Saying Goodbye To Bloor

Hi all.

First of all, I have decided to let my Bloor Fitness membership lapse. 
It was actually fairly easy to do. 
You see, my bank helped a bit. I have been a customer of Scotiabank for about 20 years. 
Scotiabank is the absolute best bank. It really is. I have never had a problem with them.

So, anyway, due to a problem with my bank, Bloor Fitness did not get paid this month. 
I have decided that I am not going to bother trying to pay them manually. I am just going to tell them to use the last month's payment, and let them go. 
It is convenient that hey are open 24 hours, but that is really the only advantage.
I can get to Stockyards at least five times a week. Otherwise, I get lots of exercise at work.

Speaking of work, although not boxing related:

I went full-time security at a 'distribution centre'. Okay,  its a warehouse. Let's stop with fancy names. Anyway, it is up on Disco Road. Yes, you read that correctly, Disco, as in the cheesy 70's music.
It does not matter which warehouse, there are a lot of them up there.

Here is what happened: I am barely one-week full-time at the warehouse, and I am getting in crap from the supervisor. Yesterday, a trailer left the yard and went to the wrong location. It went to Thunder Bay instead of London. Yeah, that is a huge mistake.
So, apparently it is my fault the truck driver is an idiot.
Am I a security guard or a logistics expert? It is not my job to make sure that the trailers are going to the correct locations. That is up to the dispatch supervisor. 
Oh, there is that word again, "supervisor". I forgot, supervisors don't work.
Definition of a supervisor: One who delegates, then takes credit for work well-done, and lays blame when work is done poorly.
Oh come on. I know you were all thinking that. I am just the only one with balls big enough to say it.

In addition, it is a real pain in the ass to get there by bus. There are only two bus routes on Disco Road. The 112C and the 45A. The 112C is never freaking on time (typical for buses in Toronto), and also the 112C does not operate on evenings on the weekend. There is a 2 km walk from Martin Grove Road, along Belford Drive, up Brockport Road, and along the entire length of Disco Road...In the dark, poorly illuminated, with no sidewalks. How safe is that? 
As for the 45A, I have never seen one. It is on the TTC map, but apparently doesn't really exist. One of the TTC's  many pseudo bus routes.

So, they want to move me to another location. 
You mean a location where every little thing isn't my fault, and has more reliable bus service? Oh, no. Please don't.

One final note: Don't forget about the Stockyards boxing show this Saturday. Doors open at 7 PM. 
Please come out and support a great amateur boxing facility.
Metropolis Community Media will be covering the event for Metropolis TV West.Cheers,
"The Brick"

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Hi all.
Welcome to another "Blue Corner".

Stockyards will be having their next boxing show on October 18. I will not be in this one. 
However, Metropolis West will be video recording the event, and it will be posted to our YouTube Channel within a week after.
Select the link above to visit Metropolis Community Media or to listen to CJJQ Community Radio.

Speaking of Stockyards, I went on a bit of a rant in my last entry. I have to admit that looking back on it, I may have been a bit harsh. 
I have been under a lot of stress lately, trying to juggle three part-time jobs and boxing. Understandably, I am trying to keep all of them as the same priority. I am currently pushed to the limit. That is why I want to make the most out my time at the boxing gym.
I apologize for being sarcastic...well, more sarcastic than normal. (I am always sarcastic.)
That being said, I still feel that people should not be showing up for class late. It is rude and disruptive. What I do if I can't make a fitness class, I don't go, or I go and do my own training and will attend class only if invited by the instructor. 
I don't think that is an unreasonable expectation. Please be considerate of your colleagues.

