Crazy Chickens

 I'm sitting in my office at home.  All I can hear is the sound of chickens squawking. I think they are trying to encourage me to feed them.  I know when I go out, it will be like Ace Ventura and the animals flocking to him.  I do know they will squawk before laying an egg.  The roosters are non-stop with their calls!  

Burning Down the House

 I'm sitting here in my house, and I start to smell smoke.  I start running around looking for a source.  Nothing can be found.  I look out towards the lake.  Smoke is coming up from the trees in front of the lake.  Our neighbor is burning again.  I do not know what they are burning.  Maybe they are clearing a path to the lake.  I believe some of that soil is swamp land.  Maybe they will build a walkway over it.  It would be nice if they would give us access, but we do not even know them.  I do wish they would stop burning trees.  I feel like I live in a campsite.  

Tag Line Ideas

 When I was in college, I took classes in scriptwriting.  In one class, our professor had us read this book about selling ideas to Hollywood.  I tried.  I never got a reply.  In the end, I think it was a scam, similar to the "How to Make Money Through the Mail" scam.  You run an ad and say If you want to learn how to make money just like I did, send me $1.  You send it, and they reply that you set up an ad and do the same as them.  It is illegal, and the post office will get you for this.  Often, these ideas are easy to come up with but awfully generic in Hollywood.  That is one reason sequels are so bad.  They replay the original and make slight adjustments. The rule of thumb in Hollywood is to keep making it until it stops making money.  Additionally, they will always copy something successful.  Or if they perceive they will be missing out, they may even compete with the same idea.  I remember when we had 2 Christopher Columbus movies.  Really, I didn't think we even needed one.  Be cautious of books or services that charge you money to sell your ideas to Hollywood.  Very few people see these things because of gatekeepers.  They may even steal any idea you have.  I have seen a lot of that.  

Weekend at Bernie's 3 Idea

 Bernie is alive and runs for president.  His people have radical ideas he freely implements.  If he ever died, they know all their changes would end.  Bernie dies and his Secretary of State and Head of DOJ carry his body around to fool the public, while dodging politicians and the media.  This seems plausible.  Wonder if we'll see this one in real time!

The Body is Missing

 I placed the rat's body in a bag and threw it in our Gator.  Eventually, I would have driven it down to the trash bin.  Unfortunately, our road can not take really heavy trucks.  It breaks up the concrete.  When I got home, I found the bag sitting on the back seat.  It was open, not torn open.  I know the cat or certain other predators did not get to it.  Whatever it was, it took the body.  There were some hairs and maybe residue left.  I'm guessing whatever got to it will not enjoy their meal.  It may even kill them, unless the poison did not kill the rat.  

Nightcrawler Sequel Idea

 Have you seen the movie Nightcrawler?  If you have not, you should.  Jake Gyllenhaal plays a guy who wants to get into filming accidents to make money.  He wants to be the best at it.  By the end, he seems to have mastered it.  I could see his character becoming bored and moving on to another endeavor.   Possibly an Internet Influencer or a poster looking for views for cash.  He may even see where a person did a found footage movie, like " The Blair Witch Project.  He would use unscrupulous methods to achieve his goals.  

GOAT (Space Jam 3?)

I saw a preview for GOAT the other day.  It resembles Space Jam without live-action elements.  They use the same crazy opponents as Space Jam.  It also features a large basketball.  Did he allow lesser players to voice characters? I didn't watch Space Jam 2, and I will not be watching GOAT.  Just another movie to sell basketball and shoes.  Will this be a Hollywood trend?  Every 10 years or so, they produce a basketball-themed animated film? 

Conquering the Smell

 Once I removed the rat's body, I replaced it with pet odor powder.  You could still smell it.  Later in the day, the smell was gone.  As for the one in the wall, the odor lingers.  The air freshener may need to be replaced.  I think it is going way.  I hope so!

Stranger Things Returns

 I tried to watch the new season of Stranger Things.  I could not continue.  I think the biggest problem is the time jump.  Even if it is not a big one, the kids are adults playing high schoolers.  It seems like only a little time has passed.  I hope the best for the series, but I am tired of waiting for streamers to continue shows and movies.  There is a time table when people lose interest in the subject. I still haven't finished Cobra Kai.  Word of advice for streamers: continue things within a year or risk losing your audience. If I watch it, I'll be surprised. Also, I hate how they are milking the season. They should just release an episode a week or every other week.     

Texas Chainsaw Massacre Sequel Idea

 I will never be a part of Hollywood. So I might as well share ideas that I think would be great. Maybe someone will see it, make it, and pay me for the idea.  I won't count on it.  One can dream!  My thought would be a prequel.  With that, I mean to Tobe Hooper's original.  Leatherface would not be called Leatherface.  He would not be a wrestler with a steroid rage.  He would be the simple hulk that hides behind a mask, childlike, but dangerous.  The character of Chop Top would make an appearance.  This would be during his service in Vietnam.  The movie would be called The Machine Gun Massacre.  It would follow a group of ex-Viet Nam soldiers, who hold up a rural Texas bank.  In the process, something goes wrong.  Fleeing, they go to a pre-determined abandoned house.  One that is located near the house of the Chainsaw Massacre.  The cars they use to get away should match the ones in the back of the house from the original movie.  Nubbins would still be alive.  Maybe they could have other family members.  Of course, Chop Top would be there in a flash back.  He would set up the idea of a robbery and where to lay low.  I would use men who look like they have seen war, not actors with fresh faces.  

Cool Weather

 Florida got some more cold weather.  Nicer than what we’re used to.  I can feel the need for air conditioning soon.  Unfortunate side effect of living in Florida.  We have another cold front approaching.  I know our dog loves ut!  

Another Rat Bites the Dust

 I went downstairs and noticed a familiar smell.  I closed the bedroom door so the smell would not get in the room.  This morning I pulled out the ladder, put on the gloves, and searched for the body.  I pushed in the first tile and looked.  It did not smell any worse.  No body in sight.  I moved over and looked again.  This time I found it.  I saw his brown fur.  I went over and bagged it.  Then, I checked for others.  Nothing.  I checked an area where poison had been added.  It was still there.  No new rats, I guess.  The air freshener upstairs is still doing its job.  You can smell a faint odor of the rat.  

Censoring the Oldies

 After meeting Kieth Coogan, I went home and turned on Adventures in Babysitting for my daughter.  It was on Disney+.  Halfway through, I notice that the dialogue is not what I remember.  The character of Brad tells his sister that “Thor is a homo!”  On Disney’s version, it became “Thor is a weirdo!”  There were other slight changes.  It reminded me of when TNT censored Die Hard 2.  John McClane’s catch phrase was altered to “Yippee Ki Ye Mr. Falcon!”  I guess if you watch Disney+, older movies will be sanitized for today’s audiences!  I don’t not want a corporation sanitizing what I watch!  

