Ziggy's Pizza, Christmas Vacation, Mountain Dew Thrashed Apple, Chick N Max & Booster Shots

As 2021 is about to close and I am saddened like everyone else that Betty White has passed away a few weeks before turning 100, here is the last one of these until sometime in January. There's only two things I'll go in-depth on: receiving a booster shot on Wednesday & spending almost a week in Kansas w/ my sister and her three young sons. 2021 wasn't as bad for me as 2020 was (it'd be difficult to be worse than '20 considering that it included my mom passing away) although it still was not spectacular. At least Christmas was spent with family members and that went well.

It was great to see one of my two sisters, her beau, and three of my nephews. As stated before, they are young boys who are full of energy so I don't know how she does it-heck knows I could never be a parent. There was some “grown ups only” time and that included visiting such local establishments as Ziggy's Pizza, Chick N Max, Barn'rds, a local brewery in Wichita that outside in the back had “igloos” (actually, clear plastic over a frame; there are chairs and even a Bluetooth speaker where you can stream your own tunes), a screening of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation at a science museum on one of their domed screens* and some other places. Then again it was also fine bringing the kids out to Texas Roadhouse and Fuzzy's Tacos; in addition I bought a Mountain Dew Thrashed Apple as those are only in Kroger stores and there's no physical stores in Florida although they have a grocery delivery service in the state; yeah it does taste fine.

In addition, I went to a Duluth Trading Store for the first time and while most of the prices aren't cheap, I found a warm plaid shirt that wasn't too much. For the times in Florida that are actually on the chilly side, it will be nice to have. For the first time I saw episodes of American Horror Story—it was the season in Roanoke and it was amusing to me that part of it was found footage horror... I've seen some BAD movies in that style so while what I saw of the season was a mixed bag, I can't say it was awful. How graphically violent it was, a surprise... but again I've seen much gorier. Anyhow, the most heartwarming moment was that for a few days, a toddler thought of me as his best friend. He sat by me or wanted to sit by me, showed me things in a book he had, and was fascinated by such things as the “scary faces” on the bottle of Mountain Dew Thrashed Apple. I even did such “parent” things as wiping off his feet and pants when they got wet. I'm sure he misses me... the feeling is mutual. If nothing else, it was nice to do something really different from the norm in the dying days of this year.

Two days ago I received a booster shot. Yeah, it was after I flew to Kansas and back via Allegiant Airlines. Considering that hardly anyone wore masks out there in the heartland of America-no kidding, more people in FLORIDA had on masks in places like grocery stores-it was luck that I didn't get sick. This time the shot was in the car at the town's local health clinic. I can't even complain that it was not as efficient as it was when the first two shots were received at a dead mall... after all, they also have to constantly test people for COVID and it has to be a job that will give you gray hair. Afterwards, the experience was just like the second shot: I started to feel bad the night of and the next day was feeling icky & exhausted. At least last night I got a great night's sleep and right now is a 180 from the previous day.

While the virus flaring up again is definitely cause for concern, I still hope that 2022 will feel more like “real life” than the past two years have. I am not doing a thing New Years Eve or New Years Day, which is how I want it to be. A few things are on the docket for January so I'll have things to write for next time.

* The picture was only on part of the screen... and obviously was a Blu-ray projection. That is OK as that was my first theatrical experience w/ the film and it was clear why Exploration Place played the movie a few times: the screening I was at was sold out. Many people did cosplay (not us, though) and alcohol was served. Of course it was fun times.

USF Football, Reese's Pieces Pancakes, Sickies Garage, King of the Coup & CHEETOS Mac & Cheese

As promised yesterday, here is me catching up on the highlights of what I've done the past three months. Honestly, there isn't too much to write about: sure I went to Walt Disney World twice-where my plan to FINALLY go on the Star Wars ride Ride of the Resistance went awry as it broke down-as it typically does-and Universal Studios CityWalk once but otherwise I haven't been on too many adventures. The most interesting journey was on November 6, where I went to Tampa to see the USF Bulls against the Houston Cougars. It was only the second time I was ever in Raymond James Stadium, which is primarily the home of the Tampa Bay Bucs. It was a fun time; while Houston was much better than USF, it was a shootout so the final score was the Cougars 54, Bulls 42. The seat was in the corner of the end zone only a few rows up, for a nice price. On the drive to Tampa, I stopped in Wesley Chapel at a restaurant I had just heard of hours beforehand: King of the Coup. They do serve some tasty chicken.

