Tag: WWE

The Ultimate “Unstable” Pianos 🎼🎹🎸

All Ultimate Warrior fans know his theme music of “Unstable.” It’s one of those WWE melodies you’d never forget and I never have either. Never will. Once I heard it, it was in my head just like all those other songs we hear over and over which become favorites.

When I was that teenage girl, one day our piano was calling my name. This piano belonged to my great uncle and now we had it in our home. My mom would play, my sister took lessons briefly, and my Grandpa played when he and Grandma visited. They also had a piano in their home for years.

Well, guess my brain wanted to learn the notes for “Unstable.” Not that whole song you see above but just the three basic ones. It’s so simple! The music itself looks complicated but really it isn’t. I got it after a few short tries. Nobody recognized this but me, probably not even my brother. Many times I’d be psyched about seeing the Ultimate Warrior on T.V. or an upcoming match, I’d pass by the piano in our dining room. I’d play those three repetitive notes of “Unstable.” Also, when I’d be having a bad day and needed a pick me up, those notes on that piano worked every single time.

Years went by and after my parents divorced, mom sold our house. My sister took the piano so it remained in the family. Flash forward a few more years to 2014. Don’t worry– no sadness. Christmas Eve we were at my sister’s and the kids always gravitated to the piano in their front room. I hadn’t thought of U.W’s theme in years but that year was different.

Immediately, I went towards the piano and told the kids I wanted to play. Those three notes came easy as I remembered like always. There was such mystery of saying how I learned this little song years ago and never forgot. Oh, the memories that pop in our heads! I left the room giggling as they continued tickling the ivories.

My son had a toy keyboard and yes, again “Unstable” was played. Maybe I had that same silly mentality with this song like I did with grief. “If I don’t cry, I’ll forget him. If I don’t play Unstable, I’ll forget it.” None of this is true and yet perhaps part of me believed that back then. A few Christmases ago, my daughter got a REAL big keyboard (the one in the photo.) Guess this really does belong in the family.

Of course, where did my mind go? You got it. I had to play and sometimes when the mood strikes, my fingers find their way into her room and onto the keyboard. About a month or so ago, this girl was desperately needing my attention with a song she taught herself on the keyboard. She does have a book but this song was a little bit special. NO– it was not “Unstable!” I mean, really??? She was convinced Mama would KNOW this song but I knew she had been playing cartoon themes. She played a little and wanted me to guess. I had no idea. It was played again and I tried so hard but nothing came to me. She hummed it and then I knew. It was “Heaven” by Bryan Adams. Just a few lines but I was impressed! How did she know this?

I asked her why this song? She didn’t really say except that I liked it. I asked her to play it later so Dad could hear but no, it was just for me. Yeah, it’s a romantic one but the title– hmmm… She didn’t find a YouTube video and we don’t have it on a CD. It does get played on the radio sometimes but she just learned it. Maybe she can learn by ear like her great aunt? Maybe she was also given a message?

A day or so later, my husband and I were in the car and the song “Heaven” by Bryan Adams played on the radio. I then told him the story of our girl and her keyboard. Music strikes again as synchronistic. 😉 She hasn’t played it since but just like with “Unstable,” now I won’t forget “Heaven.”

The number three connects as well with my childhood piano, (becoming my sister’s) my son’s toy keyboard, and then my daughter’s REAL one. All three notes. She could’ve had any song in her head but it was very specific and just for me. I am still amazed every time as at first this story was just about the other two. Quite possibly I needed that three count once again.

Those “Unstable” pianos will always be ultimate but now a little piece of “Heaven” connects them all. 🙏🏻🌄

P.S. When I first got the “Life Lived Forever” book, I asked my son to play “Unstable” on his trombone. He says:”Um, mom, this is for guitar!” Back then– brain freeze!!

P.P.S. We DO have “Waking Up The Neighbours” by Bryan Adams circa 1991. Another song about Heaven on that one! Bryan Adams is Canadian=WMVI=Canada 😁🇨🇦

The History Term Paper

Did you fans actually think I wrote a Term Paper on the Ultimate Warrior? LOL! Can you just imagine? 😳😬 Maybe if it was a biography or something but um… no. This story arose from another “flashback” of mine more suited for next year. It concerns Wrestlemania VI so 2020 will mark its 30th anniversary. That’s also when I graduated high school. I probably wouldn’t let it out of my memory bank but needed some funny back after these last few weeks. Not gonna wait ’til next year after all!

For my U.S. History class, our term paper near the end of senior year was on the Great Depression. We had weeks of course to stay on track with prep work. The whole nine yards really. Finding sources, having a Table of Contents, notecards, bibliographies, and all that for a timeline. The teacher gave us more specific topics to help as a guide. Do you think I picked from that list? Nope, not at all.