Cruising Out the Tunes

 I hope everyone got what they wanted from Black Friday.  I got rest.  No sales out there.  Today, I got two pair of pants for  $4.30.  Then my daughter and I went to the mall.  Kieth Coogan from Adventures in Babysitting was doing signings for a new store.  I knew that I could not afford to pay for a signature, but I thought it would be fun for my daughter to meet an actor.  She loves Bon Jovi.  Everyone she meets she asks if they know Living on a Prayer.  Before they can answer, she will start singing. He was gracious enough to entertain her by singing along.  He did offer to sell us some things for $50.  She even said she had the money. Of course, she did not.  She was happy.  She said she crushed it out with him!  

Black Friday

 Seems like Black Friday is a did this year.  I’ve looked at the sales.  It’s pitiful.  I guess if they took the tariffs off the pricing it would be better.  Oh well!  Who needs all this junk.  When you hit a certain point in your life, you run out of things to clutter the house.  I am looking to downsize.  

Thanksgiving 2025

 Another turkey day.  Just our little family this year.  No visitors.  Might have to watch a movie later on.  At least I will not be working at a theater.  Those days are gone.  Plus, event pictures have slowed down or the quality has gone down. I know my family will be napping later today!  

Thanksgiving Eve!

 The Wednesday before Thanksgiving is always the slowest day.  Everyone is either travelling or already at their destination.  In my past, this was the calm before the storm.  Thanksgiving through the weekend was a very busy time.  New movies would come out, and they would expect you to work.  Christmas, also.  I sort of miss that, but more the great movies versus the work.  Working all holidays grows old over time. I know I will not be joining the Black Friday craze, if it still exists.  I think it is stupid to fight over things that will eventually be in your local Goodwill.  This demand gets people to spend more than they should.  I don't mind looking for deals.  

Oscar Race

 Wow! They are already predicting nominations/winners.  So ridiculous!  They tend to forget movies released early in the year.  They also fall heavily on box office take versus actual acting/performance.  I do not put much effort into caring.  It tends to be a popularity contest made worse by campaigning.  You may see a newcomer give the best performance ever, and they will worry about an actor who is nominated for the 10th time, thinking they deserve the award before they die.  Many great performances have been overlooked, while mediocre performances get the award.  Politics and political message movies also tend to be put on a pedestal, even if they are not that great.      

Turkey's Pardoned!

 I am truly shocked that Trump pardoned the turkeys.  No, I am not talking about white collar criminals and rich pedophiles who could pay for their pardon.  Nor am I talking about patsies that were awarded a pardon for doing what Trump encouraged them to do.  I am talking about two birds, real turkeys.  How did this happen?  My guess he wanted to show he was not truly evil. Beating and jailing humans is okay, but he has a soft spot for turkeys.  Luckily, it was not a Big Mac! That burger would not stand a chance against Trump.  Trump does not pardon anyone without getting something, especially money!  It does surprise me that they did not die of boredom, having to sit through all of Trump's accomplishments.  

Short Story Contest

 Around October, I saw a post looking for entries for a short story contest.  I decided to try and see what I could come up with.  It seemed good to me.  Of course, I wrote it.  I entered the contest.  They said it would take time for them to go through.  It's been a couple of weeks.  I have decided to add it here.  See what you think.  

Stuck

By Sean Fahey

 

Jimmy’s eyes snapped open, his heart thudding as he sat up. He squinted at the sliding glass door in his room. Pale morning light spilled across the floor, painting the carpet in streaks of gold. The curtain was wide open, fluttering slightly in a breeze that carried the faint scent of cut grass and dew. He remembered closing it before bed.

The air felt cool against his skin, but a bead of sweat trickled down his temple. Outside, the world was quiet except for the distant chirping of birds. He could see his whole backyard. The patchy lawn, branches fluttering in the wind, and the wooden gate at the back, its hinges rusted and squealing as it opened.

A dirty-looking man with a machete stepped into the yard. His boots crunched on gravel, and the blade glinted in the moonlight. Jimmy tried to get out of bed, but his body was frozen. His mouth opened to scream, but nothing came out. The man’s footsteps thudded on the wooden stairs, each one echoing up to Jimmy’s room. He looked to the side but could not move his head. 

A bead of sweat dripped from Jimmy’s forehead, stinging his eyes. He lay back down, pulling the blanket over his head. The fabric had a faint scent of laundry soap and sweat. He waited, listening, his ears straining for any sound. Silence pressed in, thick and heavy. After a couple of minutes, he peeled the sheet down. He blinked, and the room was dark again. The curtains were closed, just like he had left them.

“Got to stop watching horror movies!” he whispered, voice shaky.

When morning arrived, he got up and prepared for a nice summer day.  His mom had already gone to work. 

In the kitchen, he found the newspaper and turned to the movie section.  Many movies jumped out, but he decided on Space Raiders.  Looking at the time, he decided he needed to get ready.  The theater was a couple of miles from his house.  His bike would get him there.   Even if he is early, he knows he could stop by Showbiz Pizza and play games or grab a burger at McDonald's.   Before he left, he called his mom.

“Hey, I’m going to see a movie,” said Jimmy. 

“What are you going to see?  It’s not going to give you nightmares, is it,” she asked.

“No. It’s a comedy slash sci-fi movie, like Star Wars, but funnier,” he said.

“Clean your room before you go, or no more movies!”. She exclaimed.

“Can’t I do it after?” he mumbled.

“No, because you won’t do it.  I’m not asking for much,” she said.  “You need to help me.  It’s just you and me.”

He hung up the phone and ran into his room.  He grabbed clothes from the floor and threw them into a clothes hamper.  He kicked toys under his bed and tossed the remaining in the closet.  He gave it a once-over with a vacuum and thought he did a good job that would appease his mother. 

Walking out of the house, he locked the door and got his bike.  Although he was 10, Jimmy did not have a babysitter. It was the eighties, and he was used to coming and going as he pleased.  That is why they could not keep a babysitter.  The final straw was when he ran off to find his father, and the babysitter freaked out. He even hid in nearby bushes as she frantically looked for him.  When she found him, she let him have it and told him to stay until his mother came to pick him up.    A shiver ran up his spine.

He thought, “I’m too old for a babysitter”.

He rode his bike all over town and was familiar with most roads.  If he needed a shortcut, he would take it.  Today, he decided to stick to the back roads.  There were fewer houses and even less traffic.  The roadway ran towards an area characterized by scrub vegetation, rolling hills, and unpaved terrain.   Locals like to use the area to drive their trucks.  Just on the other side of this area was the start of the shopping areas. 

