Has anyone out there seen Avatar? I saw it last week at the local theater. We did not have a choice of not 3D. Only 3D or 3D IMAX.
Starting out the tickets were 13 bucks a piece, 3 dollars extra for 3D which I didn't want. We may have started off on the wrong foot. I think movie theaters are in a dangerous place with making tickets so expensive. At 26 dollars for 2 tickets I can pass on the theater experience and just buy the Blu Ray when it comes out. I am leaning more towards that feeling every day.
After 50 bucks in tickets and concessions we were in. A big positive was we were there on a Monday and there was only about 25-35 people in the theater. This greatly reduces the chance that some jackass is going to talk on his cell phone during the movie. One did go off but the guy apologized and did not answer it.
The movie itself was ok, by far nothing ground breaking. I agree it is a retelling of the basic Pocahontas or Dances with Wolves stories. It took around an hour for my eyes to adjust to the 3D. I wear glasses so I think 2 layers of glasses was a problem. I felt like I was watching a dream sequence for the whole length of the movie.
I know there have been many reviews saying this movie is incredible. I like substance over flash. The story and the acting were largely unremarkable.
I guess I hold up hopes for Sherlock Holmes.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Courage?
I don't get it. I just don't get it. Michael Vick for the Ed Block Courage Award? What has he done? He killed many innocent animals and payed his price. Now he gets a courage award? There has to be Philly players more deserving of this award. I understand he is saying all the right things that's what he pays his publicist for. His persona today is completely manufactured. I really lose respect for the Philly players voting for him. What he did was disgraceful. Giving him a "Courage" award is disgraceful, he went to jail for a reason, a very bad one.
I now read PETA is protesting giving the award to Vick. This is the one time I agree with those wacko's.
Still bitter....
I now read PETA is protesting giving the award to Vick. This is the one time I agree with those wacko's.
Still bitter....
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Big Screen TV
Man I am not happy. I have a 62 Toshiba projection screen tv that has been great for the last 3 years. It went up the other day. I rushed a replacement lamp for it and it is still not working. I am not sure what to do next. I am guessing the after market lamps I bought are not any good. I guess I send them back next and get a Toshiba manufactured bulb. It is hard to believe both of the bulbs I bought do not work.
In the end it was the tv blowing up the bulbs. So after 300 in bulbs and another 500 to get it fixed I have a tv again. It is still acting strange but it is working.
Bitter
In the end it was the tv blowing up the bulbs. So after 300 in bulbs and another 500 to get it fixed I have a tv again. It is still acting strange but it is working.
Bitter
Monday, September 7, 2009
Jobs Private Sector
I just saw a post on my favorite financial blog The Big Picture that for the last 10 years we have had a net loss of 203K private sector jobs. When is the government going to understand that supporting the unions and taxing businesses to death is not the way to grow commercially. If the private sector is making money that means more taxes not less. Lower taxes now and in the long run it will be better for all of us.
There was 2.1 million new government jobs created in that time-span. How are we going to pay for them if there are not private sector jobs. This is one of those things that seems so clear but Congress seems to ignore this fact. It is all so scary, at some point the government is going to have to pay it's debts.
There was 2.1 million new government jobs created in that time-span. How are we going to pay for them if there are not private sector jobs. This is one of those things that seems so clear but Congress seems to ignore this fact. It is all so scary, at some point the government is going to have to pay it's debts.
Gran Tourino and the Oscars
I finally got around to seeing this film last night. I thought it was excellent. The sacrifice the main character makes for those kids was heartfelt. I can't understand why it did not get any Oscar nominations. You are telling me The Wrestler was a better movie or Benjamin Button? I thought Button was little more then a lesser Forrest Gump.
The Oscars have become so Politically Correct it is hard to pay attention anymore. If the movie deals with social issues it is winning. The thing that bugs me the most is they keep snubbing people because they don't want them to win all the time. Clint Eastwood should have been nominated again. Why penalize him because he does good work and does it his own way. For example, Tom Hanks should have won for Saving Private Ryan, and Cast Away but it would have been his 3rd Oscar. I think Carey Grant is the only person to have 3 best actor awards. They want to keep it that way.
I love movies and this crap makes me angry. There is no way to change it though. Like the Senate there are no term limits for Oscar voters.
The Oscars have become so Politically Correct it is hard to pay attention anymore. If the movie deals with social issues it is winning. The thing that bugs me the most is they keep snubbing people because they don't want them to win all the time. Clint Eastwood should have been nominated again. Why penalize him because he does good work and does it his own way. For example, Tom Hanks should have won for Saving Private Ryan, and Cast Away but it would have been his 3rd Oscar. I think Carey Grant is the only person to have 3 best actor awards. They want to keep it that way.
