Reality TV Three Years Later

Posted on January 8, 2017 by brent

Exactly three years ago, I wrote a blog post that detailed the experiences of Bryden Vukasin, a former cast member on “The Bachelorette.” The night before I published that particular entry I sat down with Bryden to pick his brain at a now defunct restaurant/bar in Missoula, Montana. He graciously answered every question I had about his experience with stardom in the world of reality TV. Our conversation opened my eyes to the fact that many of these programs rely both on authentic and rehearsed components.

I published my blog post about Bryden Vukasin exactly three years ago on January 7, 2014.

This morning I asked myself this question: After three years, has reality television improved when it comes to delivering “reality”? I wanted to write a blog post taking one side or the other, either asserting that the genre has improved in portraying a genuine experience or vehemently arguing that it has gone completely downhill in serving viewers a load of scripted crap. However, after going back and forth I reached the conclusion that reality TV has not shifted either way.

Bryden Vukasin and I during the summer of 2013.

I believe that reality TV can be categorized in two separate camps:
1. The shows that are centered around a competition and don’t need actors or a predetermined script to skew reality.
2. The shows that revolve around a family, business, moral ground, theme, or a makeover that needs an extra shot of energy to make it interesting to viewers.

Shows in my first group include “The Bachelorette,” “Big Brother,” “The Apprentice,” and “Survivor.” These programs pick casts comprised of competitive, motivated, successful people. They then bait these individuals with a significant prize, whether it be money or a potential spouse. The recipe of above average people battling it out for a grand prize makes for television that doesn’t need significant scripting. Rather, it just needs the type of touching up that Bryden explained such as recreating events or editing scenes for optimal suspense (such as the rose ceremonies).

When it comes to shows in the second group, we are looking at programming such as “The Kardashians,” “The Jersey Shore,” “Bar Rescue,” “Vanderpump Rules,” “The Real Housewives,” and many, many more. Producers have to constantly bring in outside talent and introduce unlikely events to make these episodes entertaining. But make no mistake about it, when it comes to generating viewers, this formula works. The thing is, I don’t think many of us who watch these shows have wool over our eyes. It doesn’t take an interview with a “Bar Rescue” cast member to know that the show is fake. As reasonable beings, we can all identify that shows such as “The Kardashians” aren’t based on reality. However, just because the name of the genre might be deceptive does not mean we can’t enjoy it.

Even though we know that many of these shows skew reality, it doesn’t mean we stop watching them or liking them. Sidney and I once went on a road trip where we visited three different bars that were featured on “Bar Rescue.” This image is of Sidney and I in front of the tank at Klick’s 22.

Reality TV over the past three years has changed much less than it had the three years prior. People who work in TV are smart and know what works. By 2014, the reality show formula was down to a science. If it isn’t broke, why fix it? Look for the reality TV landscape in 2020 to look very similar to that of 2014 and 2017. Don’t Blink.

First Thursday Rundown of 2017

Posted on January 5, 2017 by brent

It is time for a celebration! Why? Because I have the pleasure of writing my first Thursday Rundown of 2017. Here we go…

A Winner – I want to congratulate Sidney for her skill and discipline at the casino. Last week, we went with my parents to Northern Quest, a resort casino just outside of Spokane. Sid played the slots and saw some success. The best part? She cashed out while still ahead! She took home an extra $16 in her pocket and it paid for our dinner after we landed in Charleston on Sunday night.

Sidney winning money at the slot machine at Northern Quest.

Meat Eater – One of the best parts about celebrating two Christmases is eating two prime rib dinners. We ate it with Sidney’s family on Christmas day and then we ate it with my family when we observed our Christmas celebration on Dec. 28. Sid’s family served the meat with baked potatoes and my mom served it with lasagna. Both meals were delicious.

The prime rib on the left is from Sidney’s family celebration and the prime rib on the right is from my family’s celebrationn

Dinner On Me – When the dust settled on our Christmas celebrations, it became obvious that Sidney and I made out like bandits on gift cards, especially of the restaurant variety. In the near future, we will be eating at Five Guys, Outback, Chick-Fil-A, and Buffalo Wild Wings. In addition, my brother gave us a card that is good for the Darden Restaurants. Brands that fall under this family include Longhorn, Olive Garden, the Yard House, and a few other places I have never heard of. And, because it technically does serve food, can I lump in Target as a restaurant? Sid got gift cards to her favorite store from both her parents and my parents.

