The Florida Renaissance Festival Review

    I went to the annual Florida Renaissance Festival held at Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield, Florida with a group of friends and for anyone looking for a good time, it's the only choice. It went early to get my ticket and it was a good choice too because there was a line already when I arrived. Being here in Florida there was a chance of rain but thankfully it was sunny and dry, I have the sunburns to prove it. The main reason for going there when the gates open is one reason and that's the roar of the cannon's firing.
    Yes, to celebrate the festival, the gates always opening after hearing the sounds of a real cannon outside the walls. After that cannon goes off and your hearing returns, you go inside and it's nothing but fun inside. I met with the wonderful actors who portrayed kings and princesses. I flirted a little with the queen because it's not like I would really lose my head and the queen was hot and my friends got a good laugh out of it. I had time to kill before any of the acts started so I had to get archery out of the way before the kids started coming and taking it up the rest of the day.
    Being the first one there, the people there were incredibly friendly and gave me a few extra arrows. Didn't hit the center but had fun none the less and after that, a friend of mine went rock climbing. After she made it all the way to the top, we went to see Blackshear the medieval comedic magician, very funny with a good act but then we went to see a popular act known as the Mud Show. An act where two men get up and tell a hilarious tale that ends up with them jumping in a pit filled with mud. It's always a good time especially when they pick a member of the audience to throw them in the pit.
    After getting dirty from the mud, we went to the act the Washing Wenches to get cleaned up because it's a show that involves a lot of water. The show is about two women who aren't physically attractive but are amazingly hilarious when they tease the men in the crowd and give threaten those who aren't laughing with clothes soaked in water. The two women give a great duet when singing to chosen male members in the audience and have them do embarrassing but hilarious stuff in the end. After feeling the water on our faces, we went to get some lunch and the most popular item there, giant turkey legs!
    After getting our legs and our drinks, we headed over to the jousting field to see a fun theatrical re- enactment of 4 knights jousting. After it was over, we had a break so I went ahead and spent some money throwing axes and Chinese stars, sucked at both of them so I'm going to stick to archery. Then we went to the most popular event there and that was the pub sing act featuring the group Celtic Mayhem. The group was very entertaining giving a unique sound to my ears while adding a rock and roll flare to it. The Pub Sing is always a must see at this festival with the family.
    But when you're around your friends and you want to go to a good performance then there's no better than the duet of Iris and Rose. Two women who perform as Singing Wenches and sing songs about various adventures that are best considered intimate and raunchy. This is an adult show, there's no nudity but there is stuff said in that tent that you wouldn't hear in a porn movie which is why it's hilarious. So hilarious that their show use to only be 30 minutes but now it's an hour. In my opinion, it's the best show of the festival next to the Mud Show or Jousting.
    There's something for everyone at this festival and I was able to get to everything that I knew I would love. I would've loved to go back since it only happens once a year but because of my job, it's hard to go to every theme. The actors and performers give a hell of a show and there are plenty of activities to do during the day when you're waiting for the shows to begin. Between the ticket, food, activities and tipping the performers, I only spent a total of $60, that's less the price of the ticket to go to Disney alone. The Florida Renaissance Festival is always a major attraction and I'm never disappointed when I go, I will be returning next year.
   

My Books are in Print.

     3 years ago, I started writing again. Now I've written these five books and got them all available in print. I feel a great sense of accomplishment and will keep pumping out the stories until I get make it big. Thank you everyone for the love and support.