The sun was slanting in the sky as it approached its apex.  The day was warm but dry, as only California can be.  Up ahead, he could see the heat rising from the pavement as a shimmering mirage.  A boom snapped his attention forward.  A van was approaching.  Jimmy did not think much of it.

As the van passed, Jimmy felt a shiver down his spine.  He did not know why.  It brought him back to his nightmare.  He laughed awkwardly and shrugged it off.

His heart was thudding in his ears. The road sloped upward, putting pressure on his legs. He could not even see over the hill.

Whoosh! 

The van flew by in the opposite direction.  This time, like a bat on fire!

“Jerk”, muttered Jimmy through his sweaty lips. 

He glanced up the hill. The promise of a smooth descent waited on the other side. His legs burned.  He did not know if he would make it.  He may have to walk it up the rest of the way.  But somehow, he made it.  He looked back triumphantly over the hill he had conquered. 

When he looked down the hill, he saw the van in the middle of the road.  Its hazard lights were blinking, and the side doors were open. 

“Great,” he muttered. 

He would have to ride on the passenger side of the van.  If he passed on the driver's side of the van, an oncoming car would leave him with nowhere to go.

His first thought went back to a movie he saw earlier that year.  The movie was Without a Trace. The film centers on a boy abducted by an unidentified attacker and his family's search to find him.

Absently, his hand touched his back pocket and shut down any fear he was having.    

“Where was he?” he thought.

He pedaled by the van. He did not look for the man.  He did not want to see someone pooping. A glint of light in the van caught his attention. Before he could look back, everything went dark.

When he regained consciousness, he was in the van. He tried to move his arms and legs and discovered that someone had tied him up. His mouth was bound with a gag.  He tried to scream out.  He wiggled and kicked his legs towards the door.  The man grabbed a thin bamboo pole and whipped Jimmy.  It hit his face and stung him into silence. 

It was the first time he saw the man.  He was clean cut, wearing a black hat.  He was nothing like the villains in movies.  He looked more like his English teacher, but he had a look in his eyes that scared Jimmy. 

The man picked up a gun from the passenger seat and showed it to Jimmy. 

“Unless you want to end it now, you might want to keep quiet,” turning up the radio to drown out any noises.

A red mark appeared on Jimmy’s face.   He took a deep breath. His heart was beating, but he knew he had to calm down. He closed his eyes. 

 He was transported to the forest with his dad.  He was looking at a buck through the sights of a gun. 

“Take a deep breath and let it out,” said his dad.

Jimmy pulled the trigger, and the animal fell over.  They got up and approached the animal.  He was still alive. 

” When showing mercy to your prey, a dull knife would prolong the animal's suffering,” he told him.  

Jimmy took out his knife and approached the animal.   Jimmy looked into its eye. 

His father guided his hand towards the animal’s neck. 

“You need to cut its artery.”

He did the deed quickly.  The animal went still. 

Opening his eyes, he knew what he had to do.  He had to get these binds off of him. 

He sawed at the rope. Each cut sounded like a chainsaw cutting a log. His hand shook, but he tried to control his fear. The man continued to sing old tunes on the radio. He would only look up when the van slowed to a stop. Jimmy guessed he was stopping at lights or stop signs. It was an easy pattern for him to remember. Just like sneaking up on his prey.  Another strand came loose.  He did not know how much more he had to cut. He felt time moving slowly by. Then, the ropes' tightness went slack.

Hands done, he reached down for his legs. He looked around to see how he was going to get out of this situation. The side doors were missing handles.

The van stopped. The man looked in the mirror.  Jimmy was still in the same position.  Nothing looked out of place. His attention went back to singing and the road.  A song started, and the man turned it up.

Jimmy did not know the song. His father would play music like this during those weekend visits.  Something about being stuck in the middle. The man sang as loud as he could.  Jimmy was fine with that.  It hid any noises he would make. He knew his time was limited.   With a stop approaching, he had to get into place.

He crouched and crept toward the man. The man was moving his head as he sang.  He had no care in the world. Jimmy was fine with that.  Better for him to be into his song than seeing him sneaking up. He did not want to make any sudden movements that would break his concentration.

The van slowed. Jimmy was right behind the man.  He focused on the man’s neck. He could see the beating of the vein.  With the van stopped at a streetlight, the man looked up. The boy was not there. Then, a sudden movement, and all he could see was a light shining off the blade of the knife as it plunged into his neck. His hands grabbed the boy's arms. His foot came off the brake.  The van started to roll.

Jimmy pulled back. The man could not grasp Jimmy’s arms.  The blood was making everything slippery. Horns started to blare. The man covered the cut, trying to stem the flow of his blood.  Jimmy stood staring.

Suddenly, Jimmy was slammed against the van's side and then thrown to the opposite side as it swerved out of control. He fell into the side door in the well area. His head buzzed. He sat staring at the ceiling, mesmerized by the blood.

A knock on the side door brought Jimmy back to reality. He did not know where it came from.  Then, the door slid open. A woman looked at the blood-drenched boy and the blood dripping down. She screams. 

A man comes over and looks.

“It looks like a Jackson Pollock painting!” 

Jimmy looked at the man, not understanding the comment. 

“Hey, kid, are you okay? Do you have an injury? What happened?” asked the man.

“I had to do it.  It was going to be him or me,” barely audible. He looked around to see that they were in the middle of the intersection.

=The police arrived and secured the scene. They checked on the driver and found he was dead. 

“Son, what happened?” asked the police officer.

Jimmy told him what he could remember.

“You are lucky to be alive!” said the officer.

A paramedic put a blanket around Jimmy. He rubbed his back. 

He clung to the scratchy fabric, staring at the flashing lights. He wondered if his mom would be angry or just scared. For the first time, he wished he’d had a babysitter.

“Is he going to be okay?” asked the police officer. 

“Yes, he’s in shock, but I’m sure he'll be fine after some therapy,” replied the paramedic.

 

 

Glade Air Freshener

 I doubt they advertise that they can cover the smell of a dead rat, but I am here to tell you that it does.  I went home last night and could not smell a hint of the dead rat.  Not only that, but the freshener seems to cover a huge area in the house.  If you need to eliminate a smell, try the Glade plug-in air freshener.  We are using a holiday scent.  

Treadmills for Blind Students

 My daughter came home from school the other day.  She is blind and also kind of a comedian.  We asked her what she did that day.  She says, "I went to the gym and walked on the treadmill."  We go "really?"  She replies, "Yes, they have treadmills for blind students.  They do not want us going on the track and running into everybody!"  She kept up with it for many days.  Then, my wife spoke with the Vice Principal.  She asked if they had treadmills for blind students.  She had to ask another person in the office if they did. The answer was that they do not have treadmills for blind students.  My daughter spun a good tale!    

