Rosa’s Thursday Rundown

Posted on May 14, 2026 by brent

I hope the beginning of my latest Thursday Rundown finds you well. If you are new to Don’t Blink, each Thursday I write briefly (debatable) about five random topics. If this format sounds acceptable to you, please continue reading for your enjoyment and pleasure…

First Communion TBT – The night before Sloan’s First Communion, I went through my old photo album and showed my daughter some photos from my own First Communion. I also showed her the program from my First Communion mass. Instead of telling me I look “funky” as she seems to do every single day, she reacted to the photos by saying verbatim, “You were low-key kinda cute.”

This was me moments before we got in the car to attend my First Communion mass.

Fruity Pebbles Candy – I am always on the lookout for new and interesting treats so when I saw Fruity Pebbles Candy at Dollar Tree this past weekend, I couldn’t resist. The verdict? They tasted exactly like Fruity Pebbles (seriously)! However, the taste of nostalgia and fruitiness quickly dissipated and I was done with them after eating the contents of a quarter of the box. My kids couldn’t even eat much more than me.

This candy definitely tasted like Fruity Pebbles.

Bowling Fun – Each quarter, our University Relations team takes a break from the office to spend some quality time together doing something fun off-site. This past Friday we found ourselves at Rosa’s for pizza and bowling. Even though I have gone on record stating that I am not a huge fan of bowling, I had a great time with my colleagues. Perhaps part of it was that I actually bowled well. I don’t know how I managed it, but I posted scores in the 130s and 140s as I won all three games we played (to be fair, just three other University Relations staffers bowled with me 😂). Even though not everyone bowled, everyone had a great time. I am lucky to work with such awesome people!

I really enjoy my University Relations team at Eastern Washington University. This was some of us last week at Rosa’s Pizza in Cheney.

Bringing Hacky Back – There was a major article in the New York Times this week (along with other publications) about the comeback of hacky sack. Gen Z has become obsessed with the hobby and all of a sudden stores across the country that used to sell two hacky sacks a month are selling 30 in a day. Many of these media reports site that hacky sack was a fad and “The Thing” to do in the 1990s. I find that funny because I was a die-hard “hacky sacker” in the early 2000s when I was in middle school…no wonder why I wasn’t a cool kid 😂. But yes, I LOVED hacky sack for a certain period in my life and to this day I still maintain some of the coordination needed to play it. I even wrote about my obsession with the hobby in a blog post from three years ago. I am thrilled to see hacky sack make a comeback with a new generation.

That’s me, wearing my Gap t-shirt and jean shorts, playing some hack sack probably 25 years ago.

Carry That Banner – As part of my role as EWU’s marketing director, I oversee sponsorships. For the second year in a row, we were the title sponsor for the Jr. Lilac Parade. Because of our designation as the top sponsor, Eastern Washington University led off the parade. With President McMahan riding in the car as the grand marshal and the cheer squad/Swoop energizing the crowd, someone needed to carry the banner. I gladly stepped up to help but it was a two-person job so I enlisted some assistance 😉. What a joy it was to bring Sloan with me so she could get a small taste of what her daddy does. At the same time, she got to go behind the scenes of a parade and chat more with her new BFF…President McMahan.

Sloan and I carry the EWU title sponsor banner at the 2026 Jr. Lilac Parade. (Photo credit: Amy Bradberry)

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That will wrap things up for tonight. However, I am not done for the week. I will publish a blog post about an embarrassing moment tomorrow morning…so stay tuned. Don’t Blink.

2026 Homemade Mother’s Day Gifts

Posted on May 13, 2026 by brent

Sidney celebrated her tenth Mother’s Day as an actual mom this past Sunday. And just like a good majority of the previous ones, she received some homemade (or should I say schoolmade?) gifts constructed in class at St. Mary Catholic School. As per my tradition, I want to spotlight what my little Picassos made for Sid…

Definitely not my best Mother’s Day gift presentation but it is what inside that counts, right?

The youngest always goes first. Beau gave his mom a hand-decorated flower pot. If that sounds familiar, it means you read way too much of my blog and you have a great memory…because he gave Sid something very similar last year. Although this year’s version contains fake plants and (thank goodness) no dirt. Instead, fake gems and rocks provide the “soil” for the artificial plants/flowers springing from the pot. Well done, Beau.

