Week 8 - Surgery time

So after the last day of the vacation. We went to the hospital for the surgery. It was a tiring week for me since I have to go to the hospital and come home as well. But I manage to make it work. 

Feb 18
• pack up
• Went to another tea house
• went to a choc factory.
• Arrived back at 330. Had some Korean at the mall
• Life begins again

Feb 19
• Wife was schedule for a meeting. I told her not to go since the person that she despise was there and she will have a meltdown. Low and behold she did. It wasn't a good day so I brought her out to eat.
• The X70 is now due for its 20000km service

Feb 20
• Today is wife’s birthday. So we didn't do anything much. The usual breakfast in the morning. After that we went to the bank. She took out 6000 to pay all her credit cards. So the family is officially on the green now. In the first time since ever. So let's keep it this way. It is going to be a long road. Had some breakfast for lunch and shared a chocolate chip cookie and went to take her medicine. That was mostly the day. Nothing special. Happy 47th birthday. I think we are all just worried about the operation.

Feb 21
• So today is operation time. Mom is back here so she will be in charge of picking up the girls. I've already showed her the way so that is not the issue. The girls didn't say goodbye to wife since they were already late for school. We got dressed and packed and left the house at 12. We had some lunch which was some fish and chips and then made our way to the hospital
• The hospital was really a string of bad luck over and over again. First they were late in processing her arrival. We booked a single room but they didn't have a room available so we are regulated to the 4 bedroom ward. To make matters worse I can stay with her since is a all girls ward. So I had to book a nearby hotel so I will be close by. The funny thing after I book the hotel a single room was available and the hotel was non refundable. She was supposed to go for an MRI before the operation but due to a miscommunication they didn't do it yet. Her operation was supposed to be at 8pm but it was delayed until 10:30pm. By that time I was so tired so I went to the hotel to sleep and got a called from the nurse at 3:30am saying and she is out.

Feb 22
• Today is recovery day for her. Everything hurts and she can't carry her leg. So I had to carry her leg for her.
• I did a couple of classes while she is resting but nothing much happen today. I did checked out of the hotel and got a nice shower before leaving
• I had to leave her because tomorrow morning I had to send my mom to the airport. Luckily her cousin is here to take over

Feb 23
• Send mom to the airport
• Came back to the hospital and took over. I was so exhausted so I slept super early

Feb 24
• I had to pick mom up at night from the airport. Her cousin took over again.
• Her mom in law visited and our favorite aunty visited as well. I miss her. At 65 and single she is living my dream life of becoming happy. Such a tiring week. This week is back to normal. So I hope

The Killer

It is based on a comic

What is it about?
A killer made an error in his killing and now he is trying to right a wrong

The Good
The movie is a monologue style which is interesting. The main character doesn't talk that much
Not that much action but it is always fast paced.

The Bad
The movie was also ending abruptly. No idea what is it all about

The Ugly
Nothing much

After Credits: No 

Verdict: A good movie. I like it 

Monk S3

A change in the series 

Goodbye Sharona: Sharona last episode was episode 9. I love Sharona, she has no nonsense against Monk and also a motherly figure. She provides a certain prespective against Monk phobias

Hello Natalie: I think Natalie is much better. They are partners. The first 6 episodes shows how Monk treats her like a partner and how she treats Monk like a boss. Overall I like the change

Best season: This show has no bad episodes. All episodes are funny and great. Season 3 is one of the greats 

Ending: Not a cliffhanger. But it has one of the sweetest ending ever 

The Creator

It was only a matter of time when a movie like this will come out 

What is it about?
In the distant future (2065) AI has become sentient and poses a threat to humanity. They build a last weapon to stop it and it is up to one person to find the creator of the AI 

The Good
I like how the technology is advance but not that advance to the point of unbelievable 
AI robots are distinctive and how the story is misunderstood 

The Bad
The story is build with a couple of chapters so it is not cohesive. 
This story will serve more as a miniseries rather than a movie
The ending was abrupt 

