One of my most memorable travel moments was on spring break when I took a tour to Washington DC. I was staying in Williamsburg and the resort I was at was running a day long tour to DC that included breakfast, lunch, dinner, round trip transportation, and all admissions to the DC area attractions the tour was going to. The price for the tour was a low 60$.

We saw sooo many memorials and national monuments and museums. It was a day crammed with awe inspiring moments, tearful memories, and national pride. We visited the capital building, the national mall and the Smithsonian, Vietnam and Korean War memorials, FDR memorial, Lincoln memorial, Arlington Cemetery, and more. My only regret about this wonderful tour was that it was only one day. I am really looking forward to getting back and spending some more time in our nation's capital and visiting the new WWII memorial. It was one of the best sightseeing tours I have ever done.

With the price of gas these days staying close can be a great low cost option. There are always hidden gems close to home that would make a great getaway. I know for me I am always looking for new things to do in Chicago. I like to head out on the weekends and take little "mini vactions," and things close to home work the best.

Trusted Tours and Attractions offers discounted tickets to the best sightseeing tours in 21 cities across America. If you are looking for a great spring break idea why don't you check out their packages for the San Diego zoo tickets? I've never been, but a friend of mine just got back from San Diego and said the zoo was great for the family. TT & A are also having a contest where anyone who signs up to receive the Trusted Travel eNewsletter is automatically entered into a drawing to win a handheld GPS.

Yours Truly,

Cman

Because You Need To Know What I Think

With the rise of reality TV, online social networks, all kinds of people are looking for their 15 minutes and trying to cash in. Now that we have the rise in user-generated video as a source of entertainment the web is awash with all kinds of videos from all kinds of people. You have all probably heard of YouTube but have you heard of YawpBox? User generated video, once just the domain of AFV on TV, has risen to a form of entertainment with people gathered around the computer watching videos on YouTube or the like.

YawpBox is a place to share your life experiences with everyone else in the world, and keep those experiences cataloged on your own personal profile. You can find other people who have had similar experiences, and show all of your fellow "Yawpers" the things you have done.

The cool thing about YawBox is that in 2008 YawpBox TV will take this content and use it in a live television show. YawpBoxTV will be a 30 minute weekly "magazine style" show that will be filmed before a live studio audience! YawpBoxTV will be the first television show where the content is completely generated by the users of a social networking site. The show will be hosted by two guys named Lex and Terry. They will view and discuss popular user uploaded videos from YawpBox.com and introduce the world to the people behind the videos. Are you looking to get your 15 minutes of fame? If so start posting videos to YawpBox.com and find out if yours will make the cut.

Lex & Terry give out a homework assignment, the Lex & Terry Challenge, on the nation wide radio show and TV show directing their audience to create content on a specific topic like tattoos or have you ever had a mullet. These categories can be viewed under the Lex & Terry challenge section of the site and you can upload your videos to the site for the topics.

To me this seems like it is a pretty cool mash up of YouTube and America's Funniest Videos. YawpBox will allow the average person to create footage for huge Internet audiences as well as for TV. So if you are into YouTube you should check out YawpBox and upload and share some of your life. You never know you might just be able to parlay that into your 15 minutes and maybe even become a celebrity.


Yours Truly,

Cman

Because You Need To Know What I Think

I have always wanted to play an instrument. My mother is a very accomplished piano player as was my ex-wife. My daughter is a naturally gifted musician with perfect pitch. What happened to me I wonder? I tried the piano when I was in my early teens and I just never really liked it for some reason. I caught on with the music and notes but the piano just didnt' seem to be my thing. I quit after about 2 months. I always wanted to learn the guitar but never found anyone that gave lessons and the dream just kinda faded with age.

My daughter has daughter has taught herself several instruments over the last several years, but had never had formal lessons. She started on the piano first picking single notes and pecking out songs. Then my mother mentioned chords and my daughter wanted to know about those. My mom showed her a few things and I went online to PlayPiano.com and a few other sites to get her some information on Piano lessons & piano chords.

