All posts by Scott von Berg

April 19, 2023 at 04:49PM

Dear Journal,

Today was a remarkable day as I had the opportunity to visit the Hanging Rock Battlefield Trail near Salem, Virginia. This trail holds historical significance as it was the site of the Battle of Hanging Rock, which took place on June 21, 1864, during the Civil War.

Upon the start of my hike on the trail, I was filled with a sense of reverence for the events that had unfolded in this very location over a century ago. The trail meandered through thick forests, with the sunlight filtering through the trees, casting a dappled glow on the forest floor.

Along the trail, I came across interpretive signs that provided details about the Battle of Hanging Rock. I learned about how Confederate cavalry had pursued Union forces retreating from Lynchburg, resulting in a fierce battle that led to the capture of ten guns. It was a somber reminder of the brutal realities of war and the sacrifices made by soldiers on both sides.

I could not help but imagine the sights and sounds that would have filled this place during the battle. The echoes of gunfire, the cries of soldiers, and the chaos of war that had once unfolded in this serene natural setting were now a part of its history.

I continued my hike, taking in the panoramic views of the surrounding landscape from the trail’s overlooks. The rolling hills and valleys spread out before me, serving as a poignant contrast to the violent events that had occurred on this very ground so many years ago.

During my hike, I reflected on the significance of the Battle of Hanging Rock and its impact on the Civil War. It was a moment of deep contemplation as I tried to grasp the enormity of the historical events that had shaped this place.

As I made my way back to the trailhead, I felt a sense of gratitude for the opportunity to visit this important historical site. Walking the trail was a humbling experience, a reminder of the sacrifices made by those who fought during the Civil War, and the need to remember and learn from our past.

Yours,
Harold

#sistobrak
#harold #greenway #hangingrockbattlefieldtrail #roanokeva #haroldsjournal #walkabout https://instagr.am/p/CrO1LxDuu7W/


Continue reading April 19, 2023 at 04:49PM

April 19, 2023 at 04:18PM

The Hanging Rock Battlefield trail
( https://bit.ly/3LdaFVP ) has a statue of George Morgan Jones, shown as a general here (an identical statue of him was torn down in his home city of Lynchburg, Virginia.https://bit.ly/3Le4vEX it turns out he wasn’t a general, but a cook, so even that outfit he is wearing could be called “stolen valor” )

From https://bit.ly/3LdappP

“George Morgan Jones was a philanthropist and former Civil War soldier. Though depicted in a Confederate general’s uniform, only achieved the rank of private in the commissary department of the Second Virginia Cavalry”

Surprising to me was that there was a lack of a United States of America flag to be seen anywhere within my view when I went there.

They did have the Confederate “Blood Stained Banner” and a blue one that I do not think that I have ever seen. Both are immaculately clean and well-maintained, like the entirety of the memorial.

From the description placard near the monument –

“Miss Mattie Garst died in 1960, she bequested the Hanging Rock and Buzzard’s Roost to the Virginia Division United Daughters of the Confederacy. She willed that this site be preserved as memorial to the brave soldiers who fought and died in the Battle of Hanging Rock on June 21, 1864. Miss Garst’s home was situated near the gap where Confederate Brig. General John McCausland fired on the artillery and supply wagons of Major General David Hunter’s U.S. Army.

On June 3, 1932, the Southern Cross Chapter No. 745 U.D.C. erected a monument on Route 311, memorializing the battle and the Confederate soldiers who died here. On June 21, 1964, the William Watts Chapter No. 809 dedicate a monument at the intersection of 1-81 and Route 419 commemorate the One Hundredth Anniversary of the Battle of Hanging Rock.”

Why the statue of George Morgan Jones, though?

#wtf #roanokeva #hangingrockbattlefieldtrail #hangingrock #stolenvalor #bloodstainedbanner #why #reallyniceparkthough https://instagr.am/p/CrOxqQBuyFp/


Continue reading April 19, 2023 at 04:18PM

Liked on YouTube: Transformers vs G.I.Joe Issue 2 Behind the Scenes with Tom Scioli

Pre-Order Tom Scioli’s New Book I AM STAN: A GRAPHIC BIOGRAPHY OF THE LEGENDARY STAN LEE: https://bit.ly/40eZ2T9

Tom’s Link Tree: https://bit.ly/3TxHzDd

Matt’s Link Tree: https://bit.ly/3mS7Akk

Order Tom Scioli’s Book JACK KIRBY: THE EPIC LIFE OF THE KING OF COMICS: https://bit.ly/43PjqNo

