#1 - I have the best parents ever. I've said it before, and it's damn well worth repeating. HUGE thanks and hugs to my father for spoiling me so rotten and taking me all the way to Louisville, KY on Friday.
#2 - The very looooooooooooooong but harrowing tale you're about to embark on would NOT have been possible if not for a single person by the name of Raf. She is a friend I feel BEYOND blessed to know. She has done so much for myself and my family before, I was ALREADY in debt to her for those awesome favors. But on Friday, because of her insistence, perseverence, and overall amazingly positive attitude, a dream of mine came true that I thought NEVER would (esp. when you read what happened). Raf is single-handedly responsible, folks, so HUGE thanks and HUGE
s to her for introducing me to "The Man" and being the overall generous, kind, awesome friend she is.
Now, if you have a LOT of time on your hands or are incredibly bored I give you...
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Wednesday night/Thursday morning, I am surfing 1wrestling.com. I go to their WRESTLERS AUTOGRAPH SIGNINGS page to see if any wrestlers are gonna be in my neighborhood anytime soon. While nobody was going to be visiting my immediate vicinity, imagine my utter disbelief and surprise when I see that EDDY GUERERRO is going to be at Six Flags Kentucky Mountain in Louisville, KY on Friday July 9.
If you know me on ANY kind of level, you know that EDDY GUERERRO is my hero, my role model, a man I look up to and adore. I worship the ground he walks on. Besides my parents, this is a man I respect and love very, very much. He is a man who showed myself and my brother that a Hispanic CAN achieve the ultimate pinnacle in pro-wrestling. And MORE importantly, he is a man who has gone through MANY personal tribulations that have ultimately killed too many other pro-wrestlers...and TRIUMPHED. There was a time this man was abusing multiple substances, lost his job, his wife, his family, and his children. When so many others have fallen by the wayside, given up on life...EDDY GUERERRO somehow managed to find the strength to get the help he needed and got his life back on track. Today, he is a healthy, happy man with a beautiful family that surrounds and supports him. As far as I am concerned, he is just...he is IT for me, ya know? And of the 4 men in pro-wrestling who really matter to me, he is the ONLY ONE I HAVE NOT MET! So, here he is, appearing just 7 hours from my house? Probably the closest he's ever gonna get?? I gotta do something!
My jaw dropped, I did a mini-freak out. I got in touch with my friend Raf who had previously told me if there were any signings anywhere NEAR us (drives that went upwards of an hour included), I should let her know. Having previously mapped the drive from my house to Louisville, KY while daydreaming late last week, I knew the drive was about 7 hours. I asked her if she'd be up for it, and she said she most definitely wanted to come along, unfortunately, she couldn't be on transportation duty this time. So, I went to beg my parents. I don't have to tell you again that I have the best parents ever, but I will. I HAVE THE BEST PARENTS EVER! With hardly any coaxing or persuasion, my father agreed he'd take myself and Raf down to Kentucky Mountain for the show. We'd leave at about 4 a.m. in order to hopefully arrive by 11 a.m. the next day, when the park opened.
Thursday afternoon comes along, and if you know me, you know what happened. I was hit with the most devastating news I've ever received in my life...the loss of a very close friend. I did not (and am still not) coping very well with the situation, and I had to call into question whether or not going to see EDDY was still "doable." I thought about it a while, and I decided to go. I felt (and parts of me still feel) like a selfish bitch for doing so. But, a part of me said "once in a lifetime, and Marilyn wouldn't want you to miss out on something you consider so huge for her. She'd want you to go." I still don't know if that's rational thought, or me making myself feel better.
Anyways, I didn't sleep at all that night, Raf arrived around 10 p.m. and only got about a half hour of sleep. I woke my Dad up too early, so he too didn't get enough rest. But, we were all on the road by 4 a.m. It was a difficult trip with myself and my Dad struggling to stay awake and keep each other awake. It sucked badly. We somehow made it, though, AND ahead of schedule. We arrived at Kentucky Mountain about 10:15 a.m. After paying $5 for parking, we parked and decided to wait in the SUV since it was already about 95 degrees outside (I kid you not).
About 5 to 11 a.m., Raf and I disembark and are off. Dad is off to the Brown Hotel where I made a reservation for a room. It's not even noon, and already the Heat Index is at 103 degrees...and me in jeans and my all black "Latino Heat" t-shirt. UGH! We were DYING! And the way the park was set up, we had to walk what felt like a mile before we FINALLY arrived at the area where we were told the signing was going to happen. Unlike the last signing we went to where there was a table with chairs set up, and already a couple of people in line, there was NOBODY around. Raf and I thought we were safe, then, so we went on a couple of rides since there were SO few people around and not any lines. They just served to make my already wonky stomach even wonkier, so we decided not to do that again. So we went and bought ourselves sipper cups with ice water, caught some shade, and sat in it for a long while. During this time, I realized I forgot the little digi camcorder, so I had to call my Dad who brought it to us. This equaled HELLA TONS MORE WALKING all the way back to the front of the park. But, we got to sit in the ACed SUV for a while before we went back into Six Flags.
When we did, instead of walking all the way back to where the signing was gonna happen, we found a cool restaurant and parked it in their 2 machine arcade room and just SAT there. I don't know how we passed as much time as we did there, but a few hours went by. A guy in a WWE CREW shirt came in to talk on his cell phone, and we asked him WHERE the event was gonna be (since the fact nobody had been there threw us off and made us think maybe we got it wrong). He told us it was at the old Batman arena (where we had been). Unfortunately, we forgot to ask the one thing we didn't know which was what TIME it was going down. Around 2 p.m., we decided to head back there.
When we did, there was only one other woman with a young boy dressed like John Cena around. They were seated far away from the arena, back against a fence which surrounded one of the coasters. We decided to go to the arena entrance to see what was going on. We saw a closed wire fence gate and a tiny hall which led into a great big space. A wrestling ring was being set up, and a bunch of Ohio Valley Wrestling people were just standing around talking. We decided since the entrance was in a little alcove (is that the right word?), we'd park it there since the sun was SO BLOODY HOT and UNRELENTING! We sat down, enjoying the shade.
A few minutes later, a couple of guys in OVW tees came to tell us we couldn't sit there for some reason or another. We had no problem with that, but before we moved, Raf asked them what time the autograph signing was taking place. It is at this point in the story we take our first HUGE twist. I mean, the difficult drive and horrible draining heat were bad, but not unbearable. But NOW...we are told by one of the two guys that the autograph signing is for OVW FANCLUB MEMBERS ONLY.
