Where Do I Fit In?

Before you panic, let me assure you that while the title may sound heady and heavy, this blog will be anything but. There will be no deep philosophical, theological, spiritual and metaphysical discussions here. This is just a collection of thoughts I had recently when reflecting on the past year... at least where it concerns CHIKARA Pro's 9th season.

To quickly bring people up to speed, the main storyline this year dealt with an evil faction that called itself The BDK and their seemingly endless domination of CHIKARA despite the efforts of the technicos ("good guys"). A lot of things happened this year dealing with that storyline. In fact, a lot of things happened in the last few years that tied into the storyline. Journey with me, won't you?

November 11, 2007: Shane Storm (now known as STIGMA) had been on the end of a losing streak for most of year. This night, he gets a win over Hydra and is seen leaving with UltraMantis Black, the head of The Order of the Neo Solar Temple.

January 2009: We learn that UltraMantis Black assisted in giving Storm the win in exchange for the counter to a submission hold called the CHIKARA Special. The counter was then given to Chris Hero who had succumbed to the hold on several different occasions during the 2007 season. Hero left CHIKARA in 2008 and went to a group called Kaiju Big Battel. In exchange for Hero's contract, the villainous Dr. Cube gave UltraMantis Black the Eye of Tyr, a Scandinavian artifact that could be used to control the minds of others.

May 23, 2009: In April, UltraMantis Black and Crossbones had abducted Delirious, the tag team partner of Hallowicked - a former ally of Mantis'. On this night, it was revealed that UltraMantis had used to Eye on Delirious to brainwash him into becoming a member of The Order of the Neo Solar Temple. According to legend, once the Eye is used, it must be given away or the user will be cursed to suffer bad luck and tragedy. He refused to believe the legend, so UltraMantis Black opted to hold on to the Eye of Tyr.

May 24, 2009: At Intermission of Anniversario Yang, a mysterious figure was seen walking around clad in a trench coat and wearing a mask that appeared very cyborg-esque. He'd been seen skulking around in the crowd for another 3 months before we'd learn more about him. Also this night, a tan ant came to the aid of The Colony, a team comprised of Fire Ant, Soldier Ant and Green Ant. We later learned that he was named Carpenter Ant.

August 15, 2009: After octogenarian wrestler Darkness Crabtree tried to unsuccessfully weasel his way into that year's Young Lions' Cup, a replacement was drawn randomly out of a hat. This replacement was Vökoder, the mysterious cyborg who had been seen lurking in the crowd that last few months.

August 16, 2009: A mysterious man dressed in white confronted UltraManits Black and gave him a box. Inside the box was a note which read "A war is coming..."

November 22, 2009: All hell breaks loose as the BDK finally reveal themselves and beat down UltraMantis Black and the entire technico roster at the conclusion of the season finale. Vökoder - who convinced UltraMantis Black to give him the Eye of Tyr for safe keeping - and Carpenter Ant unmasked to reveal themselves as Tim Donst and Pinkie Sanchez, two former technicos who had history with UltraMantis and the Order of the Neo Solar Temple

February 28, 2010: Ares, the head of the BDK, having reacquired the Eye of Tyr, comes down to ringside while UltraMantis Black and Delirious are wrestling The Colony for CHIKARA's Campeonatos de Parejas, the tag team titles. Ares shows the Eye to Delirious and whispers in his ear. This causes Delirious to freak out and run out of the arena leaving Mantis by himself to lose the match.


April 25, 2010: Ares, Tursus and Claudio Castagnoli, a former technico who turned on CHIKARA to team with his former partner Ares, win the annual King of Trios tournament. Mostly in part to the assistance of referee Derek Sabato who had returned after almost a year and a half absence and aligned himself with the BDK.

 July 25, 2010: After an eight-man tag team match featuring members of the BDK, Pinkie Sanchez catches site of a mysterious figure in the entrance way. The figure reveals himself to be Vökoder. Pinkie begins to freak out and tries to catch the attention of his teammates who dismiss him, thinking that he's nuts. UltraMantis Black was flanked by two mysterious figures in black cloaks as he sat at the merchandise table that night. He described them to me as "protection".

