Brent’s Best of the Beach

Posted on August 7, 2016 by brent

Four years ago, I ripped off a standard content hog of every newspaper you will find in this country. Do you know what I am talking about? Every publication has a “Best of (insert city here)” where readers are polled and asked to vote on their top choice of restaurant, bar, news personality, realtor, ice cream shop, etc. etc. Well, in 2012 I used this blog and published my “Brent’s Best of the Zoo” post. For those not familiar with Montana slang terms, “Zoo” is a nickname for Missoula.

As I have lived in Myrtle Beach for over two years now, I decided to take a stab at naming some of my favorite places and activities in town. In order to keep this blog post from getting out of control, I decided to limit it to 15 categories. Speaking of categories, I tried to choose ones that are relevant to this area and ones that I can actually speak on (i.e. I have never ate sushi before so “Best Sushi in Myrtle Beach” is not a category). So enough with the explanations, let’s get to the winners!

Best All-Around Restaurant: Drunken Jack’s

Although it is on the Marshwalk in Murrells Inlet, I am counting Drunken Jack’s in Brent’s Best of the Beach. In my option, Drunken Jack’s boasts the best salad bar, the best hush puppies, and the best seafood/steaks in the area. Not only is it the best when it comes to food, it is also tops in atmosphere as well. Built to give the illusion that you are eating on a pirate ship, the place feels cozy. While you wait for your table you can enjoy complimentary popcorn while taking in the beautiful views of the water. If you want the best in scenery, personality, and food, Drunken Jack’s is for you.

This is a collage of my brother, Sidney, and I enjoying an evening at Drunken Jack’s.

Best Bar: Remedies

I enjoy Remedies not just because it is a locals bar. I count it as my favorite because it is covered in televisions and because it is non-smoking. Throughout the past couple years I have gone to Remedies on numerous occasions to watch my western teams play as their TV package allows them to bring up pretty much any game. The food is excellent and the drink prices are very good. The bartenders are welcoming and treat you well the whole time you are there.

This is Sidney and I at in 2014 when we went to Remedies to watch the Montana football team play.

Best Miniature Golf Course: Mt. Atlanticus

Talk about the category with the stiffest competition! Myrtle Beach is covered with “Happy Gilmore” style putt putt courses. I made the tough decision choosing Mt. Atlanticus as my favorite because of how the course makes you ascend up. The holes are creative, especially the 19th ball return one, but it is the gradual climb of the course I like the most. When you conclude your 18th hole, you are high above in a tiki hut type structure looking over the whole course. Other courses might have dinosaurs, exotic animals, and pirates but Mt. Atlanticus has a view.

Sidney and I at Mt. Atlanticus in September of 2015.

Best Ice Cream Place: Meyer’s Ice Cream Parlor

This is another category with extremely tough competition. Ice cream parlors dot every corner in the Grand Strand area. But my favorite is clear cut. Meyer’s Ice Cream Parlor is an inviting place with the BEST ice cream. The exterior is covered in different colors and ice cream cut outs and the inside takes on a New York Yankees theme but it is the ice cream that stands out. All flavors are fresh and the sundaes are fun and huge. You will feel nostalgia and happiness when you eat inside Meyer’s. I can’t recommend it enough.

This is me at Meyer’s Ice Cream Parlor (notice the Yankees memorabilia and pink walls in the background) enjoying one of their classic sundaes.

Best Signature Activity: Nights of a Thousand Candles at Brookgreen Gardens

In Myrtle Beach you have a hundreds things to do with top entertainment options, the ocean, and numerous golf courses. However, if there is an event that stands out from the Myrtle Beach mainstays, it would be Nights of a Thousand Candles. Every December for a few weeks, the big sculpture garden in Myrtle Beach, Brookgreen Gardens, becomes a Christmas cheer destination. The event will make you forget about the fact that Myrtle Beach doesn’t get snow. Event organizers set up thousands of candles and lights throughout the gardens. You walk on paths and admire the beauty as talented people perform Christmas carols. It is a peaceful and warm way to get into the holiday spirit.

