Something about work has just been exhausting lately, so I didn’t feel the least bit bad about sleeping in again and not stepping outside until after 2 in the afternoon. I could have mowed the grass, but I figured it could wait until Sunday. With Alaya staying at her father’s, there wasn’t a little baby around needing our attention or entertainment.
Eventually, I made a little brunch: chorizo potato hash with a fried egg. Lola had really been craving my version of this meal, so I obliged. The only thing I changed was the type of potato I used—but honestly, I’m probably the only one who even noticed.
Saturday afternoon was spent bouncing around town.
I went to Hobby Lobby for a bit with Yvette and Lola. I saw a lot I wanted, but I showed extreme restraint and walked away empty-handed. I really have no need for more pumpkins. They make it so difficult, though, with that 40% off special on everything. Damn them for trying to make a sale!
My mother and her friends were out enjoying a little reunion, so my next mission was to check on her doggies. I’m so happy for my mom and her friends—I hope that when I’m their age, I can still go out and have fun like that. It’s rather heartwarming.
I’ve been trying to give them space to fully enjoy themselves and reflect on the past. I hate to intrude, but part of me wishes I could be around to get to know them better and hear some old stories. Honestly, they’ve been so busy catching up, I probably wouldn’t have had a moment to visit anyway—and that’s a good thing. My mom originally tried to get out of doing the whole reunion weekend, but she was having so much fun that she just kept going along with the events.
Eventually, I found myself at the lily park—it’s where I always end up. It looked like they were finally starting to tame the ponds. I’d thought they looked way too overgrown on my last few visits. Ever since Ken Landon—the longtime caretaker and heart of the pond—passed away, the place has really needed some love and attention. Lilyfest is just a week away, so I guess they’re trying to get on top of it.
On Sunday, I woke up and made breakfast: some pan-seared potatoes, grilled sausage and bacon, and eggs cooked to everyone’s liking. I turned it all into little breakfast tacos.
I had a few tasks ahead of me for the day, the first being the fucking yard. I really didn’t want to tackle it. I made some coffee and tried to pump myself up for the challenge. Thank the Lord it wasn’t too hot—small blessings. I mowed, I hedged, I cleaned up. I mixed up a very strong weed poison and went after the god-awful clover. This was my third attempt at annihilation. The resilient bastard just didn’t want to die. Fuck them.
Later, I went out to my mother’s and visited with her about her fun-filled weekend. She and her friends had a great time catching up and attending events together. It was honestly inspirational to hear her talk about it. I really hope I’m still capable of things like that when I reach my 70s.
And with that, the weekend was over. I’m not even sure how the rest of Sunday blew past me. I had a few horror movies playing in the background and made a little dinner for myself, but I didn’t do much else.
The week started off well. I was convinced that I had Staff Senate, but I was actually a week ahead of schedule. Monday was Owen’s 7th birthday, and he was a little pampered by me—as much as I can pamper that dog, at least. He did get a raw egg for his birthday dinner. When eggs weren’t so expensive, I used to give my dogs a raw egg every Sunday. Now, like many things, they’re reserved for special occasions.
The rest of the week in a few words:
Tuesday – we had a dinner guest. Dinner for eight.
Wednesday – morning meeting. Be complacent.
Thursday – experimental flu shot. Money in my pocket.
Friday – both dogs had a vet appointment. Difficulty.
Let me back up to Wednesday.
We had to attend a special on-campus meeting about the assassination of Charlie Kirk. The purpose of the meeting was to remind everyone that what they say or do in a public forum reflects on the state entity that which they work for—and that it can cost them their jobs, even if it falls under your First Amendment right to freedom of speech.
I assumed that was common knowledge, but apparently it needed reiterating. You can’t go around being an asshole off work. Say or do whatever you want. Employers have and an image to uphold. Many people did not realize this. In the state of Texas a lot of jobs have been lost in the last week over this insane bullshit—because it doesn’t align with the current “government” ideology. Often easier to let someone go than have an image tarnished.
Now, if you put yourself out there, you might have to face the consequences. That’s just how it is. Be it losing friends, being let go from your job, or—God forbid—having violence committed against you. It’s a risky choice. Many people will likely disagree with you.. One should expect that.
But that’s the people, not the government, making those choices. When the Governor of the state of Texas is calling for students to be expelled and employee’s fired. When the President of the USA is pressuring media silence on those that he disagrees with… What the hell has happened to this country?
Freedom of speech.
It feels like it’s dying a slow death.
I don’t want anyone I disagree with to ever be silenced. Opposition should always have a voice. That’s what keeps us from living in echo chambers—hearing only the voices and opinions we already agree with. It’s healthy to take a dose of disagreement. Even better if some kind of bridged understanding can be built between two opposing forces.
