Damn, it's been a while!!!

Good Afternoon Ladies & Gentlemen,

Alright, finally getting a few minutes to blog… and tell you about my favorite time of year… CHRISTMAS!!! Well, at least my adventures in Utah during Christmas!!! Basically, the day that I flew in, I showed up early, it was really cold… and it was going to warm up the next day so that it could snow for 2-3 days straight… then go back to really cold. That’s weather in Utah in December, back to you Melissa!!! (“Thanks Steve, unrest in the Middle East as…”)

The first day, I stayed in Salt Lake City area… but my mom came and joined me, so we went to see some of the sights… like the Christmas Lights at Temple Square…

The next morning, we went to the fairly new Loveland Living Planet Aquarium, which is a LOT better than what the aquarium used to be in Utah… here are some pictures but… definitely check it out if you’re in the area…

Then we headed to This is The Place Memorial up in the foothills. This is the located where Brigham Young, leader of the Mormon party of pioneers that were cast from Missouri basically decided to set up shop for a new State of Deseret back when NOBODY was in the area, except maybe some Native Americans. Basically, after their long journey across the Rocky Mountains, they found a stream, saw a barren salty desert ahead of them as far as the eye could see (Western Utah & Nevada) and said, “This is the Place!” Probably followed by “F**k it, we’re done! Unload! I ain’t going any further!” Anyway, the Memorial is pretty cool and has a LOT of buildings that were built exactly as they were back in the day in surprising detail… and there was a cool train that took you around…

The next day, there was the Family Christmas Party with… I don’t know, probably 200 in attendance… kind of a small turnout this year… my mom is one of 17 children… and they’re all (grand)parents-plus now…

Then there was my brother introducing me to Playstation VR… and I was skeptic. I’ve used VR machines in the past… and it was pretty cool… but eh. HOWEVER!!! This Playstation VR setup… was pretty f**king awesome!!! My brother had no hesitations in putting me RIGHT INTO the freakiest stuff too… like an Underwater Shark Encounter, being part of a Saw-like scenario, open-heart surgery, all kinds of stuff. It was pretty cool! I highly recommend checking it out… but be prepared for some eyes adjusting headaches and stuff like that…

Christmas Morning was at my brother’s house…

Christmas Day was at my Aunt Pat’s house…

Christmas Night was at my Mom’s house… and Izzy & I got a GoPro Hero Session, a Christmas Ornament, some drinking glasses, and a horrifying unicorn mask. However, the snow was really coming down, so it was just me, my mom & my stepdad (sleeping) so we watched some movies…

 Then a few days later, back home with my lovely wife...

The next days after that, I was pretty sick (as was everybody around me leading up to it) so not much else to tell… but Christmas is amazing! I love spending time with my family! I miss those little sh*ts like all the time… and I’m sure they miss me too… but yeah, I was also glad to be back home to my wife after a week away! I kinda love & miss her too! CHRISTMAS!!! Anyway, love & miss y’all as well… and it’s among my resolutions to update this more often… but if you’re missing me, follow the Everything I Learned From Movies podcast(eilfm.podbean.com) and you know how to find me on Facebook. If not, reach out to me!!! I’ll get you connected on the latest info. Until then, have a great day everybody!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Beer Camp & Basketball Xmas 2016

Good Afternoon Ladies & Gentlemen,

 

Last week, Izzy & I watched the 1963 flick “Shock Corridor” starring Peter Breck & written/directed by Sam Fuller. The movie is about a journalist who just wants to win the Pulitzer Prize… so his big idea is to pretend to be insane, get committed in a mental institution, and then tell stories of the inmates (???) and possibly… SOLVE A MURDER!!! Leading up to his commitment, his editor & a psychiatrist trains him to be insane… and his burlesque dancer girlfriend pretends to be his sister… and accuses him of incest, so he’s committed. Well… you can’t spend too much time in a mental institution before the other patients, medications, environment, physical conditions, and your own neuroses come out to destroy you… even if there wasn’t a murderer in the midst. The movie is black & white for the most part… and is REALLY cool & inventive for the time. You may get the feeling that you’ve seen elements of the movie before but… definitely check it out. It’s pretty entertaining… and there are nymphos! I think that just sold it for you, right? Remember that it’s still over 50 years ago when this movie was made. It’s pretty sweet.

