The Journey with the Toronto Public Library

  It has been amazing year borrowing movies and books!

  "Enjoy using the website to request book and movies and the awesome staff who work at the Palmerston Public Library" Jim Pagiamtzis
                                             

The Journey to Star Wars The Rise of Skywalkers

  It all started in 2016 when Sujit K Reddy started Work Hard Play Harder TO. We started watching movies once a month and celebrating community at the same time.

    So many movies and new friendships were started

  We got to December 27th and celebrated Star Wars The Rise of Skywalker with amazing dinner at Jack Astors and the movie afterwards. Huge thanks to everyone who attended.

 Will be sharing videos in the coming weeks

 Look forward to watching some awesome films in 2020!




                                           

Fish & Chips and Poutine: Food Review

   December 27th

   Jack Astors at Yonge and Dundas

      "Superb Fish & Chips and Poutine was amazing!" Jim Pagiamtzis




                                                            

Digital Gold: Book Review

                                                            

          Jim Pagiamtzis Review
          Amazing book with lots of stories how the bitcoin got started the journey many of the early innovator went through to make it worth it for them and many more since then

   9 out of 10 stars
          

           About book:
     

New York Times Book Review Editor’s Choice
SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2015 FINANCIAL TIMES AND MCKINSEY BUSINESS BOOK OF THE YEAR
A New York Times technology and business reporter charts the dramatic rise of Bitcoin and the fascinating personalities who are striving to create a new global money for the Internet age.
Digital Gold is New York Times reporter Nathaniel Popper’s brilliant and engrossing history of Bitcoin, the landmark digital money and financial technology that has spawned a global social movement.
The notion of a new currency, maintained by the computers of users around the world, has been the butt of many jokes, but that has not stopped it from growing into a technology worth billions of dollars, supported by the hordes of followers who have come to view it as the most important new idea since the creation of the Internet. Believers from Beijing to Buenos Aires see the potential for a financial system free from banks and governments. More than just a tech industry fad, Bitcoin has threatened to decentralize some of society’s most basic institutions.
An unusual tale of group invention, Digital Gold charts the rise of the Bitcoin technology through the eyes of the movement’s colorful central characters, including an Argentinian millionaire, a Chinese entrepreneur, Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss, and Bitcoin’s elusive creator, Satoshi Nakamoto. Already, Bitcoin has led to untold riches for some, and prison terms for others.Learn more and buy book

Chasing Hillary: Book Review

                                                          

        Jim Pagiamtzis Review
          Amy Chozick shares her journey in following Hillary Clinton on the quest to become the First Woman President of the United States of America

          Insightful stories of drama, fun and decision that were made all because of Hillary!

   7 out of 10 stars


           About book
       
For a decade, award-winning New York Times journalist Amy Chozick chronicled Hillary Clinton’s pursuit of the presidency. Chozick’s front-row seat, initially covering Clinton’s imploding 2008 campaign, and then her assignment to “The Hillary Beat” ahead of the 2016 election, took her to 48 states and set off a nearly ten-years-long journey in which the formative years of her twenties and thirties became – both personally and professionally – intrinsically intertwined to Clinton’s presidential ambitions.
Chozick’s candor and clear-eyed perspective—from her seat on the Hillary bus and reporting from inside the campaign’s Brooklyn headquarters, to her run-ins with Donald J. Trump and her globetrotting with Bill Clinton— provide fresh intrigue and insights into the story we thought we all knew. This is the real story of what happened, with the kind of dishy, inside details that repeatedly surprise and enlighten.
But Chasing Hillary is also a rollicking, irreverent, refreshingly honest personal story of how the would-be first woman president looms over Chozick’s life. And, as she gets married, attempts to infiltrate the upper echelons of political journalism and inquires about freezing her eggs so she can have children after the 2016 campaign, Chozick dives deeper into decisions Clinton made at similar points in her life.
In the process, Chozick came to see Clinton not as an unknowable enigma and political animal but as a complex person, full of contradictions and forged in the political battles and media storms that had long predated Chozick’s years of coverage.
Trailing Clinton through all of the highs and lows of the most noxious and wildly dramatic presidential election in American history, Chozick comes to understand what drove Clinton, how she accomplished what no woman had before, and why she ultimately failed. Poignant, illuminating, laugh-out-loud funny, Chasing Hillary is a campaign book like never before that reads like a fast-moving political novel. learn more and buy book

Special Movie Post: Awesome two days on set of Snowed Inn

   December 2019 was a magical month for me!

