Monday, November 26, 2018

Thanksgiving Edition

 Thanksgiving was on Thursday and it was nice and chilly that day.  I did work that day and all day but it was fine, had nothing else to do or any place to go.  But I did get a Honey Baked Ham and it was so good.  This has become a new tradition the last few years and I like it.  I had a nice ham for dinner and then the days to follow, honey baked ham sandwiches which are always delicious.  I thought it would have last longer than but the one they gave me, the core bone was much bigger in the middle so a little bummed about that but I know its all random.  Can't fault them for pulling a ham out of the fridge.

 Weekly Update:
Sleepy sleepy ... been so sleepy lately.  I'm glad I don't have a commute right now because I feel like I would fall asleep at the wheel which I have done before and that isn't good.  I think starting at 5:30 AM on certain days does that to you ... that is early and also a lot of times I start when its dark and by the time I am off, it is dark again!  It is ... weird but just wants me to sleep and sleep.  But I can't and have to work.  I still advocate a siesta period in the work day that is separate than lunch.  When I take longer naps during my lunch I do feel a bit more energized for the rest of the day.  But when I take the shorter and fewer naps, I do seem more tired.

 At the movies:
The world wide web is a buzz for Ralph Breaks The Internet with a hefty 5-day gross of 84.5 million.  Word-of-mouth is fair on this film but should get close or over 200 mil when said and done.  Punching away at #2 is Creed II with 55.8 mil and above expectations.  Holding ground at #3 is "Dr. Seuss' The Grinch" with another 30.2 mil and now just shy of 200 mil.  May get that in another week.  Slight drop to #4 is "Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald" with another 29.7 mil and now past 100 mil cume after 2 weeks.  A little below par for a holiday weekend so it may burn out faster than the first.  Rounding off the top 5 is "Bohemian Rhapsody" with extra 13.7 mil and steady climb to 200 mil but still a lot of award buzz.

New movies that did not make the top 5:
Just one this week as Robin Hood comes in at #7 with only 14.2 mil (5-Day total) and 9.1 mil for the weekend.  Slightly below expectations but not surprising either.

 Quote of the week:
"Conflict cannot survive without your participation." - Wayne Dyer

 Facts & Tips:
Philadelphia zookeeper Jim Murray sent baseball scores to telegraph offices by carrier pigeon every half inning in 1883.

 "I want the world, I want the whole world.  I want to lock it all up in my pocket.  It's my bar of chocolate.  Give it to me now." - Julie Dawn Cole as Veruca Salt in "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory."

posted by McDuck @ 11:46 0 comments

Monday, November 19, 2018

The passing of an icon ...

 Monday morning a true imaginary, creator and all around amazing man passed away.  Comic book legend and icon, Stan Lee.  Born Stanley Martin Lieber.  He later changed his name while writing to Stan Lee in 1941 which he would later adopt as his legal name.  He created an array of superheros that have become so icon in not only the comic-book industry but later in TV, movies and pop-culture.  Ranging from Spider-Man to Black Panther to the X-Men, he made the possible into impossible.  He took ever day people with every day lives and gave them a twist.  So despite having extraordinary powers, they still lead daily lives facing familiar challenges which the readers could relate to.  I've had the privilege of knowing him on a more personal level.  I wouldn't say I was a best friend or a family friend but an acquaintance who had to be reminded of who I was each time we met.  I got to spend time at both his offices and home, sitting on couches and chatting away.  Shared some stories, play with his dog and offered hot dogs each time I would visit from his late wife Joan.  Each visit to any location was like spending time with grandpa and listening of their years of experience.  But no matter what, each time I saw him he would always extend his hand for a shake and have a smile on his face.  He always greeted everyone the same ... I tell people he is the biggest fan of his fans.  Good night Stan ... and EXCELSIOR!


Weekly Update:
I have been so busy lately, I've been eating out a lot.  Not because it's convenient but because I haven't had a chance to get food.  But fast food ... it is too convenient and so yummy but I know its also so bad for you.  But how bad could it be to be honest?  Price wise it feels like a very fair deal especially with specials and coupons.  Ingredients ... I would use the same ones if I had the means to make them.  So why are they so bad?  I think if you sit in a car or desk all day and just eat eat eat, you will get unhealthy no matter what.  Eat all the salads but do nothing ... same result.  I think certain foods just get a bad wrap because of loss-of-self control.

 At the movies:
The Potter world returns with Fantastic Beast: The Crimes of Grindelwald taking top honors this weekend with a hefty 62 million and very close to target.  Word-of-mouth is good on this sequel and should have some solid legs.  Slight drop down to #2 is "Dr. Seuss' The Grinch" with another 38.2 mil and now past 100 mil cume domestic.  Still a solid movie and should reach 200 when it is done.  Holding on to #3 on charts is "Bohemian Rhapsody" with 15.7 mil and also over the 100 mil threshold.  New at #4 is Instant Family with 14.7 mil and below expectations.  Rounding off the top 5 is Widows with 12.3 mil and right on estimations.

 Quote of the week:
"Sooner or later, if man is ever to be worthy of his destiny, we must fill our hearts with tolerance." - Stan Lee

 Facts & Tips:
During World War II, the U.S. military designed a grenade to b the size and weight of a baseball, since "any young American man should be able to properly throw it."

