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March 08, 2005
My Posse Uptown Wear The Mask
The UNC Mexican wrestling mask seemed to either amuse and/or confuse most people that saw it in action on Sunday, but it was definitely not a big hit with the yellow-jacketed security guy who was working right near the last row of the Smith Center riser seats. As we first came down the steps towards the risers, the security guy saw the mask and told us that we couldn't have anything that covered our faces. This sounded like a pretty silly and arbitrary rule given that numerous people had light blue wigs and completely painted faces, so I maneuvered myself as far from him as possible and then put the mask on shortly before the game started. Within a mere few minutes, however, I was supposedly spotted by someone working a security camera way up in the tip-top crow's nest of the Smith Center...and that person supposedly radio-ed down to the security guard, who once again told me that I was not allowed to cover my face. He explained that they always needed to be able to identify me. It seemed to me that I would be extremely easy to spot (and apprehend) in the unlikely event that I broke some laws or violated some protocols or decided to throw a full drink on JJ Redick. I mean, c'mon - I'd be that one guy wearing the mask!
But perhaps there was more to this rule than monitoring or punishing rowdy fan behavior. TV camera shots and in-person sightings definitively showed that new UNC professor John Edwards, Governor Mike Easley, 2-time U.S. Senate candidate Erskine Bowles, and author John Grisham were all in attendance at the UNC/Duke game. Even more interesting to me was the (in)famous figure that I have not been able to confirm via any official account. The security guy apparently told someone in our posse something about "the assistant Secretary of Defense" being in the building. Who knows if that's true, but if it is, and if he was actually referring to Paul "I lick my comb" Wolfowitz, well then maybe that explains the whole anti-mask rule. With a neocon Deputy Secretary of Defense and a once & future Presidential candidate in the crowd, Big Brother might have been putting in some serious work with its facial-recognition software!
In any case, I was allowed to wear the mask on top of my head as if it were just a big hat, with my face exposed and the Mexican wrestler eyes looking skyward toward the top of the Dean Dome. This may have actually saved me a huge amount of discomfort, as it was already extremely sweaty and smelly in the back of the risers. If I'd had to pogo up and down with a tight felt mask on I might have suffocated or passed out or something.
Despite not being able to wear it as it was intended, I still consider the UNC Mexican wrestling mask to be my new "Go Heels!" memento, ready to be used for 9 more games. After Sunday's victory was sealed and I found myself jumping up and down somewhere near halfcourt, I went ahead and put the Mexican wrestler mask back on my head, since chaos had clearly broken out and no security guard was around to stop me.
Thankfully, Linda's does not have any ridiculous anti-mask rules. UNC Mexican wrestling masks are completely welcome there, especially during post-victory celebrations....
Posted by Tim at March 8, 2005 01:15 AM
Comments
ohmygodTIM that is the most AMAZING thing I have seen since thefatmarylandfan at the cameron duke game with his face metoculously painted (and somehow NOT SWEATING) like the MD (jousting) FLAG.
holy crap, that mask PLUS the shirt is awesome. I literally screamed every time Jackie did ANYTHING all afternoon, I couldn't help myself, and I teared up when he got the net down. Awwww. He is my favourite theater/african studies major ever. And I was satisfied that Marv got the last two shots after being blocked by admiral akbar all day long.
Posted by: claire at March 8, 2005 01:04 PM
tubafrenzy, did you ever know that you're my hero?
Posted by: bo at March 8, 2005 02:37 PM
Shit is ill son...
The mask needs to be donned during all tourney events throughout the month of March. Also, does this mean that flying tortillas are banned from the Smith Center as well?
They ask for rowdiness in the Smith Center, but when they get 'true' characters they ban 'em...huh?
Peace,
Irondog
Posted by: Irondog at March 8, 2005 05:49 PM
Um. I just don't know what to make of it. It's pretty crazy. But crafts are cool, so there ya go.
Posted by: robin at March 8, 2005 10:06 PM
oh my god, awesome.
Posted by: chelcy at March 9, 2005 10:06 AM
As much as I like the concept and respect all the work that went into it, the end result looks a little awkward to me.
It may be because I'm around so many pro-quality masks all the time because of my close relationship with many masked wrestlers for Chikara Pro Wrestling, but I don't think felt is the type of material you'd want to go for in future efforts.
You want something with flex to it- like lycra, or any other stretchable, breathable material. It goes a long way in preventing- or at least delaying- those bouts of "sweaty, smelly mask" syndrome.
Much respect and much love for the product as-is, but if you were to do it again, consider a thinner, more tight-fitting material. If you decide to make another attempt, I can try to get some info for you.
If not, then much respect for combining lucha culture and dedication to the Tarheels.
-Matt-
Posted by: Matt at January 29, 2006 12:53 AM