Snail Mail Issues

The past few days have been pretty light on geeky things to blog about so I figured I'd blog about something boring.. like snail mail.

I haven't gotten any mail in the past 2 weeks which is very unusual for me since I get junk mail everyday and it's election time and I have been getting a ton of political flyers so it seemed very odd to me. I contacted the post office last week but they never got back to me so I contacted them again yesterday and that seemed to work. They responded by giving me my route number and office phone number to my mail carrier and said that I should call them directly between 8am to 8:30am.  Yeah not a lot of help, so I did as they requested and got up on a Saturday by 8am so I could call in between that short time frame but they never answered. So when I went down to check the mail as I have done the past two weeks I was shocked to see my mailbox full of mail. Of course they removed all the junk mail so it was a good stack of letters and some political flyers. There was no explanation as to why my mail was being held or anything. My mail carrier never called me back. Needless to see it's very bizarre and I may never know why I didn't get mail for those two weeks. But I'm thinking there was a mail "hold" put on an address in my building and they accidentally held my instead. For whatever reason I guess it doesn't matter as my mail is working again... so yay!! Hopefully I'll have more excited things to blog about with my next blog.

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween... I don't have any plans for tonight as my new job pretty much drains me of all my energy and I don't normally get home until around 8pm. I was invited to my friend Tom's place for a party and you all know how much I love dressing up in my Hobbit gear and really considered going but it was a long hard day at work so I opted out.

I also live in a secure building with only six apartments and none of the tenants have any kids so I also had no trick or treaters. That's one thing I miss about Halloween, passing out candy and seeing all the cute kids dressed in their costumes. The past few places that I have lived I haven't gotten any kids and as long as I'm at this apartment I won't be getting any in the future.

I considered going over to my brothers and go trick or treating with my niece and nephew.. maybe I'll do that next year.

If you celebrated Halloween.. I hope it was a good one.

Getting Healthy Is Hard

Nothing really going on in my geeky world today.

I'm struggling with my new eating habits. I'm trying to do my best but feel like I'm failing at times. Being at home is simple as I don't have a lot of the "bad foods" in my house, but it's when I'm working and trying not to go out for lunch... fast food is my downfall. I could give up sweets and snacks easily enough but fast food.. that's the toughie. But I know in time things will eventually change.

I have not had any sweets, snacks or candy for the past two weeks. But today while on my lunch I was in the lunch room where there is a ton of candy, chips and other tasty snacks and I had a mini three musketeer and a mini kit kat. I could have eaten so much more but I resisted and only allowed myself that small taste and I was okay with that.

I've told myself at the beginning of this that I won't deprive myself of anything, as what would be the point of living if you can't enjoy your life. But I do know that I was a bit excessive when it came to eating poorly (fast foods, snacks, etc...). I will still have my occasional french fries or candy bar but instead of it being a daily/weekly thing it will be more of a monthly thing.

Besides my diet I have committed myself to getting up at 7am and going for a walk/jog for at least 30 minute every single day (weekends included) around the Noho park. It's really a nice way to start my day.

The Theory of Everything - My Review

After work today I went to a PGA screening of "The Theory of Everything" Here's a quick synopsis: This is the extraordinary story of one of the world's greatest living minds, the renowned astrophysicist Stephen Hawking, who falls deeply in love with fellow Cambridge student Jane Wilde. Once a healthy, active young man, Hawking received an earth-shattering diagnosis at 21 years of age. With Jane fighting tirelessly by his side, Stephen embarks on his most ambitious scientific work, studying the very thing he now has precious little of - time. Together, they defy impossible odds, breaking new ground in medicine and science, and achieving more than they could ever have dreamed. 

Here's the trailer:

 

I saw this trailer a few months ago and I knew I wanted to see this movie. Now I'm not a huge Stephen Hawking fanboy, I mean I know who he is and have a idea of what he is known for but I really don't know alot about him personally. So besides getting to know him better the trailer really tugged on my heartstrings and if you know me, you know I'm a sucker for romance.

So when I got the email from the PGA announcing a pre-release screening of this movie, I jumped at it and invited my best bud Robert to join me. It's not due to be released in theaters until Nov. 7th.

Besides the movie screening there was also a Q&A with cast members Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones, Producer Lisa Bruce and Producer/Writer Anthony McCarten. 

