A Quick Update

    ENTRY 479

A QUICK UPDATE


I wanted to get something in before the next month.

The fact is that not much has changed. Boxing still isn't happening, but it needs to start happening soon.

I tell you, this whole COVID thing has gone beyond annoying, and there is something just not right about the whole thing.

Of course, I have my own theory that I would like to share with you, but not this time.

Next month look for a special entry of "Blue Corner" to see my article on my theory of COVID-19.

That's all for now.


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--Paul 'The Brick' Brec

LINKS:

MASTERS BOXING ON REDDIT

ANOTHER 'BRICK' IN THE SPRAWL 

New Rules Regarding the Re-Opening of Boxing Gyms In Ontario

    ENTRY 478


NEW RULES REGARDING THE RE-OPENING OF BOXING GYMS IN ONTARIO


I mentioned at the end of the last entry that I hope this entry would be about boxing. It is, but ...

Boxing Ontario conducted a virtual meeting on Wednesday. The meeting was to discuss with members the re-opening of boxing gyms across Ontario over the next couple of weeks.

Here is an outline of what the 90-minute meeting covered.

Boxing Ontario has put together a "KO COVID" task force which includes Richard Soucé and Matt Standish, both former coaches of mine. Plus a few other people.

This task force has put together a series of rules that must be followed in order for an Ontario boxing gym to be open during stage one of the re-opening process.

Here are the highlights of the rules:

Only athletes and certified coaches will be allowed inside the gyms at this time. That means only those registered with Boxing Ontario. No guests, no visitors, nobody who wants to just 'train for fun'.

There will be a maximum capacity of five people in total allowed inside a gym at any one time, regardless of the size of the facility. That means one coach and four athletes, or any combination thereof.

No training on soft surfaces. That means padded floors and the ring.

No close-contact training. That includes focus pad work and sparring.

Gyms must be cleaned, disinfected, and sanitized daily.

Boxers will be 'encouraged' to wash hands frequently while using the gym facilities.

Common areas will not be allowed to be used. That includes change rooms, locker rooms, and showers.

A verbal screening will need to be conducted by the gym before anyone will be allowed to enter, and posters indicating such must be posted at the gym entrance.

Physical distancing must be observed while training. The means a minimum of two metres, but four metres around heavy bags. That means about every-second bag will only be allowed to be used.

Sharing of equipment will not be allowed. "Community" ropes, gloves, and other gear will not be allowed, and boxers will need to use their own equipment.

These are the highlights and most important parts of the findings of the task force.

Now, as expected, here are my findings.

It is obvious that the task force did not think this through, and it appears that Boxing Ontario is trying to 'rush' the opening of gyms, which is completely and totally useless. With these rules in place, there is really no point in going to the gym in the first place. There is nothing you can do at the gym right now that you can't do at home. The whole point of going in to train is to work with your coach and sparring. For everything else, you may as well stay home.
Also, what the hell are we supposed to do if we can't use the change room? Drop our drawers in the middle of the gym floor?

Gyms may as well stay closed until the restrictions are lifted.



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--Paul 'The Brick' Brec

LINKS:

MASTERS BOXING ON REDDIT

ANOTHER 'BRICK' IN THE SPRAWL 

Quarantined and Bored

    ENTRY 477


Quarantined and Bored

Okay, so, it has been over five weeks of no boxing gym, and that also means over five weeks without sparring.

With no boxing going on, i have nothing to talk about. Therefore, I am going to use this month's entry to discuss something other than boxing. I couldn't let a month go by without an entry.

I would like to discuss the whole reason for why this is no boxing or any other sport.

I realize most are sick and freaking tired of hearing about this whole COVID-19 crap, as am I. 

Allow me, if you will, to shed some light onto this subject. 

this thing has had a very negative affect on the economy. It is said that in Toronto alone, over 375,000 have lost their jobs, not to mention the numerous businesses that had to close and will not re-open.
My feeling on this is that, technically, there was no reason for anything to have to close.
The reason this had to be done is because people were not, and still are not doing what they have been asked to do.

You can have restaraunts open, but just have the tables further apart.
The boxing gym can still be open, we just have to practice distancing. Sparring would be out, then again, you could have two guys standing apart and just practicing, although it would obviously have to be non-contact, but it is still practice.

Some countries have avoided the virus and ddin't have to quaranitine anything, so there is no reason we can't.

Our politicians are doing the best they can despite this is something they have never experienced before, but we need to get moving. We can not afford for people to be out of work for too long.

That is all I am going to say about this. 

Hopefully, the next time I write something here it is about boxing.




