The Equalizer With Queen Latifah

I’ve been biting my tongue since watching the latest reboot of The Equalizer, starring Queen Latifah. I can’t say I remember much about the original 1980 television series, starring Edward Woodward as Robert McCall, a retired CIA agent who spends his time helping desperate people in desperate situations.

The series was rebooted with movies in 2014 and 2018, starring Denzel Washington as McCall. The storyline was the same, and I thought Denzel was perfect for the role, one similar to the character he played in Man on Fire. When I heard of the new TV series coming out I was kind of hoping he would be continuing his role.

To say I was shocked and skeptical when I saw that Queen Latifah was given the role of Robyn McCall is an understatement. Queen Latifah. Really? McCall is now retired, but billed as the best agent the CIA ever had. The woman has to be near 300 pounds, with a caboose that barely makes it though doors. Watching her waddle pains me, trying to believe the fight scenes where camera tricks and edits make her look faster than Bruce Lee.

McCall also has a teenage daughter in this latest version, something else that totally contradicts what the CIA would look for in it’s operatives. But as we’ve always been led to believe, you’re never really out of the company. Perhaps this is why our new Equalizer still has access to professional computer hackers and an assortment of fancy weapons.

I have to admit I’m still watching the show, mostly because I like the storylines, but I wince every time I see Latifah faking an action scene. They don’t even try to make her look thinner or more like an action hero – she has a wardrobe that is very unflattering for a large female spy. I’m sorry but watching her in this role is like seeing Mr. Rogers as the next James Bond.

Something to Read in Isolation?

69449806_362432001314455_3696793242042368000_nAnyone bored and looking for something to read? Know any readers who can’t get out and would like to try one of my books? According to experts, we’re probably going to be on lockdown for at least a few more weeks, if not more.

I’m offering free delivery anywhere in Essex County, and can mail books for those of you further away. All my titles are available and I can do multi-book discounts. Email or PM me if you are interested.

edmondgagnon@gmail.com

All my books can be seen at: http://www.edmondgagnon.com

The Detroit Shipping Company

downloadIt seems Cathryn and I don’t get out for dinner as much these days, mostly because we like to cook, and that we expect good food and service for the price we pay. We’ve also been slacking in visits across the border to Detroit, where exciting things have been happening in the restaurant and entertainment scene.

Take the Detroit Shipping Company for example. Some enterprising entrepreneurs took a vacant lot near the Cass Corridor, stacked metal shipping containers in the shape of a square, and added a handful of specialty restaurants to a revitalized neighborhood. The is plenty of room for inside and outside drinking and dining and hanging out.

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Ed’s Weekly Rant – Turn Signals

left1In addition to my daily posts of our travel photos on my Facebook Author Page I thought I’d do something weekly in an attempt to make you laugh, cry, pump your fist in the air in agreement, or just say ‘chill dude.”

This will be my forum for the little things that irritate, agitate, frustrate, infuriate or just plain piss me off. I’m sure some of you will be able to relate to these things – we experience them or have them happen to us every day.

I’ll start with a traffic rant. Turn Signals. I can already hear your wheels turning, thinking about the last idiot who had you shouting at your windshield, honking your horn or flipping the bird.

I traveled east on Tecumseh Road (4 lanes) from Lauzon today, and being what I believe to be an astute driver who looks way up road I moved to from the curb to the left lane to avoid the lineup of about a dozen cars that were stopped for the light at Forest Glade Drive. There was only one car in the left lane, which I would have avoided if the lone car had his signal on – there is no turning arrow there.

I patiently waited behind the car in front of me and casually noted the Alberta licence plate (old cop habit). Less than a minute later the light turned green and I’m sure you can guess what happened next. The car in front of me remained stationary and put his left turn signal on. F*%&!

I did a shoulder check to my right rear and saw there were now fifty cars in the right lane. It’s a good thing I’m retired and was in no hurry. Summer almost became winter while I waited to go through the intersection, but I remained composed. Until the idiot turned and I laid on my horn…just a little bit.

Tune in each week for more good stuff to make your blood boil or to have a good laugh at my expense. I promise the posts will be shorter than this one (no preamble).

Jurassic World – Fallen Kingdom

Jurassic-World-Fallen-KingdomI thought this was the fourth installment from the Flintstones age, so perhaps I missed a sequel to one of the other sequels, but this is number five. I believe I was confused because they all look the same – man messes with dinosaur DNA, good doctors play with their new creations, bad dinosaurs eat a few of the less important characters and finally the hunter villain.

So why bother going to see such a yawner? Cathryn likes the series and it is one of those movies that’s fun to see on the big screen. I think we all have to admit it’s amazing what they can do with computer generated special effects these days. The movie is good family entertainment, but I need a different plot to keep my interest.

I don’t have much more to say about the movie. If you’re a fan than I’m sure you’ll enjoy the film. If you’re looking for something different than don’t waste your time. Perhaps you can wait for number six, yes they tease you in the end, the next installment will no doubt be bad dinosaurs terrorizing a city like the old Godzilla movies.

Cathryn gave this flick a 7 and I a 6 out of 10.

The Two Bill’s – Part 2

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This story appears in my first book, A Casual Traveler

 The Way Back 

            Usually, going somewhere is more fun than coming back. Whenever I plan a trip I try to take that into account. I don’t know how everyone else feels, but I hate covering the same ground twice. I’d much rather make a loop and go out of my way, than drive down the same road more than once. Unless something is worth seeing again, from a different perspective.

            Cathryn and I had a great ride getting to Vancouver, but I knew I had my work cut out for me, trying to find an eventful and scenic way back home. The whole idea of the trip was to cover new ground, since both of us had been out west before. Seattle came to mind. Although I’d been there twice, I never had time to see more than a few token attractions on the waterfront.

Continue reading “The Two Bill’s – Part 2”

The Two Bill’s – Part 1

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This story appears in my first book, A Casual Traveler

 Westward Ho

Cathryn’s big question was, “How do I pack for a whole month?” She was faced with the dilemma of how to get her clothes, shoes, and toiletries into one small suitcase, that fit into the trunk portion of our Harley Davidson motorcycle. I had laid out a plan to ride all the way to Vancouver, and back, within a month…or so.

“You only need to pack for five to seven days,” I offered, “We can do our laundry along the way when we stop for more than a day.” I broke the trip into segments, staying in a few different places for more than one night at a time, so we could take a rest from the bike, and not have to be on it every day of the trip.

We met with our friends Greg and Brenda, to discuss the first leg of the trip. They changed their final destination, deciding to only ride as far as Milwaukee with us. It didn’t matter, we were going on with or without them. Figuring traffic would be lighter, and a hotel in downtown Milwaukee cheaper, we left at 9 am on Sunday, July 3rd.

Continue reading “The Two Bill’s – Part 1”

Steerfish in Spearfish

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You never know what you’ll end up eating when you’re on the road and looking  a  good meal. Cathryn and I struck it rich in Spearfish, South Dakota when the manager at our motel recommended Steerfish Steak & Smoke.

Spearfish is one of those towns that most folks have never heard of, but this restaurant and the annual motorcycle rally in neighboring Sturgis have put them on the map. If you are ever anywhere in the area, visiting this eatery is a must.

Continue reading “Steerfish in Spearfish”