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Vibe Check №4

Notes from April 2025

A digital scan of the cover of the journal I used during April, 2025. It is a custom MIKIE NOTES ‘Lumon Industries’ edition, featuring an image of a conference speaker on a desk, from a episode of Severance, Season 1.

Vermillion Vanguard

April was a big month for Toronto sports!

I took my Brother & Mom to go see AFC Toronto’s inaugural game at BMO Field on April 19, as part of the new women’s Northern Super League.

I’ve been to BMO Field literally hundreds of times at this point, but I’d never had a chance to take my Mom. The vibe overwhelmingly positive amongst everyone in attendance (a notable difference from just about any TFC game I’ve been to in the last 5 years), and merch was flying off the shelves. It was so nice to be able to share that experience with her, and to see the grounds through a different perspective. It also really helps that we had amazing seats, 10th row right at center field, with access to the tunnel club.

A depressing photo of a buffet station with barely any food left.

They say every man dies two deaths, but I’d argue there’s a third.

I usually take the GO Train down there but Mom really wanted to drive, and unfortunately Toronto traffic being what it is, we didn’t arrive until about 20 minutes before kick-off. Sadly, the complimentary food was completely ravaged by that point. All I got was a measly veggie quesadilla. 😭

Play

Losing 1-0 to our forever rivals was only the second most disappointing part of an otherwise awesome day out.

Round 1, Game 2

As a gift to my Brother for his birthday, I also took him out to see our first Leafs playoff game against the Ottawa Senators on April 22. It’d been over 15 years since our last Leafs game together, a preseason game against Ottawa.

We followed the hordes of fans in blue & white through the labyrth of Union Station to Scotiabank Arena, with everyone speed-walking in criss-crossing directions like migrating birds. It had an electric enegy that I can only describe as the kind you’d find at a Haunted House attraction near Halloween; that palpable mixture of excitement and sheer terror.

After grabbing some pre-game food (which to be honest I was too anxious to even enjoy), we made our way up to the 300 level to find our seats. Ever since my first visit to the old ACC back in the early 2000s, I’ve always loved that moment of looking out through the tunnel to get a glimpse of the inner arena. It’s such a nostalgic feeling for me.

Exit light, enter night.

The barn was absolutely rocking before puck-drop, noticeably louder than what you hear on TV, and the Leafs got on the board with 2 early goals. I lost my voice raining down chants of “BRADY SUCKS!” Unfortunately, the Sens tied it up with about 5 minutes left in regulation, so we headed to overtime.

Thankfully, the boys in blue came through, and Leafs Nation was sent home happy.

Play

“Simon Benoit into the zone, he drops for Domi. He’s through… Domi, scores! Max Domi is the overtime hero in Game 2!”

The Wolf is Dead

On April 28, Canada elected Mark Carney as the Liberals secured a minority Government, despite the Conservatives having a 27-point lead just last December.

To top it off, Conservative party leader Pierre Polievere didn’t even win his own riding.

A screencap from CBC's 2025 Federal Election coverage, indicating Bruce Fanjoy leading the Carleton riding over Pierre Poilievre.

Not embarrassing at all.

As glad as I am that my country has rejected Trump’s style of populism (for now), it pains me to see the complete collapse of the NDP at the federal level. Lesser evils and all that.

Between this year’s Federal election, and the recent Ontario Provincial election, I’m a little burnt out on politics in general.

Highlights

Movies

Official poster for Companion

Companion 2025

Watched on April 15, 2025

This was a lot more fun than I expected. In fact, I don't think I'd have even given this a chance had I not seen some glowing reviews for it online. Good for her. 👏

I watched 10 movies this month:

TV

Official poster for The Pitt, Season 1

The Pitt, Season 1 2025

Finished on April 11, 2025

Never been a big medical drama guy but this one is so good it’s got me watching ER from the start. Hands down the early frontrunner for the best TV series of the year. Noah Wyle, where have you been all my life?

Favourite Episode: S01E13, “7:00 P.M.”

I've been watching 10 shows this month:

Music

Cover of “Helldorado” by SpiritWorld

“Helldorado” by SpiritWorld 2025

Released on March 21, 2025

Favourite Song: “Waiting on the Reaper”

I've listened to these 12 albums the most this month:

Books

Cover of “Daredevil by Bendis & Maleev Omnibus Vol. 1” by Brian Michael Bendis

“Daredevil by Bendis & Maleev Omnibus Vol. 1” by Brian Michael Bendis 2008

Finished on April 16, 2025

I’ve been lowkey obsessed with getting back into comics this month after doing a complete overhaul of my Komga library. I finished Bendis’ entire Daredevil run over a few days, and while I didn’t love the artwork, I just couldn’t put it down.

I've been reading 11 books this month:

YouTube

Play

These playoff series were the reason I fell in love with hockey.

I enjoyed these other videos, and you might too:

Purchases

A product image of the new Maximum Series Spider-Man action figure from Hasbro.

With great accessories comes an irrational urge to purchase more plastic crack.

I dropped to my knees in a Walmart parking lot when Hasbro announced the new Marvel Legends Maximum Series and revealed Spider-Man as the first figure in the line. Even though I have a used Honda Civic’s worth of action figures on display in my office, I’ve cut back my toy purchases a lot over the last year or so. But if this new deluxe line focuses on delivering definitive versions of Marvel’s biggest names, I’m gonna have to make some room on those shelves.

Other than that, I’ve been pretty disciplined in my spending this month. 😊