Well a week into the new year.  My Insomnia came back hard, which has led to depleted energy levels.  It's hard to get up and Go for a walk when it's really cold out, and I have zero energy.  But as it's Saturday night, and I;'m not going out partying this seems like a good a time as any to go out for a walk.    So I may still go out tonight after all.  the lucky thing is I have my metro pass.   If I walk really far and can't walk back due to my pains.  I can always use the TTC to get home.   So in the Mean time I might as well add my thoughts on Season 3 of Enterprise.



Star Trek Enterprise.  The Red headed step child of the star trek universe.  But why?  Okay so it undermines the original series.  The NX-01 was the first Enterprise.  Okay I see why you would hate it based on that.  I remember watching the First Episode.  There was a Klingon. But he looked like a Klingon from TNG and beyond.  That put me off a little.  Then an Opening with lyrics.  That put me off too.  I guess I was too accustomed orchestral music to open the show.  Or women screaming in orgasm as is the case with the original  series.  But lately I've been watching all the seasons.  I’ve seen it in a different way.  I can see what they were doing now. I can’t understand why the ratings went down every season.   There is a series Long Story arc about a temporal cold war.  Which is really intriguing.  Jeffery Combs is a semi regular on the season.  And that’s always good, here he plays Shren of the Andorian Imperial guard.  And they do describe the Klingon problem of why they look Human in TOS.

But what I really wanted to talk about was the third Season.  The story arc for this season actually starts in the Season finale of season 2.  Remember the 2 part episode of Voyager ‘Year of Hell’. well that’s what this season is. Only in stead of 2 parts it’s actually over the whole season.   It starts with an Alien probe that comes to Earth and burns a Swath from Florida to South America.  Killing 7 million people.  So Archer and his crew have to go into the Delphic Expanse. An area of space unlike our space.  Anomilies that rip your Ship apart, pirates, and of Course the Xindi.  The Xindi are the villains of the season.  They’re the guys who killed 7 million Humans.   Its intriguing to watch the crew, find out all these clues, and details about the Xindi.   I beg of you, if you are a fan of Star Trek or at least good television. Buy season 3 of Enterprise.  It’s the best season of the 4 by a long Shot.  I mean after all.  Humanity is always in danger in Star Trek.  But a season long arc, you really feel like there are fighting for something.  I  just wanted to talk about Enterprise.  It’s better than you think, or heard.  And season 3 is must watch.

Happy New Year.  Re-reading last years ‘year in review’ post, I almost feel as though I’ve gone back in  time.  That is, everything that was looking up last year, is a long way away this year.   I didn’t run the 10K, I didn’t represent Canada at the Kettlebell competition.  I didn’t lose that final 50lbs, in fact I put 50lbs back on.  I Guess I should have realized that last year was gonna be a bad year, when I heard about the “doomsday prophecy” that was gonna happen on my birthday.  That’s May 21st  in case you didn’t know.   So, this year I’ve decided to give everyone a Paid holiday on my birthday instead.  (If anyone is reading this from outside Canada.  May 21st is Victoria Day this year.)

    I don’t feel I need to go into again the details about my accident.  All you need to know is that it sucked.  I also know that you don’t know what I went through, just like I don’t know what you’ve gone through.  Last year I was on the cusp of greatness,  this year I look up to see mediocrity.   That sounds like a challenge to me.  New Years Resolutions sound like a challenge as well.  Probably more like goals.  You can only really make one resolution.  So, despite the obvious visual and Facebook clue from last nights status update.   I’ll tell you here for all to see.

    My New Years resolution is:  The Search For Darryl.


      I know what your thinking.   It’s too vague, no oversight or accountability .  It’s a good thing I’m about to explain what it’s all about.   First of all, as noted.  I WILL only drink (read Get Drunk) 3 times this year.  Wrestlemania, my birthday, and Hallowe’en.  Second, on  Dec. 31st I shaved my face to reveal the cherubic beauty that I posses under all that scruff.   The playoff beard starts now.  I will not shave ‘til I lose 50 lbs.  I’m currently 310lbs.   So 260 is the mark.  I also hope to be back up to working fulltime within 6 months.   I hope I can start back at the gym by then as well.   I also don’t want date till June.  If that.  Now if Valentines Day comes around and someone asks me out, I will probably oblige in a gentlemanly fashion.   Basically the long and the short of it is, despite how long I’ve been single, I don’t want my focus to be split this year.  I want to be the man I was destined to be.   As Will Smith says, “No Plan B, it Distracts From Plan A”.   I’ll find someone to love this year.  I just hope his name is Darryl.
   