August 27, 2010: A smartly dressed gentleman in a suit and glasses is seen walking through the crowd during the annual Young Lions' Cup weekend events. After he approached me and made some small talk with me as I stood in the concession line, he gave me a business card. This man is Wink Vavasseur, Executive Auditor of the Board of Directors: Special Assignment Task Force. He'd be seen walking around during the remaining events of the season, especially during matches where the BDK were involved. Mantis is once again seen with his two druids flanking him at the commentary table.

August 28, 2010: Obariyon, a mysterious wrestler clad in black and wearing green and black face paint debuts. UltraMantis Black seemed very interested in watching this match from the commentary table.


August 29, 2010: During a 30-wrestler battle royal, Vökoder enters the match and immediately goes after Pinkie Sanchez. Pinkie jumps out of the ring, eliminating himself from the match. Vökoder followed suit and chased Sanchez out of the building. CHIKARA scores its first major blow in the war against the BDK when Frightmare defeats Lince Dorado for the Young Lions Cup.

September 18, 2010: Kodama debuts as a partner of Obariyon. Once again, UltraMantis could be seen observing the match from behind the entrance curtain.

October 23, 2010: CHIKARA scores another victory as Eddie Kingston defeats the massive Tursus to win the annual Torneo Cibernetico.

Novermber 21, 2010: UltraMantis Black and Ares wrestle in a brutal Falls Count Anywhere match. As the match nears its end, two hooded figures approach the ring. They reveal themselves to be Obariyon and Kodama and charge the ring to seemingly come to UltraMantis' aid. As Mantis tries to convince them to attack Ares, they turn away from him and face a third hooded figure standing at the opposite end of the entrance way. Obariyon and Kodama leave the ring and Mantis is then defeated by Ares. Also on this night, the team of Mike Quackenbush and Jigsaw defeat three other teams in a 4-way elimination match to earn 3 points and a shot at the Campeonatos de Parejas.

December 12, 2010: The cloaked figure from November reveals himself to be Kizarny a.k.a. Sinn Bodee. He says he trained Obariyon and Kodama for Mantis and now wants his payment, the Eye of Tyr. Mantis explains he no longer has the Eye and that Ares had taken it back. Sinn will hear known of it and sicks his men on UltraMantis. Despite all possible obstacles, Mike Quackenbush and Jigsaw defeat Claudio Castagnoli and Ares in a 2 out 3 falls match to win the Campeonatos de Parejas which the BDK had held since March. Great celebration ensued as the belts were finally back with CHIKARA!

Now, why did I go and mention all of this? I felt that these were some of the major turning points in the storyline of CHIKARA vs. The BDK. But even more important to note, I was in attendance for all of these moments.

I started to follow CHIKARA in August of 2007. How interesting that the catalyst to everything began a mere three months after I became a fan. Also interesting how many of these huge moments happened while I was there in person. It can't possibly be a coincidence.

So that's where the title comes in; where do I fit in with the storyline? I don't mean me as a member of the audience. I mean me as in... ME, Chris McGuinness. How will I eventually impact this? I've been a loyal follower of UltraMantis Black since I began following CHIKARA. Will I be asked to officially join The Order of the Neo Solar Temple and vanquish the BDK and Kizarny's Dark Army for good?

Ares and the BDK still have the Eye of Tyr. Would my mind be able to resist the Eye's power if I were confronted with it?

Obariyan, Kodama and Sinn scare me... a lot. Would I succumb to fear and renounce my allegiance to UltraMantis Black if confronted by this dark army?

Season 10 begins on January 23. I guess we shall see where things go when that date comes.

Note: The preceding blog has been a work of fiction, for lack of a better term. All names, dates and results are real, but my "theorizing" is pure nonsense. That being said, I honestly hope no one took this too seriously. And on that off chance someone did; lighten up.

