John Wick 3

We had some crappy weather today - it feels like ages since it has rained substantially - so I decided to go to the cinema to watch a film I've been meaning to catch - John Wick 3.  Went to a startlingly early showing at 10.35 am - but still quite a few people watching it then, and the best part is that it is incredibly cheap at that time!  I think it only cost me about $6 - that's a bargain.  And it was a predictably great film.  The John Wick franchise is definitely one of the best for amazing action scenes, and this was no exception.  Great stuff.  It seems like between this, Deadwood and I'm currently working my way through the second series of American Gods (slowly - it's a real slog), I can't seem to get enough of Ian McShane at the moment... he's come a long way from being Lovejoy!   

Ikea

I want to make good use of not working this week by going places that get too crazy busy at weekends.  Hence Discovery Park yesterday, and today - Ikea.  And yet it was still busy - but at least I was able to find a parking spot easily enough this time!  I actually did have a reason to go there - I wanted to get some kitchenware, and I also wanted to get a new TV stand.  One that will support a bigger TV, so giving me the motivation to actually upgrade.  Other observations - I have an uncanny ability to find the checkout queue with by far the longest wait times.  And I think Ikea must also block cellphone signals for no discernible reason because I couldn't get any sort of reception inside but no problem outside.  Which is kind of a pain when you're trying to work out how big a TV stand I needed to get for the size TV I want. 

Discovery Park

This is my first week off work for a while - but I haven't been able to make the most of it so far because I've been feeling under the weather.  But today I went for a walk round Discovery Park - including an area of the park I hadn't been to before where a Native American cultural center is located.  In much the same way that Native Americans have had to settle in the crappy parts of the country, so this cultural center is located in the crappy part of the park with no decent sights or views.  So I won't bother going there again - no big deal as there are plenty of other trails in the park,

Chernobyl

Because I'm a hypocrite who doesn't want to make this blog too negative, let me mention - and recommend - the bleakest and most depressing TV show I've ever watched.  Chernobyl.  Don't get me wrong, it's a really good show - a really great show in fact - but it ain't a happy one.  But it is also a fascinating one - about an event that most of us know the name of but actually know very little about.  It's also the very first telly show I've watched where I've listened to a podcast by the creator after each episode - and that works really well because it goes into detail about what really happened and what really didn't.  Certainly doesn't make things any less scary.  Highly recommended. 

Predator

Happened to come across Predator on telly tonight, and couldn't resist watching it.  The quintessential 80's action film, and an absolute classic.  I have a vague recollection of watching this as a teenager, and it was great then - and it's still great now.  You can virtually feel the testosterone oozing out of the film - and even has loads of great behind the scenes stories.  Perhaps my favorite thing of the film, the greatest gun in the history of cinema:

Peter Rabbit

There are currently at least 3 rabbits grazing near my house - and they are starting to get so brazen with my presence that they don't move when they are on my driveway and I am trying to drive up or down it.  A quick blast on my horn normally does the trick, but still.  Regardless, I'm happy with their presence - there is something reassuring about watching them do their thing from my kitchen window as I am cleaning or cooking.  However I've also seen at least one of the neighborhood cats stalking around recently, so I don't know how much longer I'm going to see all of them around.

State Visit

I think it's a national disgrace that Trump has been granted a state visit for his visit to Britain next week.  I'm no royalist, but I don't want to see the queen fraternizing with this offensive fool.  And Trump has no business interfering in British politics, even though I'm sure he is going to pledge his support to Boris Johnson and/or Nigel Farage.  And who is going to foot the excessive bill for his visit - why the British taxpayer of course.  What a joke.  I truly hope anti-Trump protesters cause as much disruption to his visit as possible.  He, and what he stands for, shouldn't be made to feel welcome.