I have been following Lydia for so long that I have forgotten when I first started listening to her.
She has brought myself and others along with her on her numerous travels to exquisite places where she has shared her individual and collaborative concerts. Playing at The Lanesborough Hotel with holostringsuk https://www.instagram.com/p/C0oZokhMFFS/?hl=en.
Often playing at events with others: cellistlidia and halostringsuk Pachelbel’s Canon – Halo Strings, playing with @orchestralqawwaliproject and others Dam Mast Qalandar.
You can read, see, and hear more about Cellistlidia:
I can’t remember for sure whether I came across Tina Guo or ThatCelloGuy first. The first piece I heard Tina play is the theme song to The Last of the Mohicans.
One of my favourite pieces is Time by Hans Zimmer from the soundtrack for the movie Inception. This is a man passionate about the music he plays and one of the reasons I often listen to his videos while writing.
*This is a fictious story and homage to professional wrestling
#9
The referee lifts her right arm into the air. With a closed fist, except for her index finger, that points up, she circles her wrist. Autumn Spring dings the large, vertical wrestling bell on her foldout desk.
“Is that real!?” a fan shouts out. Everyone knows he’s talking about The Bionic Man’s arm.
Yes, it is Autumn says inside her head. That was a gift that all the promoters and some of the wrestlers willing paid for. There is one more gift for The Bionic Man but The Source would present that later.
“Lobster Claw has put his right claw up to challenge The Bionic Man’s bionic hand,” she commentates. “Nature against machine,” she continues. “It’s a back-and-forth battle, ladies and gentlemen. Lobster Claw’s claws are known to crush unopened beer cans. On our website, honourthebelt.com you can see videos of him splitting coconuts and other items. Items no one would believe are humanly possible to crush. However, The Bionic Man is a mystery. There’s currently no content on what he can do.”
“I think we’re about to find out!” She stands up to rile the crowd and to get a better view. “Lobster Claw just grabbed the bionic arm. It looks like he’s trying to tear the bionic arm off. The bionic man is pounding the claw on his arm but his normal, human strength doesn’t seem to be having any effect. Lobster Claw just hipped tossed The Bionic Man.” Oh, gawd, she thinks.
She takes in a deep breath. The show must go on.
“The Bionic Man has lost his bionic arm. Lobster Claw is against the ropes while the referee checks on The Bionic Man. I don’t believe it! The Bionic Man wants to continue the match!
“Lobster Claw looks like he’s going to pounce on The Bionic Man before he even gets back to his feet. The referee is holding Lobster Claw back. The Bionic Man is back on his feet! His face is full of rage. The referee has just stepped away. Lobster Claw is wasting no time stalking The Bionic Man. Is this now a game of cat and mouse? The Bionic Man just stomped his right foot in a threatening manner. Unbelievable! That’s a double drop kick by The Bionic Man right into the centre of Lobster Claw’s chest! Few people including veteran wrestlers could do such an accurate leaping double kick.
“Lobster Claw hit the top rope so hard he lost his footing and fell on his face.” Autumn catches a glance from the referee. She checks the time and points her right index and middle finger down.
“It looks like the referee is now checking on Lobster Claw. Lobster Claw looks stunned but nods his head that he can continue. I didn’t think anyone on the planet could continue after a kick like the one he just took.
“Wait! What? This is unbelievable! The Bionic Man is trying to put his bionic arm back on! Oh, no! Lobster Claw just yanked the bionic arm away. Oh, my gawd, does this man have no morals? He just hit The Bionic Man with his own bionic arm. This is ruthless folks, just ruthless, and uncalled for.
“But wait! The bionic man just slid one of his legs around one of Lobster Claw’s. He’s taken the big man down! This is impossible! I can’t believe what I’m seeing! Lobster Claw tried to hit The Bionic Man again but because of the pain he must be in, from the leg hold, there was little strength in his attack.
“The Bionic Man has done it! Using the power from Lobster Claw’s attack he’s managed to slip his bionic arm back on. The fingers are moving people. The fingers are moving! The Bionic Man just put his bionic hand around Lobster Claw’s throat. Lobster Claw is tapping out!
“Don’t be surprised if Lobster Claw calls for a disqualification. Really, how strong is that bionic arm?”
*This is a fictious story and homage to professional wrestling
#8
Autumn Spring takes a sip of water. Her experience with professional wrestling is that the best are tremendous actors. They become their character no matter what’s going on in their real life. Mamacita’s bunched up shoulders aren’t act. Autumn just knows the Mexican wrestler hates losing. But that she did, tells Autumn that Mamacita isn’t just about herself, but the business as a whole.
The next match is going to be the hardest to call. The Bionic Man is wrestling against The Lobster Claw, or just Lobster Claw. The Bionic Man is a young man still, and a war vet. His armoured vehicle drove over one too many landmines in Sudan while he was guarding Red Cross workers. His left arm, just below the elbow had to be amputated. She grounds her teeth. Lobster Claw is a semi-retired pro wrestler with over twenty years of experience. He’s also a retired Air Force mechanic. After a lot of arguments, The Source and the other promoters agreed to let The Bionic Man wrestle, as long as it was with an experienced wrestler.