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Mmm... Coke Zero. Scoff if you want, but I think it's good.

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Scott Pilgrim vs. the World

My pick for movie of the year for 2010! If you haven't seen it yet... what are you waiting for?

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So warm. So comfy. Trust me, you'll be glad to pick one up. http://www.getsnuggie.com/

Snuggie Review... Yes, Seriously

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You read the title, I think it's pretty clear what this is about. Watch. Enjoy. Stop laughing!

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Rocky Horror Audicence Participation Training 2010 # 3 - Calling Your Shots

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This video focuses on callbacks that seem to predict what happens on screen. As such, here be SPOILERS!

...P.S. Rosebud was his sled, Soylent Green is people, and Bruce Willis was dead the entire time.

Rocky Horror Audicence Participation Training 2010 # 2 - Bad Pun Callbacks

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2nd in the series of "training videos". This go around, we'll be focusing on bad pun callbacks. Why? Because I think they're funny, dammit!

Rocky Horror Audicence Participation Training 2010 # 1 - "Take That" Callbacks

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Back again after last year, it's Rocky Horror Audience Participation Training for 2010. Focusing on great, in my opinion, callback lines is the focus of this "program". No point on going into the showing unprepared, am I right?

Anyway, this first video focuses on what I call "Take That" callbacks, callback lines that insult people, places and things that are not part of the movie but you feel deserve to be mocked all the same.

For more information about the event and to buy tickets, go to http://www.shermantheater.com/

Thoughts Out of Context Video Supplement # 6 - Chris Discusses THAT Movie

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This video, like all my videos, takes place in my room. In it, I talk about a movie. What movie? There's a clue in the first sentence. Here's another hint, the movie sucks!

Thoughts Out of Context Video Supplement # 5 - Movie Sign Recap and Next Episode Preview

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The most recent episode of the Thoughts Out of Context podcast was corrupted and unable to see the light of day. So I decided to salvage some of it and discuss some movies that I discussed in the "Movie Sign" segment.

Also, I decided to mention some of the content planned for the next episode.

Oh, and I decided to make an update about the Young Lions Cup Donation Drive as well.

Check it all out in here!

Show Notes & Links for Thoughts Out of Context Podcast Episodes 23 & 24

Episode 23

Ashley Teatum's Twitter

The Joneshaw Project blog

The Joneshaw Project Twitter

Episode 24

Official CHIKARA website

Bryce Remsburg's Twitter

Send all questions, comments, opinions, feedback, etc to dramaguycjm@verizon.net
 

Thoughts Out of Context Video Supplement # 4 - Green Day Rock Band Review

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How does Green Day Rock Band measure up in my eyes and ears? Find out here!

Promos From The Bard, Episode 1: Eddie Kingston

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So I thought to myself, what if professional wrestling existed in Shakespeare's time? How would the promos and interviews sound? And this, is what I came up with.

This first episode takes one of the best promos I've ever heard and turns it Elizabethan; Eddie Kingston from CHIKARA's Tragedy & Triumph event.

Thoughts Out of Context Video Supplement # 3 - Beneath the Footlights: The 2010 Tony Awards

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The 2010 Tony Awards were this past Sunday. Here's my take on them.

Thoughts Out of Context Video Supplement # 2 - First Official Info About Rock Band 3

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Today we got our first batch of information pertaining to Rock Band 3 and its set list.

Here's my take on the info we've received thus far.

Thoughts Out of Context Video Supplement - An Introduction

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Basically a quick video introducing myself and what I'm planning to accomplish with this new video series.

Thoughts Out of Context Video Supplement # 1 - Green Day Rock Band DLC I Want to See

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An expanded, video edition of the "Rock Band DLC I Want to See" segment from the Thoughts Out of Context podcast. In this edition; With the upcoming release of Green Day: Rock Band, I discuss songs that are not including on the game disc that I would like to see eventually released as DLC for the game.

2010 Tony Award Nominees & Predicitions

Hard to believe it's that time of year again. Next week, the most important awards ceremony of the year will be broadcast once again.

