Dark Side of Football

 I love these series from  Vice. Of course Dark Side of the Ring I talk about all the time on my podcast "Princes of the Universe" but this week, I'd like to talk about the other "Dark Side of" shows and how they rank in order (backwards) from #5-#1 starting with my least favorite. 

My love for football in general has waned over the past 5 years. I never watch it anymore and even when I did it was only at the college level. So this show was one I saved for last because I had the least amount of interest in. And watching it, I feel it's the worst one so far. 

I admit, the subject didn't interest me much but the topics...the topics weren't good at all. I'm sure there were lots of troubled football players over the course of time but I guess they decided not to document them because it's been done so many times over the years in other series. 

Even IF you're a football fan, I'd doubt you'd like this. This is the worst one of the bunch #5

Episode 1: Review

 WOW. 

I can't believe it. That Rob would blow up his own game was never something I thought I'd see. He went after Parvati. Dumb mistake. Everyone ALWAYS chooses Parv over the other player. His game was DOA after that.

He was SO in control during his season, I thought he'd play the game smarter. He went too hard in the game. I think it's a mistake to vote off you're strongest player so soon. Team World is shooting themselves in the foot and that's ok. Besides Tony, I care for none of the others now. 

Lisa becoming a lap dog for Cirie was soul crushing. She's not a champion, she's a fan. 

We'll see what goes down in episode 2. 

Survivor Australia vs the World

 Ok, I'm about to watch the first episode of this and give spoilers for EVERY episode after watching. 

THIS is my Super Bowl. THIS is my Avengers movie. 

I love Survivor. I love Australian Survivor even more and now that it involved the World....I'm so in. 

So let me make a run down of each contestant and I'll tell you what I think of each one. 

David (Team AU): This is the Golden God. He's played twice and won once. But it was the best season of any Survivor I've ever seen. He was flawless in his moves, when to pivot, blindside, etc. But because of that, he has no chance of winning this season. I'll be rooting for him for sure. 

Shonee (Team AU): She's conniving and fun to watch but always makes bad decisions on who to team up with. She's played the longest out of all of the Ozzie contestants but still hasn't learned to trust the right people. Will she do it this time and win? Or will she fail once again by making poor choices on whom to trust. Time will tell. 

Parvati (Team World) I don't like her at all but I can't deny, she's one of the strongest players in this game. If people were smart, you'd vote her out first....but people are never smart around her. She'll go deep in the game for sure and even has a shot at winning it all, even though she's won before. 

 

Cirie (Team World): Without a doubt, the most overrated player in the game. She has done NOTHING every season she's been in but make the right alliances, until they dump her in the end. She's a tool, nothing more. She'll also stay long in the game because she isn't a threat. But maybe they'll vote her out early because in strength, she's the weakest player as well. So offers nothing to this team. What a joke. I can think of many other woman I'd prefer to see in this game other than her. 

Luke (Team AU): The craziest player in the game....and I love him. I saw a promo where he says "You've seen me do a lot of things in this game, but I've got a whole list of things to show you, that you haven't seen before.....like me win." I laughed. I'm rooting for him to win it all. 

"King" George (Team AU): The most annoying player from the land down under. But he always makes it far in the game. He's smarter than he seems. He won't win, but could go far yet again this season. 

Tony (Team World): The real "King" of Survivor, since he's won twice. He's one of the best ever to play the game. But she was the Queen Sandra and she didn't last long during her stint on the Australian version of this game, so sadly, Tony will be eliminated early. 

Janine (Team AU): Smart but never has what it takes to make it to the end. She's outclassed in this group to be sure. 

Kirby (Team AU): Tough, scrappy and able to read people incredibly well. Though I heard in a clip, she's never seen in of the other Survivor shows, so she doesn't know who she's up against. That's going to led to her failure in the end. Though I think she could go far in the game. 

Sarah (Team AU): Kinda surprised to see her in this season. Don't think she belongs. There's at least 2 other woman I'd have placed above her, but for whatever reason...she's in. I think she won't last long and will go early. She's out of her league with this group. 