      A year ago I considered my self an Athlete.  I wasn’t the only one who noticed.  Much like Brock Lesnar, that athlete retired due to injury.  I’m still in a lot of pain.   I still have all the stress, and worries that I had yesterday.  But, I also realized that in 2010 I was really happy.   For the most part it was due to the fact that I was training towards a goal.  It was because I realized for the first time in a long time that I was in fact an athlete.   I don’t know where that athlete went.  So the search begins.

    There is more about searching for Darryl though.  I realized last year that I had a talent.  That talent was,  I made a guy who never smiles laugh, and a grumpy guy get up dance.   So either I start my own religion, or I find out how best to use this talent.   Stand up comic?  Moviemaker?  Director?   Who knows?  Something along those lines.  I mean I really do enjoy working in the mud, outside all year long.  But I don’t think It’s what I was meant for.  At the very least I’m supposed to be the Emissary of the Prophets.   Inside joke.  Only one will get it.  So basically I need to figure out how to harness that energy.


    I also want to start a journey this year to live self reliantly.  Some prefer to say ‘Off The Grid”.   I think I can live a sustainable life without the need of a grocery store or,  paying for Hydro.   This isn’t actually a 5 year plan exactly.  More like a before I’m 40 plan.  To do this I will Probably need a car, and some land.  That land may not be in Canada.   Then again, it may be out in BC just waiting for me.  So I need to get my ducks in a row this year concerning that.  Much like My Beloved Ottawa Senators,  this is Year 1 of the ’rebuild’.  Quite a few goals this year.  All attainable, all reachable.  So to quote Mr. Barney Stinson.  The Search For Darryl.  “Challenge Accepted”.

 

The girl on the streetcar

     So my crazy drinking buddy of a neighbour, Suggests to me one night while drinking that we should take the streetcar to the end of the line since none of us had ever been to Neville Park.   This is what poor people do for fun. By the by(as the Down Homers like to say), in case you don't know. Neville Park is the end of the line in the east end of Toronto for the streetcar.  Like I said, this is what poor people do for fun.   So we grab a day pass, which allows 2 people to jump off and on at any time, all day on a weekend.    We take the bus to Humber  Loop, and away we go.   Tess(neighbour) makes some rye and fried baloney sandwiches.   We eat a couple on the way and plan on eating a couple on the way back.   We're past the DVP, over halfway.  I notice this girl sitting near us.  Since she's beautiful and I'm a guy so I notice her getting up quickly  to leave the streetcar.  I follow her movements to the side walk where she spins around abruptly, with a look of panic on her face.   I glance at the seat where she was sitting and notice a red gift bag.  I jump up from my seat and rush to the bag and hold it up to the window as the streetcar pulls away.  She nods to confirm that it is hers.  I then see this lady start to run after the streetcar, yet the car keeps going.  I tell Tess, "we're getting off".  We gather our things, and ring the bell.  By this time we're 2 stops passed we're the girl on the streetcar got off.   We exit the car, and get on the side walk where we see this lady running, full tilt, about 2 blocks away.   I hold up her red gift bag and she slows knowing the panic/emergency of the situation is over.  Upon reaching us and being extremely grateful, that is she thanked us about 100 times within 30 sec's.   Saying "thank you so much, this isn't even mine.  We're you guys getting off at that stop anyways?"  I replied "No.  It's just all apart of the adventure".   At me saying that, we locked eyes and for moment knew what each other was thinking,  She was thinking "Oh my god, this is the nicest guy in the world.  Thank you for restoring my faith in humanity".  Of course I was thinking.  "she's cute".  That was all I could think as she leaned in to give me the most honest hug I'd received in ages.  We said our goodbye's and mine and Tess's adventure continued.  Long story short,  there isn't a park at Neville Park.  There is a water treatment plant though.   But walk around a little and you might find the beach,  which at this time of year is mostly  an off-the-leash dog park.  we did play fetch with a little dog named Romeo, who liked for everyone to get a chance to play with him.  We ate  the last 2 baloney sandwiches, and journeyed home.