  On December 18th attended the Mercenaries Holiday Christmas Party when I was introduced to Nasreen and Daniel who were doing a film in Toronto in a few weeks.

   It was 2 days of shooting on December 28th and 29th at the iconie Madison Pub in downtown Toronto.


  Look forward to sharing the film in early 2020







                               

                                                   

Special Video post: Inside The Cryptocurrency Revolution | VICE on HBO

Bitcoin’s emergence as a global digital currency has been as revolutionary as it has been erratic. But while fledgling investors obsess over every fluctuation in the cryptocurrency market, nation-states are more interested in the underlying blockchain technology and its ability to revolutionize how business is done on the internet and beyond. VICE's Michael Moynihan travels to Russia with Vitalik Buterin, inventor of the ethereum blockchain, to get a front-row seat to the geopolitical tug of war over Internet 3.0.


                                       

Single and Loving it!

  This is partially  true...let me explain

   Get to do what I want when I want with whoever I want!

  Here are 5 things I do that make it fun to be single and meet peopole

   1. Give compliments daily. People don't get compliments on what they wear, who they are and what they do!

  2. Take Risks!   Fear doesn't exit just something you have made up. Push through it and talk to people. Have a conversation if you fail treat it as a lesson learned and keep moving forward.

  3. Be Holistic   Try lots of different things! Try some sports, learn a technique, go to calligraphy calls, salsa class, check out groups in your area and be active. You are bound to find something that interests you!

 Bonus
  4. Have Fun!   There is something always to do from going for a walk to check out a gallery, phone a few friends and watch a movie or a watch a comedy on TV or online

 Being single is fun but you have fun with other people and perhaps you will find  THE ONE!
                                       

Nike Cross Trainers: Product Review

               "Feel great and ready to do some running!" Jim Pagiamtzis


                                                 

Special Sports Post: Toronto Maple Leafs 2019 mid season evaluation

       December 31, 2019

      Since the beginning of this 2019/2020 I have been keeping track of the Toronto Maple Leafs games in 5 game increments

    Some surprising insights into the first part of the season W
    Legend:W-L-T

 Oct 2nd- 10th                  2-2-1
 Oct 12-21st                     3-1-1
 Oct 22nd-Nov 2nd          2-2-1
 Nov5th-13th                    2-2-1
 Nov 15th- 23rd                2-3     (Babcock gets fired Nov 19th new coach Sheldon Keefe takes over)
 Nov 27th- Dec 4th          2-3
 Dec 7th-17th                    4-1
  Dec20th-28th                   4-0-1
  Dec31st                          1-0

  As you can see post Mike Babcock fring they have played better under coach Sheldon Keefe.

  Look forward to 2020 and the Toronto making the Playoffs!




                                        

Special Sports Post: Toronto Raptors 2019 mid season evaluation

  December 31,2019

 
  Since the beginning of this 2019/2020 I have been keeping track of the Toronto Raptors games in 5 game increments

    Some surprising insights into the first part of the season W
    Legend:W-L

     Oct 22nd-30th         4-1
     Nov 2nd--11th         4-1
     Nov 13th-23rd         4-1
     Nov 25th-Dec 3rd    4-1
     Dec 5th-14th             2-3
     Dec 16th-23rd          4-1
    Dec 25th-Jan 2nd      2-2 so far

     The Toronto Raptors started out of the gate strong and struggled early December with some key injuries to Serge Ibaka and Kyle Lowry, the strong bench play of Boucher, Hollis-Jefferson, Vanvleet and Siakam has help the surge back into a better record heading into late December.

