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Engaging in Everett

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After the successful and educational WSU System Communicators Conference last October in Vancouver, it didn’t take long for us to do it again. Today we wrapped up our 2023 conference in Everett. Once again, marketers and communicators from across the WSU system came together to discuss our work, learn from each other, and look ahead to the future. This time we got to do it on the WSU Everett campus!

Our latest WSU System Communicators Conference took place on the WSU Everett campus (image courtesy of WSU Photo Services).

I wanted to share some highlights and themes from our time in the Puget Sound…

Travel Partner – I traveled with my colleague and friend Cara Hoag. We were supposed to take a motor pool car but a scheduling mistake meant that we had to take my personal vehicle at the last minute. Cara, our enrollment management marketing director, took it all in stride as we had smooth travel, lively conversation, and plenty of caffeine to/from Everett.

Cara and I spent a lot of time in the car together. She made the travel time go by quick!

Special Visitor – How do you make a WSU conference stand out? You have the top university leader make an appearance! Kirk Schulz, our WSU president, made the trip to Everett to talk to our group. He thanked us for our work, expressed his goals for our marketing efforts, and even fielded questions. It was really cool to have him in-person in such an intimate setting.

It was a privilege to listen to WSU President Kirk Schulz speak to our group.

Brains Behind the Agency – The leadership team I am part of within University Marketing and Communications is working with a newly hired and highly touted marketing agency called BVK. This agency is going to help us do BIG things. We were fortunate that Vince Kalt, BVK’s senior vice president, underscored this enthusiasm by presenting to all the marketers and communicators at the conference. In a series of three different talks, Vince gave an introduction to BVK’s services/philosophies and shared some research that his agency has already completed regarding WSU. The sky is the limit for us!

Vince Kalt flew to Everett to share how BVK will greatly benefit WSU.

Updates From Phil – Our University Marketing and Communications vice president, Phil Weiler, was the glue throughout the conference. Not only did he serve as the emcee and keep the itinerary on track but he presented as well. Phil gave updates on the work our department is doing, discussed a specific communication model, and even hosted an icebreaker event on the first night.

Thanks to Phil for keeping the conference on track and for presenting!

Campus Tour – After lunch on Tuesday, we were treated to an in-depth tour of the WSU Everett campus. WSU program coordinator Brandon Buckingham took us around the main campus building as he showed us the innovative labs, impressive classrooms, creative art, and student-focused features that define the campus. After seeing so many photos and videos of WSU Everett over the past three years, it was nice to actually view it all in-person.

Brandon Buckingham was a superb tour guide. It was nice to finally visit the WSU Everett campus.

Work Project – Tuesday also allowed us to complete the filming of a video project. My social team and our video team are working on a “Best-Kept Summer Secrets” video that includes all WSU campuses. WSU Everett was the last campus we needed to film so my colleague Kara Billington (videographer) and I worked with a couple students to highlight their student center. It was enjoyable to take a break from the presentation grind and engage with a couple of enthusiastic and high-energy WSU Everett students.

Kara Billington and I were able to film with WSU Everett students for a system video project we are working on.

Communication and Mental Health – We were so fortunate that Erin Carroll, the marketing and communications director of Student Affairs, presented on a topic that many of us feel nervous and unworthy to champion within our jobs. You see, the tendency is easy to either neglect communicating about mental health entirely OR to address it in a stigmatizing, out of touch way. Erin’s expertise was much needed and appreciated as she encouraged us to normalize the topic. My favorite part of her presentation was her challenge to be more thoughtful about the images we use within stories and social media posts that relate to mental health. Erin sure was impressive!

Erin Carroll provided us with invaluable knowledge and knocked it out of the park during her presentation about communication and mental health.

The Fun Breakout 😉 – During the afternoon on Tuesday, three breakout sessions were offered. I naturally attended the one about social media. Matt Haugen, our social media manager within University Marketing and Communications, presented on content development and the hierarchy/ecosystem of social media at WSU. I was proud that Matt represented our team and I enjoyed listening to others in the session talk about their triumphs/successes with social.

