As I typically do, I keep certain aspects of my private life just that, private. This goes for part of my trip this year to Kansas and back. I won't go into why that's the case but it is not something that anyone should worry about.
Anyhow, Monday the 21st the only thing I did was see The Force Awakens again, this time in IMAX 3D. It's still great and it was nice seeing it on a giant screen. Tuesday, that's when I left for the Kansas trip. It was a long drive up there and back, as it always is. On the way there and back there was plenty of rain and even some fog. At least unlike the previous occasions I was in Wichita or the journey up there and back, there was no show, freezing rain or bone-chilling temperatures. I was content with Wichita temperatures in the 50's, definitely. Anyhow, Tuesday was from Clermont up to Conway, Arkansas. An interesting stop was made in the middle of nowhere city of Citronelle, Alabama, a burg that I stopped in once before. The joint was known as Bertile's Restaurant and for a quick service joint, it's fine. At dinner in Conway, it was decided to eat at a Logan's Roadhouse. It wasn't my choice as I'd prefer something different but that's just me and they at least make fine food also.
Wednesday, it was off to the Wichita area. For lunch we ate at a random place in Oklahoma (there apparently are a few around the state) known as Robertson's Hams. They make fine sandwiches. Once we made it to the destination, I got to see my nephews again. They are typical 3 year olds in every sense of the term. They are certainly full of energy; I don't know how my sister does it. It was great interacting with them and whether in restaurant or grocery store parking lots, I sometimes held their hands and that was very nice. I also tossed a ball to them a few different times and they tossed it back to me. The visits with them included trips to World Market (where OF COURSE I saw more than one person w/ gross-looking dreads), Cheddar's-a restaurant I somehow had never been to before-and Kobe's Steakhouse. The original trip was going to end on Sunday as we'd drive back home in one shot. However, the weather was going to turn bad so it was decided to head back a day early. It's disappointing as I only get to see that part of the family a few days a year but with the weather it was the prudent decision.
Wichita was in the rearview mirror during the noon hour on Saturday. Besides rainy and during one stretch foggy weather it wasn't a difficult drive at all. Gas was purchased in a “rough part” of Memphis but way back in like '03 I spent time in the sketchiest parts of Chicago on accident and I survived despite seeing no white people for like a 45 minute stretch, so I had no fear. The night was spent in middle of nowhere Alabama, this time the town of Calera. It was at a Motel 6. In my life I've stayed at plenty of them and for the price they are fine. At least they have clean rooms, you know. Well, this place was a dump! The room looked tired and haggard, and there was a roach seen driving about. Thankfully we only spend enough time there to sleep then leave early. Sunday, the holiday traffic was thick as thieves, but we finally got home at around 6:15 PM.
Yesterday, I figured I should take the chance to see The Hateful Eight in 70mm, so that is what I did. I hadn't even been home for 24 hours and yet because it's Florida... I almost got into an accident! Someone swerved into me and I had to floor it on the shoulder to get around that jackass. I definitely made sure to let them know how I felt about their driving, as I had no idea how they didn't see me. As for the movie, thankfully there was no problem with that place running an old system of actual film and it being operated by someone who may not know a lot about it. They are doing this in about 100 theatres and there apparently have only been rare issues with it. The movie looks nice in film although seeing it in digital shouldn't be a huge difference in quality, IMO. Tarantino I am hit or miss with; some of his films are great and others I really don't like despite what many film fans say. I have some complaints but even with that I can still give the film high marks. If you like what QT does, it's more of the same so you should enjoy it. It's definitely a product of his so expect a lot of tension, foul language and graphic violence.
I saw it at Disney Springs so afterwards I went to the old standby of Splitsville for dinner. I enjoy eating there as it's a nice place and I enjoy their food. Unfortunately, it may be awhile before I return there. The service, I was not happy with. I should not have to go to a table to pick up a bottle of ketchup because no one at the bar asked me if I needed anything else, which is what always happens. I tipped accordingly and I was not too pleased about it.
I'll be back on schedule and return on Monday, January 4th. It certainly does not seem like 2015 will be over in a few days. I never do anything on New Year's Eve and yet I'll still try to have something interesting to write about during the first days of early 2016.