  The currently have Marc Gasol, Pascal Siakam and Norm Powell out with injuries and yet they are still finding ways to win.

 Look forward to more consistency in the second part of the season


                                                     

Books I read in 2019

   I read lot so interesting books in 2019!

   Some of my Favorites
   Key Person of Influence
    The Greatness Guide
    The Inside Edge
     You are a Badass   
      Raving Fans
                                            

Special Movie Post: LIst of all the movies I saw in 2019 Good, Bad And Ugly!

            I saw lots of films at the local Cineplex, Toronto International Film Festival 2019 and online

       Below is my list of all


    Ford Vs Ferrari  read more
   JoJo Rabbit
   The Avengers: Engame
   Parasite
   The Irishman read more
   Just Mercy
    Toy Story 4
    Bad Education
  Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker read more
     Joker
    Gundala
Uncut Gems   read more
    21 Bridges  read more
    Umbrella Academy Season 1
     Trust Machine
    47 Meters Uncaged
     Escape Room
    Hustlers
  Knives out
   The Crawl
   Hobbs vs Shaw
  Gemini Man
  Heroic Losers
   The Kingmaker
    The Boys Season 1
   Happy Death Day 2U
   Men In Black: International
   Shazam!
    The Antenna
    Ad Astra
   Lucy in the Sky
   Ending Beginnings

 
 

My early business in the earlly 2000's

   An amazing experience it was to buy/sell and trade movies for few years that were the size of large cd and had so many extra feature on movies. The quality wasn't the best but for me that didn't matter.

 I saw classic films like Aliens, Lethal Weapon and many more films as I drove all over the city to meet other movie fans who had the same passion as I did!


  It was the Laserdisc Network


                                                                        

Laserdisc  Player

Alien Laserdisc

                                               

Star Wars The Rise of Skywalker (2019): Movie Review

                                                                 

   Jim Pagiamtzis Review


The saga comes to end in this 9th installment of the Star Wars films. Daisy Ridley as Rey and Adam Driver as Kylo Ren/Ben continue their emotional and physical battle with a plot twist you won't see coming that will explain the happenings in the the previous two films The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi.

There are two new characters that will bring some hilarious drama to film which I feel is needed to change the pace during the middle frame

After that moment it becomes very apparent how the film will end and there will be some other surprises that you will enjoy that will put a bow on the series finale

The supporting roles Poe, Finn also bring the storyline to epic close with a battle of the ages that will revered for years to come.

It was amazing journey to watch this amazing Star War Saga unfold for so many years!

May the force be with you!

9 out of 10 stars


Sujit K Reddy Review

Good: Lots of action & battles to make it feel like the movies from the original trilogy.

Bad: Without spoiling anything; there were alot of unnecessary scenes and moments.

Ugly: Again; without spoiling anything; the movie ended very weak.

KJ Proulx Review Read more

 Movie Plot:
The surviving Resistance faces the First Order once more as Rey, Finn and Poe Dameron's journey continues. With the power and knowledge of generations behind them, the final battle commences.


                                       

Uncut Gems (2019): Movie Review

                                                                  

                                                            

         Jim Pagiamtzis review
         In a terrific performance Adam Sandler plays Howard Ratner a charismatic jeweler and addictive gambler  who finds a rare opal that he then tries to parlay in a huge money windfall. He plan is to sell it at auction but that plan goes haywire when Kevin Garnett NBA basketball player wants it because he believes it give him power.

     What follow is a high speed dramatic chase of drama with all sorts of characters that leads to twist and turns that has you asking how can things go so wrong! 

         The supporting cast is also awesome  Dinah (Indina Menzel) is Howard wife who has her own reasons in dealing with him. His other lover Julia (Julia Fox) is thrown into the mix in dealing with personal life and then gambling habit.

            Special mention to Phil ( LaKeith Stanfield who served as go between with Kevin Garnett during the entire sage. Kevin Garnett was also spectacular and extremely focused on his role playing himself and showing a serious and funny side.