Thanks to Matt Haugen for representing our University Marketing and Communications social media team!

Debrief – This morning we had the opportunity to bring it all together. We broke into small groups and chatted about what we had learned at the conference and how we can apply it moving forward. We also shared the tools we are using to make us more efficient at our jobs. The honest discussion made me feel so proud to be part of our central strategic communications team as the progress we have made under the leadership of Holly Sitzmann was highlighted.

Chantell Cosner provided a recommendation of Asana, a work management platform, to our group.

Community – At a conference like this, you can learn a lot and grow professionally. However, I prioritize the opportunities to build and solidify relationships. You can’t put a value on going out to dinner with a fun group, connecting with a new employee, or sitting down in-person with a colleague you have only interacted with via Zoom. I feel lucky to have had these experiences during my three days in Everett.

When you are visiting a beautiful city like Everett, it makes connecting with colleagues even more fulfilling. I took this photo of an Everett sunset on Tuesday night.

Big thanks to our University Marketing and Communications staff, especially Amanda Beardslee and Maria Anguiano, who organized many of the logistics for this conference. Much gratitude to Corrie Wilder, the WSU Everett marketing and communications director, for hosting us. Finally, kudos to the planning committee and presenters who made sure we had a content-rich conference. I look forward to our next all-system in-person meeting in May when we will all converge in Pullman. Don’t Blink.

My Nerdy Hotel Preferences

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When it comes to a hotel, I think a lot of us take note of a few common things before making a reservation. What is the continental breakfast like? Does it have a pool? Is the fitness center decent? What about parking?

All of these are important amenities that I pay attention to. However, there is a handful of intangibles that a nerd like myself values more than most. So, if I was to build a hotel, here are five things that each room would come equipped with…

As you will see, my hotel room preferences get about as bougie as wanting a desk.

Powerful Shower Head – It’s all about the pressure. My hotel room could have a walk-in shower with eight different types of body wash but if the water comes out in a trickle I am going to critically mention it in my Google Review. I love a shower head that exerts water at such a forceful rate that you can’t help but feel that you are getting really clean.

Desk – I am a journaler who needs a suitable hard surface to write. A sturdy and spacious desk is much appreciated and utilized by me. It also becomes my dumping ground for my wallet, room key, spare change, and other miscellaneous pocket items. In the current hospitality climate of “less is more” in hotel rooms, it isn’t surprising to walk into a desk-less room. That makes me cranky.

Complimentary Bottled Water – Sorry if I sound stuck up, but I am not a big fan of hotel bathroom sink tap water. At the other end of the spectrum, I am not grabbing the bottled water that has a $5 price tag wrapped around it. I always feel so grateful to the hotels that do leave complimentary bottles of water for guests inside the room. I can’t sleep without water at my bedside and I naturally prefer the kind that doesn’t taste like chlorine and comes in a bottle that I don’t have to pay an arm and a leg for.

Pen and Paper – I go through pens like crazy so I always geek out when the hotel has a couple waiting for me when I walk in. I use the hotel branded paper to write notes of thanks to housekeeping and then I bring the remaining pad home to my children as a souvenir (yes, call me cheap).

Sink and Mirror in the Bathroom – This is me being a little high maintenance, but I strongly believe that the bathroom sink and bathroom mirror should actually be located in the BATHROOM.

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I don’t need an omelette bar or an infinity pool, I just need a couple pens and some water pressure. Do you have any hotel room preferences? Don’t Blink.

Face Plant!

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It was a nasty spill.

On Saturday morning, I took Sloan and Beau to Millwood Park, a relatively quiet area with a playground, tennis/basketball courts, a wading pool, and a splash pad tucked away in a corner near the intersection of Trent and Argonne. I didn’t dress my kids in swim gear but that didn’t stop them from gravitating straight to the splash pad.

