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.

Boise State, Candyman, Nathan's Hot Dogs & KN-95 Masks

Now I am finally caught up with whatever interesting events have happened to me as of late. I do have to note that I can't believe either the pandemic has gone on for 18 months; it's still being taken seriously by myself as just recently someone I know (not a family member) tested positive for the virus. At least I have enough masks to last for awhile, including a KN-95. Nothing more will be said about the pandemic or masks as some who possibly will read this are anti-mask and courting controversy is just not a good idea for myself.

On a happier note, the 2^nd of this month was the start of the college football season and for the first time I saw a game at UCF's stadium; it's been open since '07 yet the motivation only happened now. It was a big deal game against Boise State; Mom would have been real interested as she loved Boise's team for years—ever since they won a huge game in an upset as underdogs. Parking was a nightmare (the instructions the school gave for that was not entirely correct-always a good thing...) and due to lightning the 7PM kickoff did not happen until 9:45 but I was there the entire time and in an exciting bout, UCF won 36-31. Always nice was that I sat by random people who were not obnoxious idiots. As it took a long while to walk back to the car and the school's campus is on the East side of the Orlando metroplex area, it was not until almost 3 AM that I returned home! That said, it was a fun time and later in the year I plan on viewing at least one smaller-level football game in person sometime in the fall.

Movie-wise, I've seen a few. On Netflix I did see He's All That, which was a poor version of She's All That... but was not as awful as you may heard; it has nothing to do with the small role from Rachael Leigh Cook, I swear! On the big screen, The Protege was not a must-see yet was still a fun action film. Candyman, that was disappointing. For the original's flaws, at least it was a solid and interesting story which had nice scares. The new one had various story issues-especially in the final act-and possibly was anti-white... certainly it was anti-cop. Lord, it's also incredibly unsubtle. Restaurant-wise, I went or got food from some familiars-one that was new was in Kissimmee's Old Town: Nathan's Hot Dogs. As long as you go there during a non-busy time and parking is not an issue, Old Town is still pretty cool. Instead of a hot dog I had my “almost always” of a burger and fries—it was fine.

I will have more to discuss when the next one of these is done-which will be in a few weeks' time.

Jungle Cruise, Hyundai Santa Cruz, & The Delta Variant Blues

First off, apologies for not doing one of these much sooner; there just hasn't been enough motivation until now. However, I for sure will return a week from today-or perhaps in six days, on the 13th-as I will need another one of these to cover what I've done the last time I posted here. Presumably no one will fault for me for feeling blah in the latter half of the summer season... besides COVID still being a big deal down here & the Delta variant being a thing (nothing else will be said about that, for risk of getting someone upset in some way), July of last year was when Mom passed away and early August was when she was buried in the northern part of Illinois. I don't believe either that it's been a year since all of it happened; things not having changed too much since the beginning of 2020-at times 2021 seems like 2020 Part 2-does cloud one's sense of time. Thus, I'll try to be positive here; I won't talk about the snafu that resulted in me swearing off the restaurant chain Hurricane Grill & Wings forever-I used to like them...-or how Florida traffic hasn't improved, or how no matter the line of work in Florida, it is seemingly impossible for someone to return your phone call or e-mail as if they don't want your money...

Instead, there isn't too much to say in Part 1. At least the Olympics happened; while they weren't quite the same, it was still a nice diversion. The marquee sports were cool, although it was also nice to see niche events that otherwise are unable to be seen by me: archery, water polo, handball, field hockey, diving, etc. Movie-wise, I've seen some theatrically. That G.I. Joe Snake Eyes film was a total meh... just like all the other G.I. Joe live-action films. Jungle Cruise turned ludicrous and was rather blatantly patterned after the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, yet the charm of The Rock & Emily Blunt was a big asset so it wasn't something I hated. 

For restaurants, many were revisits and some I went with other people; at more than one it had loud obnoxious people and I've grown more tired of that... otherwise can't complain about revisiting Gator Joe's or exposing the people I was with to the tasty local seafood joint 145 Degree Seafood Boil. It was funny that one day there was discussion w/ me and someone else about the brand new Hyundai Santa Cruz, a slightly-raised crossover vehicle w/ a pickup bed that is the new El Camino. It was a shock to see a Santa Cruz in a parking lot just a few hours after that conversation. The only new place I visited was one I stumbled upon online one day: Kiwi's Pub & Grill in Altamonte Springs. While the New Zealand theming wasn't as strong as it could have been, otherwise it was a fine sports bar which had decent food & nothing to really carp about.

