Archive for August, 2008

Papuga, it’s ok to read this blog. I promise.
Another year, another Juggalo Day.

What is a Juggalo Day? That’s the day each year where the Juggalos of the greater Pittsburgh area converge on the great old Kennywood Park in West Mifflin, PA. It was started by the PittsburghJuggalos.com guys in 2001, and I’ve helped wherever I could ever since with my own site, WesternPAJuggalos.com. This year, we had it later than usual, after conferencing with one of the “PJ originals” that still has any involvement with this thing. The moving of the Gathering of the Juggalos to early August started to eclipse the usual date for the event, so we moved it back to August 30, and it seemed like a good move. The park was highly populated, but very few of the rides had horrendus lines, aside from the Exterminator and the new haunted house ride, it seemed. This made for a great bit of riding.

I arrived with the Silent One, dropped off so the Missfit could have the car for the day. We met upw ith Sammi AKA Snuggalette on the site, and eventually with WPAJ original, Snackz, and his girl Meg. This was really cool, since Snackz has only popped up so often since he moved back to Mansfield, OH after his stint at the Art Institute. We also met up with Kraz. This is the girl that got the WPAJ “lil’ will” art tattoo’ed on her arm. She’s crazy awesome.

Sammi, though, definitly gets Juggalo Day MVP of the year. This girl stepped up and did her best to organize the group discount tickets over the last month. While the prepay method didn’t illicit any takers, she stepped up, bought a round of 20 tickets, and set a time for everyone to meet up. There were issues with the tickets being printed wrong and saying we needed a “$10 surcharge”, and a small issue with a security guard thinking she was “selling” tickets in the concourse. But that’s for later. A big “woot woot” goes to her. And it was great to see the Erie Ninja and his Erie Ninjette, as well has their young Ering Ninjling at the park as well. They couldn’t stay for the picture, but it was great to have them there!

Anyways, after all that BS over the tickets, we finally get into the gate and hit rides. Rolling about eight deep most of the day, with the above mentioned and their significant others. It was a great time. I got to check off the list of to do’s for the park that I didn’t get to last year. (that’s another story). Raging Rapids. Cosmos ride. Dippin’ Dots. Steel Phantom in day and at night. Exterminator. Twice. Hit all the the high spots. And I don’t think there was a boring moment.

Finally, 5:30 rolled around and it was picture time! This is the tradition that has led to the more amazing public displays of Juggalos in a public place on the net. This year, I counted at least 80+ Juggalos before losing my place, so, as always, that could have meant near 100 for the day. (people leave early, late, get ejected for being stupid sometimes, etc. So I round up a bit) But we got everyone together, I got the chance to make something of a thank you speech for everyone who came (which I guess is a new tradition) Have to give it to poor Carly the Kennywood photographer. I think she was rather overwhelmed by our group, but handled things well as I got everyone rounded up for the picture. I made sure the crowd thanked her. And now she has a blog prop, as well.

The only snag I had with our crew, and much love to them just the same, was the smoke breaks. I know Kennywood has the “smoker’s stations” you have to go to since Allegheny has the public smoking laws (thank you, county) but so much downtime for smoke breaks. It became a little frustrating for my and my clean lunged brother. But, alas. It was made the most of to just sit and bullshit, and still was a lot better than last year where I felt like I sat around half the day.

The other snag of the day was some unfortunate incidents with security. Now, last year, there was an incident where some of the young juggalos decided that they were going to toss some Faygo. They took the time to plan out, talked with a Kennywood worker friend of theirs, decided going out to the pavilions would be find, not harm anyone, and no one would mind. They even made sure to clean up after themselves. Well that didn’t work, and some 30+ Juggalos got ejected after the picture last year. Including yours truely for simply being too close to the action. Well, I kind of expected something to come of it this year. I don’t know if it was related, and in a couple cases, I doubt it.

The first issue was Sammi’s issue with being accused of selling the tickets in front of the gate, as mentioned before. A. this was only when we were down to two tickets. B. the security guard that took the tickets away from her said she couldn’t exchange money out there, but could after they got in the gate. A look at Kennywood’s web site, that I could find, stated nothing about this rule. C. as I understand it, so long as “tickets” are sold at face value, it is not a matter of “scalping” the tickets. But, after some talk, another staff member gave her her paid tickets back.

