2018 'Best-Of' Posts and Hopes for 2019

2018 has been a breakthrough year for the blog.

After my creative lull in 2016 and 2017 where I would only post on the blog a few times a year, I went back to regularly writing on my blog after my Mexico vacation in June. The Mexico vacation served as a timely reminder that I have created a platform to share my experiences, and oiled my creative juices. I posted routinely from June to now, and I would like to use this post to revisit some of the posts I wrote this year in order to discuss the post's reception and to offer additional thoughts.

The Carrot Rewards App And The Perils Of Greed

There have been many occasions where there was a creation of something, which provided a considerable positive benefit to many people. With that positive benefit, there was a conception and nurturing of a community that was reaping it. Now, imagine a company that is taking advantage of an established community and squeezing it like a lemon for financial gain. You are probably thinking of companies like Electronic Arts and Amway, but I want to talk about a product on a much smaller scale that affected me personally. I want to talk about my experience using the Carrot Rewards app.

The Aurora Winter Festival (Or How I Spent $25 On Instagram Pictures)

This holiday season, I have not had the time to get myself immersed in the holiday spirit. So, when I heard about the Aurora Winter Festival occurring over at Ontario Place (and apparently not in Aurora, Ontario), I thought it would be a great jump-off point for me to experience some holiday cheer and camaraderie with my friends. What I thought would be a whimsical, magical adventure turned out to be an overpriced, low effort dud with few attractions for the steep admission price. Regardless, I will talk about my positives and negatives about this event.

Video Game Review: God of War (2018) (SPOILERS)

I just finished the main story of God of War, and overall, the game was a polished jewel in the PS4's life cycle, and is no doubt a PS4 classic. Going into playing this game, I had questions about the direction the franchise was going for the reboot. After finishing the game, I felt like I still had more fun playing the older God Of War games, but if you are able to ignore the older games and look at the rebooted game for what it is, then you will be blown away at its magnificence. I cannot fully talk about this game without mentioning spoilers, so spoilers below:

Video Game Review: Red Dead Redemption II

I finally finished the main story of Red Dead Redemption II, and so now, I can finally post my thoughts about the game. Red Dead Redemption II was a fantastic experience, and ranks among my favourite games published by Rockstar, including the first Red Dead Redemption game, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, and Grand Theft Auto IV. I will try my best to avoid mentioning any spoilers, as I am making this a spoiler-free review.

Book Review - Come On You Reds: The Story of Toronto FC

I recently purchased my copy of "Come On You Reds: The Story of Toronto FC," written by Joshua Kloke, and as someone who has been around the club since its inception, I felt it was my obligation to provide a book review, and give my thoughts.

Canada 5-0 Dominica: CONCACAF Nations League Qualifying

I am going to post some quick thoughts on the Canada vs. Dominica match that I went to yesterday.

You Should Drink Alcohol Before Your Class

I was always shy when it came to speaking up in class. If I did not have to saying anything in front of my classmates, I would not. I never liked speaking up in class because I did not want to say the wrong thing in front of the teacher or my classmates and be embarrassed. I especially did not like when classes I took, had a grade specifically for participation, which contributed to your final grade. With participation grades, I had no choice but to contribute to discussions in class.

The Condom Poker Story

Photo taken from Brock University's Twitter

A number of years have passed since the events of this story occurred, and I believe that now is the right time to tell the story of how I crashed a major campus event during my first year at university. My university friends filled some of the details in, as I was too drunk to remember the whole story. Regardless, this story will give a sense of what my mindset was at the time, which was quite different from what I am now.

2018 Campeones Cup: My Thoughts (And Internal Struggles)

The day before the match, I was feeling a little bit depressed. I was still trying to determine whether to go to this match or not. Deep down, in the pit of my stomach, I did not want to go to the match, for the reasons described in my previous post. Another reason why I do not want to go to the match is that I do not want my personal life and my professional life to mix. When I used to go to Toronto FC matches, one of the main reasons why I went was because it provided me an escape from the pressures of school, work, and life in general. I needed that outlet to let off steam and to express myself, as well as to be myself. I used to get involved in some nefarious things on match-days, things that my workplace would not exactly approve. Now that my co-workers are going to the match, if I do end up going to the match, I would have to behave myself. It is almost as if I would have to be a chaperone.

Re-Framing My Relationship With Toronto FC

I only went to one Toronto FC match in 2018 so far, and that was the CONCACAF Champions League Final first leg against Chivas Guadalajara back in April. Although TFC had a poor start to the regular season, their run in the Champions League was impressive, beating two strong Mexican sides (Tigres and Club America) on the road to the final. I remember that match at BMO Field very well. It was snowing for large parts of the match, which was unique and rather beautiful to see. The stands were packed and the atmosphere was loud, despite Toronto FC losing the first leg. It was a great night to lose yourself in the match and the sensory stimulation around you, and it made me temporarily forget about the negative feelings I had toward the club.