Our jaws just drop, our eyes bug out of our heads. He's kidding, right? He HAS to be! We just drove 6 and a half hours from CHICAGO (my bro even made me a sign that said "Came from Chicago for Eddy" since he couldn't be there with us that I had) to come see Eddy based on an online ad that we saw that said NOTHING about any "fanclub members only" restriction! Raf told them this. One dude said they didn't have any power, there was NOTHING they could do to help us. The other, nicer one seemed kinda shocked that we had come from Chicago. So he told us that when the guy in charge, Tim, got there...he'd send Tim over to us to see what he could do. Raf thanked him, explained again how we were there from all that way JUST to see/meet Eddy so whatever could be done would be appreciated.
We go over by the fence where the woman and Cena kid are sitting, cop some shade that they aren't using. We ask them if they are OVW Fanclub members, and they say no, but that they come to all the shows and signings because they know someone. Raf then goes over and looks at this kid's photo album, and he has a picture WITH what seems like EVERY single person who has ever worked at OVW (or probably done an appearance at an OVW show). I could see this even from far away!
The incredibly hot and sunny day bears on. We are so worried we'll miss Tim or our chance to get in that we decide NOT to move which means besides the first sipper thing of water we had, we had NOTHING to eat OR drink all day! I am completely and utterly discouraged. I, unlike Raf, do not believe in the inherent "goodness" of people and am just convinced there is NO WAY we're going to get let in. And considering the dude who told us he'd send Tim "over to us" kept passing us and NOT acknowledging our presence, YET was always waving at the Cena kid didn't help me either.
Eventually, the Cena kid had a friend who showed up by the name of Jay. This dude was nice. Throughout the course of the day, I found out he had met Orlando Bloom at the library on Thursday. Jay said he was just the friendliest guy, that he signed an insurance card for him, and was on a bike. He also told me at one point when Raf left to go get water that I could just get in line and nobody would say nothing to me. I was really out of it, and asked if he was talking to me. He said yeah, that he's not a fanclub member either, but that he comes to the signings all the time. I should just get in line and nobody will say anything. Then the woman jumped in and said if nothing else, stick with them and they'll help us beg since we drove "all that way." I thought that was really decent and nice of them. They didn't have to offer us a hand, but they did.
The day wears on. More heat, more sun, more people arrive. We also see OVW wrestlers coming and going constantly. Nobody I actually know, but Raf knew some people. Oh! Former WWE star Lance Storm I DID recognize when he walked by. Raf went to go talk to him, said he was very nice, but very soft spoken/shy. The Cena kid and/or Jay yelled something at EVERYONE who went by. Seems as though they are regulars 'cause everyone waved or said something back.
The hours are going by, getting closer and closer to the 7:30 p.m. bell time, and still, no sign of anyone being sent over to us by the name of Tim. I have no hope to begin with (world's biggest pessimist), but I tell Raf that God must be punishing me. I am not supposed to be there. I should be at home, mourning the loss of my friend, not in KY trying to meet my hero. She told me that wasn't the case, that people all grieve/mourn in their own ways. I thought to myself that NOBODY does so by going to try and meet their role model the day after they find out a friend has passed, but I kept it to myself. All I know is I felt I was being punished, and RIGHTFULLY so. The hot afternoon progressed with me dozing on and off against the fence, Raf doing some reading and listening to music and talking on her phone.
Eventually, about 6 p.m. I think, people come out to try and put the crowd where they need to be which is behind a rope. There's a good crowd of people, and I can see that everyone is ready to dash. People wanted front row seats, so, everyone was ready to make a run for it. They specifically asked people NOT to run, but the way everyone was clustering, you could just SEE that they were going to anyways. I was SO tired and hot and drained of energy and discouraged, I told Raf if anybody started running, I'd find her inside 'cause there was just no WAY I was about to fight and push and shove to get in there. She said we wouldn't. A family then rolled up next to us, noting I was an EDDY fan thanks to the GUERERRO bandana and "Latino Heat" tee I was wearing, I guess. Raf told 'em we came all the way from Chicago just to see him. They seemed impressed. They just came to the park for a fun day and happened upon the OVW show, so they were excited.
Among the people who kept coming to talk to the crowd was a guy in a ball cap. He seemed to be quite friendly to the people at the front of the crowd, even signing autographs. Raf figured it was the famous "Tim" we'd heard about, so she decided to go and see if she could get a word with him. Again, I have GOT to reiterate Raf's amazing attitude. She just REFUSED to give up hope all afternoon. There were SO many times I turned to her and said we should leave. She'd say it was up to me, but we'd come all that way and already waited that long...she had a point, so I'd shut up. I kept telling her what a jinx I was, and she'd deny it. But she's been to HUNDREDS of signings WITHOUT incident, right? Then she goes with me the first time, and we get signaled out by an a$$hole security guard who felt like picking on people, and then all the disaster we experienced this time? But she REFUSED to admit I was a jinx. *sigh* But, she talked to Tim who WAS indeed a very nice guy because after she explained about us coming from Chicago and the online ad NOT mentioning a "fanclub member only" restriction, he told her not to worry, he'd make sure we got in. I, of course, didn't wanna get my hopes up so I chose to believe it when it happened.
I think they finally let people into the open top arena at about 6:30 p.m. We saw a line formed and went and got in it. So again, more waiting. What a loooooooooooong day it was. So we're standing there, and I notice that the sky is a bit dark. I tell Raf that those thunderstorms Yahoo weather told us were gonna be "scattered" look like they finally showed up. And sure enough, a big long blue lightning bolt cracks in the sky. And not long after that, it begins to rain.
Yes, folks, you read right...as we're standing there during our ninth hour in Kentucky...the sky decided to open up on us! It wasn't too bad at first, just a drizzle, but there was plenty of lightning, so they had to postpone the start of the show (safety precautions). Jim Cornette comes out to make an announcement to the crowd saying that if this storm was like so many other Kentuckian thunderstorms, it'd be gone in no time. OVW planned on sticking around, so the fans should too. And pretty much everyone stayed, which surprised me.