A game soon developed. Sloan or Beau would press the censor button in the middle of the splash pad and they would run as fast as they could to clear the pad and enter the grass before the gushing water could drench them. Before you knew it, three other kids had joined and everyone seemed to be having fun. That was until Beau tripped before he could make it off the splash pad and face planted right on the cement.

Beau and Sloan would activate the splash pad censor and would run off the cement before the water would gush out.

As a parent, it was one of those things you see in slow motion. The moment his face met the concrete, I dashed over to him and picked him up. I immediately examined his mouth. His top gums were bleeding but thankfully his teeth were all there. I began to clean his mouth as a mom gave me some wipes and Sloan ran to our car, retrieved an old cup, and filled it with drinking fountain water. I then took note of his other wounds. He was scuffed up on his nose, above his lip, and on his chin. Although hysterical at first, he calmed down after about five minutes and was back to playing the same game again. In fact, Sloan was more spooked than her wounded younger brother.

The fall left Beau scuffed up and bruised.

Beau’s face was in a pretty sorry state that whole day and it looked even worse when he woke up the next day. Let me tell you, it made going to mass very interesting. Which brings me to the three things parents deal with after a child is scuffed up.

1. Sympathy for their child – Beau looked like a boxer that got knocked out in the last round. Seeing his handsome face all bruised and the pain that accompanied his transformed mug made me feel really bad for him.

2. Hope for a speedy recovery – Just a couple days removed from his incident, I am crossing my fingers that his face heals—and hopefully quickly! He already has scarring from another bloody incident a couple years ago and the last thing I want are more “battle wounds.”

3. Fear of accusations – Every parent jokes about CPS coming after them when their child has a visible wound. With Beau’s hideous scuffs, I could only hope that good-intentioned people wouldn’t jump to any conclusions when we unapologetically allowed him to still show his face (pun intended) in public after the incident.

Watch for an update on the healing of Beau’s face in a future Thursday Rundown. Don’t Blink.

Summer Honey Thursday Rundown

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Before I address the present, let me quickly look back on the past. The month of May in Spokane was gorgeous! In terms of weather, I don’t know if I remember a nicer May at any other time in my life. Alright, as we hop into my latest Thursday Rundown, let’s hope the perfect temperatures and sunny skies continue in June…

Ready For June – Speaking of June, this month is going to be bananas (in a good way)! Weddings, business trips, special visitors, end-of-school, Hoopfest, Catholic Summer Camp, and much more await our family. I don’t necessarily know if that means I will have even more to write about or if it means I will be writing less because we will be so busy but please stick around to find out.

My team will look a little different this year, but I will be back on the streets of Spokane later this month for my second consecutive Hoopfest.

Chicks – Last week, one of Beau’s daycare teachers brought in some of her chicks for the kids to hold. The pictures turned out so cute but I was drawn to something profound the teacher said when writing about how the kids reacted to the animals: They were incredibly loving and gentle toward the chicks. It was so much fun and made my heart so warm to see these children with something smaller and more delicate than even they are. That last sentence made me feel a special type of way.

Beau holding a chick that was brought to daycare last week.

Sign of Summer – That familiar tune could be heard in our neighborhood last night as the ice cream truck went up and down our streets for the first time this season. Of course Sloan couldn’t resist as she got a Jelly Belly-branded snow cone. The driver made every indication that she will be back so I will have to lay down some limitations on how many times we are going to give her our business this year…moderation is key. Believe it or not, a half decade ago I wrote about my top five favorite ice cream truck treats.

Sloan and her friends look at the ice cream truck’s menu.

Beer Purchase – In my previous Thursday Rundown, I mentioned that even though I had a Total Wine gift card it would definitely not be used on wine. Instead, I was excited to spend it on the large inventory of beer that the chain carries. After much deliberation last Saturday, I splurged on Summer Honey, a seasonal ale made by Missoula’s own Big Sky Brewing Co. When I lived in Montana this was a favorite brew of mine and when I cracked open a can several days ago it sure tasted like summer.

I love the Summer Honey cans! I enjoyed this in our backyard over the Memorial Day weekend.

