Thursday, April 25, 2013

Tony-Man versus the State of Life

You know... we as humans tend to be blind to most everything that extends past our little lives.  We fail to see the white, when we think our world is black.  Even the most optimistic of us tend to see life as gray.  Even though life isn't just black or just white, I've always wondered what life has in store for me.  And maybe, just maybe wondering isn't enough.  There comes a time in life when the child has to decide, and the adult has to act.  Where does that moment come, and when does it have to be?  Well... I'm sitting here at thirty years of age.  The time is nigh, I suppose.  Or maybe it's already come, and I just need to hop on that particular trolley.

Life's starting to become pretty cool.  And maybe for the first time, in many years, I'm beginning to look ahead, instead of looking down at my feet, in the now.  I got friends, I got family, and yeah... sometimes those things cause drama.  Sometimes that drama harkens back to high school, and you know... who cares, right?  Sometimes that drama is at levels that no sane person should understand.  And sometimes, the drama is so unnecessary, that it should become some sort of meme.  (Really?  the word "meme" is considered correctly spelled?!)  But, whatever it is, it's mostly healthy.  For how would we know the mountains, if we don't walk the valleys?

It's been a strange journey, thus far... and maybe I'm still a little young to really go back and be nostalgic about it, but at the same time... Why not?  I'm still trying to figure out this funny little muddle known as Tony.  Life and love come at the epicenter of my life, and I have always believed in the great good of the human soul.  And in this ever increasingly sedentary lifestyle that we as Americans, and indeed we as humans enjoy... that's saying a lot.

It's been a strange journey.  One that has led me to six continents.  One that has shown me combat, and the depravity of man.  One that has yo-yo'd my emotions with empty promises, broken dreams, financial debt, short relationships, subtle and overt racism, and prejudice.  But one that's blessed me with experiences unlike most would ever come to know, simple pleasures, and kind joys.  It's a journey that has kicked my nads, both metaphorically and physically.  (and of course, "nads" is not a word)  But a life I wouldn't trade for anyone else's.*

For now, I'll keep wondering, and I'll keep looking.  And if I find myself in another decision that could dramatically alter my life, I'll jump on that shit.

I bet it'll smell like sunshine and faerie farts.

......next time on the Infraggable Tony-Reviews, I'm going to review one of my favorite TV shows.  That 70's Show.  (No clue why.)

*Unless that life is Bruce Campbell's.  He's a boss.

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Tony-Man versus Good Dating

She's enjoying the movie... He's thinking about how to get even closer.
Okay, I'll confess something.  I haven't been on many dates in my life.  While I mostly attribute this to bad situations, social awkwardness, and that women can be bitches at times, I have to admit that I really don't know what makes up a date... and what is just hanging out with someone that I like enough to be a potentially significant other.  Anyone who has read this blog knows that I pretty much laid down what I think is a bad date.  It got me thinking, what makes a good date?  But it really wasn't until about a week and a half ago (From this blog post date) that I ever had a good date, and with that day reasonably fresh in mind, I think I know enough now to really put it down into words.

Simplicity.  I think good first dates should remain simple.  Anything too elaborate, at least for a first date just complicates things.  Some people may like going all out, emptying out their wallets, trying to really impress each other, on overly priced food, or snooty self-depreciating service, or whatever other bullshit thing that costs an assload of money or takes up too much fucking time, that ultimately probably won't pay-off later during the after-date.  I mean, if that works for you... more power, but for me who really doesn't have the finances to really do that, leave me out of it.  My first date (and it was literally my first date) was kept simple.  My date and I (my date's name withheld for protection reasons, though some of you may already know her) went to go see "Wreck-It Ralph" at the cheap theater.  It was something we both agreed on.  I've already seen the movie a few times, but it was her first time, so I was happy to see how she reacted to the movie, and she thought it was a cute little movie, and that she was happy to see it with me.  After the movie we decided to go to the Hibachi Grill near the Burlington's coat factory, and we just ate together.  It was pretty low pressure, but it was an amazing day, in my book.  Okay, so movie and dinner is a touch clichè, but I think it works out.

Presentation.  This one is a little bit different.  Because my first date was simple, one has to act and dress the part.  My date wasn't overdressed, but she still was looking good.  There is nothing worse to me when one of the two is either overdressed, or underdressed... or is just looking raggedy.  I don't know if presentation is an issue with other people who date, I mean, since my first date was a movie at the cheap theater and eating at the Hibachi Grill... we got away with wearing jeans and shirts... but for those people whose dress code is a bit more formal, and a little more strict, I could see how the dress code of a dating party could be an issue.  My date and I just agreed, without many words that we wouldn't dress up.  It works, I think.  But Presentation is more than just clothes.  It's a demeanor, its an attitude, it's a certain sort of... Je ne sais quoi.  Be respectable, be invested in what the other person has to say, and provide feedback.  And be honest.  Clothes do not make the man, the man makes the man.  (And I assume the same goes for the women, as well.)