"Umm, wait. You're wrong. The MTV Movie Awards are tonight, not next week."

...OK, get the hell off my blog! In fact, anyone out there reading this that considers the MTV Movie Awards to be important or meaningful, leave this page and never return.

Now that we've taken care of that, we can move on. I am of course talking about the 2010 Tony Awards. For those who might not know, the Tony Awards are presented annually to the best that Broadway theatre has to offer. And being the theatre devotee that I am, I'm going to run down the nominees and give my picks for who I think should win.

But first, I'll be perfectly honest with you. Much like last year, I haven't seen any of the nominated shows and for most of them, I know little to nothing about them.

"What?!? What kind of a theatre devotee are you then?"

A poor one who doesn't have the time or money to travel to New York and see these shows. And I thought I told you to leave!

Anyway, I've decided to consult Wikipedia to learn about the shows I'm unfamiliar with. Based on my readings, I'll choose which nominee the award should go to. Everybody OK with that? Than we shall begin.

Best Play

In the Next Room or the vibrator play

Author: Sarah Ruhl

Next Fall

Author: Geoffrey Nauffts

Red

Author: John Logan

Time Stands Still

Author: Donald Margulies 

And the Tony should go to: In the Next Room (or The Vibrator Play). Because let's be honest, how can you not love a name like that?

Best Musical

American Idiot

Fela!



Memphis

Million Dollar Quartet

And the Tony should go to: American Idiot. It's about damn time another great rock concept album was fleshed out into a full-scale Broadway musical. I still think that The Who's Quadrophenia needs to go this route.

Best Book of a Musical

Everyday Rapture

Dick Scanlan and Sherie Rene Scott

Fela!

Jim Lewis & Bill T. Jones

Memphis

Joe DiPietro

Million Dollar Quartet

Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux

And the Tony should go to: Memphis. Truth be told, the plots of these musicals don't really hold my interest very much. Though out of all of them, I think Memphis sounded the least dull.

Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

The Addams Family

Music & Lyrics: Andrew Lippa

Enron

Music: Adam Cork
Lyrics: Lucy Prebble

Fences

Music: Branford Marsalis

Memphis

Music: David Bryan
Lyrics: Joe DiPietro, David Bryan 

And the Tony should go to: The Addams Family.

Best Revival of a Play

Fences

Lend Me a Tenor

The Royal Family

A View from the Bridge

And the Tony should go to: Lend Me a Tenor. Sounds like a very entertaining play from reading the synopsis. I love a good farce.

Best Revival of a Musical

Finian's Rainbow

La Cage aux Folles

A Little Night Music

Ragtime

And the Tony should go to: La Cage aux Folles.

Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play

Jude Law, Hamlet
 
Alfred Molina, Red
 
Liev Schreiber, A View from the Bridge
 
Christopher Walken, A Behanding in Spokane
 
Denzel Washington, Fences

 

And the Tony should go to: Christopher Walken, A Beheanding in Spokane. Why? Hello, it's Christopher Freakin' Walken!

Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play

Viola Davis, Fences
 
Valerie Harper, Looped
 
Linda Lavin, Collected Stories
 
Laura Linney, Time Stands Still
 
Jan Maxwell, The Royal Family

And the Tony should go to: Laura Linney, Time Stands Still

Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical

Kelsey Grammer, La Cage aux Folles
 
Sean Hayes, Promises, Promises
 
Douglas Hodge, La Cage aux Folles
 
Chad Kimball, Memphis
 
Sahr Ngaujah, Fela!

