Friday, January 9, 2015

http://hoseheadblog.com/

Come see my new site.  Also there is a new blog up.  

http://hoseheadblog.com/

Monday, January 5, 2015

Pass interference calls while tobogganing drunk

It's over, Christmas season is over.  I appreciate all of the love and concern while I wove in and out of insanity.  One thing that I can tell you is that children are receiving much better gifts now then when I was growing up.  Tablet or a new bike?  You be the judge?  You might as well give them a box of cut up newspaper if you are attempting to give a teenager a bicycle.

Dallas Cowboys won yesterday.  There was the obvious overturning of the call, but really the Lions had many chances to put that thing away earlier.  It should not have come down to that.

Sara and I visited Ikea yesterday.  That is one store that knows what they are doing.  Leading you through the store.  No shopping carts, and having decent prices for pretty much everything.  It's quite a bit better then following around a family of 7 with two shopping carts looking at Angry Birds t-shirts while three babies that aren't triplets, but look exactly the same age are crying in the shopping cart.  The mother is yelling at them to shut it in a terrible tone of voice.  Welcome to Walmart.

Frank - 7.3/10 (I did fall asleep part of the way through and woke back up for the wonderful final song.  This is the rating for the part of the movie that I did see.)
Black Mirror - 8.9/10 - This is a British TV series that gives you one hour stories about random things in the near future.

Best Boxing Day line - "I don't really need a TV.  What am I going to do with the old one?  But it's such a good deal.  I still have all of this money."  Then she turns to me and says.  "What do you think I should do?"  I predict an awful lot of debt for this young lady in the future.

Made my own fish and chips yesterday.  It was really easy.  It was also delicious.  You mean you don't have to deep fry it until it weighs 36 lbs and eat enough until you feel like tartar sauce might be the best thing that has ever been invented?

Clash of Clans and Boom Beach have commercials on TV during NFL Playoffs.  These are free games that you can play on your tablet and phone.  This is the equivalent to the KW Public Library having an ad during the Academy Awards.

There have been multiple people that I have talked to that have had to use a chair as defense against another human being.

Top 3 things that your local big box retail associate dislikes

3 - When you approach the counter while somebody is being rung in already, and you stare at them.
2 - Snapping your fingers, waving, or yelling hey or any other obnoxious thing that you can think of to get their attention.
1 - Telling them that you are in a hurry, but you have decided to come in to spend over $1000 on a retail purchase.  If you have only 5 minutes please come back later.  Rather then returning the product; because I didn't have time to ask you any questions.

One thing that I have understood over years of working.  If somebody thinks they are better then you because they either look down on your job or believe that their job is just ridiculously important.  They are generally shitty in most other ways as well.

You don't hear many parents naming their kid Golum.

Going as an adult by yourself and tobogganing down a giant hill will have people that see this thinking one of three things.  Mental issues, pedophile, or drunk.

Watching previews for the Hobbit versus watching previews for Wild led me to a conclusion that Hobbit people debate whether $17.99 is the absolute most they will spend for a popcorn and a gallon of pop.   While people that watch Wild will have a debate about whether Steve Carrell can pull off a dramatic role.  Both conversations are worthwhile.

Video game movies.  Watch out for them over the next 5 years.

New Years Resolutions aren't really my thing, but I believe 2015 is going to be a solid year.  With more and more small businesses starting up and people just being more informed on stuff that they are purchasing.  There are multiple apps for phones that allow you to find where things are the best deals and the places that get great reviews.  Sara and I are trying to sink as much money as possible into the local businesses.  That and giving back to the community are the two biggest things that we are trying to accomplish.

Happy New Year from Hosehead


Friday, January 2, 2015

Top 10 Movies of 2014

This is my top 10 movies of the year.  There are many that I haven't seen yet, and wasn't able to review.  Enjoy, and Happy New Year

10 - The Babadook

Even for those that don't enjoy horror you have to admire the job of acting that both the lead actress and the son did in this unexpected gem.  The slow burn suspense is one of the best types of movies.  A women is trying to get over her husbands death when a childhood book is discovered.  It has the feeling of the Shining.  Wonderful flick.

9 - Still Alice

Heart wrenching tale of a brilliant professor that develops early Alzheimer disease.  She puts plans in place to be able to keep her memory.  Amazing performance by Julianne Moore.  This should be up for multiple Academy Awards.

8 - Grand Budapest Hotel

Story isn't quite as good as past movies by Wes Anderson, but watching the beautiful camera shots and wonderful acting makes you forget about the lack of storyline.  Anderson is a lighthearted Stanley Kubrick.
Story of a bus boy that starts working for a world famous hotel.

7 - Housebound

Another wonderful movie that has come out of New Zealand.  The movie has you scratching your head from the first twenty minutes onward.  You assume a typical haunted house movie.  Then it takes multiple twists and turns and ends up being something completely different. 

