#back to back champion carnival winner

[wewerecore]

CORE Pro #118 Breaking Training: The Risky Raffle 08/05/23 West Scranton Little League Carnival - Scranton, Pennsylvania Attendance: 461

- Throughout the evening CORE legends were joined by members of the local little league team to draw names from a hopper. First selections were made by "Mean" Mark Mest and a shortstop named Paxton.

Match #1

Risky Raffle Titus Alexander and Flamita vs. Magnum CK and Brogan Finlay

- The first time team of Titus Alexander and Flamita worked together with surprising aplomb. Brogan Finlay climbed to the top rope looking for an elbow drop on Flamita, but Titus Alexander caught him with a Michinoku Driver off the top rope. Alexander dropkicked Magnum CK off the apron as Flamita hit a 450 Splash on Finlay and got the win. Winners: Titus Alexander and Flamita

- As the wrestlers made their way to the back, Shane Hagadorn drew the first name and brought out Shaw Mason. On his way to the ring, Shaw exchanged a glance with Brogan Finlay and said something about Finlay's defeat. Finlay retrieved a chair from the audience and attacked Mason from behind. Finlay continued to strike Mason with the chair, bloodying him in the process. As CORE officials escorted Finlay to the back, Hagadorn drew the name of Mason's partner, Francesco Akira, who helped Shaw to the ring.

Match #2

Risky Raffle Shaw Mason and Francesco Akira vs. Ricky Morton and Vincent Nothing

- Morton and Nothing went to work on the already bloody Shaw Mason. Ricky Morton had Mason in position for the Canadian Destroyer, but Francesco Akira saved his partner with a reverse rana on Morton. Francesco cut Nothing off as Shaw Mason made the cover. Winners: Shaw Mason and Francesco Akira

- As they were in the process of selecting the next team, Shaw Mason asked Ace Darling and a catcher named Mason for the microphone. Mason said that if Brogan likes to attack people with international objects, how about they make their match next week on The Great Pro-Wrestling Adventure Hour a Weapons Wild Match?

Match #3

Risky Raffle Jake Something and Derek Dillinger vs. Fuego Del Sol and Lio Rush

- Jake Something whipped Fuego Del Sol into the ropes and went for the black hole slam, but Fuego countered into a tornado DDT. Before Fuego could go for the pin, Derek Dillinger landed a running elbow strike to the back of Fuego's head. But Dillinger turned around into a springboard stunner from the bottom rope by Lio Rush and was rolled up for a flash pin. Winners: Fuego Del Sol and Lio Rush

- After first selecting Hunter Holdcraft's name, Sal Sincere drew Queen Aminata. Raychell Rose tried to accompany Aminata to the ring, but was stopped by CORE officials as Aminata is not an approved client for Rose to manage as she works toward obtaining her license. An outfielder named Humphrey drew Invictus Khash and Big Dan Champion, our first previously established tag team of the evening.

Match #4

Risky Raffle Hunter Holdcraft and Queen Aminata vs. Invictus Khash and Big Dan Champion

- Hunter Holdcraft tried for a gutwrench suplex on Big Dan Champion, but Big Dan countered with a Doctor Bomb. Aminata considered making the save, but seeing Khash charging at her thought better of it and jumped off the apron and headed to the dressing room. Winners: Invictus Khash and Big Dan Champion

- The Patriot drew the names of Kenzie Paige and Joshua Bishop. And despite there being only two names left in the hopper, a third baseman named Skywalker drew them anyway.

Match #5

Risky Raffle Kenzie Paige and Joshua Bishop vs. Tim Bosby and Giant Baba Yaga

- Joshua Bishop had Tim Bosby up for a Bishop Bomb, but Giant Baba Yaga pulled Bosby off his shoulders by the leg. Bishop turned around into a big Baba boot and fell through the ropes. Kenzie Paige ran toward Baba but was caught with a running neckbreaker and pinned. Winners: Tim Bosby and Giant Baba Yaga

Match #6

Trench Trial Series - Match 3 Trench vs. Sonny Kiss

- Trench climbed to the second rope to attempt a Vader Bomb, but Sonny Kiss was playing possum and trapped Trench's head under the top turnbuckle before connecting with an axe kick. Trench fell to the mat and struggled back to his feet as Sonny climbed to the top and connected with the Molly Go Round and pinfall. Winner: Sonny Kiss

- After the match Trench looked to Sonny Kiss for approval, but Sonny was non-committal to Trench's future in the TrustBusters Reserve.

Match #7

Trios Kingdom 2023 Qualifying Match Kerry Morton, Starboy Charlie, and Marcus Mathers vs. Young Dumb N Broke (Charlie Tiger, Ellis Taylor, and Griffin McCoy)

- Griffin McCoy went for a springboard enzuigiri on Starboy Charlie, but Marcus Mathers tripped McCoy up and hit a lungblower. Starboy Charlie dove out of the ring with a tope on Ellis Taylor. Charlie Tiger charged at Kerry Morton for the spear but was instead caught by a high knee lift from Morton. Kerry hooked Tiger in a front facelock and hit the Showstopper to earn a place in Trios Kingdom 2023. Winners: Kerry Morton, Starboy Charlie, and Marcus Mathers

Match #8

Risky Royal - 10 Man Over The Top Battle Royal

- folkstyle worked together to try and dump Giant Baba Yaga, but a Baba chop split Shaw Mason's cut back open. Invictus Khash and Big Dan Champion saw an opening and they instead teamed up to dump Giant Baba Yaga to the floor. Giant Baba Yaga has been eliminated.

- Fuego Del Sol was seated on the top turnbuckle and had Francesco Akira in position for the tornado DDT, but Lio Rush vaulted off Francesco's back and hit a dropkick on Fuego that sent him to the outside. Fuego Del Sol has been eliminated.

- Tim Bosby went for his ripcord lariat on Khash, but Khash ducked the line and countered into a Fujiwara armbar. Shaw Mason broke up the hold but the blood dripping down his face obstructed his peripheral vision and Titus Alexander landed a superkick flush to the side of Mason's head and tossed him over the top rope. Shaw Mason has been eliminated.

- Khash and Big Dan worked together to hoist Lio Rush up for a tandem gorilla press slam and launched him from the ring to the ground. Lio Rush has been eliminated.

- Tim Bosby tried to leapfrog over Titus Alexander, but Titus caught Bosby on his shoulders in waterwheel slam position, but instead back body dropped Bosby over the ropes and to ringside. Tim Bosby has been eliminated.

- Francesco Akira went for the shiranui on Flamita, but Invictus Khash was behind them and caught Akira in position for a running powerslam. Khash tried to lawndart Francesco over the top, but Akira slipped off his shoulders and dropkicked Khash from behind and sent him toppling over the ropes. Invictus Khash has been eliminated.

- Big Dan lifted Flamita up for a gorilla press slam, but Flamita countered with an armdrag. Titus Alexander pulled down the top rope and an off balance Big Dan teetered over the top and to the outside. Big Dan Champion has been eliminated.

- Francesco Akira went for the running double knee strike to Flamita, but Flamita showed off impressive strength and caught Akira. Francesco was resourceful though and countered into a monkey flip which sent Flamita to the floor. Flamita has been eliminated.

- Titus Alexander planted Francesco Akira with a Michinoku Driver and picked him up off the mat. Titus tossed Francesco over the top rope but Akira hung on. Francesco went to skin the cat but mid-rotation was met with a dropkick from Titus which sent Francesco crashing to the ground. Francesco Akira has been eliminated. Winner: Titus Alexander

Upcoming Shows:

Next Week On The Great Pro-Wrestling Adventure Hour The Trench Trial Series continues. Weapons Wild Match: Brogan Finlay vs. Shaw Mason Trios Kingdom 2023 Qualifying Match: Los Magnificos (Adrenalina, Explosivo, and Fantastico) vs. The Air Show (Jah'Zel, Razerwyng, and Mach10)

CORE returns to the Good Time Theatre at Dorney Park in Allentown, Pennsylvania! 08/06/23 Television taping for The Great Pro-Wrestling Adventure Hour as seen on Defy TV.

CORE Pro #119 Burning The Tomato Worms 08/21/23 Pittston Tomato Festival - Pittston, Pennsylvania NJPW STRONG Openweight Championship Match: Eddie Kingston (Champion) vs. Titus Alexander

CORE Pro #120 Trios Kingdom 2023 - Night One 09/01/23 Penn's Peak - Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania Featuring: The Calling (AKIRA, Rickey Shane Page, and Delirious) with Raven The 37KAMIINA (MAO, Yuki Ueno, and Toi Kojima) Jake Something, Vincent Nothing, and Giant Baba Yaga with UltraMantis Black Team JTO (Ren Ayabe, Fire Katsumi, and Akira Juumonji) Black Generation International (Kaito Ishida, Flamita, and Yutani) The Production (Derek Dillinger, Magnum CK, and Ziggy Haim) Just 5 Guys (TAKA Michinoku, Taichi, and Yoshinobu Kanemaru) Big Mouth LOUD (Katsuyori Shibata, Kazunari Murakami, and Manabu Hara) The Family Tree (Afa Jr., Sean Maluta, and Journey Fatu) Donna del Mondo (Giulia, Maika, and Thekla) Los Cancerberos del Infierno (Cancerbero, Luciferno, and Virus) folkstyle (Shaw Mason, Tim Bosby, and Hunter Holdcraft) Kerry Morton, Starboy Charlie, and Marcus Mathers

CORE Pro #121 Trios Kingdom 2023 - Night Two 09/02/23 Charles Chrin Community Center - Easton, Pennsylvania

CORE Pro #122 Trios Kingdom 2023 - Night Three 09/03/23 Martz Hall - Pottsville, Pennsylvania

CORE returns to the Good Time Theatre at Dorney Park in Allentown, Pennsylvania! 09/04/23 Television taping for The Great Pro-Wrestling Adventure Hour as seen on Defy TV.

[pinkbelugacollective]

imma cackle if shuji run off with the prix trophy, the ko-d, and champion carnival this year

[whywishesarehorses]

Inside the Famous—and Deadly—Omak Stampede

This article was written by Allison Williams, published in the August 2017 issue of Seattle Met, and reformatted here for your enjoyment.

This one is text heavy and long, so it is hidden under a read more.

Thursday

Eighteen horses form an imperfect line on a hot August night, their 18 jockeys clad in jeans. Here on a sandy bluff in the small town of Omak, four hours east of Seattle and several worlds away, riders and spectators alike move with nervous energy, anxious for the race to start. One jockey wears a helmet topped with a pink mohawk, another with a GoPro camera. One horse, sponsored by a local marijuana dispensary, sports painted pot leaves on its rump. Wispy white eagle feathers hang from others, emblems of the Native American heritage the men share.

A summer carnival glows below, neon outlines of rides called the Orbiter and the Fireball, metal towers that came into town on tractor trailers. Farther into the Okanogan Highlands, a casino twinkles alone on Indian Reservation land. It’s August 11, 2016, and even an hour past sunset the air holds onto most of the heat from the 90-degree day.

A “whoooop!” erupts from the gathered crowd as the animals sidestep and bob their heads behind the chalk starting line. His race number bright across his chest, 18-year-old Scott Abrahamson eyes the sandy dirt in front of the line, groomed like a golf course sand trap. His long bubblegum-pink sleeves mean he’s easy to spot even in the shadows where floodlights don’t reach, and his helmet blinks with battery-operated toy devil horns. He’s surrounded by both champions—Loren Marchand with seven titles, Tyler Peasley with three—and nervous high schoolers in their first race.

At the crack of a gun, the horses charge. Their riders lean forward as hooves pound the sandy flat, at least for the first hundred feet. The crowd cheers as soon as the pistol sounds, cries and hoots blossoming into the dark.

