Genre Wars (war within horror fandom)

 Damn, took long enough to settle down and write this...

Given the negativity of twitter (or X, whatever) these days, I can't say I'm shocked. On said website, I've seen wrestling fans go from civil disagreements to death threats and pedophilia accusations, all over 3 letter companies run by billionaires. So, it was no shock to me seeing the same kind of "disagreements" happen among the horror movie community and sadly, Phil Brooks or Matt and Nick Jackson weren't at the heart of this.

If I were to pinpoint the starting line for these disagreements, I would have to say probably the "Cannibal Holocaust" episode of "Joe Bob's Last Drive-In" (on Shudder). Now, I am in no way, shape or form blaming the hosts, Joe Bob Brigg's and Darcy the mail girl, because even they've acknowledged that said episode led to constant bickering in their space and all they wanted to do was bring genre film fans together. Unfortunately, even with their trying to talk everyone down, the flames keep getting hotter between two types of horror fans, the normies versus the gorehounds. 

Normies tend to think gorehounds are possible sociopaths that like seeing people be graphically cut up. Gorehounds tend to think normies are crybabies who like to gripe about everything. Is either side right? You are asking the wrong person. I honestly lean more with normies though. I can say I was a former gorehound but phased out of that when I got older. Even older 80s horror films that are favorites, I've found myself nitpicking. Best example would be me riding in the car with a friend, nagging about the Elm Street films. (Ex. "How can anyone cheer for Freddy Kruger when he's killing teenagers i.e. children?") 🤷

The clown that has horror fans going at each other's throats

Oh, and then there's this fuck. Art the Clown of the Terrifier series. You're either a sociopath if you love him or a wimp if you don't, according to the online horror community. Opinions like these have been the biggest issues of film fans recently, on all genres. Give even the slightest hint that the film wasn't in your liking and film fans take it to heart. Next thing you know, you're dogpiled on by fans informing you about how much you DON'T know about whatever genre the film is. I'm sure I've been this judgmental on a genre but I'm one lowly man and like to think I've outgrown this (though, seriously, who am I kidding).

I didn't write this to guilt trip anyone. I wrote it because I've seen a LOT of this kind of squabbling lately. I feel as I'm writing this to release some anger of it out because not doing so would make me as bitter to horror films and fans the way I am towards wrestling these days. No "Can't we all just get along?", just clarity.

2024 Year in review

1. What did you do in 2024 that you'd never done before? 

Um, have acid reflux. And around Thanksgiving even 😑

2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

this is being written on 12/12/2024, so no.

3.  Did anyone close to you give birth?

no

4. Did anyone close to you die?

A cousin I was close to as a kid passed away in April. Days later, I found out a co-worker I was close to passed away, though I don't know when. It was also revealed that one of my favorite film directors passed away in 2022, due to Co-vid. A week into writing this, another friend of mine in California passed away.

5.  What countries did you visit?

Just my room

6. What would you like to have in 2025 that you lacked in 2024?

😑 Take a wild guess

7. What dates from 2024 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

April 10th, when I found out my cousin passed away. I never even realized he was younger than me.

8.  What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Um, finally got a PS4

9. What was your biggest failure?

See answer #6. I also didn't write as much as I wanted to.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

The day before Thanksgiving, I caught a very bad case of acid reflux. I was prescribed medicine that I was unable to retrieve until the day after Thanksgiving. I spent that Wednesday to that Monday in immense pain, even after the acid reflux symptoms wore off. 

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Fire Pro Wrestling World for PS4. I did have to buy it twice though 😖

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

🤷

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

America's. 

14. Where did most of your money go? 

Coffee, manga and treating friends to restaurants none of us could really afford.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

My favorite anime is finally getting a U.S. release... in February 2025. 

16. What song will always remind you of 2024?

Not Like us by Kendrick Lamar

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

-Happier or Sadder: 🔵

-thinner or fatter: Fatter before I got sick

-richer or poorer: always poorer 

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?

Reading. Got a whole pile of manga just collecting dust on my nightstand.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?

Argue with strangers on the internet.

20. How was your Christmas spent?

Again, being written on 12/12/2024

21. Did you fall in love in 2024?

I fall in love all the time.

22. Did your heart break in 2024?

With love comes heartache. 🤷

23. What was your favorite TV program?

So far, Penguin. A blog written earlier this year has stated that me and wrestling have separated.

24. Did you know anybody who got married?

I don't think so...?

25. What states did you visit in 2024?

Just the one I live in. 

26. Where were you when 2024 began?

Working from home

27. Who were you with?

Myself

28. Where were you when 2024 ended?

See question #2 and its answer

29. Who were you with when 2024 ended?

See the answer for the previous question.

