McDonalds(o2a)

[tanden]

Tanden leans back and stretches in her seat some. A good burger does that to her sometimes.

Man, life's to short to be all uptight and moody all the time. I swear that's what damn near everyone in XWA is. Everyone's so serious. The only guys I actually have seen that seem to legitimately have fun with what they do is guys like Jimmy Ames, Adam Devlin, Finesse...guys like that. The guys who have no agendas. And forget about the Diamonds. Outside of maybe five that I came name off the top of my head the whole lot of them are wound up so tight they'd burst is you gave 'em a hug. And some of them reeeeeeeeeeeeally do need a hug. Or a good piping...or SOMETHING.

The last thing I ever wanna be is one of those people that take themselves so seriously. Once that happens, you fall into the trap and you can never pull yourself out. When you take yourself to seriously, you become what Grape Head's become. Bitter & Bitchy. And that's not a good look on anyone. At least you get to play the field some. Once we get back to work, I gotta deal with bitches like her and all the other flavors of bitch in XWA taking shots at me. But let them. I don't care. I could go undefeated in 2009 or winless. It's not going to change my outlook. It's not going to make me become something I know I'm not. If I get in the ring and get my ass kicked, but know that I fought to the best of the ability I have now, I'll tip my cap to the other girl every time. Wins and losses are just numbers. It's the experience that counts. You could go undefeated for 20 matches and not learn a damn thing. But I'm sitting on top of the Diamond heap not because I'm the best, I'm SOOOOOOOOOOO far from the best. I'm on top because I'm still learning what kind of competitor I am. And while I'm not on the level of an Ashley Diamond or a Hayley Jonas, I will be, but I'm in no rush to be.

[goofball]

Manor starts to doodle on the napkin a bit as he responds to Tanden.

How talented a person is purely perspective and circumstantial you know. There's so many styles and aspects to wrestling that you really can't truly measure talent. Add into effect outside distractions, whether someone actually tries or not, and so many other things it makes trying to measure talent to complicated and not my thing to think about.

Manor lets out a chuckle as he continues to doodle.

I mean I find it funny how bad the fans and other people would eat me alive if they found out I was wrestling just for the travel and money. Only thing I wish I had more of in wrestling in general is time. More time to enjoy the more relaxing things in other places and to sight see.

So what do you think if Jasta returns for the season and I challenge him and win? Given that I'm not as refined or intense or as good as the more successful guys would you say luck or skill?

Manor finishes his first doodle of a french fry(yes a french fry) and begins to work on another one.

[tanden]

Well...

Tanden takes a deep breath before responding.

If you did, I'd have to consider it not only an upset, but a career defining win for you. I've watched the guy wrestle 1st hand. I've watched him dissect and pick apart guys who you'd consider world class talent. One of whom being my friend, Cody. Who's been a champion and all kinds of successful all over the world. But Jasta made him look like he'd never wrestled a day in his life, Three times. It'd have to be skill, because there's no level of luck in the world that you could have against a guy who just doesn't make mistakes. Take his last match at XGames against Adam Devlin. Before that match Devlin had never beat the guy. Ever. And they had faced off I think...what was it...five times in their career? It took a guy like Adam Devlin, who's pretty damn skilled...five times to beat one man. When he's on his game, I don't think there's a person alive that can beat him by luck. From what I've gathered, he's the kind of opponent that you have to bring beyond an A-Game against. He's faced, beaten and in some cases taken out some of the best names in the game. The list of guys he's beaten reads like a who's who. And these haven't been close wins. He's dominated these guys. Adam Devlin, Osiris Alston, Anthony Xavier, Evan Fate, Romeo Davis...and that's not even going into whoever he's beaten in XWA in 2007. Being lucky against a guy like him ain't happening. You've gotta be one of two things. Good...or dead. Hell, I wouldn't even mess with his sister if he has one. But that's just my perspective. And I'm not at all knocking your ability. I know that you were a main eventer in a few places before. But so have been all the other guys he's laid out.

She takes another sip of yummy pepsi.

If you do decide to go against him, just be careful. Like he needs it, but he's got that Primo fella as an ally. And he's just as bad, if not worse. Birds of a feather I guess.

[goofball]

Manor stops doodling on a napkin as he leans back to look straight up at the ceiling.

Career defining win huh? And add Primo to the mix? Wonder how much fun a handicap match against them would be.

Manor lowers his head as he continues.

I disagree though. As skilled as Jasta is, I'm pretty lucky when I have to be and luck is the only reason I've had any success anywhere. When it comes to wrestling in general talent and luck are one in the same at least it should be from the wrestler's perspective. From a fan's perspective not so much.

To me at least as long as I can use my arms and hands to draw or write after the match it's a win. I mean I get paid and I get to draw or write still. Not a loss as long as I can still do what I enjoy after the match I mean.

[tanden]

True.The best match you can have is the one you can walk away from on your own power. You know something, Scott? You've got an interesting perspective on things. A real free thinker. And it's kinda cool to meet someone who's head isn't so swollen the float when they run. I'm definitely gonna be keeping an eye out to see how you do once things kick into gear in March. Be it luck, skill or some point in between, I'll be rootin' for ya' for sure.

[goofball]

Manor lets out a chuckle as he stands up.

Root for me to lose. That's when I seem to do my best and pull off the victory. You want to find me though, just listen for the music that most men wouldn't be caught dead listening to. Never too busy to stuff my face, cause mayhem, and just enjoy life.

Manor eats the last of his fries and rewraps his burger. He then grabs the soda.

Can't argue with a free snack for later. Well I guess I'll see you in XWA this season.

Manor starts to walk away but stops and looks back.

I forgot to say something when you teed off on Hunter. Daaaaaaaaaaaaamn!

Manor walks out with his cold food. Though he did leave his jacket behind. It was cold out, but Manor enjoyed the cold after all.