Old School Martial Arts…? But Why?

Had a great conversation about martial arts with host Dominick Izzo on Them’s Fightin’ Words! Podcast We talk traditional vs. modern and even express our love of martial arts cinema. This is an episode you don’t want to miss! While you’re at it, subscribe to his channel!

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Year in Review: 2022

Each year I create a list of goals for every area of my life. Throughout the year I work my goals, track my progress, and commit to posting my top accomplishments. I hope to inspire others to do the same.

Writing

Short Stories

  • My story, “The Midnight Club,” appeared in The Horror Zine’s Book of Werewolf Stories published by HorrorBound Press. I shared pages with Ramsey Campbell, Nancy Kilpatrik, JG Fraherty and other great writers.
  • Received hard copies of the anthology.
  • Received audio book on Audible.

Magic Moment: Review from Heather Miller:

…The Horror Zine’s Book of Werewolf Stories brings together twenty-five shirt-ripping, teeth-baring, guttural-snarling stories from names big and small. The collection includes tales written from both the victim’s and the wolf’s perspective. There are werewolves who are bloodthirsty monsters and those who try their hardest to retain some sense of humanity. There are stories which question whether their characters are werewolves at all or men suffering from psychiatric delusions. There are wolves at war, wolves at sea, wolves in the woods and wolves in the city. A few stories which stood out to me:

“The Change” by Ramsey Campbell – a psychological horror in which a writer becomes obsessed with – and then paranoid about – the strangers who gather just beyond his window in the blue glow of a bus stop lamp, and regresses to a primitive form of himself in his distress.

“Savages” by Trish Wilson – a feral child is found and held for observation, until the wolves who raised him come back for what’s theirs.

“The Midnight Club” by David North-Martino – a serial killer who lives for the thrill of the hunt gets what’s coming to him when his prey turns to predator.

“Origin of the Species” by JG Faherty – easily my favorite story in the whole collection, this one gives us a fascinating origin story for the werewolf race.

With an introduction by Stephen Graham Jones and a foreword by WD Gagliani, this anthology of moonlight metamorphosis is a great addition to any horror lover’s library, and a much-needed tome on a worthy but oft-overlooked horror character.

  • Writer’s of the Future Honorable Mention 2nd Quarter 2022.
  • Submitted to 11 markets.
  • Wrote 1 new short story this year.
    • Received my certificate for The L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Contest Semi-Finalist for Expiation, 3rd Quarter 2021.

Novels

  • Sent out novel to the Berkely Open Submission Program in January – “No decision has been made about your query at this time.” No news IS good news!
  • Sent a novel submission to Cemetery Dance Books.
  • Completed new novel and forwarded to 1st reader.

Media

Radio/ Podcast/ Co-Host

  • As heard on NBC News Radio in Los Angeles/Riverside/San Bernardino/Palm Springs/Seattle/Tacoma/Salt Lake City/Phoenix and online podcasts.
  • House of Mystery Radio show on NBC in 2022 was the #3 most popular show in Los Angeles Market! It averaged a 2.4 market share (57,600 listeners per episode average) and had 2.9 million downloads/plays from our website!
  • Interviewed Dean Koontz.
  • Dean Koontz episode had a 4.4 market share with approximately 288,000 listeners.
  • Completed my first show acting as main host interviewing Reb MacRath.
  • Completed my second show acting as main host with co-host D.W. Gillespie interviewing Meg Hafdahl Science of Stephen King.
  • Completed my third show as main host interviewing Alex Gillis Taekwondo: A Killing Art.
  • Promoted to main co-host September 9, 2022.
  • Interviewed Simon Gervaise with Joe Goldberg co-hosting.
  • Constantly co-hosted weekly throughout 2022. Over 100 shows!
  • Assisted with edits, preproduction, and postproduction.
  • https://www.alanrwarren.com/house-of-mystery-radioshow

Movie Reviews

Youtube and other Video Platforms

  • Had a Kali knife video go semi-viral gaining over 9K views and 64 subscribers.
  • Decided to focus my Youtube channel on martial arts videos.
  • Achieved 100 subscriber and 300 subscriber milestones.
  • Featured on Izzo’s Wing Chun gaining me at least 70 subscribers.
  • 433 subscribers as of December.
  • Gained 400 new subscribers this year.
  • 80K total views, 33.5K watch-time minutes, and 1,268 total likes.
  • Made new friends in the martial arts Youtube communtiy.
  • Learned and began editing videos using iMovie.
  • Learned and began creating thumbnails using Canva.
  • Made Youtube Shorts.
  • Posted short videos to Tiktok, Facebook, and Instagram.
  • Uploaded over 48 shorts with over 36.2K views.
  • Top viewed shorts: Tae Kwon Do Sparring, 9 Sword Cuts.
  • Top viewed videos: Solo Knife Drills, Sword to Knife, Chain Punching From Yip Man to Bruce Lee to Taky Kimura.

