Fighting Illini Basketball, Gonzaga & Frosty's Christmastime Lounge

Here's what I've done in the past week. On Monday the 20th, I went with that parent and their friend to another restaurant. This time it was something different; it was the Macaroni Grill, which was a good call as they always make a tasty pizza. In the evening I watched Illinois State basketball play on ESPN. It was in the “lesser” NIT Tournament, even though ISU belonged in the NCAA Tournament, really. But, they did not help their cause when they lost by one point to UCF, of all teams. It was at ISU, so I wasn't at the game live. While there was a controversial call at the end, ISU had a big lead earlier so they blew it. I then saw the University of Illinois play in the NIT against Boise State. Illinois won, and thus the Fighting Illini played at the UCF Knights on Wednesday night.

Tuesday night was the last night that friend was in town, so we ended up eating at the local restaurant known as Oakwood Smokehouse & Grill. They make good food so I should go there more frequently than I do. Wednesday, I saw Illinois play at UCF. I actually had never been in the CFE Arena, which opened around 10 years ago. It's a nice-enough building for basketball. The building was pretty full and while there were some Illinois fans, the loud UCF fans drowned them out. The Illini tried to make a comeback after being down big early but the Knights still won 68-58.

I'll briefly note that I had another bad Florida traffic incident... it involved a guy who I thankfully was able to get around on a 2 lane rural road, but it was only after I passed them that I realized they were a drunk driver. Otherwise, 911 would have been talking to me ASAP. Yet another “fun” moment dealing with the atrocious traffic down here.

Anyhow, Friday was a lot more interesting than what I was expecting. At sort of the last minute, I decided it was the time to return to downtown Orlando. I hadn't been there at night since last June. Unfortunately that was the night of the Pulse nightclub shooting... you can probably understand how that's been stuck in my mind since then. But finally I returned. When I was in the area a month ago (during a late afternoon) I passed by a bar/club which I had never heard of before and it sounded so wacky, I knew I had to try it out soon. That's what I did, after I stopped by another random place for a bit. I went to a British-themed place known as the Underground Public House. It was a typical place and it was fine as I had one drink there.

Then, I went to the place that caught my eye a month ago. When you find out there's a bar/club which is Christmas themed every day of the year and it's named Frosty's Christmastime Lounge, it was a must visit for me. Thankfully, it was as entertaining as I had hoped. The expected decorations were all over the place, there was a fake fireplace on an LCD screen, there was even fake snow from time to time... a few of the televisions even played Christmas films. The first one was Office Christmas Party, which I had no interest in. But, after that it was Die Hard, which made me pretty happy. I watched the big basketball game on TV, which was Wisconsin against Florida. Florida won in an improbable manner in overtime; I spent more time there than expected but that's alright, as it was such a wacky and fun place. I'll definitely be back there sometime in the future.

Saturday and Sunday I did nothing. I was OK with that arrangement. I did watch some college basketball on TV. It reminds me, the last time I mentioned how at Twin Peaks there was a drunken oaf who asked me who I picked to win the big tournament. I am not an avid watcher but the team I picked was Gonzaga. It's not the most conventional of picks as they're a smaller time who had never made it to the final four teams. This jerk loudly laughed at me. Now, I feel like giving him the finger if I ever saw him again... then again he was probably too wasted to even remember the incident. Gonzaga made it to the Final Four, along with perennial contender North Carolina, Oregon (who hadn't made it that far since 1939) and South Carolina, whose presence here is a shock to everyone. This year the tournament is quite bizarre but I will at least gloat about Gonzaga.

When I return a week from today... a lot is in the air, I'll put it that way. I know I'll have something to talk about, for sure.