Beef – I recently concluded watching the Netflix series “Beef.” I found the 10 episodes to be entertaining and clever. The series revolves around a single event at the very beginning of the first episode that ultimately intertwines two unlikely characters in an out of control rivalry. The show is meant to be funny but it deals with some very heavy themes. I thought the character development was great and if you have already watched “Beef” you might agree or disagree with me that cousin Isaac was the funniest and most engaging member of the cast. A good thing about “Beef” is that it is extremely easy to watch/follow and episodes are usually only 34 minutes long.

I thought “Beef” was a pretty decent show.

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Have a good June, everyone. Please pray for our friends Dylan and Fidela as they get married this weekend. We can’t wait to watch them enter into holy matrimony on Saturday. Don’t Blink.

Exceeding Expectations: Richard Green

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Over the course of a career, we can only hope that we will have the opportunity to work with individuals who positively stand out. I am talking about people who set the bar high and then somehow continue to vault over it.

While at Coastal Carolina University, I had the good fortune of working with Richard Green. Hired as our digital journalist within University Marketing and Communication, Richard was tasked with covering the daily news happenings and developments of CCU. Little did I know that he would take “daily” quite literally.

Richard Green with CCU President Michael Benson.

Call him a work horse, a grinder, a phenom or my personal preference—a machine—and you should have a pretty good idea of Richard’s work ethic. To put it mildly, it was off the charts. I have never met someone in my professional career who could turnaround such quality work at a mind-boggling rate. Give Richard an assignment in the morning and by the end of the day he would have the footage shot, interviews recorded, voiceover written, closed caption file developed, video edited, and final product ready to go.

I imagine his news background played a role in his incredible productivity but in an industry like higher education where everything moves slower, Richard refused to conform. Instead, he doubled down on getting shit done. Richard was EVERYWHERE doing EVERYTHING to tell the story of CCU. He cranked out video after video as he spent many long hours on campus.

From covering major CCU events to spotlighting the people of Teal Nation to developing superb packages on the institution’s accomplishments, Richard Green was probably one of the best things that happened to Coastal Carolina University in the past decade and I am 100% sincere in saying that.

Richard was also a social media manager’s best friend. He provided constant video content optimized to succeed on the various social platforms. Before sending videos my way he would always stop by my office to brief me on what he was sending and would then follow up to make sure I had everything that I needed. Relevance and timeliness are two crucial elements of successful social media videos and Richard infused all his work with both.

It is extremely tough to identify my favorite piece from Richard’s vast video vault because his work is so excellent and there is soooo much to choose from. However, if forced to choose something, I would point to a series that he actually produced after I had left CCU. With the pandemic threatening the very fabric of higher education, Richard chronicled Coastal Carolina University’s efforts to deliver an in-person education in a safe and meaningful manner. Titled Coastal Comeback, the series contained a staggering 36 videos and covered absolutely everything about the college experience from campus recreation to housing to technology to programming and so much more. What an invaluable contribution during such a difficult time!

Today is Richard’s last day at Coastal Carolina University. It is now time for him to enjoy a well-deserved retirement. When I left CCU, I wrote a farewell blog post that described Richard as a “consummate professional.” But to be honest, he is much more than a rockstar employee—he is a fabulous person. I am thankful that our tenures at CCU overlapped by a couple years and I wish Richard nothing but the best in this next stage of his life. Don’t Blink.

Observations About Sloan’s First Froyo Experience

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For months now, Sloan has asked if we could stop at a froyo place we pass every day after school. Yesterday, it just so happened that the Memorial Day holiday combined with the hot temperatures proved to be the perfect time to go. So, Sloan and Beau hopped in my car and we drove to Froyo Earth in the Spokane Valley.

Most of you probably didn’t know that about a decade ago I was a froyo connoisseur. Although I am no longer an expert on the frozen yogurt scene, you probably aren’t surprised that I have some observations from yesterday’s experience…

Yesterday, we visited the Froyo Earth location in the Spokane Valley.

