Sugar Slam III -- Batter Royal

I am so very very happy to announce that there will be a Sugar Slam 3 this year! Now in case you do not remember, or are new to my lovely blog, Sugar Slam is the brainchild of Natalie Slater, semi-professional baker/writer and fan of professional wrestling. One of her close friends is CM Punk, and since I am a fan of CM Punk this is how I met her and realized just how cool she is, and when they are together they have a cake feud -- she is a fan of frosting/icing who feels dessert is not dessert without it (I agree!) while he vehemently hates it. One day there were going back and forth about it and she said "Hey- we should do a wrestling-themed bake off because fighting and eating are fun!" He agreed to be the judge and like a true heel he picked a CM Punk dessert as the winner! Furthermore, she is heavily influenced by punk rock and is an inspiration to all those who follow the beat of their own drum. She has a unique style with an intense flair that draws you into her blog. She does not have a bakery at the moment and has a 9-5 job as well as the proud owner and partner of GreySlater Goods which is a eco-friendly boutique dedicated to to supporting small businesses with Made in the USA products. Although she has no culinary education, no fancy degree, but yet she knows her stuff and what makes baked goods GOOD for you as well as taste. You can find her blog, Bake and Destroy, here -- Bake and Destroy, her Twitter here -- Natalie Bake and Destroy, and her Tumblr page here Bake and Destroy.

So now...Sugar Slam 3 is back with a vengeance! The most delicious championship in sports-entertainment is the tagline. Last year's competition had over 100 entries. Just like last year, there will be two prize levels - the Championship, as chosen by the esteemed Sugar Slam 3 judges -- UCBW MegaStar Zach Linder, former WWE Diva Amy "Lita" Dumas and US Air Guitar Champion Justin "Nordic Thunder" Howard. Plus there is the People's Choice Award winner as chosen by the fans. This year's competition will also feature guest "commentary" by author/musician Mike Edison. Just by this alone, don't you want to enter? If I had any decorating ability I sure would!

Check out last years entries here -- Sugar Slam 2011

If you would like to enter SugarSlam 3 please go here for official rules and how to enter: Sugar Slam III: Batter Royal Official Rules!

UPDATE: SUGAR SLAM 2012 DEADLINE EXTENSION! The deadline is now AUGUST 15TH so now you have no excuse to not enter!

Joisey Kayfabe -- Why I Will Not Be at Wrestlemania 29 on April 7, 2013

It has been a hot minute since I wrote a Joisey Kayfabe blog. Let me explain what this feature is all about first for those that do not remember -- I am a professional wrestling fan. I have been a fan since the tender age of six; watching AWA/NWA/WCW/WWF with my older brother. We still watch professional wrestling today as it is one of the fandoms that has bonded us. The only difference is that I will travel for professional wrestling shows with David, my fiancé' who I also met through the amazement of professional wrestling. i love to talk about professional wrestling; even took photos for some professional wrestling companies and for some of the wrestlers you see today on your television. i had a column in my college newspaper (The Pauw Wow at Saint Peters College located in Jersey City, New Jersey) about professional wrestling. I loved writing it so decided to bring it back in the blogosphere.

So this feature today is about why I vehemently hate the decision to hold Wrestlemania 29 in Metlife Stadium located in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Ever since David and I started dating we have traveled together for Wrestlemania. My first Wrestlemania on the road was Wrestlemania 23 in Detroit, Michigan at lovely Ford Field. Since then I have been to Wrestlemania 24 at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida which was coincided with my birthday so it was an awesome trip; Wrestlemania 25 in Houston, Texas; was supposed to go to Wrestlemania 26 in Phoenix, Arizona but due to being a klutz and breaking my left foot this event does not exist in my mind, and Wrestlemania 27 in one of my favorite cities in all of the United States, Atlanta, Georgia. I am currently working out details for Wrestlemania 28 in Miami, Florida.

When I heard the announcement of Wrestlemania 29 in my fair state of New Jersey, I cringed. Here is why.

1: I like to travel for Wrestlemania. It sort of gives me an excuse to visit every state in the United States which is one of my longtime goals.
2: The Wrestlemanias listed above that I have attended have all been inside of a football stadium with a dome. Metlife Stadium does not have a dome. Weather in April in the tri-state area can be tricky. The phrase "April showers bring May flowers" still applies here. Also who is to say it will not snow? What will happen then? I do not think there are plans to build a dome between now and then; then again I could be wrong.
3: Getting to Metlife Stadium is a BITCH especially if you live in New Jersey and do not drive.
4: The tri-state area should have had Wrestlemania 30. It is the tradition that Wrestlemania 1, 10, and 20 happened in Madison Square Garden where Wrestlemania originated. For Wrestlemania 30 to happen anywhere but MSG it will just not feel right. To use a show title from Ring of Honor -- Tradition Continues. I like traditions.

With these reasons said, I sincerely doubt I will be in attendance for Wrestlemania 29. Hall of Fame ceremony, Charity Art auction, Wrestlemania Axxess plus other various special events -- that is a different story as those events are held indoors. But for this Joisey Girl to sit in the possible cold for my love of professional wrestling? Sorry Vince...you have to do much better than that.