And the Tony should go to: Kelsey Grammer, La Cage aux Folles

Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical

Kate Baldwin, Finian's Rainbow
 
Montego Glover, Memphis
 
Christiane Noll, Ragtime
 
Sherie Rene Scott, Everyday Rapture
 
Catherine Zeta-Jones, A Little Night Music

And the Tony should go to: Sherie Rene Scott, Everyday Rapture

Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play

David Alan Grier, Race
 
Stephen McKinley Henderson, Fences
 
Jon Michael Hill, Superior Donuts
 
Stephen Kunken, Enron
 
Eddie Redmayne, Red

And the Tony should go to: David Alan Grier, Race

Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play

Maria Dizzia, In the Next Room or the vibrator play
 
Rosemary Harris, The Royal Family
 
Jessica Hecht, A View from the Bridge
 
Scarlett Johansson, A View from the Bridge
 
Jan Maxwell, Lend Me a Tenor

And the Tony should go to: Scarlett Johansson, A View from the Bridge

Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical

Kevin Chamberlin, The Addams Family
 
Robin De Jesús, La Cage aux Folles
 
Christopher Fitzgerald, Finian's Rainbow
 
Levi Kreis, Million Dollar Quartet
 
Bobby Steggert, Ragtime

And the Tony should go to: Kevin Chamberlin,  The Addams Family

Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical

Barbara Cook, Sondheim on Sondheim
 
Katie Finneran, Promises, Promises
 
Angela Lansbury, A Little Night Music
 
Karine Plantadit, Come Fly Away
 
Lillias White, Fela!

And the Tony should go to: Angela Lansbury, A Little Night Music

What follows now is a list of the artistic and design Tonys. Since it would be hard for me to pick a winner without having been able to see or hear all the nominees, I abstain from making any choices in the following categories. 

Best Scenic Design of a Play

John Lee Beatty, The Royal Family
 
Alexander Dodge, Present Laughter
 
Santo Loquasto, Fences
 
Christopher Oram, Red

Best Scenic Design of a Musical

Marina Draghici, Fela!
 
Christine Jones, American Idiot
 
Derek McLane, Ragtime
 
Tim Shortall, La Cage aux Folles

Best Costume Design of a Play

Martin Pakledinaz, Lend Me a Tenor
 
Constanza Romero, Fences
 
David Zinn, In the Next Room or the vibrator play
 
Catherine Zuber, The Royal Family

Best Costume Design of a Musical

Marina Draghici, Fela!
 
Paul Tazewell, Memphis
 
Matthew Wright, La Cage aux Folles

Best Lighting Design of a Play

Neil Austin, Hamlet
 
Neil Austin, Red
 
Mark Henderson, Enron
 
Brian MacDevitt, Fences

Best Lighting Design of a Musical

Kevin Adams, American Idiot
 
Donald Holder, Ragtime
 
Nick Richings, La Cage aux Folles
 
Robert Wierzel, Fela!

Best Sound Design of a Play

Acme Sound Partners, Fences
 
Adam Cork, Enron
 
Adam Cork, Red
 
Scott Lehrer, A View from the Bridge

Best Sound Design of a Musical

Jonathan Deans, La Cage aux Folles
 
Robert Kaplowitz, Fela!
 
Dan Moses Schreier and Gareth Owen, A Little Night Music
 
Dan Moses Schreier, Sondheim on Sondheim

Best Direction of a Play

Michael Grandage, Red
 
Sheryl Kaller, Next Fall
 
Kenny Leon, Fences
 
Gregory Mosher, A View from the Bridge

Best Direction of a Musical

Christopher Ashley, Memphis
 
Marcia Milgrom Dodge, Ragtime
 
Terry Johnson, La Cage aux Folles
 
Bill T. Jones, Fela!

Best Choreography

Rob Ashford, Promises, Promises
 
Bill T. Jones, Fela!
 
Lynne Page, La Cage aux Folles
 
Twyla Tharp, Come Fly Away

Best Orchestrations

Jason Carr, La Cage aux Folles
 
Aaron Johnson, Fela!
 
Jonathan Tunick, Promises, Promises

Daryl Waters & David Bryan, Memphis

Well, that will do it for my 2010 Tony Awards preview. Be sure to watch the Tonys next Sunday at 8 PM EST on CBS. I know I'll be watching it. Very likely live Tweeting the event much like I did last year so keep an eye out for details pertaining to that.