6 - Boyhood

This movies is a masterpiece.  Shot over 12 years by Richard Linklater.  Watching each character grow up and who they become over the years.  Thinking that it's going to go one way, but it actually goes another.  Original idea, and keeps you engaged.  It's a long one, but well worth the watch.

5 - Wild

It's one of the few times that I can say that the movie is better then the book.  Nick Hornby (High Fidelity, About a Boy) does a great job of intertwining the story of Cheryl's struggle with her personal problems and the adventure of hiking the PCT. 

4 -   Gone Girl

Edge of your seat entertainment.  Beautifully shot, and wonderfully acted.  Shows us the power of the internet and public suggestion.  Man's wife is kidnapped, and the untangling of the web of lies and deceit. 

3 - The Skeleton Twins

Two siblings that have dealt with multiple depression issues while growing up end up living together.  You can feel the chemistry of Wiig and Hader from their SNL days.  Simple story that turns complex with the way that the characters look at the world.

2 - Nightcrawler

Jake Gyllenhaal should win best actor for this portrayal of a free lance camera man that is always looking for the best shot to sell to news stations.  Start to finish you see Gyllenhaal's characters obsession with night class business school jargon and becoming one of the best himself.

1 - Guardians of the Galaxy

This is a perfectly made comic book movie.  Smart script, perfect casting, and wonderful action sequences.  It had everything you could possibly want from a movie. If Big :League chew taste could last 120 minutes it would be this movie.  It was the best movie with a bullet this year. 

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Denzel throwing Axes in Buffalo while enjoying a 2L of Mountain Dew

Went to see Wild at the Princess and the Hobbit at Landmark.  It's amusing to see the type of crowd that was at each movie.  At Wild there weren't many people under the age of 40.  Mostly people that were in healthy shape and dressed well enjoying a small popcorn and pop if they had any food at all.  At the Hobbit.  It was 4:30 in the afternoon and there was multiple middle aged men and women. Most were on the heavier side, with the biggest popcorn of all time with the 2L fountain drink that they offer.    While grabbing straws we noticed multiple people coming out to get more liquid butter for their popcorn.  Sara and I had a giant popcorn at both.  It's exactly what you expect at these two movies.

Wild - 8.8/10
The Hobbit - 7.1/10
The Equalizer - 6.5/10

The question is if Denzel from the Equalizer spent time with Liam Neeson's daughter from Taken and Liam got the wrong idea, and went after him what would happen?

Sara scoffed at points during Wild.  If you don't know the story line a women that is trying to get over things that have happened in her life and decides to hike the Pacific Crest Trail.  She has an outrageously sized back pack and doesn't get the right fluid to use her cook set while hiking.  As most people know by watching Sara's YouTube videos that she was more prepared then a mustard in an Our Compliments bottle.

Christmas is almost upon us.  Christmas has transformed for Sara and I into an appreciating what we have what we would like to accomplish in the new year.  And of course spending time with our amazing families.  Hopefully that gets an extra point on the wine scale that they were going to purchase.

Watching many Tiny House shows.  Tiny Houses are 200-400 sq foot homes that contain everything that a larger home does, just in much smaller formats.  We want this to be something that we can look into building or buying in the next five years.  Zoning laws make it difficult in Ontario.  Things seem to be changing though.  Have a look on YouTube about it.

There is a place in Toronto that offers Ax throwing.  You can bring your own beers and throw some axes around.  What I picture in my head is these mountain men wearing flannel shirts, with suspenders, work boots, and giant beards with foaming over mugs of beer picking up an ax with one hand and throwing it through a tree that has somehow miraculously survived indoors.

Horrible Bosses 2 - Needlessly made for money -  3.1/10
  
I try not to get upset while waiting for a one thousand year old woman to cross the parking lot.  One day I would love to just lay on the horn or yell obscenities just to see what would happen.

The Buffalo Bills in usual Buffalo Bills fashion fail to win on the road against the Raiders in a must win situation after looking fantastic against the Packers.  That whole city should be given a wedgie.

Been watching many Ted Talks recently about travel, tiny houses, minimalism, and other topics.  You could go for days watching these videos.  There are so many interesting points of view out there.  If you are sick of thinking the world is one awful place after watching the news.  Watch a Ted Talk about practically any subject it will make you feel better about the world.

Talked a guy yesterday about gift cards.  We were discussing whether it's better to just receive cash then a gift card.  The old argument of putting something thought into it versus something you are actually going to use.  I guess it boils down to how well you know the person.  If you know the person is a foodie or a drinkie then you can be a little creative with your gift.   If you know nothing or very little about the person, cash is king.  Those stupid Visa gift cards cost money to either activate or purchase.  Don't bother with them.  Give them cash instead.

