It has been a busy April for us. After traveling to Florida for a cruise earlier this month, we are heading back to the Sunshine State as I type.

But this time around, we aren’t going there to hop on a ship. Rather, we are going to visit the Mouse. Yep, we are off to Disney World.

We were back in the Spokane International Airport very early this morning for another itinerary that would take us to Florida.

You are probably wondering if we are crazy and gluttonous for going on two big vacations in the same month. Well, the cruise was planned more than a year ago and this Disney trip came together earlier this year for a special/proud reason—one I will address in a future blog post.

The last time we visited Disney World was in 2018. We evacuated to Jacksonville because Myrtle Beach was in the line of Hurricane Florence. Since we were within driving distance of Disney from our temporary post, we decided to make the day trip with Sloan. It was an extremely hot, but fun, day.

Our family (minus Beau) at Disney World in 2018

However, Beau has never visited Disney World and neither of our kids have explored any of the other Disney parks not named Magic Kingdom. We will be able to check off the likes of Hollywood Studios, Epcot, and Animal Kingdom over the next few days.

Besides the reason for us going to Disney World, there is also another factor that will be waiting for us when we arrive that will make this trip all the sweeter. Sorry for yet another cliff hanger, but I will address what I am alluding to in that future blog post I have mentioned.

Beau and Sid hanging out on the plane.

Any prayers for safe travels would be appreciated. Can’t wait to see the looks of wonderment and enthusiasm on the faces of my kids and wife over the next 96 hours. Don’t Blink.

Here is my bold statement for tonight: ChiveTV is one of the best things to ever hit bars, restaurants, and gyms.

ChiveTV is pretty rad.

Why is this such a “bold” statement from your favorite blogger? It is because I have gone on record before writing about how much I deplore America’s Funniest Home Videos.

But not so fast, let me educate my readers on what ChiveTV is for those who don’t know (although I am pretty sure most everyone will be familiar with it after my explanation). ChiveTV is part of Atmosphere TV, a service that offers businesses “audio optional” content. Atmosphere TV is delivered via a device that bars and other establishments purchase and then set it to a channel for their customers to enjoy.

ChiveTV is by far the channel you see most Atmosphere devices set to. Heralded as offering “the best original, jaw-dropping viral videos from around the world” the content is pretty addicting and entertaining.

Basically, it is everything that AFV is not.

I was pretty specific about my dislike for AFV. I didn’t care for the slapstick and staged nature of the videos. I felt insulted by the laugh tracks. I couldn’t stand the hosts. To me, it was extremely painful to watch.

On the other hand, ChiveTV is fresh and hip. The content encompasses the best viral videos—not necessarily the funniest. Instead of watching someone slip or run into something, I get to see someone attempt a daring feat or test an innovative invention. Instead of watching a ladder fall on someone, I get to watch someone use a ladder in a creative way I never thought of. Instead of watching someone accidentally drop a cake, I get to watch someone bake a cake with no hands.

Even better, the content is silent so the viewer gets to make their own judgments and conclusions. No unbearable narrations or dopey sound effects.

The video quality is crisper, the antics are more relevant, and the variety more diverse.

But perhaps I am missing the mark by even comparing ChiveTV to AFV. The fact of the matter is that ChiveTV is a fantastic watch regardless of the past failings of AFV.

Perhaps the environment of where you can watch ChiveTV adds to the enjoyment. Bars? Watching people do cool things is even cooler with a beer in front of you. Gyms? It is easier to appreciate something when the endorphins are flowing. Pools? Viral videos are a trip when you watch them chest deep in refreshing waters with the glorious sun sending rays your way.

I love it that ChiveTV is always on in my gym.

Wait. ChiveTV is shown at pools?

You bet! When we were on our cruise, the Freedom of the Seas gigantic poolside video board was tuned to ChiveTV during the day. What fun we had splashing around while watching engaging video after engaging video. Everyone at the pool laughed and reacted together for hours on end.

ChiveTV is so much more than just the modern day AFV. It is a genius concept that provides endless entertainment, genuine camaraderie, and clever content. Where is your favorite place to watch it? Don’t Blink.

I was shocked. When I awoke bright and early on Easter Monday morning to the news that Pope Francis had passed, it took a moment for it to sink in. Although he had been critically ill, I thought his discharge from the hospital last month was the start of a new golden era in his papacy. Furthermore, I had seen him just hours ago blessing the St. Peter Square Easter audience and cruising around on the Popemobile.

I didn’t expect this to be Pope Francis’ last time he would be seen alive, but what a way to go out.

