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Friday, November 21, 2014

Sparring Report, Monday-Tuesday-Friday

ENTRY 209




MONDAY: Four rounds with various team members, focus on offense.

 TUESDAY: Three rounds with Bobby, originally from Kingsway boxing club. Initially, my focus was on offense, but after part way through the first round, I realized my focus should be on defense. That guy is actually pretty good for someone who has only been boxing at Stockyards for five months.

 Interesting, I told him that I left Kingsway because I did not like it. 
He also left because "The instructors have a bad attitude".
Wow. You think?

 FRIDAY:  In an unusual Friday night sparring, two rounds with Tom. Focus on offense.

------------------------


That's all for this entry.

 I am very busy with moving day quickly approaching, and not being able to move into the new place until the 4th, and having to be out of this place by the 29th, making things more complicated.
Of course. When is my life not complicated? 
"The Brick"
STATS
Record: 0 / 2 / 1 

 September 27 /2014 vs. Matt Standish [Loss by decision] @ 85 kg
 June 14 /2014  vs. Leo Ronin [Loss by decision] @ 86 kg
September 21 /2013 Exhibition @ 90 kg
Stance: Orthodox  (Left lead) / Style: Technical
Status:  ACTIVE

WEIGH-IN
*Daily within 2 weeks of a match, weekly otherwise.
   Current:  186 lbs / 84 kg 

 MEDICAL
HR resting 62 - 64
HR stressed, on treadmill  130 - 134 
HR stressed, after sparring  134 - 138 






-----------------------------------------------
"The Brick", member of the Stockyards Boxing Team
Stockyards Boxing and Fitness, 215 Ryding Ave., Toronto
---------
Next scheduled bout: N/A
Training schedule: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri, Sat, sparring twice weekly
Coach: Richard Soucé  / Trainer: Junmar Emon
----------------------------------------------------







LINKS

              email "The Brick" :thebrickboxer@gmail.com
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Thursday, November 13, 2014

The Weight Has Been Lifted

ENTRY 208



Sparring Report, Monday November 10

Six rounds. 
Three different guys.
Nothing special to report. 
Although, I am noticing myself becoming a bit more aggressive. I am forcing guys to the ropes.

 The next boxing show hosted by Stockyards, will be in February.
I want to be in it.
I'm looking at Mark Laidman as an opponent.


The Apartment Story

 I never did hear back from the landlord of the apartment on Ossigton Ave.
I found out that he is gay.
I think I did not get that apartment, because he was looking for someone gay.
That reminds me of a story. I know, 'Oh. no. Not another one of Paul's stories.'
This one is not that long.

 When I first moved to Toronto in 2001, I lived on Church Street. I did not know the area at the time.
Since I was hanging around the area so much, everyone thought I was gay.
When they found out I wasn't, they got angry with me.
"How dare someone who isn't gay, live in the gay area".

 Oh, well, geez, I'm sorry. It's not as if I have a switch, "Hey. I think I'll be gay today".

 Crazy.

 Anyway, up until now, I have still been waiting to hear about the apartment on Jane Street.

That being said....

The Weight Has Been Lifted

Yesterday, I received 'The' call.
A call from a particular management company about a particular apartment.
He advised me to be at the office early next week to sign the rental agreement.

 The current tenant is moving this weekend, but the superintendent wants to go in and paint, re-do the floor, and fix a crack in ceiling in the bathroom.
After the reno is done, we can move in.

 I have to say I am very happy that a landlord finally agreed to rent to me. That is a huge weight off my shoulders.

 Apparently, the superintendent helped. He put in quite a few good words for me.

 Thank you. 
Now that stress is gone, and on to another: Moving stress.

 It doesn't stop, does it?


The Bus Check Project

Here are the results of the Bus Check Project so far:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                           Total Lates             Total Minutes Late       

TO WORK:

191 Highway 27 Express Northbound..............................12..................133
511 Zum Steeles Express Westbound.............................1....................21
7 Kennedy Southbound................................................ 2....................30


FROM WORK:

7 Kennedy Northbound.................................................2...................12
511 Zum Steeles Express Eastbound...............................1...................7
191 Highway 27 Express Southbound..............................5...................41

Total minutes wasted so far: 244

 Latest entry:

 TTC route 191 northbound from Kipling station, on November 10,
scheduled departure time: 9:48 PM, actual departure time: 10:12 PM,
24 minutes late.
The following bus was also late by more than 15 minutes.
TTC route 191 northbound from Kipling station, on November 12,
scheduled departure time: 9:48 PM, actual departure time: 10:02 PM,
14 minutes late.
TTC route 191 northbound from Kipling station, on November 13,
scheduled departure time: 9:48 PM, actual departure time: 10:00 PM,
12 minutes late.
No explanation from TTC staff, as of yet.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

244 minutes! 
That's over four hours!
I am now beginning to see why some people prefer to drive.