Besides mentioning a few restaurants I've gone to, here is one surprising food admission when it comes to what I make at home: the one macaroni & cheese meal that always turns out right each time and is tasty: CHEETOS Mac & Cheese; I am as surprised as you are. BTW, the Applebees Cheetos boneless wings were not as tasty, although I was more impressed with their exclusive Mountain Dew flavor Dark Berry Bash. In September at IHOP I had their limited edition Reese's Pieces Pancakes and those were pretty good. Now, onto the restaurants I've gone to which are worth mentioning:

In Davenport one night I and some other people went to the Hungry Crab; it was a standard seafood place and while the service wasn't great, at least the food was decent... although it wasn't the best shrimp I've ever had. Then again, I did not love the shrimp either at a much fancier restaurant: the Columbia Harbor House in Celebration. At least I enjoyed the vibe in that place so one day I'll have to return there. One place I dug that just opened in Kissimmee: Sickies Garage. Wacky name, but that car-themed place is a small chain that started in the Dakotas, of all places. Both the food and atmosphere were pretty good so I'll definitely return in the future. I just wish it was closer to me and it was not a hassle to get there as it requires to be the perpetually busy Highway 192.

If there's anything important I forgot to mention, I'll bring it up next time, which for certain will be on December 31 where primarily I'll talk about the different experiences I will have the latter half of December. I should have a Happy Holidays, in other words.

Space 220, Candyman, Malignant, No Time to Die, Last Night in Soho, Dune & Halloween Kills

I realize, this has been a LONG, LONG time coming. I haven't felt like doing one of these in months for a variety of reasons. It is nothing major or anything to be concerned about; it's more apathy than anything else, yet I am doing fine overall despite some ups & downs and not everything going as expected. Just note that I've overall been fine as of late, there is a reason why I am doing this now (and will post again tomorrow where I'll reveal more highlights of the fall season) and for certain I'll return on the last day of 2021 to talk about something which I won't reveal until then. For now, a special restaurant I visited then some of the movies I've seen as of late.

Space 220 is a new restaurant at Epcot and it is heavy on a theme-in this case, on a simulated elevator ride you are having (an expensive) dinner at a space station. As I've been interested in the topic since a little kid, I had the urge... so much so, I went there on opening day. There was a long wait but to me it was literally worth the wait. It is a one time only thing for me-it is an place that offers three course meals where I had such food as “burrata di mozzarella”, artichoke hearts, romesco, “haricot vert”, and “potato leek croquette”, which is way outside my usual wheelhouse. As I never eat at fancy restaurants, it was worth doing it once, although otherwise I am fine eating at sports bars and whatnot. The atmosphere there IS great.

Now, onto the movies I've seen theatrically...

Somehow I did not mention that I saw the Candyman remake/sequel back on the 1^st of September. It wasn't as good as I had heard. While it had some moments, it had major issues and the apparent message of “all white people are bad” was controversial...

Malignant: No surprise that many in the general public were baffled by this. It was made for a specific niche audience—one I happen to be a part of so I knew the influences and was able to guffaw at how bonkers it got in the final act.

Halloween Kills: Meh. I had major problems with the story, ones where the graphic violence on display couldn't help mask.

Last Night in Soho: While parts of the plot I could carp about, overall it was pretty good. Great lead performances, stylish atmosphere and a groovy soundtrack definitely help.

Dune: It was great. I've never read the book but this was quite the journey. The David Lynch original movie was compromised yet isn't as bad as you may have heard.

No Time to Die: Another “Meh”. It was way too long and a bad final act culminated in a decision I don't understand or agree with.

House of Gucci: It was fine, although talk about tone issues. Some performances are more nuanced while some (especially Jared Leto) are way over the top.

 

Oh, and I saw Gremlins theatrically last Friday night. It wasn't my first time as an adult; the movie s still an 80's classic.

Like I said, another one of these will go up tomorrow afternoon where I'll share the rest of the story.