 

Saturday, Izzy & I went to a beer festival… but not just any beer festival… this was Sierra Nevada’s Beer Camp which tours across the country featuring Sierra Nevada collaborations with many other breweries across the United States… and sometimes other countries too! This particular stop was at Pier 35 and featured dozens of other breweries, including our buddies at Elevation 66 Brewing & FDR (Ferment.Drink.Repeat.) and hundreds of different beers to try… so we were well nourished with regards to barley, hops, water & yeast… and plenty of other adjuncts. Here are some pictures…

 

Sunday night was (the predetermined months ago by the NBA & the actions since the end of Game 4 have obviously proven that) Game 7 of the NBA Finals here in the Bay Area where the record-setting Golden State Warriors went up against the Cleveland LeBrons… and basically Cleveland won its first pro sports championship in over half a century, due to a combination of great personal performances, and the officiating was being reproach… okay, that last one was BS, but it doesn’t matter. They’re not going to change anything so what’s the f**king point. Regardless, the Warriors did well, as did the Cavaliers… and just like the Highlander, there can only be one winner of the Prize. Also, in case you missed the Finals… apparently there’s a “Ghostbusters” reboot coming out… and based on their marketing of everything, it’s really looking like it’s going to suck & they’re trying to get everybody out there opening weekend. Anyway, congratulations to Cleveland!!! Golden State, hopefully we’ll see you back in the Western Conference Finals next year… losing horribly to the San Antonio Spurs on their way to another title.

 

Speaking of predetermined months ago… Basketball’s Christmas has come and passed in the form of the 2016 NBA Draft… and the lottery gave the first two picks to the Philadephia 76ers (within days of them firing  GM Sam Hinkie who spent the past four seasons making a mockery of the NBA draft system by being historically bad & bringing tanking to the forefront, so surprise surprise once he’s out they finally get the #1 pick) and the Los Angeles Lakers (finally without Kobe & last year’s #2 pick is obviously a teenager, so they can now rebuild in the nation’s 2^nd largest market) and everybody pretty much knew who was going with those picks. However, the rest was kind of bonkers… and I like it. Here are some highlights and thoughts…

 

1.       Philadelphia – Ben Simmons – Forward from LSU – Everybody has been touting him as the next LeBron James for two full years now… and his one year at LSU was pretty impressive as he was apparently the only person on that team when he showed up & they didn’t even WANT to be in the postseason tournaments so… in that respect, he’s a lot like Shaquille O’Neal a generation ago. From what I’ve seen, he has a LOT of skills and I really can’t see him NOT being the #1 pick. Need more convincing? The coach of the 76ers (former Spurs assistant Brent Brown) coached Ben’s father in Australia back in the day. Need more? What the f**k else is Philadelphia going to do? Seriously, they need to do something… otherwise the NBA will move them to Seattle or something as punishment for mocking them. Allegedly we may finally get to see a real basketball team in Philadelphia instead of a team the Washington Generals would have a chance against. Let this be the year!!! Tanking works!!! Philly also used later first round picks on international players Frenchman Timothe Luwawu & Turkish player Furkan Korkmaz (or as I’m going to call him… “FURK YEAH!!!”). With the potential of trading away their plethora of big men from past drafts (Okafor, Noel, Embiid, Siric, etc) the Sixers may be a player in the bottom half of the East next year & built for the future… or they may still suck. Who knows? Good draft though maybe…

 

2.       Los Angeles – Brandon Ingram – Forward from Duke – Kobe is finally gone… so let’s now get the Lakers back into the NBA landscape. They have… well, they don’t have a lot to work with. I like Julius Randle’s game… but it really hasn’t taken off. Jordan Clarkson & D’Angelo Russell are in the backcourt but… apparently D’Angelo really is a teenager. Swaggy P or whatever Nick Young is calling himself… is a goddamn joke. Brandon Ingram has great skills… and will have to lead the Lakers from the start. However, he’s from Duke… and as has been documented, there aren’t a lot of superstars to come out of Duke the past few decades. However, there have been some great role players. Hopefully Brandon can break the trend… but let’s be honest, who gives two sh*ts about the Lakers. They’re really trying to go after Kevin Durant or somebody who’ll probably play the same position as Ingram so that’s where the real play is. The Lakers haven’t drafted well since the 80s. They get their star players through free agency. Money talks. They also drafted the 2^nd best 7-foot Croatian in the draft, Ivica Zubac so… we might be pretty good too? Lakers will probably rebuild through free agency.

