hephaestion2014's blog

Two recent events have brought home a truth.
I live a fairly busy life and juggle a fair few responsibilities- so sometimes have to not attend meets or delay meeting people.

But I tell myself- there'll be another time. If I can't do this week, there'll be another time.

Sadly a wrestler has recently passed, and I never got the rematch. I didn't get up to the group meets last year, but told myself there'll be another time. And now there isn't. The message talking about how much I was looking forward to locking up again will go unread.

Plus not on the same scale of seriousness, there was a wrestler up in Edinburgh who I've been gagging to fight ever since we started talking. Our paths criss crossed a lot. There was a time we could have met, but due to a less than 100% foot, I didn't take it. Because I was sure there'd be another time.

That other time is gone now. They've deleted and we've never had that fight either.

So dont assume you'll have another time. Don't put things off or refuse opportunities because you think they'll arise again.

They might not- and you'll just have regrets.

Heard from a previous opponent who I missed, and inspired the previous blog.

He asked me to pass on a few words.

" We all have different reasons for wrestling and indeed for stopping. No offence is ever meant by someone stopping being in your opponent list, it's just a natural outcome of them making a decision.

I have tried to leave the site a couple of times and been persuaded not to by someone at the last minute.

That is the reason there were no goodbyes this time. Just a harsh deletion was the way to do it.

I'm really gonna miss you guys.

I had masses of fun and battles with people from around the UK and even the world while being on MF so I owe a massive thank you to each and everyone of my past opponents.

I won't mention all 90 opponents (due to my age I can't remember every name anyway) .

To name a few:

Ed - London the man with Speedos in his briefcase!
Neil - my first opponent
Craig - Oz 😁
Stephen - Scotland but English
Dan - Norway
Dan - upt' North
Jon - shandy land
John - 1953
John - Young Scot
Simon - pie eater
Gary - persistent one
Dave - David
Alec - BJJ God
Gareth - my last opponent

I WILL miss wrestling so will be looking to join a club in the new year and may even attend the occasional Manchester meet. Hopefully some of you may be there!

The friendships we made are something I will always hold dear even if contact since I left MF is limited.

Remember nothing is ever as black and white as we think, dependent on your stand point it is simply another shade of grey.

Have a great Christmas and a brilliant 2019.

All the best
Vanman

And I personally wish him all the best, and understand his going and thank him for the battles.

I genuinely think it was because he was scared I'd beat him the next time. Kidding!

I'll raise a half a shandy to you!

Man. It feels like Thanos has snapped his fingers as another one drops off my favourites and past opponent list.

Ut's always sad when a profile of a former opponent vanishes.

Not because of the number thing ... It's just that I've always enjoyed the company of the people I've wrestled. Both on and off the mats. The random chats. The banter messages or even just checking in with each other if either has been silent.

When they've gone. That's kind of it. Profile deleted. End of story. There's plenty of good reasons to go. Life changes and moves on. It's just saying goodbye to people suck.

I'm guessing they'll be back on one day. Sending them all the best thoughts till they come back.