​Where my work stands.

Being a writer of any kind will have its ups and downs. As with many writers, the thought of quitting likes to come and go as things become difficult. This year I focused mainly on putting content on my site, slowly improving with each post, be it blogging, short stories, or adding chapters to my ongoing story. Though I can’t be sure how many people thoroughly read my content, I hope the ones that do enjoy what I post.

My most significant setback this year was my decision not to move forward with a manuscript I submitted for editing in early January of this year. Once the report got back to me on how the story needed to be fixed for it to work, I realized I needed to move forward. Therefore, I made a difficult decision. I know I’m not the first writer to drop a manuscript consisting of tens of thousands of words, and I surely won’t be the last. Choosing where to invest your time and energy carefully is part of the craft. Of course, I’m saying nothing new; I’m sure any writer that may read this can relate.

I have hope for my next project. Though I’m only 15,000 words into my first draft at the time of this blog post, I feel good about the new project and have gotten good feedback from my inner circle. However, I still have a long way to go in completing it. Nevertheless, I get a step closer with each word I type.

​After an embarrassing week one loss to the Miami Dolphins, dropping 20 to 7 to the fins, the Patriots get their first win of the 2022-2023 NFL season against the Pittsburgh Steelers with a 17 to 14 victory. The game was close and could have gone either way, with the Patriots moving to a 1-1 record on the season and tied for last place in the division with the New York Jets. 

The Patriots open the scoring in the first quarter with a 28-yard field goal. The New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones had a strong performance, completing 21 of 35 passes, one leading to a touchdown and accumulating 252 passing yards during the game, even running it in for a first down, short of the forty-fifth-yard line in the fourth quarter. However, Mac Jones did struggle with the Steelers’ defence in the fourth quarter. 

The Patriots’ defence had a good showing, constantly putting pressure on the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mitch Trubisky and preventing him from making many big plays, including a second-quarter sack at the 18th-yard line and an interception in the same quarter. This held the Steelers to field goals for the first three-quarters of the game. However, the defence would get into some trouble by the Steelers’ offence in the fourth quarter, giving up a touchdown and two-point conversion. 

The Patriots would hold onto their three-point lead, beating the Steelers at home and set to face off against the Baltimore Ravens next week. We will see if they can keep up the winning momentum.

UFC Paris, France.

On September 3rd, 2022, UFC Paris took place and even though there were no titles on the line, there were many good fights on the card. I was particularly interested in the co-main event, the middleweight bought between Robert Whittaker vs Marvin Vettori. Both fighters had never faced each other before. In addition, both fighters have lost twice to the current middleweight champion Israel Adesanya. Finally, both fighters are competing to be called the second-best middleweight in the world. Not often do you hear professional athletes competing to be called the second best in the world; however, it doesn’t seem likely any fighter will be taking the belt from Israel Adesanya any time soon.

The first encounter was initially scheduled for June 11, 2022, at UFC 275. However, that fight would be cancelled due to Robert Whittaker sustaining an injury during training camp. Marvin Vettori lives to fight and hates cancellations. As seen at the weigh-in, showing his displeasure with Whittaker by refusing to shake his hand and aggressively getting in his face.

The fight would be a standing affair, with both fighters trading blows for three rounds, only going to the ground once due to a successful takedown by Whittaker. Vettori would defend, mostly looking for an opening to strike. Contrary to Whittaker, breaking thought Vettori’s defence and landing 74 of 166 strikes to Vettori’s 33 of 121. In the third round, Whittaker would turn up the heat, landing a few more heavy shots on Vettori, including a number of strikes to the face that drew blood. Also, stopped a takedown attempt by Vettori. 

Robert Whittaker wins the fight by unanimous decision. Whittaker remains the leading contender for the belt though it’s hard to imagine him facing off against champ Adesanya in the near future. Due to Whittaker losing to Adesanya at UFC 271 back in February of this year. I imagine a rematch between Whittaker and Vettori will happen before Whittaker faces off against Adesanya for the third time.  