I wanted to be even more specific with how the Great Depression affected family life. The economy or government stuff didn’t interest me like the personal connections did. Makes sense to me now. I asked the teacher about this and she agreed to my idea but advised on lack of references. This didn’t stop me! Remember– no true internet then so you had to rely on books, magazines, (or “periodicals,”) and the good old fashioned Microfiche machine. Remember that? You could access newspapers so YES even in 1990 that still existed for research.

How is this connected to Warrior? Well, here comes his part in all this. One night I ventured out to the library. Warrior would love that. It was time for some serious work without the distractions of home. This was just around the time after WMVI so distractions in yet another ultimate way! Despite that, the library was upon me. I remember vividly going downstairs to the basement where all the reference areas were.

After a bit of time, I needed to find some “periodicals” and that back space was huge! I actually can’t remember the details (I know, right?) but for some reason ended up in the “W” section. I really was back there for my story– no joke! Guess what I saw? You’re looking at it up above. That was not the latest issue of the WWF magazine but the Ultimate Warrior just happened to be in the front. He did appear on two covers in 1990, June and Nov. but I was there in April. My report got side-tracked as I picked up the magazine and sat on the floor reading it! Why didn’t I just check it out with all my other materials? Couldn’t do that…

I did finally find what was needed for my report but ended up arriving home a little later than expected. Guess that “research” took longer– HA-HA! This goes along with my newer catchphrase of “I Can’t Go Anywhere.” Even back then. Do any of you remember my post on “Stand Up, Stand Out, Deliver?” The teacher who gave me a bad grade on a report was this experience.

I worked my A_ _ off on that report and got too many corrections from her without merit. She did raise my grade and gave me 3 out of 5 points proved. I stood up and THAT’S being a warrior. The history part he would also love. I always did the work and continue doing the work everyday. I hope you do too. That report was kept for a bit but then I grew tired of knowing her red marked corrections didn’t define it. It was tossed but my library adventure in the “periodical” section never would be.

This was a few years before I really did buy my first wrestling magazine. It has been blogged and also mentioned in my book Spirit and Belief. I will always have my Great Depression term paper story which connects Warrior and me. Five years ago was another time of depression but we are past those posts….. History, a library, and a magazine all involved the Ultimate Warrior then which gave me a great April memory. Not to mention WMVI of course!

I guess thanks need to be given to that teacher who brought out more of my warrior self. She still battles on today as a warrior woman to the core.💪🏻💖👏🏻👍

www.spiritandbelief.com

Moments and Memories

This post will conclude my experiences and emotions regarding five years ago with Warrior’s passing. I’m not sharing my whole day of shock upon hearing the news on April 9, but wanted to relate my grief and the tribute on RAW April 14.

When my brother informed me of the tribute, I had no idea of what to expect. I just knew for those brief minutes that WWE would be on my T.V. that night. The whole day my stomach was in knots as time passed way too fast. I became more immersed in my activities while trying to avoid distractions. So many scenarios played out in my head as I anticipated that volcano inside my throat. 🌋

I had to tell my husband why I wanted to watch RAW which we don’t. So needed to form my words correctly without tears. Prior to this, it was our family game night that the kids initiated a few weeks before. They picked Clue Jr. and Mama calmed her heart to play. Sometimes these games take too long and had to mention possibly cutting it short. There was something on T.V. their Mama needed to watch. Luckily, it ended with about 20 minutes before 8:00–RAW time.

I explained to my husband how my favorite wrestler passed away recently and they were giving him a tribute on RAW. No big deal to him really. Why did I care so much? After all, it wasn’t just his T.V., right? The eerie part for me was where I sat to watch. Really wasn’t even thinking but ended up in the exact same spot I sat a week ago. A week ago when Warrior was still alive making his last television appearance on RAW. That didn’t faze me until later. Very different feelings just 7 days ago.

While watching after several minutes, my husband saw part of the Ultimate Warrior‘s IC title win over Honky Tonk Man. He looked at the T.V. pointed to HTM, and asked:“Is that him?” He meant Warrior. Since I never liked the bad guys as previously blogged, my face grimaced some while slowly saying:“Noo, he’s the other guy…” Not wanting to cry, a little smile formed on my face. Let’s just say emotion-wise that his comment about HTM was better than if we’d seen Undertaker!!! So very glad to see the Honky Tonk Man get inducted this year.

Guess the humor was needed for just a moment. My husband was completely clueless about all this and I wasn’t ready to share. I was actually better than I thought during the tribute but music gets me every time. Every single time. The song “One More Time” by

7 Lions was perfect with the part played. It seemed so wrong to hear the Ultimate Warrior’s theme music without seeing him running or just physically there. I applaud Triple H for getting the crowd going as hearing that music, well, you just can’t sit still. I do have a post about “Unstable” coming soon so stay tuned… Of course the next day, I watched it all again by myself tissues in hand. 💔😢

After the memorial tribute was over, I knew that volcano needed to erupt. I tapped my foot constantly while digging my nails into the side of the couch. I told my husband he could change the channel as I left the room.

