FELIX MANALO, NR ( 2 hr & 56 min )

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I went to see this today, Saturday, Halloween Day, October 31st, 2015, here in Vallejo, CA, at the CENTURY 14 VALLEJO, for the 2:50 p.m. show, in auditorium 7, 7th row ( counting from the front ), 7th column ( counting from the left ). The price of admission was $10.75. And I bought a large Powerade Mountain Berry Blast ( $5.35 ) that came with a free small Buttered Popcorn ( free on my Movie Watcher Reward e-mail coupon ).

Quickie Review:  This movie documents the humble beginning of the INC ( Iglesia Ni Cristo ) in 1914, all the way to its founder's death in 1963. Felix Manalo's ( portrayed by Dennis Trillo ) passion for God's Word leads him on a religious journey from Roman Catholicism, to Protestantism, to Seventh Day Adventism, and all the way to his conclusion that he must found his own religion that will be truer to the Word of God.

The audience liked this movie and gave it a "Hands Clapper" ending. But ... there were just about two dozen people in the audience with me. They were probably all members of the local INC. 

I think that it was good enough of a movie to go see. This movie is primarily aimed at INC followers, but I wouldn't be surprised if it had the intention of proselytizing some people in the audience.

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What interested me enough to go see this three-hour movie is the fact that it was not part of my class curriculum when I studied World Religions in college. In fact, the first time that I came across the name, Iglesia Ni Cristo, was when I vacationed in the Philippines back in 1982-1983. And I don't recall coming across it referenced in my Religious Cults book, either; although, it does hint at such. 

Iglesia Ni Cristo has adherents in many countries now. 

This movie's Felix Manalo presented some valid arguments that I find myself in agreement with but there are issues in which I find myself in strong disagreement. I could present a list of all of my disagreements with its founder but I won't. Just suffice it to say that any brand of "christianity" touted in this day and age is far-removed from the teachings of Jesus Christ, Himself. They are all just "interpretations." My advice ... read The Bible for yourself; you will be better-served that way.

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The 1st Show matinee for this movie was at 9:05 a.m. And I actually started dressing up for this early show but I changed my mind at the last minute. The next show was at 11:00 a.m. I decided to skip that one, too, because I needed to find a better use for the intervening time. I had a very light breakfast. Then, I meditated and did some mantra work.

I went to Selecta Pilipino Buffet Restaurant on Springs Road, here in Vallejo, to have a buffet lunch. Most of the tables were taken except for one. I was lucky. But I didn't eat my usual fill at a buffet ( I have to loosen my belt next time before I pig-out ). 

As I went to the counter to pay for my meal and to buy some quick-pick lottery tickets, the proprietor, Rey, asked a favor of me. His pay-as-you-go cellphone was out of airtime. And since it was I who gifted him with the cellphone last month, I felt obligated to do him the favor of getting his airtime card for him and adding it to his 'phone. I told him that I would come back after 6:00 p.m. to add his 'phone's airtime.

On my way to the theatre, I swung by the Admiral Callaghan Lane Fed-Ex Kinko's to make a xerox copy of a mail piece for my record. Then, I walked on over to the nearby Safeway Supermarket to buy Rey's airtime 'phone card. 

On my way back to my car, I noticed a new restaurant in the shopping center, situated in a corner, the Taj Indian Restaurant. And this restaurant has a lunch buffet---Woo-Hoo! I gotta try this someday--and soon!

After the movie, I went back to Selecta Pilipino Buffet Restaurant, as promised. I had to plug-in Rey's cellphone first because its battery life was running on low.

In the meantime, Rey invited me to have dinner with him, on the house as there were no other dining patrons present. But I had to decline his free offer because I was still full from eating a buffet lunch and a bag of popcorn. Unlike Chinese buffet food which doesn't "stick to your ribs," making you hungry for more food an hour later, Pilipino buffet food "sticks to your ribs"--and you don't want to eat any more meat for the rest of the day! Well, at least,  that has always been my experience. 

I spent the time waiting for the 'phone to recharge by reading the Manila Mail newspaper, the October 28ht--November 3rd, 2015, issue. It has three articles on the INC ( Iglesia Ni Cristo ). Two of the articles are about the Philippine Department Of Justice's ongoing investigation on the church's recent scandal involving the kidnapping, and the threatening, of two ex-ministers, Isaias Samson and Lowell Menorca II. And the other article was on this movie's premier. 