Lisa (Team World): I'm shocked to see her here. She was the Champion of New Zealand Survivor, but that was years ago and it's a totally different game now. Don't get me wrong, her season was the best but when there were only 2 (before getting canceled) that's not saying much. I like her and I'll root for her, but she has zero chance of winning it all. 

Rob (Team World): The most dominant winner I've ever seen. When he won South Africa it was a mastermind performance. If they do not vote him out in their first tribal council, he will win this game. He's just that good. 

Kass (Team World): One of 2 players I know nothing about. She played in the Quebec version of the game. I'll be interest to see what kind of player she is. 

Tommi (Team World) The other player I know nothing about. He played in the Finland version of the game. 

Ok, let's see what happens this season!

Remember, I'll be doing SPOILERS for each episode, so don't read unless you're watching along (or don't care)

NOW TO START EPISODE ONE!!!

Mayor of Mayhem (review)

 The final review and one I think everyone heard about back in the day, was back in 2013 when the mayor of Toronto was busted smoking crack on camera and the city went into a tail spin. 

I remember hearing about this back in the day but never knew how his story ended. Or how he even became Mayor in the first place. 

This doc tells all. It's a pretty good story too! On the surface, he seemed to be a nice guy, but also acted like a frat boy who never grew up. 

Anyway, I'll be looking out for more of these to pop up on Netflix in the future for sure. 

Have a good weekend folks!

American Apparel (review)

Even though this company was hot 10 years ago, I've never heard of them before watching this documentary. (which should tell you how out of tune I was with the latest fashion) 

This company sky rocketed to stardom only to fail epically during the 2008 recession and end up with their CEO being accused of awful acts with female employees. Its another episode where they don't end up paying for there actions. 

A company that hired young kids, were basically run by young kids with a middle-aged man manipulating them the entire time. 

What was crazy was that whenever someone got promoted to the top ranks he gifted them the book of manipulation HE was using on them but NO ONE in the company bothered to read the book because they were dazzled by all the other fancy rewards they were given. 

SO NUTS!!!

It was fun finding out about this and crazy (to me) that all this time, I've never heard of the brand. (that doesn't exist anymore)

 

Astroworld (review)

Even though this happened back in late 2021, I never heard about it. Guess I wasn't much into the news back then. 

Wow. Another massive live music event that ended in tragedy. Only this time, it only went one day before getting canceled and killed 10 people in the process. 

Insane!

I don't think I'll ever go to a music festival in my life. People are CRAZY! This one has the least amount of "on the scene" footage but still shows enough to keep you engaged throughout the entire tale. 

It's also one where I think the people in charge, didn't end up paying for there actions. 

Wild stuff for sure. 
 

TI4 Game 8 (Review)

 Another epic game. 

And a few "firsts" as well!

First off, this was the longest game I'd ever played. Clocking in at over 6 hours, it was aggravating how many times players sat there without a clue as to what their next move was when I was thinking 5 moves ahead each turn. My turn took 30 seconds to execute, it was an average of 10 minutes for the others. 

My nephew was running away with the lead the whole game and would've won but someone took his home planet, blocking him from scoring. 

It opened up the game for me to make a big move, scoring 4 points in one round and moving into a tie for first. 

Panic set in as the other 6 players did NOT want to grant me the win (since I'd won Spartacus the day before) so a "Support for the Throne" card was played, giving my other nephew (not the one in the lead previously) the last victory point he needed to defeat me. 

I don't mind losing that way. To be honest, he may have beaten me in the next round without the free point, but it was expected since I knew they were dead set against me not winning back to back game days. 

I may be retiring the game for the rest of the week. Still have another game I brought to the beach I'd like to get played a few times before the week is thru. Either way, this was another great game. 

Poop Cruise (review)

 This was the documentary that started it all and got me to watch the others. Based on the fateful cruise ship which lost power and toilet functions for 5 days, leaving people stranded at sea until finally getting help. 

I remember hearing about it in the news all the time back then, but once again, had no idea how bad it really was. 

