty Dave. Justin and Emily were supposed to come, but apparently couldn’t find their tickets, and ended up not coming back even after I spent forever at the box office trying to get them back into the show.
But whatever man, I still got to enjoy monster trucks, so all is good.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Semester's End is Near
The end of the semester is here and I'm pretty calm about the whole thing, actually. We finished up our audio final, and I'm getting good enough a grade in there I don't need to take the final. COM 101 will only cover material since the last exam, and MM 213 and ART 205 are final projects coupled with quizzes.
The end of the semester marks the end of my absence from karate at the high school. I've taken a Bradley-imposed sabbatical from there since August so I'm happy to finally start getting back in the groove of things. Whether the two days I can go are conditioning days or actual practice doesn't matter matter to me, because I'll get my nidan training either way and I could benefit from regular practice or more physicality.
The end of the semester marks a new busy period for me, partially because of the class I'll be taking, and partially for the karate DVD material I want to film and have edited by the time spring semester starts up.
Goals for winter break 2KH8/2K9
The end of the semester marks the end of my absence from karate at the high school. I've taken a Bradley-imposed sabbatical from there since August so I'm happy to finally start getting back in the groove of things. Whether the two days I can go are conditioning days or actual practice doesn't matter matter to me, because I'll get my nidan training either way and I could benefit from regular practice or more physicality.
The end of the semester marks a new busy period for me, partially because of the class I'll be taking, and partially for the karate DVD material I want to film and have edited by the time spring semester starts up.
Goals for winter break 2KH8/2K9
- film/edit Green Belt Requirements DVD for Metamora Martial Arts
- send out fundraising letters to various businesses for open tournament $$$
- clean out/organize this giant-ass box in my closet full of stuff from grade school and fresh/soph/junior year of high school
- do well in the class I'm taking
- attend as memorable a New Year's party as last year's
- start nidan training
- read a book...I just really want to read a non-school-assigned book, man
- film a surprise I just heard about tonight
Sunday, November 9, 2008
The End of the Line
The Metallica tour rolled into Moline last night, complete with The Sword and Down.
THAT WAS JUST YOUR LIFE
END OF THE LINE
FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS
HARVESTER OF SORROW
ONE
BROKEN, BEAT & SCARRED
CYANIDE
SAD BUT TRUE
WHEREVER I MAY ROAM
THE FOUR HORSEMEN
THE DAY THAT NEVER COMES
MASTER OF PUPPETS
BLACKENED
NOTHING ELSE MATTERS
ENTER SANDMAN
LAST CARESS
BREADFAN
SEEK AND DESTROY
So good!!
I thought I had more to update with... I guess not.
Listen to more Metallica.
THAT WAS JUST YOUR LIFE
END OF THE LINE
FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS
HARVESTER OF SORROW
ONE
BROKEN, BEAT & SCARRED
CYANIDE
SAD BUT TRUE
WHEREVER I MAY ROAM
THE FOUR HORSEMEN
THE DAY THAT NEVER COMES
MASTER OF PUPPETS
BLACKENED
NOTHING ELSE MATTERS
ENTER SANDMAN
LAST CARESS
BREADFAN
SEEK AND DESTROY
So good!!
I thought I had more to update with... I guess not.
Listen to more Metallica.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Eight's a Charm
Last night was the eighth year in a row I've hosted a cookout in my backyard, and because of all the events that unfolded, it will be forever known as the 8th Annual Bockler Cookout: Escape from Metamora. It was undoubtedly the craziest one to ever take place.
One of my favorite moments that I think gets overlooked is the fact that Rick Ta Life threatened Beau's life. RICK TA LIFE!
Well, Six-Foot-Two, what ARE ya gonna do?
Thanks to everybody who came. Regardless of everything, I had a blast and now have a fun story to tell people.
I just wish we had some pictures :(
One of my favorite moments that I think gets overlooked is the fact that Rick Ta Life threatened Beau's life. RICK TA LIFE!
Well, Six-Foot-Two, what ARE ya gonna do?
Thanks to everybody who came. Regardless of everything, I had a blast and now have a fun story to tell people.
I just wish we had some pictures :(
Friday, October 17, 2008
Sex Drive
So awesome. Go see it if you like to laugh. Adam had a good time too.
Also today I taught two self-defense classes to high school freshmen girls. The first hour went okay, but the second class was pretty snobby, man. I taught one particular move, and a girl basically told me she thought the class was worthless because I couldn't teach her everything. I wanted to tell her if she didn't like it she could get out. It would be only right - she CHOSE to take that class so I guess she could've CHOSEN to leave. I wasn't forcing anybody to be there today.