Beau holds the flower pot assortment he made.

Sloan also gave Sidney the same type of present she gifted her last year. My daughter once again took to the canvas and painted a masterpiece. Using her hands to mimic wings, she let her young creative juices flow and painted a butterfly flying in the sky. Sorry guys, not going to take any bids on this one (unless of course you actually do want to give me money for it).

Sloan holds her butterfly masterpiece.

And now for a break in tradition to bring you my very non-homemade gift. For the headlining item, I got my wife a gift card to the Plant Farm—her happy place during the spring/summer—because, after all, Beau’s fake plant wouldn’t provide the aesthetic Sidney is looking for in our back yard. In all seriousness, I can’t wait to see what she chooses to plant this year. This Mother’s Day I also went back on a personal vendetta I have against homemade coupons (I think they are lazy) and, yes, presented Sidney with a homemade coupon for a takeout meal of her choice. On the terms and conditions I specified that it needed to be redeemed on Mother’s Day. Lastly, I gave Sid some scratch offs, something that should resonate with readers who remember my post from January 2020.

A look at the Mother’s Day present I got for Sid.

Oh come on, did you think I wasn’t going to tell you what Sidney redeemed her coupon on? I hope you all like a Blooming Onion because I picked up Outback for the whole fam. It was the perfect way to end a nice Mother’s Day. Don’t Blink.

Sacramentally Gifted

Posted on May 12, 2026 by brent

Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. (John 6:53-54)

Even though we had prepared for nine months, it was a sight that seemed a tad foreign. On Monday, May 11, 2026, Sloan waited her turn in the communion line at St. Mary Catholic Church. Once at the front, she approached Bishop Thomas Daly as he distributed Holy Eucharist. However, instead of crossing her arms across her chest and receiving a blessing, she received Jesus instead.

Sloan received the sacraments of Confirmation and First Eucharist last night at St. Mary Catholic Church. This is her with Fr. Jeff Lewis and Bishop Thomas Daly (Photo Credit: Paola Muela).

It was a surreal but very proud moment to watch Sloan make her First Holy Communion. In classes since September to prepare for the sacrament but genuinely yearning to receive it for the past few years, it truly was a holy moment to witness her reach the source and summit of Christian life.

Sloan receives Holy Communion for the first time. This is her drinking from the Blessed Blood.

But it wasn’t just Holy Eucharist that our daughter received last night. She also received the Holy Spirit via the sacrament of Confirmation. Prior to partaking in the Lord’s Supper, Sloan stood in front of the congregation and publicly renewed her baptismal promises, affirming her Catholic faith.

Sloan stands in our yard before we drove to St. Mary Catholic Church for her First Eucharist/Confirmation mass.

With family friend Fidela Perry by Sloan’s side as her Confirmation sponsor, Bishop Daly anointed Sloan with sacred chrism oil, sealing her with the Holy Spirit. The sacrament instilled in Sloan the same grace and charge bestowed upon the apostles and other followers at Pentecost.

With Fidela by Sloan’s side, Bishop Thomas Daly confirms Sloan by sealing her with the Holy Spirit.

Not bad for a Monday night, right?

Sloan and some of her St. Mary (Spokane Valley) third grade classmates. The bond these kids have is truly special and it was a blessing that they were able to receive the sacraments together.

Sloan has now received all the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist) plus the Sacrament of Reconciliation she received for the first time last year. These sacraments are truly gifts from God and I don’t know how to describe Sloan as anything else but sacramentally gifted 😉.

This is the banner Sloan made at the retreat held just a week prior to the First Eucharist/Confirmation mass. It was placed on the pew that our family sat in. I can’t thank Marie Bricher enough for all she does to prepare individuals to receive the sacraments.

But back to the two sacraments she received yesterday. On Monday morning, I crept into her bedroom for a few moments to gently wake her up (I was feeling nice 😂). As she started to slowly come to consciousness, I told her it was a big day and then I spoke from the heart as I started to become a little emotional. Stating what I wrote above, I told her I knew how much she was looking forward to tonight and how happy I was that she would finally receive Jesus. Luckily, she was still half asleep and couldn’t see my eyes watering up.