Sidney and I at Night of a Thousand Candles in 2014.

Best Movie Theater: Coastal Grand Mall (Cinemark)

A couple months ago I would have given this nod to the Grand 14 at Market Common (Stone Theaters) but the cinema at Coastal Grand Mall is now tops. The theater recently replaced all seats with electronic recliners. Now, each auditorium just has a capacity of 50 people but if you get a seat it is well worth it. The theater is always clean and you can’t beat the location considering it is attached to the best mall in Myrtle Beach.

Best Sit Down Pizza Place: Mellow Mushroom

When I was home for the holidays in Spokane I found myself at the casino. I was at a blackjack table sitting next to a woman. She asked me where I lived and I told her Myrtle Beach. She remarked that she visited there for a short time several years back. I asked her what she remembered most. Her response? Mellow Mushroom.

Yes, the pizza is that good. I highly recommend it.

Best Delivery Pizza Place: Marco’s Pizza

I like nothing more than enjoying a low key Friday night in with Marco’s Pizza. Much better than the national delivery chains (you will have to pay a little extra), you can count on fresh toppings and plenty of grease. Make sure to order their garlic sauce and you will feel like you made the best choice ever.

Best Grocery Store: Publix

The hype is real. When Publix came to Myrtle Beach I didn’t know if it would be a game changer for the grocery habits of Sidney and I. But it is. Although we will usually still go to Lowe’s which is just two minutes away from our house, we will frequent Publix if we want an out of the ordinary shopping experience. Where else can you go to get a loaded ice cream cone as a sample? Where else can you go where the baggers still insist on taking your groceries out for you? Where else can you go where the store brand is legitimately better than the premium brand? There isn’t a better supermarket option in Myrtle Beach than Publix.

Publix has a terrific line of products. Check out this ice cream flavor.

Best Sandwich Place: Which Wich

When I tried Which Wich for the first time I immediately fell in love with the concept. You walk in and fill out your order on a brown paper sack. Your sandwich comes out exactly how you wanted it. The food is as perfect as the ordering process. The submarine sandwiches are unique in both build and taste. You will want it again and again.

Best Place to Take Visitors: Broadway at the Beach

Although Broadway at the Beach is undergoing an evolution of sorts right now, it is still a great place to take visitors. You can enjoy sports bars, frozen drink bars, Mexican bars, live music bars, and clubs. And that is just the adult portion of it. Broadway at the Beach also has numerous restaurants, specialty shops, carnival rides, putt putt, kiosks, surf shops, a movie theater, and more. Did I mention that the place is built around a man made body of water that is stocked with ferocious-looking hungry fish? Broadway at the Beach earns my designation as the “best place to take visitors” because there is something for everyone.

Sidney and I enjoying a moment at Broadway at the Beach.

Best Place for a Date: Market Common

As Myrtle Beach is a destination city, it is filled with tourist traps and gimmicky entertainment centers. The Market Common was built as a classy lifestyle center with locals in mind. With several unique restaurants, upscale bars, designer shops, and a nice movie theater all built on a strategically designed and well landscaped property, a relaxing night out at Market Common is easy to enjoy for any couple. I can’t count all the dates Sidney and I have enjoyed out at the area.

Best Beach Area: Springmaid

The Springmaid Pier is away from all the avenue beaches that bring in hoards of tourists. But don’t think Springmaid is full of locals either. Whenever we go, the beach is never full but it is always very well maintained. With plenty of free parking available, it is the most convenient place to go to take full advantage of the beautiful beach. Don’t pass it up.

This is Glen and I at Springmaid Pier

Best Breakfast: Johnny D’s Waffles

Go up and down Kings Highway in Myrtle Beach and you will see probably around 30 different pancake houses. Many of them taste the same but Johnny D’s Waffles is in a league of its own. From their red velvet waffle to their cinnastax pancakes to their filling skillets, nothing matches Johnny D’s in terms of unique variety and freshness. The restaurant isn’t huge and there is usually a wait but it is definitely worth it.