Last year I fell absolutely in love in the show Next To Normal thanks to the Tony Awards. Will that happen again with another show this year? We shall see. 

New Vlog!

What's Wrong With Popular Music Today?

The answer/punchline is EVERYTHING!

 Now before I launch into my diatribe about how today's music sucks, let me admit that I had some reservations about typing this blog. Mostly because I've recently become an Amazon affiliate and I was concerned about links to the very things I'm going to destroy popping up in the body of this blog. How hypocritical would that look? "I think this stuff sucks! Click this link if you want to buy it from Amazon." Granted, it would be kind of funny, but my point (that is, if I have one) would be eradicated. But the way the program works, I don't expect any of those ads to pop up in the text. The sidebar ads, maybe. I don't have a whole lot of control over those. OK, lame disclaimer over.

First and foremost, I firmly believe that popular music peaked in the late 90's. Alternative rock was clearly the dominant genre and many long hours of my youth were spent listening to Y-100, a radio station that touted itself as Philadelphia's home for alternative rock. Smashing Pumpkins, Green Day, Weezer, Barenaked Ladies; this is just a very small sampling of the bands I listened to in my formative years that made me the man I am today. And they were top of the musical heap as far as I was concerned.

Then, something happened. The landscape began to change. Teen girl pop-stars and boy band quintets sprang up on the scene. All of a sudden, Britney Spears, the Backstreet Boys and other acts of this ilk were the "next big thing". Mainstream media gave them all the coverage. Their songs were inescapable no matter where you went. There was no escaping this sudden deluge of "pop music". I was not pleased. Not at all.

Time passed and my disdain for "pop music" only grew. In fact, it's recently come to a fever pitch as I have been bombarded by "the hits of today" while I'm at work almost every day. While the store I work at does have it's own in-house music playing, some of which is rather good in my opinion, occasionally my co-workers turn the radio on in the back of the pharmacy and without fail it's set to one station. I hesitate to call it a Top 40 station, it seems more like a Top 8 station since they seem to play the same handful of songs multiple times a day. I don't know about you, but hearing "Hey, Soul Sister" by Train four times in the span of a 6-8 hour day makes me want to hurt somebody. And I like Train.

So being exposed to these songs for such periods of time, it's hardly surprising that I begin to find problems with them. I mean, let's be honest. If you hear someone delivering a speech 20 times in a row, you'll pick up on something you find grating about their voice or their delivery. Same thing with these, for lack of a better term, songs. Before I go on, I'd like to note that many of these songs I'm going to discuss, I had no idea who sang them or what they are even called since most of the DJs on this station do very little other than relay the same segments of listener banter every couple of hours and give a brief lead-in to a song that may be part of a four-song block not saying anything about any of the other songs. Not that this fact matters much to me because, as I've stated already, I think this stuff sucks so why would I care about what it's called and who sings it? Thankfully, Google is there to fill in the blanks for me. I also realize I may be running the risk of drawing some heat but discussing these songs in such a negative light since they're not my style or my taste. Good! I say bring it on! Let's get this started so I can eventually finish.

"Sexy Bitch" by David Guetta

The problem with this song, the singer fails to accomplish the task they set forth in the lyrics. The lyric that sticks out is "I'm trying to find the words to describe this girl without being disrespectful". OK, I think, interesting take since this is a very "hooking up at the club"-type sounding song to me. What've you got? "The way that booty movin', I can't take no more". ...Well, so much for not sounding disrespectful. Now, maybe I'm going about this all wrong since I'm a guy. So perhaps any women out there can help me out here. If a random guy came up to you, no matter what circumstance, and said, "The way your booty's movin', I can't take no more", would that flatter you? Would that come off as not being disrespectful? Perhaps it's better than, "You look attractive enough for a one night stand. Shall we?", but that still doesn't make it the right tactic.


And secondly, I don't think "Damn you's a sexy bitch" is going to endear you to any ladies either. But once again, this may just be me. Moving on.