This movie broke two Guinness World Records in movie attendance! And it was originally a six-hour movie, also. Whew! ( I watched the "Cliff's Notes" version. Ha, ha, ha. ) They used Green Screen technology to shoot certain period-piece scenes which was commendable.  But the Sepia Tone film was a bit much and unnecessary,  in my opinion.

Anyway ....

I found this gif on the Internet. 

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P.S. Don't eat too many Halloween candies or dentists will be very happy to see you soon!

*

TCM presents DRACULA ( English/Spanish versions ), 1931

English version = 1 hr & 25 min

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Spanish version = 1 hr & 44 min 

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I went to see this yesterday, October 25th, 2015, here in Vallejo, CA, at the CENTURY 14 VALLEJO, for the special double-feature Turner Classic Movies' showing of the original 1931 horror classic, DRACULA, in auditorium 6, 2nd row ( counting from the front ), 8ht column ( counting from the left ). The price of admission was $8.00. And I bought a Lite Bite ( junior Powerade Mountain Berry Blast, kid's size Buttered Popcorn and small bag of Beef Jerkey ) for $6.80 at the concessions counter. During the 10-minute intermission, I went back to the concessions counter to buy a one-litre bottle of Dasani Water for $4.80.

Quickie Review: Count Dracula ( Bela Lugosi, English version/Carlos Villarias, Spanish version ) goes to England to satisfy his lust for fair maidens' blood.

There were just a half-dozen people in the audience with me. I think they liked this double-feature.

I liked it in the sense that it's the original Dracula movie, which I never saw before in my life. You may or may not want to see this movie, depending on your own taste.

Here are some spoilers: Both versions have a "high school stage play" feel to them, but with bad acting.  Most of the English people speak with an American accent in the Bela Lugosi movie. Both movies had men howl like a wolf in the background, the English version had just one "wolf" while the Spanish version had two or three "wolves". Apparently, Count Dracula could change himself into a wolf, too, according to the English version!  With that set aside, the Spanish version is the better of the two. Here's why: Both movies were shot back to back, employing the same sets and props, with the English scenes shot first and the Spanish scenes shot at night. I don't know about you, but shooting a horror movie in the evening gives it an added advantage over a horror movie shot in the daytime.  And the Spanish version director ( who didn't speak Spanish ) was able to watch and take notes on how to better the English version--by "better" I mean, slightly better. Neither one is scary at all.

According to the TCM host, DRACULA was meant to be a Love Story. To that end, it was released on February 14th, 1931. Lon Chaney was the original choice for the role before his untimely death. Hollywood back then had the habit of shooting movies back to back in English and in Spanish to maximize their profits at the box office. And speaking of maximizing profits, the Spanish version of Hollywood movies were more risque--evident in this Spanish version with one actress wearing a see-through gown ( nothing showed, though ) and another actress not wearing a bra underneath her blouse.

I sat there thinking to myself, I'm actually watching a couple of movies filmed 84 years ago. All the actors and actresses, including the babies in the crib, are long dead and gone, I said to myself. I was wrong. The TCM host said at the end of the presentation that the lead actress in the Spanish version , Ms. Lupita Tovar, just recently celebrated her 105th birthday this last July! And her grandsons, Paul and Chris Weitz, are Hollywood actors, writers, producers and directors in their own right!

                  
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The Dracula that I grew up on was the one portrayed by none other than the late/great Christopher Lee. He was an excellent Dracula, the definitive one!

One day in the early 70s, when I was perusing my mom's Reader's Digest magazine, an article caught my interest. It was an article on the late Bela Lugosi who was buried wearing his Dracula costume. When I read it, I came to believe that Bela Lugosi was the actual vampire depicted in the movies! In my young, impressionable mind, Bela Lugosi would have to have been a real vampire because he was buried in "vampire" clothes.

These two movies are laughably bad by today's Horror Movie standards. Imagine if you could go back in time to 1931 with a collection of today's horror movies to show to the people back then. Lots of them would faint, would get a heart attack or stroke, or would refuse to sleep with the lights off from then on!

*

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24TH, 2015 = UNCLE & AUNT'S 40TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

Today, Saturday, October 24th, 2015, I helped celebrate my Uncle Lorie & Aunt Nena's 40th Wedding Anniversary.

As the surprise celebration was scheduled for the evening, I decided on seeing a movie and doing some errands beforehand.

I went to see a movie on its 1st matinee show for the day.

