KC Dinner With April and Gavin
Posted on March 15, 2017 by Ching under Food and Drink.
The Phelpi were in Kansas City last week for the Big 12 Conference. As luck would have it, the Stub Hub ticket pickup site was in my hotel! They ended up taking advantage of the $5 parking lot in front of the hotel and I met them when they came to pick up their tickets. It was super convenient.
Cory and his dad walked over to the Sprint Center for the first game. April, Gavin, and I rode the KC Streetcar over to the Metro Center. We didn’t need to but I wanted to share the Streetcar experience with April and Gavin.
April saw something on Facebook that the Texas Tech basketball team would have a send off at the Marriott Kansas City Downtown, my usual hotel, so we went over there first before heading to dinner. I showed them around a little bit, pointed at my office building, that sort of thing. When we got to the Marriott, no one seemed to know what was going on. Luckily, we saw the band when they walked in so we just followed them and found our way to the right spot.
Here’s a picture of the Texas Tech band members lined up along the hall as they waited for the basketball team.
We took some fun pictures while we were waiting.
I thought I got a video of Gavin high-fiving some of the basketball players as they walked by but I was a dingbat and forgot to hit the button. I did manage to get a good photo of him with the pretty cheerleaders.
After the send off, we walked over to Power & Light to have dinner at BRGR.
Here are some pictures of our food.
I would tell you what all of these different burgers are but I’ve slept since then. I do remember what I had — the Big Hoss — because it’s what Brian and I had the last time we were there.
I had forgotten how huge the burgers are and concluded, too late, that April and I should have just split one. Something to remember for next time.
Obviously, we got some fried deviled eggs (scroll up for picture). They are a must have at BRGR. We also got some truffle tots because they are so yummy.
We also got some sweet potato tater tots because they are simply amazing. They have a dessert-like sweetness to them and almost remind me of corn fritters, though I know that they aren’t.
As you can see, we had way too much food for two and a half people (three if we’re rounding up). I ended up boxing half of my burger and all of the leftover tater tots. I was thinking of eating the leftovers for lunch the next day at work, rather than just letting them go to waste. I was also super excited that I got to take another one of those little bottles of Tabasco. The last time Brian and I were here, our server let us take our bottle home so I was really looking forward to bringing home another little Tabasco bottle for Brian. He still has the other bottle and he carries it everywhere with him in his man-bag because he like to splash Tabasco on everything.
The kids activities outside the arena were already closed by the time we finished dinner but it was still too early for their basketball game so we ended up walking around hunting Pokémon. We also walked around the huge Rally House store across from the Sprint Center. Eventually, it was time for them to head inside for their game and I made my way back to my hotel.
As I walked away from the Sprint Center, toward Main, I passed by a man who stopped me and asked if I had any money. I think he was just a homeless person rather than an actual panhandler because he wasn’t holding a sign or anything. Anyway, I was still holding my bag of BRGR leftovers so I told him I didn’t have any money but I did have some delicious food. For a split second I considered taking the Tabasco because I had meant to give it to Brian but then I figured that the man would need it for the burger. It’s a must for the Big Hoss. I also figured that he will have great use of the Tabasco sauce to liven up other foods that he might come cross in the coming days.
I have always wanted to give my leftover food to someone in need but I never seem to come across any homeless people when I’ve got some food to give away. Either that or, I can never summon the nerve to offer it to someone who looks homeless. I mean, what if they’re not really homeless and just unkempt? That would be really awkward. I dare not insult anyone. I’m trying to help, not make them mad at me.
I usually just end up putting my leftovers delicately on top of a trashcan where a homeless person might come upon the gift without having to dig through the trash.
You have no idea how happy I was that I finally came upon a homeless person to accept my leftover food. I didn’t have any money for him but he seemed genuinely grateful for what I had to offer. While I would have enjoyed the delicious food (half of my Big Hoss, two deep fried deviled eggs, and tons of truffle tots and sweet potato tots because they always give you so much) the next day, knowing that someone who needed it more benefitted from it was far more fulfilling.
Anyway, what a fun evening! We live in the same city but, since Cory and April moved out West, we rarely ever get to see one another. It was such a treat!
Comment on This
Big Brothers Big Sisters Fundraising
Posted on March 13, 2017 by Ching under Community.
I know I have been quiet lately. I can’t believe it has been two weeks since my last blog post. I’m still very much alive, in case you were wondering. The reason I’ve been MIA lately is that almost all of my spare time has been consumed with planning and preparing for our upcoming Dance For Kids’ Sake Zumbathon® for Big Brothers Big Sisters.
My individual fundraising is off to a pretty solid start. We still have about six more weeks until the end of the fundraising period and I’ve already surpassed my personal fundraising total from last year. And, we haven’t even done our major fundraising events yet.
Dance For Kids’ Sake is the big one, which you can learn about here, but we also have a couple other fundraising events coming up.
We’re getting some help from Chick-fil-A and Chipotle, two of my favorite places to eat.
If you’re going to eat out anyway, at least make it count. Our spirit day at the Chick-fil-A on Central and Rock Road is March 21, Tuesday.
If you eat there anytime from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM and mention that you want to support Big Brothers Big Sisters, 20% of your total bill will be donated to our fundraising campaign. I believe drive-thru works as well. The key is to mention the organization when ordering and paying for your food.