Kong: Skull Island, Restaurant Journeys & Awkward Moments

Here's what I've done since Monday the 13th. I did nothing on the 13th itself but on Tuesday, I went and finally saw Kong: Skull Island. I was able to see it at an Epic Theatres (a real small chain) where they have a discount each Tuesday, so watching it on a giant screen with less than 10 bucks was a solid deal to me. While it's not the classic from 1933, it's still pretty entertaining, and has plenty of solid or just plain cool moments. Unfortunately, the traffic on this day was horrendous. I haven't said much about the topic as of late; there have been some bad days there this year, and this was the worst of them. I won't go into detail, but there was a road rage incident with some Troglodyte, and I'd rather forget about that lunatic. Anyhow, I had dinner at a PDQ, a quick service restaurant I have praised often in the past. Thankfully one is finally about to open much closer to me... it'll be right in my town of Clermont. That makes me very happy.

Wednesday, I had dinner at a restaurant. Two weeks ago, one parent had a friend down here for a few days, and this past week, the other parent had their friend here for about a week. We ate at a local restaurant chain known as Gator's Dockside. I saw Illinois State University play in the “lesser” NIT tournament, where they won their first game. Their next game is tonight... against UCF, of all teams. Thursday, for several reasons us three ended up on International Drive. I told them several options for dinner and even though I made it clear it was a rustic version of Hooters, they wanted to eat at Twin Peaks, so that is what we did. It turned out awkward. As the place sometimes does, the outfits the girls were is not the traditional shorts and small plaid top, but rather lingerie or underwear! Definitely awkward. Thankfully, they both enjoyed the food they ordered. It sounds like a gag, but I actually do enjoy the food they serve there.

Friday... I returned to Twin Peaks, this time on my own. They now offer wings; I had the boneless ones, and they were good. What wasn't good was there being some loud drunken tools around (the big college basketball tournament just started that Thursday), which I tried to ignore... but one of them tried talking to me about it and that ended when I honestly told him who I picked to win the whole tournament (it wasn't an obvious choice like Kentucky or Duke or North Carolina) and he just about wet his pants laughing. I did not call him a fat drunken slob-which he was-as it was not even worth my time. That pig thankfully said nothing else to me... in a future entry I'll mention if my pick was correct or not. It probably won't be but trust me it was not as outlandish as chubby thought it was. Anyhow, after I left there I went to the nearby Sugar Factory, where I had a tasty shake.

Speaking of basketball, some games of the big NCAA tournament were in Orlando; I could have gone to it, but when the tickets online were at a good price, I was not feeling 100 percent and was dead tired also. Eh, oh well... like I said recently, soon will be Wrestlemania weekend and that will cost some cash. I do know that this year I'll be at some Tampa Bay Rays games... and for the first time down here, some minor league baseball games too.

Saturday, I went to the local Steak 'N Shake as that's where the other two wanted to go. Some of the people there were real winners... as in, I questioned if they were all there mentally. Sunday, I relaxed, which was fine. When I return a week from today, I do have a few things in mind for what I'll be doing.

Longhorn Cows, Food Poisoning & I Talk Professional Wrestling

Here's what I've done since Monday the 6th. I did nothing on the 6th itself. The 7th was more interesting. My parents had a family friend visiting from the northern part of Florida. He was here for part of the past week. On Tuesday we ended up at Disney Springs; I was wary of being there as this week is Spring Break for what I believe at a decent number of colleges and universities. Thankfully it was not as hellaciously busy as I expected. We decided to eat at the Lava Lounge, which is an outdoor yet covered area that is connected to The Rainforest Cafe; I've been both to that and several different Rainforest Cafe locations across the United States. They make tasty food so it was a good idea to eat there. On the way back home I saw a bizarre sight. While this was on a rural road, in no way was I expecting having to slow down because a longhorn cow was crossing the road; no lie. 

Wednesday, I went with someone to the local Chili's in town. That went fine... although I could have done without the incredibly loud and boorish young woman who was amazingly annoying, especially when she horse-laughed for like a minute straight and it was so LOUD everyone in the restaurant must have heard her. My theory concerning how the most irritating strangers are naturally attracted to me like moths to a flame... it still holds true. Thursday I did nothing. Friday I thought about going out and about so I could do something interesting in the evening. I then realized I should be more practical. There is a good reason why.