        Bennie and Josh Safdie have written a terrific script that was brought to life by amazing and talent actors

       The only thing I didn't like there was too much overlapping musc throughout the film.

     9 out of 10 stars


       Movie Plot:

A charismatic jeweler makes a high-stakes bet that could lead to the windfall of a lifetime. In a precarious high-wire act, he must balance business, family and adversaries on all sides in pursuit of the ultimate win. IMDb learn more

                                   

Adventure in the Movies, TV show and commerical this year was awesome

     It started January 6th and has not ended yet..

    Here is a list of show I appeared in

  Designated Survivor Season 3
  Handmaid's Tale  Season 3
  Suits (multiple times) including Season finale in 2 roles
  Let It Snow
  Nurses
 Untold Stories of the ER  (twice)
 Impulse Season 2
 Institute of Professionals (commercial)
 The Arc
 The Shelter
 The Boys Season 2
  Zeus (Jupiter Descending)
  Umbrella Academy ( 2 roles)
  Broken Heart Gallery
  Private Eyes (Season 4)
  Miss America
  Titans Season 2
  Run (HBO)
  Tiny Pretty Things
  Ginny and Georgia
   Green room
   The Inn (speaking roles)

    Only have 1400 hours more to go to get my union status!

    Super excited to see what 2020 brings

Why I eat slow

           I eat slow for numerous reason.

            1st Enjoy my food
           2nd. Digest in small pieces
           3rd Enjoy the taste
           4th. Stop and have meaningful conversation on the food I am eating
          5th Enjoy the moment
               

              


                                                 

Oceans 8 (2018): Movie Review

                                                                                                

         Jim Pagiamtzis review
           Sandra Bullock is Debbie Ocean in the films that continues the Danny Ocean question in heists
             Pays homage to the original film with some cool cameos but looses steam quickly and by the time you reach the end it has become boring.

        4 out of 10 stars


           Movie plot:

Debbie Ocean is released from jail after serving a prison sentence. She assembles a special crew of seven women to steal a diamond necklace, worth 150 million dollars, from the Met Gala.


                                           

Collateral Beauty (2016): Movie Review

                                                                          

       Jim Pagiamtzis review
                 Great performances by Will Smith, Ed Norton, Helen Mirren and Kiera Knghtly

             Story of  father grieving over the loss of his daughter and how 3 people make an impact that will change his life and many others around him.

       9 out 10 stars



           Movie plot:
       Howard Inlet, an advertising executive, becomes depressed post the tragic death of his young daughter Olivia. His business partners hire actors to prove his mental illness and take over his company.

                                           

Beeba Boys (2015): Movie Review

                                                              

        Jim Pagiamtzis review
              Amazing film shot in Vancouver about the Indo-Canadian gangs wars.
             Great story that will have you interested into the final act with an twist ending you won't see coming.
  
 10 out 10 stars

          Movie plot:
    Beeba Boys is a 2015 Canadian crime thriller film written and directed by Deepa Mehta. It stars Randeep Hooda as Jeet Johar, a loving single father, a dutiful son, a proud, observant Sikh and a ruthless gangster managing a team of stylish, charismatic but brutal and unforgiving young men

                                                       

Special busines post: Six Sox

              Soxs that don't smell  learn more


                                                    

Special Business post: Hipster Lasers

        Amazing wooden board  Learn more

 
                                              

  
                                                                         

Special sports Post: Toronto Raptors Vs Dallas Mavericks

         December 22,2019


       It was a special Sunday night as the Toronto Raptors came back from being down 30 points in the 3rd Quarter to win the game! 

        First time in Toronto Raptors history to do so and first time in NBA in 10 years


       Article read more


 Check out video below:

                                                      

Special Video post: Celestial Greeting 2019

December 2019

Check out this amazing video from at Toronto mom and here 2 kids from Beastie Boy song from years ago

Read more
                          


Original video

                                                    

The Intruder (2019): Movie Review

                                                                    

       Jim Pagiamtzis review
             A really good film that has Dennis Quaid as Charlie a homeowner that sells his house to a couple but never really leaves them alone!
               
