I did it.  I braved the theater on opening night to witness "Rocky Balboa".  Now, either you like Rocky movies or you don't, so this opinion is coming from someone who LOVES Rocky movies...and unlike the Star Wars movies, there's only one that could be viewed as a dud.  I can sum up my opinion of this movie in one word - phenomenal.  Sure, call me crazy,, I don't mind.  I'm going to do my best to not give anything away, which is one of the reasons I went to see it tonight because I was afraid I would somehow hear how the movie ends before I had a chance to see it.  Now there was a big danger with this film as I have been waiting for a few years to see this one ever since I first read a blurb on the internet years ago about Stallone writing a new Rocky movie.  So yeah, there was a HUGE chance of building it up too much.  But I can honestly say it lived up to my expectations and then some.  To me the story was actually believable to a degree.  The main reason is that it portrayed the heavyweight division in boxing today as it really is - boring.  Here's a question:  Can you name ONE of the heavyweight champs right now?  It used to be Ali, Larry Holmes, Tyson, Holyfield, Riddick Bowe...people you wanted to see fight because the challengers were usually someone who could put up a fight as well.  Today, I have a hard time watching it because the people are just soooo boring and the challengers are usually the same way.  By the way, the three champs right now are Oleg Maskev (I think that's spelled right) of the WBC, Nicoli Valuv (again probably spelled wrong) of the WBA, and Vladimir Klitschko of the IBF.  Out of those three, Klitschko is probably the only name a casual observer might be familiar with.  Well the movie has the current champ, Mason Dixon (played VERY well by light-heavyweight Antonio Tarver) as an unbeaten champ who people criticize for the lack of competition he's faced.  Dixon, while brash and cocky, wants to earn respect as a great boxer so he's FAR from the monsters of Clubber Lang and Ivan Drago.  Jeez, I could easily give some stuff away so I better wrap it up.  Let me just say that the reason Rocky fights again is what appealed to me so much, and the way the fight goes doesn't seem TOO far-fetched.  This one had the feel of the original where it's not really a boxing movie, but a story about a guy who happens to be a boxer.  Let me just warn you, if you are a sentimental sap like I am, you might get a little misty-eyed in a couple of spots.  Now remember, it's ok for a guy to tear-up during a movie if the movie's central theme revolves around sports.  So when you see Rocky running those stairs that final time and feel that salty liquid start to build up, it's ok.  I really think that's because I heard an interview with Stallone where he said that scene was the last one they shot, and when he reached the top of the stairs it was the saddest day in his career because he knew the series was over forever.  Like I said, I don't want to ruin it so let me just say that if you want to see a movie that will inspire you, then go see it.  Speaking of which, I also watched the movie "Invincible" last night which was pretty awesome as well.  That's the true story of Vince Papale who was a walk-on for the Philadelphia Eagles at the age of 30.  Again, a very inspiring movie.

I made a pact with myself years ago that when a chance in life presented itself, I would take it.  Even if I failed miserably I would NEVER have to wonder "what if?" because I've had enough of those.  That's why I love these kinds of movies...it gives me inspiration to keep pushing forward and to keep taking chances.  What cracks me up sometimes is when I've been on job interviews and get asked "Where do you see yourself in 5 years?" because I have no clue what to tell them.  For example, five years ago I had been back in Nashville only for a couple of months after living in Austin, TX.  Since then I ran a VERY successful pro wrestling website with a buddy of mine where I got to interview many of my favorite wrestlers, became the lead singer of a metal band when I NEVER thought that would happen, bought my first house and have two great dogs, wrote a movie for an indie horror film contest, and even was a candidate for the U.S. Senate just to name a few things.  So when I get asked that question, I have to make up something because the honest answer is "I have no clue".  I just like taking chances as they present themselves, and where it all leads is something only God knows.  

