Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Blogging just in time...

Ok, so it's now the end of March and I'll admit, I almost forgot to come up with something to post.  Would have been sad to mess things up after only 2 blogs in.  But here I am just getting it in under the wire.

Anyway, Spring is here which means that summer is around the corner (though spring showers can sometimes last longer around here).  For me that results in the golf clubs coming out and being tossed into the car, as sometimes one never knows when he'll trudge out and hit the links.  It's always a pleasant surprise when heading out onto the course.

In 2015, I was fortunate to play 11 times (Yes!! *fist pumps a little*), which might not seem like a lot to an average golfer, but considering that prior to that year I'd played significantly less.  when I started working for a new company, I had only increased playing one round a year.  In 2008 I played once, in 2009 I played twice, and so forth leading to 6 times in 2014, and I was ecstatic about that!  So the 11 rounds of golf broke the escalating mold and I was glad for it.  I love playing golf, but never got a chance to play as much as I would have liked (that whole thing called life getting in the way).

So, come 2016, the goal is to break that mold even more.  With 5 rounds currently scheduled on the calendar (1 round in each May, June, July, August, and September) and another 9 rounds being planned (project for this next weekend), that puts me already at 14 rounds.  With the certainty that there will be a few additional rounds popping up (even if they are a quick 9 holes), I'm looking forward to a fair weather 2016 golfing season.

And who knows, I might do some other athletic activities as well...(*hint hint*)


Friday, March 11, 2016

Preparing for a May movie event

So...many years ago (in an employment far far away), I spend a few enjoyable years working for Hollywood Video.   As a nut about movies, there were few places where visual happiness could be found (now there is the Internet where Netflix and other such sites are available).  When working there, it would not have been unheard of me to watch 4-5 new movies in a single day.  Now a days, I'm lucky to watch 4-5 new movies in a month.  And those typically are children/family films.  I probably do watch more then that but it doesn't feel like it.

Anyway, as a challenge and a treat for me, I am going to attempt to watch a movie a day in the month of May (I know that rhymes, how annoying right).  I'm going to select a different movie from the 1st to the 31st.  Hopefully they will all be new movies I have not seen (I have several in my Netflix queue), but I know that there will be a few repeats in there (like "The Princess Bride" or "Deadpool" which I could watch over and over again).  On 3 days (our family movie nights as they are planned), I will be at the mercy of my wife and kids as they will get to pick what we watch.

Overall, I think this is a very doable challenge and I look forward to the task of picking the movies.  Any and all suggestions are welcomed (my friend Amy recommended ""This Is Where I Leave You") and I'll try to mix them in with a few I already have planned.

This is going to be fun!!

June's post will recap the movies watched and maybe through in a few quick reviews.

May Movie Madness Potential Movies:
     Man Up
     Pee Wee's Big Holiday
     Stuck In Love
     The Ridiculous 6
     Chef
     Inglourious Basterds
     Hector and the Search for Happiness
     IP Man & IP Man 2
     Rubber
     The November Man
     Sharknado
     Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
     

Saturday, February 20, 2016

Step 2 - The Continued Blog Process

As I continue along my plan of 12 posts in 2016, let me present to you post #2 (or otherwise titled: Horrible Blogger Sighting #2).

The world has not changed that much...actually that's wrong.  The world itself has probably changed significantly since my last post.  Let me rephrase...my small part in this world has not changed that much since my last post.

I've seen a few movies, I've read a few books and my overall life, just continued to be work, sleep and spending time with the family (my favorite part).

Movie:
When it comes to the month of February 2016, the only movie that everyone is really talking about is of course, Zoolander 2...haha..just fooling (though oddly I want to see that one).  Nope, I'm talking about DEADPOOL!!!!  It's awesome!  I've already seen it twice in less then a week (which for me is a lot).  I highly recommend it to anyone over the age of 16 (no children please, unless you truly believe they can handle the violence, nudity and language...it a rated R movie folks).  It hilarious, action packed, and very much worth time the masses waited for it.

Books:
In 2016, I've sent myself a reading goal of 36 books (between actual reading and audio).  In 2015, set a goal of 24 books and ended with close to 75 at the end.  Not to go crazy, I just settles for 36 this year.  Though already I've read 10 books and the month isn't over yet.  At this rate, I'll hit over 60....but we'll see.

I did finish "The Lunar Chronicles" by Marissa Meyer and they were awesome!  A series of 4 books (Cinder, Scarlet, Cress & Winter), it's a futuristic take on some old fashioned tales.  Though a young adult series (the lead characters are in their late teens), it's good for adults too.  I gave all 4 books, 5 stars on Goodreads (I think that means something on the Internet...but I don't know).