Going upstairs to be alone seemed too obvious so I made my way into our half bathroom off the kitchen. After a few moments of silenced sobs, I turned on the faucet full blast to mask my tears. My ugly cries came yet again. That early April made me lose my voice from grief but I blamed it on the exceptionally warm spring which brought about my “cold.”

I’m sharing my story not out of extreme sad memories or my horrible emotional state back then at all. It is being written to show how grief knows no barriers whatsoever. We all grieve, even over losing things. It isn’t just people. I’ve even grieved over getting our new van a few years ago after having our first one 11 years. This year, it’s a new pool that’s replacing our old one and yes, I’ll grieve again. Am sure Dana grieved when selling Casa de Warrior a few years back.

Your grief is yours alone and it knows no time. You will know what journey is truly yours and there is no comparison. Some can say I was crazy to grieve so long and hard for a celebrity. Believe me, I questioned it also. Grief never fully goes away but just changes over time. I debunk many myths we buy into in my book Spirit and Belief.

I kept so much hidden for various reasons and very glad not to hide anymore. Slay those naysayers warriors! Don’t ever feel like your grief doesn’t matter because it does!! Perhaps Dana seemed so strong to all of us but she has such a huge support system which I never had.

Remember that we all need to be validated and go thru a process to get where we are today. We all go in different directions but need support along the way. I validate your grief for whatever reasons and truly understand. We need to let it out and not push it down. Without my process, I wouldn’t be doing all I am now in memory of Warrior. He gave me that validation and supported me from the start.

So, I am moving on from these moments and memories as I continue making new ones. Please do that too. My humor will be back very soon as it is the backbone of many posts! I realize sharing your grief or stories can be so challenging but know you are not alone. Grief makes us stronger.

Just don’t wallow too much as the spirit needs to laugh as well. Make that grief your OWN and let it pass as it needs to. A Warrior is strong but also tender. Celebrate how your sadness makes you real because it matters. A relative, celebrity, an object or memory, we have them all. Some we lose but some we keep. Make sure you keep what’s important as it reflects your life. The ones you keep are imprinted in your soul. Never let anyone deny that of you.

I will never forget April 14 as another moment and memory for me but know it let to a higher purpose. My story makes a difference just like yours does for you. Never by defined by myths, they are meant to be debunked. Grief will lead to joy. Go with it and your strong warrior self will make it truly ultimate. Being “sensitive,” “emotional,” or “too dramatic” isn’t a curse. It’s a blessing and what a life lesson it has been for me. 💙💪🏻🙏🏻~~~ Kathy

www.spiritandbelief.com

Five HOF Warrior Years

With Wrestlemania 35 and the WWE HOF this weekend, I’d like to share a few of my HOF related memories. I, like most true Ultimate Warrior fans will always remember his induction five years ago on April 5, 2014. As readers of this blog and quite possibly my book Spirit and Belief also may know, two signs in my home fell on April 5, 2016. The third April 5 connector was just last year when I attended a book event that became “The Library Lift-off” blog post. So, April 5 will always remain as another of my most fondest memories with dates and Warrior. Maybe I’ll get something next year with those even numbered years?

Five years ago also brought the first basketball game we attended as a family. My husband and I had gone to a few but never with the kids. My son in 4th grade (yet again with that grade!) had won a ticket to see the Cleveland Cavaliers through school. We were all so excited! Our family of four celebrated my son’s birthday a week later even though the Cavs lost. It was so great seeing this boy getting into the crowd with his chants of “DEFENSE!” I can’t believe he just turned 15.. 💙😲 Where have five years gone???

I remember glancing upward seeing retired jerseys in the rafters. Those names were of players I followed back in high school. Just like a memory of someone else I followed in high school.

While watching the game, my mind thought of Warrior who later in the evening would take his rightful place in his professional home. I did have several moments of distractions of course but all filled with such pride. First my son and then of Warrior. I guess it was a good thing being at the arena instead of home for me that night.

The Cavs may have lost but my son won with inviting our hometown team into his heart. That began those two years of emotion until our BIG title win in 2016. Warrior also won with a different kind of victory that didn’t involve a court or even a wrestling ring. He was gifted with an HOF ring meaning much more than a title or a belt.

So, again where have these last five years gone? I ask that sometimes over the years with my kids but never thought that question would involve Warrior on his passing. That’s why I wanted to remember and share in his HOF more. I’m not one of those mothers who gets all sappy with time. Sure, I can go there in a second but I don’t. It can seem like just yesterday in many ways but the feeling is neutral for me.

I was always home with my kids so heck yeah– the time is very real in its years! They are 15 and almost 13. The same is true of Warrior. Five years can seem like yesterday but then after everything I’ve gone through, it really sounds about right being that long.