 

3.       Boston – Jaylen Brown – Guard from California – This was a bit of a surprise… but apparently he’s a tremendous athlete & great size for the point position and super young. Here’s the thing… the Celtics came into the draft with EIGHT picks… and basically used SIX of them… and sent the other two for a 1^st rounder next year, where they already had 2 first-rounders. They were talking about trying to trade for established superstars (or at least Jimmy Butler or the Sixers’ castaways) but they got Brown, some French guy nobody has heard of (Guerschon Yabusele), another tall European guy (Ante Zizic), Notre Dame point guard Demetrius Jackson (not bad), a guy from Providence named Ben Bentil, and another European guy (Abdel Nader). So there’s young talent but… a LOT of them for a team that already has a LOT of young talented prospects but no real superstar (until they trade for Kevin Love or something). You know who’s good at developing young talent? Brad Stevens, the coach who led f**king BUTLER to the championship game TWICE and then has been heading up a gaggle of nobodies in Boston for the past few seasons.

 

4.       Phoenix – Dragan Bender – 7-foot Croatian - Yes, I know… the mysterious “seven-footer” from some Eastern European country that doesn’t have the last name Nowitzki… he’s bound to suck, right? Probably. However, here’s why I think the Celtics may bite on him. First & foremost, he’s apparently really 7 feet tall… and you can’t teach that. He’s also super young like most European exports. One key difference, he actually looks proportionate to his 7 foot frame, not super skinny like Krystaps last year or anything like that. He’s got skills already but will need to develop. He could totally be a Pao Gasol / Chris Bosh kind of player very easily… or another Alex Len or something. We shall see. The Suns also traded four late round picks / busts for the 8^th pick in the draft to grab Washington forward Marquese Chriss. Everybody seems really high on this kid & I’ve never seen him play… but apparently he’s 6’9” and can jump out of the f**king gym. Now a player like that might be really good & marketable in Phoenix if it all works out… and they also got a very good (short) point guard in tournament darling Tyler Ulis. That’s a fantastic draft in my humble opinion. LOTS of potential high-risk / high-reward picks… go big or go home in 105 degree heat in spring.

 

5.       Minnesota – Kris Dunn – Guard from Providence – Apparently Minnesota is FINALLY over Ricky Rubio and whatever they say in him for what seems like forever. They have their key talent now with guys like Andrew Wiggins, Karl-Anthony Towns, Shabazz Muhammed, etc. but they need somebody who can provide some leadership and set them up to succeed. Enter a four-year starter in college with good size to take over a bit of a leadership role. With new coach Tom Thibodeau having more of an emphasis on defense too, I can really see this working out for them.

 

6.       New Orleans – Buddy Hield – Guard from Oklahoma – Let the record show that I LOVE Buddy Hield’s game. What I’ve seen from him this season in college is… Steph Curry-like. He can just take over a game on offense & has range for days. So why is he at #7 then? Well… he’s absolutely ancient by draft standards at 22 years old… he’s not much of a passer / facilitator from what I’ve seen… and his defense is questionable. He may also be a little too short at 6’4” to be a major threat as a spot-up shooter unless he learns to come off screens or pull some Steph Curry moves to get open. That being said… he’s an all-day three-point shooter, has some great skills all around on offense… and can really help out in spreading out the floor for Anthony Davis down low and work well with their other guards like Jrue Holiday & Tyreke Evans… basically replacing Eric Bledsoe who’s leaving apparently. Honestly, he may be the steal of the draft. He has heart… and as Steph Curry can show, sometimes when heart meets drive, you can make a superstar out of somebody who gets doubted & scrutinized his whole life. They also picked up Kansas forward Cheick Diallo who basically rode the bench so who knows… but rooting for the Pelicans.

