Book Review: Star Wars: Crimson Climb

 

Crimson Climb is a young-adult novel centered on the character of Qi'ra (who was the character played by Emilia Clarke in the movie Solo: A Star Wars Story). The book begins immediately after the events of the beginning of Solo (still a very underrated movie) when Han escapes Corellia and Qi'ra is captured. It tells the story of what happened after Qi'ra returned to Lady Proxima and how she ended up in and worked her way up through, the Crimson Dawn crime syndicate to become a major player under Dryden Voss. The story also helps explain why she made the choice she did at the end of the movie.

The hardcover version of the book is just over 350 pages. The book includes new and unfamiliar characters, which may make it a bit slower to read than the novels involving more established characters. It has a good blend of action and suspense and definitely adheres to the "no honor among thieves" saying. Since the chances of a sequel movie to Solo are pretty much shot, if the story of the characters is going to be continued it will be in the novels. This is absolutely worth the time to read.

Workout Update: Lift-4/645 Corrective and Foam Rolling- Round 2 -Day 22

Day 22 was the corrective shoulder routine from 645 and the start of week 4 in Lift 4. The Lift 4 workout was Chest and Triceps and this week it is a circuit workout, doing the two quad sets and then the burnout round. I was able to stick with the increased weight for most of the resistance exercises, but I did have to reduce the amount of weight I was using for a couple of them on the second and third sets. By the time I got to the burnout round my arms were already like limp noodles and I could barely do the push-ups.

Workout Update: Lift-4/645 Corrective and Foam Rolling- Round 2 -Day 21

Day 21 was again the two recovery workouts from Lift 4. I again used the rumble roller for the foam rolling routine and then went right into the stretching routine. They went fine. There was no real difference between this one and the previous day.  

Workout Update: Lift-4/645 Corrective and Foam Rolling- Round 2 -Day 20

Day 20 was the two recovery routines from Lift 4. I was not very flexible or mobile today, and I had a large lunch so I was not exactly feeling limber. But, I got through it and got it over with.  

Workout Update: Lift-4/645 Corrective and Foam Rolling- Round 2 -Day 19

Day 19 was lower body foam rolling from 645 and Legs 50/50 in Lift 4. 

I again used the rumble roller for the foam rolling which really helps during the lower body foam rolling routine since you are generally spending 60 seconds foam rolling each area. The legs workout was tough because you are using extremely heavy weight for the entire lifting portion and then doing the three sets of HIIT after that. The only good thing is that the core portion is just one exercise, side planks holding for 30 seconds on each side.

Workout Update: Lift-4/645 Corrective and Foam Rolling- Round 2 -Day 18

Day 18 was upper body foam rolling and shoulders. The shoulders workout was an interval workout. So you do two resistance exercises followed by a 30-second HIIT exercise. Then, of course, finishing with three sets of core. The upper body foam rolling in the morning definitely helped prepare for the shoulder workout, but it was still very tough. The HIIT portion, however, was not too bad.

Workout Update: Lift-4/645 Corrective and Foam Rolling- Round 2 -Day 17

Day 17 was corrective ankles from 645 and the two recovery routines from Lift 4.

All of the foam rolling went well today. I am glad I switched back to the rumble roller because it is much more effective at this point than the regular foam roller.  My hamstrings continue to be my weak point flexibility-wise, but they are getting better, slowly.

Book Review: Tired of Winning: Donald t***p and the End of the Grand Old Party

 

Tired of Winning is a great follow-up to author and ABC New Correspondent Jonathan Karl's first two books about the former president, Front Row and Betrayal. The main focus of this book is the aftermath of the 2020 election and the danger leading into the 2024 election.

In the book, Karl expands on some of the material first reported from the January 6th investigation and provides insight into the various legal battles that little Donny Diapers is currently embroiled in. Of course, he was not getting any inside information from the prosecutors, but he still has enough sources in the orange genital wart's orbit (who are totally willing to sell t***p out and show him for the slack-jawed dipshit that he is) who detail the shit fits he has been throwing almost constantly since the indictments started flowing in. Karl also details how the vast majority of the GOP has been perfectly willing to appease and enable the orange dipshit or look the other way and pretend that they do not know what he has done or said. 

The hardcover version is the book is relatively short at just under 300 pages (before you get to the acknowledgments and endnotes). The endnotes mostly just cite various sources. In the actual text of the book, Karl does include some footnote material that expands on what he has in the text. And, for the MAGATS who would scream "fake news" (not that any of the ones who are capable of reading would read this book) one of the most entertaining parts of the book is when Karl outs "background" sources from his prior book who later accused him of making things up, attributing their names to exact quotes from recordings of their conversations, and basically dares anyone to accuse him of making shit up this time around. The big takeaway from this book is how dangerous and stupid everyone who has been around the orange shitgibbion (save for the most devoted ball lickers) thinks he is, and that they all think he would be even more dangerous in a second term than he was in the first. Karl absolutely inserts his personal opinion in the book, so it is not just a straight presentation of facts. He calls out t***p's lies and stupidity multiple times and opines that he considers t***p to be a danger to democracy and should never set foot anywhere near the levers of power again. It is absolutely a must-read.

