Chicken Crispers, Going To Wrestling & Taking Some L's

No, the few times “I took an L”-to use some modern lingo-in the past week were only minor things and not even worthy of discussion here. I figured it'd be amusing for “an old man” like me to use such terms. I'll tell this out of order as Friday night was far more interesting than expected. I was originally gonna go to Lakeland, but instead I went to a wrestling show. I don't really watch too much modern pro wrestling anymore; it's for a variety of reason, from how it's filmed (a major issue with WWE) to how storytelling in the ring is poor... too much of it is a stunt show or dumb “comedy” routines; I AM over-generalizing here, admittedly; I am just speaking in general. At the risk of sounding bitter, wrestling the way it used to be (even like 10 to 15 years ago) is better than a lot of what I've seen in recent years.

I still follow what's going on but I don't view a large amount of  bouts or events. There are plenty of reasons why I stopped going to shows locally (including an individual I'll call “Voldemort”) but I won't get into that here as it's a lot of sordid drama. The reason why I finally returned to an event: I saw a person booked for the event at a middle of nowhere gas station! No kidding, and it's no like that I took this as a sign to make my return. Heck, for a long while I've been thinking of attending my second-ever Shine Wrestling event. It's an all women promotion and despite what it may sound like, it is serious wrestling like the type you see among the lady wrestlers in WWE for the past few years now.

The only Shine show I was at was years ago... about time I returned and about time I stopped procrastinating or coming up with excuses as to why I shouldn't go... it's not the closest to me but not so far it would be too much distance for me “back in the day.” I made it to the event and it was a fun show, where the wrestling was more my style as it only had one silly comedy moment (which was fine by me) and the girls weren't repeatedly dropping their opponents on their heads or doing dangerous moves that could hurt themselves or their opponents. I did not get to chat with everyone there I knew from the past but as it was an unannounced appearance... people were surprised. It was nice to see those people after all those years. I should go to these shows more often... it won't be like how it was in like 2007 but I shouldn't be such a stranger.

To talk about my weekend, Saturday I did nothing and Sunday I had to make another airport run; I filled in for the person that would usually do this. The person I was picking up arrived way-early so I had no time for even a quick lunch; that was OK as I just ate when we got home. Back to being in chronological order, last Monday I went to the outdoor mall known as Winter Garden Village and the main highlight there was purchasing some items from Target. Tuesday, I went to Chili's with someone and that was a good idea; the other person enjoyed their ribs meal (as they always do) and I tried their new chicken crispers meal, which is some chicken fingers, fries and a small ear of corn. That is well worth getting, I say.

As I did nothing on Wednesday and Thursday, I'll close this out now. A week from today, what will be discussed is still a mystery... for now.

Grindhouse Video Tampa, Engine No. 9 & Regurgitation

No, I did not experience any illnesses where I had to throw up; it was something I saw that I'll explain later. This past week was full of ups and downs, and all in the same day. Last Monday I did nothing of note; Tuesday was far more interesting. In the evening I was at a Tampa Bay Rays game. It may be the only one of theirs I see live this year, as the team is pretty putrid now. A lot can be said as to why that's the case; people who follow baseball for a living tend to agree so I'll let them explain why as they could do a better job than I could, and probably not be as long-winded either. To my non-surprise, Tampa lost 7-2 to the Texas Rangers. At least Tampa had some exciting plays... but so did the Rangers and Texas just played better overall. Tropicana Field is about the same as usual; most hate it but I don't think it is THAT bad. They now serve Coca-Cola products, which is a change as before this year they were always aligned w/ Pepsi. 

Before that I ate at a nearby restaurant/bar known as Engine No. 9 (nice song reference) as it was highly rated. I thought it was fine; the food and drink wasn't bad but I wasn't knocked off my socks. Still, it was interesting that the place is owned by the son of 70's and 80's Chicago Blackhawks goalie Tony Esposito. But the one thing I did in Tampa was pretty rad; recently I stumbled across a store known as Grindhouse Video Tampa. They buy, trade, and sell movies but they focus on more obscure flicks which are released by smaller independent labels like Shout/Scream Factory, Vinegar Syndrome, Arrow Video, Blue Underground, etc. Many of those titles can be purchased online but it's great getting to see those discs in person. Best of all is that they have some foreign import discs that either play on any Blu-ray player across the world or ones that require a region-free player. I did purchase some discs which wasn't a cheap time there but who knows when I'll be able to return there; all things considered it's a good thing that isn't in Orlando, as I would be there often.

