Welcome to my latest adventure. No, I'm not having another kid (yet). Actually, my latest endeavour is professional in nature and I have moved on to new responsibilities at my job. Without getting into the details too much, I have been brought on to a very important project involving the migration of our database system to the latest upgraded version. As part of that, we are testing current systems to make sure they work in the updated version of the software and implementing improvements to existing processes to our system. Needless to say, this is a tall order for everyone on the project team and, to complicate matters further, this is global migration. This means we have similar teams working on the exact same thing in Europe, Asia, South America, and Australia in addition to our home office. Enter me... clinic services representative, brought in for my expertise in order entry and "front line" systems knowledge. I don't think I have to mention that I am feeling a bit overwhelmed right now. As I've phrased it in the past, if I was a big fish in a fairly large pond before, I am now feeling like a minnow in the Atlantic Ocean right now. The scope of this project is so monumental that a part of me has been trying to run from the building screaming since the day I was offered this opportunity. What's equally scary is that seasoned veterans of this company who are also on the team and from different global regions have eluded to their own anxieties over this undertaking. A project like this that scares a 17 year veteran of the European region (arguably the most difficult region to administer in our company) has my nerves rattling like a epileptic skeleton.
Which brings me to the point of today's entry. I sit here today admittedly scared out of my wits about this project, yet I find myself strangely at ease with it. I'm not saying I'm confident about this, far from it. In contrast, I feel as if I'm harnessing every uneasy feeling and trepidation about this project and channeling it towards motivating myself to push through and get the job done. The real work has yet to begin, but my fears have not gotten in the way of me "getting to it" and pushing myself beyond my comfort zone. I am starting to understand that the work I have done up until this point was truly preparation for where I am sitting today, and I need to accept the fact that I am no longer able to sit comfortably in a bubble if I want to advance myself to a true professional's career. No disrespect to my customer and clinic services teammates; I just want to be more than a phone representative and this is the time to push myself to do and learn more so I CAN advance further. It's an odd place to be right now. Part of me is confident in my abilities for what I was selected to do. The other part of me is scared at the unknown and the volume of work that needs to be done. Premature as it might be, I can say that I think I've struck a balance between the two and I am using the fear constructively to fuel my drive to learn as fast as humanly possible and get as much done as I can in as little time as possible. I've been fortunate to have a lot of support from my co-workers that have been around me for a long time, and their confidence in me is what has helped me keep focused on the goal. Ultimately, this project will affect all of them directly, good and bad. For that, I am determined not to let them down, always remembering where I came from as I push us to where we need to go.
So, off we go into the wild blue yonder, and damn the torpedoes as we go! This is going to be an interesting year, and I'm determined to come out on the other side stronger, wiser, and a better professional than I sit here today. Wish me luck!
Monday, May 7, 2012
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Back in the Saddle
Ok... no snarky comments from the peanut gallery. Yes, I know I've been out of the blog scene for a while. No excuses, I'll admit that I just haven't been feeling it lately and I'll leave it at that.
I can't honestly say that writing has been a priority lately, and that has begun to worry me. I've always felt writing was a part of me, and to virtually ignore that side of me for months makes me more than a little concerned. So, I figure the best thing to do is just put some words down again and see what sticks to the page. On that note, let's go with a topic that seems to be easiest for me lately: my son.
Yes, he is 18 months old now and I am starting to realize that the last year and a half was apparently the easy part! I don't think I had it in my head that any of this was going to be easy... I just under estimated how quickly he was going to start testing limits. Then again, he is my son. So, let's examine this a bit further with the good ol' top 20 list again:
1) A crying infant is bad. A whining toddler is worse.
2) Playing has taken on a whole new meaning, and is a lot more tiring than it used to be!
3) The kid can eat. And eat. And eat!
4) I waited months for him to take his first steps. Now I just want him to stay still long enough to wipe his nose.
5) It's rewarding to see him "get" the things we teach him. It's magical to see him learn things we haven't taught him yet.
5) Grandparents to your toddler are like sitting in the sun: initial reaction is warm, inviting, and beneficial; prolonged exposure means you get burned for the next couple of weeks.
6) Experimentation is the root of learning for a little boy. Destruction tends to be the weeds that come with those roots.
7) Actors will tell you that an audience enhances performance. My son resembles this statement when professing his displeasure.
8) Did I mention he can eat? A lot?
9) Many people told us that toys would take over our living space. They didn't mention the "toys" would include plastic water bottles, paper tubes, and empty shipping boxes.
