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 :)
Archive: Please Select a Month to view
February 2004 |
December 2003 |
November 2003 |
October 2003 |
September 2003 |
August 2003 |
July 2003 |
June 2003 |
May 2003 |
April 2003 |
March 2003 |
February 2003 |
January 2003 |
December 2002 |
November 2002 |
October 2002 |
September 2002 |
August 2002 |
July 2002 |
June 2002 |
May 2002 |
April 2002 |
March 2002 |
February 2002 |
January 2002 |
December 2001 |
November 2001 |
October 2001 |
September 2001 |
August 2001 |
July 2001 |
June 2001 |
May 2001 |
March 2001 |
February 2001 |
January 2001 |
December 2000 |
October 2000 |
August 2000 |
June 2000 |
March 2000 |
February 2000 |
January 2000 |
December 1999 |
November 1999 |
October 1999 |
September 1999 |
August 1999 |
July 1999 |
June 1999 |
Quotes
from the boys:
Notorious T.I.D. says "Well, I guess it's time to start naming some names. Sweet Daddy Devestation.......you stink.....go wash. Jamie Jackson.......you stink.....go wash. Magnus.......quit shitting yourself." |