Netflix

A week or so ago I got a promotional mailing from Netflix. It was promoting a free trial for a month. They gave me a promotional code and everything saying I was "special." They were lying. I waited a week or so to decide whether or not I wanted to take advantage of the trial as I already have Blockbuster's Total Access Plan. Granted, the TAP doesn't include streaming but I really don't have a need to watch online. Besides, I typically have time to wait for my DVDs to be mailed to me.

With this crazy ass snow storm we've been having in Dallas, it made me think about this free trial promotion. I have three movies I need to return to the BB store to exchange for three others but the freezing temperatures have not been very accommodating. I could walk there but I said to myself, "Self, why not try the Netflix free trial?" So, that's what I did. What's funny thought is that I believe the promotional code they gave me is just a way for them to track their marketing. Smart but not a special offer for me. I could have just signed up on the main page and received the same "promotion." Basically, I just signed up for a free 31-day trial of the 1 DVD out-at-a-time plan with unlimited time to watch instantly. And I have made as much use as possible in the past three days (since Feb 1st) of my unlimited watch instantly.

Before I get into my brief thoughts on the movies I have seen, I must say that I was initially stoked about being able to watch instantly on my laptop or my PS3 but it sort of wore off a bit as I find that many of the movies I've looked into viewing over the past few days are not available for instant play. I don't know the reasoning behind it because I have seen newer titles as well as 1 to 3 or more years old not available. I guess there is some agreement with the movie industry but again, I don't know. I can see the instant streaming being a blast for instant gratification when you get the immediate urge to watch a movie but if it's not available, it kind of defeats the purpose. I pay $19.99 + tax a month for my BB Total Access Plan with 3 out at a time (DVD or games) and unlimited DVD exchanges in the store. With Netflix, it costs $9.99 + tax for only 1 out at a time and unlimited watch instantly but with the limits of availability. Personally, I think I'm getting the better deal with Blockbuster. Of course, once BB increases my rate, I will probably not use any service and go back to just watching boring Saturday Night Live on the weekends. :-)

To the "reviews..."

Frozen. This movie was slow. It started out slow. It continued to be slow. It ended slow. I know it's a movie but there is no way that a ski resort would not make doubly sure that there are no people on the ski lift before shutting down. It was predictable on how/when the people were going to get stuck. It was further predictable on what the fate of at least one of the people was going to be even though it ended up being two. I don't know much about skiing or how to ski but I would think that someone would be dressed a little more warmly than the first "victim." I also don't understand why they didn't put up the hoods of their jackets to get/stay warm. I found myself saying, "Why don't you put yo' hood up dumb asses!?" One of the best and freakiest parts of the was when the guy jumps from the lift chair and his legs break/shatter. That was pretty cool and gross at the same time. Something I didn't get was when the broken-leg guy yells up to his friend about being careful on trying to monkey-bar the lift cable. He says, "Be careful. Those cables are razor sharp!" Why would these cables be razor sharp? Is it a side effect from being constantly run through the wheels of the lift apparatus or what? I need to know. I may have to Google this when I have time and can remember to. To me, this movie is a pass.

Exam. This movie was also a slow starter. It takes place basically in one room. I don't get how a corporation could allow the shit that went on in the room near the end of the movie but I guess I shouldn't question A MOVIE. Also, when there is only one question and you really don't know what the question is, big deal. It's just downright polite to answer someone when they ask, "Are there any questions?" I get the premise of the movie and how people feel like they have to solve problems or some shit. Personally, I think I probably would have kept quiet and bade my time for the 80 mins. It may have not been the "answer" but it would be better than making up answers or what I thought the interviewers wanted me to do. This movie too is a pass.

