Re-Jiggered War on Dad Blog - Again

Not out of boredom, I swear. I've just been finding with my current schedule (or lack thereof) that maintaining the kind of consistency I was looking for on my previous plan was simply inadequate for what I was trying to achieve. Namely, adequate hypertrophy for maintaining /  adding some lean muscle mass to my frame and increasing my mobility / accelerating fat loss.

As such, now that I am one month away from Main Eventing for Blaze Pro Wrestling vs Mentallo, I feel kinda under the gun to get things going a bit more expediently.

Changes I've made?

For starters. Lets eye ball the nutrition. While I haven't been eating like a 13 year old per se, there isn't a single person in my life who would be able to say they haven't seen me crushing a cookie or two more than I should be. So, lets tighten up the belt and tape the pie hole shut for a bit, hmmm? Or at least, track my macros a bit more diligently for the month of June. 

Only lifting every other day, while focusing on the whole upper body. The specific exercises will vary depending on equipment available at the time, but a day where I hit Back, Chest, Shoulders and Arms all for 5 sets of 10-15 will give me enough of boost to carry over to my next lifting day. Sure, not a ton of volume on any given day, but over the course of a week, that evens out to a minimum of 15 sets per muscle group which is more than enough.

Non Lifting days will be focused on Mobility, Core and Cardio. Nothing too extreme, but I really want to expand the flexibility in my hips and knees if possible. Plus adding some core stability and sweat equity on the treadmill or cross trainer is always a good thing for my heart and in-ring wind. Though, nothing is quite the same as getting int the ring and working - this is the next best thing.

So yeah, nothing too crazy. Last 2 workouts have looked like this:

May 25, 2025
Warm Ups
Hammer Grip Pull Down - 190 x 12, 12, 10, 7, 8 (fail)
Flat Barbell Bench Press - 135lb x 12, 155lb x 12, 175lb x 12, 195lb x 12, 215lb x 6 (rebuilding stamina and joint strength here - great pump)
DB Side Lat Raise - 30lb x 15, 15, 15, 15, 15
Rev Grip Tricep Extension - 70 x 15, 15, 15, 15, 15
DB Bicep Curls - 30lb x 15, 15, 15, 15, 15
Treadmill - 35 Mins, 3% 2.6 mph

So, at the end of this session I know I can push the final exercises a bit more going forward. I'd underestimated how much endurance I'd have at that point. Now I have a better idea.

May 26, 2025
Stretching
Low Back Hyperextension - BW 3 x 15
Mach Crunch - stack, 3 x 20
KB Around the World - 35lb 3 x 20
Treadmill - 60 Mins, 3%, 2.7mph

Not the most intense cardio, but that's not the point. Just getting on there and working myself out is the goal for a bit as I know I've been neglecting the sweat more than I care to admit. Gonna try to get on the x-trainers more, better for my knees.

Like I said, 1 Month Away from the next Blaze Pro Event. If you missed our last one, you can now check out the Entire Show IN FULL at the Link. So please, Like / Subscribe and More.

AK

LINKTREE

Recap and Refocus

Been a few days without writing. Sorry about that for all 12-25 of you who regularly check this out. Didn't mean to check out on you. Between work and life and KEYCON and figuring out a house move its been a bit of a whirlwind. So much so that my "war on Dad Blog" posts have taken a bit of a slide - just at perfect time as well, since I'm trying to up my conditioning for a big match at the end of June.

Life. It'll getcha when you least expect it to.

Anyways, I hit a work out tonight. I feel better in all the ways that only endorphins can handle. I'll post the recap at the end just for posterity and then we'll move forward.

Quick Hits of thoughts from the past week.

- KEYCON 41 was a very fun experience. The local literary sci-fi convention was (hopefully) a big success for the volunteers and organizers of the event. Having the chance to reconnect with people i know and haven't seen in ages from all parts of the creative and frankly Nerdy Community was awesome. I want to thank Chris for inviting me to speak and host the panels I was able to be a part of, most certainly the "Page to Screen: A discussion with Jim Butcher and Tanya Huff" panel on Saturday.

