Review And Preview

Not only did yesterday/Wednesday start early because I was filling in for someone, but I had to stay late, almost by an hour.  Sure as hell didn't anticipate that, but there is a new type of form for which we have to type out every single line of information, something we don't usually do.  Also, the background to these forms is dark, so the scan comes out as almost black, which means we need to manually zoom in on the scan to see each line of info we need to type out.  It's a pain-in-the-ass, and that's why I stayed later than I would have had to.

Still, I got out early enough to move up the time for Gladiator II from 7:30 to 4:50.  Review: It was a sequel.  Wish the fight scenes were better, and there needed to be more of them.  Hey, did you know that when they began to shoot Gladiator, they didn't have a script?  They finally got one together, but they were kind of waiting around in the beginning.  I think the story and plot were great in that one.  Assuming they had a script from the start of Gladiator II, I thought it was long and plodding.  But, if you want gore, this is your movie.

Through a deal on T-Mobile Tuesdays, I ate at Popeye's, decided my blackened Chicken Tenders and Popcorn Shrimp weren't enough, and ate some Dot's Pretzels.  This was after I decided not to order a drink from Popeye's because it was getting expensive.  Hell, even without this drink I spent more than ten bucks.  I need to work on that.

Anyway, after that I talked to Mother about the mail, watered Father's plants and, around 10:30, listened to my body and went to bed.  Woke up around 5:30.  Stopped my streak on Zynga Poker, but it was worth it.

Now, with my day off, I have to wake up by 11 to take my car to the dealership because I ordered a new spare key fob.  I also asked them to check the level of oil in my car in case I overfilled it.  Like I said before, I have made myself a target to getting ripped off.  Or -- and I am now scaring myself again, I realize -- they'll warn about something that feels plausible enough to scare me for the next or two as I debate whether and when to bring my car back in for repairs.  For example, I was warned the last time I took my car in (to my local shop in July) that the brakes probably need to be replaced the next time I come in.  So, if the dealership says, "Hey, your brakes are just about gone," I'll think, "Man, are they lying to me ... or could they be telling me the truth?  I don't know what to think!  I don't know who to trust!"

And then I plan on watching Conclave at the local theater.  I want to drive the minivan to put it through its paces, but I don't know if it can hold up in the coldest weather we've had so far.  Or, maybe I should use the minivan precisely for that reason.

That's how yesterday was, and how today might be.