National Firearms Museum

Today, my husband dragged me to the National Firearms Museum at the NRA HQ in Fairfax, VA.  They had an impressive collection of firearms of various sorts, from hunting to fighting, as well as those firearms used by famous people or in movies.  Even if firearms aren't your thing, the museum is free so it's worth a stop by if you're in the area.  Maybe best not to go with someone who's really into guns tho, or you could be making good use of the seats they make available for sitting throughout the museum.  Once thing the museum did make me appreciate though was the reasoning behind the 2nd Amendment.  I don't really like guns, but I do believe in the core value of freedom held by Americans.  What the 2nd Amendment does is allow us to fight for our other rights and liberties.  I'm not about to start a debate here on all the pros & cons of this controversial amendment, but just wanted to say that maybe guns aren't all bad.

Mary Poppins @The Kennedy Center

Adding to my list of indoor activities this summer is seeing Mary Poppins at the The Kennedy Center.  Yeah, it might sound a bit childish, but what's wrong with that?  If you like musicals, or if you used to watch Mary Poppins as a kid, it is worth seeing.  It's a feel good, uplifting show with great music.  This was my first time at The Kennedy Center and I was a bit worried about the $25 nosebleed seats we had.  However, even at the very back row of the highest tier, I had a great view of the stage.  As a matter of fact, we had seats in space typically reserved for wheelchair access I think.  So we had lots of space all around us (no one to step over to get to seats) and immediate access to the exit behind me, which allowed me to beeline to the head during intermission.  (You know how long those lines to the lady's room can get.)  Paying full price is just stupid unless you're rich or trying to impress a date.  If you want orchestra seats you're better off going to NYC for the weekend and getting half-price tickets at TKTS.  From now on, I'm always going to be looking for that back row seating.

Summer Movies

Been slacking on the blogging so I thought I'd write a bit.  Aside from the occasional run around Burke Lake, I haven't been getting out too much thanks to a hot summer.  So instead, been going to see lots of movies.  First, I went with Milinda to see SALT, starring Angelina Jolie.  It's very action packed and entertaining.  However, it lacked plot details and did not make a for a good story.  Then I went with the hubby to see the hyped Inception, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, at an IMAX theatre.  Again, entertaining, but I thought it was a bit overrated.  Are movies getting crapper and crapper?  Or am I just getting old and more critical?

A movie I really liked, though, was Eat, Pray, Love starring Julia Roberts.  Her character travels to Italy, India, and Indonesia to do a bit of soul searching.  The movie helped relight my passion for travel.  Some day I will take a long time off to travel again.  Btw, my husband came along to this not realizing it was a chick flick.  He was so embarrassed to be there when he realized he was surrounded by women 50 to 1.  But I think he liked the movie too.  

Finally, last weekend I visited my Dad for his 60th birthday/retirement celebration and we went to go see Expendables.  Definitely a guy movie but a fun one to watch.  The movie brought together all those action stars from days past (& some present) who are somewhat, or quite, over-the-hill (e.g. Stallone, Rourke, Li, Willis, Schwarzenegger).  Basically these guys wanted to relive their younger days and have some fun.  Should be motivating for younger guys.  Only if all men in their 50's & 60's could be so cool....  I would've liked to see Bruce Willis and Arnie a bit more.  Too bad Van Damme and Seagal turned down the offer to be part of the film, too.