It was a fun day all in all.  I can't help thinking of that nameless girl from the streetcar. Someone asked me did I get her number?  That would have ruined the moment.   I'm glad she got to where she was going.  I'm glad she got to give that gift to the person that most likely  deserved it.  I know I made her day.  In a perfect world,   she didn't feel jaded by the world for the rest of the week.   I wonder if I'll bump into her again.....only the universe can decide that.    It was nice to know that a woman fell asleep that night probably thinking about me.  Let's put serendipity to the test. She might read this........You never know.

My Favourite Things

So they just sang this song on 'How I Met Your mother'.  So I figure I might as well try and list my favourite things to try and help me feel better.


In no particular order.

I like Wrestling,  with or without Muppet's

I like television shows, yet I don't have cable.
Top of the list would be Smallville, Glee,  Quantum Leap, and Due South.

I like Superman obviously.  But I don't read the comics anymore.  I suppose I like the idea of Superman.
A man so Strong and Powerful,  Kryptonite not with standing.  His weakness and Strength are one in the same.
His Love for people.  I know a little something about that.

Obviously I love Movie musicals.  I'm not even ashamed.   I like Singing in Bar's, at work, Coffee shops, where ever the musical is brought up.  Still want to film myself Singing Santa Fe from Rent on the Subway.

I love to laugh, I love my cat will Meow very loudly if I roll away from petting him.  He'll even start patting me with his paw as if to say " hey Pal I'm Done"

I love Karaoke,  I love how even though I have the worst singing voice ever. People love to see me perform cause they know I'll give it my all.  I suppose I live life the same way.

I love training for a kettlebell competition.  Even though I haven't trained in almost a year.  I'll get back there one day.   Cause I'm gonna win it all, and meet lots of FBB's.

I love Female body Builders.  hehehe. I guess you seen that one coming.

I also Like BBW's which is contradictory I know.  But I like to keep em guessing.

Jogging is one of my favourite things as well.

And last but not Least. I love Drinking.   When I'm In Training It's one of the things I give up.   If tastes so much better,  when you go to a bar cause you hit your goal of losing X amount of weight.  


I guess that did cheer me up a little.  If Julie Andrews by chance does see this Blog.  Please play Chris Coffer's Grandmother on Glee. Pretty please.

Heartbroken at Halloween.

I don't know who else to tell.  I don't really know who I can talk too.   Emotionally I've been so up and Down over the last couple of weeks.   First I had the date, where the girl was hot, Cuddling up on the couch with me.  Sitting on my lap,  hell she even pee'd in front of me.  Twice.  So She's Definitely into me right?  Until her boyfriend showed up at the bar.   I felt Like I wanted to die.  I mean really die.   So I'm Depressed for a few days.  But then the most amazing thing happened to me.  A woman from my Facebook asked me out for Halloween.  Wow, my life starting looking up right away.   So the day of the date she cancelled.   I figure what the hell.  I'll go out anyways.   First bar is dead.  But a lovely couple I met a few years ago invite me to another bar.  Where I meet the Hottest Silk Spectre 2 I've ever seen.  She gives me her contact information.   That's awesome.  (of course I found out later she had a Boyfriend,  to which I was Relieved at the time)  But then we go to the third bar of the night.  I'm immediately  drawn to this beautiful woman.   and through out the night I realize she's just perfect for me.  Same sense of humour,  and everything.  The problem is I wasn't listening when she said she was busy.   I really just didn't want her to forget me.   I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired.   Some people may think I'm taken too long to get over my car accident.  What they Don't understand. is they'll never know how it felt to wake up and realize that if I had of died.  I would have died alone.  Granted I love my family, and friends.  They're great.  But I was coming home every night to a cat.   I thought back to all the women who said "I'm sure you'll make someone really happy someday"  Well I almost bought the farm, and I wouldn't have made anyone happy.   So when this perfect for me, woman told me she "should Let me Go."  Before we even made it to a first date, or a first phone call.  All these feelings came back to me.   I'm fighting back the tears as I write this.   I hate knowing that I'm gonna die alone.   Why is everyone else allowed to be in love, but I'm not.  This was a really crappy couple of weeks.  I'm glad no one reads this.