10) Parenting is proving to be like a night at the improv... try out your material and hope you get some results. If not, wing it and hope for the best.
11) I see more of myself in my son than I prefer to admit. Particularly when he's mad.
12) Tragic Irony: my boy seems to be very well-behaved, and that makes those times that he does act out all the more frustrating.
13) He has his own shelf in the refrigerator. I'm not sure where he puts all the food we feed him.
14) Despite our best efforts, he now understands the concept of "dessert".
15) ALERT: my son can now say "i-Pad" (kudos to Grandma for this one).
16) It's possibly the greatest compliment I've ever received to hear fellow passengers aboard our 7 hour flight back to Hawaii remark at how well our son travels.
17) An 18 month old can drink enough milk in a week to suck a cow bone-dry.
18) Diaper rash STILL sucks.
19) Silence during my son's waking hours now makes me paranoid.
20) Even after 18 months, despite whatever frustrations I may feel, regardless of all the challenges we face, I still say that fatherhood is the best thing I've done in my life. Period.
So there it is. Hopefully, it won't be another 6 months before you see another post. For now, it's time to feed my son again. Until next time!
I can't honestly say that writing has been a priority lately, and that has begun to worry me. I've always felt writing was a part of me, and to virtually ignore that side of me for months makes me more than a little concerned. So, I figure the best thing to do is just put some words down again and see what sticks to the page. On that note, let's go with a topic that seems to be easiest for me lately: my son.
Yes, he is 18 months old now and I am starting to realize that the last year and a half was apparently the easy part! I don't think I had it in my head that any of this was going to be easy... I just under estimated how quickly he was going to start testing limits. Then again, he is my son. So, let's examine this a bit further with the good ol' top 20 list again:
1) A crying infant is bad. A whining toddler is worse.
2) Playing has taken on a whole new meaning, and is a lot more tiring than it used to be!
3) The kid can eat. And eat. And eat!
4) I waited months for him to take his first steps. Now I just want him to stay still long enough to wipe his nose.
5) It's rewarding to see him "get" the things we teach him. It's magical to see him learn things we haven't taught him yet.
5) Grandparents to your toddler are like sitting in the sun: initial reaction is warm, inviting, and beneficial; prolonged exposure means you get burned for the next couple of weeks.
6) Experimentation is the root of learning for a little boy. Destruction tends to be the weeds that come with those roots.
7) Actors will tell you that an audience enhances performance. My son resembles this statement when professing his displeasure.
8) Did I mention he can eat? A lot?
9) Many people told us that toys would take over our living space. They didn't mention the "toys" would include plastic water bottles, paper tubes, and empty shipping boxes.
10) Parenting is proving to be like a night at the improv... try out your material and hope you get some results. If not, wing it and hope for the best.
11) I see more of myself in my son than I prefer to admit. Particularly when he's mad.
12) Tragic Irony: my boy seems to be very well-behaved, and that makes those times that he does act out all the more frustrating.
13) He has his own shelf in the refrigerator. I'm not sure where he puts all the food we feed him.
14) Despite our best efforts, he now understands the concept of "dessert".
15) ALERT: my son can now say "i-Pad" (kudos to Grandma for this one).
16) It's possibly the greatest compliment I've ever received to hear fellow passengers aboard our 7 hour flight back to Hawaii remark at how well our son travels.
17) An 18 month old can drink enough milk in a week to suck a cow bone-dry.
18) Diaper rash STILL sucks.
19) Silence during my son's waking hours now makes me paranoid.
20) Even after 18 months, despite whatever frustrations I may feel, regardless of all the challenges we face, I still say that fatherhood is the best thing I've done in my life. Period.
So there it is. Hopefully, it won't be another 6 months before you see another post. For now, it's time to feed my son again. Until next time!
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Year One... Shot From a Cannon!
Anybody who says "time flies when you're having fun" has no idea what they're talking about unless they have kids!
Ladies and Gentlemen, I am now the proud papa of a one-year old!
I thought I knew what it meant to have time rush past you. When I realized my son was turning one this month, it suddenly felt like time rolled over my ass, backed up to make sure it hit me, then rolled on over again. Where the hell did this year go? It feels like a few weeks ago I could put him down on his blanket and he'd still be there 10 minutes later. Now, I put him on his blanket and both he and the blanket are halfway down the hall before I can blow my nose.
