Novembers Random Thoughts

 So these random thought posts will not be edited. They might be hard to read, just a heads up and it might drive down views. Not that I get all that many.... Just saying. While I have been working on other writings and actually enjoying it. In general staying off social media, some days though when I just don't feel like writing I pop a random thought down. So no moving forward most of these random posts won't be well thought out, just random ideas about the world and my life. I don't want to spend more than an hour on them. 

One of the better mottos is life, see below.....

Trump won the election, I cannot say I am surprised. Kamala had no appeal to the common person. I hate to say it but she appealed to the rich celebs and to people in fear of another Trump presidency. That is never going to win. On the flip side how did a felon with no actual value win? The only thing I will say is the same thing I have said for the last 2 elections. Really?? These are the two best in a nation of 350 million people?

Oh and I see Linda McMahon is in charge  of education. We really have hit an all time low if the WWE is now in charge of education. Idiocracy isn't just a movie anymore, what in the actual fuck?

We are almost done this season of ball hockey. In the first half we went 6-2 but did not move up a div. I think it is because our two loses were massacres. Also every year we move up and don't win a game. This year it seems like after the rediv we are in the right place. All the games have been very close and challenging. While I think we have a chance to win the div again, we could just as easily lose. We have 3 games if we win a couple we will get a first round bye. Which kind of sucks, might be fun to have an extra game to get in the playoffs BUT also it would suck to lose that game because of a bad call or bad bounce so maybe the bye would be nice. I guess that means important games for our last 3. Personally I felt like I have been having a good season but it hasn't been reflected on score sheet sadly.... Update! We played 2 of our last 3. We won the first and that put me on a three game point streak. Then we played the second, against the top team in the div and without our top line. In fact with a tiny bench and get destroyed! That should have really hurt us but the other team fighting for the first round by also got beaten badly. SO our last regular season game is against the other team fighting for the bye and it legit comes down to that. Whoever wins that game wins the bye. We kind of need the win because it turns out a lot of our guys wouldnt be able to play in the single game elimination if we dont get a bye.....

Tyson Versus Paul. Well old Mike lost. I didn't watch. First off was that a late fight or what?? We were watching the newest Cobra Kai  and flipping back and forth to the fight. It honestly seemed late, I thought it was pushing 10 and the under card hadn't even started. I didn't care about this fight enough to stay up until the main event. Sounds like I didn't miss much anyways. Lets be honest Tyson in his prime Vs Paul is a murder. He is 58 now though and even in amazing shape I hate to say it but a 27 year old in as good of shape is probably going to win. So while yes I did want to see Tyson pound Pauls face in, I am not surprised at the out come. Although watching it, a couple times it looks like Mike held back.... That is strange.... I hear Paul is digging up Ali to fight next.

Its the year end holiday season. We had Thanksgiving, which is just eating and people angry that the white man came to America. I get it, the white man did some fucked up shit. However flipping off mount Rushmore, like I have seen people do on social media,  won't change a thing. Then came Halloween. My wife loves it and we do the yard up big time. In fact we got a lot of compliments, one crazy thing though we have an animatronic dog that some kids were to scared to go by. Then comes Remembrance day. I think it is a super important day and I fucking hate fake poppies. When people have poppies with the Palestine flag in the middle or the rainbow or whatever. Just fuck off. This day isn't about your personal issues, it is about the people who served this great nation, so again FUCK OFF. Then comes the Xmas season. My favorite season. A few weeks when people actually pretend to care about each other. For a few weeks the world is "nice" and it makes me happy. I hate a lot of the other bull that goes with it, like people going into debt to buy too much. That people stress themselves out. Yes getting a gift is nice and it makes me happy to see kids open them but in general this holiday is about friends, family, happiness and just being good and kind. That's why I love it. Last thought I will say Merry Christmas, take it or leave it. You can say whatever your holiday is. It really shouldn't be an issue for any of us, it is actually sad if you are offended by someone just wanting to celebrate a holiday.

Comics have been decent, really enjoying current run of Uncanny Xmen. Great characters, great story. I hope it keeps going. Hate all these relaunches and them writing the "legacy" issue on it. Just keep one series going! Started a version on Anasi boys but might drop it. As cool as it is I already know the story and don't really want to pay for it. Batman which I usually love rubbed me the wrong way recently. When you start mixing real life politics in, that's not why I read comics. Also a secret half brother to Bruce, don't make it a soap opera, I beg you. If you are on Spotify though look up Batman Resurrection, it is an audio book included with a membership and it is really good. The first bit is slow but an hour in and I am really liking it. 

I don't know how people do it. According to what I can see online I make above the "average" person in Alberta does. My wife also does pretty good. We have no kids, though we do have a couple dogs but in general no dependents. Yes we live a pretty comfy life but a few times recently I have even been, damn life is expensive, where did the money go? I guess what I am saying is in general I know where our money goes but I don't know how some people do it. I have a rough idea what some people make and they have two or three children. We could cut back for sure but how are some people doing it? I sometimes think about my future and worry, I cannot imagine what some people are thinking. That is truly scary.....

