Watermelon Thursday Rundown

Posted on by
3

Okay everyone, the Thursday Rundown is back. I know it went dark last week but I am chomping at the bit with five fresh topics tonight…

Watermelon Birthday Treat – My sister knows how to plan a party! For my nephew’s fourth birthday party this past Sunday, it was a dinosaur theme…for the most part. When it came time for cake and ice cream, the dinos went extinct and everyone got a watermelon sugar high. Not only did my sister bake a watermelon-shaped/flavored cake but she paired it with chocolate chunk watermelon ice cream. Although big pieces of chocolate in a watermelon ice cream might be a tad misguided, the cake sure was good!

A look at the watermelon cake my sister made along with how it looked when paired with the ice cream.

Vanderpump Again – When I went to Las Vegas for work in November 2019, my boss-at-the-time Lindsi took me to the Vanderpump Cocktail Garden. Well, Lindsi isn’t the only “Vanderpump Rules” fan I know. Visiting Lisa Vanderpump’s bar in Caesar’s Palace was on my wife’s Vegas bucket list when we visited last week. We made sure to stop in for some goat cheese balls. Let me be honest with you, it truly is a nice place to sit down and have a drink. Our stay in the garden was short but I know Sid sure enjoyed it.

Sidney at the Vanderpump Cocktail Garden.

Peppa Effect – Earlier this week many news organizations reported on a condition that impacted American children called the “Peppa Effect.” It turned out that a lot of kids in the United States watched a whole lot of Peppa Pig during the pandemic and started talking with British accents and using English terms. I saw these reports, shook my head, and thought the “Peppa Effect” has absolutely nothing to do with the pandemic. Any child who watches Peppa Pig will most likely develop the “Peppa Effect” whether the country is shut down or not. How do I know? My daughter had a strong case of it! In fact, I even documented her case by writing about it in 2019. Not only was she speaking with an accent and referring to Santa Claus as Father Christmas but she went all-in and dressed up as Peppa for Halloween.

Sloan dressed up as Peppa Pig for Halloween in 2019.

Nice Gesture – Big shoutout to Breauxdoo Bakery in Spokane. We had never heard about the business until Saturday night when they posted on a popular Spokane Facebook page that they were giving away a free large cookie to everyone who stopped by. Sid and I threw the kids in the car and we drove to the bakery that happens to be located in a very obscure part of Spokane Valley. I chose a red velvet cookie, Sid selected a “chocolate on chocolate” cookie, Sloan opted for a sugar cookie with sprinkles, and Beau “picked” a lemon cookie. We all shared with each other and our unanimous decision was that the lemon cookie was the best. Thanks, Breauxdoo Bakery!

Our free cookies from Breauxdoo Bakery.

A Good Pizza Buy – If you are looking to order pizza this weekend, you might want to give Domino’s a try. After about four years, we gave them another chance this past Friday. Domino’s offers a pretty good $5.99 menu that allows you to order medium pizzas, wings, chicken, breadsticks, and more. We ordered a medium pizza for Sid and I, a medium pizza for the kids, and mango habanero wings. The food was good and we paid just $20. I don’t know if I will be moving Domino’s up on my list of top pizza chains, but we were satisfied with our most recent experience.

Sloan standing next to the pizza we ordered from Domino’s.

———————–
Another summer weekend is upon us. I hope you enjoy it and remember to take some time to watch the Summer Olympics. Don’t Blink.

Excited for Tokyo 2020

Posted on by
Reply

Tonight I start with a phrase that is even more cliché than the one I use to end each blog post: Let the games begin!

The 2020 Summer Olympics officially start on Friday and I am geeking out a bit. I am a big Olympics fan! Don’t believe me? I have written about the games numerous times over the 10-year history of this blog on topics ranging from my favorite events to the media coverage. Thus, you can probably imagine that the postponement of the games last summer was one of the toughest pandemic-forced blows for me to digest.

I am extremely excited for the Tokyo Olympics!

But that disappointment is in the rear-view mirror and during a summer when we weren’t supposed to have the Olympics we are now just a couple days away from lighting the cauldron. Ah yes, the Opening Ceremony. I still remember watching the Opening Ceremony from the 1996 Summer Olympics with my parents and being absolutely transfixed by the pageantry, spirit, and importance of the event. I became a lifelong fan of the Olympics that night. Kudos to NBC for broadcasting Friday’s Opening Ceremony live (7 a.m. ET, 4 a.m. PT) and for offering an encore showing later in the night. We will be watching!