An adapted version of military taps music blares. The bear-sized figure of Lobster Claw stomps out from the curtains at the back of the auditorium. His hands are dyed red. He alternating clasps his thumbs and pressed together fingers over his head. The claws are ready to cause damage to whoever opposes him.
Next, she hears soft tapping that grows louder and louder. “I am now complete,” sings a male voice. Dancing out from behind the stage curtain is The Bionic Man. Barely six feet (183 cm) tall, with a quarterback’s body he’s still as cocky as ever. He rolls under the bottom rope, does a spin and lands on his knees in the centre of the canvas. He thrust his bionic arm into the air.
*This is a fictious story and homage to professional wrestling
#7
Mamacita hears her music blaring. It’s a techno version of the Mexican anthem. She struts through the screened off area at the back of the gymnasium. Half way to the ring she twirls so her green, white, and red cape with the Mexican eagle in the centre, flows for everyone to see. She glances at the commentator table. See me hermana, she thinks towards the red-haired announcer. She rolls onto the canvas and dances in a circle.
“You’re too big to be a wrestler!” one of the men in the crowd shouts out.
She grabs a mic off the referee. Leaning over the top rope she pouts before saying, “You must be only half a man to say such a thing to Mamacita.” Walking to the centre of the ring, she raises her voice. “Watch and see what Mamacita’s natural body can do. Some of you will crave me after you do. Some of you will fear me. But all of you will respect Mamacita after you see what she can do.” She hears her opponent’s music blast trough the air. She takes off her cape and hands it and the mic to the referee.
From behind the stage’s curtains a young woman with long blonde hair and blue eyes struts out. She wears a gold mask that glimmers. As does her pine green halter top and gold shorts. Her boots are a matching green with red torch emblem on the outer sides. In her bellybutton is a belly ring that blinks with a white light. She’s as tall but half the size of Mamacita. Her abs are ripped and there’s definition in her arms and legs. This is Lampetia.
Mamacita moves to attack but the referee holds her back. Once Lampetia is fully in the ring they lock up. Mamacita hip flips Lampetia to the mat and puts her into a headlock.
Between gasping and snarling, Mamacita whispers, “Back kick.”
Lampetia struggles to her feet than drops so Mamacita’s chin bounces off the top of her head. She rolls forward onto her feet and kicks back into Mamacita’s abdomen.
As the referee checks on Mamacita she whispers, “Five minutes.”
Mamacita nods at the referee so that she knows Mamacita can continue. Mamacita sees Lampetia strutting around the ring with her arms raised in the air, to tell the crowd how great she is.
Mamacita screams in rage. She spins around and clotheslines Lampetia to the canvas. Mamacita drops onto her knees so she’s straddling Lampetia. She grabs Lampetia’s long blonde hair and bangs the back of her head into the canvas repeatedly. The referee counts to five and stops her from continuing. “You think you’re good?” Mamacita shouts. She picks up the dazed Lampetia and puts her in a fireman’s carry across her shoulders. Then she drops backwards.
The referee hurries over to check on Lampetia. As she does, she whispers, “Two minutes.”
Mamacita yells at the referee for interfering. She looks like she’s going to shove the referee away but that would mean a disqualification. Instead, she reaches to grab Lampetia’s hair.
But Lampetia has recovered. With lightning speed, Lampetia grabs Mamacita’s outreaching arm and pulls her off her feet. Now Lampetia has Mamacita’s arm between her legs and is bending Mamacita’s hand back.
Mamacita uses all her strength but she just can’t break the hold. The referee keeps asking Mamacita if she gives up. Mamacita is able to swing a leg over the bottom rope. But just as she does Lampetia twists her body so her belly ring blinds the referee. Lampetia yanks on Mamacita’s arm, causing Mamacita’s leg to come off the bottom rope.
When the referee can see again, Mamacita is too spent and in too much pain to fight on. She rapidly taps out with her other hand.
*This is a fictious story and homage to professional wrestling
#6
The Source scowls as The Electrician holds a hand just above the top of his head. Then gradually lowers it to the height of his chin and points at The Source as he gives off a cackle. The Source makes his entire body shake. He goes to one side of the ring and shakes the top of the rope as he roars. Then he goes to the other side, and glaring into the crowd does the same thing. He stomps his feet and raises his hands with his fingers outstretched, challenging his foe to a feat of strength. The Electrician glances at the crowd as he points at The Source. A few cheers beckon him to take the challenge.
This is what The Source was waiting for. He kicks The Electrician just above the groin, but that’s not what the crowd sees. The Electrician falls onto his knees with his hands between his legs.
“Dirty fighter, dirty fighter!” the crowd roars at The Source.