30. What was the best book you read?

The ones I'm still trying to get through. I get distracted way too easily these days.

31. What was your greatest musical discovery?

This year, same stuff I normally listen to.

32. What did you want and get?

A PS4, thanks to my nephews

33. What did you want and not get?

If you've read previous "Year in reviews", take a wild guess

34. What was your favorite film of this year?

Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F

35. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

My best friend and her friend took me to dinner at my favorite Chinese restaurant. I turned none of your damn business.

36. Where did you go on vacation?

Probably just sat in front of the A/C.

37. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2024?

Work/home: Long Johns/Out: Jeans and boots

38. What kept you sane?

After this year, I'm not.

39. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Come to think of it, what does this mean?

40. What political issue stirred you the most?

It was an election year. Trump is going to be "president" again all because "Americans" cheaper groceries. I feel like his voters are in for a rude awakening. 

41. Did you have to go to the hospital?

See question  #10.

42.  How many concerts did you see in 2024?

None

43. Did you have a favorite concert in 2024?

No

44. Who were the best new people you met?

I honestly rarely left the house this year so, sadly, never met anyone new.

45.  Did you do anything you are ashamed of this year?

My friend, before she passed away, wanted to know why I left a group we were associated with and I kept telling her I'd tell her when the time was right. I never got a chance to.

46. What was your most embarrassing moment of 2024?

Almost smacking My best friend's twin toddlers on a particular hot summer day for... being toddlers was not my finest moment.

47. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2024?

No, but I want to give some. Hello, reader. If you have a child or loved one that suffers from depression and your relationship with them is strained, never, EVER say to them that the reason for the strained relationship is because they're punishing you for their depression. It's just a shitty thing to say to anyone, let alone a loved one.

48. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:

I had one and I completely forgot it. I may edit it in later. Sorry about that.

-for cousin Jermaine, Miss Sandy and Fluffy

Bull gets her flowers (a short blog)

a short one but at least it's positive.

Last night, Bull Nakano was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. Bull is my favorite female wrestler of all time (Sherri Martel either tied with her or right behind) and seeing that she was only in WWF/E for only one year but leaving such an impression on me is something. She was always a domineering heel (villain) wherever she wrestled, and I always cheered for her. To find out she had been professionally wrestling since 15, even winning her first women's title at 16 is pretty damn amazing. More than anything I was doing at that age. I know she's had her ups and downs (we all do) including a very serious health scare but I'm glad she is still here, still strong and smiling more or at least more than she did when she wrestled in the states.

Sadly, her induction into the hall of the fame came at a time where I don't watch wrestling anymore (see my last blog on why) but knowing that Keiko "Bull Nakano" Aoki is finally recognized in the *ahem* "greatest" 😒wrestling organization, the organization that introduced me to her makes me smile, even a little bit.

Ah...

中野さん

WWE殿堂入りをいただき、とても嬉しく思います. あなたは私の好きな女子レスラーであり、あなたが認められていることを嬉しく思います。君は女子レスリングのためにやってきたことに対して、すべての評価に値する。皆さんのご加護とご冥福をお祈りします。

誠意をこめて、アメリカからのファン

I hope this didn't come out as gibberish. 

Our Queen, Bull

Last night 2: Goodbye joshi...

 In 2020, I wrote blog where I praised wrestling for keeping me distracted in what can only be described as a tumultuous year. I praised the wrestlers and companies for putting their lives on the line so that regular fans, like me can have some kind escape from what 2020 dumped on all of us. Now, it's 2024 and my view of wrestling has flipped. It is a bane to me now, something I mute, block and turn off at every chance it is put in front of me. And somehow, I can't escape it.

I know I sound hyperbole but I'm just expressing how hurt I am. I keep trying to figure out who to blame for my newly strong disliking of wrestling. I look at AEW and WWE, the companies I've sworn off. Between 2020 to today, the companies have become mirror opposites as AEW has become directionless and WWE has become a powerhouse. Their owners, a fanboy with money who may be in over his head and a smug former wrestler who openly admits to how many backs he's stabbed to get where he is (yes, I know Triple H isn't technically the owner, but he seems in charge). I've even found myself blaming Phil Brooks, a highly popular but volatile wrestler who made waves, positive or negative. wherever he went. 

I look at the IWC (Internet Wrestling community) who may be the closest to who I DO want to lay all the blame on. Everyone has said the IWC is a niche group and while that is true, they are loud and if anything negative is thrown up in my face regarding wrestling, it's from them. In the past four years, the fanbase has gone from regular(?) to rabid. The constant bickering between WWE and AEW fans was distracting to anyone who just enjoy wrestling. It was draining and it took the fun out of it. People, bigger than me, have said the words "Like what you like, just don't be dick" and nowadays, it all falls on deaf ears.

