NEW VACATION MOVIE REVIEWS
Maze Runner - not good 4/10
This is Where I Leave You - excellent show, great cast, Justin Bateman kills it. 9/10
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
Saw the Gambler tonight - Wahlberg was great. Good movie overall 7/10
Also started watching Marco Polo on Netflix - good so far - worth a try for you Netflix fans.
Also some holiday updates on classic must see movies
The Usual Suspects
Safehouse
Gran Torino
A River Runs Thru It
Mr and Mrs Smith
If i have not mentioned before - Moneyball is so good - I have seen it at least 20 times
Also started watching Marco Polo on Netflix - good so far - worth a try for you Netflix fans.
Also some holiday updates on classic must see movies
The Usual Suspects
Safehouse
Gran Torino
A River Runs Thru It
Mr and Mrs Smith
If i have not mentioned before - Moneyball is so good - I have seen it at least 20 times
Monday, December 29, 2014
Sunday, December 28, 2014
SUNDAY NFL GAME PICKS
Hope you all won some money on college bowls yesterday - my picks were in the correct thought path but not all came thru. Record 3-3
ASU went over but failed to cover
USC went over but failed to cover
Miami lost
Penn State covered
Better luck on these today.
Dallas -5/12 over Washington
Rams and Seahawks - Under 41 1/2
Steelers -3 over Bengals
Chargers +2 over KC
Green Bay and Detroit over 46 1/2
Upset of the day - Chicago +7 wins outright over Minnesota
Good luck
Hope you all won some money on college bowls yesterday - my picks were in the correct thought path but not all came thru. Record 3-3
ASU went over but failed to cover
USC went over but failed to cover
Miami lost
Penn State covered
Better luck on these today.
Dallas -5/12 over Washington
Rams and Seahawks - Under 41 1/2
Steelers -3 over Bengals
Chargers +2 over KC
Green Bay and Detroit over 46 1/2
Upset of the day - Chicago +7 wins outright over Minnesota
Good luck
Saturday, December 27, 2014
http://www.omaha.com/opinion/jay-ambrose-what-if-obama-ryan-teamed-up-to-save/article_6adfeee8-9474-5edc-83af-49ef85309b22.html
Good article today in the World Herald - suggesting that the two parties actually do something to work together to solve a problem for US citizens. Too bad both parties are currently f&*()ing up every single thing they can and they seem nowhere close to being able to make any type of a joint decision.
Good article today in the World Herald - suggesting that the two parties actually do something to work together to solve a problem for US citizens. Too bad both parties are currently f&*()ing up every single thing they can and they seem nowhere close to being able to make any type of a joint decision.
Sorry - been ditching the last few days with the Holidays. Speaking of holidays, hope you all had a great time and everyone is doing well.
Todays Bowl Games
Cincinnati vs. Va Tech - no idea and no one cares
Arizona State vs. Duke - home game for ASU, I like them at less than -7. Should be high scoring - go overs.
Miami vs. S. Carolina - Miami has more to play for - take them at -3 and go unders on the game
BC vs. Penn State - Penn St. has a little more appreciation for this bowl game, take the points and the dog Nittany Lions.
Nebraska vs. USC - home game for USC, they played a better schedule against better competition. Take USC - 7 and the over in the game.
Pro Picks tomorrow morning
Todays Bowl Games
Cincinnati vs. Va Tech - no idea and no one cares
Arizona State vs. Duke - home game for ASU, I like them at less than -7. Should be high scoring - go overs.
Miami vs. S. Carolina - Miami has more to play for - take them at -3 and go unders on the game
BC vs. Penn State - Penn St. has a little more appreciation for this bowl game, take the points and the dog Nittany Lions.
Nebraska vs. USC - home game for USC, they played a better schedule against better competition. Take USC - 7 and the over in the game.
Pro Picks tomorrow morning
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
Merry Christmas to all friends, family, and to all of the athletes, producers, actors, singers, chefs, cooks, bartenders, brewers, and everyone else that makes our world the place it is.
