A return to stage in 2023?

 Still not coming back to the stage this year. 

Have no time nor desire to get back. 

Whole list of other things I'd rather be doing. 

Don't even miss it if I'm being honest

Here we go

 After a lot of debate, I think I'm going back to Planet Fitness. 

Sadly they STILL aren't 24/7 so I'm still on the fence over that. I do see they close a little later now at 11pm but with the time it takes to get the kids to bed and prep for tomorrow that's cutting it close for me to get an hour in. 

We'll see.  

Ginger Bread Houses

 Another holiday tradition that I used to do as a kid. Mom helped us each put one together. 

I don't do it anymore though they have simple kits for it and probably won't do it with my girls unless Megan wants to. (which is highly possible) 

I just came across some pictures of some of the ones we made as kids. 

Good memories, but not good enough to keep the tradition going. 

Exorcist Bottle pourer

 Yep. It exists. 

Funny as all get out. 

I'd get one but Megan would kill me. 

Still....

New Year's party favors

 I don't do horns, or other noise makers and I can't remember if I've EVER put on a hat before. 

I don't drink, so I've never had Champaign and these days all New Year's Eve is for me is hanging out with Mom and Dad, having a quiet night. Watching the ball drop, struggling to stay awake for another hour for it to hit midnight here on CST and being pissed I had to stay up so late. 

I'm old and not fun anymore I think. 

Santa Bowl 2023

 Looks like next year a tradition is coming back. 

Spoke to a few people this year who miss playing the game.....so if everything goes right, we'll be playing it again on the 2nd weekend in December. 

I can't wait. 

I'm a lot older now but still feel I can keep up with the full 4 quarters. 

So if this happens....it'll be game on once again!

Can the adults keep their dominance in the game? With the new crew of young talent most likely playing next year, it's going to be tough to call. 

I just hope it happens!

New Year's Fireworks

 I really haven't been a fieworks guy. In fact, I think it's been since high school since I last fired one off at New Years Eve. 

Would I ever do it again? 

Nah. It's not really something I would consider "fun" anymore. 

Does that make me old? 

Probably. 

Matt's Top 100 Games of all time (#10-1)

 

Matt's Top 100 Games of all time (#20-11)

 

Matt's Top 100 Games of all time (#30-21)

 

Matt's Top 100 Games of all time (#40-31)

 

Matt's Top 100 Games of all time (#50-41)

 

Matt's Top 100 Games of all time (#60-51)

 

Merry Christmas!

 Taking a break away from my Top 100 to say the Merriest of Greetings to you all this day!

Candy Canes on the tree

 This is something we only recently stopped doing 2 years ago. I don't know why. I have nothing against it and I loved it as a kid. 

Plus they have so many flavors now you can literally get any kind you want. My personal favorite is the sourheads ones. 

Matt's Top 100 Game of all time (#70-61)

 

Violent Night (Review)

 Everyone was talking about this one so I gave it a try today. 

It's ok. 

Same story I've seen before, Santa used to be a viking and turned "good" but this year his warrior mentality comes out for the holiday season. 

It's not a bad film. worth watching once. Has a Die Hard/Home Alone feel which I'm sure they were going for where Santa is the reluctant John McClain who is forced to save a family for Christmas against his initial judgment. 

NOT for kids due to language but for adults you'll be mildly entertained through most of the film. 

Certainly a "one and done" for me. 

Matt's Top 100 Games of all time (#80-71)

 

I'll be Home for Christmas (Review)

 My buddy really wanted me to watch this, this year so I told him I would. 

It's from 1998 about a kid who's trying to get home to his family in time to get a car from his Dad. Of course there's a bunch of misadventures along the way before he gets home. 

The movie overall isn't that good but does have some redeeming qualities. 

First off, I couldn't get over how Jonathan Taylor Thomas looks freakishly like a young Harrison Ford. 

