Anticipated 2020 Movies

Anticipated 2020 Movies

    1). Top Gun: Maverick

    2). Tenet (Christopher Nolan)

    3). Black Widow 

    4). Jungle Cruise

    5). Wonder Woman 84

    6). Sonic the Hedgehog

    7). Ghostbusters: Afterlife

    8). Bill and Ted 3: Face the Music

    9). Halloween Kills 

   10). Dune

Christmas Memories

   

Christmas Memories

       With the Christmas fast approaching, here are a few things I remember doing when I 

     was little kid on Christmas. 

      1). Waking up early Christmas morning to see what I got

   

      2). Having my recently departed mom bake cookies for me and my brother

      3). Singing carols with my class at nursing homes and hospitals

      4). Going for a drive at night around the neighborhood to look at decorations

      5). Drinking hot cocoa with my grandma at her apartment. 

      6). Go to stores with my mom to look at pretty decorations and the snowglobes.

Jumanji: the Next Level

Jumanji: the Next Level

Dir: Jake Kasdan

Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, Karen Gillan, Awkwafina, 

Danny Devito, Danny Glover, Nick Jonas

       In late 2017, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle was released and became a smash hit

    grossing nearly a billion dollars. So of course, Columbia Pictures decided to greenlight

    a sequel right away. 

       In this sequel, we find nerdy Spencer, a college student home for the holidays. When

    he decides to visit his grandpa (Devito) who tells him that he doesn't like getting old.

    So heartbroken Spencer fixes the broken Jumanji game and enters into the simulated
    world hoping to become his avatar DrBravestone (Johnson) again.

        Meanwhile his friends Bethany, Fridge & Martha start to worry about him when he
    doesn't show up for coffee. The kids head back into the game as different avatars 
    except for Martha. 

        Veteran actors Danny Glover and Danny Devito show up as their avatars and the
    fun begins. They go on an even more dangerous mission involving restoring a 
    village that was plundered by an evil viking like man.

         The film was slightly better than the previous and delivers on the action sequences.
   Kevin Hart does a good Danny Glover impression. The pacing is so smooth that you
   will not be bored. TNL features a perfect blend of action and comedy. It's not as good
   as the first movie but enjoyable.

 Grade: B-

Fighting with my Family

Fighting with my Family

Dir: Stephen Merchant

Cast: Florence Pugh, Lena Heady, Nick Frost, Vince Vaughn, Dwayne Johnson

       Fighting with my Family isn't just a movie about wrestling. It's message conveys the 
   importance of sticking to one's dreams and never giving up. 
        Newcomer Florence Pugh stars as real life WWE wrestler Paige, a young woman 
   who follows her dreams to become a professional wrestler. Veteran actors Heady 
   (Game of Thrones) and Frost (Hot Fuzz) star as her parents who encourage her 
   to keep going despite facing many adversities. 
         After growing up in a family of wrestlers, Paige wants to be just like her idol,
   The Rock (D. Johnson). She starts out wrestling in her family's wrestling ring in 
   England and tries out for the WWE.
         She flies out to the United States to WWE's version of boot camp and begins 
   to realize that wrestling is harder than it looks. Despite almost giving up, she 
   gets words of encouragement from her trainer (Vaughn) and just wants to make 
   her and her family proud. 
          FwmF may not winning any awards but it's good movie for someone looking
   to be inspired.

 Grade: B+

Feelings

Feelings

      In self advocacy class, we talked about many different feelings and what we can do 

    about those feelings. Here are a few feelings and what causes them.

    1). Angry- Gardeners running the leafblower, arguing with my Dad, vertically videos 

    posted to Youtube, people who abuse animals, rap songs, Know it Alls on Reddit, hearing

    another mass shooter on the news, hitting my knee or foot on a table. 

   2). Sad- Having a loved one/pet die, listening to a sad song on the radio, seeing other

   people living much better life, seeing kids with fancy gadgets that their parents bought

   them (latest Iphone, hoverboards, expensive headphones).

  

   3). Scared- Heights, swimming, getting behind the wheel of a car, going fast in a car, 
   somebodys boxer dog runs towards me, not finding anyone who love me back as much
   as my SO. 

   4). Nervous: cooking over a stove, speaking up in public, striking up a conversation
   with a stranger, using the phone to make my own appointments.

