In sixth grade (1996-1997), the big thing was Dragon Ball Z and martial arts at Washington Elementary-Middle School.  The sixth grade classes were located on the first floor of the middle school.  Once moving to seventh grade, that all changed...

The year was 1997, one year--actually a few months after I became a wrestling fan.  Wrestling was huge by this point with WCW vs. WWF being the focal point.  In a caged in sandbox at a Birmingham, AL middle/elementary school, kids regularly held mock wrestling ambushes and hit finishing moves (usually a Diamond Cutter or Stunner). 

By December 1997, the wars had moved to the boy's restrooms with people getting ambushed and Stunnered or Diamond Cuttered.  Seeking sanctuary, factions were formed: Raven's Flock and nWo.  I didn't participate in these games until like February 1998.  Anyway, Raven's Flock was the larger faction with students in three of the home rooms whereas  nWo was centralized to one home room.  When teachers left the classes (oddly enough at the same time) to head downstairs to "talk with other teachers" (meaning an unofficial break) the factions invaded each other's base rooms.

I joined the new DX faction in February 1998.  There roughly five in the faction and we were subject to regular attacks since most of the members were smaller.  Being one of the biggest and tallest students in the 7th grade I was expected to use the Chokeslam at all times...although I did break out with the occassional clothesline.  DX pretty much broke up by April 1998 and some went to the Flock and others to the nWo.  A friend (Tavon) and I formed The Ministry of Darkness...just the two of us...so it was more of a tag team type thing.  On a path of destruction (most me and my Chokeslam) the Ministry cut a swath through the Flock and nWo and by May 1998 the wars ended...mainly because of summer break.  I heard that during summer break most of the members--who lived in Loveman Village or the border Village area nicknamed "The Mongo"--continued wrestling. 

When school resumed in August 1998, several of the students continued wrestling on school grounds.  At this time, I began one of a few backyard wrestling related things I would become known for:  creating championship belts.  I had always been artistic and some would comment that I was creative.  In anycase, I created the first belt, a WWF World Title with the classic blue strap from poster board.  The champion (who won the belt in a tic-tac-toe tournament and only defended the belt in tic-tac-toe) was Raven (Cortez...who I later attended community college with four or five years after graduating from junior high).  He liked the belt and added an extra thing that I would use on occassion: black electrical tape on the back of the belt.  The tape would weigh down the belt so that it would sit across you should loosely.  I should also note that Raven never lost the belt and was the only one to have ever been able to wear the belt around his waist completely.

In October 1998 (or November 1998), Washington Middle School formed WMW or Washington Middle School Wrestling...the "school" part was kinda put together with Middle...so it was Washington Middleschool Wrestling.  In any case, the group's regular 1998-1999 roster was:

-Raven (Cortez, who rarely wrestled) 1998-1999
-Big Sexy (Eugene, who wasn't big or sexy) 1998-1999
-Earthbomb (Mario) 1998-1999
-Vader (Gary C.) 1998-1999
-Gravedigger/Cracker Jack (myself) 1998-1999
-Mad Dog (Jeremy E.) 1998-1999
-Meat (Demetris) 1999
-Derrick (Derrick) 1998-1999
-Madclaw (Tavon, who actually created his own Mankind's hand claw) 1998-1999
-Goldust (Marcus M.) 1998-1999
-DDP (Gary D.) 1999

I should note that Washington Middle School tried a promotion before, but one guy Marcus W. busted his face on a sidewalk and that ended that.  This was around early 1997.  I should also note that all matches took place on Washington's school grounds in the kickball field during early-mid October before moving to my backyard around early November.  In November or early December 1998, a tournament was held in the backyard (called Swift's House) to crown the first WMW World Champion.  The belt had a green strap (the school's colors were green and white) and had a Native American brave drawn on it (our mascot).  I forget who won the belt, but I think it's down to either Mad Dog or Goldust.  I competed in the tournament as Gravedigger, but tired out and quit in the semi-finals against Goldust.  In those days we wrestled matches until someone won--since everyone kicked out of everything it was usually either by tiring (reserved for the bigger, out of shape kids), submission (which most of my WMW victories were by), getting hurt, or other (having to leave to get home).

While I don't know whether it was November or December when the WMW Title Tournament was held, I know for certain that the WMW Tag Title brawl was held in December 1998 and was held at Washington Kickball Field.  I didn't compete in the match, but Big Sexy and Goldust won the belts.

WMW would warm up in 1999, but end upon graduation in May.  In Part II: 1999-2000, I'll cover the hot nWo Wolfpack vs. nWo vs. Raven's Flock wars, playing WCW/nwo Revenge, WCW vs. The World, and WWF Attitude over my house until 10 at night, my younger brother Tardell and younger sister Jamesse's backyard wrestling debuts, and the rise of NGWW/EWC.