I think the main reason I feel like this year blew by so fast is because all of the memories I have from the past year are SO vivid in my mind that they still feel new. In the past, my memories of events fade into... well, just memories. What it comes down to is that these new memories of starting our family are of such significance that they held their shine longer, and consequently are still very dominant in my mind. Because of that, when I think back to them they seem like they just happened, and now I'm looking at a toddler instead of my infant son.
... and it's a grand sight, let me tell you.
So, things have been all about Evann for the last few weeks and rightfully so. However, I feel the need to take a moment for myself and reflect a bit internally. I can only comment on my own experience, but I am still in awe of how significant everything seems now in my life. I have more purpose, more motivation, more desire than I ever have, and it's all thanks to my son. My head feels like it's in the right place for the first time in my life, and while I am constantly watching out for my family's future, I am doing everything in my power to live in the moment and not miss experiencing my boy's childhood. It's an odd thing: I spent so much of my youth dodging responsibility, and here I am reveling in it. Leave it to a life event like having a baby to toss your priority list into the blender.
In hindsight, I wouldn't have changed a thing in the past year. Every experience, good, bad, and "WTF-horrible", have all been beneficial in some way, shape or form. My marriage has never been stronger, my family has never been more bonded, and I've been as happy as I can remember. I've learned more about myself in learning about my son than I thought was possible, and I can only sum up my feelings in one word: thankful. I thank my wife, I thank my son, and I thank my family and friends for everything that has led up to this moment as I sit here and write.
So, here's to the shortest year of my life (so far). That's one down, dozens to go... and I say, bring it on. Happy Birthday, Son!
Ladies and Gentlemen, I am now the proud papa of a one-year old!
I thought I knew what it meant to have time rush past you. When I realized my son was turning one this month, it suddenly felt like time rolled over my ass, backed up to make sure it hit me, then rolled on over again. Where the hell did this year go? It feels like a few weeks ago I could put him down on his blanket and he'd still be there 10 minutes later. Now, I put him on his blanket and both he and the blanket are halfway down the hall before I can blow my nose.
I think the main reason I feel like this year blew by so fast is because all of the memories I have from the past year are SO vivid in my mind that they still feel new. In the past, my memories of events fade into... well, just memories. What it comes down to is that these new memories of starting our family are of such significance that they held their shine longer, and consequently are still very dominant in my mind. Because of that, when I think back to them they seem like they just happened, and now I'm looking at a toddler instead of my infant son.
... and it's a grand sight, let me tell you.
So, things have been all about Evann for the last few weeks and rightfully so. However, I feel the need to take a moment for myself and reflect a bit internally. I can only comment on my own experience, but I am still in awe of how significant everything seems now in my life. I have more purpose, more motivation, more desire than I ever have, and it's all thanks to my son. My head feels like it's in the right place for the first time in my life, and while I am constantly watching out for my family's future, I am doing everything in my power to live in the moment and not miss experiencing my boy's childhood. It's an odd thing: I spent so much of my youth dodging responsibility, and here I am reveling in it. Leave it to a life event like having a baby to toss your priority list into the blender.
In hindsight, I wouldn't have changed a thing in the past year. Every experience, good, bad, and "WTF-horrible", have all been beneficial in some way, shape or form. My marriage has never been stronger, my family has never been more bonded, and I've been as happy as I can remember. I've learned more about myself in learning about my son than I thought was possible, and I can only sum up my feelings in one word: thankful. I thank my wife, I thank my son, and I thank my family and friends for everything that has led up to this moment as I sit here and write.
So, here's to the shortest year of my life (so far). That's one down, dozens to go... and I say, bring it on. Happy Birthday, Son!
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Hostility Check!
So, admittedly I am stealing this one from one of my blogging cohorts. Yes, I'm short on ideas for my blog... I've got a kid approaching his first birthday and an upcoming apartment move, sue me.
Anyway, my ambitious colleague is going back to school and has begun taking psychology classes. In my personal opinion this is the equivalent of placing a hair-trigger uzi in the hands of a hormone-laden teenager hopped up on Red Bull. Still, it has produced some interesting insights from her and this blog is no exception.
She posted a list of questions which apparently gauge your hostility levels. Naturally, I don't really feel the need to measure my hostility levels since I typically exhibit SUCH an even temper (if you're not picking up on the sarcasm here, see my Road Rage blog). Since she has again put it out there for all to see (literary, people... not literally), I figured I'd do the same. According to her blog, more than 5 "yes" answers indicates serious levels of hostility. This should be good:
1. I often get annoyed at checkout cashiers or the people in front of me when I’m waiting in line.
Cashiers not so much, people in front of me yes. Look, I know it's a tough concept but you're in line to PAY FOR SOMETHING. Get out the wallet, start writing the check, open your purse, check back into reality... do SOMETHING to move things along. This is not a hard concept, people.
