Weekend Retirement

I now understand why the elderly have many hobbies. I had an excess of spare time on my hands this weekend, and to summarize, I was bored out of my mind. Thus putting a paint brush back in my hand, and returning to a hobby of mine that I have neglected for far too long. Completing a wedding gift was an added bonus. A friend of mine will marry her best friend come December and when asking what item she really needed off her registry, she asked if instead I would mind making them a painting. I of course loved that idea. I told her to send me things she liked and she did, followed with a request to pick one and "surprise" her. Since most of them, if not all, were very similar, Kelly and Ben will receive this rendition for their new joint home. 

Even though I felt like I was quarantined this weekend with so little to do, I am so thrilled to have my painting itch back. I know I am pleased with something I've created when I don't want to give it away. The great thing about that - I can simply make another one. Which in this case, I will be doing. Sorry Kelly but this will compliment my curtains nicely.

Tiger Eyes in progress

When my friend Adam passed away a few years ago, his mother received a painting I had done for his then girlfriend to give to him as a birthday present. Coincidentally, if you can even call it that, I painted the last few final touches the night Adam left us. The painting was a set of tiger eyes meant to represent his love for Clemson. Emily, his mother, has been so good to me and is such a wonderful supporter of my re-charged hobby. In another round of interesting timing, she called me this afternoon and told me a contact of hers would be touching base to get 4 "Tiger Eyes". Excited, I broke out my supplies that I had just put away, not knowing when I'd work with them again. With the help of a large porch I spread out my work and worked on each one. The rain that started was little to no help. Paint dries slow when you watch it, but add humidity and you might as well call it a day. So I did. I am so thankful for my continued relationship with Emily, and can't wait to give Kelly and Ben their gift (I'm sure Ben will be thrilled ;)

Adam's Tiger Eyes

Pump Cheese

Many people post on social media sites about their extensive workout or share a picture of the healthy meal they just made. Yea I might tell you I ran a race here and there, but that's few and far between. Instead I'd rather tell you about my guilty pleasures. My love for a nice set of buns, pump cheese, with an ice cold Barqs Root Beer on the side. I'm talking about my relationship with Fuddruckers. Anyone who has had at least one visit knows that Fudd's will never  let you down. In fact even when you try to leave, Fudd's still wants to show you the love by sending you off with a cookie or chocolate shake. I see what you're doing. And yes, I will take 3 for a $1. Are they soft? Of course they are. Like I said, Fuddruckers doesn't disappoint.  

Those who know me best don't even have to say the location by name - a simple "Pump cheese on Wednesday?" is all that is needed. You had me at pump cheese. Throw a side of pickles into that basket and I'm yours forever. Slap a piece of bacon on that burger and there's no tellin'. I know what you're thinking and your disgusted. Insert exercise photo here:

Lungs4Life 5K - Greenville, SC

There's 2 sides to every story. In this case, you either know exactly what I'm talking about and your like, yes, duh, Fuddruckers - 'If I were poor I would literally buy a bun and make the best salad ever because their fixins bar is amazingly on point #pumpcheeseforlife' or you're are on the other side, passing judgement and missing out on one of the finer blue collar establishments of life. In that case, I'm sorry I'm not sorry. Come visit, the meal will be on me. I guarantee a new relationship will blossom. 

Upon arrival to the counter to place my order this evening, Will pointed out the calorie sheet defining my meal. I'm not one to normally count calories, so, well, I didn't. Not that it would have stopped me, but I'm sure one cup of liquid gold is well over the suggested intake. 2 boys conversing over whether to go for the pound challenge or not,  they didn't seem to care either. Decisions, decisions. After careful thought and weighing in how delicious the fries are, he and Stephen took on the 2/3rd combo..... with of course....plenty of pump cheese. Cookies to go, they roll'd us out of there.

The only thing that may rival my love for pump cheese is Ledo's Pizza. A Maryland hot spot, with 1 rare location in the south - Rock Hill, SC. Not sure how it made it down, but I'm not asking questions. If you run into a Ledo's, I beg you to stop and eat one for me. 

Sugar Daddy Upgrade

I grew up in the perfect neighborhood as a kid. The entrance was down a long road you only traveled if you lived in the development, so the idea of being told as a kid, "Go outside and just be home by dark" was the norm. Flashlight tag, sharks n' minnows at the neighborhood pool, riding bikes everywhere, kickball using mailboxes for bases - it was what we did. The circular neighborhood with cul de sac streets was a dream come true for Halloween. Leave the buckets and bags at home, we were rolling with pillow cases. I don't think for one second we were the only group of kids doing big things, but man did we think we were cool.

As you can see pictured to the left, the Hennessey and Eikenberg kids were probably anything but. However, every year my best friend Whitney and I would join forces and hit up street after street looking for the best candy and the "best deals". There would be certain hot shots giving out King Size candy bars, and the couple next door always let you choose between an ice cream cone or 6 Oreo cookies. And you have to love the lone bowl with a sign, "Please only take 1 piece of candy; we are watching". Yea right. What do you think, we were born yesterday? Jackpot. If we had a "miss" we would save that candy, knowing we would put it to good use. Our siblings, their friends, and the two of us would reconvene and host a large poker tournament, playing purely with candy. All in hopes to make the best trades. My mother could never believe we would actually throw a Heath bar into "the pot". My hot trades - Sugar Daddy's for Twix. Sugar Daddy's must have been on sale year after year in my hometown because they'd always be everywhere. Drove me nuts!