The Ugly
Nothing much 

After Credits: No

Verdict: It's a serviceable science fiction 

Mario Party 3

They save the best for last 

Game no: 523
Genre: Board   
Platform: Nintendo 64
Release Date: 2000

Another year another Mario Party for the N64. The gameplay is the same. The core mechanics haven't change as much. I think they did tweak the difficulty level for Normal characters which is good. The stages are still super interactive and the minigames are still luck based (with some skill involved) Mario party will always be a staple in my household. Since this is the only game that everyone without any gaming background can play. The controls are simple enough. The gameplay is frustrating yet fun so I think this games appeals to everyone. Playing this solo the experience may vary. So I think that this game is best played with a group of friends. Will I play this again with my girls. Probably not since there are better versions (the gamecube versions are much better than this). But at least I tried it once. I won the board this time so in the end I give this game a B-Rank.

Titans S4

Another show coming to an end

Bad guy of the season: Raven's dad Trigon is supposed to be the new bad but it turns out that bad guy was a person called Brother Blood. 

Story: This season was okay I guess. Everyone of the Titans get an episode to themselves with Superboy and Starfire are the star of this season

Camoes: Camoes by the Doom Patrol, Stargirl, and other DC superheroes in a short montage. This is really the end of the Multiverse of DC shows.

Ending: Satisfying. No loose ends. Everyone has their happy lives. Which is good since this is the last season

Week 7 - A good week. A short trip

This week was a good week. Nothing too exciting happen which is good. The weekend wife decided to made an impromptu trip to Cameron Highlands. So that was great. The last trip before her surgery

Feb 13
• Today had to send mom to airport, after that I need to run some errands such as picking up wife’s medications. In the evening I had to pick mom up. Arrived home close to 11pm. 300km the whole day
• Made a new friend online. I love Twitter/X. A good place to reconnect with people.
• My friend from New Jersey said hi. We’ve been friends for 4 years and sometimes we don’t connect but sometimes we do remember each other and that’s nice

Feb 14
• mom finally went home after 10 days.
• H2 had a school field trip. To a trampoline park I think. This time she is alone. Her best friend had Covid so she can’t come. Overall the trip was good until…
• Wife got pissed off at how messy the house is. So everyone has to clean the house before we get our privileges taken away

Feb 15
• H1 had her last sport day. Not sure why she goes there. She never participates. Sometimes I just think she wants to be close to where the action is. But nothing much after that.
• H2 cried again every Thursday. Which is sad. I told her there is nothing much you can do but just leave the room,

Feb 16
• H2 doesn’t want to go school. Due to been crying all week
• Wife decide to pack our bags and we’re going to a holiday. She likes to plan this types of holiday where there is no planning involve. I kinda don’t like it but I nowadays just go with the flow since I would rather have her happy than upset
• Arrived at Cameron Highlands. Roads were winding. Driving was awesome. I feel like was driving in a rally game
• Room was okay. We shared 2 queen bed with the girls in one room
• For dinner we ate steamboat and we didn’t eat much of the ingredients provided. The food was okay.

Feb 17
• This morning we woke up early to go to the tea plantation. The roads to the tea plantation were narrow and a bit dangerous. I send everyone up and then park below. Over there we had breakfast while enjoying the beautiful view of the tea farm. Cameron isn't as cold as I thought it would be.
• After that we went to a cactus farm. The roads were starting to be full of cars but we were in the opposite direction. Over there the girls bought a lot of cactus plants.
• Stop by a scone shop and bought some scones for the family back home.
• Stop at a fancy hotel called the Smokehouse to eat lunch. I shared a beef wellington while H2 ate some bangers and mashed. H1 just ate some scones while I ordered a plate of fries to share
• We done everything so we went home for a while to take a nap till 4pm.
• After that we went to the night market. Over there we saw a lot of fresh produce and food. We bought dinner at and just call it a night
• Still have time to make classes which is always great

This week is going to be the week of her operation. I am not lying if I say I am not worried but let's just hope for the best.

Mario Party 2

The second outing. Will it be better

Game no: 522
Genre: Board   
Platform: Nintendo 64
Release Date: 1999

The next year Nintendo will try again release a sequel to their ever popular game. Mario Party 2. Nothing much has change from their previous formula. There is a still boards to play on and there are minigames to battle every time you end your turn. The Normal computer players are still super hard and the AI sometimes can be proven to be frustrating. There are a couple minigames requires you a split second decision in how you win it so that can also be frustrating in a sense.