When looking at photos, it’s the same yet again. I have a picture of my son from another Cavs game in his photo frame where I see it everyday. That twelve year old looking so intent had no idea Mom was taking his picture. Yesterday and now all at once. The photos I have of Warrior echo that too as is probably true for all of us.

Do you perceive time passing the same or different than me? Guess that all depends on your life and those moments lived which are different for each person. There is no time or space up in parts unknown so as a spirit, Warrior isn’t confined anymore with those terms as we are here.

However you view time, just make it count and become memorable. Warrior would want nothing less from us as he always made his moments count. Gosh, I can still view myself first watching WWF and can’t believe that was 35 years ago! BTW– I was 12. Videos bring memories back even more than photos and that’s o.k. too. It’s good to remember but just don’t live in the past too long.

I reflect on many dates and passages of time but need the happy more than the sadness. I hope you do the same. Five years, thirty, or thirty-five, remember with pride and then live for the now.

~~~ Happy Five HOF years Warrior as I look back on April 5 and know that time passes as it must. ~~~”This too shall come to pass and until we meet again, I will always believe!” ~~ Kathy (with a little bit of quoting Warrior)

P.S. I first started watching WWF 35 years ago as it becomes WM35 this year! 💖💙👏🏻💪🏻🙏🏻

P.P.S. I have used a few HOF pics before so wanted a different one for this post!

www.spiritandbelief.com

Ultimate Warrior 2019?

Before I begin today’s post, a quick acknowledgment is sent out to WWE’s own Sue Aitchison on receiving the Warrior Award this year during the HOF ceremony. Sue has been a longtime WWE employee for over 30 years and heads up the Make-A-Wish program. She has helped grant wishes to over 6,000 kids! I am so excited to see another woman receive this honor! Well deserved and congratulations to Sue!! 👏🏻🏆

A few weeks ago, I wrote about the idea of U.W. being bad but today harbors another idea… A new question has been coming to my mind lately and maybe some of you Warrior fans or WWE followers can help me? I have often wondered if the Ultimate Warrior character would work in pro-wrestling today. Let’s look at their slogan of Then, Now, and Forever. Of course then. Of course forever. What about now? My first answer was an emphatic NO! Then, I thought of the little things. Remember, I don’t watch today so again all my feelings.

The paint is still used by some performers in small ways, some guys have a lot of hair going on, yelling- yes, muscles- ok, there’s all that. The no’s of course would be the running, addressing the “gods,” thumping his chest, shaking ropes, snarling, and let’s not forget all that color. Dana Warrior has also said she misses the colorful performers of yesteryear with all their gear. Sure, a little of that still exists but not like it did back then.

The bigger issue of the U.W. character probably not working today is the lack of creativity. Warrior had also said this. The storylines can get pretty crazy– that I know but so much more is scripted today. The performers don’t have as much “control” in a way like they had years ago. Warrior would agree and walk just on that alone.

I think in the earlier years, Vince McMahon let them do so many things with less “pulling on the strings” or being fed a script. They were really trying to become more mainstream in the media and with fans. I know this is true since so much of what I’ve watched on videos is not censored like it is today! Am sure those were jokes but sometimes I literally can’t believe what some of the commentators just said!! 😬

The entertainment industry has changed of course so it’s up to them if adapting fits with their ways. There are several performers who were opponents of Warrior’s still in WWE today. They’ve probably adapted to fit in with 2019’s entertainment standards. I really believe some of what they do would intrigue Warrior. His manager Steve mentioned getting him back into paying attention just a little several years prior to his passing. Very different watching versus signing contracts and performing.

Who knows really? Warrior did always have tons of ideas but sometimes Vince had others. It’s hard to change but evolve we must. Like I’ve also said, my brain is old school with this. I do love how WWE is able to keep it fresh all the time. The women ROCK! I love how their evolution is more mainstream than ever and with Mattigan Warrior planning her run to the ring– even better! 💖

Warrior entered the then WWF at a perfect time as it was his destiny. They needed another good guy superhero and he needed them. He was involved in so many insane antics then so he’d probably love the stunts and props of today. I just feel he’d want more creative input and they don’t get as much anymore.

So, overall– would his character work today? As a whole, no. In pieces, yes. Would Warrior agree? Yes. It’s all of him or none of him (as some performers tried to emulate) and I concur. Sure, you can create a brand new “version” of a similar Ultimate Warrior but it wouldn’t be authentic and he surely is/was.