Tuesday, December 29, 2015
Monday, December 21, 2015
NAIA Football, The Force Awakens & An Extremely Enraged Confused Man
No, the extremely enraged confused man isn't me. I've felt more melancholy as of late. I won't get into why; it's not anything serious that I need to share here. I just haven't felt good about myself for a few different reasons, so going off on a trip to Kansas to spend time with family and seeing my two twin nephews again... I hope I can have a Merry Christmas, but getting out of the state for a few days will be a change of pace and I hope it'll do the job.
Monday, I spent some time in Orlando. I had lunch at a place I returned to, the Brazilian quick service restaurant known as Giraffas. They make decent food so I'll pop in once in a long while. For dinner I returned to NBC Sports Grill & Brew. I like eating there but I'll likely wait for a few months for my return to CityWalk, so that I can see something new there. Tuesday I did not do anything and Wednesday I went with someone to the local Olive Garden, as neither one of us had been there in months. We both enjoyed our meals. Thursday I did not do anything so let me skip ahead to Friday, and Friday night in specific.
Most of Friday I'd rather forget about (again, don't ask why) so let me skip ahead to Friday night, when I saw The Force Awakens. When I was a kid, I watched the original Star Wars films on VHS quite a few times. The prequels, I saw them all on the big screen but they were massive disappointments. I am not a big J.J. Abrams fan so I wasn't entirely sure I'd love this, even if it looks like the originals. I decided to see it right at Epic Theatres in the city I live in, Clermont. I thought that'd be a typical screening... I was wrong.
I waited in line then I sat down and things were standard through that and the trailers. Literally as the opening credits began, there was a commotion. In short, the movie stopped, the lights came up, and I thought I heard the word “seizure”, so I'll go with that as from what little I could see and hear from where I sat, it seemed like that is what happened. Some cops and then a few paramedics came in. After some time, the guy stood up and he just looked confused. As he left the auditorium and he was in the aisle on the way to the door, he suddenly freaked the F out. He screamed at the top of his lungs and he acted like he thought he was going to be killed. Finally, he calmed down (his lady helped with that) and the movie could start again. What a strange stretch of time that was where everyone experienced a range of emotions. I heard from someone that would know that a seizure could cause such a happening, so I will say that was the cause.
As for the movie, it was fantastic. I may be biased as I watched the originals often as a kid but I thought the new one was awesome and it felt like a natural sequel. I am so thankful that they did not screw up Star Wars yet again. I will see it again tonight, this time on a giant screen, as it seemed natural, and plus there was that medical event which was on my mind the entire time as I first saw it.
Saturday, I had the option of doing a few different things. UFC had a card in Orlando; it was a show where the last few matches would be on FOX and the card looked fine. There was a new college football bowl game in Orlando between San Jose State and Georgia State. But, I decided to attend the NAIA Football Championship Game in Daytona Beach between Marian University of Indiana and Southern Oregon University. They played for the championship last year in Daytona Beach and I thought about going but ultimately did not. SOU won that 55-31. This game went differently; Marian won 31-14. When the SOU quarterback misfired on too many passes...
While it was not that competitive, I was still glad I supported such a game. It was at the municipal stadium, so yeah it is an older structure. I wish that there would have been more concession people working there but otherwise I guess the stadium was acceptable for such an event. It's in the middle of the swamp-which is wacky-although at least there's plenty of parking and there was lights in the parking lot. As for Sunday, I had a feeling Chicago would be whooped by Minnesota and this time I was correct. The Bears lost 38-17 and I did not go out to see it.
As tomorrow I'll be leaving on vacation to Kansas and I won't be back home until sometime on Monday, my next post will be on TUESDAY, December 29.
Monday, I spent some time in Orlando. I had lunch at a place I returned to, the Brazilian quick service restaurant known as Giraffas. They make decent food so I'll pop in once in a long while. For dinner I returned to NBC Sports Grill & Brew. I like eating there but I'll likely wait for a few months for my return to CityWalk, so that I can see something new there. Tuesday I did not do anything and Wednesday I went with someone to the local Olive Garden, as neither one of us had been there in months. We both enjoyed our meals. Thursday I did not do anything so let me skip ahead to Friday, and Friday night in specific.
Most of Friday I'd rather forget about (again, don't ask why) so let me skip ahead to Friday night, when I saw The Force Awakens. When I was a kid, I watched the original Star Wars films on VHS quite a few times. The prequels, I saw them all on the big screen but they were massive disappointments. I am not a big J.J. Abrams fan so I wasn't entirely sure I'd love this, even if it looks like the originals. I decided to see it right at Epic Theatres in the city I live in, Clermont. I thought that'd be a typical screening... I was wrong.
