Random Friday Thoughts — March 4, 2022

Happy Friday, it’s March and spring is inching closer.

While I’ve shared four blogs with you over the past three months (my Christmas letter, my thoughts for the new year, my favorite movies I saw in 2021, and two secrets about life changes, so far, in 2022), I haven’t shared any “Random Friday Thoughts” since November 2021!

Well, let’s change that. Feel free to comment on any of my thoughts and if you disagree, that’s fine, just do it diplomatically.

MASK MANDATE CHANGES

As the Covid-19 pandemic rages on with hospitalizations and deaths, the infection positivity rates are falling across the U.S. and mask mandates are being dropped or changed.

While I know we need to move forward WITH CAUTION, I’m still going to wear my mask in stores and in places where I’ll be in close proximity with others.

I know this may sound crass, but if I wouldn’t have sex with you without protection, I don’t want you up in my stuff (my face) breathing or coughing on me without me wearing a mask!

Before 2020, I wouldn’t even have that about this, but life as we know it has changed.

LIFE CHANGES ALREADY IN 2022

Earlier, I talked about two life changes I’ve already made in 2022.

If you didn’t see the blog where I made the announcements, here’s the link (it should open in a new window):

https://anthonypeoples.wordpress.com/2022/02/26/two-secrets-to-share/

READY TO GET AWAY AND RELAX

In a few weeks, I’ll be jetting off for solitude in a part of the world I’ve never visited.

But, it’s still not one of three continents I’ve yet to visit — Antarctica, Australia, and South America.

I’m also ready to re-book the Cancun trip for me and my sister from last December that we had to cancel with her hospitalization.

And, finally, I booked one more trip for later in the year that just might be the last one before my passport expires in the spring of 2023!!!

“OZARK”

Don’t expect to make any plans with me the last weekend of April!

The incredible series “Ozark” concludes its four season run with what will surely be seven deadly, bloody episodes on April 29th!

While this is not really a “SPOILER ALERT” since none of us really know the answer, but who do you think is going to die? Who’s going to survive?

My guess is Wendy, played by one of my favorite actresses, Laura Linney, will bite the bullet!

I’d venture to say Ruth, too.

Okay, for those that are not caught up on “Ozark”, please don’t mention the name(s) of anyone that died in the first seven episodes of season 4!!!!!!!!!!!!!

“ALL OF US ARE DEAD”

Zombies are not for everyone.

I absolutely loved the first few seasons of “The Walking Dead”. I was totally over it by season nine. Once Andrew Lincoln “left” the series, I was done!

I really enjoyed the South Korean-coming of age zombie series, “All of Us Are Dead”, on Netflix.

Did it really need to be twelve episodes? Probably not, but I did enjoy the character development that the 12 hours allowed it.

I didn’t choose the option, but it played in English-dubbed dialogue and they did a great job with it.

GRADE: A

A THOUGHT ON MOVIES…

Why does it seem that most movies that used to run 90 minute to two hours are now closer to 2.5 hours long? The last three I watched were all that long!

Although I haven’t been to a theater to see a movie in two years, I definitely don’t want to sit for over two hours knowing that I’d have to nurse my Coke Zero because there’s no way I’m getting up to go to the bathroom and miss something!

And, what’s worse, I watch these long movies and think more about the “filler” that could have ended up on the cutting-room floor!

“HOUSE OF GUCCI”

I really enjoyed this Ridley Scott-directed crime thriller.

While snubbed for an Oscar nomination, Lady Gaga made the movie! (She was nominated for a Screen Actors Guild and Critics’ Choice Award for best actress, even though I didn’t think she would/should won!)

She played Patricia Martinelli, a woman that married into the Gucci family. Gaga was an excellent villain, who became a jilted wife and then convicted criminal. You may already know what she did, but, if not, I won’t spoil it.

Adam Driver and Jeremy Irons were great in the movie, but Jared Leto’s character felt very comical and that has nothing to do with the crazy physical transformation he went through for the part.

GRADE: B+

LAS VEGAS

In 1905, Downtown and Fremont became the first mecca of Las Vegas. Highway 91 from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, officially outside the city limits, became known as the “Las Vegas Strip” (Las Vegas Boulevard).

Before the pandemic, Las Vegas buffets — by the numbers….

GEORGE WASHINGTON

• From their book on George Washington in “The American Presidents” series (2004), authors James MacGregor Burns and Susan Dunn: as a young man in his teens and 20s, the future first president was obsessed with fashion and designed his cavalry’s jackets. He often frowned upon the poor!

• He was elected to the House of Burgesses, the lower house of the colonial Virginia legislature, in 1759, at the age of 27. His party on Election Day for his 390 voters consisted of 160 gallons of rum, wine, beer, and punch.

• By the mid-1770s, after he married Martha, a wealthy young widow, and acquired Mount Vernon, his half brother, Lawrence’s estate in Virginia, they owned almost 200 slaves.

Next time, some even more startling revelations about Washington!

“LAST NIGHT IN SOHO”

I really enjoyed this Edgar Rice (“Baby Driver”) psychological thriller set in 1960s London.

The soundtrack, the fashion, and the bizarre storyline was great.

Anya Taylor-Joy was captivating and now I want to watch “The Queen’s Gambit” just to see more of her.

GRADE: B+

“NIGHTMARE ALLEY”

This is another one of those long movies I recently watched and after the first hour, I was thinking, “when will this become thrilling?”

That happened when Cate Blanchett arrived in the movie. (Now, the early scene with Bradley Cooper and Toni Collette definitely captured my attention, but it was for a reason unrelated to the movie. Let’s just say that it was a dime well spent!) 🙂

The last half of the movie redeemed the first half.

GRADE: C+

THAT’S IT

With all the craziness in the world, make it the best in your little part of it!

Anthony