This guy offers a ton of free lessons via email and his video lessons are great. As my daughter will most likely being doing most of her playing at church it was nice to see that he had some great lessons on worship & praise, Gospel, and traditional hymns. You can order lessons on DVD or he has lessons to download immediately.

Well my daughter finally decided on her own to do some formal lessons with these videos, a teacher, and my mom. This inspired my to finally learn an instrument, no excuses. I know that I am 30 and many people say it is much harder as an adult. Well this New Year I have determined to learn the guitar. I start lessons next week and am extremely motivated and excited. I might be posting some updates here as I go along. Wish me luck.

Yours Truly,

Cman

Because You Need To Know What I Think

Will Smith Can Now Say 'I Am Legend': $30M Friday Debut & $80M Weekend!




Yours Truly,

Cman

Because You Need To Know What I Think

I thought online gambling was dead? Didn't the US government shut down online gambling? Well the short answer is, NO! Online gambling, albiet without real money, is alive and well across the states. People are still playing poker, craps, blackjack, and more. Sites are still sponsoring entrants into the World Series Of Poker tournament and others. I personally don't gamble but know a lot of folks that do on occasion for entertainment. I make it to a casino, and there are actually quite a few in the Chicago area, about twice a year.

For all of my readers that do gamble there is an interesting site I came across in my web adventures. Pro360.com is an online casino review site. I never realized there are over 3000 online casinos. Pro360 helps the gambler by provided in-depth reviews and ratings. They provide their ratings, player ratings, a trust score, bonus information, certificates, and more for each casino. So if you gamble and are looking for some gambling action onine I would check out Pro360.com before you use any online gambling site. At least, that is what I think.


Yours Truly,

Cman

Because You Need To Know What I Think

What do you think about revenge? Is revenge as a concept a good idea? The desire for revenge can ruin a persons life. It can become all consuming to the point where everything else becomes small and meaningless. Life revolves around taking steps toward exacting revenge. The Bible warns against this vengeful attitude and God warn's us that "vengence is mine[God's]."

I would have to say that my favorite revenge scene in any movie of all time is the scene from The Princess Bride.
Inigo "Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father prepare to die."
louder
Inigo "Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father prepare to die."
Inigo "Offer me money"
Count Rugen "Yes"
Inigo Montoya "Power too promise that!"
Count Rugen "All that I have and more. Please."
Inigo Montoya "Offer me everything I ask for."
Inigo Montoya "Anything you want."
Count Rugen: attacks but Inigo grabs his arm and stabs Rugen in the stomach
Inigo Montoya "I want my father back you son of a bitch."

That is by far my all time favorite revenge scene. It is a very classic depiction of how revenge can drive a life and many times ruin a life. It also shows that once that vengence is exacted oft time the person then is left empty with nothing left to live for.

There is a new movie coming out Sweeney Todd, starring Johnny Depp. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is a 2007 film adaptation of the Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler musical of the same name. The film stars Johnny Depp in the title role, in his sixth collaboration with director Tim Burton. In my opinion much of his best work has been with Burton. The film is scheduled for release in the United States on December 21, 2007.

Sweeney Todd returns to London after escaping the life imprisonment of Benjamin Barker, only to find his wife Lucy and daughter Johanna have suffered at the hands of the very man who had imprisoned him, Judge Turpin. With the assistance of his former landlady, Mrs. Nellie Lovett , Sweeney launches a plan for revenge that initially targets the individuals responsible for his imprisonment, but ultimately draws all of society in his sights.

Revenge drives Sweeney Todd. Revenge is exacted. This movie looks really good. I really like Johnny Depp and as I stated earlier think much of his best work has been in collaboration with Tim Burton. I think this movie will be no exception. You can visit Sweeney Todd on MySpace or visit the official Sweeney Todd movie site to get more information on the movie and watch a trailer.

Yours Truly,

Cman

Because You Need To Know What I Think