Watching Star Wars

Posted on December 28, 2017 by vanbraman

Yesterday I decided to go see the new Star Wars movie while having just a little more work done on Old Blue.

So, this morning I got up early so that I could drop my car off and walk across to the theater before the movie started.

Early Bird Showing, Cinemark, Movies, Star WarsI took this while walking so it is a bit blurry, but there were hardly any cars in the parking lot at the mall when I arrived.

Movie Lobby, Theater, Cinemark, Star Wars, TicketsThe lobby was lit up by just a few lights when I arrived and I had to wait about 20 minutes before they finally opened up. I do like the colors of this picture.

Star Wars, Last Jedi, Episode 8, MoviesBuying a ticket was a bit more complicated than the last time I bought a ticket. I was asked where I wanted to sit, which is something I never think about until I get into the theater and look around for the best available. I was presented with a screen to make a choice and I was a bit confused as I had never had to do this before.

I am trying to think of the last movie I saw in a theater, but I know I didn’t have to pick a seat. I also know that the ticket price was less. I was there for the first screening of the day so got the Early Bird price of $6.99. I looked to see what a full price ticket was and it is $10.75 for a weekday evening showing. No wonder movies are setting records with these prices.

reclining theater seats, lounge chairs, cinemark theater, Star WarsThey had also upgraded the theater since I had last been there. Now there are nice padded reclining seats. There were nice and comfortable so it was a good thing I wasn’t tired or I may have slept through the movie.

Movie Screen, good seat, Star Wars, CinemarkI did have a good seat that was right near the center both horizontally and vertically. Also far enough back so that I can easily see the full screen without moving my head much during an action sequence.

The trailers started up fairly quick since they didn’t open up until almost time for the movie to start.

Star Wars, The Last Jedi, Episode VIII, CinemarkSoon the trailers were over and the movie started. I couldn’t resist taking one quick shot of the title before relaxing and watching the movie.

I did enjoy the movie, but there were a few little things that bugged me a bit. Especially trying to inject humor into places where it would have been better to leave it out. I would say that this one was better than the last one.

I am also thinking that now a Star Wars Marathon would be even longer. You may not be able to watch all of them during a flight back and forth to Europe anymore 🙂

After the movie it was back to pick up Old Blue. Then it was home and back to the dealer again for another two hours. That is another story, but at least I got a lot of reading done.

Have you seen the new Star Wars movie?

Steven

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Some 2017 Highlights

Posted on December 27, 2017 by vanbraman

2017 has been an interesting year full of travel and adventures as well as a lot of hard work close to home.

The year has had ups and downs, but overall has been a good year.

Tonight I will share a few of the highlights.

Dead Sea, FloatingOne of the things that I can cross off of my Bucket List is floating in the Dead Sea. I have been to the Dead Sea area several times before, but it was not until this year that I made it into the water.

See Med to Dead for a few more pictures from the first day of my trip to Israel this summer.

So how was floating in the Dead Sea? Not at the top of my list of things I want to do again. I am not a big water person and the water was disgusting 🙂 However, it was really nice to do this with some of my closest friends.

Worksop Priory, Worksop, Anglican, Worksop EnglandOne of my favorite stops this year was at the Priory Church of our Lady and St. Cuthbert in Worksop, England.

Here is where my 11th great grandfather Richard Barnard served as Vicar in the early 1600’s.

Wooden Altar, Jacobean, Worksop Priory, Richard BarnardIt was amazing to see and touch the wooden communion table that was used by Richard Barnard more than 400 years ago.

For more on the visit see my post A Visit to Worksop Priory.

Business Class 787, United Airlines, UA1, SFO to SINThis year I also took my longest every flight on UA1 from San Francisco to Singapore. The flight is schedule for 17 hours and 25 minutes. Luckily, I had a free upgrade to Business Class. This also checked off another Bucket List item of flying Business Class on a 787 Dreamliner.

See my post: My Longest Flight

747 Upper Deck, Lay Flat, Individual ScreensAnother upgrade allowed me to fly To Germany on the Upper Deck of a 747. I have flown on the upper deck a handful of times through the years, but this one was a bit special as it was my last time on the upper deck with United Airlines.

747 economy plus, United Airlines, Last 747 flightMy Last United 747 Flight was in Economy Plus. By this time of the year I had used all my upgrades 🙂 This flight was a bit special as it was in the last week that United flew 747’s on International flights. There are some things that I will miss about the 747, but definitely welcome the newer models that they are now flying.

I am trying to think of where all I was this year: Australia, Germany (3x), England (2x), Singapore, Israel, Florida, Missouri (2x)

Shakespeare, First Folio, Bodleian Libraries, OxfordAs I look at the list of where I have been I will also add seeing a Shakespeare First Folio at the Singapore National Library to my list of highlights for the year.

Burnt Ends, Smokehouse BBQ, Gladstone, Best BBQ, Kansas City BBQWhat would be a highlight post without some food. One food highlight was eating at one of my favorite restaurants in Kansas City. See: Burnt Ends Dinner

Trendglas Jena, Glass Teacup, Zyclo, Brahmin TeaI have also been exploring tea a bit more this year. Here was A Wonderful Cup of Tea that I really enjoyed.

OK, I will close this out before I really start to wander all over the place. Plus, I need to get some sleep.

Steven

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