I think I have forgotten how it feels. For the first time in a year and a half, Sid and I will not have a child under our roof when we go to sleep tonight. Even crazier, we won’t have one tomorrow night either.

It is with mixed emotions that Sidney and I hit the road this afternoon for a weekend getaway to Atlanta. When you are so attached to your little girl, it is tough to leave her behind. But, on the other hand, to be completely honest, I am so incredibly excited for a special weekend with Sid!

Our time away from Myrtle Beach will center around an Atlanta Braves game. Tomorrow night we will visit brand new SunTrust Park for some Major League Baseball. The Braves will host home run leader Christian Yelich and the Milwaukee Brewers in a primetime National League contest. But we are looking forward to more than just the ball game.

Sidney and I at old Turner Field in 2014.

Besides baseball, a visit to the Cheesecake Factory is in our future. We also look forward to exploring the Cumberland district of Atlanta, an area of the city we have never visited before. Some relaxation in the hotel is another small treat that we are looking forward to as well.

This trip will also celebrate the five years that Sid and I have been together. We have now spent the past SIX May 16s together and this collage shows a photo from each one.

So here we go! Time to have some fun with the wife. Thank you to my in-laws for taking care of Sloan, we are really thankful for this opportunity. Any prayers for safe travel would be much appreciated. Hope everyone has a great weekend. Don’t Blink.

Good evening to one and all. Thanks for spending some of your time with Don’t Blink. Let’s get started with my latest Thursday Rundown.

Mother’s Day Gifts – Although she picked them out herself at the mall the day before I returned and actually bought them, perhaps Sid was a little surprised at her Mother’s Day gifts? Ha! Yeah right! She did really like them though. Describing herself as a “sunglasses snob,” I got her a new pair of shades (polarized and all). I also got her a bin (edit: Sid told me it is called a caboodle) designed for her cosmetic supplies. With a lot of fun and travel to come in the following weeks, both items will come in handy.

Sid with her new sunglasses and caboodle.

Nursing Back to Health – Last week, Sloan was out of daycare because of a nasty virus. Through those several days, she had some ups and downs as it looked like she was improving only to have symptoms reappear. This past Monday, we took her again to the doctor. Our pediatrician, Dr. Sangtian (HIGHLY recommend), ran several tests, including x-rays. Although the virus was still visible, he could also see the possible early development of pneumonia. He put Sloan on an antibiotic and she is doing MUCH better. As is the case with Sloan’s prolonged sicknesses, I become susceptible as well. After battling a cold followed by an upset stomach, I am starting to feel better too.

Sloan is on the mend!

I Would Drive 1M Miles – This week I read a news story about a North Carolina man who recently surpassed 1,000,000 miles with his 2000 Honda Accord. Well, saying he surpassed the milestone could get some resistance based on technicality––the odometer has room for just seven digits and still reads 999,999. But for those of us willing to look past space constraints, that’s quite the achievement! And to think I thought my car was nearing the end of its road as it inches closer to 200K miles.

The man in this photo has out over a million miles on his Honda Accord.

Walking Anniversary – Today is the one-year anniversary of Sloan walking for the first time. I swear over the past 365 days she has put more miles on those legs evading us than the guy has put on his Honda Accord. Ironically, Sloan was home sick a year ago as well when she took those first steps. I am thankful to this day that I was present for her milestone and that I captured it on video.

This was mere seconds before Sloan walked by herself.

Diet Coke Consumption – I can’t fathom how anyone could drink six Diet Cokes a day, let alone 12. But 28?! What must your mouth feel like when you wake up in the morning if you feel the need to drink 336 ounces of liquid in a day? The fact that it is soda makes the fact even crazier. How does John Daily still have any teeth?

This tweet by Darren Rovell, which is meant to poke fun and to state a fact, is really interesting. How could anyone drink that much soda?!

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Another Thursday Rundown in the books! Thanks for reading and I will touch base with everyone tomorrow regarding out weekend plans. Don’t Blink.

Today is National Chocolate Chip Day, another bizarre and gimmicky “holiday” to “celebrate.” Despite its cheesiness and my supposed hostility toward days like this, I am appreciative that it gives me something to write about.

In tonight’s blog post I present to you five items I enjoy chocolate chips on the most.