Sloan stands in the long line for her First Communion at St. Mary Catholic Church (Spokane Valley). It was worth the wait.

For the Sacrament of Confirmation, Sloan chose Fidela as her confirmation sponsor because—make no mistake about it—9-year-old girls can recognize and appreciate authenticity from a mile away. Sloan is inspired by Fidela, a convert to Catholicism (just like her mommy), who is on fire for the faith and a tremendous positive influence. When Fidela introduced Sloan to Bishop Daly, she used Sloan’s Confirmation name, St. Lucy. A martyr who turned away from her family’s wealth, Sloan was attracted to St. Lucy’s devotion and bravery.

Sloan’s confirmation sponsor was Fidela Perry, a family friend who has always been an incredible influence on Sloan.

As Sloan continues to walk in her faith, I hope she maintains the same devotion to the Holy Eucharist that she so passionately and genuinely had on Monday night. I also pray that she shows bravery when it comes to practicing her now-confirmed faith, even when it might be difficult or unpopular to do. In those difficult times, Sloan has the Holy Spirit to draw strength from. As Bishop Daly told the children last night, the Holy Spirit is like a coach or teacher ready to help and direct. May my daughter never hesitate to invoke this sacred member of the trinity.

Words can’t describe how special Sloan’s St. Mary (Spokane Valley) third grade class is and the strong bond they all share. It was a joy and a blessing to watch these children receive the sacraments alongside by daughter as well (Photo Credit: Paola Muela).

Thanks be to God for the sacramental gifts bestowed upon Sloan. Pray for me as her father to always put her in a position to maximize their graces. Sid and I send our heartfelt appreciation to Marie Bricher and her team for preparing Sloan (and us!!) for these blessed sacraments. Come Holy Spirit! Don’t Blink.

Cheep Thursday Rundown

Posted on May 7, 2026 by brent

Wow, May is off to an absolute gorgeous start! With temperatures in the 70s and so many activities taking place, it truly feels like spring! Speaking of spring, let’s “spring” into my latest Thursday Rundown…

Cheep Chicken – Safeway has a wildly popular promotion called Cheep Chicken Monday. Every Monday, looooong lines form in front of the Safeway deli to purchase heavily discounted and very tasty chicken. When I saw the kid in the chicken suit on the side of the road, I knew it was a sign that our family needed to eat Safeway chicken this past Monday…I also knew it was a sign that Beau needed to get a picture with him. The kid in the suit was tickled that someone wanted to snap a photo with him and even did the chicken dance with Beau.

Beau took a photo with the Cheep Chicken from Safeway.

Homemade Pasta – Last night while I was doing chores in the kitchen, Sloan came downstairs and confidently asked if she could make pasta. However, she wasn’t just asking to boil noodles, she literally wanted to make the pasta herself. Inspired by a YouTube video she saw, Sloan thought she could pull it off. I asked her what she needed. She replied with eggs and flour. Uggh. What can go wrong, right? Well, I let her do it and she definitely made something that resembled pasta and didn’t taste too bad.

Some photos of Sloan making and posing with her homemade pasta.

Christy – Sidney and I watched “Christy” this week and I found it to be pretty captivating. The film stars Sydney Sweeney as Christy Martin, the athlete who put women’s boxing on the map while facing plenty of obstacles. Sweeney—who is from Spokane—adopted a Southern accent for this film and delivered an amazing performance. But what I really appreciated was how authentic (and at times brutal) the boxing scenes were. Fun fact: Sweeney did all the boxing scenes herself! Your life won’t be changed if you watch “Christy” but I still think it is worth your time.

Sydney Sweeney gained 30 pounds to play Christy Martin. I enjoyed watching “Christy.”

Bloomsday 50th – Bloomsday started in 1977 and this year (2026) was the 50th running of the event. Don’t ask me if that meant it was the 50th anniversary or not but one way or the other the number “50” was a big part of this year’s race. Naturally, I had to get a picture of the kids marking the milestone at the Bloomsday trade show that we attended on Friday.

Sloan and Beau take a photo in front of the “Bloomsday 50 Years” photo backdrop at the Bloomsday trade show.