They should change the word mutton.  You understand it's sheep.  Just the word mutton makes me think of putting food into a napkin and being chased by dogs.

Jerry Seinfeld should have had Batman up in the apartment.  Superman is a dweeb.




Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Record Shop owners and their impact on teachers in Iceland

There is a certain way that you need to act while in a record shop with mostly unknown music at your disposal.  Always pick up a record every few minutes with a coolness, but don't show too much excitement.  Filter through everything like you know every single band that you are looking at.  Calmly wander over to the record store owner and ask if they can order in a record that is probably out of press. When purchasing, have a look that these records will do I guess, but it wasn't the exact edition that I was looking for.   This is how you gain points with your local record store owner.

Johnny Manziel and somebody named Rusty Smith are the only QB's in NFL history that were shutout in their first career NFL start.  Sharing a stat with somebody named Rusty Smith doesn't sound like a great start to your career.  Just envisioning the fry boy from the Simpsons constantly.

The Simpsons turns 25 this year.  Smithers was originally an African American man.  Krusty was supposed to be Homer in disguise, and The Simpsons movie was supposed to be a musical are a few of the interesting tidbits that I found out.  See the Chive isn't just for boobs and butts.  Can't even write that with a straight face. 

Still Alice - 8.8/10
The Skeleton Twins - 9.1/10
Gone Girl - 8.7/10

Three fantastic movies.  Julianne Moore has to be the favourite for best actress for Still Alice.  She's a brilliant professor that develops early Alzheimer disease.  She does her best to keep things together, but it's only a matter of time.  It's a tough watch.  Many heart wrenching moments.

Heard a story yesterday of a co-worker that has a friend that works for another FS.  Apparently she was asked if FS had a different website for each location.  Sorry you receive a timeout for this.

Things are going full circle.  Some of the most popular gifts this year are mini Polaroid cameras and record players.  It's very strange giving people of all ages knowledge about record players.  One thing about people buying record players.  Not one of them listens to shitty music.  You just don't hear.  "Oh, and can you tell me where to pick up the new Nicki Minaj record?  Just really want to hear Anaconda on vinyl."

One of the talents that I have obtained is picking out teachers when I am selling to them.  They are the most annoying customers that ask every question known to man about a $40.00 mouse.

I have an Iphone 4.  It has the worst digital camera ever developed in it.  You might as well draw a picture with the paint from a cardboard box of Gato Negro wine. 

Sara and I have booked a trip to Iceland in April.  We have wanted to go there for years.  Nearly every travel website that I check out always have beautiful pictures from Iceland.  That and ways I can purchase it through them for an outrageous price.

It's getting closer and closer to the end of the Fantasy Football season.  Or as gamers call it World of Warcraft for jocks.

Be good to people in this hectic time of year.  Whether it's helping somebody in need or just being patient with people that are trying to help you out the best they can.  It's simple just be good to fellow humans.

 

Monday, December 8, 2014

At Farm Camp Learning a Russian Accent

Sara was telling me a story about when she was younger.  She wanted to go to something called Farm Camp.  She took all of her brothers with her.  They learned how to work on the farm and all things about farm life.  These farmers were geniuses.  They were paid for receiving child labor.  We have an opening at FS.  Come learn to work in retail.  Carry bags, lift boxes, and learn the wisdom of handling people at Xmas time.  Only $1,000 per week.

We had our annual Xmas party last night at McMullens in Waterloo.  It was a rousing success.  Many great gifts given out.  For the auction of the gift cards I used mainly all local businesses.  That's right, I am just like Robin Hood.  Except for the stealing part and giving to the poor part.  Wait?

There is something called the Christmas Pooper.  It's a figurine of a celebrity doing the deed on the ground.  Apparently it's good luck to put this up in your house.  This seems like something made up by the weird kid in Grade 5 that thought the silent farts were the best.  Why would anybody want this?

Housebound - 9.1/10
Cold in July - 8.2/10

Housebound is absolutely terrific.  It's the best horror movie of the year.  It's a movie based out of New Zealand and it combines comedy with horror.  It's not just your typical haunted house movie.  Give it a watch.

Watching the NFC south this year in the NFL is hideous.  The NFL really needs to change their playoff format.  There's a chance if New Orleans wins outright that they will make the playoffs.  They generally are a much different team in the Superdome.  Can you imagine if the 12-4 Detroit Lions have to go on the road to face the 7-9 New Orleans Saints?

The owner of Grumpy Cat makes over 100 million dollars a year in endorsements and other nonsense.  More then Kim Kardashian.  Kim Kardashian has just found about this and is planning on doing something shocking.  She is going to take her clothes off for a magazine.  Wow!  I wish she would receive an Al Iafrate slap shot off of the inner thigh with one of those rock hard orange road hockey balls.

