Journal 20
by Tony Kozina on 2001-09-26

This has been one journal that I have been avoiding for several reasons. The past month has dealt me, and in fact the entire World a pretty hefty blow. While I always like to be my funny self there's just no way to find a smile to talk about some of the things that have happened. There are also, however several things that were very funny and memorable on my 2 tours since I last wrote so I suppose I'll just bring you up and take you down as we continue on the rollercoaster of life- so fasten your safety belts...
I came home from work on Monday August 6th and was absolutely floored to learn that one of my wrestling students, Iven Carlson had drowned in a local river. It's still unbelievable to me as I write it today. The news hit all of us very hard as Iven was just such a breath of fresh air to have around. He was passionate about learning and he was a natural. All I can think of is that things must happen for a reason because I struggled for weeks wondering why and how it could have happened. What I learned is that sometimes you just have to pick up the pieces and keep on going. Not everything has simple equations and answers that make sense. It's very hard but what can you do??? The thoughts and prayers of my family and I go out to the Carlson family in the hopes that they have found a little bit of peace in the past month and a half. They should be proud knowing that they raised an outstanding individual in Iven Carlson who was found success at every turn.               God bless you buddy...

Two weeks after that horrible tragedy I left to start a one week tour in the northeast U.S. Although I was in no mood to go I knew the tour would get me back in the swing of things. I flew into Newark airport and for the first time caught a glimpse of the New York skyline as I walked through the airport for my connecting flight. Not in a million years would I guess what would happen less than a month later.
I met with Juggernaut in Philadelphia and we in turn met up with The New Heavenly Bodies who I met in Tampa in July. Where I told them we'd be touring the same place together, Vito DeNucci and Chris Nelson almost insisted that we ride together. Now, I've had alot of fun and I've made alot of friends in the past 4 1/2 years but I'll be damned six ways till sunset if I didn't have the time of my life enjoying side roads that took 5 times longer that our map would have it look, funky hotel arrangements, and road delays so long we'd have been better off running to our next show. I'm trying to think of a tour highlight but it was just an overall great time shared with some fantastic people- thanks fellas!
No sooner did I return home and I heard the news that I'd be touring across western Canada again. This time with Dr. Luther and Juggernaut for Western Canadian Extreme Wrestling based out of Calgary. I was excited about that too because that whole area is so peaceful and beautiful to me. The tuesday before we left was unfortunately the terrorist attacks which led to talks of the border being shut down. Fortunately that wasn't the case and in fact everyone both coming and going was just as friendly as ever. Watching countless hours of TV news and talk radio like I usually do through the week however, I found myself in another position of trying to find the answers to questions that just don't make sense. I think what I found most touching was that wherever I went in Canada from Vancouver, BC to Swift Current, Saskatchewan and most points in between the Canadian flag was flown at half staff- or is it half mast? Shoot, I can't recall how they refer to it but you know what I mean. Now, I've never been much of a patriot but seeing those flags like that made me proud. Not of being American or Canadian but rather proud of feeling like the World was one and everyone shared in the same heartfelt loss and violation.

The WCEW tour was yet another positive experience as I met another group of fine performers and saw a few people that I hadn't seen in a year or two. There's lots of talk about the promotions in Calgary and Edmonton area- how they're run, who they use and what not. I suppose most areas have similar discussions amongst people in and around the wrestling business. Going into this tour I had heard all kinds of things positive and negative about WCEW and the people involved but decided as I usually do to reserve judgement until I am done doing my business.
So just let me say for the record that WCEW and the people involved did not only what promised but went above and beyond to make sure that we were taken care of in my opinion. I am hoping that I'll be back out there for WCEW again before too long. They have a strong foundation of hard workers and good people and without that you don't have a loaf to pinch if you know what i'm getting at.
There was bad news however but it had nothing to do with WCEW or any promotion. On the 2nd day of the tour I was informed that my beloved little car had finally taken it's last breath. My little 1990 Geo Storm that I drove off the lot with 28 miles on it in May of 90 had reached it final resting place 300 miles from home with almost 172,000 miles on it. Ohh sure some might laugh at me for driving such a clunker. Hells bells my wife actually rejoiced at the news when I called from Medicine Hat, AB. My phone message of "honey I've got some bad news and some good news" was translated into "honey I have some good news AND BETTER NEWS!!!"
Well sir, anyway you slice it i'm in the market for a new jalopy. In my next journal I'll relive some fond Geo Storm memories and why I suppose I'm lucky that Dr. Luther and Steve Corino didn't file a lawsuit against me after driving in my car- the crybabies :)