We also appreciate all of our soldiers, sailors, marines, pilots, guardsmen, police, firefighters, etc that make our world safe to live in. May you be home with family soon
We also appreciate all of our soldiers, sailors, marines, pilots, guardsmen, police, firefighters, etc that make our world safe to live in. May you be home with family soon
Went over some viewing options tonight with sis and bro in law - The Rundown, Princess Bride, Tequila Sunrise, Three Kings, Training Day, and Executive Decision all got some votes. TV wise -Shamelesss, The Sopranos, Banshee, The Shield, and of course Breaking Bad all got votes for those of you looking to catch up on series.
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
Sunday, December 21, 2014
Saturday, December 20, 2014
Ok - it is already coming in with grief from people that know me so here goes.
My political stance is left leaning democrat with the ability to fence ride/jump on any position that I agree with on the other side of the aisle. This is how politics should work - topic is presented, you listen to the topic and its pros, cons, sides, explanations, and then you make a decision where you stand. Not where your party stands, not where your friends stand, not where the popular vote is, but where and what you believe in.
My simple ones are as follows:
I am for a flat or consumption level tax for everyone - you pay based on what you earn and/or spend. Corporations that are in the US pay there share in full, don't get to hide money, move it offshore, right it off, or suddenly have their headquarters in Ecuador to avoid taxes. Be glad you make money and pay your share.
Social programs - they exist for a reason - it is important to take care of those that can not provide for themselves. If you are religious in any nature, you understand this and say at church, synagogue, or worship that you believe in it, so do the same in everyday life. Social security, welfare, unemployment, medicare, medicaid, etc. all exist for a reason. If you disagree with current social programs - vote for people that will change them and then be willing to give up those things that you don't want others to have - your social security benefits (should be a choice to self invest), medicare and medicaid (if you make enough you should pay for your own coverages), unemployment (if you lose a high paying job - you should be able to find another one - Just ask Mitt Romney, he will let you know how.
If you gripe about your taxes paying for someone else's well being - step back for a second and address your thoughts on all of the other "social" programs your taxes support - any industry,including good old Nebraska farming, that have government subsidized programs or products. The military, veterans benefits, housing, transportation, and roads, etc. For a better idea on where money comes from, where it goes and how it is spent, take a really good look at the current 2015 US Budget https://www.nationalpriorities.org/budget-basics/federal-budget-101/spending/.
Government in general - Nebraska is lucky - our unicameral system actually works - most state and federal governments do not, because no matter what party you are in, you berate every notion the other side has to get elected, take a year or so to acclimate to your new position, continue to fight with the other party instead of working towards any resolutions, and then start campaigning in your last couple years to do it all over again. Basically a two party system does not work.
Three novel ideas - neither of which you will ever see happen:
1. The country should actually have a board of directors with non-political affiliation. If we run things more like a business, maybe we could start to cut some costs and streamline some things.
2. Term limits work to a point - no one should be a lifelong politician - it is the equivalent of a business professor at a college teaching business without ever having worked in one or a priest telling a couple about marriage having never been married.
3. The presidency and vice presidency should work as follows - a politician declares for running 18 months before the election - anyone that wants to declare does so. Once you declare - you have no party affiliation. Anyone that wants can donate to your campaign, but no political party can throw you any support. After 6 months a general nationwide primary is held and the top 8 vote getters move on. From there it is normal movement towards an actual general election vote (voting would become compensatory with penalty of fines for failure to vote - similar to Australia) with no electoral college. The final vote decides who is President, Vice President, Speaker of the House, President Pro tempore of the senate, Secretary of State, etc. - Again these top 8 spots become non affiliated with either party, they are there to oversee the parties, the house, the senate, etc. and run the country in the best interest of the people - not a political party.
MORE MINOR POLITICAL STANCES - you can disagree or agree with me, I do not care
Abortion - pro choice
Guns - pro gun within reason. Stricter laws on gun ownership and obvious limits on what the right to bear arms means. You can argue that you should have the right to hunt deer or protect your home with a fully automatic high power military rifle. I can argue that I should have a the right to have an RPG if traffic bothers me - we are both wrong.