Life:
First - took the wonderful wife to see the funny and magical, Justin Willman (he's a comedian and magician folks, don't think to weirdly).  He was as enjoyable as I would have hope and the wife and I had a blast.  If you get a chance to see him live, do so, otherwise get you keister on YouTube and check him out.

Second - I have been toying again with the idea of participating in a full (or maybe 1/2) marathon.  Years ago, I had the idea (with help from the wife) to run in a Zombie 5K event.  I started running in the morning (to early to be awake) and "trained" for the event.  It got cancelled.  Moved to another event in close proximity.  That got cancelled too.  After 2 cancelations, interest got lost.  Now the interest is peaking again.  A coworker (actually a few of them) will be participating in the 2016 Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon, and I think I may try and join them.  It will be some work, but I think I'm up for the challenge.  It's definitely a bucket list item to check off!

Anyway, I've got some thoughts to mill over, but that's my brain droppings for now.

Sunday, January 31, 2016

Horrible Blogger Found, Lost Again, But Maybe Found Again Soon

Back in June of 2014 (yes, that's 1 1/2 years ago), I posted "Warning: Horrible Blogger Found", and then proceeded to not post a single thing until this installment (again 1 1/2 years later).  I had determined that I was a horrible blogger and then proceeded to prove my point by disappearing from the net.

My plan (because sometimes goals fail and plans can be rescheduled) for 2016 is to start off slow.  I'm going to attempt to post something here once a month (this post will be considered the January post).  If I hit that plan, then I'll adjust for next year with something more ambitious (maybe twice a month).  

So in 2016, here is to posting as often as I can, with entries the consist of anything with substance.  Like I mentioned before I'll even try to post about random and unimportant but interesting stuff.

Now I'm off to tell myself to post more, actually I'm off to sleep, but maybe I'll dream about posting more (that would be a lame dream).  I'm going to tell myself to be more diligent about what and when to post.  So fingers are crossed and some toes as well (and even an eye or two), and keep your eyes open for future droppings to (finally) be posted again.

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Warning: Horrible Blogger Found

That's 2 thumbs pointing and yours truly.  I have determined I am a horrible blogger.  I don't blog as often as I want and when I do, the postings sometimes seem like they don't consist of anything with substance.  Hell, my last post was over 4 months ago (and before that almost another month)

I can't even bring myself to blog about random and unimportant stuff.  I tell myself, "I should review that movie I saw the other night" or "I should share the great book I just read or just listened to the audiobook", but of course I don't and the thoughts just keep backing up.

Here is a quick list of the things I thought about blogging about (but sadly never did):

Topics:
Cleveland Browns Drafting of Johnny Manziel
My Recent Additional to Kickstarter.com
Physical Books vs Audiobooks

Movies:
Shrek the Musical - watched on NetFlix
Einstein and Eddington - watched on NetFlix
Epic - watched on HBO
The Warriors Way - watched on NetFlix
Captian America: The Winter Soldier - saw in theater
Machine Gun Preacher - watched on NetFlix
Thor: The Dark World - bought the Blu-Ray/DVD/Digital Copy
Free Birds - bought the Blu-Ray/DVD/Digital Copy
Draft Day - saw in theater
Rio 2 - saw in theater
The Wolverine - bought on Blu-Ray/DVD/Digital Copy
The Adventurer: The Curse of the Midas Box - watched on NetFlix
The Lego Movie - saw in theater
Malalficent - saw in theater

TV Shows:
Alcatraz - watched on Amazon Prime
Heroes - rewatching on Netflix
Black Sail - watched on Stars
Penny Dreadful - new show on Showtime

AudioBooks:
"The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan
"Bossypants" by Tina Fey
"The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan
"Nerd Do Well" by Simon Pegg
"Inferno" by Dan Brown
"Odd Thomas" by Dean Koontz
"Playing for Pizza" by John Grisham
"Forever Odd" by Dean Koontz
"World War Z" by Max Brooks
"Bleachers" by John Grisham
"Brother Odd" by Dean Koontz
"If You Ask Me" by Betty White
"The Gold Coast" by Nelson DeMille
"The Demigod Diaries" by Rick Riordan

Books:
The Walking Dead - Book 1
Saga. Volume 1
Saga. Volume 2

Maybe at some point I will revisit the above topics but I think for times sake I will go with forward progress and stick with new media consumed and topics discussed (examples being: Kiri Callaghan's "Alys" which I just finished reading or maybe discuss my possible unhealthy love for the TV Shows "Doctor Who" and "The Walking Dead"

I am someone who takes in a good amount so entertainment through both the eyes and the ears and though a lot of people say they don't care about other's opinions, some do ask for mine occasionally (and sometimes I give it away without request).