But what SLAYS me is that as soon as he says that the thunderstorm shouldn't delay start time THAT much, the light drizzle turned into a steady, pounding rain. The people in the folding chairs around the ring started making for the metal benches because they were under a ceiling in this open topped arena. Those of us in line, though, really had nowhere to go. So, there we all are, and within minutes, our skin is soaked right through to the bone. The bandana on my head was a saturated sponge, my heavy black tee that had been absorbing heat SO well all day was suddenly very cool and about 5 pounds heavier, and the sign that my brother had made me...even though it was rolled up, it was thin cardboard and getting wet, so the washable marker he used began to run
. It was melting. I turned to Raf and DARED her to deny me that I was a jinx now. She said I didn't control the weather. I told her I bet if she was there by herself, it'd be a beautiful, sunny, 70 degree day. She just shook her head, rolled her eyes and smiled. I again thought about how God was teaching me a lesson. My mood took even more of a nose dive. The only bright spot in this waiting game was that the classic rock station that was on the loud speakers ended up playing ZZ Top's "Sharp Dressed Men" which got a smile outta me since it conjured up images of Eric Bana and Orlando Bloom for me.
Once again, Jim Cornette came out and said that EDDY WAS there and WOULD be signing for us all, and the wrestlers and everyone were STILL there and would stick it out, hoping the storm would go away. As if to defy that hope, the rain which had been slowing down picked back up AGAIN. It was very easy to see that the storm was going nowhere. In the final announcement of the night, they had to admit defeat and shut the show down because the ONE thunderstorm cell in Louisville was "parked right over the park." They gave out comp tickets for the next show, though, so it wasn't a total loss.
In the meantime, they were VERY SLOWLY shuffling those of us in line off. They would let about 4 or 6 people from the line go back behind the scenes to wait at the door of a trailer. Apparently, EDDY was inside. We were told at the beginning of the night (before the rain) that since it was a limited space, NO personal pictures or autographs would be possible. THAT upset Raf and I before the rain even started because we already had autographs and really just wanted pictures! But then after being rained on, we weren't all THAT upset 'cause we looked like shit anyways!
As we got up to the front of the line, poor fans trying to save their magazines and action figures under their soaked shirts or towels (waterpark at this Six Flags) to NO avail, the security dude from early that afternoon recognized us. Raf told him Tim said it was ok and he nodded. He told us even if something had happened where it WASN'T okay for some reason, he was gonna let us in anyways, God Bless him. I guess Raf is right to believe in the goodness of people sometimes.
So, we get to go, and we're standing at the door of the trailer with 4 other people, waiting to go. There's a little tent thingy so we are dry for a little while. As we waited, I noticed one of the security dudes had a SPIKE THROUGH HIS CHIN! I turned to Raf to motion to her, asking her if she thought it hurt. She said I should ask, so I did. He said not at all, though the first few days were tough 'cause he'd bite down on it when he ate. OUCH!!
Raf kept asking me the ENTIRE time we were in line what I was gonna say to EDDY. This was a big deal for a few reasons. My bro wasn't there, and usually he was the mouthpiece for us. I get SO bloody nervous around people I admire that I end up the "frozen deer in headlight" fan who is lucky to get "Hi" and "Thank you" out. Raf really didn't want that to happen to me, so she was trying to get me to decide what I was gonna say. And that if I wasn't gonna say anything, SHE would say it for me, bless her. So she kept asking me and asking me, and in my HEAD...I was running over EXACTLY what I wanted to say to him. EXACTLY what I have daydreamt about saying to him millions of times before. BUT, I wasn't telling Raf because if I beefed it, I didn't want her knowing. I figured it was better to look like a fool who froze than someone who chickened out. Does that make sense? So again, we're at the door of the trailer and she asks, but I just tell her again that I don't know what I'm gonna say. She assures me if nothing comes out, she'll be sure to say something to EDDY for me. THAT, ladies and gents, is a real and awesome friend. I love you, Raf!
As people were being let in 2 at a time, we saw flashes going off, so we assumed pics were being allowed, probably 'cause of the miserable circumstances. We got out my digi cam, I gave it to Raf. I also got out that little video camera I had my Dad bring me. I held my poor melted sign, too. Gosh, we had so much shit, I don't know how we balanced it all.
FINALLY, it's our turn. We get let in. I go first. So we get in this trailer, and there's like NO room to move. Just a little aisle leading up to this little table, and standing RIGHT THERE a few feet away from me is EDDY. As I'm waiting there, my cell phone starts blasting "Cuka Rocka" and I'm so embarassed 'cause I had it on the highest volume. It was my bro, calling to check on me. When he called earlier, I told him about the snag we hit and how we might not get to see/meet EDDY at all. He told my mom, my mom called and told my dad, so everyone knew and was worried. But with the rain and the loud music, I never heard my phone ring and my Dad calling (just when the rain started) to try and see what was up. I told CJ, "Dude, I'm like 3 seconds away from meeting him, I'll call you back," and he was like, "Ok, ok, ok, bye!!!"
Then it was our turn. *takes a deep breath* Tim was there, and he actually introduces us to EDDY by saying, "These girls drove all the way up from Chicago." He's stunned, "CHICAGO? WOW!" and being the nervous wreck I was, but also having been through one of the Top 3 Most Trying Days EVER...I stepped up to the plate, and (looking back) very rudely kinda cut everyone off.
"I just wanna say something," I announce. EDDY says sure, and just STANDS there and is LOOKING at me. Oh shit, I better NOT f*ck up now!
"My dad drove us...7 hours down here..." and EDDY can't help but say, "Oh my God!" in response
, "...we've been here since 10:30 in the morning, we braved the heat, the sun, the rain just so we could be here to say Thank You for being an inspiration, Thank You for showing us what 'raza' is really capable of, and for us (I gestured to myself and Raf) and my brother who made this 'cause he couldn't be here today..." and I put the poor melted sign down on the table and unroll it. EDDY says something like, "Oh gosh, it's all wet" before I just ramble on, "...for all of us, you're our Hogan. So...and uh...we're just really proud of you and thank you for everything," I FINALLY finish up as I choke up.
EDDY looks at me right in my eyes as he says, "Thank you. Thank you...those words...MEAN a lot, they really do. Muchas gracias (thank you very much)." So then I ask if I can have a hug, and apologize for being all wet, but he doesn't seem to care one bit as he says, "Como no (of course)!" He comes around the tiny table, he wraps his arms around me, and this man that I love and adore and admire and respect and will for eternity...he HELD me. He didn't hug me like he HAD to, just patting me on the back and pulling away as quickly as possible. No. He hugged me and HELD me, and as he was holding me, he asked me my name. I told him, "Sonia."
