Bob’s Thirsty Thursdays: Thankful for Guardians of the Galaxy and other stuff

We’re T-Minus 1 week away from Thanksgiving and the start of the impending glory of the Holiday season—which is crazy as it seems like only yesterday it was Halloween and only a few weeks ago I was out hunting Bigfoot during yet another camping trip through the wilderness of the Pacific Northwest. I will be taking next week off so I can drink my drink and eat my eat, but figured this would be a good time to lay out a few things I’m thankful for. And not in a cheesy heart-to-heart kind of way, but mostly in a this-is-what-I’m-into-right-now kind of way.

Guardians of the Galaxy

I’m thankful for GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY because not only is it an entertaining Space Opera the likes we haven’t seen in a while, but because it has restored my faith in the movie watching audience. If it wasn’t for GUARDIANS destroying the summer box office, that shit-sucking crapfest TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION would have the title for the #1 movie of the summer. Fuck that. Thankfully, GUARDIANS not only has the honor of biggest movie of the summer, but also of the year, and that makes me happy. A few other things about GUARDIANS that makes me happy include 1) Awesome Mix Tape #1 and all those awesome pop songs from the 70s; 2) Chris Pratt bridging the gap between comedic genius and genuine badass; 3) I Am Groot / We Are Groot; 4) Rocket’s practical joke with the prostetic leg, 5) FOOTLOOSE and other references to the 80s; and 6) dancing baby Groot. For me, the whole dancing baby Groot is what lifted the film from being a pretty good movie to a fucking great movie–which is saying a lot since I thought the film was going to be a total bomb after checking out its initial trailer. For once, I’m glad I was wrong. (One thing though: Gamera’s sister–what happened to her? She falls off the big ship, lands on the smaller ship, throws the dude out, and flies away never to be seen again. Maybe she’s the what “The Guardians of the Galaxy Will Return.” is all about, right? Because they don’t address that shit).

Abel Teller & the Sons of Anarchy

I’m thankful for Kurt Sutter and the entire creative force behind the final season of SONS OF ANARCHY as they decided to give Abel Teller more to do than just look dumbfounded and mute like the idiot savant that he is. After taking a dump on everyone who watches the show with the horrendous Season 6, I’ve been head-over-heals for just about every episode in Season 7, and much of the satisfaction I get from the show is watching how hilariously awful Abel Teller is. He is the worst actor on TV right now. And yes, I realize Abel is played by twins, so technically they’re the worst couple of actors on TV right now, but let’s pretend he’s just one dude for now. It makes it easier to hate on him. From his twisted speech that is only half audible, to his blank stare when he’s sharing a scene with anyone else, Abel is the worst part of SOA… and yet, at the same time, he’s the best part of SOA because he never fails to entertain. He’s like Jar Jar Binks, only better… or worst? And now that he’s picking up the family business of being the ultimate mastermind in his quest to take down ol’ Gramma Gemma, Abel is ensuring that he A) continues to get work after SOA is over; B) takes over the Club when his Daddy dies; and C) is a spokesperson for Heroin babies everywhere. While we talk smack about Abel, I think Sutter and Company have written him this way on purpose, as a direct result from Wendy the Whore being a heroin junky when Abel was born in Season 1. Just sayin’… maybe Abel is part of Sutter’s brilliant plan. Or maybe it’s just dumb luck coincidence.

Saddleback Leather

My current obsession is with leather and quality leather products, specifically from this online-only company based out of Texas called Saddleback Leather (check out their store HERE). Their motto is “They’ll fight over it when you’re dead”, and each and every product they sell is backed by a 100 Year Warranty. Talk about a company that stands by its product! They mostly sell bags (briefcases, satchels, backpacks, messenger bags, luggage) but they also sell belts, notepad holders, iPad cases, phone cases, coasters, wallets, gun holsters, bracelets, passport sleeves, and on and on and on. My first Saddleback product was a Satchel, a gift from my father in Chestnut brown (their stuff comes in shades of Dark Coffee Brown, Chestnut, Carbon (black), and Tobacco). It was an awesome bag that I used every day for my commute via public transportation to and from work. The only problem I had is that wasn’t quite big enough to hold my lunch, my computer, and a book… it was, afterall, just a Satchel (Indiana Jones has a satchel). A little while later I traded my dad the Satchel for a larger Briefcase that he no longer used, and that’s when my obsession kicked into overdrive. Now it holds everything I need (and more!), but beyond just being a great commuter bag, it’s super badass looking. And the finest made leather bag I have ever come across, hands-down. I see leather bags all the time, and honestly… they all look like cheap garbage compared to the greatness that is my Saddleback Leather bag. The downside? Their bags are like $600. Given, it’s the last bag you’ll ever buy, but still… that’s a shit-ton of money for a bag. But you don’t have to drop a few Benjamins to enjoy their products–and it certainly hasn’t stopped me from picking up a bifold wallet (Dark Coffee Brown) Bible Cover I use as a book cover on the bus (Tobacco), Notepad holder that I use for my Kindle case (Tobacco), and an iPhone 4 case (Tobacco). Be sure to check out their website and prepare to be impressed–seriously, I’m fucking obsessed with this company and everything they sell–and so should you.

Shawl Cardigan Sweaters

About a year ago while watching SINISTER, I realized something: Ethan Hawkes’s shawl cardigan sweater is amazing. He wears it throughout the entire movie and all I could think about (amidst the feelings of dread, despair, and terror that SINISTER executes so perfectly) is how fucking comfortable his sweater looked, as if all I wanted to do is live in his sweater for the rest of my life. Like a cocoon or being in your mother’s womb for 9 months. Just bliss. So, of course, I had to find the ultimate shawl cardigan sweater for my everyday life and have been obsessed with them ever since. After picking up at least 4 last year I found one that was absolutely perfect (which also ended up being the first one I purchased) from H&M. Last year I promised myself I wouldn’t buy another sweater, but goddamn, they’re everywhere now, and so my obsession grows larger with every store I wander in. I picked up a new one last week at Target and while it isn’t as amazing as my comfy H&M one, it’s still pretty goddamn awesome. I love it. And I plan on wearing it just about every day during the winter months, Mister Rogers style. Come home, take off my coat, put on my sweater, and be comfy-warm for the rest of the evening.

Miller High Life

Because of course.

Alright ya’ll, I’m off next week drinking the drinking and eating the eats, so have a Happy Thanksgiving (even you Canadians) and keep on living the High Life!