2001-07-26 - 5:08 a.m.
Oh Christ, I totally fucked up tonight. I had to play God (the guy who not only announces scores and times at the slam but he's supposed to keep the audience pumped) because there was no one else to do it. A poet I really like did a very vindictive piece against a major figure in the Austin slam. He also included me and a dude, who was a serious cheese dick in the Austin scene, in the piece. He went off on a bunch of political shit, some of it went over my head because I was concentrating on the stopwatch and he had included me in the poem. He went way the fuck over time and little known to me, was very insulting, condescending and disrespectful to someone I love a lot. When he was done, I tried to boost the audience, who was stunned and shocked by his behavior, by using jabs at myself and also getting everyone to acknowledge that it was a good piece. The person he called out ended up in tears. I ended up looking like an asshole and a dear friend of mine finally let me know about my faux pas. I rushed to the side of the target of the poet's wrath, apologized and fortunately made her laugh through her tears. This sort of shit is supposed to go down at the slam but it's not supposed to go down on my watch, you know what I mean? When I have to take an official position at the slam, I get too caught up in the entertainment part of the show to pay attention to the actual poetry. That's why I'm a great host but a terrible God. I don't want to play God, as a matter of fact I was forced into being God tonight and I thank God there is no God position at Nationals except the one true God (who by the way, will get lots of props, just like in sports, "I wanna thank God for this victory…) Anyway, I should pay more attention. That's my problem, I go around thinking "La la la, everything's fine."
I'm watching boxing. It's the only sport I watch besides Battlebots (if you call that a sport and caught the rant from a few days ago). Boxing is the only real competitive sport that intrigues me. I played soccer and swam competitively but I don't usually watch those sports on TV. Boxing is enthralling to me though. I can't think of a tougher way for an athlete to make a living. Sometimes it's more fascinating to watch the up and comers than the champions. The up and comers have more to lose. When I was growing up in San Antonio, I saw a lot of violence. There were times when I pleaded to the skies for a fair fight. It rarely happened. I guess that's why boxing enthralls me. Sure, it's rigged at times and there's too much hype when the big cash is on the line but it always ends up with two guys in the ring. Another guy walks around them telling them what they can and can't do while they square off and get it on. One on one. Nothing takes more balls, not even the slam. Jeez, the slam. Nationals is coming and I feel like I'm about to get KO'd. Shit, I'm not even competing.