"Sonia," he says to me, "Mucho gusto. Un placer. (Nice to meet you. It's a pleasure)." And I thanked him through threatening tears. It was...unforgettable and amazing and SO much more than I ever dreamt of. As I pulled away, I nervously and shakily asked for a picture, and he said, "Sure!" It is one of the WORST pictures in existance of me. Not only am I soaking wet, because of lack of sleep AND energy, I have HUGE bags under my eyes. My bro said it looks like I had my nose broken. And being the nervous, spazzy dork I am...EDDY is doing his "Latino Heat" pose while I'm trying to hold his hand, so it looks kinda weird, him pointing at me and me grabbing onto his fingers
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But ya know what? Peep the grin on my face. Lord knows smiles like THAT one are only seen on me in very rare circumstances. I had just given the "speech" I'd ALWAYS wanted to give to my hero. For the FIRST TIME IN MY WHOLE LIFE, I actually SAID what I wanted to say to someone. And he reacted as anyone would want someone to react to my straight-from-my-heart words, as well as THANKED me for them...so, yeah, I look like the Living Dead in the picture, but it's always gonna be a favorite for me anyways.
OH MY WILL, that's me and EDDY FREAKIN' GUERERRO!! And, once again because I'm a total spazzoid, I have that whole little speech I just took you through word-for-word on that little video cam I had. Raf told me to turn it on, and of course, being so focused on saying what I wanted to say, I forgot I had it on. So the visual is nothing because I was gesturing with my hands (at one point, you do get to see his cool cowboy boot) and whatnot, but the audio is fine. I'm debating whether or not to share it. I don't know if anyone is interested in me and my cheese-a-riffic speech.
So...the pic is done, he asks if I want that sign signed, I say sure, I hope it makes it home. He has a wonderful signature. He signs his WHOLE name AND "Latino Heat." Despite the sorry state of the sign, it WILL be framed and going up next to my Orlando Bloom autographed sign on my Wall of Pride out here on the loft!
Anyways, I'm done, and now it's Raf's turn. YAY!! Raf is also a HUGE fan, and despite having met him before, she has never had the opportunity to get a picture with him. She hands me off the camera. She's talking to EDDY, giving him her picture, there's a mishap with her silver marker and it's not working so he signs the BACK of it with the regular marker. I realize somewhere in here that the vid cam is STILL taping so as I'm waiting with the digi cam, I'm also filming with the vid cam. I'm DAMN proud of myself multi-tasking at this integral point.
Once he's done signing, Raf has a very cool moment with EDDY. I'm not going to go into it here 'cause it was very personal for her, and it's not my place to share someone else's story, but I CAN tell y'all it was fantastic. His face just lit up, and he said something to her that just REALLY meant a lot, and WE HAVE IT ON VIDEO, so ya can't deny it anymore, Raf. It was just really awesome. And I took their pic, and Raf looks DAMN GOOD for having just stood out in the rain for over an hour, even though she thinks she looks bad. EDDY is hugging her and smiling real big, and Raf has a big 'ol smile on her face too...it was awesome.
We finish up, and as I collect the sign off the table, I say thank you again. And completely and utterly stunning me, he says, "Bye Sonia." He said my name to me!! You have NO IDEA how much that little gesture meant to me. It just...*tears form* *sigh* We leave, and as we pass security on the way out, the guy who had been nice to us and told us he woulda let us in anyways asked, "Was it worth it?" and we both emphatically answered, "YES!"
As we were leaving, we stopped in that little alcove entrance we had tried to sit in before because it was still POURING rain outside. I called my bro, told him the story, he was very proud of me for having said what I did. And honestly, I know the ONLY reason I ended up saying it was because of the HELLISH DAY we had. I just had it in my mind that there was NO WAY we went through ALL that we went through (including the fact Raf got a PARKING TICKET back at my house at 1 in the morning for having her car in front of my house, in violation of some STUPID law my family knew nothing about) only to have me NOT tell this man what he meant to me. So when I got up there and cut everyone off, I was on a mission.
Raf told me she's a very strong believer in that "everything happens for a reason," and as far as yesterday goes, she was right! I mean, we had The Day From Hell, BUT...it served as fuel for me actually SAYING what I wanted to say to EDDY. She told me when I was dozing off, she prayed and asked that at least I get a chance to meet EDDY since she had already. She told me she was ready to shell out however much money was necessary for a stupid "fanclub membership" if THAT was what would get me in. Folks, friends like this are not a common occurence, and you better believe I thank God in my prayers for bringing someone this selfless into my life. Raf is just amazing, and it means a lot to know I have a friend who would go that far for ME.
When I called my Dad to let him know we were ok and met EDDY, he told me Mom had already called and told him that there was a chance we weren't gonna make it. So when it started raining, he got real worried about us and that's why he called 3 times. He said they were all praying REAL hard that everything work out. And it did. Miracle of miracles, somehow, someway, it did.
As we left the park, we ran into Jay and his girlfriend. He wanted to know if it was worth it, and again, we told him it was. As we exited the entrance, we waved and said goodbye. Raf and I stood there waiting for my Dad, and I saw this:
Now, my mind says it's just a natural phenomena, probably quite common after an afternoon thunderstorm in Kentucky. But, I have to be honest with y'all...my HEART echoed only one word when I saw this: MARILYN. I don't know if I believe in a Heaven or in Angels. I know I pray to a God to take care of those I love, and I know I believe there's something after this life we live on Earth. And when I saw that rainbow, and the weight of the ENTIRE day settled in all around me, I couldn't help but think that she was "up there" watching me, and that THAT rainbow was her sending me a smile & a hug, trying to let me know that everything was ok...and that she was on my side.
I'm an idiot, I know, BELIEVE ME, I know. But that's the truth. Logically, it's impossible, I'm sure. But I'm gonna go ahead and pretend on this one and go with what my heart says because it FEELS better to me. And right now that I no longer have anything to worry about or think about and it's quiet again, she's all I'm thinking about and honestly, I need all the comfort I can get.
So, there you have it. My unbelievably comical and tragic harrowing tale of a Big Friday Adventure. It was a truly unforgettable experience and I've never been SO BLOODY EXHAUSTED in all my life. I hope to catch up on the 2 nights of sleep I've missed out on. To those of you who made it through the longest LJ entry EVER, GOD BLESS YOU and thank you for reading.