Oreo Truffles – As much as it pains me to admit this, the Oreo truffles I ate over the holiday break blew the Pop-Tart truffles I made out of the water. Sidney, my brother, and my sister (notice how they left me out) combined to make the truffles and they turned out absolutely delicious. They dipped some in milk chocolate and some in white chocolate. If you want an easy, fun, and yummy treat idea, go with Oreo truffles.

My siblings and wife combined to make these delicious Oreo truffles.

Baby Update – As you can probably imagine, our future baby daughter reeled in some serious loot over the holiday season. I think she now has a wardrobe bigger than her parents combined. Both of our families were very generous and thoughtful. Tomorrow, Sidney will turn 27 weeks. Then, on Saturday, it will mark exactly three months until our baby is due.

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Hope your first week of 2017 is going great. My mind is starting to shift to the big College Football Playoff championship game on Monday night. Go Tigers! Don’t Blink.

Flying

Posted on January 4, 2017 by brent

I find flying interesting. You are jammed tight with random people thousands of feet up in the air. Each passenger has a different story, a different background. I had a middle school teacher who told our math class to always talk to the person next to you on the plane. However, unless it is my wife, I don’t do a very good job with that. Once I board, my goal is to fall asleep as quickly as possible.

This most recent trip we took across the country was a little bit different from the previous ones mostly because Sidney was flying pregnant. The day of our trip, my dad texted me and instructed me to do all I could to make sure Sid was comfortable on the flight.

This was Sidney and I before we took off from Charleston to fly to Seattle.

We flew non-stop from Charleston to Seattle. Without even including the time spent on the ground for boarding and taxiing up to the gate, it was a five hour flight. When we entered the plane and saw how the seats were arranged and numbered, it became clear that Sid and I would be sitting in the middle and window seats, a major disadvantage for a pregnant lady. Luckily for us, the guy who had the aisle seat in our row was a complete gentleman. We asked him if perhaps Sidney could switch seats with him and without blinking an eye, he obliged.

It was very much appreciated. Sidney had to use the restroom multiple times and was antsy for most of our time up in the air. Having that aisle seat was a big deal. You know what else helped? Alaska Airlines offered tablets to rent. For $10, we were given a device loaded with movies, TV shows, music, and games. On the way out west we watched “Me Before You” and “Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates.” It sure made the time on the aircraft go quicker than usual.

We didn’t have the same luck coming back. On our flight from Seattle to Charleston, we were once again assigned the middle and window seats. However, this time around we didn’t even bother asking the lady who occupied the aisle seat if she would consider switching. She was already scowling at us from the moment we made eye contact when it became obvious that we would be turning into her row. To make this whole situation worse, we sat on the runway for two hours as we waited for our plane to be de-iced and then finally cleared for takeoff.

The whole time we watched this lady verbally abuse the flight attendants, cuss out her young kids, and mutter to herself how much she was hating life. Sidney, a 26-week pregnant individual trapped on a plane for over seven hours, dared to use the restroom just once. When we asked the woman sitting next to us as nicely as possible if she would allow Sid through so she could get to the lavatory, we were made to feel like the worst people ever.

Our neighbor gave us a nasty fake smile and sneered in the most sarcastic voice:

Sure.

Even though we had braced ourselves for the negative response we knew we would get, her sarcastic and scathing response still surprised us a bit. Thankfully Sid was able to sleep on the plane and she did extremely well considering the circumstances.

Things won’t get easier for us. Next time we fly out west it will be with a baby. We can only hope and cross our fingers for fellow passengers like the guy we encountered on our flight out west. In the meantime, I can reevaluate my own manners on the plane. Like I said at the beginning of this post, my main objective when flying solo was usually to just fall asleep. Perhaps in the future I can actually briefly chat with my neighbor and make sure he/she is happy and comfortable. Perhaps my indifferent attitude in the past helped us get seated next to the uncompassionate individual on the way back to the east coast. Don’t Blink.

Playing Speak Out

Posted on January 3, 2017 by brent

Over the Christmas holiday, I played one of the hottest games out on the market right now. Although not super excited at first to give it a try, I knew I had to at least experience Speak Out.