I do like the versatility of what they have in WWE today. Many performers use their real names. Rarely heard of back then unless it was part of the gimmick. Some also don’t really feel the need to add to their gear much at all. Just the basics. It works and that’s all that matters. Warrior would get bored but hey, it’s the now!

Some pay homage to our “heroes” of the past and that’s different as they consider them mentors. What an honor that is. I heard how Batista shakes ropes and Warrior loved that. To create a character that remains in minds and hearts forever is truly legendary. The current superstars are already doing this as we have our superstars of an era gone before.

To be an ultimate warrior in 2019 is much more than what he brought to television. He pointed in the crowd and said how we all are the ultimate warrior. It isn’t defined by gender. We must strive for our best selves and stay true to our beliefs. That’s what an ultimate warrior means to me as I know it’s how Warrior lived as well. Whether or not a character similar to his graces television again, there will never be another. There will never be another me or you either. Be the ultimate warrior version of your BEST self Then, Now, and Forever… 2019 into the future!!! ⚡️🔥🚀👍👊🏻

#ultimatewarrior #WWE #HOF

#warrioraward #danawarrior

Be Your OWN Boss! (mostly…)

Are you your own boss? I guess you can take that statement however you wish. It can mean literally being your own employer financially or being in charge of your life. Some aren’t both but I so hope you are the latter. Here we are again with yet another commonality I have with Warrior. He had “issues” with authority at times and so did I. Am sure most employees do at some point in their career whether it’s the boss, co-workers, pay, extra time, or the workplace. The list goes on.

When you begin a job, it’s probably the same for most of us. At least I hope so. You’re excited since it’s a new chapter in your life open to all kinds of possibilities. You get to know the “rules” and people while creating your own style of work. The challenge is upon you while rising eagerly accepting mentors. After a while, you want your opinion heard and respected. Little things may begin to irritate you but it’s stuff that doesn’t stick around for long.

Then, the bigger changes occur. We can all relate, right? The boss asks you to come in earlier, stay later, work from home, take a pay cut, come in on your day off, etc. You get the idea. That annoying co-worker just got even weirder… You may not get that elusive raise or promotion after all. Ugh… what to do? Sometimes we don’t have a choice and really need the job and paycheck. Maybe you still really love the work but dislike other factors.

If you aren’t familiar with Warrior’s career in the WWE, you can look all that up and come to your own conclusion. I personally believe he did better creatively being his OWN boss. There’s a reason we butt heads with authority but again like I’ve said before: it’s all about the WHY and HOW, not always the WHAT. Some say he was “difficult to work with” but those same people forget all the consecutive years he DID give– without a break. Some also say he made others wait, didn’t live up to contracts, or any of that. We don’t know the full story. Some have great things to say about him too!

It also connects to the deep down truth of his inner boss coming more and more to the surface. I for one am glad he pursued other opportunities despite not receiving the bigger paycheck. A few business ventures didn’t always work out but he tried a variety of interests. We ALL should. Vince McMahon is also a very highly creative person and sometimes compromise becomes too hard. Warrior eventually became his own boss while still inspiring. That’s exactly what he wanted and needed to do.

For my life, a preschool teacher’s situations weren’t exactly the same as a pro wrestlers but the emotion ALWAYS is. I left both my jobs as a result of “friction” and have no regrets. OK, the second job was because I became pregnant but I was planning on quitting anyway.

Who knows if my future will contain another similar job in the workforce but I gotta say– I feel more fulfilled now. I’m my own boss as a blogger, published author of Spirit and Belief, and now becoming a spiritual coach. The coaching thing is new but that’s my passion as I continue without a boss in my ear. I realize most don’t this luxury and believe me, I am grateful every single day. You can be your own boss in so many other ways though.

I’m learning that more all the time but it’s just feeling more comfortable being ME and loving it. Do a few little extras just for you sometimes that normally aren’t in the daily routine. Remember those things you loved doing but don’t always have the time for anymore? DO THEM and make the time. You will feel better and more versatile with knowing your life isn’t the 9-5 job.

Also, being your own boss is not letting others dictate how you need to be. I’m not saying ” F_ _ __ what others think.” That was Warrior! It means to not hide your abilities and interests just to please others. Be in charge and in control of what makes you happy. It doesn’t mean to ignore everyone but just don’t conform and become a doormat. You are the only one that can do this, nobody else can. It might be difficult doing something new or different but exciting also! Live within your means like Warrior said but also live your life with passion, not drudgery.

