Daytona Beach, Clayton Kershaw, Sloppy Joe's & Game Of Thrones

What a week I had-it involved more time on the road than usual. Last Monday I did nothing but Tuesday was quite the eventful day. On Tuesday I returned to Tropicana Field to see the Tampa Bay Rays play against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Besides it being an interleague matchup and the Dodgers rarely playing in Tampa Bay, the two teams are among the best in baseball, for entirely different reasons. Plus, I knew there were some changes to Tropicana Field and I was intrigued. The actual game was pretty entertaining; a decent-sized crowd-by Tampa Bay standards-showed up, although of course a good amount of the attendance was Dodgers fans. LA won 7-3 in a game with a lot of hits and strikeouts. Clayton Kershaw was the starting pitcher for the Dodgers and while he's only pretty good now instead of great, he was tremendous against the Rays. A moment that looked bad at the time was when another LA pitcher (Pedro Baez) had the ball hit right back at him and LOUDLY bounced off his knee, but when I got home I saw the news it was only a contusion.

As for the new Tropicana Field, it has some new added areas, including a big change and more of a variety in food options. There is also a gaming room where I played a Rambo arcade game, of all things. Unfortunately, I do have a complaint; the park is now cash-free. You either use your card or exchange some cash for gift cards. I imagine more places will be like this in the near-future but for a place which has always had trouble drawing fans... this could be a problem. The fact that there are multiple different ways to order food (it depends on where you order it from) and unless it's something like ice cream from a small stand or a beverage from one of the bars it is done via an incredibly unresponsive touchscreen... it did not leave a good first impression. Ordering a ticket and paying for parking beforehand was easy as I just had to present my phone on those occasions... yet the horrid traffic there and back and not feeling 100% on this day meant it was a Tuesday of ups and downs. At least I enjoyed the game, if not some of the fans I had to be around.

I quickly recovered from that brief spell and the rest of the week up to the weekend wasn't that thrilling. I'll just mention that on Thursday I went with someone to the local Steak N Shake; aside from the restaurant apparently having its temperature at 50 degrees I had a fine meal. On the way back, though... the entrance on the main drag to the neighborhood I live in was blocked because of-shock of shocks-a car accident. Two vehicles smashed into each other pretty good-I did see a stretcher as I drove by, so that wasn't good. The only other things of note happened on Saturday, so let me mention what I did due to the fact that-again-I had to make airport runs.

I dropped someone off in the early afternoon then in the early evening I returned to that airport to pick up someone else. To me it was more logical not to return home for a few hours and instead do something else. That something else was “go to Daytona Beach”; unlike my past few visits there, I actually went to the beach-it's been years since I have been on one and taken a dip in some salty water. Naturally it was busy on this holiday weekend yet I still found cheap parking and on the way to the beach I went by a shopping plaza; in it was a Sloppy Joe's; yes, the famous Key West hangout has another location in Daytona Beach. I had a tasty lunch there which did include a tropical drink. The beach itself was nice and I was happy to experience that again after all this time. The rest of the day went fine, although I could have done without all the reckless people on the road; it was like being back in South Florida with how many people were flying by me and zooming through busy traffic going way over the speed limit. I was starting to fear that I'd have to deal with the aftermath of a crash but I was lucky this time.

By the way, to reveal more about myself... I don't watch much in the way of fictional television. I mean, the fact that I've even seen Stranger Things is somewhat surprising to me. Thus, I've never watched an episode of Game of Thrones; I don't subscribe to HBO and never thought of streaming it or purchasing season box sets. I won't even laugh at how badly the show ended as I know plenty of die-hard fans and I feel bad this happened only because the donkeys that run the show wanted to be done with it and wrapped it up as quickly and as dumbly as possible. It'd be nice if they never worked in the industry again... but things like this suddenly don't make me want to watch more fictional television, that is for sure.

Anyway, when I return next Monday... I have some ideas for what I'll be doing.

Funko Pops, Elton John, Captain Planet, Darkwing Duck, Mario Kart & Other Megacon Adventures

Yes, I did more than just visit the big comic con in Orlando... but it will comprise much of what I'll talk about this time. Last Monday I did nothing of note; Tuesday was a different story. I went to The Loop outdoor mall to see a movie. Before that I had dinner there. My first choice was busy so I instead went to Johnny Rockets, a place I hadn't been to in many years. I always thought their food was fine so there was no excuse for me not going there more often. The food was tasty; after that I saw... Batman & Robin! A few days before this I streamed Batman Forever, which I saw theatrically back in '95. That was more garish than I had remembered. B&R I had seen before but only via rental. It was so absurd seeing such a bad movie on the big screen 22 years after it came out, I couldn't turn down that opportunity. Indeed that was as bad as I had remembered, although hilariously so. You can't help but laugh at how badly they missed the mark there. I mean, the movie was even more incompetent than the guy who was the cashier at the concession stand... and that guy was pretty clueless.

