Entertainment

I’m not sure if you have ever heard of the band called Gwar before, but this is a great video.  Gwar is an extreme band that specializes in shock rock, and perform in some outrageous costumes.  The fact that this Virginia band ended up on Joan Rivers day-time TV show makes one of two statements: the band became so popular that they “had” to be on her show, or her show was lacking so much in ratings that she needed something to spice it up.  Kick back and enjoy!

GO SEE THIS MOVIE!  I went in to this movie fearing it would be as bad as “The Dukes of Hazzard,” but I was wonderfully surprised, and I think you will be too.  This truly was an epic movie, and I didn’t have any issue adjusting to the new actors playing the well-established characters of B.A., Murdock, Face, and the Colonel.  They even brought back the VAN! 

Since the original story line from the 1980′s TV show wouldn’t work now (being a group of Vietnam Vets would put them a little on the “old” side), the movie re-establishes the history of the team during a 15-minute introduction sequence.  From there, it is a series action scenes, wise cracks, and complicated puzzles to be figured out until the climatic conclusion.  I will caution that there is a little foul language in the movie, but much of it is implied or muffled (intentionally) by explosions or other noises.  Beyond that, I see no reason why young audiences who can tolerate movie violence could not see this film. 

Lastly, I do encourage that you stay through the end of the movie, as there is some bonus features at the end.  Enjoy!

Yes, you heard me correctly. While relaxing after a good session of rowing, I decided to play a few rounds of Hearts on the computer. Hearts is a card game where the object is to have the least amount of points when one of your competitors reach 100. During the game, the person with the 2 of clubs starts off the round. Whoever wins the hand determines which suit is played next. All suits are in play except for hearts.

Hearts have to be introduced by someone that does not have a card matching the suit leading off the hand. The goal is to avoid collecting any hearts or the queen of spades, since these cards increase your score. The queen of spades is worth 13 points while each card in the suit of hearts is worth 1. However, for the skilled player, you can intentionally collect all the hearts as well as the queen of spades. Doing so will award your challengers with 26 points each.

This brings me to the point of my article. I successfully went four straight rounds collecting all the hearts and the queen of spades. As you can see below, my challengers never had a chance, ending up with 104 points before they knew it.

For those on the East Coast, Charles Town is synonymous with horse racing and slot machines.  If you crave horse race betting or tackling one of the numerous varieties of slot machines that are out there, Charles Town has been your friend.  However, if you are like me, there wasn’t much to draw you out there.  But that is soon changing.

Charles Town Races & Slots will be rolling out table games this summer, giving people an alternative to Atlantic City for their gambling needs.  For me, the craps table is my game of choice, though there will be the classic casino games available, including blackjack, roulette, baccarat, Texas hold’em, and much more.  Plus, it will be an easier drive than trying to make your way out to New Jersey.  This is even better if you are planning a weekend get-away during the fall, as you can see all the beautiful colors of the season as the leaves begin to change (something that Atlantic City and the Boardwalk lack).

What is the meaning of life?

I’m sure you’ve been asked that famous question at least once your life. I’m asked it at least once a year, for what reason I do not know. I’m not the old all-knowing guy sitting on top of a mountain somewhere after all.  Anyway, no matter how many times I’m asked, I always give the same response: suffering.

What would your life be without suffering? You would be “happy” all the time with no concern over your actions. Wonderful, right? Not really, since your life would be meaningless.

Think about it for a moment. Without suffering, you wouldn’t be able to know what happiness is, let alone appreciate it. And if you weren’t afraid of doing something that might result in you suffering, you wouldn’t be able to identify the tough choices in life nor their circumstances. I think the Lady Antebellum song “Need You Now” has a great one-liner that summarizes this perfectly. “Yes I’d rather hurt than feel nothing at all.”

A life without suffering would be almost numb, just like your mouth when you go to the dentist. When they numb your mouth, your lips can’t form a proper smile, you accidentally bite your cheek or tongue, and you can’t sense much of anything as far as feeling nor taste. Why would you want to live your life like that (if you could even call it “living”)?

Next time you find yourself feeling down, reflect on what made you happy in the past. And when you find yourself feeling happy, be thankful that you were down before so you can appreciate the positive emotions you are experiencing.

“Bill and Teds Excellent Adventure” is on!

It is such a most triumphant movie, that I love it when I catch it on tv.  I remember the first time I saw it.  We were in a movie theater, and the projector booth was having issues with the film.  The audio kept cutting out, and video would skip at times.  Got to love the old movie reels, let alone the early works of Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter . . . along with my personal favorite George Carlin.

However, “Strange things are afoot at the Circle K.”

There are rumors that there will be a remake of this classic movie.  Wyld Stallions will be replaced by the Atomic Gorillas, and many of the famous catchphrases will be replaced with new modern references.  Such a shame, really.  The movie cannot be improved upon, which the “Bogus Journey” proved.  While it was a great sequel, it didn’t have the magic of the first. 

My hope is that the rumors of a remake do not pan out.  In the mean time, be excellent to each other, and . . . PARTY ON, DUDES!

In 2004, the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard participated in the Norwegian Military Tattoo.  This biannual show spotlighted the finest military ceremonial disciplines, including the Royal Norwegian Navy band, the Berlin Police motorcycle display team, the Finnish Guard band, the King’s Guard band and drill team, as well as the U.S. Navy band.  An excellent article highlighting this event can be found here.  In the mean time, here is a video of the performance by the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard.

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Not sure if you have heard this song yet, but I find it to be great.  It is an upbeat, positive song with a great musical score (that, and Michael has a good voice).  The video is funny as well and features his real-life girlfriend as the love interest on screen.  So sit back and enjoy the smooth tones of what people are starting to call the next Frank Sinatra.

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Here is another beautiful steam train for you.  If the train looks familiar, then I have to guess you’ve seen one of the Harry Potter movies.  This train, operating from Fort William to Mallaig in Scotland. 

As you travel along the rails, you take in the stunning scenery that Scotland has to provide, including views of the Glenfinnan Monument and Loch Shiel as it crosses over the Glenfinnan viaduct.  This 110 year old consists of 21 individual arcs, giving this concrete bridge a spectacular architectural appeal.  The bridge, just like the Jacobite steam train, has also been featured in the Harry Potter series.