Happy last Friday of February! I hope you have a fantastic weekend and thank you for checking out my random thoughts.
PRAYING FOR PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER
As I put this week’s thoughts together, it was a wait and see on how I was to write this first entry and how it would change.
Last weekend, it was announced that my idol President Jimmy Carter was entering home hospice after a series of short hospital stays.
I’m fortunate to have meet President Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter in Plains, Georgia, in July 2017.
Once I got back home, I sent a photo of the three of us together along with an anniversary card.
Weeks later, I was pleasantly surprised to get the photo back signed by both of them!
In 2016, while visiting Atlanta, I took a tour of The Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum.
There was a message board where you could leave a note for the Carters.
While I’ll be saddened when the time comes, I know that he had a long, amazing, and accomplished life.
At 98, he is the longest living U.S. president is history — a record that’ll be hard to beat.
I FEAR FOR OUR FUTURE!
Last week, I said that Olivia Newton-John was probably rolling over in her grave, this week it’s Whitney Houston! She did sing on her #1 1985 hit, “Greatest Love of All”, “I believe the children are our future, teach them well and let them lead the way”.
I was just reminded of and I’m still amazed at a survey I saw last fall. It found that 3 in 4 college students were not prepared to clean on their own upon arriving to campus!
Seriously!!!!!! Do they think dorms come with maids and butlers?
“THE BEAR”
If you’re a fan of the Food Network or intrigued bythe cutthroat world of the restaurant business, you’ll really enjoy the Hulu series, “The Bear”.
For the longest time, I didn’t even give it a second thought because of the name. I didn’t realize it was about cooking and food.
It’s incredible!
I absolutely love Jeremy Allen White’s intensity as “Carmy”, a New York City chef that comes back to Chicago to run his late brother’s restaurant that’s about to go under.
White won the Critics’ Choice Award and the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Comedy. I expect the same when the Emmy Awards are announced.
My other favorite character is Sydney Adamu (Ayo Edebiri), an inexperienced chef with her own demons, but she wants to learn.
While the first season is eight episodes long, the second season, which is expected in mid-2023, is ten episodes.
GRADE: A-
NEW OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN MUSIC
I’m looking forward to the first release of music from Olivia Newton-John following her death last August.
“Just The Two of Us: The Duets Collection Volume One” will be released May 5, 2023.
While two of the singles were released before Olivia died (one with her daughter, Chloe Lattanzi and one with Paul Anka), the third release is a remake of “Jolene” with Dolly Parton.
Other duet artists included on Volume One are Mariah Carey (“Hopelessly Devoted To You”), Jim Brickman (“I Honestly Love You”), Jon Secada, Richard Marx, David Foster, and Barry Gibb.
Although I can’t wait to get the CD, I’ll probably won’t watch the video again because it saddens me.
I know that Olivia was fighting for her life while this was being recorded and that’s evident with her sitting down while doing her vocals.
And, then there’s the pained look on her face at the end of the video as the camera moves away!
REMEMBERING BURT BACHARACH
Legendary musical composer, songwriter, producer, and pianist Burt Bacharach passed away earlier this month at the age of 94.
In his long career, more than a thousand different artists recorded his music.
He was nominated for six Oscars and won three and he also won six Grammy Awards.
Some of his #1 songs were “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head” (B. J. Thomas), “Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do)” by Christopher Cross, and “On My Own” (Patti LaBelle & Michael McDonald).
That one was my 18th favorite song of my first 35 years (1964-1999).
In 1963, he also co-wrote, “(They Long To Be) Close To You”, which would top the charts in 1970 for the Carpenters.
As you know, I love Karen Carpenter and feel a close connection to her since we both dealt with eating disorders.
It’s hard to believe that she died 40 years ago this month!
“VIOLENT NIGHT“
Christmas was two months ago, but I recently watched this holiday movie because it’s now on Peacock.
A group of bad guys are going to rob a very rich and vile family of a hidden and illegal fortune on Christmas Eve.
It just so happens that Santa Claus (David Harbour of “Stranger Things”) happens to be there at the same time.
This Santa is over Christmas and is very bitter about the holiday.
There are three really great kills (spoiler alert: ice skates and a snow blower are involved in two of them) and I won’t even tease the final one. 🙂
I’m glad I watched the movie, yet I’ll never watch it again.
The $20 million movie made $76.3 million and a sequel is already in the works.
GRADE: B-
THAT’S IT
With all the craziness in the world, make it the best in your little part of it!
The shortest month of the year is moving right along and before you know it, March will be here. Let the “madness” begin!
Thank you for taking time to check out my random thoughts this Friday. Feel free to share yours.
AMC THEATRES, I’M DONE WITH YOU!
AMC Theatres, after my last visit to your location in Decatur, Illinois, in September 2022 to see “Bros”, and your poor customer service and lack of response, I was already over you.
Now, with your new seating and pricing scheme, I’m done with you!
In case you haven’t heard, the company is rolling out a test program of charging for seats like venues do for concerts (three different prices for seats).
Do you realize how frustrating this will be for people trying to watch movie trailer previews? And, during the movie, will they have employees checking to see if people move from the seats they paid for?
While AMC Theatres expects to expand this to all domestic locations by the end of 2023, I see the company ditching this venture before it goes wide!
I’M SORRY OLIVIA!
I’m sure Olivia Newton-John is rolling over in her grave!
I didn’t watch the Super Bowl and just happened to catch the T-Mobile commercial with John Travolta with Zach Braff and Donald Faison.
It was a pathetic and horrible ripoff of “Summer Nights” from “Grease”.
Listening to the commercial, it goes to show that even in 1978 producers could polish a mediocre voice (Travolta) or team it with a real singer (Olivia) to make a hit record — “Summer Nights” reached #5 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.
What’s even more shocking is that it was the #2 viewed Super Bowl ad on YouTube Sunday. Maybe it was from just the shock and absurdity of it?
So, here’s the original with Olivia just to get the commercial out of my head!
“A REMARKABLE MOTHER”
I very well could be talking about my late mother, Dessie, who would have turned 80-years-old the day after Valentine’s Day. Sadly, she only lived to 47.
However, I’m talking about the 2008 book written by President Jimmy Carter about his late mother, Lillian Gordy Carter.
It’s a very touching tribute that covered her life in small town Plains, Georgia — from becoming a nurse, a mother, a Peace Corps volunteer in India, when she was 68-years-old, to representing the President and the United States at state functions and funerals around the world.
FAVORITE LILLIAN CARTER QUOTES
I would have loved to have met Ms. Lillian, but she passed away in 1983.
Luckily, I got to meet my idol President Carter and Rosalynn Carter in the summer of 2017.
After reading “A Remarkable Mother”, I want to share my three favorite Lillian Carter quotes.
At #3 is one President Carter has no recollection of why she said this and it became an answer in “Trivial Pursuit”: “Sometimes, when I look at my children, I wish I had remained a virgin.”
Her reaction when Jimmy told her he was running for president. She replied, “President of what?”
And, my favorite: After always making herself available to President Carter’s campaigns and traveling the world to represent him and the U.S., Miss Lillian wanted some peace and quiet.
She told the President and his press secretary she wouldn’t do anymore interviews. They convinced her to do one more with a woman from The Washington Post.
The reporter kept questioning Lillian about Jimmy saying he would not tell a lie and she wouldn’t let it drop. Finally, Lillian said, “Well maybe a little white lie every now and then.”
The reporter gets closer with her microphone and replied, “Aha! Aha! And what do you mean by a ‘little white lie’?”
Lillian’s response is priceless: “Well do you remember a few minutes ago when I met you at the door and said that you look very nice and that I was glad to see you.”
“YOU” SEASON 4, PART ONE
Netflix dropped the first half of the fourth season of the creepy stalker series, “You”, last weekend.