"The Brick"
STATS
Record: 0 / 2 / 1 

 September 27 /2014 vs. Matt Standish [Loss by decision] @ 85 kg
 June 14 /2014  vs. Leo Ronin [Loss by decision] @ 86 kg
September 21 /2013 Exhibition @ 90 kg
Stance: Orthodox  (Left lead) / Style: Technical
Status:  ACTIVE

WEIGH-IN
*Daily within 2 weeks of a match, weekly otherwise.
   Current:  186 lbs / 84 kg [down]

MEDICAL
HR resting 62 - 64
HR stressed, on treadmill  130 - 134 
HR stressed, after sparring  134 - 138 





-----------------------------------------------
"The Brick", member of the Stockyards Boxing Team
Stockyards Boxing and Fitness, 215 Ryding Ave., Toronto
---------
Next scheduled bout: N/A
Training schedule: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri, Sat, sparring twice weekly
Coach: Richard Soucé  / Trainer: Junmar Emon
----------------------------------------------------







LINKS

              email "The Brick" :thebrickboxer@gmail.com
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Thursday, November 6, 2014

Monday Sparring Report...and More

ENTRY 207


Sparring Report 

 Five rounds on Monday. Two with Mark, and three with Micha.

 Nothing special, except Mark mailed me right on the target with a right cross.
What did I do?
Shrugged it off, and kept on going!

 I think I did quite well with Micha, considering he used to be an open class boxer.


Moving On Up...Maybe

On Tuesday morning, we looked at an apartment on Jane Street.
This is number five, for those keeping track.
I have to say though, out of all of them, this was the largest, and best value.

 It actually has a bedroom, unlike the other "one bedrooms" we looked at that we actually only large studios.

 Corner unit overlooking the street. Seventh floor. Huge bedroom, four closets, full-length balcony. Window in the bathroom. I like that, so that after Michele makes a stinky poopie, I can open the window.

 I asked the super how much, and he told me $850. The ad said $865. I almost opened my big mouth, but decided to keep it closed for a change. However, I couldn't help letting out an "Oooooo! Eight FIFTY!" 
Left it at that.

 I think they lowered the rent. 
Jane Street is not a popular area, as it has been known for a high crime-rate.
Hey. I don't care. If the rent is reasonable, and they are willing to rent to me, i will take it.
At this point, I don't give a shit.

 I left a deposit. 
I hope the nice people at Flagship Properties go ahead an let me rent the apartment.

 The only drawback is that the superintendent wants to 'fix it up' first. Paint, plaster, caulking, and so on.
It will not be ready until the 4th. That means we will need a place to stay for four days. Well, that itself is not a problem, but where to store all of our belongings and furniture?
This is something I can think about once I have secured the apartment. 
If I have to rent a storage unit for one month, so be it.

Toronto's Finest?

 Toronto's Finest (Idiots) were at it again on Sunday.

 A police car decided to pull up, and block all directions of traffic at Keele Street and Dundas Street, for almost 10 minutes, for no reason.

Seriously. 
After 10 minutes, they just left. 
Nothing happened.
Good job by the Toronto Police Service, as usual.


Bus Check

Here are the results of the Bus Check project so far:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                           Total Lates             Total Minutes Late       

TO WORK:

191 Highway 27 Express Northbound..............................10..................99
511 Zum Steeles Express Westbound.............................1....................21
7 Kennedy Southbound................................................1....................10


FROM WORK:

7 Kennedy Northbound.................................................2...................12
511 Zum Steeles Express Eastbound...............................1...................7
191 Highway 27 Express Southbound..............................5...................41

Total minutes wasted so far: 190

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Every bus, including all Brampton buses, were late this week.
Amazing.

Look at this. 
In three weeks, buses were late 20 times, for a total of 190 minutes!

I am sorry I praised Brampton Transit.

See why I don't like giving complements? They come back to bite my ass.