———–

So there you have Brent’s Best of the Beach. Perhaps next year or in a couple years I will do a second version with other categories included. If you aren’t one of my Myrtle Beach readers, I apologize for boring you. If you are a Myrtle Beach reader, please let me know what you think of my list. Have a great week, everyone! Don’t Blink.

A Stranger Thursday Rundown

Posted on August 4, 2016 by brent

It is the official eve of the Summer Olympics and I am in a good mood. The fact that I have a Thursday Rundown post to write makes me even more joyful. Let’s get started…

Happy Birthday, Mom – I know it would make my mom’s day if I mentioned her in my blog so please let me wish her a happy birthday. One year away from a milestone, my mom turned 59 on Tuesday. Mom, thank you for being an outstanding parent, a shining example, and the most selfless person I know. I love you and miss you! Also, happy birthday to my nephew, Harrison. Exactly 55 years after my mom was born in Walla Walla, Washinigton, “Captain Harrison” was born in Myrtle Beach.

My mom celebrated her birthday on Tuesday. This is her and I at my wedding in June.

“Stranger Things” – The latest Netflix original creation to gain massive amounts of praise and attention is “Stranger Things.” The science-fiction series takes place in a small town in the early 1980s. The show chronicles the events following the disappearance of a middle school boy. To be honest, it took me some time to get into it. However, last night after I watched the third episode I was hooked. In fact, it sucked me in so much that I immediately watched the fourth episode (I usually won’t watch two shows of a series in a night). The acting is really good, the setting of the show is very authentic, and the music will grow on you. Some of the character relationships are masterfully developed as well. I am excited to watch the final four episodes.

“Stranger Things” is a pretty decent science fiction Netflix series.

From the Archives – I have a couple blog post gems to share with you that I wrote on past dates of August 4. Just last year I wrote about whether I really would want to live to be 100 years old. It is an incredible achievement but is it worth it? In 2013 I settled the score in the inaugural #DoUsAFlavor Lay’s potato chip competition. Do you remember the flavors of Chicken & Waffles, Sriracha, and Cheesy Garlic Bread? I made sure to sample each one and crown my favorite.

This is me in 2013 when I sampled all the flavors from the inaugural Lay’s #DoUsAFlavor potato chip promotion.

“Nerve” – On Sunday, I went to the movies with Sidney and my father-in-law. We went and saw a film called “Nerve.” The movie is about a real time social media themed game played on your iPhone that is based on dares. Think of it as Periscope meets Truth or Dare. It is definitely not a film for everyone. It is dark and twisted but also a little satisfying. “Nerve” also has an underlying message about the harm of anonymity on the web and on social media. I personally enjoyed the movie but I know a lot of other people won’t.

I saw the movie “Nerve” this past Sunday.

Fun Thursday Evening Ahead – Most of Sidney’s family is in Orlando visiting Disney World. However, the two of us plus my father-in-law stayed behind. Throughout this week the three of us have stuck together. Tonight our bonding continues as we have an exciting night planned. We will be dining at Longhorn Steakhouse, one of my favorite restaurants. After our meal, we will once again go to the movie theater, this time to see “Jason Bourne.” I am a little nervous because I have never seen the previous Bourne films. My hope is that I won’t be too lost. Expect a review in my next Thursday Rundown!

——————–

I hope everyone has a great weekend. Enjoy the festivities of tomorrow night’s opening ceremonies and I will touch base on Sunday. Don’t Blink.

The Glorious Debut of Instagram Stories

Posted on August 3, 2016 by brent

Yesterday, a certain social media giant made a blockbuster move by introducing Instagram Stories. I never saw it coming but when it dropped on Tuesday I experimented with it and read up on it as much as possible. It is what you have to do when you are a social media professional.

So although I still have a lot to learn, let me say this: Instagram Stories is pretty cool.

The introduction of Instagram Stories rocked the social media world this week.

Over the past 36 hours, people have expressed either their love or hate for Instagram’s new rollout. I don’t see what there is not to like. You can now go to a powerhouse social media channel, one that most of us already have solid followings, and perform two important social tasks. You can post a beautiful, filtered picture or you can send off your grainy, silly 24 hour picture message. How is this bad?

