The Jimmy Buffet Experience
By – Ed Rupert; On Scene News; Reporter/Producer

Well it was not only my first concert ever, but it was an experience that I wanted to have before I left this earth; yes it was on my “bucket list”.
My amazing wife heard my call and ordered the tickets and we were going to the Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Bands, Fin Land Concert in the Mile High City of Denver.
The anticipation was more than I could handle, I have been dreaming of the “Buffett”, lifestyle for several decades. I don’t or didn’t consider myself a “Parrot Head”, but I did want Jimmy’s life…
A life of traveling the beaches of the world by boat, plane or motor coach, crooning about my amazing life drinking boat drinks and margaritas in cargo shorts and Hawaiian shirts…it doesn’t much matter to me as my 9-5 was a little old after more years that I am willing to admit. The idea of being a free spirit in the world today or over at least the last 40 years gets more and more appealing as we approach the end of the Aztec Calendar, YIKES!!!
This concert was in effect a realization and confirmation that I wanted the balance of my years to be focused on embracing the joys of my experience in this life I am living and less to do with the “rat race” of accumulation. Could I be happy in a parking lot of 3000 of my closet, soon to be friends, tailgating my way to Buffett Nirvana, or perhaps with 45,000 other fellow Margaritavillians; Do I like margaritas that much?

• Tickets?  √
• Press credentials?  √
• Tie Dye shirt?  √
• Grass Skirt?  √
• Lovely Wife?  √
• Money for concert food?  √

The 65 mile drive was filled with the anticipation of Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefers breathing the same air gave me oneness with the lifestyle, when arriving at the press parking lot and seeing the groups motor coaches, I must admit, my excitement was growing. Upon exiting our vehicle we could hear a Coral Reefers style cover band at a local bar and smell the grilling meat smelling of cheeseburgers in not quite paradise, waffling into the air. I must admit for down town Denver at 6:00 P.M. it was better than the usual rap and hyper base sounds, throbbing their way into my mind.
As, this reporter was listening to the cover band at the local restaurant, we were drawn to look at 6 grass skirt, coconut bra, flip flop and straw hat wearing men walking out towards the parking lot where more activity was spotted. Ah yes the famous Buffett parking lot tailgate experience, behind the concert venue.

It look like a stationary parade and the observers walked up and down the aisles, wearing Leigh’s beads lighted necklaces and more and more grass skirts and coconut bras, worn by both men women. I have never met such a friendly and sharing group of people, we were offered cheeseburgers, shrimp that were beginning to boil, land shark beers, margaritas and my lovely bride who made all this happen received two Leigh’s in the parking lot! I couldn’t help but think if Jimmy Buffett would run for President of the United States, that we would be living in a much more laid back country. Talk about bi-partnership! No one cared about the disliked 1% or the 99%, Republican or Democrat; we were all Margaritavillians; looking for our own peace and paradise. Wait isn’t that what we all really want anyway?

As I walked down aisle after aisle of tiki huts, colorfully decorated motor homes, grills, blenders, coolers and oh yes more people in grass skits, coconut bras and straw hats, sporting shoulder parrots, pink flamingo beer bongs, all made me think about the simplistic apparel required for the Margaritavillian lifestyle. These Margaritavillians were Doctors, nurses, business executives, housewives, secretaries, communication specialists, teachers and board members of companies you would not believe, all parading around in unbelievable attire in not so perfect harmony with another cover bands version of a Pirate looks at 40.
Burgers, bands and brew, is the order of the day a Jimmy Buffett tailgate, Margaritas’ flowing like water as the parade of observers walk through the tailgate drive-in, everyone willing to share their story of previous tailgates at a Buffett concert, playing yard/ parking lot games, hula hooping or sharing a meal and beverage of the day, to reveler strangers. At 8:00 p.m. the concert arena was full of the parking lot devotees, as if moths drawn to the light. The blow up beach balls, Finish Flags, and balloons being batted around the arena, made the event much more interactive. The previously inebriated bar patrons were now being carried in by their escorts only to be removed after the first couple songs due to their projectile illness (too much Margaritaville tequila perhaps?).