Wednesday I did nothing but Thursday, I went with someone to the local Lucky's Market in town. We'd shop around and we would both purchase food there. Things went awry... it wasn't my fault. There were some stump-dumb people in the store. At least the pizza I got was pretty good. Friday (4/20; I did not celebrate it although I know some people that certainly must have!) was really full of peaks and valleys. I went to the Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World; it was mainly to go on the Avatar Flight of Passage ride. It is great yet it's always been busy so I had only been on it once before. I braved the wait and I was happy to go on it again. I decided not to eat there and instead have a late dinner somewhere else. This was a mistake. I tried Old Town, an area I hadn't been to in years as the place did some real stupid things that drove me away. I wish it wasn't the case as its retro vibe was pretty cool. But on this night I saw that most of their parking was not free... it was 10 bucks! I said “Forget that!” and don't plan on me ever going there again.

Instead I ended up at Twin Peaks as I hadn't been there yet this year. The place is largely the same as usual. My burger was a little too well done but it was still edible. The traffic on this day was pretty brutal so I was happy to stay in during the weekend; it rained on both days so it was not a big deal to stay in. There was Live PD to watch so that provided the usual entertainment. Tuesday night when I was driving home I took the back way instead of the infamous Interstate 4; part of the journey was going through Pasco County, which for awhile now as been one of the counties Live PD covers and to my non-surprise, the trashiest, goofiest people you see on the show are from Pasco.

As for regurgitation, that is referencing what I saw on Friday. Waiting in line for the Avatar line, I rounded a corner and saw a huge pile of puke on the ground... and a young man barfing into a trash can! Thankfully it was in an area where everyone could easily step around the puke. There could be several reasons as to why he vomited in the late afternoon at Walt Disney World; at long as he did not have anything contagious-and I've felt fine since then-I won't worry or speculate as to why he did something so embarrassing.

On that lovely note... the next time I return, I hopefully won't have to discuss more bodily fluids being expelled violently from someone.

Big River Grille & Brewing Works, Old Key West Resort & Howey-In-The-Hills

Yes, there's a town in Florida named Howey-In-The-Hills and it was named by a Mr. Howey, who clearly wasn't lacking in self-confidence. My Monday and Tuesday were not noteworthy at all. That was fine as they were both rainy days. I can't complain because like it was last year, Florida has been deficient when it comes to matching its average annual rainfall. Wednesday, I went to Disney Springs and for the first time in years I used their bus system to visit one of the Disney Resort hotels. I had a few in mind and the one I went to depended on which bus showed up first. That's how I ended up at the Boardwalk; it beat going to Epcot and making the long walk from there to the Boardwalk. I ate at the Big River restaurant there. Yes, I did have a beverage at the place, which actually brews some beers on site.

Thursday, I went to a restaurant new to me and someone else. It was literally found by me from looking randomly at the surrounding area on Google Maps, which is how I've found out about other places before. The restaurant was known as JB Boondock's Bar & Grill; it was literally on a lake in the aforementioned Howey-In-The-Hills so it was nice scenery. The service wasn't the best but at least my food was good. The shrimp that the someone else had could have been better, according to them. Still, I did not mind going there. On the way there part of the shortcut I took was a dirt road, which I did not know beforehand; it meant that the main thing I did on Friday was a visit to the car wash.

I could have done several different things for the weekend that would have resulted in many hours away from home. That includes a Tampa Bay Rays game; Saturday and Sunday they... instead I saved time and money by returning to Disney Springs to use their transportation system again. This time I went to the Old Key West Resort. It's not the boldest themed place they have on property yet it's still nice and there are many sharp-looking villas which do remind me of Key West. I was there once before (Old Key West, although I've been at Key West itself too by myself, years ago) so I figured it was time to visit this resort again. After walking around I had a quick dinner from an outdoor stand; I did do a Good Samaritan deed: right in front of me was a girl who was like 12 years old and she got drinks for I presume her and her siblings. The total was like $9.82 and she only had 9 bucks on her. As she was in a pickle of a situation and her family was nowhere to be seen, I did give her a dollar, which she definitely appreciated. I am only telling this tale to show that I am not always a heel!

Sunday, it was another rainy day so I did nothing. The upcoming week, I have a few ideas when it comes to plans and activities.