Right by my house there is a joint Baskin-Robbins and Dunkin’ Donuts store. In my opinion, this sure beats going to each individual location if you woke up one day and wanted both an ice cream cone and a chocolate donut. To have ice cream and pastries under one roof is helpful, much in the same way that having artsy photos and sloppy images under one app is.

Best of all, Instagram did Instagram Stories right. Besides no geofilters (yet), Instagram’s version of 24 hour storytelling social media is perhaps better than Snapchat’s. Instagram rolled out a product that is easy to use, that is accessible, and that is powerful. I have perhaps 25 people that look at each of my Snaps in any given story. With still four hours left before my first image I posted to my debut Instagram Story disappears, I have already had 57 people view it.

As you can see from the number at the bottom of this image, 57 people have already viewed this terrible selfie.

But that is small potatoes compared to how big Instagram Stories will be for brands. Images I have posted to the Coastal Carolina inaugural Instagram Story just this morning are already receiving 2,500 views. Earlier I asked our audience to screen capture an image on the story and post to Twitter. Since then, multiple people have completed this tedious task. Keep in mind that this feature hasn’t even been out for 48 hours yet. For it to catch on this fast says a lot.

To test how our audience would respond to directions given over Instagram Stories, I posted this on the @ccuchanticleers Instagram account this morning. The response has been fantastic.

I have a reality to bring up and a question to ask. First the reality. This addition by Instagram obviously means more work for social media managers. Instead of telling one 24 hour story, we will be telling two. Of course telling the same story across both Snapchat and Instagram Stories won’t suffice. People in my industry are going to have to upgrade both the workload and creativity.

Our first test at Coastal will come this Friday at our summer commencement ceremony. Because I am fortunate enough to have two student workers, I will place one on Snapchat and one on Instagram Stories. I will then post myself to our regular Instagram platform. This will hopefully result in three different unique perspectives (but one voice) that will translate into great coverage.

My question is this: How will Snapchat be impacted? My opinion is based on what I have learned in the past. Remember when Instagram shattered Vine’s world three years ago with the release of video? At the time, I said Vine could remain respectable. I was wrong. Although Vine has survived, it is a shell of itself. The service still has a cult following but it is anything but a major player in the social media game.

Will Instagram take down another social media channel and force Snapchat to meet a similar fate as Vine? I don’t think Snapchat will be as doomed. Because of advertising and a massive number of people using the service, Snapchat won’t become irrelevant. But it won’t come away unscathed either. Mark my words, Instagram will take a big bite out of Snapchat. Money, contracts, and celebrities will help Snapchat continue to float but Instagram delivered a huge blow with yesterday’s rollout.

It is kind of weird getting to know my Instagram friends on a Snapchat level. But like with any social media change, after a week it will be the new normal. Well played, Instagram. Don’t Blink.

My Top Five Favorite Summer Olympics Events

Posted on August 2, 2016 by brent

I have said it over and over again, I think the Summer Olympics are far superior to the Winter Olympics. At the base of this opinion is just that the games in the Summer Olympics are much more relevant to the entire globe. With that said and with the opening ceremony occurring this Friday, I thought I would share the events I look forward to watching the most at the Summer Olympics. So, without further adieu, here is my countdown of the top five sports I thoroughly enjoy when it comes to the summer games.

5. Basketball – I know basketball is perhaps a little bit regionalized but it makes my list mostly for nostalgia. I was mesmerized in 1996 (first time I ever remember watching the Olympics) by the United States men’s basketball team destroying the competition. To see all the superstars from the NBA come together for a common goal stuck with me. With Coach K once again leading the team this year, I get excited at watching America’s athletes transform their NBA game to the international level. I will be watching.

4. Swimming/Diving – Sorry to lump two different sports together but this list is too short. I don’t get as excited about swimming as some do, but it is still a Summer Olympics hallmark sport and I love the photo finishes. Also, with the technology available these days, the actual broadcast/coverage of the races is superb. Diving is great because it makes me nervous and it makes me hold my breath. Not to mention what they do in the air before making a perfect splash is incredibly cool.