With such poor performance this week, Brampton Transit will now be officially called "Brampton Transhit" throughout this blog.

Congratulations. 




"The Brick"
STATS
Record: 0 / 2 / 1 

 September 27 /2014 vs. Matt Standish [Loss by decision] @ 85 kg
 June 14 /2014  vs. Leo Ronin [Loss by decision] @ 86 kg
September 21 /2013 Exhibition @ 90 kg
Stance: Orthodox  (Left lead) / Style: Technical
Status:  ACTIVE

WEIGH-IN
*Daily within 2 weeks of a match, weekly otherwise.
   Current:  187 lbs / 85 kg 

MEDICAL
HR resting 62 - 64
HR stressed, treadmill  130 - 134 
HR stressed, after sparring  134 - 138 




-----------------------------------------------
"The Brick", member of the Stockyards Boxing Team
Stockyards Boxing and Fitness, 215 Ryding Ave., Toronto
---------
Next scheduled bout: N/A
Training schedule: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri, Sat, sparring twice weekly
Coach: Richard Soucé  / Trainer: Junmar Emon
----------------------------------------------------





LINKS

              email "The Brick" :thebrickboxer@gmail.com


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Saturday, November 1, 2014

Another One Bites the Dust

ENTRY 207


Monday Sparring Report

Three rounds. Two with Mark and one with Tom.
Mark is getting better, he nailed me a couple of times quite hard. Considering, he is in a lower weight class.
Tom is also showing a lot of improvement.

 Good work on everyone's part. 
Remember, we are all on the same team. We are here to help each other.

 Stockyards Boxing...One Team, One Goal.


Another One Bites the Dust

Well, the apartment on Weston Road did not work out, either.

After making me jump hurdles for a week, and telling me that if I did everything he wanted, he had no problem renting to me, he decided at the last minute to not rent the unit.

 Then he complained to me about him losing a month's rent.
How is that my fault? I didn't tell him to not rent the unit to me.

 Then he said that he also rejected two other people.


It seems like he is rejecting everyone.

 There is a name for that. It is called "Being an Asshole".
It is people like him who give landlords a bad rep.

 This is a person who has lost a few marbles.
I guess that's what I get for responding to an ad on Kijiji. 
I'm not saying every ad on Kijiji is linked to an asshole, but you have to be careful.

 It is just as well. I don't think I want someone like that as a landlord. Besides, come to think of it, is it really my responsibility to pay the electric bill for the entire building, and then still have to pay to do laundry?
I don't think he will be able to rent that place anyway, just due to that. 

The next apartment I am looking at now, is a basement on Ossignton Ave. near Davenport Rd. 
This is now number four, for those who are keeping track.

 This place is huge. It is a studio, but it is big. Especially the kitchen. Not only can I put the table, microwave stand and shelving unit in there, I can put my home office there as well. Then we still have the rest of the studio for everything else.

 The only downside is there is no tub, only a shower stall.
I like my relaxing baths, but...I guess I could learn to take a relaxing shower instead.

 Failing this place, there is another at St. Clair and Oakwood, but that will not be available until December, meaning another month living in Hell. 


Bus Check

Here are the results of the bus check so far:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                           Total Lates             Total Minutes Late       

TO WORK:

191 Highway 27 Express Northbound..............................8...................76
511 Zum Steeles Express Westbound.............................0....................0
7 Kennedy Southbound................................................0....................0


FROM WORK:

7 Kennedy Northbound.................................................0...................0
511 Zum Steeles Express Eastbound...............................0...................0
191 Highway 27 Express Southbound..............................4...................35

 Total minutes wasted so far: 111

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wow. Two weeks into this test, and we are already a full-length feature film of lates, and all on the TTC Route 191.
Amazing, isn't it?
...and they keep on raising the fare.






Current Bid: $29.00 CAD 
 Current High Bidder: paulbrec!
 Bid History!(21 Bids)
Ended: Wednesday, October 29, 2014 9:14:00 PM
 REFRESH this listing to view the most current bid status!
Posted on: Thursday, October 23, 2014 3:23:23 PM
 Please be aware that any bids made within 2 minutes of auction end will extend the end time by 2 minutes.
See the Buyers Info page for more details.














Philips portable digital audio recorder. Records stereo. This will be great for recording ambient audio at the boxing shows. 
These normally sell for $79.