My Five Senses Theory Of A Great Football (Soccer) Atmosphere

This was something I thought about and tried to formulate while I was trying to sleep one night.

From someone who has been to many Toronto FC matches, and watched a wide variety of games with different types of atmospheres, I developed a theory for a great football match-day atmosphere. I believe that in order to produce an intimidating football atmosphere, the atmosphere should attack the five senses that a human being experiences (sight, sound, touch, smell, taste). The five senses is something you would normally learn in early elementary school, but there is an application of such a primary concept to a broad range of subjects. I will attempt to apply the use of the five senses when it comes to going to a football match. Two of the senses are obvious to explain, while the other senses require more explanation.

Mexico Vacation Video and Collection of Instagram Videos

Just thought I would post my video that I created detailing my entire trip to Mexico back in June. It has some video that I have already posted on my blog before, but there's also some video that I've not shared as well.

The Inebriatti: A Colourful Chapter In Toronto FC Supporter Culture History

Thursday presented some significant Toronto FC news. TFC has decided to permanently terminate the Inebriatti's status as a recognized supporters group after the events in Ottawa where flares and an explosive device were used in their away section against the Ottawa Fury. This means that Inebriatti members cannot organize in the south end of BMO Field. They must also take a course on MLS Fan Conduct at their own expense if they want to gain re-entry back into the south end of BMO Field.

Why Carnival Games Are Not A Waste Of Money

So last weekend, I went to the CNE (Canadian National Exhibition) with a few co-workers of mine. It was actually a lot of fun. Went on some rides, played some games, and ate some weird food. While I was there, I came to a realization, which I want to share with you. This realization came about while we were playing some carnival games on the CNE grounds.

Vacation Blog: Mexican Fiesta Media Gallery

During one of the nights while I was in Mexico, a Mexican fiesta took place on the Bahia Principe grounds. I have never been to an authentic Mexican fiesta before, so I was definitely interested in what would be going on there. A ticket was $20 USD, so I decided to get one for myself and my cousin and check out the party.

Waterfront Park

I do not come out here as much as I used to.

This is a popular spot in my local city, but not many people come out to the lighthouse, where you can check out the views and feast your eyes on the out-of-place, rather ghastly sight of the Nuclear Plant.

I came out here not only to escape the monotony of my jobs, but also because I had another bout of negative thoughts that were invading my head. Thoughts like "I'm useless", "I'm worthless", and "I'm wasting my time". I came out here so maybe the views can cheer me up a bit.

Vacation Blog: Tequila Tasting and Playa Del Carmen Media Gallery

Another day in Mexico saw myself take part in some tequila tasting, as well as roaming around the streets of Playa Del Carmen.

Before all that, I went to a jewelry store to check out some fine Mexican-made pieces. Filming and taking pictures inside the store was prohibited, but I was allowed to film inside the lobby, which displayed some incredible ceramic pieces and decorative artifacts.

The Incident in Ottawa: What Are The True Intentions of TFC / MLSE Regarding Supporters?

If you are a football fan in Canada, you have heard of the incident that happened in Ottawa in the Canadian Championship Semi-Final between the Ottawa Fury and Toronto FC. TFC supporters lit flares and set off firecrackers in their section (including throwing a flare on the pitch, causing damage to the stadium and their own banners). The Inebriatti supporters group have since claimed responsibility for this incident, which came as a U-turn to their previous statement where they claimed they had nothing to do with it.

Vacation Blog: Tulum Ruins and Beach Media Gallery

During my vacation to Mexico, I went to visit the Mayan Ruins in Tulum. In the thirteenth century, the Mayan city of Tulum served as a seaport for trade, as well as housed temples and residences for priests and other nobility. After I got off the bus and walked through a jungle path full of iguanas and other wildlife, I caught my first look of the gently rolling hills and crumbling stone structures of the Tulum Ruins.

The Meaning Of Value

What is the meaning of value to me?

I am not talking about monetary value, or sentimental value. What I am talking about is the value that a person places on another person. I am talking about someone's importance in the view of others, as well as the value someone places on themselves. Value has been an ever-present theme in my life, and I have always struggled to evaluate my own worth, as well as to gauge my own worth to others.

Resort Review: Luxury Bahia Principe Akumal

I just came back from my vacation in Mexico, staying at the 5-star Luxury Bahia Principe Akumal, which is a part of the Grand Bahia Principe family of resorts. This resort is a part of the compound that also has three other Bahia Principe resorts in the same area (Coba, Tulum, and Sian Ka'an). Here's my review:

Check-In

The check-in process was a bit chaotic. We arrived at 12pm, and when we checked in, our rooms weren't ready until 3pm, so we had to wait. It also didn't help that many people in our group were booked in different villas, so the resort had to book us closer together. The staff did bring some welcome drinks to help to alleviate the frustrating experience.

Rating: 5/10