Punctuality.  This one is sort of a big one for me.  You may recall when I was talking about what makes a bad date that I had a date with some chick who had me waiting there for about two hours with no phone call until I was already finished with my meal before she told me that she was on her way?  And then she lied to me about how her mother was in the hospital, when that wasn't true, since her mom and I were pretty close.  So, I especially hate it when I'm late for anything, much less when anyone else is late for something.  I mean, I get it.  Sometimes life happens, and it pushes the timeline back five, ten... hell even fifteen minutes.  I can accept that, and chalk it up to traffic, or family, or a minor issue that just popped up that needs to be dealt with then before it becomes a major issue.  But anything after fifteen minutes, and you should make the effort to call.  I know I will.  Don't be like this bitch who calls almost two hours later, telling me she's on her way, when I've already eaten and left the restaurant.

Interest.  There's got to be interest there.  I guess without this aspect, there's no date at all, but while you're dating... try to keep an interest in your dating.... other.  And not just in certain aspects of the other person.  For a first date, sex should not be end game.  (Unless the first date is just a pretext to sex, in which case, just rent a hooker for an hour or whatever.  That way you can just blow past all the bullshit and get right to it.)  I have to admit, anything that my date said, I hung on her every word, and I suspect that she did the same with me.  I've never been sure what that was like.  But now that I've had my first date, I gotta say, it feels pretty damn good.

Anyway, I probably could pull a few more things out to describe what I think makes a good date, based on my first date, but I'm hardly a subject matter expert.  This is just what I think about when I think about anything really.  This blog's just my own musings and meanderings as I try to make sense of this funny little muddle known as life.  I still don't know what to make of this insignificant little speck known as the Infraggable Tony-Man.  And really... I still wonder what makes this Earth work the way it does... but these questions and others could be answer in the next Infraggable Tony-Review!

You won't want to fucking miss it.  Unless you're a blog-Nazi.  ...you don't want to be a blog-Nazi, do you?  Didn't think so.  So read the next fucking blog.

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Tony-Man vs Wrestlemania 29


If you smelllll-ell-ell-ell-ell-ell-eeeeell... what the Tony-Man... is cookin' *Eyebrow raise.*  So another Wrestlemania is in the books, another Showcase of the Immortals behind us, another Grandest Stage of them All is in the past, and what does the Infraggable Tony-Man think about this Wrestlemania?  Well... this year seemed to lack in comparison to the last couple of Wrestlemanias.  Wrestlemania is pretty much the the Superbowl of Wrestling, the Stanley Cup, the World Series, the ...whatever basketball's big thing.  It's the biggest deal, and it is supposed to be the biggest thing.  Every Wrestler is looking for that amazing moment that defines them and set the pace for them for the next year.  And in some rare cases, it defines their entire career.  They call instances like these "Wrestlemania moments."  Wrestlemania 29 really didn't have too many moments like this.

The pre-show focused on the Miz vs. Wade Barrett (c), For the Intercontinental Championship, and I gotta say, even though the match only lasted six minutes and thirty three seconds, I think it was probably my third favorite match.  Then again, I've been a fan of the Miz for a long time.  He's one of the few people that I feel is comfortable being a heel or a face.  (Heel being an unpopular wrestler, or more commonly a "bad guy" and Face being a popular wrestler, or more commonly a "good guy.")  I liked this match because of its simplicity.  The Miz won with a figure four leg lock.  Probably the reason why I liked this match was because I like both the Miz and Wade Barrett.  They're similar in their arrogance, but worlds apart in their wrestling styles.  But... save for how the figure four was applied, the match was nothing Wrestlemania worthy.  It just seemed almost like a match that could have been on WWE Superstars.

The first actual carded match was The Shield (Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, and Roman Reigns) vs. Big Show, Randy Orton, and Sheamus.  I'm... I'm not really sure what to say about this one, other than how predictable it was going to be.  This match was boring, and this was probably the show that was supposed to be on the pre-show.  The match was pretty much a paint by the numbers type match, and there wasn't anything that really may it spark.  I'm not even a big fan of Randy Orton.  He's a good wrestler, perhaps even a great one, but to me he's just sort of meh.  Randy Orton does not make a good face.  He should one day, and hopefully soon, turn heel.  The match was just a bore.

The second match featured Mark Henry and Ryback.  All I can say is... what the fuck?  This match was utter crap.  Which is too bad, because there was so much potential here.  At eight minutes and three seconds, there could have been so many unstoppable force vs. immovable object kind of moments, but no.  There was nothing that could have been considered a Wrestlemania moment there.  Mark Henry is 400+ pounds, and Ryback tried to pick him up, but then they both fell, and Ryback lost the match?  Come on now.  Then after the match, Ryback picks Mark Henry again and gives him the Shell Schocked.  What the fuck?  What the fuck?  Come on.