The first full day Sidney and I were in Spokane, we went to Fred Meyer to purchase some groceries. We found ourselves diverted to the entertainment section where we encountered Speak Out. Sidney really wanted to try it out and because it was only $20, we threw it into the cart.

During the holidays, we played Speak Out.

Later that night, Sidney and I played on a team versus my cousin and her boyfriend. Sitting in the middle of my parents’ living room, we had an enthusiastic crowd as my aunts, mom, and dad cheered us on.

Well, not exactly. The phrase “laughed at us hysterically” might be more accurate than “cheered us on.” Yes, that is the calling card of Speak Out. If you have seen the videos on Facebook or heard your friends telling you about it, then you know what I am talking about. However, if that is not the case, let me briefly explain the game to you:

Sidney and I played Speak Up against my cousin Abby and her boyfriend, Nathan.

Each player is given a mouthpiece. Think of it as the contraption your dentist or orthodontist gives you to keep your mouth open. You are then given a card with a phrase on it. The object is to speak the phrase to your partner so he/she can clearly understand it. If the partner correctly identifies what the player with the mouthpiece is trying to say, the team keeps the card and moves on to the next one. The team works to identify as many phrases as possible until the sand in the hourglass runs out.

After the hourglass runs out, the next team goes. Once the sand runs out, the original team goes again with the person who guessed the first time now doing the talking. The other team then reverses roles and goes again. All of this constitutes one round. The official Speak Out rules state that the game should just last two rounds. The team that earns the most cards wins.

So did I like it? Ummmmmmmm…

I think it was a fun game to play once. To be honest, the mouthpiece was a bit taxing on my mouth. I also don’t know how I felt about everyone watching me struggling to say silly phrases with dentist equipment muffling my speech.

At the very least, we did manage to get our Speak Up selfies.

At the very least, we did manage to get our Speak Out selfies.

To be honest, unless I was given a brand new mouthpiece to use for subsequent games, I couldn’t do it. When you play the game, that mouthpiece is definitely all up in your mouth. To have the vision in my mind (let alone the actual germs in my mouth) that the piece was once used by someone else just doesn’t sit well with me. Even with Sidney’s great counterpoint (Don’t you use the silverware at restaurants? Same thing!) I would not reuse a mouthpiece.

But Speak Out definitely brought everyone in my family who either played or watched some quality entertainment. And, even though I think all Speak Out selfies are hideous, I am still glad I got one. Also, even though the equipment is very minimal, I think the value is pretty decent.

So have you played Speak Out? If so, speak out (haha) and tell me about your experience. Don’t Blink.

Our Holiday Week in Spokane

Posted on January 2, 2017 by brent

As I sit on my couch here in Myrtle Beach, I find myself reflecting on our recent holiday trip to Spokane. We returned to South Carolina late last night after another memorable visit with my family. This time around, we didn’t have a lot of time out west. However, we made the absolute best out of the five days we did have to spend with our west coast loved ones.

I felt that perhaps the best way to organize this particular post would be to just briefly convey the best part about each of those special five days we spent in my hometown. So, here goes nothing…

Tuesday, Dec. 27 – My three aunts from Walla Walla drove through the snowy roads to see Sidney and I. My cousin, Abby, and her boyfriend also came. They all “oohed and aahed” over Sidney’s belly and threw the two of us a baby shower. We also played the popular game Speak Up and watched the Holiday Bowl. My Aunt Nancy and Abby came to Myrtle Beach for the wedding but I had not seen Aunt Debbie or Aunt Judy for over a year and a half.

Sidney and I with (from left to right) my Aunt Debbie, Aunt Nancy, and Aunt Judy.

Wednesday, Dec. 28 – We celebrated our Reser Family Christmas on this day! My parents, my sister’s family, my brother and his girlfriend, and of course Sidney and I turned up the holiday spirit for most of the day. We started by playing games. We then enjoyed a delicious prime rib meal. We then opened up gifts. After the presents, my mom banished all of us to the basement so she could hide the pickle in the tree. For the second year in a row, my sister found it. We then ate the dessert. Although a few days after December 25, you never would have been able to tell that we were celebrating Christmas late.

