Some Common But Creative Mid Week Activities To Try

There are those folks that work on weekends for various reasons: school, or the career field they are in. Or, you may work during the week and want to do more than be on your smartphone or watch TV. Being that I have pulled weekend shifts in the past and have had time off during two and three day stretches, it forces one to be more creative when finding fun activities going on. Here are a few suggestions.

1. Local community/church/college activities.

Check the newspapers and the online calendars. Many of these places have shows, plays, open mics and such during the week.

2. Exercise

Many gyms have active classes during the week, and around in the community. Also, when it's warm out, you can walk, jog or run.

3. Movies

4. Sporting events (youth to professional).

5. Concerts

6. Doctor's appointments, dealing with errands.

These are things that you wouldn't have time to do on a normal week. However, if you're not preoccupied during the week, you can use this time to complete those duties.

7. Volunteer work, including after school tutoring and mentoring.

8. Shopping

9. Taking a casual drive.

10. Trying out restaurants in other cities.

Restaurants aren't usually as packed during this time and often offer good deals. For example, Ruby Tuesdays allows kids 10 and under to eat for free on Tuesdays.

Hope this helps fill the time during the week (which may be your weekend.)

Do you currently do some of these activities? What are some other ones you would add to this list?

Pixels and Southpaw: Definitely A Double Dose Of Fine Cinema

This has been thus far arguably one of the worst and unoriginal summer movie seasons to date. It has been littered with remakes, lame sequels, and corny comedies.

Enter Southpaw and Pixels. I saw both over the same weekend and they fulfilled the appetite I have long been craving.

I have only been to the movies twice this summer (Avengers 2, Ted 2), the least I have been since 2003. This past weekend made it worthwhile.

Pixels was Adam Sandler's annual summer blockbuster and very nostalgic for 80s fiends and fans of classic 8 bit video games. It was very touching and exciting. It takes my generation back to a simpler time, and shows the younger generation that better graphics do not equal a better game.

Southpaw, even with several boxing and sports movie cliques', still answered the metaphorical bell. Jake Gyllenhaal and Forrest Whittaker were brilliant, the fight scenes were raw and realistic, and despite the strong language, it is a good movie about the importance of family and the things we will do for them and because of them. This may be the best movie I have seen thus far in 2015. Here's hoping the Oscar board will not pass over Gyllenhaal once again.

So do yourself a favor and check out both of these movies on the big screen. I can guarantee you will get your money's worth.

Have you seen either or both of these movies yet? Do you think they added a different dimension to another predictable summer movie season?

1st Annual Drewsies Awards

I have been reading and collecting newspapers for two decades now and am  a loyal subscriber to the Gaffney Ledger. That being said, one of my favorite parts of the newspaper is when they give out awards for best restaurants, businesses, etc. I am adding a bit of a twist to my awards show "the Drewsies".  I am awarding 36 different categories, one for each year I have been alive. This will be tough, and I will do my best to be fair and unbiased.

Best journalist/writer: Joe Hughes II
Best photographer: Alvin Hinton
Best DJ: Mike Dawkins

Realest on social media (and life): Billy Moore

Best bar and grill: Patti O's
Best BBQ: Courtney's BBQ
Best service organization: Smokin Rita and Friends
Best gym: Anytime Fitness
Best fitness instructor: Angie Dover
Best trainer: Simone Mack
Best buffet: Best Pizza Buffet
Best fitness community: Upstate SC
Best running club: Run The Rock
Best teacher: Erin Helms
Best civil rights activist: Will Pruitt
Best TV comedy: The Middle
Best TV drama: Orange Is The New Black
Best parties/cookouts: The Morris Boys
Best social network: Twitter
Best chiropractor: Bill and Chad
Best dentist: Brown and Harrell
Best place for tires: Roberts Tire
Best seafood: Captain Steve's
Best steak house: Texas Roadhouse
Best salad bar: Ruby Tuesday
Best birthday freebie: Moe's Southwest Grill
Best sub sandwiches: Sub Station II in Gaffney
Best supermarket: Publix
Best movie theater: NCG theatres
Best pizza, calzones and strombolis: Venus Pie
Best retail store: Target
Best pharmacy: CVS
Best late night hangout spot: Empire Pizza
Best mall: Village of Sandhills
Best shoe store: Nike Factory Outlet
Best new TV drama: Empire

OK I could go on and on but I will stop at 36. Hope all of you enjoyed this year's Drewsies!