Mama’s Boy – Back in 2015, Sid and I found ourselves at a bar. As we sipped on our drinks she admitted that she is a complete daddy’s girl. But then she looked at me and without a doubt in her mind said, “But you are totally a momma’s boy!” On this date 12 years ago, I wrote about the type of mama’s boy I am to commemorate Mother’s Day. I think you will be entertained by it.

If the definition said that a mama’s boy is someone who both himself and his mom cry a little bit when they say goodbye as the son moves across the country, then I am one.

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Thanks for taking the time to read! Special shoutout to all the moms, we couldn’t function with you. Will catch up with everyone next week, I imagine with an extremely packed weekend on the horizon I might have some stories and photos to share. Don’t Blink.

My 3 Bloomsday Accessories

Posted on May 6, 2026 by brent

This year for Bloomsday I made a few changes to my running attire compared to previous races. Perhaps these alterations were responsible for my less than spectacular finish time OR maybe they saved me from going even further south from my PR. Here is what I did…

I made some changes to what I wore this Bloomsday. This is me on the morning of the 2026 race.

Sweatband – Don’t get Sidney started, she HATED the sweatband I wore. However, I decided to sport it because many times in the past I have suffered from sweat dripping down into my eyes (the burn!!). I hate wearing hats while exercising, especially while running, so I wanted to go with the band. It worked absolute wonders! I didn’t combat sweat in my eyes once—a complete non-factor this Bloomsday. When I finished the race I touched my sweatband and it was absolutely soaked, a result that made me think Better the band than my eyes.

Hip Pack Pouch – When I run, I usually try to not carry anything at all. Sometimes that is not possible and I will stuff a key or some cards (debit card, driver’s license, etc.) into my pocket. Because I was running Bloomsday solo this year, I thought it best to take the essentials downtown with me, specifically my phone and cards. Not wanting a smart device weighing me down, I purchased a hip pack (aka fanny pack). Having never used one before, I didn’t know how it would feel or if it would slow me down. However, once I started running I forgot I was even wearing it. For the first time ever, I could take photos on the Bloomsday course and update my family once I finished. Perhaps the pack added a couple minutes onto my time without me consciously realizing it was weighing me down but I think that is just a sorry excuse for my slower time.

Foot Care – At both Bloomsday and Hoopfest in the past I have battled intense blisters. This year, I made sure my feet were protected. Even though I still wore old shoes I purchased from a discount store, I placed padding support along the sole. I also wore cushy socks that were a major step up from the very worn-in exercise socks I wear to the gym. My feet didn’t bother me in the slightest during the race or after it.

I always lay my clothes out the night before and with Bloomsday it is no different. You can see my extra padding in my shoes.

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Like I said, I wish the above improvements would have translated into a better time. But I guess things don’t always turn out the way you hope. Even though I ran a few minutes slower than desired at least I did it on comfortable feet with no sweat in my eyes or items in my pocket weighing me down. Don’t Blink.

Bloomsday 2026: So Spokane

Posted on May 5, 2026 by brent

Call me overly sentimental, but I became just a bit teary-eyed as I stood at the 2026 Bloomsday starting line on Sunday. The combination of gorgeous weather, more registrants since 2016, beach balls flying through the crowd, and just the sheer uniqueness and passion of this one-of-a-kind Spokane event had me feeling some type of the way. Suffice to say, once Chariots of Fire echoed through the loud speakers as I crossed the starting line the emotion was real.

What more could I have wanted?

Well, a PR would have been nice.

Me crossing the finish line during the 2026 Bloomsday race. I finished a few minutes short of a PR.

I will give myself this: I am consistent. From 2022-24 and this year (I missed the 2025 race for Disney World), I have finished between 69 minutes – 72 minutes each race. The only problem is that this year’s time was at that slower end of the spectrum. Take a look…

2022: 1:11:27
2023: 1:09:34
2024: 1:11:27
2026: 1:12:42

People start to gather at the starting line prior to the 2026 Bloomsday run. I hung out for about 80 minutes before the gun sounded for us to start.