Then 18 horses go off a cliff.

The riders shift in their saddles as their mounts fly down an incline steeper than a ski jump. The best jockeys, the veterans, barely lean back coming off the hill, reins clasped in the left hand and riding crops in the right. Others grasp a bar they’ve rigged on the back of their saddles they call the “oh shit handle.”

The spectators’ cries reach full pitch when the pack is halfway to the waterway at the base of the hill, a thick ribbon of black that flows left to right. The horses plunge into the inky Okanogan River en masse, hooves hitting the shallow bottom, and all but one charge across to the opposite bank. The stadium on the far side is lit up like a Friday-night football game, floodlights bright atop red, white, and blue bleachers, and Scott and his hot-pink sleeves emerge first in the dirt oval, just 45 seconds into the race. As they cross the finish line, Peasley is right on his tail.

Fifteen horses follow, minus the one that tumbled in the river. A crew attends to the downed horse from the deck of a small drift boat; while the stadium roars, a veterinarian surveys the animal and notes that it’s already gone, likely drowned.

Back atop the hill, Colville tribal elders watch through binoculars before one spots something in the sandy dirt, an eagle feather dislodged by the chaos. They circle the downed quill, addressing the spirit it represents, the eagle that travels in both worlds, before one of the elders lifts the feather to return it to its owner.

This is the World Famous Suicide Race.

There will be four races total during Omak Stampede, always the second weekend in August. Each race awards five points to the first-place finisher, four to the second, and so on; the overall winner clinches the King of the Hill title on Sunday, and $40,000 in prize money is distributed. It’s the highlight of this Central Washington town’s year, a tradition that draws thousands of spectators—and animal-rights protesters.

Omak straddles the border of the Colville Reservation, home of almost every racer, horse owner, and trainer. The contest is a rite of passage, they say, a proving ground for men—and even a few women—coming of age more than a century after actual horseback warfare. Beyond the turgid flow of the Okanogan River through town, the reservation sprawls over 1.4 million acres of highlands, brittle with brown grass in late summer. There the Native American communities are plagued by poverty and unemployment.

If the Suicide Race was a small-town Friday-night football game, teenaged Scott Abrahamson would be its star quarterback. He’s an ace student, focused and polite, with technical internships and honor rolls to his name, but this weekend he’s a jockey with a King of the Hill title to defend. All eyes are on him.

Friday

He gets sick before every big race. “Everything hits me and my body,” Scott says. “I can barely walk.” His cousin calls it good luck; Scotty puking means they’re going to do well.

In the hours before Friday’s race, the second of four, Scott’s prepping in the triangular Owners and Jockey’s paddock in the middle of the fairgrounds. By 5pm, Omak veterinarian Jai Tuttle holds court at one end of the dusty enclosure, near standing fans that muster a little manufactured breeze. As they wait to parade their horses for Doc Tuttle, owners angle water hoses over the animals’ backs.

Everyone older than Scott calls him Scotty. This year’s printed program, in the roster of winners dating back to 1935, calls him that. After he won in 2015, he became small-town famous, no longer just the good kid who excelled at basketball and wrestling. People holler, “Go Scotty” at him all weekend.

His father was famous too. That’s what happens when you win the Suicide Race; Leroy Abrahamson took the title in 2002, but was best known for his prowess in the Indian Relay, a more widespread style of racing where one jockey hops from horse to horse. Leroy, Scott has heard, would flit from one mount to the next with only a single foot brushing the ground.

Scott doesn’t remember his first time in a saddle but assumes it was before he could walk, though he largely gave it up in elementary school, when his parents split. His father was the horse guy; his mother was all about school. So he became a standout student in Coulee Dam, a reservation town in the shadow of the 50-story hydroelectric giant. When his father died in 2009, he was drawn back to horses.

“I’m sorta doing all this for him,” Scott says, hesitant. His mother wasn’t wild about the racing, but he didn’t falter at school, scoring an engineering internship with the Bureau of Reclamation. Slight and muscular, his five-foot-nine stature is too tall for a throughbred jockey but about average for this race. His hair is short and straight, spiking around his head like a halo, and he likes to hide his eyes behind sunglasses.

The summer he was 16, after his sophomore year of high school, Scott entered his first Suicide Race. Atop a small gelding named Kinky, he fell as they crested the top of the hill on the Thursday race, flipping over the horse’s shoulder. On Friday the pair wrecked in the water.

“I flipped over and everybody ran me over,” he says. “Everyone says it happens so fast, but when I was in it, it was like slow motion.” Finally, on Saturday, they made it through the entire race, galloping past the finish line in the stadium. Then Sunday the pair wrecked again.

A new horse was in order. His trainer, George Marchand, is a giant within the Suicide Race world and holder of three titles. He’d lost his own father at 14 and rode against Leroy Abrahamson 15 years ago, so he guided Scott, this time to a nighttime ride on a quarter horse–thoroughbred mix named Eagle Boy. The butterscotch-colored gelding was only about five years younger than the rider.

“It was pitch black and dusty,” remembers Scott. The hills of the reservation are dotted with brush and ponderosa pine, but he could make out little from his saddle. They were on top of a hill, he knew that, and that George had taken off.

He gave Eagle Boy his head as they sped over the uneven terrain. “We were jumping trees and dodging trees,” recalls Scott, but they moved as a unit. “I was like dang—he trusts me.” Matching horse to rider is alchemy.

In 2015, in his second year racing and only 17 years old, Scott on Eagle Boy tied for first overall with six-time victor Loren Marchand, George’s nephew. With a wide grin stretched across his face, the rising high school senior played rock-paper-scissors with his cochamp for a King of the Hill prize bridle.

The name World Famous Suicide Race might be a bit of hyperbole, but the race is nothing if not infamous. It emerged in scrappy Omak where a Great Depression population boom—all the way to 2,500 souls—launched an annual rodeo in 1933. As publicity chairman, furniture store owner Claire Pentz proposed a dramatic steeplechase to draw spectators, inspired by mountain races across the reservation at Keller, where riders charged a dry channel in the Sanpoil River. He knew how to sell it: He gave his 1935 creation a catchy name.

The World Famous Suicide Race ran every summer, the marquee event at the four-day Omak Stampede rodeo. Dynasties were born when the inaugural race’s third-place finisher, Alex Dick, won regularly through 1965. There have been seven Marchand riders over the years, six Abrahamsons, nearly a dozen named Pakootas. The unofficial motto, one that appears on winners’ belt buckles, is “Wimps Need Not Apply.”

The 210-foot hill, most say, is a 62-degree slope. Or it’s 54.7 degrees, as measured by a race official in 1993. Others say it’s more like 30. Regardless, it’s terrifying. From the top, the hill feels as steep as a hard ski run; a black diamond, but not a double black. Scrambling up on foot, you might use your hands.

The stampede and race remain intertwined, but in 1999 the Colville Tribes boycotted to protest a change to their camping space on the fairgrounds. The Stampede lost attendance and revenue, and the following year a deal was struck: The tribes got more control over the race organization, and the encampment got its park space.

Family ties bind many of the owners, trainers, and jockeys, and while a few aren’t Native American at all, they’re the exception. This is the biggest sporting event in the region, the Super Bowl of north-central Washington. “This is the only time we get to play cowboys and Indians,” jokes one organizer, Ernie Williams.

Doc Tuttle is fairly new to the race gig, but between her ease with fidgety horses and no-nonsense demeanor, the veterinarian exudes authority. One by one she clears the horses for Friday’s race, directing owners to walk each thousand-pound animal in a figure eight as her eyes stay trained on forelegs and haunches, scrutinizing for swollen tendons or joints.

No one can pretend the Suicide Race isn’t controversial. As early as 1939, the protests started; Humane Society president Glen McLeod succeeded in canceling a mountain race in nearby Hunters, then traveled to Omak and Keller hoping to do the same. “Why, even the riders call it a ‘suicide race,’ ” McLeod told The Seattle Daily Times before a similar trip in 1941.

Animal rights groups started keeping a tally of dead horses in 1983, with one count now at 22. “The reality is that the race is viewed as part of the Omak Stampede rodeo, and rodeos are protected under state law,” says Seattle Humane Society spokesman Dan Paul, but points out that rapid shifts in public sentiment swiftly made SeaWorld orca shows and circus elephant acts extinct.

People for Ethical Treatment of Animals has run letter-writing campaigns. In 1993, the Northwest’s PAWS, or Progressive Animal Welfare Society, tried a more robust tactic, filing a lawsuit that alleged organizers harm horses for profit, but a Superior Court judge threw out the case. In 1996, a PAWS member sued the Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office and the rodeo for roughing him up when he videotaped a horse being euthanized; the suit settled for $64,500.

For the organizers, the response is simple: The race is merely an extension of their horse-infused culture. Every rider points out that they ride similar hills during wild-horse roundups and cattle work.

Horses have to pass three checks before they’re allowed entry into the race: the vet examination, a swim test, and what’s called a hill test, where horses must round the top of Suicide Hill without hesitation.

Tuttle isn’t from the reservation; she isn’t originally from Omak. But even as an outsider, the one who has to put horses down if they’re hurt, she doesn’t think it’s inhumane.

“These guys use horses that love it,” she says; the horses are bred to it and run steep hills regularly on the remote corners of the reservation. She rarely has to disqualify a horse because owners who spot lameness usually scratch. “It does hold a real special place in the Native culture. It does.” And that horse Thursday night that likely drowned? She considers it. “He was doing what he loved and he had a quick and honorable death.”

Friday night’s race is classic and clean; no bad wrecks. As always, the riders reach the starting line by crossing the river on the Highway 97 bridge, closed to traffic. Hooves clomp on the asphalt as the parade passes a road sign that reads, “Tribal Code Laws Apply.” There are no rules to apply in the Suicide Race once the gun is fired; riders can whip each other, pull each other’s reins. No helmets required. No wimps.

The results echo the previous night: Scott Abrahamson and Eagle Boy come in first, Tyler Peasley on Spade in second. When Scott wins, he raises his right hand above his head, palm out, fingers outstretched. His father’s gesture.

Scott was only four when Leroy won the Suicide Race. “Everyone said he was one of the greats,” he says. “It’s kinda hard to fill his shoes.” Instead he fills his horns. He wears Leroy’s blinking red devil headpiece, the kind of bauble most 18-year-olds would don at a Halloween party.

Scott’s idols were the riders who won in the late 2000s, including the 30-year-old three-time champion who came in second to him during this weekend’s first two races. As a kid he’d run down hills playing at Suicide Race, imaginary whip flying, yelling, “I’m Tyler Peasley!” After his 2015 win, Scott noticed something: “The kids run around saying they’re me.”

It’s after 10pm when the racehorses have completed their cooldown laps and have been loaded into trailers for the ride home. Scott accompanies George Marchand to Omak Lake, 15 miles out of town, to let Eagle Boy soak before bed.

Saturday

Saturday night’s Suicide Race is the biggest. The 7,700-seat arena is packed, and lines form at every fun house and stomach-destroying ride in the carnival outside. Booths hawk curly fries, cotton candy, and foot-longs, though the longest lines are reliably at a taco truck.

But that’s not the whole Omak Stampede. On the east side of the arena, a mirror festival, maybe even larger: the Indian Encampment. Rows of teepees surround a round pavilion for dancing and drum performances, with RVs and tents beyond that. Spectators bring their own camp chairs to supplement the few bleachers. Booths sell jewelry, T-shirts, and dream catchers, and while some of the food is the same—nothing is as universal as curly fries—more signs are handwritten, and many vend Indian tacos and huckleberry lemonade.