Oh well, sometimes you get some good classes and sometimes you don't.
Also today I taught two self-defense classes to high school freshmen girls. The first hour went okay, but the second class was pretty snobby, man. I taught one particular move, and a girl basically told me she thought the class was worthless because I couldn't teach her everything. I wanted to tell her if she didn't like it she could get out. It would be only right - she CHOSE to take that class so I guess she could've CHOSEN to leave. I wasn't forcing anybody to be there today.
Oh well, sometimes you get some good classes and sometimes you don't.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Bound for...Glory?
Labels:
TNA
With Sting's capture of the TNA World title for three years in a row at the same pay-per-view, you really wonder if TNA is bound for glory or doomed to failure. Maybe that's a harsh way to put it, but like I wrote in my last blog, who better than Samoa Joe to lead wrestling today and into the future than somebody who can work a style like the X-Division and just as well with a guy like Sting. Kevin Nash hits Joe with the baseball bat, and Sting turns around and hits the Scorpion Death Drop?
I wish Vince Russo would've stayed at his post near me at the end of the show so I could've yelled at him.
Overall I enjoyed the show, I guess. From my seats it was hard to see a lot of the action going on. Google Maps sucks so I missed a turn, and got parked and to my seat just in time for JB to tell us we're 15 minutes from going live. I feel a little bad for TNA because they didn't even sell out the Sears Centre Arena - the top half was completely empty.
I won't do a play-by-play because you can find results anywhere. A few notes...
-Vince Russo watched most of the action about 10 feet from where I was sitting, along with some of the other backstage crew. At one point towards the end Glenn Gilbertti - the one and only Disco Inferno - said something to him and they both went to the back. Russo had a big smile on his face for the finish of Jarrett vs. Angle.
-Chicago HATED Samoa Joe. The crowd popped big for Joe's sick dive/kick off the balcony, though.
-Team 3D's double chokeslam to Abyss onto the flaming table was the single most gruesome thing I've ever seen at a wrestling event. Not only was he bleeding from a cheesegrater, but he got annihilated off a stage onto straight-up concrete. And after the crew thought he was safe, the fire returned and Abyss freaked - not sure if any of that made it to television. Afterwards the crew helped him out and our section gave him a nice applause for the spot.
-CANADIAN DESTROYER OUT OF NOWHERE! What an awesome move, that is. I can't wait to get the DVD and just keep watching that spotfest.
-I tried getting backstage again, but no luck. As the people who went back came out and walked past us, this dude goes, "Marks!" I got a chuckle out of it.
-Beer Money Inc. held onto the tag titles. I guess I'm digging these guys as a team now. That was a pretty cool way to keep heat and basically steal a win.
-TNA can't handle showing anything to the live audience on the screens. We got a few replays but that was it. We saw Sting and Joe's fight through the crowd live, and besides the Angle/Jarrett interviews, that was it. I didn't know there were other segments until I read Gerweck.net Monday morning.
Overall a good show. With the seats I had I wouldn't want to go again by myself, but definitely if I were ringside or higher up than my seat. I think the Abyss table spot made up for not seeing too much in-ring action, though.
PICTURES
http://www.adambockler.com/see/raster/boundforglory08/index.html
I wish Vince Russo would've stayed at his post near me at the end of the show so I could've yelled at him.
Overall I enjoyed the show, I guess. From my seats it was hard to see a lot of the action going on. Google Maps sucks so I missed a turn, and got parked and to my seat just in time for JB to tell us we're 15 minutes from going live. I feel a little bad for TNA because they didn't even sell out the Sears Centre Arena - the top half was completely empty.
I won't do a play-by-play because you can find results anywhere. A few notes...
-Vince Russo watched most of the action about 10 feet from where I was sitting, along with some of the other backstage crew. At one point towards the end Glenn Gilbertti - the one and only Disco Inferno - said something to him and they both went to the back. Russo had a big smile on his face for the finish of Jarrett vs. Angle.
-Chicago HATED Samoa Joe. The crowd popped big for Joe's sick dive/kick off the balcony, though.
-Team 3D's double chokeslam to Abyss onto the flaming table was the single most gruesome thing I've ever seen at a wrestling event. Not only was he bleeding from a cheesegrater, but he got annihilated off a stage onto straight-up concrete. And after the crew thought he was safe, the fire returned and Abyss freaked - not sure if any of that made it to television. Afterwards the crew helped him out and our section gave him a nice applause for the spot.
-CANADIAN DESTROYER OUT OF NOWHERE! What an awesome move, that is. I can't wait to get the DVD and just keep watching that spotfest.
