Hmmm, it seems to have gotten warm again a little bit this week but a lot. BUT, enough to have to turn on the AC for a couple of days. Luckily it was for a short time but still. I wonder if I should get my AC tuned up during the Winter. Not sure if it is cheaper to do it now or doesn't really matter living in SoCali and our weather is fairly consistent year-round. I know it use it more than the heater but then should I get both done. I know its been at least 2 or 3 years since I have had someone out to check on one of the other because it wasn't working correctly. However with my home owners coverage, it may be cheaper to wait till something happens than doing some preventative work because all I pay is a deductible for repairs. I should do some pricing out for tune-ups.
Weekly Update:
This week Halloween falls on a Wednesday. So won't talk about it much here and save it for next week but it is kind of odd sometimes when "holidays" fall on the middle of the week. And I guess it's not even a real holiday because banks are open and people work. Just a time to go out and have fun I guess like St. Patrick's Day or Valentine's Day. They are generally observed and celebrated but not 100% if that makes sense? Like time is given dedicated to these days other than your own time and not work.
At the movies:
As expected "Halloween" remains at the top for its 2nd week with another 32.1 mil, now well into the 100 mil cume zone. Should get at least one more week of solid numbers before it starts is steep decline. Holding strong at #2 is "A Star is Born" with another 14.2 mil as it continues its steady climb and prepares for award season. Holding at #3 is "Venom" earning another 10.8 mil as it keeps inching towards 200 mil cume. Still holding at #4 is "Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween" with an extra 7.5 mil as this one is about to be scared out. Rounding off the top 5 is Hunter Killer with an debut of 6.7 mil and pretty much at expectations.
New movies that did not make the top 5:
Two this week ... up first is Johnny English Strikes Again at #12 with only 1.6 mil and below expectations. Next at #13 is Indivisible with 1.6 mil as well and ...pretty much no shocker of a number but should do better in the after-markets.
Quote of the week:
"I want to put a ding in the universe." - Steve Jobs
Facts & Tips:
Make sure to eat a chocolate-covered cherry on January 3; its National Chocolate-Covered Cherry Day.
"I won't say I hate it; it's just alien to anything I've ever liked before." - Bob Newhart as Dr. Robert 'Bob' Hartley in the TV series "The Bob Newhart Show."
Another heat wave?! I don't understand this weather one bit ... I don't think anyone does to be honest! It was so nice during the day AND at night but this week ... I had to turn the AC back on for a couple of days. It didn't necessarily feel hot if standing but if you moved around, it felt hot. I think it hit the 90's again but no breeze and very sunny out this past week. I thought we were done with this for SoCali!! The nights are kind of confusing as well because they feel like Winter nights (if that is such a thing but I think it is so I am going with it!). It is brisk, chilly and I can smell the fireplaces going ... that is nice and I want that all the time! But it isn't too cold where I have to close my windows and turn on the heat ... yet. Will that temperature come? I honestly don't know but it would be a nice Winter if it did ... oh and how about throwing in some rain as well please. That would be super awesome!
Weekly Update:
So going to try some modernization for the house and I ordered the new Nest Thermostat E the other day. Should be here in a couple of days and the install looks very simple so hopefully it works! I didn't get the previous version of it because it would require me to do some wiring to the heating unit which I am not prepared to do. This is very simplistic (I hope) and also got an additional sensor to put upstairs since it gets so much warmer and have to wait for the downstairs to get to that level till I get a bit of air for upstairs ... wish me luck!
At the movies:
BIG box office surprise this weekend as Halloween not only takes the crown but with a 77.5 million opening!! Overall reactions are good and should get this film close to 200 mil but unlikely past that. Slight drop down to #2 is "A Star is Born" with another 19.3 mil as it also starts its journey into the 100 mil club. Dropping down to #3 is "Venom" with 18.1 mil and could start burning out quickly from here on out. Holding ground at #4 is "Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween" with 9.7 mil and might reach 50 mil to finish. Rounding off the top 5 is "First Man" with 8.6 mil more and didn't get the Buzz it was hoping for.
Quote of the week:
"The reward for work well done is the opportunity to do more." - Jonas Salk
Facts & Tips:
Once cherries have been picked, they don't ripen.
"Join us, take your rightful place in the clan my brother." - James Lew as Prince Samarki in "Midnight Man."
So I went to Disneyland to visit some out-of-town guests who were spending a couple of days there and caught up with them for lunch. It was in the afternoon, non-holiday weekend and PACT (picture was not taken by me but exactly what I encountered). Why are so many people there and it was also kind of warm. Not hot but in the low 80's so just standing around felt pretty warm. But why people why ... so many that I was playing dodge people getting from point A to point B. The crowds ... always at Disneyland.
Weekly Update:
You know I had a salad the other day and I know I have mentioned this in the past but purple cabbage ... it makes no sense to me! This stuff ranks up right up there with kale ... a garnish and not meant to be consumed. It just sucks the flavor out of anything else you are eating just like regular cabbage but purple. All cabbage is bad but why do they put it in salads to begin with? Color? That is what other things that matter are for like egg, ham and tomatoes like in a Cobb salad. It is part of the lettuce mix but not lettuce so why is it in there there??? Keep it off please, its not in Caesar salads and those are delicious ... follow suite all other salads! Mixed green salads, no cabbage ... so we don't need it.
