Videos: Midget wrestling at Oxygen

Cheers to my colleague Mike Haskey for making some pretty awesome midget wrestling videos. Here's my recap of the event.

What's going on this weekend?

If you need Friday plans, hang out on Broadway in downtown Columbus. Check out the tree lighting festivities 6:30-8:30 p.m. There's also a block party when one $10 cover gets you into the majority of Broadway nightclubs.

Also, Ben's Chophouse celebrates its five-year anniversary 8-11:30 p.m. Friday. Expect drink specials and cake.

Here are some other highlights:

FRIDAY

VFW Post 5228: DJ music, 9 p.m. free. 334-297-6493.

Fountain City Coffee: John Phillips, 8 p.m. free. 706-494-6659. (all ages)

Elks Lodge 111: The Wayne Petty Band, 8 p.m. free. 706-569-6720.

Shanty Shack: Haywire, 7 p.m. free. 706-507-3418.

SoHo Bar & Grill: Forced Entry, 10 p.m. $5. 706-568-3316.

Belloo’s: Big Woody & The Splinters featuring Dianne Kennedy, 9 p.m. $5. 706-494-1584. (also on Saturday)

The Loft: Peggy Jenkins and the Bizness, 9 p.m. block party cover. 706-596-8141.

Players: Karaoke by BudAbby’s, 9 p.m. free. 706-653-0106. (18 and older)

The Uptown Vault: DJ Kamakazi, music videos and bar games, 8 p.m. block party cover. 706-442-8370.

Spicoli’s: Waiting on Tyler, $5 cover begins at 9 p.m. 706-221-5252.

VFW Post 665: The Last Rodeo Band, 9 p.m. $5. 706-687-6656. (also on Saturday)

SATURDAY

VFW Post 5228: Donnie Thomas and band, 9 p.m. $5. 334-297-6493.

Fountain City Coffee: Julian Hernandez, 8 p.m. free. 706-494-6659. (all ages)

Elks Lodge 111: Karaoke, 8 p.m. free. 706-569-6720.

The Loft: Jasper Drive, 9 p.m. $5. 706-596-8141.

Spicoli’s: Lucky Charm, $5 cover starts at 9 p.m. 706-221-5252.

Shanty Shack: DJ John Boy, 7 p.m. free. 706-507-3418.

SoHo Bar & Grill: Katie Kerkhover, Mile Train, 9 p.m. $5. 706-568-3316.

The Uptown Vault: DJ Kamakazi, music videos and bar games, 8 p.m. free. 706-442-8370.

Players: Players Club Bowling, 9 p.m.-midnight. $3 per game, no cover. 706-653-0106. (18 and older)

Midget wrestling recap

I was a little cynical going into my second midget wrestling assignment. How much could the Micro Wrestling Federation's show change in six months?

Then, I met The Beast.

He entered the ring while an Ozzy Osbourne tune played in the background. Spectators at Oxygen nightclub wondered if the mini athlete -- a guy who flaunted Spandex, red boots and a major belly -- really weighed 220 pounds.

The answer? Yes.

Sure, other midgets took the ring during the event, held at Oxygen in downtown Columbus on Thursday night.

I cheered for Pitbull and Joe Kidd , athletes who boasted gruff personas and occasionally mouthed rap lyrics during intermission. Then, there was The Kid, a skinny wrestler who at one point was thrown over the wrestling ring's ropes and into the announcer's arms.

Still, I couldn't take my eyes off The Beast.

He eyed the crowd with a rage intensified by bold face paint. He occasionally challenged fans to join him in the ring. Nobody accepted the challenge.

The Beast was likely angriest caged mammal to ever appear at Oxygen, surpassing any girl fights that have occurred in the nightclub's dance cages.

He threatened his opponents with belly flops and somehow managed to wear a unitard without succumbing to a perpetual wedgie.

Starstruck, I caught up with The Beast after the show, wanting nothing more than to confirm the announcer's claim that he weighed 220 pounds.