Out of all the Trainwreck docs I've seen, this is the one with the least amount of "ick" although....its speaking about human waste seeping out of every inch of the ship so.... yeah, that kind of "ick"

Still, worth watching if you ever wanted to see actual footage from the cruise. 

I. AM. SPARTACUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 Just played an 7 player game of Spartacus....and won. 

Incredible experience. 

Tomorrow....Game #8 for Twilight Imperium. 

Woodstock '99

 I've been watching the collection of "Trainwreck" movies on Netflix lately and this week wanted to review them all. 

The first one, I remember hearing about when I was in college. It was my senior year and I knew when this had all the hype around it. To be honest, I also had no interest in going but I remember it being all over the news. 

The only thing I remembered was they kids set the stage on fire on the last day and the police were called in. But watching this...I had no idea what really went on. 

It's wild seeing styles from my college days once again and thinking "I knew someone who looked just like that" But when you hear some of the awful things that went on, it was really hard to watch. 

I know if I ever would've been dragged to such a thing, I would've left by Day One. No matter what musical artist were playing the rest of the weekend. 

Either way, if you remember this time in history and wanted to know more...viewer beware. It's much worse than what you remember. 

Hunt Brothers Pizza (review)

 

Finally got to try the pizza my nephews tell me is their 2nd favorite pizza ever!

I haven't had it in over 20 years but finally got a chance to try it out. 

Not bad. To be honest...it was very good and I will get it again. I was really shocked because pizza that comes out of a gas station usually isn't something to scream about, but with them it is. 

Honestly, it's cheaper and WAY better than anything you can get at Little Caesars, so from now on, I'll probably be buying it for the family going forward. 

Have a good weekend folks!

TI4 Game #7

 My nephew killed everyone 10 to 2 (all other players scored 2) due to a little rule change he's known about for year but never revealed until it benefitted him. Once it did, he challenged the rule and since the rules don't state that you "CAN NOT" do the action, it is viable that the action would be legal. 

Hence, with a rule change that went heavily in his favor, the power swung immensely his way and he had the game locked after the 2nd round and I knew it. 

I informed all the players that the game would only go 3 more rounds and that I would continue to teach them the game within those final rounds. (the rest of the players were new)

My nephew decried my prediction, yet in 5 rounds....the game was over. 

He won't be getting away with such a sneaky rule ever again. I'll make sure of it next time. He knows it too, he was just waiting on the time to punch that ticket. Hope it was worth it. I'm going against him for the rest of the year because of it. 

Pretty dirty to take advantage of new players like that, but the choice was his to make. 

Marshmallow (review)

 A boy who dreams of drowning is sent to a summer camp after the death of his grandfather. But during his time at camp the kids are attacked my a mysterious man in a hazmat suit....and the counselors knew about this threat the entire time. 

This movie looks great, has an interesting premise....and falls completely apart in the end. It's supposed to be a twist you're supposed to go nut over but instead you find yourself asking the question "Why?, "What's the point?" and "Where's the payoff?"

Terrible second half that freezes the character development of everyone involved and leaves you caring about nothing in the end. 

Hard. Pass.  

Burger King Wild Wild West Sunglasses

 It was the coolest thing I ever got from Burger King. I remember wearing these non-stop when I got a pair. They lasted well over a year....until I sat on them by accident getting into the car. 

Just like those sunglasses....I was crushed. 

They don't make free cheap made-in-Taiwan shades anymore.  

TI4 Game Review

 In our 6th game of 2025 it was another one of "firsts for how it ended. On a vote. 

The 3 contenders left in the end were myself and my nephew with 8 and my youngest nephew with 9. BUT he had Mecatol Rex and got first pick at the cards, which meant he could claim 8 and on his turn, win the game. 

Everyone wanted to go ahead and call the game but I told everyone we needed to vote first. 

The first vote was a nothing burger, most people passed but in a 1-1 tie, the Speaker appointed and winner and drew the next law to vote on. 

It was a victory point. 

My youngest nephew had been gloating the entire time of his impending victory, so it didn't matter to him if they gave me the point because I would only be at 9 when he claimed the final point in the next round. 