Workout Update: Lift-4/645 Corrective and Foam Rolling- Round 2 -Day 16

Day 16 was corrective hips from 645 and Back and Biceps in Lift 4.

The back and biceps workout was a very hard circuit workout (so two rounds of four exercises done for three sets and one burnout round with two exercises done for three sets). I was able to initially increase my weight for all of the exercises, but there were a couple of exercises for which I had to lower the weight (or even set the weight down) for the second and third sets. And, I was still breathing heavily even without doing HIIT. The core component was more challenging today than it was yesterday.  

Workout Update: Lift-4/645 Corrective and Foam Rolling- Round 2 -Day 15

Day 15 was the start of week 3, which was another chest and triceps workout. This time, it was a 50/50 workout, and you increase the amount of weight (or try to) for all of the exercises. I was very tired doing the workout since I spent most of the day at the hospital, but I pushed through. And, I was able to increase the amount of weight I was using for all of the resistance exercises.  The HIIT portion was hard, but I got it done and the core portion was not too bad. Hopefully, tomorrow's workout will be a bit easier, but we will see.

Workout Update: Lift-4/645 Corrective and Foam Rolling- Round 2 -Day 14

For Day 14 I did the two recovery routines from Lift 4 plus corrective shoulders from 645. I normally do corrective shoulders on Monday mornings, but this morning I had to be with my mom at the hospital and knew that I would not have enough time to get it in, so I got it in on Sunday. I also did that workout using the regular foam roller. After an entire week of using the rumble roller, I barely felt anything going back to the regular roller. So, I will probably start using the rumble roller again for the rest of the corrective routines.

Workout Update: Lift-4/645 Corrective and Foam Rolling- Round 2 -Day 13

Day 13 was the two recovery routines from Lift 4. I again used the rumble roller for the foam rolling routine, and it was again rough (although not as bad as it was early in the week). Then, the stretching routine went fine. I do like that it is relatively short I just am not a huge fan of the selection of stretches. It would be nice if there were more variety from what he does in the warmups and cooldowns to the regular workouts.

Book Review: Blowback (Scot Harvarth Series #4)

 

Blowback, published in 2005, is the fourth book in the Scot Harvath series of thrillers created by Brad Thor. The plot of this book involves a bioweapon threat from the Middle East. Much like Vince Flynn did in the Mitch Rapp series, which is in the same genre, Thor blends real-life events (such as the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks) with his fictional storylines. This one specifically involves an Al-Queada plot being aided by a tangential member of the Saudi Royal family.

The hardcover version of the book is a little under 450 pages. Like the previous three books in the series, it has a good blend of action and suspense. It has a few different storylines going on that intersect at different points. The main storyline is the bioterrorism storyline, but there is also a story arc involving an ambitious Senator who is looking for a VP spot on the next Democratic ticket who is clearly modeled, at least in part, after Hillary Clinton. If you liked the first few books in the series and/or are a fan of spy novels, international thrillers, or the like, it is absolutely worth the time to read.

Workout Update: Lift-4/645 Corrective and Foam Rolling- Round 2 -Day 12

Day 12 was lower body foam rolling from 645 and Legs in Lift 4.

Since this was week 2 of Lift 4 it means legs was the HIIT workout, meaning three rounds of four exercises done for 1 minute, 45 seconds, 30 seconds, and 15 seconds, then two bonus rounds in which you do each exercise for 30 seconds. The exercises are rough after the first one (which is high-knee runs). After that you do triple bear, catcher jumps, and jump lunges.  Once you get to the core portion it is almost a relief. 

Workout Update: Lift-4/645 Corrective and Foam Rolling- Round 2 -Day 11

Day 11 was upper body foam rolling from 645 and shoulders in Lift 4.

I again used the rumble roller for the foam rolling and it definitely was uncomfortable, especially when I was foam rolling (or holding the roller on a trigger point on) my lats. The shoulders workout was an intervals workout, so each block had two lifting exercises followed immediately by a 30-second HIIT exercise. Then, the core portion had one additional set of twisting leg lifts since the cast did bicycles in the first round. So, it was a tough workout, but it was short.

Workout Update: Lift-4/645 Corrective and Foam Rolling- Round 2 -Day 10

Day 10 was corrective ankles from 645 and the two recovery routines from Lift 4.

