Hellaciousness Ensues!!!!

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This isn't the Swanton Bomb from hell from Monday night, but this one is as bad ass or more. This is from when Jeff (we're on first name basis now) was with TNA working a program with the monster Abyss (and James Mitchell his manager).

Smitation City

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The marketing buzz around the monster-takes-Manhattan movie “Cloverfield” has been compared to that of “The Blair Witch Project.” The movies are similar in some aspects, both on-screen and off: In both flicks no-name actors run for their lives under the jittery eye of a hand-held camera. In each case the footage is supposed to be a tape “found” by authorities in the aftermath of some horrific event.

Off-screen both movies received tons of hype under the guise of a “media blackout.” I remember some dopey “Blair Witch documentary” where locals in the town of Scaryville or wherever the fake footage was "found" were filmed drawling, “Ayuh, I heard tell of the Blair Witch” while eerie music played in the background. For “Cloverfield,” the marketing blitz was of the viral variety, as film fans trying to find out about the movie ended up at a series of fake websites set up containing cryptic clues to other websites.

“Blair Witch” was an enormous box office smash. It was also a pile of dogshit in this blogger’s humble opinion. All the hype for something me and three of you guys (my fellow bloggers that is) could have filmed in and around Squire’s Castle. I don’t know if “Cloverfield” will find the same success as “Blair Witch.” But I can tell you now that it's the better movie by leaps and bounds.

Of course, “Cloverfield,” produced by “Lost” creator J.J. Abrams, is a much more ambitious (and expensive) undertaking, using all of Manhattan as a playground of destruction. It starts off in a posh loft where a going away party is being held for (I think his name is) Rob, who is leaving for Japan (the cinematic birthplace of the city-smashing giant monster) for a job. The party is being “documented” with a handheld video camera by Rob’s best friend, Hud. The shindig is disrupted by what partygoers think is an earthquake. (It ain’t) Then the real fun starts.

And “Cloverfield is a good time. It’s pretty intense, and at times quite comical. The film strives to be “a monster movie for the YouTube generation,” as its director states. In that account “Cloverfield” mostly succeeds, but it does help to suspend your disbelief a bit. For example, why does our amateur documentarian continue to lug around that camera while the city crumbles? “People are gonna want to see this,” he says by way of explanation. I can live with that. In this shrinking Web 2.0 world, where you can access public video sharing websites and watch Saddam Hussein get executed, it’s no surprise someone wants to record the end of all things.

(By the way, Cavs-90, Spurs-88. Nice.)

Smitation City

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The marketing buzz around the monster-takes-Manhattan movie “Cloverfield” has been compared to that of “The Blair Witch Project.” The movies are similar in some ways, both on screen and off: In both flicks no-name actors run for their lives under the eye of a shaky hand-held camera. In each case the footage is supposed to be a tape “found” by authorities in the aftermath of some horrific event.

Off-screen both movies received tons of hype under the guise of a “media blackout.” I remember some dopey “Blair Witch documentary” where locals in the town of Scaryville or wherever the movie took place were filmed muttering, “Ayuh, I heard tell of the Blair Witch” with eerie music playing in the background. For “Cloverfield,” the marketing blitz was of the viral variety, as film fans trying to find out about the movie ended up at a series of fake websites set up containing cryptic clues to other websites.

“Blair Witch” was an enormous box office smash. It was also an enormous pile of dogshit in this blogger’s humble opinion. All the hype for something me and three of you guys (my fellow bloggers that is) could have filmed in and around Squire’s Castle. I don’t know if “Cloverfield” will find the same success as “Blair Witch.” But I can tell you now that it’s the better movie by leaps and bounds.

Of course, “Cloverfield,” produced by “Lost” creator J.J. Abrams, is a much more ambitious undertaking, using all of Manhattan as a playground of destruction. It starts off in a posh Manhattan loft where a going away party is being held for (I think his name is) Rob, who is leaving for Japan (the cinematic birthplace of the city-smashing giant monster) for a job. The party is being “documented” with a handheld video camera by Rob’s best friend, Hud. The shindig is disrupted by what partygoers think is an earthquake. (It ain’t) Then the real fun starts.