Frozen II

Frozen II

dir: Jennifer Lee, Chris Buck

Voice cast: Idina Menzel, Kristen Bell, Josh Gad, Jonathan Groff, Sterling K.

Brown & Ciaran Hinds

        When the first Frozen came out, it became a worldwide phenomenon from which many

    parents haven't overcome. The song "Let it Go" became a hit and unfortunate earworm

    which became ingrained in peoples ears. Unfortunately, this sequel doesn't live up to 

    its predecessor. 

          Taking place a few years after the last one, we get a little backstory on Elsa and Anna's

    parents and the area surrounding their kingdom of Arendelle. One night Elsa hears a call

    coming from the woods and sets out on an adventure with her friends to locate it.

          Frozen II's plot felt recycled and tiresome and fails to live up to the hype that the 

    first one set. Most of the songs featured are just forgettable and add nothing to the

    overall story. It's not a bad movie per se, just one not worth plunking down your 

    hard earned cash to go out and see. 

              Grade: C+

I Am Thankful For.....

1). My Dad, cousin/ "sister", dog, relatives

2). My best friends Nick, Joey, Pat & David
and lady friends Erica, Nicole, Danielle & 
Abrianna

3). My girlfriend Courtney

4). Roof over my head

5). Clean clothes to wear

6). My teachers Teri, Nira & Cathy

7). My bus driver Matt

Thanksgiving Break Plans

Thanksgiving Break

        Well, the Thanksgiving break is coming up, here are a few things I am planning to do

    during the break: 

• Spend the weekend over a friends house
• Having relatives and family over for Thanksgiving Eve dinner
• Doing a little shopping for myself and friends
• Watch some football games on TV 
• Go out to movies with my better half, Courtney 
• Sleep in on school days
• Play games on my tablet
• Listen to favorite music 

Noise Pollution

Noise Pollution

     One thing that nobody knows about me is that I easily get annoyed by the sound of the

    neighbors gardener running the leafblower. When I hear that noise, I go absolutely crazy. 

    I run to my room and put the pillows over my head. One thing that does help me cope 

    is that I have a pair of thick headphones and put on some rock n roll music.

        

        Leafblowers maybe a godsend to landscapers but it's a bane to anyone within earshot.

    Their two stroke engines causes decibels relative to an airplane flying. I'm glad some 

     cities have enacted laws to get them banned. There is a movement in my city to do 

     the same but not enough people seem to care.  

Overplayed Songs I Hate

Overplayed Songs I Hate

       We've all heard these songs played on the radio constantly. Here are a few songs that

   I can't stand.

    1). Don't Stop Believing- Journey (mostly because it was used as the anthem for the 

    SF Giants during their World Series wins.) 

    2). Closer- The Chainsmokers feat. Halsey (I can't stand this due to the glorification of 

    promiscuous sex.) 

    3). Old Town Road- Lil Nas X 

    4). Perfect/ Shape of You- Ed Sheeran (overplayed to death as to fill airtime.)

    5). Despacito- Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee

    6). 7 Years- Lukas Graham 

    7). You Need to Calm Down- Taylor Swift ( I usually like Taylor's songs but this one

    just sounds so saccharin and pretentious.) 

    8). Feel it Still- Portugal the Man 

    9). Uptown Funk- Mark Ronson feat Bruno Mars

Perfect Birthday Gifts

Perfect Birthday Gifts

     Here are some of the things I wish I could get for my birthday if money were no object

    1). High End noise Cancelling Headphones 

    Bose QC35

     

   Sony XM3 

    

  2). SF 49ers Jersey 

   3). LED/ Digital Smartwatch 

         

  4). Stylish pair of shoes for going out on the town 

     

  5). GS Warriors hat

6). Nintendo Switch (w/ Super Smash Bros game)

        

Halloween 2019

Halloween 2019

        Some of the things that I did last night during Halloween was 

• Me, my dad, my aunt, my cousin/"sister" went out to eat at Wences in downtown

          Pleasant Hill

• I watched the 49ers beat the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday Night Football  
• I helped pass out candy to kids who came by our house.     
• I watched Halloween H20 on AMC      

Disaster Supply Kit

Disaster Supply Kit

What to take during in the event of a natural disaster such as an
earthquake, house fire or evacuation

    1). Water 

     (at least 1 gallon per person, for 3-7 days worth)

    2). Canned Food 

     (ready to eat meats, juices, protein bars, snack foods,cookies etc.)

