Archive for the Observation Category

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Tinder: Advice for Women from a Man’s Perspective.

Posted in Observation, Pretensions toward cultural theory, Ridiculous curiosity with tags , , , , , , , on September 20, 2014 by Jarrod Boyle

Tinder-homepage

I have been opposed to using Tinder. The idea of accepting or rejecting people on the basis of their appearance seems to me (as a person aging away from the intersection of technology and culture) to be an ugly, depersonalizing, objectifying practice.

Then, of course, I found myself at home for whatever-night-in-a-row with Jane Austen, Chester Himes and Haruki Murakami and, good as they are, two of them are dead, one is Japanese and none of them are going to fuck me. Say what you like about casual sex; there is no better way to stave of the chill of existential angst. Continue reading →

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Tyson the Raconteur

Posted in Journalism, Observation with tags , , , on September 11, 2014 by Jarrod Boyle

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http://uproxx.com/tv/2014/09/mike-tyson-snapped-at-a-journalist-who-brought-up-his-rape-conviction-on-live-tv/

Mike Tyson was in Toronto, delivering his spoken word show ‘The Undisputed Truth’. While there, he was interviewed on television to both promote his show and the mayoral candidate he was there to support. Continue reading →

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Billy Joel – ‘She’s Always A Woman To Me.’

Posted in Music, Observation, Real Men with tags , , , , , on August 28, 2014 by Jarrod Boyle

The singer/songwriter genre is the most esteemed category of ‘popular’ music. Continue reading →

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Congratulations, Mick and Josina

Posted in Observation with tags , , , , , , on August 24, 2014 by Jarrod Boyle

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Mick Valentine married Josina Murray on Saturday. He’s a lucky man; she’s a wonderful woman. I’m sure they deserve each other. I wish for them all the very best.

“If we shadows have offended,

Think but this, and all is mended –

That you have but slumbered here

While these visions did appear.

And this weak and idle theme,

No more yielding but a dream,

Gentles, do not reprehend.

If you pardon, we will mend.

And, as I am an honest Puck,

If we have unearned luck

Now to ‘scape the serpent’s tongue,

We will make amends ere long;

Else the Puck a liar call.

So, good night unto you all.

Give me your hands, if we be friends,

And Robin shall restore amends.”

-Shakespeare,

A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

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Hard Hank: My Hero

Posted in Observation, Real Men with tags , , on August 24, 2014 by Jarrod Boyle

henry-rollins

Henry Rollins has always been one of my heroes. I was disturbed to read the following piece, published in the LA Weekly in reaction to Robin Williams’ tragic suicide.

I was deeply impressed to read his public apology posted on his personal website shortly after.

The man has the courage of his convictions.

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The Dark Side of Unconditional Love

Posted in Observation, Reading with tags , , , on August 12, 2014 by Jarrod Boyle

Bill-sikes

It is said that unconditional love is the kind of love we should aspire to; it’s the state of loving in which you love someone, regardless of whether they love you in return, or even treat you well. It is to achieve a state of selflessness as a result of your feelings.

It has occurred to me that this is not always a good thing. Continue reading →

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Kafka’s Mouse and Bukowski’s Bluebird

Posted in Fiction, Observation, Reading, Real Men with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on July 7, 2014 by Jarrod Boyle

Book maze

I read Kafka’s The Trial earlier in the year, and it was a boring read that paid off in a big way by the end. Continue reading →

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Autobiography of a Loser

Posted in Observation, Reading, Real Men with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , on June 26, 2014 by Jarrod Boyle

bukowski2

A lot of people think Charles Bukowski’s Ham on Rye is his best novel. Continue reading →

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Fighting Words

Posted in Kickboxing, Observation, Real Men, Statement of intention with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on June 8, 2014 by Jarrod Boyle

Island kick shotFirst published in Island Magazine, Issue 136.

There are two things I am driven to do: write and fight. Continue reading →

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Hagiography

Posted in Ben Edwards, Journalism, Kickboxing, Observation, Peter Graham, Real Men, Statement of intention with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 31, 2014 by Jarrod Boyle

Global-Fighting-Championship-29-May-2014

“What a night. What can I say? Badr Hari is an animal. I was just too banged up to keep going. To my loving wife Silvia, my now-two little girls; you keep me strong.


“To my friends who have always been there for me, thank-you as you are all awesome. To my students at IMC Prospect: train hard and always do your best.

“Last, but not least, my fans; from the Kyokushin and Kempo karate people and the BJJ, MMA, Boxing And kickboxing fans who follow me and even the ones who do not or cannot, thank-you from the bottom of my heart.


“You are all part of who I am.”

Post-fight dedication from Peter Graham, taken from facebook, 30/05/14

***

I logged a post about Ben Edwards previously to this one. I was assigned to interview him for the most recent International Kickboxer Magazine and, towards the end of our conversation, he came out with something profound. Continue reading →

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