This Valentine’s Day, why not express self-love more? Not everyone has a romance and this Holiday doesn’t need to be all that anyway. I can give you suggestions but am sure your creative self can come up with plenty. 😉👏🏻 To be your OWN boss involves some thinking but focus on one area first. How can you best become that boss of your life which is necessary? Take time to answer that but remember to love yourself first. It is so important to know. Enjoy the process and my wish is for you to discover how to truly OWN becoming a boss in your life. HAPPY LOVE DAY SELF BOSSES! 💖❤️💙💜🥰🤗❣️💓🎁💘💗💞#selflove#beyourownboss

#loveyourselffirst

The Ultimate Bad Guy? 😬

I often times wondered how I’d feel if the Ultimate Warrior was a bad guy and if he would’ve influenced me the same way? He always said that his character was good who got away with being bad. You know– the screaming, running, shaking ropes, crazy interviews, snarling, “not following rules,” and everything in between.

But here’s my question again since I never liked the bad guys. Hardly ever anyway. There were those times that bad guy went against bad guy and it was hard to choose. I’d always go for the one who seemed a little better (or nicer!) in my mind but really– it was neither.

I am so grateful that U.W. was never a character that flip-flopped like many did. In his early years, he went from good to bad and then bad to good. We had the Freedom Fighters (tag team with Sting) — good, Blade Runners (also with Sting) –bad, Dingo Warrior (bad then good), and then of course the Ultimate Warrior (good!) I never even cared that much about any of the talent bad guy characters brought since my mind was stuck on BAD and that was it.

I can name so many performers back then during my years watching where it became hard to follow if they were bad or good! Yes- good drama, action filled storylines, and more ratings but for me– too much emotion. As I’ve mentioned before, I don’t do well with shock value although that does matter very much in entertainment. Once a bad guy for me, always a bad guy. It did also change when some formed a tag team like the Ultimate Maniacs. I just had to mention them! Randy Savage was always a bad guy but with U.W., he was good. Am sure fans will remember when Andre the Giant turned good after WrestleMania VI? Of course I’d remember that, guess I’m a little biased! 😉

Who can tell me how many times the Undertaker flip-flopped? Well, for anyone who knows my previous stories– he will always be bad to me! Even if I watched today, his bad status will remain. That old school mentality of mine never really goes away. I know WWE does this today as well and it confuses me!! Once a fan of someone’s you always are so maybe good or bad makes no difference. Does it to some of you?

I can only imagine my feelings had it been that way with the Ultimate Warrior. Deep down, I know I’d feel the same but wouldn’t have liked him bad. Not too sure Warrior’s “beliefs” would’ve resonated the same as a bad guy. O.K.– some of the “gods” up above were bad but his core disciplines, all good. Rick Rude was a good looking guy but I would NEVER admit that. He was bad and off limits to my teenage self!

I always did hear that many of them started bad like Hulk Hogan since being bad gave you a faster push in the business. I wonder why that is? Do most people like bad better? Maybe they get all the “cool” storylines but not always. Good is supposed to triumph over evil, right? I’m a “good” girl so maybe that explains it. I can be “bad” when I want though!

Besides the “Hulkster,” the Ultimate Warrior was the only other top good guy. There were others, I KNOW but popularity matters. The fans back in the day made the Dingo Warrior good because of his resemblance to Kerry Von Erich. Thank you fans for that longevity! So many aspects drew me to the U.W. character and several qualities were better suited to a good guy, not bad. Just my opinion but then again, it becomes a toss-up. Some bad characters could pull off their jargon and catch phrases as good too. Hmmm… 🤔 Such a dilemma. Good or bad– it doesn’t really matter but so interesting to think about. Once someone became that character, it was a big part of them like their twin in a way.

I’m certain that if there happened to be a storyline where U.W. would’ve gone “rogue,” and turned from good to bad, I’d be devastated. Of course that never came to be and honestly, I don’t believe he’d ever go for it at all. Loyalty makes a difference and I know his fans deserved that in return. I realize it’s completely different today but maybe some lose fans if they switch? Women included. Guess you can always gain new ones but I feel it isn’t the same. I’d personally hate being booed but sometimes that’s the way it goes.

I thank Warrior for always being the Ultimate GOOD guy despite critics. Negativity and naysayers sometimes but deep down, his integrity made him good. Whether in or out of the ring, he lived his life dedicated to true beliefs. To me, that’s the ultimate good guy who I will always root for… 💖👏🏻💪🏻

www.spiritandbelief.com

#ultimatewarrior#hulkhogan

#randysavage#wwe#rickrude