I love movies and this crap makes me angry. There is no way to change it though. Like the Senate there are no term limits for Oscar voters.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Warcraft losing its edge
I have been playing Warcraft\Warcrack since it launched four years ago. I sunk way too many hours into it, and would have to say I am an addict. My complaint is it has slowly over the last year been losing its edge. What does that mean? I will tell you. Blizzard the company that developed the money maker has been listening to users, I would say too much.
The game has gotten ridiculously easy. Anyone can level thier character to 80 without any challenge. You just have to know where to go. The game is not hard at all. It is the addiction of leveling and lure of more equipment. This has also been made ridiculously easy.
On the other side my account got hacked after playing for three years. I know it was my fault. I know I got a key logger on my machine somehow. Having been someone that played for three years you would think they would be more help but they weren't. They half assedly restored a few of my characters and some money. It sucked.
These two things really sucked the life out of it for me. Three years of gameplay down the drain. I think I am done now the game is not fun anymore but it is just a grind.
Later
Bitter
The game has gotten ridiculously easy. Anyone can level thier character to 80 without any challenge. You just have to know where to go. The game is not hard at all. It is the addiction of leveling and lure of more equipment. This has also been made ridiculously easy.
On the other side my account got hacked after playing for three years. I know it was my fault. I know I got a key logger on my machine somehow. Having been someone that played for three years you would think they would be more help but they weren't. They half assedly restored a few of my characters and some money. It sucked.
These two things really sucked the life out of it for me. Three years of gameplay down the drain. I think I am done now the game is not fun anymore but it is just a grind.
Later
Bitter
Monday, April 27, 2009
Being Taken
Do you ever get that sinking feeling that you are being taken? Feel like you are being instructed to grab your ankles. I took my car to a local Dealer to get a window fixed that got frozen shut and broke. It ended up costing over 400 dollars to replace a small part in the door. The window itself was not broke just the piece that connects the motor to the window.
I know there is a mark up when going to these places, and I was fine with the labor charge cause that is a black hole. You have no idea what is standard for that. My problem is the part online was 67 dollars. They charged me 243 dollars for it. I don't think 300% is a realistic mark up.
I will not be taking my car back there again. They kept telling me how good a deal it was, that usually means they are screwing you. I always like when they talk to me like I am an idiot too.
The other thing is, they broke some trim on my car when they were replacing the part. They said they would replace it, at this point it has been a month and they have yet to do so. I don't think it is my job to chase them down for something they did. They should call. I don't really miss the part, it is mainly the point of it.
It sucks when you get screwed like this, I guess the only thing you can do is not go back to them. It just so happens it is an American car, only one of the three vehicles I have. You wonder why the American car companies are having so many problems.
I know there is a mark up when going to these places, and I was fine with the labor charge cause that is a black hole. You have no idea what is standard for that. My problem is the part online was 67 dollars. They charged me 243 dollars for it. I don't think 300% is a realistic mark up.
I will not be taking my car back there again. They kept telling me how good a deal it was, that usually means they are screwing you. I always like when they talk to me like I am an idiot too.
The other thing is, they broke some trim on my car when they were replacing the part. They said they would replace it, at this point it has been a month and they have yet to do so. I don't think it is my job to chase them down for something they did. They should call. I don't really miss the part, it is mainly the point of it.
It sucks when you get screwed like this, I guess the only thing you can do is not go back to them. It just so happens it is an American car, only one of the three vehicles I have. You wonder why the American car companies are having so many problems.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Fallout 3 - a great experience
I never thought there would be a game good enough to tear me away from Warcraft. Then, I played Fallout 3. I played the first 2 games, they were good but not this good. This game is pretty amazing from the graphics to the voice acting is really great. There should be more games like this. There are way too many games out nowadays that just appear to be a money grab.
I like the skill tree , the bobble heads, and the whole character development set up is quite involved. The only issues I have with it is the game is it is almost impossible to play the game as an evil character and you can only level to 20.
There is much satisfaction to removing a Slavers head from his body in a big puff of red and liberating the weak. I know the game ends when you complete the main quest. I can bring myself to do it. I want to explore every location and complete every quest before I finish the game.
The one thing I have to look forward too is there are 3 expansion packs. As a side note I originally bought the game for the PS3 and sold it back because the expansions are only for the XBOX and the PC. The game is that good, I wanted to keep playing the game so I bought it a second time.
