Playing Video Games ....

  Welp, as part of my early morning today since I am awake so early, was to catch up on some of the shows I am watching. I have been floating through about 15 television programs (some new, some older) and some have many seasons, let alone many episodes. I'm starting to really like how some of these specialty channel ones, like Paramount, run usually about 10 episodes per season. Makes it so much easier to binge watch, versus a season with like 25 episodes.

So, this morning I decided to get caught up on The Last of Us which airs on HBO. I was ready to start season 2, and I see that as of this moment, there are only 2 episodes out, with the second one already being leaked that it was a traumatic episode. Well, I watched them both, and I just don't see what the issue is. Afterwards, I was watching some of those FB reels, and came across a couple that showed the scene from the show, and alongside, played the scene from the video game. Pretty close to the game version, but having never played the game, I would have never known what was coming. Everyone seems to be freaking out about it all, and I just don't see it.

Shows based on video games, comic books, live-actions made from cartoons. Is our movie entertainment companies really lacking in ideas for stories? Go to the library, read some books, make a movie. Sigh.

PeacE

I'm Really Not Crying ...

 You can always tell when it is winter in Arizona. Here in the Valley, it means things are growing green, flowers are blooming, and everyone with allergies are walking around wiping their eyes and blowing their noses, scaring everyone around them because 'Thank you Covid'. The past couple of days have been pretty bad for me, this morning being the worst yet. The eyes won't stop watering, which leads to the nose dripping, which leads to me just feeling miserable. It is going to be this way for the next few weeks, since we got some good rain yesterday, everything will be blooming and pollenating, filling the air with allergens. Yee. Haw.

So this morning was doing my regular routine and decided to watch a movie. "A Man Called Otto" with Tom Hanks, sounded like a good diversion. I remember seeing the trailer, and it looked like a comedy/drama kind of movie. It was actually somewhat depressing, though had its funny parts, too.

My office chair broke yesterday. One of the bolts that hold the arm to the seat, actually snapped. So now using the arms to leverage myself up is not an option, unless I want to fall on my face. Also no leaning back, as the whole right side pivots on the remaining bolt in place, and just twists. The chair was a Christmas present from the Wife and kids about two years or so ago. It has some wear and tear, but will be going to bulk trash in the near future. I'll have to start shopping around for a good replacement. Something that isn't the faux leather. That gets pretty sweaty in the summer months.

Welp, I need to get on to other things.

PeacE

Well, Today is Pretty Much Over

 ... that was my thought once I actually woke up this morning. Seems the Wife and I actually slept in to noon. Surprisingly, the dog hadn't woken us with barking, or the Crack Kitty (Rusty) waking us with his very loud alley-cat warbles for food. Both a seemingly everday occurrence except for today. Even the Wife had commented that she woke around 10:30, realizing she was going to miss church, and went back to sleep.

Whilst laying in bed just waking up and having small conversation (might as well, we slept til noon) I got an earworm in my head. Luckily, it was one I knew, and I am passing it along so it will go away (I hope).

I remember the later '70's, that as a kid I loved to sing this song - at least the choruses. I had no idea what the song was about until I was much older. I can only imagine the smiles adults around me would get when this little kid is singing this song out loud in public, unaware of what the content is about. I blush in retrospect of it.

I did buy tickets to the actual movie theater yesterday for today. This afternoon Wife, Youngest and I will be driving over to the Metro and watching 'Maverick' finally. I had been saying it was one I would really like to see on the big screen for the flying scenes, and Wife agreed. I was actually surprised at the ticket cost. I was expecting close to $10 per person, but it was actually only $7. That's without popcorns and sodas yet.

Tomorrow is the 4th, and we have no family plans. The Wife has to work a regular day, though does get holiday pay for it. I might end up at the VFW in the afternoon. Not sure. I did go to the VFW yesterday, and won a $0.25 drink and got to chase for the queen in the draw. I got the Jack of Clubs, which got me $25, so I was happy. I have won the chance to chase the queen at least 3 times now in the last couple months. Wonder when that luck streak is going to end....

Welp, I gotta mosey along and get some other things done before the movie.

PeacE

Topic-less: An Improvement?

I really have nothing to gripe about today. It rained good last night, and just finished up another shower that lasted a good half hour or so. It's overcast, and obviously a bit muggy, but at least the temps aren't over 90 to make things feel miserable. With the new AC unit, it wouldn't be bad inside at least.

I decided Sunday evening to try to stop smoking, again. Today is only the start of day two, and shouldn't be too bad. I get the worst desire to smoke when I am out having a few drinks. That won't be until Wednesday night. We will see how that goes.