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I went to see this today, Saturday, October 24th, 2015, here in Vallejo, CA, at the CENTURY 14 VALLEJO, for the 11:10 a.m. 1st show matinee, in auditorium 12, 4th row ( counting from the front ), 6th column ( counting from the left ). The price of admission was $8.00. And I bought a Lite Bites ( junior cup of Powerade Mountain Berry Blast, kid's size Buttered Popcorn and small pack of Beef Jerky ) for $6.80 at the concessions counter.

Quickie Review: The last witch hunter ( Vin Diesel ) is the only thing that stands between humanity and all of the witches who wish to annihilate the entire human race.

The audience liked this movie, somewhat. It was so-so to me. You may want to wait for this to come out as a DVD rental.

Near the end of this movie, a priest used a Holy Bible and quipped about not being able to do the same thing with an I-Pad--technology, after all has its own limitations. 

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After the movie, I went to the Fed-Ex Kinko's, on Admiral Callaghan Lane, to make some xerox copies of my monthly through-the-mail course on investing. Then, I walked on over to the nearby Safeway Supermarket to buy a grocery gift card for $40.00 as the 40th anniversary gift. And I drove to the 99-Cent Only Store on Sonoma Boulevard to buy a greeting card and some stuff; I also went next door to the CVS Drugstore to get a gallon's worth of water refill for $0.35.

And  I went back home to rest awhile because I didn't have a good night's sleep, and to do some meditation.

It was almost 7:00 p.m. when I went on my way to Berkeley, CA, for the surprise anniversary celebration. There were some idiot drivers on the freeway who drove 50 mph when they should have been driving 65 mph. Idiots! One particular idiot in front of me stepped on his brakes when there was NOTHING in front of his car! I had in mind to cut him off and flip him "the finger" had I not been preoccupied with doing my Zhunti Mantra. I just changed lanes, instead. 

I dropped-off my car at the El Cerrito Del Norte BART Train Station to catch a train to Berkeley since I don't like taking my car to Berkeley because of the parking situation. 

While waiting for the train, I walked further down the platform to find an embarking spot with the fewest commuters waiting in line. I passed by a group of black teens smoking marijuana. Damn, that stench! I wanted to walk downstairs to notify the station agent but the train was less than 4 minutes from arriving.

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On Facebook, only 8 people said that they would attend the party. But there were plenty of people at the venue, Linden's Coffee & Cafe on Dwight Way in Berkeley, CA. Both indoor and backyard dining areas were full of people.

My nephew, Eric, was the one who prepared the dishes. There were steaks, fusion Pilipino dishes, cheese appetizers, desserts and sushi. 

I made sure to limit my carbohydrate intake. I only ate about half a dozen slivers of potatoes in the Potato/Crab Salad that I had. I had half a piece of cracker with the assorted slices of cheese that I ate. The Lumpia pieces that I had only had the fillings eaten by me. One time, a cousin handed me a piece of lumpia dessert with a scoop of ice cream on the side--I used the ice cream as a "dipping sauce". And, when no one was watching, I threw the rest away. And this same cousin gave me a piece of sushi which I unrolled so that I could eat its filling before throwing the rest away without anyone seeing.

There was a container of what looked like a deep-red colored punch next to the iced water dispenser. I decided to try a little sip. I put about 1/8ht of a cup in my mouth only to realize that it wasn't a punch drink at all; it was Sangria, according to a guest who happened to walk by. I don't drink alcoholic stuff! I looked for a handy trashcan--no such thing. I swallowed that thing because I didn't know where to spit it out! Why don't caterers put labels on drinks and dishes to make things easier for their guests?

That's my nephew, Eric, in the background. He is a self-taught chef.

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This is my Aunt Nena, in the foreground. I'm sorry for the blurry photo.

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This lady guest dedicated some songs to the celebrators. 

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My nephew, Eric & his dog, flanked by his father and his mother, the celebrating couple.

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The 40th Wedding Anniversary couple has the dance area all to themselves.

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My nephew, Eric, the one who arranged for the surprise party, talked about his parents, as well as thanked the guests for helping the couple celebrate their wedding anniversary.

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The sign hanging above the entrance to the venue.

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After the party, as I headed back to the Downtown Berkeley BART Train Station, I happened by SHATTUCK CINEMAS. And since it was still early in the evening ( 9:30 p.m. ), I decided to see a movie at this theatre.