The Drive-In Theatre: Still A Great Way To See A Movie

I love watching and going to the movies as many of you know. I go nearly every weekend and have been to the fancy theaters and run down ones. This weekend, at age 36, I finally got to experience the drive-in.

Basically, it is everything it is cracked up to be and more. Hard to beat $10-15/carload, seeing at least two movies, being able to bring your own food and all. I felt like a kid that night.

The drive-in was once the ultimate way to see a movie once silent movies fell by the wayside. They originated in 1933 in New Jersey and became a national phenomenon. Everyone loved meeting under the big screen and stars on the weekend.

Present day, the drive-in has taken a hit. Although ticket sales are still high and the parking lots are typically full, there are only 357 drive-ins nationwide still open. They mostly depend on concessions and tickets to make ends meet. Between showing the movies, electricity and the staff, it can be a challenge for this type of venue to stay open.

There are currently only nine in the Carolinas. Three notable ones are: The Bessemer City Drive In (where I went), Sunset Drive In in Shelby, NC, and the Big Mo in Monetta, SC. Many of these places are in secluded areas, but are fun for the entire family. The theater may be losing money, but the savings are passed on to the consumer.

That being said, I would hate to see the drive in completely fade away. It gives one a sense of nostalgia and showing you don't need frills and 3-D effects to enjoy a movie on the big screen.

Do you go to the drive-in some? What do you enjoy most about going?

1985: A Special Year At The Cinema

It's hard to believe 1985 was nearly 30 years ago. I can remember it as vividly as yesterday. Many, many awesome movies were released that year. I look at the movies thus far released this year and in 1985 and I see such a huge difference I'm quality and originality. It seems like many of those 85 films were classics, trendsetters and must-haves.

Director-wise, it seemed Stephen Spielberg, Robert Zemekis and John Hughes were the big winners. Actor wise, that nod goes to Michael J. Fox,,Sylvester Stallone, and the "brat pack", including Emilio Estevez and Ally Sheedy. You had the classics such as Back to the Future (the highest grossing film of the year), and Teen Wolf, both starting Fox. You also had The Goonies, The Color Purple, and the two John Hughes's classics, The Breakfast Club and Weird Science.

Sequels were of course part of the year and seemed to be better then. Rocky IV came at an important time, during the US's Cold War with Russia. There was also Rambo (First Blood Part II), both movies starring Stallone..There were also sequels of horror tales Nightmare On Elm Street and Friday the 13th. Comedies such as Police Academy, National Lampoon's Vacation and Porkys also were given encores during this illustrious year.

Other movies of note that released were Sesame Street Presents: Follow That Bird,  St. Elmo's Fire, Mad Max, Pee-Wee's Big Adventure, Cocoon, Out Of Africa (which won Best Picture), Brewster's Millions, Commando, Krush Groove, and The Last Dragon.

It is without question this particular year raised the bar in cinema and really put actors, writers and directors on notice. This was also around the time movie rentals became popular, meaning you could rent or buy a movie on VHS and watch it over and over.

The times had changed, and nearly 30 years later, the industry evolves. It is watered down by lack of creativity, over saturation of acting jobs, and big name actors turning down major roles. Here's to 1985, one of the great years where actors truly loved to act and showed their passion well.

What was your favorite movie from 1985?  Did I omit a movie from this year that you enjoyed?

Should Babies Be Allowed At The Movies, Or Be Banned

The summer movie season is in full effect. This and the Christmas holidays are when people frequent the theaters the most.

We have all sat in a theater and at some point during the movie heard a loud and annoying "waaaaaaa!" coming from an infant or newborn child. Oftentimes this happens so much the usher has to ask the adult and the crying baby to leave. 