Unthinkable. This movie is not what I expected. I thought it was going to be about something else because I didn't read the synopsis or anything. I think Samuel L. Jackson speaks the same in almost all his roles. He either is loud or very loud. He's always yelling at people or talking to people with hostility. Other than that, I thought he did a very good job in this role. Carrie-Anne Moss has always been my leather/latex clad hottie. She's attractive without all the make up and highly doable. I've had a thing for her since she kicked ass in The Matrix. She did a pretty good job in her role as well. I hate movies like this though that end without a real ending. We don't know if there was a 4th bomb or not. Where was Carrie-Anne going with the terrorist dude's children and will they grow up hating America and follow their father's terror-laden footsteps? I do agree that the steps Jackson's character took is fully necessary. If the "terrorist" isn't going to be humane, why should the American government or any government be? Give respect and forgiveness for someone who does not reciprocate? I think not. I still think this movie is passable but I don't think it's a total disappointment.

Octane. There is absolutely nothing positive I can say about this movie. Actually, I can. This movie positively sucks dirty ball sacks! This seemed like it was trying to be a British Fast-&-Furious-type movie and it came up way, way short! The acting was poor. The female characters lacked interest and attraction. I think it should have stayed with its British title (I think) of Dolphins. The best part about this movie was the suped-up Ford Capri which looked like a Chevy Nova. Oh, bugger! You can probably write your own script and it would be better than this movie. I'd definitely pass on this one.

The Runaways. This movie actually wasn't too bad. It wasn't full of excitement, suspense, and intrigue but it was a good story about the starts of Joan Jett. Personally, I thought Kristen Stewart was better looking in this movie than in the Twilight series. Maybe it was the hair. Maybe it was the fact that she wasn't brooding and whining all the time. I don't know. It was the first role I've seen her in where she didn't act the same or similar to all the other roles. Dakota Fanning looked pretty good too. I feel gross saying that since I think she was playing at 16-yr-old and she is only 16 or 17 herself. I think it was the feathered hair and that she didn't play a typical role she's known for: cute, little big-eyed girl. I learned a few new things from this movie like who Cherie was and that Lita Ford was not just Lita Ford. She was part of The Runaways. Interesting to me but maybe not others. Overall, I think the movie was good. It was a biography of sorts and as such I think it did a good job without being boring.

The Girl Who Played With Fire. I was reluctant to continue my viewing of the series of "The Girl Who (With)..." movies. After watching the first movie, I wasn't impressed. In fact, I was left wondering what the hoopla was with this craptastic movie. My expectations were much lower for this movie but I found myself pleasantly surprised. This 2nd movie didn't seem as old-feeling...it didn't feel like it was shot on old 35mm film or something or like a VHS camera. Again, this could be what the original movie was going for but the slow story line and crappy acting didn't help better the movie. I think the Lisbeth has gotten better looking since the last movie. Again, maybe that's what they were going for in the first but I don't know. She had better hair. She seemed more interesting and I think her acting has improved. The overall acting and story line seemed much better to me as well. Unlike the first movie though, I had to read the subtitles because watching instantly on Netflix did not provide me with the subtitle option for English. I don't like the way it ended but I do understand it is a series so I'm accepting it. I think I will probably Netflix the next one (...Kicked the Hornet's Nest?) because I think I saw it available on instant play.

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That's my experience so far with Netflix. I will continue to try and instantly watch as much as I can before I decide to cancel. Again, if I can't get the new releases I want to watch, then there is no reason for me to get Netflix. So far, I think it's overrated. Granted Blockbuster has fucked over a lot of people and I think that's why people hate it...kind of like Windows versus Macintosh. I've heard people say, "Dude, you got to get Netflix. It's so much better than Blockbuster." It makes me wonder what the hell these people are talking about. Maybe it's because I've been on BB for so long that price-wise I'm better off. I don't know. I personally don't see the advantage when I can get my DVDs (3 at a time for $19.99) and then exchange them at the store for three more compared to the same exact plan at Netflix (3 at a time for $19.99) and no store exchanges.

How stupid are Texas drivers?

From a WFAA traffic/weather blog:

8:19 a.m.: Dallas Fire-Rescue has reported that as of 7:20 a.m., they have responded to 72 vehicle accidents since midnight.

Yes, it is icy in parts out there but people are still driving like bats out of hell!