Chocolate Chip Cookies – Big surprise, right? Although white chocolate macadamia cookies are my favorite, chocolate chip cookies are a close runner up. We all know the satisfying feeling of biting into a fresh cookie with the chocolate chips half melted. But chocolate chips in cookies are more versatile than just in liquid form. Chocolate freezes very well and I always liked eating the frozen chocolate chips in my mom’s famous ice cream cookie sandwiches.

Chocolate Chip Pancakes – Nothing is better than going to a hole in the wall diner and ordering a stack of chocolate chip pancakes. Topped with butter and whipped cream, you can’t have a more heavenly breakfast. The flavor of the gooey chocolate chips is always evident, even with maple syrup and buttermilk competing for an impression on your taste buds. You know you were served a good stack if after you finish your pancakes there is noticeable chocolate residue on your fork (at which point you lick it off).

These are some chocolate chip pancakes I had at Plantation Pancake House in Myrtle Beach.

Ants on a Log – Oh please, you put raisins on top of your celery as a kid? In our household, we didn’t adhere to the healthy recipe of ants on a log. After slathering peanut butter on the celery sticks, we topped it with chocolate chips. Whatever it took to get us to eat our veggies, right?

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream – On the third anniversary of our revolutionary experiment, don’t think I forgot to add chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream to this list. Although I think chocolate chips alone in ice cream is a mistake, I support gobs of cookie dough packed with chocolate chips in my frozen desserts. On this date three years ago, I had Sidney blindly test five different brands of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream––everything from generic store brand to premium industry leader. When the test was completed, it wasn’t Ben & Jerry’s that won. Rather, it was a complete shocker.

Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Sandwiches – For this last spot, I could have went with chocolate chip rice krispie treats or chocolate chip covered donuts. Instead, I wanted to go with something more unique that joined ants on a log as another childhood favorite. As a little boy during the summer, my mom actually granted me permission to plant chocolate chips on the inside of my peanut butter sandwich. We would then put it in the microwave for 20 seconds or so. Call it the start of my chocolate/peanut butter addiction, but it was something I did a lot back in the day. Although I haven’t had a chocolate chip peanut butter sandwich in decades, I remember them fondly.

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The irony of the chocolate chip is that it is good––just as long as you don’t eat it by itself. Chocolate chips compliment sweet foods (or healthy foods for that matter) but they taste rather bitter when consumed alone. Happy National Chocolate Chip Day (can’t believe I am saying that), I hope you celebrate responsibly. Don’t Blink.

Today marks the eighth anniversary that my blog has been on the world wide web––at least the Don’t Blink version hosted at www.brentreser.com. On this special date last year, I wrote about how my first blog post was quite awkward. Part of me wants to do something a little more significant (such as an all-time favorite post countdown) to mark my blogging anniversary this year, but I thought better of it. The truth is that an eight-year anniversary is no more of a milestone than a seven-year anniversary. So, for at least this year and next, I will mark the date with some basic commentary.

Today is the eighth anniversary of my blog. It was been a pleasure.

Authoring a blog brings with it many benefits, especially after you have established yourself as a consistent writer over a few years. If you write a wide-ranging blog like this one, you get plenty of free stuff, connections with people all over the world, and exposure on different websites/social media channels. People will also know you before you meet them, bring up your latest post as a conversation starter, and suggest ideas for future blog posts.

The ability to market yourself is also an advantage of maintaining a blog. By doing so, you can optimize search engines favorably for your name, showcase the talents you have, and push initiatives or beliefs that are important to you. As a blogger, you control what you publish…the creative freedom is awesome.

Of course a blog is work. Those with half-assed intentions need not apply. Any blogger who has respect for what he is doing will feel the pressure to post regularly, think creatively, and connect with readers. A calendar is constantly in the head of a blogger with topics and release dates. Finding the time to write is usually reserved for early mornings and late nights. No matter how good the intentions, not every post will be a home run.

But every now and then, you hit a grand slam. A post you wrIte resonates not just with your regular readers but far beyond. You might write a piece that effortlessly garners thousands and thousands of views, appears on a Facebook page with over a million followers, or entices a journalist to reach out to you. Those are cool moments.

Sloan has given me inspiration numerous times for blog posts.

But hitting the grand slam was never the reason why I started Don’t Blink eight years ago. I simply did it because I wanted a digital space to organize my experiences, thoughts, and an opinion every now and then. It wasn’t primarily intended for friends, internet trolls, or the person on the other side of the world.

It was for me.