Mistaken Identity

 On our Carnival cruise, they have elegant nights.  For one daughter, every night was elegant.  I dressed in khaki pants and a dark blue polo shirt with an Under Armor logo. I was pushing my daughter around in a wheelchair.  People kept coming up to me to ask directions.  I had to break it to them; I did not work for Carnival.  Watch how you dress!  You might be asked for directions, also.  

Covering the Smell

 The smell of the dead rat comes and goes.  When it comes, it is strong.  I decided to buy some air fresheners.  There is a downside to them.  My blind daughter loves to play with them.  If she finds it, it may disappear.  When I got home from the store, I opened the package and pulled out the device.  My first idea was to place it near the sink.  My daughter may not look there.  The one closer to the floor would be a more likely place to look or feel.  To my surprise, the plug is horizontal and not vertical, like most plugs.  The device does not swivel.  I had to break down and plug it near the floor.  After a little time, the smell was covered.  As of this morning, they are still plugged in.  We'll see if the air fresheners last longer the the decomposition of the rat.  

Lazy Sunday

 I know I should be doing something, but it feels like one of those days.  I fed the animals. I dug out a stall.  Now, I just wait.  My daughters want me to take them shopping for lunch and dessert.  I feel like napping.  I do live this time of year.  It’s not hot.  It could be cooler, but we live in Florida.  There is a chance of cooler weather for Thanksgiving.  

The Rats Strike Back!

I went out on our deck today.  I was tossing scraps to the chickens.  I look down and see what looks like breadcrumbs.  Upon closer examination, it was not breadcrumbs. It was foam we had placed on the door frame that we are trying to fix.  Even closer, and a hole comes into view.  This hole leads to the area where the rats are getting into the house.  I had to get some foam, hardware cloth and wood.  I also gave them a couple of pellets to snack on.  Just hope they don’t stink up the house.  

The Smell That Will not go Away

 I cleaned the bathroom.  I was hoping that might help us pinpoint the smell of the dead rat.  My daughter had gotten hold of a waxy air freshener.  She likes to tear up things.  This time, she got it all over the floor.  Wiping it away was not that easy.  I took a used scrubbing pad and some cleaner and brought them into the bathroom.  That had a better effect on the floor.  Once done, it seemed to be gone. I kept getting whiffs of the rat later in the day.  I think we will have to cut a hole in the wall and locate the body.  I guess this is the downside of using poison.  

Found a Body

 Still haven't found the dead rat in the house.  Sometimes it seems like it is going away, but then it comes back stronger.  I was feeding the chickens and walking around our backyard.  Then a smell hit me.  It smelled just like our bathroom.  Only it was in one of the runs.  I walked in and flies buzzed everywhere.  I pulled back a piece of plastic, and there it was. A dead rat!  I put on some gloves and placed them in a box.  I did not want any predators eating it.  Hopefully, it will burn before the vultures arrive. My neighbor will probably be happy.  She is always shooting in the air to disperse them.  I think she's the one who attracts them.   

Next Cruise

 Our next cruise is approaching.  It will be a surprise for our daughters. Our itinerary:  Half Moon Cays (Carnival beach in the Bahamas), San Juan, St Thomas, and St. Maarten.  This time, it will be an 8-day cruise.  Our last one was only 5!  5 or less go by so quickly.  I couldn't even imagine going on a three-day cruise.  The entire first day is dedicated to boarding the bus.  San Juan and St Thomas were well-walked last year.  I have a new objective in San Juan.  I want authentic Puerto Rican food.  In St Thomas, I want to search for spices.  I did find a store close to the port.  I went on Google Maps and searched.  I still need to find a place to eat in PR.  I look forward to St Maarten.  It is an island that is half Dutch and half French.  When we were younger, we did go there.  We took an excursion that drove us from one side to the other.  This time may just be a port exploration.  We can not afford an excursion with all our daughters.  Plus, they couldn't care less.  They would be bored.  I'm sure we will find things that excite them.  Half Moon Cays will give them the ability to go in the ocean.  The other three do not appear to have beaches near the port.  

Grand Cayman

 The second island we went to, on our cruise, was Grand Cayman.  It was our first time visiting the island. One downside of visiting Grand Cayman by ship is that it requires a tender boat to get you to land.  Depending on how long it takes, you may not have the most time to get around.  When we finally got on the land, we had about three hours.  Not much time.  We did walk around the port shops.  They were expensive. Up the road, we found an arts and crafts tent with locals.  We found much better deals.  The people were super friendly.  They did not even try to pressure us into a sale.  The big and famous beach on this island is Seven Mile Beach.  It is on the opposite side of the island.  Since they do not provide maps, we were unsure of the island's size.  They want you to depend on an excursion.  We found a small cove where people were swimming. One daughter ran right into the water.  Temperature does not bother her.  It could be freezing, and she'd still run out there.  Because she is deaf, I can not let her go out too far.  She thinks she is a fish.  The shallow parts of the beach were rocky.  Luckily, I had on water shoes.  They kept slipping off.   When I caught up to my daughter, she would kick and push me away.  I even think the port authority was coming by on a boat to tell us to go back to the shallows.  I finally had to pull her out. She was not happy.  She gave up when we reached the road. It is a nice island, and I wish we had seen more of it.  

Breaking Down

 I think we are going to have to cut into our wall at home.  The smell is becoming overwhelming. I know once we clean it up, we need to seal off those areas.  We do not need another one dying in there.  My wife was even trying to get a new shower out of it.  I do know there is room to grow, but our finances need to grow as well.  We have enough debt. Maybe a walk-in shower.  It is the guest bathroom, but it is the best for cleaning one of my daughters. I'd like something closer to the handicap shower we had on the cruise.       

The Running Man

 I can not believe it did not do better on opening weekend.  I still plan on seeing it.  On top of that, it was beaten by Now You See Me 3.  Too much CGI magic for me.  Perhaps word of mouth will spread, and more people will see it.  It looks more faithful to the book than the 80s Running Man.  I have Zootopia 2 on my list of upcoming releases to see.  My daughters want to see it.  

Mystery Smell

 When I got home, I pulled out a ladder and went through our bottom-level ceiling.  I did not find any dead rats.  I did find that recently laid poison was gone.  I added more.  I went upstairs and had to go through the attic crawlspace.  I did get whiffs of dead animal smell, but no bodies.  As I progressed further, the smell became stronger.  I pulled up some insulation and found a big hole that led to the back of the bathroom shower.  What it looks like is that a rat fell in and couldn't get out.  I do not think I can get in there.  I may look again because the smell is bad.   