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--Paul 'The Brick' Brec

LINKS:

MASTERS BOXING ON REDDIT

ANOTHER 'BRICK' IN THE SPRAWL 

This Report Is Postponed Due To COVID-19

    SPECIAL ENTRY



THIS REPORT IS POSTPONED DUE TO COVID-19

Hello all. It has been a while since posting something here, and the reason for that is because I have had nothing to report. There is no boxing right now. The gyms are closed, and Boxing Ontario has announced that all sanctioned events are postponed.
These along with a lot of other things. 
Therefore, I am going to use this time to discuss how I feel about all this.

I am going to warn you that some of you may disagree and even be offended by what I am going to write here. However, those who know me well won't be the least bit surprised.

When all of this COVID-19 crap began, I found the behaviour of people to be rather humorous. It was funny to me then, but now it has gone beyond funny. Now, it is getting annoying, and there is no reason for it. 
Let me explain.

This whole 'outbreak' is the result of three things; people not listening; people panicking; greed for money.

I am not in any way denying that something is going around out there. Whatever it is, it is only affecting less than 3% of the population, but less than 1% in North America. More people than that get Influenza every year. Why then, is this situation so much different?

Unreasonably-high media attention is one, but that is not unusual. Remember SARS? Do you remember what stopped it? The Iraqi war. Remember? As soon as the war in Iraq started, we heard no more about SARS, and it just fizzled out. 
The same will happen to this. As soon as a war breaks out somewhere, or the Royal family does something "interesting", we won't hear any more about Corona unless it's a beer.

That still does not explain the craziness that has been going on with this.  Therefore, I will explain it.

Empty toilet paper shelves at the Stockyards Walmart

First of all, people are not listening to what the medical professionals had suggested we do. That was to maintain proper hygiene, maybe a bit more than usual. That was all we are supposed to be doing.
Nobody said to close restaurants, close gyms, close theatres, close other public areas, or restrict travel. Nobody said that we can't sit behind the bus driver, and nobody said to hoard toilet paper.

I have no idea how the toilet paper hoarding began, but it has now spread to all paper products. Paper towels and napkins are now hard to find. The reason it is happening is due to the fact that people are now afraid they are not going to be able to get these items due to the hoarders.
People, relax. The world is not going to ever run out of toilet paper and paper towels.

Notice on the doors of the St. Catharines (Ontario) bus terminal

St. Catharines has closed its bus terminal. Completely. The other day, I had to wait almost two hours in the cold and rain for my bus back to Toronto. 
Why? 
Any sickness I am going to get is a cold from being out in cold and rainy weather for two hours because the city of St. Catharines are idiots.

Coach Canada notice on the seats behind the driver

Coach Canada, along with many city bus service operators, are not allowing passengers to sit in the seats directly behind the driver.

Here is a newsflash: Any chance of the driver not catching any kind of a virus from any passenger went right out the window the moment the passenger passed the driver whilst entering the vehicle.
Viruses move fast.

Keeping passengers away from the driver during the journey is not going to help, and is a false sense of security.

Hamilton Street Railway bus (Hamilton, Ontario)

The HSR in Hamilton, Ontario has taken it one step further by moving the yellow line back to behind the front wheel wells, and not collecting fares or allowing anyone to communicate with the driver.
Okay, that makes sense as long as the driver remains in the vehicle, but what happens if a driver has to pee, or wants to grab a coffee?

My wife and I waited in St. Catharines outside for almost two hours due to a closed terminal

People are panicking and are doing irrational things because they didn't listen, and are not doing what was suggested to them. That combined with the media circus surrounding this 'pandemic' has irrational people in a state of panic, causing them to become even more irrational. 

Finally, there is the money. You know that anytime something like this happens, especially when the government is involved, money is also involved.

Did you notice that premier Doug Ford called a state of emergency shortly after Ottawa announced financial help to 'anyone who needed it'? How convenient.
Now, all of the business who 'had to close' and all the cities 'affected by the virus', and individuals 'affected by the virus' are all now going to turn to Ottawa for 'financial help'. 
Socialism at its finest. 
Oh, no, It is the evil 'S'-word. 
Well, what else is it?


I am still going about my normal business as if nothing is happening. I am not going to get sick because I am following what the medical professionals have asked me to do and no more.

I think we all need to go back and read "The Stand" by Stephen King. Just to remind us of how lucky we are, and that this has not, and will not turn into the same situation as portrayed in that novel. 