Secondly, I heard about five Juggalos were ejected for “chanting”. This hadn’t been much of a problem before. Chants of “Whoop Whoop” “Magic Ninjas, Wut” and the like are often heard when a group of 5 or more rambuncious juggalos get together. But I was surprised they were kicked out. I did have a chance to talk to one of the cops (They use to be “Kennywood Police” by now are referred to as “Public Safety Officers”. They still have guns, so…) and asked if there was an issue with the chanting. He confirmed they were ejected due to vulgarity. That’s fine, that’s a park rule. Unless I hear from those guys that they weren’t swearing, but I know how some of the chants go myself.

Then I heard about a couple getting ejected when the guy was pulled aside because he was “acting drunk”. As far as I’m told, that’s could be his usual demenor. So they took him to the “station” and did a breathalizer and the like, and found no evidence of him drinking, yet ejected him anyways. The girl asked if she could go back to get her picture, and the cop supposedly said “this is what I think of your picture” and farted.

The last incident I know if is Kraz’s guy (sorry I didn’t catch everyone’s name) This guy was with us all day. During one of the later smoke breaks, he went off alone to the bathroom. He went in, came out, and a female officer was waiting and frisked him, accusing him of rolling weed in the bathroom. Of course, she didn’t find anything, and let him go. So I got to hear about it right after it happened.

Now, I don’t know what was up this year. Whether it was the incident last year, the new Spanish-based owners of this “all American” theme park, or just some shitty attitudes by the staff, but I don’t remember a year with this many problems without some massive provocation (and they were both Faygo-throwing incidents that I can think of.) But it’s at the point where several have told me they might not go back to Kennywood in general. And notice, the numbers have dwindled in recent years, and the dealing with this staff might be a partial cause of it.

If you were there for Juggalo Day, and felt that something out of line occured with the staff, please feel free to drop me an email at mikesorg@gmail.com. I am looking into options, and plan to contact the park, and it’s parent company, about this issue. And I will be sure to attach 8 years of group pics ranging from 50-200 Juggalos to back up my point.

1. What was the last song that stuck in your brain and wouldn’t go away?
   That stupid Flobots “Handlebars” song.

2. What’s something that sticks around long after you wish it would leave?
   People who won’t let me work in peace when things need to get done.
3. To what use did you put your last sticky note?
   To list some tapes I needed for this project our of the library across the room.
4. When did you last have Pixy Stix?
   Funny story. Once, we thought it was a good idea to try to “smoke” a pixy stick. Not a good idea.
5. What is something you are a stickler for?
   I guess I’m something of a completist when I get into something. I have to watch a whole series if it strings together, or read the entire storyline of a comic, or can’t get into too many wrestling promotions because I want to follow absolutely everything about it. Thankfully, the advent of series box sets, trade paperbacks, and comics on DVD sets have helped some of this out.

Who Else is Friday 5-ing? (You know you want to join us…)

*As always, the Friday 5 questions were taken from Friday5.org. If you join the fun, be sure to let me know so I can add you to the link list! And don’t forget to send those questions in that you’re itching for us to answer! Don’t worry, we’ll gladly pimp your blog for the effort.

Find more about Hip Hop Crap Stars at www.monkeyflingspoo.com and stay tuned to our weekly stream on TalkShow!

The Mayhem 4 all convene on a small pizzaria in Uptown to discuss wrestling, the night’s Smackdown/ECW taping, and reminisce about the old backyard feds they participated in. Then, we get updates during and after the show, live from Mellon Arena. Oh, and Sorg yelled at Vince McMahon to end the night…

This is Episode 131B for Tuesday, August 26, 2008. You can get the episode here on Talkshoe, subscribe, and as always, stay tuned to www.WrestlingMayhemShow.com for the latest! The Wrestling Mayhem Show is recorded live and can be heard/viewed from 8 PM to 10 PM Eastern on Talkshoe.com and BlogTV.com. Let us know what you think of the show, and your thoughts on the wrestling world by emailing us at goodtimes@wrestlingmayhemshow.com!

Wednesday night was another Podcamp Pittsburgh 3 meeting. It was productive, lots of good news, and a great hang out afterwards. Then, by chance, I found this following video from last year’s…

• The things I do on camera when Will isn’t looking….
• What did we learn? Don’t “woo” when someone is in the intersection. We fear that a car is going to chop us.
• I suppose this may have been the first attempt at “Should I Wrestle That” And we finally started getting to it again a year later…
• “Pittsburgh Malaria Pigeons?” I swear we didn’t know PittGirl at this point.
• Well…I guess someone had to plan the Beaver Bus in from of the Porn Shop.
• Doc Remedy looks like his hair blew up