I again did all of the foam rolling using my rumble roller. I could not stay on it as long when rolling some areas, like my hip flexors, as I can when using the regular foam roller, but I am getting used to it. And, I find that I have fewer knots the next day since I have been using it. 

Workout Update: Lift-4/645 Corrective and Foam Rolling- Round 2 -Day 9

 Day 9 was the corrective hips workout from 645 and Back and Biceps in Lift 4.

The back and biceps workout was a 50/50 workout and was tough especially the HIIT portion. Thankfully, the lifting and core portions were not that bad (not that they was easy). I can tell that the corrective shoulders routine from 645 has helped with the Lift 4 workouts because during the rows and flys Joel was warning against shrugging your shoulders which was not a problem at all for me because of the corrective shoulders routine. I also used the rumble roller for the foam rolling portions of the corrective hips routine, which was tough to get through, but I made it. 

Workout Update: Lift-4/645 Corrective and Foam Rolling- Round 2 -Day 8

Day 8 was corrective shoulders from 645 and Chest and Triceps Circuit in Lift 4.

The circuit workout was very tough. Doing the 40 reps without any rest made my arms feel like spaghetti noodles by the end of the burnout round. While my chest was not as wiped out as my arms, it was pretty close. 

Workout Update: Lift-4/645 Corrective and Foam Rolling- Round 2 -Day 7

For Day 7 I again just did the two Lift 4 recovery workouts, but I used the rumble roller for the foam rolling workout. This is the second time I have used the rumble roller for that workout and it was still tough, but not impossible. I was able to use it for the entire routine but definitely did not put as much of my body weight on the roller on certain body parts as I do with the regular foam roller, which has more give. I thought using the rumble roller also provided me with more mobility which helped when I did the stretch routine right after that.  

DVD/TV Series Review: Baywatch: Season 8

 

The 8th season of Baywatch consisted of 22 episodes and aired in syndication during the 1997-1998 TV season. The show yet again had a lot of cast turnover. Pamela Anderson left the show after season 7 and the show left the cliffhanger ending open until the fourth episode of the 8th season revealing that CJ met a tattooed rock star and got married. This was also the season in which Yasmine Bleeth left the show (she was fired because of her drug use) but the writers actually did give her a sendoff. She appeared in a handful of episodes (though she was never shown in the main credits), but as the show often was, the episodes were not aired in the order of her storyline, so she kind of just randomly popped up until she didn't. Parker Stevenson, who left the show after season one returned for a few episodes to have a mini-storyline, and the series added Carmen Electra, Kelly Packard, Michael Bergen, Marilice Andrada, and Angelica Bridges as series regulars. The show did not get as many notable guest stars but Jeff Altman returned to the show as yet another character, radio host Shadoe Stevens guest starred, Gregory Allan Williams reprised his role as Elerbee, and David Hasselhoff's wife, Pamela Bach, played a totally different character than the recurring role she played in the early seasons of the show.

In the DVD set, the 22 episodes are spread across 6 discs. There are no extras or subtitles. By the 8th season, the show pretty much gave up on continuity. Some of that was on the showrunners and part of it was on whomever selected the order to air the episodes. For example, they had Mitch's mother in an episode this season but totally abandoned the Alzheimer's storyline, and the show's romances rarely made any sense (and this season is no exception). The season ends with a three-part finale that leaves the direction of the show totally open, and of course, there are the music montages to show off the ridiculously good-looking cast. Carmen Electra dancing accounts for several of the montages this season. Overall, the series is what it is. A prime-time story-of-the-week soap opera. The acting and writing are spotty at best (to be kind), but if you can accept it for what it is and don't expect any more than that, it can be entertaining.

Workout Update: Lift-4/645 Corrective and Foam Rolling- Round 2 -Day 6

Day 6 was just the two recovery workouts from Lift 4. Nothing much new to say about either of them, aside from the fact that I did not have many knots in my legs when I was foam rolling and I could get a little deeper into my hamstring stretches.  

DVD/Movie Set Review: The Dark Knight Trilogy

 

This is a blu-ray box set of the trilogy of live-action Batman movies starring Christian Bale and directed by Christopher Nolan. Any fan of Batman knows that the movie franchise was nearly dead after the dreadful Batman and Robin movie in the late 1990s. The franchise had changed directors once (Tim Burton to Joel Schumacher) and stars three times (Michael Keaton to Val Kilmer to George Clooney). While the Tim Burton/Michael Keaton movies were very good.  Batman Forever (which was the first one directed by Schumacher) was good but edging toward the campy side, and Batman and Robin was almost universally reviled. This trilogy brought the series back in a big way.

