Friendly Encounters: Matt Parker and Billy Corgan

This is a weekly series featuring my friends meeting celebrities.

Matt "Big Money" Parker has been a vital cog in the JohngysBeat.com wheel.  He is the Contributor Extraordinaire for all he has done.  There would still be a Johngy's Beat without him, but most advances I have made have been with the assistance of Matt.

Matt has been particularly helpful in my efforts at Resistance Pro wrestling.  Along with his help, he has also been a bunch of fun.  Whether sucking up to Eric St. Vaughn (or getting chastised by ESV of late), poking Jocephus Brody or any other bits of his silliness, he always makes it a good time for me.

Making it a good time for all is Billy Corgan, music legend and Creative Director at RPro.  Corgan isn't a big name figure head.  He is the real deal, a "hands-on" leader, whose vision is sometimes questioned, but whose results are visible.  Corgan knows what he is doing and it is evident in the success of RPro.

Matt and Billy.  Two men I am proud to know.  More importantly, I am proud to call both friend.

Matt Parker and Billy Corgan in Willowbrook, IL-June 2014.

Bear Down Sunday #7-The Miami Dolphins

The Chicago Bears are 3-3 after a big win against Atlanta.  Today they face the Miami Dolphins who are 2-3 after a close loss to Green Bay.

My old high school track teammate Tony Furjanic represents the Dolphins today, although I think he will be cheering for the Bears.  Tony finished his three year NFL career with the Dolphins in 1988.

Tony was a star athlete at Mount Carmel and he went on to star in football at Notre Dame.  Drafted by the Buffalo Bills, he played two seasons there and finished with Miami.

Tony was a stud player, an intelligent guy and a genuinely nice guy at MC.  A little known fact is that he was wearing my singlet for one of the varsity team pictures in the yearbook.  Yes, I remember that sort of stuff.

Many years later, I interviewed Tony for a stry on Global Traveler's website.  I am happy to report that he is just as nice as ever.  It was great seeing him.

I hope the Bears play with Tony's intelligence and determination.  I hope they come out a winner, just like he is.

Tony Furjanic and me in Mokena, IL-Spring 2012.

I Was Not in This Alone

My Marathon plan worked.  Early in my training, I put my goal on Facebook and announced that I was not alone in my Marathon comeback.  My goal was that putting it out there like that would hold me accountable, almost force me to train hard to finish the Marathon.

Never was my FB catchphrase more accurate than on Marathon weekend.  The outpouring of well wishes via texts, FB messages, videos, pictures, calls etc. overwhelmed me.  I took all of that support with me as I plodded along the 26.2 mile course.

Speaking of that course, several members of my family and friends busted their butts and met me at many spots along the way.  Seeing these familiar faces and hearing them encourage me helped me block out the pain and move onward.

Having this sort of support is very powerful.  It is uplifting and moving.  It is the greatest feeling in the world.  Yes, it is even better than the feeling of crossing that Finish Line.  However, crossing that Finish Line with them there is just the best.

I can never express my gratitude and love enough.  At least I am publicly putting it out here and telling the world that I have the best friends and family.

I was not alone in this...and I am never alone!  Love you all.

Nancy, Kyle, me, Lou, Sam, Scott and Jean in Chicago, IL-October 2014.

Sam (and I) Did a Marathon!

About a year ago, my niece Sam proposed the idea of running a Marathon together.  I had not run one since 2001 and planned to be done running them, but the thought of doing one with Sam was enough to get me to change that plan.

Last Sunday, we both finished the Marathon.  Sam's time was 5:15 and mine was 6:31.  All things considered, I was very happy with my time, but this wasn't really about that.

This one was a year long journey with Sam.  We exchanged texts, emails, FB messages along the way.  I really enjoyed the banter, encouragement and silliness.  I loved going through the whole process with her on Marathon weekend.

I am so proud of Sam.  She is one tough young lady.  She endured some leg cramps and the usual (mental and physical) Marathon fatigue, but she kept running.  Knowing that she was running certainly helped keep me running.  The experience was great, but both of us finishing would be the capper.

I will never forget hugging her as we met post-race.  It was one of those moments frozen in time.  I will always have that special moment with Sam.

Congratulations to Sam.  She earned it and deserves all of the applause!  I was just glad to be there for the ride (or run).

Sam Parker and me in Chicago, IL-October 2014.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #191 Robbie Gould & Garry Meier

This is a regular feature which attempts to combine my lifelong passion for baseball cards with my semi-professional interest in celebrities.  The Blackhawks are back!

Robbie Gould has been good as gold for the Bears for several years.  He is one of the best kickers of all time.  He even tried kicking the puck into the goal (as depicted here on his Celebrity Jersey Card).  I applaud him for sticking with his strengths!

