Work Hard. Play Hard.

Work Hard.  Play Hard.   I have used this phrase many times during the course of my career and as I've gotten older, I have truly come to appreciate exactly what it means.  Seems the older you get... the harder to recover from the playing hard, though.    Relaxing is not an easy task for me, but I do enjoy a good book, traveling and from time to time, I'll find a television program that I really get into and make sure that I have my auto-tune set for each week.   I'm a huge NCIS fan and it's the one program that I can honestly say that I watch every single week.   Now... my family... on the other hand... they have a whole list of shows that have quickly become their favorites.  

Lately, my family (aka... the Clampetts) have become immersed in a show called Duck Dynasty.  Most of the time, I just ignore their television obsessions and go on about my business because normally, I am not really "into" the shows that they watch anyway and as I keep telling them... we could be a reality show in our own right.   

So... the first few times that I watched "Duck Dynasty" I was confused with the show itself and the characters,  but after a few episodes, the madness set in and now, I am obsessed right along with the rest of my family.   The unique thing about this television show is that it's so unexpected with the "wisdom" and "tactical lessons" that are somehow conveyed,  but its fresh and quite hysterical.  Duck Dynasty is a program that is about a family located in Louisiana who have a family business of making "duck calls".   Duck Commander  has brought them a great deal of wealth apparently,  yet they have not lost their heritage or distinct personalities.  From the parents and uncle, to the siblings... it's non-stop comedy and the "quotes" are what ratings are made for on these shows.   I have found myself laughing out loud and almost rolling in the floor with some of the sayings that have come off this show.    I don't believe that you can fake the "genuine" that each of these characters comes across with on screen.    What has surprised me the most is that I find myself somehow relating to this family.  After watching the episode where they all pile in the Rv...  My daughter made the comment, "this is our family with beards!!!"   Somehow... I truly believe she could be right and that was quite scary in itself.  

Work Hard.  Play Hard.  I guess these days... my "play hard" is being glued to a television and watching the crazy adventures as they play out on this latest craze.  Will Duck Dynasty surpass Survivor, American Idol or any of the other obsessions?  I don't know.. but for now... it's just hysterical fun.   

Duck Dynasty has created a great diversion from the daily routine of stress, problems and whatever else may come along through-out the day.  If you listen really close at the end of the show... you might just find that the life lesson they are offering... is one to accept.    

Some of my favorite "quotes and life lessons". 

• "first.. it's pretty tires, then it's pretty guns.  Next thing you know, you're shavin' your beard and wearin' capri pants".  (si) 
• "in the south, roadkill is a redneck's paycheck" (jase) 
• "Rv for us stands for Redneck Vacation".  (jase) 
• "if you don't give them first base, they'll just go to a whole new ballpark" (jase) 
• "you can always turn water into wine... if you are Jesus.  Last time I looked, your name was Wille" (jase) 
• "your arms are as white and fluffy as an egg white" (si) 
• "life was good back in the 60's.. people were happy happy... happy happy happy" (phil) 
• "let me tell you about redneck logic... just blow it up!  He'll be so enamored with fire, he'll forget what he's losin".  (willie)