 

7.       Denver – Jamal Murray – Guard from Kentucky – He’s a one-and-done guy from Kentucky who is 19 years old and doesn’t really play defense. That being said, he’s very young, great scorer & penetrator, good ball skills that’ll need to develop, good size for a point guard, and can really help the Nuggets by distributing, shooting when needed & setting up those around him to do what they do. Unfortunately, there’s just not a lot to work with in Denver right now. They did pick up FSU guard Malik Beasley at #19 & Spanish superstar Juan Hernangomez at #15 who may play in a year or two… so may be a year or two away from competing? Who knows?

 

9.       Toronto – Jakob Poeltl – Center from Utah – Huge German guy who played at the U of U, goes to Toronto where they LOVE their international players & atmosphere, totally picked this one before the draft (actually I had the same players within one pick of where they were taken for these first 9 picks… and then it all fell apart). He’s a tall center who can score at times & be a defender if only in taking up space. He’s a bit of a project… but I really like the idea of him holding it down in Toronto. I think the Raptors would like that too. They also drafted Pascal Siakam late in the first round from New Mexico State, who’s a 6’9” big fish in a small pond… but has the potential to be a Kenneth Faried-type player with some work. We shall see.

 

10.   Milwaukee – Thon Maker – Center from… Australia, I think? – Mr. Maker didn’t go to college, and instead went pro in Australia or something… and wasn’t too impressive in actual competition but is tall, skinny and… has seen a basketball before. The Bucks may have really reached on this pick. In the right environment for development, he can blossom I’m sure but… I just don’t see it. Doesn’t Milwaukee already have John Henson? Thon seems like John Henson. Tall, skinny, maybe can block shots. Oh well, they also drafted Virginia guard Malcolm Brogdon early in the 2^nd round which seems like a great pickup. He’s a guard in that Alvin Robertson – Avery Bradley – Tony Allen – Bruce Bowen mold where they are defensive minded but can also get buckets from time to time. I like that pick a lot better than their first.

 

11.   Oklahoma City – Domantas Sabonis – Forward from Gonzaga – God damn it… I think the Thunder somehow won Draft Night. They traded center Serge Ibaka for this pick as well as former #2 overall pick Victor Oladipo & defensive specialist Eryan Ilyasova. This is an absolutely INCREDIBLE haul for a player who, while I love, was just completely out of place with Oklahoma City. Oh well, maybe he’s a better fit in Orlando… but they almost immediately replace him with the more offensive-minded Domantas “Son of Arvydas” Sabonis but he can develop well with fellow young big men Steven Adams & Enes Kanter. Dang, the Thunder may still be a contender even if Kevin Durant goes somewhere but… probably not going to happen.

 

12.   Atlanta – Taurean Prince – Forward from Baylor – I hear this guy is good… that’s all I’ve got… but seems like one of those long, lean athletic types. The Hawks also got a versatile passing forward type at #21 with St. Joseph’s DeAndre Bembry and then a 2^nd round French guy named Isaiah Cordinier so… who knows?

 

14.   Chicago – Denzel Valentine – Swiss Army Knife from Michigan State – I LOVE this guy’s game. He’s basically Draymond Green when he came out a few years ago… and waited until the 2^nd round to get picked up… and look at him now!!! Valentine does it all… and is a great leader on the court… and can play multiple positions. Correction: HE will be the steal of the draft. If I’m the Spurs, I’m looking to trade up to get Denzel Valentine. F**k! Even his name is f**king awesome!!! This is actually a great pick for the Bulls after earlier this week they traded away their former franchise player Derrick Rose to the Knicks for Robin Lopez and other dead weight. Let the rebuild begin! They also drafted a German forward named Paul Zipser… but I don’t know anything about him other than how to speak to him in his native tongue a little bit.

 

17.   Memphis - Wade Baldwin IV – Guard from Vanderbilt – With Mike Conley being a free agent, they need to secure up the backcourt… I think Baldwin was the best backcourt player available… and he can light it up from three… and just seems like a good point to start. They also snagged up a raw DeAndre Jordan / Andre Drummond type in Michigan State center Deyonta Davis at #31, a Croatian wing player Rade Zagorac at #35 & a Chinese guy named Wang Zhelin at #57. Not a bad draft for them… but we’ll see how it all works out in free agency too.