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I went to see this movie today, Saturday, October 24th, 2015, in Berkeley, CA, at the SHATTUCK CINEMAS, for the 9:50 p.m. show in auditorium 7, 4th row ( counting from the front ), aisle seat, left section. The price of admission was $11.00. And I bought a small Buttered Popcorn for $5.50 and a 16.9 oz. ( 500 ml ) bottle of Mango-Peach flavored Honest Tea.

QUICKIE REVIEW:  The Indian parents of an unmarried westernized son decide that they want a traditional marriage for him. Hilarity ensues!

The audience really enjoyed this movie. But no one gave it a "Hands Clapper" ending.

I liked this movie, too.  Go see this movie!

I believe that this movie is a shoe-in for an Oscar in the documentary category.

This movie has many, many funny scenes. The notable ones being on Bio Data, Patel Motel owners, blind dates, online dating, speed dating and marriage conventions.

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I went up to the box office to buy my ticket for the movie, MEET THE PATELS. I showed the ticket seller my Landmark Theatres Film Club Rewards card. But she said that their reward card was discontinued a couple of years ago.  That would mean that they discontinued it AFTER a card was issued to me!

And as if that wasn't enough, a woman standing behind me at the box office reeked of Sandalwood perfume! I simply can't stand the smell of it. I'm probably the only yogi in the world that doesn't like the smell of Sandalwood. And I didn't have to be a yogi to guess what movie she was there to see.

There were 4 or 5 kinds of Kernel Seasons Popcorn Seasoning at the condiments station. I put a liberal dusting of Garlic Parmesan flavor on my popcorn.  And I put some Jalapeño Cheddar flavor in my empty Kernel Seasons shaker mini-bottle so I could use it later.

I would have truly enjoyed the movie even more had it not been for the fact that the smell of Sandalwood wafted in the air and made a beeline for my nostrils!

I don't even know why I signed-up to get this card in the first place since I hardly ever go to Berkeley, CA, to see movies.

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I thought that it would be funny to take a photo of this female BART Train commuter sitting on the bench with her butt-crack showing. BUT I THINK MY CAMERA HAS A BUILT-IN "MODESTY FILTER" THAT IS ON CONSTANT FULL-AUTO MODE! Ha, ha, ha.,

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This is traffic waiting to pass through the Carquinez Toll Booth Plaza. Surprisingly, people practiced courtesy and allowed asshole drivers to cut in line--unlike what I experienced a couple of weeks back!

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After the party, at the theatre, and on my way home, I had a hard time focusing on objects as I was seeing double.  It must've been the Sangria.

P.S.  I'm not exactly sure on the costs for the movies as I lost both ticket stubs.


*

BACK TO THE FUTURE TRILOGY, 30TH ANNIVERSARY MARATHON EVENT

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I went to see this on Wednesday, October 21st, 2015, here in Vallejo, CA, at the CENTURY 14 VALLEJO, for the 4:30 p.m. marathon show in auditorium 2, 3rd row ( counting from the front ), 6th column ( counting from the left ). The price of admission was $12.50. I bought a regular hotdog and a Large Powerade Mountain Berry Blast for $9.20 at the concessions counter. And I returned during the first intermission to buy a Large Buttered Popcorn--and learned that I was overcharged on the hotdog and the fountain drink! I had the price adjusted. Then, during the second intermission, I had a free refill on my large popcorn tub; but, this time, I opted for the Kettle Corn.

Quickie Review: This movie marathon commemorates the 30th Anniversary showing of Part One in the series.

The audience liked this movie marathon and gave each show a "Hands Clapper" ending. And the audience cheered each time the date, October 21st, 2015, was shown in each of the movies. I liked this movie marathon, too. Get the collector's edition set if you're a nostalgic fan of this trilogy.

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This was a movie marathon that I had to join in because of the significance of the date and because it was fun to take note of which technologies were correctly predicted in the movies! And this trilogy was prescient, for the most part.

And some fans of this trilogy showed up in cosplay! I saw someone dressed as Dr. Emmett Brown. There was another one dressed as Marty McFly, carrying a Mattel Hoverboard! And quite a few sported replica Nike "self-lacing" shoes! How awesome were these?!?!?!

I did arrive late for the first installment in the trilogy as I was scheduled for work 'til 5:00 p.m. I hurried to the theatre and got there about 45 minutes into the show. I stepped into the auditorium just as the "Darth Vader" scene was ending.