#sting#freedomfighters

#bladerunners#andrethegiant

#kerryvonerich#undertaker

Preach Your Speech! 🗣🎤

I gotta say that this never used to be me. Boy, is it now! When I share my journey, book Spirit and Belief, these writings or anything else I’m passionate about, it gets preached- well. I am still in awe of how I LOVE speaking on my topics and can all day– but that wouldn’t be fair. My most favorite events are ones I get an opportunity to speak at while inviting others to do the same.

Warrior liked to talk passionately also about his beliefs and did so often. He even dabbled in conservative politics for a bit. Always very opinionated and controversial but he preached his speech that’s for sure. Did I always agree-/ nope but speaking to groups takes GUTS– a lot of them. I know he needed to get back to his roots of preaching self-belief and disciplines while trying to always motivate others. Never, never, never did I imagine myself speaking to groups, albeit small ones interested in my passions. I love it and have very little nerves at all. Oh, how I have evolved.

In first grade, we had to give a report on our “patron saint” if you had one. Yeah, Catholic school. Getting dressed up, reading off note cards in front of the class, you know it– the whole nine yards. Can you say scared out of my mind at age six? But, I did it and it went well. The next memory is fourth grade when I was a bird in the play “Peter and the Wolf.” OK, so I only “tweeted” while flapping my arms on top of a box but still! Performing while people are looking at ya– that counts! Hmm, sounds like a pro wrestler, hehe! 😜 Also, another one in fourth was a report on a famous person where you signed the chalkboard as a “Mystery Guest.” I was Marie Curie. Loved her. I even got a book on her as well!

That takes us to I believe sixth grade when I gave two “special interest” talks. Those were fun. No, they really were! My first talk was on dolphins (one of my faves!) and my second was on the Space Shuttle. Lucky for me my Dad worked for NASA. They had to be TEN minutes and back then with peers, that seemed like an eternity! Now, not so much…. I always practiced since everyone should– even adults. Seventh grade was a poem but this boy in front kept kicking the podium making me nervous! Hey, there’s seventh grade again. Ninth brought speech class which was a requirement on a stage and then eleventh was an elective course I wanted to take. It was Oral Communications and I must say every time, I got better and better.

It also helps to have a good teacher. Whoever it is, that person makes a difference and will help boost your confidence. You can bet on that. Warrior has and is STILL doing that for me. This was yet another area that I wanted to share as he preached his beliefs just like I am doing today. However it works for you, use it to your advantage. I love making YouTube videos or there’s Facebook live. How about a podcast? Heck, I got to do a radio interview. Can you imagine being on T.V.? I know this isn’t feasible for all but try some opportunities if you can.

College didn’t really bring that many speeches but just a few presentations pertaining to Early Childhood Education which was my profession then. That led to great parent-teacher conferences in the future and then well, the rest is history. We all should remember great speeches but also have our own. There was a reason Warrior wanted people to never forget his insane promos! Nobody has either. At least people who are true fans.

This can all be very daunting but childhood requirements may bring adult choices you actually want to do. It also can lead your life in a completely different direction you’d never thought to go.

Whose speeches inspire you? Maybe it’s even someone you know. I just remembered some PTA talks I gave when chairing a few committees. It’s OK to be nervous since that means you care. Warrior said that and it’s true. If your opinion needs to be heard, tell it. Tell it well. If you want to share an interest, idea, or just want to get something going like~~~ I dunno~~ a Book Talk, go for it! Even if you have a few people, it’s better than nobody and at least you tried something new and different.

Your speech just might make a difference just like others have for you. Warrior did for me and now Dana is. She never envisioned herself speaking as a WWE Ambassador while presenting an award every year or even talking to groups about their activities. Once that little kid voice in you comes out, it’s always there. You know you’ll have to give some speeches later in life so just keep practicing while getting better all the time. Even disciplining your kids counts~~ in a positive way!

Preach your speeches warriors and speak them well. Your voice matters. Warrior’s does. Dana’s does. Mine does too. Talk the talk, someone is listening even if you don’t know it yet.

P. S. I also won a spelling bee in third grade against a boy who was super nice! I could’ve lost on purpose but kept going.., I spelled those words (still preaching sorta) and did it well! 🐝

www.spiritandbelief.com

~~ check out my website for info on the book Spirit and Belief plus lots of good stuff! Book trailer video, press release, radio interview, and podcast! 💖📗💪🏻

Spirit and Belief Video

https://you.tu.be/MTfFYGj5h1l