2. I usually keep an eye on the people I work with or live with to make sure they do what they should.
This only applies to work: I've stopped keeping an eye on other people BECAUSE it made me hostile. Not saying they don't need supervising, I'm just saying I don't do it myself anymore.
4. I believe that most people will take advantage of you if you let them.
Here's how I see it: give people enough rope to hang themselves with and they'll either throw it to you to when you need it or drop through the trapdoor and eliminate themselves. Put your trust people to begin with and IF they violate it, throw the book at them
5. The habits of friends or family members often annoy me.
Not really. Most people that annoy me aren't classified as either friends, and family gets the benefit of the doubt most of the time.
6. When I’m stuck in traffic, I often start breathing faster and my heart pounds.
Hell YES! Get the F out of my way! (sorry, Road Rage... remember?)
7. When I’m annoyed with people, I really want to let them know it.
Again, HELL YES! Do I actually do it? No... mostly because I prefer letting them let the world know on their own.
8. If someone does me wrong I want to get even.
Is this even a question? Getting even isn't enough; that just means they know what to expect the next time they cross me. If left to my own devices, I would say that "eye for an eye" is leniency at best. I'm not interested in getting even, I get satisfaction. Naturally, I haven't been convicted of a felony (yet) so I still edit this reaction. Doesn't mean I don't feel it, though.
9. I’d like to have the last word in any argument.
Always. And I thank my lucky stars that my wife allows me this luxury during our occasional differences.
10. At least once a week, I have the urge to yell at or even hit someone.
Once a week is too often, but depending on the week it does cross my mind. So does a jail sentence, though.
There we go. Maybe not the best state of mind to be in for a civilized society, but I think a little hostility keeps the sheep in line too. Hey, what's wrong with a little mental instability every now and then... it helps keep up with the masses!
Anyway, my ambitious colleague is going back to school and has begun taking psychology classes. In my personal opinion this is the equivalent of placing a hair-trigger uzi in the hands of a hormone-laden teenager hopped up on Red Bull. Still, it has produced some interesting insights from her and this blog is no exception.
She posted a list of questions which apparently gauge your hostility levels. Naturally, I don't really feel the need to measure my hostility levels since I typically exhibit SUCH an even temper (if you're not picking up on the sarcasm here, see my Road Rage blog). Since she has again put it out there for all to see (literary, people... not literally), I figured I'd do the same. According to her blog, more than 5 "yes" answers indicates serious levels of hostility. This should be good:
1. I often get annoyed at checkout cashiers or the people in front of me when I’m waiting in line.
Cashiers not so much, people in front of me yes. Look, I know it's a tough concept but you're in line to PAY FOR SOMETHING. Get out the wallet, start writing the check, open your purse, check back into reality... do SOMETHING to move things along. This is not a hard concept, people.
2. I usually keep an eye on the people I work with or live with to make sure they do what they should.
This only applies to work: I've stopped keeping an eye on other people BECAUSE it made me hostile. Not saying they don't need supervising, I'm just saying I don't do it myself anymore.
4. I believe that most people will take advantage of you if you let them.
Here's how I see it: give people enough rope to hang themselves with and they'll either throw it to you to when you need it or drop through the trapdoor and eliminate themselves. Put your trust people to begin with and IF they violate it, throw the book at them
5. The habits of friends or family members often annoy me.
Not really. Most people that annoy me aren't classified as either friends, and family gets the benefit of the doubt most of the time.
6. When I’m stuck in traffic, I often start breathing faster and my heart pounds.
Hell YES! Get the F out of my way! (sorry, Road Rage... remember?)
7. When I’m annoyed with people, I really want to let them know it.
Again, HELL YES! Do I actually do it? No... mostly because I prefer letting them let the world know on their own.
8. If someone does me wrong I want to get even.
Is this even a question? Getting even isn't enough; that just means they know what to expect the next time they cross me. If left to my own devices, I would say that "eye for an eye" is leniency at best. I'm not interested in getting even, I get satisfaction. Naturally, I haven't been convicted of a felony (yet) so I still edit this reaction. Doesn't mean I don't feel it, though.
9. I’d like to have the last word in any argument.
Always. And I thank my lucky stars that my wife allows me this luxury during our occasional differences.