Kids choose weird flavors. Sloan opted for the dynamic and agreeable froyo combination of cake batter and watermelon sorbet.

Kids choose even weirder toppings. To go on top of her exquisitely paired flavors, she chose peach sugar rings, boba pearls, and marshmallows.

Sloan putting peach rings on her froyo.

Fun and games. It was something along the lines of “Monday Guess Day” where you could guess the weight of your froyo at the scale. Those who correctly guessed to the nearest ounce received their treat for free. My estimate was seven ounces over.

Pricey. Sloan and I each grabbed the smallest cup and filled it with a modest amount of ice cream but the bill was still more than $12.

But what about Beau? Our 3-year-old was so exhausted with our day that included stops at three parks and water toy fun in our backyard that he slept in my arms the entire time we were in Froyo Earth.

You Gotta Be Kidding. A month after I wrote my passionate post about the absurdity of current tip culture, I was flipped a tip screen for our $12 bill…at a froyo shop. Yes, the froyo shop where I did everything myself to help a giddy 6-year-old girl fill her cup while I tried to fill my own at the same time that I held a toddler in my arm.

Almost worth it. Hats off to Froyo Earth, our frozen yogurt was delicious. Texture was on-point, the flavor was strong, and the toppings fresh. But for $12 should I have expected anything less?

On second thought… Maybe I am being too much of a scrooge. The visit was in fact worth it because Sloan was on the moon. She loved her froyo as she ate every bite with a smile while constantly saying, “This is the best day ever!”

Sloan had such a cool time at Froyo Earth that it made the price and tip solicitation worth it.

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I had the urge to go through the yogurt line again but thankfully self-control and financial responsibility won out. Through the positives and negatives of the experience, the ultimate silver lining was that Sloan had a special time. Don’t Blink.

Wrapping Up the 2023 T-Ball Season

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Sloan concluded her 2023 Spokane Indians Youth Baseball (SIYB) t-ball season last week. Her second season playing “ball” was a little different than her first so I thought I would chronicle the five themes unique to her time with the Red Pandas. Let’s do it…

“Friendly” Team – Last year was special because Sloan played with her cousin. But to make the arrangement work, we had to drive far up north for every practice and game. This year we decided to stay closer to the Spokane Valley and because of that Sloan landed on a team with a lot of her friends from school. Five of Sloan’s Red Panda teammates are in her Kindergarten class which made things a lot of fun.

Sloan and her teammate/friend/classmate Aminah posed for buddy photos during team pictures.

Fans – Besides Sid, Beau, and I cheering on Sloan each game, she had other special fans show up at the ball field as well. My parents alternated between my nephew’s games and Sloan’s games which allowed them to catch half of her schedule. My brother also came out to support his niece and play a little catch. For the last game, our family friend, Kailey, came out to surprise Sloan. It was great to have so many people cheering our ball player on.

Sloan had special fans come out to watch her play this season.

First Base Coach – I was delighted when Coach Bob asked me to coach first base for the Red Pandas. This opportunity allowed me to get to know each kid on the team pretty well. Trust me, the many conversations I had with the players when they reached first base were priceless. Although the interaction I had with the children was the best part, I also enjoyed offering encouragement, exchanging high fives, and providing base path instruction.

That’s me coaching first as Sloan rounds the base.

Hardware – Playing for the Red Pandas resulted in Sloan earning her first ever trophy. Sure, it was a participation trophy but it definitely made her feel special to receive it. The trophy is currently proudly displayed in a prominent spot in her room.

Sloan holds her t-ball trophy at the Pizza Hut team party as Beau manages to get in the photo.

Fantastic Coaches – We were extremely lucky to have Coach Bob and Coach Shauna lead the team. They approached the season with plenty of organization, enthusiasm, and patience. They did so many special “extras” such as putting the names of the kids on the back of their jerseys, bringing water to every practice/game, buying the team trophies, throwing an end-of-season pizza party, and more. They injected an abundance of positive energy to the Red Pandas!