Eating two large tubs of popcorn proved to be an impossible task for me! I couldn't finish the refilled tub; there was about two or three inches of Kettle Corn left in it. And I was too full to have dinner after I got home from the movies.

I would like to add this trilogy to my movie collection.

This is the movie marathon bracelet that I wore two days ago when I went to see the BACK TO THE FUTURE 30TH ANNIVERSARY TRILOGY. Movie marathon viewers had to have this on their wrists to get special discounts at the concessions counter.

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*

CRIMSON PEAK, R ( 1 hr & 59 min )

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I went to see this on Tuesday, October 20th, 2015, here in Vallejo, CA, at the CENTURY 14 VALLEJO, for the 7:20 p.m. show in auditorium 11, 4th row ( counting from the front ), 9th column ( counting from the left ). The price of admission was $6.25 ( All-Day Tuesday Bargain Price ). And I bought a medium Buttered Popcorn for $7.05 and a $0.65 medium Powerade Mountain Berry Blast upgrade on a Free Small Drink ( movie-watcher e-mail reward coupon ).

Quickie Review: A young woman marries a mysterious stranger, sees ghosts and ends up in a menage a trois.

The audience seemed to like this Horror Movie.

It wasn't that scary to me. And, early on, you begin to suspect "something" going on in that old mansion; call it a "sinking feeling", if you will ( 'get it? ). You might want to wait for this to come out as a DVD rental.

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I saw this movie after I got off work just to unwind and because it was an All-Day Tuesday Bargain Price at the theatre!

Speaking of work, a beautiful blonde teen ( with no visible tattoos--yay! ) came in with her mother. The teen had her blouse unbuttoned all the way down! She wore a flowing skirt with her opened blouse. She had on a pink lacy bra. She stood within easy reach of my--ahem!--hands. If it was her mom's way of introducing her daughter to me, I must commend her on her daring creativity because I certainly did not fail to notice. I appreciated the gesture, mind you. Ha, ha, ha. Or it must've been a very warm day outside for her daughter to unbutton her blouse all the way down. Ahh ... should I say, Thank God for "global warming" ...?

I couldn't help  but notice that the lead actress in this movie, Mia Wasikowska, bears a striking resemblance to a coworker of mine. And I told her so the following day. The actress looks like a younger doppelganger version of my coworker.

*

GOOSEBUMPS in 3-D, PG ( 1 hr & 43 min )

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I went to see this movie on Thursday, October 15th, 2015, here in Vallejo, CA, for the advance 3-D screening at 6:090 p.m. in auditorium 1, 4th row ( counting from the front ), 7th column ( counting from the left ). The price of admission was $11.50. And I bought a small Buttered Popcorn for $6.05 and a small Powerade Mountain Berry Blast for $0.00 ( free offer with the purchase of a small popcorn on my e-mail movie watcher coupon ).

Quickie Review: Zach ( Dylan Minnette ) accidentally lets loose the imaginary creatures of R. L. Stine ( Jack Black ) on their town of Greendale, Maryland. And he, along with his friend, Champ ( Ryan Lee ), the author, and the author's daughter, Hannah ( Odeya Rush ) must team-up to capture all of the creatures now terrorizing the whole town.

There were just a few people in the audience with me for this advance screening. And they seemed to like this movie.

This movie was okay.  Go see this if you're a fan of the Goosebumps series.

Here's what's wrong with this movie: The moment that you realize the common origin of the creatures IS the moment that you start to ask yourself "logic" questions.

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Before going to the movie, I went to cash my paycheque and made deposits into my savings and checking accounts.

Then, I went to Earthly Nutrition, a local health food store in Benicia, CA, to open a shopping account to get discounts on my purchases. For now, I just bought a 60-capsule bottle of Paradise Olive Leaf Extract. Supposedly, it helps to normalize blood pressure and increase one's endurance. I need to try and see if this works because my exercise routine had been sporadic of late because of my bad left knee which I re-injured back in April when I slipped down an embankment where I trail-hiked.

This one-month supply costs $17.37 ( total cost ). It's over $20.00 without a shopping discount account.

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I then drove on over to CSAA ( California State Automobile Association ) to pay the monthly bill on my car insurance. And I noticed that the new Chick-Fil-A Restaurant had just opened up for business. I've been waiting for this particular restaurant to open up a franchise here in Vallejo, CA. The next closest one is in Fairfield, CA, which is about 18 miles away. I won't have to travel such a distance from now on. I wonder if this restaurant is closed on Sundays like the other Chick-Fil-A Restaurants are. I'll find out for you guys on a Sunday, someday.