I waited in line beside fans intent on havingl his name on their chests.

When he wasn't swarmed by groupies, I tapped his exposed shoulder.

He stared at me with an unspoken "huh?"

"Excuse me, I'm a reporter with the newspaper here. How much do you weigh?" I stammered.

"220."

I didn't want our conversation to end. Panicked, I blurted out another profound question.

"How tall are you?"

"4-foot-7," he said before walking away to another photo opportunity.

That was that.

I typed The Beast's weight and height into my cell phone, securing not only journalistic accuracy but also a permanent reminder of his rage.

When I drove home Thursday night, my hair smelled like cigarettes and my jeans were still wet from when a party goer inadvertently spilled her drink in a fit of Beast-inspired mania.

Nonetheless, I was strangely satisfied.

It's not every night that a midget with a protruding gut becomes Mr. Big.

(Photo by Mike Haskey)

Holiday parties. Or not.

At one point in the holiday season, someone will approach me about a holiday party. I'll get an e-mail during the preliminary stages of planning, when a date hasn't yet been set.

"Just check your calendar and tell me a few dates that could work," the host or hostess will say. "I know everyone's busy during this time or year."

I'll wait a few moments before sending back a few scattered calendar dates. "This is when my schedule is open," I'll reply.

It's purely a charade. My schedule is ALWAYS open.

I've kept my lackluster holiday social life under wraps for a little while because, well, it doesn't seem normal.

You always hear stories about people having to buy an LBD that will function for three shindigs, plus new sparkly heals and a buttload of Secret Santa gifts.

Are holiday parties really that prevalent?

Fortunately, a Jezebel writer understands my vacant calendar. In a recent post, "The Myth of the Holiday Party," she writes:

I'm sure there are some jobs — PR, maybe — that involve plenty of corporate sponsorship and lavish open bars and themed cocktails and maybe even the occasional bejeweled clutch.

But that's like .02 percent of the population: come December, is everyone else just really overdressed, bullied into buying something "festive," standing around clutching a paper cup in someone's apartment kitchen?

Share your thoughts in the comments section.

What's going on tonight?

Hey Thursday partiers! Tonight's big highlight is midget wrestling at Oxygen. It's 9-11 p.m. Cover charge is $10 until 8 p.m., then $15. More details here.

Some other highlights:

Fountain City Coffee: Open mike, 8 p.m. free. 706-494-6659. (all ages)

Players: Girls’ Night Out with free pool on hourly tables, 6:30 p.m. until close. Free. 706-653-0106. (18 and older)

Spicoli’s: Stereomonster, 8 p.m. free. 706-221-5252.

SoHo Bar & Grill: Nathan Leigh, 10 p.m. free. 706-568-3316.

The Uptown Vault: Starlight Karaoke, 5 p.m. free. 706-442-8370.

Drunk off pancakes?

If you're hungry, check out this alcohol-infused breakfast. Among the highlights? Jack Daniels maple syrup.

Thanks to Mike Oz at the Fresno Beehive for the link.

Will you merry me?

Welcome to our annual discussion of a very important holiday question.

Is it cheesy to get engaged on Christmas?

TresSugar outlines some obvious pros and cons. On the positive side, you'll never forget the date. Also, it's likely you're surrounded by friends and family -- making the celebration even more special.

That is, assuming everything goes as planned.

And there, my friends, lies one of the biggest drawbacks to a Christmas proposal. If things go badly, one of the happiest holidays is ruined. FOREVER.

Another drawback? Christmas is already a calendar holiday, meaning you'll have to share your special day with lots of people.

Initially, I was totally adverse to the idea of a Christmas engagement. But last year, I had a few friends get engaged on Christmas and it seemed to only heighten the specialness of an already special holiday.

Where do you stand?

(Did you get engaged this holiday season? Consult Katie's blog as you navigate the world of wedding planning.)