Check out my Youtube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWAGfK61_Pc6vOlOmUD1sRg

Martial Arts

  • Celebrated 35 years of formal martial arts training and teaching.
  • Joined The Korea Taekwondo Moo Duk Kwan Association.
  • The Korea Taekwondo Moo Duk Kwan Association accepted me as a 3rd degree black belt and issued a backdated certificate to my original promotion and signed by the President of the Association.
  • Made friends with members of the association.
  • Set up Mook Jong.
  • Home training 3x per week various arts.
  • Attended “Drowning in Kali 2022” at the Derderian Academy of Martial Arts.
  • Attended 2-day 14 hour weekend seminar Inosanto-Lacosta Blend/Presas Family (Modern) Arnis with teachers Guro Raffi Derderian and Guro Hock Hochheim at Chris Thompson – Just Train in North Kingston, RI.
  • Achieved First Level in Guro W. Hock Hocheim’s Essential Filipino Martial Arts System.

Achieved 1st Level in W. Hock Hocheim’s Pacific Archipelago (Combatives) Concepts.

Health

  • I had a cracked tooth fixed and my 6 month cleanings.
  • I had my booster.
  • Colonoscopy (I’m officially old!).
  • Eye Doctor – everything stable.
  • Brought Diesel for his vet appointments.
  • Annual physical – everything normal. All numbers good. I just need to lose a little weight.

Family

  • January after holiday (2021) get-together with the in-laws.
  • Celebrated 27 years of marriage & 30 Years together!
  • Helped my sister-in-law set up a Roku and Ooma Telo.
  • Ate breakfast with parents at the North End Diner. I helped my Dad take down his tent from campsite. Went with my mother to a jeweler to consider resizing original wedding ring.
  • Called my parents at least twice a week.
  • Decided to get new wedding ring. Also got a groove ring for martial arts training.
  • Chewy sent us a painting of Diesel and later sent him a Christmas gift.
  • We began training Diesel on a harness.
  • Attended local Independence Day Parade.
  • Attended Patty’s work dinner.
  • Thanksgiving and Christmas at home this year with sister-in-law.
  • Cat-sat for our neighbor.
  • Kept up with my friend and former English professor through email.
  • Continued a great friendship with Al Warren.

Cars

  • Both cars inspected.
  • General maintenance on both cars.

Travel & Fun

  • Quiet Riot, Slaughter, and Steve Pearcy (Ratt) at Mohegan Sun Arena. Summer Shack for dinner and drinks.
  • Went to see Scream (2022)at the theater and dinner at the 110 Grill.
  • NKOTB MixTape at Mohegan Sun Arena. Summer Shack for dinner and drinks.
  • Kevin James at the Hanover Theater in Worcester, MA. Dinner at Chashu Ramen & Izakaya.

House

  • Had old gas water heater disabled and blocked and a new electric water heater installed in the closet. The old water heater couldn’t be replaced and remain up to code so a new one had to be relocated. We got estimates from three companies.
  • Had outlet replaced.
  • Replaced smoke alarms.
  • Replaced thermostat that stopped working. I was able to do this myself!
  • Had upstairs fill-valve etc. replaced.
  • Had downstairs toilet replaced. The old one was from 1955!
  • The condo association provided us with a dumpster for spring cleaning.
  • Management company fixed damage on front stoop.
  • Management company fixed woodpecker damage on our Townhouse.
  • Installed coat rack in foyer.

Whisk(e)y, Spirits & Cocktails

  • Greenspot Irish Whisky.
  • Black Saddle 12 – smooth, sweet rum raisin, cinnamon, carmel.
  • Kaiyo Mizunara Oak Japanese Whisky.
  • Lagavulin 8 – cough sweets, rum raisin, plumb, peppery spice, smoke, dry finish, like a white wine. 
  • Meiomi Pinot Noir.
  • Kohi Martini – Casamigos Reposado, espresso, brew, coffee liquor, simple syrup.
  • Dublin Smash cocktail – Irish whiskey, mint, lemon, simple syrup.
  • Bourbon Cherry Bomb cocktail.

