I suppose I should Update the world on the condition my condition is in. As always I'm still sore. I can't seem to catch a break. I lifted a few tires this week and threw them. I was in pain the rest of the day. I really miss being the beast I used to be, instead of the beastly creature I've become. But a few weeks ago I did have the opportunity to work a full shift (Thank You Pain Killers). I felt so good that after work when I was at the coffee shop. I was tearing up a little talking about how good it felt to make a difference in the world again. Jan. 24, 2011 to Apr 6, 2012. That's a long time to go without making a difference. That's a long time to go without mattering to anyone or anything. But now I'm back to not mattering, but that's okay cause the playoffs are here.
Game 1 We were down 4-0 we battle back and sent a message that we weren't going down easy. Of course it was Alfie who would open the scoring in the series. After all he is the leader, he rules by example. a 4-2 final result said that we can beat Lundqvist, and we're in it to win it. A couple of shaky calls in the first game. Karlsson takes 5 or 6 unanswered punches to the face -Glove on-, and get's a penalty along with the guy who punched him. I think that play stuck in the players and coaches stomachs like it did mine. If the refs were gonna play that game, than we were gonna play by a different set of rules too. see following video, from 0:50- 0:53.
Game 2 and yes were playing prison rules. It started before game when we found out the starting line ups. Carkner was thrown in the line up, I would assume for one reason only and it wasn't to block shots. I really wonder if it was Maclean saying we need the grit, or if Carkner begged to give the receipt that was owing to Boyle. Either way it was wild and woolly right from the start, and didn't let up. 2 Game Misconduct's given Early, Having Dubinsky out of the line up, sure was a win for us. I was supposed to go to Karaoke last night. and believe me I really want to go. But I just couldn't turn away. i didn't want to miss one second of this game. Alfie went down, but the team rallied. Foligno took a high stick to the face causing his nose to bleed. That wasn't called, oh yeah prison rules were in effect. My new room mate is a Leaf Fan. He suggested that if we don't win the Cup this year to blame it all on that one 'non-call' by the refs. to Non hockey folks reading this, sorry that joke will go over your heads. All in all, Game 1 we lost, but we built momentum, Game 2 we carried that momentum over and made it a win. Heading back home with all this momentum, waiting to hear Lyndon Slewage do what he does best. We're not just in this Series. It's ours for the taking.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Promo Is Short For Promote
Now I’m not an ex wrestler, I’ve never been in the Biz. I know quite a bit about wrestling,. but that doesn't make me a historian, nor an expert. Some of my friends may disagree due to the fact that I usually do pretty well when it comes to trivia. I wouldn’t call myself a ‘Smark’ Cause I think that’s insulting to the industry. I would proudly call my self a ‘Mark’. A mark is a person who can be easily conned, it originated in the Carny world, as did modern Pro Wrestling. In the last couple of years, so called Smarks, meaning Smart Marks have called anyone who cheers, whatever they don’t like a mark. WWE Mark, Cena mark, TNA/Impact mark’s. The reason why I am Proud to be a mark, is because. I’m a fan of Pro Wrestling. I buy the Cups and T Shirts. I watch programming. I like good Guys, and bad Guys, but when I go to a show. I cheer for the former and boo the latter. So I’m a mark. This blog post is from the position of a mark. Not an expert, or someone knowing the in’s and out’s of the biz. I wanted to talk a bit here about the 2/20/12 Raw, and how it relates to promo’s. I tweeted a couple of weeks ago something to the effect of. “Oh no not another HHH - Taker match.” . But then the next week, HHH came out and started talking about why he didn’t want the match with Taker. In less than 10 minutes, while talking about how he’s not gonna wrestle the Taker. About why he’s not gonna wrestle the Taker. Somehow I suddenly wanted to see this match. For about a year we’ve been speculating on who would face Taker in what we guessed would be his last Mania. We( me and my friends) wanted anyone but HHH. After all they’ve already fought twice at Mania. Yet in 10 minutes, of a promo where HHH was not I repeat NOT, Trying to get a match over. He made us want it more. Than Taker came out and did a video package(which I’m guessing he put together inside his head with all his Magical Powers, and not By WWE creative), And I wanted to see the match even more. Than the Next week, HBK came out. And these 2 tore the house down with a great 2 way Promo. And after Last night, we have the match in Hell In a Cell. A theme that has been Prevalent in these promo’s has been, ‘the end of an era”. clearly they’re talking about the Taker’s career. But at the same time HHH, HBK, and Taker, together in these promo’s made me go from a match I didn’t want to see, to a match I had to see. This why I’m a mark, but more importantly. This why these two are the end of an era. Without throwing a single punch. They have made people want to spend money on this match. They talked them into the building, truly a Lost art in Pro wrestling. I hope Folks in the back were taking notes.
Which brings me to the Next Promo I wanted to talk about. John Cena’s promo on the Rock. Or Dwayne. A lot of fans on the internet, and at live events don’t like Cena. They say he can’t wrestle, and they’re probably right. But I think he wrestles good enough. His promo’s are generally in the category of watching some bad movie where your expecting the star to say, “Look at me I’m Acting”. Actually you could be talking about Cena’s own movies which he himself poked fun at last night. However I truly love the movie Legendary. But last night something changed. I could sense the hate in him. The hate that Kane had been talking about, He has embraced it. But not against the fans. Against the Rock. I should point out here that I am a Huge Fan of the Rock, and also that I don’t hate, or dislike Cena. I’ve also never been a huge fan of Cena either. I do cheer Cena at live events because I saw this little kid crying once cause everyone was booing his hero. I thought back to when all the grown ups told me how much Hulk Hogan sucked, Or how much better Thesz, Bruno, or Backlund were. I thought back to my teens when everyone told me that Bret Hart sucked(yes even here in Canada). I remember how I felt then, so When I saw this kid Crying I started chanting for Cena. People looked at me a little weird than noticed Why I was doing it. and a few started Chanting "Lets go Cena" with me. The Little boy only about 5 or 6 years old, had stopped crying, His Grandpa who had brought him mouthed Thank you to me. It was a great feeling.
But I digress back to last nights promo on Raw. It did more to promote this match than any previous promo, by Cena or the Rock. I felt the Passion of why Cena Hates the Rock, I felt the Passion for Cena being a ‘Professional Wrestler”. For the first time I felt that Cena does want to go to war with an opponent, that he truly does hate the guy he’s fighting. Once again this is why I’m a mark. I’m willing to suspend that disbelief for the product and allow it take me to a special place. In the 8 or so years that Cena has been around the WWE. I’ve never felt like he meant a promo before last night. I think Cena is a fan of Pro Wrestling. In being a fan I think that he has taken some notes, from Taker, and HHH, from CM Punk, and yes even from the Rock. The Rock has all his fancy catchphrases but at the same time, he has a Passion that makes you want to see him kick ass, or get his ass kicked. Cena finally achieved that status. I want to see Cena vs. The Rock, and for the first time in a year. I want to see John Cena win. John used to have a catchphrase back when the fans used to cheer him. He said that this was “Real Recognizing Real”. I liked that Catchphrase, and Last night, John Cena. You were Real, and I’m Recognizing it.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
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.
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.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
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”.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
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.
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.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
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.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
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.
Friday, October 7, 2011
Thursday, October 6, 2011
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
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
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
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.
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