It was a tad disappointing because I thought this was the year for a personal record. Driving to the race I felt good and I believed the favorable weather conditions would be a fortunate omen. But severe cramping hit once I finished Doomsday Hill and I had to slow my pace considerably. Throw in my advancing age as a factor too—I am not getting any younger.

A photo I took right before the race started. I am not getting any younger.

However, missing the mark on my goal didn’t take away from another successful Bloomsday experience. From the trade show to the STA shuttle race transportation to the race itself to receiving this year’s t-shirt, I had a blast (minus the cramps).

I snapped this photo of Bloomsday volunteers passing out the 2026 t-shirt. If you turn the shirt upside down it will spell out “1977,” the first year Bloomsday was held.

This year I did Bloomsday solo as my brother walked in the stroller division with his wife and little girl. Despite my bro not by my side, I still did my usual. I enjoyed listening to the pre-race music, I received a blessing from Fr. David Gaines as I ran by Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral, and I ducked underneath the vulture on Doomsday Hill.

A photo I took of my brother and sister-in-law prior to them starting Bloomsday 2026. I had already finished and received my shirt before they even crossed the starting line.

I also appreciated the unique aspects of Bloomsday 2026. The young man carrying the cross as he ran was incredibly inspiring, the bands seemed louder this year than ever, and the yellow t-shirt with the upside down twist was probably the most creative design since the 1996 shirt.

I would later find out that this young man’s name is Dalton Degroot but when I saw him carrying that cross up Doomsday Hill during the 2026 Bloomsday race, it gave me some major motivation.

Don’t worry, I will be back for Bloomsday 2027. Maybe I will take my wife’s advice and actually train for it (but probably not) to avoid the cramps that last far beyond the actual race. Thanks to the race organizers for another incredible Spokane experience. Don’t Blink.

A Special Homecoming

Posted on May 4, 2026 by brent

Last week our family enjoyed a unique experience. On Wednesday evening, the four of us went to Spokane International Airport not to hop on a plane but to welcome a special group of people back.

Sloan, Sidney, and Beau at the Spokane International Airport to welcome back veterans who were on the most recent Inland Northwest Honor Flight.

We cheered as 90 veterans (89 Vietnam vets and 1 Korean War vet) returned home from a whirlwind trip to Washington D.C. to visit the memorials relevant to the wars they fought in.

This trip was made possible by Honor Flight, a national network that flies veterans free of charge to our nation’s capital for these very meaningful experiences. Honor Flight has chapters throughout the country and the Inland Northwest Honor Flight group was the local organization responsible for the crew we welcomed back on Wednesday.

Sloan, Sidney, and Beau pose for a photo in the middle of welcoming veterans home who went to Washington D.C. as part of an Inland Northwest Honor Flight experience.

Sidney spearheaded our journey out to the airport. Her employer, Traveler’s, is a major supporter of veterans and for many years has sent an employee presence to Honor Flight departures and returns. When we entered the airport and made it to the terminal ticketing area, Sidney immediately saw some of her colleagues and we went to stand with them.

Sidney welcomed back the veterans with Sloan/Beau and her Traveler’s colleagues as she

Prior to leaving, Sloan had made welcome home signs for her and Beau (so cute). When we arrived at the airport, we were equipped with additional signs and American flags. Although the flight was delayed more than 90 minutes, our children waited patiently for its arrival.

Beau holds his sign that Sloan made him as we drove to the airport.

When the veterans landed and deplaned, they found a large stanchion-formed walkway for them to stroll down. Each side of the walkway was lined with cheering people thrusting signs, waving flags, and clapping their hands. For many of the Vietnam veterans who either received no welcome or a very hostile rebuke when they originally returned to the U.S. from the war, this was finally the homecoming they had long deserved.

A look at how supporters lined both sides of stanchions to welcome home veterans aboard the Inland Northwest Honor Flight.

I appreciate Sidney’s enthusiasm and insistence for us to attend. I think it showed our children that veterans should always be treated with gratitude and respect. Sid is already talking about attending next year and how we need to get a little bit closer to the stanchions so we can give handshakes and high fives to our heroes 😊. Don’t Blink.