All of us “kids” playing Phase 10 on Wednesday, the day we celebrated our Reser Family Christmas.

Thursday, Dec. 29 – This was the day I got to hang with my siblings the most. Sidney and I went with my brother and sister to the mall where we looked all around and used some of our Christmas money. The four of us then went to my dad’s work and surprised him! He took us around his whole office introducing us to everyone. We then headed to Selkirk, the restaurant/bar that Sidney and I always make sure to frequent while in Spokane. We enjoyed appetizers and drinks while laughing about my dad’s lame jokes.

We visited my dad at work (above). While at the mall, I posed for a photo with my brother and sister (bottom left). Sidney and I shared our favorite item to eat while in Spokane…snow capped fries from Selkirk (bottom right).

Friday, Dec. 30 – Whenever all of us are together, my mom always likes to take us out for a nice meal. However, instead of going out to dinner, we decided it would be a nice change to go out to breakfast. We went to Old European, a Spokane breakfast institution. Although it took a long time for a party of our size to get seated, the wait was worth it. We chowed down on the delicious food and left absolutely stuffed.

We played games on Friday too! A few photos from the fun day.

Saturday, Dec. 31 – We marked our last day in Spokane pretty much how we spent the previous four: with family. We went with my parents to mass at the church I grew up in, St. Thomas More, and then we returned home to spend the New Year’s Eve with the exact same group we celebrated our Reser Family Christmas with. We ate pizza, macaroni and cheese, sandwiches, and Sidney’s homemade queso sausage dip while enjoying each other’s company. I made sure to savor every single moment as I knew that in just a few short hours we would be heading back to the airport.

The three of us Reser kids with our significant others on Saturday night.

I kept myself honest in this post. I made sure to list just one main highlight per day. But of course there was so much more that went into our trip out west. I went to bars with my brother and dad, stayed up late talking to my mom, and spent every minute possible playing with my niece. Sidney continued to bond with my sister, allowed my mom to touch her belly all she wanted, and enjoyed winning money at the casino.

Of course, we can’t thank my parents enough. They showed us tremendous hospitality, love, and generosity. They did all they could to make our trip special. They picked us up and dropped us off at the airport at late hours when the snow was falling and the roads were awful. Besides just our parents, we thank everyone else for making our Spokane trip amazing. We can’t wait to return. Don’t Blink.

An Even Better Year: 2016

Posted on December 31, 2016 by brent

This special end of the year blog post is dedicated to Sidney’s parents and to my parents. Without them, this year would not have been the best one of our lives. Thank you so much for your support and love!

What is the best possible realization about approaching the end of a spectacular year? Knowing that the next one is going to be even better. – Dec. 31, 2015

When I wrote my blog post one year ago today reflecting on 2015, I wrote the above to preface 2016. Talk about a major understatement.

Sorry to the people who whine and complain about how much they hated 2016 because this past year was the absolute best 12 months of my life. After a personal record year in 2014 followed by another one in 2015, I was blessed to enjoy another banner year in 2016.

I guess it isn’t too hard to see why. I married my best friend in June. This special moment was sandwiched by other extremely happy times. My family and friends from out west came to Myrtle Beach to celebrate with us, making for one of the most memorable weeks of my life. After we tied the knot, Sidney and I took off to Mexico where we enjoyed several days in paradise in each other’s company.

As if those spectacular moments in June weren’t enough to completely define a year, something extremely life-changing occurred in early August: Sidney found out she was pregnant. The last five months of 2016 were spent in a mix of newlywed bliss and baby expecting excitement. There was never a moment where I didn’t feel completely alive or blessed.

Besides the major personal life events experienced this year, 2016 was worth celebrating for other reasons as well. Professionally I enjoyed a career highlight as I had the opportunity to grow our social media program by capitalizing on the exposure given to Coastal Carolina University via our baseball team’s College World Series title. In addition, just like last year, our program was recognized with a couple of national social media awards. Also, I took work trips to Bristol, Tennessee, to cover the race of our CCU NASCAR driver and to Boston to attend a higher education social media conference.

Spiritually I grew as well. With the wedding prep that Sidney and I completed prior to our wedding, we had the opportunity to meet and develop relationships with several key people at St. Andrew Catholic Church. Throughout the year we attended various church functions, chatted frequently with our pastor, and prayed a lot.

