Goodbye 2019

Well all in all it's been a fantastic year. I become a dad and that's made it one of the best years yet! I can't wait and see what 2020 has in store for me in the road ahead!

Onward, forward into the new year we go! Be safe tonight folks!

Happy Birthday to the Bub!

This year she gets to celebrate with her little girls....it's going to be the best birthday ever!

January Movie Preview

Believe it or not...this seems like an interesting month for movies!

 Dr Dolittle

He should have stayed on as Iron Man in Marvel cameos. This movie looks like junk.

 Hansel and Gretel

Maybe not good enough to watch in theaters but I am interested in renting it when it comes out on DVD.

The Grudge

Dang. I'm torn on this one. I LOVED the original movies (even the 3rd one that went straight to DVD) and though the remake looks good, does that mean it's going to BE good? I'm uncertain....but willing to give it a try.

Any others I missed? Let me know in the comments!

Audiobooks

A lot of folks are into these now a days. Every friend I know who reads does it thru audio books. I don't mind but for myself, I enjoy reading with a good book in my hands.

Though I have listened to audio books before (Lord of the Rings once and Harry Potter twice) I prefer reading the actual book in my hands. I know that's not for anyone anymore but it seems it'd be hard to pay attention to the audiobook while you're doing other things, which most people usually are.

Though I know they're an easy way it's not really reading but listening. But if that's the only way to get people into books I guess I'm ok with it. I'm just old school is all when it comes to reading a good book!

Merry Christmas!

I hope you all have the very best one yet!

Christmas Eve

What a magical night this is for several children who'd been waiting for Christmas (as if it feels like months) and now the day has almost arrived!

We didn't believe in Santa growing up. Dad never saw the purpose. I don't mind that though. I don't feel like my "Christmas" experience was any less dampened by knowing Santa didn't exist.

At the same time I don't begrudge any of my siblings who want to let their children believe in Santa. Megan wants the girls to be grown up that way and though I'm not really a fan of the idea, I'll go along.

The point is, you don't need Santa to make the holiday special. Though I'm sure it helps.

Joker Review

So I finally got to see the Joker movie a while back and wanted to give my take on it.

It's ok.

Yeah, that's all. Not bad. Not sure why it got such rave reviews. The story stays grounded in reality, unlike the Batman franchise and this feels like they don't want Batman to be a part of the picture.

Plus, Joker appears to be around 40 years old in this movie. With Bruce Wayne looking 10 I'm guessing we're supposed to imagine the Clown Prince of Crime will face off against Batman when he's 55? Yeah, I don't buy it.

Again, the film isn't bad I just think people blew it up into more of something than what it actually is.

Survivor Winners at War Review: The Big Dogs

Ok, let's get serious. Who's going to win this season in my mind? Let's look at who we have left to talk about:

 Boston Rob. The most over rated player in the game. His first season, he did absolutely nothing. He was worthless in the game and was just waiting to be voted off. But they loved his character and brought him back for another season...where he was outsmarted and voted off. Then his 3rd time around Russell Hanz played him like a fiddle and his was booted out again.

CBS REALLY wanted him to win so they gave him a 4th shot with a bunch of rookies to the game and he finally got his W. The guy's a shame. He'll be voted out once again this season by being outsmarted once again.

 Parvati Shallow, THE most DANGEROUS player in the game. She WILL go the end because (for some unexplained reason) everyone trust her even though she's backstabbed them all. Incredible how no one she's her as a threat in the game and completely underestimate her every time. I just hope she doesn't win....again.

 Sandra Diaz Twin. The "Queen" is one of my favorite players ever to be in the game. Unlike Rob she KNOWS how to win. But I think the others know how dangerous she is and won't let her stay around long which is sad. I'm cheering for her but am pretty sure she won't stand a chance.

 Sarah Lacina. Another GREAT player in the game. Smart as all get out and if she gets the right alliance WILL make it to the end. Besides Sandra, she's one of the smartest girls ever to play the game....but she won't win because there's one more contestant in the game this season....

...and Tony Vlacho will win the game. This guys a juggernaut. Like Yul, he's always in control of the game. Like Nick he's master of manipulation, like Sarah he's smart, like Russell Hanz he's crafty and like Colby he's strong. The perfect package to win this game. That's why I predict he'll storm through the others and win it all in the end. He was created to play this game and he's my pick to win it all.

That's what I think? What about you? Who do you think will win it all next season? I'm interested to hear.

