Weddings Are About Family

Posted on June 20, 2016 by brent

Most of you know that I am a big family guy. Having lived in a different state from my parents and siblings since I was 18, you learn to appreciate them more. This appreciation grew even greater a couple years ago when the distance between us went from just a “different state” to a “different coast.”

Needless to say, I was beyond thrilled to welcome my family to Myrtle Beach for our wedding week. Loved ones would trickle in throughout those days. It all started when my parents and brother landed here in town on Monday morning and ended when my aunt and cousin drove in during the middle of the night on Friday after landing in Charleston.

My dad and I hanging out in the condo.

My parents rented a big condo in a popular area of Myrtle Beach. Well, it seemed big on Monday. The three bedroom unit was spacious at the start of the week but by the time Friday rolled around, my parents and brother had welcomed several other people into their quarters. At its peak occupancy over the weekend, the condo had 11 people sleeping under the roof.

This was the outside of the condo building that my family stayed in.

And it was so awesome.

The place was stocked with food and drinks. A cozy patio provided a great gathering place with a perfect view. Couches and chairs provided plenty of seating inside. The condo owner had the place decorated in a way that gave it a nice beach feel. Speaking of the beach, it was just five minutes away. So was our house, Broadway at the Beach, and the church we got married at.

Some of the fine ladies who traveled to Myrtle Beach who stayed in the condo (photo credit to Jay).

Some of the fine ladies who traveled to Myrtle Beach standing in the condo (photo credit to Jay).

However, the amenities and location wasn’t the big reason why it was so spectacular. Rather, it was because we were all together. Like I said, 11 people slept there. Combine that with Sidney and I plus other visitors and that place was rocking. We watched the NBA Finals, played Phase 10, enjoyed drinks, and just hung out. It was the Reser Family Headquarters and we loved it.

A group of us playing Phase 10 out on the condo porch area (photo credit to Jay).

Of course it wasn’t just about one family. When the condo was empty, it was because the Resers and the Mathis clan were hanging out together. On Thursday night, Sidney’s sisters hosted a big picnic dinner. Chicken bog was served, corn hole was played, and a beautiful South Carolina evening was enjoyed. Our two families got to know each other and everyone was able to put names to faces. The same thing happened the next night with the rehearsal dinner. By the wedding and the reception, relationships were made and the fact that the two families would forever be connected was appreciated and embraced.

This line of shoes right inside the condo helps to show the amount of people who stayed under that roof (photo credit to Nancy).

So many memories were made over the week and weekend. Whenever I drive by the Myrtlewood condo area, I will always remember the fabulous time we all had. Whenever I am in the backyard of Sidney’s sister, I will always have a glimpse in my head of when it was filled with a bunch of different people celebrating the start of our marriage.

It was so nice having family in Myrtle Beach. On our wedding night, Sid and I played putt putt with this fun group!

Thank you to Miranda, Jay, Zella, Mikayla, Glen, Ashley, Nancy, Abby, Cody, and of course my parents for making that condo experience so much fun. Also, thanks to Sidney, Kenny, Barb, and Denny for taking time to stop by and add even more joy within those walls. The #SidAndBrent wedding would not have been so sweet without the support and enthusiasm of our families and friends. We are blessed. Don’t Blink.

Back As a Married Man

Posted on June 19, 2016 by brent

What a two weeks it has been.

I took the longest break from Don’t Blink since I started it five years ago to take care of some serious business: I got married.

With the nuptials came the arrival of family, the occurrence of wedding week activities, the final mad dash to get everything ready for the big day, the honeymoon, and much more. I elected not to write during this period so I could fully participate in these once-in-a-lifetime events without trying to carve out time to compose 700-word posts. It was well worth it.

Since I last wrote, I have become a husband and a son-in-law. I have added a niece, a nephew, and a couple of sisters-in-law. Our Reser family name now includes an additional person. My bachelor status that lasted me almost three decades is no longer.

I became a husband when I married Sidney on June 11.

If you follow me on social media, you weren’t kept in the dark. Throughout the past 14 days I posted content from the memorable marital ride Sidney and I went on. However, if you aren’t connected with me via social networks or if you just crave the detail that blog posts delve into, let me catch you up…

I enjoyed the best time of my life.

When you experience the highlights of your time on earth it is tough, if not impossible, to write about it all in a single blog post. With that said, I am not going to try to attempt it. Instead, I will take the next week or so to write a series of blog posts that will chronicle various aspects of the #SidAndBrent adventure. I will fill you in on a variety of topics including the week leading up to our big day, the wedding itself, our honeymoon, and more. Read the ones you want, skip the posts that bore you.

Until then, this blog post is just to say that it was a blessed past couple of weeks and that my wife and I are doing great. Sidney and I arrived back in Myrtle Beach today and we are ready to fully start our married life together. Thanks for the tremendous support we have received from so many of you! We will talk more in the coming days. Don’t Blink.

The #SidAndBrent Wedding Timeline

Posted on June 5, 2016 by brent

When Sidney and I became engaged last June, I quickly became acquainted with wedding magazines. After I popped the question, Sid and I flew to Spokane the next day. For the long flight and the two week trip, she loaded up on a variety of matrimonial magazines. I became familiar with the layout and features of these publications.

One mainstay of any wedding magazine is a monthly or weekly timeline. The pages will tell you how far along you should be in the planning process at eight months, six months, two months, etc.