Let's Just write something.   I'm gonna go for a walk now.  It's my second walk today.  I'm in a lot of pain.  But I truly miss how I felt a year ago.   I must work through the pain.  Hug the mountain.

Posting the Rocky review has really made me think.  Look deep down into my soul.   First lets recap my Top 5 favourite movies of all time.

5. With Honors
4. A Princess Bride
3. The Fisher King
2. The Cutting Edge
1. Rocky

   So a few years back I thought that a good way of looking into our psyche,  is to figure out what your 5 favourite movies are.  I guarantee there will be a thread that connects them all.  That thread will tell us something about ourselves. Maybe something obvious.  Maybe something hidden.  So what do mine have in common.  2 of them have have Moira Kelly, 2 of them have are "chick Flicks",  2 of them have crazy homeless people.  Close but not quite.  Let's see,  you got Joe Pesci, as a quitter who gave up on life, yet learns to appreciate life again and finds love in the form of a friend, and a Family.  Not your typical family but a family of friends.  2nd, We have Wesley, a farmhand, who falls in love with the daughter of his employer.  Soon after he's thought to be dead.  but actually begins a life of crime.  3rd.  Perry or Robin Williams if you will.  He has the perfect life.  a professor  married to a beautiful woman.,  when tragedy strikes.  He falls deep into an emotional abyss.  So deep in fact, that he creates his own world.  Also there's Jack.  An Suicidal, alcoholic, who's supported by a woman he really doesn't deserve.  Like Perry, Jack is trying to fight his demons.  While Perry's demons are seen in the form of a fire breathing horse carrying the Red Knight,  Jack's demons are not a manifestation. but in fact Perry himself.  4th The Cutting Edge, Doug had it all.  at least 12 NHL teams wanted to have him on their roster. He was on his way up and out Of Mayhorn, Minnesota.  then an injury to the eye forced him to retire from the sport.  Then he became just another blue collar guy working construction .  His luck would Change when Pamchenko came calling.  then he had to deal with an whole different set of Problems.   And finally Rocky, a leg breaker for some second rate loan shark.  It's almost become comical to say now a days. but he's a bum.  His life would turn around, but not before learning who he was.

    So what does all that have in common.   How about, they all have prominent characters who are Poor.  Trying to eke out an existence, with loads of very real, and very frighting obstacles .  Their struggles, much like my own are sometimes, physical, and sometimes they're all in my head.   Wondering if we're just another bum from the neighbourhood.   Wondering if the Red knight will ever let us give us some peace.  You know I just realized. It's not just about them all being poor.   It's about them having to deal with the rich.  Doug goes from blue collar to training, and living with an Ice Princess.  Wesley, of course falls for a women out of his league, who at least at first, loathes him just do to his lot in life.   Simon Wilder ( Joe Pesci),  has to deal with a Harvard student who was born with a silver spoon up his ass.   Perry and Jack both were well off, but because of a simple twist of fate that would connect them both for the rest of their lives, had fallen on hard times.  Perry of course has to deal with the stigma of homelessness.   Jack knew he was poor, and became bitter. He seemed to hate everyone and everything.   He'd have to learn to forgive himself, before he could begin to really form relationships of value.   Rocky, well he was a Bum.  Luckily everyone he knew were also bum's.   It's the way Apollo treats him, even when there not in the same scene.  Despite the fact that Apollo (as we would find out in Rocky III) was from very similar streets as Rocky, simply seen him as a bum, a nothing,  he'd drop him in three.   The rich do tend to look down on the poor a lot.  As if they're some sort of sub species of humanity.  I guess really that's the chip on my shoulder.  I don't like being poor, I don't like being called a nothing, and I damn sure don't like being called a loser.   Let's face it. this year I have been a loser.   Sure I got hit by a car.  That doesn't mean I have to stop living.  That doesn't mean I have to gain 2/3's of the weight I shed last year back.   Every single one of these character's overcame these Obstacles and in some cases, the obstacle was staring at them in the mirror.   So no more feeling sorry for myself.  No more eating Chips all the time so I can find comfort that isn't there.  No more living for yesterday.