Before the rodeo begins, the arena’s industrial speakers blast pop country songs over every acre. The festivities begin with a series of anthems and processions, recognizing the neighboring nations of Canada and the Colville Tribes. During the ride-in, dozens of rodeo queens from around the West shoot into the center oval on horseback, one by one, decked in every shade of sparkle.

The announcer introduces each event, then banters with the rodeo clown when things get slow or a bull rider needs a moment to limp off the dirt. The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association produces the classic rodeo events, ones with more white riders than Native: bull riding, steer wrestling, team roping, barrel racing. Specialty acts bridge the competitive sports: trick riders and one blonde woman who does a kind of partner dance with an unbridled palomino horse to the blaring sounds of a country song called “Free.” It ends with the horse placing its blond head in her lap.

The Suicide Race is the final blockbuster event. Spectators wade up to their knees into the Okanogan River just upstream of the race crossing, bare feet on slimy rocks. Signs still note that video recording is prohibited, but they’re roundly ignored in the age of cell phones.

Despite the shocking name, the only rider death since anyone’s kept close records was one who drowned on his way to the starting line—though there are plenty of close calls. In 2002, the year Leroy Abrahamson took home the title, racer Naomie Peasley took a tumble so bad she fractured her skull. She recovered, but not before flatlining twice in the medic helicopter.

In its anti–Suicide Race materials, PAWS airs a common criticism of the race: its authenticity. “Organizers currently contend that the Suicide Race has roots in Native American tradition but, in fact, an Anglo conceived the race as a publicity stunt,” reads its statement. Detractors hang on that detail, its origins with furniture salesman Claire Pentz.

To riders and trainers, though, Pentz is irrelevant, and they point to the deep roots of horse culture. For Scott, the point of the race is clear: “Showing that a young man is becoming a warrior, becoming a man.”

The race, the encampment—it’s the tribes’ biggest invitation into their world. “There’s more that people don’t see behind these walls, about Indian life...sweat lodges, medicine,” adds Aaron Carden, a retired racer who now teaches Native language on the reservation. Of the borders around that world, he says, “It’s not our fence to keep people out. It’s the fence white men built to keep us out of the area they took.”

The race wasn’t the only thing “created” by a white man; the very invention of a Colville Tribes unit is recent. Long before that, before statehood, before Manifest Destiny, before Lewis and Clark white-privileged their way across the American West, the Okanogan Highlands tribes lived nomadic lives, picking berries and drawing salmon from the massive Columbia River. And racing horses.

First came the incorporation of Washington Territory, then a series of executive orders begun by president Ulysses S. Grant that roped several tribes into three million acres between the Methow Valley and the Columbia River. Others were elbowed into the reservation, linking bands that once stretched from the dusty plains of Washington to the mountains of British Columbia. One chief invited a famous Indian leader, Chief Joseph, and his Nez Perce followers in 1885. With his band, the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation—a patchwork assembly that had no single language or traditional commonality—reached their current 12-tribe size.

Over 125 years the tribes faced what so many other American Indians did—children forced into boarding schools, languages squashed. The federal government forced a cheap buyback of 1.5 million acres, lands still lamented as the lost “North Half.” The Grand Coulee Dam, erected in 1942, blocked spawning salmon with its 550-foot concrete walls; Colville tribal members mourned the loss of Kettle Falls, a historic fishing spot, with a Ceremony of Tears before it was submerged by the dam’s backup.

In the 1960s, the tribes toyed with termination, dissolving the reservation altogether and splitting the lands among its 5,000 members. Reservations had been terminated by the government before, but the Colvilles were the only ones to dare seriously consider it themselves, an unprecedented move of self-governance. Congressional hearings were held but the measure never passed, so the Colville Reservation endured.

The Suicide Race is a separate world from suicide itself, a public health crisis for the Colvilles. Whether spurred by pervasive poverty—reservation unemployment topped 50 percent in 2010—or rampant substance abuse, the suicide rate ballooned to 20 times the national average in 2006. “After that we were in a panic on what we need to do and could do,” says tribal staffer Olivia Wynecoop. Tribal leadership declared a state of emergency, and Wynecoop helped secure grants for education and designating “natural helpers” to be on call for suicide emergencies.

Scott positions Eagle Boy at the western end of the starting line for the Saturday-night race. This isn’t like the starting gate at the Kentucky Derby; horses pace and turn, and the antsy palomino next to him does a sideways prance before the starter pistol goes off. Scott is angry, though later he says he can’t remember why. Trash talk and psych-outs are regular along the starting line, older jockeys trying to ruffle the young ones still gathering their courage.

But three years and one win into the Suicide Race, Scott can ignore the chatter. He and Eagle Boy are still until the gun sounds, then fast to the crest of the hill. Aaron Carden still remembers the feeling 25 years after his first win: “You’re actually flying in the sky. Nobody can take that away from you.”

There’s a commotion, a cloud of dust to Scott’s left, but he’s well in front of the pack as they hit the water. Two strides into the dark water, Eagle Boy stumbles, flinging Scott into the river. His blinking red devil horns disappear under the white churn created by horses on either side. They’re both okay but don’t log a finish.

What Scott couldn’t see was what happened on the top of the hill, to the very first rider off the break. Tyler Peasley, whom Scott idolized as a kid, and who’d placed at Scott’s heels the past two nights, darted off the top of the hill like a raptor after its prey. Peasley’s a little taller than Scott, broader shouldered, and he rides to win. His mount, Spade, got so much air he tucked his back legs underneath him and simply sailed for the first 30 feet of the downward slope.

They were serene in that moment, flying, until Spade’s hooves finally hit the tilted ground again; Peasley pitched over Spade’s front left shoulder before the horse executed a tight somersault. The jockey disappeared under the hooves of the horses behind him and the crowd made a collective, guttural gasp. Peasley’s body didn’t come to a stop until he reached the bottom of the hill.

Sunday

The final race is also the only daytime race of the weekend; for the first time since the trials and runoff races held before the stampede, they’ll be rushing the hill in full daylight.

The mood in the O&J paddock is subdued, but word is going around that Peasley is stable at a nearby hospital. News will later spread that his injuries included a broken pelvis, hip, and ribs, and the racing community fundraises to support his care and gas money for his family to visit him.

Remarkably, Tyler’s horse, Spade, is unhurt from the tumble, ready to race again. His owner lights a bundle of sage and says a few words over the horse before a new jockey takes the saddle.

For the final time in 2016, Scott follows the parade to the top of Suicide Hill. His jeans have a gaping hole in the knee—real wear from hard riding, not a fashion statement—and his wraparound sunglasses are ’80s big. No devil horns for the daytime race, but, as ever, his name is the one most shouted by the crowds: “Come on Scotty,” over and over.

With 10 points already earned, Scott only needs to place to secure the title. Owner and trainer Marchand tells him not to go all out, and when the gun fires, he doesn’t. He holds back his whip, lets Eagle Boy run the race without extra urging. It’s the smart move, the calculated move, no doubt informed by the disastrous night before. But Scott comes to regret holding back.

Not because it doesn’t work. Scott and Eagle Boy place second, netting four more points and easily clinching his first solo all-around title. But for Scott, the kind of driven athlete who hates to give a single inch, playing it safe feels wrong. Now with two titles to his name, only three years in, he says he’ll ride “until I get broken down and can’t do it no more.”

Three days later, Scott will depart his Coulee Dam home and drive five hours to start his freshman year at Washington State University. As an engineering student he will pull a 3.8 GPA his first semester and a 3.9 the second; he’s lined up two years of scholarships so far and hopes he’ll be able to extend to the full undergrad four.

Scott won’t brag about his Suicide win at college, but he’ll drive home every fall weekend for Indian Relay races, another sport that mixes horsemanship with a touch of anarchy. Around the reservation, he doesn’t have to brag about being King of the Hill; everyone already knows. “He’s the Steph Curry of the Suicide Race,” one tribal member says. “Loren and Tyler are the Lebrons.”

The second weekend of August 2017 is already on everyone’s calendar. Scott will be back on Eagle Boy, who he now half owns with George Marchand—a 49 percent share. He now has a streak to defend. By early June, high winter snows have melted to fill the Okanogan River, and ecologists are warning of water flows two or three times normal. Scott guesses that, with the river this high, it’ll be too deep for the horses to simply wade across during the Suicide Race; they’ll have to swim for the first time since, he believes, 2002. The year his father won it all.

But on Sunday night in August 2016, after the King of the Hill awards and the pictures, he’s just a high school kid again. He wanders the Indian Encampment with friends, waits in line for fry bread.

Under the pavilion, dancers spin and step, decked in elaborate feathered headdresses and beaded robes. Some have numbers pinned to their costumes, like marathon runners, to compete. In a drum tent, the songs are a steady thrum of chants and cries, indecipherable to the visitors who stand awkwardly outside the rows of seated tribal members who are at once both audience and participant.

Picture this: a quiet mountain lake, bordered by rocky hills dotted with ponderosa pine. In daytime Omak Lake is seven miles of brilliant turquoise, but now, at night, it’s a black mirror. Two men drive a horse trailer to its shore, unloading an unsaddled Eagle Boy.

It’s one of George Marchand’s secrets to success; the lake minerals soothe the bumps and scrapes along the horse’s legs. In the midst of the annual Perseid meteor shower, the uncloudy Okanogan skies are perfect for spotting streaks of celestial light, but the men don’t look up as they dissect the day’s race.

Scott holds Eagle Boy’s halter from a dock while the horse wades into the water, breaking the lake’s calm. The water hasn’t yet cooled from baking under another 90-plus degree day, and the hills that round the lake keep the night air still. They’ve survived another madcap contest together, earned another W. They’re back on the reservation, back home. In the silence the only sound is the lapping of the lake water against a horse.

[thecollectiverpg]

C O M M U N I T Y   C A L E N D A R   A L E R T . . . 

For any villain that so chooses to enter the nearby town of Stowe, they recently may have noticed quite the bit of excitement occurring downtown. Food trucks have slowly started to descend upon the streets, offering everything from fried dough, to cider doughnuts, to of course your more common eats such as street tacos, burgers, and naturally- poutine. Various decorations and vendor tents have also began to fill the area, along with some local ice-carvers who’ve littered downtown with their frozen works of art. 

It is nearly that time of year again, time for the annual Stowe Winter Carnival! 

The Stowe Winter Carnival is a Vermont favorite, and has been held every year since 1921. It was even famously featured in the 2014 Hallmark Channel Original Movie, Sugar on Snow in Stowe, starring '90s teen superhero heartthrob Snow Daze and Lacey Chabert. As it has in the past, the carnival will be held Thursday morning through Sunday night, and will take place largely within downtown Stowe. Various activities can be discovered throughout the carnival including ice-skating, live music, a maple syrup contest (where carnival goers gets to sample and vote on the best locally made syrup), and of course the ever popular cardboard sled competition. In this competition, teams are tasked to bring in their own sleds, made entirely out of cardboard and designed however they like, and race them against each other. The grand prize winner of the competition gets the coveted “Cardboard Sled Champion 2022″ t-shirt (available only in size XL), as well as their picture hung in the local diner along with all the previous years’ winners. 

Just this past week, the Carnival committee made the exciting announcement that the event will be featuring a special guest in the form of the Guardian’s own Flame Thrower- who will be signing copies of his memoir, Flame Thrower: Fighting Fire with Fire, at the local bookshop. Tickets for the Flame Thrower meet and greet can be purchased at the bookstore up until Wednesday night. 

With this being a yearly festival, all villains will have remembered it from years prior, unless they have only been in the Collective for less than a year. Villains are allowed to enter the cardboard sled competition (and several teams generally do), however they are cautioned they must not use any superpower that should help them in the race. For one, because that goes against Collective rules, and two it’s just plain cheating and there’s no fun in that now is there?

So have fun, be merry, and don’t bring back any townies to the manor!