Here's my review: I really enjoyed this movie, it's wasn't just a story about Stephen Hawking but a story about Stephen and his wife Jane and their love affair that lasted nearly 30 years. Come to find out (from the Q&A afterwards) that this movie is based on the autobiography of Jane Wilde and that both Jane and Stephen were somewhat involved in the movie. But there was a nice balance of story between the two of them. Towards the end of the film when their marriage was beginning to unravel you never really picked a side. It felt like it was a natural evolution to their relationship.

This isn't a story about Stephen Hawking's theories about Black holes and such, though it's all part of the film this is really a story about their relationship and lives. I expected to be a big ball of tears by the end but the way it was presented I only chocked up a few times and a few tears may have fallen. It was more inspirational and beautiful then sad and depressing.

The leads were amazing... Eddie Redmayne should defiantly be nominated for the Best Actor Oscar. His portrayal of Hawking is full of intelligence, poise, grace, eventual frustration/devastation, and an eventual passion and humble love for life. There were times when you forgot your watching an actor playing a role. When you think back to how Stephen Hawking was before he was diagnostic with ALS to the very end of the movie, you'd never guess that was the same person.

Felicity Jones was just as impressive as Jane Wilde. Such a strong women, who had to deal with so much so young. She was an amazing spirit and I'm sure she's the reason Stephen has lived for as long as he has. She was a devoted wife and mother as well as his sole care giver for many years.

Is this a movie that I would want to own on blu-ray, probably not as I can't seem myself watching it over and over again but with that said I'd definitely wouldn't mind watching it from time to time. I'd give The Theory of Everything a solid A-

Marvel Movies & Scorpion Review

Lots of geek news today from Marvel Studios.. they announced their "Phase 3" plans for upcoming Marvel movies. They also released titles and title art. I won't be posting everything here because there are much better sites who did all that already, like this one HERE.

Here is what will be released in the coming years.

• Avengers: Age of Ultron: May 1, 2015
• Ant-Man: July 17, 2015
• Captain America 3: Civil War: May 6, 2016
• Doctor Strange: November 4, 2016
• Guardians of the Galaxy 2: May 5, 2017
• Thor 3: Ragnarok: July 28, 2017
• Black Panther: November 3, 2017
• Avengers: Infinity War, Part 1: May 4, 2018 
• Captain Marvel: July 6, 2018
• Inhumans: November 2, 2018
• Avengers: Infinity War, Part 2: May 3, 2019

Lots of amazing movies on the horizon. I think I'm most excited for the Avengers movies as well as Captain America 3... oh and Guardians of the Galaxy 2.

After work I had some time before bed to watch some TV so I choose to watch the latest episode of Scorpion. S1 Ep 6 "True Colors" After taking a security job at an art museum, Scorpion is accused of destroying a priceless piece of art which they think is a forgery. They must pass a mandated psych evaluation or be disbanded from all Homeland assignments. But Gallo has a connection, Hetty Lange, head of NCIS: L.A. who helps them track down the real painting. Paige tasks Walter with an experiment to gain emotional quotient so his team can get more work. She also asks the team for help when Ralph doesn't have anyone to go with to his school's Halloween party.

Another fun episode, lots of character interaction, and some nice character development. I enjoyed how this story to told, via backstory as each member was talking to a psychologist. I like that we see a bit more emotion from Walter and it's confirmed that he does indeed like Paige. I think my only complaint about this episode was them having to "prove" themselves again. It seems like in every other episode they're competence is being questioned. If they continue to do this it will get old fast. Other then that I still loving this show. Oh and I have to mention the guest star from NCIS: LA was fantastic.. hopefully will see her again in future episodes.

And one more thing about Scorpion... it was picked up for a full season... WOOHOO!!!!

Random Geek Question: Middle Earth

This morning I dropped Erik off at the Burbank airport as his extended weekend trip has come to an end. Had a great time hanging out with him, even if it was just for a few short days. Hopefully the next time we hang out I'll be visiting him up on Portland.

Headed into work to start my second week on the job. Things are moving along as well as they do in post. We've hired our 2 editors and I have a great assistant editor so my crew is set. Now we just need to finish shooting the show so we can get it edited together.

I posed a Random Geek Question on Twitter and Facebook today; Which Middle Earth creature would you be, an Elf, Hobbit, Orc, Human, Maiar, Wizard, Troll, Ent or other and why?

I guess the question can be taken several ways.. am I asking which creature are you (currently) if you had to pick one to fit your personality and lifestyle.  Or you can read it as.. if you had a choice which character would you want to be (which was my true intent). Either way I got alot of responses.