A/V & Tech

  • Free subscription to Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu with Ads from Verizon.
  • Free year of AMC+.
  • Got a subscription to Friendly TV to supplement antenna.
  • Patty Replaced ear pads on cinema headphones.

That’s all I can remember for now. See you in 2023!

Korea Taekwondo Moo Duk Kwan Association 3rd-degree black belt certificate.

Look what came in the mail! The Korea Taekwondo Moo Duk Kwan Association has accepted me as a 3rd degree black belt and issued this certificate backdated to my original promotion date. They are the original TKD MDK organization established by members of the MDK who unified into the KTA in 1965. Rank is an obligation, not a privilege. As such, I will endever to live up to the trust they have put in me and will represent them to my hightest ability. 

https://www.koreataekwondomoodukkwan.com

The Horror Zine’s Book of Werewolf Stories

It’s here! Includes my story, “The Midnight Club!”

“It’s here and available for purchase now! Includes an introduction by Stephen Graham Jones, a foreword by WD Gagliani, and spine-chilling tales of lycanthropy from Ramsey Campbell, JG Faherty, Susie Moloney, Nancy Kilpatrick, and a myriad of other noteworthy authors.” Go here: https://www.amazon.com/TheV-Horror-Zines-Werewolf-Stories/dp/1953905323/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1647347788&sr=8-8&fbclid=IwAR31H0povZJt1dkI-vggrMYR9lbJzsMXUJFyvcfkv_1l8xzFv-AzK4QiE7c

Year in Review: 2021

Each year I create a list of goals for every area of my life. Throughout the year I work my goals, track my progress, and commit to posting my top accomplishments. I hope to inspire others to do the same.

Media

Radio

  • Invited to co-host for The House of Mystery Radio Show on NBC News Radio.
  • Set up a radio studio in our media room to facilitate co-hosting duties.
  • Co-hosted over 80 shows, provided banter, and assisted with editing and marketing.
  • This year we became the #6 show in the Los Angeles Market over the air with a 2.5 – 3.2 market share and 46,153 listeners per episode.
  • Podcast version had 1,923,359 downloads/plays from website/podcast platforms.
  • Listen to the show here https://www.alanrwarren.com/house-of-mystery-radioshow

Movie Reviews

Short Story Writing

  • My story, “Expiation,” was a Semi-Finalist in the 3rd Quarter of The Writers of the Future Contest Vol. 38. Certificate on the way! https://www.writersofthefuture.com/writers-of-the-future-3rd-quarter-winners-announced-for-volume-38/
  • Sold a short story to a 2022 upcoming anthology. More info soon!
  • Submitted to 11 short story markets.
  • Wrote 1 new short story and sold it.
  • Edited a short story from an honorable mention into a semi-finalist.
  • Re-edited and polished all short stories before submission.
  • Received good feedback and made it into 3rd read pile for a well known small press magazine.

Novel Writing

  • Finished proof reading draft of The Tower 78,000 words.
  • Finished restructuring draft of Year of the Demon.
  • Finished proof reading draft of Year of the Demon 80,000 words.

Martial Arts

Certificate of Participation in the Moo Duk KWAN 75th Anniversary Virtual Celebration
  • Received certificate and challenge coin for attending last year’s MDK 75th anniversary.
  • Invited to and attended advanced Kali seminar at Derderian Academy of Martial Arts. We covered mostly levels 5 and 6 with the lift series double stick (baston), Panatukan (mano, mano – Filipino Boxing), espada y daga (stick/sword and knife), foot drags, disarms, arm drags. Lacosta 8 and 10. Trained with my friend Tony, a great instructor in his own right, who helped me with new material.
Master Tony D. and me training Filipino Boxing
  • I called my cousin Thorny and received verbal instruction in various martial arts.
My Tae Kwon Do Moo Duk Kwan teacher Grandmaster Tony Gould performing a jump spinning kick back in the days of bare foot and knuckle tournaments
  • Grandmaster Tony Gould passed away this year. RIP.
  • I made some martial arts TKD/JKD/Kickboxing videos. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JSh2IARl90
  • Continued solo training TKD foundation, JKD, Filipino boxing, Kali drills, and sword cuts. HIIT Bas Rutten Thai Boxing three 2 min rounds 3x per week.
  • Improved stretch and high kicking.
  • Began the process of joining a prestigious Tae Kwon Do association.