10. At least once a week, I have the urge to yell at or even hit someone.
Once a week is too often, but depending on the week it does cross my mind. So does a jail sentence, though.
There we go. Maybe not the best state of mind to be in for a civilized society, but I think a little hostility keeps the sheep in line too. Hey, what's wrong with a little mental instability every now and then... it helps keep up with the masses!
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Revelations of the Daddy Promotion - 11 Months Later
Here I stand before you an 11 month veteran of being "Daddy". Let me tell you, 11 months never seemed so short, nor have I learned so much in so little time. Bear in mind, this is coming from the college idiot who crammed a semester's worth of lectures he never attended into one night of studying before the final. Funny how a baby in the house can educate you in topics you never knew existed. So, without further ado, here are the latest revelations from my experiences:
1) My son's smile still makes the day worth starting.
2) Solid food is a lot of fun going in up top, not so much coming out down below.
3) Twenty pounds is enough to make you feel like you're physically lengthening your "carrying arm."
4) Nothing makes time fly faster than a crawling baby in the house.
5) Diaper rash sucks.
6) No matter what your religion, you will never pray harder in your life than when your baby wakes up and whines at 2:00 in the morning.
7) It's hard watching baby bump his head on the table; it's even harder to fight the urge to have him airlifted for a CT scan afterwards.
8) The more expensive the toy purchased, the more likely the baby will prefer the box it came in.
9) My son COMPLETELY understands what he shouldn't touch in the house... it's always the first thing he goes for if we're not watching.
10) Anxiety takes on a new definition watching your baby pull themselves to their feet and teeter next to the sofa.
11) Electric cords suck.
12) No recognition I've ever received personally, professionally or academically equals seeing my son smile when he sees his Daddy come home.
13) My son has stopped sticking his finger up his nose... he now prefers mine.
14) The less the TV is on, the more playing my son and I do.
15) The more I play with my son, the less I want the TV on.
16) Constipation sucks.
17) Bath time now involves Daddy looking like he's been shot point-blank with a super soaker.
18) Paying 50 cents for a jar of baby food that barely lasts for one meal REALLY SUCKS!
19) The more sound two toys make when slammed together, the more popular the toys are.
20) I never realized that such a huge responsibility could ever feel so rewarding, yet so natural.
So there it is... a few more thoughts and revelations I've accumulated over the past few months. Next stop: my son's first birthday!
1) My son's smile still makes the day worth starting.
2) Solid food is a lot of fun going in up top, not so much coming out down below.
3) Twenty pounds is enough to make you feel like you're physically lengthening your "carrying arm."
4) Nothing makes time fly faster than a crawling baby in the house.
5) Diaper rash sucks.
6) No matter what your religion, you will never pray harder in your life than when your baby wakes up and whines at 2:00 in the morning.
7) It's hard watching baby bump his head on the table; it's even harder to fight the urge to have him airlifted for a CT scan afterwards.
8) The more expensive the toy purchased, the more likely the baby will prefer the box it came in.
9) My son COMPLETELY understands what he shouldn't touch in the house... it's always the first thing he goes for if we're not watching.
10) Anxiety takes on a new definition watching your baby pull themselves to their feet and teeter next to the sofa.
11) Electric cords suck.
12) No recognition I've ever received personally, professionally or academically equals seeing my son smile when he sees his Daddy come home.
13) My son has stopped sticking his finger up his nose... he now prefers mine.
14) The less the TV is on, the more playing my son and I do.
15) The more I play with my son, the less I want the TV on.
16) Constipation sucks.
17) Bath time now involves Daddy looking like he's been shot point-blank with a super soaker.
18) Paying 50 cents for a jar of baby food that barely lasts for one meal REALLY SUCKS!
19) The more sound two toys make when slammed together, the more popular the toys are.
20) I never realized that such a huge responsibility could ever feel so rewarding, yet so natural.
So there it is... a few more thoughts and revelations I've accumulated over the past few months. Next stop: my son's first birthday!
Monday, March 28, 2011
I've gone long enough hiding this from everyone and I think it's time the truth came out. I shouldn't be ashamed of this part of me, but I can't help feeling judged every time someone finds out about it. So, in the interest of being honest with myself, my family, and everyone I know, the time has come to simply say it out loud and stop being afraid of it. So, here we go...
Ladies and gentlemen, I'm a fan of professional wrestling.
