Ok folks, here are the four semi-finalists for the Win a Spot on the Pulpmx Show Essay contest.
Ok folks, here are the four semi-finalists for the Win a Spot on the Pulpmx Show Essay contest.
Before we begin, I want to thank everyone for submitting their essays, we had over 100 entries with about 90 serious ones and about 10 that just had people writing about what they ate for dinner. It was really tough to narrow it down, there were a lot of deserving ones. I probably read every essay twice, some three or four times. My wife Pookie read them as well and selected her favorites, Tits Legendary and Swizcore did the same. Kenny showed no interest. From everyone’s favorites, we got it down to these four. And then these four were submitted to The Weege for a look at them from his spot. Myself, Swizzle and Weege all have notes underneath about each submission.
Don’t hesitate to comment below on which one you think should win and we’re gonna get these four guys on the show to talk to us and see who has the best chemistry with us. As you can see, this is quite a process! Thanks for reading.
And away we go…
How did I begin to think I deserved a spot on the pulpmx show? Its how the sport of motocross kept my family together. In 2004 I was preparing for my first ever pro national, Washougal, mostly inspired by my parents to finally get my pro license and give it a shot. I was preparing harder than ever in 100+ degree heat on dry hard pack tracks, running multiple 30 minute motos after 8 hour work days 5 days a week. I knew how to work hard because of how my parents brought me up. Always told to never give up and that you had to work to earn what you wanted. By the time July came around I felt like I was ready for the August 1, 2004 national
Then on July 16th I had received some terrible news. I received a phone call from the Carbon County Sheriffs department asking me if I had heard from anybody from home. When I told the officer I had not, he had to relay the news to me that my parents were both killed when their Harley Davidson motorcycle hit a cow on a section of road that was not open-ranged. I collapsed almost instantly and could not believe what I had just heard. Two weeks away from the race and it was instantly the furthest thing on my mind.
I was 20 years old at the time, my older brother Dusty was 26, and our younger sister Casan was 14. Me and Dusty had graduated high school and were living on our own, Casan was just a kid who hadn’t got the start on life and was not ready to. The week following my parents’ death we had to deal with funeral arrangements and all the other things that come with. I felt like there was no way I was going to race in Washougal now. Me and Dusty had to raise our sister and I was lost.
We were taught to never give up, so Saturday night following the funeral, I loaded up my bikes and drove 250 miles to compete in a state race. All week I couldn’t eat or drink because I was too sick to, but I didn’t want to give up. I raced six motos that day and won four, but subsequently due to dehydration came down with heat sickness that night. Still I did not give up. The following Wednesday Dusty, Casan, and I loaded my bike up and made the 1000 mile trek to Washougal. I was going to try and qualify for my first national and both my parents were going to be there to see it. We were going to do this as a family.
To this day I know the sport has kept us three together. Now that we have backed off racing one thing that continues to keep us together is the pulpmx show. – Nate
Swizcore- Nate’s essay had me split. First of all, it’s obviously very sad and I feel for him and his brother and sister but I didn’t want his plight to influence my selection just because of the tragedy. In the end I selected it because Nate’s fortitude is highly admirable. His love for moto helped him and his siblings work through a loss so great I wont attempt to describe it. How could you not support a guy with such passion and perseverance.
Matthes- Swizzle, c’mon. The dudes parents died from hitting a cow! That’s gnarly and I suppose your black heart just can’t handle this kind of stuff. The determination that Nate showed in the face of tragedy is remarkable and his essay hit all the points that we asked for (I’m big on the details- just ask Swizzle). If it wasn’t for his parents passing away, Nate might have made it as a pro mx’er- we have no idea. He conveys the sense that the show is important to him (another thing I like) and I think this guy is on Twitter and he’s pretty funny on that. All in all, this one is a tear-jerker and deserved to be in the running. But we’re gonna need to see death certificates.
Just kidding.
Sort of.
