Comments From the Ring: I Can't Believe I Made It This Far!

ENTRY 310

"THE BRICK" TURNS 50 TODAY ( I don't look a day over 49)

It is ironic that my birthday falls on a blog entry day this year, and that it is also a Milestone year.

To be honest, I am surprised to have made it this far.

My original intent for this entry was to do a review of my life.

I started to do that, and then realized how boring it would be for the average reader.

I had decided to still do a focus on my life thus far, but compressed it and highlighted the most interesting parts.

Life is not easy, and for some it is more of a struggle than for others.

Since you are reading this because you are interested in what I do, I would like to now share with you the life of "The Brick", and hopefully inspire some of you along the way.

Another interesting point is the amazing recollection I have of my life, remembering details back to when I was just four years old.
I don`t know if that is normal, but sure seems somewhat amazing to me.

Facts about Paul 'The Brick'

Favourite colour: Green

Pets: 4 cats (2 male, 2 female)

Political view: Slightly left-of-center

Religious view: The Church of None of Your Business

Languages: English and French, learning German and Russian

Sports: Boxing, swimming, basketball, running, walking, fitness general

Trivia: Despite the typical Canadian stereotype, I am not a huge fan of hockey. I have never played it, and I really don't like watching it. I generally do not like any winter activity.

...and now The Brick Publishing presents, an autobiography about Paul 'The Brick',

"Not Just Another Brick In the Wall"

March 29 1966, 5:53 AM, St. Joseph's Hospital in Hamilton, Ontario: Paul "The Brick" Brec is born!

1970: Parents divorced due to financial problems. Dad moved to an apartment on Roslyn Avenue, and mom rented a house on West 3rd Street on Hamilton Mountain.

1973: Mom moved in with another man, who was currently the superintendent at an apartment building at 655 Mohawk Road East.

1977: Mom moved to Ft. Lauderdale Florida with her new husband to open a restaurant. Dad stayed in Hamilton and kept his job as a millwright at Dofasco. I stayed with my dad.

1978 - 1981 Attended Hillcrest School on Melvin Avenue.

The most notable feature of this school was that there was a air-raid siren on the roof.

The school has since been torn-down and replaced with a newer school.

I was badly bullied by both students and teachers at this school. One teacher in particular, in charge of the extra-curricular, would not let me join anything. Always stating that "Ìt`s full", even when it wasn't. Along with the principle, James Hewitt, was constantly on my case about something stupid. I had my own little spot reserved for me in the principle's office every week. Grades for all my classes at this school were abysmal. With only a "C-" average for all classes, I "just passed" into high school.
With no other answers, the Board of Education thought I was stupid, so they ordered an IQ test. I scored 138. That just led to more questions than answers.

1981 - 1985 Attended Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School.

This school was featured in the film "Kick Ass".

Still not very athletic and as skinny as a beanpole, and being a teen male, bullying continued through the early years of high school. Although more by other male students than teachers. Girls would not talk to me. Although, meeting these women now, they tell me that they liked me in high school, but were afraid to talk to me due to my disposition with the other students.

1982: Suckered by a bully and suffered a broken nose.

1982: My dad, tired of the bullying and knew someone who worked at a gym, suggested that I try it out. I did. That gym was McGrory's Boxing Club. I remained a member until I attended college.

1983: By this time the bullying had slowed to almost nothing, and simultaneously, my grades began to improve. I graduated secondary school with a "75" average.

1986: Started doing volunteer production work at community TV station Cable 14 on Dundurn Street in anticipation of taking a Broadcasting course at college.

1986-1990: Took some time off school, but worked full time at Radio Shack on Mohawk Road to earn money for college. Interestingly. it was right next to the building where my mom was superintendent back in the 70s.

1990: Started first year of college at Mohawk College of Applied Arts and Technology in the Communications and Broadcasting. Paid for tuition and supplies in full with money earned from Radio Shack.

1991: Started second year of college. Paid for tuition and supplies in full with money earned working with my dad at Dofacso during the summer.

1992: Started final year of college. Paid for tuition and supplies in full with tax refund from previous year at Dofasco.

1993: Graduated from Mohawk College Broadcasting and Communications with Honors ("A" average, all classes).

Continued to host radio programs on the college radio station C-101.5 (now called "The Hawk") until 1997.

Continued to perform volunteer duties at community TV station Cable 14 until 1999.

1994: Moved to Toronto to work a job as a camera operator for The Shopping Channel. Stayed in Hamilton on my days off and to keep up my work with the radio station and Cable 14.

1995: Had a job offer with Tourism Ontario. Used Cable 14 as a reference. The job would pay $3000 plus travel, hotel, and food, and to be able to spend the entire summer travelling around Ontario. They were all ready to hire me, until they called Cable 14. The reason I was not hired was because the volunteer coordinator at Cable 14 apparently told them I was "quirky". I have no idea why she would do that. Another case of bullying perhaps? Despite that, for some reason, I remained a volunteer at Cable 14 for another four years.

1996: My mother was admitted to the Broward County General Hospital with an advanced kidney disease. The hospital stopped treating her when they found out she did not have health insurance and would not be able to pay for the treatment. She died the following week.

1997: Moved back to Hamilton to stay with my dad at an apartment on Barton Street after being laid-off from The Shopping Channel.

2000: Permanently moved to Toronto.

2008: Joined Bloor Street Boxing and Fitness. Still a member.

2011: Joined the Stockyards Boxing Team. Still on the team.

MARCH 29 2016: Turned 50, and...

AT AGE 50, I CAN: Spar three rounds full-contact with a professional boxer half my age, and still have energy to do everything else on this list.

AT AGE 50, I CAN: Run the 1500 meters in 4:33.

AT AGE 50, I CAN: Swim the length of an Olympic pool in 0:48.

AT AGE 50, I CAN: Bench-press 114 kg (250 lbs.).

AT AGE 50, I CAN: Climb the equivalent of the CN Tower stairs.

AT AGE 50, I CAN: 'Dunk' a basketball several times in one game.

None of this gives me bragging rights. These are things anyone can do in their 20s, but for some reason can no longer achieve later in life.

The main reason for this is the mindset that after age 35, humans are no longer capable of being active and must 'retire'.

That is the biggest crock of crap there is.

My biggest influence was my dad. He was manager of a Home Depot until he was 75. He would climb ladders to pull down heavy objects from the top shelf, while the young guys stood around picking their noses.

Even after retiring, my dad remained active by walking almost everywhere every day.

The point of this is to never let age keep you from doing what you want. Live your life to the fullest, right to the end.

Life does not end at 50. It is just beginning.

-- "The Brick"

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