#2 - The very looooooooooooooong but harrowing tale you're about to embark on would NOT have been possible if not for a single person by the name of Raf. She is a friend I feel BEYOND blessed to know. She has done so much for myself and my family before, I was ALREADY in debt to her for those awesome favors. But on Friday, because of her insistence, perseverence, and overall amazingly positive attitude, a dream of mine came true that I thought NEVER would (esp. when you read what happened). Raf is single-handedly responsible, folks, so HUGE thanks and HUGE
s to her for introducing me to "The Man" and being the overall generous, kind, awesome friend she is. Now, if you have a LOT of time on your hands or are incredibly bored I give you...
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Wednesday night/Thursday morning, I am surfing 1wrestling.com. I go to their WRESTLERS AUTOGRAPH SIGNINGS page to see if any wrestlers are gonna be in my neighborhood anytime soon. While nobody was going to be visiting my immediate vicinity, imagine my utter disbelief and surprise when I see that EDDY GUERERRO is going to be at Six Flags Kentucky Mountain in Louisville, KY on Friday July 9.
If you know me on ANY kind of level, you know that EDDY GUERERRO is my hero, my role model, a man I look up to and adore. I worship the ground he walks on. Besides my parents, this is a man I respect and love very, very much. He is a man who showed myself and my brother that a Hispanic CAN achieve the ultimate pinnacle in pro-wrestling. And MORE importantly, he is a man who has gone through MANY personal tribulations that have ultimately killed too many other pro-wrestlers...and TRIUMPHED. There was a time this man was abusing multiple substances, lost his job, his wife, his family, and his children. When so many others have fallen by the wayside, given up on life...EDDY GUERERRO somehow managed to find the strength to get the help he needed and got his life back on track. Today, he is a healthy, happy man with a beautiful family that surrounds and supports him. As far as I am concerned, he is just...he is IT for me, ya know? And of the 4 men in pro-wrestling who really matter to me, he is the ONLY ONE I HAVE NOT MET! So, here he is, appearing just 7 hours from my house? Probably the closest he's ever gonna get?? I gotta do something!
My jaw dropped, I did a mini-freak out. I got in touch with my friend Raf who had previously told me if there were any signings anywhere NEAR us (drives that went upwards of an hour included), I should let her know. Having previously mapped the drive from my house to Louisville, KY while daydreaming late last week, I knew the drive was about 7 hours. I asked her if she'd be up for it, and she said she most definitely wanted to come along, unfortunately, she couldn't be on transportation duty this time. So, I went to beg my parents. I don't have to tell you again that I have the best parents ever, but I will. I HAVE THE BEST PARENTS EVER! With hardly any coaxing or persuasion, my father agreed he'd take myself and Raf down to Kentucky Mountain for the show. We'd leave at about 4 a.m. in order to hopefully arrive by 11 a.m. the next day, when the park opened.
Thursday afternoon comes along, and if you know me, you know what happened. I was hit with the most devastating news I've ever received in my life...the loss of a very close friend. I did not (and am still not) coping very well with the situation, and I had to call into question whether or not going to see EDDY was still "doable." I thought about it a while, and I decided to go. I felt (and parts of me still feel) like a selfish bitch for doing so. But, a part of me said "once in a lifetime, and Marilyn wouldn't want you to miss out on something you consider so huge for her. She'd want you to go." I still don't know if that's rational thought, or me making myself feel better.
Anyways, I didn't sleep at all that night, Raf arrived around 10 p.m. and only got about a half hour of sleep. I woke my Dad up too early, so he too didn't get enough rest. But, we were all on the road by 4 a.m. It was a difficult trip with myself and my Dad struggling to stay awake and keep each other awake. It sucked badly. We somehow made it, though, AND ahead of schedule. We arrived at Kentucky Mountain about 10:15 a.m. After paying $5 for parking, we parked and decided to wait in the SUV since it was already about 95 degrees outside (I kid you not).
About 5 to 11 a.m., Raf and I disembark and are off. Dad is off to the Brown Hotel where I made a reservation for a room. It's not even noon, and already the Heat Index is at 103 degrees...and me in jeans and my all black "Latino Heat" t-shirt. UGH! We were DYING! And the way the park was set up, we had to walk what felt like a mile before we FINALLY arrived at the area where we were told the signing was going to happen. Unlike the last signing we went to where there was a table with chairs set up, and already a couple of people in line, there was NOBODY around. Raf and I thought we were safe, then, so we went on a couple of rides since there were SO few people around and not any lines. They just served to make my already wonky stomach even wonkier, so we decided not to do that again. So we went and bought ourselves sipper cups with ice water, caught some shade, and sat in it for a long while. During this time, I realized I forgot the little digi camcorder, so I had to call my Dad who brought it to us. This equaled HELLA TONS MORE WALKING all the way back to the front of the park. But, we got to sit in the ACed SUV for a while before we went back into Six Flags.
When we did, instead of walking all the way back to where the signing was gonna happen, we found a cool restaurant and parked it in their 2 machine arcade room and just SAT there. I don't know how we passed as much time as we did there, but a few hours went by. A guy in a WWE CREW shirt came in to talk on his cell phone, and we asked him WHERE the event was gonna be (since the fact nobody had been there threw us off and made us think maybe we got it wrong). He told us it was at the old Batman arena (where we had been). Unfortunately, we forgot to ask the one thing we didn't know which was what TIME it was going down. Around 2 p.m., we decided to head back there.
When we did, there was only one other woman with a young boy dressed like John Cena around. They were seated far away from the arena, back against a fence which surrounded one of the coasters. We decided to go to the arena entrance to see what was going on. We saw a closed wire fence gate and a tiny hall which led into a great big space. A wrestling ring was being set up, and a bunch of Ohio Valley Wrestling people were just standing around talking. We decided since the entrance was in a little alcove (is that the right word?), we'd park it there since the sun was SO BLOODY HOT and UNRELENTING! We sat down, enjoying the shade.
A few minutes later, a couple of guys in OVW tees came to tell us we couldn't sit there for some reason or another. We had no problem with that, but before we moved, Raf asked them what time the autograph signing was taking place. It is at this point in the story we take our first HUGE twist. I mean, the difficult drive and horrible draining heat were bad, but not unbearable. But NOW...we are told by one of the two guys that the autograph signing is for OVW FANCLUB MEMBERS ONLY.