Support Tom’s Patreon: https://bit.ly/40jJ8qm

Check out Matt’s New Christmas Song with his band Speedrun: https://bit.ly/40jqdvR

Buy Matt’s new album with Ozma: https://bit.ly/40edhHN

Buy Matt’s Album “Around Forever” : https://bit.ly/40dYcGa

Tom’s Spreadshirt Shop RobotDracula: https://bit.ly/40eTCrk

Host Tom Scioli (author of Jack Kirby: The Epic Life of the King of Comics and I AM STAN: A Graphic Biography of the Legendary Stan Lee) talks about his experiences working on the comic Transformers vs GIJoe back in the ‘10s and what it all means.

Follow Tom on Twitter: twitter.com/tomscioli
On Instagram: Instagram.com/tom_scioli
Order Jack Kirby: The Epic Life of the King of Comics here: https://bit.ly/3n3PTi0
Follow Matt on Instagram: Instagram.com/cinema_tomb
Follow Total Recall on Twitter: Twitter.com/totalrecallshow
On Instagram: twitter.com/total_recall_show

Mailing Address:
Total Recall Show
P.O. Box 81874
Pittsburgh, PA 15217

Liked on YouTube: Unboxing Ghost Rider

Pre-Order Tom Scioli’s New Book I AM STAN: A GRAPHIC BIOGRAPHY OF THE LEGENDARY STAN LEE: https://bit.ly/40eZ2T9

Tom’s Link Tree: https://bit.ly/3TxHzDd

Matt’s Link Tree: https://bit.ly/3mS7Akk

Order Tom Scioli’s Book JACK KIRBY: THE EPIC LIFE OF THE KING OF COMICS: https://bit.ly/43PjqNo

Support Tom’s Patreon: https://bit.ly/40jJ8qm

Check out Matt’s New Christmas Song with his band Speedrun: https://bit.ly/40jqdvR

Buy Matt’s new album with Ozma: https://bit.ly/40edhHN

Buy Matt’s Album “Around Forever” : https://bit.ly/40dYcGa

Tom’s Spreadshirt Shop RobotDracula: https://bit.ly/40eTCrk

Host Tom Scioli (author of Jack Kirby: The Epic Life of the King of Comics and I AM STAN: A Graphic Biography of the Legendary Stan Lee) and cracks open the new Marvel Ghost Rider and motorcycle toy.

Follow Tom on Twitter: twitter.com/tomscioli
On Instagram: Instagram.com/tom_scioli
Order Jack Kirby: The Epic Life of the King of Comics here: https://bit.ly/3n3PTi0
Follow Matt on Instagram: Instagram.com/cinema_tomb
Follow Total Recall on Twitter: Twitter.com/totalrecallshow
On Instagram: twitter.com/total_recall_show

Mailing Address:
Total Recall Show
P.O. Box 81874
Pittsburgh, PA 15217

April 18, 2023 at 09:12PM

” Unleashing my inner cryptid! 💧🌲👣 #Smithy #CryptidEncounter #NatureMystery ”

Alt text – The photo shows Harold in his costume as Smithy, the Smith Mountain Lake monster. He is standing near the lake’s edge, wearing a unique costume that resembles the amphibious cryptid. The costume includes sleek, smooth skin-like fabric, with a glossy sheen, mimicking Smithy’s amphibious features. Harold strikes a pose, channeling the mysterious aura of Smithy with a mischievous grin on his face. In the background, the serene waters of Smith Mountain Lake and the lush greenery of the surrounding forest create a captivating backdrop for the photo.

#Smithy #CryptidEncounter #NatureMystery #AmphibiousAdventures #LakeMonsterCostume #SmithMountainLake #ExploringNature #CryptidLife #HaroldAdventures #CostumeFun
#sistobrak #harold #toyphotography #toysofinstagram #toystagram #glyos #bognar #warlordsofwor #outerspacemen #fourhorsemen #colossusrex

[Comments]

Harold: ” Had an incredible encounter with Smithy, the legendary lake monster of Smith Mountain Lake! 😱👣🌊 #CryptidEncounter #NatureMystery ”

Sisto: ” What an adventure! Can’t believe we met Smithy in person! 🐸🌲 #AmphibiousAdventures #LakeMonsterEncounter ”

SmithyTheCryptid: ” Great costume, Harold! You captured my essence perfectly! 😉👍 #CryptidLookalike #SmithyCosplay ” https://instagr.am/p/CrMud77M4uH/


Continue reading April 18, 2023 at 09:12PM

Liked on YouTube: The ChatGPT Playbook of EPIC Prompts

In this video, I break down some of my favorite prompts with ChatGPT.