    So being that today is October 6th 2011, and I currently weigh in at an astounding 300lbs.  I make this Proclamation today, and it will be binding.  Come January 1st 2012.  I will weigh 270lbs.  I think of the discipline I had last year.  In December, when the majority of the people gain 10lbs.  I set the goal to lose 10 lbs, and of course I did.  Which put me at 270lbs.   I want to be where I was a year ago.  But I can't jog, I can't lift like I used to.   The Idea of bicycling, scares me(I'm in therapy to correct that).   So how will I do it? How do you put a giraffe inside of a fridge?  You open the door and you put him in.  The details aren't important.  The results are.




                                                                                                           See you In January.
                         
                                                                                                           Darryl

And now for No. 1.  Rocky.  What to say about Rocky that hasn’t already been said.  Sly sees the Chuck Wepner- Mohammed Ali Fight.  Thinks this is probably the pinnacle of this guys professional life.  He writes the script,  goes to an acting audition.  Doesn’t get the part, but talks to the producers saying he’s a writer and presents them with the script.   A lot of other struggles and tribulations, and Rocky is released.  Nominated for 10 academy awards.  And took home 3, including John Avildsen for director and of course best picture.

Years later there are countless articles and video’s available on YouTube (not the least of which is “Rocky jumped a park Bench”  Cinemassacre.com) So what can I say that’s different from the rest.   I guess It’s my own journey.  I’ve lived in the poor neighbourhood all my life.  The other side of the tracks.  Anyone who knows  Hamilton would probably agree.  I’ve felt my entire life like I’m constantly running up those stairs. Never quite reaching the top.  True my training hasn’t always been there.  And truth be told, I’ve never actually had the chance to ‘Go for it”.   But last year I got fed up with all of that. I quit smoking, started eating right, and was being trained by a lunatic.  I went from 320lbs down to 265lbs.  I was on my way to a kettle bell competition.  I saw this as my shot at Apollo. Then I got hit by a car.  And like Superman, I flew thru the air, and landed 30 ft. away.  Imagine going from one day you can clean and jerk a 30lb Kettle bell 144 times in each hand in just under 30mins, to feeling the same burn lifting 4lbs dumb bells.

I’ve walked, even jogged a few times.  It’s the only working out that my Physiotherapist ,  and Doctor allow me to do.  So I look to Rocky.  I jog with the music from all the movies.  I always was the million in one shot, and now I might just be 2 million and one shot.  But I keep going down that road.  There might never be an end to this road, but I’m determined to reach for it.  Time to go for it, I’m gonna fly now.


Despite all the inspirational stuff that can be found in Rocky. Here's a quick Recap. I'd say Spoiler alert but come on How have you not seen rocky.

You'd think with all this spare time.

I've been off of work since January 24th of this year.  Not my choosing.  I was Hit by a car.  and 10 weeks later,  I can now lift 3 lbs.   I've Gained back 30lbs of the 55lbs I've lost in the past year.  i have had a Constant Headache,  Both Shoulders are useless, my back is really sore, and My neck movements, are still not 100%.  you'd think with all this Time Off I would have kept up with my Blog.  I've been depressed as you can Imagine.  but am not Suffering from the Clinical Definition Of Depression.  or so I've been told.  I'll try to start posting again.  the problem is, this blog is about me.  and I used to think that I needed something to write about, Like reviews.  But I'm gonna start just Writing, and venting, Cause you will Witness the Rebirth.  I'm at Rock Bottom.  Time To Climb the mountain,  Hug the mountain, make love to the mountain

Wooooooo its Number 2!

To Quote Black Balled: The Bobby Dukes Story. “I’m number 2, Cause I’m the Shit.”  What a great introduction to my second favourite movie of all time. Ladies and Gentlemen.,  I give to you, The Cutting Edge.



Where should I begin.  Well like the others in my list, I should tell you when and where I saw this.   I was Staying with My Aunt Cheryl and Uncle Charlie one summer as well as  my cousins Emily and Dan. I was 14 or 15 at the time I honestly can't remember..  Anyways we were up at the Cottage.   I forget the Spelling(as if I ever knew)of the town of Coboconk,  on the shores of Balsam lake.  Dan Brought his GF.  I remember her Name.  but only Cause I’m a wrestling Fan.  Her name was Diana Smith…You know Like Diana Hart Smith.  Never mind.  So she Brought up a few Movies.  And The Cutting Edge Was one of them.  So were all Bored one Evening,  and put it on. And man oh man, I liked it.