Haven't seen a ton of movies. Did get Deadpool and Wolverine on Blu-ray, yes people still do that. It might be the best in the series. Not because Wolive is in it but rewatch value. Watch Deadpool and it is awesome, rewatch it and it is less awesome. A third time and you need to take a couple years before you watch again where as this one we watched and then soon as we could buy we did and rewatched. Still a great movie. While the first couple rely a lot more on his wise cracks, this still has them but also a better story.

I wondered earlier how some people do it and I do see on social media tons of people blaming all the homelessness in Edmonton on not being able to afford life. I have a hard time with that as well. Now I 100% believe that some of it is due to costs sky rocketing but not all. Everywhere I go in this province, which is pretty much everywhere north of Edmonton, people are screaming for workers. On top of that Yellowknife and Whitehorse need workers. I have heard of first years getting J-man money just so they could get workers. There is good money out there for people who want it. On top of that some of the tent cities they take down are mind-blowing. Your telling me somehow you can set up appliances and even a welder but cant find a job? People that smart and creative could be running companies. This is a huge and complex social issue that a few sentences in a blog doesn't nearly cover but is it just me or does it seem like this got a lot worse since covid?

Started Reacher and powered through first season in less than a week. It is great for an action show. Watched the Caped Crusader. It starts weak. I get its set back in the 40s or whenever it is supposed to be but that doesn't matter. It just starts weak BUT it really gets traction and by the end I was sad it was done. I am annoyed like everything it had to go woke. Also the preview of the Joker at the end I was not keen on, but overall I will admit it was a decent watch. Once it gets going. Finished the Penguin as well. So just like Caped Crusader I wasn't to into it at the beginning but by the end I have to say they did a great job. Sofia is the star by far but Farrel makes the Penguin interesting. The finale was sadly, well sad. All the betrayals to join Oz I felt was super cheesy and the last dance scene with the hooker he dresses like his mom what the actual fuck?! However Sofia getting a letter from Catwoman may be nothing but also possibly opens a whole new can of worms. Great show though by the end. So I wont say much about Cobra Kai cause it just came out or part two did and it was actually really good. I did not see that last scene coming. Also with the twists and turns in this part I am not sur how they are going to wrap everything up. Also season two of Tulsa King wrapped up and I realized it isn't a serious crime drama. Dwight always wins, there isn't really conflict but it is still good. No it isn't SOA or Breaking Bad, like I thought it would be but it is still fun. The final scene of the finale was cheesy though, hopefully it isn't going downhill but that brings me to....

I have a bad habit of thinking an interesting plot and starting it but then not finishing. Taylor Sheridan is MUCH worse. This guy is the ideas man extrondinare. He starts so many amazing shows like Yellowstone and they go nowhere. First season or two are amazing and then it goes way downhill. I am thinking he just has too much on the go. It seems like the Paramount Network is now just the TS network. Why not sit the guy down and make him make 1 really good show? Is it going to be like the MCU but the TSverse and start having crossovers? All this ranting and yes I will likely still check out Landman or whatever the new show is. He does have good ideas! I guess I am saying does he give up creative control and that's the issue or is it really he has a good idea but no follow thru and it fizzles out. Also please quit posting how amazing it is he had nothing and is now rich. Look at Dr Dre..... A lot of poor people have made it.

Glad to see others are finally questioning the City of Edmonton single use bylaw. So I will admit the reusable grocery bags is likely good. Although there are moments I wished I had an old plastic bag. However now places are charging for bags, trays, anything they can as single use but keeping the profit. Last year a bag was a cost of doing business that a company ate. This year I pay for it, because you know, climate change. HOWEVER that money doesn't go to something to combat climate issues, it goes in the owners pocket. If the point was to help the environment why is it not doing that? I mean people are still using them, just spending more and giving money to business owners. I don't think all the employees get a raise or something out of the deal. It is a failed bylaw and more and more I see people complaining about it, finally people have wised up to it does nothing!

I have 0 new music to talk about. In fact I am officially the guy I hated growing up. Music was way better from 89 - 04 than it has been in the last 20 years. I have become a bit addicted to audio books. All the time I spend driving I listen to the newest Pendergast, Kitchen Confidential and now on to the Silmarillion. Now that one is a bit dry but I also really enjoy a lot of it. The names and places are a bit much but again it is damn good. However it is 20 hours long so I have to break it up. Listened to In her Defense 50th street. It is another podcast on Amber Tuccaro. I will not get too much into the case but if your from Edmonton you probably remember it. They have her on tape, we even hear her probable killers voice. I will give them they do an amazing job at reaching out to Ambers family and other but in the end we really don't learn anything new. Like all the pods on her it basically is a critic of the police and not much more. Now I will state AGAIN the police really dropped the ball on this, no one can argue that but I would like a new pod that gives more info. I would really like to hear from the woman that came here with her. Also not sure why they brought Ryan Jesperson on. That was a waste of time. If they had the clip from his old show it would have been good but instead we just hear him talk about being fired.... Waste. Of. Time. So sadly got nothing to amazing music or pod wise this month. 

