Brock Lesnar Is Back

I gotta say that I am a little surprised that Brock Lesnar (5-1) returned to the Octagon and defeated Shane Carwin in the second round (via Arm Triangle Choke).

I'm not doubting the man's abilities (far, far from that) and even while he was a pro wrestler, this guy always fit the bill of being a monster. He was exactly that during his days when he was "fake" wrestling/fighting, so why not now? I still believe that his old pro wrestling moniker fits him perfectly, even now: "The Next Big Thing."

But maybe he isn't the next big thing. Tonight proved that he is a pretty big deal now and him defeating everyone since his one and only lost, he has destroyed everyone in front of him. The reason why his victory surprised me was the fact that he was out due to a life threatening illness for so long and to come back and win, wow. I think that says volumes of the man known as Brock Lesnar.

Meh

So last night we (myself, my girlfriend and several other people from our working place), were planning on attending the Kingdom MMA event at the Blaisdell. Personally, I requested the night off twice because of this event (twice because the date of the event got pushed back from March to April), so this was like a culmination of all this wasted time.

Now the friend that was organizing this did not feel the need to pick up any tickets in advance, because he honestly believed the cheap seats would not sell out (a mere $15 they were). He was adamant about this, he was that certain.

Well last night my girlfriend and I arrive at the box office to see the sign on the window state the cheapest tickets now were $46. Wow. Talk about a jump in price huh? Now it is one thing if we even knew of or even heard of these fighters. But we don't have a clue as to who any of them are and to even think of spending that much more to see a bunch of unknowns was just unjustifiable to both of us.

Besides that, it was a jump in cost that was too far out of our range. Considering we planned on spending no more then $30, this was getting out of hand. And just like that, the show for us ended.

Looking Ahead

It started out as a simple joke amongst friends and I never really took it seriously when it started. But that is getting ahead of myself, so let me paint the scene so that what I write makes a little more sense.

Both of my friends/co-workers had just returned from their respective trips to Las Vegas. And both of these guys swear that they had a blast, which I can't doubt because what would I know? I have been to Las Vegas in about 15 years at this point. Everything I knew is outdated, ancient history and I'd be damned, when I was last there I couldn't even stop in the casino for more then a minute without security hounding down.

That is when the idea struck them both...

Both of these guys wanted to go back and they sure as swore that I would go back there with them.

As the days went on, the idea began to snowball and what started out as a mere return trip, now included attending a live UFC (Ultimate Fighter Championship) event. What absolutely sealed the deal was the fact that Hawaii born (Hilo, HI to be exact and same island I am originally from) BJ Penn would be fighting at that event.

Now I would be lying through my teeth if I said I wasn't excited just at the thought of seeing the event and just being in Las Vegas. I don't know what it is, but it would appear that a lot of people from Hawaii just live and die to go to Vegas. I can't be one to judge, because my Grandparents were among that group, once upon a time.

What added fuel to the "fire" has been the fact that I have been brushing up on UFC fights and just trying to get a better understanding of the whole thing. I mean I've watched a fight here and there, but I never really got into it.

And now... now the only thing really kind of messes me and my girlfriend up (she got hooked into MMA too) is a money issue. It always comes down to that doesn't it? But then this idea for a trip won't happen until the ending of January 2009, so there is time and there is hope.

So gaming, aside from the fact that my XBox being D.O.A., looks to be getting put on hold almost indefinitely at this point. While there are a few games that are coming out from now and until the end of the year that I'd like to get, somehow this idea for a trip is steadily sailing right past them all.

Like I said, I am excited just thinking about it now and besides all of that, it is about time to get the hell off of this rock. It has been many, many years since I left the state of Hawaii and it'd be nice to see what the outside world looks like these days. And what a way to break back out into the world then by going to "Sin City."

I can't wait...