~~~Check out this video on my book made by my friend Holly Matson. She did an excellent job and I am so proud with how it turned out!

You TOO can believe in your own spiritual power and follow your intuition everyday like I did. I listened and trusted in the signs from Warrior and the Universe. Once you get coincidences, they turn into synchronicities just for YOU.

If you are a follower of this blog, you have read my many stories but you can find more in my book: Spirit and Belief. The stories and traits continue as I #alwaysbelieve 🙏🏻💖💪🏻

If you have questions, comments, or want to share your stories, please do! You can find me also on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, my YouTube channel,(this video is also there!) and over at my website:

www.spiritandbelief.com

I also have an amazon author page(kathypickett)

Hope you enjoy this video and if interested in working with Holly here is her info:

http://www.lightseedsbyholly.com/text-to-video-service.html

~~~Follow your intuition everyday and feel the POWER!!!

Kid Warrior-isms

Kids do indeed say the darndest things. These fun stories popped in my head as I remembered this date of November 14 and my Toys R Us connection. So sad how those stores closed but grateful my kids enjoyed memories… 🥺 I even had a personal one with Warrior blogged about and also in my book Spirit and Belief. I’ll get to the photo above in a bit..,, Too funny!

So, onto my kids and these sillies that didn’t make it into the book. LOVED writing them all down so I wouldn’t forget and then another one came into memory. I’ll share the ones that REALLY got to me and some more than others.

Remember, most of these occurred shortly after Warrior’s passing and ALL made me laugh. Kids are messengers too and I do believe Warrior sent his energy to them. Way too many to doubt. What to start with? Well, my daughter had much more in her than my son and she is a Gemini like Warrior (remember last week’s post?) Warrior has two daughters so who knows?

She is quite the character herself and not long after Warrior was gone, she started thumping her chest and doing a similar snarl out of the blue. I KNOW– crazy!! I asked her so many times as to why and all she would say is: “Because it’s funny!” It was a brief time but I remembered.

When I was watching the 25th anniversary of WMVI in 2015, my daughter came into the room. It always falls on Spring Break so the kids are home from school then. I fully expected some unusual comments as I had never watched this in front of anyone. I was ready– bring it on girlie! After a few minutes, she asked: “Who’s the old guy with the mustache?” I could’ve answered another way but nicely I said: “Neither of them are old, he just looks that way.” I then was ready yet again for another comment but she didn’t say anything about Warrior. I did tell her how Mommy likes the other guy while chuckling to myself about the “old guy.”

Another time she was on the couch playing with her dolls and then I heard her say in the EXACT way Brother Love did: “I LOOOVE YOU!” (insert accent, he was a spoof of the 80’s televangelists, aka Jim Baker) I couldn’t believe that voice was coming out of her. When I asked about it, she just sorta denied the whole thing and laughed….

Oh this girl. Another funny (some are wrestling related and not necessarily Warrior) was when we attended her Literacy Night together at the elementary school. We were in the cafeteria and they were showing a power point on labeling a diagram. The picture was a gorilla and I whispered while elbowing her: “Hey, it’s your soccer team name!” She looked so confused and scoffed saying: “Um, no–we were the Monsoons, not the Gorillas!” I just started laughing so incredibly hard, she did too and we almost fell off our chairs! People were looking and we pretended to notice something outside. I’m laughing now, such bonding and we weren’t home for this one! Gorilla Monsoon was with the WWE back in the day….

I’ll move on to my son and a few of his moments that made the cut. A few times this happened and it wasn’t wrestling related but very Warrior related. Here’s the photo story….

My boy would just walk into the room where I was sitting and sing: “Firepower!” Whaaaaat??? He’d keep walking like no big deal. Was I imagining? It was inquisition time for sure. The poor kid got so annoyed with Mom’s constant questions! It went something like this:

“Why are you saying that?”

“Where do you know it from?”

“Are kids saying it?”

“Is it in a new video game?”

“Did something go on in school, the bus, a cartoon?”

— You name it, I asked it. Finally, he said it would pop in his head and he just knows it. That’s all I ever got out of him and had to accept his answer. Sure, kids say things but this expression was NOT my kid and if he had a logical answer, he’d tell me. For all you confused out there, Firepower was the name of a movie Warrior starred in 1993 in which he was a bad guy named the Swordsman. That photo is of him on the set.

It was just the WAY my son said it in a loud voice and then leaving.., bizarre, funny, and yet totally made me amazed.

He also had this water gun called “Warrior Web Ultimate Outlaws” (I think that was it) and hard to believe both words on that. Ah, kids toys. It was always very temperamental and I seemed to be the only one who could get it to work. Kinda ironic, isn’t it?

Both kids would sing: “Macho Man” randomly sometimes around the house while walking around or playing. I might’ve egged them on a bit after playing my Disco 70’s CD one day but this continued for months! I have always loved the Warrior and Randy moments and the Ultimate Maniacs~~ great date today! More are in my book…

The word “ultimate” seemed to appear in both kids vocabulary and believe me when I say they NEVER ever used that word before and now rarely do. For my girl, it was a “grand finale” jumping off the swing set as the “ultimate” ending. For my boy, he used it to describe the biggest water balloon he was saving for last. He threw it at the garage while shouting: “the Ultimate!” It burst everywhere as he ran away inside. I was left to pick up the pieces. What a funny little twist of fate that was but it’s all good.

There you have it. My kids and their weird yet comical behavior mostly being in the spring and summer of 2014. If you knew them, you’d know their vocabulary or behavior. This stuff was not that at all. My girl has more little sillies but these experiences left me wondering and yet without feeling naive, I believed.

They might not sound funny to you but they were to me as I still laugh today!!! Kids REALLY do say the darndest things but they act the darndest too. Look for those constant signs and you’ll be a believer too. After all, kids are honest (well, most of the time) and Warrior’s beliefs revolve around honesty. They were funny and Warrior IS funny! That too, I will always believe…

#alwaysbelieve#firepower

#ultimatewarrior#wwe

#ultimatemaniacs

#gorillamonsoon

#randysavage#wrestlemaniaVI

www.spiritandbelief.com