The other big sleep...the second half of the summer.

Since I last left off with my recovery from a "Hangover", I have been up to so much more this summer. I have tried a few new restaurants, visited a few new places, and seen some great movies.

I visited the small, beautiful town of Tryon, NC, a few weeks ago. Tryon is the kind of place that I would consider settling down with a family or retiring to one year. It has access to some gorgeous mountains, is not far from family and friends in the Carolinas, has charming architecture, and has everything one could need and want (varied restaurants and stores, old-school movie theater, Internet cafe/coffee shop). Plus Tryon is among other quaint towns such as Saluda, Hendersonville, Landrum, and Campobello, and is easily accessible to I-26 to go to Asheville, Tennessee, or back to Spartanburg or the beaches. Their perhaps most-popular and most-delicious restaurant is Sidestreet Pizza, which I tried on my second visit to Tryon.

I also got the opportunity to go to a vintage drive-in movie theater on the Fourth of July to see not only a fireworks display, but two movies: "Public Enemies" and "The Year One". (I will be reviewing these movies as well as others as August comes to a close in another week). On my way to the drive-in, I traveled through the towns of Boiling Springs and Shelby, both in North Carolina.


Speaking of movies, a good friend and I made our first visit to Greenville's Cherrydale Stadium 16 to see "Away We Go". Although similar to Spartan Stadium 16 (tiles behind concession stand and overall set-up), the designs and a few other aspects were different. Spartan Stadium 16 has more primary colors in its tile designs (blue, yellow, red, with some green), with yellow and red being dominant (and reminding me of a fire station). Cherrydale has more subtle, light shades of purple/lavender, blue, green, and silver around the building. The video game and theater set-ups are also different. Spartan has their games aligning the walls of both theater halls, while Cherrydale has all of their games to each side of the main lobby (with an air hockey table). Spartan's halls has nine screens to one hall and seven to another, while Cherrydale has eight screens for each hall. Cherrydale also has their popcorn heaters on display at the front of the concession table, whereas Spartan's are behind the cash registers.

In addition to "Hangover", "Away We Go", "Public Enemies", and "Year One", I saw several new movies this summer:
"Star Trek"
"X-Men Origins: Wolverine"
"I Love You, Man"
"Monsters vs. Aliens"
"Angels & Demons"
"The Taking of Pelham 1-2-3"
"Up"
"Land of the Lost"
"Drag Me to Hell"
"Whatever Works"
"Moon"
"Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs"
"Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen"
"Bruno"
"Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince"
"Funny People"
"G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra"
"District 9"
"The Proposal"

I will be checking out a few more this week; then, by next week, I should be reviewing all of these in full and cracking a top ten list.

With several television series on hiatus for the summer, I have became addicted to several new shows, including "Entourage" and "The Goode Family", which I soon will discuss.

Have a good one!

Funnier version of "Big Sleep"

Evan Carr went on an adventurous trip to Myrtle Beach, jumped out of a helicopter, broke his hand, recovered through bowling therapy, then shot and killed fiddy men. He would go on to become a karaoke sensation and rediscover the greatness that is Rose's and TCBY. He later went on a dolphin tour and nearly got mauled by some hungry fish and dolphins.

The next day he celebrated his 24th birthday taking free doughnuts, visiting loved ones, and making random appearances at friends' doorsteps. At one friend's house a short but chubby nine year-old answered and had an attack dog. The dog chased Evan up the stairs and tortured him with his claws. Finally a man standing around 5'9" and resembling Jon Heder/Ben Stiller meets "Jesus" appeared from the bathroom. They went to a local Bi-Lo where Evan ran into a giant chicken. Evan got in a fight with the chicken, broke the chicken's fingers off, and had the deli staff cook them. Later Evan got himself a jug of milk for his birthday to celebrate. He then indulged in some meat and potatoes, plus some vanilla and chocolate. He later got to have some interesting conversations with his dad, uncle and cousin. He celebrated the rest of his birthday weekend bumming dinners and rides off people, fulfilling his caffeine addictions, participating in several competitions (including miniature golf, go-kart racing, and air hockey), and royally butchering "Walk This Way" and "The Bohemian Rapsody" at karaoke night. Evan also visited the house of God, the star of bucks (or the house of coffee), the market of fleas, and the middle of nowhere (around Woodruff/Laurens, SC).

