Happy Leap Day

 It only comes around once every 4 years! But what do you do on this day? Me? I begin slowly stepping off my diet!

I've been on a hardcore one for the past few months and today I begin the slow crawl to eating back to normal. On diets you don't want to hop off it the next day when you're done but over time, slowly add other foods into your diet. For March it will go like this:

Week One: All veggies

Week Two: All Fruit

Week Three: Dairy

Week Four: Grains

Week Five: No restrictions

I don't go hog wild on the last week either but that will mark the end of my diet. Don't know what dessert I'll choose to celebrate, maybe a hot chocolate. But either way, have a good Leap Day folks!

Memory Lane (6)

 Me and ole Patty Boy with his blue bronco. We spent many a mis-adventure in that thing, as we went house to house mowing yards over the summer for cash. Lot of good memories driving around with Patrick in that thing. I can still remember the look and feel of the inside of that car. Hot summer days, grabbing gatorade's at the Quick Stop. 

Fun times indeed!

Memory Lane (5)

 THIS was Cardco!

The original card and comic shop I went to as a kid and loved so much. I took this picture of Jay and Wayne who worked there. So many hours spent spending my hard earned cash in this store. 

If I were rich, I'd open it again today. 

Memory Lane (4)

 One of my favorite pics from when I used to do Dinner Theatre. Shonda and I have done plenty of plays together. She married a fellow cast mate and moved away. I rarely see her anymore, even when she comes in over the holidays to visit her parents. Her husband I haven't seen since their wedding. Not sue why he doesn't come in the Monroe to visit. I'd sure like to see him again. 

But the best part about this picture is "Sugar" Shane in the back clowning around. Love that dude. He's still around Monroe, managing various restaurants. I go whenever I hear about where he is, just so I can say hello. But rarely see him either these days. 

Redux?

I love this series but Shipwrights was the only one that looked boring to me. Now it appears they've given it a facelift and improves the gameplay and the mechanics. 

I won't lie, at the end of March when it's released I may be interested in picking up a copy. Raiders and Explorers are some of my favorite games and if this was is anywhere near the others its worth staying on my shelves. 

Guess I'll just have to wait and decide next month. 
 

Memory Lane (3)

 To the left is Zack Parker. One of my first friends to die at a young age. Shortly after he got married he got cancer at a young age and passed away. 

I went to his funeral. He was annoying at times but everyone loved him all the same. I surely miss the guy today and even though I doubt we'd be close, I'd probably have seen him a few times in the past few years. 

Ok folks, that's it for now. Have a good weekend!

Memory Lane (2)

 High school picture of me, but the real reason I posted this is because of that shirt. That used to be my FAVORITE shirt of all time. I loved it!

Been a while since I've thought about it, but that shirt I wore all the time and especially if I was going out. (had to look as cool as I could) 

The Mets still sucked back then but I didn't care.

All I really have now our jerseys. I think only one t-shirt remains in my closet. Not that I'm opposed to getting more, I have enough shirts at the moment and don't need anymore. 

Memory Lane (1)

 The other day I was looking through some old photos and when you decide to take a stroll down Memory Lane at my age....it's a marathon. 

So for the next few weeks I'd like to share some pictures of days gone by!

The first one is of my good friend Will, who in this picture is hugging his summer fling "Rebecca" 

The 2 of them shared a one week romance over a beach retreat and his older brother Bruce has the best story about it. 

Yes, THAT Bruce. In fact, this was the first year I'd met him but didn't really talk to him that much because he appeared to be a bit of a grouch. And it turned out his girlfriend had dumped him the week earlier which explains a lot. 

So one day at this retreat, they take us to a water park. Bruce is on his on, wondering around, looking for a place to sulk. He walks into the kiddie area and by the waterfall....is Will and Rebecca making out in public. 

It's still one of Bruce's best memories in 93. 

Suns starting to set around 6pm or later here and it feels like "hope" is just around the corner! I HATE when it gets darker in the evenings after summer winds down and now the opposite is happening and I can't help but keep the smile off my face. 

Next month we'll be doing the time-honored useless thing of "springing forward" once again and then sunset will be after 7pm. 