Sunday, April 2 is Wrestlemania 33, and the biggest wrestling show of the year is in Orlando at the former Citrus Bowl this year. While the show itself is something I couldn't care less about (the fact that it'll likely be at least SIX HOURS long is not good either), I should probably go to it anyhow. Plus, there are plenty of wrestling shows from smaller organizations that will be held in the area in the preceding few days, and I should go to at least one of those; which one(s), I have no idea yet, but point is, that will cost some dough. Saving money now would be a good idea. With any luck, I'll see people I literally have not seen in person in years.

Anyhow, what I did Friday instead was go to two stores in town. The one I'll mention is Kmart. I purchased some random food & drink there. I was hoping that'd be it for the day, but... late at night I suffered from a virulent cast of food poisoning. While I am not sure what it was I ate that caused it... I'll spare you the gory details of what happened during a pretty rough few hours. It was not pretty, that's for sure. Thankfully I felt better on Saturday-where I stayed at home and recovered-although I was dead tired. Sunday, I returned to the World of Beer, where I only had two drinks there. I then ate food at the local Wendy's before returning home.

When I return a week from today... I do have a few things in mind for what I'll be talking about; I need to see the new Kong movie, for example.

New Dentists, College Basketball & Maple Popcorn Shakes

Here's what I've done since Monday the 27^th. On February 27, it was a poor day overall. I went to a new dentist. Back in January I explained how my old dentist retired so some new guy took over the operation. Things happen, and it was decided that I'd go somewhere else instead. A neighbor recommended this place so it was decided that'd be the place to go. It is a nice modern place and I can't complain about the assistant who cleaned & examined my teeth nor the actual dentist herself... although for some reason, I ended up not being happy with how I had to sit in the dentist's chair for like a half hour by myself with no one coming back and no one telling me where everyone is or what's going on or what the delay was... I did not say anything about it but it was not the best first impression. Shame, as I otherwise had no issues. Sure, I have always been blessed with not the best body (including my teeth) and now some of my old dental work is starting to fall apart, which I am not happy about.... it's a day I'd like to forget about.

Tuesday, I did nothing but Wednesday I went to the local bank then to Walmart. That was standard. Thursday, I did something neat: I went to the Flower & Garden Festival at Epcot at Walt Disney World. There's always pretty scenery whenever they have that festival so I was happy to walk around and almost literally stop and smell the roses. There are also various food booths set up and I was delighted the one devoted to China brought back the candied strawberries, which are very good. Near Canada they offered something known as a “maple popcorn shake.” I had to try it as I was puzzled. It is a shake made with maple liquor and it is garnished with some maple popcorn kernels. Strange, but it was actually pretty good. For the first time in years, I went to the resort area right by Epcot, where they have several hotels, including the Yacht Club Resort, the Beach Club Resort, and the BoardWalk Inn. I ate at the ESPN Club there; they made decent food. So yeah, I got plenty of exercise via walking on this day.

Friday I did nothing but Saturday, I went to a place I hadn't been to in almost 2 months: the World of Beer, and it was the one right in town. I had some darker European beers as I saw Illinois State University play a conference tournament game against Southern Illinois University; ISU won by 13 but for much of the game it wasn't even that close. I then ate dinner at Jersey Mike's and had a beverage from a brand new Planet Smoothie that is next door. Sunday, I watched ISU at home as they lost the conference tournament championship to Wichita State. It'd be nice if Illinois State could still make the NCAA Tournament but it probably won't happen, so it'll be the lesser NIT instead. It wasn't the original plan but I went to Culver's for dinner and I brought home food as I saw parts of the Orlando City SC soccer game. They now have a new stadium which just opened. Sometime this year I'll visit it.

When I return a week from today... I have some ideas in mind as to what activities I'll be participating in.