The third match was Team Hell No, vs. Dolph Ziggler and Big E Langston (with AJ Lee).  I have to admit I did kind of like this match, but it was a little too predictable.  I knew that Team Hell No would win, though to be honest, I do kind of hope that they go their separate ways soon.  The match started much like Daniel Bryan's last Wrestlemania match did.  With AJ Lee kissing someone.  While last Wrestlemania, she kissed Daniel Bryan, just before losing to Sheamus in eighteen seconds.  This year AJ kissed Dolph Ziggler, and Daniel Bryan tried to take advantage of that, with a near fall pin attempt.  The chemistry between Daniel Bryan and Kane was seamless, and while the two of them had a near flawless plan, there wasn't anything Wrestlemania worthy.  Don't get me wrong, it was a solid match, one that could have been Main Event calibur of Raw or Smackdown, but nothing that had a true Wrestlemania feel to it.

The fourth match was Fandango versus Chris Jericho.  I'm going to be honest with this one.  I didn't see this match on account that I was outside smoking.  Having been mostly disappointed with Wrestlemania up to this point, I figured that this match would be disappointing again.  It's Wrestlemania for Wrestlemania's sake!  The only thing that I really caught from it was one of Fandango's Top rope leg drops.  Which was amazing and beautiful to look at.  Otherwise, I didn't get to see it.

The fifth match was Alberto Del Rio (c) (with Richardo Rodriguez) vs. Jack Swagger (with Zeb Colture) for the World Heavyweight Championship.  And this match wasn't memorable at all.  I honestly can't even remember this match.  I know that Alberto Del Rio won, and he did it using the Cross Armbreaker, but other than that.  I don't remember this match at all.  That's all Wrestlemania 29 for you.

The sixth match was one that kept my interest.  It was the major reason why I watched Wrestlemania.  It's in many ways, one the major reason why Wrestlemania works and has been so successful for as long as it has is because it was the Undertaker.  The Undertaker has had a Wrestlemania streak of 20 wins and 0 losses.  That's unheard of in the Wrestlemania scene.  This year The Undertaker was fighting against CM Punk, on account of the death of Paul Bearer, who was the Undertaker's manager and "father."  This was a personal battle one that few could boast of.  And really, this was the first match that I thought, "This is Wrestlemania."  The emotion, the maneuvers, the show of disrespect from CM Punk, especially when he went "Old School" on the Undertaker!  What?!  ....WHAT?!  WHAAAT?!  That was awesome!  They went back and forth, and honestly, I didn't know what was going to happen.  This match was the Reign versus the Streak, and by the end of the match, I didn't know who I wanted to win.  And I would have been happy either way.  But at the end, it was the Undertaker going to 21-0.  Whew!

The seventh match was a grudge match between Brock Lesnar and Triple H.  And I have to say, after seeing the CM Punk/Undertaker match, even with this match being a no holds barred match, I felt that it lacked the usual sort of carnage that Triple H and Brock Lesnar are usually capable of.  It wasn't a bad match, and I would even venture to say that it was near Wrestlemania class, but for some reason It just didn't grab my attention like the previous match did.  There were some good moments, such as when Triple H put the Kimura lock on Brock Lesnar not once, not twice, but three times.  Which is ironic, since it was Brock Lesnar who broke Triple H's arm, twice with the very same move.  But, other than this turn of moves, and the involvement of Shawn Michaels and Paul Heyman... there wasn't anything really interesting about this match.

The eighth and final match involved John Cena (c) versus Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson for the WWE Championship.  And... well, what can I say about this match?  It had a few interesting moments, but other than that, I felt that it was a real rehash of the year before.  Most of the moves, and story within the match were similar to Wrestlemania 28.  Which was billed as "Once in a Lifetime."  And seeing this particular match, it becomes clear why it was supposed to remain once in a lifetime.  It was a good match, don't get me wrong on this one, but sometimes less is more, and I felt that there was just too much going on in this match that took away from it being the sparking match that last year's match had been.  Also, The Rock got injured during this match.  I'm not really sure what it is, but I just didn't get into this match like I did last year's.  But that might be due to a less satisfying set-up for an even more dismal payoff.  Unlike last year, where I was truly invested to see what would happen.

Overall, this Wrestlemania just didn't feel like a Wrestlemania.  It felt more like a glorified Raw or Smackdown.  There were some great moments, but overall, I just didn't feel this Wrestlemania had the same punch as it should have had.  The best part of course was the CM Punk / Undertaker match, while the worst was that bullshit Mark Henry / Ryback ending.  I mean what the fuck?  So Mark Henry's 400+ fat ass crushes Ryback, and you call that a fucking match?  WRESTLEMANIA RAGE!!!!! 

Anyway... next time on the Infraggable Tony-Reviews, I'll talk about what a great fucking week I've been having.

Fun fact:  The word Wrestlemania appears in this Wrestlemania review 29 times.