Winter hit Edmonton, not bad yet but it is here. Ya it took a while, November 15ish before the snow stuck and yes I still had some leaves I should have raked but too late now. I do remember when by Halloween it was freezing, you had to wear your snow suit under your costume and there was mountains of snow. It hasn't been that way for a few years now, not getting into is it global warming? Will no plastic bags and more taxes save us?? I will say the first staying snow is always shitty. I have a mechanic I use for almost everything and people were actually on the ball this year. A couple weeks ago I went to get tires done and they were booked until November 28, so people are proactive and that's good. Sucks I have a couple road trips before then. The real issue is the drivers though. First freeze and driving goes to shit. We all do it, every year and every year that first week or two is horrible. People forget winter driving.... Lets as a city not do that this year.

This follows with that pod and I have brought it up a few times but is / was there a serial killer here in Edmonton, or more than one? I listened to a couple more pods (Let me be honest there is no good one on just Edmonton OR at least that I found. Some good ones on certain cases but nothing all encompassing) did some googling, found a couple great places for info and it kind of blows my mind. One place claims 90 but it seems like the more common number is around 60 missing or murdered women in the Edmonton area since the 70s. I am not 100% sure what the total criteria is to be in this number but that seems high. Of course that freak Thomas Svekla was caught and the truth is it does seem like it has slowed down but some like Amber where after he was locked away. Certain things do offend me, maybe not offend but I don't agree with that keep coming up. I keep hearing there is no media coverage. Well sorry but if you lived here 15 years ago when it seemed like bodies appearing was a common thing it was all over the media. I heard one person say if it was four white nurses there would be a billboard up. I won't lie, that is possibly true and there is without a doubt some bias in this. People living a high risk lifestyle tend to not be looked into as quick or as much. If a mother / nurse did not come home from a shift at 530 when they are off at 500 alarm bells are going to go off. If a person doesn't have a fixed routine and doesn't make it home it isn't really that shocking. I hate to say that but it is true. That's not racism, that's just they way it is. Now for example if someone, even a "sex worker" says they are going out until midnight, if they don't come home that should send up red flags. If they don't check in especially in this modern connected world that also should be read flags. Also High Risk Lifestyle is a valid term. I won't be saying vulnerable person. Everyone is vulnerable. Guys like the Son of Sam or Zodiac proved everyone is. They just started killing. If you are involved in something dangerous on the regular, you live a high risk lifestyle. Hell even the biker gangs live a high risk life and we don't think of them as vulnerable. 

First World Problem. What the hell to get people for Xmas. I finally have two nephews and that is great, they are fun and easy to shop for. It happened last year my mother called me and asked what do you want for Xmas. I gave the old person answer that I always hated when I asked her or my grandparents. "Nothing I have anything I need" It is true, I am at a point in my life that I have everything I really need and if something comes up TYPICALLY I can just go buy it. I am in my 40s so I would hope so, both my brothers are later twenties now with new families and they gave the same answer. I guess that is what my mother wanted for Xmas to hear all her children were doing well in life and that is nice but still end up with what to get people? I like my stocking underwear, socks and toiletries. My wife is also good at shopping, she thinks about people. like I loved my Bday presents a book I wouldn't have though of a quill and a travel journal Or at least a fancy journal. So probably for the next few weeks that's gonna be my first world problem, what do I get people. Yes I know there is worse problems.

Don't let anyone tell you that your masculinity is toxic! Maybe your just a toxic guy but toxic masculinity doesn't exist! I wont get into a long winded rant but recently listening and reading on "toxic" masculinity has made me laugh. Being masculine is a good thing and like some grifters I am sad we are drifting away from it BUT unlike grifters I am not about to celebrate being a dick. I just had to say that because it is true being masculine isn't toxic taking it to far and being a dick is and that's on the person not some made up issue. Just don't be a dick. Yes certain things need to change. The whole men don't talk about feelings, that's a lie or should be. This doesn't mean a guy needs to be weepy and I am not even saying who a guy should talk to. Could be the wife, a councilor or just a friend. Common curtoiusy says a guy can help around the house. It isn't the 50s anymore, most women work so the whole argument of provider and house wife isn't valid. Ill be 100% honest IF I made enough my wife could stay home, yes I would hope we would have a clean house and meals were made! But I don't so that's a moot point. Most women do want someone they can feel safe with. This doesn't mean they want a douche going to a bar and looking for a fight over them but someone who is going to stand up for them and that they can grip a little tighter when they want to feel safe. These are just a few example of what google says are signs of toxic masculinity and I am telling you they are more just the signs of an asshole than anything else. Oh and last if you have a problem with gay dudes, wow welcome to the 2020s....

I could probably rant and keep adding to this over and over but I said I wasn't going to do many blogs likely this, maybe monthly and just keep doing actual writing. I am enjoying other writing but it is hard to stay focused some days. This being a prime example, so I am done for the month. Gotta move on.