-I tried getting backstage again, but no luck. As the people who went back came out and walked past us, this dude goes, "Marks!" I got a chuckle out of it.
-Beer Money Inc. held onto the tag titles. I guess I'm digging these guys as a team now. That was a pretty cool way to keep heat and basically steal a win.
-TNA can't handle showing anything to the live audience on the screens. We got a few replays but that was it. We saw Sting and Joe's fight through the crowd live, and besides the Angle/Jarrett interviews, that was it. I didn't know there were other segments until I read Gerweck.net Monday morning.
Overall a good show. With the seats I had I wouldn't want to go again by myself, but definitely if I were ringside or higher up than my seat. I think the Abyss table spot made up for not seeing too much in-ring action, though.
PICTURES
http://www.adambockler.com/see/raster/boundforglory08/index.html
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Anticipation
Back in August, I went with some friends to see Lewis Black. Lewis had an all new set, and throughout the night, gave us the theme of anticipation. Amidst jokes and other ramblings, he said the best part about doing anything is the anticipation of actually doing the activity. I knew when I had Lewis and the other hilarious girl he was with sign my ticket and I got a crappy picture on my cell phone with the two of them, anticipating things would have a whole new realm. I think you can think of countless times you've waited for something and anticipated the best, only to be let down.
Tomorrow night, having been to one live TNA event before, the anticipation is at its highest. Three years ago, World Wrestling Entertainment came to Chicago with WrestleMania 22. I knew my parents didn't want to spend a Sunday night driving me back and forth to the Allstate Arena to see some interesting matchups, especially when newly crowned World Heavyweight Champion Rey Mysterio led the blue crew of SmackDown to the Peoria Civic Center just two days later. While I eventually want to hit up the biggest event in professional wrestling, it's Total Nonstop Action who has come to the save once again in the cartoon world.
I've been thinking over the past few days that in the last 10 years, I've only missed three wrestling shows in the Peoria area. My first being WCW, but most being WWE. I thought I had seen everything that live wrestling had to give. TNA broke down those walls back in June at the US Cellular Coliseum in Bloomington. But, despite my dozen wrestling shows, there are still a few firsts to be had...
At the onset of tonight's blog, I believed that I had never seen Sting wrestle. But I have to dig down in the cockles to thinking I actually remember a Sting vs. Bret Hart match from a WCW house show. Distant relatives of mine had tix and couldn't make the show, so we went out on a cold January night in 1999 at the last minute to see the matches. The only thing I think I even remember is, awesomely enough, Sting vs. Bret Hart.
I have never been to a show that was later released on DVD.
I have never seen Abyss wrestle, one of my favorite TNA mainstays I followed before TNA was on cable television and was odd-coupling with "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles (ever wonder where I get my e-mail from?).
I've only traveled outside the Peoria area to see wrestling once, seeing what has probably been top-to-bottom one of the best wrestling cards I've ever seen. With finishes changed, Champaign hosted basically the entire 2001 Vengeance PPV a week beforehand. Austin vs. Angle, Rock vs. Jericho, the Dudleyz vs. Kane/Big Show, etc.
And now, the predictions...
TNA WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Champion Samoa Joe vs. "The Icon" Sting
The veterans vs. the future of the business. I don't think out of the talent pool available that TNA could've picked better guys to represent both sides. I've been making a point to watch Impact for the last few months and this is quite the feud, and could only be better if it lasted beyond tomorrow's show and Sting stopped saying "Joe" so much in promos. If we were talking on a strictly statistic level, the NWA/TNA title has changed at previous three Bound for Glory events, with Sting winning them the last two years in a row. But Samoa Joe IS the future of professional wrestling.
Adam's Pick: Samoa Joe retains the TNA title.
Adam's Pick: Rhino, ODB & Rhaka Khan
Tomorrow night, having been to one live TNA event before, the anticipation is at its highest. Three years ago, World Wrestling Entertainment came to Chicago with WrestleMania 22. I knew my parents didn't want to spend a Sunday night driving me back and forth to the Allstate Arena to see some interesting matchups, especially when newly crowned World Heavyweight Champion Rey Mysterio led the blue crew of SmackDown to the Peoria Civic Center just two days later. While I eventually want to hit up the biggest event in professional wrestling, it's Total Nonstop Action who has come to the save once again in the cartoon world.
I've been thinking over the past few days that in the last 10 years, I've only missed three wrestling shows in the Peoria area. My first being WCW, but most being WWE. I thought I had seen everything that live wrestling had to give. TNA broke down those walls back in June at the US Cellular Coliseum in Bloomington. But, despite my dozen wrestling shows, there are still a few firsts to be had...