We see the lotus symbol used extensively throughout the yoga industry. What connection and correlation are we to make of this mystical flower and the practice of yoga?

The story of the lotus has so much symbolic inspiration. Its roots are birthed in the deepest muddiest part of still lakes and ponds. Its bud surfaces the water and connects with the pristine energy of the suns rays, and begins to unfold one bloom at a time until finally in full bloom we are in the presence of an exquisite expression of nature.

As humans we tend to live in the world of form. We forget who we are, where we came from and why we chose to come here. Who are we really? And really why are we here? This question often haunts us, for some it inspires us and for others there’s no reason to entertain the question at all. It is also a very much debated question. In spite of the countless opinions and beliefs of who we are and why we’re here, one thing most will agree on is that we are all seeking transformation on some level.

If we were to ask the question “Is there anything you would like to change about yourself or your life?” the response of the majority would be “Yes.” The changes desired would range from physical improvements such as health or appearance to psychological improvements such as self esteem, more joy, or a sense of purpose. Then for some they can’t put their finger on it but feel a deep sense of longing. A void they can’t seem to fill regardless of all the material possessions they try to fill it with, or all the goals they execute and conquer.

Our inability to be satisfied and truly at peace with our life does not stem from anything in the physical realm. Contrary to popular belief the transformation we seek is not about our physical appearance, our bank accounts, our job, our significant other, or any other label we might have assigned it. The deep sense of longing for “more”, stems from deep inside of us. It’s our true essence, our divine spirit that resides in our physical body that has a deep longing and desire to be remembered.

As humans we make connections and comprehensions through the physical relationship of things and people in the world. If the eyes can see it, and the hands can touch it then we are more inclined to give our attention to it. Out of sight out of mind as the saying goes. So, we tend to forget about our spirit. We forget the importance of nurturing it the same way we nurture our physical bodies, our cars, our children and life partners and even our pets. We get bogged down with the collective energy of society and all the pain and suffering of our past. This mud and muck gets so deep it becomes a very dark, very cold and very scary place for us to venture. So instead we lay down some nice stones so we don’t step in it and say “ah what a nice rock bed”, and then relentlessly throw ourselves into our work. We constantly stay plugged into the world of technology; cell phones, iphones, text messaging, Facebooking, Tweeting. The list can really go on and on, anything to take our minds off that muddy mess. We are so afraid to sit in quiet with ourselves for 5 minutes. For most we can’t shut our minds up for 2 minutes much less 5. Yoga teaches us how to get quiet. Our practice takes us within and helps us to see that we are equipped with all we need to wade through our mud so that our true essence and beauty can rise up and shine forth.

At first sight the lotus flower is so beautiful floating upon the waters surface. One might not give a single thought as to how that beauty came to be. We don’t think about the mud and muck the lotus grew up from before it bloomed into its full expression of shri or beauty. We just see it and think “hmmm a flower, floating on the water. It’s so pretty.” We see it with our eyes but don’t expand our awareness to its true mystical nature and auspiciousness of being.

A human life is very much like the life of the lotus. The lotus flowers only desire and intention is to grow up through the muddy murky waters to unite with the suns rays, where it can express itself fully and exquisitely. The deep and constant sense of longing we feel is our desire to grow up through our own mud and muck. To re-align with our divine source so that we too can evolve into our fullest expression of shri. We are constantly seeking that alignment. That is the void we feel inside; although for most it takes years and sometimes multiple life times to discover this truth.

We all have our “mud” to wade through, even the person that appears to have the perfect life. The definition of yoga literally means to yoke or to join. The practice of yoga takes us on a journey deep within and re-joins us with our spirit. It brings awareness and creates the space for healing. It is through this healing process that we rise up from the mud. This is when our blooms begin to unfold one petal at a time until we become an expression of the most magnificent beauty floating upon the surface and highest vibration of the Universe.

