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Post by Bob Paradis on Jun 19, 2009 19:13:52 GMT -5
Great post Rob. I wouldnt know what "the old days" were like. But what ive learned from going to practices. Just hanging out drinken beers and hearing Gabe Accardi and Jerry Cadorette go back and forth with their tales of the sport. I am entranced everytime they talk about the way things were. Maybe things will change. Maybe not. But i wont stop pullen. Just going to practices like that is part of the fun. Improving and trying to figure it all out is part of it. I like what John said about the memories. One of my best was my first tournament when I had no clue. Harry Bean was the strongest man I ever felt arm wrestling. His strength was incredible. Then, he and Badger took the time to talk about the sport and how they trained. Then I started training. They gave me the bug. I'm not one of the veterans, so I can't hang with them in this conversation. but I'd like to add that they are the ones that can bring back the greatness they once were part of.
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Post by Ty Kissner on Jun 19, 2009 22:18:40 GMT -5
Rob very good post, and I can kinda answer some of your queestions......... we are all grown men, however at times pride and ego do get the better of us and unfortanately we do things that were not usually used to doing, a few times i will re-read some posts I have made and think, did I really need to react that way, however I have a big ego and tons of pride and sometimes that makes for a bad combination on a networked message board. I can honestly say from all the tournaments I have attended, Armwrestlers are for the majority really great people, yea you get the odd dick but generally speaking armwrestlers are one big giant family and to me every tourny feels like a reunion of sorts, you pull a bit, toss back some beers and catch up with ppl..... and truly thats what this sport is all about, making friendships that last lifetimes, I know i have friends for life that I met through armwrestling..............and the list of ppl im hoping to meet is endless, guys I wouldnt mind tossing back beers with include, john wilson and big pic, plaster, James R, Bigwood, Anthony Snook, Milano, Chris Myers, Mike West, Allen Hester and oddly enough Bob Paradis...... Lastly I blame Travis , he had such a great gimmick going a lot of ppl tried to emulate it, wich I guess id the highest compliment known to man, when other individuals try to reinact you.....however ther is only one INNOVATOR OF PRETENDING TO ACT LIKE A DI*K, even tho if you have met Travis you quickly realize its all just an act and he is a really cool guy, he just loves HIS SHOWMANSHIP he missed his calling........Hollywood is where he should be...
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Post by Andrew Fournier on Jun 21, 2009 2:34:47 GMT -5
The Northeast board has changed armwrestling. The days of not knowing your opponent's opinions on armwrestling/off topic are over. Many high class pullers refrain from posting (except out of necessity to blend with the medium)...I respect RVJ for coming on here as a top class puller and telling people the real deal...life is too short to be fake. I completely understand being concerned with your image, it's a legitimate concern, and it's respectable. This whole internet medium...it has changed the balance of the sport...without a doubt. It has introduced drama...yes...but, it has also linked hundreds of armwrestlers together in unison, creating an unbelievable network and friendships that would have never been possible otherwise. I hope you find the peace you're looking for RVJ. Screw those blow-job jockeys chasing Phil Bauer and focus on Armwrestling!!!
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Post by Alper Cosar on Jun 21, 2009 14:27:16 GMT -5
I enjoy reading this post- Quality finally .....
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Post by Pete & Tim on Jun 22, 2009 7:58:34 GMT -5
Maybe something was better a few years ago. I wasn't there, so I don't know what you mean. I have been going to tournaments for over 2 years and they all were fun. Most people are good sports and a lot of fun. Start pulling again and be part of it. Bob, think about the way you see it now and then imagine it tripled. That's a glimpse of what I'm talking about. The reasons guys like Jerry and Gabe and Josh have the stories they do is because it was alot different back 4,5,6 years ago. Ask Josh and Ron Ermini and see if they agree that it was different.
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Post by Jeramie Towle on Jun 22, 2009 8:44:44 GMT -5
Pete it would be great to see you back on the table. You would bring a lot the armwrestling world as a puller. You can really shake up brackets no matter what event you enter.