The reason I need three jobs is because..and here comes the rant of the month...this city is so damn expensive. 
Even New York City has nice areas that are affordable. In Queens, you can get a nice one bedroom apartment for $850. Yes, I have already checked. I invite anyone to go to a rental agent in Toronto, and ask for a one bedroom for $850. Then, get our the stopwatch, and time how long it takes for her to stop laughing at you.
That, on top of the idiots at City Hall. I'm sure you have all heard about my City Hall rants.
Then there is the overall cost of living.....{It keeps going and going...}

Plus, you have myself, the wifey, and a friend who will be staying with us for a while, plus two cats, all living together in a studio apartment.
I have been trying to talk management into giving us a larger apartment. I want to move from a studio to a three bedroom. I will go from paying $885 to $1640. However, I will be splitting it three ways. Right now, I am paying most of it myself, because I really can't charge my friend rent for sleeping on the sofa in the same room with us.

Enough of my rant, now for some good news. One of my employers is seriously considering putting me on full-time by the end of October. The security job at the warehouse will likely become 36 - 44 hours weekly, possibly as early as next week.. That means not needing to juggle so many jobs. Also, the supervisor on that job knows that I am training as a boxer, and is very supportive. I don't think I will have much trouble getting time off to train and for competitions.

More good news, I have lost another pound. I am now down to 194. I am getting closer to my goal of 188.

If you want to contact me, visit me on Facebook, or use the email address above. Please do not use email addresses on older blog entries, as they may no longer be working.

Cheers.

                ""Dudes who know how to fight, don't -- Dudes who want to fight, can't.""

p

The Smallest Loser ?

Hello Blue Corner Peeps,

Well, there is a first time for everything, and here is one.
I have a complaint about something Stockyards did.
I know you are asking, "What? Paul has a complaint about Stockyards? Wow!"

On Wednesday, they cut class early. Reason: So they can take a "few select boxers" to HUF Gym for sparring. Well, that's great. What about my sparring class?

I was only able to get one round, and to be totally honest, that is a complete and total waste of my time. 

Look at this from my side. With me working full- time and odd hours now, I may not be able to attend sparring every week, so I want to make the most if it when I am there.

Richard said I was ready to compete. Well, how well am I going to do if I am only sparring one round every two weeks or so?  I'm not not going in there to make a fool of myself. That defeats the purpose of everything I have been trying to achieve.

They were going all the way to Mississauga to spar. It would have been 10 PM by the time they got there. What boxing gym is open at that hour?
Besides, what is wrong with sparring at Stockyards? It was a sparring class. Why do they go somewhere else?

What happened to "My members come first." What am I? Chopped liver and onions?

I am going to say something about it, because going forward, anything fewer than three rounds is pointless. Actually, I should be aiming for four rounds. I am not a beginner any more. 

It does not help that they include warm-up as part of class.
Warm-up should not be part of class. Everyone knows you need to stretch and warm-up before exercising. Here is what you do: Get to class early, and do it!
I am always there 30 minutes before class begins so I can get my stretching and warm-up done. Therefore, I should be entitled to a full three-rounds or more of sparring.
If you are late for class, you don't attend, or you can do your warm-up while others do class, and then you can finish class later, if there is time.
There has to be rules about these things. 

In other news:
I have lost 11 pounds in the last two months. 
I guess that can partly be because of work. Lots of walking and climbing. Doing security in a warehouse is a lot of work. Those who think security guards just sit and read, are living in Dreamland. I wish I could sit and read!

I am now at 195 pounds. That is down from 206 in August.

Cheers.



       METROPOLIS COMMUNITY MEDIA           "The Brick" on Facebook         email "The Brick"

""Dudes who know how to fight, don't -- Dudes who want to fight, can't.""

             

The Meaning Of Life...From A Boxer's Perspective

Hi all.

Well, a bit of confusion this past weekend. 

Boxing Ontario was under the impression that Stockyards was actually going to hold a boxing show. 
Of course, it is against Boxing Ontario rules to hold unsanctioned boxing.
The organization called the gym and told us that we could not do that.

That is understandable, but that is not what we were doing.