Aside from the major things above, 2016 was memorable for smaller reasons: I moved out of my apartment and into a house. I saw major politicians stump in person. I went on a great trip with Sidney’s family to watch Clemson play Louisville in football. I survived a hurricane. I went on a weekend getaway with Sidney to Charlotte. I tried Ginger Ale for the first time. I concluded the year out west where we cherished every single minute we had with my family in Spokane.

Now we look forward to 2017. The best part? The words I used to open this blog post from last year’s entry ring true again. Sidney and I will become parents in 2017 and that secures the fact that it will become the new best year of our lives. But we have to live it first. Thanks to everyone who made 2016 spectacular, I truly appreciate it. Have a blessed and happy 2017. Don’t Blink.

My Top Ten Blog Posts of 2016

Posted on December 30, 2016 by brent

The time has arrived for what I like to call my big blog post. Each year I reflect on what I wrote over the past 12 months and then I pick out my favorites (view the 2014 and the 2015 lists). After reviewing the over 240 blog posts I wrote in 2016, I once again chose my top ten.

It is never an easy task to do this. However, I always have some help. A crucial component of the criteria for posts that make this list center on how you, my readers, react to it. So, in a way, all of you played a part in compiling the entries featured in this special post.

Because of your help with this list and because of your loyalty to Don’t Blink, I gladly dedicate My Top Ten Blog Posts of 2016 to my readers.

10. A Proper Transition for the Pastime Cafe (April 5) – In the middle of the year, I heard some news that warmed my heart and brought back nostalgia. Our family Italian restaurant that had closed 10 years ago was coming back to life. Although “back to life” in this instance meant with a slightly different name and new owners, the development brought me great joy. As our family owned the Pastime Cafe for over 80 years, it was tough to see it vacant for close to a decade. Although definitely not the restaurant I grew up in, the Passatempo Taverna reflects modern Walla Walla while also honoring the original Pastime. I was pleased to write this post to give the new owners a big vote of confidence.

The Passatempo Taverna opened up in September of 2016. (photo courtesy of the Passatempo Taverna Facebook page).

9. The Battle of the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Creams (May 15) – It seems like each year I buy a lot of stuff, make a mess, pig out, and legitimize it by saying I did it in the name of my blog. In 2016, I used this formula for my cookie dough post. I went out and bought five different chocolate chip cookie dough ice creams ranging from premium to generic and brought them home. I then summoned Sidney to taste each one blind. Do you remember which one she identified as her favorite? The effort I put into this entry, the fact that it dealt with one of my favorite subjects of all time (ice cream), and the surprising result all contributed to this post making the countdown.

Believe it or not, the Walmart Great Value brand ended up winning the blind taste test.

8. The #SidAndBrent Wedding Timeline (June 5) – From when we got engaged in June of 2015 to when we tied the knot in June of 2016, I wrote updates on our wedding progress in Don’t Blink. Right before our special date, I compiled all of the updates I wrote into one blog post. It is my feeling that this post is a great guide for any groom. Brides have their magazines and websites that contain timelines but I felt males needed something a little more dedicated to us. But the fact that this post is helpful and fills a void isn’t the only reason why I like it. For me, having something that chronicles the journey that Sid and I took from engagement to vows is very special.

Everything we did to prepare for our wedding, including going to the courthouse to pick up our marriage license, is included in this post.

7. Happy At 30 (October 8) – In 2016 I officially became old. However, I didn’t let my age bring me down. Instead, I allowed the birthday to bring me more joy than anything. In this post I reflected on what it meant to me to turn the big 3-0 and how I couldn’t be happier. It will be something I look back on when I turn 40.

6. My Motivation in 2016 (January 5) – This post is meaningful to me because it caused me to make some positive changes. When the new year came around, it was obvious that I needed to lose some weight for my upcoming wedding. Through Don’t Blink, I called myself out in front of my readers saying I would do just that. Thus, using this post as motivation to keep me honest, I met my goal. When my wedding date rolled around, I had lost 30 pounds. I almost used the post I wrote about the wacky method I used to lose that weight, but this initial one is more important to me because I wrote it when I was vulnerable and before I had even lost a pound.