Our jaws just drop, our eyes bug out of our heads. He's kidding, right? He HAS to be! We just drove 6 and a half hours from CHICAGO (my bro even made me a sign that said "Came from Chicago for Eddy" since he couldn't be there with us that I had) to come see Eddy based on an online ad that we saw that said NOTHING about any "fanclub members only" restriction! Raf told them this. One dude said they didn't have any power, there was NOTHING they could do to help us. The other, nicer one seemed kinda shocked that we had come from Chicago. So he told us that when the guy in charge, Tim, got there...he'd send Tim over to us to see what he could do. Raf thanked him, explained again how we were there from all that way JUST to see/meet Eddy so whatever could be done would be appreciated.
We go over by the fence where the woman and Cena kid are sitting, cop some shade that they aren't using. We ask them if they are OVW Fanclub members, and they say no, but that they come to all the shows and signings because they know someone. Raf then goes over and looks at this kid's photo album, and he has a picture WITH what seems like EVERY single person who has ever worked at OVW (or probably done an appearance at an OVW show). I could see this even from far away!
The incredibly hot and sunny day bears on. We are so worried we'll miss Tim or our chance to get in that we decide NOT to move which means besides the first sipper thing of water we had, we had NOTHING to eat OR drink all day! I am completely and utterly discouraged. I, unlike Raf, do not believe in the inherent "goodness" of people and am just convinced there is NO WAY we're going to get let in. And considering the dude who told us he'd send Tim "over to us" kept passing us and NOT acknowledging our presence, YET was always waving at the Cena kid didn't help me either.
Eventually, the Cena kid had a friend who showed up by the name of Jay. This dude was nice. Throughout the course of the day, I found out he had met Orlando Bloom at the library on Thursday. Jay said he was just the friendliest guy, that he signed an insurance card for him, and was on a bike. He also told me at one point when Raf left to go get water that I could just get in line and nobody would say nothing to me. I was really out of it, and asked if he was talking to me. He said yeah, that he's not a fanclub member either, but that he comes to the signings all the time. I should just get in line and nobody will say anything. Then the woman jumped in and said if nothing else, stick with them and they'll help us beg since we drove "all that way." I thought that was really decent and nice of them. They didn't have to offer us a hand, but they did.
The day wears on. More heat, more sun, more people arrive. We also see OVW wrestlers coming and going constantly. Nobody I actually know, but Raf knew some people. Oh! Former WWE star Lance Storm I DID recognize when he walked by. Raf went to go talk to him, said he was very nice, but very soft spoken/shy. The Cena kid and/or Jay yelled something at EVERYONE who went by. Seems as though they are regulars 'cause everyone waved or said something back.
The hours are going by, getting closer and closer to the 7:30 p.m. bell time, and still, no sign of anyone being sent over to us by the name of Tim. I have no hope to begin with (world's biggest pessimist), but I tell Raf that God must be punishing me. I am not supposed to be there. I should be at home, mourning the loss of my friend, not in KY trying to meet my hero. She told me that wasn't the case, that people all grieve/mourn in their own ways. I thought to myself that NOBODY does so by going to try and meet their role model the day after they find out a friend has passed, but I kept it to myself. All I know is I felt I was being punished, and RIGHTFULLY so. The hot afternoon progressed with me dozing on and off against the fence, Raf doing some reading and listening to music and talking on her phone.
Eventually, about 6 p.m. I think, people come out to try and put the crowd where they need to be which is behind a rope. There's a good crowd of people, and I can see that everyone is ready to dash. People wanted front row seats, so, everyone was ready to make a run for it. They specifically asked people NOT to run, but the way everyone was clustering, you could just SEE that they were going to anyways. I was SO tired and hot and drained of energy and discouraged, I told Raf if anybody started running, I'd find her inside 'cause there was just no WAY I was about to fight and push and shove to get in there. She said we wouldn't. A family then rolled up next to us, noting I was an EDDY fan thanks to the GUERERRO bandana and "Latino Heat" tee I was wearing, I guess. Raf told 'em we came all the way from Chicago just to see him. They seemed impressed. They just came to the park for a fun day and happened upon the OVW show, so they were excited.
Among the people who kept coming to talk to the crowd was a guy in a ball cap. He seemed to be quite friendly to the people at the front of the crowd, even signing autographs. Raf figured it was the famous "Tim" we'd heard about, so she decided to go and see if she could get a word with him. Again, I have GOT to reiterate Raf's amazing attitude. She just REFUSED to give up hope all afternoon. There were SO many times I turned to her and said we should leave. She'd say it was up to me, but we'd come all that way and already waited that long...she had a point, so I'd shut up. I kept telling her what a jinx I was, and she'd deny it. But she's been to HUNDREDS of signings WITHOUT incident, right? Then she goes with me the first time, and we get signaled out by an a$$hole security guard who felt like picking on people, and then all the disaster we experienced this time? But she REFUSED to admit I was a jinx. *sigh* But, she talked to Tim who WAS indeed a very nice guy because after she explained about us coming from Chicago and the online ad NOT mentioning a "fanclub member only" restriction, he told her not to worry, he'd make sure we got in. I, of course, didn't wanna get my hopes up so I chose to believe it when it happened.
I think they finally let people into the open top arena at about 6:30 p.m. We saw a line formed and went and got in it. So again, more waiting. What a loooooooooooong day it was. So we're standing there, and I notice that the sky is a bit dark. I tell Raf that those thunderstorms Yahoo weather told us were gonna be "scattered" look like they finally showed up. And sure enough, a big long blue lightning bolt cracks in the sky. And not long after that, it begins to rain.
Yes, folks, you read right...as we're standing there during our ninth hour in Kentucky...the sky decided to open up on us! It wasn't too bad at first, just a drizzle, but there was plenty of lightning, so they had to postpone the start of the show (safety precautions). Jim Cornette comes out to make an announcement to the crowd saying that if this storm was like so many other Kentuckian thunderstorms, it'd be gone in no time. OVW planned on sticking around, so the fans should too. And pretty much everyone stayed, which surprised me.