Religion - freedom of religion and keep it to yourself and out of politics
Foreign Aid - 1-2% of annual spending ($23 to $37 billion dollars) goes to other countries. We have a deficit and poor people in our country - lets fix what we can at home first and foremost.
Gay Marriage - marriage is a legal status - you can get married without being in a church. It is a license or permit issued by the government just like a driver's permit. As such any two consenting people that are of the age required in the state they are applying in should be able to marry. It does not affect my family or any of my values.
States rights vs. federal government - Federal laws are voted on by the Senate and House, which represent their states. Federal laws are certainly necessary at a number of levels, as are state control of certain situations, just a local government is for local interests. I am for the residents of a state voting for something that the state wants as long as that law does not create a way to discriminate against a group or people in any nature. Federal law is there to make sure that does not happen and to address legal issues at a countywide level.
Immigration - like anything else, the majority of people coming into the US are doing so to try to better their position in life. It is impossible to send everyone back and start over and we seem to only want to send back certain ethnic groups anyway, so that point is mute. Start with making it easier to become a citizen - walk up to our border, register with some very heavy detail of where you are coming from and where you are going, photo ID, fingerprint, etc. If you are not on a criminal or terrorist watchlist and we have room (we have to set standard point forward immigration limits) then you are allowed in with simple tracking device ( a $5 phone can be tracked as to location) and you have 14 days to establish residency, register at the local DMV or courthouse, etc. and show employment within 30 days. If you do not, you are deported and not allowed to attempt any re-entry for 5 years.
That is enough for today - more to come later
My political stance is left leaning democrat with the ability to fence ride/jump on any position that I agree with on the other side of the aisle. This is how politics should work - topic is presented, you listen to the topic and its pros, cons, sides, explanations, and then you make a decision where you stand. Not where your party stands, not where your friends stand, not where the popular vote is, but where and what you believe in.
My simple ones are as follows:
I am for a flat or consumption level tax for everyone - you pay based on what you earn and/or spend. Corporations that are in the US pay there share in full, don't get to hide money, move it offshore, right it off, or suddenly have their headquarters in Ecuador to avoid taxes. Be glad you make money and pay your share.
Social programs - they exist for a reason - it is important to take care of those that can not provide for themselves. If you are religious in any nature, you understand this and say at church, synagogue, or worship that you believe in it, so do the same in everyday life. Social security, welfare, unemployment, medicare, medicaid, etc. all exist for a reason. If you disagree with current social programs - vote for people that will change them and then be willing to give up those things that you don't want others to have - your social security benefits (should be a choice to self invest), medicare and medicaid (if you make enough you should pay for your own coverages), unemployment (if you lose a high paying job - you should be able to find another one - Just ask Mitt Romney, he will let you know how.
If you gripe about your taxes paying for someone else's well being - step back for a second and address your thoughts on all of the other "social" programs your taxes support - any industry,including good old Nebraska farming, that have government subsidized programs or products. The military, veterans benefits, housing, transportation, and roads, etc. For a better idea on where money comes from, where it goes and how it is spent, take a really good look at the current 2015 US Budget https://www.nationalpriorities.org/budget-basics/federal-budget-101/spending/.
Government in general - Nebraska is lucky - our unicameral system actually works - most state and federal governments do not, because no matter what party you are in, you berate every notion the other side has to get elected, take a year or so to acclimate to your new position, continue to fight with the other party instead of working towards any resolutions, and then start campaigning in your last couple years to do it all over again. Basically a two party system does not work.
Three novel ideas - neither of which you will ever see happen:
1. The country should actually have a board of directors with non-political affiliation. If we run things more like a business, maybe we could start to cut some costs and streamline some things.
2. Term limits work to a point - no one should be a lifelong politician - it is the equivalent of a business professor at a college teaching business without ever having worked in one or a priest telling a couple about marriage having never been married.
