Send Help

 Sam Raimi is back.  I can't wait to see Send Help.  It looks like Castaway with violence.  If you have not seen the trailer, it is about a woman who is overlooked for a promotion and generally harassed by her boss.  They go on a flight, where the plane crashes.  The woman and her boss are the only survivors.  She has the skills to survive.  He is still arrogant and injured from the accident.  It looks like a fun movie.  Go see it if it is out in your area.  

Cold Zone

 It looks like Florida is going to continue with its cold weather.  We even have predictions that it might go down to the teens.  We moved here to escape the freezing weather.  I know once it passes, we'll be back to the 70's and 80's.  I wonder why I can't get over my cough.  I just hope our pipes do not burst.  

Absolute Power

 In the 90's, Clint Eastwood did a movie called Absolute Power.  It's about a thief who witnesses a murder involving the secret service.  When I think of this movie, I think of Trump.  Here is a man who has this power, but also has some really big skeletons in his closet.  I think he will do anything to stop them from coming out.  One of the things he wants to keep secret is the Epstein files.  I think that he is right up there with Epstein. He wasn't just a friend, but a partner in pedophilia. What would he do to silence victims and/or witnesses?  Just imagine.  Putin is someone he looks up to.  You see how he deals with critics.  

Freezing Florida

 We are in a cold snap.  It went from the 70's to the 30's.  I arrived home and found a yard project awaiting me.  We had a leaking pipe.  I had to change and take over the digging.  I got to the pipe, but I could not see where the leak was.  We had to turn it back on.  I found it was not where I was digging.  I had to expand the hole to expose more pipe.  Then we found it.  A fracture in the pipe.  We could have called a plumber, but I did not want to spend the money.  The wind was getting colder, and we were losing light.  I did manage to cut out the bad section and put on couplings.  I need to join the couplings to the new pipe.  At this point, we had no light, and it was cold.  We had to do without water for the night.  The next day, I went out in the freezing air to enlarge the hole.  At this point, I could join the couplings to the pipe.  We turned on the water, and no leaking.  My guess is that it would have cost $500 or more to have a plumber fix it.  I was looking at the next week, and we are going to be cold.  I hope the chickens can make it.  

Contradicting the 2nd!

 It looks like republicans are conflicted.  When a white guy goes shooting protesters in the past, he is celebrated.  However, when a protester has a gun, with a license to carry, and gets shot, they blame him for having a gun.  Doesn't that contradict their master, the NRA?  Then, on top of that, they tell everyone he pulled a gun to shoot ICE members.  The video from many people is quite clear.  It was a public execution.  Who is allowed to carry?  Only white racists who want to kill minorities?  Big Brother is telling us that ICE can break down your door with a warrant signed by another ICE member.  What happens if a gun owner defends their house and family from the police state? 

kcuF Trump!

 Another person has been killed by trump’s Gestapo.  This is disgusting.  I don’t know why he is worried about Iran, while he is advocating his Gestapo to kill people as they kidnap others.  It’s time for politicians to shut his Gestapo down.  Yet, democrats are still voting to fund them.  This is why money needs to be taken out of politics!  Millionaires own politicians on both sides!  

Winter Blow Out

 While the rest of the north is bracing for a mega ice storm, we are getting ready for warm weather.  I think we may get some cooler weather.  It will not be in the form of ice.  Ice on power lines is not good.  North Carolina is bracing for mass power outages.  Milk and bread is hard to find.  They are going through what we in Florida go through during hurricanes.  

Oscar’s 2026

 The Oscar nominations came out today.  Some are worth it, but a lot was missed.  No Other Choice was totally ignored.  That even includes foreign pictures.  Sinners was multi nominated.  Miles Claton was ignored.  I like that Delton Linda was nominated, but I feel it was more for his years in film and television.  I hope Kpop Demon Hunters wins best animated film.  I will miss the show.  Just another self congratulatory awards show!  My favorite actors/actresses are the character actors/actresses.  

American Pariah

 It looks like Dear Leader trump is making America a pariah.  No country wants anything to do with us.  Only the countries that own trump speak to him.  Yet, our Senate and House ignore all his crimes and abuse of power. Weak Democrats are still wondering what they can say without offending republicans.  Some do not even want to get rid of the American Gestapo (ice).  They want to retrain them to be nicer.  Maybe they should train them to stick to the borders and stop bothering everyone that is not as white as they are.  