But what SLAYS me is that as soon as he says that the thunderstorm shouldn't delay start time THAT much, the light drizzle turned into a steady, pounding rain. The people in the folding chairs around the ring started making for the metal benches because they were under a ceiling in this open topped arena. Those of us in line, though, really had nowhere to go. So, there we all are, and within minutes, our skin is soaked right through to the bone. The bandana on my head was a saturated sponge, my heavy black tee that had been absorbing heat SO well all day was suddenly very cool and about 5 pounds heavier, and the sign that my brother had made me...even though it was rolled up, it was thin cardboard and getting wet, so the washable marker he used began to run
. It was melting. I turned to Raf and DARED her to deny me that I was a jinx now. She said I didn't control the weather. I told her I bet if she was there by herself, it'd be a beautiful, sunny, 70 degree day. She just shook her head, rolled her eyes and smiled. I again thought about how God was teaching me a lesson. My mood took even more of a nose dive. The only bright spot in this waiting game was that the classic rock station that was on the loud speakers ended up playing ZZ Top's "Sharp Dressed Men" which got a smile outta me since it conjured up images of Eric Bana and Orlando Bloom for me. Once again, Jim Cornette came out and said that EDDY WAS there and WOULD be signing for us all, and the wrestlers and everyone were STILL there and would stick it out, hoping the storm would go away. As if to defy that hope, the rain which had been slowing down picked back up AGAIN. It was very easy to see that the storm was going nowhere. In the final announcement of the night, they had to admit defeat and shut the show down because the ONE thunderstorm cell in Louisville was "parked right over the park." They gave out comp tickets for the next show, though, so it wasn't a total loss.
In the meantime, they were VERY SLOWLY shuffling those of us in line off. They would let about 4 or 6 people from the line go back behind the scenes to wait at the door of a trailer. Apparently, EDDY was inside. We were told at the beginning of the night (before the rain) that since it was a limited space, NO personal pictures or autographs would be possible. THAT upset Raf and I before the rain even started because we already had autographs and really just wanted pictures! But then after being rained on, we weren't all THAT upset 'cause we looked like shit anyways!
As we got up to the front of the line, poor fans trying to save their magazines and action figures under their soaked shirts or towels (waterpark at this Six Flags) to NO avail, the security dude from early that afternoon recognized us. Raf told him Tim said it was ok and he nodded. He told us even if something had happened where it WASN'T okay for some reason, he was gonna let us in anyways, God Bless him. I guess Raf is right to believe in the goodness of people sometimes.
So, we get to go, and we're standing at the door of the trailer with 4 other people, waiting to go. There's a little tent thingy so we are dry for a little while. As we waited, I noticed one of the security dudes had a SPIKE THROUGH HIS CHIN! I turned to Raf to motion to her, asking her if she thought it hurt. She said I should ask, so I did. He said not at all, though the first few days were tough 'cause he'd bite down on it when he ate. OUCH!!
Raf kept asking me the ENTIRE time we were in line what I was gonna say to EDDY. This was a big deal for a few reasons. My bro wasn't there, and usually he was the mouthpiece for us. I get SO bloody nervous around people I admire that I end up the "frozen deer in headlight" fan who is lucky to get "Hi" and "Thank you" out. Raf really didn't want that to happen to me, so she was trying to get me to decide what I was gonna say. And that if I wasn't gonna say anything, SHE would say it for me, bless her. So she kept asking me and asking me, and in my HEAD...I was running over EXACTLY what I wanted to say to him. EXACTLY what I have daydreamt about saying to him millions of times before. BUT, I wasn't telling Raf because if I beefed it, I didn't want her knowing. I figured it was better to look like a fool who froze than someone who chickened out. Does that make sense? So again, we're at the door of the trailer and she asks, but I just tell her again that I don't know what I'm gonna say. She assures me if nothing comes out, she'll be sure to say something to EDDY for me. THAT, ladies and gents, is a real and awesome friend. I love you, Raf
!As people were being let in 2 at a time, we saw flashes going off, so we assumed pics were being allowed, probably 'cause of the miserable circumstances. We got out my digi cam, I gave it to Raf. I also got out that little video camera I had my Dad bring me. I held my poor melted sign, too. Gosh, we had so much shit, I don't know how we balanced it all.
FINALLY, it's our turn. We get let in. I go first. So we get in this trailer, and there's like NO room to move. Just a little aisle leading up to this little table, and standing RIGHT THERE a few feet away from me is EDDY. As I'm waiting there, my cell phone starts blasting "Cuka Rocka" and I'm so embarassed 'cause I had it on the highest volume. It was my bro, calling to check on me. When he called earlier, I told him about the snag we hit and how we might not get to see/meet EDDY at all. He told my mom, my mom called and told my dad, so everyone knew and was worried. But with the rain and the loud music, I never heard my phone ring and my Dad calling (just when the rain started) to try and see what was up. I told CJ, "Dude, I'm like 3 seconds away from meeting him, I'll call you back," and he was like, "Ok, ok, ok, bye!!!"
Then it was our turn. *takes a deep breath* Tim was there, and he actually introduces us to EDDY by saying, "These girls drove all the way up from Chicago." He's stunned, "CHICAGO? WOW!" and being the nervous wreck I was, but also having been through one of the Top 3 Most Trying Days EVER...I stepped up to the plate, and (looking back) very rudely kinda cut everyone off.
"I just wanna say something," I announce. EDDY says sure, and just STANDS there and is LOOKING at me. Oh shit, I better NOT f*ck up now!
"My dad drove us...7 hours down here..." and EDDY can't help but say, "Oh my God!" in response
, "...we've been here since 10:30 in the morning, we braved the heat, the sun, the rain just so we could be here to say Thank You for being an inspiration, Thank You for showing us what 'raza' is really capable of, and for us (I gestured to myself and Raf) and my brother who made this 'cause he couldn't be here today..." and I put the poor melted sign down on the table and unroll it. EDDY says something like, "Oh gosh, it's all wet" before I just ramble on, "...for all of us, you're our Hogan. So...and uh...we're just really proud of you and thank you for everything," I FINALLY finish up as I choke up.EDDY looks at me right in my eyes as he says, "Thank you. Thank you...those words...MEAN a lot, they really do. Muchas gracias (thank you very much)." So then I ask if I can have a hug, and apologize for being all wet, but he doesn't seem to care one bit as he says, "Como no (of course)!" He comes around the tiny table, he wraps his arms around me, and this man that I love and adore and admire and respect and will for eternity...he HELD me. He didn't hug me like he HAD to, just patting me on the back and pulling away as quickly as possible. No. He hugged me and HELD me, and as he was holding me, he asked me my name. I told him, "Sonia."