This contrast shows how fat I really was! By using this blog to call myself out, I was able to lose weight.

5. Shock of the Century (November 9) – Most of us can admit that 2016 in the United States will forever be defined by the presidential election. Throughout the year, I wrote frequently about the race for the presidency. Despite the candidate you wanted to see win, I think we can all admit that what happened on the evening of November 8 was a shock. The next day I wrote this blog post giving credit to President-Elect Trump while at the same time calling out a couple groups. This will go down as one of my more historical Don’t Blink blog posts.

4. The Truth About a Bar Rescue Episode – This post earns a high spot on the countdown for two reasons. First, it was my most read blog post of 2016. A couple major social media pages shared it and every Sunday when the “Bar Rescue” marathons would run, traffic would shoot up like crazy. Second, and most important, it was a topic I had wanted to write about for a long time. However, I never had a subject that was willing to give me information. I reached out to a few different people who appeared on the show but was always rejected. Then one lucky day, a lady named Maria Bedient who had been unfairly portrayed on the show contacted me to offer up her story and the rest is history.

3. The Happiest Weekend of Our Lives (June) – A wedding is so much more than just an hour in a church. In fact, it is so much more than just a single day. Taking this reality to heart, I made sure to chronicle each specific wedding-related event individually through this blog. From the rehearsal dinner to the actual wedding to the reception to the honeymoon, I wrote about it all. Earning the #3 spot on the 2016 countdown is the blog post that wrapped up my writings about that unforgettable week in mid-June. Within the main blog post, you will find links to each individual post devoted to the #SidAndBrent wedding.

I wrote in depth about our honeymoon as well.

2. We Are Expecting! (October 2) – Although short and sweet, the post I wrote in October announcing that we are expecting is a definite highlight from 2016. Describing how we announced our big news on social media while also addressing how we had started to prepare for our new addition, this entry will always be special to me.

We posted this image to announce that we are expecting. All creative credit goes to my wife!!

1. My Top Ten Photos From Our Wedding Day (July 17) – It is really tough to put into words the joy you feel on your wedding day. Although I tried to do so with several different blog posts, I don’t know if it ever did our special day justice. Thank goodness for pictures. In July, I wrote this post highlighting my absolute favorite images from June 11, 2016. Each picture says so much and helps to tell the story of that day in beautiful fashion. The happiness I just now felt from looking at this post confirmed to me even more why this is my favorite of 2016. As a blogger, some might think that naming an entry that didn’t rely on my writing that much might be a disappointment. Nope. Drafting up a blog post that uses the heart more than words is always more rewarding.

This was one of the photos that made my top ten list of best #SidAndBrent wedding images.

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There you have it. It is my hope that something I wrote in 2016 for Don’t Blink made you feel a certain way. If my words (or pictures) had an impact on you, I will consider it a successful year. Thanks for sticking with me, I hope you return in 2017. Don’t Blink.

Spending the Holiday Week in Spokane

Posted on December 26, 2016 by brent

It is December 26 but there won’t be a Christmas hangover for Sidney and me.

In an hour we will begin a long, but happy, journey. For the first time in a year, we are going to my hometown of Spokane, Washington, to spend the holiday week with my family.

Once again, we will be taking the longest non-stop flight within the United States to get there. However, at both ends of that marathon plane ride we will be doing some additional traveling as well. The first part consists of us driving two hours from Myrtle Beach to Charleston. We will check in at the airport and take the six hour flight to Seattle. We will then backtrack by taking the short 45 minute flight to Spokane. With driving, flying, and layovers we will be looking at about 12 hours of travel. However, all will be worth it once I see my family for the first time since they were in Myrtle Beach for the wedding almost seven months ago.

We have the privilege of spending five fun and relaxing days in Spokane. My family is excited to see pregnant Sidney and to celebrate our Reser Christmas on Wednesday night. The two of us are looking forward to seeing the snow, playing with our niece, and eating west coast food. With a bunch of other little plans worked into our itinerary for the week, it promises to be another awesome trip.

I hope everyone had a great Christmas. Before the year runs out on us, I will be publishing my top ten posts of 2016 as well as my annual end of the year reflection post. Have a great week and please cross your fingers for our smooth and safe travels across the country. Don’t Blink.

