Unlike most, I was happy at the end of Infinity War as the universe was improved by the sacrifice that Thanos made. Because of that, I was not really interested in seeing Endgame knowing that Thanos's hard work would be nullified but 4 months later, decided to rent it from the privacy of my own home.
If you have yet to watch Endgame, this would be time to stop reading since the rest of the post will be about the movie.
I am aware than those remaining would eventually locate and with the help of Captain Marvel, make Thanos pay and it was brutal, simple, and anti-dramatic. However, that was only 20 minutes into the 181 minute movie. Then it showed people five years later dealing with the aftermath. It was a pleasant surprise to see that Banner was able to find a midpoint between him and the Hulk and that he was a scientist/celebrity.
I was angry to see a dilapidated Citi Field. Though I could understand the 2018 MLB season as well as other sports leagues suspending play for a season after half of those in the organizations disappeared but for them to fail to continue afterward in some form is not plausible especially in a world where other things appear normalized.
For me, Natasha running point talking with Marvel, Rocket and others seemed like a perfect place to end everything and roll credits after 35 minutes but then came the character that ruined it all. ANT MAN.
To be fair, it was not Ant Man in particular but the idea of time travel that he presented. My first thought upon hearing that suggestion was Back to the Future and soon heard Tony Stark say that and shortly after finding Thor and just before Stark said it, said Lebowski. When an overrated broadcaster of a Chicago baseball team that plays in a major league home stadium says something just after I do and annoys a fan of the other Chicago baseball team, that is fine. I really don't want to do that in a Marvel movie and though I enjoy time travel based entertainment, did not want it in this situation.
Much of the last 145 minutes of the movie was unnecessary sentimentality including recreating moments from the previous 21 films, having characters meet ones from the past, a poorly done crazy self sacrifice scene, and one last massive battle where those who were eliminated were back.
It took me four hours over three days to watch the last 145 minutes as I had fallen asleep four times during it (including at the start of the massive battle) and had to rewind the DVR to see what I missed..
I am glad I spent $6 at home as opposed to double that at a theatre.
Monday, September 9, 2019
Tuesday, August 6, 2019
Thinking like a madman
The new mayor of Chicago, Lori Lightfoot (It was weird to see her name listed on the sign at the Chicago Skyway entrance), stated that all the recent mass shootings can be blamed on the rhetoric proposed by the current administration but that is not true.
There are three thought processes among those who have grabbed an assault rifle and went out to shoot people.
Kill anyone (Aurora and Las Vegas): The idea behind these is to go to or near a location where a bunch of people are, load up, and shoot everyone there. These are planned to coordinate with a loud and noisy event like a rock concert or a movie to delay people reacting to the situation and to increase the number of killed and wounded.
Kill those at a specific location: (Sandy Hook and Dayton): Most school and workplace shootings fall under this category. The idea is to gain access to a location, find one specific target or group and open fire. Since the Dayton shooter was attempting to access a night club, it seems likely that he had a problem with that location or those there.
The rhetoric of the current administration generally does not influence the actions by those in the two categories but definitely fit into the third one.
Kill specific people: (Orlando and El Paso): The idea behind these is to find a bunch of people whom they believe deserve to die because of what they are (be it based on skin color, ethnic heritage, religion, or sexual preference) and kill as many as possible sacrificing yourself to make the world a better place.
Those who have decided to take action have left explanations about their decision and in those have stated they are following supporting the current administration or used phrases that are similar to what those in the current administration use. These shootings definitely fall directly on the administration.
As I have stated in other posts, trying to remove the desire or opportunity to kill many (which many in the current administration want to do) would require far more dramatic changes than just making it more difficult for people to get the required equipment.
One further point. All those who have gotten an automatic weapon and used it to kill many have one thing in common. It is not upbringing, income, age, or personal status. It is having a weapon which can fire dozens of shots before any police can respond.
There are three thought processes among those who have grabbed an assault rifle and went out to shoot people.
Kill anyone (Aurora and Las Vegas): The idea behind these is to go to or near a location where a bunch of people are, load up, and shoot everyone there. These are planned to coordinate with a loud and noisy event like a rock concert or a movie to delay people reacting to the situation and to increase the number of killed and wounded.
Kill those at a specific location: (Sandy Hook and Dayton): Most school and workplace shootings fall under this category. The idea is to gain access to a location, find one specific target or group and open fire. Since the Dayton shooter was attempting to access a night club, it seems likely that he had a problem with that location or those there.
The rhetoric of the current administration generally does not influence the actions by those in the two categories but definitely fit into the third one.
Kill specific people: (Orlando and El Paso): The idea behind these is to find a bunch of people whom they believe deserve to die because of what they are (be it based on skin color, ethnic heritage, religion, or sexual preference) and kill as many as possible sacrificing yourself to make the world a better place.
Those who have decided to take action have left explanations about their decision and in those have stated they are following supporting the current administration or used phrases that are similar to what those in the current administration use. These shootings definitely fall directly on the administration.