I yearn for the days where Daylight savings time is no longer a "thing"

Until then though, I'll enjoy every extra minute of sunlight I can get!
 

Whoa

 I'm in. 

Don't know when this will be. Probably next year. But I. AM. IN!!!!!

One of my favorite TV shows of all time! I'm glad they were able to come up with a good idea to add to the world of Spartacus. 

I can't wait. 

The Autopsy of Jane Doe (Review)

 Saw this last month and wanted to post about it. 

I got this movie for Megan and I to watch because by all appearances it looked liked a mystery/thriller but it goes in a different direction and I was pleasantly pleased in the end with what turned out to be a horror movie. 

Go in knowing NOTHING about the film and I think you'll be happy. I originally brought out a deck of cards to start playing when the movie slowed down but after 20 minutes I realized that wasn't going to happen so I put the deck up. 

Engaging the whole way through. Not brilliant, but so pretty good choices were made (and tropes avoided) to make it stand out and be memorable. 

It's also the kind of movie you think about the day after and realize you saw a little more brilliance in the film than when you finished. 

Very good. Worth a watch!

Nothing like a nice haircut!

 Ok, this isn't me, but I just got one today. WAY overdue!!

And there's nothing like a good haircut. I feel fresh and clean. My hair curls so bad in the humidity here that it's a nightmare to keep down. I hate it. 

Anyway, just wanted to bring up the subject. Have a good weekend folks! 

Louisiana Weather

 It was 72 for the past 3 days. Beautiful weather for this time of year. 

Now it's 45 and freezing. 

Only in Louisiana. (sigh)

Things I want on Etsy (3)

 

Twilight Imperium is my favorite game of all time. And to have a three tiered map of the universe like this would be awesome. 

In this version, you can move up or down a level for 1 movement point. Making the galaxy that much more closer to one another. 

I LOVE that idea and would certainly give it a chance. I think a game with this map would be INSANE to play with. 

Twilight Imperium (2nd game of 2024 breakdown)

 This past weekend I (once again) brought this epic game to the table with the same group I did last time. 

Last month they almost beat me and if it weren't for one mistake I would've lost for sure. Because they were so close to beating me, these kids were aching for a chance to take me on again and I always welcome the challenge. 

I'll be honest, I was having doubts at first that I could hold them back a second time since now they had experience....but that didn't become the case at all because this game did to them what it does to everyone...make you forget the strategy to win.

They insisted on picking out their own races this time. The reason that I don't allow that in my games is because it makes the game feel repetitive when  people play with the same races. That's why we choose blind each game. 

So I decided to meet them in the middle and took a random stack of tiles, letting them decide between which races they wanted, while I picked blind. 

And just as expected...they all picked warrior races. 

The common misconception with this game is that you win by military might. Have the biggest army and you can achieve any goal the game picks out for you. But that's not how TI4 works. 

I was lucky enough to pick a race that was NOT of the warrior class and knew from their on, I was going to win the game. 

Final score? I got to 10 before any of them got to 3. While they spent their entire time fighting one another and building up their precious armies, I was scoring objectives left and right. 

Another "W" for the game where I reman largely undefeated. 

However, there's a couple who have a plan to take me out and asked to play it next time they're over. So once again, I'll answer the challenge and see how long my win streak lasts!

Things I want on Etsy (2)

I love this game and think it'd be awesome to get my hands on a Senator Kelly figure and Grey Hulk to add to my game. 
 

Grey Hulk was a promo deck to be played with the regular hulk, but I'd much rather have a separate piece for him instead so I could play with both. 

Someone with a 3D printer said they'd hook me up with one but that was months ago and it looks like it won't happen. So I may have to get these instead.  

Happy V-

Believe it or not, the stores have had stuff up for this holiday since CHRISTMAS WEEK!!!

Don't choke on any chocolate folks!

Mardi Blah

 Man I can't stand this holiday. 

I could go the rest of my life without celebrating it. The only holiday that sucks worse (in my opinion) is Halloween. 

But here we are, once again. My kids are in a children's parade at work and then I go to a function at my church where I'll be part of the comedic relief during the annual talent show....so there's that. 