It's no secret to anyone who knows me that I am a BIG fan of Mr. Butcher's "Dresden Files" series, so having the opportunity to meet, discuss some things about his process as well as thank him for his work while he generously signed a copy of his book "Changes" for me was honestly super cool.

What's also Super Cool? Being remembered by Ms. Tanya Huff from the ONE time we met a decade before - also at KEYCON - and finding out once again what an amazing and engaging soul she is. A true pleasure and a gift to the Canadian Literary community.

And to all of the other creatives I met over the weekend, thank you for sharing your ideas, your work and your passion with the world. At the end of the day, we all create worlds and stories to explore those parts of ourselves that we see reflected in others. And it's always awesome talking process and ideas and struggles and more with you all. Plus, so many people wanted copies of my books which - man , just lets a Big fella know that his work is being appreciated. So thank you all.

It's Official!

- So, since I was inspired by all of the creativity this past weekend, I locked in a "Must Publish date" for the 4th Book in my OVERDRIVE series. I know, it's been a few years since Book 3 and I'm sorry for that. Getting my head together has been a struggle. However, I can officially say, that "POWER PLAY: Book 4 of OVERDRIVE" will be available to purchase on January 31st, 2026. So, keep hassling me y'all. I'm gonna need the pokes to keep me on task to hit my deadline.

- Just briefly, so much love to my Winnipeg Jets for an amazing season. Even in defeat - during some heartbreaking events and news - our Jets played their asses off and were only one shot away from forcing another Game 7. Absolutely no quit in that team, and some excellent Leadership and Class shown by everyone involved. God damn I love hockey.

- Finally, the wrestling portion. I return to the Blaze Pro Wrestling training centre Wednesday evening.

Practice, practice, practice

Rookies, consider yourself forewarned. Not sure exactly what I'm gonna be working with you all on, but I'm bringing my boots and the old man wants to work some aches and pains out of his system. Come in with ideas and things you want to try from your "tape study" for when we open up the freestyle portion of the class.

As promised, here was tonight's workout. Nothing to set the world on fire, but since it was my first lift in 4 days, it was past time.

BACK w/Biceps
Seated Cable Row - 2 Warm up sets, 220 x 8,8,8,8
Meadows Row - 2 plates (90lbs ish) x 10, 10, 10
EZ Bar Curl - 90lbs x 12, 12, 12, 12
Lat Pulldown - 175 x 12, 12, 12
DB Curl - 40lb x 12, 12, 12, 15

Like I said, just a get back into it session. I'll be pushing a bit more this week, no question.

Thanks to you all. Please check the LINKTREE. Be back soon.

AK

I'll See YOU at KEYCON 2025!!!

Much to my surprise,  a few weeks ago I received an invite from the organizers of KEYCON 2025 to take part in some panels, give new readers a chance to see what my words / books are all about and to mingle a bit with the local Genre Fandom.

Needless to say, I've flattered and excited to have been invited.

For those not in the know (and for SHAME if that to be the case) KEYCON is the long-running, not-for-profit, volunteer-run literary and genre convention held every year in Winnipeg over the Victoria Day Long Weekend. Activities and games with focuses on science fiction, fantasy, and all related genres within the mediums of writing, visual arts, television, and film.

JIM BUTCHER

KEYCON is a community-focused event, with a smaller, more personal experience compared to larger conventions. It's been a family-oriented event for many years with kids who're now bringing THEIR kids to take part in the activities going forward.

Obvious as a science-fiction / speculative fiction (wannabe) author myself it's always a thrill to take part, never mind be invited to participate. Especially this year  as I've been invited not only to take part in 5 separate panels, I will also be moderating one featuring the Literary Guests of Honour this year at KEYCON 41.

This Saturday May 18th at 3PM at the Hilton Winnipeg Airport Suites Hotel, I will be moderating a panel featuring renowned science-fiction and fantasy authors TANYA HUFF and JIM BUTCHER, where we will talk about the adaptation of their books from "Page to Screen" and the challenges within.