Recently I realized I essentially had created my own wedding timeline over the past year. For most of the weeks over the last 12 months, I have given a weekly “Wedding Update” in my Thursday Rundown blog posts. The idea occurred to me that perhaps I should lay out all of these updates in one grand blog post. With the start of our wedding week tomorrow combined with the fact that I wrote my last Thursday Rundown (and thus last Wedding Update) a few days ago, now is the perfect time.

Starting with the first update I wrote and ending with the 37th one I wrote, I give you the #SidAndBrent Wedding Planning Timeline.

Wedding Update #1 (July 9, 2015) – Sidney and I met with a representative from St. Andrew Catholic Church yesterday to begin preparation for our big day next June. We are excited to start the journey that will help us grow as a couple and lead us to the altar in 11 months. In related news, by next week we will have a specific date selected.

Wedding Update #2 (July 16, 2015) – Today at our second marriage meeting we expressed the date we want for our wedding and submitted it for approval by the priest! Also related to our wedding, I am amazed at the amount of planning that Sidney and her mom have already devoted to the big day. Although we won’t say our vows for another 11 months, important things still need to be done this early in the game. Shout out to my fiancé for picking out her dress this week!

Wedding Update #3 (July 23, 2015) – It is official! Sidney and I were granted our first choice for our wedding date. On June 11, 2016, we will become a married couple. This past Friday, the pastoral associate at St. Andrew called me with the good news. We can’t wait!

Wedding Update #4 (July 30, 2015) – Sidney and her mom have done such a great job wasting no time at all getting things squared away for our June 11 date. Our reception venue, caterer, and photographer are now all booked. As all of these developments became official late last week, it has allowed Sidney to relax a little bit more this week. She deserves it!

Wedding Update #5 (August 6, 2015) – This is a big development…Sidney has selected her dress! Actually, she has had it picked out for a few weeks now. But do you know what she is waiting on?! Tax Free Weekend!! The purchase, minus the sales tax, will be made this weekend.

Wedding Update #6 (August 13, 2015) – I have a couple informative updates from this front. First, if you look at a countdown clock, we are now at single digits month-wise until our big day. On Tuesday it was exactly 10 months until our wedding. Now we are at 9 months and 29 days! Also, my parents booked a beach house for the week of my wedding. Technically it is a three-bedroom condo but this news got me really excited. It makes me feel good that my parents and other family members will have the opportunity to come down to Myrtle Beach and have a memorable vacation while staying in a nice place.

Wedding Update #7 (August 20, 2015) – You can now check wedding invitations off the list! Sidney and I decided upon our design last week. From the Reser family front, my mom and dad explained details of the trip to Myrtle Beach with other immediate family members over dinner last night. My mom also went dress shopping at Nordstrom and I hear she found something that she liked.

Wedding Update #8 (August 27, 2015) – I am told this one is a big deal…Sidney has picked out the bridesmaid dresses! Hopefully she doesn’t make me wear one. In other news, earlier this week my parents went ahead and bought airfare for the big wedding week!

Wedding Update #9 (September 10, 2015) – The biggest update I have for you is that tomorrow it will be exactly NINE MONTHS until Sidney and I tie the knot. Also, the flower girl dress that Sidney’s beautiful niece will wear has been picked out. For those in Myrtle Beach who have an idea of the area, we will be having our reception at Waterway Palms Plantation.

Wedding Update #10 (September 24, 2015) – Our beautiful flower girl, Russell, now has her dress! Also, our Pre-Cana classes start October 13. In case you are wondering, just 261 days remain until our big day!

Look how pretty Russell looks in that dress!

Wedding Update #11 (October 15, 2015) – This past Tuesday, Sidney and I had our first Pre-Cana class. We have an absolutely wonderful sponsor couple who welcomes us into their home for these classes. Tuesday we talked a lot about our families and how they have influenced us to be the people we are today. Yesterday, Sidney and I went to the community center of St. Andrew where our pastor, Father James LeBlanc, discussed holy matrimony in the Catholic church. He went over marriage, divorce, and annulments in great detail. While of course we are just focused on marriage, we wanted to get an idea on specifically what the church teaches about it all. It was also a great opportunity to hear the questions of others and to personally chat with Fr. LeBlanc.

Wedding Update #12 (October 22, 2015) – Sidney and I enjoyed our second Pre-Cana class on Tuesday. We talked more about our upbringings and family traditions. It is important that two of us understand how we were raised and how that has shaped us into the people we are today. The main takeaway lesson is that we can’t focus on changing each other, rather, we need to concentrate on changing ourselves.

Wedding Update #13 (October 29, 2015) – Last night, Sidney and I attended our third Pre-Cana meeting. The past two weeks we talked mostly about family and where our influences came from. At this latest meeting, we touched on different subjects. Sex, money, and communication were prominently discussed! Don’t think it was awkward or difficult, though. As I have said before, our sponsor couple is absolutely incredible and obviously these issues are critical to a strong marriage so it is very important to talk about.