Coach Bob and Coach Shauna did such a great job with the team!

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Congrats to Sloan for taking her t-ball commitment seriously by making every practice and game. We really enjoyed watching her play but will appreciate having a couple days back in the week 😊 Don’t Blink.

Happy 12th Ordination Anniversary, Fr. Jeff

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It is a date that Sidney and I now celebrate just like family birthdays and our wedding anniversary. When May 26 rolls around we immediately recognize it for one reason: The ordination anniversary of our pastor, Fr. Jeff Lewis.

Today, Friday, May 26, 2023, Fr. Jeff Lewis celebrates his 12th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. Earlier this week we got a head start on the celebrating as we recognized his anniversary at our Engaged Encounter meeting.

Today marks the 12th anniversary of when Fr. Jeff was ordained to the priesthood. We are proud to say we have known “Papa J” for almost a quarter of those dozen years.

During the nearly three years we have known Fr. Jeff, he has helped get us involved in different ministries. One of those is St. Mary’s marriage prep Pre-Cana program where we get the opportunity to mentor engaged couples. This photo is of Sid, Fr. Jeff. and I with Sarah and Brendan–a couple we mentored who will get married in July.

The first time we walked through the doors of St. Mary Catholic Church, Fr. Jeff greeted us immediately. After some small talk he asked us where we lived in the Spokane Valley. We told him the area where we had recently settled and even though we were on the wrong side of Pines Road and thus outside the parish lines, Fr. Jeff laughed and said, “It’s okay, you’re welcome here anyway…just don’t tell Fr. Kevin” (Fr. Kevin Oiland is the pastor of St. John Vianney Parish, the Catholic community we technically should have attended based on geography).

Fr. Jeff and Fr. Kevin Oiland started a Young Adult Group for Spokane Valley Catholics. It launched 2.5 years ago and because of the time and energy that Fr. Jeff and Fr. Kevin devoted to it, our group continues to grow and thrive. This effort by the two priests really helped Sidney and I find friends and grow in our faith upon moving to Washington.

Fr. Jeff was exactly what we needed after our cross country move and Sidney’s recent conversion to Catholicism. We joined his Young Adult Group that he started with Fr. Kevin and from there he kept getting us more and more involved in other ministries—both at the parish and diocesan levels. Just a text message away, Fr. Jeff has always been there for us. Whether we have needed him for the sacraments, a house blessing, prayer support, his presence at retreats/events, a Hoopfest sponsorship, or a host of other things, he continues to be that constant rock in our daily drive to grow closer to God.

Fr. Jeff Lewis with us at our house blessing.

We admire Fr. Jeff for his faith, self-deprecating sense of humor, and the insane schedule he maintains. Sidney and I are grateful for how much he cares about St. Mary School and its mission to deliver the best Catholic education possible. Speaking of children, it warms our hearts how he always makes time for Sloan and Beau, effortlessly connecting with them no matter the situation. I am inspired by his ambitious goals for evangelization, his commitment to his parishioners, and his love/defense of the Catholic Church.

Fr. Jeff has a genuine love for children…and the relationship is reciprocal! You should see how excited Sloan and Beau get when they see Fr. Jeff.

In my life, I have never had a priest as invested in me as Fr. Jeff. Because of this, I can only say Thanks Be To God. Let us pray that impactful and holy priests like Fr. Jeff Lewis continue to be invigorated by their vocation. Happy anniversary to our very special pastor. Don’t Blink.

Wine Thursday Rundown

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Hello again friends. I know I always act surprised when a new month is around the corner, but can you believe that next week’s Thursday Rundown will be published in June? But for the time being let’s not worry about next month and instead focus on this month with tonight’s rundown. Here are five topics…

National Wine Day – Happy National Wine Day to all my wine connoisseur friends who enjoy nothing more than curling up on the couch with a glass (or two). However, you won’t find me celebrating. I have been pretty vocal about my distaste for wine, going as far as to include it on my famous The Drinks I Hate list. I find wine too complicated for a simple dude like myself. I like my drinks to be refreshing and wine is definitely not a beverage you drink to satisfy your thirst. I admit it, when it comes to this “holiday” I am a scrooge.