Until next time!

Managed to get a chance to watch it last night (watched the replay as well).  All I can say and all that needs to be said is that it completely destroyed any opening ceremony I've seen--that includes graduations, coronations, birthday jubilees, PPV openings, every event opening between 1984-2008 just seems inferior after Beijing's spectacle!  It was truly amazing.  Unless you had work, if you missed it would truly be a "What the fuck were you doing?!" moment.  The first 2 1/2 hours was actually the portion worth watching followed by the last 10-15 minutes, but the whole thing was ace.

London really has a challenge ahead in 2012.  Seriously.  That event truly filled me with awe and was a beyond-excellent opening to such an important event.  Honestly, it's the sporting event that matters...think about it, your typical sport where you are extremely active (not including golf, doesn't count) you probably have a career expectancy of at the most 20-25 years.  That's roughly 5-6 Olympic chances--if you make the team and if you're still in great competing condition towards the end of your career.

Yeah, it's just that big people.  You winning a gold medal for your country will most likely out weight any "World Championship" (I say "World" because some sports have a championship that is only competed for in that country then fail to put alot of emphasis on the actual "World Championships" of that sport) you may get in your entire career.  You're competing against the best in the world on the greatest stage in the world.  That's something because some greats have never made the Olympics and some that have came up short.

Anyway, everyone enjoy the games and support your athletes.

SWIFT

So at the moment I'm doing an online application for my Mum and these things have just gotten stupid.  They ask for WAY too much trivial information then it gets to the point where you have to do a 25 minute long test with the "on a scale of 1-5 with 5 being EXCELLENT" bullshit.  These are the kinds of things you ask in an interview you know?  Hell, these fucktards probably run your "application" through a Scantron Machine and shit.  Feh...it's all overly annoying.  Remember the old paper applications?  Sure there were trees cut down because of these applications (and I would hate to see trees cut down for some shit applications), but they were efficient.

You would think "Oh it's the internets, put an application online there for people to do."  The only useful thing about these applications is that you don't have to leave home to go get it.  Well, not everyone is computer literate like that even though online applications don't really require computer literacy (like most things online and the actual paper application, everything is SELF EXPLANITORY), these things require an assload of patience and level headedness.  The paper applications required you to read and write, not read and type.  Most people can write faster than they can type. 

Hell, writing is actually more convientant for applications...go in, whip out a pen, read and write.  That's it...no problem.  As a matter of fact, most, as in UBERMOST, meaning at least 90% of people should know to either read or write with the bulk of that 90% knowing both (if you know neither, seriously...it's free to learn how to read and write if you are past 16 and can do neither and you don't have some sort of learning or mental block/problem then go run in a busy street, those two are things you NEED to know) apply that to the application...filling out a paper application is at the most a 10 minute process if you have all your shit (references, past jobs, education records, etc) with you.

In short I say bring back the paper application, this online application shit is fucking time consuming and really a bother.  I'd rather dance jigs for change in Five Points South than sit for 30-45 minutes doing what used to be a 10 minute process.

SWIFT

So, I've decided to go ahead with the webcomic idea and I'm currently working on The Exalted Swift chapter one.  The comic will be done in MS Paint to cut out all the having to scan and all the middle stuff, so don't expect the best artwork...I believe I do decent enough on MS Paint for comics (depending on the mouse being used).  Each chapter will be five to six pages long, but I haven't decided the length of the series since I'm making it up as I go along.  Yep...later I'll do a makeshift website for the comic and run with it.

I'm not making a big production of the comic since I might abandon it all together in no time...probably in three issues...could be in ten.  In any case, the first issue should be done by the end of the week (most likely today since I'm on page two as we speak) and out by next week.  So, I'm working on that.

The family is going well, sister and nephew are healthy, expecting the nephew--whose name I don't know yet--will be born sometime in November.  My brother just recently got his first car and will be returning to University of Montevallo to continue his studies in like mid August.  I believe my sister will start her studies at University of Alabama at Birmingham in August or October.  Mum (yes, I call her "Mum" shut up) is doing well, she's currently looking for a new job--wants to move into a different field of work from the restrurant business you know.

Me, I'm fine...just doing nothing really.  Drawing, listening to music, playing GBC on DreamCast...I've been thinking of other career possibilities as well...stand-up comedy has crossed my mind.  Might try an open mic night, what would I care about being booed on a 10 minute set, right?  I could go on to become "Mr. Entertainment"...that'd be a sweet nickname.  Fuck yeah.

...whatever.  Ladies and gentlemen...give a big round of applause for the one...the only...IMMORTAL!!!

