Last Rundown of the Summer

Is it already Thursday again? Indeed it is. I hope everyone has had a great week so far. Let’s start the latest rundown…

Study Advice from World’s Smartest Person – I read Parade Magazine every Sunday and I look forward to reading Marilyn von Savant, the woman credited with having the highest IQ in the world. Each week she answers intellectual questions. Three years ago today, someone asked her how she would approach preparing for an exam 30 days away covering a 600-page book. Marilyn explained that she would read 30 pages every day and then repeat the process twice more. She noted that repetition just doesn’t help us remember, it helps us understand. I love learning tips from smart people!

I love Marilyn von Savant’s column in Parade Magazine. I enjoyed the advice she dished out three years ago.

Note on Mac and Cheese Burgers – Earlier this week I mentioned that I occasionally enjoy macaroni and cheese topped on my burger. However, this post that I viewed this morning from the Food Porn account is not what I have in mind. I prefer it Cheesecake Factory style with a deep fried ring of macaroni and cheese neatly placed on the burger itself. I will pass on the mess below.

When I said I enjoy macaroni and cheese on my burger, this is not what I had in mind.

Sloan Update – Our half-year-old girl can now roll over like it is going out of style. Whereas before when we placed her on top of her blanket she would perhaps slowly go from her back to her stomach, now she does it freely and frequently. Yesterday she practically rolled across the whole carpet! She is also at the stage now where she will put anything in her mouth. I was changing her diaper this morning and she grabbed a piece of plastic and proceeded to put it in her mouth, giving her daddy quite a scare (I was able to intervene). Oh, by the way, her cheeks are still chubby.

Here is the latest Sloan collage made up of photos from this week.

Reaction to Big Brother 19 Finale – I was both happy and upset with last night’s Big Brother 19 finale. In my heart, I was glad that Paul at least made it to Final Two. He can hold his head high knowing he pulled off a near impossible feat by making it to finale night two years in a row. He did absolutely everything he could possibly do before his fate was put in the hands of the jury. For that I am happy and proud. However, for the second year in a row, Paul was robbed of the Big Brother title and a half million dollars. For the second year in a row, he played a far superior game compared to that of the other finalist. For the second year in a row, he was the victim of a bitter jury. You hate to see such injustice but I guess in Big Brother there is no such thing as an impartial jury. PISSED!

Update on Monday’s Post – The saga impacting the schools in Flathead County took a bizarre twist a few hours after I published Monday’s post. After instilling fear into the community, the hacker notified district officials that he wasn’t some lone wolf psycho craving bloodshed but rather an extortionist representing a notorious hacking organization called the Dark Overlords. In a threatening and sinister ransom note fit for a movie, the hackers belittled the school district while demanding bitcoin. It was unlike anything I had ever seen in real life. Crossing my fingers that even though the school officials are in a tough situation at least the community itself can feel at ease knowing that the violent intentions expressed have no merit.

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Enjoy the last day of summer! Time now to put the computer down and hang with my wife and daughter. Don’t Blink.

Pre-Labor Day Thursday Rundown

With Labor Day weekend right around the corner, I hope I find everyone in great spirits. If you are a fan of my blog, perhaps my latest Thursday Rundown will elevate your mood even more. Here we go with tonight’s five topics…

NASCAR Driver Brent Reser – For this first time in my life, I jumped inside a racecar this morning. Our University Communication team was doing a photo shoot featuring our NASCAR driver Brandon Brown and his #90 XFINITY car. With Brandon yet to arrive and the vehicle parked innocently right in front of our signature administrative building, I was encouraged to jump in. Believe me, I am not using “jump in” as a figure of speech. I awkwardly maneuvered inside the car and almost broke something clumsily exiting it. However, I got some pretty sweet photos and crossed an item off my bucket list.

This was me inside Brandon Brown’s XFINITY car this morning.

First FBS Football Game – Speaking of Coastal Carolina, our football team will play in its first game as a member of the FBS this Saturday. A major supporter of this move, I am stoked that CCU is now playing at the ultimate varsity level of college football. I will be on the sidelines for the historic game as I cover it for #CCUSocialMedia.

Me standing in Brooks Stadium on our teal turf after the September 26, 2015 game. On September 2, 2017, Coastal will play its first game as a member of the FBS.

Weeks Keep Flying By for Sloan – Tomorrow, Sloan will turn 24 weeks. The biggest development this week? Ha, that’s easy! Her new thing is spitting. Yes, I am not kidding. She is constantly sticking her little tongue out and making a sweet (well, that’s debatable) spitting noise. Sometimes stuff (spit, carrots, rice cereal, etc) comes out and sometimes it doesn’t. Other than that, her hair continues to grow and her smiles still come in an abundant supply.

Seriously lacking on the quality of photos this week…sorry guys!

Awful Concert – Seven years ago today, I attended one of the worst concert of my life. On Aug. 31, 2010, I watched Bob Dylan and John Mellencamp perform on a pleasant Missoula night in a minor league baseball stadium. Although the weather and venue proved satisfactory, I just didn’t find either performer that energetic or engaging. The sound was suspect and I found myself bored. Can’t win them all.

I took these photos of a lackluster concert. Bob Dylan and John Mellencamp just didn’t do it for me.

Latest Big Brother Reaction– Although I know some people don’t feel the same way, I am a fan of Big Brother 19. Pretty much everything has shaken out exactly how I want it to. From the beginning, I wanted to see Christmas and Kevin do well and currently both are still in the house and will be safe at least through the week. However, the house guest I am rooting for the most is Paul. To watch him lose in such an unfair way last season was tough and I want to see him earn redemption. I think all of us can take our hats off to how he has played the game thus far. Even with the huge target on his back from the moment he entered the house, he has not only survived but thrived. Paul is the ultimate puppet master and I am getting a kick watching him pull all the strings. I really hope he makes it the distance.
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Organize a cookout, bust out the cold drinks, and have a wonderful Labor Day weekend. Thank you for your constant support of my blog. Don’t Blink.