3. Beach Volleyball – To me, beach volleyball is plain fun. It screams summer. The rules are simple, the chemistry between teammates is top notch, and high level athleticism is on display at all times. I also enjoy admiring the physiques of the participants. This isn’t in some sick way either. Beach volleyball participants, both women and men, are a crazy type of fit. My full respect goes out to them all.

2. Weightlifting – In terms of the goal, weightlifting is an easily defined sport. But everything that goes into catapulting a bar that is five times your weight over your head is not. Rather, it is a science. I am intrigued at watching the athletes go through their whole routine. Watching them get in the zone, approach the platform, brace themselves, practice perfect technique, and then execute the lift is quite the sight. You can feel the tension the whole way through and then you can also feel the unrivaled accomplishment as the athlete drops the bar after a successful attempt. So much power, yet so much discipline. I love watching weightlifting.

1. Track and Field – The easiest part of making this list was designating my #1 favorite event to watch. By far, I enjoy watching track and field the most. In my thought process, track and field is synonymous with the Olympics. When you shut your eyes and think of the summer games, a vision of people running, jumping, and throwing should appear. But my joy of watching track and field at the Olympics goes beyond just symbolism. The competitors you see compete in track and field this month are the best athletes in Rio. How can you not like watching people perform a full out sprint for 800 meters? Or use a pole to fly over a bar 19 feet in the air? Or hurl a ball of metal 75 feet? Or glide through the air covering ten yard sticks?

With track and field, I just find it the epitome of athletic competition. The title of “World’s Greatest Athlete” that is bestowed on the decathlon winner is the most accurate description in sports. When the lights go on in the stadium at Rio and the track and field events start that is when the 2016 Summer Olympics truly begin.

—————-

Can you tell I am excited for Friday to get here? We only have the opportunity to enjoy this once every four years so start preparing yourself. What events can’t you miss? Don’t Blink.

Why This August Will Be the Best Ever

Posted on August 1, 2016 by brent

I like months. I organize my life according to months and, come to think about it, that probably isn’t that weird of a thing. It is a big reason for why they exist, right? Well, anyway, I think it is possible to say that I might focus more than others on the 12 four-week periods of time that dominate our calendar year.

I have written before on how I really enjoy March and July. I have also written about how I don’t really care for January and February. Additionally, I have briefly mentioned my thoughts on other months as well. But believe it or not, I have never really addressed August.

I think there are people out there who are afraid of August. In fact, these people dread August so they start to despise July just because they know it is the month before August. I get it. School starts, obligations return, the party ends. The start of August seems to signify “the last hurrah” of summer and once the mid and end of the month arrive, it is back to business.

Personally, I enjoy the month of August. As someone who loves the heat, I don’t mind the hottest month of the year. I love that it coincides with the start of football season. As someone who works in higher education, I like that it does signify the start of school because it makes my job so much more interesting. To me August is still summer but it carries with it a preview of autumn.

But like I said, I know others don’t care for the month. This makes me feel bad. I know my wife takes August hard because it means she has to go back to work. Believe me, it takes A LOT to plan and start a school year. Many people who work in the service and tourist industry don’t welcome the month with open arms either. It means the season and decent paychecks are coming to an end. Folks who plan their lives around summer vacations and escapades also experience a letdown with the arrival of the eighth month of the year.

With that said, let me say this: August 2016 should be the best August any of us have experienced for years.

I am not saying this because we are living in a historical time right now with the closest and nastiest presidential election we have seen. I am not saying it because this season of “Big Brother” is incredible and this month is going to be full of terrific episodes. I am not saying it because “War Dogs” will drop in movie theaters on Aug. 19.

I am saying that August 2016 will be great because we will have the Summer Olympics to watch.

I have said before that the Olympic games seem to define certain periods in our lives. When I think of the Athens games in 2004 I immediately think of the summer of my senior year of high school right in the middle of football double days. I would come home between practices and watch the games.

When I think of the 2006 winter games in Torino I think of watching them over at a fraternity house where I had a short stint of seeing what it was all about (I never joined). When I think of the 2008 Beijing games I take myself back to the University of Montana campus where I was in resident assistant training.

