OFFICIAL SITE OF AUTHOR MICHAEL RICKARD

Copyright (c) 2018 by Michael Rickard II Editor's Note:The border is a hot topic right now thus my class in borderland literature provided some insight into authors' thoughts on living between two worlds. Here is an essay I wrote on Emma Pérez' Loving Pedro Infante. As Emma Pérez explores how Chicanas’ voices have been silenced in the Chicano movement in her book The Decolonial Imagery, Denise Chavez gives voice to Chicanas in her novel Loving Pedro Infante, a tale of friends

Copyright (C) 2018 by Michael Rickard II “I have always depended on the kindness of strangers.” Blanche DuBois, A Streetcar Named Desire. After four glorious days in London, it was time to head to Lincoln for the Monster Conference. After consulting with the host at my bed and breakfast, I found the best route to get there via train. However, like any journey, things going smoothly tends to be the exception rather than the rule. Along the way I would get by thanks to some hel

Andre the Giant and Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka battled "Dr. D" David Schultz and "Rowdy" Roddy Piper at Madison Square Garden. What happens when the 7'4" Andre the Giant meets the 6' 2" Roddy Piper in Madison Square Garden? Probably not the result you expected. Join me as I look at the night Andre the Giant did a stretcher job for "The Rowdy Scot." Originally presented at Canadian Bulldog's World.

“I have sensed a disturbance in the Force.” Ominous words under any circumstances, but all the more so when uttered by Emperor Palpatine. On Batuu, at the edges of the Unknown Regions, a threat to the Empire is taking root—its existence little more than a glimmer, its consequences as yet unknowable. But it is troubling enough to the Imperial leader to warrant investigation by his most powerful agents: ruthless enforcer Lord Darth Vader and brilliant strategist Grand Admiral T

Copyright (C) 2018 by Michael Rickard II When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford. Samuel Johnson London holds so many surprises and I was having a blast exploring the Battersea area and its many delightful restaurants and locales. By Wednesday, I was getting ready for my train trip the next day to Lincoln, but I wanted to squeeze in at least one more restaurant. Was I getting tired? Not even close. Although my trip w

Hulk Hogan's early WWWF days back when he was "The Fabulous Hulk Hogan In 1979, wrestling fans in Madison Square Garden got to witness the debut of Hulk Hogan, a man who would eventually headline the Garden many times as WWF Champion. Those days had not arrived yet, but Hogan's debut was still a magical moment for WWWF fans! Originally presented at Canadian Bulldog's World.

Copyright (c) 2018 by Michael Rickard II Editor's Note:The U.S./Mexico border is a hot topic right now but there are many issues besides illegal crossings, with economic factors impacting both sides in minor and major ways. One of the most overlooked horrors is the Juarez murders, a shocking phenomenon that is still largely unknown. with hundreds if not thousands of unsolved murders occurring on both sides of the border. Here is an essay I wrote on Alicia Gaspar De Alba's Des

Copyright (C) 2018 by Michael Rickard II Your friend in the summer-Mr. Air Conditioner. My trip to the United Kingdom was going well, but by Tuesday, I realized there are some things you just can’t plan for. I also was reminded that while the UK is similar to the United States, there are some differences that will surprise the casual traveler. None of them proved particularly problematic, but they made for some adjustments in my plans. I was extremely blessed during my vacati

Originally presented at Ten Bell Salute WWE Hall of Famer “Ravishing” Rick Rude was an amazing individual in and out of the ring. However, there was more to him than what you saw in the squared circle. Here are 8 things you may not have known about Rick Rude.

The 1950’s was considered the Golden Age of television, with some great shows making it to the airwaves. Two such shows were I Love Lucy, the legendary situation comedy that entertained Americans and The Adventures of Superman, an action-adventure series based on the iconic superhero. On January 14, 1957, TV audiences got to see Lucy meet Superman in one of TV’s funniest meetings. The episode, “Lucy and Superman” shows both programs’ impact on culture as well as the type-cast

Copyright (C) 2018 by Michael Rickard II The English Breakfast in all its glory! I’ve always been a firm believer of the big breakfast when you’re on vacation. Frankly, once you start sight-seeing, shopping, or whatever floats your boat on holiday, lunch often takes a back seat. Still, no one wants to be hungry and grumpy on vacation so why not start the day by loading up? When it comes to big breakfasts, it’s hard to think of anything as full as the English breakfast. My hos

"The Mecca of Professional Wrestling" Originally presented at Canadian Bulldog's World Wrestling announcers are known for their hyperbole. Whether it’s someone saying “a main event in any arena” or “the fans are hanging from the rafters”, wrestling announcers can often rightfully be compared to used car salesmen. One that was not hyperbole was that Madison Square Garden was the “Mecca of professional wrestling.” Madison Square Garden (MSG) has a storied history, dating back t

Copyright 2018 by Michael W. Rickard It’s been said getting there is half the fun, but I disagree. My trip to the United Kingdom wasn’t a horrendous ordeal to Zaire like Norman Mailer’s The Fight, but it reminded me of why I despise going through airports and that you can never be too prepared for a trip overseas. After a surprisingly pleasant transatlantic flight, I was ready to get through Heathrow Airport and head to my Air BnB. First though, I had to go through customs. G