"What Do You Want From Me" by Adam Lambert

What do I want from you? I want you to stop invading my earholes several times a day, that's what I want from you!

"I Gotta Feeling", "Imma Be" and "Boom Boom Pow" by The Black Eyed Peas 

...I hate the Black Eyed Peas when they're together. I hate when they're doing solo projects. And I hate the absolute destruction of the English language that occurs when they produce sound. NEXT!

Ke$ha

Oh my God, where to start?


GIMICK$ Wrestling Tees can do that and look cool because they are a cool organization and those who associate with them are cool as well. You? Well, I somehow get the feeling that it's to symbolize the "ka-ching!" the record label heard when they got ready to present you to lowest common denominator America. "It's different! People will go nuts for someone using a symbol in their name!" And thus far people have bought it hook, link and sinker. It makes my head hurt.

And as much as I want to stop here, I've got to talk about her songs.

First off, "Tik Tok". Were you frightened by the letter "C" as a child? I know Linkara jokes that "Poor literacy is kewl", but we all know this is not the case. If you want to be taken seriously by people, spell correctly! Now onto the lyrics:

"Wake up in the morning feelin' like P. Diddy" What, depressed that you're nowhere near as popular or "relevant" as you were a decade ago? Newsflash, I don't think you're relevant and that's the only opinion that really matters in this write-up.

"Before I leave, brush my teeth with a bottle of Jack... Ain't got a care in the world, but got plenty of beer... " Translation: Yay, I'm an alcoholic!

"Boys tryin' to touch my junk..." OK, it sounds to me like you're saying you have a penis. I'm sure there are plenty of other euphemistic meanings for "junk", but the one that springs to my mind is it being a slang term for male genitalia. Ke$ha is a trannie, you heard it here first.

"According To You" by Orianthi

Who are you anyway? I'm really not sure who you are, but I know I hate your song.

Long story short, girl is in relationship with guy who doesn't appreciate her. Sings about how there's some guy who appreciates her. Nothing comes of it because the songs ends with her repeating the lyrics "According to you, I'm stupid, I'm useless, I can't do anything right". Really empowering message there; Settle for what you have even if it's horrible and making a change is in your best interest. Ugh, please make it go away.

Taylor Swift

Please, do us all a favor and fade away from the public eye. You suck as a country singer, you suck as a pop singer, you such in general. And I don't want anyone to think that just because I hate Taylor Swift that I was in Kanye West's side for interrupting her at last year's MTV Video Music Awards. For one thing, I've never liked Kanye West either. He's always struck me as an egotistical douchebag. And for another thing, it was the MTV Video Music Awards. When's the last time those awards meant anything? Now if Kanye West were to go and interrupt someone's acceptance speech at the Tony Awards, a ceremony that actually has meaning, then we would have real reason to complain.

Lady Gaga

Honestly, for the most part, I don't have a problem with Lady Gaga. Former CHIKARA wrestler Hydra used "Poker Face" as entrance music for the better part of last year and I think "Paparazzi" is a really well-written and well-sung song.

But "Telephone"... I am sick to death of hearing this song! And there's one like that Beyonce sings that sticks out to me as odd.

"Sometimes I feel like I live in Grand Central Station".

What does that even mean? Is it because there's someone running a train on you all the time?

(That's horrible, why would you say that?)

Because it's funny, that's why!

OK, I'm done now. But believe me, this is not all. There are several more songs and artists that have played on my last nerve recently. But I really don't feel like discussing them right now because frankly, I'd rather end the night in a positive state of mind. That said, I offer this link as a much better alternative to all the songs and artists mentioned in this blog - The Official They Might Be Giants wiki page Check it out and then reward yourself by heading to Amazon or iTunes and buying some quality music by the twin quasars of rock, They Might Be Giants!

Some Clean-Up

Seeing how it's been close to four months since I wrote something, I figured  now's a good a time as any to do so. I have no good excuse, I've been lazy. I'm going to try and post here more often. So stay tuned to this site.
Now, for some clean-up.