As I have stated in other posts, trying to remove the desire or opportunity to kill many (which many in the current administration want to do) would require far more dramatic changes than just making it more difficult for people to get the required equipment.
One further point. All those who have gotten an automatic weapon and used it to kill many have one thing in common. It is not upbringing, income, age, or personal status. It is having a weapon which can fire dozens of shots before any police can respond.
Wednesday, July 31, 2019
Friday by the numbers
Distance of #1 at Quakers challenge in feet: 242
Elevation change for #1: +105
Number of pin positions at Quaker's Challenge that were created just for the event: 5
Ounces of Coke Zero, Gatorade, and water drank from time I woke to time I finished round: 50,32, 70
Number of times I had to pee during round: 30
Times I used a disc that is faster than my Leopards in round: 1
Par for course: 69
Total for round: +18
Total of worse hole among the four players from the MA1 semifinal lead card played the following morning: +5
Shots worse than rating: 1
Listed par at Boulder Woods: 54
Number of holes where a 3 would have felt like a birdie: 4
Birdies in round: 3
Mandatories on course: 5
Mandatories used for the round: 3
Holes #1 player in the world Paul McBeth played during an interview on you tube: 8
Number of holes where my drive was closer to the basket than his: 2
Total for round: +8
Shots worse than rating: 2
Overall finish out of 58: 53rd.
Shots behind leader: 101
People at PA Turnpike rest area who asked if I needed medical assistance as I staggered around in pain getting to the bathroom and food court: 3
Miles driven from course before I realized I needed a hotel: 140
People at hotel that convinced me to get a handicap room due to how I was walking: 2
Elevation change for #1: +105
Number of pin positions at Quaker's Challenge that were created just for the event: 5
Ounces of Coke Zero, Gatorade, and water drank from time I woke to time I finished round: 50,32, 70
Number of times I had to pee during round: 30
Times I used a disc that is faster than my Leopards in round: 1
Par for course: 69
Total for round: +18
Total of worse hole among the four players from the MA1 semifinal lead card played the following morning: +5
Shots worse than rating: 1
Listed par at Boulder Woods: 54
Number of holes where a 3 would have felt like a birdie: 4
Birdies in round: 3
Mandatories on course: 5
Mandatories used for the round: 3
Holes #1 player in the world Paul McBeth played during an interview on you tube: 8
Number of holes where my drive was closer to the basket than his: 2
Total for round: +8
Shots worse than rating: 2
Overall finish out of 58: 53rd.
Shots behind leader: 101
People at PA Turnpike rest area who asked if I needed medical assistance as I staggered around in pain getting to the bathroom and food court: 3
Miles driven from course before I realized I needed a hotel: 140
People at hotel that convinced me to get a handicap room due to how I was walking: 2
Thursday by the numbers
Blocks walked uphill to get a "real" breakfast: 6
Discs purchased at Infinite Disc tent set up at Coyote Hills: 2
Shots in a row hitting a tree on #4: 4
Times I threw a provisional shot unsure if my shot would be found after it was significantly off line: 3
OB shots that were retrieved by someone who was watching or spotting: 2
Birdies: 1
More shots taken on front nine compared to when I practiced it on Sunday: 7
Shots over par: 15
Shots below rating: 5
People in line in front of me at ballpark for players party: 100
Illinois players whom I met there: 3
Distance to CTP target from the stands to win a disc: 280
Farthest I could throw the midrange disc provided for the contest: 260
Mini disc golf holes set up in area behind centerfield wall: 9
Professional world champions seen while waiting in line to play mini disc golf: 1
Discs purchased at Infinite Disc tent set up at Coyote Hills: 2
Shots in a row hitting a tree on #4: 4
Times I threw a provisional shot unsure if my shot would be found after it was significantly off line: 3
OB shots that were retrieved by someone who was watching or spotting: 2
Birdies: 1
More shots taken on front nine compared to when I practiced it on Sunday: 7
Shots over par: 15
Shots below rating: 5
People in line in front of me at ballpark for players party: 100
Illinois players whom I met there: 3
Distance to CTP target from the stands to win a disc: 280
Farthest I could throw the midrange disc provided for the contest: 260
Mini disc golf holes set up in area behind centerfield wall: 9
Professional world champions seen while waiting in line to play mini disc golf: 1
Thursday, July 25, 2019
Wednesday by the numbers
Trees hit on 243 foot downhill first hole of day: 3
Trees hit during first round: 18
Trees between tee and basket on #11: 30
Trees hit by those in my threesome: 0
Distance in feet of birdie putt made: 45
Distance in feet of missed putt in #4 having already conceded it in my mind: 10