From Facebook:

Annalise Rose - I want to be a hobbit but they don't often like to travel and have adventures so maybe an elf.

Cait Shull - Humans seem to get a pretty raw deal. There's something sort of romantic about Gondor or Rohan, but when it comes to the reality of it, people seem pretty miserable. Gotta go with Hobbit. No responsibilities beyond keeping your house and home, unless you're Frodo, Bilbo or another Hobbit who volunteers for a task. So I wouldn't *have* to be confined to my home. And the area I'd live in looks peaceful, fertile and prosperous.

Erik Nelson - I'm actually going with Dwarf. I like all the meals and ales, but adventure to go with it!

Christopher Setts - Dwarfs rule and Elfs drool! Although if someone allowed me to be a Maiar or Wizard I wouldn't say no.

Will Gatlin - Maiar would be awesome - but who even knows what it would be like to be inside of their ancient, eternal space brains? I'd probably go with elf - but more of a book elf than a movie elf. The movie elves seem serene, stern, and joyless. The elves in the books like to dance and sing a lot more. They sound like fun. I'd also be cool with being one of the Dúnedain.

Jack Alvino - Wizzzzzaaaaahhhdddddd!!!!!

Christopher Quilty - Gotta go with a coin toss between elf and wizard. Both have special abilities, and live in fabulous places. But the Wizards do seem to get around more... (And into more trouble)

Ripley Adams - Hobbit. Their way of life is the most alluring to me; peaceful, playful, companionable.

Tim Gin - I think I'd be pretty suited to be either Hobbit or Ent. Wizard would be pretty cool though.

From Twitter:

@TheRobZone - Human. We're adaptable and resilient.

@Josh_TolkienFan - I’d have to agree…as much as I’d also like to be an elf or hobbit, final answer— same as Rob

@BelRand - I want to be Sauron. That playah metal as hell, yo!

@Aradinsc - In that case definitely either one of the Istari or a Númenórean as Gandalf and Aragorn were my favourite characters @GrrAargh - Yes, Id be an average hobbit. Staying at home, eating.

@mattalexbrown - Realistically, I'd say a Hobbit, but I can dream of how cool it would be to be a dragon. Just because... dragons! @Ruvio - Ent. I like the forest.

@KayleeTonks - Realistically, I'm a hobbit. Short, fat, likes to eat. Ideally, I'd want to be an elf. Tall, beautiful, athletic, graceful.

As for me if you know me at all you know I'm going to pick Hobbit. To live a life in a peaceful and beautiful place. All you have to worry about it taking care of your gardens & your community, eating good food, drinking and smoking good pipeweed (which I would not partake in). Seems like the ideal life. And if you feel like a bit of adventure there is nothing stopping you from walking out your front door.

Spending the Day with Erik

LA skyline is back there somewhere.

So today was all about Erik and I. He came down partly to be part of the Murder Mystery Masquerade party but also he wanted to hang out with me. So today we spent the entire day together.

We started our day with breakfast at the NoHo Diner. We then watched some TV (that we normally watch over Skype together). We watched the latest Flash and Arrow episodes. Both were really good and it was fun to be able to watch them with Erik in person.

Afterwards we headed to Pasadena and walked around downtown for an hour before stopping at the Stone Brewing Company. Erik found several beers that are not available up north in Porland, so this made him very happy.

After Pasadena we headed over to Griffith Park to go hiking. I had planned to take him to the "old zoo" but it looked like they were setting up some sort of Halloween event and that section of the park was closed off. So instead we went on a longer hike but only got about half of it done as my "extra" pounds were working against me. It was still a nice hike and we were able to see the LA skyline and Griffith Observatory.

After the hike we headed back home so we could freshen up before heading out to dinner to a restaurant that I normally wouldn't have stepped foot in, Flemings. Luckily for us Erik works at the home off for this restaurant chain and has been there for years so he has a 75% off discount and thank goodness for that. When I opened the menu I almost fell over when I saw the prices. Everything is ala cart and the main dishes run from $30 to $70 dollars and then sides go for $10 to $20. For the two of us, and this was with out drinks as neither of us drank, so this was just the food it cost us $135 for dinner. But with his discount we paid much less.

Now the food was fantastic and the steak was some of the best I've ever had but it wasn't worth the $50 and the baked potato was amazing but again not worth $10. But regardless of the price it was a fun evening nonetheless.