Stockyards Boxing was having an open house so people could see what we do. 
Of course, when people enter a boxing gym, they expect to see boxing.
Therefore, we had a sparring session during the open house. There was no admission fee, and people were not just sitting around watching. It was a general open house where people could ask questions about the gym and about boxing.
What Richard conducted was Enhanced Sparring. That is where the coach will actually climb into the ring with the boxers. The coach can not be a referee. That is a different certification, with different training and testing. 
However, he can give feedback, as a coach should. The reason for the coach being inside the ring as opposed to giving feedback from the corner is to give the boxers an idea of what it is like to have the third person (referee) in the ring. That is really the only difference between that and regular sparring.
Where an exhibition match is exactly the same as a real competition in all ways, except that there is no winner, and your opponent is usually someone from your own team. 

Richard had a good idea, but I think it was just advertised wrong. I think "Boxing Exhibition" was a bad choice of words. I used it too, because that is what I thought it was.

I don't blame Boxing Ontario, either. They have to tell us those things for liability reasons. Everything is about liability these days. If something were to happen, it would all fall right back into Boxing Ontario's lap. They have to "C.Y.A." also.

I don't think anyone was wrong, just a misunderstanding.
I would suggest that if Stockyards wants to do this again, call it an "open house".

If Boxing Ontario wants to question me about it, I will back Richard. He did not break any rules. He conducted a sparring class using a certified coach, and all the  participants were registered athletes. That is within Boxing Ontario rules.

Richard was so upset by this, he called me to ask me to edit my blog.
I removed all references to "Boxing Exhibition" and replaced them with "Enhanced Sparring".
It was the first time I have ever edited my blog. Generally, when I put something here, it stays -forever.
That goes to show you the rapport I have with the Stockyards Boxing.

Moving on: On Monday, Coach Richard asked me if I wanted an exhibition, or a real bout for the next time.
I said that eventually I want a real match.
"When?"
"When do you think I am ready?"
"You are ready now."
"Oh... Let me do another exhibition first".

I asked for an exhibition for the next show in October, and my first real match in November. That will get everything out of the way before the new year. I don't think there will be anything in December. There usually isn't.

There are reasons why I want an exhibition first.  It is not that I don't think I am ready. I have been ready for three years. That is what started this whole boxing ordeal. There are other reasons.

It is said that the number one question people ask is, "What is the meaning of life?"
I think the answer to that is very simple: Leave your 'footprint'.
Whatever you chose to do in life, make sure everyone knows about it. Some call it the "Fifteen minutes of fame". Whatever you call it, do it. Once you have left your mark, you can relax and "retire".
My mark is boxing. I want to do everything I can that involves boxing. Including an exhibition.
 I am still going to try out for the Pan-Am Games. I have about a year before they pick the team.

That is the another reason why I want to get an exhibition. Sanctioned exhibitions count on your record. Although there is no win, it shows as one bout. Which is one of of the ten you need to become Open Class.
You can't really do diddly-squat in Novice Class.

You have to enter tournaments, and win, before being considered for the Pan-Am Games. You can not enter tournaments while in Novice. Most of them, if not all, allow only Open Class.

Anyway, I hope this clears the air, and any misunderstanding. 

I hope I can get a "real" exhibition next month, and start my 'footprint'.

Oh, and I dropped a weightclass. I made it down to Heavyweight. Let's see if I can stay there.

Cheers.

Final Prep For Saturday's Big Match

Hi all.

The countdown continues to my return to the ring.
I am scheduled to an exhibition bout this coming Saturday at about 7:30 PM.

Stockyards Boxing will be having their 2-year Anniversary, with food and cash bar. There will also be demonstrations, and of course, boxing exhibitions.

Junmar has the card done, and my scheduled opponent is "Dave H".  
Dave is quite a bit older than I, but he is also an ex-Toronto police officer.

It will be 'interesting' if nothing else.

I have been training daily, and sparring regularly.