Distance in feet of approach shot on #13 that clanked off cage: 150
My score on #18: 5
Score by lead card members who I watched play the hole: 4,5,6,7
Shots over par: 13
Shots below rating: 5
Distance of round two bogey putt made after shanking third into lake: 45
Distance in feet of slightly uphill #7 that requires landing disc in an "island" to avoid a hazard penalty shot: 265
Distance in inches short of island on my shot: 18
Failed attempts after round to reach island: 10
Distance in feet from basket on par 5 #10 in five shots: 50
Elevation above basket in feet: 8
Times shot to that basket drew metal and rolled away (including first attempt which was a layup): 3
Times the putt rolled completely down the 12 foot hill OB: 2
Score on the hole: 12
Putts within 20 feet missed after that: 3
Shots over par: 14
Shots below rating: 5.5
Trees hit during first round: 18
Trees between tee and basket on #11: 30
Trees hit by those in my threesome: 0
Distance in feet of birdie putt made: 45
Distance in feet of missed putt in #4 having already conceded it in my mind: 10
Distance in feet of approach shot on #13 that clanked off cage: 150
My score on #18: 5
Score by lead card members who I watched play the hole: 4,5,6,7
Shots over par: 13
Shots below rating: 5
Distance of round two bogey putt made after shanking third into lake: 45
Distance in feet of slightly uphill #7 that requires landing disc in an "island" to avoid a hazard penalty shot: 265
Distance in inches short of island on my shot: 18
Failed attempts after round to reach island: 10
Distance in feet from basket on par 5 #10 in five shots: 50
Elevation above basket in feet: 8
Times shot to that basket drew metal and rolled away (including first attempt which was a layup): 3
Times the putt rolled completely down the 12 foot hill OB: 2
Score on the hole: 12
Putts within 20 feet missed after that: 3
Shots over par: 14
Shots below rating: 5.5
Wednesday, July 24, 2019
Two days by the numbers
Shirts in player pack: 2
Discs in player pack: 3
Tick remover in player pack that was needed on Tuesday: 1
Countries outside US represented here: 10
US states here: 41
Amish at Tuesday course: 24
Times I said, OOKKAAYY Weaver to person working there: 2
Distance of Tue course: 8678
Score first 11: +3
Score next 6: +10
Times not needing approach shot: 1
Approach shots not in 10 meter circle: 7
Approach shots 5-10 meter: 9
Approach shots parked (under 5m): 1
Putts 25 ft or longer made: 5
Shots below rating: 3
Place out of 58: 55
Phones dropped in hotel toilet: 1
Verizon locations visited before three workers stayed 45 minutes after close to replace: 3
Hotel residents who turn tricks: 1
Cost per 1/2 hour in dollars: 125
People shot in hotel as I was asleep on a different floor: 1
Discs in player pack: 3
Tick remover in player pack that was needed on Tuesday: 1
Countries outside US represented here: 10
US states here: 41
Amish at Tuesday course: 24
Times I said, OOKKAAYY Weaver to person working there: 2
Distance of Tue course: 8678
Score first 11: +3
Score next 6: +10
Times not needing approach shot: 1
Approach shots not in 10 meter circle: 7
Approach shots 5-10 meter: 9
Approach shots parked (under 5m): 1
Putts 25 ft or longer made: 5
Shots below rating: 3
Place out of 58: 55
Phones dropped in hotel toilet: 1
Verizon locations visited before three workers stayed 45 minutes after close to replace: 3
Hotel residents who turn tricks: 1
Cost per 1/2 hour in dollars: 125
People shot in hotel as I was asleep on a different floor: 1
Sunday, July 21, 2019
Last Christmas travel day by the numbers
Time on road 450AM CDT
Miles directly to hotel: 697
Miles directly to Coyote Hills DGC where I practiced: 666
Miles to get to Indiana border: 42
Mile marker on I 80/90 in Indiana when Tommy ended: 42
Miles left on direct trip to hotel when a Proclaimers song played: 500
Times I had trouble singing with music due to being overwhelmed with emotion: 5
Cost of gas per gal at Toledo, OH Speedway: $2.65
Total construction zones on 243 mile drive through Ohio Turnpike: 9
Total mountain tunnels driven through on PA Turnpike: 4
Minutes driving off PA Turnpike to find a Shell Station to use my $100 gift card: 40
Players met at course and hotel: 5
Divisions they are in: 4
Time at hotel: 840PM EDT
Total miles: 718
Miles directly to hotel: 697
Miles directly to Coyote Hills DGC where I practiced: 666
Miles to get to Indiana border: 42
Mile marker on I 80/90 in Indiana when Tommy ended: 42
Miles left on direct trip to hotel when a Proclaimers song played: 500
Times I had trouble singing with music due to being overwhelmed with emotion: 5
Cost of gas per gal at Toledo, OH Speedway: $2.65
Total construction zones on 243 mile drive through Ohio Turnpike: 9
Total mountain tunnels driven through on PA Turnpike: 4
Minutes driving off PA Turnpike to find a Shell Station to use my $100 gift card: 40
Players met at course and hotel: 5
Divisions they are in: 4
Time at hotel: 840PM EDT
Total miles: 718
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