The 2012 London games remind me of coming home after long days working in the athletic department and sitting down on the couch to watch the prime time coverage. The 2014 Sochi games conjure up the feeling I had of holding my breath the whole time hoping that nothing would go wrong.

So not only are the Summer Olympics vastly superior to the Winter Olympics but the games act as sort of a time capsule of our existence. Don’t we want to remember these moments with happiness?

The Summer Olympics are awesome! Make sure to enjoy the games while allowing them to capture your heart and imagination. If you do this, there is no way you will have a bad August. Don’t Blink.

My Ugly Hands

Posted on July 31, 2016 by brent

Since the summer of my freshman year in high school, I have had less than flattering hands. This time corresponded to when I started to lift weights. For many, pumping iron doesn’t impact the inside skin of their hands too much. But for me, large callouses develop.

It was wishful thinking to believe that after 16 years my skin might have toughened up a bit and my callouses disappeared. Unfortunately not. The fact that the weight program I do these is by no means intense hasn’t resulted in my callouses going down either. They are still there, plain as day.

This is what my right hand looks like. Luckily I took this photo today. My hands always look the best on Sunday because it is after they have had a couple days of rest with no weight lifting.

On Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays when my exercise regimen calls for an abundance of curls and other work with barbells, the callouses on my hands really flare up. You can see skin peeling and the discoloration is even more evident. They calm down on Tuesdays and Thursdays plus over the weekend but they are always there.

To be honest, my callouses don’t bother me that much. I have had them for more than half my life and I really don’t think twice about them. However, I do realize that to others they look unsightly and provoke questions.

What are those on your hands? Do they hurt? How did that happen? Are you contagious?

Those are all questions I have received, some of them over and over and over again. For young children, callouses are especially alarming. Most have never seen them before so they usually react with curiosity. My 3-year-old nephew and I play a game where he will dodge and run from my touch to avoid my calloused hands (all in good fun). When it comes to strangers, if I shake someone’s hand or hold it (like at church) they always seem to contemplate a bit on the rough skin that was piercing the inside of their palm.

Like I said, I don’t have a problem with my less than beautiful hands. However, I figured that it wouldn’t hurt if I took measures to heal my callouses. Do any of my fellow gym freaks out there have tips for taking care of callouses? I will listen to anything except for wearing gloves. I would love to see some of gigantic callouses that the Olympic weight lifters must develop! Don’t Blink.

Thursday Rundown: Bye to a Legend

Posted on July 28, 2016 by brent

Let me wish you all a pleasant Thursday evening. Thanks for coming back to Don’t Blink. Here we go with my latest installment of the Thursday Rundown.

Cool Photo Editing App – For those who enjoy enhancing your iphone photos, I want to tell you about a cool new app I have been using. If you have time, download Prisma. It is a photo editing app that offers some pretty wild filters. Think the styles of anime and gothic meet up in a Candy Land dream world. In the photo below, I used the mosaic style to create this photo of Sid and I. Best part of it all is that the app is free.

I like how abstract the photos turn out when using Prisma.

Legend – Yesterday, longtime University of Montana women’s basketball coach Robin Selvig announced his retirement after 38 seasons. I had the honor of working in the same athletic department as him for almost five years. However, believe it or not, I won’t remember him the most for the portion of his 865 wins I got to witness. Rather, I will remember him for participating in our Monte videos (go to the 54 second mark, you have to watch!), running a really fun annual poker tournament, and never hesitating to warmly greet me in the hall. I will also never forget a moment in a closed door staff meeting with the university president. It was the morning our athletic director and football coach were unexpectedly let go and as the top official at Montana looked down at his feet, Coach Selvig defended the two men who lost their jobs as well as our department. Talk about leadership. Enjoy retirement, Robin.

Robin Selvig is a legend but also a very good man (photo courtesy of the great Todd Goodrich).