OOC: Threads may now begin for those who’d like to have their villains attend the Carnival. Carnival threads can continue to their natural end, and non-carnival threads are welcome to continue to be posted. NPCs that will be available for threads include: Flame Thrower (found at the bookshop), Mx. Black and/or Dr. Green (can be found enjoying some maple bourbon and Scrabble in the local pub), Mx. Pink (can be found by the Maple Syrup Competition), and Mr. Blue (can be found getting tipsy while watching people bust their asses at the cardboard sled races). 

[lizabethstucker]

The Misadventures of Nero Wolfe edited by Josh Pachter

Subtitled: Parodies and Pastiches Featuring the Great Detective of West 35th Street

I loved this collection of stories, with only a few exceptions. Overall, I would give it 4.5 out of 5.

Introductions: Trouble in Triplicate

“At Wolfe’s Door” by Otto Penzler ~ about the characters.

“A Family Affair” by Rebecca Stout Bradbury ~ Rex Stout’s daughter provides a peek at the author.

“Plot It Yourself” by Josh Pachter ~ how the collection came to be.

Pastiches (Respectful imitations of the original works)

“The Red Orchid” by Thomas Narcejac

Translated from French, the story was written in 1947. The first English publication wasn’t until 1961. A young woman comes to hire Wolfe to discover who is trying to kill her uncle, a man who claims to have developed a red orchid. More creepy than respectful, especially how Archie hits on the female client. Too offensive for me. DNF

“Chapter 8 from ‘Murder in Pastiche’” by Marion Mainwaining

Published in 1955, this novel can also be found under the title of “Nine Detectives All at Sea”. A notorious gossip columnist is murdered during a sea cruise across the Atlantic. There are nine famous detectives on the ship as passengers. Trajan Beare, aka Nero Wolfe, is the focus of this particular chapter. It is hard to judge the whole book based on just one chapter. However, the characterization should be noted as being extremely close to the original source material. A nice read. No rating as it is just an excerpt.

“The Archie Hunters” by Jon L. Breen

Written in 1968, but never published until now. A cross of Nero Wolfe and Mike Hammer. Mock Himmler beats the crap out of anyone he encounters, particularly if they disagree with him or do something he doesn’t like. After beating up a news seller for carrying a “commie” magazine, Mock discovers an ad in the back requesting a private investigator for a missing person case. The ad, placed by Nero Wolfe, leads Mock to presume the missing person is Archie Goodwin. I’ve never been a fan of Mike Hammer nor his creator, Mickey Spillane, finding both of them to be disgusting in their love of violence, misogyny, and attitudes in general. I did enjoy this story nonetheless. 4 out of 5

“The Frightened Man” by O. X. Rusett

Gave up early on this anagram-stuffed story, even to the author’s name. More annoying than clever or cute. DNF

“Chapter 1 from ‘Murder in E Minor’” by Robert Goldsborough

I read the whole book when it was first published and, frankly, wasn’t too impressed. I do know that Goldsborough was selected by the Stout Estate to be the official author of the novels and I have read a few of his more recent books. I may try and reread it sometime down the road to see if my opinion has changed. No rating as it is only one chapter.

“The Purloined Platypus” by Marvin Kaye

While Goldsborough has the exclusive novel rights, Kaye asked to write short stories and was given the Estate’s permission as long as no novels were ever written. Benjamin Moultrie, president and board chairman of the Museum of the Strange, Odd and Peculiar, wants to hire Wolfe to investigate a robbery at the museum. As I wasn’t reading the magazines such as Ellery Queen and Alfred Hitchcock, I missed reading any of these stories. Which is quite a tragedy. Excellent portrayals of not only the characters, but the case itself. 4 out of 5.

Parodies (Exaggerated imitations intended to poke fun at the source material)

“The House on 35th Street” by Frank Littler

Originally appeared in The Saturday Review in 1966. Little is known about the author, despite Pachter’s research attempts. A crowd is assembled in the Brownstone in a murder case, wanting to see some of the detective’s famous actions and quirks. There is an undercurrent of a very personal nature, especially at the end. 3.5 out of 5

“The Sidekick Case” by Patrick Butler

Another entry from The Saturday Review, this time in 1968, and another case of little information on the author. Wolfe objects to Archie being called a “sidekick” in a listing of the latest book. Cute. 3.5 out of 5

“The Case of the Disposable Jalopy” by Mack Reynolds

America has turned into an illiterate welfare state, Wolfe and Archie are old and sometimes forgetful, and things are beyond tight financially. Reynolds uses the last names of some of the biggest authors in Science Fiction in the story. These men want to hire Wolfe for a case of sabotage and the disappearance of a key developer. What a weird world Reynolds has built. As to the updates on the normal cast of characters in the series? Well, I never liked Orrie anyway. 4 out of 5

“As Dark as Christmas Gets” by Lawrence Block

An unpublished manuscript written by Cornell Woolrich is stolen during a Christmas party. The owner hires Wolfe wannabe Leo Haig and his Goodwin substitute, Chip Harrison, to recover it. I’ve come across stories in this series before and loved them, both for the obvious affection for the source material as well as the excellent characterization. 4.5 out of 5

“Who’s Afraid of Nero Wolfe?” by Loren D. Estleman

Arnie Woodbine, currently on parole, was fired from his last job for gambling on company time. He needs a job and finds an ad looking for an assistant sharp of wit. He finds himself hired by Claudius Lyon, a corpulent man with delusions of being Nero Wolfe. Arnie is hired as his Archie. Now all they need is a case. Since Lyon doesn’t have a private detective license and Arnie’s felony record prevents him from ever getting one, they would not be able to charge for their services. No problem as Lyon is actually quite wealthy. Their first case is regarding a poetry award that carries with it a $10,000 prize. One winner doesn’t appear to actually exist. Seriously one of the best sendups that I’ve ever read! This was a delight to read and deserved more stories. 4.5 out of 5.

“Julius Katz and the Case of Exploding Wine” by Dave Zeltserman

A friend of Julius’ that has a champion bulldog and heads a dog food company comes to see Julius with the dog in tow, asking for help to find someone to prevent Brutus from being kidnapped. He also asks that Julius find his murderer if he’s killed. Sure enough, the man is killed. Julius had agreed to investigate, but only after he gave the police a week to solve it themselves. Just as the week is up, an adversary calls to warn Julius that there is a bomb in his house, contained in a box of wine. Julius allows almost everyone to believe he is dead after the townhouse is completely destroyed from top to bottom. I absolutely loved this sorta tribute to Rex Stout. I’m particularly intrigued by Archie, an AI who is installed in Julius’ tie pin. That alone has me eyeing the book collections, but to be honest, this is a damn fine mystery. Julius is definitely not Nero Wolfe, at least in size, athleticism (martial arts), and loving women (a former womanizer who now has a regular girlfriend). He definitely is in the aspects of intelligence, laziness, and cutting Archie out of the loop. His collecting focus is wine rather than orchids, but both can be very expensive hobbies. 4.5 out of 5.

“The Possibly Last Case of Tiberius Dingo” by Michael Bracken

Age and diet are catching up to Tiberius Dingo’s body, but his mind and deductive reasoning is still as sharp as ever. His long-time assistant, Jughead Badloss, brings a client he dances with at the Senior Center, a woman who is certain she is being stalked. Family ties and age-old secrets are ripped out into the open before the case is done, for their client and for Jughead himself. The names are a little lame, but the story made up for it. 3.5 out of 5.

Potpourri

“The Woman Who Read Rex Stout” by William Brittain

Gertrude Jellison was the fat lady at a carnival sideshow, an intelligent woman whose extreme weight, over 500 pounds, kept her from her dream job of teaching psychology. Her partner, Robert Kirby, is the thin man, barely weighing seventy-five pounds. As a stunt, the carnival boss gave her Rex Stout’s Nero Wolfe books to read during the shows. Surprisingly enough, Gert loved them and continued reading. She never expected to use what she learned to solve a murder, but sadly a newer member of the troup, a beautiful woman named Lili who was like a daughter to Gert, is murdered and the older woman knows she can solve the crime. This is a character that I could seriously have loved to read more about. A good little mystery as well, even if I quickly realized who the murderer would turn out to be. 3.5 out of 5.

“Sam Buried Caesar” by Josh Pachter

Police inspector Griffen had eleven children, each of whom was named after a famous fictional detective. Nero, just eleven years old, had set up his own detective agency, aided by his best friend and neighbor Artie Goodman. Their latest client, Sam, came to them after his dog, Caesar, was hit and killed by an out-of-state driver. Not wanting the poor animal to be left coldly abandoned on the street, he buried the dog in an empty lot. Coming back a short time later to get Caesar’s collar, the body is missing. He hires Nero and Artie to find the killer and recover the body. Sad and cute and inventive, but how Artie puts up with Nero will always be a mystery. 3.5 out of 5.

“Chapter 24 from Rasputin’s Revenge” by John Lescroart

The basic premise is that Nero Wolfe is the son of Sherlock Holmes and Irene Adler. I’ve not read this particular book, but it appears to be the last chapter in which Archie and Wolfe, going under his original name, are in Russia, appeared to have come up against Gregori Rasputin (although the author has it as Gregory), and was helped by Holmes and Dr. Watson after they were wanted for murder. I’m not going to rate it as I don’t consider it fair to rate a novel based on just one chapter.

“A scene from Might as Well Be Dead” by Joseph Goodrich

Adaptation of the story into a play. Once again, not rated.

“The Damned Doorbell Rang” by Robert Lopresti

When their fourteen granddaughter came to visit in a snit because her parents won’t allow her to go with friends to a concert in New York City, Eve and Jack decide to tell her about why they left the City. When they were younger, they had a brownstone in the City. Their neighbors were definitely different, all men living there. Jack didn’t much like any of them and keeps disparaging Eve’s stories about what they saw while living there. But Eve tells a tale of how she saved the men’s lives. Too many close calls are the reason that they moved to New Jersey. How could I not love this outsider’s look at Nero Wolfe? 3.5 out of 5.

[adamsuniversity]

homecoming is an age old tradition in the academic circuit, and adams university is no exception. at adams, homecoming is called orientation week, coloquially known as o-week, and is chock full of various events, both school sanctioned and otherwise. most notable are the massive parties that are held in the wake of what are sure to be adrenaline-pumping season openers for the adams sports teams.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19TH - ANNUAL PEP RALLY

remember to wear your school colours and celebrate the start of the soccer and rugby seasons with your fellow students as our teams prepare to play the yale bulldogs and harvard crimson. as is tradition, the pep rally will also be used to allow any students who wish to run for the student union to give their speeches prior to the elections. 

the elected positions available are as follows: the president, vice president of academia, vice president of external affairs, vice president of student life and the vice president of operations and finance. students will also be represented by two (2) prefects chosen personally by the chancellor. department heads of all majors will round out teh remaining members of the faculty portions of the student union.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19TH - FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20TH - FRESHMAN OLYMPICS

throughout the first few weeks of classes, all senior students will be carefully curating and selecting their champions for the most pretigious of underground events: the freshman olympics. champions are tapped on the night of the pep ralley. these events are kept high secret, and any freshman found to have known before hand is heavily penalized. at the start of the event, all freshman are dragged from their beds, gagged, blindfolded, stripped and brought out onto the soccer pitch in the dead of night. there, all students watch as they compete in a series of events ranging from drinking games, challenges, trivia and races to win. winning means being released from tehe vent and beaing allowed to go back to bed with your head held high. all bets are handled by senior students. all winners, and legacy students, are eligible for something greater in the near future.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20TH - SOCCER SEASON OPENER 

the big game is here and the whole school comes out to watch. sporting events are held in extreme high regard at adams. this year, as is tradition, the adams university soccer team will be facing off with their rivals, the neighboring school, yale. this is your chance to see your school wipe the field with another. due to it being an all-male school, no celebratory dances are held, so all sporting events are turned into quite large events. there are carnival games, food and drink a plenty.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21ST - RUGBY SEASON OPENER

the following saturday, the adams university rugby team faces off against the harvard crimson. as with all sporting events, all the stops are pulled to ensure that this is a night to be remembered. much like the soccer opener, festivities and celebration will continue late into the evening.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22ND - CHANCELLOR’S LUNCEHON

all student hopefuls that are running for the student union are invited to a luncheon hosted by teh chancellor and are allowed to bring one guest. student prefects are chosen following tea and the campaign for elected positions begins; an endorsement from faculty and department heads can make or break one’s chances at winning one of those five (5) coveted seats.

