hephaestion2014's blog

And no, it's not about -that- type of ending. Dirty boys ; )

Whenever I go to a group meet or even an one on one match, I am usually travelling by train so am rushing to get there, and then rushing to get back to the station to go home. Occasionally I am envious of the people who can stay longer, and especially with the grapevine meets, who go for a drink and a meal chat after.

A pint of lager, maybe even an IPA, and a chat. That's my perfect ending.

I was talking to another wrestler about his first group meeting, and he said he was pleasantly surprised as everyone was friendly and interesting to talk with. It kind of struck me after, why should he be surprised by this?

Yes, we are all into wrestling, or fighting or some form of it, but we are also people as well. I guess he was expecting a room full of Neanderthals, sloping foreheads and knuckles dragging on the ground as we grunt threats at each other ;)

(Well, it was a meeting "up north", so I can understand that a bit - joking joking ;) )

Okay, I don't really expect that he thought that at all but he was just seeing us as wrestlers not anything else.

Even for all my occasional misanthropy and cynicism at times, I find people interesting especially to hear what other people think.

Now, this next bit makes me sound lonely. Can I just say before this, I'm not really a sad lonely case. I do have friends, but I don't believe we have only a finite amount of friends, we can add to them.

I guess the reason why I use this site more than other sites is there is a possibility in getting not just opponents but making wrestling mates too. People you can chat too, not just about wrestling even other things but people who have wrestled you, and you them so even whilst you are discussing setting the world to rights, there is a sense of a different connection.

And also in my head, I try to work out whether their world view informs their wrestling.

If people were to ask me about my favourite moments in my wrestling so far, there would of course be lots of matches mentioned but there would also be a road trip to Glasgow, lifts and talks to and from Barnet , conversations on train rides and chats over a pint glass too.

I guess my interest and actual doing of wrestling is something I don't share with my friends and family around me. So whilst I belong with them in so many other ways, there is a little part of me kept back, hidden that doesn't belong so it's always good to be around people where this hidden and neglected part does not only belong but is accepted as well.

Wow, this has been a teensy bit rambly but I guess what I am trying to say, wrestle your opponents but if you get the chance take them for a beer and a chat too if you want that camaraderie that comes with wrestling :)

I'd like to think that not only have I met a few past opponents but wrestling mates too.