              Dramatic and thrilling sequences that will have you quivering in fear by the time you get to the climatic end!

     9 out 10 stars         


        Movie plot:
           Scott and Annie Russell couldn't be happier after buying their dream home from a mysterious and lonely widower named Charlie in Napa Valley, California. Their newfound paradise soon turns into a living nightmare when Charlie - still strangely attached to the house - begins to show up and interfere in their daily lives. When his erratic behaviour turns to obsession, the young couple soon find themselves caught up in a violent confrontation that threatens to destroy everything they hold dear.

                                             

Hotel Artemis (2018): Movie Review

                                                                                 

           Jim Pagiamtzis Review

             Spectacular cast Jodie Foster plays nurse at Hotel Artemis with Orderly ( Dave Baustista) in the year 2028 as there are riots in Los Angeles.
                        The bad buys need a place to get fixed up and this is where they come with rules and lots of drama begins. By the time you get the closing act you will want to see more!

      10 out 10 stars



                Movie Plot:
                 As rioting rocks Los Angeles in the year 2028, disgruntled thieves make their way to Hotel Artemis -- a 13-story, members-only hospital for criminals. It's operated by the Nurse, a no-nonsense, high-tech healer who already has her hands full with a French assassin, an arms dealer and an injured cop. As the violence of the night continues, the Nurse must decide whether to break her own rules and confront what she's worked so hard to avoid.

                                                   

Ethics in Negotation: Course Review

 Look forward to reading and writing about these two courses in early 2020.


                                                         

Strongbow Apple City British Dry: Beer Review

                   "Spectacular taste of apple and beer!"

                       10 out of 10 stars

                                                

The Signal (2014): Movie Review

                                                                              

          Jim Pagiamtzis review
             An epic science fiction disaster film that should not have been made

  0 out 10 stars


             Movie plot:
       A surprise awaits three college students (Brenton Thwaites, Beau Knapp, Olivia Cooke) who think they have tracked a rival computer hacker to a shed in the Nevada desert.

                                                      

Lost in Translation (2003): Movie Review

                                                                  

        Jim Pagiamtzis review
            Brilliant performances by Bill Murray who plays Bob and Scarlett Johansson who plays Charlotte in this emotional and funny film about two lives that cross and the drama and adventure that occurs in their lives.

   6 out of 10 stars


        Movie plot:
        An American actor Bob, lands in Tokyo for an ad film and ends up meeting Charlotte, who's left behind by her photographer husband. Gradually, the two discover a friend within each other


                                          

The 15:17 to Paris (2018) Movie Review

                                                                             

                         
           Jim Pagiamtzis review
             True story of 3 courageous men on a vacation having fun celebrating their friendship when they get on a train headed to Paris when there lives change forever!

   7 out of 10 stars

            Movie plot:
             Three American friends travelling through Europe save the lives of the passengers after averting a terrorist attack on board the Thalys train.


                                                                 

Special Video post: Cybertelligence. Using AI to fight the dangers of cyber threats

Hisham Qaddoumi's talk at Metro Toronto .NET User Group meetup event GlobalAIBootcamp Toronto on Dec 14, at Microsoft in Education Canada site in Mississauga.



                                      

(True) Story: Be Proactive rather than Reactive

  It's early December and things are little slow time to take some action!

  Proactive vs Reative

  I Reached out to agents (movie business) and Recruiters (business) and what happened?

  Busy for two weeks straight!

 Don't be hesitant to send out an email to remind someone you are available to work.        


                                  

Special Guest post: Introverts vs Extroverts

                                                                  

Toronto sign at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto

            Tuesday December 17th

           It was 6:30am and very quite.
                                                          

                

Hudson's Bay Christmas display

   Tuesday December 17th

  Queen Street West in Toront (near Yonge Street)