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Post by Guy Lasorsa on Jun 22, 2009 8:48:09 GMT -5
I enjoy reading this post- Quality finally ..... Yeah legend has it that Rob does his best work late at night
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Post by Guy Lasorsa on Jun 22, 2009 8:49:51 GMT -5
Pete it would be great to see you back on the table. You would bring a lot the armwrestling worls as a puller. You can really shake up brackets no matter what event you enter. ;D
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Post by Guy Lasorsa on Jun 22, 2009 8:52:06 GMT -5
Maybe something was better a few years ago. I wasn't there, so I don't know what you mean. I have been going to tournaments for over 2 years and they all were fun. Most people are good sports and a lot of fun. Start pulling again and be part of it. Bob, think about the way you see it now and then imagine it tripled. That's a glimpse of what I'm talking about. The reasons guys like Jerry and Gabe and Josh have the stories they do is because it was alot different back 4,5,6 years ago. Ask Josh and Ron Ermini and see if they agree that it was different. Yes, true that was before winning and being Highly ranked became the only thing that matters. But at the same time IF I was avoided . Id come hunting until the prey is caught
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Post by Pete & Tim on Jun 22, 2009 9:10:52 GMT -5
Winning and being highly ranked is a good feeling but it doesn't hold a candle to the GREAT MEMORIES of having fun with great friends. I can always look at an old trophy or a home video of an event and remember more about the good times than about how I won that day.
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Post by Guy Lasorsa on Jun 22, 2009 9:26:13 GMT -5
Winning and being highly ranked is a good feeling but it doesn't hold a candle to the GREAT MEMORIES of having fun with great friends. I can always look at an old trophy or a home video of an event and remember more about the good times than about how I won that day. Pete Like the practices we had in Seymour were so much fun...
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Post by Gary Roberts on Jun 22, 2009 22:43:03 GMT -5
NICE post Rob...enjoyed it.
I think it is all perspective too. coming back from this weekend in vegas meeting a few pullers from california who don't travel much, if you ask them, Armwrestling is alive and kicking based on their Vegas experience. If you get in the car with your buddies and take a road trip to an event and have a blast...thats what really matters.
also Pete if your latest armwrestling experiences are primarily this board and your one or two events a year, the sport will never compare to what you had back in the day when you trained and had a good time, hitting up events, hanging out with your crew. Ofcourse it is going to seem different.
if you actively start pulling again, your feelings would probably improve. also more pulling less politics will probably better your mood as well.
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Post by Pete & Tim on Jun 23, 2009 10:38:09 GMT -5
Oh Gary, arguing with you is always so pointless. I'm no longer involved politically in this sport. I could care less. You are wrong tho on what you think about my feelings towards this sport as well. Reading this board and putting on events is not my only idea of what goes on in this sport. I actually go to quite a few events to watch and that is what I base my thoughts on. Let me ask you this,how would you know what it was like years ago if you weren't even there? How can you say that armwrestling is alive and kicking if it's very clear that attendance is way down? Just because a couple of guys go and watch an organized, invitational event with four competitors doesn't mean all is well in wonderland. What happened to the Harley Pull this year? Why was it so light? What is happening to Unifieds? Everywhere I look, people are saying they are not going. How is armwrestling alive and kicking when Major Events can't seem to get people to show up?
Nothing political, just factual.
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Post by Gary Roberts on Jun 23, 2009 10:56:55 GMT -5
I agree with you, on the larger aspects of the sport. I am saying, what armwrestling means to someone on an individual scale. As the example that I said, these couple of guys don't pay attention to much else...all they know is that they went to vegas, had a good time and it will be a memory for them. nothing else really matters if you get something out of it, that experience.
I clearly don't know your exact memories, and wasn't trying to elude to as much. (Although you did mention 2004 as being part of the good times and I was around)
regardless of where you are in the sport today I don't think it is a stretch to say being more involved then, gave more positive experiences then.
and I am not trying to argue with you. just talking peter
to sum up, an event may be light in entries or whatever...BUT that doesn't change the fact that on that day, I could have still had the match of my life...
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Post by Tony Niemo on Jun 23, 2009 18:20:39 GMT -5
I love this sport! I can never wait till the next tourny. I wish more people would show up for tourneys sometimes. I always have alot of fun. I never miss a practice and go to as many tourneys as possible. I'm sure attendance will get better. We are going through some tough economic times. My family tolerates my obsession to armwrestle. I hope to see u all real soon . I'm kinda new to the sport and I'm driven to succeed and i'm having a ball. I thank all of you who make these tourneys happen. I'll kee4p trying to support as many tournys as I can. I live my life to this thought. Today is the first day of the rest of my life so I'l try to make the best of it. Nice post Rob. I read the board everyday, I just don't log in all the time.
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