Other than that. This game is actually fun. I did enjoy some of the minigames and the board is fun as well. I didn't win since it this game luck is not on my side. But I did finish the hardest board on the game list. Overall Mario party is a great game with friends. If you play this alone your mileage may vary. I can't say you will have fun. But it is something to do to pass the time. Another B-Rank for me 

Mario Party

The game that started it all 

Game no: 521
Genre: Board   
Platform: Nintendo 64
Release Date: 1998

I've been playing Mario party for close to 20 years. It is the game that my kids and I play or when we have guest over. The premise is a board game with a lot of smaller minigames that can provided unless fun and also unfair shenanigans. So I am taking a trip down memory lane to see how was the first game looks like and how has it evolved since. The core gameplay is still there. There is a board and you roll the dice to see where you land on the board and after each players takes a turn you will play a minigame. The minigame will ranger on vs 4 players, 1 vs 2 or 2 vs 2. There are also special minigames such as coin games and also the dreaded Bowser specials. Each board provides a different gimmick and challenge which makes getting the stars not as easy as you think. 

So let's established that I love Mario party. Weather playing at alone or with people. It is always a fun thing to do. But the first game really has a lot of issues. First of all the AI at normal is super hard. Couple with the bad controls of the game. You'll end up losing most of the minigames. The minigames that you can win are usually based on luck and skills. In the end you'll end up frustrating yourself more. In then end this game was a nice attempt at something special. They will end up making 10 more of of these. But for the first game. I played one board and I considered that game played. B-Rank for me 

Week 6 - 2024 seems to be a crappy year so far

The hits just keep on coming. I don't know that is it just the year. Or everything is just hitting me like a ton of bricks. This week it finally happen. An implosion of relationship with my best friend. I knew that eventually this is going to happen and honestly my heart was ready for it. Other than that mom is here so that is kinda of a mixed bag. 

 Feb 4

• H2 went out for the first time unsupervised. Her best friend from school 5 years back changed school at the connected back. So they wanted to spend a day together at the mall. So the parents brought the kids to do karaoke while the parents went to have lunch and catch up. I remember how friendly the husband was. A good time to catch up. Plus this family is super rich. I am happy for them. Wish that one day I will be rich as well.

Feb 5

• Wife students finish presenting their Final year project (Part 1). So as a treat wife brought them to go eat at a local restaurant. The restaurant was a bit of a hipster cafe. Very hip. The food is not bad but is a tad on the spicy side. We end up talking a lot and just having a good time
• Pick up mom from the airport. She is going to stay here for a while. At least for 9 days. It is always a treat when mom is around. I send her to the hotel and she will be back later.

Feb 6

• Mom in law came the whole family and the baby. It seems that ever since the baby is here we keep going there or they keep coming here. I know that he is going to be a baby for another year or two but I guess we should enjoy it while it last.

Feb 7

• Went to the hospital for wife physio and her doctor's appointment. Found out that the doctor was busy but we have already set the appointment date. Her operation is set on 21st Feb. I won't lie that I am not worried. I am not that worried about the operation but more of the anesthetic. That is quite risky. Let’s just hope for the best and I can catch up on my classes before the operation.

Feb 8 😞😭 (unmemorable)

• Got cursed and told off by my best friend. They really hate me. I am sad but really there is nothing much I can do. Last thing they said to me is that they hate me and they want nothing to do with me. Well I’ve just been block on all socials and messages. I am sad but I am okay with it. I know that if God willing our paths will cross again and Insya Allah that we will meet each other again. They are always in my prayers and I’m going to miss them dearly

Feb 10

• H1 is still coughing after 10 days so we went to the clinic and she got her blood drawn. That was funny and interesting at the same time. Okay it turns out that she doesn’t have her BCG (a compulsory vaccine) so she needs to retake it back. Oh and it’s Chinese New Year. So it’s a long holiday

Another week. Very stressful for me. I think its because of the investment money that it is currently in limbo. And my best friend invested a lot of money in it. They are not happy that they lost the money. Well technically the money is not lost, the lawyers are working to get it back but with all good things, you need to wait for it to happen. So next week will hopefully be a quiet week since there is nothing much in the horizon. Let's hope.