When I return in six or seven days time, I will have more to discuss: college & pro football, more movies, and perhaps another new restaurant to give quick thoughts on.

A Quiet Place, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Nick Filet & Escape Room: Tournament of Champions

I do apologize for getting this out late in the month when I had the idea to have it done early in July. Part of me was putting it off and part was waiting to update until after Tropical Storm/Hurricane Elsa... turns out, that did not pass anywhere close to where I live. Honestly, there's only a few things to mention as the rest is probably too mundane.

Late last month I saw both A Quiet Place and its sequel back to back theatrically in a 2 for 1 screening they had one night across the country. Believe it or not it was the first time seeing both; December of '18 someone I know asked if I had seen it yet and I had to tell them “no”. Even if they don't read this, eventually this person will be informed that I enjoyed both movies, and in a rare example the second was a little better than the first.

Let me mention the other two movies I saw between then and now: Summer of Soul, a great documentary about a series of concerts held in Harlem back in '69 that featured an amazing lineup of talent (Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, B.B. King, Sly and the Family Stone, Mahalia Jackson, Gladys Knight and the Pips, etc.) and the footage shot was never seen until now. The second was Escape Room: Tournament of Champions. The first one was silly yet fine. This sequel was quite a bit dumber and had an even worse ending than the original.

To mention a few other quick notes before closing this out:

Late June I returned to Walt Disney World, Epcot in particular. While a rainy day, it was still fun and believe me, it was different being there alone compared to escorting my sister and two typical young boys around.

I've seen a few different examples of the brand new Ford Mustang Mach-E; it's not an electric version of the traditional sporty coupe... rather, it's an electric crossover SUV! No one understands the name either unless it was to get attention... which has worked. At least it looks real nice.

The last two times I've had a haircut were April and yesterday. Indeed, both were much-needed.

The one interesting restaurant I've been to is one I discovered online. In Dr. Phillips is a quick service place known as Nick Filet. I can't explain that name either or its logo of a random bearded dude, but it's a chain from Pennsylvania which has the gimmick of offering pieces of filet mignon as burgers. It's not the cheapest place but at least it was good.

I'll return sometime in August... who knows when exactly.

The Baltimore Orioles, Graffiti Junktion, Yeoman's Cask & Lion, & Walt Disney World Adventures

I'll start this off chronologically, which is also starting off with the most interesting event in the preceding month: for the Memorial Day weekend and a few days after, one of my sisters and two of my nephews were down here for the purpose of the boys' visiting Walt Disney World for the first time ever. I escorted them around all four parks and they loved some of the rides. For me, I went on some rides for the first time in ages or for the first time ever (the Tomorrowland Speedway, the Astro Orbiter, Slinky Dog Dash) and that was nice, although of course the best aspect was spending time with them when otherwise I only get to see them a few days each year. It was still bittersweet in a way as if mom was still around, she would have taken them to WDW instead and I know she would have loved the experience. That said, I was happy to escort them around instead.

What I wasn't happy about: Memorial Day, the gang plus dad went to a restaurant in town for dinner. My sister asked how Graffiti Junktion was... this local chain was only visited by me once a few years ago and I recalled that it was fine. It wasn't fine this time. Besides not having enough wait staff for everyone there, our waitress was just bad at her job; even worse was that some in our party had fine food but others-including me-had a bad-tasting meal. So yeah I will never go there again and I recommend that others follow my lead. At least I went to a restaurant new to me I liked: Yeoman's Cask & Lion... yes, a joint with a British theme, located at the Margaritaville resort in Kissimmee. That is a place worth visiting if you're able to.

On the 11^th of this month, I went to my first baseball game since August of '19; it was the Tampa Bay Rays hosting the Baltimore Orioles. The crowd was less than usual due to restrictions (insert your own Rays attendance issues jokes if you have any) but I was still happy to return and discover that for better or for worse, Tropicana Field was the same as it was during my last visit. Baltimore-a rebuilding team which may be fine in a few years but has the misfortune of being in a very tough division-had a 2-0 lead before the Rays came back and won 4-2. Until the last week, Tampa was one of the best teams in baseball. It's just a shame that Major League Baseball decided it was a wise idea to have a midseason change and eliminate “foreign substances” from being used as pitchers when they've unofficially been used for decades... and as I saw in person, they also need to fix their instant replay system as even with that too many calls are not ruled right. Typical MLB...

I should be back sometime around the 4^th of July as I know there will be a thing or two to discuss between now and then.