Completely unsolicited yesterday I received the best possible review for my book I could ever have gotten from my writing professor back in college.
The fact that he not only took the time to seek out the book, read all 100K-ish words of it and email me directly means so very much and moved me in a way that I am rarely moved.
I hope that your week turns out to be as rewarding as mine has already started out to be.
AK
When you’ve got nothing of importance to say sometimes you just put up a quick list of thoughts and happenings.
1- * Thank you to everyone who checked out last weeks blog, it’s been the most well read one so far. So to all 47 of you, gracias
* Putting my Overdrive short story on hold for
this week to polish the pitch for the TV Spec Script / concept I’m working on
with some local producers (hopefully). While nothing in life is guaranteed,
getting into TV show-running has always been a
pie in the sky goal of mine and I’d love to have this one come to
fruition in any sense of the word. So, this’ll get worked on for Friday
3- * In hopes that the gyms will be reopening soon I
expect to be doing my best to get back into the kinda shape that fulfills the “wrestling”
portion of this blog’s title. However I promise not to bore anyone here with workout
updates, progress pics or anything like that. Instead I’ll be starting a second
blog/youtube gimmick specifically for that. Just because that’s what people do
in 2021, right? Vainly mark down their progress and plans?
4- * Now that we’re officially into summer and the
province is allowing I do plan to enjoy a lot more time outdoors walking the
dogs, taking kids to the park and more of the important stuff that fills the
soul with joy .
And that’s about all for now. Hope everyone is staying safe.
Again, if you’re thinking about getting vaccinated and are uncertain, please
speak to your doctors and hopefully they will alleviate your concerns.
AK
My light at the end of this 18 month tunnel has arrived.
On June 15th, 2020 I was fortunate enough to be
able to receive my 2nd COVID19 vaccination. The people at the LeilaSuperCentre in Winnipeg were proficient, as expedient as possible and very
professional. Despite the heat of the day the lines outside moved at a good
pace and there were enough people around offering assistance to the elderly or
infirm to make everyone feel comfortable with the arrangement, such as it is.
Before anyone asks, yes – I did have an almost 2 hour wait. And
yes, it was a bit aggravating.
But clearly this is why it is so important for everyone to
book an appointment as soon as possible. This allows the system to plan for
numbers of patients and have enough staff on hand to be able to assist the
queues of people and keep everyone moving. Also, we’re still under gathering concerns.
And having so many people (even while masked and socially distanced) under one
roof can be problematic if someone is infectious and doesn’t know it.
I was thankful to have the time yesterday to wait in queue
and get my shot over and done with. This immediately allowed me to cancel my
online appointment for the 29th and have it be opened for someone
else who CAN’T take the time to wait for a walk up appointment.
Was this as convenient as when I got my first dose of the
Astra Zeneca at my local pharmacy? No, of course not. But if the supply isn’t
coming in as readily, I can understand the province’s need to have things
managed more stringently at these pop up / super site locations.
Nothing is perfect. No system ever is. I respect the
frustrations of others, especially after the year that every one in the world
has gone through. I know full well that my inconveniences and frustrations have
been comparatively minor in the grand scheme of things. Not everyone was
fortunate enough to keep working this whole time, and for that I am grateful
and humbled when I see the struggles of those around me that I cannot help.
Which is why it was so important for me to get my
vaccination over with. It is a way for all of us who CAN help TO help.
Variants of the virus are out there. Mutating away in other
countries at an alarming rate as they struggle to get vaccinations going. At
present time our immunization is able to hold those at bay in North America.
And as more people get immunized there are fewer places for the virus to catch
a hold of, mutate and spread.
The COVID Vaccinations work. Please consider getting one so
we can all get back into the world, rebuild our lives, our businesses and our
communities. Please call today or visit the website to book your appointment so we can all get on with our lives.
That is all for now. I’ve got some fictional writing to
work on.
Be safe.
(Steps off Soapbox.)
AK
Another year, another exit for my Winnipeg Jets from the Stanley Cup Playoffs. And sure like many of us, I’m disappointed to see them swept in four games by the Montreal Canadiens after vanquishing the dreaded Oilers in Round One. However just making it out of the first round is an accomplishment in any year, never mind one involving bubbles, endless testing and isolation and competing in front of no fans.
So I choose hope for the future. In both the NHL and in the
world at large. People here in Manitoba are rushing to get themselves fully
vaccinated and I look forward to a day in the not too distant future where I
can re-lace my leather wrestling boots, stride out a curtain before dozens of
people and smash a fool right in the face. Or ply my written wares in front of
potential readers at bookstores / libraries to hopefully sign some covers, shake
some hands and generally interact with the world at large.
Wouldn’t that be nice?
Props to Joseph, Ken and the rest of the team over at the
ForceCenter Podcast for taking time out of their weekly show to discuss my “essay
/ blog post” Thoughts About the Dark Side and to give this page a shout out.
Greatly appreciated, as was the discussion that followed. Please check them out
at the links provided for all of your #StarWars news, views and celebrations.
Worked on the first of the “Queen’s Guard” tales again
today. And while it’s not ready for public view just yet I am planning to post
it here on this blog once it’s completed. So stay tuned. Or tell your friends.
Or don’t, I’m not the boss of you.
Thanks to everyone who checks out this site on any level. It’s
greatly appreciated.
AK
Proper update on Monday. In the meantime, enjoy the slideshow :)
AK
I never fell out of love with the sport of course. But like many of us, trying to stay engaged in the action and the athleticism has been difficult since March of 2020. This is not a condemnation on any particular office, brand or performer. It's just tough to get excited for empty arena or limited crowd events. And yes, the irony of a career Indy Geek who's performed for more empty seats than full ones is not lost on me, thank you very much.
So it has been a breath of freshly vaccinated air to be privileged enough to witness the return of crowds to wrestling events in parts of the United States. It gives me hope that we here in Canada will be able to do the same safely and around the world in the not too distant future.
The world of difference it makes to the performers (never mind the viewing experience) simply cannot be denied.
Others have and will break down the entire event in greater detail than I intend to. That's not the purpose of this blog, I wouldn't want to step on Bryan Alvarez's gigantic toes after all. However there are a few things that really stuck out to me that I'd like to mention.
The number of clean, decisive victories up and down the card is always so refreshing to see. Sure AEW is guilty of run ins and shenanigans as much as any pro wrestling card. But the amount of times where it affects the outcome is refreshingly rare, so that when Omega decides to lay out the ref in the World Title Match it means something to the crowd, and they react accordingly.
Hikaru Shida and Britt Baker also had an excellent outing, completing the ascension of the Good Doctor to Women's World Champion while still honouring the incredible year that Shida had as champion. Very well done.
Sting is still the man. That's all.
Finally, the main event "Stadium Stampede" was fun. While at first I was a bit put off starting the match pre recorded when they finally pulled the curtain back a la the original "Boiler Room Brawl" and the action spilled back into the packed crowd at Daily's Place the reaction from the people was pretty much exactly what everyone wanted. And they got to send everyone home happy.
An excellent show. Makes me want to dust off my boots and find a ring and a crowd right now. If you haven't seen it yet find it now on your favourite PPV provider, streaming service or download the FITE App and order it today.
***
Still laying groundwork on Joe's first adventure with the Queen's Guard. I think I might have something to share on here for that sooner than later. In fact I'm considering making this site the home for the ongoing Overdrive Adventures, at least the ones outside of the novels. Stay tuned.
AK
No for real, this is something I used to do all the time back when MySpace was the hot new-ness on the internet in like... 2005? Something l...
