First Impressions

[reidharriscooper]

Pop-Culture and certain forms of genre truly only have one chance to grab you and then become part of your obsessions, hobbies, interests, and sometimes even careers. Folks who say they don't like something even after later finding something they do like about that thing, reflect back to that first time and therefore never change their mind fully. I luckily have never been a victim of this, I can always return and try again or find something else to see if that would generate interest. My prior experiences having no prior bearing. Although, for many of my loves, that FIRST time as I remember it (and in the end, memory is what matters, even with a first) cemented a love that became fairly hard to kill.

My first professional wrestling memory is of Starcade 1986 which featured almost everything wrestling can offer. Comedy, drama, pathos, acrobatics, men of varying sizes battling with neither having a true advantage over the other, loud mouths and clowns. The only thing missing was women. I didn't discover that wrestling really did have it all till later. Along the way though even if wrestling there were things which I didn't like which I later came to love and possibly vice-versa, although I'm pretty sure the things I really disliked vehemently are things I will always dislike (rude fans, story lines that lack logic (something I stand firm to in everything, even in the world of fantasy there should be a logic base that if crossed ruins everything). Over the years wrestling has been one thing that I've had waves of, dropping completely out only to be pulled back in. I've held many roles in it as a career as well, trainee, worker, extra, ring setup, show setup, manager, and now production manager for a singular promotion. It's something I take pride in and appreciate and love how much I am appreciated for.

The first comic book I remember reading and actually devouring is Watchmen. At the point I received this copy of the collected version (published not long after the miniseries had finished) I was already reading Robert Heinlein, Isaac Asimov, Andew Vachss, and the like, so tackling Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' superhero epic was child's play. It was a perfect entryway drug though for all comics. I was at a comic shop regularly from 10 years old. (My visits to shops has died down, but if I'm in one it's still love). My collection actually became a thing when I won an actual collection of random stuff in over 5-10 boxes by winning a costume contest at a convention. It was 1989, I went as Batman as the first Burton film had just happened but decided I wanted to be 1966's TV Batman. Adam West just happened to be the judge and... my life was forever changed.

The earliest video games I remember are Various Infocom, Michael Crichton's Amazon and In Search of the Most Amazing Thing. These were all on my c64. Not much longer after that in the really formative year of being 10 years old came Maniac Mansion. When the first full color, hardcore game you played is a multi-character, puzzle adventure that many years later is still one of the biggest classics the love of video games will be strong. They will also steer a course for the type of games you enjoy. I never became big on shooters, or strategy or any of the popular versus games everyone is into. Games were an escape into interactive narrative for me. If I wanted to talk to others I would go on the internet to discuss the game after, but when in a game, I wanted it to have my full undivided attention. That is still the case today. I'm choosing that point n click, or the run around and do everything but talk to humans game before anything else.

Now when it comes to movies or television I can't remember my firsts but I'm feeling they were all things I loved as there is no genre I'm not a fan of in some way. Although I am that crazy social butterfly. Despite that there's plenty of things I never got into and there's no real reason for it. No bad first, just not gravitational pull to ever really even create a first. At certain point it doesn't matter if it's a first, third or fifth time. You are who you are, whatever lands, does so and whatever doesn't? It can keep trying and it won't be the first that failed... it just always will.

 written for[Unknown site tag]therealljidol LJ Idol presents Literary Prize Fight Second Chance Idol-Topic One-"First Impressions"

Comments

[water_shadow]

What is wrestling? Is it like fighting over territory, but not? In the cat world, everything was simple. Why do humans have to complicate so many things?

[reidharriscooper]

Hello Kitty. The days of territorial wrestling is long over. It is simply a live action performance show with trained actors and stunt men portraying stories in a visual dance much like Capoeira. There is a lot of production that goes into making sure the show goes off with enjoyment, ease, satisifaction and more for both audience and performers. That is my job.

For the record, you cats can be quite complicated. Some of you even know all about wrestling! Here's a photo I took last year that proves it!

[alycewilson]

I love this photo. What was the context? Where did you take it, and how did the cat get there?

[reidharriscooper]

Since I'm the production manager I'm at ringside a lot to collect people's stuff for a cleaner, faster show. This allows me to get nice upclose photos.
The cat is the second wrestling cat of Teddy Hart. He actually trains the cat to do wrestling stuff, like perch on the top rope and such. The persian is perfect for this as they are extremely docile and friendly despite that face.
This was actually at our final show of 2018.

[itsjustc.livejournal.com]

I'm impressed that you met Adam West! Did you talk to him?

I'm also impressed with you being a production manager - cool!

I also don't like talking to people when I'm playing games. For me it's "me time" and when my game says do you want to connect with friends, I can't wait to click the no button.

[reidharriscooper]

I'm sure I must've. This was 1989 so I was 11/12, so I just mostly remember him being the judge and winning tons of comics. Like 5 or 6 boxes.

[zaichikarky]

Check out GLOW on Netflix. You have lots of lady wrestlers there. Apparently it was a real thing in the 80s too.

[reidharriscooper]

I've seen my plenty share of female wrestling. Starcade 86 just didn't have any. I have seen the original GLOW and the Netflix series, love em both. Some of my favorite humans (not just wrestlers) are wrestlers who happen to be female. There's even a new season of a show that will be a lot like the old GLOW but better from the same dude coming this year on AXS. WOW Superheroes.

I'm actually doing the production for an all female tournament later this month with the company I work with as well.

I hope you enjoyed reading and this extra info as well!

[zaichikarky]

Oh cool, you know all about that. Yes, I enjoyed the extra info and getting a little glimpse into your world! I am not really into wrestling, but I enjoy the characters and drama.

[reidharriscooper]

Yeah, I'm arrogant wrestling nerd. I was even deemed an ambassador by a few promoters.
I think anyone can get into wrestling if they allow themselves. Just need the right company and people.

[dmousey]

I'm not into wrestling, but everything else you mentioned, helps yeah! And at 12/13 I was reading Tales of the Crypt, Uncle Creepy, and the like.

This is an informative. and fun read! Happy New Year⛄🎉❄✌😊

[reidharriscooper]

I feel anyone into comics and video games really need to try and give wrestling more of a chance. Especially if they like fashion, acrobatics, and more. That's a big part of what I watch for these days... gear looks, music choices and inspirations to characters from books, comics and video games.

I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[the_eternal_overthinker]

My husband loves watching WWE and also is a huge comic book fan. This was a great insight into your world and a nice take on "first impression" I enjoyed reading this and knowing more about you :)

[reidharriscooper]

Much appreciated. I myself have kind of dropped out of watching WWE, my focus on other promotions creating entertaining shows with talented performers. I'm aware of WWE always but it's taken a back seat in terms of story telling, visual decisions, and character development for me.

What comics foes your husband read btw? I'm really into everything. Marvel, DC, BOOM, Dark Horse, IDW, Dynamite, Image, Archie, self published.

Thanks for reading and enjoying.

[the_eternal_overthinker]

He is a collector too..I have seen a copy of Watchmen with him...Batman is his favorite character, he has two encyclopedias on all superheroes/villains, I was amazed with Grant Morrison's Mahabharata illustrations which he'd shown me while we were dating :) I'll have to check his shelf for the rest.Have shared your link with him, I am sure he'll be pleased to find someone sharing his tastes.