By: Brandi Nelson
The Yogi Way

I think bug splatter on my jacket is a badge of honor. Reporting for ON SCENE NEWS from Reporter Michelle Church

Apparently the fact that I have a Harley and love to ride makes me some sort of newsworthy statistic. There’s 300 million people in the US, 25 million who ride motorcycles, and of those 25 million, 6 million are women. The numbers of women choosing to give up the passenger seat for a handful of throttle is increasing dramatically each year.

But why? We each have our own reason. Status, thrill, camaraderie, or a hundred other reasons. For me, I just love to ride. There’s no better way for me to clear my head than to head ‘up the hill’ of the Rocky Mountains and jam my Sportster into some twisties. The rushing wind pushing me back in my seat, the smells of the forest, the white water rapids screaming by… they all seem more beautiful, more real and more connected to me when I’m on my bike.

I prefer to ride alone or with one or two other people. Big rides tend to have drama, more stress, more competition. However, once a year I make the pilgrimage to a sleepy little town in South Dakota to hang with hundreds and thousands of my closest friends at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Sure there’s bikes and boobs, but there’s also fantastic roads, beautiful bikes and the fellowship that draws all walks of life from around the world to the Black Hills.

This year I’m excited to represent On Scene News and report my voyage. I’ll be talking with folks to find out why they make the trip to Sturgis. From doctors and lawyers to convicts and school teachers, Sturgis has a way of letting us forget our ‘real’ lives and just have fun. There will be great music from the top headliners as well as guys pickin’ their guitar on the corner for gas money. I’ll take you along and debunk some of the myths of these badass bikers to show a softer, more real side of motorcycle enthusiasts. Keep tabs on On Scene News to see my adventures and meet the people that are just regular people cutting loose for one hell of a good time.

Rubber side down, shiny side up,
~Michelle Church

Sturgis, South Dakota

Sturgis, S. D., is a small peaceful community almost all year long; where, every year, for one week in August, the quiet town explodes into the biggest, bawdiest and wildest motorcycle rally on the planet. The Sturgis South Dakota, Motorcycle Rally is one of the longest-running weeklong motorcycle rallies in the country, and in 2010 it’ll celebrate its 70th year, of wild and crazy mayhem.

YES, there are plenty of other motorcycle rallies throughout the world, but over the years the Sturgis BIKE WEEK, has created fame by drawing motorcycle lovers from all over the world. But everyone in the small town, shares one common thread — everyone wants to experience a good time. Sturgis Motorcycle Rally has it all, bike shows, concerts, motocross events, lots of alcohol and more unmentionable entertainment than one could even pretend not to look at.

Simply known as “Sturgis,” or “The Rally,” and the mostly quiet people of Sturgis South Dakota know it as the time of the year where their state is invaded and the population almost doubles in just one week. But what makes STURGIS so special? In this article we’ll find out how the rally started, what goes on there in Sturgis and the type of culture that this event brings to this sleepy town, each and every year. Read on and you will see why this event is covered by http://PlaceForTattoo.com   and http://www.LingeriePreview.com

History

Sturgis, S.D., on August 14, 1938,nine men raced their motorcycle with a small group of people watching. The bikers were known as the Jackpine Gypsies Motorcycle Club which later organized the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally along with a fellow member and owner of the Indian Motorcycle Shop, J.C. “Pappy” Hoel. Pappy Hoel worked for his family’s ice business before buying the Indian motorcycle franchise and becoming one of the most successful dealers in South Dakota. After that momentous day , the rally has continued every year since that first race in 1938 — with the exception of two years during World War II. (they probably needed the rally more than ever, at that time) Now, seven decades after the first rally, the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is still going strong and doesn’t show any signs of slowing down, in fact corporate sponsorship and the pressure relieving properties of the event, assure its continuation.
An event that started out as a small group of racers now has transformed into the largest and certainly the most anticipated, motorcycle rally in the world. All types of motorcycles are represented at the rally as well as all different types of people. In 1960 the attendance of the rally topped only 800 people and in 1970 that number grew to 2,000. In the year 2000 about 550,000 people attended the rally Of course, Daytona Beach, Fla., is infamous for its Bike Week event, but one of the things that makes the attendance of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally so exceptional is that the city of Sturgis normally only has a population of about 6,000 people. In addition to the city of Sturgis’ small population, the entire state of South Dakota nearly doubles its population when the rally bikers show up each year.

