Adam G Newton

You can’t fight it

Adam G Newton — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 15:43:55 +0000

Growing up, I loved to watch wrestling. On a Saturday afternoon, "World of Sport" became an almost religious experience – although I was never really a fan of Big Daddy. For some reason, I was always drawn towards the heels – that's wrestling-speak for bad guys, if you didn't know – so my favourites tended to be the likes of Giant Haystacks, Fit Finlay and Kendo Nagasaki.

Then all of a sudden, it was taken away from us all, as ITV stopped broadcasting wrestling on Saturday. Something called "WWF Wrestling" was shown late at night on a Wednesday or Thursday. I was not impressed – this was nothing like the wrestling I knew!

Of course, as time went by, I saw that the American product was a lot better produced than World of Sport had ever been, and I finally got used to the differences in the rules. And the rest is history!

I watched quite regularly until the early 2000s, but gradually lost interest. I watched wrestling because it was fun – not because I believed it was a true sporting competition. It's certainly REAL – the injuries and deaths in the ring prove that – but it is usually predetermined. I don't expect people watch EastEnders and are disappointed by the fact it is not "REAL" – it is just for fun.

The fun slowly left wrestling for me. There was nothing new, and all the characters seemed to be muted.

And Owen Hart died. And Mr Perfect. And the British Bulldog. And Rick Rude. And then Eddie Guerrero. And Chris Benoit (but we don't talk about that). And countless others. Suddenly, Coronation Street looked appealing.

I tried watching again with my kids a year or two ago. I was a little disappointed with WWE (as they are now called), to say the least. Everyone was the same! All around 6 foot 2, all around 225lbs, all wearing shorts and boots, all doing the same moves. Cookie cutter wrestlers, and no matter what the storyline was, you could switch them around and not notice the difference. Anyone who was different got put on the back burner. We gave up.

The Rock came back for Wrestlemania last year. Made a point of watching that, and although it was getting better, there was still a long way to go to get back the "glory days".

We watched WWE sporadically since then, and TNA when there was NOTHING ELSE ON.

Tomorrow is the Royal Rumble – and I'm actually quite looking forward to it. There is a sudden resurgence in 'characters', and I like it. Kane is back wearing a mask. Brodus Clay is the "Funkasaurus", a cross between The Godfather and Flash Funk. Dolph Ziggler is the reincarnation of Mr Perfect. It's actually interesting!

And there are rumours that Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Road Warrior Animal and Road Dogg may be appearing. It's like being a kid all over again!

Anyway, it's more realistic than any soap. Stuff happens all year round – not just on Christmas Day to get higher ratings…

Imagine There’s No Internet

Adam G Newton — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:29:47 +0000

It’s easy if you try. And will be even easier if SOPA and PIPA come in to force.

What would you do if there was no internet?

The Stand Off

Adam G Newton — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 12:18:07 +0000

There’s going to be a fight! But who will win?

The one that can move and do the attacking, or the one that can’t move and therefore will never give up?

There’s only one way to find out…..no, actually, there isn’t. I don’t think it can be considered a fight if one of the combatants is a stuffed badger.

Don’t Get Scared Now

Adam G Newton — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 18:28:11 +0000

I know that’s a reference to Home Alone which is more Christmas than Halloween, but it’s the sort of thing that could be said at Halloween!

The pumpkin this year is a face with a sticky-out nose. I’ve done Jack Skellington’s face for the last few years and fancied a change. See, that’s a Christmas reference! Jack Skellington is in The Nightmare Before Christmas!

Is it Christmas yet?

I can do Halloween references when it is. Or Easter. Whatever….

Autumn. Have some more trees.

Adam G Newton — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 17:02:54 +0000

This tree is just turning golden, but would not have appeared here if the other pictures I had taken had turned out better…lots more golden leaves and few red ones too – but very blurry for some reason! Still, hopefully … Continue reading →

Colwick Hall Fountain

Adam G Newton — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 17:26:28 +0000

The entrance to Colwick Hall Hotel has a feature fountain, with a nice little path to drive round it in a complete circle. Looks like one of those posh houses in old films where the kids are sent to the governess.

“Come along, Jeeves, park it ovah thah.”

Good view of the racecourse from just outside too. There were plenty of horses there today warming up, and a fella stood on the path outside with his binoculars and a copy of the Racing Times. Dude, if you are that bothered, pay to buy a ticket!

Can’t see Forest for the trees

Adam G Newton — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 18:05:12 +0000

Terrible, I know – the Forest in question is the Nottingham Forest football ground, hidden behind the tree in the left of this picture. The tree is however covered in red, so clearly is a Forest supporter. As is the … Continue reading →

Test Your Monitor With Slushies!

Adam G Newton — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 14:15:34 +0000

Red, green and blue – the primary colours in computer graphics. And also in Slush Puppies!

What always bothers me is that strawberry is red (which is fine) but raspberry is blue. Last time I checked, raspberries were not blue! Mind you, neither are blueberries, so go figure…

Is it too cold now to drink a slushy? No, it is never too cold to drink a slushy. BRAIN FREEZE!

The Fair is Back In Town!

Adam G Newton — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 16:05:31 +0000

For nearly 760 years there has been a Charter Fair in Ilkeston – it was originally granted in 1252. It’s back again this year, and is quite possibly brighter than in the first few years of it’s existance – but not necessarily louder!

Candy floss and fish & chips are the recommended accompaniments…guess I’d better go back again tonight…

Autumn Leaves

Adam G Newton — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 14:00:53 +0000

Must be that time of year again! Not so many trees around with multicoloured leaves this time around though. Probably best to blame global warming – hey, everything else get blamed on that! If nothing else, there is a nice … Continue reading →