But after the fog settled, the Holy Father’s death was no longer a conundrum. In fact, it made perfect sense.

Our photo of Pope Francis on the Reser family bulletin board.

God used Pope Francis in a most profound way. The world watched the Pope grind and suffer through Lent. They watched as he was pushed around in a wheelchair, often unable to talk. When he made it through that desert, he emerged front and center on the balcony that overlooks the faithful to deliver a triumphant Easter Sunday blessing. His release from the hospital wasn’t the beginning of a new act on earth but rather a humble and glorious worldly exit to Heaven.

Pope Francis suffered through Lent and was rewarded with one final Easter Sunday.

When I reflect on Pope Francis, this is what comes to mind: a worthy example. There is no one on this planet—no matter your faith—who could observe Francis and think anything less than this man is truly holy. He shunned worldly comforts, human praise, and perks of the papacy for servant leadership and devotion to God. He was a testament to living out the beatitudes, eagerly and willingly placing himself into each marginalized group blessed by Jesus. His example was beyond admirable and nothing short of holy.

Personally, Pope Francis will always mean a lot to my family. He was pontiff when Sid and I entered into the sacrament of holy matrimony. He was the Bishop of Rome when Sid was welcomed into the Catholic Church. He was St. Peter’s successor when both our children were baptized. He was leading the Church when he made the great decision to elevate my college priest to a bishop. So many of the sacramental graces that have helped and defined us came during his papacy. You just don’t forget that.

Bishop Jeff Fleming greets Pope Francis in Rome. When I was in college, then-Fr. Jeff was the priest of the University of Montana Newman Center.

When I look back on Francis’ 12 years as pope, I fondly remember his 2015 visit to the United States. I watched hours of the television coverage from my apartment in Myrtle Beach and remember feeling exhausted for him! His itinerary was packed as he was pushed from one engagement to the next. However, for all the smiles during that trip, nothing has stayed with me more than when he visited the Ground Zero memorial. The look of contemplation and anguish on his face as he prayed at the site stays with me to this day.

God bless the soul of Pope Francis.

The funeral of Pope Francis will take place on Saturday and soon thereafter a Conclave will convene to elect a new pontiff. During these hectic days of mourning and tradition, let’s not allow the busyness to detract us from praying for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis. May he receive his heavenly reward. Don’t Blink.

You would have thought I developed a fear of flying. Why? I went nearly a year and a half without stepping foot on a plane. But my streak of staying grounded recently ended and I experienced something for the first time.

The airport itself and TSA didn’t change a bit. Same hustle and bustle, overpriced food, and stress of moving kids through the security line. But what did change was the airline we flew. For the first time (at least in my adult life), we flew Southwest.

Sloan on a Southwest Airlines flight.

I have come to realize that not all airlines are created equal. You just have to step on a Spirit Airlines flight to figure that out. But for the most part, I have flown Alaska, American, and Delta over the past 20 years. Those three airline giants have a standardized way of doing things and their policies/protocols are similar. Southwest contrasted greatly from the trio.

Beau preparing to board a Southwest flight.

The three main differences I experienced for the first time included…

– Free checked bags. I am not kidding! Although this is going away soon, we had the pleasure of flying Southwest while the perk was still in place. And you just aren’t allowed to check one free bag, you are welcome to check TWO free bags. For a family of four, that is a cost savings of $480 roundtrip (when you factor in a $30 per bag fee charged by most airlines). How refreshing this was!

– No assigned seating. This one was a little weird. In the same way that you buy a general admission ticket at a sports event, Southwest’s seating plan is entirely open. This means that whenever you board, you choose whatever seat you want—or whatever seat is available. Finding an open seat was never an issue for my family because we boarded early in the process since Beau is under 6 years old. Still, it is a little unnerving to know that your seat isn’t assigned and awkward “May I sit here?” conversations may be necessary with strangers.

– Fewer amenities. Perhaps Southwest makes up for lost revenue incurred from free checked bags in other ways. For example, the planes don’t come equipped with screens to watch movies and shows. You must use your own device to tap into their entertainment options. You also won’t receive complimentary ear buds nor will you be subjected to the over-the-top safety production videos championed by the other guys. But have no fear, free soft drinks and snacks do come with your plane ticket.

Sloan on another leg of a Southwest Airlines flight.

—————

Based on the above differences, I would fly Southwest again. However, this past trip we did face a lot of other issues. To me, Southwest is kind of the Aldi of airlines. Have you flown Southwest before? What is your opinion? Don’t Blink.