Events

The Sturgis Zone is the primary hub of the rally and Main Street is the place to be for the best people and bike watching Street at least one evening out of all the nights at the rally.

The Bear Butte Zone, just east of the city of Sturgis is where the rally holds its major concerts. The Buffalo Chip and Rockin’ the Rally are the two main venues for the concerts. Major entertainers have grace the stage for this exciting event. The Buffalo CHIP is known for having rowdy campgrounds and for hosting the entertainment shows close to where the campgrounds are so that attendees can consume alcohol but not have to ride their bikes to the shows.

The concerts are amazing but, many bikers come to the rally just for the scenic rides, which are found in the Black Hills. This area of South Dakota and Wyoming includes Mt. Rushmore, the Badlands and several monuments including the Crazy Horse Monument. This area of the Sturgis rally is quieter and more secluded than the other two zones.

Motorcycle races and hill climbs are also part of the rally,(keeping with the roots of the rally), where bikers compete by racing their bikes up steep inclines. Looking for the wildest ride? The rally also hosts the AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building, a favorite event among attendees

Rally Culture

Besides the concerts, famous performers, bike shows and scenic rides, the Sturgis is also well-known for its surrounding culture. Besides the bikes, the rally’s party atmosphere is perhaps the most looked forward to, of the Rally.

Sturgis has its fair share of contests and pageants for women, which are not to be confused with the pageants most people might think of. Some unofficial events at the rally consist of women riding around showing off their bikes and their assets. Partial nudity at the rally events and particularly at the campgrounds is not uncommon. Be sure to note this rally is not for your average church group! Some of the campsites near Sturgis are quiet and secluded, but most are well known for their parties. Downtown Sturgis remains strict with its laws about indecent exposure, but many attendees, have found coping skills that push the limits of the local policing agencies throughout the event.

Watering holes, (Bars) are also a big part of the Sturgis culture. Almost all have live music and a few even have burnout pits, (near the building) for some tire smoking fun. (and blow off some of the dust from the ride) Some of the bars are even large enough for bikers to ride their motorcycles into.

Sturgis Motorcycle Rally’s atmosphere is suitable for families, who live their lifestyle a little on the wild side, however each year more and more we have found that there’s a wide range of people who attend the event. Many Doctors, lawyers, realtors, moms, dads as well as those hardcore bikers, in fact anyone who is looking for an out and out good time, should make sure that they attend this Motorcycle Mecca, at least once in their life!!

Started in 1938 by Clarence “Pappy” Hoel, the Sturgis, South Dakota, bike rally has grown from a handful of riders and spectators to a week-long gathering attracting a half million visitors.

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• The first Sturgis bike rally was held on August 14, 1938.

1936

• Clarence “Pappy” Hoel buys an Indian Motorcycle Franchise in Sturgis, South Dakota, and forms the Jackpine Gypsies Motorcycle Club which is still going strong today.

1937

• Jackpine Gypsies receive an official American Motorcycle Association (AMA) charter.

August 14, 1938

• Sturgis bike rally tradition begins. Known as the Black Hills Motor Classic, this first Sturgis motorcycle rally’s main event is a half-mile race on a dirt track, comprising 9 contestants and a group of 200 onlookers. The initial focus of the rally is racing and stunts.

1942

• The Sturgis rally is cancelled due to gas rationing in support of WWII efforts.

1961

• Hill climbs and Motocross races are added to the event.