At the onset of tonight's blog, I believed that I had never seen Sting wrestle. But I have to dig down in the cockles to thinking I actually remember a Sting vs. Bret Hart match from a WCW house show. Distant relatives of mine had tix and couldn't make the show, so we went out on a cold January night in 1999 at the last minute to see the matches. The only thing I think I even remember is, awesomely enough, Sting vs. Bret Hart.
I have never been to a show that was later released on DVD.
I have never seen Abyss wrestle, one of my favorite TNA mainstays I followed before TNA was on cable television and was odd-coupling with "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles (ever wonder where I get my e-mail from?).
I've only traveled outside the Peoria area to see wrestling once, seeing what has probably been top-to-bottom one of the best wrestling cards I've ever seen. With finishes changed, Champaign hosted basically the entire 2001 Vengeance PPV a week beforehand. Austin vs. Angle, Rock vs. Jericho, the Dudleyz vs. Kane/Big Show, etc.
And now, the predictions...
TNA WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Champion Samoa Joe vs. "The Icon" Sting
The veterans vs. the future of the business. I don't think out of the talent pool available that TNA could've picked better guys to represent both sides. I've been making a point to watch Impact for the last few months and this is quite the feud, and could only be better if it lasted beyond tomorrow's show and Sting stopped saying "Joe" so much in promos. If we were talking on a strictly statistic level, the NWA/TNA title has changed at previous three Bound for Glory events, with Sting winning them the last two years in a row. But Samoa Joe IS the future of professional wrestling.
Adam's Pick: Samoa Joe retains the TNA title.
TNA GRUDGE MATCH
"King Of The Mountain" Jeff Jarrett vs. Olympic Gold Medalist Kurt Angle
Special Enforcer: Mick Foley
It's no secret the best programs always add an element of real life. Jeff Jarrett founded TNA and when he needed to step away from the ring, Kurt Angle was one hell of a workhorse. I think this feud really got good, oddly enough, when Angle referenced Jeff's wife's loss with cancer. I wonder who's idea it was to say that because it didn't seem like Angle felt comfortable saying it. Regardless, both are excellent workers. To make it a happy homecoming, I've got my money on Jeff Jarrett getting the win, but this feud is far from over.
TNA's recent acquisition of MICK FOLEY just made this match bigger, even though I think he could've also fit in the TNA title match. When I met Mick Foley over two years ago after he announced he had resigned with WWE, I asked him what he thought of TNA, and he put them over and mentioned Samoa Joe by name.
Adam's Pick: Jeff Jarrett
THREE WAY MATCH
Booker T (w/ Sharmell) vs. "The Instant Classic" Christian Cage vs. "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles
The veteran vs. the undecided vs. the future. Once again, this theme comes up. Booker is an established vet, and AJ is a legit shoe-in for a possible TNA Hall of Fame, being the only TNA wrestler to win all three of the company's titles. Will Christian side with Booker and the vets, or with the future like AJ and Joe? That's been the big question leading into this. I'm expecting this to take Match of the Night honors because of the workrate of all these guys.
I hope Bound for Glory ends the question of vets vs. future because TNA's been pushing that they are the future of wrestling since they debuted four years ago on Fox Sports. TNA is not the future of wrestling...it IS pro wrestling.
Adam's Pick: Christian Cage
MONSTER'S BALL WORLD TAG TEAM TITLE MATCH:
Champions Beer Money Inc. vs. Team 3D vs. The Latin American Xchange vs. Abyss & Matt Morgan
Special Referee: Steve "Mongo" McMichael
How do you even predict this match? You don't. This match will be ridiculous, with the biggest likelihood the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates will bust out in a unanimous "HOLY SHIT" chant. Lots of carnage by far. Abyss/Morgan have gotten a huge push, but I still wish Abyss was a heel. I have the feeling that the titles will change, but all three are good candidates.
Adam's Pick: LAX
TNA X DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Champion Sheik Abdul Bashir vs. Consequences Creed
Of course this wouldn't be a TNA show without a match thrown together with a moment's notice. I've never seen Bashir (aka Daivari in WWE) in person, and I didn't really know he was with TNA until I found out he won the X title (wait, was he in the X Cup?). I really liked Creed when I saw him in Bloomington despite having never seen him at all. Underneath (perhaps overshadowing?) the X title in this match is Arab vs. American. I think this feud has some life in it beyond tomorrow.