I can’t wait to watch the athletes compete. There is something pure about the Olympics that no other sporting event can come close to replicating. I don’t know how interested Sloan will be watching the coverage with me but I do hope to introduce her to the Olympics and hope that it can substitute for some of her YouTube programming over the next couple weeks.

There is no doubt in my mind that Tokyo will put on a show and be a great host. I am excited to see what the city has planned and the iconic images that will be generated from the XXXII Olympiad. Let us all take a moment to pray for peace in Tokyo and for the safety of all athletes. Time to compete! Don’t Blink.

Our Vegas Show Experience

Posted on by
Reply

A popular thing for people to do when visiting Las Vegas, at least the non-early 20s crowd, is to see a show. Naturally, Sidney, a Vegas rookie, put it on her “bucket list” for last week’s trip.

Sid knew what she was after to satisfy this part of the list. It had nothing to do with Cirque du Soleil, ventriloquists, or women wearing feathery hats. Rather, it was all about one thing: Magic.

Vegas is a place where your mind can run wild in a desert of illusion. My wife wanted to be amazed and entertained by the fabulous world of magic so we chose the most popular magicians not just in Nevada but possibly the world—Penn and Teller.

What better way to say “Welcome to Las Vegas” than going to a Penn and Teller show your first night in the city? That’s what we did. We checked into our hotel a little past 6 p.m. and managed to score tickets for the 9 p.m. show. After securing transportation to the Rio and eating a quick dinner, we were sitting in the Penn and Teller theater.

Sidney and I in the Penn and Teller Theater in the Rio.

Prior to the show starting we were treated to some jazz music with Penn himself coming out to play a couple numbers on the cello. Once 9 p.m. hit it was showtime! Watching the stage go dark only for a spotlight to illuminate Teller to a rousing applause was pretty cool. One of the first acts was a misdirection/gorilla in a cage trick that set the tone for the rest of the show.

The night was structured with Penn narrating the whole show. The overall theme was basically Penn “exposing” basic principles of magic but then using those same principles to pull off tricks that left everyone in the audience guessing how it was done. Funny and charismatic, Penn generated a lot of laughs. But with Teller, no words were necessary for him to captivate and entertain. His talent, mannerisms, and confidence pack more of a punch than any one-liner ever could.

Sidney posing next to an oversized portrait of Penn and Teller after the show.

Penn and Teller did classics like the goldfish trick and shadows. They also threw in a card trick and some fire breathing. They did a Zoom magic show parody and a slight of hand trick that was fun. The show lasted for 90 minutes with Penn pausing on multiple occasions to say how nice it was to perform in front of a crowd again.

We really enjoyed the evening. Although a couple of tricks were tough to follow because they weren’t conducive to being performed in front of a large crowd (even with video boards), the majority of the acts were captivating and well-executed. Penn could probably talk a little less but to see the iconic duo perform in person was a real treat.

If you are a magic fan and/or a Penn and Teller fan, this show is for you. It runs Thursday – Sunday and will probably provide you with a memory or two. Don’t Blink.

Easing Back

Posted on by
1

It was a somewhat return to normalcy today. I started a regular work week after what seemed like eternity. Well, okay, at least a few weeks. My brother’s wedding weekend was the July 4 holiday. I took off Friday, July 2, and then the government gave us Monday, July 5. I worked those next four days and then something crazy happened…

Sidney and I went on vacation. Just the two of us.

Sidney and I at our first dinner while on vacation.

Thanks to my parents, we were able to travel to Las Vegas from Sunday, July 11 through Thursday, July 15. We returned to Spokane that night and then I worked this past Friday. Then it was the weekend. Yes, that equates to a 1-day work week…quite the concept, right?

This past weekend was spent recuperating to a degree. But we were still able to fit in a Chuck E. Cheese trip, a picnic lunch at the park, and the birthday party of my nephew. And then Monday hit today.

My nephew turned 4 this weekend and my sister threw a dino-mite birthday party for him!

Hopefully you didn’t forget about me during my time away. If not, I look forward to relating some of the experiences from the past 10 days or so. Crossing my fingers that your week is off to a great start! Don’t Blink.