A great game, there are not many out there.
I like the skill tree , the bobble heads, and the whole character development set up is quite involved. The only issues I have with it is the game is it is almost impossible to play the game as an evil character and you can only level to 20.
There is much satisfaction to removing a Slavers head from his body in a big puff of red and liberating the weak. I know the game ends when you complete the main quest. I can bring myself to do it. I want to explore every location and complete every quest before I finish the game.
The one thing I have to look forward too is there are 3 expansion packs. As a side note I originally bought the game for the PS3 and sold it back because the expansions are only for the XBOX and the PC. The game is that good, I wanted to keep playing the game so I bought it a second time.
A great game, there are not many out there.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Socialization.....
Last I checked we were a Capitalist society. When did that change? We apparently missed the change, I know I did. It seems the government we elected is changing things to socialization. They talk about taking money from the wealthy but these bailouts and stimulus packages mean they are taking money from all of us. They are socializing the losses. The banks that are failing should fail, the car companies that can't make cars people want should fail, and the home owners who made bad decisions should lose their homes.
I have tried to make all the right decisions. I live within my means, buy a house I can afford, and I don't buy BMW's and such just to look cool. In the long run I am the one that is going to pay for all of these people making bad decisions. It is a little depressing. I know they are lowering the fed so people will borrow money and buy houses and such. One side effect of this is when I try to save money my interest rates are awful. There is no good way to save money right now except buying gold.
It is depressing. I feel our government has become an aristocracy, they are now a ruling class above the rest of us. The approval ratings for these bailouts are below 20% yet they still pass them. The government was supposed to rule with the consent of the governed. I don't think they have any real idea what the governed want anymore.
I think we need term limits in congress both state and federal. Lobbying money has gotten to too many of these congressmen, they owe too many favors to really represent us.
It is very disappointing but what can we do, too many people don't pay attention. All is forgotten by election time.
Later,
Middle class Joe.
I have tried to make all the right decisions. I live within my means, buy a house I can afford, and I don't buy BMW's and such just to look cool. In the long run I am the one that is going to pay for all of these people making bad decisions. It is a little depressing. I know they are lowering the fed so people will borrow money and buy houses and such. One side effect of this is when I try to save money my interest rates are awful. There is no good way to save money right now except buying gold.
It is depressing. I feel our government has become an aristocracy, they are now a ruling class above the rest of us. The approval ratings for these bailouts are below 20% yet they still pass them. The government was supposed to rule with the consent of the governed. I don't think they have any real idea what the governed want anymore.
I think we need term limits in congress both state and federal. Lobbying money has gotten to too many of these congressmen, they owe too many favors to really represent us.
It is very disappointing but what can we do, too many people don't pay attention. All is forgotten by election time.
Later,
Middle class Joe.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Worst IMAX EVER!!
I went to see The Watchmen in IMAX format the other day. I liked the movie enough, I was happy I went to see it, my biggest problem was the theater. I have been to two other IMAX theaters, one at the Maryland Science Center and the other in Las Vegas. These are both great theaters, I can't seem to find a good link to the one in Vegas but it was awesome. The screen was like 70 feet tall. I saw the second Matrix movie there, I left the theater amazed at the experience they locked you into your seat like you were on a roller coaster.
The theater at White Marsh Mall in Maryland left me feeling like I was kicked in the balls. It was no bigger then any of the other large theaters. It only seats 500. The screen was nothing to be amazed at, the picture was good but it just was not the same. The price of the ticket was 13 dollars. I have a 60 inch High definition tv at home with 5.1 surround sound. I am perfectly happy watching the movies at home. We spent 50 dollars when it was all said and done. It just is not worth it.
I sent an email to the IMAX people letting them know I felt the implementation at White Marsh was degrading to the IMAX name. I have not heard back from them. I tried to send an email to AMC, the owners of the theater, but their site says to direct any complaints to the manager. I felt like that was a big load of bullshit.
Go try it out for yourself but the theater is a joke. If there was any actual information about the theater online I would link to it but there is not.
The theater at White Marsh Mall in Maryland left me feeling like I was kicked in the balls. It was no bigger then any of the other large theaters. It only seats 500. The screen was nothing to be amazed at, the picture was good but it just was not the same. The price of the ticket was 13 dollars. I have a 60 inch High definition tv at home with 5.1 surround sound. I am perfectly happy watching the movies at home. We spent 50 dollars when it was all said and done. It just is not worth it.
