Fifth And Clark

The pavement cracks my feet. The moon is full... dreams still light my way.

Two big nights. Two big losses. Two more miles to run...

"Give me the strength to move this mountain..." I pick up the pace. I want my breath to disappear.

Each step is another reminder of my defeat. The distance blurs. My jaw stings to the rhythm of my stride. It's midsummer and I don't have any answers.

So I run a little further. So I stay out a little longer.

I believe in a place called home. These humble streets are the roots that wind deep and grip tightly the fabric of my existence. They remind me of who, and why I am...and of how far I have come, and still have to go. And they won't let me stop.

Life is about opportunity, about chances. And sometimes, about second chances. So I will take my shortcomings and wring them of dry of their lessons. What's left is the past, and I will put that behind me...

This Saturday in the brightest lights, in the grandest city in all of the world the guard changes hands...

The anticipation cuts out my sight and I scream the night my rage. No one needs to listen. And anyone who could hear wouldn't understand anyway. No one wants this as bad as me. Not Bryan, not Claudio, and not Nigel. I will run until the feeling in my legs dies like the echoes my voice carries into the Midwestern sky. Until all my thoughts are burned into the blacktop by the pouring sweat of my brow. Until the pain ceases and all that remains is belief. Hope. Until all I have is hope. We are the ones we've been waiting for. Change happens today.

Let's Make History Stop

From--of course--Anonymous:

"Aaaaannnnd we make a change on society to make a better future by winning title belts from various indy wrestling promotions???"

Before I tear this asshole a new...well, asshole, I would like to use him as a reference for an introduction. The Ring of Honor fans in Chicago are already acquainted, but I am using this forum tonight as a formal unveiling.

Age of the Fall, welcome your newest member; the SHIMMER Champion MsChif.

I could tell you her story, but you already know the details. Let me just say, she belongs among us. She is driven. She is passionate. Smart, capable, and under appreciated. And most importantly, the only mold she fits is the one her dreams have cast. Now, out of years of frustration and hard work, she is at the top of her game, but because she isn't a life size Barbie doll, she remains under the radar...and she's had enough. MsChif has found strength in our camp. And likewise, we have become that much stronger for accepting her. Some companies could take a hint. I digress...

Back to Mr. Anonymous. Back to answers...

You know what Mr. Anon, you're right. Yeah, we could be making a difference by joining the Peace Corps. Maybe we could donate blood more often. We could make some picket signs and march for a pro-choice. Or tie ourselves to a Christmas tree in hopes of preserving the legacy of Ol' St. Nick. Or we could go to college. Pre-med. Then we could get our Ph.D's. Become doctors. Save lives. Cure diseases. We could do that, but then we wouldn't be here, doing this....

And then where would you be? Where would Eric be? Where would Mick Foley be had he not been there to see "Superfly" dive off that cage onto Don Muraco in 1983?

Yeah, you're right Mr. Anonymous. We could all be doing something better with our lives. And that's the fucking point.