Happy Birthday Dad Thursday Rundown

Posted on by
Reply

How is your summer working out for you? For my family it has been packed and the good times are going to continue to roll throughout this month. But let’s take a quick break from the summer craziness and get started with my latest Thursday Rundown…

Happy Birthday, Dad! – My father was born on this date in 1957. As I type this, we are celebrating his 64th birthday at my parents’ house with a grilled hamburger and hot dog cookout. My dad is truly an outstanding human being and even though I have been back in Spokane for 16 months now, I still don’t take these birthday celebrations for granted. Dad, thanks for your kindness, humility, and patience….we love you!

Just hanging with my dad tonight on his 64th birthday.

Chuck E. Cheese Summer Fun – Back in April I wrote about how much fun Sloan and I were having at Chuck E. Cheese. Since then we have continued to go nuts at the entertainment center but we took a big step up this past weekend. Sloan, Beau, and I took advantage of a break in the wedding festivities and went to Chuck E. Cheese on Saturday morning. It was at that time that we signed up for the Summer Fun Pass. For $40 we secured Sloan 30 minutes of unlimited play every week up through September 1. For signing up we also received free pizza, free sodas, and 100 tickets. The best part about Saturday’s visit was that Sloan actually got up on stage with Chucky for a photo, something she was reluctant to do until just this past weekend.

Sloan posing for a photo with Chuck E. Cheese.

IHOP Value – If you are looking for an inexpensive restaurant to take your family for dinner, try IHOP. Sid, the kids, and I went to our Spokane Valley location last night. There are some good deals to take advantage of. First, kids eat free from 4 – 10 p.m. Additionally, they have a $6 happy hour menu with entrees like burgers, chicken sandwiches, ham and cheese omelettes, pancakes, and much more. All of these meals come with sides too. Do keep in mind that if you purchase the $6 meals, your kids don’t eat free (so one or the other). Portions are good and food is decent.

Sloan at IHOP about ready to eat her cupcake pancake. Beau is also visible as he is about to dig into his chicken and waffle.

Swim Night – I can’t think of a more wholesome summer activity than family night at the city pool. Earlier this week, the four of us went to Liberty Aquatic Center for its 6:30-8:30 p.m. open swim. The City of Spokane has made all of its public pools free and open to the public so it is a great opportunity for everyone. Back in my day, the city pools were pretty unimaginative, but over time they have transitioned from giant bathtubs to true aquatic centers with slides, whirlpools, splash pads, and more. Sloan and Beau had a really nice time.

Sid, Sloan, and Beau enter the pool for open swim at Liberty Aquatic Center.

Best Man Full Circle – What an honor it was to be Glen’s best man. From standing next to him when he said his vows to signing the marriage certificate to delivering a speech on his behalf, it sure was special. With the wedding now complete but the amazing experience still fresh in my mind, it was kind of ironic that I wrote this blog post exactly two years ago today about Glen asking me to be his best man. When he asked me I had no idea how long I would have to wait to serve in the role (he didn’t either!) but it sure was worth it. Glen “popped the question” in a very unique fashion, one which can’t be explained in a Thursday Rundown, so you need to actually read the post. Have fun!

Glen asked me to be his best man in a very unique way

———————–

Okay, please excuse me while I continue to celebrate my dad’s birthday. I will be out on vacation next week so if you don’t hear from me over the weekend I will catch back up with you in mid-July. Don’t Blink.

Fun Anecdotes from #GlenGotCarriedAway

Posted on by
Reply

Yesterday I wrote a blog post that addressed what truly hit home about #GlenGotCarriedAway. Tonight I want to take a lighter approach and quickly go through 10 things that made the weekend fun. Alright, let’s get to it…

Blast for the Kids – Sloan and Beau had the best time of their short lives over the course of the #GlenGotCarriedAway weekend. Starting Thursday night and running through Sunday, they went hard. Our kids played non-stop, stayed up late, danced like crazy, ate like champs, and took advantage of wedding guests who spoiled them rotten. Sloan and Beau played great with their cousins and made new friends during the four-day whirlwind.

My kids and my sister’s kids had the time of their lives over the four days of wedding festivities.