That's when I turned to the group and asked if anyone would give me Support to the Throne (worth 1 vp) and elect me to receive the point that was up to vote. Thereby giving me 10 before the last round even started. 

It worked. 

I was at 9 and got elected to receive  10 BUT my sneaky nephew had an action card which allowed him to elect himself instead. He played it and retained his victory. 

I've never had that much excitement during the Political phase. Incredibly game. 

Looking forward to at least 2 more while I'm on vacation. 

The most I've played this game in a shingle year is 10. Pretty sure (if things go well over vacation) that I can at least tie that number by the end of the year. 

Pee Wee as Himself (review)

 Just watched this after I'd heard some good things and yes, it's worth your time. Especially if you watched the show as a kid. 

I didn't. Actual...I hated the show in the 80s. I thought it was so stupid. The movies I enjoyed however. 

Anyway, this was filmed months before his death. He never told them he was dying either and he never finished this interviews. Informative and a different look at the man Paul Reubens like you haven't seen him before. 

Dear electric bike Uber Eats drivers

 You piss me off. 

Get off the road.

Why do you think it's a good idea to be driving on the road? Just because your stupid bike has an engine the size of my left nut doesn't mean it's road worthy. You're jamming traffic and being a nuisance. 

If you want to make extra money on the side with Uber, then invest in a road certified automobile to get you around. 

I'd wing you with my door but the damage to my car wouldn't be worth it. 

But if I ever win the lottery....I'm coming for you....doors out. 

You've been warned. 

TI4 Gameplay update

 On the beach with my nephews and we just wrapped up a game with the fan expansion Discordant Stars. While my nephews had great abilities with their species (some a little too powerful in my opinion) I was dealt a bogus race that got to vote last on agenda's and skip on tech symbol each time they researched.

Lame. The Hero's ability was even worse in that you discard him to gain ONE tech upgrade that another player has. (so.....just like the Necro Virus but limited to a once in the game ability) 

Really terrible race. 

Good news is, this game also carried a lot of "firsts" for me. 

One was that I got War Sun technology for the first time since I've bought the fourth edition of the game! I didn't use it, but at least I had it thanks to my pathetic "Hero" action.

I also got to play "Kingmaker" in the final round when it came down to 2 people for the win (not me) I gave it to one of my nephews with the promise of "Support to the Throne" in a future game when my race had no chance of winning. 

I don't mind losing with a pathetic race, since it's a random draw, in fact, I WANT the worst races in this expansion to see if I can find any path to victory. But when other races have the following abilities:

1) Discard an action card to ready any planet

2) Explore every planet (at least twice, sometimes more) in the game

You really don't stand a chance. Those 2 races had the led the entire game. I was second with 6 points and I was pulling out all the stops. I owned just about all the galaxy and the only way to defeat me in the Agenda Phase was for everyone else to pull together all their planets (which totaled 48 to my 47 influence points) to stop me. 

Oh, and by far that was the most planets I've ever captured in a game and I'm thinking it's got to be some type of record. Unprecedented.  But remember, I was in SECOND (or third at the end) the entire second half of the game. 

There was just no stopping those overpowered races. 

But I'm glad I got to see a few more factions from the expansion in action. You can read these abilities but it doesn't give you the full perspective of what they can do until you see them in play. 

Anyway, next game is scheduled for tomorrow, so I may give another update later this week. 

Twilight Imperium: Thunder's Edge

I CAN NOT WAIT!!!!

Diet (Phase 2)

 

For the past few months I've been trying out the periodic fasting diet. The one where you only eat from Noon-7pm (or 6:30pm for me) and that's it. 

I don't go crazy either. Not many deserts, just the occasional soda and even those (with the exception of Pibb Extra) are zero sugar. 

But....no difference. Even some nights I hardly ate at all AND I've been adding cardio every evening at the gym as well. 

Am I done? I'm not sure to be honest. The plan was to stay on this until vacation (which officially starts tomorrow) but I'm so used to eating on the clock that I may keep it anyway. I'm not gaining weight either, which is a plus. 

But other than that, I think this diet is another dud. 

Have a good weekend everyone!