I had so much fun with this last season, I thought, what the heck, let's rumble again.

I hope everyone's having a good off season, and doing all the necessary training for the upcoming season. I know I am.

So, hi Thor, Hi Blitz, Hi TJ. One of these days we'll all meet snout to snout, as it were.

Let the trash talk begin.

Who wants to bet Mikeyratt gets in the first reply?

$ 100,000,000 against.

....I guess I should've rephrased that:

How much do you wanna bet anoher Sidekick pipes in first and tries to grab the glory?

I think Dugferd owen me 1/2 of his winnings for holding back on that

Bloody Sidekickers - nowt but trouble


(1-0, 1-0, 1-0, 1-0, 1-0, 1-0, 1-0, 1-0!)
That message especially for Mikey.

Good show, gentlemen.

The score is now:

Richmond Kicker Sidekicks: 3
Rest of A-league: 0

..now if only that were real-life indoor scores

Actually Kickeroo... Lets look at this from a different angle...

The reason that you have all this time to post in here is because you don't have an appearance schedule demanding on your time...

Unlike others, like myself, who even though in off-season for my team, I am in demand from local events and activities... This weekend alone, have 3 appearances to attend...

So be it as it may, post all you like, but don't expect to hear smack from me until Sunday evening at the earliest as I have fans looking for me until then...

Tell me, Kickeroo, how is it to have so much free time?

Well I can actually defend Kickeroo here, he is always making appearances for charity events and had a big bruise on his butt to prove it. He also has an alter-ego which I shall not divulge for fear of breaking the mascot code. But rest assured, he is keeping a lot of people entertained.

Thanks EF! The bruise is gone, but the separated shoulder from Hockey is still a pain.

And its good to hear from Thor again! I imagine you are quite busy up in the great bland north. It's not like the Wild, Twins or Vikings are much fun to be around. I'm happy you are appreciated that way.

I guess it also helps that you bear a striking resemblence to Jesse Ventura. Without the mustache, anyway.

Actually I got the appearance schedule despite the resemblance...

Just to get this thing started again. There's a fair set of A-league mascot son this site, including yours truly and Thor. The guy running this sight has asked by way of BigSoccer.com for pictures and/or information. For some reason, we're placed under the Canadian Icon. We'll have to see if we can do something about that.

Geez, doesn't Aquabird look a little malnourished?

http://www.btinternet.com/~adam.alba/

I beg to differ here, but I'M the guy running this site and I haven't asked any such thing on Bigsoccer .....

Dan

Hey Kickeroo, how come Thor, Timber Jim and AMO are all listed before you!?! It's done by popularity right?

Yes... yes... I like how this man thinks!!! But actually, to clarify, it goes by size of ego, hence why I am listed towards the top...



Dan... I, for one, think the world revolves around you however what Kickeroo was saying was the guy who runs the mascot site was requesting pictures on bigsoccer.com... He wasn't saying you were...



Since Aquabird is not here to defend himself, I will step in....

Geez, doesn't Kickeroo look like he took a hard shot from a soccer ball to the ba-do-bees?


I have thrown in my sarcastic shots for the day... now I am going to bed...

[ 02-01-2002: Message edited by: Thor ]

Uh, I don't know. Maybe he felt sorry for them?

My picture will be changing shortly. You' aint seen nothing yet.

Even TJ will think twice. Grrr!

Just took a peek at that mascot site, I am now "Mascot of the Moment"!

Ugh! I am so cool!

Hey Thor it's great that you are MASCOT OF THE MOMENT!! but why are you making that guy driving the truck hide behind the piece of paper? Are you threatened in some way? Come on, spill, who is that guy and why does he threaten your ego?

Actually as a matter of fact, its you (you doofus) and if I remember correctly, you still had Mike's Hard Lemonade breath from the previous day... Hence the paper.... or is that the day you forgot your dentures?

good job Thor. How'd it happen?

How did it happen? Just worked my magic...

You call "sucking up" magic?