I absolutely loved Season 3. It was my favorite and I gave it a grade of “A-“.
Season four takes place in London as Joe (Penn Badgley) escapes his California life. I won’t say why if you haven’t seen season three.
And, let me just say, I’m really digging Joe’s beard and sexiness this season! I digress!
Joe’s teaching at a university and gets involved with a crowd that I absolutely despise. Well, there’s one in the group that I like and she has an interesting candle collection!
Season four is a cat and mouse game like the first three seasons, however Joe is the one that’s being creeped on this time!
There really isn’t too much that surprises me, but there were two scenes early on that left me a little shocked with a very naughty smile on my face!
Let’s just say I’m sure there were many Googling “Prince Albert” afterwards and when it comes to water sports, it didn’t involve boating or skiing!
Season 4, Part 2 arrives March 9, 2022!
GRADE: B
BACK TO “DOWNTON ABBEY”
Since I needed a “The Crown” fix after watching season five in November, I started “Downton Abbey” that originally aired from 2010-2015.
While enjoyable, I got burned out on it after season four and took a break. I’m back to finish the final two seasons and the two feature length movies released in 2019 and 2022.
My favorite characters are Mr. Carson (Jim Carter) and Mrs. Hughes (Phyllis Logan).
Also, there’s Mrs. Patmore (Leslie Nichol) from downstairs and Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery), Isobel Gray (Penelope Wilton), and Tom Branson (Allen Leech) upstairs.
By far, my least favorite character is Thomas Barrow (Rob James-Collier), even though he’s very sexy, but so tormented!
I’m cracked up the most by some of the one-liners and the looks from Violet Crawley, The Dowager Countess of Grantham (Maggie Smith).
In the beginning, I couldn’t stand Lady Mary, but I really like her now and I hope she ends up with super sexy, hottie Charles Blake (Julian Ovenden).
And, it would be wonderful if the uptight Mr. Carson and the oh so sweet Mrs. Hughes started dating.
SPOILER ALERT!
Two things: Dammit, I was looking for photos of those two couples to post above and now I know the answers on both accounts! 🙂
And, the fate of one is confirmed and the other is hinted at in the final episode of the fifth season that I just finished!
THAT’S IT
With all the craziness in the world, make it the best in your little part of it!
I’m on a roll and I’m enjoying it. Two straight weeks sharing my random thoughts on Friday. I hope you take the time to check them out.
Have a fantastic weekend!
VALENTINE’S DAY
Oh, February, the month when a rodent tells America whether we’ll see six more weeks of winter or an early spring. He’s been doing this officially since 1887.
And, then three days later, on National Weatherperson’s Day, we honor the weather people that actually have studied the science of weather forecasting.
But, the month is mostly known as the month of love.
Candy makers, card shops, jewelers, and florists definitely want you to spend, spend, spend to prove your love.
Even when I was in relationships, I really didn’t care about the gifts. I was more into the the half-price candy the next day.
As Valentine’s Day approaches, I got to thinking about relationships.
I’ve had three (unsuccessful) long-term relationships. My current dating drought is the longest period in my adult life I’ve been single (six years)!
And, this is the longest I’ve gone without having a four-legged companion (eleven years).
I’ll happily will both of them into existence in 2023!
COMPANIONSHIP — BY THE NUMBERS
You know I love stats and numbers, so I broke down my 40 years of adult life:
DATING: 21 years (52.5%); SINGLE: 19 years (47.5%)
DOG OWNER:PET 26.75 years (67%); NO PET 13.25 years (33%)
It even surprised me that I’ve spent almost as much time single as I have in relationships!
“THE MENU”
Another tradition for Valentine’s Day is going to a nice dinner.
My dream dining experience would be to savor Grant Achatz’s multi-course (10-18 courses) tasting menu with wine pairing, of course — a molecular gastronomical experience at Alinea!
It’s Chicago’s only three-star Michelin restaurant (as of April 2021), Michelin’s highest accolade.
However, after watching the great black comedy, “The Menu”, I might rethink that.
A group of twelve foodies, food critics, and the rich and famous are invited to dine at Chef Slowik’s island restaurant, Hawthorn, for a $1,250 per person meal they’ll never forget.
From the beginning, you notice a creepy “cult” feel to the surroundings and the chefs.
As the gorgeous courses are served, Chef Slowik describes them and shares stories. The guests realize he knows a lot about them and the dining experience becomes uncomfortable.
Midway through the meal, it’s clear this will not be something they’ll share or recommend with their friends.
I’ve never been a S’mores fan and I definitely am not now.
Bon Appetit!
GRADE:A-
WELL, IT’S NOT PISTACHIO, BUT…
Last week I was hoping for a Pistachio coffee creamer in the future.
Until then, I’ll settle for this new “LIMITED TIME ONLY” Toasted Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pop-Tarts creamer from Coffee Mate!
MY HEART BREAKS FOR TURKEY & SYRIA
Just a week after my vacation to Turkey and Istanbul this past fall, a terrorist detonated a bomb in Istanbul in November killing six and injuring 81.
And, now three months after my return, a devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit southern Turkey and northern Syria. The death toll has now topped 33,000!
That death toll now surpasses the 18,400 killed in the March 2011 Fukushima, Japan disaster from a 9.0 magnitude earthquake that triggered a tsunami.
CNN reports this “earthquake is the strongest to hit Turkey since 1939, when a quake of the same magnitude killed more than 30,000 people”.
Heartbreaking!
“THE WHITE LOTUS” (SEASON 2)
On a much lighter note, thank you Comcast for my brief free HBO Max preview.
While it didn’t allow me to see the second seasons of “Hacks” and “The Flight Attendant”, I did get to watch “The Menu” and the second season of “The White Lotus”.
While I enjoyed the first season, I absolutely loved the second season, which was set in Italy.
The scenery was gorgeous and so was the cast. Last week, I shared an image of Theo James and Aubrey Plaza.
Both were great, but it was English actor Will Sharpe (as Ethan) that had me mesmerized.
Jennifer Coolidge won an Emmy for the first season and she returns for season two.
In the first season, her rich, lonely character Tanya McQuoid was so annoying. She was so much more likeable in season two!
I see a second Emmy coming her way this year.
GRADE:A
WHAT I SAID ABOUT SEASON 1
In May 2022, after having free HBO Max, I watched the six episode, first season of “The White Lotus” and called it “interesting”.
Here’s what I said then:
“A group of Americans arrive in Hawaii and they bring all their drama with them. Geez, after watching this series, I really feel for those in the hotel industry!
While the series was great, there were only two likeable characters — a guest and one employee! Jake Lacy and Sydney Sweeney successfully make their characters very unlikeable!
Out Australian actor Murray Bartlett (“Looking” and the Netflix revival of “Tales of the City” in 2019) was incredible as hotel manager Armond. While dealing with the guests, he falls off the wagon after being “clean” for years.
And, when he falls off, some very interesting things happen. One scene was totally incredible (adult) and the other was nasty (yet, the person it’s directed at totally deserved it)!
Bartlett and Jennifer Coolidge both won the Critics’ Choice Television Awards for Best Supporting Actor and Actress in a Limited Series or Movie made for Television, respectively. Both were also nominated by the Screen Actors Guild. I expect both to get Emmy nominations in July!”
SEASON TWO THEME SONG
Even if you don’t have HBO Max or want to watch the second season of “The White Lotus”, the theme song was incredible, haunting, and mesmerizing!
Take a listen!
“SPOILER ALERT” (THE MOVIE)
I finally got to see “Spoiler Alert” on Peacock since it didn’t play in Decatur, Illinois, in its December 2022 release.
The movie is based on the real life love story of Michael Ausiello (Jim Parsons) and Kit Cowan (Ben Aldridge).