1964

• City officials block off one section of Main Street to accommodate motorcycle parking for the 3-day rally.

1965 

• Due to its popularity, the Sturgis Rally lengthens to a 5-day event.

1975

• The length of the Sturgis rally is once again stretched, this time to its present 7-day duration.

1979

• The City of Sturgis, SD begins licensing temporary vendors for the gathering.

1988

• In just 9 years since temporary vendor licensing, the vendor list grows from 9 to 117.

1989

• “Pappy” Hoel passes away, 51 years after the initial rally.

1990

• Rally attendance reaches 400,000.

1997

• Celebrities featured at the rally include former NBA player, Dennis Rodman.

2000

• Attendance reaches upwards of 600,000.

2002

• The City of Sturgis designates an entire department to rally promotion and organization.

Present Day

Sturgis Motorcycle Rally attendance numbers reach well over a 500,000, with 800 temporary licensed vendors, major news outlets including http://www.ONSCENENEWS.US  are now descending on the small town during the gathering. Events include half-mile races, hill climbs, short-track races, area attraction tours, music and live entertainment and much more. Be there for the next Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, “At Least Once In Your Life!!”

The Sturgis Rally has grown over the years. In 1938 only a few people watched the local races. By 1940, 5000 spectators watched the races. During World War II, the Sturgis motorcycle rally was cancelled for two years. In 1981 there were 25,000 riders coming to Sturgis; in 1987, 63,000; 1997 saw 220,000; and in 1998 over 360,000 people attended the Sturgis rally. The size of the crowd sometimes depends on any special significance that might be placed on the event. You may notice me waving in the center of the picture at the top of this article. It was taken at the 1993 Sturgis rally.

This event is not confined to the town of Sturgis that has a population of 6000 during the rest of the year. It’s spread all over the area. Most people cannot find a motel room unless they book a year in advance so many go to the numerous camp grounds. The Buffalo Chip Campground is the most famous. You can even check out the message boards for the Buffalo Chip. People take rooms and camp out up to 100 miles away from the Sturgis rally. In fact, you cannot ride anywhere within a 100 mile radius of Sturgis and not be literally surrounded by motorcycles. Especially be sure to check out the town of Deadwood, where Wild Bill Hickok was killed in a local saloon. Deadwood is now mostly known for its gambling casinos and slot machines in every store. You can also visit Mount Rushmore, the Badlands, Devil’s Tower, and of course, don’t miss Wall Drug Store — the signs won’t let you.

Look for On Scene News and say hello.

Before you purchase something in todays world people are always reassured if they can try the product or in this case game out. A World of Warcraft free trial is now being offered and would be in your best interest to try the game out today! You can experience World of Warcraft before you actually buy the game which allows you to determine if the game is truly something you are interested in.

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In World of Warcraft there are endless amounts of things you can do. Such things as fight other players; play missions and train your character. You quickly learn that the game is intensely addicting and I can assure you that you will play for hours a day. Through personal experience I can tell you that you will always have so much fun in this fantasy world. WoW has no true end to the game and is constantly updated with new and improved information and missions that will allow you to play unlimitedly. Also in WoW are items that you collect along your journey that can help you develop your character, trade for money or other items and help you beat missions. It is extremely engaging trying to find the best items and trading with fellow WoW players for an item that best suites you.

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Once you have decided on your clubs, go to the first tee.

You have the option of teeing your ball anywhere between, but not forward of, the markers.

Don’t forget that you can also tee it a maximum of two club lengths behind the line of the markers.

You can make this knowledge work for you. For instance, you may come to a hole which is a little short for the 5 iron you feel you should use but not short enough for a 6.

Your feeling is that if you use the No. 6 you will have to hit the ball very hard to get there. In this case use the 5 but tee your ball a little higher and use your normal swing. The higher tee will take distance off the shot.

You can vary the height of the tee in the wind, too, teeing a shade higher if you want the help of a following wind and lower if you want a low, boring shot into the wind.