Just do what the medical professionals are advising, and nothing more. 
Relax, you will not get sick and die. This is the 21st century. Our medical care is advanced enough to not allow that to happen. At least to anyone like myself who maintains a healthy lifestyle.
Yes, a few have died, but do we really know the root cause? The media circus is assuming that it is COVID-19, but it more than likely isn't. It is more sensible to believe that it was due to age, an underlying condition, or simply an unhealthy lifestyle.

Relax, and read "The Stand".



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--Paul 'The Brick' Brec

LINKS:

MASTERS BOXING ON REDDIT

ANOTHER 'BRICK' IN THE SPRAWL 

The New Kid In (Welland) Town

    ENTRY 475


Congrats To Former Coach Jim

This past Saturday, one of my former coaches from Cabbagetown had his grand opening of his new boxing club in Welland.
I went to his grand opening, and I have to say the place is really large. I'd say it is Cabbagetown times three.
Congrats to Jim Bland on his newest addition to Welland, the Bland's Boxing Club.

Here are some photos from the grand opening:

You can visit the Bland's Boxing Club in Welland at 298 Crowland Ave.


Beaver Boxing Club Invite--Part 3

If all goes well (I am still working at the same building) by August, I will finally be able to make the trip to Ottawa.

It is too early to make arrangements, but I have a good idea of how I will get there and where to stay. 
I have decided to stay 4 days, and visit the Beaver Boxing Club twice. My Boxing Ontario registration will allow me to spar there. 

I will have a couple of additional days to see the rest of the city.

More on that as it gets closer to the date.

═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
--Paul 'The Brick' Brec

LINKS:

MASTERS BOXING ON REDDIT

ANOTHER 'BRICK' IN THE SPRAWL 

The Brampton (Masters) Cup ~ Florida ~ Ottawa

    ENTRY 474


Brampton Cup Summary

The Brampton Cup is over for this year, but I should have registered. The were a 'record' number of Masters registered this year. 19 to be exact. That is a huge number for that division, so much that they had a semi-final. You usually never see a semi-final in Masters.

As I have said before, I am not a huge fan of doing tournaments any more, but it looks like the number of Masters registering is increasing. Maybe I will try for the Golden Gloves. They are in April this year. I will monitor to see how many other Masters register.
Of course, I still have an exhibition in March.


Fundraiser In Florida (??)

I am still indecisive whether I will be going to Florida. My exhibition at Cabbagetown has been moved from February to March, and I really should give priority to my gym. These fundraisers in Florida are held frequently, so there are plenty of chances to go.


Beaver Boxing Club Invite--Part 2

Another one. I have been invited to the Beaver Boxing Club in Ottawa as well (Again). Actually I was supposed to go last summer, and didn't get to it. I would really like to do it this year. Perhaps something to look at for vacation time since I have never been to Ottawa.


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--Paul 'The Brick' Brec

LINKS:

MASTERS BOXING ON REDDIT

ANOTHER 'BRICK' IN THE SPRAWL 

Florida on My Mind

    ENTRY 473


First Entry For 2020 and Possibly a Big Year for 'The Brick'

Happy 2020 everyone, and welcome to the first entry of the new year and a new decade.

This new year could very well bring new possibilities for me.

I don't want to go into too much detail right now, but I will drop a few hints.

First of all, it looks like I will be participating in another exhibition sometime in March. 
More on that as it gets closer.

Secondly, I have been invited to box in another exhibition...in Florida.
The interesting part is that I have boxed in Florida before. Before becoming a Master.
Let me tell you something about boxing in Florida, there were practically no rules. 
That was a while back, and maybe things have changed by now.
It might be worth checking out, although I don't know how the Boxing Nazis will feel about it. -- I mean Boxing Ontario. It just seems that they don't like anything I want to do.

Thirdly, there is a small chance right now that I may be going away for the summer. Away from Toronto for the entire summer, from June to September. To work at a resort.
I'll just leave this here for now, but I have been called for a second interview.


New E-Novel In Progress

The service that I use to publish my novels, called Wattpad, (Based in Toronto by-the-way), has this new service where you can have a bot read your novels and then provide feedback based on various factors such as sentence structure, use of adverbs, sentence length, and complexity of words used.
According to this system, I use too many adverbs, my sentences are too short,and I have a "script" style of writing (non-descriptive). That makes sense, since I am used to writing scripts from when I worked in broadcasting. However, I don't want my novels to be like that.
My latest novel, "Aftermath", is currently in the works. It is a post-war apocalyptic science-fiction. It will take a bit longer to complete due to the fact that I am trying to avoid all the things the bot found in my previous novels. 
I will let everyone know when it has been published.


═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
--Paul 'The Brick' Brec

LINKS:

MASTERS BOXING ON REDDIT

ANOTHER 'BRICK' IN THE SPRAWL