I look at myself, not being able to separate from it all. I admit, I've caught myself getting into IWC drama. Arguing with strangers, friends over an wrestling organization I know I'll never be a part of. As mentioned before, wrestling was there for me when I was at my lowest, more than actual friends, family and to see it come to this, in what feels like a mushroom cloud of nothing (in my eyes) but negativity of ratings, backstage scandals and just bullshit just hurts me deep. 

 Maybe I wrote this wanting understanding, for someone to tell me to keep my head. Maybe I wrote this just because these feelings have been building up for a while, but I know getting this off my chest doesn't make it better, it just makes my pain more visible. 

It just sucks because I've been a fan of wrestling since 1985 and I never thought I'd walk away from it. 

fuck

my first post, "Last night a joshi saved my life" can be found here:

Diaries of a Super Duper Senior: Struggle Summer 3: Last night a joshi saved my life

2023 Year in review

 1. What did you do in 2023 that you'd never done before?

    Um... 

2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

      I haven't made a new year resolution in years.

3.  Did anyone close to you give birth?

    I...don't think so...?

4. Did anyone close to you die?

    A very close friend of mine passed away in early May. I didn't find out until the last week of May.

5. What countries did you visit?

    Just my room. 

6.  What would you like to have in 2024 that you lacked in 2023?

    If you've read my previous year in reviews, you know the answer.

7. What dates from 2023 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

    May 20th:  "Hey, just realized I haven't seen or heard from you in a while. Everything okay??"

    I found out she passed in her home 2 weeks prior, a week later.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

    I saw one of my best friends who I hadn't seen since 2018 and met her twins.

9. What was your biggest failure?

    This blog post you're reading, first one I've written all year. 

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

    Last week, I went to the ER with severe back pain. Turned out I had had a really back spasm. Shows me for         exercising. 

11. What was the best thing you bought?

    Flowers for my mom. Just cause.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

    Not mine, that's for damn sure.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

    Probably mine.

14.  Where did most of your money go?

    Groceries, eating at places that are WAY above my price range. 

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

        see answer to question #8. Also, a family reunion in late August.

16. What song will always remind you of 2023?

        Dunno but it was probably something Citypop

17.  Compared to this time last year, are you:

        -Happier or sadder: 🔵

        -thinner or fatter: my weight fluctuates. A lot more than normal these days.

        -Richer or poorer: Poorer but I've spent money like someone who's not apartment hunting

18.  What do you wish you'd done more of?

        You see this blog entry here...

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?

    Wishing more people like my facebook and twitter posts. Engaging in fights with the IWC

20.  How was your Christmas spent?

    This is being written on 11/06/2023

21.   Did you fall in love in 2023?

        All the time

22. Did your heart break in 2023?

    Comes with falling in love all the time.

23. What was your favorite TV program?

    I don't think I watched any real tv this year. I even cut back on wrestling.

24. Did you know anybody who got married?

        A couple of people I went to high school with. 

25. What states did you visit in 2023?

    Just the one I live in.

26. Where were you when 2023 began?

       At home, probably.

27. Who were you with?

    Myself.

28. Where were you when 2023 ended?

    This is being written on 11/06/2023

29. Who were you with when 2023 ended?

    See previous answer.

30.  What was the best book you read?

        Well, I never finished those books from last year...

31.  What was your greatest musical discovery?

        The Numbers, a new wave band that only lasted from 1980-1982

32. What did you want and get?

        Time with friends and family.

33. What did you want and not get?

        Too much to list. Still don't have my own place or a PS4...

34.  What was your favorite film of this year?

    Sly (Sylvester Stallone documentary)

35. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

    I honestly can't remember. I turned none of your damn business.

36.  Where did you go on vacation?

    Probably in my room.

37. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2023?

    Jeans and/or Longjohns 

38.  What kept you sane?

    I don't think I am anymore. 

39.  Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

    Drawing a blank at the moment (not saying anyone didn't)

40. What political issue stirred you the most?

    Where do I start??

41. Did you have to go to the hospital?

    In May, I woke up with terrible back pain that so bad, I had to go to the ER in the early morning. Turned out to extremely painful back spasm. Shows me for exercising 😐

42.  How many concerts did you see in 2023?

    None

43.  Did you have a favorite concert in 2023?

    Zilch

44. Who were the best new people you met?

    Henry and Jack, my friend's twin toddlers (no, the other one)

45. Did you do anything you are ashamed of this year?

    a VERY NASTY, VERY LOUD argument with a family member in May wasn't my finest moment.