Family & Friends

  • Brought my mother to see Frankie Valli at the Mohegan Sun Arena. Great show!
  • Began friendship with Al Warren.
  • Patty got a new job in Information Security!
  • Kept up with my friend and former English professor through email.
  • Called my cousin Thorny.
  • Visited in-laws for Thanksgiving dinner at my niece’s house.
  • Called my parents at least twice a week.
  • Celebrated 26 years of marriage & 29 years together.
  • Brought Diesel to yearly physical along with distemper and rabies shots.

Health

  • Physical and flu shot. My weight was up but otherwise healthy.
  • Moderna and booster.
  • Got new prescription glasses and sun glasses at Visionworks.
  • Dermatologist – had an ingrown hair removed. Biopsied just to be sure.
  • Dental Cleanings. Gold star.
  • Ophthalmology changed med. Stable.

Cars

  • Mazda – Oil changes, tire rotation, Mass Inspection.
  • Subaru – Oil changes, tire rotation, Mass Inspection, new alternator, new battery.

House

  • Replaced air cleaners.
  • Set up new larger desk, chair, and double monitors for Patty’s new job. Also brought down and repurposed a bookcase and put together a printer stand.
  • The Association had a company come in to clean dryer vents.
  • Victory performed plumbing work.
  • Replaced defective garbage disposal. I installed it myself.
  • Rearranged media room and set up desk to create radio and podcasting studio.
  • Placed humidifiers upstairs and downstairs.
  • Cleaned out garage and had Affordable Junk Removal haul away the crap.

AV/Tech

  • Replaced and set up a new modem and router and connected all our devices.
  • Installed an air TV 2 as a replacement for the now defunct Locast.
  • Switched to Ooma for VOIP Phone. Phone bill went from $40 per month to $6.00.
  • Replaced dead subwoofer and paired to Vizio sound bar.
  • Cordcutting: Utilized multiple free trials and sales including Paramount +, Disney +, AMC +, Discovery +, Epix, Starz, Apple Music, and Sling.

Whisk(e)y, Spirits, & Cocktails

Summer Shack Knob Creek Old Fashioned Cocktail at Mohegan Sun. These were powerful!
  • Longhorn Old Fashioned
  • Maple Old Fashioned – Tavern on the Square
  • Outback Old Fashioned
  • Pumpkin Beer Nitro
  • Elijah Craig Small Batch – Tasting notes: buttercream and cinnamon.
  • Bully Boy Negroni cocktail in a bottle.
  • Knob Creek Bourbon – 9 Years old.
  • Knob Creek Maple Burbon
  • Jameson Watermelon cooler for Patty.
  • Rye Rickey for Patty

Travel & Fun

Patty and Dave waiting to be seated at Summer shack before the Monkees Farewell Tour.
  • The Monkees Farewell Tour at Mohegan Sun Arena. This was one of Michael Nesmith’s last shows before his unfortunate passing. Dinner at Summer Shack.
  • Went to see Rocky Vs. Drago at the Regal Cinema. Had fajitas and margaritas at Chili’s. Patty got steak and avocado. We sat at the bar to kill time and went to the paper store. The seats at Regal were uncomfortable. 

That’s all for now. See you in 2022!

Martino Movie Reviews

In conjunction with Alan R. Warren and The House of Mystery Radio Show, I have a new page for movie reviews. I’ll give you the skinny on the best and worst movies to stream. Now that theaters are opening back up, I’ll also cover theatrical releases whenever possible. I hope you’ll bookmark the page and come back again and again.

https://www.alanrwarren.com/martino-movie-reviews

My first review https://www.alanrwarren.com/martinomoviereviews/review%3A-the-conjuring%3A-the-devil-made-me-do-it

The House of Mystery Radio Show

If you haven’t heard, I’m co-hosting The House of Mystery Radio Show on NBC News Radio. Alan Warren, and a bevy of talented co-hosts, delve deeply into the creative process of our writerly guests. Listen live Monday – Friday 9 p.m. PST on KCAA 106.5 FM Los Angeles/ 102.3 FM Riverside/ 1050 AM Palm Springs or stream online at https://www.alanrwarren.com/hom-how-to-listen

Listen live at 5p.m. MT on KYAH 540 a.m. Salt Lake City or stream live at https://www.alanrwarren.com/hom-how-to-listen

Missed an episode? Listen to the archived podcast versions of all the shows at

https://www.alanrwarren.com/hom-podcast-episodes

Thanks for listening! 