Wedding Update #14 (November 12, 2015) – We are in the process of trying to choose the venue for our rehearsal dinner. Sidney and I want to get our restaurant selected so we can make a reservation and beat out the swarm of engaged couples that will sprout up over the holidays. Best way to make a quality decision? Treat yourself to dinner at each prospective location! Last Friday we ate at Sea Captain’s House, a Myrtle Beach favorite that is on our short list. After we ate we were able to ask questions. To all my Myrtle Beach readers, Sidney and I would LOVE suggestions on other good places to consider. Keep in mind that we want a restaurant that isn’t too far from St. Andrew Catholic Church.

Also, we had our fourth Pre-Cana meeting on Tuesday. We only have one meeting left but that will be on hold next week. Why? Well, our sponsor couple is graciously having us over solely for dinner! The books will be put away as they prepare a meal for the four of us. Sid and I love our sponsor couple!

Sidney and I with our sponsor couple, Tim and Kathy McCormick.

Wedding Update #15 (December 10, 2015) – Tomorrow will be the six month countdown until Sidney and I get married! Speaking of six months, this also means that we have now been engaged for half of a year. As I mentioned a couple weeks ago, we recently finished our marriage counseling classes. Lastly, our initial choice for a rehearsal dinner venue is not going to work out so I have to figure out an alternative. But all is good!!

Wedding Update #16 (January 7, 2016) – We are now just five months out from the wedding! I have narrowed my choice of our Mexican honeymoon location to two resorts (thanks everyone for the suggestions). I hope to book by mid-month. As for the rehearsal dinner venue, I am still struggling on that front. You would think that in a town of over 1,000 restaurants it would be easier. As I mentioned in an earlier blog post, our initial desired location did not work out. On a lighter note, Sidney’s dress arrived this week!

Wedding Update #17 (January 14, 2016) – Earlier this week, Sidney put three cloths of different colors in front of me and asked which one I liked best. I picked wrong. She was showing me colors of bridesmaid dresses (unbeknownst to me at the time) and I don’t think I exactly chose what she was hoping I would. It is all good, Sidney has more intelligence than to ever take my advice on fashion anyway.

After announcing last week that we had two finalists for the resort we will stay at for our honeymoon, we decided over the weekend our ultimate choice. Booking will take place very soon.

Wedding Update #18 (January 21, 2016) – I do have a significant item to report in this latest update…I booked our honeymoon!! After much research and discussion about what we exactly wanted, Sidney and I will be staying at the Sun Palace in Cancun. We ended up booking with the Sun Palace because it is a couples only resort and it consistently appeared high on lists ranking the best hotels in Mexico. I depend on Instagram to gain honest feedback on hotels/restaurants/venues/etc. and everyone I messaged remarked that Sun Palace is nothing short of superb. Take a look for yourself if you want, we can’t wait to go!

Wedding Update #19 (January 28, 2016) – When I booked our honeymoon a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders. However, another important groom responsibility was still on my plate….a rehearsal dinner plate that is. At times it was a frustrating process trying to find a venue for our rehearsal dinner but I finally found a spot. Our wedding party will be dining at Thoroughbreds the night before the big day. Thoroughbreds is a steakhouse and seafood grille located on Kings Highway in Myrtle Beach. The restaurant is beautiful, it is close enough to church, and it can handle a group of our size. I am glad to have this selection made.

After we chose Thoroughbreds we went and ate dinner there. It was amazing.

Wedding Update #20 (February 4, 2016) – It is at that point where Sidney’s birthday is like my birthday! This past weekend we celebrated Sid’s special day with her extended family. When it came time to open up gifts, she received several items off of our registry such as dinner plates, mugs, casserole containers, and a skillet. Of course these items will be shared by both of us as we start our life together.

Wedding Update #21 (February 11, 2016) – The biggest item I have to mention in this latest update is that we are exactly four months away from the big day! That means Sidney and I are now 2/3 of the way through our engagement (I popped the question in June 2015). This past weekend my mom called Sid’s mom and they had a nice long discussion about wedding developments. The day will be here before we know it.

Wedding Update #22 (February 18, 2016) – Sidney and I met with the pastoral associate at St. Andrew yesterday. During the meeting, he gave us a book for us to make our selections in regarding the readings, prayers, responsorial psalm, etc. to be said at our wedding service. How exciting! This past Saturday, Sidney and I sat down and rounded up the final addresses we need for our wedding invitations. With under four months to go, things are really starting to heat up.

Wedding Update #23 (February 25, 2016) – Last week I mentioned that Sidney and I received the book to choose our readings/prayers for our wedding. This week we actually chose them. You see, in this book you have around 6-10 different bible passages or prayers to choose from for each reading or blessing that makes up a Catholic wedding service. The two of us decided to review the options individually and then mark down our two top choices on a separate piece of paper. We then compared our selections. For pretty much every one, we overlapped with one of our choices!

Wedding Update #24 (Marh 3, 2016) – We are now counting down from just DOUBLE DIGITS until the big day. Only 99 days remain until our wedding. Sidney sent all the invitations across the country for my dad to address. Why? Well, my dad has a thing for calligraphy. He writes in beautiful script and ever since I can remember he has had friends and co-workers ask him to “lend a hand” with their Christmas cards or documents. However, he had never received a wedding invitation request up until this point. He gracefully accepted by saying he would be honored to do it. He has already finished them off and will be sending the invites back to Sidney and her parents to mail off.

I remember well when we were 99 days away.