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In the above photo, you can see to the left of center my car's Jack-In-The-Box antenna ball staring at the Chick-Fil-A sign and not liking it at all.

This is exactly what my car's Jack-in-the-box antenna ball looked like when it was brand new. It's time that I put on a new one of a different design. I feel sorry for new-car owners because such cars don't have antennas anymore. Ha, ha, ha.

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And do you notice the pick-up truck to the right of center, how its left tires are right on top of the parking space dividing line? Its driver just did a classic example of what is commonly called, "Asshole Parking"!

Please don't be like this driver. Nobody likes Asshole Parkers. I'm currently dealing with one at my condominium complex. I have pictures to back-up my claim should it all eventually involve the homeowners' association.

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In this next photo, you can see the meal combo that I ordered for late lunch. It's the # 2 meal. But instead of medium fries, I ordered it with a medium side of coleslaw. And, instead of a fountain soda, I had it with a medium sweet tea. The total cost was $7.81. I didn't eat the bun that it came served with, as you can see. But the food was good, in case you wanted to know. But they don't keep condiments and napkins at the tables ( are they just being cheapskates? )!!!

Today was their first day of business. Their hours of business are from 6:00 a.m. 'til 10:00 p.m. I was served at 5:13 p.m. And my receipt showed that I was customer # 2,838, which simply meant that by the time they took my order they were already pretty much experts at what they were trained to do. Sweet ....

It will be interesting to see what the LGBT crowd has to say about this restaurant! We shall see ....

And, no, I won't be boycotting this restaurant at all.

*

SINGH IS BLING, NR ( 2 hr & 20 min )

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I went to see this on Saturday, October 10th, 2015, in Richmond, CA, at the CENTURY HILLTOP 16, for the 9:45 p.m. show in auditorium 13, 5th row ( counting from the front ), 5th column ( counting from the left ). The price of admission was $11.25. And I bought a medium upgrade on a free small Buttered Popcorn for $0.65 and a medium Powerade Zero Orange for $4.20 at the concessions counter.

Quickie Review: A bumbling son who cannot hold a job is sent by his exasperated father to another city to work for a family friend. Through sheer luck, his bumbling ways endear him to his boss and gains him the position of personal bodyguard to his boss's beautiful and sexy niece.

The audience liked it. Go see this if you like comedy.

As for me, although this movie was funny and light-hearted, I think that Akshay Kumar needs to broaden his acting repertoire as his movies seem to be "cut from the same monotonous cloth". The plot and dialogues in this movie needed some more polish. Bear in mind, with the international success of SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE and LIFE OF PI, India has the potential to make itself a serious contender in international films.

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I hadn't visited my friend, Hector, and his family, in quite a while. I figured that it was high time that I paid them a visit at their place in Oakland, CA.

I did some grocery shopping first because I seem to always be the "designated" cook whenever I would pay them a visit.

I stopped at the Pinole, CA, Safeway Supermarket for groceries. I met Charles there. I used to work with him a few years ago. He lives in Vallejo, too, like I do. But he prefers to commute and pay toll, I guess.

The afternoon commute on the freeway was starting to get heavy as cars moved in stop-and-go traffic. Then, just about half a mile away from the Ashby Avenue, Berkeley, Exit on I-80, at approximately 2:12 p.m., I WAS REAR-ENDED! I put on my hazard lights as I drove across four lanes to stop at the shoulder to inspect for damages. The other driver, Anthony C., pulled over to the shoulder, too. He was a 27-year old Pilipino who was traveling with his two Pilipino friends. We showed each other our IDs and we took pictures of each other's car. His car's driver's side airbag didn't deploy. So, I guess that he was driving at a low speed when he rear-ended me. There was no damage to my car's rear bumper but his car's front bumper was very slightly, ever so slightly, misaligned on the right side edge and his front license plate was slightly bent. Imagine that, my old Hyundai is tougher than his young Honda.

Anyway, Anthony asked me more than once if I was okay. I should have lied and said that my neck was whiplashed at impact. Well, my neck had been bothering me for over a week since before the accident.  I think that I slept on it wrong; I blame it on one particular pillow that I used. I will just have to have my chiropractor pop my neck back into alignment next week.