Good And Plenty – I wore the below shirt for our rehearsal dinner. I wore it again last weekend at church. Before leaving, we said hi to Father LeBlanc. He looked at me and said “Hi Good And Plenty.” I don’t think there was a better way to describe the color scheme of my shirt than that. From here on out, whenever I put it on, I will always think of it as the Good and Plenty shirt.

Father LeBlanc called me “Good and Plenty” when I wore this shirt. He gave it the perfect description.

Central Intelligence – This past Friday, Sidney and I went on a double date to the movies with the in-laws. We watched “Central Intelligence” in a recliner-only theater. The film stars The Rock and Kevin Hart. Sid thought the movie was hilarious and broke out in laughing fits the whole way through. I thought the movie was funny but to a lesser degree. In my opinion, I wish the movie didn’t even have the CIA plot worked in. I wish the film just focused more on the secondary plot of the film of two guys with a complicated history getting in touch just prior to their high school reunion.

From the Olympics Archives – A whole four years ago on this date, I wrote about my excitement as the 2012 Summer Olympics in London opened up. I also spent time describing why the summer games are just so much better than the winter ones. To this day, my opinion has not changed one bit. There is not a question in my mind about which one is superior. To read my long blog post from 2012, click here.

—————-

Life is good. Remember that and have a great weekend. Don’t Blink.

Revisiting Donald Trump One Year Later

Posted on July 27, 2016 by brent

I always like to use a year as a good measuring stick. Looking back 365 days is a good exercise for assessing your professional development, judging a relationship, or critiquing a project.

In my case, a year is also a good benchmark to revisit past blog posts.

On July 27, 2015, I wrote about Donald Trump. It was in the infancy of his presidential aspirations and he had a long road ahead of him. Although I gave him credit for the media coverage he had generated and the unconventional way he managed his campaign, I was also honest. I gave him no chance to win the Republican nomination and I stated that I most likely would never vote for him.

One year later, I think the only person more surprised than me is Hillary Clinton. If you told her in July 2015 that she would not only be running against Donald Trump but also LOSING to him in the polls, she would have flat out laughed at you.

But that is Hillary’s problem to deal with. I have to come clean with my own errors. I clearly underestimated The Donald. I was critical of him (and sometimes still am) throughout the year as I doubted him and questioned his tactics. In the end he proved me, and millions of other Americans, wrong.

With that said, does it mean I am voting for him? Heck no! I am a total free agent at this point in the game. Like I have written numerous times, I am not a political person. I am going to continue to watch the process play out and make my final decision in November.

Now that I have admitted my ignorance when it comes to predicting who will succeed in politics, I think my work for tonight is done. Little did I know how much I would really need that popcorn bowl I mentioned one year ago. Don’t Blink.

My Favorite Beer: It’s Not All About Taste

Posted on July 26, 2016 by brent

I am always a little embarrassed to admit my favorite beer. Because I lived in Beer Country (Missoula) I feel like people get really angry about my preference but I can’t lie. My favorite beer is Blue Moon.

I know, I know, I know. This shame just doesn’t derive from the fact that I lived several years in a place that has eight breweries, an endless calendar of beerfests, and a public tap system that almost replaces water with a hoppy IPA. The embarrassment also comes from the notion of many beer drinkers that Blue Moon is too corporate, too fruity, too common.

I started drinking Blue Moon eight years ago as a junior in college. One of Missoula’s famous bars, the Bodega, sold pints for $1 on Thursday nights. That is me on the right and my friend Nick on the left.

But I can’t help it. To me, most of the time at least, no beer tastes better to me than Blue Moon. However, the taste isn’t the only reason why I enjoy this Belgian White beer so much. Because of my profession, it might come as no surprise that I also love the drink because of its marketing.

When I think of the people behind the marketing for Blue Moon, I think of a small team of folks around my age who like to have fun. I think of seven or eight laid back men and women who “get it” when it comes to what it takes to get people to drink a brew. While Coors does in fact own Blue Moon, you can bet that there is a specific marketing team solely responsible for the this uniquely named brew I like so much.