The next day Evan had a big drive to Easley. Oh, and Evan made sure he did not forget to pack like a camper; he froze his pillow, took strawberries and cold water, two other pairs of shoes, and every mobile hobby he could remember. Not wanting to fall asleep, he made Dunkin' Donuts and McDonald's runs where he met and conversed with a few kindly workers over muffins, Sprite, and water. He also drove by two of those big television car dealerships and witnessed a couple of shootings. He then visited the Captain Kimberly Hampton Memorial Library in Easley only to be disappointed that Crossroads Coffee had abandoned ship there, too. When he got to his uncle and cousins' home, he was greeted with open arms. His cousins had gotten older but still looked mostly the same, while his 45 year-old uncle had lost weight, tanned, grew his hair back out, and turned it blond. He discovered that one of his cousins was a great taco cook, while the other cousin grew up to be a great kid with an obsession with the Disney Channel. His uncle seemed to be happy and at peace with himself...thanks to his new acoustic/electric guitar! Evan spent some quality time with his uncle taking his kids to the house of God and spending some quality time watching quality television. Evan also discovered a great game show in "Cash Cab".

On the ride home Evan met some more charming strangers running the convenience store back in Easley and at the Greenville Red Robin and Cold Stone Creamery; he got his free birthday burger and ice cream at those places. He then checked out the Barnes & Noble and had experienced something a Southern, country boy had never experienced: a Barnes & Noble with musak and DVDs!

Evan spent the rest of the week hustling a date at pool, pushing her off a swing at one park, and pushing her into a fountain at another park. They also decided to pull a "Ferris and Sloane" and sample every art gallery open in the city.

Evan then milked the rest of his free birthday coupons for all they were worth, getting free ice creams and meals. He also went to the library and fulfilled his addiction to microfilm.

Evan ate at a Firehouse Subs on Friday and thought he had discovered a celebrity...but it turned out to be someone he probably met in "the real world".

Now for Evan it's back to the grind of tearing tickets and greeting with a smile. He worked so hard that weekend that he rewarded himself (along with some buddies) Monday afternoon with some caffeine, indulged in a Chinese buffet, and ended it with a hangover...from laughing too hard at the movies.

Recovering...

from the "Hangover"! If you want funny, solid characters and actors, buddy/guy humor, a bit of raunch, and an original plot, go see this movie nnowwww!

The big sleep...friends, family ties matter

When I got back from Myrtle Beach, it was the day before my 24th birthday. I went to eat with several friends and family, and we engaged in different activities such as playing miniature golf and arcade games, riding go-karts, singing karaoke, visiting the local flea market, art galleries, shops, and parks, and checking out Woodruff and Greenville (where there is a nice, new Barnes & Noble off I-385 and Woodruff Road).

I also got the chance to drive to Easley on Monday to visit my uncle and cousins who I had not seen in five years. Jeff is currently landscaping, still plays guitar, and looking to form a medical company with his girlfriend. His daughter, Camryn, makes great tacos, and his son, Sean, grew up to be a great kid.

My friends and I also got to meet and know Keith Sherlin, a local minister and police officer in Spartanburg; we all had lunch at Fatz Cafe. Sherlin has a new book out titled "How Can God Be All-Powerful and Totally Loving When He Planned a World with Sin and Suffering?", which is a Reformed Evangelical Despensational Theodicy weighing God's love with God's sovereignty.