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When I got to Hector's place, I found out that his cat, Harry Potter ( a.k.a. Snow White ), went missing for about a week and returned home hardly able to walk. I commented that since his cat is white, and since they live in a predominantly colored neighborhood, Harry Potter was probably accosted and abducted by a gang of colored cats who worked him over everyday until he was able to escape his captors.

Harry Potter looked okay to me. And, like most cats, he slept most of the time that I was there.

I brought some canned cat food with me because Rusty, the old stray orange tabby that I feed at my condominium complex, has been missing since mid-July. I believe that Rusty had finally passed away. He was not looking well the last time that I fed him, and he hardly ate his food. I guess that he showed up just to make his final goodbye to me. Rusty was a good cat. If only I was able to own a cat at my condo, I would have gladly taken him in. I hope that he fares better in his future life. Rusty lived for about 17 human years.

Hector had bought one of those adjustable lens eyeglasses, the one called, Instant 20/20 Vision. I tried it. And it works but you have to set each lens to a certain distance each time you look at a different object.

I cooked some Arroz Con Cojones for everyone.  Basically, it's just Arroz Con Gandules but with some quail eggs added in--my own invention. The can of quail eggs said that it had 8 servings of 5 eggs each. Heck, it had a total of only 14 eggs in it! What a rip-off. I knew that I should have bought 2 cans instead of just one.

I bought more than enough tomatoes, peppers and cilantro earlier at the grocery store to make a salsa dip for a bag of purple corn chips that I brought along with me. I also brought a little tub of hummus for them to try.

My Arroz Con Cojones.-

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Once again, there were no plates, forks, spoons, and glasses in the kitchen. I found out from Hector that his youngest son's girlfriend that lives with them in the garage takes the tableware and silverware down to the garage and throws them away once she and Ivan, the youngest son, were done using them. I am simply tired of buying bowls, plates, spoons, forks, knives and mugs every single time that I go over for a visit! I told Hector to sit his son down and give him a good talking-to. I have not visited Hector for a long time because of this particular son and the girlfriend of ill-repute ( don't ask me to elaborate, you know what I mean by it ). The next time that I go for a visit, I hope that his son will have come to his senses and will have gotten rid of the girlfriend or that both of them will have moved-out by then! I don't even think that Hector knows about his youngest son's girlfriend's true "profession", and I have the mind to eventually tell him so!  Whatever, I am losing interest in my long-standing friendship with Hector because he lets his youngest son and his crazy wife take advantage of him and he doesn't listen to sound advice from me or from any of his other children.

I took this photo after the movie ended. This poster is displayed directly across from the men's room.

On my way home, traffic came to a crawl just about a mile away from the toll booth plaza because most of the toll lanes were closed for the evening. It was already past midnight. They left open 3 fast track lanes and only 2 cash only lanes. Some drivers who were paying in cash drove further down before squeezing in. I just hate idiots who cut in line like that. The two cars ahead of mine changed lanes and I followed them. Oops! I made a mistake. And I couldn't get back in line because the other cars wouldn't let me in. I felt like everyone thought that I was one of those assholes who cut in line. Mercifully, a driver finally allowed me back in the lane. I learned my lesson. Next time, in such a situation, I will swing on over to the right lane a.s.a.p. because the left lane is where assholes cut in line!

And how was your commute?


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THE MARTIAN, PG-13 ( 2 hr & 22 min )

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where: CENTURY 14 VALLEJO in Vallejo, CA
when: Thursday, October 1st, 2015
show: 8:30 p.m. 2-D advance screening
costs: $11.25 Ticket + $5.05 junior Buttered Popcorn + $4.70 one litre Dasani Water = $21.00
auditorium: 7
seat: 5th row ( counting from the front ), 9th column ( counting from the left )

synopsis/overview: During a manned Mars mission, astronaut Mark Watney ( Matt Damon ), is presumed dead and left behind when a fierce storm jeopardizes the crew's mission. Mark must overcome the red planet's seeming inhospitable environment to stay alive while awaiting a rescue mission that may or may not be successful.