I know, it's hard to believe that anyone with my level of intelligence could POSSIBLY enjoy such a barbaric form of entertainment (cut that snickering out there, I can hear you...). I suppose it's some juvenile thrill that never really went away, or it could be my need for mindless entertainment imposing on what should be a mature outlook to life. Or, maybe I just like seeing some get powerbombed through a wood table. Whatever the reason is, I'm a fan of pro-wrestling and have been for decades. I grew up watching Hulk Hogan, Andre the Giant, Ricky Steamboat, and the Ultimate Warrior in my early teen years. As my interest grew, I started branching out to Japan pro-wrestling, then to Lucha Libre, then to the independent circuits. That being said, I'm not about to bore any non-believers out there with my significant amassed and useless knowledge. My reason for blogging about this at all is simple: why is pro-wrestling regarded as such a low-brow form of entertainment?
Ok, before you start raising the obvious arguments, let me start by pointing out a few things. First, I'm not suggesting pro-wrestling is some higher form of expression that is misunderstood. It's grown men and women slamming each other around; not much room for higher purpose there. Second, yes I know it's staged, so are soap operas (notice I said staged, not faked... more on that later). Third, many consider it barbaric and trivial with over-tanned, under-trained actors that are more muscle than mental. To this I ask: have you SEEN Jersey Shore??? My gripe here isn't that the criticisms are wrong; most of them have valid points that, under the right context are as correct as they are compelling. The problem is that opponents of pro-wrestling seem to regard the phenomenon as a legitimate form of sport or competition. This is like comparing an episode of NYPD Blue to an episode of Cops... same level of drama, totally different level of legitimacy.
Let's break this out a bit... no one can argue that many of the wrestlers out there are impressive physical specimens. The fact is that there is a huge level of athleticism involved with their profession. Many pro-wrestlers have amateur backgrounds with recognized credentials (NCAA, national championships, etc.), and are as strong, agile, and fast as any professional athlete in any sport. However, the application of this ability is where the lines tend to get blurred. One of the biggest arguments you will hear is: "wrestling is fake".
Right.
Have you ever fallen on your back onto grass, dirt, or something relatively hard? Hurts doesn't it? Have you ever been tackled playing football with friends on astroturf and gotten the wind knocked out of you? Hurts doesn't it? Ever jumped off a 5 foot rise and land on your butt? I'd be worried about you if you did, but if so, it HURT didn't it? The point here should be clear: just because it's scripted doesn't make it "fake". The moves they perform and the bumps they take are painfully real many times, and the athletic prowess it takes to pull them off in a convincing fashion is genuine given the difficulty it presents. And as for padded ring mats... get over yourself, that's not a mattress under the canvas.
The fact remains that these are men and women that put their bodies on the line for the sake of entertainment, no different than a Cirque de Soleil acrobat or motorcycle exhibition stunt rider. No one would ever doubt the performer's athletic ability despite knowing the final outcome of the performance. Why should pro-wrestling be any different? The bottom line is pro-wrestlers are entertainers as much as they are athletes, and vice versa, yet people still crucify them for being something they never claimed to be in the first place.
So we're back again at the point of all this. In the end, I would dare to say this entry is nothing more than an attempt to justify my interest in a pointless means of entertainment. But let's face it, don't we all seek out those distractions that whisk us away from our reality for a little while and allow us to live vicariously through the characters and situations that make our adrenaline pump? We may never admit that we do it when it's something more "acceptable", like watching football or taking in the ballet. But if we're all being honest, doesn't everyone imagine themselves behind the mask every now and then? For wrestling fans, we're just sports fans who appreciate a little drama behind the hits.
I close with a quote from one of the legends in the business, Ric Flair: "For those who don't get pro-wrestling, no explanation will do. For those that love pro-wrestling, no explanation is needed." I'm a wrestling fan, people... and if you ain't down with that, I've got two words for ya... (fellow fans, fill in the blanks... I'm outta here).
Ladies and gentlemen, I'm a fan of professional wrestling.
I know, it's hard to believe that anyone with my level of intelligence could POSSIBLY enjoy such a barbaric form of entertainment (cut that snickering out there, I can hear you...). I suppose it's some juvenile thrill that never really went away, or it could be my need for mindless entertainment imposing on what should be a mature outlook to life. Or, maybe I just like seeing some get powerbombed through a wood table. Whatever the reason is, I'm a fan of pro-wrestling and have been for decades. I grew up watching Hulk Hogan, Andre the Giant, Ricky Steamboat, and the Ultimate Warrior in my early teen years. As my interest grew, I started branching out to Japan pro-wrestling, then to Lucha Libre, then to the independent circuits. That being said, I'm not about to bore any non-believers out there with my significant amassed and useless knowledge. My reason for blogging about this at all is simple: why is pro-wrestling regarded as such a low-brow form of entertainment?