Survivor Winners at War Review: Heavy Hitters

Now let's get to some real players of the game....who won't win.

 From Millennials vs Gen X, Adam Klein played a smart game. And though his game play was admirable, he won't be the smarted player in this season, which will be his demise.

 Ethan Zohn. One of the finest winners of the game. He fought and beat cancer but he's played before and has lost his step over the years. Another contestant I'd love to see win and though he's a strong competitor his glory days are now (sadly) behind him.

 I have to tip my hat to Nick Wilson. Master of manipulation, Nick used every trick in the book to win. But in a season full of veteran winners, he's going to lose. No way he fools people this time around. Poor Nick's going to realize he was a one hit wonder on the show.

 Man I love Tyson Apostol. But ever since he was bamboozled and played like a fiddle on Heroes vs villains, it showed me he doesn't have the wit to survive this game anymore. But I'll be cheering him on all the same.

And finally we get to Yul Kwon. I man who was in control in his season of Survivor the ENTIRE time. He played a masterful game. But can he do it on a bigger stage? No. Again, I cheer for him in this season but have no doubt he will come up short. (I beg to be wrong)

Next up.... the cream of the crop!

Survivor Winners at War Review: Nice but no chance

 Amber Mariano. Better known as the Boston Rob's wife who won All Stars because she sailed under the radar while others carried her the whole way home. Nice to see her back in Survivor. I wonder how long Boston Rob will be able to shield her from being voted off this season?

 Ben Driebergen was a nice guy who won he season of Survivor. Nice guys finish last in these "All-Star" seasons. I think he'll be WAY over his head this season, though I hope I'm wrong. I hope a guy like him can win out....but I'm not wrong.

 Well, well,well, if it isn't Danni Boatwright! Great player but will be WAY out of her league since the game has evolved so much since last she was in it. Afraid she'll go early as well. No chance of winning.

 The best thing about Natalie Anderson is that she thinks she's skilled enough to play this game, when in actuality, she stood on the shoulders of the real game changers and won out with blind luck. She was only good at knowing who to sit with in the end. She's toast in this season. Could be #1 or #2 on the boot list too!

Ah Sophie Clarke, the queen of coat tail riding! Why she's back is due to having a lack of interesting female winners. With competition like this, the only way she makes it to the end is if she's carried like she was last time. But I'm thinking history won't repeat herself and she'll be out before the jury is formed.

Next up, some REAL players!

Survivor: Winners at War Contestant Review Part 1: The Forgetables

So let's look at some of the cast members that'll be appearing in next season's season!

 Hey look folks it's Denise Staple! You remember her. She won the season where.....um....that stuff happened and people were voted out.....and uh....things happened.....to be honest, I've already forgotten who she is.

 His name is Jeremy Collins....I think he was a fireman. I think I liked him.... I think I've already forgotten what he was like on Survivor.

 I know this is Kim Spradlin. I know she won One World. I remember a lot of things about that season. 2 tribes, living as one.....I remember she won....I just don't remember anything she did to get there.

 Her name is Michele Fitzgerald. I had to look her up to see what season she won. I have NO memory of her winning.....glad she's part of this season's cast.

And finally we have Wendell Holland. I remember his face. That's about it. In my mind these are the most forgettable winners for season 40.

Next up....people I actually remember playing the game!

Survivor: Winners at War (preview)

Well....this is an interesting idea for a 40th season. All winners, going at it for another chance to win 2 million dollars!

I think it. What I don't like is some of the forgettable winners they picked, though I'll address that in later posts. Another thing I don't like it the return of Exile Island. Unless they're changing things up on it, it's flopped it's first time on the show.

I hope they have other competitions going on the island that either impact their chances of getting back in, OR impact the players still in the game. If not, it's going to be a worthless mcguffin, to keep some Survivor favorites in the camera light.

As for who will win? Well, let's break down the cast members in upcoming posts shall we?

Survivor: Island of the Idols Review

I meant to post this review earlier this week but with twins, time is not yours to control anymore.

So here I am the weekend of giving my thoughts.

It sucked. The whole season. The characters, the "Island of the Idols" theme as well as all the "drama" and PC BS I HATE that Survivor is slowly becoming.

Seriously. If it weren't for the upcoming season I would be quitting this show for good. That's how disgusted I was with it.

First off, the Island of the Idols, why was it kept a "secret" from the rest of the tribe? Rob and Sandra hiding during tribal council at night was fun at first but eventually EVERYONE knew they were there so why keep them hidden anymore? It just didn't make sense. As did a few of their "lessons" to tribe members. Some of which seemed forced.