Although he plays the role of the poor man's Zach from Saved by the Bell, it does have a LOT of 90's references and humor that keep it interesting. 

I'm glad I watched it but I don't believe I'll be seeing it again for future Christmases to come. 

Spirited (Review)

 Finally got around to watching this a few nights ago and.....it wasn't that good. 

The premise is GREAT. It's about the spirits of Past, Present and Future Xmas, who every year try to turn another soul to do "good"

I won't ruin the twist that's given in the first half of the film but it was a solid idea that just went off the rails and I blame the actors involved. 

I love both Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds but if they could've played it a little more straight this movie would've had what it needed to be a "Christmas Classic" 

Overall, I'm sorry to say the movie wasn't that good and I won't be watching it again. 

Little Debbie Shortage

 We never found the Ginger bread men, Megan was bummed. But even the Trees were in short supply. We found the snowflakes first but neither of us (nor the girls) were big fans. 

Megan would've tried the Nutter Butter's if she'd had known about them. 

The others she doesn't care about it. 

But I heard from someone working in a grocery store that Little Debbie had production issues with these and couldn't bring out as many as usual and everything was shorted. 

Sucks because I do enjoy the Xmas Trees myself. 

Maybe next year Little Debbie will be able to keep up with the demand for these. 

We'll see. 

Christmas Caroling

 My church still does this and the very few times I've been able to go I've enjoyed it. 

It'll be a while before I'll go out again. Kids have to get a little older for that to happen. But it is fun to see people inside their homes enjoy the music and then have a hot coco/cider and cookie after party once you're done. 

One day I'll be doing with my kids and I'm sure it'll be memorable. 

Candles in the Window

 Again, another tradition that's been lost over the years however I still see a few houses that do it. Not sure if we ever did but there's a house down the road from where we live that does it every year. 

I like it. And maybe if I found the stick on window candles I'd do it too. 

Christmas Street Lights

 Another thing I love to see while driving around town at night are the lights hung by the poles at Christmas. 

In Monroe it's wreaths. But back in Forest MS it was a combination or Wreaths, Trumpets and Angels. I couldn't find any pics of those types because I guess they're old but seeing one again would bring back some Xmas Nostalgia for sure!

Window Christmas Trees

 There's something comforting about looking into the houses of others while you drive by and seeing their Christmas Trees through the window. 

I even like to imagine what a warm home it must be. 

Even do the same for businesses too! 

Matt's Top 100 Games of all time (#90-81)

 

Matt's Top 100 Games of all time (#100-91)

 

Matt's Top Games of all time (#110-101)

 

Christmas lights

 Megan would love nothing better than to have our house looking like this but there's NO WAY I'd ever spend my spare time doing it. 

It's not worth all the work, no matter how nice it looks. 

Again, I love it for other houses and I tip my hat to all the effort that goes into it but again, it's not for me. 

Wreaths

 I like wreaths but we don't have one on our door because I hate hanging the things. I'm sure they've come out with easier ways to hang these but overall I'm not that interested in buying one. 

I'm not opposed to it either but unless someone pushes for one, our door will be fine with a Christmas sign on it for the time being. 

Mistletoe

 Another tradition my grandmother kept in her home and was the only one I know who did. 

Every year when we came to her house we'd take turns standing underneath it and receiving a kiss. After that, we avoided going near the doorway in the hall. 

A nice tradition but one we'll never have in our home I think. 

Tinsel on the tree

 This is an old tradition my Grandmother had on her tree when we were growing up. 

Megan and I STILL do this to the tree in our room. We both love it though tinsel is virtually impossible to get nowadays. Even Hobby Lobby doesn't carry the stuff. You can only buy it online now. 

I understand why people don't like it and why it's died in popularity but I still find it beautiful and will keep in on my tree for many years to come.  

Fruit Cake

 Mom used to make it for us every year but stopped a few years back. My sister now makes it at here bakery. I guess I should try it but I never loved it myself. 