That is free speech. That is the First. Fucking. Amendment.
Free speech has always been about one thing: preventing the goddamn government from controlling the conversation. Public backlash, boycotts, online mobs—those can be harsh and unfair, but they aren’t violations of the First Amendment.
The real threat comes when the state itself uses its muscle to muzzle.
And make no mistake—that is what we’re seeing.
If we don’t call it out, if we don’t defend the right to speak even when we hate the words, then we’re not just losing the argument. We’re losing the very fucking freedom that allows us to argue in the first place.
In other words, we’re fucked.
Now you all go and have yourselves a nice fucking Friday. Cheers!
Horror Season 2025
IT (2017–2019).
I grew up terrified of the 1990 TV mini-series, mainly because of Tim Curry’s take on Pennywise the Clown—it was pure nightmare fuel. As a child, that film was incredibly effective. Imagine a monster that can manifest all your worst fears in a way that could harm you? Terrifying. The source material was always strong, and the story was more than ready for a modern update.
Then along came Andy Muschietti, who I think did a superb job. I know a lot of people groaned at the very idea of a remake. These were people with an intense sense of nostalgia for the original—and nostalgia is often blinding. I was guilty of it too. Even though I knew the original was flawed, I was apprehensive about a remake, mainly because—who in the world could possibly top Tim Curry?
Rewatching IT (1990) now, it’s clearly not nearly as scary as it felt when I was a kid—and the second half of the film is honestly boring. It’s dated, and aside from Curry, the acting is terrible. Muschietti had one hell of a job ahead of him.
In the original adaptation, so much material was left on the cutting room floor. For a made-for-TV movie, they did well with what they had at their disposal, but I had read the (very, very) long novel twice, so I knew what was missing. I also knew that not everything in the book could—or should—be adapted to the screen. Some of it would be nearly impossible to portray, and other sections were just too weird or distracting. King needed his own cutting board. With this knowledge, I knew Muschietti had to strike a delicate balance.
The biggest challenge was finding the right actor to play Pennywise. Tim Curry’s unnerving version was iconic, and the last thing anyone wanted was a cheap imitation. What the film needed was a completely fresh take.
Enter Bill Skarsgård.
Much like how I initially doubted Heath Ledger as the Joker, I wasn’t convinced at first by Skarsgård’s casting. But when the first trailer dropped, I knew he was the right choice. Curry played the part more sadistic—like he got off on scaring the crap out of the kids. Skarsgård played Pennywise more feral and twitchy, like a drug addict needing his fix. The fear he took from the kids was his drug—like meth. He needed to feed on it to survive.
The novel is split between the perspectives of the children and their adult counterparts. To make the first film convincing, a strong cast of child actors was absolutely essential. Somehow, Muschietti pulled it off. Not a single child actor was a weak link—each had strong screen presence. Since the first film (Chapter One) is the part most fans adore, casting those kids well was a major win. Even without the scares Pennywise manifested, I would have enjoyed a movie based solely on the chemistry between the young actors. The very R-rated dialogue made them feel so much more believable.
The next challenge was making Chapter Two as engaging as Chapter One. Almost everyone agrees that the child-focused sections of the book are the best parts. It was the best part of the 1990 version too. Muschietti cleverly saved enough of the kids’ material for the second film, which gave us flashbacks that added depth. He also cast some top-tier actors as the adult versions: Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy, Bill Hader—excellent choices. A major reason the second half of the 1990 film failed was that the acting wasn’t believable or even engaging.
All in all, the films pull it off. Fans of the original can appreciate what Muschietti did with the source material. The films include scenes that had never translated to screen before, which keeps things fresh, while also updating fan-favorite moments with care. It worked. While some of the CGI can be a little distracting at times, it wasn’t overused or overbearing. I was able to overlook it in favor of enjoying a well-made adaptation.
Watching both films back-to-back over the weekend was no small undertaking—it was about a five-hour journey. I was entertained. I still enjoy the parts of the films with the children the most, but unlike the 1990 version, Muschietti was able to make the adults’ story engaging too. I do believe he accomplished his goals and exceeded many expectations.
As a horror fan, I was happy—finally happy—with a film translation of a book that frightened me more than almost any other.
Jalapeño.
Grilled tuna tacos with mango salsa.
Red chicken enchilada bowl topped with an over easy egg.
Grilled hoisin chicken thigh with leftover rice and broccoli.
Shrimp po boy.
Chicken fajita quesadilla.
Pollo Chile Verde taco bowl.
The good steak.
En Fuego 