Home Church Out For The Summer

Last night was a fun time. Had a barbeque with everyone from home church, and I guess we won't be back in session officially until September. That was last night. Today, has been dull, boring, and frustrating. Dull and boring, because I don't have anything to do, and frustrating because once again I'm reminded how much I really want a job. I'm hoping I'm able to get a job this summer, and soon. I need one so I can save up for my own car, and eventually so I can move out.

One day it's as if things aren't so bad with my father and I, and the next it's a reminder how my father needs help, and that there's serious strain, that isn't going to go away unless I do move. Would be nice if I could move away somewhere for the summer, but that's just me. I'm not in any position for that to happen (financially speaking).

Book of Numbers - Complaining

As the title says, that was the topic of today's sermon at the church I go to. After sitting through it, I was left with a constant reminder of my father. Why is that? It's simple. Complaining is a national past time with him (unfortunately), and well he fit the sermon perfectly today.

The first set of questions that the bulletin asks are: "Why do we complain? How does it help our situation? Are there good complaints?"

Summer of Movies...Movies Already Out And Movies Yet To Come

The month of May is pretty much over (movie wise), with the next theatrical release date June 1st, and by all accounts, June should be a better month than what May provided. For the month of May, The Avengers set the bar (as far as summer movies go), and the rest of the month saw lackluster releases, or releases with some promise disappoint (looking at Dark Shadows, Battleship, and Men In Black 3), although the latter in that list managed to dethrone Avengers off it's top spot this past weekend, which is likely to be short lived, as Snow White and the Huntsman is released this upcoming Friday.

Another Friday=Another Day At The Movies

Just as the title says, I spent the day at the theaters again. (Seems to be standard for me, well when I can afford it that is, and once again by myself). I happened to see three movies today. Paid for two, and saw one free. Those two that I paid for, were the first two I saw today, and the third one, I used an IMAX pass to see.

The first two movies I saw, were Men In Black 3 (3D), and What To Expect When Your Expecting, and the third movie I saw was Dark Shadows. Out of the three movies, I enjoyed What To Expect When Your Expecting the most, and will say that I rather enjoyed it.

A Weekend In San Diego

The Angels (or the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, if you want to get technical) took on the San Diego Padres down at Petco Park in San Diego over the weekend, and I got to go all three games. Instead of driving there and back all three games, my dad and I stayed at the Holiday Inn Express down in Mira Mesa, San Diego. The Holiday Inn Express itself is only about twenty to thirty minutes away from the ballpark (via freeway of course), and is actually near a nice shopping center.

The shopping center is on the other side of the freeway from the hotel/motel/whatever it is that Holiday Inn Express falls under. In the shopping center are plenty of eateries, a few shopping markets (Ralphs and Albertsons), and a couple of banks. Upon arriving on Friday afternoon, we ate at Buca (which is an Italian restaurant), and although pricey, it was real good. You can either order a single serve entree off their lunch menu, or order a la carte that you share, and those portions are enough to either feed 2 (small portion), or more (large). The concept is similar to the Panda Inn, or P.F. Changs.

After eating, we then went across the street and actually checked in to the Holiday Inn Express, and did nothing for two hours except for watching some tv. After the downtime, we then headed down to Petco Park (which is in Downtown San Diego), and got there two hours before the game started (exactly two hours actually). On games Friday through Sunday, they let you in the stadium two hours before game time. There are several parking lots near the stadium, and we parked in the parking lot literally across the street from the park, and pricing to park was $20. If you don't want to park in a parking lot, you can take a trolley to the game, but I'm not sure where you would go to take one, but I'm sure it's a lot cheaper than the price to park at one of the parking lots.