Mario Kart 64

The first of many modern Mario Kart 

Game no: 520
Genre: Racing   
Platform: Nintendo 64
Release Date: 1997

So this is considered the fist game in the Mario Kart series. It has all the modern game mechanics that makes up what we know and love in Mario Kart today. (Techically this is Mario Kart 2). You start with 8 characters and 16 tracks. The track ranges from easy to downright hard.

What I liked about this game is that the racing is fast paced. If you get left behind you can catch up by the power ups. I think the most useful powerup is the lightning since it provides a significant boost for you to catch up. There is a blue shell but that doesn't seem to do the same thing as in the previous Mario Kart. The karts handle very good. There is a slide button but you rarely use it since it always tend to understeer and you'll end up going off track. 

What I don't like about this game which I think they improve on it after previous iterations. The main thing I don't like about this game is that the moment you get hit by something the reaction time is slow. You'll end up in a 10 second or more slowdown and it is going to take you a long time to catch up. That really hurts the game experience since newer Mario Karts you'll be right back in the action. Another thing is that even at 100cc the game is relentlessly hard. The AI opponents will always catch you no matter how far you are and the weapons have a lag time every time you want to fire it.

So I finish all the cups and enjoyed my time with it. Mario Kart is a suitable game but not for solo players. It is fun playing with another 3 people. That said this game is really enjoyable. I don't know when I get to play any current gen game but this game is really one of the best so far this year. A-Rank for me 

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes

This movie was not that good

What is it about?
Go way back to the first Hunger Games where the young president snow is charge to handle on of the tributes

The Good
The first part of the is not bad. Where they start with the story on how the games came to be
Action is real since they are fighters without skill
Didn't know this was a musical since there are a lot of songs in this movie 

The Bad
The second part of the movie is like an entirely different movie. 
That part of the movie is a bit boring and I didn't quite like it 
The ending sucks

The Ugly 
Why they are hungry? I didn't catch that 

After Credits: No

Verdict: It is an okay movie. Nothing special

Monk S2

Mr Monk is back 

What's new in season 2: Well they changed a couple of characters. Just recast them. The captain and Disher has also stories relating to them. Monk brother was introduce who suffers from agoraphobia 

Cases: Some of the cases we already know how they done it but some of them are quite perplexing

Best episodes: While all of the episodes are entertaining. Here are some of the episodes that stands out Mr Monk goes to Mexico, Goes to the Theatre, Mr Monk and the TV Star and Goes to Jail

Ending: Ended in a cliffhanger so it will continue in season 3   

Napoleon

This movie was a waste of time 

What is it about?
This is a biopic of Napoleon Bonaparte and it shows the story of his rise and fall 

The Good
Well they did tell the story from start to finish. 
The war scene are choreographed very well 

The Bad
His life sucked. The story sucked. He spend most of his time trying to conquer other lands but in the end he didn't get anything 
Medical breakthrough during that time were really dumb

The Ugly
He is not as short as they say in the movie 

After Credits: No

Verdict: Don't waste your time  

This is Us S6

 I didn't want this to end

Premise: The final chapter of the Pearson family where we follow the Big 3 and the conclusion of the greatest love story ever told 

Crying no you're crying: This season really hits hard where there are a lot of instances where they show all life flashes before our eyes. Every thread is closed and a new thread is open. That is the thing about life. There are ups and downs. There are good days and there are bad days. But we have to be there for all the days no matter how bad or how good it gets. 