Radio Interview

I was interviewed by Allen R. Warren on the House of Mystery Radio Show airing on NBC News Radio. We talk about my book, Wolves of Vengeance, and all things writing. Listen live January 21, 2021 at 9 P.M. Pacific Time/12 A.M. Eastern on KCAA 106.5 F.M. LA/ 102.3 F.M. Riverside/1050 A.M. Palm Springs, 4 P.M. Mountain Time on 540 A.M. Salt Lake City or streaming online at the House of Mystery website below. 



https://www.alanrwarren.com/hom-scifi-horror-interviews

Year in Review 2020

Each year I create a list of goals for every area of my life. Throughout the year I work on my goals, track my progress, and then commit to posting my top accomplishments. I hope to inspire you to do the same. 

This was a difficult year for all of us. When talk of the lockdowns began, I decided to ask myself a question: how do I use the lockdown to make every area of my life better? I wanted to put my efforts and resources into positive action and still have an outstanding year despite obstacles that were outside my control. 

Writing

I’ll start with short stories since I decided to put a lot of time into the creation, editing, and submitting of short tales. My efforts paid off with one acceptance and two honorable mentions. More info below.

Short Stories

My story Shattered was accepted and published in the Horror Zine’s 11th Anniversary issue. You might still find it free to read here.

Atonement received an Honorable Mention in the L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Contest 1st quarter 2020. 

Received an honorable mention for my story Leviathan in the L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Contest for 3rd quarter 2020.  (Including last year, this was the 3rd story that received this honor in a row).

Completed and sent a new story (5,000 words) to Writers of the Future contest 4th quarter. 

Wrote a 1,700 word short story for Weird Tales but the contest was canceled. The story is cooling while awaiting an edit and a new market.  

Sent stories to 24 markets including WOTF, The Horror Zine & the Baen Fantasy Award. More than normal and due to Covid restrictions. 

Each story submitted received a new polish edit bringing writing up to current standard. 

Wrote 2 new stories, one for Weird Tales and the other for WOTF. 

Magic Moments

Editor told me I was writing at a profesional level. 

Received invites to resubmit from pro and semi-pro publications.  

Had a top editor include me in a post where he touted the quality of fiction in the Horror Zine.

Reading

I love to read but have been a little distracted. I’ll make it a goal to read more next year.

Marketing

I fell off from blogging and only posted 1 video related to writing. 

An opportunity arose that I can’t talk about yet. Stay tuned, I’ll let you know more by the middle of January.  

Completed the free Writers of the Future writing workshop. It’s great! What are you waiting for? Take the workshop here.  

Novels

Completed up to Chapter 17 in Black Magic Bullets that began as an NaNoWriMo project. As the Covid lockdown took over, I found myself spending more time finishing up a completed novel and writing short fiction for the WOTF contest. I received good feedback on this first draft, including an excited reader who compared my story to the Dresden Files. 

Completed the ProWritingAid edit of The Tower. I deleted over 30k words bringing the story from 90k to 60k. I cut this thing to the bone! 

Reassessed Year of the Demon and am considering transforming it into urban fantasy. If nothing else, I’ve decided to put it through another round of edits before sending it out again. 

Darkness Absolute (working title)

Began a redux in late February bringing the events back to the late 1990s. Hopefully it will be complete by the time 90s nostalgia hits. 

Wolves of Vengeance 

On account of the lockdowns, I decided to do a free kindle promotion of WoV. 

Free kindle promotion received 31 downloads. 

ProWritingAid purchased WoV as part of a Facebook promotion

Martial Arts and Physical fitness 

With many martial arts seminars on hold, I wanted to make sure I kept up with solo training. My main goals were to burn calories, stay sharp, and improve my flexibility.  Most of my kicking had been centered around practical low line techniques. I decided to return to high kicks to increase my stretch. 

Warmed up and stretched before each session (ballistic, static, active, etc.).

I purchased Marco Lala’s stretching video and put his recommendations into practice. Check out his products here.

Performed shadow kickboxing session 3 times per week with Patty. 

Utilized Bas Rutten’s Thai Boxing workout routine 3-4 two minute rounds with one-minute rest. This is high Intensity Interval training (HIIT). You can still get his MMA Workout CDs & DVD here.

Practiced combination kicking with an emphasis on high kicks for stretching. Spinning and turning kicks to reclaim agility. 

Hojo Undo (supplementary exercises): Performed the 1st five dumbell exercises in the original P90X program, low weight high reps 3x per week. Performed calisthenics on many opposite days. Also, practiced various squats for leg day.  

Diesel helps us with our training.

Ken Suburi (basic sword cuts) Inspired by the last korean sword seminar I attended, I performed 100 sword cuts per session with bokken from various stances. 

