better than dick smack Doyle I suppose ... (Season 2, Episode 2, Republic of Doyle)

So, the episode of Republic of Doyle with Alan Doyle on it aired last night.

"The b'ys are calling you one smack 

Doyle. Better than dick smack Doyle, 

I spose."- Wolf Redmond, aka Alan Doyle

I could not watch it on my TV, so I watched it online today. And I agree with everyone who said this is one of the best episodes yet. In fact I would be willing to go as far as saying that this was THE BEST yet. Now, I know what you're thinking. I'm biased, being one of Alan's biggest fans. But this was only one reason for liking Episode 2, "Popeye Doyle".


First off, the writing was brilliant on last night's show. It was witty, and hilarious, and kept me in stitches. The writers for Republic of Doyle oughta be proud of themselves.
Secondly, the casting was great. Gordon Pinsent reprised his role as the rum runner, Maurice Becker. I think Gordon Pinsent is fabulous in this role, and well, his 'thug' Wolf Redmond, played by the uber-talented Alan Doyle, wasn't too shabby either.

Wolf Redmond (Alan Doyle) 
and Maurice Becker (Gordon Pinsent)

I loved the fight sequences too. Even though we all know that nobody actually got hurt in these scenes, they looked very believable. I felt bad when Jake got slammed into the phone by Wolf. That gash looked mighty painful, and Jake got a concussion from it. Ouch.

Jake Doyle (Allan Hawco) and Wolf Redmond (Alan Doyle)

after a fight in the common area.

And am I the only one who thinks that Jake and Leslie are not done yet, despite her seeing the mayor? Only time will tell.


Bring on Episode 3 on the 26th!

just one of those days

Did you ever have one of those days where you just knew it was not going to well? That from the moment you woke up, you knew that you would be upset, you knew that you were going to cry? That you were only delaying the inevitable? Well dear readers, that is how today was for me. I knew from the instant that I got up that this day was not going to be a pleasant one.


The feeling first hit me when I was getting dressed. I could feel the feeling in the pit of my stomach, and it was just something I could not shake. But I pressed on. I wanted to go to school. But things were not as they should be when I got there. Sylvia, one of my instructors noticed that something had been off with me since last semester and she knew that there was something wrong. That I had hit a wall. And that I could not get past it.


So during the course of this conversation, I made my decision. I opted out of my second year of the program, and will still graduate with my certificate after doing a two week work term. I already have a meeting arranged to change over my funding on Friday. And later that same day, I plan to go to school, unregister, clean out my locker, and set up my work term. I cannot wait to see the last of that school, even if most of the instructors and staff were very helpful and accommodating.


It is time for me to take the next step in this journey, and while I know that there will be those that are not happy with this decision that I have made, I am confident in knowing that the decision that I made was the right one for me. And in the end, I am what matters. Not anyone else. Me.