If you pay attention, the news is full of shitty stories, distraction tactics, and worthless celebrity updates that no one in their right mind should pay any attention to. So, I will do my best to avoid sharing those stories with you - unless they are absolutely hilarious. 

However, this story is as uplifting and awesome as it gets. A security guard at Georgia Tech's Scheller School of Business, Marcus Burns, made an incredible impression on students under his watch. He learned their names, engaged them like adults, always made their day even when they were freaking out about assignments and finals. 

So, they banded together to raise a little cash for a little Christmas Bonus and they ended up raising much more than they ever imagined. Check out the video. It's heartwarming to see someone appreciated for just being polite and friendly. The world we live in these days doesn't always seem to foster that mentality.

I'll do my best to share more positive stories for you guys. I'll let the professionals at fear mongering and scare tactics in mainstream media keep bombarding everyone with their nonsense. 

Click here for the full story: 

Back in Maryland, I had some time to explore some new places. While my aunt, uncle, and cousin were doing stuff, I took a drive about a half hour away to Patuxent State Park. The night prior we attended a going away party for one of my aunt's coworkers and a fellow photographer mentioned how beautiful the park was. So I had to check this place out. 

He was right. It nothing but trees and rivers. 6,700 acres worth to be exact. Exactly the type of place I wanted to find peace at on this trip. When I got there, I was surprised to find so many people cycling, hiking, and just enjoying the tranquility a place like this offers. Coming from Florida, most state parks don't offer the isolation Patuxent offered. Just entering the park felt like a secret government facility featured in the X-Men movie franchise. 

The day I went, park patrons were partaking in a rather large nature enthusiast swap meet of sorts. 

But there really was something captivating about this place. I can't explain it. While I felt robbed of a chance to capture some awesome ornithological photography - the birds flew south for the winter - I still got to smell real winter forest air. There's something different about it. It's pure. Just you and wildlife. No cars, diesel fumes, cigarettes, piss, or whatever other scents penetrate your daily routine. 

Now, at the meet, people were selling all kinds of things. Photography, artwork, taxidermied animals, wood fish trophy plaques, and more. All handmade by locals. The quality was incredible. I was impressed by the wide variety and the value you got. Prices were dirt cheap for what you were getting. I only wish I had a few bucks to spend and support some of these folks. However, I was 4 steps from offering sad lap dances to local truckers myself. 

If you are ever in these parts, make a quick stop into Patuxent State Park. You won't regret it. They offer a ton hunting grounds, plenty of good fishing from what I was told, and the bird watching is outlandishly good in the summer months. There's even a park tour you can go on.

Check out the gallery below for more images from my visit:

J.J. Abram's  latest Star Wars entry was nothing short of a colossal success. And another lesson in the ever changing world of branding and marketing. The lead up to the opening weekend for this film has been full of various avenues of Star Wars promotions. Every major retailer featured items from the iconic series in nearly every category. Star Wars cereal, lunch boxes, pj's, shirts, costumes, light sabers, cakes, you name it! It was 100% saturation wherever you went. It paid off big. 

With an opening weekend estimated at $512 Million, which places this film in the number 2 spot for biggest opening weekends of all time, we are looking to see it break the $1 Billion mark in less than  two weeks. That is revenue of biblical proportions. 

And they aren't done. Supposedly the studio has signed off on 3 more films.

As for the reviews of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" it looks likes fans were not disappointed. IMDB has it currently rated at 8.8/10 (extremely impressive) and Rotten Tomatoes has it ranked at 95/100% which is simply mindboggling. 

To top all that off, the music video above took the internet by storm. Rightfully so. It's just badass and will be your new favorite song. Turn up the volume and enjoy the Star Wars Main Theme song by Galactic Empire. Please support bands like this buy purchasing their music on iTunes!  ​https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/star-wars-theme-end-title/id1068343183?app=itunes

I have TONS of Star Wars themed shirts available on this site an through Busted Tees! Click on the link below to shop now.

As I've travelled this country, I wondered what laws I was actively violating while passing through. So, I plan on covering every state I blew through at some point. 

However, when I searched, I found that California had some odd laws on the books that seemed even strange coming from Florida. So, without further ado, let's start with the list of my favorite strange laws that will crack you up and probably aid in your street cred as a potential hardened criminal.

• Assembly Bill No. 2078: It is Illegal to have sexual activity with detained persons. Now, this should go without saying, but this law seems to go into some extreme detail about what government officials cannot do with/to detained individuals. Items include, sodomy (uh...duh), and rubbing boobs (well that's no fun.) Either, way, it begs the question: Do we really need a law that itemizes what government employees can and cannot do to detained people? And what the hell happened to warrant a completely different set of rules and regs regarding this? Hmm. 

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• Section 8.05.020 Permit – Norco County - $100 Permit is required to keep a rhinoceros. From what I read, this law actually covers all kinds of exotic animals, but it seems something may have happened for them to target the adorable and light footed rhino! Could you imagine having dinner with the family and hear the blood curdling scream of this f*cking thing smashing into cars in your neighborhood? Who has the money to feed a rhino? That has to be the WORST pet idea ever? "Honey, will you take Spike for a walk at the park, the neighbor's car was buried in shit the last time."

• ​Section 8-410: Disturbing animals in Fresno Parks - No person shall hunt, pursue, annoy, throw stones or missiles at, or molest or disturb in any way, any animal, bird or reptile within the confines of any park. (Orig. Ord. 1076).  So what you're saying is Fresno had a real problem with people were openly harassing and molesting animals? And who in the hell is launching missiles at reptiles? How big are these freaking things?

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• Code 1959, 4237.1 - Walnut, CA. It is illegal for a man to dress up like a woman...UNLESS PRIOR PERMISSION HAS BEEN GAINED FROM THE SHERIFF! Kaitlyn Jenner will have some issues out here.  
  17-31 Male dressing as female. No man or boy shall dress as a girl or woman without a permit from the sheriff, except for the purpose of amusement, show or drama. Now, can you imagine going to the Sheriff's office and asking for the form to file for permission from the Sheriff? Man, that would be an awkward meeting. 

• No vehicle without a driver may exceed 60 mph. This is not a joke. You cannot "Ghost Ride your whip" above 60 mph. Hell, if you could do that above 4 mph, you have my respect and admiration. And the attention of every football scout this side of the Mississippi. I am curious as to what in god's name occurred for this law to be written into existence? Are they preparing for autonomous driving cars. I'm intrigued. 
  
  Well, I hope you enjoyed this list and if you want to read about other strange California Laws, check out the original article here.