Sincerely
Anthony Labson

Hulk Hogan Returns To Host WrestleMania 30

    It was announced today that Hulk Hogan, wrestling icon for over 30 decades will return to the company that made him a household name to host the event he headlined 30 years ago. WrestleMania 30 is being held in New Orleans this year with the main event still to be determined. The only known fact now is that the famous leader of Hulkamania is coming back to host the event. Whether it's only for one night or the beginning of an awesome run, it's going to be an interesting show. It will be the first time in nearly a decade that Hulk Hogan will return to a W.W.E. ring.
    Hulk Hogan's career began with the W.W.E. after his famous victory over the Iron Sheik for the heavyweight title decades ago. Since then, Hulk Hogan grew from another heavyweight champion to becoming a wrestling god in the ring becoming the company's figurehead and franchise performer. Becoming the hero of a generation, Hulk Hogan's popularity grew so big that he had to give it a name that best suited it, Hulkamania. Using his popularity, he would grow to be the first wrestler to branch out and become an actor performing in movies such as the Rocky 3.
    Unfortunately like all things, everything had to come to an end and it did between W.W.E. and Hulk Hogan as wrestling competition World Championship Wrestling (W.C.W.) was rising. With the money backed by Ted Turner, Hulk Hogan was offered a deal he couldn't refuse and left for the rival company and wouldn't return until the early 2000s when W.C.W. was bought by W.W.E. He returned for a brief time to make one last run for the fans of old but unfortunately it was over before it even began. Luckily new rising company Total Non-Stop Action (T.N.A.) was available and Hulk Hogan quickly jumped on the band wagon with fellow superstars such as Sting and Ric Flair. Now with T.N.A.'s future hanging on by a thread, Hulk Hogan decided to not renew his contract and is returning at WrestleMania.
    It's unclear exactly what he really plans on doing being the host but the name itself will draw the crowd. This move by the W.W.E. has come at a good time with the launch of their own network happening this Monday. The return of any wrestling icon is big news and the best time to do is at the "Showcase of The Immortals." Hulk Hogan and the W.W.E. have always had a complex relationship so it will be interesting to see where this goes as far as story lines are concerned. So there's only one question, "What cha gonna do brother?"

Leo: The Cold Killer is coming! Here's the synopsis.

                Do people ever really change? When they do, what causes that change? An inspirational song, a meeting with a random stranger, or the love of a friend or partner? Finally when that causes is gone and that person isn’t inspired anymore, can they keep the change or do they go back into their state of familiarity. That’s the main focus of the main character in this trilogy. Leo Clarkson, a professional killer whom goes through a rapid transformation in order to save a life instead of taking one. This time, Leo is trying to save someone’s life instead of taking it.

                Being hired by the most powerful mob boss in New Orleans, Tony Giovanni, Leo is contracted to kill one of the people committed to putting him behind bars, Sara Casserly. Leo finds that the contract is harder to carry out when he realizes that the person means something to him. Because of the personal history the two share, Leo goes against everything that a professional should do and fights to protect her from the crime lord. Now Giovanni must call upon another professional to handle the situation before Leo attempts to kill him and save Sara from a grim fate. With Leo fighting the odds and his own personal battle, he must find a way to show that this time he can be a hero, not a killer.

                This is the first part of The Leo Trilogy. Enjoy what you read and hopefully by the end we will see if Leo, a man who has only known violence and death can find salvation and peace.  It will be a long journey but at the end of it all, we will see how one person can change a person for the better. The real question is, will Leo be able to be the hero he wants to be or go back to being a ruthless killer? Enjoy Leo: The Cold Killer and if you like what you read then keep in touch when part two, Leo: Government Issue is released.

Until the next is written.

Individuality

Loss of Identity

By

Anthony Labson

 

I don’t need a book to tell me what’s right

because I have a heart and a conscience.

I don’t need to be told whose right and wrong

because I can listen and decide for myself.

 

When somebody tells me they heard something

then I ask where did they hear it from

and decide whether or not it’s a credible source.

 

If I speak to someone and they don’t agree

then I listen without interrupting.

If we still disagree then we still shake

and show respect.

 

I have only hated a few people in my life

but that’s because they offended me

physically, emotionally and psychologically.

Not because someone says it’s wrong.

I am for different laws and new amendments

not because I’m a member of a party

but because I truly believe my country

will benefit from them.

My loyalty will always belong to my country

not to any party or specific group.

I don’t sacrifice personal feelings

just to secure other people’s insecurities.

 

Peer pressure is the killer of individuality.

Don’t let it control you because if you do

                                                
                                               then the world loses something precious

Happy Valentine's Day

How to say “I Love You.”
by
Anthony Labson

Don't say "I love you"
with a serpent's tongue.
Spreading your false energy
through my veins -- that's worse than
any venom and murders the heart the quickest.

Don't say "I love you"
like a child does a toy,
something that is to be enjoyed
for a short period time and then discarded
without a care for the one who is used
and will be left alone in dark misery.

Don't say "I love you"
at all.

Give that person a gift
at an unexpected time,
and give it for no reason.

Kiss that person,
not with lustful intentions
but with meaningful ones.

Do something for that person,
not because they asked
but because you want to for them.

Be there for that person
no matter what the reason,
even when they don't want you to.

Look each other in the eyes
and enjoy that moment of silence,
that moment where words have no purpose.

Finally, hold that hand.
That is always the first step
and will always be the most important one.

If you want to say "I love you"
and actually mean it.
Then don't say it at all.

Happy Valentine's Day.