I sent an email to the IMAX people letting them know I felt the implementation at White Marsh was degrading to the IMAX name. I have not heard back from them. I tried to send an email to AMC, the owners of the theater, but their site says to direct any complaints to the manager. I felt like that was a big load of bullshit.
Go try it out for yourself but the theater is a joke. If there was any actual information about the theater online I would link to it but there is not.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Baltimore's Energy Crisis....
It is so frustrating living in this area sometimes. In the last year or so there was some sort of legislature saying the electric company cannot shut of service during the winter months for people that have not paid their bills. The story I just read in the Baltimore Sun mentions the fact that 84,000 people could potentially have thier electricity shut off come April 1st when the moratorium ends.
Just the other day I was reading an article in refferring to the panel that is researching why there has been an increase in electricity and natural gas prices. It does not take Sherlock Holmes to figure out that the electric company has the right to be paid for their service. They are passing on the fact that 84,000 people are not paying for power to the rest of us. The Sun paper does not make that correlation, I don't think it is really a reach.
You wonder why the very liberal newspapers are all going under. I remember when the reporters use to report the facts in an unbiased opinion and they used to think. That era has apparently ended.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
PSL's what a sham...
Here I am looking at my Raven's season tickets bill, wondering why I keep paying the ridiculous prices. When I got the season ticket 10 years ago it was 35 bucks. Art Modell never raised tickets more then 7 bucks in one season. Then the money grubbing ass bought the team
Steve Bisciotti became the majority owner of the team 5 years ago. My season tickets were 48 bucks a game and things were good. His first year he raised the tickets 25% to 60 bucks a game. I was not happy it was a ridiculous increase. Two years later he raised the ticket prices 33% to 80 bucks a game, a 20 dollar a game increase is even more ridiculous then the first increase.
Finally this year he raised them 12.5% to 90 dollars a ticket. This includes the 180 dollars I have to pay for 2 pre-season games when nobody I care about plays. Not to mention the games are on Thursday afternoon half the time, who the hell is going to take off for a pre-season game. The moral of the story is my season ticket prices have gone up 87% in five years.
I am a big worrier, with the economy the way it is, its hard to pay for the tickets. When the season ticket prices go up so do the tailgating tickets and the beer prices. I think I have reached my level of understanding when it comes to how much is too much.
I would like to say I will get rid of my season tickets but how can I? Back to the title of the post, the PSL. When I bought my tickets I had to pay 750 dollars just for the right to buy tickets every year. This is how they screw us. I lose the PSL if I let my season tickets lapse. I can try to resell my ticket but that is next to impossible with only one ticket.
I am feeling screwed by the Baltimore Ravens organization and everyone else involved. I am not going to buy anything inside the stadium any more the prices are outrageous.
Hopefully, we see some games not sold out this season. Maybe when the Orioles see record lows in attendance this year something will sink in.
I love football but I can watch it on my tv and enjoy it almost as much as I do there.
Steve Bisciotti became the majority owner of the team 5 years ago. My season tickets were 48 bucks a game and things were good. His first year he raised the tickets 25% to 60 bucks a game. I was not happy it was a ridiculous increase. Two years later he raised the ticket prices 33% to 80 bucks a game, a 20 dollar a game increase is even more ridiculous then the first increase.
Finally this year he raised them 12.5% to 90 dollars a ticket. This includes the 180 dollars I have to pay for 2 pre-season games when nobody I care about plays. Not to mention the games are on Thursday afternoon half the time, who the hell is going to take off for a pre-season game. The moral of the story is my season ticket prices have gone up 87% in five years.
I am a big worrier, with the economy the way it is, its hard to pay for the tickets. When the season ticket prices go up so do the tailgating tickets and the beer prices. I think I have reached my level of understanding when it comes to how much is too much.
I would like to say I will get rid of my season tickets but how can I? Back to the title of the post, the PSL. When I bought my tickets I had to pay 750 dollars just for the right to buy tickets every year. This is how they screw us. I lose the PSL if I let my season tickets lapse. I can try to resell my ticket but that is next to impossible with only one ticket.
I am feeling screwed by the Baltimore Ravens organization and everyone else involved. I am not going to buy anything inside the stadium any more the prices are outrageous.
Hopefully, we see some games not sold out this season. Maybe when the Orioles see record lows in attendance this year something will sink in.
I love football but I can watch it on my tv and enjoy it almost as much as I do there.
Monday, February 23, 2009
The Oscars
The Oscars...
Anyone watch the Oscars? I love movies and will probably post some reviews here and there between rantings. It always interests me to watch the Oscars and I am always left unhappy with the results. This year it was pretty much predictable who would win and they followed suit. I am ok with the results for once, at least I am interested in seeing the movie that won. Some years the movies look utterly dreadful.