So as I sign off on my 1,639th blog post, I do it mostly for myself. But wait––I am not that egotistical. I also do it as inspiration for anyone else who is considering authoring a blog. Nowadays, vlogs and podcasts might trump this medium in the coolness factor, but never underestimate the power or sustainability of the written word. Thank you to my readers for eight great years. Don’t Blink.

Good evening everyone. I frequently say that the hardest part about the Thursday Rundown is writing the introduction. So, let’s kind of bypass it and just get started with tonight’s five topics…

In the Doghouse – Last Saturday, a play date was organized for a group of young children with CCU parents. Outside, the toddlers had a large backyard with several activities to engage with. Inside, there was a playroom and Playdoh station. What did they want to play with? The dog crate! The kids all conspired to climb inside and shut the gate. Should be a good picture in 20 years.

These #CCU little kids worked together to climb into the crate and slam the door.

The Best Remedy – I have suffered from canker sores my whole life. I even wrote about my problem and asked for remedies. Last week, I developed the most painful canker sore I have ever dealt with on the inside of my lip. Just when it started to heal, I developed approximately 10 smaller ones on my tongue. It was absolutely brutal. Earlier in the week I tried Orajel for the first time. It provided some relief but it wore off so fast. After my tongue outbreak, I tried Orajel mouthwash and it was incredible. Within a day of using it, the annoyance was gone. Where had this been all my life?! If you are prone to canker sores, I highly recommend Orajel mouthwash.

This Orajel mouthwash is the real deal!

The Derby – For three out of the past four years, Sidney and I have attended a Kentucky Derby party in full regalia. The gathering is organized by Lindsi Glass, our associate vice president for marketing and branding at CCU. Although Lindsi is a Chanticleer now, she used to do marketing for the Kentucky Derby before coming to South Carolina. She plans the bash way in advance and goes all out! From official Kentucky Derby plates to cigars to famous Derby drinks, the party has it all. This year was another great time and Sidney picked the winning horse…before he was disqualified. Serves her right for picking the favorite I guess.

Sidney and I in our 2019 Kentucky Derby costumes.

Smooth Taste – Cream soda. That is all. What do you think? Although it didn’t make my list of top five favorite sodas in a post I published two years ago, I have grown to really enjoy it. I find it pleasant to drink with a different taste from most other sodas. It goes down easy and has an old-fashioned vibe to it. Don’t think I am drinking the good stuff either…no A&W for me, it is all about Great Value. You can buy this stuff for cheaper than water and it hits the spot.

These Great Value cans of Cream Soda have been calling my name lately.

Ranky Tanky – What a way to close out my Thursday! Our campus invited nationally acclaimed band Ranky Tanky to perform a free outdoor concert on Prince Lawn and they delivered. I wish I could have stayed longer because the conditions were perfect for a May evening concert and the music was incredible. Ranky Tanky, a group that specializes in funk, is rising each day in profile. The band members recently appeared on the Today Show and are traveling all around the country. If this is the first time you are hearing about them, it won’t be the last.

Ranky Tanky filled the air with soulful music this evening. Wish I could have stayed for more!

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We have another fun weekend on tap. After I finish working spring commencement ceremonies on Saturday morning (congrats to all #CCU grads), I will focus my attention on a party we are helping to throw for my sister-in-law and her fiancée. Hopefully we can do half the job that Lindsi does. Enjoy your evening my friends. Don’t Blink.

You know what is coming this weekend, right?

Stop, don’t answer that, it was meant to be rhetorical. Of course we all know that Sunday is Mother’s Day. Aside from Easter and Christmas, I don’t know if there is a more necessary date on the calendar. Moms are absolutely invaluable and underappreciated. But don’t get me on my soapbox because I could go on and on (besides, I have written about this before, especially how it relates to one very special mom).

Some memories from Mother’s Day 2017.

This blog post is simply intended to steer you in the direction of how to show your appreciation to the moms in your life, especially those with young children.

For those husbands with wives who are mothers, sometimes it is tough to think of an original gift idea. With Christmas, her birthday, and even possibly an anniversary present (excluding Valentine’s Day because once you are married you don’t worry about that anymore), the pressure to get something unique for each one definitely exists. However, in my mind, a starting point is to identify the type of gift that is appropriate for each occasion. In my world, I think Christmas is great for a material gift (think jewelry, gadget), birthday is ideal for everyday items (clothes, sunglasses, etc.), and an anniversary is perfect for an experience that involves both husband and wife (fancy dinner, weekend away, etc.).