It follows their meeting on a New York City dancefloor with Kylie Minogue’s “Can’t Get You Out of My Head” playing (a great start) and their 13-year relationship through the end. (Yes, the hero dies!)
Aldridge is absolutely stunning. I’m crushing so hard on him that I’m going to see his new movie, “Knock at the Cabin” from M. Night Shyamalan.
Two-time Oscar winner Sally Field is great as always as Kit’s mother.
If you haven’t read the book, I’ll give the movie a “B+”.
However, since I’ve read it twice and loved it, I brought the grade down a bit since three of my favorite topics in the book were missing: “olive juice”, Mr. Scooch the cat, and that choice four-letter word hinted at in the book title (see below).
GRADE: B–
“SPOILER ALERT: THE HERO DIES” (THE BOOK)
I’ve talked about this 2017 book by TVLine editor-in-chief and former “Entertainment Weekly” and “TV Guide” columnist Michael Ausiello many times.
It’s subtitled, “A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Other Four-Letter Words”.
Here’s what I said: “By page eight, I was ready to date and fall in love in again. By page 26, I had tears streaming down my cheeks… The book is amazing. While it’s a heartbreaking story of finding love, fighting for love, and then losing that love in a painful, year-long death sentence, it’s a beautiful love story. Many will never experience the love that Michael and Kit did. Ausiello knew just when to drop a funny line, a pop culture reference, or a naughty memory to bring a smile to my face alongside the tears.”
I also wrote, “One of the ‘other four-letter words’ could be my favorite word (think ‘F’). Another is one I absolutely love, but I can’t use it without offending someone! (I won’t even give you a hint on that one, but if you’re busy this weekend and on Monday, I’ll see you next Tuesday!) Also, after reading this beautiful book, ‘olive juice’ takes on a whole new meaning and I hope to get to use it one day!”
“IT’S ABSOLUTELY THE BEST BOOK I’VE READ IN YEARS!”
THAT’S IT
With all the craziness in the world, make it the best in your little part of it!
Hello there! Welcome to February and my first “Random Friday Thoughts” in almost four months!
Hopefully, I’ll have more time in the near future to share a few more thoughts. So, enjoy and feel free to comment on what I’m talking about!
WHERE DID JANUARY GO?
I can’t believe the first month of the year is already behind us. Is it just me getting older or does it seem that time flies now?
For those winter-weary, it means we’re closer to spring. For those that look to that rodent, Punxsutawney Phil, for the forecast, he says “six more weeks of winter”!
When people ask if I believe this whole groundhog thing, I always say we’re still going to see six more weeks of winter because spring doesn’t arrive on my calendar until then!
MY 3 SECONDS OF NATIONAL FAME
In television news, you dream big and hope to make it to national.
Well, I made “Jimmy Kimmel Live” Wednesday night in his opening monologue. “Can you believe it?”
At first, I thought, “What did I do?”
I’m 15 seconds into the video (Click this link below and it’ll open in another window):
I know there are so many coffee creamer flavors out there, but there’s one that I haven’t seen at my local stores.
I think a pistachio-flavored creamer would be yummy and interesting.
I know there are pistachio-flavored syrups to add to coffee, but I want it to be a creamer. So, listen up Coffee Mate, International Delight, and others!
I SEE YOUR POINT, BUT…
Singer Adam Lambert is upset that Theo James of the second season of “The White Lotus” is being mentioned as the frontrunner to play George Michael in an upcoming biopic.
This follows Rami Malek, who won an Oscar for his portrayal of Freddie Mercury in “Bohemian Rhapsody”, and Taron Egerton who played Elton John in “Rocketman”.
I get Adam’s point since James, Malek, and Egerton are straight men playing gay icons.
Yes, I believe that gay people should be strongly considered to play any role. However, I’m all for the best person to get the part.
From the standpoint of the people putting up the money for the movie (usually older, white, straight men), I know they’d rather have a safer, bankable star to play the lead in movies.
I crushed on George Michael in the 1980s and 1990s. Would I lust after Theo James as Michael? You bet your sweet ass, I would.
That’s James in “The White Lotus”. I posted the PG-version since the other one revealed much more — his penis! Well, a prosthetic one!
Would I have the same feelings toward Lambert as Michael? Um, probably not so much!
Something similar is also playing out in a movie I’m excited to see later in 2023, but not from the LGBTQ angle.
Oscar winner Helen Mirren (“The Queen”) will be playing Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir in “Golda” and some are (rightfully) upset because she isn’t Jewish. But, I admired Meir and I can’t wait to see Mirren play her.
And, one more note, some recently complained that Naomi Ackie, a British actress, played American (and international) icon Whitney Houston in “I Wanna Dance With Somebody”.
Again, I see both sides of the debate.
But, I’ll close with a contradiction to defending the previous casting I just talked about.
When it comes to “Pose”, one of my favorite television series, I couldn’t imagine it being whitewashed of diversity or with cis women playing trans women!
“WELCOME TO CHIPPENDALES”
Who knew the world behind the Chippendales was so sordid and dangerous!
When Emmy nominations are announced this summer, I expect this Hulu series to grab several.
Kumail Nanjiani (superb in “The Big Sick”) should easily get a Best Actor nomination and one should go to Murray Bartlett (Emmy winner for season one of “The White Lotus”) in the Supporting Actor category.
It was great seeing the always amazing Tony Award-winning actress Annaleigh Ashford (Paula Jones in “Impeachment: American Crime Story”). And, Juliette Lewis (Peacock’s “Queer As Folk”) was as kooky and great as ever.
Now, I want to read the book that the series was adapted from!
GRADE: A
“TAR”
This “Best Picture” Oscar nominee with eight-time Oscar nominee and two-time winner Cate Blanchett is incredible.
It’s definitely a talkie movie, but it doesn’t fall short on drama. The movie focuses on world-renowned conductor Lydia Tar.
She’s a great mother, but a lousy wife cheating on her wife back home in Germany taking care of their little girl.
But, there’s more to those liaisons!
GRADE: A–
“THE HANDMAID’S TALE”
When “The Handmaid’s Tale” was renewed for a fifth season, I was hoping that would be the last because season 4 was my least favorite of the series.
However, every episode of season 5 was incredible. I can’t wait to see the sixth and final season!
Clearly, don’t watch this season five trailer if you’re not caught up! 🙂
GOING BACK IN “TIME”
I’ve taken a break from reading books on my walks to get rid of a box of “Time” magazines I’ve moved from Duluth, Minnesota, to Decatur, Illinois, and then to my second apartment here. Three moves is enough!
It’s interesting reading those 2018-2019 issues because I’ve learned a few things I missed when real life got in the way!
And, I’ll never have to move them again. Two less boxes!
ONE MORE “TIME” FLASHBACK
And, since we’re talking “Time”, Culture Club released their second single in the United States in the spring of 1983.
“Time (Clock of The Heart)” was the follow-up to their international debut, “Do You Really Want To Hurt Me”.
In the U.S., both singles reached #2!
THAT’S IT
With all the craziness in the world, make it the best in your little part of it!
I wanted to be a meteorologist before I even knew there was a word for it. I developed a fascination in weather by cutting the weather maps out of the newspapers as a 4-year-old.
As a teenager, I confirmed I wanted to be a television meteorologist. For that, I have “Good Morning America” weatherman Sam Champion, who was working at WPSD in Paducah, Kentucky, back then, along with WPSD meteorologist Paul Bouchereau to thank. Also, there’s former “Good Morning America” meteorologist John Coleman, who started the “The Weather Channel” back when it was fun and cutting edge.
It’s hard to believe my first network affiliate job was in 1996, more than a quarter of a century ago, in Rhinelander, Wisconsin. It was seven years after I graduated at Murray State University after gaining “experience” as a weatherman in the 1980s.
