On Wrestling, Golf, and other stuff
Feb. 12th, 2003 03:36 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
yendiFirst, for those not aware (and those who just don't give a rat's ass), Curt Hennig passed away yesterday. Those who hate wrestling in all its forms (and it's become very detestable in the last few years, alas) might not give a shit. But Henning was, when I was growing up, perhaps the perfect bad guy. He was amazingly talented as a wrestler, and also had incredible microphone skills. Last I saw him on tv (which would be about five years ago), he was still one of the best in the business, even if all the young hotshots who pretty much mimicked his mike skills without a tenth as much wrestling talent (like, say, The Rock) got all the hoopla.
Speaking of non-sports that are promoted as sports, Annika Sorenstam has agreed to play in a PGA (as opposed to LPGA) golf tournament, the first time a woman will compete in a men's major golf tournament in over forty years. Personally, I think it's about time. Aside from its questionable status as a "sport," golf also is an activity that relies less on any natural differences between men and women than, say, football. Strength applies somewhat on drives, but not as much as years ago, as equipment keeps getting better. And the skill required is the same, regardless of gender. Then again, golfers love making little teapot-based tempests.
I read the Emory Wheel today, and the Kappa Alpha fraternity landed only six pledges this rush (way behind the other frats). This is generally the sign of a frat on the way down, and I can't help but wish them a speedy trip.
Understand, I've got nothing inherently against the Greek system, although I find the idea a bit silly (I prefer not to pay good money for the honor of calling someone a friend). But KA, founded by Robert Lee (as they mention every five minutes), is the frat that's been responsible for more racist acts on this campus than I'd imagined possible, including a blackface gag that made the national news a few years ago. And when Alpha Phi Alpha, an historically black frat, started a chapter at Emory years ago, the KAs decided that they had a new tradition that involved bringing out a canon and putting it on their porch. Wanna guess what house it pointed at?
So yeah. Nothing against other chapters (a high school buddy of mine who went to Penn told me that the KA chapter there was basically the geek frat house), but no pity for this one.
Oh, and no, I'm not doing the lj valentines thing, any more than I'd do eCrush.
Speaking of non-sports that are promoted as sports, Annika Sorenstam has agreed to play in a PGA (as opposed to LPGA) golf tournament, the first time a woman will compete in a men's major golf tournament in over forty years. Personally, I think it's about time. Aside from its questionable status as a "sport," golf also is an activity that relies less on any natural differences between men and women than, say, football. Strength applies somewhat on drives, but not as much as years ago, as equipment keeps getting better. And the skill required is the same, regardless of gender. Then again, golfers love making little teapot-based tempests.
I read the Emory Wheel today, and the Kappa Alpha fraternity landed only six pledges this rush (way behind the other frats). This is generally the sign of a frat on the way down, and I can't help but wish them a speedy trip.
Understand, I've got nothing inherently against the Greek system, although I find the idea a bit silly (I prefer not to pay good money for the honor of calling someone a friend). But KA, founded by Robert Lee (as they mention every five minutes), is the frat that's been responsible for more racist acts on this campus than I'd imagined possible, including a blackface gag that made the national news a few years ago. And when Alpha Phi Alpha, an historically black frat, started a chapter at Emory years ago, the KAs decided that they had a new tradition that involved bringing out a canon and putting it on their porch. Wanna guess what house it pointed at?
So yeah. Nothing against other chapters (a high school buddy of mine who went to Penn told me that the KA chapter there was basically the geek frat house), but no pity for this one.
Oh, and no, I'm not doing the lj valentines thing, any more than I'd do eCrush.
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(no subject)
Date: 2003-02-12 01:26 pm (UTC)When I was younger, Henning was the wrestler that I liked the best. Most of my friends were fans of Hulk and the Ultimate Warrior, while I was a fan of Mr. Perfect. I always liked the heels the best, and Henning just knew how to work that mike. And in a show (mid-80's WWF) that did not have the best technical wrestlers around, Henning shined, imho.
Even later, when he was just a bit player on WCW during the over-long nWo angle, he still stood out to me.
(no subject)
Date: 2003-02-12 02:20 pm (UTC)His matches with Bret Hart were terrific.. and even hurt he could pull out a damn fine match..
He also made me appreicate the Fishermans Suplex as a legit finisher.. which no one else has really been able to do since.
(no subject)
Date: 2003-02-13 10:13 am (UTC)That is absolutely tragic. Best wishes to his family. I need to go and find out what happened.