 "Are you 'Tony ... Stank'?" - Stan Lee as FedEx Driver in "Captain America: Civil War."

posted by McDuck @ 01:42 0 comments

Monday, November 12, 2018

Starting to get a lot cooler again.  Nights in the low 50's but no rain yet.  We have massive fires going on and windy again.  The winds are what are really causing the fires to be such out of control right now.  Thousand evacuated and millions of dollars in homes destroyed.  But those who are fighting it are doing all they can and with very little help.  Other counties can only spare so much without leaving their own areas without help if something should come up.  Hopefully the weather will cool down, better yet, some rain and the winds die down to nothing once again.

 Weekly Update:
So during this week I got to visit a place I have been a couple times before ... Crustacean's of Beverly Hills.  They went through a million dollar re-model and from what I saw it was pretty amazing.  The upstairs part I saw wasn't as impressive as the previous upstairs but I didn't get a good luck of the downstairs.  Chef and owner Helene An, also known as "Ma-ma" spent so much time at our booth and kept having her staff bring stuff to our table to eat and try.  It was an amazing experience and I hope to return again soon.  I doubt I will get that experience again but I just want to get some garlic noodles!  They were so amazing.

 At the movies:
BIG numbers at the box office as Dr. Seuss' The Grinch takes top honors at #1 with a hefty 66 million to open!  Unsure how it will last as we head into the holiday season but overall it should do very well.  Slight drop down to #2 is "Bohemian Rhapsody" with an extra 30.9 mil as it hits the 100 mil cume mark. Still strong word-of-mouth and should carry it to at least another 50.  New at #3 is Overlord with 10.1 mil and slightly below expectations but not surprising.  Hanging on to #4 is "The Nutcracker and the Four Realms" with 9.6 mil extra as it struggles along.  New at #5 is The Girl in the Spider's Web: A New Dragon Tattoo Story with 8 mil and pretty much as expected.

 Quote of the week:
"In war the heroes always outnumber the soldiers ten to one." - H.L. Mencken

 Facts & Tips:
The word "cherry" comes from the Turkish town of Cerasus.

"Well, I'm a gum chewer, normally.  But when I heard about these ticket things of Wonka's, I laid off the gum and switched to candy bars, instead.  Now, of course, I'm right back on gum.  I chew it all day, except at mealtimes when I stick it behind my ear." - Denise Nickerson as Violet Beauregarde in "Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory."

posted by McDuck @ 01:16 0 comments

Monday, November 05, 2018

As mentioned last week, Halloween fell on a Wednesday this year so this is the official unofficial Halloween Edition ... officially!  I personally didn't do anything for the day or night but work.  It is also that time of year where now I go to work and its dark and by the time I leave for him, its dark again.  ALSO, Saturday into Sunday morning was Daylight Saving Time where we fall back an hour.  Oh how I love this one so and get that extra hour of sleep!  It is throwing my day off a bit on Sunday but its OK, I will adjust because ... you know, SLEEP!  But there is a thing on this year's ballot to end doing it, I voted no because, well I like it.  But I have a feeling the majority will vote for it to go away because we aren't a farm state to be honest.  I mean we are but the majority don't farm.

 Weekly Update:
Went to a few event this week but two stand out the most.  First I attended the closing night of the Asian World Film Festival.  Small festival out in Culver City that was honoring my aunt and Ming-Na presented her with a lifetime achievement award.  A co-star of hers from the recent film "Crazy Rich Asians" was also there getting an award and got to say hello with a picture:

 *Awkwafina - recently from both "Ocean's 8" and "Crazy Rich Asians" and very very cool.

 On Sunday night attended the 22nd Annual Hollywood Film Awards.  I never knew these existed in the first place but it was in line as a traditional award show but the big difference is the winners are know prior to arrival.  So it was a pretty nice star-studded night and got to grab a few pics with some of the people there:

 *Constance Wu - Also from "Crazy Rich Asians" and very sweet.
*Henry Golding - Another from "Crazy Rich Asians" and super cool guy!
*Nico Santos - from "Crazy Rich Asians" as well, pretty nice guy.
*Ronny Chieng - Comedian and also from "Crazy Rich Asians," really great guy!
*Steven Weber - best know from the TV series "Wings" and a nice guy.
*Sterling K. Brown - from "The Black Panther" and a really chill guy.

 At the movies:
They are the champions!  Singing strong at #1 this weekend is Bohemian Rhapsody earning a solid 50 million at the box office and not to far from updated projections.  Word-of-mouth very strong on this film and should carry it easily into the 100 mil area soon.  Award contender for sure on both film and lead actor.  New at #2 is The Nutcracker and the Four Realms with 20 mil to open.  Very close to projections but slightly lower, this will be a very quick burn and a big loss in general.  New at #3 is Nobody's Fool with 14 mil and right on target with no surprises here.  Drop down to #4 is "A Star is Born" with another 11.1 mil as it climbs its way to a very reachable 200 mil.  Going from 1st to 5th is "Halloween" with 11 mil more and it has done what it needed to do plus it's quickly out-of-season.

 Quote of the Day:
"The only courage that matters is the kind that gets you from one moment to the next." - Mignon McLaughin

 Facts & Tips:
On average, how many cherries are in a pound? 44.

 "No. My dad paid me to come talk to you, 20 bucks." - Taylor Lautner as Jacob Black in  "Twilight."

posted by McDuck @ 11:42 0 comments