"The Brick"
STATS
Record: 0 / 2 / 1 

 September 27 /2014 vs. Matt Standish [Loss by decision] @ 85 kg
 June 14 /2014  vs. Leo Ronin [Loss by decision] @ 86 kg
September 21 /2013 Exhibition @ 90 kg
Stance: Orthodox  (Left lead) / Style: Technical
Status:  ACTIVE

WEIGH-IN
*Daily within 2 weeks of a match, weekly otherwise.
   Current:  187 lbs / 85 kg 

MEDICAL
HR resting 62 - 64
HR stressed, treadmill  130 - 134 
HR stressed, after sparring  134 - 138 
-----------------------------------------------
"The Brick", member of the Stockyards Boxing Team
Stockyards Boxing and Fitness, 215 Ryding Ave., Toronto
---------
Next scheduled bout: N/A
Training schedule: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri, Sat, sparring twice weekly
Coach: Richard Soucé  / Trainer: Junmar Emon
----------------------------------------------------  






LINKS

              email "The Brick" :thebrickboxer@gmail.com
Posted by at No comments:

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Bad News From Coach Richard

ENTRY 206


Bad News From Coach Richard

No ring time for 'The Brick' next month.

 Coach Richard informed me that neither I, nor Leo will be on the card in November, because he can't find opponents.

 Well, there is still more than two weeks, or how about have myself and Leo do an exhibition?

 Glazerman Is Back

 Remember Micha Glazerman?
He quit boxing, and everyone thought he was not coming back?
He's back.
I sparred one round with him on Monday.
He nailed me good in the body a few times.
Welcome back.

Lighting Up Your Life On Dennis Avenue

 What's with all the street lights at the corner of Dennis Avenue and Weston Road?

 For the longest time nobody knew. Just a bunch of street lights. 36 to be exact, and not even Toronto Hydro knew about them.

 This is right near my new apartment, so I will get to see these every day.
However, we now know what they are. 
It is art.
Yes, you read correctly. This is an art installation.
The 36 lights on 10 poles at various angles and heights contain blue and white LEDs. 
Although, in the photo below, not all of them are working. 
It is not clear in the photo, but these are blue lights.

 Yes. This is considered 'art'. 
Only in Toronto.



Read the Toronto Star story here:
http://www.thestar.com/yourtoronto/the_fixer/2014/06/18/need_a_light_theres_35_too_many_at_weston_rd_and_dennis_st.html

If you look at the Google Street View for this area, taken in 2012, you can see what this intersection looked like without the art.

New Apartment?

Well, I am very close to getting my next apartment. It is on Weston Road near Dennis Ave, as mentioned above
It is being rented directly by the building owner.
He is doing a lot of work to fix it up.

Nice location, in addition to the interesting art project.
There is also a really big park nearby (Jane and Eglinton).
Black Creek and the Humber River.
Also, the pickup location for the Police Auction is close, on Alliance Ave.
It is also very easy to get to the Stockyards Boxing, as both the 71B and 89 buses stop right in front of the building. Literally, the bus stop is five steps from the door.
Interestingly, is that this apartment also has a back entrance, out to the hall and laundry room, and parking area. Two entrances. That has to be one of the most interesting features.

 Of course, there is a catch (Isn't there always a catch for me?).
I will be on the main floor, and will be responsible to pay the electricity for the entire main floor.
That includes, hallway lights, exterior lights, parking lot lights, and the worst, the laundry room.
Well, then I should be able to do my laundry for 'free', shouldn't I? After all, I am paying for it in the long run. Along with everyone else's.
However, the landlord said that he would discount the rent equivalent to the electric bill.
Would it not be easier to just include electricity in the rent?

 Anyway, let's hope I get this one. It is super-convenient for me.
Bus Check

 Here are the results of this week's bus check:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                           Total Lates             Total Minutes Late       

TO WORK:

191 Highway 27 Express Northbound..............................2....................21
511 Zum Steeles Express Westbound.............................0....................0
7 Kennedy Southbound................................................0....................0


FROM WORK:

7 Kennedy Northbound.................................................0...................0
511 Zum Steeles Express Eastbound...............................0...................0
191 Highway 27 Express Southbound..............................1...................9

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As expected, the results did not stay at zero for long.
Figures, the TTC bus is the one to spoil it.



I did not win any auctions this week.