I am still grateful to this day that Mike Michalak, the news director, in Rhinelander, hired me!
My career has taken me all across the country and I’ve lived in some great places and some I’d never wish on my worst enemy. I’ve met some amazing people and some that, again, I’d never wish on my worst enemy. Okay, that part may not be true!
I’ve seen so many changes over my time in the business. I love computers and I don’t miss the plexiglass maps I used in college.
Normally, I’d draw on the two weather maps with a marker and wash it off the next day.
However, since I was getting my resume tape together to look for my first job, I spent the Christmas break cutting out fronts, rain and snow symbols, and high and low pressure systems from poster board and taped them to the plexiglass to make it look classier.
OMG, I’m still laughing (and thankful) that Mike hired me!
Another big change in the industry is how viewers communicate with us. That’s the real reason I’m venting today.
Back in the day (the 1990s), if you wanted to complain about the news or someone on the news, you had to call the station or write a letter and mail it!
These days people just fire off emails and social media rants without putting much thought into what they’re saying and they definitely don’t proof them!
Let me say that over the years, I’ve developed a thick skin when it comes to viewer comments. Back then, it would upset me.
Now, it just pisses me off — not because of their comments, but because I’m professional and diplomatic in my responses and I can’t really say what I’m really thinking!
This week was an especially trying one.
All of the forecasters in our area were calling for a decent snow, including me.
On the morning of the snow, I called for a range of 1″-6″ across our large portion of Central Illinois. We ended up getting 1″-4″!
But, that wasn’t enough for some and the vitriol came swift!
One guy called us “shitty weathermen” (I guess the two female meteorologists in the market are safe!).
Another guy emailed me and said we all need to go back to “metrological [sic] school”.
He didn’t like my “diplomatic” response when I told him how much snow had officially been measured in Decatur because he was just guesstimating the accumulation outside his house.
I closed with “You have a great day and be safe.” and “P.S. No thank you on going back to school. And, it’s ‘meteorological’.”
Well, that didn’t set well with him.
He replied back calling me “worthless” and closed his own postscript, “PS, “maybe” your PEOPLE skills need some work too. Your first reply sounded somewhat hostel [sic]. You failed at being diplomatic…..”
I’ve always replied to people when they send messages — good or bad. However, when people just want to argue, you’ll get one or two replies from me and then I ignore you.
My second (and final response) to him was “Have a great day Stan!”
And, he’s wrong!
In my initial response, I was truly being diplomatically because, in my mind, I had a three-word response for his belligerent email.
It starts with “Go”. And, only my dear sister and best friend, Tammy, knows the rest of it for sure! 🙂
As the wise poet Taylor Swift exclaimed in 2014…
I feel better already. Writing is such great therapy!
Anthony
P.S. While the nice people and their comments definitely outnumber the naysayers and mean people, here are three goodies from way back in the day.
These brought a smile and an eye roll to my face while writing this blog! 🙂
* In a letter to the station in Lubbock, Texas, on a story I did (1997): “there are plenty of people who are angry at your substandard investigative reporting.”
* Email from retired USMC Major Eric K. (August 2006): “I was very disappointed in your forecast…. I do know that if a Marine Corps weather specialist would miss a forecast by so much they would find themselves forecasting weather in Alaska. So, keep working on it. You will get better.”
* QC Media Review Message Board (March 2007): “Anthony is fine but lacks spark.”
The new year is here and awards season is underway. So far, I’ve only seen a few of the frontrunners that are winning and are likely to become Oscar contenders!
I saw one movie in the theaters this past year and the refreshments were a disappointment. Pre-pandemic, AMC Theaters gave a bucket for a large popcorn and this time it was a small bag!
I hope the attendant was confused. I’ll give it another try in 2023.
There were two movies I wanted to see in 2022, but I haven’t yet. “Spoiler Alert” didn’t play in my city and I didn’t get around to seeing “Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody”. So, maybe they’ll be on next year’s list if they’re good!
Before we begin this year’s countdown, this was my favorite movie I saw in 2021. I’ve now watched “Promising Young Woman” three times!
The least favorite movie I saw in 2022 was “Licorice Pizza”. After the first hour, I was bored to death and stopped watching.
Here are the movies that just missed out on my countdown: #26 “Death on the Nile”; #25 “Umma”; #24 “Nightmare Alley”; #23 “Belfast”; #22 “Honk For Jesus: Save Your Soul”; and #21 “They/Them”.
Now let’s begin the Top Twenty countdown!
Oh, one final note: Jessica Chastain is in three of my favorite movies I saw in 2022!
“THE EYES OF TAMMY FAYE”
BOX OFFICE: $2.7 MILLION
“GOOD LUCK TO YOU, LEO GRANDE”
BOX OFFICE: $6.4 MILLION
“NOPE”
BOX OFFICE: $171.3 MILLION
“SHE SAID”
BOX OFFICE: $12.4 MILLION
“THE 355”
BOX OFFICE: $27.8 MILLION
“LAST NIGHT IN SOHO”
BOX OFFICE: $23 MILLION
“THE GOOD NURSE”
“TICKET TO PARADISE”
BOX OFFICE: $172.2 MILLION
“KING RICHARD”
BOX OFFICE: $39.4 MILLION
“HALLOWEEN ENDS”
BOX OFFICE: $105 MILLION
“FIRE ISLAND”
“RED ROCKET”
BOX OFFICE: $2.3 MILLION
“TOP GUN: MAVERICK”
BOX OFFICE: $1.489 BILLION!!!
“ELVIS”
BOX OFFICE: $287.3 MILLION
“EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE”
BOX OFFICE: $104.1 MILLION
“THE BLACK PHONE”
BOX OFFICE: $161.4 MILLION
“GLASS ONION: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY”
BOX OFFICE: $15 MILLION
“RRR”
BOX OFFICE: $147.9 MILLION
“BROS”
BOX OFFICE: $14.8 MILLION
And, before we get to my favorite movie I watched in 2022, here’s an extra!
A tribute to Olivia Newton-John, who passed away in August 2022, at the age of 73, after a lengthy cancer fight.
Yes, the movie, “Xanadu”, is a little out there, but it’s now a cult favorite. And, this song is one my all-time favorites!
“HOUSE OF GUCCI”
BOX OFFICE: $153.3 MILLION
Yes, Gaga was robbed of not getting an Oscar nomination for this!
Well, the new year is here. I hope 2022 treated you well and that you enjoyed the holiday season.
If 2022 was great, I hope that extends into 2023. If it wasn’t a great year, I hope life improves for you.
As for me, 2022 treated me well. It was a continuation of 2021, which was fine. Since I’m financially stable, able to travel, healthy, and happy, I really have nothing to complain about since some are struggling.
However, there’s still something missing in my life.
I feel I’m a optimistic, drama free kind of guy, but over the past few months I’ve become more Max Goldman (Walter Matthau) and John Gustafson, Jr. (Jack Lemmon), characters in the 1990s two-movie series, “Grumpy Old Men”.
And, I don’t like it. In the new year, I’m going to be more Ms. Patti LaBelle!!!
I’m ready for a “New Attitude”!
CAREER & FUTURE
While I love my career, I’ve actually started thinking about the “end game” — retirement. That won’t happen until I’m 67 and I’m hoping Social Security is still a thing then, but I realize I want more in life.
DATING & SOCIALIZING
When I separated in 2017 and divorced the following year, I was in no hurry to see how fast I could get married again. Some do! (Maybe I should leave La Liz out of this because she’d passed on!)
However, dating would be nice. In the past almost six years, I’ve gone on three dates (two of those were in Duluth, Minnesota, in 2018!)