On the way to drop the kids off at school (which is less than a mile away), some man almost ran through a stop sign that Ts into the street I was on. He then had the audacity to honk at me while I was sitting in the far right lane at a light because he wanted to turn right onto the service road whereas I was going straight. I'm sure he'll cause or have an accident but if it was legal for me to snap a few rounds in his ass when he honked at me, I could have prevented further issue from him with someone else.

I'm just saying...

Rusty Taco - 3rd and probably final visit

Now that I am done with my classes, I actually get to take a lunch instead of working through it to "make up" the time. So at work last Friday, I got talked into going to the Rusty Taco for lunch. I didn't want to go and I pleaded my case but the two lady coworkers I went with wanted to try it out. I reluctantly went along. I had already formed my opinion (not positive) after my two previous visits but who was I to deny them their own experience even though I know them and I knew they would not be impressed.

We got lucky with parking as we arrived because someone was leaving just as we got there. The line wasn't too bad either. I was surprised (even though my opinion is low) because it has been a pretty hopping place since its opening especially during lunch.

The ladies ordered first and my main recommendation to them was to get the chips and salsa for $1 because it's the best value and they give you good amounts of chips and salsa for that buck! Lady coworker #1 ordered just a shrimp taco (mistake!) because she's watching her diet these days. Lady coworker #2 ordered the grilled fish taco and chips and salsa. I ordered the two beef brisket tacos, a fried fish taco and chips and salsa because I was NOT going to still be hungry like the last few times I've visited. I also wanted to taste the fried fish to see if it tasted good without the sauce.

We sat outside because it was a pretty nice weather day: sunny with a slight breeze. The patio area was well occupied with many guests and the breeze made the 1st 90-degree day awesome. Heat isn't the issue - it's the humidity along with the heat. Anyway...

Lady coworker #1's name was called to pick up her order. She came back with a huge tray with just her little taco in the middle of it. Her first words when she got back to our table was, "What the hell is that!? Is that all!?" My response was, "I told you!"

Lady coworker #2's name was called to pick up her order. She came back with a huge tray with her little taco and a basket of chips with salsa. She kind of had the same look as lady coworker #1 at the bewilderment of the small size of the taco.

My name was called to pick up my order. I knew what to expect so I had no adverse reaction to what I saw on the tray. I sat down and we all began to eat.

They thought their tacos were good but a little skimpy and non-fulfilling for $2. I told them I tried to warn them before we left but they HAD to experience it for themselves if only just to say that they did.

I took extra care in eating my fried fish taco since I wanted to see what it tasted like without the added sauce/dressing. Amazingly, I didn't get a fish taste. Weird since it was supposed to be a FISH taco. I actually think the Van de Kamp's fish sticks and/or fillets tasted more like fish compared to this taco. Add the sauce and it's a whole new flavor but it still doesn't taste like a fish taco with sauce. The beef brisket tacos were good flavored as before but still lacked those filler ingredients such as lettuce, tomato and cheese. I was still kind of hungry but thankfully I had the chips and salsa.

So, we all agreed the chips and salsa were very good. They also came to their own conclusion which aligned with mine about the size and filling of the taco was not worthy of a $2 price tag. Bad for the customer but good for Rusty Taco as you will want to buy more to get your tummy filled.

The outside dining experience was great. The weather was very cooperative if not a little windy but it was a pleasant temperature and good company. I figure the Rusty Taco can be a good after work happy hour type hang out because of the small tacos and cheaply priced alcohol. I think beer runs something like $2.50 to $3.50. So, I believe it's comparable to other happy hour type facilities - I really don't know as I don't drink.

Anyway, I think I've had my fill of Rusty Taco. I experimented. I tested the menu. I'm done. It's really not one of those places that I feel I'd like to visit once in a while or ever again at all. I will probably deny any future offers of going unless someone else is picking up the tab. There's just way too many places in the area to get better tasting and more flavorful food for $8-$10. Some people may see it differently than I (they do because I still see lines out the door when I drive by) but I'd much rather head a few doors north down Greenville Avenue and hit Baker's Ribs. It's better worth my money.

It's all in the de-"tails"

So this is a little weird...okay, a lot weird...but that's just how my demented mind works.