Ah yes, the name of the beer! The whole reason why I am writing this blog post is because of the education I received on the “Blue Moon” name just this past weekend. Sidney and I went inside a bar for a drink right before we went and picked up our takeout food at a nearby restaurant. I ordered a Blue Moon and the glass they served it in (see below) brought a huge smile to my face.

I enjoyed this Blue Moon this past weekend. I loved the glass it was served in.

I loved the fact that the Blue Moon name is based off of a short, fun, and marketbale story. Who knows whether the tale is actually true or not but it totally works (and it also happens to easily fit on a glass). Genuis.

My brother and I enjoying Blue Moons.

But the naming story is just the tip of the iceburg when it comes to superb Blue Moon marketing. Nothing beats what was done to catapult Blue Moon into the mainstream beer scene. It is basically a marketing legend by now, but the Blue Moon people wanted to do something that differentiated their beer from all the other Belgian Whites and hefeweizens out there. A common denominator for both types of beer just mentioned was to garnish each glass with a lemon slice. Blue Moon decided to introduce a much more popular fruit to pair with its beer…the orange!

To say it caught on is an understatement. The orange captured the attention of drinkers. People liked the way it looked on the glass, they enjoyed squeezing it into their beer, and most importantly they loved the way it complimented the taste. By simply changing out the fruit, Blue Moon went leaps and bounds above its competitiors.

I love the Blue Moon logo. I talk more about it below.

Another part of the Blue Moon marketing presentation I appreciate is the logo and other company marks! Attractive, warm, and easy to look at, the Blue Moon brand is represented by a perfect logo. The light blue dominant color of the moon combined with a dark blue background on packaging makes it inviting. The snow capped trees on the bottles of labels and cans never fails to give a “homey” type of feel. For me, I equate Blue Moon packaging with being as impactful as the Coca-Cola Christmas season packaging.

The Blue Moon aesthetics go beyond just the logo. The packaging is also very well-done and inviting.

Looking back above, it looks like I have outlined three main marketing staples: a story (the name), a distinguishing characterisic (the orange), and an identity (the logo). When you have this dynamite trio under command, as long as your product doesn’t suck, you are going to be successful.

Of course this doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate the other marketing components that Blue Moon excels in. The brand has a great social media presence, they are always introducing seasonal products, and the commercials aren’t all that bad either. It is no mystery why Coors shelled out big money to bring Blue Moon under its umbrella.

So please don’t make fun of me too much for liking Blue Moon. I promise you, my preference for the beer goes beyond its fruity and refreshing taste. Don’t Blink.

My Tolerance for Social Media Political Posts

Posted on July 25, 2016 by brent

You are going to think I am either crazy or sarcastic but this is an honest statement: I actually enjoy reading political rants of my friends on Facebook. Many folks will post a status describing how they dislike political chatter and will block or “unfriend” people who engage in it. With the presidential race heating up and with us in the middle of the two conventions there is no shortage of posts centering on politics. This has ruffled the feathers of many.

But like I said, I don’t mind it. By viewing these statuses I learn a lot about my friends and acquaintances. I find out their views, their thought process, and their mental health. Politics is a complex subject. Several times I have stumbled across status updates of friends I didn’t even know cared an iota about the topic. To then hear them write about it usually tells me more about them than I had known before.

Of course I prefer the more eloquent and polite posts but I also get a sense of satisfaction out of the more “passionate” variety as well. However, whereas my friends who try to post with civility usually educate me on political issues, the ones who blow off steam just entertain me. Nothing makes me smile more than when I see people go off the deep end and air out their political grievances with an excess of exclamation points and a sprinkling of curse words.

However, just don’t go off your rocker so much that you say something as blasphemous as threatening to leave the country if a certain candidate gets elected. I don’t like that.

But besides that extreme example, rant away! Please know though that I care about your own words. Don’t prove your point to me by littering my timeline with links to articles written by far, far, far left/right leaning organizations. It is garbage.

Whether you are a Democrat, Republican, Independent, etc. you are more than welcome to sound off if you are a social media friend of mine! As I try to educate myself for the upcoming election, I will take time to read what you have to say. Don’t Blink.

Don't Blink

By Brent Reser

Category Archives: Uncategorized