(it ain't called Mascot Wars for nothing, baby)

Hey Kickeroo, all-knowing font of soccer mascot knowledge,

What kind of mascot do you imagine the new Calgary Storm will use at their games? Do you think perhaps just a blast of Arctic air? :rolleyes:

hmmmm. Calgary, eh? Don't they have a few old dusty winter Olympics mascots lying around? Hidy and Howdy, an "inseparable sister and brother pair of polar bears" could probably be found somewhere off the main interstate rooting through dumpsters behind a all-you-can-eat lumberjack buffet. They could use the work.

Hey Kickeroo, all-knowing font of soccer mascot knowledge,

Why didn't you know that is standard policy for all Olympic mascot costumes to be destroyed (with the exception of costumes being sent to the Olympic Museum in Lusanne or any national or local Olympic museum in the host city or host country's capital)... And further more that the mascot images themselves are permanently copyrighted internationally by the International Olympic Committee... :p

Maybe you could ask someone who has mascotted at an international level... oh wait, that would be me!

(you're right, its not called mascot wars for nothing)

Sincerely,

Captain and Lead Performer for the Izzy Mascot Team
Official Mascot of the 1996 Summer Olympic Games


and of course, not forgetting.....

So Thor,

Do they let you travel with the team? If so, will they let you come East toward the Atlantic? Or might the owners be afraid you would commandeer a a sailboat and return to the land of the Vikings?? We'd love to see you out this way...

oh really??? what do you call this:


sure, their stuffed, but their likeness could be ressurected at a moment's notice:

For the record, no I was not aware of it, but I am now. Thank you God fo Thunder. I imagine it is the same with World Cup mascots, too, eh? I guess that's whay Striker from USA 1994 has been put to sleep

for those who cannot see the piture i tried to post, it is found at :

http://www.olympic.org/upload/games/1988W_mascot_b.jpg

sorry for any confusion.

Interstate? There are no interstates in Canada.

Striker was sent to a farm up north where he now has plenty of room to run around and play with as many balls as he wants. He's much happier now. Really, he is.

Plugger...

Yes... I travel with the team at the request of the team that we are playing against... I would enjoy coming on down to Richmond but would need a request from the team and Kickeroo... Basically, mascots don't enter other mascots' home without an invitation...

So Kickeroo? Whatta ya think?

wow...someone is actually proud of the '96 olympics??

So how does one become a mascot? Is their a gradute degree progam at some university? Or is it passed on from father to son?

Sure am... along with 65,000 other volunteers that worked their arses off...



Every mascot gets their start in a different way... Personally, I got my start 17 years ago volunteering for the Minnesota Zoo... A year later, I got my first paying gig with Frito Lay for the summer... Turned "officially" pro in 1990 by joining with the Olympic Committee...

How do others become mascots? There are some "mascot camps" out there that will train you how to be a mascot... These are usually run by people who just can't find contracts to support themselves...

Those who can, do; those who can't, teach; those who can do both, work for Minnesota soccer teams...

There are about 25+ mascots out there who are people I scouted out and trained to become mascots who now have their own contracts and work in the industry... Because of some of my contracts, many companies know that I will train and manage their mascot programs... It's a specialized industry and there are not many people who can do this sort of thing...

I think Kickeroo will agree with me on the one statement that I make to any prospective clients:

Anyone can wear a costume; it takes talent and skill to mascot.

[ 02-17-2002: Message edited by: Thor ]

Well, for me it was being in the right place at the right time. It was something I always had wanted to try, and once I let it be known that i was interested, the calls started to come in. Living in a minor-league city also cut down on the number of like-wise minded people. Kickeroo is my very first and favorite charachter, and even though I've gotten some good feedback from D.C. United, i will choose to be Kickeroo more than talon, even though I enjoy both. There is always the potential to make a full time career out of this, but to be honest, it would take away from the other things in my life that mean equally as much as professional mascotting does.

Given the chance, I'd have loved to have worked with Thor in Atlanta during the 96' Olympics, even with the negative press Izzy got (rumor has it he was redesigned three times before his unveiling and he STILL seemed to be like a faded California Raisin). Even though Big Fat Al Roker TO THIS DAY laments Izzy (as seen on the Toady show YESTERDAY), I am sure there are thousands of childern with cherished photographs of themselves and Izzy. 9 out of 10 times, the mascot is the only thing kids will remember from a sporting event, and to be part of someone's memories like that deserves applause.