[puroresu-musings]

AJPW CHAMPION CARNIVAL 2019 Recommendations

Shuji Ishikawa vs. Yuji Okabayashi  ****1/2

Zeus vs. Kento Miyahara  ****+

Kento Miyahara vs. Shuji Ishikawa  ****

Kento Miyahara vs. Yuma Aoyagi  ****

Dylan James vs. Yuji Okabayashi  ****3/4

Zeus vs. Yuji Okabayashi  ****1/2

Suwama vs. Jake Lee  ****

Shuji Ishikawa vs. Zeus  ****1/2

Kento Miyahara vs. Yuji Okabayashi  ****3/4

2019 CHAMPION CARNIVAL FINAL: Kento Miyahara vs. Jake Lee  ****1/4

This years CC was pretty great. Perhaps not as good from show to show as last years tournament, and a lot of this (specifically some of the B Block bouts) were entirely skippable, but the good stuff was exceptionally good. I saw a lot of stuff this year that was thoroughly entertaining, with more high rated matches in one Carny that I can think of in modern memory.

The MVP in this thing, for my money, was Big Japan’s Yuji Okabayashi. The Golem had a fantastic run of matches, especially in the final week, with matches against foes as varied as Miyahara, Zeus, and Dylan James (of all people) being amongst the best of the year anywhere so far. He defeated old BJW rival Ishikawa in the main event of night one, in a classic battle of the big men. The match with James was a hard-hitting war that went to a 30 minute draw. These guys beat the hell out of each other with chops and lariats, and James ended up with his right eye busted up and being swollen shut. This was exceptional and believable stuff that was easily the best match of Dylan’s career. The next night was the Zeus bout (a guy who also had a great tournament, especially in his losses to Okabayashi and Ishikawa respectively), which was another hard chop fest, which Okabayashi won with his massive Golem Splash. And his tournament culminated in an A Block decision match against Kento Miyahara, which was outstanding. I wasn’t expecting Kento to win here, as I though Big Yuji was off to the finals, but alas, the champion pulled off the win with his Shutdown Suplex, in a fantastic and dramatic match.

The Triple Crown champion, and eventual winner, Miyahara, was the other guy who looked really outstanding in this thing too. He fell to larger opponents Zeus and Ishikawa in excellent contests. used the Shutdown to beat youngster Yuma Aoyagi in another great and heated bout, had the afforementioned classic with Okabayashi, en route to defeating B Block winner Jake Lee in tremendous tournament final, again with his Shutdown package German Suplex. He looked like a mega star here, and has done so for quite some time now, in all fairness. Kento is undoubtedly the Zen Nippon Ace, and has had some incredible Crown defenses this year too against KAI, Suwama and Naoya Nomura in particular. His presence and storytelling are tremendous, and whilst he isn’t as spectacular a worker of, say, Okada, he has a way of engaging you that is unparalleled. For whatever reason, his matches never feel as long as they are, which is quite the talent.

Of course, not everything in this tournament was roses. A problem with All Japan (dating back forever) is that the undercard is almost never great. Almost every show I saw on this tour featured a first half that was easily skippable, and some thoroughly boring to bad action too, which kept it from being G1 level. Guys like Gianni Valletta, a tall, Maltese, Brody-esque big man, Daichi Hashimoto, Ryouji Sai, Joel Redman, and to a lesser extent, Sam Adonis, did next to nothing of interest in this tournament, with Valletta in particular, doing nothing especially good. Pretty much anything with those guys names attached to it, isn’t worth your time at all. Also, even though he made it to the finals, Jake Lee remains a fairly divisive figure with me, with his input in this thing being profoundly hit and miss All in all though, the good outweighed the bad, and it featured a lot of very memorable action.

NDT

[aion-rsa]

Nightmare Alley: Guillermo del Toro Noir Is Devilishly Good

https://ift.tt/3F39d2W

Time to share a secret: as much as I respect and admire Guillermo del Toro–not just for many of his films, but for his genuine love of cinema and particularly of genre, and his championing of the latter in all forms–his last several movies have left me cold.

Pacific Rim (2013) and Crimson Peak (2015) were both disappointments, technically impressive and stunning to look at, but lacking in the humanity and emotional resonance that fueled his personal masterpieces like The Devil’s Backbone (2001) and Pan’s Labyrinth (2006). His 2017 Best Picture and Best Director winner, The Shape of Water, was a step back in the right direction, melding his genre concerns with a newfound interest in adult sexuality (yes, even with a sea creature), but its narrative was so predictably laid out that the film never felt surprising or fresh.

So it’s ironic to have the opposite reaction to Nightmare Alley, this week’s new neo noir and psychological thriller, since it’s based on an existing 1946 novel by William Lindsay Gresham and the semi-classic film adaptation that came out a year later. Never having read the book, I also took the relatively rare step of not seeing the original noir either. Even if the bones were already in place from the book and the previous film, Nightmare Alley felt like the first fully personal GDT movie I’ve watched in years, and the most enjoyable.

Nightmare Alley’s screenplay (by del Toro and Kim Morgan) is divided into two halves, and one of the ways in which the movie actually falters is by clearly indicating which half the director himself prefers. The film opens in 1939, somewhere in post-Depression, on-the-cusp-of-WWII America, with Stanton Carlisle (Bradley Cooper) dragging a dead body into a hole in the floor of a rotting house, and then setting the place on fire. Who that body is, and why Carlisle takes the action he does, is revealed later on. But we next track Stanton as he drifts into the orbit of a traveling carnival, which is where the story really begins.

Stanton barely says a word for the first 10 minutes of the movie, instead observing those around him and interacting when he needs to with the characters inside the carnival. He initially gets hired on by the show’s manager, the grizzled, seen-it-all-and-then-some Clem Hoatley (Willem Dafoe), who tasks him with some of the sideshow’s more macabre duties, like the care and feeding of its resident Geek–whose own origins tap into the darker side of these once-iconic traveling freakshows.

Stanton endears himself–physically, then emotionally–to the clairvoyant Zeena (a carnal, invigorating Toni Collette) and her dissolute mentalist husband Pete (David Strathairn) while simultaneously wooing the naïve “electric girl” Molly (Rooney Mara). It’s after obtaining the secrets of Zeena and Pete’s once-successful mentalist act that Stanton sets out on his own, a lovelorn Molly in tow, to revive the act and use it to grift the wealthy elites of Chicago’s upper class. That’s where they meet a psychologist named Dr. Lilith Ritter (Cate Blanchett), whose own desires may match Stanton’s hunger for money and fame.

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Ghosts permeate the narrative of Nightmare Alley. Nearly every character is haunted by the sins of their pasts; how they deal with those transgressions and the collateral human damage determines each character’s arc. As Stanton, Cooper gives a slow burn of a performance that’s in lockstep with the deliberate pace of the movie itself, gradually revealing just how corrupt this charismatic grifter can get.

He’s matched in intensity by Blanchett, who doesn’t hide her venality but slowly exposes the twisted psyche inside her hardened exterior. If Nightmare Alley has a major flaw, it’s that Cooper and Blanchett don’t get enough time to build up any kind of real spark–they’re drawn to each other because the story ultimately dictates it, but no natural chemistry ever really develops.

That’s because, as mentioned above, it seems like del Toro is far more interested in the carnival half of the story than the Chicago half. It is in the environs of the “Ten-In-One” sideshow that he feels most at home, as we get to spend time with its human attractions and see how they–often outcast from society or their own families–form a close-knit, protective, even loving tribe of their own. It’s seedy, to be sure, and in the case of the Geek also illegal and unsavory, but it’s obvious that del Toro relishes spending time with these “monsters” and digging into their humanity.

Stanton and Molly’s departure from the carnival marks their departure from any kind of semblance of humanity and even grace: once in Chicago, Stanton becomes cold, distant, and even cruel to Molly while her veneer of purity and empathy is slowly stripped away. Even in a long, leisurely movie like this (157 minutes), this section feels like the part that del Toro just wants to rush through so he can get to his climax, which brings out the blood and uses supernatural-adjacent imagery without going all the way.

That climax is, indeed, a knockout, as is the epilogue that ends the film on a stunningly bleak yet seemingly inevitable note. With the exception of that narrative imbalance between the film’s two halves, del Toro has exceptional control of his material and themes here, putting Stanton on that one-way road to his destiny that is a hallmark of the noir genre. It also leaves us to wonder who else he’s going to drag down with him.

In addition to its largely satisfying plot and finale, Nightmare Alley may be the most beautiful film we’ve seen this year. Cinematographer Dan Laustsen shoots the hell out of it, getting the kind of painterly compositions onto the screen that made earlier del Toro works like Pan’s Labyrinth so memorable. Meanwhile production designer Tamara Deverell and costume designer Luis Sequeira recreate both the dusty, muddy environs of the sideshow and the art deco gleam of extravagant New York hotels and offices in outstanding, visceral detail.

Nightmare Alley may move a bit too methodically for some and may leave others disappointed with its lack of the otherworldly, but it rewards patience and concentration with a rich, lavishly mounted psychological drama peopled by an exceptional cast. If it’s not quite top tier GDT, it certainly recaptures that special alchemy–the nexus of the humane and the hideous–at the heart of his best work.

Nightmare Alley is out in theaters on Friday, Dec. 17.

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[mcusahq]

BLACKHALLOW DISTRICT ANNUAL PARADE AND CARNIVAL!

The annual Blackhallow District Annual Parade and Carnival marks the start of the Halloween festival! This is primarily a family friendly event but there are afterparties that are being thrown at various locations. Here are some items that are taking place:

Blackhallow District is bewitched to fit the mood! Despite it not being night, the district feels as if it is. The ceiling is bewitched to show a beautiful night sky with fun Halloween themed shapes. There is a scavenger hunt that is associated with this and is primarily geared towards young children.

The Parade starts at 7:00 pm and lasts until 8:00. It features Last years’ winners for the Shop Decorating contest, Street Performers Contest, the Halloween Champion, and various celebrities or well-known establishments. 

The Carnival Games:

Hit the targets with a water charm   /   Prizes range from extra small to extra large stuffed animals.

Frinz Pinch - try and toss a Frinz into small slots to win a prize   /   prizes are on the medium to large side as this is a semi-difficult game.

Duck Pond - there is a winner every game - usually geared towards kids /   prizes are player’s choice of a treat or a small toy.

Ring the Bell - a test of strength /    prizes are on the medium to large side as this is a semi-difficult game.

Ladder Climb Challenge - three people go head to head for a medium stuffed animal. the ladder is hexed and is one of the more difficult games to play, but it is a fun game for bragging rights among friends.

Dunk Tank - Various celebrities/officials volunteer for this game as all money earned goes towards a charity of their choice. 

Buzzer Game - trace a small hoop on a stick around a rotating screw without touching the side and making the buzzer go off.  / prizes depend on how far the player gets, from glowsticks to light-up swords. 

Roller Game - roll a ball onto a metal track; the object is to make it stop perfectly on top of a little hill. / this is a difficult game, so the prizes are pretty decent. typically animal hats, backpacks, and unicorn or devil horn hairbands. 