The Source holds his arms above his head and struts around the ring as the referee checks on The Electrician. Feeling triumphant, The Source points an index finger at his temple and taps. The crowd now knows he’s super smart. He rushes over to the still kneeling Electrician, holds one hand high up in the air, and stomps his foot as he chops down on one of The Electrician’s trap muscles. The Source lifts his hand up to strike The Electrician again, intending to pound him to the ground, but The Electrician wags a finger at him and starts to stand. The Source hits The Electrician again but it seems to have no effect.
“Beat the cheater!” the crowd chants.
The Electrician’s entire body shakes as he ignores another one of The Sources’ chops. The Electrician gives The Source one of his own chops, right across the chest. The Source staggers back. Out of the corner of his eye he sees Autumn Spring with her hand on top of a large digital clock. The referee moves in and whispers “One minute.”
“Don’t forget. Don’t forget,” The Source thinks towards his opponent as The Electrician pummels him against the ropes.
In one swift movement, The Electrician jumps back, takes a step forward, jumps in the air, higher than should be possible, and hits The Source square in the chest with a drop kick.
The crowd gasps as The Source flips over the top rope onto the mats below!
The referee rolls below the bottom rope and onto the mats beside The Source. She whispers, “Are you okay?”
“Count me out,” The Source replies in a most satisfied whisper.
Thanks to:
Brandon Gray for portraying The Source and Robin Gray for makeup and photo
*This is a fictious story and homage to professional wrestling
#5
The Source hears The Electrician’s pounding electric piano music boom through the auditorium. He’s no longer a web designer or graphic artist—he’s The Source. He prowls around the ring as the referee makes a late entrance and rolls under the lowest rope to hurry onto the canvas. Desiree Lyn is her performance name and she taps him hard on the shoulder with a scowl on her face. Leaning in to chastise him for not staying in his corner she whispers, “Sorry, traffic.”
The Electrician marches around the ring pounding his chest and reaching out with his arms so everyone knows he’s the best. The Electrician has forgotten he’s the babyface. The Source gets in the referee’s face so the crowd knows he wants at the arrogant Electrician. When he’s near her ear he keeps the anger on his face as he whispers, “The crowd decides.” He sees her slight nod of confirmation. She knows The Electrician has forgotten his role.
The Electrician is a big man. 6’4” without boots and closer to 6’6” with them on. The electric bolts on his mask give him a menacing and mysterious appearance. The Source gives him a clothesline across the chest. Stiffer than he intended. The Electrician goes down and the referee immediately checks on him. The Electrician nods he’s okay and gets back to his feet. It’s a good thing Desiree is also a paramedic. Young, tough pro wrestlers like The Electrician, don’t always take well to chastisement. And The Electrician, is an electrician, but also a semi-professional boxer.
Thanks to:
Brandon Gray for portraying The Source and Robin Gray for makeup and photo
*This is a fictious story and homage to professional wrestling
#4
He’s back behind the stage curtains. With a sigh of relief, he sees most of the seats in the school auditorium filled. He steps back and slaps either side of his chest numerous times, all the while inhaling and exhaling deep breaths. Taking one more sip of water he pics up a mic. His theme music comes on and stomps past the curtains.
“I am the AI in the word destruction,” he growls into the mic.
“The quantum physics of pro wrestling!” he shouts.
“Faster, smarter, newer.” He pauses as he climbs up the steps to the ring. As he ducks under the middle rope he smirks and raises his left arm. “I am…The Source.” He sets down the mic and gently kicks it outside of the ring so it falls onto one of the floor mats. He makes a victory sign and points at his eyes than points his index finger at one of the security guards and backup wrestlers. “Are you intelligent enough to be here!” he shouts. On que the security guard stands up and starts shouting back at him. Come on he thinks. He wants the crowd to hate him.
Thanks to:
Brandon Gray for portraying The Source and Robin Gray for makeup and photo
*This is a fictious story and homage to professional wrestling
#3
Her real name isn’t Mamacita but that’s no one business. She grins at The Source and practices a roll on the ring’s surface to make sure it’s smooth. The Source isn’t his real name either although she knows what it is, but the rule is, never call a wrestler by their real name when the makeup or mask is on.
She grabs one of the top ropes with both hands and shakes it to make sure it’s secure. The shaking goes on longer than normal because she wants to observe the tall, red-haired girl by the painting of a wrestling ring. That’s who she wants to get to know. Mamacita doesn’t just want to wrestle, she wants to know everything about the wrestling business. And that seemingly, unassuming chica, is going to go places. Places Mamacita intends to follow until she understands everything.
Mamacita stares down at her hands. In Canada, the winter has just ended, so her gringo looking skin will soon have it’s more natural olive colour. Then the audience will eat out of her hands and her merch will sell like loco. She has ideas for t-shirts and pre-made fingernails with her name written across them. She’s even considering selling temporary tattoos of her name—written in gold. Soon all the mujer will be wearing her name on their fingernails, their arms, and even across their chests.
Caedar Writing & Artwork 