Of course...that doesn't mean that Thor and I won't continue to trade barbs.

[img]http://www.moerk.org-izzy-LaurelIzzy3.gif.url[/img]

I too wish I could have worked with Kickeroo during the Games... We needed good people (since we had 8 Izzy's going at any one time)...

And although we are "required" to beat on each other, most mascots respect their counterparts in the other teams in their league and in the industry... All kidding aside, I have only heard good things about Kickeroo... Richmond is lucky to have him...

Now, back to business... Say, did anyone else notice that Kickeroo totally breezed past that post about me needing an invite to come down there.... hmmmm.... There's always an open invitation extended from the Thunder...

So Kickeroo, why no invite? Are you a chicken? (and yes, those are two seperate questions... why no invitation and what is that costume supposed to be anyway? A chicken?)

[ 02-20-2002: Message edited by: Thor ]

I would be happy to invite Thor in for the Thunder Thrashing on August 2nd. This would work out well as the MLS All-Star game will be the next day, and I am sure Thor could help me out with whatever the MLS needs from me,. which could be a lot. (hint: Thor: e-mail me!)

Alas, I have nothing to do with the scheduling of facilities for visiting teams. I will however, extend a big furry paw to Thor to stay at the Home Of Kickeroo, provided the Wife of Kickeroo Okay's it

In other words....Bring it On!

BTW, one of the Izzy's currently resides here in Richmond and can be found shaking a tailfeather as the occasional Diamond Duck for the Richmond Braves

Maybe we could invite Timber Jim over for the Portland game...

I think big fat Al Roker needs to return to his old job as one of the plump California raisins. He certainly did a better job with that group than he does acting as a weatherman on TV! NBC, please bring back Willard Scott, at least that plump man had class!!! :p

So Thor..are ya coming??

K-Roo 2K2 is going to ROCK! My new suit is in, and he means business!

Pictures coming...probably after media day.

Kickers have yet to respond to my contact... Got the all-clear from everybody but the actual team itself...

Wonder if they are trying to protect you...

They don't protect me. They protect others FROM me.

Should I keep that in mind when I'm town on June 29?

Allison, definitely.

Btw, you're in luck - that day is a double header.

Don't worry Allison. Just get my attention (cash works here) or let's designate a meeting place beforehand. All I ask is that if I ask you to dance, that you shake it for everything you're worth

wow! that kickeroo guy sure is funny! i hear talon is coming back to town. will we see a re-match?

oh, you know it! Talon's beefed up over the winter, but he ain't a match for me!

12 days to go! Everybody psyched?????

3 days until Talon gets clipped and the rest of the league is put on notice!

Well, I must throw this in. Last night at the Bitter End Pub, guess what they had on tap......

TIMBER JIM LAGER!!!!!!

--CHEERS

eeeeeeeeeew!!!! Beer made from a lumberjack??? You guys are sick!!!! Isn't there laws about that kind of thing? Gross!

Would someboady please tell "Seemore Soccer" that his fuzzy blue days are numbered?

Just kidding.

Welcome to the A-league Seemore. We'll bump fur soon. Mariner fans, please extend my welcomes to your new buddy

I guess you're the reason I turned reddishg brown, huh?

Thank god, the Battery got rid of (I hope) our poor excuse for a mascot. And thank god twice there was never a photo of the creature .... a life sized soccer ball. Oh Goody boys and girls.

However, to fill the void, the Regiment has given life to a REAL mascot, Regiment Man:



I think I see a kangaroo a$$-whupping in your future!!

However, one of the sponsors also had this thing walking around last game. (the pizza slice, not the lady)



Now, if that doesn't want to make go out and .....throw up, I don't know what will.

Regiment man looks good, however I feel you might lose him during Civil War Re-enactor season.

Missing in Action: Atlata faithful are wondering what's happened to their original Soccertese?

Beats me...maybe a banana truck came by and took hold of his attention span.

back by popular demand!

Rhiino's favorite: cheating again!