Bait and Switch

 On board the cruise, there is a jewelry store.  They thought of using the cruise duck's popularity to run a promotion.  Their version involves hiding a green rubber duck with the company name.  It has turned in for a prize.  To me, that means you would receive a cheaper prize.  I wouldn't expect much, as it is a promotion.  The other night, I looked down and saw the duck.  We were encouraged to submit it and receive our prize.  It turns out there was no prize.  Instead, you get the opportunity to get $200 off a gaudy yellow diamond ring that costs $14,000.  How many think they actually get any takers?  I really doubt it.  In legal terms, it's a bait-and-switch.  I wish we had kept the duck.  It had more value.  They did offer things they already give out for free.  

What's that Smell?

 When I got home on Saturday, I used our upstairs bathroom.  There was a smell.  I thought somebody had put a poop diaper in the trash.  As of yesterday, the smell is still lingering.  My wife thinks it might be a dead rat.  That makes sense.  I did block off their entry point.  They ate a lot of poison.  I guess when I get home, I will have to search for a body. Just what I want to do.  😒 

Ocho Rios, Jamaica

 I read that Ocho Rios means eight rivers.  It gives you an idea of how to pronounce the Ocho.  We were the first cruise to return to the island with vacationers. They even had a ceremony to welcome back the cruise ships.  We walked to the port.  It was okay, but it had a very corporate feel.  Many of the shops were familiar to those found in every cruise port. There were some locals.  We tended to stick with them.  I dared to walk outside the port area.  At first, it was okay.  Then, I was approached with taxi requests and a strange man with a paper bag.  He wanted to know if I wanted pot.  I knew it was time to go back to the safety of the port shops.  There was not enough time to avoid the rain.  As we approached the ship, the weather went from a drizzle to a downpour.  Then it stopped.  The shops seemed expensive.  Like I said, we found some local deals.  Overall, the area looked fine.  Untouched by the massive winds, Melissa packed.  There was also a mountain that would have shielded Ocho Rios from the winds. They were probably hit with power outages.  

I'm Back!

 I took a couple of days off for a cruise.  We got to visit Jamaica and Grand Cayman.  I was surprised by the day we embarked.  The Miami Cruise Port was not as bad as I remembered it being.  When we returned, it was the port I know and "love".  I guess it depends on road construction, which Miami always seems to be doing.  95 is a nightmare.  They are always closing lanes.  That, combined with accidents and congestion, creates nightmares.  We always try to go down a day early.  If you cruise, that's the way you should approach embarkation day.  Especially if you are flying.  Ships will depart on time, unless there is a reason not to.  Late passengers are not a reason.  When driving in Miami, think defensive driving.  People will do crazy things, and there is little patience to be found down there.  The weather was great.  Not the burning heat of summer.  

Port Miami

 Port Miami is a nightmare.  I guess when they brought in all these cruises into one little port they didn’t consider all the traffic.  If you come down 95 to Miami, you’re going to be in traffic.  Day or night.  Plus they have a bunch of professional sports stadiums all crowded in there.  Just remember leave early and bring your patience.  These people are the worst drivers.  

Winter Wonderland

 The big freeze is coming to Florida.  I’m going to miss it!  Hopefully, we will get later rounds if cold.  Yesterday was awful.  It was hot and humid. We stopped at a KFC and their AC was broken.  Today is starting out okay.  

Ocho Rios

 It looks like Ocho Rios in Jamaica did not get hit as hard as the rest of the country.  I saw a post that Carnival is going there again.  It is on the opposite side of the island, where the hurricane cut its path!  I guess I’ll have to write a post and share pictures.  

Sealed Off

 I went into the ceiling in my room.  No rats, but rap poop was there.  I looked in other areas.  No rats could be seen. So,  I decided to seal off the area where I thought they were getting in.  I used hardware cloth.  It’s like chicken wire but stronger.  Chicken wire is used to keep chickens in a run. It is not predator proof.  Most predators can use claws and horns to cut right through it.  That night my wife tells me they saw a rug in the corner moving.  She pulled it back.  A rat had chewed through the floor board.  What I am guessing is they are trapped and dying.  All the poison I put up there has disappeared.  

Need to Find the Bodies

 I checked the ceiling for the rat poison.  All the pellets were gone.  I have not seen any dead rats.  Hopefully, I can find them.  If something gets them and they eat it, they might get sick.  Besides that, my daughter says she keeps hearing them.  I added more for them to eat.  I bet it does the opposite and turns the rats into mutants. They escape the ceiling and kill whatever they come across.  I might need a stronger pellet gun.  

Asian 7-11

 One thing we loved when going to China was the 7-11.  Unlike America, they actually had good food at a reasonable price.  I know if it were to come to America, the prices would increase. It might be worth it to invest in higher quality.  Yesterday, I was looking at the 7-11 app, and they listed a Japanese-style egg sandwich.  In my opinion, they may be testing Asian offerings to gauge their performance.  I stopped at a location.  They had it.  It did run over $5.00.  I was really good.  It was served on Milk Bread.  Now, I will have to look for the ingredients to see if I can replicate. If you have a 7-11 near you, buy one.  

New Predator

 I'm not sure if I will see this movie.  I liked Prey.  The amount of digital effects in this movie does not interest me.  Plus, the whole warrior lore seems like it's right out of Predator 2.  It also seems like a setup for another round of the lamest movies from this series: Alien Vs. Predator.  I can happily say I have not watched either movie.  To me, any movie that has two storylines competing with or against each other is lame.  Did you see Batman V Superman.  Come on!  One is a human who can be beaten, and one is a superhero who is virtually undefeatable.  Also, it is unfortunate that his weakness is revealed.  Getting back to AVP, it's boring to watch two digital creatures fight.  

Rats! Update

 I do not know if the poison is working.  We still have them.  I may have to spread it out to areas where they nest near the chickens.  It has to be in an area where the chickens and other animals do not ingest the poison.  That has always been my main concern.  I only want to kill off the rats and nothing else, well, mice if they are around.  Shooting at them is difficult.  They are fast, and even if you hit them, they bounce off them.  You have to get them in the right spot.  The farm cat is worthless.  He comes around after I shoot them.  I keep telling him there is extra food if he wants to eat.  I feed him once a day.  Anymore, and he will just lie around and lift up his head as the rats walk by.     

Cruising During Hurricane Season

 A tip for cruising would be: Be cautious when booking cruises during hurricane season.  According to the contract with the company, they reserve the right to change the itinerary as they see fit.  A great example would be all those going to Jamaica.  Since Melissa, they will not be accepting cruises until December 15 at the earliest.  If you're booked to go there, be prepared to visit an alternative spot.  I am hoping for somewhere I have not visited, but I think Nassau might be our destination.  If you've been there a couple of times, you know that there is not much to do.  All port shops are pretty much the same.  If we go there, we will be staying aboard to enjoy the pool and free food.   Most of the time, it is out of the cruise ship's hands when situations like this arise.  If it is something related to their ship or something they can control, they may offer you cruise credit or refunds.  Just remember, if it's an act of God, you will have to accept the changes.  So, do yourself a favor and actually read the legalese that comes with booking a cruise.  This will save you time posting online about how they owe you something.  