Internet and Film

 I watched videos on 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. Most were good.  Then, I saw a few accusing it of being "woke" (White Supremacists' way of saying it was done by a non-white), it failing miserably after the first weekend, and equating the release date with a bad movie. The direction was great.  She made it her own.  Good movies tend to start out slow and make more money due to word of mouth.  I would be very wary of movies that do great on the first weekend.  Next week, people will be shocked by how it dropped by half or more.  Finally, I hate when people say only bad movies are released during certain months.  The Matrix was released in March.  Not exactly the blockbuster date that these people would have expected.  Look how much it made.  Then, there was the re-release of Star Wars in the 90's.  It was released in February and blew away the box office.  Why?  I think it's because people want to see great movies on the screen.  No need to remake it, just clean it up, enhance the audio, and release it again.  Most remakes are the same story with a younger, more "hip" cast.  They suck.  

It’s Included

 I’m watching a cruise video and this couple is going on about all that is included on Disney.  Included is in the eye of the beholder.  You have to look at the overall charge.  That stuff that is included is costing you.  You have to look at a company that does not include it.  Then look at what those add ins would cost you.  Free soda?  Is it cheaper than same cruise on Carnival with or without a drink package?  Those Disney gifts?  They are not costing Disney much.  I bet it’s included in your cost.  

The Missing Guinea

 The other day I went out to feed the chickens.  I noticed one was missing.  This Guinea fowl was different from our other 7.  Most are a dark gray with speckles.  This particular bird was a light gray, almost white.  We incubated her.  When let out amongst the others, she was an outsider.  The Guineas would run her off.  The chickens stayed away from her.  Today, I drove by our neighbors and there was a pile of white.  I was not thinking. I thought it was frost.  Later in the day, my neighbor called about a package being mis delivered.  As I walked to her house I got to see the white mess close up.  It was a pile of feathers from our missing bird.  

The Bone Temple

 So, I stand corrected.  The title of the 2nd 28 Years Later is called The Bone Temple.  I wasn’t able to see it.  I took my daughter, who is visually impaired,  it was at an AMC theater.  We asked for the device that was supposed to enhance it for her.  After sitting through like 8 previews, the movie started.  Unfortunately for my daughter, it did not start for her.  I even tried to get them to replace it.  It turns out there was a technical issue.  They were gracious enough to give us a return pass.  As for the movie, it was a great continuation.  Some loose ends were tied up.  You know there will be a third, but they leave the story without any clues.  You do get rewarded at the end!  I just wish the kid who played Spike was given more time.  Hopefully, he will have more time in the third movie!  

The Bone Collector

 28 Years Later part 2 is out.  I can't wait to see it.  Word is that this movie is better than the first one.  The first 28 Years Later was the intro and set up.  I bet the 3rd one will be the best.  We'll just have to wait and see.  

Frost

 Florida has frost!  I went out this morning, and there was frost on the car.  If it had rained, there would have been snow.  No rain!  I think we might have a second chance on Sunday.  It has been a cooler winter.  I bet some would say this proves that global warming does not exist.  I'd trust scientists over conspiracy theorists paid by oil companies.  

Chaos

 I am listening to Chaos Charles Manson, The CIA, and the History of the Sixties by Tom O'Neill.  This book really shines a light on the US government.  People wonder why they don't trust the government.  What I am hearing seems a lot like what we are going through now.  I wouldn't put it past trump to use these tactics.  He does not let laws get in his way.  He bends them to fit his needs.  After this book, you might wonder if Manson was encouraged to do what he did.  Now we have a president who is willing to protect murderers, as long as they are doing it in his name.  This is some real Nazis BS.  Just look, they are also using Nazi slogans.  

World of Protest

 If you look at the social sites, you see all these protests.  You have everyone protesting trumps dictorial take, Trump's SS killing and attacking protesters, Iran, Venezuela, and Greenland.  It's crazy!  What do the politicians in America do?  Nothing.  Well, those who have the power do nothing.  They just keep praising their dear leader.  The sad thing is, normal people can not compete with the billionaires who own the politicians and judges.  The Supreme Court does not use the law for decisions.  They use religion and obscure rulings to protect the rich!  Then you have ICE.  They remind me of those white supremacists who would go into the woods on the weekend to prepare for the race wars.  Now, trump has given them that power.  They just become more like the Nazis every day.  They are going door to door looking for immigrants.  Does that remind you of anything?  Just imagine, the next Anne Frank is hiding in a house while people are disappearing every day.  