Ok, before you start raising the obvious arguments, let me start by pointing out a few things. First, I'm not suggesting pro-wrestling is some higher form of expression that is misunderstood. It's grown men and women slamming each other around; not much room for higher purpose there. Second, yes I know it's staged, so are soap operas (notice I said staged, not faked... more on that later). Third, many consider it barbaric and trivial with over-tanned, under-trained actors that are more muscle than mental. To this I ask: have you SEEN Jersey Shore??? My gripe here isn't that the criticisms are wrong; most of them have valid points that, under the right context are as correct as they are compelling. The problem is that opponents of pro-wrestling seem to regard the phenomenon as a legitimate form of sport or competition. This is like comparing an episode of NYPD Blue to an episode of Cops... same level of drama, totally different level of legitimacy.
Let's break this out a bit... no one can argue that many of the wrestlers out there are impressive physical specimens. The fact is that there is a huge level of athleticism involved with their profession. Many pro-wrestlers have amateur backgrounds with recognized credentials (NCAA, national championships, etc.), and are as strong, agile, and fast as any professional athlete in any sport. However, the application of this ability is where the lines tend to get blurred. One of the biggest arguments you will hear is: "wrestling is fake".
Right.
Have you ever fallen on your back onto grass, dirt, or something relatively hard? Hurts doesn't it? Have you ever been tackled playing football with friends on astroturf and gotten the wind knocked out of you? Hurts doesn't it? Ever jumped off a 5 foot rise and land on your butt? I'd be worried about you if you did, but if so, it HURT didn't it? The point here should be clear: just because it's scripted doesn't make it "fake". The moves they perform and the bumps they take are painfully real many times, and the athletic prowess it takes to pull them off in a convincing fashion is genuine given the difficulty it presents. And as for padded ring mats... get over yourself, that's not a mattress under the canvas.
The fact remains that these are men and women that put their bodies on the line for the sake of entertainment, no different than a Cirque de Soleil acrobat or motorcycle exhibition stunt rider. No one would ever doubt the performer's athletic ability despite knowing the final outcome of the performance. Why should pro-wrestling be any different? The bottom line is pro-wrestlers are entertainers as much as they are athletes, and vice versa, yet people still crucify them for being something they never claimed to be in the first place.
So we're back again at the point of all this. In the end, I would dare to say this entry is nothing more than an attempt to justify my interest in a pointless means of entertainment. But let's face it, don't we all seek out those distractions that whisk us away from our reality for a little while and allow us to live vicariously through the characters and situations that make our adrenaline pump? We may never admit that we do it when it's something more "acceptable", like watching football or taking in the ballet. But if we're all being honest, doesn't everyone imagine themselves behind the mask every now and then? For wrestling fans, we're just sports fans who appreciate a little drama behind the hits.
I close with a quote from one of the legends in the business, Ric Flair: "For those who don't get pro-wrestling, no explanation will do. For those that love pro-wrestling, no explanation is needed." I'm a wrestling fan, people... and if you ain't down with that, I've got two words for ya... (fellow fans, fill in the blanks... I'm outta here).
Monday, February 28, 2011
Forcing the Pen and Laziness
Ok, so my muse hasn't exactly been rattling my cage lately, but I figure I'd better post soon or my writer's block will end up being a full blown creative collapse. Yeah, I know that didn't make much sense, but now you're getting an idea of what kind of mind-set I've been in lately. The idea here is that I'm tired of trying to force my figurative pen against the proverbial page for the sake of flexing the ol' writing muscles. Who said that working that muscle or not working it would result in me losing my writing ability?
Oh, right... that was me.
Nevertheless, sometimes just getting it out onto the page can sometimes spark the creative libido. In my opinion, that's still like trying to jump-start a Mack truck with a joy buzzer, but at this point I'll try anything to get some coherent sentences out.
There is a topic that's been of interest now and again that I have been debating on writing about, but it's so petty that it didn't warrant a whole blog post in my opinion. Still, I'm in a literary doldrums right now so I'll give it a shot: Laziness.
Ironic, no?
I work with some dedicated people, let me open with that statement. Every day we strap on a phone headset and get to work solving the problems of a host of medical professionals. Naturally, most calls are pleasant, some make the job worth it, and some make you wonder why you rolled out of bed that day. Just the same, everyone comes to fight through the call queue and support the team to the best of our ability... except one person.