Fall is Definitely Hitting Florida

 I woke up this morning, and when I got in my car, I noticed it was 50 outside.  We generally do not see temps like this.  I even saw a weather report that next week we could feel some 30s.  We'll have to see how far down it goes.  North Florida tends to feel the fall greater than the rest of the state.  If it happens, I might have to look for some gloves.  Also, we have to worry about the chickens.  I think they hate extreme heat versus the cold.  We may see fewer eggs.  

Fun Spot

 I got to ride some rollercoasters.  I was not planning on it.  My daughter wanted to ride it.  I could not turn her down.  We also did a ride where you sit, and they raise the swinging chairs up.  Once in the air, it spins around.  That did not bother me.  The ride that gets me sick is a kiddie ride.  It is a swinging bench.  It features a lap bar and does not tip over upside down.  It still gets me.  The kids had fun, and that is all that matters.  

Scurrying in the Night

 Last night, I started to lie down to sleep. Little feet on the ceiling tiles broke my concentration.  I got up and took a broom handle in hand.  I started poking the tiles.  I really don’t think I did anything.  I imagine they were standing nearby laughing at me.  By the way, I checked a mousetrap and they had set it off.  No signs of injury.  I also checked the poison and can not tell if they indulged in a late night snack.  

The Local Disney

 If you live in the Orlando area, and find Disney too expensive, there is an alternative.  It’s called Fun Spot.  It has free parking.  Yes, you read this correctly, they do not charge for parking.  Another perk is who needs a ticket.  Let’s say you’re elderly, like me.  You do not need a ticket, if you are not riding.  If you have children with disabilities, you can get a chaperone ticket for free.  Once you go through the metal detectors, there are plenty of rides for the family to enjoy.  Granted tgat is about 10 or so amusement park type rides.  They also have go carts.  Be warned, others tend to be dangerous.  My daughter was slammed from behind at the end of one session.  They do have food, but it is expensive.  You can leave and go to a fast food restaurant nearby and come back.  Unlike Disney, it does not take one to three hours to get on a ride.  Depending on the day, it only takes a couple of minutes to get on them.  The best part is, kids have fun and we do not have to take out a loan.  

Halloween 2025

 We went to a nearby neighborhood to trick or treat.  The church the girls go to held an event at the pastor’s house.  They had popcorn, hotdogs, snow cones and cotton candy.  Some of my daughters went on a hay ride that brought them around to houses to trick or treat at. I pushed my daughter through the neighborhood with her nurse.  Overall, it was fun.  Not a lot of mosquitoes, but some did bite.  By the end, the neighborhood was filled with of cars/trick or treaters.  Olive were even directing traffic.  

Horror Movies

 I love this time of year.  I always want to watch old horror movies.  Ones that use practical effects and do not have a load of money.  Texas Chainsaw feels like a documentary.  The horror is more psychological.  There is very little gore.  Your mind has to fill in the blanks.  As a child, I would watch these movies.  They would always give me nightmares.  Now, as an adult, I do not have them.  At least not from movies.  If you see a movie like the original Maniac and The Thing, you can see the mastery of prosthetic special effects.   I can not believe that The Thing was not a huge hit.  It did have to compete against ET, but that was a family film.  If I were an adult at that time, I would have picked The Thing over E.T.  We also had some of the best Werewolf movies.  An American Werewolf in London and The Howling beat anything that has been made since.  I prefer a good old transformation over a person jumping in the air and digitally becoming a wolf.    As for Vampires, the 80's had Near Dark, Salem's Lot and The Lost Boys.  Now we get crappy digital effects to show a vampire transformation.  If you need a good horror movie tonight, watch something from the 70's/80's.  You might even see an actor who was starring in their first few movies, like Johnny Depp (Nightmare on Elm Street) and Kevin Bacon (Friday the 13th).  

Cruising Information

 I enjoy watching videos on YouTube.  Primarily, I enjoy movie criticism and the background stories behind the making of movies.  I discovered there are channels dedicated to cruising.  I find them both entertaining and informative.  La Lido Loca (https://www.youtube.com/@LaLidoLoca) provides news and entertainment.  As I have kids, I wanted to experience what a Disney cruise would be like.  Theme Park Express (https://www.youtube.com/@ThemeParkExpress) focuses on attractions from Disney and Universal.  From them, I have seen a Disney cruise and do not think I will miss anything by not going on one.  Additionally, some of their offerings would not appeal to my kids.  They have since branched out to other cruise lines.  I find it very entertaining!  Check them out!  

The Big Freeze

 In Florida, the weather tends to remain warm throughout the year.  We do get the occasional cold front.  Usually, it hits around January.  Today, we woke up to temperatures in the 40s.  Most people will be getting bundled up today.  I love this weather.  Enjoy it while you can.  It may also reduce the number of mosquito bites during trick-or-treating.  

Mousetrap

 I'm sitting here, and I hear scurrying in the ceiling tiles.  I pull out the ladder and push aside a tile.  Rat poop rolled down on me.  I go upstairs to grab a mousetrap.  I put peanut butter on it.  Then, I have to set it.  I get really paranoid about these traps.  Every time I set one, it snaps.  I finally feel it is set.  I shakily grab the trap and bring it to the ceiling tile.  As soon as I drop it, it goes off.  The more I try, the more it goes off.  I feel like that comedy movie mousetrap.  I bet the rats are laughing in the dark.  I find some sticky paper to put the set trap on.  This time, I set it down, and it doesn't go off.  Wish me luck!  

Silence is Golden

 I checked for rats again.  I saw one scurry away, but not towards the house.  My daughter says the traps are untouched.  My guess is that I have killed the two that got into the house.  Now comes the fun part.  I will have to look into the ceiling to see where they got in.  I also need to make sure there are no orphans.  Once done, we can seal off any holes we find.  Maybe next year, I will get a more powerful and accurate air gun.  I have to be careful.  I do not need my children playing with guns.  

