osakarob's blog

Not "No thanks, I think I'll pass", but one of the "Old school wrestling gods" from years ago put his dog in a singlet and posted it as his profile pic.

Thought it was funny, but I believe the site made him take it down.

Glad someone else notices the background!

That's awesome! Maybe not suitable as a profile pic, but putting something like that in the galleries would certainly show he has a sense of humor! And dog lovers will find that entering too, I'm sure.

I think it's neat such stuff shows in the pics. It show that the guys LIVE in their houses rather than lead a sterile existence in their homes. Ever consider some of the items are purposely placed for the pic. I've seen pics where certain tools and other implements are placed for a 'more manly existence" look, or an "industrial look." It's akin to 'product placement' in movies and TV shows.

I'm always encouraged if there are BOOKS in the photo.

Photos taken in dirty mirrors!!!

I love that you have photos of your "Mats and Gear" in your gallery.

That strikes me as very organized! Manages the expectations of any prospective opponent.

My oldest wrestling connection had boxes and boxes of gear. They were a playful dream come true, but they looked like a crazy man had accumulated them. There was no way to find what you were looking for!

I find it shows personality and can help start conversations! Gives you something to chat about in person too.
My teddy bear and wrestling figure collections are people’s favourites, lol

I absolutely agree, Untouchable. There is a profile on this site where the wrestler seems to have a collection of anime stuffed animals. I think that is great! It shows he probably doesn't take life too seriously - or at the very least appreciates manga or animation. It's great to have some hobbies.

I agree with you that it shows a side of the individual's personality that can't be communicated in the profile and I personally would find that very attractive.

By the way, you write well, osakarob. Brilliant attention-grabbing headline ... and a really amusing blog article which looks as if it will provoke some interesting responses.

I've already mentioned that I love to see BOOKS in the profile picture.

I wonder what other items shown would convince you that this is NOT the person you'd really like to meet? I'd better not start.

Ed,

Books are certainly a good sign that your opponent has both a brutish and intellectual side. Maybe you'd be delirious if a profile had stacks and stacks of volumes on wrestling! Imagine how satisfied you'd be then.

As to your second question - items that would convince me that this is NOT the person I'd like to meet - that was really my intent in writing this blog.

I personally don't live in a luxurious estate and by most standards, my home is spartan. I have vey little patience for clutter and years spent in Asia have allowed me to accumulate very little "stuff". I also like to houseclean by purging unnecessary junk whenever possible (though I have a spouse who doesn't see the world the same way.) So, I'm often amazed when I see photos that highlight not just the wrestler but the sheer volume of detritus in a room. It's amazing what people "collect".

Let's not get carried away here and refuse to meet or do a 180 upon meeting because the guy's home is not a candidate for a special issue of some house-beautiful magazine. Unless the house is to the point of being egregiously and dangerously unsanitary, I don't consider it anyone's business. We're here to wrestle; not do feature stories for Better Homes and Gardens. I had a guy here a couple years back who did a 180 (and did not wrestle me then or since) because I'm not incomed enuf to have a house as beautiful and modern as the one provided by the guy who was "keeping" him

Well, Spruce, an invitation into someone's home for a match is most definitely a gesture of hospitality. And that should be acknowledged.

At the same time, I'm sure you would agree that just as there are varying degrees of expectations in a match (intensity, style, gear, etc), and that some folks too will have expectations for the environments in which they are willing to lock up.

You've written extensively on this site about how you personally will take any serious minded opponent and that your home facilities include both indoor and outdoor options (with neighbors who are aware of your wrestling interest). And that is certainly a sign of earnestness. But for some folks, the "experience" matters as much as the grappling. Do you have a sense for what was "off putting" about your place that your opponent turned on his heel and left?

Sure do----Had nada, zilch, zero with clutter, it had to do with not having all the stuff assd with a high income. The "poor" kept boi felt he was in a den of lowlife entering a home without the newest in expensive furnishings, and home decorating. He got to see how the "other half" in piss-elegant Washington DC has to live. As a wrestler/mma guy, I used all my discretionary income to make sure I have safe and clean mats rather than spending it on some garish piece of furniture which would be out of place amidst all the other furnishings which would need decade's worth of discretionary income to replace. My mistake probably was admitting him via the front door rather than the side door leading down to the mat room.

I agree.

I am an amateur photographer, whenever I take someone's pic, I make sure I clean up the background as much as possible before I click the pic. Most people are oblivious, though to photo-bomber's and the junk that crops up in their photos.

Great well-written post, and the headline is just Wow!

I LOVE the pristine white cabinets in your profile photo!

Now we need to see more action shots of *YOU*. :)

I try to clean up the background in my pics as well.... now and then you see the junk when I post quickly.... LOL

Yup! Looks pretty clean. Ha ha ha.

Obviously, my blog wasn't meant as an indictment. It was just a silly essay on things i had noticed when I looked at profiles here.