Wedding Update #25 (March 10, 2016) – Lots of fun things are happening! My dad mailed us back all the invites he addressed and they look beautiful. Additionally, Sidney, her mom, and I chose the type of stamp we will use (I never knew the Postal Service offered so many options!). With so much fun getting the invitations ready to go, Sidney was a little disappointed when her mom gently reminded her that we still have several weeks to go before we actually mail them out.

However, Sidney was feeling anything but disappointed when she was able to bring her wedding dress home this past Saturday! After her final fitting, the ensemble was released into her possession. Adding even more excitement to this loaded wedding update, Sidney and her mom also met with the florist we will use for that big Saturday in June. Just 92 days to go.

Wedding Update #26 (March 17, 2016) – These updates just keep getting more and more significant! This past Saturday, Sidney and I went to Jos A Bank and picked out the tuxes for me and my groomsmen. Even when it comes to details such as what the guys will wear, I still claim complete ignorance. Luckily I had Sid there to run the show and pick out what would look the best. In an additional development, Sidney’s mom received our wedding stamps yesterday. I have never had my name on postage before so I definitely think they look pretty cool.

Wedding Update #27 (March 24, 2016) – I detailed our meal at our rehearsal dinner venue earlier in the week, but I saved the most important wedding development for this update. This past Saturday, Sidney and I went to Zales in the mall and bought our wedding rings for each other. It was a nice outing and much, much easier on my wallet than the engagement ring experience. Sidney’s ring was in stock and we took it home but mine is being ordered.

Wedding Update #28 (March 31, 2016) – A couple items to report on for this update. First, Sidney went to Charleston yesterday to get her bridal portraits done. At her parents’ house there is a large framed photo of Sid’s oldest sister in her wedding gown. Pretty soon there will be one of Sidney too. Secondly, as a wedding gift my parents are paying for Sidney and I to spend our wedding night in a Myrtle Beach hotel of our choice. After some research and after determining which venues actually have vacancy (Myrtle Beach is a tourist destination after all), we have narrowed it down to two choices. A decision is expected by the end of the night.

Wedding Update #29 (April 7, 2016) – The other day, Sidney handed me the bag full of wedding invitations she had recently stuffed into envelopes. I took that bag full of invites and carefully handed it over to the lady at the post office to send out. In the next couple of days, people will start receiving the request from Sidney’s parents to attend our big day! Also, yesterday, Sidney received a call from Zale’s informing her that my wedding ring has arrived (we had to order it). It just keeps getting more and more real.

Me holding our wedding invites right before I brought them into the post office.

Wedding Update #30 (April 14, 2016) – Yesterday evening, Sidney and I met with the music director at St. Andrew Catholic Church to pick out our song selection for our wedding. We sat up in the choir loft with the director as she played different melodies for us. After about 45 minutes, we had our music picked out. It was quite fun.

Here is a look at the inside of St. Andrew Catholic Church in Myrtle Beach. I took this photo last night before our meeting with the music director.

Wedding Update #31 (April 21, 2016) – Sidney keeps telling people that the major responsibilities are taken care of. Now it is just handling the smaller things that will come up over these final 50 days. This past weekend, Sid’s mom finalized the reception dinner menu. Relatives of the bride are also now in the process of planning Sidney’s bridal shower. Little or big, each new development is exciting as we inch closer to the date.

Wedding Update #32 (April 28, 2016) – We are just 44 days away from the big date. Sidney’s bridal shower invites went out in the mail this week. Items are disappearing from our registry. My mom bought her dress. It is all very exciting and hopefully other big developments will transpire between now and my next update.

Wedding Update #33 (May 5, 2016) – I have a few things to share. Sidney received her wedding portraits back (of course I wasn’t allowed to look). Also, with the invites sent out a couple weeks ago, we recently figured out the probable number of guests we expect to have at our wedding. Finally, I was very honored when my cousin Cody accepted my invite to serve as a groomsman in my wedding party. At the last minute, an original groomsman unexpectedly said he couldn’t make the trip, sending me into crisis mode. Luckily Cody graciously answered my request and I couldn’t be happier to have him standing up front with us on our wedding day.

I received this from my parents. It is so nice to have a framed wedding invitation! Thank you to my parents.

Wedding Update #34 (May 12, 2016) – Was my month countdown post not enough yesterday? I don’t know if I have too much more to update you on but we are now officially 30 days out from the big day! This weekend, Sidney’s relatives will host her bridal shower. Also, wedding presents have started to trickle in. It is fun to watch Sidney get really excited when she opens them.

Wedding Update #35 (May 19, 2016) – Sidney had her bridal shower last weekend and in addition to the lawn mower we received some fabulous gifts. We met with the church last night to finalize our liturgy. Now, when it comes to St. Andrew (where we are getting married), we just have our meeting with the priest and the rehearsal to go before it is showtime. Also, earlier this week we narrowed our song choice for our first dance to three finalists. And, believe it or not, we just now decided on which one we will use! It is a special melody indeed. Only 23 days to go!

Wedding Update #36 (May 26, 2016) – The biggest news I have to report is that Sidney and I requested and received our marriage license! In South Carolina you have to visit the courthouse and formally apply for the license. After you pay $50 and fill out paperwork, you then must wait 24 hours until you can pick it up. I snagged it yesterday and this afternoon Sidney delivered it to the church!

