The Ravyn’s Nest

Morning ramblings from work…ahh, such fun. This is what happens on slow days…I find occasion to spill my thoughts somewhere. So you get ramblings…enjoy.

Over the past week, I’ve spent part of my nights narrating the book Have a Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks over the phone. It’s the autobiography of Mick Foley, multi-time New York Times Best-Selling (and award-winning) author and professional wrestler (better known in the wrestling world as Mankind, Cactus Jack, and Dude Love). I first read the book the week it came out, in October of 1999, and fell in love with it. Foley (who did the book without a ghostwriter or even a computer…760 pages in longhand on notebook paper) writes far better then any man who had his head busted open on a near-weekly basis–sometimes even more frequently then that–should. I put it on my bookshelf, then lent it out and didn’t get it back for nearly two years. Once I got it back, it found it’s way back to the trusty bookshelf until Thursday night. I’m happy to say it’s been a pleasure to rediscover Mick’s incredibly easy-to-read style and his incredible sense of humor. A sample below:

Now, we should probably get something straight. I know you didn’t pay $25 (unless your cheap ass waited for the paperback) to have your intelligence insulted. I will not try to portray professional wrestling as being a “real, competitive sport.” I will readily admit to occasionally stomping my foot on the mat, and always placing a greater emphasis on entertainment value than on winning. I have, however, over the course of fifteen years of blood, sweat, and tears, compiled a list of injuries that I would compare to that of any “legitimate” athlete.

That’s hardly the best part of it, by far, it’s simply the quickest excerpt I could find; however, it shows the man’s sense of humor and forthrightness that shines throughout the book. As my audience for the narration has told me… “I would love to meet Mick Foley.” And after reading the book, you would, too, I bet. It’s a book for wrestling and non-wrestling fans alike to enjoy (although, if you truly despise the industry, then I wouldn’t suggest it), and after you’re done, you’re likely to want to go out and buy his other books. You have my whole-hearted support in doing so.

–Jer

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