Year in Review: 2023

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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

Novels

  • Signed publishing contract! I signed a contract with a publishing house and I’ll have a new novel out sometime next year. Top goal!!! More info once I’m allowed to publicly announce.
  • Wolves of Vengeance became a #9 Best Seller in free Occult Horror Top 100 Free Kindle Books. https://www.amazon.com/Wolves-Vengeance-David-North-Martino-ebook/dp/B00F3GU182/ Top 10, baby!
  • Participated in the 1st annual  Terrify your Tablet/Spook your Kindle promotion.
  • Another one of my novels made it through 1st cuts and the full manuscript was requested.

Short Stories

Writers of the Future Honorable Mention 2nd Quarter 2023
Writers of the Future honorable Mention 3rd quarter 2023
  • Earned two Honorable Mentions in the Writers of the Future Contest (see above). The top 10% of entrants get Honorable Mentions. https://www.writersofthefuture.com
  • I edited “Tracer” from a rejection with comments to an Honorable Mention.

Sharpen the Saw

  • Attended: The Novel: From First Draft to Bookshelf Workshop with Jonathan Maberry.
  • Attended: Writing and Selling Short Stories Workshop with Jonathan Maberry.

Martial Arts

Rank Promotions

Essential Filipino Martial Arts Level 3 Basic Instructor 2023
Pacific Archipelago Concepts Level 3 Basic Instructor 2023
Jun Fan/ Jeet Kune Do Level One
  • Promoted to PAC-FMA Level 3 Instructor under Guro W. Hock Hochheim 2023 (See Above).
  • Listed as a Level 3 Instructor on Website. ForceNecessary.com
  • Began official ranking in Bruce Lee’s Jun Fan/Jeet Kune Do Concepts in the Sifu/Guro Inosanto Lineage.
  • Promoted to Jun Fan/Jeet Kune Do (JKD) Level 1 under Sifu Raffi Derderian.

Seminars

14-Hour Combination Seminar in Inosanto Kali and Presas Family Arnis 2023
Drowning in JKD Seminar at Derderian Academy of Martial Arts
Two-Day Double Impact Jeet Kune Do and Filipino Kali Seminar with Guro Raffi and Sifu Kevin Seaman
Chris LaCava’s Beat ‘Em & Treat ‘Em Tour (2023) at Coach Jeff Burger’s K.I.C.K Karate in Salem, MA. Stockton Multi-Style Escrima Sword & Knife Seminar.

Martial Arts Classes

Martial Arts Home Training

  • Began training Patty in JKD at home.
  • Continued solo home training utilizing Mook Jong, wife as training partner, Bas Thai Boxing workout, and free-weights.

Co-Host: The House of Mystery Radio Show on NBC

  • As heard on NBC News Radio in Los Angeles/Riverside/San Bernardino/Palm. Springs/Seattle/Tacoma/Salt Lake City/Phoenix and online podcasts. https://www.alanrwarren.com/house-of-mystery-radioshow
  • Interviewed James Patterson. 309,672 podcast plays/downloads, 30k Youtube views.
  • Interviewed Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child – 5th most popular interview in 2023! 173,000 plays/downloads/airing with a 2.1 ratings marketshare in L.A. (252,000 estimated listeners)!
  • Co-hosted over 100 new episodes.

Martino Movie Reviews on NBC

Youtube & Social Media

Interviews

Interviewed by Dominick Izzo on Them’s fightin’ Words! podcast. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSDjS5a3Csw&t=1920s

My Martial Arts Channel & HDaveMI

  • Continued to make long form and short form martial arts instruction videos on Youtube channel and also on Reelz, Instagram, and Tiktok. https://www.youtube.com/@davidnorth-martino/videos
  • Began HDaveMI movie review and physical media channel.
  • Earned top 5% in Facebook rising creators.

Podcasts

  • Published 3 episodes of the Live Martial Podcast.
  • Had martial arts teachers reach out who want to be on the show. I hope to expand the show next year.

Family & Friends

  • Mother’s Day at North End Diner.
  • Helped family member move into new apartment.
  • Celebrated 28th Wedding Anniversary with dinner at Ted’s Montana Grill. 
  • Visited In-Laws for get-together.
  • Father’s Day at North End Diner. 
  • Celebrated 31st Anniversary of our first date.
  • Cat-sat for our neighbor’s cats.
  • Cracker Barrel Thanksgiving takeout.
  • Continued friendship with Alan R. Warren. 
  • Continued friendship through email and social media with my former English professor. 
  • Kept up friendships with writer friends, martial arts friends, high school & college. friends on social media.
  • Made new writing and martial arts friends.

Health

  • Annual Physical – besides an increase in weight (it’s all muscle) everything looks good!
  • Eye doctor appointments -everything stable.
  • Cleanings with hygienist and X-rays A+.
  • Two appointments for crown installation.

Cars

  • Patty’s car – inspection, oil change, tire rotation.
  • My car towed Breaks, rotters, oil change, fluids, new battery.
  • Installed Cover Craft Dashboard cover on my car.
  • Drove 100 miles to reset computer in my car after battery died.

House

  • Get new bedroom air cleaner replaced through warranty service. 
  • New chair for Diesel.
  • Replaced aging recliners.
  • Installed nest Protect Smokes and CO2 Alarms.
  • Installed throw rug with mat in living room.
  • Replaced patio door handle in living room.
  • Troubleshoot dishwasher wasn’t draining. Hose clogged. Cleared out and draining again.

Movies at Theater

  • IMAX: Mission Impossible Dead Reckoning: Part 1.
  • IMAX: Oppenheimer 15/70 70mm film.
  • 50th Anniversary of Enter the Dragon at the Bellingham Regal Cinema.

AV/Tech

  • Apple Store Providence Place Mall. Replaced Patty’s Airpods Pro under limited warranty. 
  • Upgraded to iPhone 14 pro.
  • Upgrade to Panasonic 4k blu-ray player.
  • Increased our collection of 4k and blu-ray discs.

That’s all I can remember for now. It’s been a fantastic year of personal and professional accomplishment! See you in 2024!

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