Now, I'm not going to suggest that this person comes to work and just sits there; far from it. The fact is that the co-worker in question does everything in their power to LOOK like they're busy, but fails miserably. Not sure which is worse, but it makes it that much harder for management to fire their ass when they appear to be working. The soapbox moment here for me is this: how is it that someone can spend so much time and energy trying to work the system when they could spend a fraction of it ACTUALLY WORKING? So much is spent on the useless creativity of trying to get by with as little work as possible, yet all of that could be channelled into being a productive member of the team. The sad fact is that this person isn't really here even when they are present, and could care less that they are part of the team let alone support it. Consequently, it's annoying for the rest of us since they don't pull their weight, and it's a morale killer because they openly show that they really don't want to be here. Ultimately, the idea that a "rotten apple spoils the bunch" completely applies here, and such laziness accomplishes nothing else but sucking the energy out of the rest of the team.
If it were up to me, I'd have them dropped in a hearbeat for the simple fact that their actions are a slap in the face for those that spend the majority of the time doing everything they can to advance the performance of the team, and they actually think they are fooling someone in this process. Truthfully, it's insulting to think their petty attempts at appearing to be effective at their job is actually working, and I'd just as soon tell them where to stick their lousy attitude than I would offer them a lick of assistance in their poor attempts to maintain any sort of productivity illusions. On the one hand, I feel sorry for such a waste of effort and creativity. On the other hand, someone should fire their pathetic carcass for taking up employment space in a job-deprived economy just to teach them a lesson about valuing what they have by TAKING IT THE F*** AWAY FROM THEM!
Sorry, this has been building up for a few months now. At any rate, that's the entry I'm entering and I'm sticking to it. Hopefully it won't be another 4 months before my next rant, but if it is I'll try to break out the joy buzzer and see if it'll turn the monster truck over again.
Oh, right... that was me.
Nevertheless, sometimes just getting it out onto the page can sometimes spark the creative libido. In my opinion, that's still like trying to jump-start a Mack truck with a joy buzzer, but at this point I'll try anything to get some coherent sentences out.
There is a topic that's been of interest now and again that I have been debating on writing about, but it's so petty that it didn't warrant a whole blog post in my opinion. Still, I'm in a literary doldrums right now so I'll give it a shot: Laziness.
Ironic, no?
I work with some dedicated people, let me open with that statement. Every day we strap on a phone headset and get to work solving the problems of a host of medical professionals. Naturally, most calls are pleasant, some make the job worth it, and some make you wonder why you rolled out of bed that day. Just the same, everyone comes to fight through the call queue and support the team to the best of our ability... except one person.
Now, I'm not going to suggest that this person comes to work and just sits there; far from it. The fact is that the co-worker in question does everything in their power to LOOK like they're busy, but fails miserably. Not sure which is worse, but it makes it that much harder for management to fire their ass when they appear to be working. The soapbox moment here for me is this: how is it that someone can spend so much time and energy trying to work the system when they could spend a fraction of it ACTUALLY WORKING? So much is spent on the useless creativity of trying to get by with as little work as possible, yet all of that could be channelled into being a productive member of the team. The sad fact is that this person isn't really here even when they are present, and could care less that they are part of the team let alone support it. Consequently, it's annoying for the rest of us since they don't pull their weight, and it's a morale killer because they openly show that they really don't want to be here. Ultimately, the idea that a "rotten apple spoils the bunch" completely applies here, and such laziness accomplishes nothing else but sucking the energy out of the rest of the team.
If it were up to me, I'd have them dropped in a hearbeat for the simple fact that their actions are a slap in the face for those that spend the majority of the time doing everything they can to advance the performance of the team, and they actually think they are fooling someone in this process. Truthfully, it's insulting to think their petty attempts at appearing to be effective at their job is actually working, and I'd just as soon tell them where to stick their lousy attitude than I would offer them a lick of assistance in their poor attempts to maintain any sort of productivity illusions. On the one hand, I feel sorry for such a waste of effort and creativity. On the other hand, someone should fire their pathetic carcass for taking up employment space in a job-deprived economy just to teach them a lesson about valuing what they have by TAKING IT THE F*** AWAY FROM THEM!
Sorry, this has been building up for a few months now. At any rate, that's the entry I'm entering and I'm sticking to it. Hopefully it won't be another 4 months before my next rant, but if it is I'll try to break out the joy buzzer and see if it'll turn the monster truck over again.
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