It’s Gonna Be May Thursday Rundown

Posted on April 30, 2026 by brent

We received a shower or two this month but as Justin Timberlake is fond of saying, It’s gonna be May! On cue, the start of the new month tomorrow is going to bring a stretch of days in the high 70s and even low 80s. But before that, let’s enjoy the fifth Thursday Rundown of April with these five topics…

Homemade Pizza Again – Back in 2022, I wrote about the joy and magic that comes with making homemade pizza. We were obviously feeling a little magical at the end of the weekend because that is what we had for dinner. I have become quite impressed with Sloan’s cooking skills and she didn’t disappoint when it came to pizza either. The way she layered the sauce, cheese, and pepperoni showed skill and plenty of thought—especially how she aligned the final layer of pepperoni into a face. The pizza was delicious and I ate leftovers for lunch during two different days at work.

Sloan stands near her baked homemade pizza.

Cotton Candy at Birthday Party – We had a couple birthday parties to attend over the weekend. Although the pool party at the YMCA was cool, I think Beau really enjoyed the at-home outdoor birthday party that had a bouncy castle. But what made the bouncy castle party really stand out was the cotton vendor that set up shop and made free on-demand treats for all the attendees (and parents). Given the choice between birthday cake, root beer, rainbow sherbet, and others, Beau went with something else—banana! He ate it all in under three minutes (no joke).

Beau, complete with a fruit punch red Gatorade mustache, holds his banana cotton candy.

M Movies – Over the past several days I watched an adult blockbuster at home and a kids film in the theater. On Friday night I used HBO Maxx to watch “Marty Supreme” and I loved it. Even though it was nearly three hours my attention was captivated the whole time by the brilliant acting and creative cinematography. As someone who grew up playing ping pong, the movie was a lot of fun for me. On Sunday afternoon, I took Sloan and Beau to the theater for “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.” Although the kids loved it, I was pretty bored. However, the tub of popcorn we got to share may have been the best movie theater popcorn I had in a long time…so there’s that.

“Marty Supreme” was pretty epic.

A Third of the Way There – I like to point out significant break points in the calendar and today marks the completion of the first 1/3rd of 2026. Four months down and eight months to go. With 33% of the year in the books, it is an opportune time to look back on goals and determine whether you are heading in the right direction. Don’t like what you see? No worries, you have plenty of time to turn 2026 around.

Check that calendar! We are 1/3 of the way through 2026.

Touching Note – It was on this date 12 years ago that my dad flew back west after accompanying me on a cross country trip to my new home in South Carolina. Several hours after he left I opened my silverware drawer to find this note and a $5 bill.

My dad left me this note 12 years ago.

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Hopefully I am not too sore on Monday. More on that in a future blog post. Have a great weekend, everyone! Don’t Blink.

The Positives and Negatives of Myrtle Beach

Posted on April 28, 2026 by brent

Today is the 12th anniversary of when I arrived in Myrtle Beach to begin work at Coastal Carolina University. However, my time in South Carolina was MUCH more than a career stop. I found my soul mate and because of that I will forever be grateful for the chance I had to live in the South.

I spent six years in the Grand Strand and now it has been six years since I left. I thought tonight was the perfect time to give a very brief and objective rundown of the positives and negatives of living in Myrtle Beach.

My dad and I took a celebratory picture after turning in the U-Haul after our cross-country trip to Myrtle Beach. This photo was taken 12 years ago today on April 28, 2014.

Positives

The Beach – Yes, it is right in the name. When I moved into my apartment, I was about five minutes from the beach and it was so close that I could smell it (literally). The water was warm, the vibe was great, and the seashells plentiful.

Location – Myrtle Beach is in an advantageous spot for road trips. Whether I wanted to drive north to Baltimore or south to Charleston or Savannah, there were always fun options to escape for a weekend. Sid and I even drove to Disney World once and made numerous weekend trips to Charlotte.

Food – Can’t say enough about the food. In fact, it was so good that within a year I reached the heaviest weight that I had ever been (😂). Myrtle Beach offered all the tourist trap chains you can think of but also the best fast food restaurants (Cookout, Bojangles, Zaxby’s, etc.). However, nothing beat the Southern cooking of my wife and mother-in-law that I was introduced to.

Prices – A lot of things are cheap in Myrtle Beach despite it being a tourist town. From gas to real estate to food, you simply pay less compared to other places.