Christmas With My Family In Myrtle Beach

Posted on December 24, 2016 by brent

I have not spent a birthday in my hometown with my family probably since I was 18. Over the past couple Easters and Thanksgivings I have not seen Spokane either. Other holidays of varying degrees of significance? Most likely spent on the east coast.

However, I have never missed a Christmas with my parents and siblings.

Until this year.

In 2016, I will be spending Christmas with my other loving family here in South Carolina. Over the next two days, I will have the privilege of experiencing all of the Mathis holiday traditions right here in warm Myrtle Beach.

This blog post is not written in sadness; rather it is written in joy. It is written to mark the fact that I had the luxury of spending every Christmas with my mom, dad, sister, and brother (well, only 27 of those with Glen) for 29 straight years. It isn’t written to bring attention to the fact that a streak is ending. Rather, it is written to celebrate the reality that I have my wife’s family to enjoy this beautiful holiday with while still having the ability to Facetime my family in Spokane and feel like I am there too.

Sure there will be differences. For one, the sunny 70 degree forecast on Christmas here in Myrtle Beach sure contrasts to the below freezing, snowy forecast in Spokane. But the differences are outweighed by one big similarity: Love. No matter where I am at this Christmas, I have a family on each side who is celebrating this holiday for the right reasons and who deeply loves both Sidney and I.

Merry Christmas Eve to everyone. Whoever you are spending Christmas with and wherever you are spending Christmas at, make it a joyous one. Don’t Blink.

My Christmas Thursday Rundown

Posted on December 22, 2016 by brent

I have that warm feeling swirling throughout my body. It is the holiday season and I am so happy! Here we go with my latest Thursday Rundown…

Christmas Carol Lyrics – I really enjoy Christmas carols, but I don’t always necessarily sing them correctly. Multiple times this holiday season while driving in the car, Sidney and I attempted to sing carols ourselves with no radio backup. The result was both of us bursting out laughing while ad-libbing some terribly wrong lyrics. I saw this comic in today’s paper and knew I had to share it.

This Family Circus comic strip explains the relationship that Sidney and I have with Christmas carols perfectly.

Good Luck, Lauren – This past weekend, we held our fall commencement ceremonies at Coastal Carolina. Out of the 700+ graduates, one of them happened to be my intern. Lauren Eckersley graduated with a marketing degree last Saturday. She worked for me this past summer and throughout the entire fall semester. She did an excellent job and will go far in life. To watch her tribute video that we did for her, click here. Thank you, Lauren!

Lauren (on the right) graduated this past weekend. Eddie (on the left) will return as an intern for me before he graduates in May.

Interesting Dish – On Tuesday, Sidney and I concluded our time on the holiday party circuit with a happy hour gathering of my departmental co-workers. The particular place we went to, the Grumpy Monk, had an interesting dish that I had to try. Pretty much a chicken and waffles sandwich, what I ate was called the Southern Tradition. The pecan breaded chicken was delicious and the two waffles were fresh. I would recommend it.

This is the sandwich called the Southern Tradition at the Grumpy Monk in Myrtle Beach.

Another Favorite Ornament – Earlier this month, I wrote about my five favorite ornaments on our tree. On that list was an ornament that featured Sidney as a little girl. Well, would you believe that at my parents’ house in Spokane they have an ornament that features me as a little boy? It is true! In my typical conceited, ego-driven fashion I would have to say that when it comes to the tree at my mom and dad’s house, this particular ornament is my favorite.

This ornament hangs at my parents’ house in Spokane.

Baby Update – Last night, my mother-in-law generously gave us two incredible gifts…a stroller and a car seat. Even though our baby is not due until the start of April, we tore open the boxes and assembled both items. We then tried them out, folding and unfolding the stroller while locking and unlocking the car seat in place. I took this practice session very seriously and my wife made sure to note it on her Facebook wall.

Sidney wrote this sweet Facebook status about my little section from yesterday.

Sidney wrote this sweet Facebook status about my little practice session from yesterday.

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What a great time of the year. As we approach the Christmas weekend, I hope you are in good spirits and in good health. Remember to reflect on why we celebrate. Don’t Blink.

Don't Blink

By Brent Reser

Author Archives: brent