Darts - usually geared toward kids - toss a dart at a back wall filled with pictures. if it lands, you win. / prizes are generally small trinkets that kids would like: bracelets, mini slinky’s, plastic animals, etc. 

Goldfish Bounce - ping-pong balls are thrown at fish bowls, a carnival classic. / prizes are real, color-changing goldfish!

The Carnival Rides: 

Farris Wheel

Tilt-a-whirl

Carousel 

Bumper Cars ( recent addition )

The Zipper

The Paratrooper

Magic Maze ( aimed towards kids )

Tunnel of Love

Haunted House ( aimed towards kids )

House of Horrors ( must be 18 years or older due to fright ) 

The Carnival Food:

Funnel Cakes

Hot Dogs

Burgers

Chili Cheese Fries

Fried Pickles

Corn Dogs

Cotton Candy

Soft Pretzels

Popcorn

Iced Cream

French Fries

Snow Cones

Nachos

Churros

TO THE PLAYERS: We are at the end of our first Halloween celebrations! Please try and focus on threads that are focused on the carnival or parade this weekend. All threads should be finished by Sunday night, but you are more than welcome to finish within the following week if you are unable to finish them. 

Please tag all items specific to this event as #MCUSAEVENT003 

[wewerecore]

The Great Pro-Wrestling Adventure Hour - 012 08/03/23 Defy TV 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM EST Filmed at the Good Time Theatre at Dorney Park in Allentown, Pennsylvania

SEGMENT ONE (EIGHT MINUTES):

- Sudu Upadhyay opened the show speaking on the Dorney Park special premiere screening last night of Meg 2: The Trench from visionary director Ben Wheatley, and that today on The Great Pro-Wrestling Adventure Hour, we not only have our own Trench as his trial series continues, but also our own megalodon, "The Living Legend" Larry Zbyszko. Larry says that last week he drew Starfish Charlie and the rest of those bottom feeders to the surface and will soon be depositing them on a garbage barge where they belong. Sudu agreed that might happen soon, but not today, as Kerry Morton, Starboy Charlie, and Marcus Mathers are preparing for a Trios Kingdom qualifying match this Saturday in Scranton and will not be appearing today. Zbyszko has talked to the staff at Dorney Park and will be alerted if any of them come through the turnstiles. Sudu stated that only Brogan Finlay and Ricky Morton are in the building today for their match against MV Young and Bryan Keith. Larry adds that Kylie Paige is also in the building, Sudu mentions Kylie’s claim not to have had any contact with Morton or his followers, including her own sister, which draws an eye roll from Zbyszko.

- The Great Pro-Wrestling Adventure Hour opening aired set to "Black Swan Lake" by Janko Nilovic.

- Raychell Rose accompanied The Alien Rocket to the ring, her first assigned client as she works toward fulfilling the requirements to obtain her official Pennsylvania Pro-Wrestling Manager License.

Fuego Del Sol vs. The Alien Rocket (with Raychell Rose) Fuego Del Sol defeated The Alien Rocket with the tornado DDT. (3:45)

- Cameras followed Raychell Rose and Rocket to the back as she tried to discuss strategy with him, the camera briefly focused on Kylie Paige talking to "The Bounty Hunter" Bryan Keith backstage.

SEGMENT TWO (EIGHT MINUTES):

Trench Trial Series - Match 2 Trench vs. MAO MAO defeated Trench with the shooting star press. (3:30)

- From the CORE news desk, it's Daphne Oz with the Coal Region Roundup.

- Daphne previewed The Risky Raffle this Saturday night taking place as part of the West Scranton Little League Carnival. She announced that in addition to Lio Rush, Flamita, and Francesco Akira, she can now confirm that Titus Alexander will be making his CORE return this Saturday night.

- Daphne reminded the audience that the members of the winning Risky Raffle teams will enter an over the top rope battle royal and the winner of that was to receive a surprise reward. Well, she can now disclose that surprise as the winner of the Risky Royal will receive a shot at New Japan's STRONG Openweight Championship when they face champion Eddie Kingston on August 21st at part of the Pittston Tomato Festival.

- To close out the Risky Raffle preview, as was mentioned earlier in the broadcast Kerry Morton, Starboy Charlie, and Marcus Mathers will be participating in a Trios Kingdom 2023 qualifying match as they take on members of the Young Dumb N Broke faction; Charlie Tiger, Ellis Taylor, and Griffin McCoy.

- Daphne Oz said it was time to reveal the final two trios receiving an automatic bid into Trios Kingdom 2023. First, from the CMLL promotion is the Los Cancerberos del Infierno trio of Cancerbero, Luciferno, and Virus. And second, joining us from the STARDOM office and representing Donna del Mondo - Giulia, Maika, and Thekla will participate in Trios Kingdom.

- Closing out the segment, Daphne announced that in addition to the qualifying match this weekend, next week on Defy TV we will have another Trios Kingdom qualifying match that is sure to be a high flying affair as from CMLL the Los Magnificos trio of Adrenalina, Explosivo, and Fantastico will face off against The Air Show of Jah'Zel, Razerwyng, and Mach10.

SEGMENT THREE (NINE MINUTES):

MV Young and "The Bounty Hunter" Bryan Keith vs. Brogan Finlay and Ricky Morton Brogan Finlay and Ricky Morton defeated MV Young and "The Bounty Hunter" Bryan Keith with a top rope elbowdrop from Finlay on MV. (4:01)

- "The Bounty Hunter" Bryan Keith allowed MV Young to begin the match and abandoned him when he went for the tag. MV Young was defeated by Finlay and Morton and the two continued their attack after the match. When confronted by Larry Zbyszko, The Bounty Hunter did the universal sign for money with his fingers, implying that his services were purchased by someone in the Kerry Morton camp. Despite their match later in the broadcast - Shaw Mason, Tim Bosby, and Hunter Holdcraft ran down and chased off Finlay and Morton. Shaw Mason got on the microphone and reminded Finlay that he forced Brogan to tap out to the ankle lock back in Wilkes-Barre and he'd be happy to do it again next week on Defy TV!

- We cut to the private dressing room of The Family Tree where Afa Jr. asks their advisor Smart Guy Tod Gordon why he has not scheduled them for any matches since they qualified for Trios Kingdom. Smart Guy informed Afa that Journey Fatu approached him about wanting the group to stay healthy before Trios Kingdom. Afa Jr. demanded to know why Journey did not come to his Tribal Elder with these concerns. Afa questioned Journey's commitment; perhaps he's planning to leave The Family Tree to team with Zilla Fatu rather than his partner Sean Maluta. Journey denied this and appreciated his Tribal Elder even before Afa demanded he do so. Maluta and Tod Gordon also appreciated their Tribal Elder and swore their loyalty to The Family Tree.

SEGMENT FOUR (TEN MINUTES):

Utami Hayashishita vs. Giant Baba Yaga (with UltraMantis Black) Giant Baba Yaga defeated Utami Hayashishita with the running neckbreaker. (9:09)

- Utami Hayashishita offered to shake hands with Giant Baba Yaga after the match, and while Baba did not do that, Baba did place an American Rebel cigar in Utami's hand as perhaps the ultimate sign of respect.

SEGMENT FIVE (EIGHT MINUTES):

Trios Kingdom 2023 Qualifying Match folkstyle (Shaw Mason, Tim Bosby, and Hunter Holdcraft) vs. The Practice (Dr. Redacted, Dr. Cornwallis, and Dr. Daniel C. Rockingham) folkstyle defeated The Practice via submission with the ankle lock from Mason on Rockingham. (6:55)

SEGMENT SIX (TWO MINUTES):

- Sudu Upadhyay signed off for the week with a quick preview of The Risky Raffle, next week's episode, and thanked the sponsor Meg 2: The Trench in theaters tonight from visionary director Ben Wheatley. Throughout this Zbyszko could be heard talking to the production truck on his headset asking for them to pull the footage of Bryan Keith talking to Kylie Paige.

Next Week On The Great Pro-Wrestling Adventure Hour The Trench Trial Series continues. Brogan Finlay vs. Shaw Mason Trios Kingdom 2023 Qualifying Match: Los Magnificos (Adrenalina, Explosivo, and Fantastico) vs. The Air Show (Jah'Zel, Razerwyng, and Mach10)

Upcoming Shows:

CORE Pro #118 Breaking Training: The Risky Raffle 08/05/23 West Scranton Little League Carnival - Scranton, Pennsylvania

01. Trench Trial Series - Match 3: Trench vs. ???

02. Trios Kingdom 2023 Qualifying Match: Kerry Morton, Starboy Charlie, and Marcus Mathers vs. Young Dumb N Broke (Charlie Tiger, Ellis Taylor, and Griffin McCoy) The Risky Raffle Featuring: Lio Rush, Flamita, Francesco Akira, Titus Alexander, and more!

CORE returns to the Good Time Theatre at Dorney Park in Allentown, Pennsylvania! 08/06/23 Television taping for The Great Pro-Wrestling Adventure Hour as seen on Defy TV.

CORE Pro #119 Burning The Tomato Worms 08/21/23 Pittston Tomato Festival - Pittston, Pennsylvania NJPW STRONG Openweight Championship Match: Eddie Kingston (Champion) vs. The Winner of the Risky Raffle

CORE Pro #120 Trios Kingdom 2023 - Night One 09/01/23 Penn's Peak - Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania Featuring: The Calling (AKIRA, Rickey Shane Page, and Delirious) with Raven The 37KAMIINA (MAO, Yuki Ueno, and Toi Kojima) Jake Something, Vincent Nothing, and Giant Baba Yaga with UltraMantis Black Team JTO (Ren Ayabe, Fire Katsumi, and Akira Juumonji) Black Generation International (Kaito Ishida, Flamita, and Yutani) The Production (Derek Dillinger, Magnum CK, and Ziggy Haim) Just 5 Guys (TAKA Michinoku, Taichi, and Yoshinobu Kanemaru) Big Mouth LOUD (Katsuyori Shibata, Kazunari Murakami, and Manabu Hara) The Family Tree (Afa Jr., Sean Maluta, and Journey Fatu) Donna del Mondo (Giulia, Maika, and Thekla) Los Cancerberos del Infierno (Cancerbero, Luciferno, and Virus) folkstyle (Shaw Mason, Tim Bosby, and Hunter Holdcraft)

CORE Pro #121 Trios Kingdom 2023 - Night Two 09/02/23 Charles Chrin Community Center - Easton, Pennsylvania

CORE Pro #122 Trios Kingdom 2023 - Night Three 09/03/23 Martz Hall - Pottsville, Pennsylvania

CORE returns to the Good Time Theatre at Dorney Park in Allentown, Pennsylvania! 09/04/23 Television taping for The Great Pro-Wrestling Adventure Hour as seen on Defy TV.

[eagle-eyez]

Eighth graders aren’t generally known as dictionary aficionados. But Dhroov Bharatia, 12, has a passion for language.

“Nothing can express an idea as effectively as a judicious use of words,” he said by phone from his home in Plano, Texas. This love of vocabulary has made him one of 11 finalists in this year’s Scripps National Spelling Bee, adding him to a long line of South Asian American middle and elementary schoolers who have excelled at the competition.

It’s a well-documented relationship. Since 2008, a South Asian American kid has been named a champion at every Scripps bee. This year, two-thirds of the semifinalists were of South Asian descent, and at least nine of the 11 finalists are of South Asian descent.

Over the past two decades, spelling bees tailored to South Asian children have proliferated. So have spelling bee coaching companies founded by South Asian Americans. Flyers for local bees are handed out at Indian supermarkets, and the activity is spread through word of mouth at temple events.