Weege – This is about the worst, saddest, most terrible story you’re ever going to hear, and Nate does a good job tying it into the show—he’s not just going for sympathy points. However, I am scared that having him on the show will require retelling his essay story, and how are Kenny, Steve and the gang going to avoid making some sort of joke about running into a cow on a Harley? I mean, that’s one of the most bizarre, crazy things I’ve ever heard, and you could probably expound on it for a good five minutes (what happened to the cow, for example) but you can’t go there because it’s, again, the worst, saddest, and most terrible story you’re ever going to hear. But the Pulp show features a co-host with the catchphrase “go hang yourself.” Just sayin’.
This is an inspiring tale and it would be great to reward Nate with the trip for all he has been through. Unfortunately, although the essay is very well written, we have no way of knowing what kind of guest he would be. I’m assuming he knows the sport well since he listens to the show (and what more do you need?) but it’s hard to tell what kind of personality the guy has here.
Also, he’s from the Washougal area, and I’m afraid if a connection were bridged between Nate and Moser we could be looking at a world takeover by those two.
Why I should be on the Pulpmx show
By Klinton Silvey
Dear Mr. Matthes,
Have you ever been mentioned in the professional project proposal of a graduate student at the best journalism school in the country?
If you answered “no,” then you would be wrong. You are my inspiration, and if you need proof read this little excerpt:
“The journalists I admired and envied the most, such as Racer X Illustrated’s Jason Weigandt and Steve Matthes were great writers, but their careers went beyond the pages of a magazine. In addition to their writing and editing duties for Racer X and racerxonline.com they did podcasts, web-shows, live race coverage, and Matthes even had his own motocross website.”
That is going in a proposal that will earn me a Master’s degree at the University of Missouri School of Journalism. I want to be like you. And I’m telling my professors that in writing.
And they think I’m the weirdest kid in class.
When I saw the announcement I spazzed out. What are the chanceablilities that two of my childhood dreams could actually come true. The first was to see Garth Brooks in concert, and the second was to be on the Pulpmx show.
I hope you understand the gravity of this situation for me. I know a lot of motoheads think it would be totally rad to be a moto-journalist, but I am legitimately trying to make it happen. I have a little supercross blog. (Silveycross.tumblr.com) I’ve been on an MXPTV.com podcast with Benn Lynn. I’ve tried making connections. My parents and I even drove from Missouri to West Virginia back in the winter of ’09 just to be given a tour of the Racer X headquarters by Weege.
West Virginia, Matthes. I gave up a ski trip to real mountains in Colorado just to meet Weege.
I don’t know what else to do.
Please, please Matthes. Give me my 15 minutes of fame. I’ve been pursuing this goal since I was a sophomore in high-school.
I won’t embarrass you. I know moto. I race. I even qualified for Loretta’s in the B class… as an alternate. I love Tim Ferry.
What else could you ask for from a guy? Want me to wash your dogs? I’ll do that while I’m out there too.
If you do pick me, know that you’ll not only be giving a fan a free trip, you’ll be giving a hard-working fellow moto journalist a dream-come true.
The Pulpmx studio is my Graceland, sir.
Sincerely,
Klinton Silvey
Swizcore- I selected Klinton’s essay because it was clear he is very passionate and motivated in his quest to become a starving moto journalist. His essay was honest and not attempting to be too clever. I also like how his energy came through in his writing and he even admitted his professors think he’s “the weirdest kid in class”. I’m picturing Beavis crossed with Michael Cera. Don’t let me down Klinton.
Matthes- I like to think that Klinton is like a little Stevie Matthes in that he wants to write his thoughts down and is a super-fan of the sport. Yeah sure he wasn’t a wrench but some would say that I wasn’t either. To get a tour of RXI from Weege shows commitment as well. He’s well spoken and would probably do well on the air in the studio which is a plus, he calls my house “Graceland” which was funny and again, this essay reeks of professionalism and that my friends, is what I like. I too piss excellence in the morning.
Weege—Who the hell is this? Seriously, dropping my name? Do you know how many people are willing to drive several states to see me in the Racer X office? Do you? Well, literally thousands of people have done this so Klinton’s little story doesn’t even ring a bell for me. It happens almost daily.
Okay, kidding. I remember Kilinton well, he called the office asking if we had some openings, and we got to chatting. He’s definitely a trooper because he didn’t even wince when I said “The only thing I know of that needs extra help around here is the ATV Motocross Series.” Usually the other end of the phone hangs up when I say this!