Wednesday and Thursday, nothing occurred... this is because Friday would have a lot for me to talk about. The past several years whenever Megacon would take place, I go on Friday as the tickets are cheaper and the crowds are not as large. It's always been good times with all the geeky items available for sale and all the cosplay outfits. This time around, not as many comic vendors were around... they were seemingly all replaced by vendors who sold Funko Pops. I know some who HATE those figurines and plenty who love them... I just don't care about them either way. I did not spend too much while I was there... the main purchase was a Godzilla T-shirt, after all. The costumes were largely what you'd expect: Star Wars, Star Trek, Marvel, DC, and whatnot. I was amused that various 80's slasher villains were around along with Darkwing Duck, Captain Planet, two guys as Mario Kart characters (and they had makeshift karts around their waists), some guy as 1996 Shawn Michaels and another as NWO Macho Man Randy Savage, which greatly amused me. In a timely reference, a legend went as Elton John in his sparkly faux LA Dodgers outfit he wore in Dodger Stadium and as seen in the Rocketman trailer.

Unlike the last con I went to last summer, I did not meet or interact with any celebrities. At least this meant that unlike last time, I did not act like a buffoon around any celebrities that I happen to swoon over! The main highlight for guests was the cast of Back to the Future, including Michael J. Fox. Of course Fox and Christopher Lloyd were among the most popular celebrities on this day. Not in the special area for famous faces but in regular booths were Nichelle Nichols and TAIMAK. Yes, the lead of The Last Dragon, which is one of the most 80's films I've ever seen. It was an exhausting yet fun time on Friday. I am not sure why the standard wristband system was replaced by lanyards that you are given where you have to get online to log in so that you can be scanned in AND out of the comic con... maybe that's just me but it seems like a giant hassle and way too much effort in replacing a system that seemed to work fine beforehand.

Saturday I got some rest at home; there was the horse race, which at least was less controversial but the rider falling off his stead was pretty funny. Sunday was the third John Wick movie. The first one was great and the second I wasn't really a fan of... its action was tremendous but the story was aggravating and quite frankly, not a lot of fun. As the third continued the story set up in the second movie, I'll be frank and say my expectations weren't too high. Regrettably, I really did not like the third one and that is even with some great (if trying way too hard) action scenes. I HATED the story of the film for a number of reasons... there are logic issues and most importantly to me, I realized the John Wickiverse is pretty miserable-I mean, the world is not one where I'd love to live in. You have a bunch of miserable, unpleasant characters and people get into loud fights and somehow the general public does not notice... I know most will be aghast that I don't love the movie but this is just my honest opinion.

When I return on Memorial Day, I know of a few things I'll be discussing.

Lovebugs, Batman Returns, Arooga's & Hole In The Wall Bars

This past week... not spectacular. I tried to have the best time I could but fate seemed to conspire against me. Monday the 6^th I went and saw Batman Returns; the previous Saturday I viewed the '89 Batman at Disney Springs-this time it was at a smaller chain which I'll be too nice to and not publicly name. I've been there before and quibbles could be made about some things. This time it was more serious... besides a cashier who had tremendous difficulty because I gave him cash (yes, I still try to pay cash at places when I can; I am retro like that) the movie presentation started a half hour late, which I was none too happy about. The fact that as a kid I was not a fan of the film and I still don't love it did not help; it was not something I hated as the production design was tremendous-it's just that superhero films aren't for me, as I've uttered before.

Tuesday I did nothing but Wednesday I went to a Walmart to pick up some items. Them not having enough employees to check out at the traditional cash register (as I don't like using self check out and I couldn't use that anyhow as I needed to put money on a gift card) then the employee having a heck of a time putting money onto said gift card-this is one reason why the week as a whole could have been better... it was just embarrassing as there was a big line behind me. At least I found the Berry limited edition flavor of Pepsi and that is also good.