Central 28 Honey Bach, The Villanova Wildcats, Dee Dee Ramone & Pam Grier

I actually started off the preceding week with some excitement. Monday night the 2nd I went to the local Buffalo Wild Wings (as I had a coupon which meant the food I ordered was a few dollars off) to watch the big final game in the college basketball season. The game ended up being a laugher as Villanova easily won. I could have done without Nova's best player flopping on the ground as if he was in the NBA-one of the many reasons why I don't watch the NBA-but Michigan would have lost even if not for that. I am glad I also had Samuel Adams' Sam '76 and Blue Moon Mango Wheat for the first time... both were fine.

Tuesday, I got what I say whenever I get a haircut, which is that it was much-needed. This time it was especially so. I then went into Orlando for something. After that I was in the downtown area, where I stopped at a place for the first time-I am talking about Market on Magnolia. I ate dinner there and had two tasty beers... Central 28 Honey Bach and Walking Tree Brewery Babycakes, which is an oatmeal stout. I was happy to have both, and both are from local breweries. Wednesday through Friday were rather nondescript, and Saturday I only went to Walmart, where I picked up a few random items. Sunday, business picked up.

Sunday, I saw something at the Florida Film Festival, which is held in the Orlando suburb cities of Winter Park and Maitland. I've talked about it throughout the years as I've occasionally gone to see films there. This time it was a screening of Jackie Brown and none other than PAM GRIER would be in attendance. The ticket wasn't the cheapest yet I would feel like a fool for not going, as she's awesome. Indeed she was as she spoke for awhile after the film and talked about various things. It's better seen than described by me, that is for sure. She did not bash anyone or sling dirt; instead she talked about her career, live living in rural Colorado, Richard Pryor, and plenty of other things.

Even before the movie, things were interesting. The screening was at The Enzian, which has an outdoor bar. I could bash an older woman who was LOUD as she obviously had too much to drink... I mean, she literally bragged about the previous times there where a bartender had to cut her off of more booze! Still, I'll be nice... although she did spill some alcohol and I thought that was pretty funny. Plus, here is something random... overhearing that another old person right by you is the sister of the late Dee Dee Ramone; yes, as in Dee Dee, the bassist for The Ramones, no kidding. I did not say anything to her, and what would I say, anyhow? Oh, and as for the movie Jackie Brown, when I first saw it many years ago, I rated the film was “meh”. Now, I realize how mistaken I was. It's not my favorite QT yet in no way is it “meh”, let alone bad.

When I return a week from today, I doubt it will be as eventful as the preceding week but you never know...

Bahama Breeze, Yard House, Serial & The Trail Went Cold

Once again my week was usually nondescript although at least I will have something different to talk about at the very end. I definitely could complain about traffic but I always do about that so even though someone pulled out right in front of me a few days ago, even that isn't unusual down here. Monday I did nothing but Tuesday, I went to the International Drive area and for the first time in years, I had food and drinks at a Bahama Breeze restaurant. They have good food, but there's a plethora of restaurants that are at least decent in quality. On the way back I stopped at a place I mentioned early this year (Snow City) to have some rolled ice cream, which was wise on my part. I also stopped at the Hulk Hogan store on I-Drive. I've been to the one in Clearwater but this was new to me. Note that me going there is NOT an endorsement of the various controversies surrounding The Hulkster in the past few years, including the whole “racial slur” thing. The store also has various WWE merchandise.

Wednesday I went to an Office Depot for the first time in years. The main thing I got there was a USB 3.0 flash drive; I already have a portable hard drive and have used it for years but for me I'll put certain things on the flash drive. I then got some random items from the nearby Target. Thursday and Friday I did nothing, which was fine with me. It was still a Good Friday even if it was a dull one. Saturday I returned to I-Drive, and a place I had been to last year: Yard House. They make tasty food so I was happy to return there. I had some craft beer and dinner as I saw the Loyola of Chicago play in the Final Four against Michigan. The game was bowling shoe ugly and Loyola lost. At least they unexpectedly made it so far. After that I ate at a combination Great American Cookies/Pretzelmaker. Their mozzarella pretzel bites are to die for.

Easter Sunday, I had a ham dinner with the parents, which has been a tradition for many years now. I'll bid everyone adieu now and the rest of this will be me bringing up a pair of podcasts. I might as well have time traveled back to 2014, as I finally listened to the Serial podcast. I liked the idea better than the execution and I wish there was a different host. Even if the viewpoint was biased, Adan Syed's new trial being confirmed is good as he needed a new trial with a better defense. The audio I usually listen to on the radio are mostly either old songs, movie podcasts, videogame shows, and now true crime podcasts. I need to listen to more of those... a decent one I discovered was The Trail Went Cold, about various cold cases. I'll eventually track down more for listening purposes.