My dad would always "check in" for the 3 Musketeers, "Lace, let me make sure it's not poisoned". Very clever, but I wasn't buying it - I'd throw him a bar or two.

Every Halloween I think about the glory days and just hope that wherever I am, the young trick-or-treaters are using their candy to their advantage. If nothing else, gearing up for an exciting trip to Vegas one day. Practice makes perfect.

Hopefully next week Jimmy Kimmel will ask parents to join in yet again, and continue to make their kids feel terrible....makes me laugh every year. (Bros at 2:49 are my favorite)

The October Smorgasbord

 I've been all over the place this October, and with that I have been stuffing my face. Between my birthday, a wedding, and Fall for Greenville - I can't seem to get enough. Other than hitting the gym, what better way to celebrate my caloric intake then to offer you a smorgasbord of meaningless memories and perhaps a look at my menu lately. So grab a brownie, cupcake, entire pizza, and/or diet coke (yes, diet) and hop in line for the Hennessey Hits buffet.

On the morning of my birthday, I arrived at work and to my surprise, sitting on my desk, was a tower of cookies, a pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks, a breakfast bagel from Sully's Steamers, and a large ice-cold coke in a Styrofoam cup - these people I call co-workers really know me. It's either awesome or embarrassing. Then taken to lunch, I enjoyed a crab cake and a helping of triple layer chocolate mouse cake. As if there was room, for dinner I topped the day off with macaroni, green bean casserole, Texas toast, a side salad with ranch and a few Bud Lights. Oh yea - then friends brought out an Oreo cake. Of course I ate a slice. 

27 - the year for eat, drink, and be....married? Not me, but the big "I Do" for many friends. 2 of which were Becca and Wes. The wedding was anything but boring and again, amazing food! To Charleston, SC I went and enjoyed literally one of, if not, the best rehearsal dinners I've been a part of. The speeches were absolutely hilarious and I wasn't shying away from the impressive open bar and choice Italian cuisine. Well done Martino clan. Well done.

Back in 2011 I wrote about Annie. That's her pictured with the gentleman to the right. Her...not me. Freakishly she looks just like me! Click here to read the quick background story on Annie and how I found my doppelganger. I received a phone call to meet Annie this past weekend. Of course I obliged. I was so curious. It was hysterical. She was hysterical. If I look anything like Annie when I am older, I'll take it. We met at Red Bowl. Yummm. I left there and went to Fall for Greenville. I have shared my thoughts about #FFG for several years. This year will be no different. 

So excited I even neglected to head to Clemson for the BC game. Instead I went with eating crab cakes on crab cakes on crab cakes, a slice of pizza (or 2 or 3), birthday cake gelato (a few times....hey, it's birthday month), enjoyed a few beers and of course bites of other unbelievably mouth watering favorites from downtown Greenville. Before departing for the final time Will and I stopped by the Gravitron - a carnival ride that spins continuously, sending its passengers round and round so the force actually holds you to the walls keeping you still. Science. It'll blow your mind. Anyway, we were watching on Sunday afternoon....the 'church crowd' had just hit the streets. One daring lady in her late 30's/early 40's decided the Gravitron was the perfect place to spend 7 tickets. In her kitten heals, bright red dress, and what looked to be a wig secured tightly, she showed a face nothing short of terror with each loop around. With yelps of "stop"...."stop"...."stop", laughter ensued. I couldn't help myself. As the ride came to a stop the other passengers let her off first. Like a wiggly, baby deer, and with an "Awww Lawd" she grasped the railings tightly and then went straight to the arms of a gentleman waiting. Sure she was going to puke, we waited a few moments before leaving. Why do we do that? Why do people laugh at the demise of others? So funny. "Stop" "Stop" "Aww lawwd" - hysterical. You should have seen her.

Next up, the biggest and best game of the year so far. Clemson vs. Florida State. Home game this Saturday under the lights in Death Valley. We stopped by the Alumni tent where my friend Bubba was gearing up for the weekend. He asked we pose with the Tiger - content knowing ESPN GameDay is coming back twice in one season or maybe just happy and full with crab cakes, we agreed. Go Tigers!

With a party bus leaving Greenville in the morning, 9 hours of tailgating, and a ticket into the game, Friday can't come fast enough. 

Only half way through October and so much good stuff. Next stop - Halloween.

Oh John

I got a call from my sister Lindsay this morning. 

"I know how much you love John Harbaugh so I had to call you". My immediate reaction, "Oh no, what happened?!", "No, he's fine....". Our discussion continued and led me here.

The important part of a chest bump, John, is to make sure the other person knows you're coming. Lindsay said the video is making its rounds up in Baltimore - Charm City as they call it, and the place she calls home. In the hunk-of-a-man's defense, John Harbaugh is known to do some legit workouts of his own. And oh, p.s. I love him.

At age 50 John was running 8, 300 yard sprints, after 3 hour long practices. 1 year later he still partakes. Members of the security team don't even run with him anymore, because he is just too fast. One bad chest bump, Lindsay, does not distract from the athleticism my dear John shows. Harbaugh even takes on the Ravens own conditioning test....and passes. Read the full article from The Caw, by Ryan Mink, here - a true highlight of his skills from the winning Super Bowl season.

With his good looks comes a sense of humor. Harbaugh cued the video during a film session after the win over the Dolphins. The Baltimore Sun quoted wide receiver Torrey Smith saying "I think it's one of the funniest things I have ever seen in my entire life". What a stud.

With the 1pm game against the Packers this Sunday, let's hope everyone is a little more prepared for sideline celebrations.