Photo Booth Mania – I didn’t realize how fun photo booths are. The one that Glen and Carrie had set up at the wedding venue was a colossal hit. Kids and adults alike took turns putting on crazy hats and striking silly poses. When the machine spit out the pictures, each print had the names of the newlyweds and the date of their wedding on it.

Some of the prints we got from the photo booth.

Groomsmen Gift Bags – My brother spoiled us groomsmen with some extravagant gift bags. Not only did it come with some adult beverages, patriotic socks, and wedding day necessities, it also came with these really cool, personalized cups. Thanks, Glen!

Glen gave all the groomsmen personalized drinkware.

Coolest Shot Ever – I can’t wait to see the professional photos from the wedding! But while the photographers are hard at work editing the memories, they did give Glen and Carrie a few images to hold them over. This champagne shot was taken at the very end of the night and it turned out great. What you don’t see is the reaction of the crowd after the groomsmen spraying the bottles, Jake and Matt, turned around and let them have it.

What a wild shot! Can’t wait to see more of the photos.

Sid and Siblings – One of my favorite photos that was taken with an iPhone was this selfie with Sidney, Glen, and Miranda. Not only does it show their personalities but it also conveys the special relationship that my wife has with my brother and sister. I love it!

This photo pretty much sums up the relationship that my wife shares with my siblings.

The Short Gene – DANG, I need to grow because I looked like a little punk compared to my fellow groomsmen and the groom. To be honest, I didn’t even realize how miniscule my stature was to everyone else before looking at this photo. I am just thankful they didn’t beat me up.

Unfortunately, I think I am already done growing.

Take a Seat – Glen and Carrie engaged in the Jewish tradition of the Chair Dance. At one point in the ceremony they took a seat and were hoisted in the air in an up-and-down fashion. In addition to the smile I saw on Glen’s face through most of the song, I also caught glimpses of pure fear…those chairs weren’t the most sturdy pieces of furniture.

The Chair Dance was exhilarating.

Coin Dance Success – The children at the wedding had a profitable opportunity during the Coin Dance. My parents swapped $60 for coins and wedding guests threw their own change (and bills) as Glen and Carrie danced to “Yours” by Russell Dickerson. As per usual, the dance generated some awesome photos and Sloan made out like a bandit.

Kids scramble to pick up coins (including my daughter) as Glen and Carrie dance to “Yours” by Russell Dickerson.

Cornhole – The game of cornhole is very popular with my family and it had a presence at the wedding. Glen and Carrie had custom boards created for guests to throw bags on. Prior to the wedding, the groomsmen played while we waited for pictures. Then, once the reception started, the boards were moved outside into the open space for anyone to play on.

The kids playing with the cornhole boards that were custom made for the wedding.

Thanks For Popping By – As wedding guests left the venue, they were encouraged to take these popcorn bags. They were either filled with red, white, and blue candy-coated popcorn or kettle corn. I had the special privilege of trying out the red, white, and blue corn that Glen and Carrie got as a sample about a month prior to the big day. It was so good that I was excited for the wedding just from the standpoint that I would get more of it!

This popcorn was delicious and addicting.

—————————

Of course this list isn’t exhaustive when it comes to the fun and memories from this past weekend but it is a small snapshot of #GlenGotCarriedAway—one that you can’t get from the photo booth. Don’t Blink.

What Made #GlenGotCarriedAway Special

Posted on by
3

Hooray! My brother and sister-in-law are finally married. They tied the knot this past weekend during a beautiful ceremony at Trezzi Farm in Spokane. My dad hit it on the mark when he used the word “perseverance” to characterize Glen and Carrie’s relationship. After their dream wedding was delayed multiple times due to COVID, the newlyweds finally had their special day on the Fourth of July.

Glen and Carrie got married on July 4, 2021. This is a photo during the reception with Beau.

But Sunday was simply just the cherry on top of what was an entire weekend of wedding festivities. Leading up to the vows there was a rehearsal, a welcome dinner, a wedding eve party, and additional informal activities.

The night before the wedding, my mom and dad hosted a party in their back yard.

I bring up the #GlenGotCarriedAway itinerary to share this: Late Sunday night after the newlyweds and most of the bridal party had gone back to the hotel, I sat down inside a bar with one of Carrie’s bridesmaids and her fiancé. We started chatting about the weekend and what made it successful.