3. The presidency and vice presidency should work as follows - a politician declares for running 18 months before the election - anyone that wants to declare does so. Once you declare - you have no party affiliation. Anyone that wants can donate to your campaign, but no political party can throw you any support. After 6 months a general nationwide primary is held and the top 8 vote getters move on. From there it is normal movement towards an actual general election vote (voting would become compensatory with penalty of fines for failure to vote - similar to Australia) with no electoral college. The final vote decides who is President, Vice President, Speaker of the House, President Pro tempore of the senate, Secretary of State, etc. - Again these top 8 spots become non affiliated with either party, they are there to oversee the parties, the house, the senate, etc. and run the country in the best interest of the people - not a political party.
MORE MINOR POLITICAL STANCES - you can disagree or agree with me, I do not care
Abortion - pro choice
Guns - pro gun within reason. Stricter laws on gun ownership and obvious limits on what the right to bear arms means. You can argue that you should have the right to hunt deer or protect your home with a fully automatic high power military rifle. I can argue that I should have a the right to have an RPG if traffic bothers me - we are both wrong.
Religion - freedom of religion and keep it to yourself and out of politics
Foreign Aid - 1-2% of annual spending ($23 to $37 billion dollars) goes to other countries. We have a deficit and poor people in our country - lets fix what we can at home first and foremost.
Gay Marriage - marriage is a legal status - you can get married without being in a church. It is a license or permit issued by the government just like a driver's permit. As such any two consenting people that are of the age required in the state they are applying in should be able to marry. It does not affect my family or any of my values.
States rights vs. federal government - Federal laws are voted on by the Senate and House, which represent their states. Federal laws are certainly necessary at a number of levels, as are state control of certain situations, just a local government is for local interests. I am for the residents of a state voting for something that the state wants as long as that law does not create a way to discriminate against a group or people in any nature. Federal law is there to make sure that does not happen and to address legal issues at a countywide level.
Immigration - like anything else, the majority of people coming into the US are doing so to try to better their position in life. It is impossible to send everyone back and start over and we seem to only want to send back certain ethnic groups anyway, so that point is mute. Start with making it easier to become a citizen - walk up to our border, register with some very heavy detail of where you are coming from and where you are going, photo ID, fingerprint, etc. If you are not on a criminal or terrorist watchlist and we have room (we have to set standard point forward immigration limits) then you are allowed in with simple tracking device ( a $5 phone can be tracked as to location) and you have 14 days to establish residency, register at the local DMV or courthouse, etc. and show employment within 30 days. If you do not, you are deported and not allowed to attempt any re-entry for 5 years.
That is enough for today - more to come later
Briiliant
Tracy is trying to convince me that you simply can give up sweets and sugar for a couple weeks and you will not miss them/crave them anymore. I made the point if that works you could just do the same with fruit and vegetables. She walked away shaking her head
Friday, December 19, 2014
Hey - Omaha World Herald and local sports tv guys, Bo Pelini was fired - he is no longer the coach of Nebraska Football, no one cares what he said, get off his ass, move forward and try to find something to report on that matters.
McKewon's article in todays OWH was a basic beat a dead horse rhetoric he so kindly hacks on Bo for. I don't know Bo, don't like the Huskers, could care less, but I do have an issue with reporters riding a story that is over. There is actual sports happening, cover that and write about it.
McKewon's article in todays OWH was a basic beat a dead horse rhetoric he so kindly hacks on Bo for. I don't know Bo, don't like the Huskers, could care less, but I do have an issue with reporters riding a story that is over. There is actual sports happening, cover that and write about it.
http://www.craftbeer.com/news/brewery-news/lucky-bucket-brewing-company-welcomes-back-snowsuit-winter-abbey-ale-and-new-holiday-hoursAnother new beer tonight - not bad, not great. Lucky Bucket Snowsuit. I will give the Bucket this much - this is the only beer from them I have remotely liked.
http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/6350162
Nebraska sues Colorado over Pot Legalization
Interesting how you can pick and choose when state's rights (which Republicans of Nebraska support) need to be over ruled by federal law ( which Nebraskans hate).
Bruning - give it up!
Nebraska sues Colorado over Pot Legalization
Interesting how you can pick and choose when state's rights (which Republicans of Nebraska support) need to be over ruled by federal law ( which Nebraskans hate).
Bruning - give it up!