At the movies:
The anti-hero stays at the top as "Venom" earns the crown a second week-in-a-row and another 35.7 mil which soars it past 100 mil cume so far. On track to break 200 at this rate. Holding ground at #2 is "A Star is Born" with another 28 mil and so close to 100, it should have it in the next day or two. Still strong word-of-mouth on this film. New at #3 is First Man with 16.5 mil and reviews pretty weak on it. Reactions are also fairly poor so this may be a fast burn on entry. New at #4 is Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween with 16.2 mil and fun for all ages. Rounding off the top 5 is "Smallfoot" with another 9.3 mil as the tracks will end here.
New movies that did not make the top 5:
Just one this week as Bad Times at the El Royale comes in at #7 with only 7.2 mil and below all expectations. The Royale has shut itself down.
Quote of the week:
"Life is the art of drawing without an eraser." - John W. Gardner
Facts & Tips:
Traverse, MI, considers itself the Cherry Capital of the World.
"English, Storm Shadow. Where are your manners? He is hungry. We need to invite him in and show him the path." Gerald Okamura as Hard Master in "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra."
It is getting nice and cooler, actual weather?!? But it is the Fall, sort of and it actually feels like it! I do like this weather simply because it is cooler! Anything but Summer is great and I welcome it with both arms open! But I know a heat wave is due at some point and it will mess up the vibe. If only we had seasons, it would be like ... normal? But, we are also So Cali and nothing is really normal around here. I wonder if I should get a pumpkin for Halloween this year ... probably not but I am going to start a new tradition and get at least a pumpkin pie! Why not and have a slice on Halloween or something ... who knows about that part but will get a pie every October.
Weekly Update:
Spent the day with a lot of German Shepherds on Sunday. Annual picnic for German Shepherd Safe Haven Rescue for alumni families who have fostered and or adopted. Must have been over 20 dogs and all were nice to each other and happy to see more people for petting and scratches. Bunch of great dogs and looks like everyone had fun. The theme this year was a Hawaiian Luau and it was fun. Weather was good but slightly warm in the sun but not bad overall.
At the movies:
Marvel dominates once again at the box office as Venom earns a hefty 80 million for its debut. Above expectation and though it may sound low for a Marvel in general, this is also off-season. New at #2 is A Star is Born with 41.3 mil and rave reviews. This one has award season all over it and sure to get several nominations. Word-of-mouth is strong on this film so it should have decent legs for awhile. Drop down to #3 is "Smallfoot" with 14.9 mil as it slowly melts away. Bigger drop to #4 is "Night School" with 12.3 mil and class may be ending early. Rounding off the top 5 is "The House with a Clock in its Walls" with 7.3 mil and time is just about out for it.
Quote of the week:
"But love's a malady without a cure." - John Dryden
Facts & Tips:
75% of the U.S.'s tart cherries come from Michigan.
"I don't know. They're white, all you guys look alike to me." - George Cheung as Chau in "Starsky & Hutch."
It cooled down!! I couldn't believe it but we dropped below 80 degrees and it has been nice! This is great for October. If we are to have a fall, this would be it! Now if we can have some rain soon, all would be good here! I think we will be due for some winds though, they tend to occur in October and then later in Spring so we are due. Just wondering if we are going to get a dry Winter but still cold ... I guess that would be fine but the rain sure helps us a lot .. we need the rain!!!
Weekly Update:
Start of October is here ... and a new fiscal year for business and corporations. Such an odd schedule and how it doesn't match with the yearly calendar. I know there must be a reason for it but I simply don't know what that reason is. Also, don't really care because I've gotten used to it and stopped thinking about it. But October ... not really a favorite month for me ... honestly I don't think I have a favorite month at all. They pretty much all are terrible or suck in some way nowadays. Oh well, what can you do.
At the movies:
A new number one hits the box office again, comedy takes over! Earning a decent 28 million for its debut is Night School and above expectations. Word-of-mouth is fair but unlikely to hit 100 mil. New at #2 is Smallfoot with 23 mil and very close to expectations. Dip down to #3 is "The House with Clocks in its Walls" earning an extra 12.5 mil as it tick tocks away. Drop down to #4 is "A Simple Favor" with another 6.6 mil and also fading away. Rounding off the top 5 is "The Nun" with 5.4 mil and just breaks the 100 mil cume barrier! Not much scare left in this but performed well.
New movies that did not make the top 5:
Two this week ... in at #6 is Hell Fest with 5.1 mil and right on expectations. All the way down to #16 is Little Women with .8 mil to open but also under 800 runs. Was not expecting much out of it anyway.
Quote of the week:
"Every story I create, creates me. I write to create myself." - Octavia E. Butler
Facts & Tips:
Maine produces more wild blueberries than anywhere else in the world.
"You think you were born? You were built! And they want you back." - Mark Ryan as the voice of Lockdown in "Transformers: Age of Extinction."
Hmmm, it seems to have gotten warm again a little bit this week but a lot. BUT, enough to have to turn on the AC for a couple of days. Luckily it was for a short time but still. I wonder if I should get my AC tuned up during the Winter. Not sure if it is cheaper to do it now or doesn't really matter living in SoCali and our weather is fairly consistent year-round. I know it use it more than the heater but then should I get both done. I know its been at least 2 or 3 years since I have had someone out to check on one of the other because it wasn't working correctly. However with my home owners coverage, it may be cheaper to wait till something happens than doing some preventative work because all I pay is a deductible for repairs. I should do some pricing out for tune-ups.
Weekly Update:
At the movies:
Make sure to eat a chocolate-covered cherry on January 3; its National Chocolate-Covered Cherry Day.
