SocraTease

Golf is a sport? It involves skill, absolutely. And hand-eye coordination, and even certain forms of strength in driving the ball. But an athletic event, probably not. I don't think it rises to that level. Perhaps it is a "skort", a skill-ish sort of sport. A game, yes. It's more like billiards or bowling than it is wrestling, track and field, tennis soccer, gymnastics, and the like.

He wasn't majored. Nebraska wins one match out of (now) 7 and the fans act like they won a National Championship.

I watched "Unstoppable". I think the highest of Anthony Robles. He's a great person and was a great wrestler. But I have to say that the film should be called "Unwatchable" instead. It's not that the acting is horrible (though it isn't good). It is just that the movie is lousy: formulaic, predictable, and sappy. It also takes great liberties with the truth and doesn't really include that much wrestling. Robles didn't wrestle in the finals his junior year against McDonough, though they have him doing that as well as in his senior year. Most of the film is about the family problems, which are sad but uninteresting. "Foxcatcher" was a dozen times better.

For the sake of late night lollygagging, here is Chat GPT's comments on Jimmy poem. This poem has a fun, whimsical tone that blends elements of intrigue and mystery with a touch of everyday magic. The central figure, Jimmy Cinnabon, is both elusive and compelling, which seems to invite readers into a world of imaginative possibilities. Here’s a breakdown of what works and where it could be further refined: Strengths: Mystery and Ambiguity: The poem works well in keeping Jimmy’s identity unclear, encouraging readers to engage with the text and try to decode who he is. This intrigue is a powerful tool in poetry, and you use it effectively. The repeated question "Who is Jimmy Cinnabon?" adds to the sense of curiosity and reinforces the theme of mystery. Vivid Imagery: The lines "A swirl of questions, like Iowa skies" and "Carving his hawkeye like a pastry's swirl" present vivid and sensory-rich images. The use of food imagery, particularly the “dough,” “bun,” and “sugar and spice,” cleverly ties back to the name "Cinnabon," which conjures an inviting, sweet, and slightly indulgent world. Tone and Playfulness: The tone of the poem feels lighthearted and playful, especially with lines like "Is he a rebel, a fighter, a wolverine?" and "A sweet little mystery, delightfully plain." The mix of whimsical questions with deeper, more philosophical undertones creates an enjoyable juxtaposition that doesn’t feel too heavy-handed. Wordplay and Metaphors: The metaphors around Jimmy’s potential character are fun, and the wordplay, like "welcher of flavor," is clever. This playful manipulation of language adds a layer of sophistication without feeling too convoluted. Areas for Improvement: Clarity of Theme: While the ambiguity works well for the character of Jimmy, the broader theme could be a bit clearer. At times, it feels like the poem is juggling multiple possible interpretations (a baker, a dreamer, a wrestler, a mystery) without fully committing to any one path. Tightening the focus might help the reader latch onto a more specific interpretation or purpose for Jimmy’s enigma. Are we supposed to see him as a symbol of universal curiosity, or are we meant to focus on a specific aspect of his character (like his wrestling fandom)? Consistency of Tone: The shifts between abstract, philosophical lines ("Perhaps he's not one, but all we aspire") and more grounded, playful ones ("A sweet little mystery, delightfully plain") might benefit from some refinement. While this dynamic shift can be interesting, it risks pulling the poem in different directions. A more consistent tone would strengthen the poem’s emotional impact and help guide the reader through the shifts in persona and mood. Use of Wrestling: You’ve introduced a wrestling theme ("a rebel, a fighter, a wolverine"), which is intriguing, but it feels a bit underdeveloped. If Jimmy is indeed a wrestling fan (or wrestler himself), some clearer connection to that world might give the poem more depth. You mention a "wolverine"—this could be a nod to Michigan's mascot, which ties into the idea of a wrestler or competitor, but it's not fully explored. Perhaps introducing imagery of the wrestling ring or a specific wrestler could tie this aspect more cohesively into the narrative. Pacing and Structure: The poem’s pacing is slightly uneven in places. Some stanzas are packed with dense, thoughtful language ("Is he a rebel, a fighter, a wolverine?"), while others feel lighter and quicker, such as "Perhaps he crafts sweetness, a life in a bun." Consider varying the rhythm a bit more to balance these moments. You could slow down the pace in some sections for deeper reflection or speed up in others for a sense of momentum. Suggestions for Refinement: Clarify Jimmy’s Role: If you want the wrestling aspect to be more prominent, you could add a line or two explicitly referencing Jimmy as a wrestling fan or even tie his character to a specific wrestling archetype. For example, referencing wrestling tropes or iconic figures (like "he's a Stone Cold under a sweet disguise") could inject more energy and specificity into the piece. Refine Transitions: Some stanzas shift abruptly from one persona of Jimmy to another. More subtle transitions could help guide the reader more smoothly through the different possible interpretations of Jimmy’s character. Focus on One Central Question: If you want to keep the mystery alive, consider honing in on a central question that embodies the poem's theme. For example, “Who is Jimmy Cinnabon?” could become the focal point, with each stanza adding a layer of possibility or metaphor until the final lines, which could either resolve the mystery or deepen it even further. Conclusion: This poem has a lot of playful charm and intriguing potential. The whimsical tone, rich imagery, and underlying mystery all combine to create a poem that invites the reader into a world of wonder and speculation. With a bit more refinement in terms of thematic focus and structure, it could become an even more powerful exploration of identity, mystery, and the many facets of a character like Jimmy. Keep honing the balance between whimsy and clarity to maintain both the curiosity and the emotional resonance of the piece.