One last thought and I will leave you alone for the day.
With all of the coaching changes, firings, forthcoming NFL coaches being fired, and the Bo Pelini circus over the last few weeks, I have to comment on things:
1. In the age of electronic media and social media, no one in a position of importance in sports is allowed to speak, move, think, or do anything without being recorded or seen. This is too bad as I am sure everyone of the critics (including myself), sports reporters, TV guys, etc. has sat at home or at a local bar and said, my job sucks, my boss is an idiot, the people I work with are f(&(&ing morons, etc. They could do this an vent, go back to work the next day, and it was off their chest.
2. I want to see one coach - hopefully Tressman of the Bears walk up to the podium after being fired, answer all the questions, and then point out politely,
"I understand the business decision and a change in leadership, etc. but I want to point out that I and my coaching staff did not throw one interception this year, did not jump offsides, miss a tackle, rough the passer, get caught out of coverage, or miss a field goal. Any coach can coach a team to do what is needed - the players have to execute for it to happen and work."
He of course won't say this, as it is coaching suicide, but I want to see a coach put the blame back on the players once. Oh yeah - I saw it already - his name was Bo and he got crucified for it.
PICKS OF THE WEEK - New Orleans and Atlanta overs, Indy and Dallas overs, Denver -3 vs. Cincy.
Oh and the NBA sucks the air out of TV. The football season needs to last for 9 months, not the NBA. Hell, Premier league soccer is more fun to watch, at least they play defense.
With all of the coaching changes, firings, forthcoming NFL coaches being fired, and the Bo Pelini circus over the last few weeks, I have to comment on things:
1. In the age of electronic media and social media, no one in a position of importance in sports is allowed to speak, move, think, or do anything without being recorded or seen. This is too bad as I am sure everyone of the critics (including myself), sports reporters, TV guys, etc. has sat at home or at a local bar and said, my job sucks, my boss is an idiot, the people I work with are f(&(&ing morons, etc. They could do this an vent, go back to work the next day, and it was off their chest.
2. I want to see one coach - hopefully Tressman of the Bears walk up to the podium after being fired, answer all the questions, and then point out politely,
"I understand the business decision and a change in leadership, etc. but I want to point out that I and my coaching staff did not throw one interception this year, did not jump offsides, miss a tackle, rough the passer, get caught out of coverage, or miss a field goal. Any coach can coach a team to do what is needed - the players have to execute for it to happen and work."
He of course won't say this, as it is coaching suicide, but I want to see a coach put the blame back on the players once. Oh yeah - I saw it already - his name was Bo and he got crucified for it.
PICKS OF THE WEEK - New Orleans and Atlanta overs, Indy and Dallas overs, Denver -3 vs. Cincy.
Oh and the NBA sucks the air out of TV. The football season needs to last for 9 months, not the NBA. Hell, Premier league soccer is more fun to watch, at least they play defense.
Beers you need to try
1. Bud Light Platinum - sweeter higher alcohol version of Bud Light - much better
2. Grain Belt and Grain Belt Nordeast - Minnesota old fashioned beers
3. Blonde Fatale, Shiner White Wing, and Goose Island Matilda - best Belgian Ales of the year
4. Zip Line - Copper Alt - local Nebraska beer with a great finish
DRINKS FOR THE SEASON
1. Pritchards - Sweet Lucy Bourbon Liqueur
2. Petron - Cafe XO - coffee flavored tequila - I don't like coffee or tequila and can drink this on the rocks
3. Jack Daniels and Diet Mt. Dew - I know it sounds odd, but you will like if you like whiskey mixed drinks.
1. Bud Light Platinum - sweeter higher alcohol version of Bud Light - much better
2. Grain Belt and Grain Belt Nordeast - Minnesota old fashioned beers
3. Blonde Fatale, Shiner White Wing, and Goose Island Matilda - best Belgian Ales of the year
4. Zip Line - Copper Alt - local Nebraska beer with a great finish
DRINKS FOR THE SEASON
1. Pritchards - Sweet Lucy Bourbon Liqueur
2. Petron - Cafe XO - coffee flavored tequila - I don't like coffee or tequila and can drink this on the rocks
3. Jack Daniels and Diet Mt. Dew - I know it sounds odd, but you will like if you like whiskey mixed drinks.
As noted - watched Enemy last night with Jake Gyllenhaal - very disappointing movie - do not watch it.