Kata/hyung worked various forms and studied bunkai and oyo for practical effectiveness. Focused on improving Gankaku/Jindo. In the early days we learned advanced forms for testing but tended not to go back to them. 

Sinawalli: practiced double stick solo paterns shadow and on targets. 

Knife: practiced basic knife cuts and patterns along with live hand positioning. 

Improved my high kicks to where I can once again kick above my own head height. 

Created the Warrior Temple Garage Dojang. I utilized the dumpster provided by our condo association to clean out the garage. I swept the area, put down puzzle mats, hung up an American and Korean Flag and equipped the area with training items including a target bag. 

Warrior Temple Lockdown Garage Dojang.

Began wearing a fitness tracker. Discovered that even with exercise I’m struggling to maintain moderate activity during the lockdown.

I posted some martial arts videos on YouTube. As the summer heated up, I fell out of making videos. I might go back to it eventually. 

I attended some virtual seminars on FaceBook Live.

I was accepted as a Moo Duk Kwan Herritage Member. 

I attended the 75th anniversary of the Moo Duk Kwan Zoom seminar. It was amazing to reconnect to my Moo Duk Kwan roots, roots that go back to my Dad and my 2nd cousin. 

I utilized a free GracyU program preview but I fell out of using it. 

Family 

Called my parents 2x per week.

Celebrated 25 years of marriage & 28 years together.

Post Christmas get together at in-laws in January 2020.

Visited parents at Foxwoods

Diesel’s yearly physical along with distemper and rabies shots. 

Helped my parents with their car radio—went up for a visit and had lunch. 

Health

February Eye Appointment.

March Dentist Cleaning.

August eye appointment.

September Dental Cleaning with full x-rays. 

November Annual physical. Everything normal but I could use to lose a little Covid weight. I was up 5 pounds.

I began weighing in again and counting calories. Then I found that just limiting my calorie intake worked better than keeping track in a food planner.

By restricting calories and continued exercise, I was able to lose the 5 pounds by the middle of December. This goal continues and is on going. My last weigh-in near the end of December showed I had lost close to 7 pounds since my physical.

Cars

Patty was sideswiped in a parking garage and we had Liberty Auto fix the damage. We only paid deductible. 

Had airbags replaced through a Subaru recall for my car. 

Mass State Inspection for both cars. 

Air Conditioner Warranty Repair at Mazda for Patty’s car. 

House

Lockdown Office.

Purchased a desk and set up an office for Patty to work from home during lockdown. 

Purchased draw organizers for kitchen. 

Removed hutch on entertainment center to streamline and make more modern. 

Utilized dumpster provide by association to clean out garage. Turned garage into lockdown dojang.

Purchased Robot Vac to keep house tidy. 

Attached a strap to our living room TV to make it Diesel proof. Patty let me use power tools? 

Travel

Hahaha! Our plans were sidelined by Covid. 

AV/Tech/Cord-cutting

Canceled Philo. It’s a great service and cheap, but we weren’t watching it enough.

Began donating $5 per month to Locast to get reliable local stations through streaming.  

Got a 3 month trial of Peacock. We didn’t watch it enough and canceled.

STARZ – we got a couple free 3 month previews. Not enough movies or shows we were interested in to keep. 

HBO $10 a month for 3 months through Amazon. We ended up going with the HBO Max promotion for $11 a month.

We tried two weeks of YouTube TV but we rarely watch anything except local/network programing. It’s a great service but canceled after the trial. 

Sling Happy Hour free after 5pm or something like that. We signed up and it’s a good service but we didn’t use it enough to justify the cost after the free Happy Hour ended. 

We watched The Phantom of the Opera musical free on YouTube. 

Epix was free for a time on Apple+ and we watched a couple movies. 

Love Never Dies free on YouTube. 

Watched Halloween 2018 on Blu-Ray as part of a Twitter watch party with the cast. 

Watched Sly Stallone discuss Rocky while watching movie live streaming. 

I began posting Youtube videos regarding dollar tree finds and movie collecting.

Xfinity provided us with a free subscription to Peacock Premium along with a free Flex streaming box. 

Other interest/passions

Don’t mind the homophone confusion in the title. Should read: Dollar Tree Blu-Ray Haul!

Made many trips to Dollar Tree stores in my surrounding area to pick up DVDs and Blu-Ray discs. 

Purchased some movies on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. 

Sampled Redbreast 12 Irish Potstill Whisky. So good! This was my first time sipping an authentic Irish whisky that’s not a blend. 

That’s about it for this year. See you in 2021!!!