I waited in line then I sat down and things were standard through that and the trailers. Literally as the opening credits began, there was a commotion. In short, the movie stopped, the lights came up, and I thought I heard the word “seizure”, so I'll go with that as from what little I could see and hear from where I sat, it seemed like that is what happened. Some cops and then a few paramedics came in. After some time, the guy stood up and he just looked confused. As he left the auditorium and he was in the aisle on the way to the door, he suddenly freaked the F out. He screamed at the top of his lungs and he acted like he thought he was going to be killed. Finally, he calmed down (his lady helped with that) and the movie could start again. What a strange stretch of time that was where everyone experienced a range of emotions. I heard from someone that would know that a seizure could cause such a happening, so I will say that was the cause.
As for the movie, it was fantastic. I may be biased as I watched the originals often as a kid but I thought the new one was awesome and it felt like a natural sequel. I am so thankful that they did not screw up Star Wars yet again. I will see it again tonight, this time on a giant screen, as it seemed natural, and plus there was that medical event which was on my mind the entire time as I first saw it.
Saturday, I had the option of doing a few different things. UFC had a card in Orlando; it was a show where the last few matches would be on FOX and the card looked fine. There was a new college football bowl game in Orlando between San Jose State and Georgia State. But, I decided to attend the NAIA Football Championship Game in Daytona Beach between Marian University of Indiana and Southern Oregon University. They played for the championship last year in Daytona Beach and I thought about going but ultimately did not. SOU won that 55-31. This game went differently; Marian won 31-14. When the SOU quarterback misfired on too many passes...
While it was not that competitive, I was still glad I supported such a game. It was at the municipal stadium, so yeah it is an older structure. I wish that there would have been more concession people working there but otherwise I guess the stadium was acceptable for such an event. It's in the middle of the swamp-which is wacky-although at least there's plenty of parking and there was lights in the parking lot. As for Sunday, I had a feeling Chicago would be whooped by Minnesota and this time I was correct. The Bears lost 38-17 and I did not go out to see it.
As tomorrow I'll be leaving on vacation to Kansas and I won't be back home until sometime on Monday, my next post will be on TUESDAY, December 29.
Monday, December 14, 2015
Minus5 Ice Bar, BB King Blues Club, & Star Wars Prepping
Here's a recap of this past week and due to being preoccupied with other things and not feeling 100%, it was another quiet week where I don't have too much to write about. Nevermind how but in the past I've acquired nice widescreen print versions of the ORIGINAL cuts of the original trilogy and I was happy to watch them as of late. I wouldn't do such things but when people can't legally see the theatrical versions and instead have to deal with the crappy “Special Editions” with needless CGI garbage that sticks out like a sore thumb... I am really looking forward to this upcoming weekend.
Last Monday, I was out and about doing something, which I'll keep private. What wasn't an interesting experience for me was me driving back home from that. I had to deal with what had to be an impaired driver. I don't know if they were drunk, on drugs, mentally impaired, mentally ill, they had Alzheimer's, or what. I got around them as I was worried they'd get me into a wreck... then they started chasing after me! If I would have gotten their license plate number beforehand I would have used my phone to call the boys in blue but as I didn't, there was no easy way for me to do so and as after a few minutes they gave up and went elsewhere, I just forgot about it and made my way home. The way they added only confirmed my suspicions that they shouldn't have been on the road. And yes, driving on the road in Florida is still an aggravating experience, even if only you are in the car for a short amount of time. People still drive cluelessly and/or rudely.
Tuesday I did not do anything but Wednesday I went with someone to a place that the neither of us had been to in way too long, Hurricane Grill & Wings. We both rate their food highly so I can't explain why that was the case. What we had was pretty tasty. Thursday I did not do anything but Friday that was my most interesting day for sure. I had the option of doing several different things-including one which required a bit of time on the road-but I decided to visit a place I hadn't visited in years, Pointe Orlando. Due to location, a lack of things to do there and having to pay for parking, that explains why I haven't returned until now. Turns out, the place still doesn't have a lot to do so it will likely be a long while before I go back. Yet, what I did there was interesting. I thought about possibly seeing a film after dinner; things changed. I ate at a place I only hate at once before, BB King's Blues Club. I remember that place as being fine, and my memory was correct. It's a decent place that offers decent food. I could have done without the incredibly loud table filled with braying jackasses but I am sadly used to such idiocy in the Sunshine State. Even with that, I was still glad I went back there.