Now why even bring the screaming infant to begin with?  Was the movie that good that you couldn't wait or you didn't care about not having a sitter? You would rather spoil the movie for everyone else and make your baby miserable. That is simply inconsiderate.

The solution is simple: if you can't get a sitter, don't go. However,  here's a better question: should theaters allow babies in the first place? They already know that crying is inevitable. 

An age limit would be a fine line, although there are already some in effect. One prohibits children under the age of six to watch an R-rated movie even with an adult.  But should babies simply be banned from theaters? Sounds simple,  but it's not from a business perspective. 

Theaters are trying to make money, period. From the tickets to the snacks,  they want to bank. Perhaps some could have a daycare option for a fee/movie or a fee/month for frequent movie watchers. Many of the larger theater chains already have this option, in such cities such as Denver and St. Louis.  There are already  Fandango and MovieWatcher discount clubs.  An in-theater daycare could be a happy medium, and a potential cash cow.

Not trying to get off topic here,  but many businesses have daycares and nurserys now: churches,  gyms, and even some workplaces. Other movie theaters, especially tones such as Regal Cinemas and AMC should take this into serious consideration.  It has had its hits and misses at other places.

Otherwise, you would have to ban adults with babies from attending,  or any child under four. Again it's a sticky situation, but one that can be resolved.

The movies are too expensive as it is. People don't go to theaters in droves as they once did thanks to Netflix,  bootleggs, and the simple hassles such as crying babies and other loud people.

So if you're a parent, I would urge you to be considerate of the rest of us. And if you want to see the movie that bad, get a sitter or try and start a daycare for theaters. It is sticky but doable.

Do crying babies annoy you at the movies?  For parents: what age did you begin taking your child to the theater?

Kevin Hart's Secrets Behind His Success

Many of you already know how I feel about comedian/actor Kevin Hart. He's annoying, obnoxious, overrated, and seemingly everywhere. There are not only folks in the urban comedy scene, but in comedy period that are way funnier than him. This was the subject of a blog from last year.

Nevertheless, Kevin's tours, shows and specials sell out like hotcakes, he does a lot of hosting gigs, and now he will be in two movies in the next two months. He has honestly worked his butt off and did what others aren't willing to do to be successful.

Yeah I realize a lot of entertainers work hard and have a good set of people around them. But what makes Kevin different?

1. Separation of personal and professional life

Kevin embraces his struggles, dealing with marriage then a divorce, and being diminutive.  He uses his weaknesses on stage as his strengths. He also doesn't do anything to have TMZ, MediaTakeout, or the tabloids talking.  He is hustling period.

2. Goes the extra mile by taking corny and major roles alike.

He does not mind being the lead man or the straight man. He simply wants to work and act and has a thick skin. He saw what Richard Pryor, Eddie Murphy and Chris Rock did, and is following that blueprint. He may be selling out, especially in Dave Chapelle's eyes (who gave up 50 million plus because he wasn't going to be Comedy Central's puppet).  Like it or not, Kevin continues to get work due to this attitude.

3. He is familiar and derivative.

Many critics, myself included, accuse Hart of being unoriginal and derivative of comedians from the past such as Chris Rock, Martin Lawrence, and even Chris Tucker. Audiences and fans like that though and Kevin and his management were smart enough to see that. That what turns him from the annoying cousin to an elite entertainer in the eyes of many.

4. He is very professional.

He shows on time for performances, shows and rehearsals and rarely, if ever, cancels. That is a strong trait to have and he is basically someone you can trust to do the job you pay him for.

5. He has no major challengers.

I named seven that could give Kevin a run for his money. However, even those seven, plus Katt Williams, Vince Morris, and Christopher Titus have other things distracting and hindering them. Ten years ago, things may be different.  Present day, Kevin is head and shoulders above all in the comedy game.

Some will agree, some will disagree with all or part of this blurb. But when I realized it, Kevin has earned his fame. It does not make me one of his millions of fans, but I can't knock the little man's hustle.