I wanted to do some sparring on Tuesday, although it was not a sparring day. Junmar was not too happy about it. I realize that the gym has a schedule for a reason. Normally I follow the schedule. If I want to spar, I show up for the sparring sessions.
However, this was a special situation. I have a match coming up. I want to get as much practice in, so I don't look like an idiot on Saturday.
I will not be able to go to the gym on Thursday, because I have another meeting at City Hall to discuss the Nuit Blanche festival for which I will be security supervisor. Friday is also a write-off, because there will be no sparring. There never is the day before a match. They want their boxers to have a rest. Totally understandable.

Anyway, I think at one time Junmar said to me, "His punches will kill you." In reference to my 'unscheduled' sparring session.
Geez. Thanks for the encouragement, Junmar.

This brings up an interesting point about boxing coaches.

One of my goals of writing this column is to get people, especially older people, interested in boxing.
I have found with all boxing coaches, that none of them are encouraging. 
At this point I would like to say that to 'not be encouraging' is different from being 'discouraging'. As I have said before, I have had more than my share of discouraging coaches.
One of the things you will find with boxing coaches is that the are very blunt. 
I think that is indicative of this sport.
Boxing can be a very dangerous sport, and therefore you can not be farting around in the ring. 
I believe this is one of the reasons why boxing is the safest of all the contact sports. The coaches are constantly drilling their athletes about safety.
There is no ass kissing in boxing, only ass kicking. If you don't want yours to be kicked, listen to your coach. Even though he may seem rude at times, don't take offence to it. He is trying to keep you safe.

That is why I am not the least bit concerned about getting hurt. I know that my coaches will not let that happen. I am more concerned about looking like as ass in front of a bunch of strangers.
Seriously, my whole boxing "career" is teetering on what happens on Saturday. If I do not do well, there is a chance, although a slight chance, that I may retire the gloves.
That is why I am very appreciative of Richard to give me this exhibition match before throwing me into the lion's cage. It will gave me a chance to see how well I can do under pressure.

It is important to note that this is an enhanced sparring session.  Not an 'event'. 
Therefore, only members of the Stockyards Boxing will be allowed to watch at this time.

Cheers.

My First Bout...Soon!

Hello all.

Persistence is very important in life. I have just found that out.

As my followers may know, I have been through a lot the past three or so years.  My goal was to eventually get to the Pan-Am Games. 

However, my more recent and more realistic goal was to step into the ring in front of an audience again.

That goal is close to coming true. How close, you ask? 

Less than two weeks.

Coach Rick approached me today and asked me to do an exhibition match for the club's second anniversary.  

An exhibition is the best way to get back into the ring after all this time. It will help me get used to being in front of an audience again.

September 21 is the date. 

I would like to invite all of my readers, however, this event is limited to members and family.

That being said, the "other gym" is doing something "different". 

They are doing something called a "Tonebana Demonstration".

This poster for "Tonebana" is stuck to the mirror in the boxing studio at Bloor Fitness. Next to it is a poster for a "real" boxing show, also scheduled to be at Bloor Fitness.

"Tonebana" is on September 14, and the boxing show is on September 28. Odd coincidence that they just happen to sandwich Stockyards' anniversary show. 

Yeah. Interesting how that works.

Good luck with that "Tonebana" deal.. I will not be there. I will be preparing for my exhibition. 

"You know what time it is?!!!" 

Time to move on to other things...

...Like sparring. Real sparring. 

Richard is only allowing guys in his anniversary show who are registered with Boxing Ontario, and who have been doing regular sparring.

I try to get into Stockyards twice a week for hard sparring. Usually on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Last week, Junmar left the door open, so people from outside could watch.

There was a mother with her young son, and someone else, aunt probably.

Sparring was going on, and they were watching. 

The young one had to be no more than 9. He said, "I want to do that." 

The aunt said, "I think you have to be a bit older, about 16 or 17."

Mom said, "No. I think maybe 25."

I could not help but to laugh.