Now I'm going to tell myself to post more.  I'm going to tell myself to be more diligent about what and when to post.  So Cross some fingers, maybe some toes and even an eye or two and keep your eyes open for future thoughts posted here.

Saturday, February 1, 2014

Monthly Loot Crate

The passing of a month can mean many things around my house.  It's that time again for another round of bills.  We need to remember to give our loving canines their monthly dose of meds.  But one of the things that brings me the most excitement, is when it's time for another Loot Crate.

What is Loot Crate you might ask?  Well it's a monthly gear and swag club for those people that live to embrace the geek and gamer lifestyle.  It's a product discovery box, connecting subscribers (who are known as looters) with the best new and emerging companies producing gear, snacks, toys, hardware, art and several other goodies for the geek and gaming world.  Each month, Loot Crate handpicks 6-8 new items to include in each box, which are keep secret until the boxes are delivered to each looter!  There is a different theme every month and the items reference to that theme.

It makes one excited to get the postal mail again knowing that it's not just bills and junk filling up the mailbox.  I've gotten some exciting crates in the past (see bottom of this post for a recap) and think other would enjoy it too.  

Give it a try and let me know what you think in the comments below.


     January Theme - Launch
Star Wars: Galactic Phrase Book & Travel Guide
Superman POP! Vinyl
Minecraft 2014 Calendar
NASA "Meatball" Emblem Patch
Star Wars Pocketmodel TCG
Melting Rubik's Cube Wall Graphic
Star Trek Communicator Badge

     December Theme - Console Wars
Console Wars II T-Shirt
Grip-It Control Protectors
Tin-Tastic Creative Activity Set - American Patriot
Energems - Peanut Butter Blast
Bravest Wars sticker
Split Personality Wristband -Geek/Gamer
Legends Never Die Magnet
      Oh....and a candy cane (it's the season)!

     November Theme - Celebrate
South Park Rechargeable Mobile Speaker - Cartman
Batman Tyvek Mighty Wallet
Premium Playing Cards - Gold Dragon
BFAST Breatfast Shake
First Person Shooter Glass
Doctor Balloon
Police Box Wall Graphic

     October Theme - Survive
Evoking Dead T-Shirt
The Zombie Survival Guide
Outbreak Status Temporary Tattoo Set
Zombie Hunter ID
Love Your Guts Card
8-Bit Zombie Buttons
Creepy Candy

 My 1st Crate!
    September Theme - Animate
TMNT Pop! Vinyl - Raphael
Futurama Keychain - Bender
Ten & Stimpy Plushies - Ren
Teenage Muntant Ninja Trooper magnet
Family Guy & Yoshi Lip Balm - Quagmire Vanilla
PokeAwesome sticker
It's Over 9000! Wall Vinyl

Sunday, January 5, 2014

Moose Movie Minute - "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2"

It was my birthday and I did what I wanted too.  And what I wanted to do was see a movie with my family.  Now since my home has a 7 year old and a 3 year old, that movie needed to be carefully chosen, and the cost needed to be budgeted.  So it was decided to see "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2" at the dollar theater (Carriage Place in Dublin).  As a bonus we ended up seeing it in 3D.  Now I'm normally a supporter of the "3D=$3 more" concept, but in this case (at a discount theater) the increase cost was minimal and I think worth it.

As I've mentioned in posts before, if you don't like the original then a sequel is not going to be any better to you.  So this film being a sequel, if you liked the original Cloudy With Meatballs (shortened for reading ease), then I do recommend the 2nd.  Though not as surprising as it's predecessor, this movie was still a enjoyable romp through the food infested land of "Chew-And-Swallow".  Though not every original voice returns, the majority of the cast reprises their roles (Bill Hader, Anna Faris, James Caan, Andy Samberg, Benjamin Bratt and the always cool Neil Patrick Harris).  In this movie lovers opinion, when the original cast returns, sequels work so much better (all continuing series do).

I like this movie, my children liked this movie and I believe even my wife like this movie.  That's 4 votes for a recommended watch.  It's got comedy, excitements and some decent 3D effects.  It will definitely find it's way into my collection.

Have you seen this film, or the original?  What did you think?  Let me know in the comments below.