Thursday I returned to Disney Springs, this time eating at a place literally called Hole in the Wall; it's a bar attached to the Irish joint Raglan Road. I ate once in the restaurant, years ago, and the food was good. This time I ate outside at the bar and along with a Harp beer I got... of course I got my “almost always” of a burger and fries! That was good, even with it not being the cheapest meal and also the lovebugs flying around. I have not mentioned those in years as it's been a long while since they were out in droves like they are now. Each May and September you can find those bizarre critters flying all around Florida; there are urban legends about them being created in Florida so they could eat mosquitoes but that is poppycock... they are all around the Gulf Coast, so I've heard. They do eat decaying plants so I can't say they are totally pointless, but they smash against your car and it's a real hassle trying to remove those remnants as they really stick on there. As if the traffic I've experienced as of late wasn't atrocious enough (and believe me it's never been worse; it seems like drivers get stupider and stupider and do the most befuddling things) there is the hope that you don't run into a swarm of lovebugs.

Anyway, for Friday I was thinking of going on an adventure and be on the road for a good amount of time in order to experience new things and talk about them here. I then realized that once again I should be old and sensible again as later this month I know I'll be on the road to visit various places, so it'd be more logical to stay in Orlando and try out new places... which is what I did. This time it was an oddly-named sportsbar known as Arooga's. From viewing their website, they started in Pennsylvania and also have some restaurants in the Northeast... & the one Florida location presumably because a lot of people from the Northeast retire down here. Once I got waited on, things went fine and the food was decent-enough, I suppose. Before that I stopped at a Total Wine & More for some booze.

The weekend I did nothing at all except have a nice Mother's Day with my mom; I know, awwww. Friday when I was on the road, I had to take a detour as there was what I later found out was a massive accident where not only did a semi truck tip over on its side, but at least seven vehicles were involved, one was on fire, and there were fatalities. I hope “someone was on their 'smart' phone” was not the cause of that havoc but I have a feeling that was a cause, along with “driving way too fast”, as both things happen frequently down here, believe me. Not being on the road this weekend was a blessed relief.

When I return a week from today, I know a few things I'll be discussing and unless there is complete madness, this upcoming week should be an improvement over the one I just had.

ELO, Batman, Uno's, Maple Bacon Stout & Country House

This past Monday I did nothing of note but Tuesday was a different story. I had free time so I returned to Epcot at Walt Disney World. Once again I had random food & drink (including alcohol) and this time I saw one of the free concerts that they have during all their festivals. A retro act performs a half hour set three times a day; on this day was “The Orchestra Starring Former Members of ELO”... this means “no Jeff Lynne but some of the members did tours with ELO in the early 80's”. It was a great old time as Electric Light Orchestra's catalogue of songs is rather extensive; what The Orchestra performed included Hold on Tight, Sweet Talkin' Woman, Strange Magic, Turn to Stone and amazingly, one of the songs they did for the XANADU soundtrack! It was All Over the World, to be specific.

As I did nothing on Wednesday, I'll mention that Thursday I had dinner with my parents; they had to go to Best Buy to pick up an appliance as it was replacing something which finally died after 16 years of constant use. That went without issue and as an Uno's Pizzeria was right by Best Buy, that's where we ended up. At least for me the dinner went fine... I am not sure why it took so long to make our food and their “thin crust” (I wasn't the one who had that) pizza wasn't too terribly thin... at least my food tasted fine-although the serving size did used to be larger.

Friday was a day to relax but Saturday was different. Saturday had its bad moments for sure although it had some moments worth remembering. In the afternoon I saw Batman in a movie theatre; yes the 1989 movie starring Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson. In the summer of '89 there was an afternoon where my mom took me and my sisters to see it on the big screen, so I might as well do that again. As an anniversary celebration that and the live action films from the 90's are being shown theatrically in the upcoming week or so and I'll see all four that way... the only sequel I saw on the big screen was Forever and honestly, my best memory of that is how the end credits had the U2 song and then Seal's Kiss From a Rose. Anyway, even with the silliest moments the film was a good time, and the auditorium was pretty full.

After that I ate at Sea Dog Brewing Company, a place I've been to a few times before. The service there wasn't the greatest so who knows when I'll be there next... my food did taste fine (along with the maple bacon stout I drink) and that was where I saw the Kentucky Derby then all the hullabaloo over the end result. Whether or not the disqualification should have been called can be debated... how it was handled was pretty terrible all around. Although, not as terrible as the traffic on that day... I don't even want to get into that or all the awful behavior I witnessed.

Hopefully next Monday there won't be as many rage-inducing moments for me to discuss.