Mother’s Day fun in 2018.

But when it comes to Mother’s Day, I think you can never go wrong with a gift that allows your wife to have some time to herself. It only makes sense to use the day that honors all the hard work moms put forth to give something that encourages them to take a well-deserved break. Last year, I gave Sid a gift card to AR Workshop, a place that lets customers make custom home décor pieces. The amount on the card allowed her to bring a friend as well. When she decided to use it, I took care of Sloan for the night and Sid went out and had a great time with no worries or distractions. With all of these DIY places that now exist, you have a wide variety of options to empower your wife to express her artistic side. A free pedicure is also a go-to gift that your wife will be grateful for. Or think about salon credit for a haircut or a ticket to an upcoming wine tasting event. Speaking of tickets, get her one for a concert that she has interest in attending with friends or perhaps even a play she wants to see (but you don’t).

Sidney and Sloan holding the lazy Susan that was made at AR Workshop. Sid did a wonderful job!

The key is to let your significant other use the gift whenever she wants and to be excited for her to enjoy it. Show interest in her “night out” and ask her to send a photo of her having fun. Whatever you do, don’t bother her when she is doing the activity and give her no concern for the care of her child(ren).

Gifts focused on experiences for moms to enjoy without the whole clan make perfect Mother’s Day gifts. If you go in that direction this year, you won’t be botching it. Don’t Blink.

Is it really May already? Our family has a packed month and we can’t wait for all the fun that is to come. But for now, let’s just concentrate on the Thursday Rundown. I present to you this evening’s five topics…

Bling, Bling – For those who are curious about the ring my brother got for his fiancé, here it is. I know absolutely nothing about rings (Sidney picked her ring out for me) so don’t expect any commentary from me other than it looks really nice! 

This is the ring that my brother gave to Carrie.

Outdoor Fun – A couple items to report on Sloan. She has progressed nicely with her jungle gym since it was gifted to her about a month and a half ago. Sloan will now go down the slide without needing to hold one of our hands. More impressively, she can now climb up the rock wall with no assistance whatsoever, a feat of coordination and strength! But the biggest current spectacle in our back yard is a rabbit. The critter has been making regular early evening appearances in our lawn, sending Sloan into a frenzy. She likes to call out to it by yelling “Mr. Bunny, come here!” She will sit on our patio and wait for it to re-appear and she loves to leave carrots out for it.

Sloan can climb her rock wall with ease and go down the slide without assistance. She loves “Mr. Bunny” who lives in our back yard.

What’s the Big Deal? – Last night, Sid and I watched the Billboard Music Awards. We enjoy watching the performances and digesting a slice of pop culture. However, I had a tough time putting my finger on the absolute mania reserved for a group called BTS. The cameras switched to them in their seats every minute, celebrities on stage gave them shout outs, and the #BillboardMusicAwards Twitter hashtag was so inundated with BTS references that anything else about the show was practically invisible. Did these kids cure cancer or something? Please, fill me in.

I tweeted out my confusion last night.

Another Five Year Anniversary – My five year anniversary working at Coastal wasn’t the only milestone I was celebrating yesterday. May 1 also marked my five year anniversary of working out at CCU’s gym, the HTC Center. I had nervous jitters my first day of work so what better way to ease them than with exercise? I was blown away by the cleanliness and amenities of Coastal’s facilities. But aside from the state of the art equipment and scenic views, the CCU gym has allowed me to connect with students and staff who I normally would not have the chance to during my regular job.

The photo of me in the top left is from May 1, 2014, and the photo of me in the top right is from May 1, 2019.

Cool Story – Early this morning I was pumping gas. Once I started to refuel, the pump television screen flickered on and started to give a history lesson. This particular segment taught me that frozen treats such as popsicles and ice cream were only consumed by nobility back in the Middle Ages. Because devices equivalent to modern day freezers weren’t widely available, only the upper class had access to them. So, if someone was walking the streets with a frozen confection it meant they were a pretty big deal. I started laughing to myself thinking of an old king with a large crown sucking on a firecracker pop. Ha!

I took this photo while pumping gas today. How does the gas price in Myrtle Beach differ from where you live?

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A weekend that includes the Kentucky Derby and Cinco De Mayo, huh? Sounds like a good time to me. Be safe and enjoy. Don’t Blink.