46. What was your most embarrassing moment of 2023?

    The MANY arguments I got into with the IWC (Internet wrestling community). It has affected me so much that I'm very ready to walk away from it. Sad, I've been a wrestling fan 1985. 

47. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2023?

    "Life is addition up until the age of 40, and after that, it's subtraction"- Sylvester Stallone

48. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:

    not a song lyric but one of the last things my friend said to me before she passed: 

    "Im grateful that you stuck it out with me & wish you nothing but the best..."

See ya, Stax

2022 Year in review

 1. What did you do in 2022 that you'd never done before?

 Get furloughed...I guess.

2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

 I don't think I've made a new year's resolutions since...??

3.  Did anyone close to you give birth?

 If so, they aren't coming to mind at the moment.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

 As I write this, my aunt (My grandmother's sister) passed last week.

5.  What countries did you visit?

 Just my room. 

6.  What would you like to have in 2023 that you lacked in 2022?

 If you read previous "year in reviews", take a guess...

7. What dates from 2022 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

July 27th, my kid sister's wedding, which I couldn't attend.  March 14th, the passing of childhood hero Scott Hall aka Razor Ramon

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

 I met scream queen Linnea Quigley. Check that off my bucket list.

9. What was your biggest failure?

 Not finding my own place, especially when space was needed, driving me to a deep depression.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Co-vid, vaccines and constant back problems.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

 um, a new razor? Manga?

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

...💆

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

I'm sure someone's did...

14. Where did most of your money go?

Groceries and Chinese food, probably

15.  What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Seeing friends who I had not seen in quite some time.

16.  What song will always remind you of 2022?

... 🙎

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

 -Happier or sadder: Quite sadder.

-thinner or fatter: fluctuating

-Richer or poorer: I have money but it's all going towards one thing. 

18.  What do you wish you'd done more of?

 Where do I start?? 

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?

 Crying

20.  How was your Christmas spent?

This is being written the first week of December. 

21.   Did you fall in love in 2022?

Like every year, I fall in love all the time. 

22. Did your heart break in 2022?

Comes with falling in love all the time. 

23. What was your favorite TV program?

Warrior but given that show was released a couple of years ago, can't really call it new.

24.  Did you know anybody who got married?

My kid sister. I couldn't make it due to guilt. 

25. What states did you visit in 2022?

Just the one I live in.

26.  Where were you when 2022 began?

At home, probably...

27. Who were you with?

myself, probably...

28.  Where were you when 2022 ended? 

This is being written the second week of December.

29. Who were you with when 2022 ended?

See previous question and its answer. 

30. What was the best book you read?

...Akira Toriyama's Manga theater? Booty Royale (don't ask!)?

31.  What was your greatest musical discovery?

Nothing new

32. What did you want and get?

When I get it, I'll let you know...

33.  What did you want and not get?

Too much to list. Still don't have my own place or a PS4...

34. What was your favorite film of this year?

Wakanda Forever

35. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

Went grocery shopping at the Asian supermarket and ate Chinese food the day of. The next day, I reconnected with an old friend and met one of her twin sons. I turned 40

36. Where did you go on vacation?

Out of my room.

37. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2022?

Jeans or Longjohns

38.  What kept you sane?

This year, with everything that's happened, I really don't know

39. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

um...

40. What political issue stirred you the most?

Well, when one of your favorite artist becomes antisemitic and one of your favorite comedians becomes homophobic and transphobic, it's a tad awkward.

41. Did you have to go to the hospital?

For check ups, mostly

42. How many concerts did you see in 2022?

None

43. Did you have a favorite concert in 2022?

No

44. Who were the best new people you met?

Gabriel and Gideon, my friends twin toddlers.

45. Did you do anything you are ashamed of this year?

Besides the mental breakdown I had in late August, I missed my kid sister's wedding because I missed my big sister's wedding. I feel bad for missing both.

46. What was your most embarrassing moment of 2022?

The mental breakdown or me waiting almost 3 hours for friend for lunch (the friend was late due to no fault of their own). I just felt like a goof sitting in a restaurant that long. 

47. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2022?

From last year: "It's a bit different than what we imagined but don't worry, the future isn't set in stone. No one's is..." 

48. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:

"...Raise your downcast face and look at the sky

give me peace, in my hands, starting over

smile & smile, on a shooting star, you're a shining angel

heart and heart, at this moment..." 

"Smile & Smile" by Aura

Rest in Peace, Aunt Tiny, Kevin Conroy, Jason David Frank and DJ Twitch