In other news, the teachers at Sidney’s school threw her a special bridal party. She left work that day with a super nice vacuum. I also received a nice surprise in that my aunt and cousin will be making the trip to Myrtle Beach to enjoy the wedding festivities. We are just 16 days away from the big date!

Sidney and I outside the courthouse on the left and our wedding license on the right!

Wedding Update #37 (June 2, 2016) – What can I say, we are almost there! Sidney and I had the distinct honor of meeting with Fr. LeBlanc, the priest who will marry us on June 11. Aside from the rehearsal a week from Friday, we have now done all the prep work for the ceremony/spiritual part of our wedding. Let me say this: when it comes to marriage preparation, the Catholic Church is incredible. I don’t think we could be anymore ready for this commitment.

I talked with our DJ today and earlier this week I sent out information packets to my groomsmen. Sidney, her mom, and sisters are extremely busy doing all the necessary tasks that can really only be done a couple weeks before the wedding. This upcoming Saturday evening, Sidney will be treated to a bachelorette party. Then Monday will roll around and my family will start arriving from out west! What a blessed time it is.

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What an incredible journey it has been. I would like to thank Sidney, Brenda (Sidney’s mom), Sidney’s two sisters, my parents, Tim & Kathy McCormick, Father James LeBlanc, and Greg Allen for all they have done. Because of their efforts, June 11, 2016, will be an extremely special day. This timeline will be something that Sidney and I will be able to show our kids and maybe way down the road we will even use it for their wedding planning. Don’t Blink.

Other Blog Posts Written About Our Wedding:
The Proposal
The Best Way to Prepare for Marriage
The Proposal (Her Side)
An Excellent Rehearsal Dinner Preview
Wedding Countdown: Two Months Out
The Pre-Honeymoon

Last Thursday Rundown As a Bachelor

Posted on June 2, 2016 by brent

It is June and that means it is our WEDDING MONTH. Tonight’s Thursday Rundown will also be my final one as a bachelor. Here we go with the topics…

Ice Cream Disappointment – This past weekend, Myrtle Beach was home to Bike Week. Taking place every Memorial Day weekend, thousands of bikers come to the city to have some fun. Sidney and I decided to observe the spectacle by watching the participants go up and down the busiest street in Myrtle Beach from the back of Sidney’s vehicle. To make the experience more enjoyable, we stopped at Kirk’s Ice Cream Parlor to get a treat to enjoy while we watched the motorcycles cruise by. I couldn’t resist getting this flashy cone with birthday cake ice cream. Unfortunately, while the ice cream itself was good, the cone looked better than it tasted.

This was the ice cream cone I ate from Kirk’s Ice Cream Parlor this past Friday.

Back on the Air – Our television/web show at Coastal Carolina University, Coastal Now, came out with a new episode recently. That meant I was back on the air with my segment! In this latest show I talked about our award winning “Inside the Classroom” social media campaign. To watch me give you the low-down, just click here.

Watch my latest Social Circle segment on Coastal Carolina University’s Coastal Now program.

Interesting Dear Abby Question – Although I did find the below question interesting, I still found Abby’s answer obvious. If you and office mates or a significant other set a spending limit for a gift exchange, it means you spend as close to that amount as possible. If I have a $20 limit to buy my brother something, I am doing everything I can to make all 2,000 pennies stretch as far as possible. If you are able to buy a $20 item for $10 then buy two of that item (or use the remaining $10 on something else). In my opinion, a spending limit is based on actual money spent, not the actual retail price of something.

Although I found the question interesting, I thought the answer was very obvious.

Major Haircut Change – Most people know I pride myself on going to Great Clips for every single haircut I get. However, with my big day coming up I decided to my wedding haircut at an actual reputable salon. Yesterday I went to Madison Avenue Salon, a place right next to where I live. When I told my stylist that I usually just go to Great Clips, she responded, “I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.”

The time she took and the hair styling tools she used definitely made me realize that there is a certain difference between a place that sets a goal to cut as many heads of hair as possible in the least amount of time versus a professional salon where the goal is to actually make you look good (not that I am saying I look good by any means). Thanks to Hailey for cutting my hair!

How about a quick lunch hour selfie to show off my haircut?!

Wedding Update #35 – What can I say, we are almost there! Sidney and I had the distinct honor of meeting with Fr. LeBlanc, the priest who will marry us on June 11. Aside from the rehearsal a week from Friday, we have now done all the prep work for the ceremony/spiritual part of our wedding. Let me say this: when it comes to marriage preparation, the Catholic Church is incredible. I don’t think we could be anymore ready for this commitment.

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I will be back Sunday with a special blog post and then that could very much well do it for the next two weeks as we get married and go on our honeymoon. As always, thanks for your readership. Have a fantastic weekend. Don’t Blink.

The Best of June 1

Posted on June 1, 2016 by brent

On June 1, 2013, I did not write a blog post. It is a shame because if I did, I would have five different posts to share with you that I wrote on past dates of June 1. If you know me, I like to write in groups of five (i.e. the Thursday Rundown). However, I have to let it go…

Today I am going to look back on the four blog posts I wrote on June 1 in 2011, 2012, 2014, and 2015. I am doing this because each post is wildly different and because I really don’t have any better ideas for today. I feel my writing has improved over the years so I will start with the newest entry and work down to when I was a much greener blogger.