Last April 2021, I addressed this and wrote, “A very dear friend, now in her late-70s, lost her husband when she was around my age now. While her kids were grown and she had small grandchildren, she never dated again and never even thought about it.
She summed it up jokingly (or half-jokingly),“I’m too old to train another one!”
So, this a rhetorical question. Again, don’t answer! Is it bad to only be 56-years-old and want to give up on meeting someone and forge ahead into another possible relationship?
Are my standards just too high? 🙂
That was then, this is now!
In my 2021 Christmas letter, I exclaimed, “I’m still single and the dating life is, wait, what dating life? Good thing I enjoy my own company!”
I still enjoy my own company, but I want more in life in 2023. While I don’t want to turn totally into Blanche Devereaux (“The Golden Girls”), I want to channel some of her energy!
It’s just a matter of which of Blanche’s philosophies I want to follow!
I think I already know the answer! 🙂 Sitting home alone is no longer what I want is life. At my age, I’m now playing “Beat The Clock”!
#PUG2023
My top priority for the new year is to make #Pug2020, #Pug2021, #Pug2022, and #Pug20-something more than just a hashtag — #Pug2023!
I can’t believe it’s been almost eleven years since I’ve had a dog!
While we had household pets growing up, I’ve only had two dogs in my adult life.
There was Keshia, the chow chow, that I got in the spring of 1987.
I had her until early 1998. And, I waited a little over two years before Miss ABBA, my beautiful, sweet golden retriever came into my life (2000).
We had an amazing run together from Ohio to Chicago to Maryland and back to Illinois.
NEW PUG CONCERNS
While I hope that #Pug2023 becomes a reality this year, I admit to being a little frightened. I was in my first relationship when I got Keshia and I was in my second relationship when I got ABBA.
It should come as no shock that Keshia and ABBA both outlasted those relationships! LOL
However, it scares me a little to become a single, older “Dog Dad” going through potty-training and etiquette training alone!
Who can I blame any training failures on? 🙂
NO PASSPORT
I met some amazing people on my fall trip to Turkey.
I must have made a pretty good impression on Eleanor and her daughter Allison. We hung out together a lot and they’ve invited me along to an incredible sounding trip this October.
However, I’ve made no effort in renewing my passport that expires in May.
I hope they forgive me and don’t rescind the offer to visit them in Rhode Island one day!
Also, my friends Katie, Mary Kaye, and Duke in one part of Florida and my friend Rich in another part of the Sunshine State want me to visit. Maybe, I’ll make it a whirlwind tour!
KYLIE, I’M STILL WAITING!
As I’ve been saying for years, there’s still one concert that’s on my bucket list: Kylie Minogue!
From December 2020: “Personally, in 2021, I hope to take a real vacation and finally see Kylie Minogue in concert. Who knows, maybe I can accomplish both at the same time in a festive foreign city! (Maybe it’ll be “Xanadu” – ♪ “a place where nobody dared to go” where “a million lights are dancing and there you are – a shooting star”!)”
From January 2022: “Seeing Kylie Minogue in concert is still on my bucket list.”
This the opening number from her last pre-pandemic tour. It’s incredible and so freaking hot!
2023, LET’S DO THIS!
As I wind down on my pontifications for the next phase of my life, I’ll leave you with a song that many of you may not have heard. I hope it makes you as happy as it does me!
“Naatu Naatu” is on the shortlist to be nominated for an Oscar this year for Best Original Song. (81 songs were eligible and 15 made the shortlist!) It’s already in the running for a Golden Globe award.
It’s from the three-hour Indian movie, “RRR”, which I loved and is one of my favorite movies of 2022. Okay, you may not know what it means, but who cares, just stare at and enjoy Ram Charan! (He’s on the right!)
Thank you for taking the time to spend with me and my thoughts as I look to new adventures in 2023.
I wish the absolute best to you and yours this year and in the future!
For me, like many others, it’s not just a song title, ♪♪♪ “it’s the most wonderful time of the year”♪♪♪!
Fall and winter are my favorite seasons because I love the changing leaves, Halloween candy, turkey and all the fixings, and three months of Christmas decorations and music. (Yes, mine stay up through January!)
While many were enjoying the pool and the summer heat and humidity, I already had my Halloween and fall decorations out. And, I almost put up my two Christmas trees in mid-October!
There’s a reason for that, which I’ll get to. But, I didn’t. I actually put them up the first weekend of November — a few days later than usual.
While COVID is still sickening people and worse, the “pandemic” is over. I hope you’re healthy and festive as we head into the holidays.
For some of you, we communicate once a year at Christmas through cards. For others, we keep up with each other through social media, my blog, and a few, by phone or text. (Yes, calls are still a thing!)
I’m very grateful for all that I’ve been blessed with in life. I’ve never taken any of my successes for my granted and I’ve always tried to move on quickly from my failures.
In early 2022, I moved into a more modernized apartment in the same complex.
I also signed on for three more years as the morning meteorologist for the NBC affiliate in Decatur, which covers Central Illinois. It’s hard to believe I’ve been here going on three years!
When I talk about being grateful, much of that is directed toward my sister. Last year’s holiday season from Thanksgiving into early 2022 was not a good one for Tammy. We almost lost her, but she’s a fighter.
Doctors were able to figure out her medication, she lost a lot of weight, and is now healthier than she’s been in decades.
This beautiful photo was taken just two months after the one above in the hospital!
Now, if she’d just stop smoking and exercise and take advantage of this latest lease on life!!!
While a few more coins were thrown my way in the new contract, not much of it went into my savings. I live a simple, no-frills life, so I spend my extra cash traveling. And, since my passport is expiring, I took advantage of it.
After travel was sidelined in 2020 and early 2021, I went to Vegas twice in the summer and then to Greece for my birthday last year once I was fully vaccinated.
This spring, I traveled to Costa Rica. On the week-long trip, I saw incredible fauna and the Arenal Volcano National Park…
walked across eight hanging bridges, some of which were hundreds of feet long and hundreds of feet over the vast forest of trees!
My favorite meal there was a sea bass, which was preceded by a delicious shrimp and lobster bisque, and followed by pineapple cheesecake.
And, Costa Rican breakfasts are much simpler than Mediterranean ones. One interesting staple of the diet there, even at breakfast, is beans and rice!
I met four amazing people that I’ve kept in touch with from southern California (Bill and Sandi and Tim and Kathy).
Because of Tammy’s hospital stays last holiday season, we had to cancel our week-long trip to Cancun, Mexico. We re-booked it for June and enjoyed ourselves.
And, instead of visiting my favorite American city, Las Vegas, I spontaneously went to Atlantic City, New Jersey, in August. Hated it! That’s why I don’t do spontaneity.
But, this view was nice!
And, then in October, before the passport expired, I took the trip of a lifetime, almost two weeks exploring Turkey! It was incredible.
The Spice Market in Istanbul was breathtaking. (I love this selfie because of the little lady behind me smiling. It still bring happiness to me today looking at it!)
The mosques and the architecture…
and cruising the Bosporus Strait was amazing.
It was incredible how quickly the landscape changed from the sprawling metropolis to the vast empty land to forests to big cities again.
The highlight of the trip was a sunrise hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia just 3,000 feet above the jagged, volcanic terrain!
An absolutely breathtaking experience. Check out this spectacular one-minute video I took!
I loved the Mediterranean breakfasts…
the lamb kebabs…
and the desserts, especially the baklava.
However, my favorite food was the persimmons — so sweet and delicious.
And, it was a pleasure hanging out with my new friends Eleanor and her daughter, Allison…
… along with Mike and Apar and Jonathan and Colleen.
Along with all of the fun things I experienced in 2022, there was one bit of sadness.
Betty, a sweet woman that I’ve called “Mom” since 1995, after years of mental decline, passed away in early September.