I know it is art, but I still like movies to be fun and unrealistic. I don't necessarily want to see too many movies about alcoholics or people dieing of some terminal illness. I live in the real world, movies are supposed to be an escape. I like bad guys and good guys. There are too many movies that exist in the gray. I guess on the flip side, there are too many sequels and remakes being made too.
I don't know where I am going with this. I think the state of movies is not very good right now. If Paul Blart Mall Cop can make over 100 million anything can.
I am looking forward to The Watchmen next, at least they didn't play it safe to get a PG-13 they went right for the R. It should be interesting.
Anyone watch the Oscars? I love movies and will probably post some reviews here and there between rantings. It always interests me to watch the Oscars and I am always left unhappy with the results. This year it was pretty much predictable who would win and they followed suit. I am ok with the results for once, at least I am interested in seeing the movie that won. Some years the movies look utterly dreadful.
I know it is art, but I still like movies to be fun and unrealistic. I don't necessarily want to see too many movies about alcoholics or people dieing of some terminal illness. I live in the real world, movies are supposed to be an escape. I like bad guys and good guys. There are too many movies that exist in the gray. I guess on the flip side, there are too many sequels and remakes being made too.
I don't know where I am going with this. I think the state of movies is not very good right now. If Paul Blart Mall Cop can make over 100 million anything can.
I am looking forward to The Watchmen next, at least they didn't play it safe to get a PG-13 they went right for the R. It should be interesting.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Following the straight and narrow....
I got an email from a friend the other day reminding me of something that is really bothering me. The friend asked if he was "being a dick" because he does not feel sorry for anyone who is having problems with their mortgage payments. I told him he is not a dick.
I am a frustrated member of the middle class. I am someone who has spent within his means and did not invest in a big huge house I could not afford or bought cars I did not need. I do not run up credit card bills, the only thing on our credit cards is my grad school tuition.
I hope there are a lot of people that fall in the same category as I do. This means there are not as many broke people as the media portrays. I think the media has been doing so much fear mongering that the situation seems worse then it is.
We are all getting screwed royally. What is in it for us with this bailout plan, or this stimulus plan? The answer is nothing. I am in a large group of people that is paying for this mess. It is so frustrating. In my opinion people who bought houses that they can't afford should lose them, and businesses that made bad decisions should go under. Is that too simplistic? I know it is but if we keep socializing losses in this country the rich will get richer faster, the poor will continue to be subsidized and the middle class will keep getting told to grab their ankles.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
Do I sound bitter? I am.
I am a frustrated member of the middle class. I am someone who has spent within his means and did not invest in a big huge house I could not afford or bought cars I did not need. I do not run up credit card bills, the only thing on our credit cards is my grad school tuition.
I hope there are a lot of people that fall in the same category as I do. This means there are not as many broke people as the media portrays. I think the media has been doing so much fear mongering that the situation seems worse then it is.
We are all getting screwed royally. What is in it for us with this bailout plan, or this stimulus plan? The answer is nothing. I am in a large group of people that is paying for this mess. It is so frustrating. In my opinion people who bought houses that they can't afford should lose them, and businesses that made bad decisions should go under. Is that too simplistic? I know it is but if we keep socializing losses in this country the rich will get richer faster, the poor will continue to be subsidized and the middle class will keep getting told to grab their ankles.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
Do I sound bitter? I am.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Worst Song Ever
I live in Maryland and listen to channel 104.3 all the time. Most of the time I love the station, it plays exactly the type of music I like. There is one song that I can't stand, it makes my skin crawl every time I hear it. The song is listed as their number one on the station on their top 20 and I can't sit through a second of it.
The song is Kings of Leon "Sex on Fire". I don't get the song. It is horrible and it sounds like some bad 90's song pre-grunge era. When it comes on the radio I have to change the station. The song feels out of place with the rest of the stations playlist. I can't wait to hear their next release. Just awful.
I know this is my first post and there is not much to it, most will probably be short. I just plan on posting rants about everyday things that bother me. I know there are a log of people that feel the same way.
The song is Kings of Leon "Sex on Fire". I don't get the song. It is horrible and it sounds like some bad 90's song pre-grunge era. When it comes on the radio I have to change the station. The song feels out of place with the rest of the stations playlist. I can't wait to hear their next release. Just awful.
I know this is my first post and there is not much to it, most will probably be short. I just plan on posting rants about everyday things that bother me. I know there are a log of people that feel the same way.
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