 

18.   Detroit - Henry Ellenson – Forward from Marquette – He plays a lot like this year’s Doug McDermott where he could be the next Kevin Love… or another slightly overweight white guy who shoots threes. However, in the highlight reels that I’ve seen (because seriously, who watched Marquette since D-Wade graduated? Do you even know where Marquette is? Spoiler alert: It’s Milwaukee… so surprised he wasn’t taken by the Bucks with the #10 pick) he seems like a pretty good player in that “Stretch-4” mold and can help space things out for the Pistons so that the post doesn’t get too crowded… and Andre Drummond can grab offensive boards and dunk that stuff in… after he learns to shoot free throw.

 

25.  L.A. Clippers – Brice Johnson – Forward from North Carolina – He another long, lanky, athletic guy who has good passing & shooting skills that needs to bulk up… but you just can’t sit on those NC big men. They’re wiry good. Might be a great fit for filling in for Blake Griffin off the bench to start & then go from there. I also think that the Clippers drafted the Name of the Draft at #40 with Vanderbilt center Diamond Stone!!! The competition is between him & Denzel Valentine. Cast your vote now!

 

28.   Sacramento – Skal Labissiere – Center from Kentucky – This guy was the #1 recruit & the second coming of Anthony Davis just over a year ago. I was so excited when he was still around with the Spurs picking at #29… it was meant to be… then the Kings had to go & f**k it up by taking them one spot ahead. Why was he this late in the draft? He played one year of college on a loaded Kentucky team and… well, now everybody is saying late lottery at best. Here, he’s a low-risk/high-reward kind of player that brings great size (will have to put some weight on eventually) but can help on defense while still providing some offensive rebounding, etc. This could be a GREAT steal at #28 for Sacramento. DAMN IT!!! The Kings also actually grabbed TWO EARLIER 1^st ROUNDERS BEFORE THIS GUY with Greek center Georgios Papagiannis at #13 & Syracuse guard Malachi Richardson at #22. Three first rounders for the kings… and they now have three highly touted Kentucky big men in DeMarcus Cousins, Willie Cauley-Stein & Labissiere… damn. Not bad.

 

29.   San Antonio – Dejounte Murray – Guard from Washington – I hear nothing but good things about this guy (as again, didn’t see him & Maurquese Chriss play at Washington) but he has great size & skills apparently… so I’m already dubbing him the future replacement for Tony Parker… and steal of the draft (as usual). ALL HAIL THE DYNASTY!!!

 

52.   Utah – Joel Bolomboy – Forward from Weber State – With trades, they picked up guard George Hill from the Pacers in exchange for the #12 pick… and then continued to just pile up run-of-the-mill point guards by drafting North Carolina’s Marcus Paige at #55 and California’s Ty Wallace at #60… but I absolutely love the game of Weber State alum Joel Bolomboy. He’s a big bodied rebounder & defender who can put it back with the best of them. He’s in that Charles Oakley / Draymond Green / DeJuan Blair mold where he’s built like a brick sh*t house… a little undersized for the position… but makes up for it in heart… and I absolutely love that kind of player. I was also hoping the Spurs would snag him up… but alas, they had no 2^nd round picks… and the Jazz used their first of three late 2^nd rounder on him. I can’t wait to see him up against pro competition.

 

 

Anyway, as usual, just my thoughts & predictions… and as we all know, I’m only 100% correct about 52% of the time… and when you’re right 52% of the time, you’re wrong 48% of the time. Okay, so really I’m more like… 75% when I predict the end results of the picks… but hey, I make my money in another sector.

 

The latest episode of the Everything I Learned From Movies podcast is up and it’s Izzy & I talking about the “Highlander” Cinematic Universe. It’s pretty fun… check it out!!!

 

However, the next episode if a People’s Choice winner… since we got a wonderful bargain basement 4-Pack of Sylvester Stallone movies and there’s just too much awesome for one episode… so the people have spoken… and our next episode will be… “Over the Top”!!! By far the greatest movie about Arm Wrestling that features kidnapping, grand theft auto, assault with a deadly semi-truck & a father-son road trip. This wonderful movie is currently streaming on Netflix so check it out & let us know what you think. You could be featured on the next episode. In the meantime, have a wonderful day everybody!!!