The guy was well spoken and I’m assuming he understands the trade well—he should be knowledgable, have an opinion, make the listeners think, etc. Dude is going to get a Masters in journalism? That makes him overqualified in an industry where even the mechanics didn’t go to school to learn to be mechanics (just ask Steve or Kenny).
I think he’d be good and I think he’s going places. Places where he mentions my name and people think he’s weird. I like that.
51/50
Show #1 I do miss patting Tim Ferry on the butt. – Matthes #2 You’re all about the food I’m all about the race. -Short #3 I just don’t like the guy, the guy’s just a douche bag. – Hansen #4 I got stories! – Watson #5 Maybe the moto gods just don’t want us to have a show. – Matthes #6 I felt like I pulled both my groins. – Millisaps #7 Its Has Been again. – Has Been #8 If that happens I’ll pay you 500 bucks! – Watson #9 I don’t want to see what I did to everybody. – McGrath #10 That is the sound of an ice cold redbull being cracked open! – Lindsey #11 Hey Ivan, who is your best friend in the world? – Matthes #12 Hats off to Paul for everything he did to get this thing started. – Watson #13 They’re raised and breed to be racers. – Watson #14 Racing is war. – T. Alessi #15 I’ve been around, I know a lot of people. – Watson #16 Andrew was a genuine, genuine great guy. – Langston #L.V. This is Guespi Luango’s universe and you are just living in it! – Evil Guespi #17 Someone just twitted its like the motocross version of Bert and Ernie! – Mstthes #18 Please come home, I miss you. -Watson #19 I do things pretty gnarly. – O’mara #20 Kenny Watson and the other guy show! #21 Please don’t have sex with Kenny! – Matthes #22 I have documentation! – Pelligreno #23 J.P. is laying it, Laying the wood to Ashley – Matthes #24 That’s why I turned into the people that I am. – Watson #25 Big James is a terrible actor. – Villemin #26 What are the chanceabilities? – Watson #27 The X-Games is overated for our sport. – Matthes #28 Dude, thats so funny. – Factory #29 Wakeing up’s way overrated. – Hill #30 You’re gunna die fat. – Ellis #31 Will you please hold Jackie’s hand? – Watson #32 He kept saying where we are, is where we’re at. – Matthes #33 I got hemoroids too, I’m totally feelin you! – Wey #34 Metal to metal – Sheak/Watson #35 Joe Gibbs kid, I’ve got a technical question for you. – Mosier #36 Are you proud to be an American? – Watson #37 Shes not tits, he’s tits! – Matthes #38 Was he walking around with an orange girl? – Ping #39 I don’t like people from Europe. – Watson #40 Some would say that I am a jackass at my job. – Matthes #41 He has an apointment with a psycologist because his feelings got hurt. – Watson #42 Look on more. – Tits #43 Its not what you say Kenny, its just how you say it. – Blose #44 God why did I drink instead of practice? – Curry #45 Shes not just a hooker she does fashion too. – Cox #46 You just called Villopoto dumb! – Watson #47 Whatever does make sense that I say? – Watson #48 Pulpmx fans are like Raiders fans. – Canard #49 I was playing with those stupid lights the other day. – Sorby #50 Tim ferry is the greatest rider ever, so what! – Matthes
Aaron
Swizcore- I’m thinking Aaron assembled his essay while sitting on the couch with a six pack and iTunes opened on his laptop. If Watson gave a shit about this silly radio show, I imagine he’d use the same formula. I think Aaron and Watson will be fast friends if Aaron makes it in the studio.
Matthes- There was NEVER any doubt that this essay from Aaron was going to make the cut. First of all, it’s titled 51/50 which is my favorite CD ever. The second thing is the commitment it took to sit there and grab quotes from all the shows is remarkable. The format of the essay isn’t exactly there so that’s a strike against Aaron but you have got to love the effort this took. Some of the quotes are definitely a little cringe-inducing but hey, you gotta take ownership of the shit you say I suppose. We need to get Aaron on the phone to see how he is but again, nice job on this thing.