"The Brick"
STATS

Record: 0 / 2 / 1 

 September 27 /2014 vs. Matt Standish [Loss by decision] @ 85 kg
 June 14 /2014  vs. Leo Ronin [Loss by decision] @ 86 kg
September 21 /2013 Exhibition @ 90 kg

Stance: Orthodox  (Left lead) / Style: Technical

Status:  ACTIVE

WEIGH-IN
*Daily within 2 weeks of a match, weekly otherwise.
   Current:  187 lbs / 85 kg    

-----------------------------------------------
"The Brick", member of the Stockyards Boxing Team
Stockyards Boxing and Fitness, 215 Ryding Ave., Toronto
---------
Next scheduled bout: N/A
Training schedule: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri, Sat, sparring twice weekly
Coach: Richard Soucé  / Trainer: Junmar Emon
Resting HR: 64 - 66
----------------------------------------------------





LINKS

              email "The Brick" :thebrickboxer@gmail.com


Posted by at No comments:

Friday, October 17, 2014

Time To Shift Into High Gear

ENTRY 206

Next scheduled bout: November 8 @ George Bell Arena, opponent TBA
No Sparring Week, Time To Shift it !

I did not get any sparring this week, due to the fact that I was very busy, and could not make it to the sparring sessions.
I did go to Bloor for cardio and bag work.

 I have to getting back into gear starting Monday.
I have to go for sparring Monday afternoon.

I have to start preparing for November 8.
I hope Richard found an opponent for me as this will likely be the last boxing show for 2014, and I really don't know what is going to happen next year.
Disappointed In Brampton

Well, over the past few weeks I have been praising Brampton Transit, and now, I am sorry I did.
On Wednesday morning the Number 7 northbound bus was 10 minutes late. This was the second time. It was also late once last week, too.
I let it go last time, but I feel this is going to become a habit.
I stopped using Mississauga Transit because their buses are never on time, among other reasons.  
Now Brampton Transit is starting bullshit.
It may not seem like a big deal, but when I have to take 3 buses and a train to and from work, and it already takes almost 90 minutes, believe me, it's a big deal.

Here is what I am going to do. Just so you can see how much time I waste on these damn buses, I am going to track how often and how late the buses are. Right here. Starting from now. I am wiping the slate clean.
Let's see how long these can stay at zero.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                           Total Lates             Total Minutes Late       

 TO WORK:

191 Highway 27 Express Northbound..............................0....................0
511 Zum Steeles Express Westbound.............................0....................0
7 Kennedy Southbound................................................0....................0


FROM WORK:

7 Kennedy Northbound.................................................0...................0
511 Zum Steeles Express Eastbound...............................0...................0
191 Highway 27 Express Southbound..............................0...................0
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Evil Property Managers and Me

The apartment up on Weston Road, managed by DMS Property Management, also refused to rent the apartment.
Thank you for that. After wasting my time.

Would someone explain to me why landlords advertise apartments for rent, and then either, not have any available, or decide after a bunch of bullshit, decide not to rent?
Is that not illegal?

So, continuing on with the apartment search, since I don't have anything better to do...

I have found another, I will be looking at soon. 
It is also on Weston Road, but it used to be a store, and then converted into an apartment.

I like that it is being rented directly by the owner, and not by a large company or agent.
Rental companies are cold. They don't care about the tenants. All they care about is the rent.
Just like unions don't care about the workers, only collecting the dues.

That is the exact problem we are having now. If there is a problem, the management either ignores it, or blames it on the tenant, but all hell breaks loose if the rent is 10 seconds late. 

Therefore, I feel that I will have better luck dealing directly with the owner.

Crap.

My complicated life continues...

"The Brick"
STATS

Record: 0 / 2 / 1 

 September 27 /2014 vs. Matt Standish [Loss by decision] @ 85 kg
 June 14 /2014  vs. Leo Ronin [Loss by decision] @ 86 kg
September 21 /2013 Exhibition @ 90 kg

Stance: Orthodox  (Left lead) / Style: Technical

Status:  ACTIVE

WEIGH-IN
*Daily within 2 weeks of a match, weekly otherwise.
   Current:  187 lbs / 85 kg    
-----------------------------------------------
"The Brick", member of the Stockyards Boxing Team
Stockyards Boxing and Fitness, 215 Ryding Ave., Toronto
---------
Next scheduled bout: November 8 @ George Bell Arena
Training schedule: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri, Sat, sparring twice weekly
Coach: Richard Soucé  / Trainer: Junmar Emon
Resting HR: 64 - 66
----------------------------------------------------
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