Ladies' Month Links

So remember back in February when I did the Ladies' Month episodes on Thoughts out of Context? Yes you do, shut up. Well, I had meant to put up links relating to all my guests after the month concluded. And as you can well see... yeah, I never got around to it. So I'm going to remedy that right now.

Week 1: Yolanda

Twitter page - http://twitter.com/gimicks247


GIMICK$ Wrestling Tees - http://gimickswrestlingtees.bigcartel.com/

Week 2: Ashley Teatum

Twitter page - http://twitter.com/tee_tuhm

The Scranton Times-Tribune, the paper she works for. Check her stories out in the sports section - http://thetimes-tribune.com/ 

Week 3: Kristen "KP" Peterman

Twitter page - http://twitter.com/CallMeKP

Web page/blog - http://callmekp.com/

"Can't Buy Me Love", the movie she suggested I watch and review -   


















Week 4: TRIPLE Kelly

WrestleCrap, the site where she's a contributing writer - http://www.wrestlecrap.com

Book from WrestleCrap. She didn't write any of them, but they're still great reads.



























Some TV shows we gushed about.



            














General Podcast Notes

I know it's been a long time since I've posted an episode of Thoughts Out of Context. I'm working on restructuring the podcast. There are big things coming in the near future. Big, big things. And the landscape of the podcast will never be the same again.

Some New Things on the Blog

So you may have noticed a couple of new things on the blog here. Along the side you'll see Google ads which, hopefully, will link to things relevant to the content of the blog entries. Please click them. It gives me pennies.

Also, I've become an Amazon Affiliate. There are sidebar ads for Amazon which also, hopefully, will link to products mentioned in or related to the blog entry. Also, you'll notice I've posted links to certain products in the body of the entry itself. If you feel like dropping by Amazon and buying something mentioned on here, or anything else for that matter; use the links provided here. Once again, it gives me pennies.

And finally, the shiny Donate button at the top of the page. That is the Thoughts Out of Context tip jar. If you enjoy what I produce through the blogs, podcasts and video blogs that I post, feel free to donate a little something in the tip jar. It's all done through PayPal so it's a very secure service. All contributions will help fund upgrades and improvements to my media offerings found here and throughout the Internet. So I thank you in advance.

That'll do it for now. I promise I'll update more often from here on. Hope you'll come back and enjoy. Later!

Show Notes & Links for Episode 16

NOTE: The audio for the interview is a little on the quiet side and I apologize for that. You may need to turn your speakers up in order to hear it better. Again, I do apologize for that.



http://atopfourthwall.blogspot.com/ - Atop The Fourth Wall's home page



http://www.thatguywiththeglasses.com/videolinks/linkara - Linkara's videos page



www.twitter.com/Linkara19 - Lewis' Twitter page



http://proplady.livejournal.com/ - The pro cosplay site Lewis mentions at the end of the interview



http://dramaguycjm.podomatic.com/ - Download the episode here



E-mail dramaguycjm@verizon.net

My Personal King of Trios Challenge

For those who may not know, King of Trios is the first major, big event of the year for independent wrestling promotion CHIKARA. It's a weekend of incredible wrestling, comprised mostly of Trios matches (a team of 3 vs. another team of 3) in a single elimination tournament.

As I type this, King of Trios is 15 weeks away. And as the dozens of wrestlers involved in the tournament train in preparation for that weekend, I figured I would do the same. That being said, on January 8th, 2010 I will begin my "King of Trios - 15 pounds in 15 weeks" challenge.

Once again, I will rely on my Wii Fit and other attempts to exercise however I can. And attempting to improve my eating habits as well. So basically the goal is to try and lose a pound a week by the time I head to Philly for King of Trios weekend in April. I'll keep you posted on my progress. And hopefully this time I'll stay with this regimen and not fail and give up about a week into it.

Here's hoping everyone's new year is going well now that we're a week in to it. Don't forget, new podcast episode coming this week including the interview with Linkara! Don't you dare miss it!