Weege—I mean, what more can you ask for?
After a devastating crash, where I broke my neck and back racing motocross, I was lucky to be alive, let alone walking. So as you can imagine, I was no longer able to race. But I still follow the sport very closely, as it is my passion. I guess you could say that I still needed my “fix” for MX/SX, and I found it with the PulpMx show!
PulpMx is at the forefront of information for motocross and supercross. I not only get the inside scoop on the riders and teams but I get professional opinions from Matthes and Kenny, as well as Kenny’s flamboyant and sometimes brutally truthful comments.
While some people don’t like Kenny, I find him hilarious, extremely knowledgeable, and all around cool guy. I have heard him extend his apologies as well as stand his ground when needed. Kenny is a stand up guy, and the PulpMx show would not be the same without him! A show without Kenny would be as awkward as a reggae band at a KKK meeting!
Steve has been around the sport for a long time, and while he has a slight case of obsession with Tim Ferry, he is comical, informative, and gives me the news as he sees it, when he sees it. Steve has great coverage and articles on all of the races, and always seems to be the insider as well as the first to know what’s going on behind the scenes. He is an invaluable asset to our sport!
I have called into the show 3 times now, and have always been treated great by Steve, Tits, and Kenny, as well as the guests. If I was financially able to do so, I would sponsor PulpMx in a vain effort to keep the show on the air, as the show is an entertaining, yet vital part of our sport! My girlfriend is the love of my life, but if she ever told me that I could not listen to the show, I would drop her faster than a dress on prom night! (Don’t tell her I said that!)
There is no doubt that I am the biggest fan of the show, and I have got several people listening to it now because of my encouragement. I have some really good questions for Steve, Kenny, and even Tits that have not been asked before on the show. All of the questions are sport related, and I have no doubt that Kenny himself would say they are good questions. I’m certain that we would put on a show that everyone will remember!
It would be an honor for me and my significant other to be guests at PulpMx, and it would be a day that I would cherish forever! Please consider my entry, and THANK YOU, PulpMx, for doing this!!!!- Jason Rambo
Swizcore- I’ll be honest, I didn’t vote for Rambo but I’m glad it made the cut just because I am highly amused at the thought of a show filled with Matthes spouting First Blood lines all night. Obviously Jason is a big fan and he actually probably represents most Pulp Superfans best; pretty normal guy (even has a girlfriend). Best of luck to you Jason Rambo.
Matthes- Rambo’s (NOTHING IS OVER..) essay wasn’t the most unique one to be honest but I wanted to include a nicely written, well-rounded essay in the contest and Jason’s was one of the best. His last name threw it to the top, I do have to admit that. He said he’d drop his chick if she wouldn’t let him listen to the show, he said he’s called in (that’s a big plus to me), he had the heartbreak thing covered with the injuries (MRI report please) and he seems, to me anyways, to capture the essence of the show in his description of it. And if he won, maybe his chick is hot and she would be over hanging out as opposed to the other dudes bringing their geeky buddies. If he does win, I would like to go by the name of Troutman for the entire show.
Weege—You folks probably don’t know this, but back in elementary school the kids used to call me Jason Rambo because my first name was Jason and I basically kicked a lot of ass all the time. So I’m either honored or scared to meet the real Jason Rambo.
I wonder how old this guy is? If he was around before the First Blood movie came out, it would be interesting to see how his life changed after the term Rambo caught on. Kind of like that scene in the movie office space, where the dude is named Michael Bolton, and he’s all “my life was totally normal until Michael Bolton came out with his music. Why should I have to change my name? He’s the one who sucks.”
Where was I? Oh yeah, Jason Rambo. I remember reading an issue of Mad Magazine when I was a kid, and they drew Rambo’s scars up close, and one was a tic-tac-toe board, and another was the Izod alligator. Hilarious! Oh man, I just can’t stay on topic with this Rambo guy, can I? Too bad, he even points out that when he has called the show before he has come up with some good questions, so he would clearly make a good co host for the night. Hey, has Matthes ever told the story of when he went to the actual bridge where they shot scenes in First Blood?
Man I just can’t stop!
I like the essay, though.