That being said - go see Nightstalker or rent it when it is out - he does a great job of playing the most creepy dude and it is a great movie.
Other recent watches
Divergent - nice little take on our future society, good show for family 13+, 1st of a 3 part series of books. 8/10
Rover - Robert Patterson is a dumb redneck in post apocolyptic Australia. Not a good movie
A Most Wanted Man - one of Phillip Seymour Hoffmans last movies - German Spy movie in current times - great acting - good movie - very slow plot scene. A great rental. 7/10
Noah - very deep, cinematic take on the famous biblical story. Long and not for the truly religious.
6/10
Neighbors - Seth Rogan continues his on again off again pattern - not worth the watch. 3/10
3 Days to Kill - somewhat slower and more decent plot of the typical ex-CIA spy wanting to get out and move on genre. Kevin Costner does a decent job 6/10
Ride Along - not normally a Kevin Hart fan as he can be highly annoying and Ice Cube has played one role in every movie he has ever done, but not a bad movie to kill a couple hours. 5/10
That being said - go see Nightstalker or rent it when it is out - he does a great job of playing the most creepy dude and it is a great movie.
Other recent watches
Divergent - nice little take on our future society, good show for family 13+, 1st of a 3 part series of books. 8/10
Rover - Robert Patterson is a dumb redneck in post apocolyptic Australia. Not a good movie
A Most Wanted Man - one of Phillip Seymour Hoffmans last movies - German Spy movie in current times - great acting - good movie - very slow plot scene. A great rental. 7/10
Noah - very deep, cinematic take on the famous biblical story. Long and not for the truly religious.
6/10
Neighbors - Seth Rogan continues his on again off again pattern - not worth the watch. 3/10
3 Days to Kill - somewhat slower and more decent plot of the typical ex-CIA spy wanting to get out and move on genre. Kevin Costner does a decent job 6/10
Ride Along - not normally a Kevin Hart fan as he can be highly annoying and Ice Cube has played one role in every movie he has ever done, but not a bad movie to kill a couple hours. 5/10
A quick media update for those of you sitting home over the holidays wondering what to watch on Netflix or what to catch up on with on demand. My immediate recommendations for series to binge watch.
1. House of Cards - Netflix
2. Shameless - Showtime
3. Ray Donovan - Showtime
4. Orange is the New Black - Netflix
5. Game of Thrones - HBO
6. True Detective - HBO
7. The Newsroom - HBO
8. Veep - HBO
9. Silicon Valley - HBO
10. Homeland - Showtime
11. Nurse Jackie - Showtime
12. Black Sails - Starz
13. Banshee - Cinemax Original Series
1. House of Cards - Netflix
2. Shameless - Showtime
3. Ray Donovan - Showtime
4. Orange is the New Black - Netflix
5. Game of Thrones - HBO
6. True Detective - HBO
7. The Newsroom - HBO
8. Veep - HBO
9. Silicon Valley - HBO
10. Homeland - Showtime
11. Nurse Jackie - Showtime
12. Black Sails - Starz
13. Banshee - Cinemax Original Series
Thursday, December 18, 2014
Initial thoughts today - the whole North Korea/Sony thing is overblown. Who cares if a foreign country wasted their time hacking a movie studio?
Watched the Jake Gyllenhaal thriller Enemy tonight - decent but very slow - terrible ending. 4./10
Reading one of my son's college books from his Political Science class - It is all about the downfall of the city of Detroit - Detroit an American Autopsy by Charlie LeDuff. Great book 9/10
Watched the Jake Gyllenhaal thriller Enemy tonight - decent but very slow - terrible ending. 4./10
Reading one of my son's college books from his Political Science class - It is all about the downfall of the city of Detroit - Detroit an American Autopsy by Charlie LeDuff. Great book 9/10
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