Way back in the day, few people probably thought Garry Meier would have a longer radio career than his one time partner Steve Dahl.  Meier is entertaining listeners on WGN, a station he once mocked.  We are all entitled to change.  Meier's Celebrity Jersey Card features a license plate, a first for such cards!

Big Money, the Hulkster and Johngy

With all due respect, I was never a Hulkamaniac.  As I have documented several times, Roddy Piper was my guy.  Hogan and Piper do go together though, like some of the greatest pairs/rivals ever.

I didn't hate Hogan though.  In fact, I even cheered for him against some opponents (although certainly never Piper, no matter who was the "good" guy).

Like Hogan or not, you have to recognize him as one of the greatest pro wrestlers ever.  Hogan was one of the main reasons why the WWE (then WWF) changed the course of pro wrestling.  In his time, he was charismatic beyond belief.  Even after his prime, Hogan continued to be a main player for many years.  Even now, he can still get the fans going, although his days as an active wrestler are pretty much over.

Matt and I got to meet Hogan earlier this year at C2E2.  The encounter was brief, as he had hundreds of people in line waiting.  Luckily, our press credentials helped us avoid too long of a wait.  Even in those few minutes with him, you could feel his presence.  We were in the company of wrestling royalty.

Matt Parker, Hulk Hogan and me in Chicago, IL-April 2014.

Fred Ottman Did Shock the World

Fred Ottman played several characters in wrestling.  One of his most memorable was probably his shortest-lived character of "the Shockmaster."

About midway through his career, he switched wrestling companies.  Before he debuted for WCW, his new company, they billed him as someone who would "shock the world."  When he actually appeared, he was supposed to bust through a wall.  Unfortunately, the Stormtrooper mask they had fixed for him limited his vision and he tripped on part of the set.  His mask fell off, exposing his face and he stumbled over the set and into wrestling infamy.

It's unfortunate that he will always be remembered for this.  On the other hand, he seems to have taken it well and is okay with that part of his career.  I think Ottman is pretty well adjusted and takes it for what it was, just a simple flawed bit that does not mar his otherwise excellent career.

I had the pleasure of meeting Ottman at C2E2  I did not ask him about the Shockmaster.  Instead, I simply talked to him about his career.

Fred Ottman, Matt Parker and me in Chicago, IL-April 2014.

Friendly Encounters: Darryl Strawberry and David Herro

This is a regular series about my friends who have met celebrities.

David Herro has been known to hang with some heavy hitters in professional wrestling.  One look at his Facebook or twitter feeds and you will see a photo stream of the top names in wrestling.  On a trip to Los Angeles earlier this year, Herro ran into a real hitter.
Darryl Strawberry burst onto the baseball scene in the 80's and became one of the biggest stars.  Personal issues derailed his career at times, but he still finished with 335 home runs.
Knowing the marketing genius that Herro is, I wouldn't doubt that he tried to woo Straw for an appearance at Great Lakes Championship Wrestling.  Straw may be a bit lanky for a real wrestling career, but Herro would find a spot for him on one of his shows.  Herro knows how to promote and draw.
Herro's next big show is Blizzard Brawl X.  Will Strawberry make an appearance?  Who knows?  I do know with or without Straw, Blizzard Brawl X will be a huge event loaded with stars.

David Herro and Darryl Strawberry in Los Angeles, CA-August 2014.

Bear Down Sunday: Game 6 Atlanta Falcons

The Chicago Bears are 2-3 and facing the Atlanta Falcons who are also 2-3.  Is it too early to say the Bears must win this game?  It is close.

When I think of Atlanta, I think of Sugar Dunkerton (Sug D, Special Dark, etc).  Sug is one of the most entertaining wrestlers in Resistance Pro.  The guy has oodles of talent and charisma.  He has been primarily used in tag teams, but lately has struck out on his own as a singles wrestler.  Either way, gold is in his future.

What does Sug D have to do with the Bears winning?  Not much, other than he is from Atlanta.  Win or lose, I just hope they are as entertaining as he is.

Sugar Dunkerton and me in Chicago, IL-March 2014.

Superman is No Aquaman

Most kids have their favorite Superhero.  Some of us carry that into adulthood.  As has been well-documented here, I am an Aquaman fan (or an Aquaman man, if you will).

People always rib me and I do always feel slightly guilty about giving coverage to any other superhero, especially since Aquaman is so under-appreciated.  In my defense, I am a fan of the Chicago Bears, but I still would cover any other NFL team when gievn the chance.

Besides, I don't dislike other superheros.  I recognize the value and significance of Superman, Batman and the rest.  I just think Aquaman deserves to be grouped among the best, when he is listed among the worst in many spots.

Additionally, one of the latest additions to the Johngy shirt wardrobe is the Aquaman Johngy.  At least now, when I pose with any other superhero, Aquaman will be represented.  The additinal coverage for Aquaman cannot hurt the cause.

Me and Superman in Chicago, IL-April 2014.