Just a brief weekend summation.

Saw Tomb Raider on Friday. Enjoyable, but predictable flick. Certainly better than The Mummy Returns, although wife disagrees. Despite what my wife says, Angelina Jolie played the part well. You really believed she was enjoying the dangerous stuff.

Only found two continuity errors. One subtle, the other pretty basic (even the wife saw that one). It's kinda sad when you notice things like that on the first viewing... means either the mistakes were glaring, or the movie didn't quite have you completely in their grasp.

Really pissed off that they didn't use the round, red sunglasses. I was looking forward to those.

And yes, I bought the poster.

Saturday was a shopping trip to Central City, although we didn't take off on the two-hour drive until almost 14:00. Spent way too much money. First stop was a gaming store, where I treated myself to a box of Apocalypse boosters (but only got eight out of the deal... had to share with wife, sons and wife's godson). And naturally I didn't get any of the angels.

I had recommended Italian for dinner, just as a change in pace, which was well received. Drove clear across town looking for a restaurant I had enjoyed many years back, but it's gone. Building and all. So ended up back at the restaurant across the street from the gaming shop. True, bona fide Italian.

Wife was in heaven...she grew up in a large Mid-western city, with ethnic neighborhoods and great restaurants, so she enjoyed showing us all what true Italian was like. Like dipping your bread in extra virgin olive oil (grossed godson out... called it eating "green bread"), or a real Italian dressing on your salad.

I volunteered to be the designated driver so wife could enjoy her dinner with wine. Got brownie points for that.

Tried the taramasu for desert, something new. Wife had canoles, so I got a taste of those as well. But the chocolate cake with fudge and raspberry syrup that the boys both ordered was the best. Godson's peach/pistacchio/chocolate ice cream was unimpressive.

Next stop was the mall, beginning with the book store. And a music/video store. Lots more money spent, but not on me (I got a book on knots off the bargain table).

Decided to check the Hallmark store, just in case they had the new Star Trek ornaments in yet (nope). That was a mistake. They had a large rack of musically tuned wind chimes up. Youngest son liked the huge set that sounded like Buddhist monastery bells, but we opted for the 4'-long Cathedral bells set.

Paid too much, but the two of us spent almost an hour sitting on the porch listening to them this afternoon. Beautiful tones, and you cannot hear them past the front sidewalk, so they won't drive any neighbors crazy.

Speaking of crazy... if I had money to throw away, I would love to buy the Buddhist monastery set, hike up into the Ferrises and mount them in one of the limestone caves. Imagine someone hiking back in that rugged country suddenly hearing those musical tones out of nowhere. 'Course, the lions might be a little perturbed after the first few hours.

Didn't leave Central City until almost 22:00. As we were leaving town I saw two different establishments with the same neon signs, and thought about you folks out in Diaryland. If any of you end up visiting this country and see the "Tanning" signs, it does not mean you should get your swimsuit on and make an appointment. Out here, "Tanning" means this is the place to bring your deer, antelope and elk hides. To have them made into leather.

Just thought you should know.

Stopped at the Independance Rock reststop on the way home, and I tried to convince the wife to hike up the rock in the dark.

Always wanted to do that, but no go.

Today was pretty lazy. Hung up the chimes, opened the Apocalypse boosters, mowed the yard and called my folks. Found out I lost an Aunt a couple weeks ago, and my high school bud's father is being buried tomorrow.

Thanks for letting us know, people.

Not really ready for Monday.