Adult Stores, Outlet Malls, My Birthday & LOL Oscars

Here's what I've done since Monday the 20th. On the 20th I did nothing but Tuesday, I ended up at a Walgreens. Wednesday was more interesting for me, as that was my 36th birthday. I don't believe it either that I am this age, yet it's true. I went with my parents for dinner. It was rainy weather so we stayed in town and dinner was at Outback Steakhouse. I saw an item only available to order on Wednesday when I looked at their website; it was not mentioned anywhere at the restaurant itself so instead I had my trademark “almost always” of a burger and fries. It was not the most exciting birthday but that is OK.

Thursday, I had to be in Orlando for something; it was minor. After I left there I was going to turn right at an intersection, and I saw that many police cars had blocked off the intersection, as least for those people who wanted to go straight. It did not impede me as that's where I was turning anyhow but I was wondering what major incident resulted in such a heavy police presence. Well, I found out a few hours later that at the Walmart in the area, some likely mentally ill dude was shooting people with his BB gun. The cops arrived and he pulled his BB gun on them; that went as well as you'd expect it to. Anyhow, I ended up at an outlet mall I hadn't been to in more than a year. It was largely the same as before. I only purchased food & drink but at least I got the chance to walk around when the weather was fine and it only briefly sprinkled.

Friday, I had to return to Orlando for something. The main thing I'll mention is that I ended up in downtown Orlando for the first time since that awful night where the Pulse nightclub massacre happened. Sometime in the near future I need to spend a night in the area again, so I can visit a new hotspot or two. What I did while I was there in the late afternoon was to have dinner at Wahlburgers; I hadn't been to that joint in months so it was about time. They make pretty good food so I should give them some moolah once in awhile. Oh, and before that I stopped... at an adult store! It was Fairvilla, a famous store in Orlando. I won't discuss what I may or may not have purchased there; I'll just say I have frequented the store a few times before.

Saturday, I got a much-needed haircut from the Sportclips in town. Unfortunately, I was the only customer there and it's typical for the place to be barren when I go there. I would not be surprised if that location shuts down; it'd make me sad, as it's real convenient for me and I do like not having to wait a long time before I sit in the barber's chair. Sunday, I watched the Oscars. That was with the sound off, as that's what I typically do; especially this year that was a good move on my part. Having to listen to Jimmy Kimmel speak, no thank you. Overall, I can't really complain about the awards or who won what. It went mainly as expected... until the hilariously botched ending. How can you give two legendary acting veterans the wrong envelope and make them look so bad? Amazing. I feel bad for La La Land, although I am glad that Moonlight won as that's my movie of 2016. On another note, the deaths that happened on this day were sad. When I was real little I did watch The People's Court; honestly I did not know that Judge Wapner was even still alive. Bill Paxton was quite the shock; I certainly have seen a decent amount of his movies in my life.

When I return a week from today, I do know I'll have several things to talk about.

The Great Wall, Manchester By The Sea, La La Land & Other Movies

Here's what I've done since Monday the 13th. It was another dull week, for the most part. I had other things to focus on and I'll leave it at that. On the 13th I ended up at Burger King, where I got some dinner. The order took forever to be made, but such BS is common at pretty much every Burger King in my vicinity. Tuesday I did nothing and Wednesday was forgettable but Thursday, I went out with someone to an Uno's Pizzeria. That went fine as they usually make good food; sure, a few years ago I got my worst case of food poisoning ever after eating at Uno's one night, but other than that... Friday, I was out and about in the Orlando area. All I'll mention from that is that I ended up seeing The Great Wall. It's a fancy B movie, pretty much. You certainly can carp about the script or the plot or how it's so silly, yet it's fun as the action scenes are quite entertaining.