A 2020 documentary, Spelling the Dream, followed four Indian American children preparing for 2017’s bee season and showcased just how much it means to South Asian American families.

“It is definitely a source of pride from an educational standpoint,” said Shalini Shankar, an anthropologist and the author of Beeline: What Spelling Bees Reveal About Generation Z’s New Path to Success.

But it is also something more: The bee has become an occasion for unity within the South Asian American immigrant community, and it all goes back to a historic victory more than three decades ago.

In 1985, Balu Natarajan became the first child of immigrants to win Scripps, prompting an outpouring of support from people of South Asian descent. “Many people who I’d never even met felt a connection to it,” Natarajan said. “I had no idea how much one could be embraced by a community.”

He became a well-known name in Indian American households around the country, which he described as humbling. “People in our community really do pay attention when one of our own is able to have success in something,” he said.

“Today, we have children and families in our community that are center stage when they go to the Scripps spelling bee,” Natarajan said. “It’s really a place of comfort. But back in the ’80s, we were just exploring it. We really had no idea that we were doing this for a community. We were just this tiny fraction of the participants.”

Natarajan has the photos to prove it: When he first competed in the Scripps spelling bee in 1983, he remembers only six contestants of Indian descent out of 137 students. A few of them gathered to take a photograph, documenting a small moment of togetherness — a stark contrast to the playing field of today.

The Bee Is Back

Every year, about 11 million children in the United States participate in school-level spelling bees. The first Scripps National Bee was held in 1925; because of the pandemic, it was canceled last year for the first time since World War II.

The words have gotten progressively more difficult over the decades — mostly because the kids have gotten a lot better. “Therapy” was a winning word in 1940, but in 2019, two of the winning words were “bougainvillea” and “erysipelas.”

In 2019, Scripps named eight winners for the cup — “octochamps,” they coined themselves. Previously, only two kids had ever tied for the win. Seven of the 2019 champions were of Indian descent.

“It’s not spellers against spellers. It’s spellers against the dictionary,” Ashrita Gandhari, a current finalist, said about the sense of camaraderie and companionship among the contestants.

That doesn’t mean she’s not in it to win it. Ashrita, 14, is spending about 10 hours a day practicing, and has three coaches to help her prepare. But part of her love for the bee has to do with the incredible support she receives from her community.

“I live in Ashburn, Virginia, and let me tell you, a lot of people here are of South Asian descent,” she said. “So many people — all my friends, my neighborhood, my community — they’ve all been super supportive. We’ve had parties, they even filmed a congratulations video for me, baked me cakes.”

Indian Americans are one of the younger, newer groups of immigrants in the United States. More than 60 percent of Indian immigrants living in the United States today arrived after 2000. “That’s not the case for most other Asian populations, Chinese, Filipino, Korean,” said Sangay Mishra, an associate professor at Drew University and the author of Desis Divided: The Political Lives of South Asian Americans.

Indian immigrants did come to the United States in earlier waves, particularly in the wake of the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act and the family-based immigration that followed. But the implementation of the H-1B visa program in 1990, which allowed for the entry of specialised foreign workers, brought in Indian immigrants in much larger numbers.

In 2016 and 2017, Indians accounted for almost 75 percentof all H-1B visa holders in the United States. This “changed the character of the community, in terms of skewing it more professional and more highly educated,” Mishra said.

Parents looked for hobbies for their children that prioritised “all kinds of educational attainment,” Shankar said. Spelling as an extracurricular activity soon began to spread by word of mouth. “They tell their broader ethnic community about it, and they bring each other to these South Asian spelling games, which are really accessible and held in areas where there’s a large concentration of South Asian Americans,” she said.

The hobby is also passed down — within families — to younger siblings and cousins. (“If the older sibling did it, the younger one often follows,” Shankar said.) That was the case for the 2016 Scripps champion, Nihar Janga, 16, whose passion for spelling was born out of a sibling rivalry going back to age 5. Watching his mother quiz his older sister, Navya, as she was preparing for the bee, Nihar started chiming in, reciting spellings even before Navya could finish.

“I looked up to the fact that my sister was participating in something like this, but I also wanted to be better at it. Eventually, it grew into my own love for spelling and everything it’s taught me,” Nihar said.

Navya and Nihar’s family, who live in Austin, Texas, first came across spelling bees through Navya’s bharatanatyam (an Indian classical dance) teacher, who was involved with the nonprofit North South Foundation.

The foundation has more than 90 chapters, hosts regional and national educational contests in a variety of subject areas, and raises money through these events for disadvantaged students in India. A spelling bee is among the contests run by the organisation, and it’s common for top contenders to continue on to Scripps.

Natarajan is now the foundation’s president, and it has become a powerhouse incubator. Five of 2019’s Scripps octochamps were involved in the North South Foundation.

Another prominent spelling bee on the practise circuit is the South Asian Spelling Bee, which is run by the marketing agency Touchdown Media and has been sponsored by companies such as MetLife and State Farm.

“At its height, it was really pumping in a lot of capital into holding these bees,” Shankar said. “They’d have a title sponsor and numerous smaller sponsors.” This gave spelling bees a lot more traction and momentum, she added: “It has an entire engine behind it.”

“The community created an infrastructure for the kids to really thrive and excel in this area,” she said.

More Than a Memory Game

For many students, spelling isn’t just a study, but also an all-encompassing way to learn about the world.

“Spelling is not just taking these 500,000 words in the English language and memorising them and then you win the spelling bee — that’s not how it works,” Nihar said. “I want people to think of spelling just like any other competition, like wanting to learn the story behind that field and learning how that field can apply to the world.”

“You can’t just eat protein powder and then go be good at football,” he added.

Dhroov said that one of his favourite things about spelling is how it intersects with his other passions, including music. “I worked on the ‘Carnival of Venice’ song on my alto saxophone, and that’s a piece where the dynamics are very important,” he said. “Knowing all these words — for example, ‘crescendo,’ ‘diminuendo,’ ‘ritardando,’ which means to slow down, ‘fortissimo,’ which means play extremely loud” allowed him to “bring emotion to the piece, make it come alive,” he said.

The amount of concentration necessary also inevitably leads to significant time commitments, and plenty of pressure on the kids.

“The level of our competitors has definitely increased. Some of our students prepare for the spelling bee as any other collegiate athlete would with the amount of preparation, the dedication, and the amount of time that they study,” said J Michael Durnil, the bee’s executive director.

Tarini Nandakumar was, at 10, one of the youngest semifinalists competing this year. Before she struck out in the semifinals, on 27 June, she said she wanted to finish what her older brother, Pranav, had started years before. “My brother got 19th place in nationals, so I wanted to continue and try and win,” Tarini said. Of how it felt to have made it that far, “It’s exciting, but also scary,” she said.

The pressure was high. And when Tarini, who is from Round Rock, Texas, didn’t make it to the finals, she felt a lot of disappointment. Many tears were shed at first, she said. Her parents tried to comfort her, and within just a few days, she said, she came around and was asking for help to start studying again.

“I’m very motivated to get better next time,” she said. “Or at least get in the top five.”

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.

Anna P. Kambhampaty c.2021 The New York Times Company

from Firstpost World Latest News https://ift.tt/3yo1Kb8

[mccooley]

@fullmetalturtle requested I talk a bit about AJPW.

The company is currently experiencing a resurgence. Most notably known in the western world for their 90s era with Misawa, Taue, Kawada and Kobashi, All Japan is far removed from those times. Still, they managed to survive, providing that same hard-hitting style with a good crop of both veterans and young up and comers. They recently announced a streaming service to come some time this year and I urge everyone to give them a shot.

All Japan Pro Wrestling was established October 21st, 1972, just a few months after NJPW. The death of Rikidōzan in 1963, the founder of the first Japanese wrestling promotion (JWA), caused a rift inside the company. Shohei "Giant" Baba (AJPW) and Antonio Inoki (NJPW) left the JWA to start their own promotions. Both AJPW and NJPW were wildly popular from their beginnings but both would stumble in the 2000s. When Baba passed away in 1999, another rift was created. The board of directors could not agree on which direction to take the company. This caused a mass exodus where most of AJPW's top stars left to create NOAH, only leaving a couple of stars remaining. Both hurting at this time, All Japan and New Japan began working with each other from 2000-2002. That is until Keiji Mutoh decided to make the jump from New Japan to All Japan and took Satoshi Kojima and Kendo Kashin with him. Mutoh would become president of AJPW until 2011. In 2013 he was promised to have regained his position but this did not happen. Angered, Mutoh lead another exodus, creating his own promotion, Wrestle-1. Since July 1st, 2014 Jun Akiyama  has been the president of AJPW and had lead the promotion on a resurgence. The talent pool is somewhat limited and AJPW is a shell of its former self but they remain active and have several promising young wrestlers who hope to bring the promotion back to its former glory.

Owner: Jun Akiyama

Ace: Suwama Budding Ace: Kento Miyahara

Championships: - Triple Crown Heavyweight - Established 1989 by merging the PWF World Heavyweight, NWA United National and NWA International Heavyweight Championships (Current Champion: Joe Doering) - World Tag Team - Established 1988 by merging PWF Tag Team and NWA International Tag Team Championships (Current Champions: Kento Miyahara & Yoshitatsu) - World Junior Heavyweight - Established 1986 replaced the NWA International Junior Heavyweight Championship (Current Champion: Atsushi Aoki) - All Asia Tag Team - Established 1955 by the JWA. Abandoned in 1973 but brought back in 1976. The oldest active championship in Japan. (Current Champions: Jun Akiyama & Yuji Nagata) - Gaora TV - Established 2012. Gaora is a TV station that promotes wrestling. (Current Champion: Jun Akiyama)

Tournaments: - Champion Carnival - Established 1973, inactive from 1983 to 1990. Double block round-robin tournament held to determine the best singles wrestler. Older than the G1 Climax by one year. (2017 Winner: Shuji Ishikawa) - Jr. Battle of Glory - First held in 1983 as the NWA International Junior Heavyweight Title League. Wasn't used again until 1998. Has happened every year since 2014. Now is held as a double block round-robin tournament like the Champion Carnival. (2017 Winner: Koji Iwamoto) - Jr. Tag Batlle of Glory - First held in 1984 as the International Junior Heavyweight Tag Team League. Wasn't used again until 2002. Has happened every year since 2008. Single block round-robin tournament. (2017 Winners: Atsushi Maruyama & Masashi Takeda) - Ōdō Tournament - Established 2013, this is a singles single elimination where the winner receives a shot at the Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship. (2017 Winner: Suwama) -  Real World Tag League - Established 1977 and has run every year since. Round-robin (sometimes single block, sometimes double). (2017 Winners: Suwama & Shuji Ishikawa)

[pakcricwiz]

Football quiz: nicknames from around the world

From the Pirate Ship to the Carnival Club, via the Lepers and the Rat-Stabbers, test your knowledge of unusual nicknames

Where in Europe would you find the Anchovies, the Mattress Makers, the Clockwork Cheese and the Cucumber Growers?

Germany

Spain

Netherlands

Russia

What is the not entirely intimidating nickname given to Benin's national side?

The Crickets

The Sparrows

The Squirrels

The Turtles

Where in the world can you see The Lepers take on The Rat-Stabbers?

Brazil

Mexico

Argentina

South Africa

The South African women's team are known as Banyana Banyana, which loosely translates to ...

Champions, champions

Africa, Africa

The girls, the girls

Here we go, here we go

In which major European league might you see The Carnival Club take on The Moody Diva?

Bundesliga

La Liga

Ligue 1

Serie A

What is the culinary nickname of Russian giants Spartak Moscow?

The cooks

The flavour

The soup

The meat

The nickname of MLS side Houston Dynamo recalls which REM song?