And “Cloverfield is a good time. It’s pretty intense, and at times quite comical. The film strives to be “a monster movie for the YouTube generation,” as its director states. In that account “Cloverfield” mostly succeeds, but it does help to suspend your disbelief a bit. For example, why does our amateur documentarian continue to lug around that camera while the city crumbles? “People are gonna want to see this,” he says by way of explanation. I can live with that. In this shrinking Web 2.0 world, where you can access public video sharing websites and watch Saddam Hussein get executed, it’s no surprise someone wants to record the end of all things.

(By the way, Cavs-90, Spurs-88. Nice.)

My Twist of Fate?

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Forrest Gump once pondered, "I don't know if we each have a destiny, or if we're all just floating around accidental-like on a breeze, but I, I think maybe it's both. Maybe both is happening at the same time."

Flashback to 9:15 a.m, Tuesday, January 15, 2008... Charlotte, NC Airport. To set the scenario, I'm on a business trip, transferring flights to go from Charlotte to Raleigh. I've been up since 3:45 a.m. (had to make it to the Cleveland airport by 5:00). I'm tired, hungry, and anxious from travel.

When I arrive at my gate, I happen to see an odd looking young man slouched over sipping a McDonalds drink. DOUBLE-TAKE... IT'S NONE OTHER THAN THE INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION JEFF HARDY!!! Mind you, I'm going on 3 1/2 hours of sleep so I thought my eyes and mind were deceiving me. After all, Jeff Hardy had just hours earlier delivered the most hellacious Swanton Bomb known to man... a 30 ft. dive... a monumental bump from the second tier of scaffolding, taking out both he and WWE World Champion Randy Orton.


Jeff Hardy waits to board a plane in Charlotte

I get a better look as he stands to throw away his trash and now I'm down right giddy! Jeff Hardy is on my plane! Makes sense... he's from Raleigh. The question is... could he?.... is it possible?... might he be sitting next to me? One can only pray!

I board and sit down in Row 12 as the Champ strolls in a few minutes behind me looking for his seat. He's approaching.... my heart's beating faster than when I'm on my elliptical... then BAM... he sits down about 5 rows in front of me. DAMN!

This would not deter me. After the flight I follow Mr. Hardy into a bathroom, for I was not going to let this opportunity pass as I have done several times before with other athletes and entertainers. And here's where the new Froms has come to life. No more of the shy, introverted Froms. I look the superstar, the master of the Swanton Bomb, right in the face as we both wash our hands and say...

"So Jeff, it's nice to see you get a main event push after all these years... and how do you feel about the Ric Flair 'Fight For Your Career' retirement kayfabe angle?" Just kidding... I really said...

"You're Jeff Hardy!"

"Yeah man, what's up", he responds. He looked like he had about 1 hour of sleep, like when you're up all night the last night in Vegas... not surprising considering the hellacious Swanton Bomb of the second level of scaffolding!!! He was probably at the hospital all night (they took him away on a stretcher after all).

I respond, "I saw what you did last night. That was crazy!" (Looking back I wonder if he thinks I think wrestling is real).

Anyway, he says (slurring, eyes bright red) "No sh!t. They have me do crazy things."

I, cool and calm, say "Yeah, I don't even like getting up on a ladder to go onto my roof... and you're doing all that stuff." (Just how cool am I?)

He counters with a half smile and chuckle "Yeah, it's crazy. Who knows if I'll even make it to the Rumble at this rate!" (Again, I wonder if he thought I thought it was real).

"Take it easy man," he says as he leaves the bathroom.

"Take care." I say as the smile grows on my face.

And just like that, Jeff Hardy was gone.. like a "Whisper in the Wind" (his signature set up move).

And just like Forrest Gump... "I don't know if we each have a destiny, or if we're all just floating around accidental-like on a breeze, but I, I think maybe it's both. Maybe both is happening at the same time."

Or maybe it was... a "TWIST OF FATE" (another Hardy signature set up move).

Utter Depression

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LSU 38, Ohio State 24. Wow.

The worst fears of Buckeyes fans came to be. All the trash talking by SEC backers--well deserved. An embarassing performance--one that didn't have to be.

I can't even begin to consider what should be done.

But columnists are openly calling for the BCS to not invite Ohio State after next season--and I am finding it hard to make myself outraged.

Just wish we had a playoff. I have to think that 6 weeks off never helps Ohio State. Just our opponents.