Goodbye to 2013

2013 was a year of endings for me.  Wrestling, UPS, and my marriage.

Wrestling.  My final match as an active independent professional wrestler took place on April 13 at the United Wrestling Coalition in Browns Mills, New Jersey.

In the months leading up to that bout, I had been spending time in the UWC's commentary booth, and "Textbook" Philly Madison took exception to that.

I was viciously attacked by Madison and his tag team partner Dave Patera, earning me the cheers of the fans for the first time.  They attacked me once more during a match I was having against Peter Cross of The Secret Society.

I bought my close, personal friend Rick Silver out of retirement to team with me against Madison & Patera (collectively known as Mind And Muscle.)  Just when it looked like the reunited Big Unit would emerge victorious over Mind And Muscle, the devious Rick Silver turned on me, allowing Philly Madison to gain the pinfall.

I challenged Rick to one last match, and I promised that win, lose, or draw, it would be my last match.  It was time to hang up the tights once and for all.

While Rick Silver had Philly Madison & Dave Patera in his corner, I was accompanied by my longtime managers Luxurious Lynne and Patricia M. Steinman!  With their help, I was able to defeat Silver in front of a sold out, standing room only crowd at the Browns Mills Fire House, and I was honored when the dressing room emptied out and the workers gave me a round of applause.

It was time.  I was long past my prime and had been ready to hang it up for years.  But I needed to go out on my terms, and I did.  I appreciate everyone who helped make it all happen.

UPS.  While I never liked the job, the money was so good, I could never justify leaving, especially while married.  I got a second part-time job at Target which I actually enjoy.  So basically, I had one part-time job I hated with great money and one part-time job I loved with lousy money.

I was at UPS for over 14 years.  Over those years, I would sometimes have an asshole boss, but usually the other supervisors would be okay to deal with.  In 2013, unfortunately, I had three asshole supervisors.

And I probably would have sucked it up and stayed if my marriage had remained intact, and if I didn't see how much better I was being treated at Target.

It got to the point where I was almost ready to not even give two weeks notice, just call up and tell them I'm not coming back (if I even bothered to call to let them know.)

I chose to take the high road.  I asked Target if they could make me full-time, and they said yes (although ultimately, my hours haven't been consistent.)  I gave UPS my notice, and my last day was September 6.

Marriage.  Although still legally married on paper, my marriage ended in 2011 when my wife left me (because fuck wedding vows.)  I had unrealistic hopes for a reconciliation, but when it became clear that that wasn't going to happen, I was ready for divorce.  I contacted my favorite attorney early this year, but decided to postpone things till after my soon-to-be-ex-wife's upcoming back surgery, so she could remain on my insurance.  After recovering, she filed for divorce.  As of October 24, we are officially unmarried.  I don't even know what we're supposed to be anymore.  Friends?  Acquaintances?  Whatever.

2014.  If 2013 was a year of endings, hopefully 2014 will be a year of new beginnings.  2013 was a rough year for me.  2014 looks like it may be more of the same.

I underestimated how much take-home pay I'd be getting from Target, so I am hurting for money.  There's a very real possibility I could get evicted from my apartment, leaving me homeless.  There's a very real possibility my car could be repossessed.  I've been looking for another job, but so far, no luck.  I have some projects I'm working on that will hopefully make me some money, but that doesn't help in the short-term.

While I don't know what 2014 will bring, I know everything will be okay as long as I have little Jack, my cat.