The Four Missing Days - Sun., Nov. 2 through Wed., Nov. 5, 2014

Since we returned home on Saturday, Bob did a 20-mile run with his Marathon training group on Sunday morning. He loves running with the group because it encourages him to run faster.

I have spent time finishing blogs from vacation. My friend, Susan, invited me to see "Fury" with her on Monday. I told her I had already seen it and didn't care to see it again. She also invited me to see "John Wick" with Keanu Reeves on Tuesday. I told her I'd see that with her.

On Monday, I went by myself to see "Alexander and Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day." It's a cute movie about a family that seems to have it all together, everyone, that is, except Alexander. He seems to have quite a few mishaps and is picked on by the other kids.

On midnight of his birthday he makes a wish that seems to cause problems for every other member of his family on his birthday. Nothing seems to go right. The premise is similar to "Liar, Liar" with Jim Carrey, when Jim Carrey's son wishes his dad would not lie. "Alexander..." was not near as funny as "Liar, Liar."

Tuesday, Susan and I saw "John Wick." Oh dear, that is not my kind of movie. From beginning to end, it is one big killing spree. Violent, gory, and not much plot. I classify "John Wick" as a revenge and assassination movie. Yuck.

Bob's brother, Tom, and Tom's wife, Rosemarie, arrived at Traveler's World to stay for a week before they head to Galveston.

Wednesday, I went back to work at the RV park as a full-time employee, working four, ten-hour days per week. Busy season has started so we are taking reservations by phone and walk-ins, and also doing check-ins, check-outs, and gift shop sales.

Today, Bob took his brother and sister-in-law went sightseeing around San Antonio while I worked. Tonight we went to Tex-Mex dinner at Iron Cactus on the San Antonio River Walk. Dinner was quite enjoyable.

Tom and Bob at Iron Cactus

Rosemarie and Tom

Bob and I

Here are our very good dinners...

My Pollo Flameado with green chile mashed potatoes
and asparagus

Bob's Chile Relleno Rustico

Rosemarie's Acapulco Combo Plate

 

Tom's Steak Fajita Nachos

That was a great end to a long work day. I will be working through Saturday.

On Sunday, Susan, Darren, Bob and I will do the New Braunfels Volksmarch and Wurstfest. Wurstfest is New Braunfels version of Oktoberfest. There's a Fest Halle, lots of polka music, amusement rides, all kinds of food booths and the requisite beer and wine. We went last year and had a lot of fun. Stay tuned!

Travel Bug out.

Draft Day Movie Review - Sun., Apr.27

Continued from previous blog ...

On our way home from Wimberley, we stopped to see "Draft Day" with Kevin Costner and Jennifer Garner. I am not a football fan and have never understood the game, but I loved this movie. The focus of "Draft Day" is on the NFL Draft and the wheeling and dealing that leads up to the draft picks. I even learned some things.

Thoughts and feelings of the players, coaches, owners and general managers were addressed as well as the immense pressure and tension placed upon the general managers of the teams involved. I found the offers and deals to be fascinating. Many strategies were involved.

Kevin Costner did a decent acting job and Jennifer Garner was her charming self, although I felt her character wasn't given a lot of depth. I hated the coach but respected the way Kevin Costner, as General Manager, handled him.

One way I judge movies now is whether or not they put me to sleep. This movie did not make me sleep. I was fully engaged with the story and the characters.

I give this four out of five stars.

Cold Canyon and Dallas Buyers Club - Sat., Nov. 23

A couple of weeks ago on a Volksmarch meetup, I met Susan M. We hit it off and agreed we'd walk together. Since then she was on a trip to Florida. She's back in town and we did a 10K (6.2 mi) walk today at Crownridge Canyon Natural Area.

A cold walk, I might add. It was 40 degrees F. when we started at 10:15 a.m. In addition there was a chilly wind blowing.

Our first 5K was in the trees in the canyon where we were relatively sheltered. (Every other time I've walked in the canyon and through the Crownridge neighborhood it was 80-90 degrees in spring or summer.) Today we dressed in layers and had hats and gloves. Our attire was appropriate for the weather so we didn't get too cold.

Amazingly, many flowers are still in bloom or, should I say, blooming again.

Trumpet vine

Susan M. with Agave angustofolia 'Marginata' (I think) .

Our steps were brisk and we finished 10K in 2 hours, 10 minutes. To replenish our energy, we had lunch at Taco Cabana. Bob met us at the restaurant and we had a great conversation about many topics.

After lunch, Bob and I went to see "Dallas Buyers Club" with Matthew McConaughey, Jared Leto and Jennifer Garner. This movie will not be everyone's cup of tea, but we thought it was a very compelling movie. Matthew McConaughey plays an electrician and wannabe rodeo cowboy who contracts the HIV virus. His doctors give him 30 days to live because he is very sick.

This movie is based on the true story of Ron Woodruff. Matthew McConaughey lost 50 pounds to play this character. We are inserted into Ron's life just before he finds out he has AIDS. Hard-partying, heavy drinking and drug use are wreaking havoc on his health.

Once he comes to terms with the fact he indeed has HIV, he reads about AIDS research and alternative treatments. At first, he thinks AZT is the drug that will save his health. Later, he goes to Mexico and brings vitamins and protein back into the U.S. which he then sells through a Dallas Buyers Club. Clients pay $400 a month for membership, then receive their vitamins for free.

He runs afoul of the USDA and IRS for importing unapproved "drugs." His club gets raided. Undaunted, he travels to Japan, Israel and other countries to find the medications he needs to help him survive.

If you do not like strong language or movies about homophobia, AIDS and death, this movie will not be for you.

In the evening, Bob took me to Random Event Center in Boerne where we shared a Sam Adams Cherry Chocolate beer. For dinner we ate fish and chips from Hippie Momma's food truck at Random.

Bob's son, Randall, the bartender

Prosit! Samuel Adams Cherry Chocolate Boch seasonal beer.

Many, many beers on tap!

Mary, one of the Random owners

Will Owen Gage playing live music at Random.

We thought we'd be able to watch the Blazers play the Warriors tonight because the pre-game show was on one of the big-screen TVs; however, as soon as it was time for the game to start, the station cut off and showed that we would have to pay to view the game. Oh well.

Home was beckoning. We were cold and tired.

Tomorrow we may go to Austin with Susan M. and her husband, Darren. We want to do the Capitol Volksmarch. It all depends on the weather. Forecast calls for 70% chance of rain and very cold temps.

Good night from the kitties and me.

Sunnie and Bowie

Sunnie and Bowie