It was heartbreaking over the past few years to talk “at” her on the phone as she tried to process who she was even talking to.
Miss Betty was Christopher’s mother (we dated from 1995-2004). She definitely loved her grand dogs, Miss ABBA and Mister Panda!
Even after Christopher and I went our separate ways, Betty would still come visit me wherever I was living — Maryland or the Quad Cities — and I made several visits to see her in Ohio!
And, this Thanksgiving, as I feasted on turkey, I thought of Miss Betty. She was notorious for gnawing the last bit of meat off a carcass (okay, a bone)!
So, one Thanksgiving, I convinced her to pose for this photo! LOL
Miss Betty, thank you for the loving me like a son! And, the “Son” ornaments you gave me over the years are on display!
In 2023, there’s still only one concert I want to see — Kylie Minogue.
Maybe it’ll be in “Xanadu” – ♪♪♪ “a place where nobody dared to go” where “a million lights are dancing and there you are – a shooting star” ♪♪♪! And, maybe #Pug20-something will finally become a reality next year!
My friends, here’s to 2023 — a year hopefully filled with love, excitement, happiness, and peace!
“May hope and faith conquer fear and hate this Christmas”!
Since my passport was expiring, I wanted to take one more big trip and I wanted it to be the trip of a lifetime. I’ve had several amazing vacations in the past and exploring Turkey was right up there with the best of them!
Many of you saw the hundreds of photos I shared from my ten days trekking across the country. But, today, I’m sharing some stories behind the pictures and some things I learned.
However, I’ll get the sadness out of the way first. Last weekend, just three weeks after I arrived in Istanbul and eleven days after I left the city and country, police arrested a Syrian woman they say set off a deadly explosion that killed six people and injured more than 80 others.
The Turkish Interior Minister is now accusing the United States of complicity in the attack. It’s because we have a military partnership with a Kurdish-led militia in northeastern Syria originally formed to battle the Islamic State. American condolence messages were dismissed by the IM. He said, it’s like “the killer is among the first ones returning to the scene”.
My heart aches for the people of Istanbul and Turkey because of this senseless violence because everyone I encountered on my trip was very warm and hospitable despite language and cultural differences.
As the Turkish move forward to find security and peace again, I want to share more of this beautiful and geographically diverse country with you.
This photo is from Imagination Valley in Cappadocia. Can you see the couple dancing? That’s nature, volcanic activity, and imagination for you!
It was a very long two days getting to Istanbul.
After waking up at 2:30 a.m. Friday at home and working the morning show, I went home, packed, and then drove an hour to the airport.
Three flights later (fifteen total hours in the air) hitting three counties and two continents while straddling a third, I arrived in Istanbul.
This beautiful display was at the airport. Once I got to my hotel, I showered and went to bed!
What a way to spend a Saturday night in the largest city in the Middle East (Istanbul’s population is officially 15 million, but in reality, it’s about 18 million counting refugees, mostly from Syria. That’s about twice the population of the Chicago metropolitan area!)
Bright and early Sunday morning, I enjoyed a delicious breakfast and set off for the day.
First up was the breathtaking “Spice Market”…
the beautiful “Blue Mosque” from the outside…
and the going inside St. Sophia Basilica.
When my tour group of forty people left Istanbul the next day, it was wild how quickly the landscape changed from the sprawling metropolis of traffic and skyscrapers to vast empty land to forests to big cities again.
The photo below is Pamukkale in western Turkey.
This is not ice and snow. It’s terraces of mineral deposits (calcium carbonate) from seventeen hot springs!
The most beautiful city I explored on my own was the Aegean Sea-seaside town of Kusadasi.
That was the stunning sunset looking toward Greece while I sipped beverages with my new friends, Eleanor, and her daughter, Allison.
And, in Kusadasi, I couldn’t resist taking a selfie with this background. If only I could convince my morning colleagues I’m the “Greatest of All Time”! 🙂
The highlight of the trip was a sunrise hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia just 3,000 feet about the jagged, volcanic terrain — an absolutely breath-taking experience!
We did experience a little more excitement that wasn’t part of the package. As we were heading to the balloon ride by van in the morning darkness, our driver was on his phone and rear-ended the car in front of us. No one was seriously injured and we obviously made the balloon flight in time!
One interesting thing about the Cappadocia balloon ride is how vital it is to the area’s economy. Do the math — about 100 to 150 balloons take off each day (weather-permitting) with about 20 people on board. This is a half-million dollar per day industry!
While I love my photos, this video is even more stunning to capture the experience.
As the trip wound down and we returned to Istanbul, I really enjoyed a beautiful cruise on the Bosporus (Bosphorus) Strait to see the city’s structures on both the European and Asian continents.
We then visited the “Grand Bazaar”, which was huge, but other than the beauty of some of the lamps and tea sets I’d love to have, it mostly left me unimpressed.
I loved the “Spice Market” from the first day in Istanbul more.
Now, let’s talk about food since you know how much I love eating and plating it for photos!
I so looked forward to the Mediterranean breakfasts and I ate plenty. There were many days I skipped lunch because I ate such hearty breakfasts.
This was one of my favorites breakfasts there.
Yes, I ate every bite on the plate since I don’t waste food and I only take what I’ll eat!
After this breakfast, I walked from the hotel into town and back twice that day to work it off!
And, the art work along the Aegean Sea was stimulating!
In addition to the breakfasts, I loved the desserts, especially the baklava and the honeycombs dripping with honey that you just cut off what part of it you want!
Also, the lamb kebabs were tasty and the homemade breads were incredible!
On this day, I ate two loaves of that bread with my kebab!
Out of everything I ate in Turkey, my favorite food was the persimmons — so sweet and delicious. Sadly, I was told by people familiar with them here in the States to skip them because they taste nothing like the ones in the Mediterranean!
And, while we’re talking fruit, I had freshly squeeze pomegranate juice with a splash of orange to sweeten it. This gives me a chance to show one of my favorite pictures I took on the trip — a fresh pomegranate splitting on the tree!
One of the best meals on the trip because of the heart-felt feelings behind it was when we stop at a small village and had lunch made and served to use by local women. (Again, notice the bread basket sitting right in front of me!) 🙂
The food was great and the environment was so warm and inviting!
Also, on the trip, I ended up eating beef twice and both occasions were part of a “set menu”.
I gave up beef more than a decade ago and only had it once before this trip. (Disclaimer: These beef medallions were tasty, but I’m okay with it being another eight years before I eat cow again. If I want beef again, I’ll get the plant-based, fake beef “Impossible Whopper” at Burger King!)
Back in 2014, in Tel Aviv, Israel, when ordering beef and lamb kebabs to share, we Americans were expecting separate pieces of each. However, they were mixed together and so we ate them! (This Tel Aviv meal below is one of my all-time favorites! This is the “salad” part of the feast, even though they brought out fish, too.)
Yes, I ate a lot of food and enjoyed every bite. (I gained five pounds!)
At home, I only eat one meal a day — dinner. Unless I’m eating out, which is rare, or having dinner with my sister, Tammy, my dinner six days a week consists of a huge salad, and a piece of chicken or pork as a side dish, with my bread, salted butter, and wine.
Enough about food, I’m getting hungry.
In addition to Eleanor and Allison, I enjoyed spending time with Mike and Apar (next to me in the back) and Jonathan and Colleen.
One thing I learned the hard way in Cappadocia was not to get too close to a hungry camel. While this one was eating, I thought I’d a take a selfie.
The next thing I felt was its hard teeth biting at the back of my head! I didn’t get the selfie, but it hurt like hell for several minutes. Luckily, the skin wasn’t broken, so I didn’t get camel cooties!
There were many beautiful Turkish men and women. Here’s one example…
and, here’s another (on the left). I assume he was Turkish. He might have been a tourist like me!