So I go to check my old email accounts from like 1997-2001 cos I like to relive the glory that was my Yahoo! Clubs RPG dominance (Akiro Dama, best made-up anime RPG character EVER) and there's like a flood of "Penis Enlargement" and "C Gurlz N UR Area!" mails.  So OK, whatever...no problem.  It happens, some slip through and you're not particularly irritated...well, not unless you need penis enlargement and know you do then it's just bad when anonymous fuckers hit the nail on the head, yeah?

Oh no, what bothered me was the "From the Estate of Robert Swift" or whomever messages.  Now I know there's no Robert Swift in my family, I know there's no Johnathan Swift in my family, and most importantly, despite being of African decent I know like hell there isn't a family member in Nigeria of all places.  At first I was like, "Damn, that's a pretty well constructed story...for a scammster".  Then they started coming en masse...the same damn story.

"Robert Swift and his wife and son were killed in a car accident today on a road in West Nigeria..."

Then there's some obscene amount in their bank account...

"Robert had $25 million in his bank here in Nigeria..."

Fucking hell, what the hell was Robert doing in Nigeria?  Contract killing?  Drug running?  $25M is alot to have just to be living in Nigeria you know?  There's Hawaii, England, California...somewhere in the Northeast or Mid Atlantic, but Nigeria...you've got mad stacks cousin Robert.  Anyway, it's stupid.  I read these just out of boredom and answer them for my amusement.  The funny thing is no matter how nastily you answer these or with another Nigerian fraudster email they respond back as if a deal has been struck.

...as if I'm leaving my nice country to travel overseas to Nigeria.  Fuck no...I've seen To Catch A Scam Artist, Richard Mutambe, you're not slicking this Westerner.  Besides, I don't have any cash to pour into your shitty scam...all that goes to chicken fries and bus fare, fuckers.

So, in "what's been up with you, Swift" news mainly work and considering quiting.  My brother turned 19 Monday of this week (7/14)...Haven't been working on my writing as much as I would like, but I have been writing shitty songs...shitty songs about dragons made of shit and monsterous vaginas attacking the peaceful land.  Haven't been drawing either, I usually draw in the fall when it's cooler outside.  The bulk of my time has been consumed by N64, SNES, and GBC/GBA emulation and TEW 2007...Adult Swim's bitchin' 10PM-12AM line-up is taking up time as well.  I also just discovered the awesomeness that is Avatar...funny cos most shit on Nick sucks.

Oh well, have a great weekend and hopefully I'll update next week!

SWIFT

I haven't done an entry in quite some time.  I've been working on my writing and doing various writing projects to keep my mind busy and try to sharpen my writing skills.  I've also been throwing alot of ideas away...you know, you get a simple idea, improve upon it and it looks good, then the further you get the more shit it appears...it happens.  What I'm aiming at is a fantasy story.  I've got to find out things about publishing and such, but I believe I'll cross that bridge once I come to it...or at least when I can see it in the distance.

In other news, I've been working on a Strong Style Symphony specific fantasy journal as part of my fundamentals training.  It's basically a concept using regular forum members as the main characters (as I usually tend to do in Symphony releases) set in a fantasy/RPG setting.  I found myself laughing at it often.  I think one of the best things about it was the time (or lack of time) I put into the theme song, Shit Dragon.  No backing music, just vocals...the vocals themselves weren't good or even decent, but writing a 40 second theme song was pretty fun.

My goal at the moment is to pretty much focus on improving the skill before getting to the actually meat and potates.  Aside from that, I've been playing Bully on PS2 and The Movies, TEW 2007, and TEW 2008 Demo on PC.  If you've never played the wrestling sims TEW 2007 or TEW 2008 I suggest you snag the demos.  For a MUCH lighter and still fun version of the Extreme Warfare/Wrestling series, snag the free Extreme Warfare 4.2...you can also find somewhat update data for it as well.

Well, that's it for the moment.  I really need to get to putting up a new review on the metal review blog.  I was thinking two or three a month, so I need to jump on that shit.  Also Bleach, Death Note, and Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion tonight.  Now that I think about there's an assload of manga on my hard drive I need to read and transfer...plus I need to get back to drawing.  BLARGH!  Ehh...anyway, everyone have a great weekend and be safe.

Just a quick post entry...I've started work on a new metal music blog, yes.  As mentioned, it's reviews of albums I own or have listened to.  So far I've reviewed Venom's Black Metal and Motley Crue's Too Fast For Love and they appear pretty well reviewed...of course that's me speaking.  I started it on Blogger to keep it seperate from my main blog here and easier for you to find entries since Blogger is strickly blog based and not a blog tacked on (like here) so if you're looking for something, it'll be easier the find.

Anyway, check it out there'll be new reviews sometime next week.

Hail and Fucking Kill Reviews