Whatever the trouble is, make this your rule: Tee up your ball on the same side of the teeing ground as the trouble lies, and shoot away from it.

Before you stick the peg in the ground take a good look at what is in front of you. And know what you are looking for. Almost every hole has more trouble on one side of the fairway than it does on the other. This trouble may be obvious: a string of white out-of-bounds stakes, a fence, or a pond. It may be more subtle: longer rough on one side than on the other, or a fairway trap on one side. It might be just a line of small trees, or a hidden ravine, or it might be one big tree with spreading branches out there in the rough about 220 or 230 yards from the tee.

Something else in teeing your ball. Take advantage, if there is any to be taken, of any unevenness of the ground. Often there are little depressions on a tee. If there are in the area you choose, tee your ball on the forward edge of one. This will give you a slightly uphill lie, the lie most golfers like to play from. This is especially important if you are playing with the wind behind you. It will get your ball a little higher. But wherever you tee, be sure there are no obstructions of any kind behind the ball. These might be worm casts, which could deflect the club slightly as it is brought back, or they could be loose, dead grass, the movement of which might distract you. Whatever they are, get rid of them.

Another point to be sure of is that your feet are on level ground, that there is nothing under them which disturbs you, like a stick or a small stone or a clod of mud. Be sure also, especially in wet weather, that your feet aren’t resting on muddy ground or loose earth from which they might slip.

All this may seem to be making mountains out of those worm casts we warned you of, but such observation, inspection, and reaction should become automatic. We assure you they are with the good player. Any little advantages which may exist are even more valuable to you than they are to the pro or the low-handicap player.

Handling the Wind

One of the great and variable hazards of golf is the wind. Few players actually like the wind, because it is an unsettling factor, though sometimes more imaginary than real. It is a fact, though, that an appreciable number of yards are lost when you hit straight into a wind, even though it is a light breeze, and just as many yards are gained when the wind is directly with the shot.

It follows, then, that in playing against the wind the ball should be kept as low as possible, where it is less exposed, and that when the wind is behind us we should get the ball up so the movement of air can exert a greater and longer effect. To get a low ball, play it back farther than normal, toward the center line between the feet if it is the tee shot, back farther for a pitching iron. Keep more weight on the left leg than normally and try to have your hands ahead of the ball at impact. It is also advisable, against the wind, to take one club stronger than you would use in still air, grip it shorter, and use a shorter but firmer swing. Most of these alterations should be reversed in a following wind.

The ball should be played a shade farther forward than usual to get it up quickly, and one club weaker than normal should be used. It, too, should be gripped shorter and swung with a shorter and firmer action. Let the weight movement and the hand action be normal; fooling with them is too dangerous.

Playing in a crosswind from the tee, the ball should be played from the same side the wind is blowing and played for the windward side of the fairway. This way you are letting the wind help the ball just a little, instead of fighting it as you would be if you started the ball even slightly against it. This formula playing from the side of the tee the wind is blowing from holds in a quartering wind too, whether it is with or against you.

You will be faced with a slight conflict if the trouble is on one side of the fairway and the wind is coming from the other. When you find yourself in this dilemma, let the trouble be the determining factor.

One more thought while we are on the teeing ground. Most short (par 3) holes are played with an iron. When you play them, use a wooden tee. This is the only chance you ever have to get a perfect lie for an iron, so why not take it? But remember, the higher you tee the ball, the less distance you will get.

If the worst trouble lies on the right side, tee up on the right. Aim for the left center of the fairway and let fly.

This way you will be at least starting your shot away from the danger zone.

If, playing from the right side, you slice badly enough to bring the ball back into the trouble, you will still have two sources of satisfaction: The ball won’t be as deep in the trouble and you will know that you at least tried intelligently to avoid it. There is always the chance, of course, that you will hit the ball across the fairway and into the rough on the opposite side, but then you have been caught by the lesser of the two evils and the advantage is still yours.

For more information on how to improve your game visit a Place for Golf