That is all for this entry.

Cheers.

"The Brick's" Unofficial Guide To Pugilistic Places

IT IS THAT TIME AGAIN...TIME FOR MORE BOXING GYM REVIEWS

This time it is Stockyards Boxing and Fitness verses Bloor Street Fitness. 

Since these are the only two "Pugilistic Places" I have attended over the last year, these are the only two I can review at this time.

As you will see from this report, one of these fitness centres is doing very well, and the other is going downhill, quite quickly.

Let us first look at Bloor Fitness, which I have to say I have been very disappointed with over the past few months.

The fact that this facility is open 24/7 for its members is the only thing keeping this gym's rating from being much lower.

General disrespect for customers, unprofessional staff and faulty equipment are keys to the decline in the enjoyment of this once fine and well-known Toronto fitness facility.

Although there are giant boxing gloves outside the gym, and a boxing studio, this facility does not offer any boxing classes. Only boxing-for-fitness, and something called "Tonebana", a pseudo-boxing class. It is supposed to be a combination of boxing and dancing, but is in reality nothing special.
Therefore, this fitness centre is useless for anyone who wants to be a serious boxer. However, it is great if you just want to go in and train on your own.

At one class, an instructor is known to threaten the students. I was one of them, and it was no joke. 
Management obviously did absolutely nothing about it, because he is still there, and still "teaching".  This is at the very least unprofessional, but is actually much more serious. It is a criminal offence.

Do you really want someone like "teaching" your fitness class?

Another potential problem is that the music played during some of the classes may be offensive. Containing the 'F' and 'N' words. Although this is a gym, it is still a place of business, and should have respect for its clients. 

There is also an ongoing issue with malfunctioning equipment. Treadmills are often not working, or not working properly for three weeks or more. 

This location is good only for those who want to train on their own during 'off' hours. 
However, I don't recommend the classes, except for Muay Thai, which can be helpful even for boxers. 
Don't bother with the boxing-for-fitness, as I don't see any benefit for serious boxers.  

This gym is equipped with all boxing equipment along with cardio and resistance equipment.

This fitness facility does not post their fees. Please contact the gym for more information.
Most memberships require a minimum commitment, and first/last.

This gym accepts direct payment, debit, Visa, Mastercard.

Bottled water is for sale, and refill stations are available.

The next gym I will review will be Stockyards. This one just keeps getting better. 
For a new gym, they are doing quite well.

After just over a year, this boxing gym has become very popular, and with good reason.

The management of Stockyards is very professional, but friendly. 
There are two very good certified coaches, both care very much for their athletes. 

At one point, the head coach told me, "My members come first".
I believe that. 
At Stockyards, you can learn at your own level. If you show an interest in learning, the coaches will help you. Once you reach a comfortable level, and have expressed interest, you will be provided with instructions on how to register with Boxing Ontario.
Once registered, you may be able to participate in full-contact sparring, and eventually exhibition matches, and competitions. 

This facility is almost perfect, except it can never score a "10" because of its lack of showers.

This gym also has limited hours. Only open mornings and evenings during the week, and mornings only on weekends. They are also closed on statutory holidays. 

Except for these couple of negatives, I find this gym to be one of the best in Toronto.
Highly recommended. 
Stop by or call for more information.

This gym is equipped with all boxing equipment along with cardio and resistance equipment.

Current posted dues, for all adult members including competitive boxers: 

• Monthly $70 
• 3 months prepaid $200
• 6 months prepaid $300
• 12 months prepaid $550
• No contract required, but monthly memberships require first/last.

*Fees are current as posted at time of publication. Contact the facility for current rates.

This gym accepts cash or debit card.

Boxing gear at reasonable prices and bottled water are for sale.

OTHER FITNESS FACILITIES WITH BOXING (not reviewed):

Atlas Boxing Club

Cabbagetown Boxing Club

Grant Brothers

Sully's Boxing Gym