I was putting this off: I didn't want to watch it knowing that is the final season but eventually I think it was time to say goodbye to them. I'm glad that everyone had their happy ending and Rebecca gets the sendoff she deserve. I really didn't want this to end 

Will I watch this again: Maybe, but probably with someone else. I don't want to watch it alone anymore. This is a really good show 

Merry Little Batman

 A Christmas Batman special

What is it about?
Damian Wayne son of Bruce Wayne wants to be a Superhero like his dad

The Good
The movie is fun to watch 
A lot of classic Batman villains

The Bad
I am not a fan of the art style that much. It looks too messy 
There are a couple of inconsistencies in the story 

The Ugly
Why is Damian wearing a Batman suit. He should be wearing a Robin suit 

After Credits: No

Verdict: A fun Christmas movie
 

Monk S1

I'm starting my binge before the Movie 

Premise: Adrian Monk was drop out of the force due to being scared of everything. Now he solve crimes as a consultant for the police 

How funny is this: The show is funny. Well there some moments that are just down hilarious

Best episode: Mr Monk Takes a Vacation and Mr Monk and the Airplane. Monk solves crimes outside of his normal places are usually the funny ones 

Seasaon 1: Didn't end in a cliffhanger. 12 episodes of something that is going to be the stuff of legends  

Leave the World Behind

The worse case scenario 

What is it about?
A family went on a vacation out of the city and then the internet got cut off

The Good
If you like Mr Robot and Homecoming. You will like this movie. The director style is a lot of quietness and mystery in the first hour before the mystery got revealed. 
The movie is very interesting. You will want to know what will happen next

The Bad
You don't actually know what happen due to the fact that they mostly focus on the family and not the world in general. So we can only speculate 
The ending.. left very open ended

The Ugly
Kevin Bacon's character was left under utilized 

After Credits: No

Verdict: Well I like it. If you like a mystery end of the world style movie. You should watch this.

The Fall of the House of Usher

From the works of Edgar Allen Poe 

Premise: A mysterious set of circumstances cause each member of the Usher family (turns out it was not the singer) dies every single day

How scary is it? Well there are a couple jump scare moments. But the scares are few and far between. 

Is the story good: Yes, this show is that good. It starts of slow but after episode 2 you are hooked. You want to know what happens next and what was the mystery behind it 

Verdict: If you like a good mystery horror. This show is a very good show. Must watch. 

Week 5 - It was good but with a minor hiccup

Last week of January. It is just me or time really is going faster. Which is great for me since I need to settle my debts fast. 

 Jan 28

• Mama met her best friend and this time her friend brought her daughter with them. Their daughter is my age and has two kids (aged 8 and 12). We ate at a very fancy restaurant that I will have to save a months salary to eat. We had great food and I talked a lot with my new "old" friend. We laughed a lot and turns out she was a Swiftie like me too. She is going to Japan with the girls to see the concert. How lucky.

Jan 31

• My hacker friend left today. Deleted her telegram and whatsapp. I thought she finally gave up but it turns out that her phone was busted. False alarm on my part. So far all good I guess

Overall January I became broke… I do love a challenge. So here is the start of me paying back what I owed. January wasn’t a great beginning with covid so let’s hope the February will be better

Feb 1 😞

• This has not been a good week for wife. With her job issues and her constant pain. She wasn't mentally prepared. I knew that tonight when we both are asleep she will try to hurt herself. Which is true since she woke up up at 3am and I found her on the floor with her wrist all bloodied. The cuts are deep but now I am like super detach from the situation. I sympathize but I can't do anything much but just support her. That's the only thing I can do
• Wife best friend came to visit her. They were supposed to go out for lunch but due to the incident in the morning. Her friend opted to come at the house instead. She brought food so that was good. They had a good talk and I just continue on doing classes and marking her exam scripts

Feb 2

• Last day for wife's students in university so they invite her to go and have fun. She was gone from 10am till 9pm. At least she is having fun. After a day yesterday

So That Week 5 in the bag. Still not a prefect great week. But it is okay. I'll take it a day at a time.

Killers of the Flower Moon

This is a long movie. Like really long

What is it about?
This is based on the true story about the Osage Indian murders. Where the Osage tribe has become the riches people in America due to their land is build under an oil field 

The Good
The story is sad and amazing at the same time
Leo really is a versatile actor
The pacing is good

The Bad
This movie is 3 hours and 30 minutes with the end is wrapped up in a short story 
They really didn't explain what happen with the murders. Only a certain part was solve 

The Ugly
Old timely people are  very trustworthy. As you can see money does change you 

After Credits: No 

Verdict: It is more of a history movie. I enjoyed it