Shiny Happy People

Orange Crush

Man on the Moon

Nightswimming

Which European Championship winners were nicknamed 'The Pirate Ship'?

USSR 1960

Czechoslovakia 1976

Denmark 1992

Greece 2004

The Mastiffs and the Flying Donkeys contest the derby in which European city?

Valencia

Verona

Vienna

Volgograd

Swedish club AIK are known as Gnaget, or The Rodents. Where did they get the nickname?

A title-winning side filled with diminutive, tough-tackling players

An infestation that led to a Uefa Cup game being postponed

The team's black, occasionally dark grey uniforms

The club was formed by players who defected from a struggling rival

Which European Cup-winning side are known as "the sons of the gods"?

Ajax

Benfica

Celtic

Steaua Bucharest

Finally, in which city would you find the Canaries, the Black Eagles, the Owls, the Apaches and the Victors of Europe?

Athens

Cairo

Istanbul

Rio de Janeiro

9 and above.

Back of the net!

5 and above.

A decent effort

0 and above.

Better luck next time

Continue reading... from Blogger https://ift.tt/3ga515w

[puroresu-musings]

AJPW CHAMPION CARNIVAL 2018 ~ Day 13, 14 & 15 Review (April 25th-30th, Tokyo, Korakuen Hall)

Day 13:

A Block: Naoya Nomura vs. Shingo Takagi  ****

B Block: Yoshitatsu vs. Yutaka Yoshie  **¾

B Block: KAI vs. Zeus  ***½

B Block: Suwama vs. Dylan James  **½

B Block: Jun Akiyama vs. Naomichi Marufuji  ****½

Day 14:

Jun Akiyama, Zeus, Suwama & Hikaru Sato vs. KAI, Dylan James, Yutaka Yoshie & Yohei Nakajima  ****

A Block: The Bodyguard vs. Ryouji Sai  ***½

A Block: Joe Doering vs. Naoya Nomura  ***

A Block: Shuji Ishikawa vs. Shingo Takagi  ****½

A Block: Kento Miyahara vs. Yuji Hino  ****

Day 15:

Shuji Ishikawa & Suwama vs. Yoshitatsu & Naoya Nomura  ***¾

Jun Akiyama, Joe Doering & Yuji Hino vs. Zeus, The Bodyguard & Shingo Takagi  ****

2018 Champion Carnival Final: Kento Miyahara vs. Naomichi Marufuji  ****½

Photos.

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this years Carnival. It featured consitently great action, and the final three days at Korakuen Hall were no different. Carny action kicked off on Day 13 with Dragon Gate’s Shingo Takagi scoring a Made In Japan assisted win over youngster Naoya Nomura at 10:41in a great little hard-hitting sprint. The win meant Shingo was very much still alive in the tournament and still had a good chance of winning. Yutaka Yoshie pinned a resurgent Yoshitatsu with a top rope Big Splash in a decent encounter. KAI defeated the mighty Zeus, when he countered a Jackhammer into a small package at the 13:57 mark of a very good bout, to eliminate the big man from contention. Dylan James chokeslammed Suwama out of the tournament to win an OK match-up. And in the main event, old NOAH commerades; Jun Akiyama and Naomichi Marufuji squared off to see who would win the B Block and advance to the finals. This was an excellent, heated match, built around a compelling backstory. Uncle Jun destroyed Maru for most of this match, piledrivering him on the floor, delivering his patented knee drop off the apron, and killing Marufuji with hard knee strikes. Marufuji fought the old grouch off with his own hard strikes, then got a great near fall with the Shiranui as Akiyama got the ropes. Akiyama hit a huge brainbuster, then the Exploder, but Maru kicked at two to a big pop. The match disintegrated in to knee strikes, as Akiyama was just killing Marufuji with knee strikes, but the NOAH boss kept fighting back with his own Ko-oh knees. In the end, it was Maru who came out on top as Uncle Jun just couldn’it take anymore hard knees to the face, and was finally KO’d at 20:53, to send Marufuji to the finals. This was an incredible display from both, and is potentially the match of the tourney. Special praise goes to Akiyama who’s had a great Carnival, and really is the modern day Tenryu in the grouchy old veteran steaks.

Day 14 was an exceptional card of action. In the first Carny bout, Bodyguard, who was injured in the early going of the tournament, submitted Sai with a Camel Clutch in a very good 11 minuter. Naoya Nomura scored a surprise, sub-five minute win over Joe Doering to eliminate him from contention. This was good whilst it lasted, but the finish, which saw Nomura get the three count with a jacknife cradle, fell apart a little bit, which hurt it somewhat. Big Shuj knocked Shingo out of the tournament after he won a fantastic, dramatic match with the Giant Slam at 18:37. I loved this match, it was unpredictable and hard-hitting, with a heated crowd buying every near fall. They maybe kicked out of one too many big moves, but this is a minor gripe as this was a truly excellent encounter. The main event between Miyahara and Hino was also excellent, but was hurt a little by having to follow the previous match. This was completely different and told a great story, with the stakes being high in that the victor wins the A Block and goes to the final. The massive Hino dominated most of this, and Kento did his great sell-jobs throughout. In the end, Kento hit numerous Blackout knee strikes, which weakened the big man from Big Japan. Hino went for his Fucking Bomb finish, but Kento escaped down the back, stunned Hino with another Blackout, then hit his Shutdown Package German for the win out of nowhere at 19:32.

The finals saw a couple of excellent tag encounters. Firstly, the Violent Giants took on “World Famous” Yoshitastu and Nomura in a great doubles clash. Yoshitatsu has had a really good tournament, and seems to have found his footing as a performer again, after being just another face in the crowd in New Japan (lets face it, he’s going nowhere in NJPW), and I’m really happy for him after his career was nearly ended after he botched that Styles Clash back in 2014. He tapped out to a Suwama choke to end this one at around 15 minutes. The super hard-hitting six man semi final was a compelling bout held before a really hot Korakuen faithful. Zeus and Hino’s crazy, at times horrifyingly stiff, chop exchange was the highlight here. The finish saw Doering pin Bodyguard with a Spiral Bomb to end an excellent match at the 18:42 mark. And the 2018 Champion Carnival came to a close as B Block champion, Marufuji, squared off with A Block winner, Kento The Ace, in another tremendous wrestling match. This of course was battle of the knee strike, Blackout vs. Ko-oh, as both have served their owners well in this tournament. They exchanged both throughout, Maru hit a piledriver on the apron, before the Triple Crown Champion battles back with a Blackout in the corner and a big brainbuster for a near fall. Marufuji hits a Shiranui for a near fall, then Kento starts nailing Blackouts and gets another near fall with a delayed German suplex. In a great spot, both guys tried their respective knee strikes at the smae time, but clashed knees. Marufuji then obliterated Kento with his strike and superkick combo. He goes for another Ko-oh, but Miyahara catches him in another delayed German. Marufuji escapes a Shutdown attempt, wipes Kento out with more knees, then hits the Pole Shift into the Emerald Flowsion to win the Carnival at 24:49 of a fantastic bout. This was great, but it felt like the best was yet to come as the two are almost certainly going to have a rematch for the Crown at some point.

NDT

[go-redgirl]

Democrats Must Live with Consequences of Their Foolish Impeachment Farce Journal of American Greatness ^ | December 26, 2019 | Conrad Black

The NeverTrump campaign has sputtered to a ludicrous and pitiful end with this year. Having dragged its media lackeys and the dwindling curiosity of the country through an absurd burlesque of a “solemn, sad,” impeachment process—without alleging any actual illegalities—the NeverTrump campaign has rushed through in a procedural Star Chamber because of the “urgency” of removing the president before the country reelects him. 

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) will not send the articles of impeachment to the Senate until Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) promises to go to court and oblige administration witnesses to testify, a step the trained Democratic seals of the House declined to take because of the urgency of trial and removal of the president.

Finally, the revelation appears to have been noticed by the speaker, just ahead of the arrival of Santa Claus, that the Democrats have no case against the president, are slipping in the polls, and that the last stand of the argument that a moral imperative makes Trump clearly unfit to serve in the great office to which he was elected, has crumbled.

Trump grates on the nerves of many—including many supporters—but that is not an impeachable offense. The country will punish a party that puts its own rabid partisan antagonism ahead of the national interest in effective government. The Democrats have no case for impeachment so they can’t go forward. They cannot possibly imagine there is any smoking gun anywhere to unsettle this administration. And as the country enters a presidential election year, they can’t get anyone except their lickspittles in the national political media drooling again about any legal threat to this president.

The voters will exercise their right and duty to determine if they want to reelect Donald Trump. The Democrats started late, after years of huffing and puffing. They failed to impress anyone, came up empty, produced and passed a pack of lies as an argument for impeachment. Now they are trying to assert constitutional rights they do not possess and a moral authority they squandered years ago to deprive the Senate of the control over an impeachment trial which the Constitution clearly reserves to the upper chamber.

It’s over, Madam Speaker. Go back to San Francisco and ask Santa’s elves to help you clean up the public sanitation problem of the homeless people the California Democratic miracle has put on the city’s sidewalks.

I have already suggested, here and elsewhere, that the Senate refer to the Supreme Court the question of whether it is obliged to hold a trial when the House has failed to check any of the boxes the Constitution provides for removal of a president: treason, bribery, high crimes, and misdemeanors. 

The country will wish to know if these spurious impeachment divertissements will now become a regular irritant in the political calendar when the White House and the House of Representatives are in the hands of different parties, or whether the impeachment of a president will become again a rare, “solemn, and sad” process which will only occur when there really is fear the president has committed grievous offenses.

The Wall Street Journal on December 19 suggested that the Senate should proceed with its trial without receiving the articles from the House, frivolous and vexatious litigation though they are. I doubt if such a step would have any legal validity, but it would be in order for McConnell to give Pelosi notice that the Senate will not conduct a trial unless the articles of impeachment that have been adopted are officially delivered to the Senate by January 15.

The Democrats and their frenzied claque of media harpies foisted the Trump-Russia collusion fraud on the country, followed by a vapid, phony impeachment investigation which has produced meritless allegations of inoffensive offenses, and now they would virtually dictate a process, if not a verdict, from the Republican-controlled Senate. No, not again—not even if all the media’s junkyard dogs bark and wag their tails in unison again.

It’s showtime. Let the fools’ carnival of unfeasible candidates elevate the designated Democratic piñata for this successful if edgy president to hammer through the election campaign. And let the Democrats finally cease their howls of moral outrage against Trump and prepare their explanations for the indictments that are likely to emerge from the special counsel investigation of the illicit spying conducted against the Trump campaign and transition team, and the assorted legal and ethical lapses of the Obama Justice Department and the Clinton campaign. 

They have had their full share of public attention for their defamatory nonsense; they laid this rotten egg of impeachment and they can take full responsibility for the stench of it.

I cannot allow my last column of the year in the United States to end without declaring the winner of the fierce competition for the silliest and most pretentious tweet or email I have received from readers in 2019.

It goes to that most worthy and deserving champion, Joe Scarborough, co-host of the anti-Trump daily screed “Morning Joe,” for a tweet three months ago accusing me of writing a whitewash of President Trump in exchange for a presidential pardon and wishing me good luck in avoiding a felony conviction. He wins this prize going away, not only for his asinine accusation (the book spares nothing and was no Hallelujah chorus, and I doubt if the president was even aware of it).

But Joe wins because he invited me on his program in August 2011 to commend me on the book I was just publishing then on the disgraceful travesty of my prosecution, which has since completely collapsed. He claimed to have read and liked the book, A Matter of Principle. I’ll remember you as the gracious host you were, Joe, long before you pickled yourself in Trumpophobic bile.

Pleasant religious holidays and best wishes for 2020 to all readers, friends and foes.

TOPICS: News/Current Events