    3). First Aid Kit 

     (Bandages, ointments, tweezers, wipes, antiseptic, aspirin)

    4). Warm Blankets/ Bedding (i.e. sleeping bags)

    5). Flashlight (with extra batteries) 

  

    6). Dust Mask

  

    7). Portable Radio (solar or hand crank)

    8). Manual can opener

    9). Clean Clothes/ comfortable shoes

    10). Important Documents

     (Birth certificate, social security, bank cards, insurance policies, etc.)

  

    11). Hand Tools (wrench or pliers to turn off utilities)

  

    12). Any Cash on hand (ATMs may not be working)

    13). If you have pets: pet food/dishes, bottled water, blankets, etc.

    14). Whistle

    15). Hat/ Work gloves 

    16). A comfort item for small child (favorite toy, teddy bear)

    17). Cell phone to call loved ones

    18). Basic Entertainment (board games, cards, books, etc.)

Fire Playlist

Fire Playlist

        With the recent wildfires that are happening in California, I thought I'd share a list 

   of songs that sing about fires.

    1). Ring of Fire- Johnny Cash

    2). We Didn't Start the Fire- Billy Joel

    3). Firestarter- The Prodigy 

    4). Fire Water Burn- The Bloodhound Gang

  

    5). Great Balls of Fire- Jerry Lee Lewis

    6). Girl on Fire- Alicia Keys

  

    7). Fire- Jimi Hendrix 

    8). Burn- Nine Inch Nails

    9). Burn- Ellie Goulding

    10). Burning Down the House- The Talking Heads

  

    11). Light my Fire- The Doors

  

    12). Fireball- Pitbull

    13). Disco Inferno- the Trammps 

    14). The Beds are Burning- Midnight Oil

    15). Burning for You- Blue Oyster Cult

    16). Just Like Fire- Pink

    17). Light Em Up- Fall Out Boy

    18). Burn it Down- Linkin Park 

Popular Halloween costumes

Popular Halloween Costumes

    1). Scary/ Evil Clown (Pennywise, Joker, etc.)

    2). Witch

    3). Spiderman/ Superheroes 

    4). Dinosaur

    5). The Descendants characters

     

    6). Fortnite video game characters

    7). Chucky doll

     8). Retro 80's look (leotards, perms, mullets, etc.) 

     9). Nintendo characters (Mario, Link, Little Mac)

        

Shazam

Shazam

Dir: David F. Sandberg

Cast: Asher Angel, Jack Dylan Glazer, Zach Levi, Mark Strong, Grace

Fulton

         Ever since Chris Nolan made his Batman movies, DC has been a dark somber place.

    Thankfully, this movie is a light of sunshine among them. Nickelodeon star Asher 

    Angel is Billy Batson, a foster kid who keeps running away from his problems. Until

    one day he meets an old wizard who turns him into a grown man with superpower
    based on pure of heart.

         Billy and his best friend/ foster brother (D. Glazer) attempt to keep Billy's alter
    ego a secret from their foster family. Meanwhile, evil scientist Dr. Sivana (Strong)
    becomes obsessed with learning about Shazam and the magic behind the power.

         This movie is hilarious and a lot of fun to watch. Despite copying the MCU in
    their light hearted tone, it works in just the right way. Sandberg joins fellow horror
    turned superhero directors such as Richard Donner, James Gunn, James Wan & 
    Zack Snyder.

       Shazam is the perfect blend of action and comedy. The message of importance of
    having a family, even chosen ones, is the central theme. It may not be a critical 
    darling but it has heart and that's what this movie aims to be. 

Grade: B+

Halloween Playlist 2

Halloween Playlist 2

    1). Living Dead Girl- Rob Zombie

    2). Time Warp- Rocky Horror Picture Show

    3). Sweet Dreams- Marilyn Manson

    4). Halloween theme- John Carpenter

    5). Halloween- The Misfits 

    6). Zombie- The Cranberries

    7). Howlin' for You- The Black Keys

    8). Highway to Hell- AC/DC

    9). Number of the Beast- Iron Maiden

   10). Batdance- Prince

   11). Welcome to my Nightmare- Alice Cooper

   12). Hungry Like the Wolf- Duran Duran

   13). I Put a Spell on You- Screamin' Jay Hawkins

   14). Devil Inside- INXS

   15). Tubular Bells (theme from The Exoricst )

   16). Shout at the Devil- Motley Crue

   17). Black No. 1- Type O Negative

Staying safe during an outage

The do's & don'ts during a power outage

          Don't

   

      1). Don't use candles.

