After a great first weekend in Myrtle Beach I went out and did it again. Yes, as this weekend comes to a close I am once again ecstatic with my new life down south. Let me catch you all up…

Actually first off let me back up. My first full week as a Coastal Carolina University employee was AH-mazing. I had the opportunity to dive right into my new job full speed. I had the pleasure to meet numerous staff members, connect with the wonderful students at this university, and cover some great events. All the excitement and adrenaline of the first week seemed to culminate on the final day, Friday, as I got to cover four different events. From an honors induction to a softball game to a convocation and then to a senior celebration I had a blast.

So this of course brings us to the weekend. At 6:30 a.m. on Saturday morning I was in the office preparing for the big Coastal Carolina University commencement. By 7:15 a.m. I was out on the athletic practice field where the graduates lined up to check in. After taking photos/video of the giddy soon-to-be graduates I entered Brooks Stadium, home of the Chanticleer football team, for the first time ever. For the next three hours I ran around the facility covering the graduation the best way I could. On a warm morning in front of a stadium packed with friends and family over 900 students graduated. Utilizing a tag team approach I covered the event from on-site and provided the content through our main social networks while our Vice President for Communication (and my boss), Bill Plate, meshed all of it into Storify. It was a successful formula.

I had a nice time covering the Coastal Carolina graduation from inside Brooks Stadium.

On Saturday night I enjoyed another exceptional southern dining experience. I drove out to an ocean community right outside of Myrtle Beach called Murrels Inlet. The area is covered with awesome restaurants and bars. I went to an establishment called Flo’s Place. Let me tell you, this restaurant couldn’t be more southern! From the greeting you get when you walk in to the alligator fixture on the wall to the menu stocked with all the southern delicacies you could imagine it was definitely the real deal. My friend Mary served me as I ordered red beans, rice, and sausage with a bowl of clam chowder! I enjoyed every bite of my food and relished the very unique dining experience. No, I did not order the Gator Stew (actual menu item).

Flo’s Place was great! Take a look at my red beans, rice, and sausage!

This morning I attended 9:15 a.m. mass at St. Andrew’s Parish. After a couple weeks of missing out on mass it felt so great to be back in the pew. The church was packed for the service and although I noticed a few differences from the way mass is conducted in the west it was pretty much uniform. The worship space itself was unique with three different sections of seating and a high ceiling. With so many people at the service you might have expected Communion to go on forever but they had a high number of Eucharistic Ministers who went out to the different seating sections and distributed the blessed gift. The priest was very charismatic and funny. Next week I might attend a different parish just to get a feel for what is out there and give me a couple options.

I attended mass at St. Andrew’s Parish this morning.

At noon today the Coastal Carolina softball team hosted Charleston Southern in the Big South Conference tournament championship game. With a berth to the NCAA tournament on the line I went to the brand new softball stadium to cover the action. While talking with the very welcoming athletic department staff up on the media deck I watched the defensive battle transpire for the whole seven innings. Unfortunately the Chants came up short, 3-1. After sticking around for the awards ceremony I left campus until I return for my workout at 6 a.m. tomorrow.

The CCU softball team stands during the awards ceremony today.

Of course I also managed to squeeze in the pool, beach, and sun this weekend but since that is the norm for me now I didn’t feel the need to expound on it. My readership has gone up significantly over the past few weeks so I want to thank all of you for taking the time to read Don’t Blink. If you have any suggestions or criticisms please let me know. Have a wonderful week. Don’t Blink.