By the way, if you want to see a movie that shows the people I am talking about, watch Betrayed with Debra Winger and Tom Berenger.  It's an 80's film.  

Leadership Change?

 The US kidnapped Maduro out of Venezuela.  Now they are telling Venezuelans to go back home to enjoy their country.  They are really being oblivious.  They may have removed the leader, but his party still controls the situation.  Nothing has changed.  If they go back, they will probably be arrested and killed.  They really have not studied the past.  If they did, they would see that what they did does not work.  Most of the time, a worse leader arises.  Just look at Iran.  The US administration acts like everything is great, and it's time to move on to Greenland.  We all know it's because Trump does not want the pedophile list to come out.  He's protecting himself and people like him.  It's disgusting!  

Movies in Theaters

 I saw a story that Leonardo DiCaprio is concerned that if Netflix buys WB, movies in theaters will end.  I don't know if he is paying attention, but it has been going this way for years.  With all the mergers and consolidations, fewer companies are making movies.  I look at future schedules, and it seems only 1 movie per week is coming out.  Even when there are movies out there, theaters are not picking them up.  I want to see No Other Choice.  No theaters are picking it up in my area.  As desperate as they are, you'd think they'd show it.  It is a Korean movie.  If DiCaprio is concerned, he needs to advocate for film companies to be broken up under antitrust laws.  Hollywood needs competition.  Film companies also need to stop throwing all their money into sequels and comic book movies.  We need more smaller, dramatic movies.  We need comedies.  We need movies that depend on story and acting.  Right now, it seems they are more concerned with spectacle.  Also, comic book movies are very repetitive.  If I see one more story about who is in Avengers Doomsday, I am going to scream.  Just let the damn movie come out.  People want to know everything before it even comes out.  

War for Oil

 It looks like we are joining Russia in taking over countries.  Of course, trump wants you to believe it is about drugs.  But between his and his son’s drug use, I don’t think that is possible.  He’s going after their oil and minerals.  Now, he is giving the green light to other dictators to do the same.  Our road into authoritarianism continues.  Will anyone stop it?  

Happy New Year!

 We survived another year.  Did you stay up late?  I was in bed by 9.  I did wake up around 11.  I could see fireworks going off in the distance.  I’m not a big fan of staying up late.  Those shows they do suck! They have performers lip sync their songs.  Usually, most is filmed on a different day.  I stopped watching a long time ago.  

Florida is Freezing

 We are hitting freezing temperatures in Florida.  One day it's warm, and then it's cold.  The kids are getting sick.  I even had to pull out my leather jacket.  That only happens a few times in a year, if at all.  I can guess that it will be warm again soon.  At least there is no snow and ice.  I would hate to drive in Florida during a snow and ice storm.  These people can't drive in good weather.  

Shore Excursion and Shopping Shows

 When you cruise, they will have a show that will introduce you to the places you will visit.  We made a mistake and sat through one.  I reminded my wife to hit me in the head if I ever suggest doing another one.  When you get in, they will give you tickets for "prizes" you can win.  They will give away excursions, clothing, and other knick-knacks.  You have to stay to win them.  The person doing the show is the ship's "personal shopper".  They will act like they have your best interests in mind.  They are not looking out for you; they are looking out for the port shops.  I am guessing they might work on commission.  They will tell you about how great prices are because they are duty-free.  Use common sense.  The prices do not look that low. If you are looking for alcohol, jewelry, etc., do your research.  My wife said she saw where people bought jewelry and brought it to be appraised when they got home.  They found that it was worth less than they paid for it.  They will also tell you about the rarity of stones like Tanzinite.  The only place I hear about this is on cruise ships.  Investigate before cruising.  Once you're onboard, the internet is limited.  The people on the boat are getting paid to push it.  These shows are extremely boring and very repetitive!  

Excursions are Overrated!

 When we were younger, we did a couple of excursions.  We saw a Mayan pyramid, we took a bus through St. Martin, and we visited a snorkeling beach in St. Thomas.  When you start bringing children with you, it becomes more expensive.  Not only that, but the costs have really gone up.  Walking tours begin around $50 and then go up from there.  The problem we would have is that it would not be worth the money.  Our kids are just as happy staying on the boat.  Usually, I just go into port and look around.  My family might accompany me if they have not been there.  All port stores are the same.  You are lucky if you can find anything original.  Most is imported from China.  Another issue with excursions is that they rush you through areas and go only to certain tourist traps. By the time it is done, you have to get back on the ship.  Do research and plan ahead.