Photo Competition Update #3

It looks like third time's not the charm with the photo competition. For the third straight year, I didn't receive any notification that my photo won an award. The competition hands out awards for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place, as well as Honorable Mentions. By not getting a call nor an email I assume my photo did not win anything; not even Honorable Mention! The thing that makes me the most frustrated is you don't receive any feedback at all from the judges.

When you enter, you have to hope and pray you submit artwork that the judges deem worthy enough to award. You have no guidance on what the judges are looking for. For the past couple years, I didn't receive a call or anything and end up finding my photo hanging up for display at the Fair without a ribbon. That's pretty much how it works. I know I said this last year but, unless if things change, this may be my last year of competition!

If you're heading out to the Fair, you can see my photo on display in the Scott Building, near Gate 11 (Blue Ridge Road). 

Read More

Weekly Salute: Rascal Flatts

Who else should I give this salute to than, in my opinion, the greatest country music band ever? Rascal Flatts started about ten years ago as a duo in Ohio. When they moved they added a third member, which began a great career for all.

Now, after many hits and countless awards, the band has been inducted as members of the Grand Ole Opry! They definitely deserved this honor and I was so grateful to see it all in person! So congrats to Rascal Flatts, newest members of the Opry and this week's recipients of my "Weekly Salute!"

Read More

Fall Break 2011

I'm normally at home just chilling out during my fall break, but I decided to do something different this time. Several months ago, I saw that Rascal Flatts would be performing at the Grand Ole Opry during its 86th Birthday Bash. It just so happened that this was the same time as my fall break! I saved up the money and, this past Wednesday, I headed out on vacation. We made a stop in Asheville (about half way) for a couple days then arrived in Nashville on Friday. We stayed in, where else, but the Opryland Resort and it was amazing! I've been told it was a vacation in itself and boy was it! It's huge and there are so many things to see and do there. I got to eat at the Jack Daniels restaurant in the resort and got a Sweet Tea Porkchop. 'Nuff said!

On Saturday, I first took a tour of the Grand Ole Opry. This was a backstage tour so we got to see everything from where the stars came in, to the Opry member mailboxes, to every single dressing room. Each dressing room had some sort of theme to it. For instance, there was one dedicated to the USA. Another dedicated to the women of country music. There was even one dedicated to the legend Little Jimmy Dickens and is his room, no questions asked. Probably the coolest dressing room I saw was Roy Acuff's room. This room was not only used by the great himself but other artists such as Vince Gill. The tour guide said the Opry honors his memory by keeping an "open door policy" on the room like he did. This meant we could actually go inside the dressing room. That was a pretty unique experience as we couldn't with the other dressing rooms. At the end of the tour, we got to get our picture taken on the Opry stage. The stage where legends have performed and history has been made. It was an experience I'll never forget.

But that's not all! I then went to downtown and walked along Broadway, the main drag in Nashville. I ate at a place called Merchants. The restaurant opened in what was Merchants Hotel where many country music stars have stayed, including Dolly Parton and Hank Williams. I also passed by many iconic places along Broadway, including The Stage, a restaurant/bar where many celebrities and country music stars have visited. After that, I visited the "Mother Church of Country Music" the Ryman. I ended up getting the last backstage tour of the day and it was fascinating as well! For those that don't know, the Ryman was the previous home of the Grand Ole Opry and was built to be used as a church before that (hence the nickname). Our tour guide was great and knew so much about not only the history of the Ryman itself, but the artists that performed there. I got my picture taken on the Ryman stage as well, and even could've recorded a song in the studio there but decided not to.

Now on to the Opry show itself. It was amazing! There were legends such as Jimmy Dickens, Charley Pride, and Jeannie Seely there as well as Ronnie Dunn and Craig Morgan. But the best came last...Rascal Flatts! They are great to see in person! This was my first time seeing them in person, and what better way than to see them? Not only did the Opry celebrate its birthday that night, but the group became the latest members, making the night even more special!

I've never had as much fun on a fall break as on this trip. I can't believe all the great things I got to do and all the history I came in contact with while in Nashville. This will be a trip I never forget!

Read More

Westboro Does It Again

Much to my disgust, Westboro Baptist Church has done it again. After the passing of Apple Founder/CEO Steve Jobs, the group announced plans to protest at his funeral. They claim that he was given a big platform but decided to use it to "teach sin" and "give no glory to God." Ironically, they tweeted out this announcement via iPhone and Mac. For those who don't know (which I'm sure is very few) Westboro is a Kansas-based church that has received a lot of attention and hatred by picketing at the funerals of celebrities and U.S. soldiers. They claim that God is punishing America for its tolerance of sin, especially homosexuality.

You know, I don't give a crap about "Freedom of Speech" this has got to stop. If you're really upset with someone, why not picket during another time and at least have the decency to respect the families of those being mourned. I'm sick and tired of these people adding insult to the already hurting hearts of families, all of whom they don't even know. What Westboro does is vile, slimy, and hateful. I don't know what Bible they are reading but it's definitely not the same one I read. I hate to break it to you Westboro, but we all are sinful in one way or another and if you think what you're doing is right, I pray you'll one day find the truth!

P.S. I would have posted a picture of these pathetic losers but I'm not putting their hypocritical propoganda on my blog so I have one of Steve Jobs. 

Read More

Taking A Tumble

In need of a little comic relief? Look no further. A TBS cameraman at the Rangers vs. Rays ALDS game Tuesday night took a tumble as he was following the Rangers' Adrian Beltre after his solo home run in the second inning. I didn't know cameramen were allowed on the field at all during a game but, after this, the MLB may reconsider that, haha!

Read More

Weekly Salute: Scotty McCreery

I've decided to start a new series on my blog simply entitled "Weekly Salute." Each week, I will salute someone who has shown some sort of courage, bravery, honesty, etc in their everyday lives. So the inaugural "Weekly Salute" goes to...Scotty McCreery.

I know what some of you are thinking: "Here goes Chris again on the Scotty talk." But can you really blame me? His new album "Clear As Day" skyrocketed to the top of the country charts just ten minutes after it was released. He'll be singing the national anthem at game one of the World Series. And, if that's not enough, he's going on tour with the great Brad Paisley next year. He's living the dream and showcasing North Carolina well.

But, you know, that's not even what impresses me the most about him. Day in and day out, Scotty always finds a way to keep his Christian faith in the front of his life. He also keeps his family and friends back in Garner close to him and never forgets those who got him to this point. As you all know, I got a chance to meet him at the American Idol Live Tour this past summer. Although I only talked to him for about thrity seconds, I could immediately tell that he was excited to meet his fans and grateful for the support. I encourage you to go out and buy his album and support this follower of Christ that keeps a level head despite all the attention.

Congrats to Scotty McCreery, my first Weekly Salute!

Read More

Congrats Rascal Flatts

It was about ten years ago that I started listening to this band called Rascal Flatts. Little did I know (or did they know) that they would become one of the biggest groups in country music. And now, they have another honor to add to their amazing career: Grand Ole Opry members. The other night during an Opry performance, Vince Gill surprised them with the news. The official induction will be October 8.

I'm really excited about this because I 'm going to see the induction in person! A few months ago, I saw that Rascal Flatts would be performing at the Opry the same time I was going to be on fall break. So, I decided to shell out the cash and go to Nashville. Little did I know that, in addition to seeing Rascal Flatts in person for the first time, it'll be when they are inducted into the hallowed hall of country music! As always, I'll blog about everything once I get back and have plenty of pics as well. Congrats Rascal Flatts! You deserve it!

Read More