I listened as Kenze’s fiancé, Chace, eloquently explained that the true beauty of the #GlenGotCarriedAway experience was that different groups of people—Glen’s family, Carrie’s family, Glen’s friends, Carrie’s friends, etc.—were able to come together for a single purpose. With Glen and Carrie leading the way, these different factions of folks, who in many instances didn’t know each other before last Thursday, selflessly worked together to give the bride and groom what they deserved.

I was honored to serve as Glen’s best man. I drove him to the wedding venue on Sunday.

Over the past 36 hours I have thought about Chace’s words a lot and how they perfectly summarize #GlenGotCarriedAway. There was no such thing as ego. For the four days that we were all together it was about making sure that my brother and sister-in-law were taken care of. Problem solving, sacrificing, and collaborating were embraced by all. Differences relating to geography, religion, and MLB-team affiliation (thinking of the groomsmen) simply did not matter. What did matter was the happiness of Glen and Carrie.

So Sunday’s wedding wasn’t simply the grand finale of four days of events that culminated in “I do.” Rather, it was the pinnacle of different groups coming together as one to give two very loved people the best day of their lives.

There was no better example of people from “different sides” working together than my/Glen’s parents and Carrie’s parents. A true inspiration.

When I look back on #GlenGotCarriedAway I will surely remember the beauty of the wedding ceremony and the outrageously fun reception. But what will always stick with me the most is the camaraderie that was shared by those with different backgrounds but the same precious interests: Glen and Carrie.

Don’t Blink.

July 1 Thursday Rundown

Posted on by
Reply

Happy July, my friends! Nothing screams “SUMMER” louder than this month and I hope you enjoy it to its full extent. Let’s dive into this week’s Rundown…

Coin Dance – One cherished Italian tradition that will take place at Glen’s wedding reception this Sunday will be the Coin Dance. During one of the reception dances, children will be invited to the dance floor to pick up coins that will fly in the proximity of the bride and groom. The tradition, done in the name of good luck, is always a highlight of the reception and produces some of the best wedding photos. As our family was excitedly chatting about the tradition in our group thread, my mom sent a photo of the Coin Dance at her wedding almost 40 years ago. I followed with one from ours.

Photos from the Coin Dance at both my wedding and the wedding of my parents.

Don’t F*** With Cats – The show I am highlighting in this Thursday Rundown is a Netflix documentary series Sidney and I finished a couple days ago. Called “Don’t F*** With Cats” it tells the story of a committed team of internet sleuths that attempt to bring to justice one truly deranged individual. It is one of those shows that you binge because you are on the edge of your seat as things seem to get crazier and crazier. If you want to stay inside this weekend with your air conditioning, “Don’t F*** With Cats” might be calling your name.

This docuseries was binge-worthy.

Fun Noodles – There is probably no rhyme or reason for why I need to share this but I guess I will anyway. I thought this pasta that Sid picked up at Fred Meyer last week was pretty unique. The package contained THREE different noodles—rotini, penne, and shells. For someone who loves pasta as much as I do, I got a pretty good kick out of Trio Italiano. Let me tell you, I put forth my complete effort when I made buttered noodles that night.

This wasn’t your normal package of noodles.

Championship Parade – Five years ago it was a surreal moment as we welcomed home the Coastal Carolina University baseball team fresh off its College World Series victory the day before. The Chants paraded around Conway and then marched into Springs Brooks Stadium for a community celebration. What a scene it was. I remember the pride and I remember the joy but I also remember the heat. The humidity was indescribably thick that day and was by far the hottest event I ever covered. But what a moment for the university. Who knew that it would be rivaled 4.5 years later when College Gameday rolled onto campus.

July 1, 2016, was an extrememly hot and humid day inside Springs Brooks Stadium as we welcomed the Chanticleer baseball team home from a College World Series title.

Godzilla Actor – Would you believe that Godzilla was once played by an actual person in a suit? We are talking less CGI monster of recent movies and more like Reptar from “Rugrats.” Thought this photo of the actor stepping outside the suit with a huge smile on his face was kind of neat.

Thought it was cool to see Godzila humanized in this way.

————————-

That’s a wrap on tonight. All blessings to my brother and soon-to-be sister-in-law as they prepare to wed this Sunday. Happy Fourth of July to everyone and God Bless America. Don’t Blink.