Saturday, that was the most interesting day of the past week, for sure. As I did in 2014 and 2016, I spent a Saturday watching some of the Best Picture Oscar nominees at one of the AMC Theatres (in my case, the ones at what is now known as Disney Springs) holding an event where two Saturdays in February they play those movies in a marathon. I only do it one of the two Saturdays as it eats up most of an entire day. Yet, the two times I did it before, it was a lot of fun seeing a movie marathon with a big crowd. It's in a large auditorium that holds almost 350 people and it is always near sold out; no wonder AMC has done this on a yearly basis since 2007. It is neat seeing nominees that weren't box office hits (such as Nebraska or Her) alongside films like The Martian or Spotlight or Captain Phillips. Last year I got to see The Revenant that way, and while I thought it was only “fine” overall, the film itself was full of beautiful images so I am glad I saw it on the big screen.

Now, Saturday overall was a pretty “blah” day for me. Between the traffic both there and back, the massive cluster F that was getting hot food while in the AMC (it shouldn't have been so complicated even if it was busy), and other factors... a day I'd rather forget. The fact that they now have reserved seating at this place-I'll never be a fan of that-and unlike the previous two times, I had to be around some rather noxious people, that didn't help either.

This year I saw the following films, which I'll give my brief thoughts on:

Manchester by the Sea: It had some great moments and some quality performances. To me, the movie was full of A-holes being A-holes and yelling at each other. No thank you to that noise.

Fences: While it's definitely based on a stage play, it's still greatly engrossing and the two leads are outstanding.

Hell or High Water: I saw this last summer on the big screen. I dug it then and I still dig it now.

La La Land: I did not love it like everyone else does. I would have preferred seeing actual musicals from all those decades ago, and also listen to jazz records rather than have some white hipster tell me about it. It is pleasant overall despite some weird story moments.

To me, Moonlight (which I saw a few months ago) is the best movie of 2016.

Sunday I did not do a thing, which was fine by me. When I return a week from today, hopefully things will be more interesting for me. I have a birthday coming up in a few days, which is neat. I'll at least be out and about a few of those days, so I should have things to discuss... having days that aren't crappy would be nice also.

Tales Of International Art Festivals & John Wick: Chapter 2

Here's what I've done since last Monday. On that Monday the 6th, I returned to Target, where I purchased a few random items. Tuesday, I spent time in Orlando; the highlight there was me eating at a Cheesecake Factory for the first time in a few years. They make good food so it was about time I returned. I did not have an actual cheesecake there nor did I bring any home; considering my typical diet and what great shape I am (not) in, that is probably for the best.

Wednesday, I went with someone to the local Steak & Shake; I had a coupon for a cheap meal, which was the main reason we went there. That was uneventful, which is a good thing. Thursday I did nothing but Friday finally added some excitement to my life. I returned to Walt Disney World, Epcot in particular. As their Food & Wine and Flower & Garden Festivals they have at Epcot are always popular, they created a new one in the International Art Festival. What is is: there are some art stands around which sell (expensive) art and there are also some food stands. There's also more art to look at in  some buildings. It's not as elaborate as the other festivals but it's still fine. At least I got to walk around and get some exercise.

The weekend was more unexciting moments for me. Well, the upcoming week will be more interesting for me, I promise you that. Saturday, I went to Walmart to purchase a few items. Thankfully for an early Saturday night it was not too busy.  I also watched my old college (Illinois State University) play a mens basketball game on an ESPN channel. A few weeks ago I saw them play a big game on ESPN2 against Wichita State; both teams have won far more often than they lost, so it was important. Unfortunately, ISU soiled themselves in that game and lost by a lot of points. In this game, they played against rival Bradley and as Bradley has been pretty bad for like the past decade or so, Illinois State easily won. It is amazing to me I haven't been at a live ISU game in almost 13 years. It does not seem that long ago. 

Late Sunday night, I did my one activity for the day: I went and saw John Wick: Chapter 2. I was originally planning on seeing it Monday, but I discovered that one location in Orlando would show it on a giant screen, but it was only a late night thing. I was glad to see it that way. The first movie is pretty great as it's a lot of fun and has great action. Chapter 2... while the action is usually pretty awesome, the story is not only more complicated, I didn't really like it at all. I thought it was no fun, which is a darn shame considering how much I enjoyed most of the action.

Like I just said, when I return a week from today I'll have more interesting things to say.