A couple of months ago I took the kids and some of their friends to see The Mustangs of Las Colinas. It was a nice day, albeit very windy, and we were all feeling kind a bit of cabin fever because it had rained for a few days previously. The ground was still wet around the house and neighborhood so it wasn't ideal for them to play there. So, a short road trip was decided.

I initially wanted to take the friends to The Mustangs and then the Fort Worth Water Gardens because they'd never been to either but we ended up just going to The Mustangs because one of the friends had to be back home by a certain time to turn around and go to a sleep-over at a friends. Maybe next time.

Anyway, while at The Mustangs, I took a lot of pictures...of the kids, the 'Stangs, the buildings. I noticed something interesting, odd, and disturbing about the detail in some of the Mustang statues.

I won't go into the details but you can basically see what I would be typing about if I typed about it.

I know it's sick, just down right sick! :-)

Hooters with the tennis boys

Tennis got rained out a little earlier than expected. So we decided to make a jaunt down the road to get some wings. Hooters at Grapevine Hwy and 820 West.

Sent on the Super Jay Network from Super Jay's BlackBerry®

Unplanned vacation time

Well, I've missed work all week so far. My kids are on spring break so it hasn't been for nothing but I also didn't plan any of it.

My wife's mother, my mother-in-law, has been in the hospital since Sunday afternoon. They don't know what's wrong with her and they haven't been able to do any in depth tests like a colonoscopy or lower GI or anything.

If the damn weather would cooperate, I would take the kiddos to Six Flags for the day but it has been raining like cats and dogs all day! It's supposed to stop and be a nicer day tomorrow but it hasn't stopped yet.

Fucking mother nature sucks ass!

Anyway, that's been my awesome week so far.

And the floods rains come washing in

The best thing about living in DFW, Texas is the "wonderful" weather. It's been sunny and about 55-60 degrees all week and then suddenly it is rainy and 39 with possibility of worse freezing weather Saturday and Sunday. What a glorious three-day weekend!

This is what my backyard looks like and the raining hasn't let up yet!

Pics from "The Week In Pictures" on MSN.com

These are just a couple of cool pictures from big cities...Dallas/Ft Worth, Texas and, even bigger, New York, New York. I aspire to have the times, opportunities and know-how to take such pictures someday.

A view from the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport


A view from the Empire State Building


To see all the series of "This Week In Pictures", click here.

A "break" from the heat

In Texas, we got a break from the heat. Instead of 100+, this weekend the occasional overcast skies allowed it only to get to 98.

Should we pay homage to Mother Nature?

After the "flood"

Once the weather got a little better after the "floods" this past weekend, I was able to briefly grill some...looks good, huh?

While I was grilling, this was a kind of cool skyline I was able to see from the back porch.

Floods are fun...when no one gets hurt, of course.

The office building where I work got flooded over the weekend of the torrential downpours that hit Dallas the night of Friday, March 17^th to the night of Sunday, March 19^th. The whole first floor was under about 3-5 inches of water. Good times.


See in the picture how the water is filled in the closed off area and then pouring out of the seam between the doors. If I was here, I would have duct taped the seam and seen how long it would take to fill that room. More good times would have ensued.

Ooo...pretty colors

My kids and I were driving this afternoon after dropping off the wife/mom to teach and we saw this rainbow in the sky. The sky was dark and threatened rain but it never came down in our area! That's Texas weather for ya!

Texas weather is ever changing

Once again, the weather went from hot and sunny to hot, humid and rainy in a matter of hours.

First 100 degree day of '05 in Texas and then...

It's official. According to the local paper, "at 3:57 p.m. Thursday, the temperature at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport, the region's official gauge, hit triple digits."

As mentioned in my escapades yesterday, I was in that freaking hot weather!

Looking forward to more good - hot - times!

And then this morning around 11:30am, the weather changed. It was hot, muggy and then the storms came pouring down. Luckily in Texas, the weather typically changes every 30 minutes to an hour so we could have the 100 degrees back. Woohoo!




And then two hours later, this is the sky we see...