🛠️ Explore hundreds of AI Tools: https://bit.ly/3iPQLVw
📰 Weekly Newsletter: https://bit.ly/3XNbsAt
😊 Discord Community: https://bit.ly/3TI22oX
🐤 Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/mreflow
🐺 My personal blog: https://bit.ly/3XmKboL
🌯 Buy me a burrito: https://bit.ly/3ksUSY6

🍭 My Backgrounds: https://bit.ly/40845oO

Outro music generated by Mubert https://bit.ly/3wgWbfm

#ChatGPT #OpenAI #GPT4

April 18, 2023 at 03:56PM

Dear Journal,

Yet another thrilling adventure with Sisto at the car wash! We decided to give our trusty jalopy a much-needed clean, and it turned out to be quite an experience. The car wash was a sensory delight with its colorful lights and foamy bubbles swirling around us. Sisto was fascinated by the spectacle, and we both had a blast as we watched the water jets and brushes do their magic. It was a fun-filled hour that left our car sparkling and us beaming with excitement. Another memorable day with my unique and adventurous friend!

Yours in sudsy escapades, Harold

#sistobrak #sisto
#harold
#carwash #roanokeva #soapsuds #color #texture #simplepleasures #5dollarcarwash https://instagr.am/p/CrMKUCLubAf/


Continue reading April 18, 2023 at 03:56PM

April 18, 2023 at 03:35PM

Dear Journal,

Nature continues to captivate and amaze me as I ventured along a different branch of the greenway today and encountered more intriguing wildlife.

I slowly made my way along the Greenway and caught sight of a water snake slithering gracefully through the clear waters of the Roanoke River. Its sinuous movements and sleek appearance were mesmerizing, and I couldn’t help but observe it from a distance, careful not to disturb its natural habitat.

The water snake glided effortlessly through the water, its body undulating in a graceful dance. Its glossy scales glistened in the sunlight, and I marveled at its ability to thrive in its aquatic environment. Sisto’s teachings about the delicate balance of ecosystems and the importance of every creature in the web of life echoed in my mind as I observed the water snake in its natural element.

As I continued my walk along the river, I was greeted by the cheerful quacks of a mallard duck (not haunted resin this time). I spotted a male with its vibrant green head and iridescent feathers, accompanied by a female with her more subdued plumage. They were swimming gracefully in the river, foraging for food and enjoying the peacefulness of the surroundings.
I watched the pair with delight as they dabbled and dived in the water, their playful interactions bringing a smile to my face. Their beauty and elegance were a testament to the wonders of nature, and I felt grateful to be able to witness such moments of pure serenity.

The Roanoke River and the greenway never cease to amaze me with their abundant wildlife and natural beauty. Each encounter serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of all living beings and the need to protect and preserve our natural world.

Yours in the Green,
Harold

#harold #greenwaywalk #sistobrak #sisto #watersnake #mallard #robin #troutfishing #walkabout #april182023 #roanokeva #snake #nature https://instagr.am/p/CrMH-OxuLIB/


Continue reading April 18, 2023 at 03:35PM

Liked on YouTube: A ChatGPT Alternative That’s Free & Open Source!

In this video, I’m exploring the free and opensource alternative to ChatGPT called Open Assistant. It’s designed to eventually be a true AI assistant. As users, we can help develop it out and improve it right now.

Open Assistant: https://bit.ly/41eW1mx
GitHub: https://bit.ly/3ULLX27
AItrepreneur Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEt2nRzUVpE

🛠️ Explore hundreds of AI Tools: https://bit.ly/3iPQLVw
📰 Weekly Newsletter: https://bit.ly/3XNbsAt
😊 Discord Community: https://bit.ly/3TI22oX
🐤 Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/mreflow
🐺 My personal blog: https://bit.ly/3XmKboL
🌯 Buy me a burrito: https://bit.ly/3ksUSY6

🍭 My Backgrounds: https://bit.ly/40845oO

Outro music generated by Mubert https://bit.ly/3wgWbfm

#OpenAssistant #ChatGPT #GPT4