In fact, 2006 was probably one of the most interesting years of my life.  I'm a person who really looks at each year as a chapter, and that's probably because my birthday is January 5th which is obviously not too far from the start of a new year.  I'm not one who sets New Year's resolutions, but I do like to look back on each passing year and contemplate the journey.  Earlier tonight I was doing just that, probably because I saw "Rocky Balboa" and started dwelling on life and where I'm at, where I'm going...all that kind of contemplative stuff that makes me so "deep"...hahaha.  First off, my band did two CD's this year, and one thing I always dreamed of doing when I was a metalhead/punk teenager was fronting a band.  This year I did lead vocals on two CD's and played some cool gigs.  Granted it wasn't like a sold-out night at Madison Square Garden, but to play shows and actually hear your songs on the radio is a pretty awesome thing.  My buddy Don and I have been trying this stuff off and on for about 14 years, and this year it all pretty much came into fruition.  The goal is to open for a touring band when they come through town.  I know, I need to grow up and blah blah blah...but I love the fact that I'm about to turn 38 and still daydream about playing the opening slot for Motorhead.  I can't imagine being married with kids and just going to work.  That may work for some people and they may find real happiness in that...good for them...but it's not for me, at least not right now.  Some people wonder why I'm still single and it's pretty simple to me - I have way too many dreams and goals that I want to achieve.  Is that selfish?  Probably...but it's my life...and I know right now I would not be happy "settling down".  Who knows...maybe in a couple of years I'll feel differently...but as it stands right now I don't.  I'm not ready to take down the autographed horror movie posters from the walls, I'm not ready to quit going to band practice a couple of nights a week, and I'm not ready to quit having people over on Sundays during football season as I have three TV's going watching the games.  I think I started on all this because my grandparents moved down here this week, and my grandmother asked me about living by myself.  I thought about it for a minute, remembered I have two awesome dogs, and told her I love it.  Ah...enough on all that.  So not only did I do vocals on two CD's and front a metal band, but I also ran for the friggin U.S. Senate!  I went back and re-read a bunch of the emails people sent me during the past year while I was campaigning, and it was mind-boggling.  Time after time people would tell me how much they were supporting me, and how they always wanted to do the same thing so they were happy a regular Joe was taking a stand.  Granted I only got 3,562 votes, but those voted went to a COMPLETE unknown who was basically ignored by the media.  I'm proud as heck of what I accomplished.  I ran my campaign myself with ZERO knowledge of how to do it.  Yet there I was on the ballot getting 3,562 votes.  I think what amazed me the most about the whole campaign were the emails from people congratulating me for having the guts to do it.  I went out there and made public what I value and NEVER held back in any interviews I did.  I was called all sorts of names in various blogs but I didn't care.  I still love the term "murdercon".  Yes, I was a racist, bigot, hate-monger, the redneck candidate, and other names from idiots, but "murdercon" cracks me up...all because I want to kill the people that want to kill us.  I've got a VERY thick skin, and the ignorance of these people honestly just made me laugh.  I was really proud of myself I did it and I don't care how many votes I got, I have nothing to hang my head about because I honestly did the best I could.  I'll just never forget last January when I picked up the petitions I needed signed to become a candidate and passing them around at work.  People were like "you're really running?".  I had no idea where it would lead, I had no idea newspapers would be calling me for interviews or I'd be sitting in on a radio show talking about myself...it was an experience.  And then on election night actually sitting there at Dave & Buster's seeing my name on TV with votes was mind-boggling.  Add to this that I have two CD's where I'm actually doing the vocals on them.  Now I have recorded some stuff before with me on vocals, and I really hate to say this because I do not want to sound like some "musician" type guy, but I actually found my style and what I can pull off.  I can actually listen to these CD's and not cringe when my voice comes on.  Honestly, whenever we play a gig at some point a thought always crosses my mind, and that is "I can't believe I'm actually doing this".  And we've already got a couple of gigs booked for next year along with plans of shooting a DVD...plus some new songs on the way.  One goal I do have for next year is to put a lot more time into the band since there isn't an election.  I won't have to race home from practice to spend two hours or so answering emails.  Not that I minded doing it at all...but it will be nice to have more time to jam.

So go see "Rocky Balboa" and think of all the things you've dreamed about doing.  Plan on making next year a great one.  You have to be willing to take chances...keep it exciting.  If you are content with where you are, then my hat is off to you...but if there is something that is in your heart to try, a goal and a dream you have, then take that chance.  If you fail then so what, at least you tried.  Quit with the "I wonder if..." and just go do it.  It's like the Creedence Clearwater Revival song says - "Someday Never Comes".

Well, enough of my pep talk for tonight.  Saturday I took the dogs to the dog park so they would be tired enough that I could get them to sit still for some "family" pictures in front of the Christmas tree.  Yeah, it didn't exactly work out that way.  Now the saying goes that every picture tells a story, so check this one out -

Here's what happened for this picture.  I set the timer on the camera and told Vick to sit, which he did.  I told Jessi to sit, and she did until I kneeled down.  Once I put my arm over her she took off down the hall.  So when this picture goes off, Vick is sitting there like a good boy while I'm chasing Jessi down the hall.  After several attempts, I got one photo that came out ok with both of them.  My buddy and my little girl decided they wanted to snuggle in a little closer and show their master some love.  So here you go -