Travelling to a Cruise Port

 We live in Florida, but not near the ports.  It takes time and money to go there.  Ports keep increasing their rates.  They are topping $30 a day.  I found that near Port Canaveral, there is a company that offers reduced parking fees and provides shuttle service to the port.  I did not find that for Miami.    Another alternative is parking at a hotel that allows you to leave your car while you're on a cruise.  For a family our size, it would not work.  Most will offer a shuttle for 2 people.  You have to pay for extra.  They also do not offer a shuttle back. You have to find a way via taxi or Uber.   A coworker told me she rents a vehicle and returns the vehicle near the port.  The company shuttles her there.  She has a pickup and rents another vehicle to go home.  The big question is: does it save money?  You have to factor in gas, wear and tear on the vehicle, and parking fees.   I know in the future, we have at least one rental in our future.  We have a 15-day repositioning cruise.  For those unfamiliar with cruise terminology, a repositioning cruise begins at one port and concludes at a new home port.  We will start in Florida and end in Virginia.  These cruises tend to be more affordable, but with certain caveats.    One day, we hope to do a back-to-back.  That is where you book 2 cruises that run consecutively.  At the end of the first cruise, you have to get off the boat, and then they recheck you on.  Usually, you can leave your luggage.  

Cruise

 We are going on a cruise in the near future.  Our daughters love them.  We appreciate how they care for our special needs children.  I don't know where we will end up.  One stop was Jamaica.  I'm guessing that will change.  Once you buy a ticket on a cruise, they can change the itinerary as needed.  With a hurricane going through, I doubt they will be ready to host any cruises.  It also appears that the Bahamas will be affected.   Hopefully, the Atlantic will slow down, but we still have until the end of November.  

Coyotes!

 As if my issues could not get worse, it seems Mother Nature is attacking us with all she can.  We have chickens that tend to wander out of the yard.  We hope to put them in a chicken run.  The summer was too hot and humid.  Now it is cooling down.  We have a new predator.  They are not exactly new to our area, but I had not heard of any doing anything.  Our neighbor saw a coyote enter their yard and run away with a chicken.  She does not have chickens.  Neither does he.  It was one of ours.  It looks like we need to start planning that chicken run.  

Rats 0, Human 2

 On Sunday, I thought I knew where the rats were coming into the house.  There is a pipe protruding from the side of the house.  I could have put hardware cloth on it, but I was concerned that it would trap them in the house.  I came up with an idea of how to trap them.  I attached an elbow pipe and added a pipe going straight down into a bucket of water.  If they go through it, they will end up dropping into the water and drowning.  I'm not sure if they will fall for it, but we'll see.  

That night, I heard scratching and squeaking in the ceiling.  I know we have a problem.  If they multiply, they could do some real damage.  My daughter has set traps, but they laugh at her and take the bait without setting them off, or they set them off, but do not get trapped.  I go out to feed the dog.  It was dark, so I turned on the light.  All of a sudden, two rats run up the brick wall and disappear.  I thought they went up to the deck, but they were not there.  My next guess is that they are getting into a hole-in-the-wall. 

Monday, I wake up.  I had been thinking of things to do.  I did order poison, but I am very leery about using it.  I do not want the dog or any other animals eating the poisoned rat.  I have already found a dead owl.  There were no signs of a fight.  I guess they ate poisoned prey.  I know that rats have a highly sensitive sense of smell.  I brought out some bleach and sprayed the wall.  I saw a rat scurry.  I sprayed under the rabbit cages and wood planks.  Then, I went inside and retrieved the BB gun. 

Next thing I know, a rat walks up the wall.  I'm not sure if the bleach disoriented it, but it did seem a little sluggish.   I'm at a distance.  I take aim and shoot.  The rat flies backward onto the ground.  His legs were twitching.  I knew I had hit a sensitive spot.  I shot it again to put it out of its misery.  The other rat walked up the wall onto a window screen.  I took aim.  I had to make sure not to hit the window.  I shot.  He fell back but ran up the screen again.  I shot him.  He went down with a twicthy leg.  I finished him off.  I took the tray he landed on and threw it away.  

Turning around, I see the outside cat playing with the other rat.  

"Now you are going after them!" I exclaimed.  "You need to do your job and go after these rats.  Then, you might not have to beg me for food every day!"  Yes, I do feed the cat.  He could be getting some extra protein.  

Last night, I went out to scope for rats.  I did scare one off, but could not shoot him.  I notice the cat playing with something.  It was the body of a smaller rat/mouse.  At least he got the message.  

DRats!

 So, my daughter texts me.  There are rats in the ceiling.  She has dogs, and I asked if they barked.  No!  I walk by her room, and they go crazy.  If there is scratching or moving around, you'd think they'd bark their heads off.  I do not make much noise walking on carpet.  They lifted the tiles to see if they could see anything. Nothing.  We put traps up there.  I am hoping there are no rats.  Seems like it is turning into that movie Of Unknown Origin, with Peter Weller.   

The Long Walk

 I took my daughters to see The Long Walk.  I read this stroy when I was a teen.  It did not disappoint.  The guys who Star in this movie did a really good job.  It is not the feel good movie of the year.  It does make you feel for everyone who dies.  If you get emotional, it will cause tears.  

Killer Rats

 So things went downhill during the summer.  We incubated a number of chickens.  They stayed under a brooder until they were able to go outside.  First day, I found a dead check.  No signs of injury.  The next day, another dead chick.  This time, there was blood.  The next day, another dead chick.  This one had a bigger hole with blood.  I decided to move the chicks.  Then 2 more were killed, and one was injured.  I had to put that one down.  I hated to do it.  I moved the rest inside till they were old enough.  I checked around the rabbit cages.  I found some rats.  I even shot one in the face with a BB gun.  He got away.  Luckily, we still have 6 chickens to add to the flock.  I wish I could use poison, but I also found a dead owl over the summer.  I think it caught a poisoned prey.  There were no signs of injury.  I have not used poison, so I do not want to use it if it will harm other animals.  

Rat Update

 Still trying to catch rats.  They are definitely smart.  They can get around traps.  They are also fast.  Evidently, they can not swim very well.  I was checking on a bucket of water.  In the bucket floated the body of a rat.  We try not to use buckets.  Baby chicks have that same problem.   

Rain and More Chicks

 Summer is here!  Every day we are getting rain.  Even when it looks like no rain, there is rain a minute later.  My guess is we are making up for the loss of rain in April.  That is creating a new problem.  I'm worried that some of the chicks will get washed away.  The brooding chickens have not stopped.  Yesterday, I found a chick lying in the run that a broody chicken is in.  I thought it was dead.  I opened the door to the run.  The chick jumped up.  I noticed another chick.  I hope they survive.  I have seen a bunch of dead chicks.  I am letting nature take the wheel.  Getting back to the rain, it is helping the garden that I am trying to grow.  I am really putting in the effort.  I tell you, starting from a seed is a real pain in the behind.  I would say I have had a 50% success rate.  

Rats!