Weather – Although the summers are ridiculously humid and Myrtle Beach had a harsher winter than Spokane this year, being able to trick-or-treat without a coat is pretty sweet! It was also nice to have pleasant weather in January and February.

Myrtle Beach had so much to offer and I was so blessed to spend six years there. But the absolute best part of all is that I met Sidney there!

Negatives

Traffic – Did I already mention that Myrtle Beach is a tourist town? 😉 I still get anxiety when someone mentions 501 (hint: that isn’t an area code). I waited in some awful traffic jams but shout out to CCU for allowing its employees to leave at noon on summer Fridays to get a head start on it.

Allergies – Because of the pollen situation and other things floating in the air, I actually developed allergies during the years I was there. When people told me I could be susceptible to them when I arrived in town, I thought they were crazy. I ate my words.

Bugs – The only time I see a cockroach or Palmetto Bug these days are in my nightmares. Man, those things were nasty (and everywhere).

Income Tax – When I started at CCU, my boss braced me for the shock. He said my paychecks might be a little less than what I might be expecting because of the state income tax. Because I moved from Montana which also had a state income tax I wasn’t caught off-guard but it sure is nice living in a state (Washington) that doesn’t have one.

Hurricanes – Don’t miss the hurricane season that seemed to get longer and longer each year I lived there. There is nothing funny about those storms. The damage, anxiety, and hysteria can break you down.

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Sure, there were positives and negatives, but like I already mentioned, nothing can take away the fact that moving to Myrtle Beach was the best decision I ever made. Among so many other special things that happened during those incredible six years, that little piece of heaven on the coast of South Carolina gave me a beautiful wife and two healthy kids. Don’t Blink.

My Breakfast Routine and Choices

Posted on April 27, 2026 by brent

We have all heard the adage that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Although I make it a point to eat breakfast every day, what I put in my body doesn’t necessarily reflect the importance of the meal.

But more on that in just a moment.

During weekdays, I eat breakfast at work. My routine is always the same. I arrive at the office around 7:30 a.m. and then usually stop for breakfast at 9 a.m. I have always subscribed to the thinking that a hungry tiger hunts best so I try to begin the workday by jumping right into things. After I have checked some of the more pressing tasks of the day off my checklist, I reward myself with breakfast because at that time my stomach is usually growling.

Okay, as I alluded to above, I usually eat crap. Because I am eating in the office, it isn’t like I can pour myself a bowl of cereal or cook eggs.

I will now share with you the three food items that rotate as my breakfast during any given week.

1/2 Peanut Butter Sandwich – Back in the day, especially during my time at the University of Montana and Coastal Carolina University, this is all I had every single morning. The night before I will take a single piece of bread, cover it with peanut butter, fold it, and put it in a zip-lock bag. That becomes my breakfast for the next day. It is usually quite convenient because I already have the bread and peanut butter out for the full sandwich I make for lunch.

Although I am holding a full peanut butter sandwich in this photo, I frequently eat a 1/2 peanut butter sandwich for breakfast.

Pop-Tarts – I have diversified my once strict diet of just ½ peanut butter sandwiches for breakfast. My love for Pop-Tarts is well-documented and I now bring those in for breakfast just as much as I do peanut butter sandwiches. I enjoy doing this because the toaster is right in the middle of the common area of our University Relations offices so many of my colleagues get to smell the pleasant aroma of whatever Pop-tart flavor I have that day. In fact, it is common for one of my designers to say, “Hey Brent, what kind of Pop-Tart do you have this morning?”

I bring Pop-Tarts to work all the time and people usually get a kick out of the weird flavors I sometimes pack.

Donuts/Muffins/Sweets – On any given day—especially Friday—we will have a couple dozen donuts, Costco muffins, fruit, or some other sugary “breakfast” item out in the common area. Throw in all the birthdays we celebrate and there is a good chance each day that I might enjoy a free breakfast courtesy of my generous co-workers. Many times it is tough for me to resist these sweet treats as I slide my Pop-Tart into my desk drawer and indulge.

My University Relations team at Eastern Washington University celebrated my birthday with a muffin breakfast. Very often this counter is filled with breakfast treats on any given morning.