What Really Fascinates Me About Caitlyn Jenner (June 1, 2015) – One year ago the American public was as obsessed about the Caitlyn Jenner transformation as it is about the gorilla situation today. Both episodes have dominated the media and Facebook (and obviously blogs). I stayed out of the morality of Jenner’s move but I did write about how incredible modern science is. The fact that a doctors can successfully transition a person from a man to a woman baffles me. It amazed me then and it still amazes me now. You know what would amaze me even more? If the rumor is true that Jenner wants to transition back to Bruce (and it actually happens!),

Caitlin Jenner a year ago commanded the same amount of attention that the gorilla is getting today.

Snacking Southern Style (June 1, 2014) – I had just moved to Myrtle Beach and I wanted to try some Southern delicacies. I sampled three different popular snacks from this part of the country but the one I really want to apologize to in these few sentences is boiled peanuts. Because I bought a CAN of the Southern staple I did not give it a fair shake. Two years ago I criticized the snack but now I absolutely LOVE boiled peanuts. It did take Sidney’s homemade recipe to make me come around but I can honestly say that I can go just as overboard eating boiled peanuts as I can with regular peanuts.

Boiled peanuts and I got off on the wrong foot but now I love them!!

More Fun With Condescending Wonka (June 1, 2012) – There is no better meme than the originals. Can you believe it has been four years since Condescending Wonka was in its heyday? I got a big kick out of how sarcastic and mean Willy Wonka could be so I decided to get creative and write my own memes in the style of the Candy Man himself. I took on five different topics (blogging, sports marketing, Catholicism, the gym, and the bar) and penned my own little jokes. Full disclosure: After reading what I wrote four years ago, I actually was laughing out loud, mostly because they are just so stupid.

Four years ago, it was all about Condescending Wonka.

JACKED 4 JACK3D (June 1, 2011) – This stuff is illegal now as it rightfully should be. But five years ago it wasn’t and I was a JACK3D user. Before I would work out, I would use the supplement to make a drink and give me a major boost. In all honesty, it was an incredible product. It turned out to be a little too incredible, though. Older and wiser, I now know that I probably should not have put JACK3D in my body. But at the time, it was tough to resist the power it gave me.

Jack3D was one very powerful supplement.

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Hope you enjoyed another trip down the Don’t Blink memory lane. I will see all of you back here tomorrow for my Thursday Rundown. Don’t Blink.

Not Stressing Over the Weather

Posted on May 31, 2016 by brent

The prayer my mom always recited to me at least a couple times a day growing up was God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change… . Yes, I cut it off for a reason. You see, that was the only line she would actually recite to me because it was the only one that usually applied. Whenever I was worried about something that a young boy could do nothing about, she would bust out the beginning of the “Serenity Prayer.”

It is a little ironic then that one of my worries I developed over the years came from a habit of hers. Besides the soap opera she would always record, my mom religiously watched the Weather Channel growing up. Often she would come downstairs where I would be watching our only cable TV and ask if she could quickly check the weather. I knew the drill. It was time for “Local on the 8s.” I would change the channel and listen to the calming music as my mom watched the report. After the automated voice would come on and read the outlook, my mom would let me change it.

I grew up watching the Weather Channel a lot.

Because of snowy Spokane weather and the impact it would have on daily life, it was important to keep a close eye on the Weather Channel. However, my mom was definitely a year-round viewer, interested in each and every forecast. Her dependence on the Weather Channel rubbed off on me.

Through the time I entered high school and into my adult years, I started to become pretty obsessed with the weather report. I wanted to know what I could expect for my various sporting events, both when I participated in them and then when I worked them. Pretty soon my interest in knowing the weather grew beyond just wanting the forecast for games. I now wanted to know exactly what the weather would be for weekends, vacations, family coming to town, festivals, etc.

As my reliance on weather reports grew, so did technology. The Weather Channel went from the television to the internet to smart phone apps. Along with the greater accessibility also came more thorough updates. Weekend reports turned to 5-day reports. Those 5-day reports turned to 10-day reports. Believe it or not, you can now get 25-day reports.

These extended reports proved to be the death of me. I would look at the forecast for a date on the calendar a whole week and a half out and start to stress. I remember when my dad, brother, and I went to New York several years ago to watch baseball at Yankee Stadium and Shea Stadium during the last season for both parks. In early July I looked at the forecast for mid-July and saw a 60% chance of rain. I let it make me miserable because my biggest fear was that the games would be rained out and our once-in-a-lifetime opportunity would be ruined. It turned out to be beautiful.

For our New York trip, I ended up worrying about the weather way too early in the game.

Of course I bring this topic up because our wedding week forecast is now in full view. It goes without saying that I want the weather to be gorgeous for all the events leading up to the wedding and for the big day itself. However, I am trying not to get too caught up in the extended forecast because it just isn’t worth it. It has taken me long enough to finally realize that a 10-day outlook is a crapshoot. With that said, deep down inside I am encouraged that the weather man is showing a very pleasant several days in store for us next week. However, I am waiting until the end of this week to really take stock in it.

This means absolutely nothing but our wedding week is looking pretty good!

The weather itself already has enough control over us. I suppose we shouldn’t succumb to it anymore by worrying about what it might or might do over a week in advance. To be honest, I will continue to take peeks at the weather over the next couple days. However, I won’t let it bother me one way or the other. Besides, wedding weeks are impossible to mess up, right? Don’t Blink.