In a few years? They are looking pretty darn good right now. They just cleaned the clock of N. C. State, 34-3. They are 8-0 with 7 of those wins permitting only 6 points or less to the opposing team, with the remaining win only allowing 9 points. In every match, they have scored more than 30 points. They also won the Cliff Keen Invitational. At every weight, they are ranked in the top 20, including 7 guys in the top ten. And they are ranked 3rd overall as a team. Not bad. I'm looking forward to their match with Iowa on Feb. 23rd.

Penn State is vulnerable in three respects: 1. Not getting 10 AAs. 2. Not breaking their own team record for most NCAA points. 3. Not getting three or more individual champions. Every team and individual of course is always vulnerable to injuries, but Penn State has 9 of their 10 wrestlers ranked by both Intermat and FLO in the top 10, and all of 10 guys are in the top 15 or so, including two #1s, two #2s, and three #3s. That's pretty close to lock, stock and smokin' barrel.

Mine eyes see 3:

Are you simply mad that the Senate might not confirm the illustrious Matt Gaetz as Attorney General since he is in the Orange Stain's All Star cabinet lineup? Or maybe another All-most Star, Pete Hegseth, the least qualified Defense Secretary pick in American history

What used to be a much better event if you were paying attention. Yea, but they don't have a tournament to decide who goes to the All Star match. You "reasoning" (analogy) is beyond flawed. Why not just pick the "All Stars" out of a hat, then? See, it's easy to play with reductio ad absurdum and other fallacies.

Exactly, but either a lot of posters here don't know much wrestling history or they can't read between the lines. An All Star event in most every other sport generally features the very best athletes, not the second, third, fourth, or ninth best. But, I guess, if people get excited about #8 vs. #9, that's their preference for embracing a watered down world of value.

In fact, it's just the facts or factoids, which I thought would be up your headachin' alley since you are a data-head

Below is this weekend's lineup. It is debatable whether it is an "All Star" slate. Using Flo's rankings, there is exactly one #1 ranked wrestler. And one matchup that features #1 vs. #2. The average ranking for the 20 wrestlers is #4. On the positive side, there are 6 guys ranked #2 and 4 guys ranked #3. But there are also 2 wrestlers ranked #8 and one at #9. "Star"occi is clearly an All Star. I get it though. Some wrestlers have other commitments. Some might be injured. Some see no gain in competing, and so on. But perhaps the event should be billed as "Al(most) Stars" or something of the sort. In any event, which matches are folks looking forward to the most? 197: #6 Stephen Little, Little Rock vs #9 Zac Braunagel, Illinois 285: #3 Nick Feldman, Ohio State vs #8 Taye Ghadiali, Campbell 125: #2 Jore Volk, Wyoming vs #5 Tanner Jordan, South Dakota State 133: #2 Nasir Bailey, Little Rock vs #6 Lucas Byrd, Illinois 141: #2 Jesse Mendez, Ohio State vs #3 Beau Bartlett, Penn State 149: #2 Shayne Van Ness, Penn State vs #3 Ty Watters, West Virginia 157: #4 Tyler Kasak, Penn State vs #5 Peyten Kellar, Ohio 165: #8 Hunter Garvin, Stanford vs #4 Peyton Hall, West Virginia 174: #2 Levi Haines, Penn State vs #3 Cade DeVos, SDSU 184: #1 Carter Starocci, Penn State vs #2 Parker Keckeisen, Northern Iowa

Gable is still debating what costume to wear for his debut, or re-debut, or re-re-debut.

Nickal is now a shill for far right demagogues. He's also a zealot Christer and generally just a toxic loudmouth. Here's to hoping he gets his clock cleaned soon.

I hear some other guys are looking for their shoes in trees: Wade Schalles, Dan Gable, Ben Askren. Gym Jordan .... There are even rumors that Dan Hodge found a pair hanging in a cemetery tree.