Dad Joke

I think it was 2018, the first time I heard the theory that Cuban Dictator Fidel Castro is the biological father of current Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. At first, I thought it was just a joke. Then I compare photos of both leaders side to side. I admit I do see a resemblance as many other people do.
Researching this theory further, I found it has been debunked. Simply put, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was born on December 25, 1971. His father, former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, and Mother Margaret Trudeau were married ten months earlier, on March 4, 1971. There is no evidence that Margaret Trudeau met Fidel Castro during that time or any time before 1976, during the Trudeau family’s famous visit to Cuba. Resulting in a friendship forming between the two leaders and Canadian-Cuban relations remaining vital to this day.    

​However, I began to ask myself, where did this idea come from? Indeed not, out of thin air. There must be more this theory is based on than just a strong resemblance. As the saying goes, there is some truth in every joke.
To answer this question, I had to go back to 2016. On November 25, 2016, Fidel Castro died, and in Justin’s eulogy/press release, he praises Fidel Castro calling him a great leader. Naturally, this angered many people. Around this time, the theory started circulating around the internet and eventually went mainstream, with #trudeaueulogy trending on Twitter at the time. 

After understanding the origins of this theory, I ask myself why it is so believable. First, there is a resemblance between the leaders. Second, Justin’s comments from the press release. Third, Margaret Trudeau. She had an affair while Pierre Trudeau was in office. As well, she had a close relationship with Fidel. 

In conclusion, on the surface, it seemed possible because of many little reasons, and that’s why the idea went mainstream. And it is a funny joke, but once you look a little deeper, it has no basis in reality.    


Sources:

National Post Article by Tristin Hopper, March 4th, 2022:
https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/why-fidel-castro-is-not-justin-trudeaus-dad-even-though-he-really-really-looks-like-him

Global News article from February 17th, 2018:
https://globalnews.ca/news/4032280/justin-trudeau-is-not-fidel-castro-son/
 
YouTube video "Trudeau Sparks Castro Controversy" by CBC News, November 28th, 2016:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXcrXXRlhTA&ab_channel=CBCNews%3ATheNational

I'm Talk'in Here.

I like how some stories can transport you to different times and places. I recently listened to an audiobook that seems to perfectly encapsulate the 1950s Middle America era the story is set in. The book is called ‘The Executioners’, a novel by John D. MacDonald. Although you’ll be more familiar with the 1991 film adaptation ‘Cape Fear’ directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Robert De Niro. The film differs from the book, as is usually the case. As I was listening to the story, I almost felt as though I was transported back in time. It’s a cleanly written story. Dark, dramatic, suspenseful, but can drag on a bit at times, such as when the boat club the main character Sam Bowden is a member of is first introduced. 

My favourite aspect of the story is the dialogue. Listening to how the characters speak to each other in 1950s American English spoken at the time. I’m writing this blog post in Toronto, Canada, in 2022, and I found it interesting how differently they speak English from myself. I found it direct and yet more dramatic. Even though you can understand what they were saying, it sounds like they are speaking in code. 

Phrases such as: “As far as rackets, this town is out to lunch.” “All around here is small timey…” “… I started the wheels rolling on your old buddy.” “…give you the shakes.” “He’ll keep on look’in for it and any time he want’s to, shake loose….” “Work him over with some bicycle chain.” “I’m pretty well snowed under out here.” “He’s as mean as a snake.” “Let’s stop the run-around, Maxi” “I bet he’s sour at himself for miss’in.” Just to mention a few.

Obviously, due to lack of context, some of these lines from the story may be hard to understand. For example: "As far as rackets, this town is out to lunch." "Rackets" refers to illegal businesses operated by a criminal organization to produce cash profits for members. "Town is out to lunch" means there is little to no illegal business operating in the city. 
Next: "He'll keep on look'in for it and any time he want's to, shake loss…." This refers to the story's antagonist's intelligence and cunning. He knows when he's being followed and how to then disappear. 
Finally: "… I started the wheels rolling on your old buddy." This means the protagonist's co-worker did a background check on the antagonist. Just to name a few.
​
The story also tries to set itself in the real world. One chapter points out tropes in noir/pulp or thriller/crime fiction. The story is not for everyone. Listening to it, I thought, how interesting that setting was and amazed at how much the world has changed. In how we live our lives now compared to how people lived back then, especially how we speak English..