The Walking Dead

Image: http://www.thewalkingdead.com/

Well, I finally caught up on The Walking Dead. I read a number of the comics and figured I was
good. I read the comics, what would I get from the show. Being that I watch little to no TV I had no real desire to watch the show.

Then too many people told me it was different and it was worth seeing. I finally gave in and started to binge watch it this summer while Michele and the kids were on a trip and I was stuck home painting the house and working at a new job (no vacation time for me).

My summary of the first season is. This is just a drama with Zombies thrown in. Look, people not getting along. Tension. Zombies. Tension. Not a real, hook me season but it was good enough and I was told wait for Season 3. Also, pretty similar to the comic.

Ok, Season 2, now we are talking. Things still similar to the comic. Enough divergences that I was wondering when Shane would die. Giving me a big hook. I liked how they started to amp up the tension and the season finale was excellent. I was so glad I did not have to wait long to start Season 3.

30 seconds later, hit Season 3, Episode 1 on Netflix and we were in. Season 3 did not disappoint.

It was great. The addition to the story with the competing Woodbury was excellent. I liked the twists it added.

Now one aside. I do like to think that humanity would not turn to such shit as in the show.

What I found interesting throughout the seasons is that the characters meant to be most unlike me, Daryl and his Brother (but more Daryl) are the ones I truly connect with. They aren't stupid. While all the other "city-folks" are running around crying about the end of the world, these guys are scavenging and killing Zombies without a blink of an eye. The world has changed and you better drop your I'm too good for this quick or die is what they show. I like to think people would react this way, but maybe that is just me.

I guess by this admission, there is more Redneck in me than I figure. In reality, it's just the writers trope that people are stupid and would take a long time to adjust to a fight for survival. The counter-point for most of the characters are two guys who seem simple but in fact have their shit together. So, ya it's TV and the stupidity makes for tension and "good TV" I guess.

I finished Season 3 a week or so ago and I am getting the shakes from missing "my show." But last night, Season 4 was unleashed on Netflix in prep for the return of The Walking Dead, Season 5.

So, now I am binging again, waiting for the next season. Who will survive?

Watching "An Idiot Abroad"

Image: Wikipedia

I picked up this show on Netflix and I am enjoying it immensely. Here is the premise, Karl Pilkington is a regular joe, a real Home Simpson of a guy. He is British, he does not like to travel, and he is a little small minded. He does not like new or strange things.

He is also pals with Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant. Stephen wants Karl to open his mind and travel the world as a learning experience. Ricky wants Karl to suffer for his and our enjoyment. The two of them throw little side trips into Karl's journeys that are meant to torture/enlighten Karl.

Hilarity ensues and Karl does not disappoint. As someone that has travelled a bit, I can empathise with Karl when he is dog tired and still has to push through. Or when he gets a room with a garbage shed ensuite and must sleep in a room that smells like a toilet.

If you like travel, if you like British dark humor, oe if you hate travel and want ammo for why, then check out An Idiot Abroad. We are having a grand time laughing at it in our house.

Three Month Check In

It's been 3 months since I resigned from BlackBerry and left to do a stint as a Stay At Home Dad (SAHD, is the lingo apparently). Here's a check in with how things have been going.

My primary reason for resigning was to concentrate more on my kids and help my family out. That has been going very well. We are still getting used to Dad at home but I am happy to say that my youngest is doing great with the one on one help and attention he has been getting. My wife has been happy that there are more meals being prepared by me and that things around the house are getting done, slowly, but still getting done.

As part of my time off the past three months I have been able to volunteer in both of my sons classes. So far I have taught 2 Computer Science classes to my older son's grade 2 class. For my younger son, his teacher has graciously let me come in 1-2 times a week to help his Kindergarten class. I do mostly math, some exercise/active games, a little reading, and a little art (basically, whatever she needs help doing). I have become a celebrity with his class and the kids are all excited to see me there. Teaching and interacting with the kids has been one of the high points of my time off.

As an outlet for my creativity, I have been very happy with the blogging as a place to express my opinions, share my multitude of ideas with you, and connect with my readers (mostly friends or family). When I began this blog it was a way to share my latest doings with friends, a bit with family, and a lot with colleagues. My technical and Mac troubleshooting posts are still my most read articles. Since I have gone off to be a SAHD, I have expanded my writing more into my other areas of interest as I have had more time to explore them.

Of course, we can't forget guitar. I have gotten worse, since I have been adding singing, and better at playing since I went off. I would not hire me to sing at your wedding but my jam partner and I are having a blast as we continue to rock out each week.

While off I have dropped 10 lbs but I am still far from a healthy weight and where I want to be. I have done ok the past 3 months with better eating and exercise but am not satisfied with my progress. This is why I am dedicating April to fitness so I can kickstart one of my other loves, running long distance. I look forward to how the month turns out and planning the next phase with running.

Lastly, since I started the DroolFactory, I have meet more people, become active on social media and watched as my readership has expanded. It's always exciting for me when I see a comment from someone, a retweet, or like for an article I wrote.  Thanks to all of you for reading my ramblings and continuing to come back. You make this site worth working on.