noteworthy scenes: 1.) Storm warning; 2.) Suit breach detected; 3.) News coverage; 4.) Surgery; 5.) Video log; 6.) "I'm not gonna die"; 7.) Food supply; 8.) "Mars will come to fear my botany powers"; 9.) Crucifix; 10.) Explosion; 11.) Condensation; 12.) Rescue proposal; 13.) Satellite emergency; 14.) Satellite images; 15.) Disco music; 16.) "I'm gonna have to science the shit out of this"; 17.) Heating problem; 18.) Plutonium; 19.) Hot Stuff; 20.) Meeting; 21.) Potatoes; 22.) Map; 23.) Pathfinder; 24.) Yes/No; 25.) "I know where he's going"; 26.) "Hows the crew"; 27.) Video File Received; 28.) "They won't shut-up"; 29.) "Greatest botanist on the planet"; 30.) "He's the Fonz"; 31.) "That's assuming nothing goes wrong"; 32.) Malfunction; 33.) Duct tape; 34.) "Forty-seven days"; 35.) "It's not real science"; 36.) "I need more coffee"; 37.) Stretched food rations; 38.) Iris Launch; 39.) E-mail; 40.) Chinese; 41.) Eight days; 42.) Calculations correct; 43.) Astrodynamics; 44.) Flyby; 45.) "Five-hundred thirty-three days more"; 46.) Joint mission; 47.) International Waters; 48.) "I'm the first"; 49.) "Capt. Blondbeard"; 50.) Tarpaulin; 51.) Convertible; 50.) Eject; 51.) "They're on their own"; 52.) Below Target Altitude"; 53.) "Sixty-eight kilometers"; 54.) Iron Man; 55.) Bomb; 56.) "Hey, there"; 57.) Day One; and 58.) Bonus Scenes during the Ending Credits.

audience reaction: The audience liked this movie. But no one gave it a "Hands Clapper" ending.

recommendation: I liked this movie, too. Go see this movie.

spoiler alert! The day after the storm, as the camera zooms-in for a close-up of Mark's helmeted face, the cameraman's reflection could be seen on the face shield. I would think that his suit would slowly leak air once punctured. During the self-administered surgery, his hands should have been shaking as he fought with his hands' tendency to pull away from the self-affliction. Hmm ... the last time that I checked, we all exhale Carbon Dioxide. And we don't inhale pure Oxygen, either. In extreme subzero temperatures, microbes die off, including microbes in fecal matter. And since it is the microbes that are responsible for the smell of feces, feces won't have its characteristic smell in a subzero temperature Martian environment. In that breached habitat on Mars, he would need more heat to warm up that particular room because of the extreme subzero temperatures. If the rescue mission was so critical, why did the head of the planning division at JPL sit around to watch video transmissions from the stranded astronaut when he was already under pressure to finish his task a.s.a.p.? Owing to the distance between Earth and Mars, the transmissions would have long pauses in-between the transmitting and the receiving phases. Why were the Russians not involved in the rescue mission?

And according to space.com, the Martian Ares 3 habitat's location on Acidalia Planitia is actually rough and hard to traverse, contrary to how it's depicted in this movie.  http://www.space.com/30400-the-martian-how-to-stay-alive-on-mars-infographic.html

fyi: My notes are incomplete because my ink pen wouldn't work every now and then. I think some popcorn grease got smeared on my notepad and caused the ink to skip every now and then. I might have to switch to using a gel pen. Because it is hard to correct such a problem in a darkened theatre auditorium!

Now, why would they let-in the movie audience on how to make a cheap bomb---Kids, don't try this at home!

Why are outer-space missions named after pagan gods? Some conspiracy theorists believe it's because there is a secret society that controls the world and which worships the Devil. Hence, space missions are so named to appease the "gods".

Sandra Bullock's GRAVITY ( 2013 ) and this movie share one thing in common: The Chinese are always there to save our sorry asses in outer space! What the heck is going on? Are we that scientifically incompetent or is Hollywood blatantly currying favor from the Chinese? This reminds me of FATAL ATTRACTION ( 1987 ). Back then, Japan had a "most favored nation trade status" with the US. So, Hollywood had a different FATAL ATTRACTION ending made especially for its Japanese market. So, now, I guess that it's China's turn to have a "most favored nation trade status" with the US!

One of my co-workers, years ago, told me that while he was away at college, he subsisted mostly on a diet of eggs, ramen noodles and lots of potatoes! I think the writer of this movie was also a potatoes-kind-of-guy back in college.

word of advice: "At some point, everything's gonna go south on you." Astronaut Mark Watney

tidbits: Aside from this movie, there were three other movies that were shown as special screenings. I couldn't possibly see all of them. So, I decided on seeing this movie.

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