 Recently, I went outside to move some boxes that was on our deck.  We can not burn anything right now due to the draught we are in.  When I did, I heard a scratching noise.  I move some boxes and all of a sudden 3 rats jump out and go over the side.  Later, for some reason, I went in one of the sheds that chickens stay in.  I kicked a plastic box.  All of a sudden, rats were running everywhere.  The next night, I grabbed a BB gun and tried to shoot some.  I found it is hard to accomplish this in the dark.  I did have a phone in one hand, but could not aim and shoot with one hand.  I did get a lucky shot, but I think it only grazed or scared it.  It still ran off.  I did manage to catch one in a live trap, but that was luck.  I have to wait a day or so for rat poison.  If they stay, they will multiply.  I can't have them getting into the food or even going after the chickens.  

More Chicks

 Every day I go out, I have to watch where I walk.  New chicks are roaming the grounds.  Of course, the mothers are usually with them.  As they grow older, they get more adventurous.  One chick was in a run with other chickens and ducks.  Mother was in another run.  I chased her back to her mother.  You never know when they will attack.  Guinea fowl have been chasing them.  I know that chickens will kill a baby Guinea.  I just hope that they make it to adulthood.  The more live chickens, the more eggs we will get.   

Chicks

With egg prices skyrocketing, I am actually running low.  I go out to check for eggs everyday.  When I look at the nests, I find a chicken.  If I try to take the eggs underneath, I get pecked.  It seems that the hens are brooding.  That is when they decide to be mothers.  They will sit on a nest of eggs for 20-30 days.  They stay on the nests without leaving.  I throw food out for them.  If they need water, they need to go to the water.  Eventually, we get chicks.  Even if we have a number of chicks, I do not really count them until they reach a certain size.  When they first hatch, it seems chickens can sense issues with the chicks.  Whether it is a health issues or some other issue, they will kill the chick.  Then, you have to worry about predators.  The mothers will defend the chicks, but I have found dead hens and missing chicks.  Now we are nearing an extra 30 to 40 chickens, if they survive.  That will lead to more egg layers, I hope.  I can't tell if they are all hens or some are roosters.  I really don't need more roosters.  One goes a long way.  

Havoc

 Havoc is finally coming out!  I have been waiting for this to be released for years.  It's from the director of The Raid and Raid 2.  If you have not seen these movies, watch them.  Especially if you like martial arts movies.  This director knows how to film action on a budget.  Havoc has Tom Hardy, Forest Whitaker,  and others.  It does look like it has a lot of action.  It will be coming to Netflix on April 25!  

Epic Universe

This year, Orlando is getting a new theme park from Universal Studios.  It is called Epic Universe.  It is made up of five portals that lead to lands.  If you go on YouTube, you can see visits by influencers.  Don't be fooled by them.  They were invited and did not pay for the visit.  All that amazement might not be as real as it looks.  Sometimes it looks weird for an adult to cry looking at a person dressed as a character.  I can understand kids, but adults?  Remember, it is a teen/young adult in a foam costume.  Some could even have issues.  I keep my eye on them with my children.  Getting to the visits.  It looks like they have found a lot of ways to make money.  They have also created long ques for waiting in line.  The rides look okay for children.  Some look like other rides Universal already have, they just change the characters.  Be warned if you come this summer.  It will sell out.  Not only that, but it is hot and humid in Florida in the summer.  I can imagine wait times starting at an hour and going up from there.  That would be a waste of money to spend 4 to 5 hours waiting in line for rides.  You might be tempted to go to Disney.  They are really expensive and have the same problems with wait times.  Unless you are rich.  All the parks have made it simple for those with money.  They even go out of their way to screw the disabled to cater to the rich.  If you are looking for something fun to do in the summer, go to a regional park.  They have more rides and shorter wait times.  

Storm Day

 I was in a meeting all day.  At the beginning, my boss said there was a tornado warning in the area.  Little did I know how close it was.  Later in the day, I was checking news headlines.  Sure enough, a tornado touched down a couple of miles from the office.  It tore up a couple of houses.  Trees were down.  As far as I know, no one was hurt!  

Comic Book Movies

 So comic book movies seem to be fading.  I can't say there is much coming out that I want to see.  Not only that, Disney has ruined Star Wars for me.  I stopped watching the shows.  For me the dialogue in these movies are going down hill.  Not only that, but they try to fit in too much, especially comic book movies.  The upcoming Superman looks like another bad example of how not to do a movie.  Too many heroes and no real villain.  Or, they put in a CG created mess as a villain.  I hope they would get better writers and directors.  One issue that is glaring in the last couple of movies is that it seems to take 10 to 20 writers to write the film.  Maybe the Endgame was the end of good comic book movies.  

Oscars

 So the Oscars were the other day.  Good to see independent movies doing well.  I saw some of them.  I will try to see some more.  Some do not interest me.  I did see Flow.  Great movie.  Here's a movie that cost less than the $100,000,000 animated films the big companies put out.  I heard it was created on an app.  They did not use stupid actor voices for the animals.  This is the kind of movie that Hollywood would buy and put in those wacky voices.  See it before Hollywood ruins it.  The Substance was a great movie.  I love Cronenberg.  It is great to see a director pick up the body horror mantle.  Her first movie Revenge is also a great movie.  When Anora comes on streaming, I will watch that.  Maybe the Culkin movie.  Check out the independent movies and really support those companies.  They are really hitting it out of the park.  

Chickens

 So, I'm back!  It has been a busy couple of months.  I would like to say things are slowing down, but as you get older, life seems to go by quicker.  Our farm is doing well.  We have lots of chickens and they are laying some eggs.  One issue we have is that the ones outside of chicken runs tend to lay where ever they want to.  Then, it is like Easter egg hunt.  When you find hidden eggs, you have a 50-50 chance of it being any good.  I found a nest of 10 eggs or so.  I tossed them to the chickens.  There were some that had a green color inside.  I built another run.  Soon, we will be able to catch a few more and have them in a secure spot.  With egg prices going crazy, I am glad we have the chickens.  I went to a farm store recently.  They had no chicks for sale.  They were all gone.  The price was 7.99 and you had to buy a minimum of 4.  One has to have a set up.  Chicks need heat until their feathers come in.  Then you have at worry about Pasty butt.  That is where a chick poops and it does not fully come off their body and dries up.  If it blocks their anus, it will kill them because they will not be able to poop.  Don't even try to introduce new chicks to older chickens.  I did that once.  I thought the mother chick would take it in.  She killed the chick.  The other thing people need to know is whether it is a rooster or a hen.  If you want eggs, you do not need a rooster.  You also have to depend on the store clerk to identify hen or rooster.  I guess there is a way to tell, but I have not looked it up.  I know when they are older.  They have their crow and if they jump on the back of a hen.  A lot of places do not want roosters.  They will crow all the time.  Not just at dawn.  If you decide to get into chickens do the research.