2025 Movies to Eventually Get From the Library (if possible)

Well, it is time again for me to look at the IMDB movie release schedule and see what upcoming movies from 2025 i am remotely interested in (though modern movies kind of suck).  Date format is US (2/14 if February 14th).  No movie is worth overpaying at the theater, so i'll wait until the library or Hulu gets it.  That and it is kind of hard for me to sit through a movie in a theater nowadays.

Billion Dollar Jackpot Post 12/27/24

So, it turns out there was another billion-dollar jackpot for Mega Millions.  Actually, it was for Xmas Eve, but it jumped up to $1 Billion right before the drawing.  Nobody won so now it is up to $1.15 Billion ($516.10 Million cash option, which almost every potential winner would take - as 30 years is a long time for a payout). 

i would kind of like to win this (and be the sole winner), though the way i estimate is is probably on the low side - use 30% of the cash option, though i hear it could be as high as 75%.  i could use $153 million, though it would be a nightmare to get and set up checking/savings/investment accounts (fiscal logistics).  

Reminder, in April, the cost of Mega Millions tickets will be going up to $5 a ticket.  i hated the increase to $2.  Needless to say, i will be buying fewer tickets.  The proposed changes suck and are not worth the increased cost.  At that price, the jackpot would have to be over $1 Billion for me to even buy a ticket.

i like to buy tickets for Friday the 13ths (one in 2025), birthday, Halloween, Xmas, New Years, before Black Friday, or sometimes when i feel like crap.

Happy Solstice and other things

Another solstice is upon us. Unfortunately, the next one will really, really suck. i cannot overstate how much i hate summer.

Well, the solstice presents have been opened. Let's say the Solstice Abominable Snowman delivered them (that is a bit wordy though).  All i really wanted for Solstice was a winning Mega Millions ticket.

- Someone slipped a Vanilla Visa gift card under my tree.  Have i ever mentioned that Vanilla Visas are a pain in the ass (cash is always better).  You want to check the balance - just what i've always wanted another f*ing "system error".  Last time i had one, i gave up and traded it to someone else (it took them hours to finally use the thing).

My Xmas List 2024: CC Elves in the Mailroom and Santa Claus

 Dear Santa,

This year i have not been overtly evil. So, what do i want for Xmas this year?

My Xmas List:

* Gobots: Leader-1, Cy-Kill, and Scooter

* LEGO: Monster Fighters Haunted House (10228)

* Madballs original 1985 on card: Horn Head (or 2007 Series 1 release)

* My Pet Monster

- all items above in new/unopened condition.

What i really want is $100 million dollars after taxes. With that i could fulfill most of my material needs and wants. Some sense of security and permanence would be nice.

On December 24, 2025, i would like to wake up as healthy as i was at 22 in my own house, in my own bed, next to a woman who unconditionally loves me.  Some place/person combination where i know i belong.  

i know some miracles are even out of your reach though.

Sincerely, 

Me

Xbox Year in Review 2024

i kind of used to use a Video Game "blog" thing, but don't play as much as i used to.  Kind of a down year of playtime for me (played 920 hours in 2023 and only 640 in 2024).  Maybe because i only had Game Pass for 4 months.  Also, lots of Hulu streaming.  Apparently, i didn't play that many games i "own" this year.

So here are my stats for 2024 (not sure they're completely accurate), subject to change a little bit before 2025:

* Time Spent: 640 hours

* Achievements Earned: 457

* Gamerscore Earned: 13,452

* Games Played: 55

* Preferred Platform: Console (531 hours)

* Genres: Role Playing (40%), Action/Adventure (23%), Card/Board (17%), Family/Kids (8%), Other (12%)

Most Anticipated Game of 2025: Lunar Remastered Collection (Spring 2025). Not a stat they would know, but it is true.

Hulu Anime Binge

So, the Hulu $.99 a month deal was ending and i decided to see what the deal with anime was. So, i decided to watch a bunch of it. Here is my list of stuff i "watched" in the last year (incomplete, some are no longer on the service).  i think 12-22 episodes is the sweet spot. Some of the longer running ones really pad the episode totals. Black Clover was better at most at not padding episodes.  Though, to be fair, these were not meant to be binged like i did.  Mostly watched dubbed versions.

i "grew up" playing JRPGs and wanted something different than the US sitcoms. Some of these are weird.  Not all of these are winners, though i would like a next season on a bunch of these (also Chivalry of a Failed Knight).

My current $.99 a month account does not have the same watchlist (different account) - so list is for my benefit.  Household trade off on subscription services: i had Hulu in 2022 and just got it this year (2024) on a Black Friday deal.  Someone in the household paid the $.99 a month for 2023.

Numbers indicate through episodes.  Some series use an episode numbering scheme (Season 2 of a series that had 12 episodes in season 1 would be 13.  Pretty sure Bleach does this), some are more traditional (Season 2 Episode 1, is just that regardless of Season 1 episodes). 

Radio Station changed to Xmas already

So, i finally heard "Last Christmas" on the radio, unfortunately, it was the auditory abomination that is the Taylor Swift version.  Every version i've ever heard, sans the original suck (guess Darren Hayes version was not completely nails on a chalk board).  Taylor Swift's voice is not what i would good (kind of average-ish).

A station already changed Xmas only.  i heard Thanksgiving this year falls on the latest date possible.

If you don't have a radio station near you that has changed over "Alexa play 106.9".  That is basically what i use my Echo Dot for (radio and a clock).  i have my Xmas tree on a smart plug set to turn on at 4:15 and off at 9:03 both PM.  Alexa turn on "tree" - guess you have to not mute the input for it to work (also actually say it).

Here is my Xmas tree, now that it is not naked (has ornaments on it).  i wonder if artificial trees were meant to have ornaments on them.  Kind of seems like they were not.

Yes, i do decorate a little with dog toys (see the Bark Box Frosty and Rudolph behind the tree).

Too bad my Toshiba CD player is functionally deficient, just in time for when i use it the most (Xmas season).  Pretty sure the Magnavox replacement will have worse sound.