Faking an accent is extremely strange.  It was not put into the managers handbook on how to deal with situations like that.  Chapter 7 - How to deal with people faking accents to get things that they want.

Real simple, Bose and Beats docking stations are both excellent.  Don't over think it.

The worst words that have come out somebody's mouth that was talking to me recently.  That record is not in press anymore.  Don't people realize how good The Beta Band Hot Shots II is?

If you have a cat.  Make a circle with duct tape on the floor.  The cat will sit in it.  You're welcome.

What is the age that you start to worry if you are going to injure yourself if you just start running from a complete standstill?

There is something called Preemie dolls.  These are dolls that represent premature babies.  We do realize that premature babies are not supposed to be born yet and have major health issues to deal with?  Yes, now we should start making tri-pod dog stuffed animals.

When you connect on a good high five there is no better feeling.  I would say a solid high five only happens 28% of the time.  You can't go for a second high five either.  If you screw that one up as well you're done.  Too many are chances are taken with the high five.

For Cliff Huxtable to gain all of his awesome Dad power Bill Cosby had to sell his soul to Satan according to rumour.






Sunday, November 30, 2014

Josh Donaldson battles Jake the Snake in a war of words about being Gluten Free.

Josh Donaldson is a Toronto Blue Jay.  This trade came out of nowhere.  Donaldson has long been one of my favourite A's players to watch.  Here's what you can expect stats wise.  .260-.270, .350OBP, 25-30HR, and 90-100RBI.  That was in Oakland.  This might rise in Toronto.  Now for those that are unaware.  Billy Beane is known for making shrewd moves.  He received two decent bullpen arms.  An injury prone player with a world of talent, and an unknown 18 year old short stop that could be a gem.  Donaldson is controllable for four years.  He will still make anywhere from 10-12 million a year after this year, but the Jays control his rights.  This trade is great for Toronto.  Bringing in more and more guys that have playoff experience is a smart move by AA.

Black Friday has come and gone in a whirl wind.  I left the store yesterday at 5:01 feeling like a prize fighter from the '50s wearing nothing but a white towel and the pride that I had once again gotten through the pit of fire known as Black Friday weekend.  If you call me today with an issue from work I will yell obscenities at you until you hang up.

Maze Runner - 6.8/10

Sara's work Xmas party was held at the Cambridge Mill this past Friday.  It felt like a place that I would go to watch the Hunger Games.  The actual Hunger Games, not the movie.

It seems like the people that cheer for the Leafs are the over dramatic girl friend that makes up stories and exaggerates everything just to create some excitement within the household.  They didn't salute the fans.  They don't respect us coming to their games.  Oh they beat Tampa.  Everything is great again.  Yaaaaay for hockey.

Look for people leaning and sitting in every possible situation they can find.  These people are the bread and butter for all things lazy.  They will wait until somebody gets up to get them a beer.  Even if their beer has been empty for 30 minutes

Trampolines are great for anywhere from 3 to 4 jumps.  Then I want off.  But I have to show the appearance that I still want to be there because I bought this thing for $450.  It needs to be used even if it sucks.

Cats are dicks.  I Remember owning a couple of cats in my life.  One was insane, but the other would get onto the counter and just walk around knocking stuff off with it's paw.  Mario could just walked around the cup of pencils, but no, she usually stopped and looked at the pencils, then at me, and then flicked her paw and knocked the pencils onto the floor.  She would then keep walking like nothing had happened.  Cats are dicks

Top 3 worst things to be allergic to.

3 - Sun
2 - Metal
1 - Gluten (People judge you.  They wonder if you just think that you are too good for their bread or you are actually allergic to gluten.)

Being a younger man is sometimes difficult.  You can't tell another man that you think another man looks handsome.  Automatically they will think that you want to have sex with that man.  Words like this can never be uttered.  That one time when you said Rob Lowe looked good in that suit could haunt you until the age of 18.  Or in the city of Cambridge.  The rest of your life.

Most people that are creepy never know that they are creepy.  When you realize that you are creepy and you still continue to be creepy is when it becomes a problem.  When you tell a person that women find you creepy that's when I look at my phone and pretend to pick up a phone call.

TimePlay is an app that allows you to compete for Scene It points against other movie goers in the movie theater before the movie starts.  This is a game changer.  How did they not think of this before?  It's so much better then listening to Kevin James talk about how many times he fell out of the golf cart in Paul Blart:  Mall Cop 2.

And on the next episode of Q.  Jian will interview Bill Cosby.  This interview will take place in a UFC ring with Lucy Lawless during her Xena days.

How did tighty whities become so popular?  Also why do all electronics from the late 80's and early 90's have to be that creamy beige colour?  Did we not have any other types of paint?

If wrestling was real Jake the Snake Roberts would have been arrested multiple times.  Pretty sure it's illegal to lay a Boa Constrictor on an unconscious mans body.