I think he actually flirted with me, as much as you can in Turkey.
In Turkey, gay sex is legal, yet many in the LGBTQ community still face discrimination, harassment, and even violence and death from their relatives and neighbors. However, acceptance is slowly gaining there. This is especially true in the metropolitan city of Istanbul.
Oh, that photo above was part of a belly dancing lesson. The beautiful professional called some of us onto the floor to teach us some moves.
I think my moves were actually belly flopping instead of belly dancing! I definitely didn’t have “Moves Like Jagger”!
Now, here are a few things I learned about the country:
Turkey is 98% Muslim, but it’s much more relaxed than most other Muslim countries. (However, while I wasn’t looking to hook up, apps like Grindr are banned!)
Turkey’s population is officially 85 million, but there are about six million more refugees, mostly from Syria. (Turkey is the 18th most populated country in the world — the U.S. is at #3 behind China and India!)
Like any country, there are in the incredibly rich in Turkey. However, the average annual salary in Turkey is just about three thousand dollars a year per person! $3,000!!! In the United States, the average salary is 23 times higher, even though I don’t even make the average salary here, but I’m not complaining when I heard that sad statistic!
This incredible photo is on a ferry ride from the European continent of Turkey to the Asian continent of the country!
50 million people will visit Turkey in 2023, yet tourism is not a Top Five money maker for the country!
Like many other places I’ve visited, there are many stray animals. In Tel Aviv, it was cats.
In Turkey, there were cats, but I mostly saw dogs!
But, what’s interesting is that many of them are caught, vaccinated, spayed, and neutered. Most of the dogs are even ear-tagged to show they’ve been checked. And, people take care of the “strays” by feeding them and giving them water. I didn’t see one dog that was hungry and scared!
Speaking of water, there are many countries in the world where Americans are advised not to drink the water and to only drink bottled water.
However, Turkey, like China, is one of the countries where people that live there don’t even drink the water!!!
You can use tap water to make coffee and tea. However, I still used bottled water for that.
It just blows my mind. I can’t imagine that countries don’t make water drinkable for residents. (Yes, I’m aware that the U.S. doesn’t have a perfect record — Hello Flint, Michigan!)
On the trip, the hotels put out a nice breakfast buffet spread, but one thing that was missing — bananas. That’s very interesting because bananas are grown in Turkey, but mostly for export! (Yet, you could find them in stores.)
And, finally, the weather for the entire trip was perfect!!!
Not one drop of rain fell and high temperatures were mostly in the 60s in the higher elevations and in the 70s to near 80° elsewhere.
Those warmer days and nights proved a little bit too much for us Americans because the “tourist” season in Turkey usually winds down in early October and many hotels had already turned off the air conditioning for the season!
Visiting Turkey was amazing and if you every get a chance, go!
Before I wrap this up, I saw two things that I’ll call “signs” for my 2023… a wedding and this little adorable princess.
So, in 2023, I hope to become a pug dog dad and fall in love.
Hey, Turkey put it out there. It’s up to me to make it happen!
I’ll close with one of my favorite pictures I took on the trip. It was on the first day at the Spice Market. I loved that when I took the selfie, the woman behind me was smiling so warmly while her friends talked away.
It still makes me smile today seeing it!
And, here’s a song I fell in love with flipping through the channels. I mostly watched music videos because music is universal even if you don’t know what’s being said!
It’s “Hadi Bakalim” by 4 Yuz.
Again, I didn’t understand the lyrics, but it sounded so familiar. I racked my brain and realized that it a Loona song I loved while living in Chicago in 2001!
Anthony
P.S. If you’re still reading, either you’re bored or my stories and photos are interesting enough to keep your attention.
On a more twisted and morbid note, maybe it’s a good thing my passport is expiring. (Yes, I’m likely going to renew it.)
Why twisted and morbid?
Well, I talked about the terrorist attack in Istanbul just two weeks after I left the city. I know it’s only coincidence, but I’m beginning to think that bad things follow me!
I was in Ottawa, Ontario, in September 2014.
A month later, a gunman opened fire on Parliament Hill and the Canadian National War Museum. He killed one and injured three others.
I was in Paris, France, in October 2014. Less than three months later, two French Muslim extremists attacked the “Charlie Hebdo” headquarters killing 13 people and two days later, another terrorist killed four others in a grocery story.
And, then on November 13, 2015, coordinated attacks across the city killed 137 (89 of those were at the Bataclan Theatre), including seven perpetrators.
I was in Las Vegas in March 2017, and October 1, 2017, a gunman opened fire on a country music concert killing 58 and injuring another 851 (422 by gunfire).
I was at The Jacksonville Landing Mall in January 2017. In August 2018, a gunman opened fire there killing three (including himself) and injuring 11 others (ten by gunfire).
The title of the latest in the “Halloween” movie franchise suggests that “Halloween Ends”.
And, if you listen to most critics and posts in the Twittersphere, maybe it should have ended before the latest movie hit theaters and Peacock last Friday.
I don’t believe in spoilers, so I’ll let you know why you should see this movie and why you might want to avoid it.
“Halloween Ends” is the finale in the Blumhouse trilogy that started with “Halloween” (2018) and continued with 2021’s “Halloween Kills”, which I vowed I’d never watch again.
I have one friend that gave “Halloween Ends” a thumbs down, but he liked the last 30 minutes of the movie. He also loved “Halloween Kills”!
I had another friend that summed up “Ends” with a more colorful review:
So, my thoughts: After hating “Halloween Kills”, I was optimistic that “Halloween Ends” would leave me excited and thrilled until there’s a new Michael Myers movie years down the line.
After seeing the movie, I still hope it’s years before we see another film in the franchise — that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
When it got dark outside, I hit play since I watched it on Peacock for free after the bad taste that “Kills” left me with. I was startled by the cheery, totally non-scary Halloween opening to movie! (On second viewing, that radio station audio with the news-looking animation was still goofy, but I could live with it.)
Once that passed and we got into the movie on Halloween night 2019 in Haddonfield, Illinois, one year after the first two movies, I was engrossed.
Corey (Rohan Campbell) is a 21-year-old called in at the last minute to babysit a little boy while his parents go to a party.
Well, the kid, Jeremy, turns out to be a little jerk. But, it’s funny when he tells Corey he’s not afraid of Michael Myers because “Michael Myers kills babysitters, not kids.”
Jeremy decides to torment his “ugly ass boy babysitter” by hiding from him.
After we see the open front door, hear door creaks and noises upstairs, and notice the missing kitchen knife (a bread slicing knife, really?), it starts feeling like a scary, creepy Halloween movie.
Let’s just say it doesn’t end well and we go into a retro-looking credits roll with text from the late-1970s (when the first “Halloween” movie was released).
It’s now 2022 (three years after the babysitting scene and four years after “Halloween Kills”) and we see Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis).
She’s in a happier place and is even decorating for Halloween, baking a pumpkin pie, and writing her memoirs of surviving the evil that is Michael Myers. She’s even learning to process his savage murder of her daughter at the end of the last movie! (Oops, that’s a spoiler if you haven’t watched “Kills”, you should have if you’re ready to watch this one!)
And, this is also where the hate comes in from critics and social media about “Halloween Ends”. If you’re wanting a Michael Myers going on a violent Halloween killing spree, you’re going to shocked and disappointed.
If you want a whole new “Halloween” story featuring Myers as one of several main characters, you might like this movie.
Other than in flashbacks, Michael Myers doesn’t appear until 40 minutes into the movie! And, what a shock when he does. He’s a different man! Whatever evil “it” has shown the previous movies (excluding 1982’s “Halloween III: Season of the Witch”, which wasn’t a Myers movie).