"Sonia," he says to me, "Mucho gusto. Un placer. (Nice to meet you. It's a pleasure)." And I thanked him through threatening tears. It was...unforgettable and amazing and SO much more than I ever dreamt of. As I pulled away, I nervously and shakily asked for a picture, and he said, "Sure!" It is one of the WORST pictures in existance of me. Not only am I soaking wet, because of lack of sleep AND energy, I have HUGE bags under my eyes. My bro said it looks like I had my nose broken. And being the nervous, spazzy dork I am...EDDY is doing his "Latino Heat" pose while I'm trying to hold his hand, so it looks kinda weird, him pointing at me and me grabbing onto his fingers
. But ya know what? Peep the grin on my face. Lord knows smiles like THAT one are only seen on me in very rare circumstances. I had just given the "speech" I'd ALWAYS wanted to give to my hero. For the FIRST TIME IN MY WHOLE LIFE, I actually SAID what I wanted to say to someone. And he reacted as anyone would want someone to react to my straight-from-my-heart words, as well as THANKED me for them...so, yeah, I look like the Living Dead in the picture, but it's always gonna be a favorite for me anyways.
OH MY WILL, that's me and EDDY FREAKIN' GUERERRO!! And, once again because I'm a total spazzoid, I have that whole little speech I just took you through word-for-word on that little video cam I had. Raf told me to turn it on, and of course, being so focused on saying what I wanted to say, I forgot I had it on. So the visual is nothing because I was gesturing with my hands (at one point, you do get to see his cool cowboy boot) and whatnot, but the audio is fine. I'm debating whether or not to share it. I don't know if anyone is interested in me and my cheese-a-riffic speech.
So...the pic is done, he asks if I want that sign signed, I say sure, I hope it makes it home. He has a wonderful signature. He signs his WHOLE name AND "Latino Heat." Despite the sorry state of the sign, it WILL be framed and going up next to my Orlando Bloom autographed sign on my Wall of Pride out here on the loft!
Anyways, I'm done, and now it's Raf's turn. YAY!! Raf is also a HUGE fan, and despite having met him before, she has never had the opportunity to get a picture with him. She hands me off the camera. She's talking to EDDY, giving him her picture, there's a mishap with her silver marker and it's not working so he signs the BACK of it with the regular marker. I realize somewhere in here that the vid cam is STILL taping so as I'm waiting with the digi cam, I'm also filming with the vid cam. I'm DAMN proud of myself multi-tasking at this integral point.
Once he's done signing, Raf has a very cool moment with EDDY. I'm not going to go into it here 'cause it was very personal for her, and it's not my place to share someone else's story, but I CAN tell y'all it was fantastic. His face just lit up, and he said something to her that just REALLY meant a lot, and WE HAVE IT ON VIDEO, so ya can't deny it anymore, Raf
. It was just really awesome. And I took their pic, and Raf looks DAMN GOOD for having just stood out in the rain for over an hour, even though she thinks she looks bad. EDDY is hugging her and smiling real big, and Raf has a big 'ol smile on her face too...it was awesome. We finish up, and as I collect the sign off the table, I say thank you again. And completely and utterly stunning me, he says, "Bye Sonia." He said my name to me!! You have NO IDEA how much that little gesture meant to me. It just...*tears form* *sigh* We leave, and as we pass security on the way out, the guy who had been nice to us and told us he woulda let us in anyways asked, "Was it worth it?" and we both emphatically answered, "YES!"
As we were leaving, we stopped in that little alcove entrance we had tried to sit in before because it was still POURING rain outside. I called my bro, told him the story, he was very proud of me for having said what I did. And honestly, I know the ONLY reason I ended up saying it was because of the HELLISH DAY we had. I just had it in my mind that there was NO WAY we went through ALL that we went through (including the fact Raf got a PARKING TICKET back at my house at 1 in the morning for having her car in front of my house, in violation of some STUPID law my family knew nothing about) only to have me NOT tell this man what he meant to me. So when I got up there and cut everyone off, I was on a mission.
Raf told me she's a very strong believer in that "everything happens for a reason," and as far as yesterday goes, she was right! I mean, we had The Day From Hell, BUT...it served as fuel for me actually SAYING what I wanted to say to EDDY. She told me when I was dozing off, she prayed and asked that at least I get a chance to meet EDDY since she had already. She told me she was ready to shell out however much money was necessary for a stupid "fanclub membership" if THAT was what would get me in. Folks, friends like this are not a common occurence, and you better believe I thank God in my prayers for bringing someone this selfless into my life. Raf is just amazing, and it means a lot to know I have a friend who would go that far for ME.
When I called my Dad to let him know we were ok and met EDDY, he told me Mom had already called and told him that there was a chance we weren't gonna make it. So when it started raining, he got real worried about us and that's why he called 3 times. He said they were all praying REAL hard that everything work out. And it did. Miracle of miracles, somehow, someway, it did.
As we left the park, we ran into Jay and his girlfriend. He wanted to know if it was worth it, and again, we told him it was. As we exited the entrance, we waved and said goodbye. Raf and I stood there waiting for my Dad, and I saw this:
Now, my mind says it's just a natural phenomena, probably quite common after an afternoon thunderstorm in Kentucky. But, I have to be honest with y'all...my HEART echoed only one word when I saw this: MARILYN. I don't know if I believe in a Heaven or in Angels. I know I pray to a God to take care of those I love, and I know I believe there's something after this life we live on Earth. And when I saw that rainbow, and the weight of the ENTIRE day settled in all around me, I couldn't help but think that she was "up there" watching me, and that THAT rainbow was her sending me a smile & a hug, trying to let me know that everything was ok...and that she was on my side.
I'm an idiot, I know, BELIEVE ME, I know. But that's the truth. Logically, it's impossible, I'm sure. But I'm gonna go ahead and pretend on this one and go with what my heart says because it FEELS better to me. And right now that I no longer have anything to worry about or think about and it's quiet again, she's all I'm thinking about and honestly, I need all the comfort I can get.
So, there you have it. My unbelievably comical and tragic harrowing tale of a Big Friday Adventure. It was a truly unforgettable experience and I've never been SO BLOODY EXHAUSTED in all my life. I hope to catch up on the 2 nights of sleep I've missed out on. To those of you who made it through the longest LJ entry EVER, GOD BLESS YOU and thank you for reading
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