These days I don't know of anyone who eats it. It's still sold in tin cans at stores around the holiday but it's never been for me. 

Another Christmas tradition who's origins I'm unfamiliar with. 

Tree Flocking

 Never understood it. It doesn't fit well down south either because it never snows here, it really sticks out like a sore thumb in homes when I see them. 

Not to saw it's ugly. I guess to each his own but for me, it's something that's never interested me. 

Popcorn string on the tree

As kids I remember Mom put this on the tree but by the time Christmas had come, the popcorn was stale. I don't know how this started as a tradition for some families or why it started (and now has stopped) but it's a curious tradition that's now dead and gone. 

Heck, I even remember when they used to make fake popcorn strings for your tree. Wild times!
 

The Santa Clauses (Review)

 The series perked my interest because I like Tim Allen, he's older and plays Santa better, and the movies were good after a re-watch. 

Tim Allen even said this was to fix the continuity between the films which always interest me. 

But overall, the series fell flat. Six 20 minute episodes and the show STRETCHED for time and lack of story plots was obvious. 

Sad too. It held a lot of potential. But was predictable from start to finish, with zero laughs, very few call backs from previous movies (one cameo) and that was it. 

Though I enjoyed the movies, the series is a sad pass for me in the end. Not worth your time I'm afraid. 

The Santa Clause (Trilogy Review)

 Last week Megan and I finally finished all 3 movies. It'd been a while since I've seen them and since the new Disney+ series that's out we wanted to watch them again. 

Pretty good as kids Christmas movies go. Not my favorites but I will watch them again with the girls when they get older. 

Worth your time, if you're off this week and have the time. 

Christmas Cards

 Every year Megan wants to do Xmas Cards and every year she sends them out the week before Christmas. 

Here we again, and she hasn't yet sent them off yet I had her take the pictures weeks ago. 

I don't see the point of doing these anymore in the future. 

I enjoy getting them and wish I could send some out in return but since we never seem to do so in time, I'm waving the white flag and not trying anymore in the future. 

Matt's Top 200 Games of all time (#120-111)

 

Matt's Top 200 Games of all time (#130-121)

 

Matt's Top 200 Games of all time (#140-131)

 

Matt's Top 200 Games of all time (#150-141)

 

Matt's Top 200 Games of all time (#160-151)

 

Matt's Top 200 Games of all time (#170-161)

 

Matt's Top 200 Games of all time (#180-171)

 

The Daily Double Standard

 Every new "Twitter" dump by Musk has been rightfully demonized by them, but when it comes to the news of Donald Trump's permanent ban they saw "nothing wrong" and stated the "Twitter, got it right"

They're "never again Trump" bias and loud and clear once again. But I guess they get a pass from conservatives when it comes to this. 

It's becoming a news site like all the others. 

The BEST Hot Coco

 Hands down. 

Try it out. We have some at our local Brookshires. 

Never go with anything else. This is top shelf coco to me!

Matt's Top 200 Games of all time (#190-181)

 

Matt's Top 200 Games of all time (#200-191)

 

Return of the Santa Bowl?

 A few years ago I had to leave on a business trip and miss the Santa Bowl. I left someone else in charge to run it...and they didn't have it. 

It happened the next year and then after that I had the twins. I miss playing the 2nd weekend of December. The game would've been today if it were still going on.

But once you stop a tradition it's very hard to get it back on. 

I was contacted by someone today asking if we were still holding it and wanting to attend if we were. After a brief discussion I am considering bringing it back once again. It takes a lot of planning (and ALL of my flags, whistles, tees, pumps, cones, etc) that I bought for the annual game went missing a long time ago when someone asked to borrow them, then said they gave them back to me. (which they didn't) So buying all that again would cost a few hundred dollars which is an issue.

Yet still....I do miss this holiday tradition, so we shall see. 

Gone already?