Another Day, Another Movie

That pretty much sums up my day today (after I went out and got myself a pair of shorts and a new SD Card for my camera for my trip down to San Diego this weekend). I thought about seeing two movies, but I stuck with one. The movie I saw was once again The Avengers (my third time seeing it). I wanted to go see it today, because it was the last day showing at the local AMC on their ETX screen in 3D. The price I paid was once again $0, as I used my second pass. Normal price would have been $16.50, as it was past noon when I saw it.

Tomorrow night after the Angel game, I'll probably be seeing Battleship, and next week I'll be seeing Dark Shadows on the IMAX screen, and from the looks of it next Friday I'll be able to see Men In Black III on the IMAX screen as its looking like it will be showing at the local Regal Cinemas in that format. I have two passes to see a movie on the IMAX screen, hence why I'll be seeing them.

One Down (Three To Go)

I'm referring to baseball games this week. Tonight's game was probably the best game I've been to this year (outside of opening night), because the Angels bats came alive, and it was the Peter Bourjous bobble head giveaway as well. It was also the first game without Mickey Hatcher as the Angels hitting coach (he was fired on the 15th). Actually, it was also the night Weaver and Iannetta got frames commemorating the no hitter that was thrown on May 2, 2012.

The end result was a 7-2 victory for the Halos, and also a game that saw Albert Pujols connect for his second home run of the season, as well as Vernon Wells connecting on his sixth of the year (and his first that wasn't a solo homer). The other three games I'll be going to, are the three games this upcoming weekend in San Diego as the Angels take on the Padres. I'm looking forward to it (to say the least), as it's my first time ever visiting Petco Park.

Friday Plans Ruined By A Throat...

A sore throat that is. It's not a full blown sore throat (yet), but rather a mild one, so instead of being stupid, I decided to play it smart and stay home today. I was going to see four movies today, but instead I'll be seeing those four movies next week (either on Monday or Tuesday). I'd say this weekend, but I don't have access to a car this weekend.

As for the four movies I was planning on seeing, those were The Lucky One, The Avengers (3D ETX screen), Lockout, and Dark Shadows (IMAX). That would have set me back $6 to 8 dollars today had I seen them. (I have passes). Those passes are still good for next week, so I'm all set.

Thinking About Men's Outings

For the church I go to. The last outing, I came up with the notion of going to either a Quakes game, 66ers game, or Angels game for a men's event. We went to the Quakes game, and out of the events I've been to, I think it either had, or tied the other event for largest turnout.  The other event, was the hockey game at the Citizens Business Bank Arena.

Thinking about other possible events, I've thought about a barbeque (not sure how that would turn out), going to the movies (not sure how that would turn out), and I'm not really sure what else. I believe if the men gathered to go see a new movie, it might attract those whom don't normally turn out for men's outings within the church, to turn out, but I'm not sure.

Upon thinking, I decided to turn to google for help, and came across this website for some ideas: Ideas for Mens Ministry

Saw The Avengers Twice...

This weekend, as mentioned previously on one of my previous blog entries, and that was one of the highlights of my birthday weekend. The other was attending the Quakes game with the men from GracePoint (church I go to). I haven't gone out to a restaurant for dinner yet, nor have I had any cake, but that's alright. I'll probably buy myself cake, and I'll get to eat it too sometime this week (assuming I'm able to sell my laptop - the one that I won last month).

As far as seeing the Avengers twice, the second time I saw it, I saw it in 3D, and having seen it, I don't really think it's necessary to see it in 3D. There isn't enough effects in 3D to warrant the increase in price, although the depth perception is better, and to an extent, the sound is better. I will see it again at least one more time in 3D at AMC, as I want to see it on AMC's ETX screen (it's their version of their IMAX screen, although not the same), but the sound is much louder than the other auditoriums, and the price is only a dollar more than the regular 3D showing.

9 Years Ago Today

If there's one thing about time, it's that it flies. Figuratively speaking of course. Today marks the nine year mark my mom's been gone. I still remember it as if it were yesterday. I spent my 21st birthday that year visiting my mom in the hospital, and arguing with my brothers at the time to go with my dad and I to visit her in the hospital. Why the arguing? They were both playing a game on the Xbox, and I wanted them to go. Luckily I won out on the argument, and they went with us to see her.