Halfway There: Bible In A Year

Posted on by
4

When the mid-point of the year arrives, I usually reflect on the first six months of the year or highlight something that I am thankful for. As we conclude the final day of the first half of 2021, there is one thing that I am especially appreciative of.

In January, I started the Bible in a Year podcast with Fr. Mike Schmitz. For those unfamiliar with general bible in a year programs, it is exactly what the name implies: you read the entire bible in 12 months. Or, in this case, you listen to it.

The Bible in a Year podcast with Fr. Mike Schmitz is incredible.

Let me tell you, listening to this podcast has been such a refreshing way to start my day. I listen to it in the early morning on my way to the gym and usually finish it at home before I start work. Each episode is about 20-25 minutes. But how does it all work?…

Fr. Schmitz, a Catholic priest in the Diocese of Duluth (Minnesota), has put together an incredible plan. Although by December 31 we will have read the bible from Genesis to Revelation, we aren’t necessarily going in a straight line chronologically book-by-book. Rather, we read a couple chapters from a few different books each day. For example, currently we are reading from 2 Kings, Amos, and Psalms.

During these first six months, Fr. Schmitz has taken two breaks from the Old Testament books for “Messianic Checkpoints.” At these checkpoints he has devoted a week to reading through the gospels. So far we have read John and Mark. It is a nice way to shake things up a bit and help us to put everything in the Old Testament into proper context with the life of Christ.

After Fr. Schmitz reads from the bible he will offer a prayer and then follow that with some brief commentary. His preaching is amazing and relatable! He explains everything so well and then relates it to the grand scheme of salvation and to everyday life. His personality will grow on you as he provides humorous, but honest, takes. The bible at times has dark themes and it is nice to have someone like Fr. Schmitz navigating us through. His podcast isn’t one of the most downloaded in the country for nothing.

It doesn’t matter if you are Catholic or another Christian denomination/non-denominational, this podcast will speak to you if you open up your heart. It is very well-done and impactful. Aside from numbering each podcast by day (for example, I just finished Day 181), the episodes aren’t marked by dates or current events. Thus, they are timeless. If you wanted to, you could listen to two podcast episodes starting today and go through the entire bible by the end of the year. Or, you could just start your bible in a year journey with one podcast episode per day and be done on June 29, 2022. It is entirely up to you.

Listening to a podcast on a daily basis does take some dedication but perhaps there is no better commitment to make than that of the bible. Personally, having stayed the course and completed the first half of the Bible in a Year podcast by Fr. Mike Schmitz, I am hoping that remaining on track for the next six months should not be an issue. Friends, if you desire a stronger understanding of the bible and our Lord’s love, please consider this podcast. Thanks be to God. Don’t Blink.

#GlenGotCarriedAway: Soon

Posted on by
1

It has been a long time coming but my brother and his fiancée will soon have their special day. They will get married this Sunday.

Glen and Carrie will wed this Sunday.

Like many other weddings that were scheduled in 2020, Glen and Carrie were forced to reschedule theirs because of the pandemic. Originally set to wed on July 4, 2020, they delayed their wedding and set a new date for September 2020, only to have to pull the plug on those plans as well. So, exactly a year from when their original #GlenGotCarriedAway ceremony was supposed to take place, the two will finally be able to tie the knot on Sunday, July 4, 2021.

I think we all share respect and empathy for those couples who had to cancel their special days at the height of COVID-19. For those of us who had the good fortune of actually getting married on the day that we planned, it is tough to imagine having the rug pulled from underneath our feet and scrambling to make alternative plans for that special moment in the sun that we all dream about.

Thankfully for Glen and Carrie, that moment is almost here…complete with extra sun. The heat wave in the Pacific Northwest continues and when my brother and soon-to-be sister-in-law get married on Sunday afternoon it will be 100 degrees. Yes, they are getting married outside. I will have the privilege of sweating it out with them as I am Glen’s best man. Talk about one of the greatest honors of my life!

It will be a spectacular Fourth of July for two families and their friends. Heck, all of us have waited patiently for this day too! But who are we kidding? The two people who deserve this day more than anyone will be exchanging their vows at Trezzi Farm at around 3:30 p.m. on Sunday. Good things come to those who wait and I think that despite the delay it will all be worth it. Enjoy your wedding week festivities, Glen and Carrie. Don’t Blink.