         2). Don't open your refrigerator often.

         3). Don't leave perishable food behind.

         4). Don't forget about food in the freezer.

         5). Don't leave electronics plugged in.

         6). Don't drive unless you have to.

         7). Don't touch power lines .

         8). Don't use a generator without knowing the risk of using one.

         Do

          

         1). Do know how to open your garage door manually

         2). Do make sure you have enough gas in the tank of your car

         3). Do have one light turned on.

         4). Do toss food warmer than 40 degrees Fahrenheit

Halloween Memories

Trick or Treating

          

         When I was little, I couldn't wait for Halloween. I used to get dressed up in my

    karate costume and go out trick or treating with my parents & school friends. We'd

    walk pretty far from home taking turns ringing the doorbell. There were some that'd

    answer and some that wouldn't. 
  
          There was one house I was afraid to go up and it was located at the end of my 
    street. I remember the front lights would flicker and went the door opened, I was 
    overcome with the strong stench of cigarette smoke.

  

          What I really enjoyed about going out was all different kinds of candy me & my 

    friends would receive. We would divvy up the candy, making sure we all got the same

    amount. 

          Now that I'm older, I don't really look forward to since I'm too old to go out and
     don't have any kids. As an adult I just stay home and watch scary movies on TV. 
     I also like eating candy on Halloween.

Nostalgic Things

             Nostalgic Things

   

           Being an 80's kid, here are a few things I am nostalgic for in my childhood:

       1). Watching cartoons on TV including He-Man, Transformers, GI Joe, Voltron, 

          Thundercats, & Muppet Babies. Also the X men cartoon on FOX.

        2). Playing Nintendo games with my brother.

        3). Waiting on Sunday nights to watch the Simpsons & my favorite comedy show 

          "In Living Color"

        4). Getting home late at night after playing on a basketball team for my school.

        5). If I finished my homework early, I got the chance to watch Reading Rainbow
        on KQED.

Fall Events

Fall Events

    Fall is upon us, so that means the weather is about to get cooler. Here are some of the
     things I plan on doing this fall.

     1). MLB Playoffs & NFL Regular Season. 

     2). Watch a scary movie or two on TV. 

     3). See the leaves change color on the trees.

     4). Celebrate my birthday by going out to eat at Dave & Busters (hopefully).

     5). Go out to the movies and watch the latest hit movie.

     6). Watch new episodes of my favorite TV shows (South Park, Robot Chicken).

My Favorite Movie: Ghostbusters

          One of my favorite movies is the 1984 scifi/comedy "Ghostbusters". It stars SNL 

   alums Bill Murray & Dan Akyroyd as paranormal scientists investigating paranormal 

   occurrences in a woman's (Sigourney Weaver) apartment. The late Harold Ramis
   is Egon Spenger, the inventor of the team. Ernie Hudson joins the team as Winston
   Zedmore, an ordinary guy looking for a paycheck. They have a secretary named Janine
   played by Annie Potts. This movie features good comedic moments & decent action
   scenes. Despite this movies effects not holding up, it's still worth a watch. 

  

End of Summer/ Fall Classes

 End of Summer/ Fall Classes

         

          Well the Summer is about to end which means that school is upon us and new 

      classes are coming up. Among some of the new classes I am looking forward to are:

         Snack Making 

          

         Self Advocacy

        

         Blogging

         Job Exploration

            

         Gardening

         

        Among these classes I hope that these improve my skills as a student. 

My Favorite Music

My Favorite Music

      1). Hard Rock

      Imagine Dragons

    Queen

Other bands I like: Nirvana, Led Zeppelin, Nine Inch Nails, The Doors, 

 Rage Against the Machine, Soundgarden, Linkin Park, Black Sabbath

 90's Alternative and 2000's Pop/Punk music

 2). Heavy Metal 

  Metallica , Pantera, Slayer, Guns N Roses

 3). Pop Music 

 Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga, P!nk, Maroon 5, Dua Lipa, Katy Perry, Billie Eilish