Three Thoughts on Memorial Day

Posted on May 30, 2016 by brent

As it is Memorial Day I am taking full advantage of the holiday, which includes taking it easy on my blog. However, I do want to leave you with a few thoughts for you to read if you are outside grilling or inside watching baseball.

First, I thought I would reiterate that I love three day weekends that end on a Monday. While it is nice of course to enjoy a Friday off, when you have a Monday holiday it makes the following work week so much more bearable. Friday weekends just deliver on one end. You look forward to it the week leading up to it but when Sunday rolls around it is all over. On a Monday three day weekend you look forward to it all week long and then it makes the next week more enjoyable by shortening the work week to four days. I just really feel that a Monday three day weekend gives you more bang for your buck than a Friday one.

Second, Sidney and I are now one week away from our wedding week. CRAZY. The stress is starting to seep in just a little bit. Of course it is a good stress, though. How else would you categorize family coming in, constant activities taking place, a beautiful ceremony on June 11, and then a Cancun honeymoon to immediately follow? We are currently in the midst of one of the best times we will ever have in our lives.

Third, I thought I would weigh in on the death of Harambe, the gorilla that was killed over the weekend when a 4-year-old boy fell into his exhibit. I apologize to the people who side with the primate, but I am all for taking extreme precautions to save the life of someone’s young kid. I trust the response team when they said the gorilla was agitated and that attempting to tranquilize it could have caused disaster for the boy. You hate to see a grand animal such as Harambe lose his life but how can’t you justify it when you see a toddler violently and unpredictably dragged around? It was definitely a very sad and very tough case.

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Enjoy your Memorial Day! Thank you to the brave men and women of this great country who paid the ultimate sacrifice so we could enjoy the freedoms and liberties we do each day. Don’t Blink.

What Everyone Waits for Every Week

Posted on May 26, 2016 by brent

Good evening to you all. This is the last Thursday Rundown before it is officially our wedding month! Let’s get started…

Futuristic Bus – This is not a joke. Trust me, this is legit. In China, they want to create buses that will drive on roads but be suspended in a way that would allow normal traffic to travel underneath. Just this picture below is nuts but type in “China futuristic bus” on Google and watch the video to really be blown away. My biggest question is how would these buses bypass tall delivery trucks and other large vehicles? If anyone can do it though, it would be the Chinese. After I watched the absolute spectacle Beijing put on for the 2008 Olympics, I am convinced there isn’t anything that country can’t do.

The bus concept developed by the Chinese would in theory completely pass over regular traffic.

Small Taste of NASCAR – Last week, I went to the Charlotte Motor Speedway with a couple other people from work. Coastal Carolina University has a NASCAR Truck Series driver we sponsor (he is a student here) and we went over to cover him as he prepared and competed in the North Carolina Education Lottery 200 . Unfortunately it wasn’t meant to be. Heavy rains caused the postponement of the race. It was still cool to see an iconic track and meet up with our driver and his crew.

My credential from last Friday.

Casper: Thank you to Timehop for letting me know that the movie “Casper” hit theaters 21 years ago today. The funny thing is that Sidney and I caught the second half of the movie about a month ago. How can any of us in the 20-30 year old range ever forget when Casper becomes an actual person and dances with Christina Ricci? Definitely one of the best moments in cinematic history.

This scene though.

Golf Update – Last fall, I wrote about taking golf lessons. Sidney and I took them as a couple at River Oaks here in Myrtle Beach. This spring I took eight solo lessons at our golf course here at Coastal Carolina. I finished my last instruction session on Monday. The latter lessons I took at CCU made me into a much more confident golfer. In fact, I am comfortable actually hitting the course for a regular round. A co-worker and I hit the links a couple weeks ago and we will do it again tomorrow. Thanks to Joey Marosz for being such a great instructor. I am excited for my dad and brother to arrive so we can play a round during the wedding week!

Wedding Update #33 – The biggest news I have to report is that Sidney and I requested and received our marriage license! In South Carolina you have to visit the courthouse and formally apply for the license. After you pay $50 and fill out paperwork, you then must wait 24 hours until you can pick it up. I snagged it yesterday and this afternoon Sidney delivered it to the church!

Sidney and I outside the courthouse on the left and our wedding license on the right!

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I hope your Memorial Weekend gets off to a great start. Thanks for your readership and I will touch base soon. Don’t Blink.

My Wacky Method for Losing 30 Pounds

Posted on May 25, 2016 by brent

A great thing about keeping a blog is that it will hold you accountable. If you write something in it, unless you want to show thousands of people that your word means nothing, you must follow through.

At the start of 2016, I wrote about how I had let my eating habits spiral a bit out of control. With my fondness for delicious Southern cooking coupled with the holiday food binge I went on in Spokane, I was not looking my best. Frankly, I was looking really chubby!

In December I was looking plump.

With a wedding and a Cancun honeymoon only five months away, I knew I had to make some changes. In order to ensure that I would look respectable for the big events, I wrote my intentions out in that blog post I penned in early January. It helped me reach my goal.

Unfortunately I take too many selfies and not enough full body shots. On the left it is me in December and on the right it is me in March.

Between January and April (I am no longer dieting) I lost 30 pounds. It was a slow process as I only would lose typically 1-2 pounds per week but it certainly added up after a few months. I didn’t go on any special diet. I didn’t count calories. I didn’t consult an expert. In fact, most people would probably say that what I did was backwards and unhealthy. However, I did what made sense to me and what I knew would work.