Christmas 2015

Good Afternoon Ladies & Gentlemen,

 

This year’s annual pilgrimage back to Utah for the Christmas Holidays was similar to past visits… but there were some great adventures along the way… so yeah, similar. Here are some of the highlights… mostly with pictures…

 

December 17th - Spent the evening with Izzy... and she took me to see some Christmas awesomeness in Richmond... and got me a nice present...

 

December 18^th – I flew out of Oakland early… but apparently not early enough, as here was the line to the TSA grope at 5:05 AM…

 

Eventually I made my flight though, landed in Salt Lake City… and my mom, Aunt Pat & I went to an old breakfast hangout Bruges where we got Belgian Waffles& Frits… and then hung out at the Fortress of Solitude for a few hours…

 

…and then my mom’s family Christmas party. I’m sure that I’ve mentioned it before but… my mom is one of 17 children… who are grandparent age now… so there are always WELL over a hundred people at each of these family get togethers. Here are some pics including my grandma in a badass Christmas outfit…

December 19^th – After my niece made me breakfast, I went to my Aunt Pat’s house to make Kiefels a.k.a. Baby Jesus Cookies…

 

…and then I met up with my brother & friends to see the long awaited “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” but… I may just have to save that for another post… or maybe my podcast if that ever gets off the ground. Long story short, pretty damn good… but probably different reasons for me than for most. I’ll elaborate more at another time. Go see it though!

…and then because my family can’t plan things out, we had to immediately run over to see the Washington Heights’ Playhouse presentation of “A Christmas Carol” which has become an annual tradition… but no pictures… because that distracts the actors. I’d highly recommend checking it out though. The guy who plays Ebenezer Scrooge is pretty f**king amazing.

 

December 20^th – The next day… I pretty much just played video games with my brother… or rather he played & I kind of watched. As mentioned in the $tevie Awards, “Mad Max” was pretty cool… and that was probably most of it… along with “Fallout 4” but I preferred Mad Max.

 

December 21^st – The next day… we played more video games… then my mom & I went to Salt Lake City for the night as I had some research to do the next day…

 

December 22^nd – The next morning, I ventured to a new brewery & taproom that opened up in my old stomping grounds… and that is Shades of Pale Brewing in South SLC, just off the Trax line. This new nanobrewery has been in business for about year… but their taproom just opened up a few weeks ago& they’ve just been slowly yet surely working out the kinks. I got there just as they opened around noon… and it was me, the owner, the CEO & the sales guy, just the four of us shootin’ the sh*t for an hour or so while they were of course moving things around and getting ready for the lunch rush (which I assume happened after I left?) and I tried each of their selections.

 

One thing that I particularly liked was that most of their furniture (and even their coasters) were made from wood pallets… check it out!

 

A few hours later, I met up with my cousins at the largest craft brewery in Utah, Uinta Brewing which boasts over 100,000 barrels of beers made annually & you can probably find a few of their selections at your local BevMo. This stop included an hour-long tour of their fairly massive & impressive facilities out in West Valley… and also included some swag (pint glass, stickers, etc) and we had a few drinks and a meal there catching up. Here are some pictures…

 

After dinner, the snow started picking up so my other cousin was caught in Rock Springs, Wyoming… and they had an extra ticket… so I got to see “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” again… for FREE!!! May have even been better the second time… but mostly because it was free.

 

December 23^rd – The next day, my mom & I dropped my niece & nephew back off with my brother so they could go watch Star Wars… and then we wandered over to another new establishment in the area, the Ogden City Brew Supply which is a small homebrew shop in my old neighborhood (was a Weight Watchers in a strip mall back in the day) but they had a pretty good selection of homebrewing supplies and have been open less than a month. Here are some pictures…

 

That night… I made a Pumpkin Pie…

 

December 24^th – Christmas Eve started off with me finding a 12 pack of Bohemian Brewing at the local grocery store… so I tried out some of their lagers (Czech Pilsner, Schwarzbier & an Amber Lager in this pack). As you may know, I enjoy a good lager… and this brewery came highly recommended from friends in the state… but I believe this 12-pack may have been past its expiration as it had some mild skunk going on (later confirmed by Izzy when I got back) but alas there was some good point about it… and I’m sure that I’ll be checking some fresh beer at their brewery in Midvale upon my return to the state. They even have one of my favorite kinds of beer… a Doppelbock limited release that they made called “Czechulator” which I am just a huge fan of the concept… and can’t wait to try.

