VIDEO: Go Figure Friday: Christmas Goodies

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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It's episode 3 of Go Figure Friday. This week I show off a couple of Christmas gifts from my buddy Chad Smart from Positive Cynicism. He got me a Brainy Smurf Funko Pop and a Neville WWE action figure. He tells me he found it on sale at the store Five Below (go figure, pun intended). 

Be sure to subscribe to the My 1-2-3 Cents YouTube channel as I will be doing more giveaways in 2019. Thanks!

Hug Your Cat Day pro wrestling style

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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It seems like there's a holiday for everything. June 4 is 'Hug Your Cat Day'. There are plenty of famous cats in pop culture and even wrestling. "The Big Cat" Ernie Ladd, Ernest "The Cat" Miller, The Kat aka Miss Kitty, Battle Kat and Mr. Hughes' early WCW gimmick Big Cat immediately come to mind. However, I wanted to find out if some of the wrestlers on the Stride Pro Wrestling roster are cat lovers. While I didn't get definitive answers, I'd like to think these are a few of the cat owners in the company. (Please ignore the photo editing job.)

Ax Allwardt & Battle Cat

Ax Allwardt and Battle Cat. I could see Ax beating up He-Man, piledriving him and then fading off into the sunset with the Master of the Universe's prized pet. Not only would Ax take Battle Cat, he'd also leave the castle with He-Man's sister She-Ra to leave happily ever after. That's just how Ax is. As Jim Ross would say, he's tougher than a two dollar steak.

Look out Gargamel, Roger Matheus has taken Azarel

Someone else who is tough on the Stride roster is Roger Matheus. You've likely read the blogs and listened to the podcast about our match. Since there is that rivalry between us, I imagine his feline of choice is Azarel. You know, he's the pet of Gargamel and the mortal enemy of the beloved Smurfs. The Smurfs were my favorite cartoon growing up in the 80s, so it would only seem fitting the Mad Viking would make Azarel his own. However, if Matheus wants to destroy something he will, unlike Gargamel. It would take more than the magic of Papa Smurf to keep that duo at bay.

Yes, Dexter Roswell wants to rule Stride Pro Wrestling and the world

Yes, Dexter Roswell wants to 'Make Stride great again.' He's also got the backing of the mutli-millionaire J. Wellington Beauregard in his quest. Therefore, I see Roswell withMr. Bigglesworth. I'm not saying Roswell or Beauregard are evil like Mr. Bigglesworth's owner, Dr. Evil from the Austin Powers franchise. But I do think both men will do whatever it takes to rule not only Stride Pro Wrestling but all of wrestling. It only seems fitting that Mr. Bigglesworth would be purrrfect for Roswell.

Shop for Funko Pops here

So who do you have? Which cats would you pair with members of the Stride roster? Let us know here or on the Facebook page.

Click for this week's podcast"Macho Man" Superfan

Describe yourself in 3 fictional characters

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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There's a new thing trending on Twitter and Instagram this week. Creating a collage of the three fictional characters that best describe you. I don't have the time to research how or why this is a thing, but I thought it was fun and did make the time to create one of my own.

Pee-Wee's Big Adventure

I chose Pee-Wee Herman because I'm a big kid at heart. I still like watching cartoons and wearing footie pajamas. I've been captivated with this null since watching his big adventure on the big screen and the TV series that followed on Saturday mornings on CBS. The innuendoes he makes along with his naivete remind me of me sometimes, although I'm probably a bit more vulgar...  (insert your own Kevin/movie theater joke here)

I AM Oscar the Grouch

Which leads me to Oscar The Grouch. I debated between him and Grumpy of Disney Dwarf fame. Years ago when my family took our first trip to Disney as a massive unit, I was given a Grumpy tee shirt. However, I feel like Grumpy is grumpy ALL the time. At least Oscar has some tender moments. Plus I'm a pack rat and a bit of a slob (I think that's reflective of my creativity, at least that's what I tell myself) and many years ago I dressed up like Oscar, complete with the metal trashcan. It was pretty epic. 

I'm so vain...

I round out my trio with Vanity Smurf. The Smurfs were such a huge part of my childhood I wouldn't feel right about not picking one. I was going to go with Papa, but he's smarter than me. Brainy is a little too annoying for me and I'm nowhere near as strong as Hefty or helpful as Handy. While I don't spend as much time gazing at myself in the mirror I do take more than enough selfies. So Vanity makes sense. Plus on more than one occasion my sexuality has been called into question, just like people wonder about that vain little guy.

So who's on your list? How would you describe yourself with three fictional characters? And did I get my list right? Who would you have made my picks?

Hunsperger Berry Beer

Episode 88
Hunsperger Berry Beer

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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I've blogged before about the craft beer YouTube channel I have with a few of my friends called The Craftbeericans. This experience has opened my eyes to all kinds of wonderful craft beers from around our region here in southern Illinois, and beyond. Another great aspect is meeting home brewers, specifically the Southern Illinois Brewers.

