Eye of the Tiger
Like most red-blooded American males who came of age in the 80s, I am a fan of the Rocky series, from Apollo, through Thunderlips and Clubber Lang, Ivan Drago and the final (never say never) installment with Mason “The Line” Dixon.
Since the Midlife Chronicles is all about full disclosure, I have to confess, I get a little teary eyed when I watch the Italian Stallion rally from behind to capture victory.
My wife and daughter are mildly amused by my antics, so I thought it might be a good idea to explain why I get emotional over the exploits of a fictional, larger than life movie character. To be clear, I don’t get too misty over Rocky and Rocky II. These are great movies, but they don’t get the water works going like Rocky III, IV, and Rocky Balboa.
What makes me lose it is the death of three major characters in Rocky III, Rocky IV and Rocky Balboa. In Rocky III, Mickey dies, in Rocky IV, we lose Apollo and in Rocky Balboa, Adrianne has died.
It’s the idea of carrying on to victory — despite losing a father figure like Mickey, a friend like Apollo and a wife — that gets me emotional.
While I haven’t lost any friends to the type of traumatic brain injury Apollo suffered, and thankfully, my wife is alive and well. I did lose my father 20 years ago and he was – at the risk of sounding corny – my Mickey. So when I see the fictional Rocky punching his way to victory, I think about some of the wins I’ve scored and I get a little sad that my Dad is not here to share in them.
There I said it.
The Midlife Chronicles 
What makes me lose it is the death of three major characters in Rocky III, Rocky IV and Rocky Balboa. In Rocky III, Mickey dies, in Rocky IV, we lose Apollo and in Rocky Balboa, Adrianne has died.
DING DING DING.
Yeah, I am a Rocky addict and the first two were like my vegetables and the rest (save V because it does not exist to me and I’ve never seen it. In fact if it is on tv and I can’t get to the remote fast enough I start freaking out) were all dessert.
Your post, which was wonderful, resonated with me because I also feel Rocky got me through some rough times in my own life. Glad to see others connect with the films as well.
Have you done the steps?
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I have not, but I never say never. Thanks for the comment!
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well, for me Rocky, the original, changed my life. So much so that I wrote a book about how I Forrest Gumped my way into stallones life. That can-do heart blows me away eveytime.
great post midlife chronicles!
check my blog out ya might like it. Cue The Rocky Music here on word press!
Best, Mike
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Mike!
Yeah, I do like your blog! Tell me, when I “cue the music” am I cueing the original Bill Conti Rocky music or the Rocky III Eye of the Tiger version? 🙂
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Midlifer- You make a great point. For me, Bill Conti’s score is what I hear whenever I am in doubt, but you can take it to the bank I hear Eye of The Tiger during my workouts. Thats the thing about my book, and the Rocky movies- something for everybody. Keep up a great blog. Being new to this I am find my way. It aint easy.
Best, Mike
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Uh, Thats – findiing my way- sorry.
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