After that I went to a place I remember being there for awhile. It's the minus5 Ice Bar, which is exactly what it sounds like: a room that's at a freezer temperature and there is ice all over: sculptures, seats, the bar, etc. The price isn't cheap but with what I paid, I put on a parka & gloves and spent time in the room and had two drinks, which were included in the cost. I was the only customer there, but it was still cool to sit on an ice bench (it was covered with wolf skin), drink out of an ice cup, look at the multicolored LED lights and listen to random music, both old and new. It's something I'd do only once but it was still a memorable experience.
Saturday and Sunday, I ended up doing nothing either day. Saturday I thought of going somewhere to see the big UFC PPV, but I was not feeling 100% and I was just damn tired, so I stayed in instead. The show sounded fine and all, but that main event... at least I was able to view it online. Heck, I pretty much saw it in a Vine video, it was so short. Sunday, the Bears have looked so terrible for most of their games this year (even the ones they've won) that when they faced off against the Washington Redskins-a team who also plays terribly even if they win-I knew I wasn't gonna go anywhere to check it out. Boy was I correct there. Chicago lost yet another close game and I'd rather not speak more about it. Just in highlight form, it looked like a piss-poor contest.
When I return a week from today... Star Wars! I'll definitely be talking about that. I don't really have much else planned, but Episode VII will give me something to talk about, although of course I won't give out any sort of spoilers.
Last Monday, I was out and about doing something, which I'll keep private. What wasn't an interesting experience for me was me driving back home from that. I had to deal with what had to be an impaired driver. I don't know if they were drunk, on drugs, mentally impaired, mentally ill, they had Alzheimer's, or what. I got around them as I was worried they'd get me into a wreck... then they started chasing after me! If I would have gotten their license plate number beforehand I would have used my phone to call the boys in blue but as I didn't, there was no easy way for me to do so and as after a few minutes they gave up and went elsewhere, I just forgot about it and made my way home. The way they added only confirmed my suspicions that they shouldn't have been on the road. And yes, driving on the road in Florida is still an aggravating experience, even if only you are in the car for a short amount of time. People still drive cluelessly and/or rudely.
Tuesday I did not do anything but Wednesday I went with someone to a place that the neither of us had been to in way too long, Hurricane Grill & Wings. We both rate their food highly so I can't explain why that was the case. What we had was pretty tasty. Thursday I did not do anything but Friday that was my most interesting day for sure. I had the option of doing several different things-including one which required a bit of time on the road-but I decided to visit a place I hadn't visited in years, Pointe Orlando. Due to location, a lack of things to do there and having to pay for parking, that explains why I haven't returned until now. Turns out, the place still doesn't have a lot to do so it will likely be a long while before I go back. Yet, what I did there was interesting. I thought about possibly seeing a film after dinner; things changed. I ate at a place I only hate at once before, BB King's Blues Club. I remember that place as being fine, and my memory was correct. It's a decent place that offers decent food. I could have done without the incredibly loud table filled with braying jackasses but I am sadly used to such idiocy in the Sunshine State. Even with that, I was still glad I went back there.
After that I went to a place I remember being there for awhile. It's the minus5 Ice Bar, which is exactly what it sounds like: a room that's at a freezer temperature and there is ice all over: sculptures, seats, the bar, etc. The price isn't cheap but with what I paid, I put on a parka & gloves and spent time in the room and had two drinks, which were included in the cost. I was the only customer there, but it was still cool to sit on an ice bench (it was covered with wolf skin), drink out of an ice cup, look at the multicolored LED lights and listen to random music, both old and new. It's something I'd do only once but it was still a memorable experience.
Saturday and Sunday, I ended up doing nothing either day. Saturday I thought of going somewhere to see the big UFC PPV, but I was not feeling 100% and I was just damn tired, so I stayed in instead. The show sounded fine and all, but that main event... at least I was able to view it online. Heck, I pretty much saw it in a Vine video, it was so short. Sunday, the Bears have looked so terrible for most of their games this year (even the ones they've won) that when they faced off against the Washington Redskins-a team who also plays terribly even if they win-I knew I wasn't gonna go anywhere to check it out. Boy was I correct there. Chicago lost yet another close game and I'd rather not speak more about it. Just in highlight form, it looked like a piss-poor contest.
When I return a week from today... Star Wars! I'll definitely be talking about that. I don't really have much else planned, but Episode VII will give me something to talk about, although of course I won't give out any sort of spoilers.