The characters were awful for the most part. Only one or two will stick out in memory for me. The whole "Me Too" moment was roll your eyes bad. It's obvious they purposely drummed up the drama to get people to tune in and watch. And the shameful "pre-taped" finale made everything appear staged for dramatic effect.

Also the "dew rag" incident had got to be one of the WORST examples of victim culture I've ever seen! As kids, we wore dew rags all the time. It wasn't a minority centric fashion in the south. We all wore and called them that. To insinuate that it was "offensive" to say "dew rag" is beyond ridiculous.

Seriously, season 40's theme is the ONLY thing that'll keep me watching next year. But my days as a Survivor fan are numbered if they ever have another season like this again.

More pics of my girls!

 What better way to end the week with pics of my littles!

 They still like to hold hands.

Them at Day Care.

 Meridian with a boy at Day Care.....that boy's a little too close to my daughter if you ask me....

 My little girls getting pushed around in their crib around the Day Care. They're pretty popular there.

Ok folks, have a great weekend!

Trump Rally

 Last month President Trump came in to town! It was the first time in 40 years a sitting President had visited us. Pretty cool, so Dad and I had to go!

 It was a lot of fun. There were 10,000 people in the Civic Center and over 7,500 standing outside watching on the jumbo tron.

Probably won't ever happen again in my lifetime but I'm happy I had a chance to be in the same room with the President and listen to a speech!

Top 5 shows that aren't being streamed that should

With all the streaming services out there you'd think we'd have it all by now right? Well here are 5 TV shows NOT streaming at the moment, that I'd love to see!

 Return of the King (Animated Movie)

Ok it's not a show but it's still a movie I want to see but can't seem to find anywhere online. I watched the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings animated features but this one is no where to be seen!

Superbook

I watched this as a kid all the time back in the day. I'd like to see it again but it's not streaming either....nor do I ever expect it to be. Bummer.

Droids and Ewoks cartoons

Would love to see these as well online. Should have included them in my lists of shows NOT on Disney+ now that I think about it.

Enos

The spinoff to Dukes of Hazzard. With the constant popularity and rabid fanbase, I'm surprised to see this STILL hasn't come out to the public.

The Tick

Oh man.... I LOVE this cartoon. I wish it was streaming online but I hear due to copyright lawsuits it never will. Sucks because this show is SO good!!

That's my Top 5, what's yours?

Toy Story: Partysaurus Rex

The last short I'll review was also the first one I watched on Disney+

In this 6 minute short, Rex get taken to the bath tub to play with the bath toys. While being left behind he decides to keep the "party" going be eventually flooding the bathroom.

It's the best short of them all. I loved it. Bath toy jokes galore and the Toy Story gang hits you with another blast from your past over how much fun it was to play with toys in the tub. My hats off to them for that. I can't believe they came up with another memory that touches everyone's childhood.

Highly recommended.

Toy Story: Small Fry

Buzz gets left behind at a fast food place while the "happy meal" version of him, travels back to the rest of the toys and pretends to be Buzz.

Pretty funny story. I think I'd seen this one before because it felt familiar. It talked about how happy meal toys fall short of the real thing and how most kids get bored playing with them easily. It also jokes on some of the odd ideas they've had over the years. (Transforming Steak anyone?)

My favorite easter egg is in this short however. A Condorman man toy is shown which is a call back to a long forgotten Disney movie I still love today.

This one's worth your time and is only 7 minutes long. Fun stuff!

Toy Story: Hawaiian Vacation

Taking place after the 3rd movie Ken and Barbie plan on hitching a ride with their new owner as she travels with her family to Hawaii. But after being left behind Ken is bummed because he wanted to share his first kiss with Barbie there.

So the Toy Story gang bands together to give them a Hawaiian experience they won't forget. Honestly, I thought this movie would be funnier but it's my least favorite of the "Toons" they made. Just doesn't being the humor or toy nostalgia like the other ones did.

I'll review those next week though. Have a good one folks!

Forky asks a Questions

Hot off the fame of Toy Story 4 Disney+ decided to give Forky his own show on the channel. Though each episode is only a few minutes long it's somewhat entertaining and doesn't over stay its welcome.

I've enjoyed it so far but only for its limited time run. If you were a fan of Forky then you might want to check it out. They're short and I don't think you'd be wasting your time.