The day later, May 5th, she passed away. In terms of officially being diagnosed with cancer and the day she passed, it was a short time, but in honesty it was probably longer than that. We just didn't know at the time. I still remember those nights I slept on the carpet floor and helping my mom around the clock, and the only times I didn't do that were on weekends and when I went to school.

I still picture her when we brought her into the hospital for one last time, and her begging us not to check her in, and what she said "if you check me in, I will die." Thinking back, she always told us she wouldn't make it to her 50th birthday. Turns out she was right. She was 49. Of course, this was before she knew she had cancer, and she would say that for years. Honestly, a part of me wonders if the dreams and visions I've had over the years were passed on from her. That's a whole different story, so I won't talk about that.

Thinking about things today, I'm still in the today sucks sort of mindset. I really don't like to do much of anything (if I can help it), and of course it always falls about a week before mother's day, and I don't really do anything on that day either. I do want to do something in her memory on the ten year anniversary mark, just don't know what as of right now. 

The Avengers - Midnight

Perhaps the most anticipated movie, or second most anticipated movie of the summer (Dark Knight Rises could very well be #1) was released in theaters today at midnight, which happened to fall on my birthday. I have to say one of the reasons why I enjoy going out to see a big movie in theaters is because of the crowd. The crowd for the auditorium I was in didn't disappoint, in terms of living up to the atmosphere, but was disappointing with the extremely lame jokes. It's as if no one passed high school with all the lame comments being flung around. It also didn't help that the two people next to me were as rude as they come. Talking throughout the movie (and the guy actually laughed like a girl).

The trailers shown got a mixed reaction. The Dark Knight Rises got the biggest ovation, with Spider-Man getting the second biggest ovation. Battleship (the next big blockbuster due out in two weeks) got a few cheers and mostly boos. I don't take that as a good sign. Prometheus may actually have tied Spider-Man with the cheers. That movie looks (visually) amazing.

Tomorrow Is My 30th Birthday...

And the two things I've been primarily thinking about is moving on from my situation, and the day after, which is the nine year mark of my mother's death. To say it's a drag to be turning 30, yet still living at home, is a drag, annoying, and frustrating. I haven't been able to get a job, and as I try to get a job, day by day there is more and more strain on my relationship with my dad.

I'd like for that to not be the case, but the sad part is it's true. Kind of hard for it not to be, as his negativity gets the best of not only myself, but my brothers. If bashing was a sport, he'd be an all-star, going into the hall of fame. That's an even more sobering realization (to say the least).

A Five-Year Engagement

No, I'm not referring to myself, as I've never been in a relationship (don't see that changing anytime soon), so I've never been engaged, unless I've been sleeping through the last five years, but I'm referring to the movie I saw today. The movie itself, during the first twenty minutes or so, I felt no connection between Tom Solomon (Jason Segal) and Violet Barnes (Emily Blunt), but once the couple eventually moves from their current location to where a majority of the film takes place "Michigan," does the chemistry, and ultimately the movie get good.

The plot of the movie is a pretty predictable one, judging from the title alone, but that doesn't mean it wasn't good, as the film was. The film centered around Segal and Blunt, and their first meeting, and the time spent, and circumstances that keep them engaged, instead of getting married.

Seeing Avengers Midnight

Since I've had my license, I've yet to drive on down to the theaters for a midnight showing (of any kind). That's going to change this week, as my brother and I will be seeing the Avengers midnight, 12:01 AM on May 4th. It's a good way to kick off the summer blockbuster season, and more importantly, a good way to kick off my birthday.

I've yet to use any of my passes as well, so this week could be a movie week for me, or I could save them for a different day. (I have two IMAX passes, and two passes to for AMC as of this entry).