Monday, December 7, 2015
Die Hard, Ex Machina, Tom & Chee, and Atrocious Football
Here's a recap of what I've done since last Monday. Things were rather quiet. Monday the 30th of November was rather dull, so let me skip ahead to Tuesday, where I first went and got a much-needed haircut. In the evening, I returned to Cinepolis. I am glad that my first time there was my only bad experience there, as otherwise things have been fine at that establishment. The movie I saw was one of my personal favorites, Die Hard; no way would I turn down seeing that in a big fashion.
Wednesday I did not do anything but Thursday I went and got food from Jersey Mike's; they recently opened a location in Clermont, where I'll visit once in awhile. Friday, that was a different sort of day for me. I had to go somewhere to deal with something; it's nothing negative but I'll be vague about it. After that I went to more than one place. I stopped at a MovieStop to get some movies, including Ex Machina, an intelligent sci-fi film from the UK that I had rented from Redbox the night before; that was something I really should have seen on the big screen, as I loved it and there's at least the chance that it'll be my film of 2015.
After that I made a drive to a part of Orlando I rarely visit, in order to check out a restaurant, and as has happened before it was because someone I knew online brought it up. I don't watch any reality TV (as it's all faked and staged, you see) and the same goes for those competition shows, including Shark Tank. Well, Tom & Chee was apparently on there, and while it's not the entire menu, most of it is grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup. It sounded wacky so I wanted to try it out. The grilled cheese I had was tasty but as that on its own isn't a full meal & I don't eat (or drink) soup, I decided to walk next door to Fuddruckers to get a burger; after that I was sufficiently full.
Saturday I stayed in but Sunday I returned to the Friendly Confines to watch the Chicago Bears play against the San Francisco 49ers; San Fran has been pretty bad this season so I expected the Bears to win. Oh, how foolish I was! The lunch I had there was at least good. Otherwise, the traffic there and back was brutal and in this past week I had to use my horn more than once or twice. It was a pretty poor past 7 days when it came to such matters. As typical for a sports bar, there were idiots and drama queens and whiners there. “Screaming child” was also part of the equation on this day, and when the Bears blew it and the game-where both teams looked horrible beyond belief-ended up in overtime, I actually left then and there and did not stick around to see overtime, which was a good decision as they lost to terrible San Francisco. It wasn't all bad there as there are always decent people around. It's just the clowns and fools that are a bee in my bonnet.
When I return a week from today... yeah, not too much is on my agenda as of this moment.
Wednesday I did not do anything but Thursday I went and got food from Jersey Mike's; they recently opened a location in Clermont, where I'll visit once in awhile. Friday, that was a different sort of day for me. I had to go somewhere to deal with something; it's nothing negative but I'll be vague about it. After that I went to more than one place. I stopped at a MovieStop to get some movies, including Ex Machina, an intelligent sci-fi film from the UK that I had rented from Redbox the night before; that was something I really should have seen on the big screen, as I loved it and there's at least the chance that it'll be my film of 2015.
After that I made a drive to a part of Orlando I rarely visit, in order to check out a restaurant, and as has happened before it was because someone I knew online brought it up. I don't watch any reality TV (as it's all faked and staged, you see) and the same goes for those competition shows, including Shark Tank. Well, Tom & Chee was apparently on there, and while it's not the entire menu, most of it is grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup. It sounded wacky so I wanted to try it out. The grilled cheese I had was tasty but as that on its own isn't a full meal & I don't eat (or drink) soup, I decided to walk next door to Fuddruckers to get a burger; after that I was sufficiently full.
Saturday I stayed in but Sunday I returned to the Friendly Confines to watch the Chicago Bears play against the San Francisco 49ers; San Fran has been pretty bad this season so I expected the Bears to win. Oh, how foolish I was! The lunch I had there was at least good. Otherwise, the traffic there and back was brutal and in this past week I had to use my horn more than once or twice. It was a pretty poor past 7 days when it came to such matters. As typical for a sports bar, there were idiots and drama queens and whiners there. “Screaming child” was also part of the equation on this day, and when the Bears blew it and the game-where both teams looked horrible beyond belief-ended up in overtime, I actually left then and there and did not stick around to see overtime, which was a good decision as they lost to terrible San Francisco. It wasn't all bad there as there are always decent people around. It's just the clowns and fools that are a bee in my bonnet.
When I return a week from today... yeah, not too much is on my agenda as of this moment.
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