A couple months ago we met the group at the CarbondALE Brew Fest. The Craftbeericans hit it off with Doug Brinkley, who decided to honor each of the founding fathers with a home brew in his honor. So far we've tried the Harness Lager, the Bryant Brown Ale and today for the first time and on live video, the Hunsperger Berry Beer. I tend to like the fruit flavored beers a little more than the tradition brews. 

Tom Harness and I recorded Episode 88 and themed it after the Smurfs. Because of the Smurfberries they eat it made sense to drink the Hunsperger Berry Beer for the show. We live streamed it on the Craftbeericans Facebook page and it will soon be on our YouTube channel.

Smurfy!

I like this beer. By our ratings system of "If you were on a stranded island, would you drink this again, pour it out and send a note in a bottle for better beer, or piss in the bottle" I would definitely drink it again. My sincere gratitude to Doug and his efforts. I'm truly flattered by the gesture and look forward to another glass of the Hunsperger Berry Beer.

Saturday Morning Memories: The Smurfs

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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I still remember the summer before going into the third grade (it was 1981).  I was looking at the comics section in the Sunday newspaper and found a full page color ad for the upcoming Saturday morning cartoon lineup on NBC.  One of the new shows was called The Smurfs.  I don't know what it was, but at that moment I connected with the little blue people staring back at me from the paper.

I couldn't wait for September to roll around and learn more about the Smurfs.  It didn't take long for eight year old Kevin to become addicted.  Six months later when I turned nine I had a Smurf themed birthday party which included an ice cream cake with a Smurf artistically added to the top.  Gifts included Smurf t-shirts, ColorForms and stuffed animals. I had dozens of the little rubber figures by then too.  Hardee's had released a series of Smurf glasses a couple years later and I had them all. Again I was addicted.

I watched their many adventures week after week and even forced down several bowls of Smurf Berry Crunch cereal (I wasn't crazy about the cereal).  Clumsy was without a doubt my favorite. But I also loved Papa Smurf, Brainy and Smurfette.  I cheered when they overcame the underhanded tactics of Gargamel, Azrael and Hogatha.  Somehow they escaped danger in both episodes that aired each Saturday morning.

The one episode that stands out to me the most aired on Halloween 1981.  The Purple Smurfs told the story of a how the happy blue Smurfs turned angry and purple after a bug bite spread like wildfire.  It was a zombie apocalypse of Smurfy proportions.  Just as it seemed as if the end was in sight for the Smurfs, the day was saved and everyone returned to the happy Smurfy selves. 

Even into adulthood I held onto those Smurfy memories.  I kept my collection of toys and even added to them after graduating college, scoping out yard sales, flea markets and thrift stores.  Then in 2011, the tiny characters overtook the big screen.  New merchandise was released and I added to my already out of control collection.

Why Nerd Shirts Rule Every Thursday

It's hard to see, but it's the Golden Girls on my shirt

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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If we're friends on Facebook or you follow me on Twitter or Instagram, you know for the last 18 months (0r so) we've instituted a tradition at work called Nerd Shirt Thursday.  Now former News 3 This Morning producer Weston White is the brains behind the idea.  It's quite simple, each week we wear a "nerd" shirt and share it with the world.  Pretty much anything pop culture related is accepted.  

In the beginning nearly everyone on the morning crew participated.  But then as people moved on and others had worn and re worn shirts, the tradition dwindled to myself and a guy simply known as Sweeney.  There are more than 50 pics in my Facebook album and I'm wearing a different shirt in most of them.  In recent weeks I've had to start over, but we find different props or settings to make the pics fun (including a guest spot by Dr. Sheldon Cooper).

Nerd Shirt Thursday has become one of the highlights of my week.  I love seeing what others (usually just Sweeney now) are going to wear and hearing the comments from those who view the pics.  We've even had a guest on the morning show ask to participate.  I've included a handful here for your viewing pleasure.  If you start a Nerd Shirt tradition at your work, use the hash tag #NerdShirtThursday and spread the awesomeness. 

Promoting My 1-2-3 Cents

Special guests Tom Harness & Dr. Sheldon Cooper

D'oh!

Smurfy

Happy birthday Stone Cold Steve Austin

I dig the Mr. Rogers shirt

Tickle me Kevin 

A super day

All by myself with Dr. Who

Bill & Ted meet a Mr. Spock
(Shirt courtesy: Tom Harness)

Ohhhhh yeahhhh!

A friend gave us a Star Wars background

Even on the road I participate

Forgot my shirt, but had Hulk Hogan socks ready to go!

Snapchat Challenge: Let's Get Animated

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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Since starting the Snapchat Challenge a few weeks ago, this one has been my favorite.  Lots of great memories from Saturday mornings spent watching cartoons from the early morning until the afternoon hours.  Enjoy.