Finally, I want to plug the many different restaurants and places that will reward you for being one year older. As a result of joining many different birthday clubs, I received E-mails giving me free/discounted meals and desserts from places such as Moe's Southwest Grill, Firehouse Subs (which was through "snail mail"), Ryan's, O'Charley's, Red Robin, Baskin-Robbins, and Cold Stone Creamery (and boy did I take advantage). Many movie theater chains also offer free movies to birthday boys and girls.

Speaking of free meals, June 5, my birthday, also happened to be National Donut Day at Krispy Kreme and Dunkin' Donuts. So you know I took advantage of thre free doughnuts (with some hot coffee and frozen vanilla blend).

That concludes "The big sleep".

The big sleep...fast times at Myrtle Beach

Well, you all probably thought I went to sleep and dropped off the face of my bed for a month. That's partially true. Since school has ended, I have gone through so much that I haven't had time to blog...until now.

It all started when I had my most "burn-out" semester at college ever. Some certain people were getting on my nerves to the point that I didn't come to a certain class some evenings (and I still made a "B"). The final few weeks of school didn't really involve studying as much as it did writing papers, taking online/open-book tests, and finishing a Web site (which is no longer available).

It was worth all the effort, though. I don't feel like I learned as much this semester, save for a couple of classes. I did make mostly "A"s and made the Dean's List (3.8 semester GPA). That was one of my biggest rewards of the year 2009.

My other reward has been coming in full and is still yet to come. I spent a great four days at Myrtle Beach. While there I went on my first helicopter ride, which can be an exhilarating and educational experience at the same time. We all learned what a school of fish is, so be careful if you see any dark circles in the ocean. My mom and her boyfriend were both revelations on this trip; she rode a helicopter for the first time (being afraid of heights) and he sang karaoke for the first time (I guess having stage fright).

I also visited Broadway at the Beach for the first time. There are so many great things you can do there, such as sample blazing hot sauces, go through the motions, feed fish and predator ducks, and enjoy delicious brick oven pizza (not quite Sonny's though).

I stayed at Coral Beach (recommended by TV's Travel Channel) while in MB, and there was so much going on there I almost never had to leave. We had a bowling alley/game room, a comedy/dance club, a music/karaoke bar, a general store, and some pools, hot tubs, and a lazy river to keep wet (going on the dolphin cruise at Murrells Inlet will also keep you soaked -- and salty). I was a revelation to many (including myself) at some of the karaoke nights. I wound up developing a fan club of many young women and men, and constructive criticism from a friend helped me become more polished for my fans.

We also visited several local restaurants to eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Hats off to Hot Stacks Pancake House (with my two all-time favorite waitresses Jennie and Kristen; the breakfast food rivals Spartanburg's The Skillet), Big Daddy's Charcoal Steakhouse and Saloon, I Love NY Pizza (resembles another longtime Spartanburg staple, Cosenza's Pizzeria), Michael's Pizza (kind of like Venus Pie), Amicis Brick Oven Pizza (much different from Sonny's), and a delicious Mexican restaurant on 501 whose name I can't remember. We also visited a Rose's discount store (haven't seen one in Spartanburg for at least 15 years) and a TCBY (delicious parfaits).

Finally, if you want to encounter a dolphin and get a salt bath, the dolphin cruise at Murrells Inlet is the place to go. The cruise is, at first, relaxing, but then goes into high speed with several waves (from people and the water). There were also some nice houses in view from the boat.

Part 2 coming later this weekend.

Random thoughts while still awake...

School's out for the summer. 

I need to look for opportunity. 

Thank you, Zach Braff and the rest of the cast of "Scrubs" for 8 great years (which I started watching 3 years ago). 

I'm still looking for two more grades on VIP. 

As always, had a great time with friends last night. 

I love my family. 

I'm looking forward to doing more outdoors. 

I need to exercise my body and spirit more.

The man who changed history forever...

Read more about it here. http://www.goupstate.com/article/20090430/ARTICLES/904301090/1112?Title=-Father-of-the-Internet-encourages-students