Robocop Review

    This is one remake I'm glad to say was needed for the popular Robocop franchise. I know what people have been saying about this reboot since it was first announced. People are not thrilled that he has his right hand and the PG-13 rating already broke the deal for a lot of hardcore fans. The black armor instead of the traditional silver also threw people a off and grew skepticism but let me just say that you don't judge this movie by its poster. This is an action packed movie that is full of action mixed with a fresh story and it stays with traditional elements such as the same theme music and old enemies. 

    The differences are as follows. In the remake, Omnicorp also known as O.C.P. is an American company that is known for providing robots for the military to ship overseas. In the original, O.C.P. just developed weapons and like in the remake, Robocop is used as a pawn to further the companies goals. Alex Murphy played by Joel Kinnaman, in the remake is a seasoned Detroit Police Detective rather than just being a rookie copy in the original and the reason he gets into the suit is different. Don't worry, no serious spoilers. 

    The one major change as far as story goes is a more in depth sub story between Alex Murphy and his family. In the original, Alex Murphy's wife and son played by Abbie Cornish and John Paul Ruttan, are in the film for maybe a few moments but in the remake they are the key elements in Alex Murphy's struggle to maintain his humanity. This presents the problem for O.C.P. owner, Raymond Sellers played by Michael Keaton. Sellers is determined to bring his robots to the streets of America in order to make more money but when Alex Murphy decides to throw a wrench in his plans, he decides to pull the plug. 

    This doesn't sit well with Alex Murphy's creator, Dr. Dennett Norton played by Gary Oldman, is forced to take sides in the matter. This remake also touches the question that made the original a success. Would our society be better if we just had robots enforcing the law or is it better that we have people putting their lives on the line? The other question the remake brings from the original is how dangerous is a corporation that only cares about making money? With a running time of 2 hours and 11 minutes, this film brings back a lot of memories from those who watched the original and created new ones while making new fans. 

   If you're still upset because of the new look and the lack of blood, guts and gore then don't bother with this remake because this sticks to the PG-13 rating. But if you do then you are missing out on a great action packed movie. I don't expect this movie to be a major blockbuster right away because of its release on Valentine's Day weekend but this movie is worth the watch. Robocop will no doubt have a sequel considering the ovation I heard as I was leaving the auditorium and yes there is something at the end of the credits. Thank you for attention. 

Stop Following!

Loss of Identity

By

Anthony Labson

 

 

I don’t need a book to tell me what’s right

because I have a heart and a conscience.

I don’t need to be told whose right and wrong

because I can listen and decide for myself.

 

When somebody tells me they heard something

then I ask where did they hear it from

and decide whether or not it’s a credible source.

 

If I speak to someone and they don’t agree

then I listen without interrupting.

If we still disagree then we still shake

and show respect.

 

I have only hated a few people in my life

but that’s because they offended me

physically, emotionally and psychologically.

Not because someone says it’s wrong.

I am for different laws and new amendments

not because I’m a member of a party

but because I truly believe my country

will benefit from them.

My loyalty will always belong to my country

not to any party or specific group.

I don’t sacrifice personal feelings

just to secure other people’s insecurities.

 

Peer pressure is the killer of individuality.

Don’t let it control you because if you do

then the world loses something precious.

Someone Who Needed a Friend

Healing a Broken Heart

By Anthony Labson

Why do you do this to yourself?

You rather live with heart ache

and never know joy or passion

because you can’t get out of this hole.

You were dragged down

by an iron ball and

got wrapped up in the chains.

You sunk down to this level

and you never left.

You drown yourself in drink

and spend more time in the past.

Your children only know dysfunction

and every day you become a stranger

to them.

Well I’m here now

and I want to give you hope.

If you’re so scorned and don’t trust me

then that’s fine but here is my hand.

What do you have to lose?

A Circle of Truth

We all have our bad days and they leave scars sometimes. It will always be the fate of the good to be tormented by the bad.

New Poem!

Wisdom from a Muse

By

Anthony Labson

 

Tell her about her hair.

The way she waves it

As she turns her head

And looks at you with her eyes.

 

The way she uses them

To burn a hole through your heart

and tell her how there’s only one way

to get it started.

 

To feel the touch of her lips.

So full and luscious

And the thought of them touching your skin

sends a paralyzing chill up your spine.  

 

A spine you would use to defend her

even if it cost you your own life.

Never allowing it to break in half

even if it was the weight of the world,

the world that is nothing without her.

 

The only reason that you live

Is because you know she’ll be there

and seeing her by your side

makes the world a jewel in the universe.

 

Oh wait a minute,

You’re just in the friend zone?

Move on and find someone else.

These words are too good for her.