I remember my first Nintendo
I remember Playing with Power
I remember the trip to the mall
I remember saving up five or ten dollars that was put toward it
I remember being afraid of turtles until I saw ones that knew karate
I remember being afraid of World 1-4, and everyone that looked like it
I remember the glory of flying Cheap Cheaps and the frustration of the water versions
I remember renting Contra and Popeye and Donkey Kong from a video store that hasn’t been around for 20 years.
I remember not understanding why my local store in Jamestown had Sega games instead
I remember always wanting to play the Ghostbusters on this weird system I never heard of with all the white boxes
I remember Super Mario Bros. 2 and accepting it’s differences
I remember drawing in the instruction booklet with a red marker, fixing the “Birdo/Ostro” fuck up and drawing bad Koopa Troopas
I remember the glory of Super Mario Bros 3 unveiled in “The Wizard”
I remember stumbling on Mega Man 2 because the box art was cool
I remember that changing everything I knew about video games
I remember waiting for Nintendo Power every month
I remember keeping them in my backpack at school
I remember getting in a fight when a bully took one on the bus who was a few years older
I remember the thrill of “breaking the rules” with the Game Genie
I remember the confusion of it being released by the Micro Machine people
I remember the mystique of the Super Nintendo, and a whole Mario “World”
I remember watching my system fade away…

But before that…
I remember playing a computer at my cousins’ house with a dog in the middle of a keypad
I remember being crazy about Ladybug and The Smurfs

Mad Mike holds down the chat room and covers all of the week’s wrestling from WWE, TNA, and even some IWC. We also hear from several of our listeners via fan mail.

This is Episode 131A for Tuesday, August 26, 2008. You can get the episode here on Talkshoe, subscribe, and as always, stay tuned to www.WrestlingMayhemShow.com for the latest! The Wrestling Mayhem Show is recorded live and can be heard/viewed from 8 PM to 10 PM Eastern on Talkshoe.com and BlogTV.com. Let us know what you think of the show, and your thoughts on the wrestling world by emailing us at goodtimes@wrestlingmayhemshow.com!

While we may be taking a hiatus from our typical live show this week, there is plenty of Mayhem to go around!

First of all, DJ Lunchbox had a chance to record his appearance on the G Spod a couple weeks ago, and that interview, which I’m sure will raise more than a few eyebrows, is up for all to hear. Find out about Sorg’s appeal and DJ Lunchbox’s darkest secrets…

Then, just this past Friday, Sorg had a chance to talk with the guys on The Awful Show about WesternPAJuggalos.com, the Wrestling Mayhem Show, CRAP, Pittsburgh Bloggers, and why we might be joining forces to take on the World Wildlife Fund. Take that panda people!!!

1. What’s something really, really stupid you’ve done that could easily have resulted in your own death?

Stepped in front of a bus when I was downtown for the first time for orientation. Whoops.
2. What makes you feel stupid?
Talking about something that happened recently, only to realize I’m talking to someone who was there for it.

3. What’s something that’s stupid in a very smart way?
Insane Clown Posse. I always contend with people who think that something is a bad gimmick for music. Then I remind them that they listen (as I do) to Insane Clown Posse. Three words that don’t fit, and entice thoughts of oddities, and drives people away. But it has become synonymous with a rabid fan base and Gold and Platinum records and festivals that still draw thousands.

4. What’s an example of a stupid idea working out in a way that solved a problem?
“Our ring has six sides, but only one Angle” ~ TNA Wrestling Promo. Wrap your head around that one….

5. There is apparently a brand of packaged popcorn called Smartfood. What might be found in the package labeled Stupidfood?
Glass. And ice cream

Who Else is Friday 5-ing? (You know you want to join us…)

*As always, the Friday 5 questions were taken from Friday5.org. If you join the fun, be sure to let me know so I can add you to the link list! And don’t forget to send those questions in that you’re itching for us to answer! Don’t worry, we’ll gladly pimp your blog for the effort.

With the advent of the latest, revealing, Stoke Monkey interview for Podcamp Pittsburgh 3, I thought we would go back to April this year, when we first learned about his Presidency of New Jersey.

• This was a special on location broadcast of the Wrestling Mayhem Show at the Creative Treehouse after a Podcamp meeting.
• This was completely new to me. Even as producer, I’m rarely let on to any bits like this.
• I truly believe nothing on our show is planned.
• This was Episode 114 for April 29, 2008
• Notice background cameos by Norm Huelsman, Dawn Papuga, Uncle Crappy, and other Pittsburgh New Media Superstars!!!