 

While sipping, I made some Christmas treats… and then my mom gave my stepdad his first present of the holiday season… a dog named Abigail. See, my stepdad has been getting less & less mobile the past few years… so of course he needs a dog, right? Of course. Here are some pictures… and yes, he’s still seated in most of the photos…

 

That night was also my Stepdad’s family party featuring the amazing matriarch of the family, the great 98-years young Doctor Al who will probably be a guest on the podcast when/if that comes to fruition… just such an interesting life that he’s led… and last we really chatted he was still pretty coherent. Hopefully I haven’t missed my window to access that wealth of knowledge by moving out to California… such a great guy! Also, there was a super sweet man cave with a full bar, pool table & adjacent movie theatre downstairs at my stepuncle’s house… and he was glad to show it off…

 

December 25^th – Christmas morning was spent down at my brother’s house so that my niece & nephew could open their first load of presents… and frankly I’m a little peeved that my brother pulled some BS with my mom about “you know, since their grandpa isn’t here this year, we should probably give them twice as many presents as we usually would so they don’t miss him” or something sh*t like that… but whatever, some sucker fell for it… here are pictures of the first load of presents…

 

… and then 2^nd Christmas in the afternoon was up at the Fortress of Solitude… and of course Christmas merriment was had by all… with minimal snappy b**chy remarks by loved ones… ah, the holdiays!

December 26^th – The next day, mom, nephew & I ran some errands… and it was a little chilly… but beautiful and sunny… so then we decided to check out the Eccles Dinosaur Park… and it was awesome! Here are some pictures from our quick 15 minute run-through… again, chilly…

 

 

That evening, I met up with my Aunt Pat & cousin Alicia for dinner at Pig in a Jelly Jar…

 

…and then I spent the night at their house, where Alicia basically slept for 18 hours straight… but Aunt Pat & I watched “Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace”. You know what was fun about that? Spending a good hour or so trying to explain to my Aunt Pat that Episode I was NOT the movie that she watched in theatres in the 70’s… and that the sequence of the original trilogy was episodes 4, 5 & 6… and then the horrible prequels (that she really didn’t need to see before Episode 7) were made about 10-15 years ago when Alicia was still a kid… but yeah, it just didn’t click with her… so that’s why we watched Episode I… and yeah, it’s pretty much as bad as I remember. Now, I’m not one of those purest who think that the prequels are absolutely deplorable… heck, with a few adjustments they could actually be pretty good. It’s really just relying too heavily on special effects and… there’s no need for medichlorians or whatever to enter the scene… and I am TOTALLY a fan of the conspiracy about Jar Jar Binks being the REAL Phantom Menace that’s working his way up to power to run the eventual Empire, but yeah… just a few touches here & there, the prequels can be decent. Oh… and some of the acting is just f**king horrible. Like… telenovela horrible. Anyway, that was done…

 

December 27^th – The main part of this day was going to my dad’s grave site for the first time… and yeah, it was cold… and it was somber… but yeah, it had to be done. Miss you dad.

 

December 28^th – This last day in town was spent hanging with my brother Kiel & my buddy Isaiah… again, mostly playing video games… but eventually we went up to my mom’s house & finished what I started earlier in the week, and cleared a spot for my dad’s truck which had been sitting outside for the past six months (because I didn’t physically clear out the garage & move it myself). Anyway, it’s done now.

 

I spent the night at the SpringHill Suites SLC Airport since I had a really early flight out… and it was snowing a bit all night. I had trouble sleeping, mostly because I took a power nap while watching Monday Night Football right after I got there… but overall, not a bad trip sleep wise. Only a few odd nights & I got plenty of 10 hour days during that time. That’s one benefit of hanging with people north of 50 years of age.

 

December 29^th – I awoke at 4 AM… waited 45 minutes for the shuttle due to ice on the road… and the result at 5 AM in SLC Airport was similar to trip there from Oakland… long line through TSA leading to just barely catching the flight… but I made it… and met up with Izzy for a day of R&R before going back to work (I had caught a cold as usual on the last bit of the trip). Anyway, great trip… can’t wait to do it again. Hopefully you feel all caught up now. Have a great day everybody & Happy New Year!!!