Adam's Pick: Sheik Abdul Bashir
TNA KNOCKOUTS CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Champion Taylor Wilde vs. Awesome Kong vs. Roxxi
Again, Taylor Wilde...who? I didn't watch Impact much over the summer so I guess that's why I don't know her. Regardless, props to TNA for giving somebody like her a chance. Roxxi's been getting a decent push since her split with VKM. Kong...hm. Always a good fallback TNA has if they want to move the title around. My prediction here is that Wilde retains and gets the win over Roxxi. Maybe after acting all buddy-buddy with Roxxi, she turns?
Adam's Pick: Taylor Wilde retains
THE RETURN OF THE STEEL ASYLUM MATCH
The X Division superstars battle inside the steel dome to try to escape
God knows who's involved in this match. I like praising TNA, I do, but I'm guessing this is the match all the rest of the TNA stars get lumped together in this god-awful red cage. Petey Williams, Sonjay Dutt, Jay Lethal, Motor City Machine Guns, the Prince Justice Brotherhood...I'm guessing we'll also see a few surprises in this one.
Adam's Pick: Sonjay Dutt
KNOCKOUTS BIMBO BRAWL
Rhino, ODB & Rhaka Khan vs. The Beautiful People & Cute Kip
Adam's Pick: Rhino, ODB & Rhaka Khan
Sunday, October 5, 2008
30 Beautifully Blue Web Designs
Blue is one of the most used colors in web design, therefore it’s hard to stand out from the sea of competition out there. This collection showcases some of the best, unique, creative designs that utilize shades of blue as a primary color and theme.
read more | digg story
read more | digg story
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Woman Dressed As A Cow Arrested For Harassing Children
SEPTEMBER 30--Meet Michele Allen. The Ohio woman, 30, was arrested Saturday night after she got liquored up and began chasing kids and blocking traffic in her Middletown neighborhood.
read more | digg story
read more | digg story
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
I'm Bound for Glory!
In eleven days' time, I'm Bound For Glory when I head to Hoffman Estates to check out the best pay-per-view Total Nonstop Action has to offer. Samoa Joe vs. Sting, Angle vs. Jarrett with MICK FOLEY as the special guest enforcer, and a big Monster's Ball match. Up until June, I thought I had seen the best live action a wrestling company could produce. For a decade, WCW and WWE brought me matches in Peoria and Champaign that I'll remember for a long time. But TNA crossed the line in June with a spectacle in Bloomington - top to bottom the best wrestling I'd ever seen live. I can't wait for Bound for Glory.
Unfortunately, I won't be attending the autograph fest the day before for a variety of reasons. I was really looking forward to that too, but when it came to picking, I chose the actual event.
In other news, I've been offered an interview with Caterpillar on Monday. I had debated submitting an application before figuring I had nothing to lose and only experience (and money) to be gained, so we'll see how that goes. I won't be heartbroken if I don't get the internship, but would definitely put my best foot forward if accepted.
That's all I got for tonight. Onto more studying for two exams tomorrow and a group project on Tuesday I haven't done much research for yet.
Unfortunately, I won't be attending the autograph fest the day before for a variety of reasons. I was really looking forward to that too, but when it came to picking, I chose the actual event.
In other news, I've been offered an interview with Caterpillar on Monday. I had debated submitting an application before figuring I had nothing to lose and only experience (and money) to be gained, so we'll see how that goes. I won't be heartbroken if I don't get the internship, but would definitely put my best foot forward if accepted.
That's all I got for tonight. Onto more studying for two exams tomorrow and a group project on Tuesday I haven't done much research for yet.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Letterman chides McCain for suspending his campaign
The late-night comedian was none too pleased that McCain decided to bail on an appearance on the “Late Show” tonight so he could rush back to Washington to deal with the economic crisis –- particularly since he stopped and gave an interview to CBS News anchor Katie Couric along the way.
read more | digg story
read more | digg story
Saturday, September 20, 2008
New Blog
So I've set up this blog. In redesigning my webpage, I can't find a template that will match my page exactly, but this is close. I might edit it in the future to match but for now, this is how it will work.
The new site is coming along awesome. So far all I've done is make some mock-ups - no actual pages with actual content - but I really like the look. It's technically for my next project in MM213, but thought it would be a good time to convert the whole site.
Next week - EVERCLEAR! and EVE 6!
PS - Support Captain Morgan and the Balls - http://www.myspace.com/captainmorganandtheballs
The new site is coming along awesome. So far all I've done is make some mock-ups - no actual pages with actual content - but I really like the look. It's technically for my next project in MM213, but thought it would be a good time to convert the whole site.
Next week - EVERCLEAR! and EVE 6!
PS - Support Captain Morgan and the Balls - http://www.myspace.com/captainmorganandtheballs
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