This contrast shows how fat I really was!

Ready to hear about the Brent Diet?

During the work week I clamped down. Without any modifications, I ate the exact same thing each and every day. For breakfast I would have half of a peanut butter sandwich. For lunch I would enjoy a whole peanut butter sandwich and a banana. For dinner I would have a Celeste personal pizza, a few carrots, and either a cup of applesauce or another banana. I know what you are thinking…he ate pizza Sunday through Thursday and lost weight?! Darn right I did!

I took this photo in March of one of my dinners. I ate this every night for the first three plus months of the year.

When the weekend rolled around, I had my cheat days. Sidney would make me buttered noodles on Friday night and then we would typically go out to eat on Saturday night. I would then usually splurge on the scrumptious Sunday midday meal that the Mathis family usually has. When Sunday night came around it was back to pizza, carrots, and applesauce.

Gee, it kind of sounds like I was eating horribly, huh? Well, most likely I was. But it was a significant cut down from what I was eating before. I also did a couple other things that probably contributed to my weight loss…

First, I increased the intensity of my workout regimen just a bit. Even though I was still working out five times a week during my heavy days, I wasn’t pushing myself as hard as I could. I picked up the pace once January hit.

The photo on the left was me right when I returned to Myrtle Beach after the holidays. The photo on the right is me in April.

Secondly, I completely stopped eating between meals. I also cut out sweets entirely. With desserts, candy, and chips out of the picture I was able to slim down.

I weighed in once a week. Visualizing that date with the scale each Friday after work helped motivate me to stick with the program. Like I said, the process was slow. Some weeks I wouldn’t even lose ONE pound. But I held on and tried to look at the bigger picture.

Like I said, I am no longer dieting. A couple of my loved ones asked that I stop losing weight. I am back to eating ice cream and enjoying balanced dinners. However, I am making sure not to lose complete control. I still weigh myself on a weekly basis and after four weeks of eating normally again, I am still 27 pounds down from January.

It was a long process to slim down but I am now back to eating ice cream!

So until I come close to approaching 200 pounds again, I am not going to eat a personal pan pizza for a while. When our wedding week arrives in a little under two weeks, I will be able to say that I accomplished my goal. Don’t Blink.

A Burning Question About French Fries

Posted on May 24, 2016 by brent

Recently I stumbled upon a pretty cool graphic. Well, I actually didn’t stumble upon it, my brother sent it to a group message I am included in (he would be so angry if I didn’t give him credit). The image he sent is a ranking of various types of french fries. It is a well-done graphic with fun illustrations and descriptions.

This list ranking french fries is pretty cool.

I like french fries but I am not obsessed with them like my fiancé is. Sidney seriously lists french fries as her favorite food. So although she might be better suited to address this list, I decided I would steal a possible blog takeover topic from her and weigh in on it myself.

Sidney loves french fries, especially fries from Five Guys.

So, before I rip the graphic for two main reasons, let me again heap praise on it. Like I said, I love the aesthetic appeal (nothing is more beautiful than french fries, right?) of the image and I appreciate the depth it goes into. I found it cute how the illustrator included smiley fries and I like the noted distinction between some of the closely related fries such as Belgian, steak cut, and chips. I also agree that waffle fries and garlic fries each deserve a spot in the top five.

Although not in my top five, I do enjoy curly fries. Sidney and I enjoyed these during the Fourth of July in Walla Walla at Pioneer Park.

However, the first issue I have is a type of fry that not only didn’t make the top five but didn’t even crack the list! Where is any mention of spicy fries?! Hello?!? How could such a glaring mistake be made? Nothing is better than eating a burger with a large side of fries that pack a punch. Not only do spicy fries add great flavor, they also look great on a plate. There is just something visually satisfying about crispy orange-toned fries covered in seasonings resting on a white porcelain plate backdrop. Major snub for sure.

My second issue winds me up even more than the omission of spicy fries. Riddle me this: How are TATER TOTS included on a ranking of the best styles of french fries?

Tater tots are in no way, shape, or form a valid excuse for french fries. Could you imagine if you were at a restaurant and you ordered fries and they brought you out tater tots? I realize that tater tots share a common ingredient with french fries but I don’t see how that puts them into the same class. Pizza and nachos both use cheese as their main ingredient but a pizza isn’t a plate of nachos and a plate of nachos isn’t a pizza. You know that ridiculous question people always debate….is a hot dog a sandwich? The answer is obviously NO but even that inquiry deserves more consideration than if a tater tot is a fry.

Probably worst of all is where tater tots land on the list. There is no way you can tell me that a side item that doesn’t even belong on the list in the first place is given the bronze medal. To put tater tots ahead of 18 other legitimate versions of french fries is an insult. That #3 ranking needs to be rescinded immediately.

At a restaurant in Spokane called Selkirk, they make snow capped fries. It is a favorite of Sidney and I.

Tater tots…really? Does anyone out there actually agree with its inclusion on the list? If so, I would like to hear from you. Additionally, if you have any thoughts on this list in general don’t be afraid to sound off. Sidney, if you are reading this I am sure you are craving something right about now. Don’t Blink.

Don't Blink

By Brent Reser