TANYA HUFF

 For more information about KEYCON 41, the schedule of events, activities, pricing and more - please check out their website HERE.

And yes, I'll have books and tee-shirts on hand for anyone interested .

Yes. I am very excited and am looking forward to this very much. 

See you this weekend!

AK

LINKTREE

May the Fourth Be With You

Yeah, I know. So very few of you come to my blog for nerdy stuff.

Too bad. It's the 4th of May, and while some amongst the community bristle at this "manufactured Star Wars Celebration" day (you know who you are) I am fine with embracing the silly and the wonderful lessons and adventures from a Galaxy Far, Far Away on this day - and every day frankly.

So many things to say about Star Wars. So many things already been said, and so much more to be said. Whether from the Imagineers at Lucasfilm bringing the joy and parables showing the power of Light and Dark within us all. Or from those within the community bringing insight and personal perspectives from their own lives and experiences. 

In the spirit of my favorite SW podcast (shout out to Ken, Joseph and Jennifer over at Forcecenter - go

Subscribe Today!!

subscribe people, they're doing DEEP Dives into Season 2 of Andor and it's fascinating) I would like to share a brief "Power of the Light Side" revelation that's come to me in recent weeks.

Star Wars truly is for everyone. No matter what some sad sack incels who didn't understand what the lesson of Luke throwing away his lightsaber, choosing empathy over revenge really meant. You know the types. 

But even those poor, misguided fellas (and yeah, they're definitely fellas)- Star Wars is for them too. Because the Power of the Light Side will eventually win them over, bring them to their empathy. To their acceptance. Or in failing that, forever the Dark Path they will follow and eventually they'll get cut in half, plummet down a forever shaft and - should they survive - perhaps their hate will be strong enough to help them create new mechanical legs for themselves.

That said, I know that those misguided types will fade and go away eventually. They certainly did as

enough time passed from the Prequels where - once they so reviled have now become beloved and celebrated by those who grew up with them. I mean, the re-release of Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith was damned near a sell out when I took my daughter to it last week. Which, for a movie she's seen at least 30 times, is a whole new experience seeing it on the Big Screen. 

And that ultimately is the point of Star Wars. It's oversimplistic to say "it's for 12 year-olds" as George Lucas himself famously said many times. Of course its a fantasy, best received by kids. However the lessons and stories and themes are universal. There's a reason why these movies and shows continue to resonate almost Fifty Years on!

It's not just guys and girls my age who grew up on the Original Trilogy anymore. It's multiple generations of fans who've had their minds expanded and their imaginations opened by the Endless Galaxy of Adventures.

Case in Point:

As I begin the process of moving I've been going through old collectibles and books. Amidst my collection is a bin of Star Wars novels, specifically original printings of what are now known as "Legends Novels" amongst the Expanded Universe.

These are books that I've loved that have sat in a dusty bin for two separate moves.

Logic told me "take'em to Goodwill and donate them." I wasn't trying to make a profit on these books, I mostly wanted them gone, but as an author myself and because I LVOED these books ... I really wanted to find them new readers.

So, with some trepidation, I put them up "for sale" online.

Within 2 weeks they were all gone.

Not to a bunch of gray beards like me wanting to finish out their collection - or collectors looking to resell them on eBay at a steep mark up.

To my surprise I sold ALL of my books to young folks who were SO Excited to get their hands on these stories. All of them late teens, early twenties. All of them bright, eager and creative types. All of them reminding me of a a kid I used to see in the mirror some Thirty Years ago.

So yeah. Star Wars is for everyone. And it is going to continue for an Age to come.

And I can't wait to see how the Galaxy continues to expand as these new artists and performers, writers, cosplayers, costumers, animators, Voice Over Artists, graphic designers, podcasters .... How every single one of them creates and consumes this thing that we've all loved and passes it on to others. For them to share it with their friends, their families and more.

"Pass on what you have learned." 

So yeah. May the Fourth be with You. 

AK

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