First, it brought back stability. Nolan co-wrote and directed all three movies, so the tone, visuals, and feel remained the same. Just as importantly, Christian Bale was in the lead role for all three. Regardless of whether you think he was the best Batman/Bruce Wayne or not, the continuity that not changing actors every movie brought was very important. Secondly, the movies were more than just superhero or action movies. It brought in big-name actors for both the main roles and the supporting roles and focused on not only having good scripts but excellent acting (punctuated by Heath Ledger's performance as The Joker). Those elements were spotty in the superhero genre up to that point. In some movies, you would have big-name actors and a good script. In some, you would have a decent script but only one or two big-name actors, and in some, you would have an awful script. These movies did not rely just on a bunch of special effects and lots of explosions to tell the story. Lastly, Nolan tried to bring a sense of realism where possible. Obviously, these are movies based on a comic book, and most of what you see in them could not happen in real life. But, the fact that the movies were filmed in real cities and that the gadgets he used (especially in Batman Begins) were somewhat realistic (like his grappling gun) made the movies more enjoyable for me.

Of the three movies I actually think the last one has the best overall story. Obviously, however, Heath Ledger's performance as Joker was the touchstone of the three movies. He played the in-control psychotic so well, that it will be hard for anyone to top that live-action version of the character. Even though I think Ledger was the best villain, I think all the movies did a good job with the bad guys. I especially liked that they cast Bane based on acting ability and not just finding a big guy with no talent. Obviously, Tom Hardy is not 7 feet tall or anywhere near it, but his version of Bane was much better than the one in Batman and Robin.

Chances are if you are reading this you have already seen each movie multiple times. While I do not think any of them are absolutely perfect, I think they are as close to perfect as the superhero movies that had come out up to that point had been in a long time. And, you can certainly argue that the success of Batman Begins played a big part in the Marvel movies being taken seriously from the start.  I had hoped that the series that Nolan started would continue in some way. The ending of Dark Knight Rises certainly left that possibility open. But, after this many years, if it were to do so, it would more likely be in a "Batman Beyond" type of situation in which Bale plays the role of Alfred to a new, younger, Batman. 

This set repackages the original blu-ray releases into a decorative outer box. You get the same extras/bonus content (if you like watching that material) that the original discs were released with. There was no new bonus content created for this release. If you bought the movies individually on blu-ray the only new thing you get with this is the outer box. But, if you do not have the movies and have not upgraded to a 4k blu-ray player and a 4K TV, this is a good pickup, and definitely worth watching.

DVD/TV Series Review: House M.D.: Season 4

 

Season 4 of House aired during the 2007-2008 TV season and was cut short by the writer's strike that occurred that year. The show picks up with the team in disarray with Chase, Cameron, and Foreman all having quit the team at the end of the prior season. House's solution is to hire 40 new doctors and eliminate them in a Survivor-like competition. He gave most of them nicknames as opposed to learning any of their actual names, and from time to time the original team members (Jennifer Morrison, Omar Epps, and Jesse Spencer all remained on the show) would pop in. This resulted in many new additions to the cast, some permanent and some recurring. The new cast members included Olivia Wilde, Kal Penn, Peter Jacobson, Anne Dudek, Edi Gathegi, and Michael Michele. As always, the show also had many recognizable guest stars including Frank Whaley, Thomas F. Wilson (from Back to the Future), Jeremy Renner (when he was still doing TV), Mira Sorvino, Fred Durst, and Ivanna Milicevic (who had done a lot of character work for many popular TV shows and would later star in the great series Banshee).

The DVD set includes the 16 season four episodes spread across 4 discs. The bonus material includes a commentary track on part 1 of the season finale and several behind-the-scenes and making-of featurettes. The series continued to be well-written and very well-acted. The new additions to the cast were great and the actors seemed very comfortable coming into the show. The two-part season finale was probably the two best episodes of the series up to that point, and this season, although abbreviated is arguably the best season of the show. It is absolutely worth your time to watch.

Workout Update: Lift-4/645 Corrective and Foam Rolling- Round 2 -Day 5

Day 5 was lower body foam rolling from 645 and Legs in Lift 4.

The Legs workout was a 50/50 half lifting and half HIIT workout. I was definitely getting deeper into the squats and lunges, but not as deep as I would like. The HIIT portion of the workout was still quite hard and the only move I could do all of the way through was the high-knee runs. By the time I got to the core portion of the workout, I could not do much of anything, but I got through it the best I could. 

Workout Update: Lift-4/645 Corrective and Foam Rolling- Round 2 -Day 4

Day 4 was upper-body foam rolling from 645 and shoulders in Lift 4. 

The shoulders workout was an interval workout, doing three rounds of two shoulder exercises followed by a 30-second HIIT exercise. Then, of course, finishing with core. I was surprised at how tired my shoulders got. By round three I had to drop the weight I was using for the y-raises and the shoulder flys. I was able to do unmodified HIIT and core moves for longer than I was in Round 1, even though I was dead tired by the end of the workout.