Starring D.B. Sweeney,  and My new “crush”  Moira Kelly.  As I warned in my With Honours review, Moira would pop up again.  She the only double header In my list.  Here She’s Brash,  Smart, Strong(I like Strong women), and as noted in the Movie, “temperamental? You know I can think of another Word for it.”  Moira plays Kate Moseley, A rich kid pairs Figure skater. She’s been Groomed since she was 3 to be an  Olympic Champion. She’s been raised mostly “alone’  by her father played by Terry O’Quinn.  I emphasis  alone, cause She also has her Coach  Anton Pamchenko. Played marvellously by Roy Dotrice. Now Over to Sweeney’s character. Doug Dorsey,  the Next Big thing in Hockey.  I know he looks 30 but think of him as Sid the Kid.  We start off at the 88 Olympics in Calgary,  Which I recognise Right away as Victor K.  Copps Coliseum.  Not to mention the HSR bus driving by the ramp as Doug Runs in late.  Hamilton represent!

Very early in the movie Kate and Doug “Bump” into Each Other,  and are Rather abrasive to one another. That attitude will stay the same throughout most of the movie.  Since this is probably the first “chick flick”  or Romantic Comedy I ever seen.  I feel it fit’s the mould perfectly.  Although there is a lot of humour, its never so over the  top.  Don’t get me wrong. It is funny.  Sweeney and Moira, spend almost the entire movie at odds with one another.   Oh yeah I forgot to get to the plot.  He’s a hockey player with an Injury to his vision which prevents him from  playing hockey.  And She’s a Bitch who cant find a partner to stick around.   They do point out the obvious plot hole of. “We should have been making her Single skater”  its kind of hard to Explain the plot without using terminology from the movies. maybe that's not the plot, maybe those are MacGuffins. I watch too much Nostalgia Chick. Nevermind the plot. its outlined in the Trailer. See above. hehehe

        The Director: Paul M.Glaser,  Well He Directed The Running Man.  Which is good.  But He also directed Kazaam, which was…not.  Well I like what he did here so lets just keep Shaq out of this.  I want to talk about the Soundtrack but I really Don’t know what to say.  The main theme song of the movie is Feels like Forever, by Joe Cocker. Just the Right note to end this movie with.  All the music in this movie is just done right.  As with the plot, the acting, the feel, the pace, nothing is forced.  Everything just blends together very well. Take it from me, I down a lot of shakes.

Any fans of Battle of the blades. On CBC.  Well this movie was the inspiration of that show.  Even so far as one of the ladies Christine Hough-Sweeney, No not that Sweeney. She married Don Sweeney former Boston bruin.  She was paired with Tie Domi. Yes in a Figure skating Competition.  Here She Plays Smilkov. Who?  Smilkov and Brushkin.  The favoured russian pair. Brushkin
Was played by her then partner, Doug Ladret. I just think this is all kind of neat.

       Also I would like to mention that there has been 3 sequels to this movie.  And Before you ask they all Suck.  Okay so I only saw 2 of them.  Part 2 really sucked.  Everything was Forced, and just not up to par.  The third one. I Actually didn't mind as much. It found some of the magic of the original.  I was searching for the picture for the post when i happened upon  The Cutting Edge 4.  To Quote Kevin smith when talking about a possible Beetlejuice sequel.  “ Didn't we say all we had to say about this in the first one”.  I would like to mention that what I really hate about these made for TV sequels(doesn't that just make it worse) is that since this is One Of my Favourite movies. I have to see the fourth one.  I started this journey I’m Gonna End it.  But in all Seriousness.  Blades of Glory would have been a better Sequel.  These ones are just Turning Circles.

       I hope I have painted a picture, that makes you want to see this movie, or at least see it again. there is a Charm to this movie that I can’t really Describe.   By the End of the movie you want these two to be together so bad, you can almost taste it.   I love this movie.  This was a very hard choice to decide whether this would be one or two in my list.  This movie gets the very Rare and Very Coveted  Diva Stamp of Approval.  Only one more movie left.  Those who know me will guess it right away.  Start the side scrolling title.  Da da da da da da da.  By the way, did I mention I loved Moira Kelly.