These summer weeks sure go by fast! I hope everyone is enjoying their August now that we are already in the middle of the month. I have a Thursday Rundown to present so let’s get to my latest five topics…

Summer Wedding – This past Saturday, my niece got married. Zella and her high school sweetheart, Thomas, tied the knot at Belle Gardens in Deer Park, Washington. I admire so much that Zella and Thomas have always just had each other—very few people can say that. The wedding was beautiful and I wish them a lifetime of happiness!

My family poses with Zella and Thomas at their wedding reception.

Officer Beau – Over the weekend. we attended an event where the Spokane Police had a presence. In addition to chatting with us and giving Beau a badge sticker, the police officer helped him get inside the squad car. As one of my friends said, it was better that he was in the front instead of the back.

Beau hanging out in a Spokane Police car.

Dick’s – I had the distinct pleasure of taking Sloan and Beau to Dick’s in downtown Spokane on Friday night. This drive-in is simply a Spokane institution that is frequented by all walks of life. As a freshman in high school, we had to do a report and a presentation on a historical place in Spokane…I chose Dick’s. It was such a gorgeous night to sit at one of the picnic tables and enjoy not just the greasy food but also the scenery.

Dick’s in Spokane is an infamous place. I took the kids there for the first time recently.

AI Training – Yesterday, EWU hosted one of our institution’s Staff In-Service opportunities. The topic? Empowering Staff Through AI. Travis Masingale, a design professor and AI expert, served as the keynote speaker at the event. He challenged us not to use AI platforms as a “vending machine” that we use to throw in a single coin (prompt) for a quick “snack.” Rather, we need to use services like ChatGPT and Gemini in a more nurturing and strategic way to obtain results that are generated by strategic and thorough prompting. At the end of the day, AI is only as good as the instructions we give it.

I had a front row seat at EWU’s Staff In-Service training that focused on AI. Travis Masingale delivered an awesome keynote on how AI is an incredible tool but that it still needs human to drive it.

Walk Off – It has been a wonderful summer at the ballpark with Sloan and Beau. Last night, we attended what might be our final outing to Avista Stadium this season and what a way to go out! It was Rosauers Family Feast Night which meant hot dogs, bottled sodas, and ice cream sandwiches were all $2. Yes, we took advantage. The kids also played with their cousins who came to the game and then ran the bases with them afterwards. An evening that started out a little windy calmed down as the game went along. I really appreciate all that the Spokane Indians organization does to offer a wonderful fan experience.

It was Family Feast Night at the Spokane Indians game last night and we definitely feasted! This is us with our $2 ice cream sandwiches.

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Add another tally to my Thursday Rundown column! Thanks for continuing to read Don’t Blink, I hope you have a wonderful evening. Don’t Blink.