Other than that, I just want to move on from all this garbage and wait until spring (and warm weather) get back here again. 

Things I want on Etsy (1)

 I love me some Carcassonne! So I'd be interested in getting other meeple sets of different colors to allow more players. 

Purple, Orange, Brown and White would be the colors I'd choose. Would I ever play 9 players?? Who knows! Combining ALL expansions together would be nuts but not a bad idea. 

Still up in the air, but I think it'd be nice to add to my near-complete collection. 

Marvel United Promos

 Got 2 more promos for the game coming to me later this year thru the Dice Tower Kickstarter. So happy I'll be getting them for a fraction of the price people are scalping them for online. 

I'm a completist, so I have to have it all. It also adds another Kickstarter to my list which was about to disappear by April. This will at least push it out till the fall. 

These decks are given out at Gen Con every year, I need to get more aggressive in getting someone to pick them up for me there so I want have to back a YouTube channel I don't even watch! 

But it is what it is. 

Have a good weekend folks!

Ghost Strawbango Margarita

 Just got a chance to try the newest flavor. Surprisingly good! Not a top choice but one I could see myself drinking every so often. 

I occasionally find Bang flavors I like here and there but it's hard to find my favorites anymore and since Ghost drinks are a wee bit expensive I've even limited my budget by only drinking one or two a week. 

Got to cut corners where I can!

Happy Birthday Jordan

 I hope he knows I don't have social media and remembered on my own to call him this evening and wish him happy birthday vis text earlier today. 

Happy Birthday Rusty

 To Rusty:

1) May you dream of John Step wearing a leopard skin thong.

2) May the tea bags in your video games be joyous. 

3) May you always have the ability to pull off a shooting star press from the top rope

4) May all your replays of 80's cartoons come with commercials for Mr T cereal and Bonkers candy. 

5) May you have the happiest birthday yet. 

Calvin and Hobbes

 Reread this for the 3rd time. It just gets better every time. 

It completely defines what it was like to be a kid when I was growing up. It's funny and heart felt at the same time. 

This comic strips will never get old and I can only hope that Bill Watterson is holding onto more comic strips until after his death because this strip is timeless!

Good stuff! 

The fall of Steak N Shake

 Boy has this place gone downhill over the years. 

At there last year when we were Xmas shopping in Jackson and their menu has been cut to 1/3 of what it originally was. Most of the items I used to order on their menu are gone. They don't offer their seaoned fries anymore and the place doesn't even have a wait staff anymore. You self-order and check out at the register. 

As far as I'm concerned, its the last time I'll ever walk into one. 

In the Land of Saints and Sinners (Review)

 I know I said I was done but I couldn't help myself. 

And this movie was actually pretty good! Neeson is a contract killer who recently retires (as do a lot of the characters he plays these days) but when he decides to kill one of the IRA (this takes place in the past) his wife and friends come looking for him. 

It got some great scenes and overall is a very engaging film. This is one I can actual recommend after his past 3 or 4 movies were junk.

NEESON IS BACK BABY! (at least for this film)  

Bye bye roof walking

 Late last year while on break, I tried cleaning leaves off my roof. My shoes couldn't get a grip and I slide right off, scrapping my arms and legs. 

This roof I have is 2 times steeper than our last house and even though I was able to navigate on it a little 2 years ago, my fear of heights and loss of traction convinced me those days are over. 

Now I have to beg my nephews to blow the leaves off for me because I can't stand how they've built up on the roof all year long with nothing I can do about it. 

I don't know how I was able to walk around it a few years ago but I'm done trying anymore. 

Sucks.  

Wellington Paranormal

 Just finished this spin-off series from "What We Do In The Shadows" that follows 2 dimwitted cops in New Zealand as they encounter the strange and paranormal happenings around their town. 

It's ok but lacks the teeth or what the US version on FX has. Its very G rated, I'm assuming because of television laws other there, but this is something I could watch with my kids and not worry. However, for that reason, the jokes are one note and even though it has its moments every so often, overall the series was a miss for me. 

I believe it only went 4 seasons (I don't see anything new since 2022) and is only 22 minutes an episode which made it easier to watch. (6 seasons an episode)