I started watching the "Hatfields & McCoys" mini-series that was on a few months back. The one with Kevin Costner & Bill Paxton (and others). I have gotten through the first disc, which had parts 1 & 2. I'm am not sure what to think. I see how easily this viewpoint shows the feud got started, and even how it was made worse by parties not directly involved. So far, I get the impression this is a bit sided with one family more than the other, but I am not done watching it, and have no proof either way. I'll probably be watching the last bit tonight once the Wife gets home. She started getting into it about the middle of the parts I watched last night.

That's all I got. I need to get organized to head over to the MIL's for the weekly shopping trip.

PeacE

Returning to a Routine

The boys are entering the third week since school started back up, and things around my household are returning to normal routine. Note: I say normal in regards to my household. Both the oldest son and I are getting more adjusted to the 'Zero Hour' starts most days of the week, where he needs to be at school by 6:30. In fact, today I made myself get back to the gym. I had not gone all summer (since about mid-June) so two months plus of not going.... Needless to say, I was a bit worried, in regards to my weight. I have always liked the saying 'An Optimist is never pleasantly surprised' and today proved it. I weighed in five pounds lower than when I was last there. I am now at the lowest weight I have been in years. Even my workout went really well, though I do see a little I need to get back to where I was before (distance walking/jogging). Overall, I am sitting here with a smile on my face (an unusual sight, believe me - more like the Joker's grin), and have that feeling of the 'Workout Glow' going on!! And it's a Monday!!

Preacher Tom and I are off to the movies here in an hour or so. We were finally able to find a showtime that coincided with our schedules, to go see "Expendables II". We both have been looking forward to it, as both our Wives have no real interest in seeing that type of action movie.

The oldest has his first marching band event this Friday for the school's first home football game. I should try to find out how much a family pass is sporting events. It is way expensive to just take the family and go, paying regular entry fees. When the Daughter was last in HS, the family pass was available and probably saved us a goo $100-$200 over the course of several football games. I think we were able to use it for a few of the concerts/plays that went on as well. Note to self to see what I can find out.

I think that about covers things for me today. I already am feeling the muscles starting to stiffen up a little, though, it's a good hurt.

PeacE

Another Slow Day

Movies. I seem to watch many of them, whether they are old westerns, or more often than not, one I have seen before. Many of them are just as good the second, sometimes third or fourth, time. Of course, occasionally the first time was bad enough. This year has several movies out, or coming out I should say, that I would love to see.  Here are a few ...

"Priest" comes out May 13th. I am a big sci-fi fan, so most movies I like are weird like that.

"I Am Number Four" looks somewhat interesting, though I feel it may end up a flop.

"Green Lantern" is another comic book brought to movie screen. Looks pretty awesome. Speaking of comic books, this next one looks really cool....

"Thor" - and Anthony Hopkins plays Odin. Not many of his films out there that I haven't liked. Speaking of Anthony Hopkins, this one should kick ass...

"The Rite" comes out later this month.

Okay, so there are a few of the movies coming out I want to see.

PeacE

And now for something completely different

For those of you that know me, and some of you that don't, you realize I am an avid reader. I prefer the sci-fi/fantasy type books, but will read a non-fiction, or thriller/mystery every now and then as well. I have a few books at home that I need to get finished, but I keep forgetting to put a new one in the car. So last night I finished the current book I was reading (some Sidney Sheldon novel) and realized I had nothing to replace it with on hand. I spent about five minutes going through the miscellaneous stuff in the back seat of my car, and dug up a book I had finished quite some time ago. It is Patricia Bray "The First Betrayal". I remembered getting tot he end of it, and finding out that there is a second book, but at the time was not out in stores.

That just really pisses me off.

Either way, I am sitting there and decide to re-read the book. Four hours and 200+ pages later, I am so hooked into the story again. Today, after a bit of surfing the web, I found out book 2 is out now, and book three is scheduled for release in June. ::sigh:: Five months to finish the damn series. And that is only if I order them off Amazon, as it seems none of the bookstores around me will have the 2nd book in stock.

Still ticks me off that Robert Jordan passed away. Now I will probably never see the end of the Wheel of Time series he was working on.

Started to watch a movie last night called "Dragon Wars". I can understand why it seemed to not even make it to the theaters. I will have to try to finish it tonight, as well as the book. Then I have a couple Patricia Cornwell books and a Jeffrey Deaver to start on.

Let me hear what you are in the midst of reading.

PeacE