WHAT I LOVED ABOUT“HALLOWEEN ENDS”: The kills in this movie were pretty intense and savage. If the first death in the movie doesn’t shock you and make you say “WTF” or “Oh, F”, then stop watching!
The back and forth between the “Psycho” and the “Freak Show” is entertaining. It starts out warm and cuddly and ends as a psychotic freak show!
And, the last 30 minutes are captivating for sure.
It may have taken 40 years for the final showdown between Michael Myers and Laurie Strode since he slashed her arm and she practiced on him with a knitting needle and a wire coat hanger, but it was worth it!
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE ABOUT “HALLOWEEN ENDS”:
Watching the movie the first time, it took some adjusting to the new direction the movie took with the new character Corey and the focus on four main characters and not just two — Laurie and Michael Myers.
After I did, I liked it.
However, I would’ve loved to have been in the editing room with director David Gordon Green slashing scenes that dragged on and added little to the movie. The running time would have been closer to 90 minutes instead of almost two hours.
Also, I know adrenaline can give you unhuman power in life and death situations, but flipping the damn refrigerator over like you’re flipping a pancake! Come on!
And, I really missed not having the line from the first trailer tease, “Come get me motherf*cker!” in the final cut!
GRADE: B
P.S. In this latest trilogy, I gave “Halloween (2018)” a “B” and “Halloween Kills”, a “C” grade.
It’s hard to believe the “Halloween” franchise started in 1978, 44 years ago, and there are now 13 movies!
So, was “Halloween Kills”, which I said I’d never watch again, my least favorite of the 13 movies? No!
Before I rank the movies, here’s a incredible look at how Michael Myers has changed over the years!
And, here’s Laurie Strode’s progression!
Now, here’s my ranking of the worst to the best movies in the “Halloween” franchise.
“HALLOWEEN II” (2009)
Box Office: $39.4 million
I enjoyed Rob Zombie’s first “Halloween” in 2007, so I had high hopes for this one and went to see it in the theater. I absolutely hated it.
What was worse is that when it came out on DVD, I bought it! The horror! And, guess what? I still absolutely hated it.
I still have it and next Halloween, I’ll give it one more try. Maybe after 14 years, I’ll see it differently. If not, it’ll go in the trash, so I don’t torture anyone else by recycling it!
“HALLOWEEN 5: THE REVENGE OF MICHAEL MYERS” (1989)
Box Office: $11.6 million
This sequel was the follow-up to 1988’s “The Return of Michael Myers” where Michael learned that he had a young niece named Jamie and he went on rant to find her.
Well, in the aftermath of that movie, Jamie was hospitalized for trauma and was mostly mute in the movie.
I was so over her shrieking and crying that I would have been willing to help Michael get rid of her!
“HALLOWEEN: RESURRECTION” (2002)
Box Office: $37.6 million
Nothing like a “Halloween” movie released early in the summer! This is the only movie in the franchise that came out in July! Yes, July!!!!
It’s also the first where Michael Myers kills Laurie early in the movie. She’s in a mental institution following the events of “Halloween H20: Twenty Years Later”.
What made the movie remotely watchable was the story line about an internet reality show with kids having to spend the night in a scary house and the antics of Busta Rhymes and Tyra Banks.
“HALLOWEEN KILLS” (2021)
Box Office: $131.6 million
Enough has already been said about this one and it’s still the only movie in the franchise that I’ve only watched once! Maybe one day, I might give it another chance!
“HALLOWEEN” (2007)
Box Office: $80.4 million
This movie was a re-imaging and a remake of John Carpenter’s 1978 classic.
It follows Michael Myers, as a kid, already showing psychotic tendencies. When he kills most of his family, he’s locked up at Smith’s Grove Sanitarium and makes some pretty awesome papier-mâché masks.
Well, he escapes over a decade later and goes on another killing spree and starts stalking Laurie Strode (that’s not Jamie Lee Curtis) and her friends.
“HALLOWEEN 4: THE RETURN OF MICHAEL MYERS” (1988)
Box Office: $17.8 million
After the failure of 1982’s “Halloween III: Season of the Witch” (without Michael Myers), the franchise went back to its favorite masked murderer.
It’s ten years after “Halloween II”.
Michael was put away after the explosion at Haddonfield Memorial Hospital and upon hearing that he has a niece, he kills the men transporting him to Smith’s Grove Sanitarium.
Now, this is back when Laurie Strode was Michael’s baby sister. And, Jamie Lloyd (Danielle Harris) is living with a foster family because Laurie died in a car crash, since Jamie Lee Curtis refused to return to the franchise.
Remember back at #12, I didn’t like little Jamie. I loved her in this one! 🙂
“HALLOWEEN: THE CURSE OF MICHAEL MYERS” (1995)
Box Office: $15.1 million
This movie was mostly a dud except for introducing a very hot Paul Rudd. He played a very unstable Tommy Doyle.
Sadly, it was the last movie with Donald Pleasence as Dr. Sam Loomis.
It also concluded the Jamie Lloyd storyline from the fourth and fifth movies in the franchise.
I still enjoyed the movie even though it has some very annoying characters and was a little out in left field.
My favorite part: “It’s raining red Mommy!”
“HALLOWEEN III: THE SEASON OF THE WITCH” (1982)
Box Office: $14.4 million
This third movie in the franchise wasn’t about Michael Myers and no one was interested. However, as a stand alone movie, it was pretty good.
It’s about a demented toy maker, microchips placed in Silver Shamrock masks, a “deadly” television commercial, and other craziness.
“12 more days ’til Halloween, Halloween, Halloween, 12 more days ’til Halloween, Halloween, Halloween… Silver Shamrock!”
“HALLOWEEN H20: TWENTY YEARS LATER” (1998)
Box Office: $75 million
Jamie Lee Curtis returns to the franchise for the 20th anniversary of the original “Halloween”.
After faking her death to escape her life in Haddonfield, Laurie Strode is now a headmistress at a school in California living under another name.
Michael Myers finds a file in Dr. Loomis’ retirement home and realizes Laurie is alive and goes on a road trip.
The scariest thing in the movie is sexy Josh Harnett’s hair. It looked like Michael Myers attempted to hack him to death with dull scissors and only got his hair!
“HALLOWEEN ENDS” (2022)
Box Office: $64.4 million (and rising).
The box office for this movie and its predecessor, “Halloween Kills” were definitely hurt by the same day release of the movie in theaters and on the Peacock streaming channel.
However, Universal reports that “Halloween Ends” was the most watched film or series ever on the platform over a two-day period!
“HALLOWEEN II” (1981)
Box Office: $25.5 million
My teenaged memories of going to movies to see the sequel to 1978’s “Halloween” probably propelled this movie up so high on the list.
Well, that and raging teenaged hormones. I was crushing so hard on Lance Guest’s Jimmy (on the left) and Leo Rossi’s Budd, especially as he headed to the hot tub.
And, the hot tub scene rocked!
“HALLOWEEN” (2018)
Box Office: $255.6 million
In the most successful money-making movie in the franchise (in unadjusted dollars), 2018’s reboot picked up 40 years after the original “Halloween”. All of the other movies never existed. Forget everything!
Michael Myers as a dentist — genius!
“HALLOWEEN” (1978)
Box Office: $70.3 million (adjusted to 2022 dollars — $321.2 million)
The original movie in one word: perfect!
Seeing it as a 14-year-old, it scared the living daylights out of me. Coming home and walking into my darkened bedroom, I could still see that mask!
Jamie Lee Curtis and Donald Pleasence were amazing.
The horror, the suspense, and the lack of blood made it even more incredible.
And, the iconic phrases: “But, you can’t kill the boogeyman” and this one — the absolute best!
It still gives me goosebumps 44 years later!
So, what are your favorites and your least favorites?
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