 Ever since Thanksgiving I've noticed they stopped selling these. 

I had 3, one for each week they were available. 

Really? That's it?

This is hogwash. I may be done with McDonald's completely after this year. The only sandwich on the menu I ever order and they can't even keep it in stock for longer than a month. 

Screw'em. 

Matt's Top 250 Games of all time (#210-209)

 

The Mets sign Verlander!

 Hot dog!

Oh wait....it's not 2017. It's 2022. 

And he's no DeGrom.....

Typical Mets moves. 

Next season's going to suck. 

Matt's Top 250 Games of all time (#220-211)

 

Matt's Top 250 Games of all time (#230-221)

 

Matt's Top 250 Games of all time (#240-231)

 

We Wish you a Turtles Christmas (Review)

 Oh man...I had to watch it. 

I'd never seen it before and just found out about it last week. I loved the turtles back in the 90's. But what they did to them in this Christmas special was atrocious. 

It's a combination of poor quality music videos around Christmas with the Turtles. 

It's awful. 

But again...I just had to see it. 

Thankfully it was only 20 min long. 

Tis the season. 

Hell Freezes Over

 You've got to be kidding me. 

We get the biggest bozo in college sports today. Who is coming off a fresh new scandal from Liberty with another young woman. 

So encouraging to see the future of Auburn. 

We are losing commits left and right now. 

Meanwhile at Colorado they're getting several transfers coming to Prime Time Sanders. 

Way to go Auburn. 

I predict he doesn't last over 3 seasons. 

What a loser. 

Matt's Top 250 Games of all time (#250-241)

 

The Waltons (review)

 I started the series back in August during my vacation. 

As of last week...I've finally done. 

This show is EXCELLENT! One of the best, hands down. I mean it. 

Story lines that establish continuity between characters and arcs that last seasons. It's beautiful and way ahead of its time for TV shows in its day. 

I was VERY impressed. 

The best characters are the grandparents. But when Grandma had a stroke (in real life) they couldn't use her as much and she faded from the story. Grandpa, who is arguably a better character than John Boy, died after season 6 and that's when the show took it's first hit. 

John Boy leaving after Season 5 didn't hurt the show as much as Grandpa's death did. 

But the show had the Mom and Dad in the lead to keep you glued....until the mother bowed out midway through season 8 and the Dad was written out after the first 6 episodes of season 9....and that's when the series dips noticeably.

I even watched the TV movies for the show as well and while they weren't bad there was one glaring continuity issue. John Curtis, the son of Mary Ellen was on the show for 4 seasons and wasn't even mentioned in the movies. It's bad because Virginia, who was only featured in the last 2 seasons WAS mentioned! How could they forget about John Curtis???

Either way, believe me. The series was GREAT. Some of the best TV out there TODAY!

Watch it. 

Out with a Bang

 It's over. 

I can't find the drink anywhere and there's no discounts when buying online. Their "black Friday" sale was 20% off.....pathetic. 

So now that I'm out of drinks, I'll be in search of a new energy drink to take it's place. Don't know what so far but I'll be on lookout from here on out. 

It was a good run for Bang, sorry to see them go. But when they aren't available in my area, it's time to look for something more convenient. 

Jack Frost (Review)

 I've never seen this movie before but it always pops up on my streaming service whenever I look up Xmas movies so this year I thought I'd give it a shot. 

Michael Keaton plays Jack Frost, I musician with a kid he doesn't see that much when he's alive. But when he dies in a car accident he comes back to life as a snowman (similar to the one he and his son had built the year before together)

For that Xmas, the 2 bond like they never before did. 

It's ok. Fun for families. I have to admit, for something that came out in 1998 it feels like this should've been an 80's movie. It has all the tropes. 

Magic brings him back to life, corny "snow" jokes and a soundtrack. (which reminds you it's 1998) Again, not bad but something I probably won't watch again...at least until my kids get a little older.