I received a Total Wine gift card for Christmas and I love the store! But I won’t be using it to buy wine 😉

Lilac Parade – Last Saturday, I took the kids to Spokane’s Armed Forces Torchlight Lilac Parade. The day set a city record for hottest May 20 ever which boded well for a night parade. We met my sister and her children for the event that features floats, military personnel/vehicles, and high school bands. After taking Sloan to last year’s parade, Beau got to experience it for the first time this go-around. Everyone had a blast and the kids had no problem returning to the house at 11 p.m.

Beau and Sloan at the 2023 Lilac Parade on Saturday night.

A Man Called Otto – Sidney and I recently watched “A Man Called Otto” on Netflix. Starring Tom Hanks, the film originated in theaters but is now available to stream. The whole time I watched it, I couldn’t help but think this just an updated version of Gran Torino. Not saying that is a bad thing because I thought “Gran Torino” was an awesome movie and I felt the same way about “A Man Called Otto.” Tom Hanks plays a bitter aging man who is eventually able to make peace with the world because of some people who come into his life. Hanks is great in the film and I would 100% recommend it if you are looking for a movie to watch with your spouse this Memorial Day weekend.

Sidney and I enjoyed watching “A Man Called Otto.”

Spirit Week – St. Mary School just wrapped up Spirit Week. It started with Mismatch/Crazy Hair Day on Monday, Career Day on Tuesday, Sports Day on Wednesday, and concluded with Decade Day today. Sloan participated each day and enjoyed the opportunity to take a break from wearing her uniform.

Sloan on Mismatch/Crazy Hair Day of Spirit Week at St. Mary School.

Classic Chinese Restaurant Experience – There is nothing better than an excellent outing at the local Chinese restaurant. Last Friday night we ate at the Dragon Inn on Sprague in Spokane for the first time. It had everything from a marquee with an inspiring message to a fountain with a dragon emerging from it to a yummy sweet and sour sauce. Did it stand out enough for us to go out of our way to visit again soon? No, but if we are ever in the area and hungry we will definitely consider walking through the doors.

We had a decent experience at Dragon Inn in Spokane Valley on Sprague.

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That will wrap things up. If you enjoyed this blog post with a glass of wine, more power to you! Stay safe out there and let’s pray for kindness and civility in our country. Don’t Blink.

Same Name

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My mom tells the following story whenever the opportunity presents itself. When I was just a little older than Beau, my dad and I walked over to our next door neighbor’s house. When we arrived, our neighbor had a contractor over. Upon my dad meeting him, he excitedly told me that his name was “Brent” too.

I didn’t share my dad’s enthusiasm.

A meltdown ensued as I demanded he change his name because there could only be one “Brent” in the world. Never mind the fact that he had the name first, I was predestined to be the sole Brent to walk the planet. My tantrum was intense.

Last night at Sloan’s t-ball game, Beau played with the son of a fellow team parent. This little boy was also 3 years old, born in February, and…(drum roll)…named “Beau.” It was the first time that Beau had hung out with someone who shared his name. And, no, he did not suffer a breakdown like his daddy did 30+ years before him.

We did chat with the parent about names and identities. To us, Beau is Beau (if that makes sense). He encapsulates the name in our minds. For another little boy to also have the name does feel a tad bit strange.

Beau is a Beau to us.

I think this is just another illustration of how humans are self-absorbed creatures. Names are such a central part of our identity that it can be hard to go beyond that and realize that other people share it as well—whether it be our own name or that of our toddler.

Instead, we need to frame shared names as a special connection with the person or people who also have it bestowed on them. We need to celebrate the other person for also having good taste, right? I think for the most part we embrace this but sometimes it is harder to grasp for ornery little boys and parents (like Sid and I) who hold their children as the center of their world. Don’t Blink.