Here’s a picture of our Chick-fil-A flyer:
Our fundraising night at the Maple and Ridge Chipotle is April 3, Monday, from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Chipotle will donate 50% of the total to our fundraising campaign as long as you bring one of our event flyers, show them a picture of the flyer, or simply mention that you would like your purchase to support Big Brothers Big Sisters. You could even order food online and still support the cause by selecting the “pay-in-person” option.
Here’s a picture of our Chipotle flyer:
You’ll notice that one restaurant is on the East side, while the other is on the West side. That’s because Wichitans are notorious for not wanting to drive across town. No matter what side of town you live in, you can still support our fundraising efforts! Please mark your calendars and eat at one or both places on the designated days. You will never have a more satisfying meal. I promise.
May your hearts be as full as your bellies. Cheers!
Comment on This
Pictures from Pat’s 60th Birthday
Posted on February 28, 2017 by Ching under Events.
Here’s a group photo we took at Pat’s 60th birthday surprise party. And, this wasn’t even everyone. Cathie did a great job of getting everyone together.
Here’s a fun picture of Pat, Missy, Christina, Hideki, and Johnna.
I’m still in my Zumba gear because we had to skedaddle after my Zumba class and then we had to skedaddle again because we still had to feed the dogs before heading to bowling. It was a busy Sunday!
Missy and I both have Zumba classes on Sundays so she came from her Zumba class as well. As luck would have it, we were wearing the same shirt but in different colors. We didn’t even call each other to coordinate!
Here’s a picture of the two of us with the birthday girl.
Here’s one of Pat with me and Brian.
Brian was really antsy and wanted to leave right away on account of the dogs. I wanted to stay and celebrate with Pat so I talked Brian in to staying just a little bit. I gave up showering before bowling and everything just so we could stay longer.
We ended up getting roped into a salsa-lesson-slash-dance-contest, which we actually won. Our prize was a dessert brownie thing, which we ended up sharing with everyone. I told Brian, “Aren’t you glad we stayed for the contest?” LOL.
Anyway, it’s not everyday that you have a friend turn 60. That’s kind of a big deal. The girls, and most specially Cathie, really did a great job organizing the surprise party. I’m so glad we were able to attend and celebrate Pat’s big day with everyone.
Comment on This
YMCA Annual Celebration
Posted on February 27, 2017 by Ching under Community, Events.
My new Lularoe Amelia dress arrived just in time for the YMCA Annual Celebration so I didn’t have to figure out what to wear to it. I wore my Lularoe dress to work and took it straight to the dinner.
The dress actually got quite a few compliments at work. My favorite part of this style of dress is the pockets.
I’m not sure what was going on with my hair that morning but it was very 70s.
Brian was off work that day (he was actually off almost all week because they were redoing the floors of their office) but he put on his three-piece suit for me anyway. What a great hubby he is!
Speaking of great husbands, I ran into Johnna’s husband at the event.
A little bit later, Johnna came by our table and we took a selfie together. Of course, Brian and I had to selfie also.
I love going to this event because you learn about the Y’s new initiatives and you get to preview the campaign videos. They always do such a great job with the fundraising campaigns. This year it was a real treat seeing some familiar faces in the videos. This is the one with Missy and Todd.
They participated in the very first late night program for teens. It was really cool. I hope they roll the program out to all the Y branches in the area. We have the best YMCA facilities in the nation and it would be possible without the support of the community. I love Wichita!
Comment on This
Common Sense
Posted on February 26, 2017 by Brian under Funny Musings.
Common sense, it’s such an over looked commodity that humans possess. Yet, it seems that not all people have it, or they have just not been put in a position that allowed them to develop the common sense needed in order to survive in this world without the need for intervention from people that have it in droves and feel the need to assist those that lack it.
For example, the seat belt laws. Here’s a brief history on seat belts for those of you that didn’t know. Back in the late 50s to early 60s, test were done to determine if seatbelts were something that would need to be required on cars and could they really save lives. In 1968, Title 49 was implemented in the federal code that required all cars manufactured to have seat belts designed into them for safety. Now we go on for years with no laws requiring you to wear a seat belt, it was just common sense at this point. The government felt it was important enough to implement a law that required manufacturers to design these devices into your cars for safety and this should have been (and probably was for the vast majority of people) the sign that you should wear this whenever you are in a car. But no, there are those out there with no common sense and they chose not to wear a seat belt.
Now we fast forward to the mid 80s. States realize that they have idiots behind the wheel of these vehicles and they need to do something to save their dumb lives because lord knows, we have to many people on this planet as it is and we can’t let Darwinism take its course and thin the herd. We need these dumb people to pay taxes and vote for stupid presidents…sorry, I got on a tangent.
Anyway, mid 80s, New York decides they have had enough and becomes the first state to implement a mandatory seatbelt law that went into effect December of 84. Shortly after many other states started passing laws that required you to wear a seat belt for your own safety. To this day however, not every state has passed a law that states you are required to wear a seat belt.
Here’s my two cents on the whole matter and the point I’m trying to make. We were given common sense for a reason. If you choose to not use it then you should be met with the consequences of those actions. Who are we to create (what I call) common sense laws? I mean, if you want to get in your car and drive down the street and not wear your seat belt, then go ahead. Common sense says you should wear the seat belt because it will save your life, but if you get into an accident and fly through the windshield threading your face and then shattering your skull as you slam into the pavement and only a slightly reduced speed that you were initially traveling, then go ahead…the world will be a better place now that your stupidity has left it.
I’ve always said, stupidity should be painful. Creating these laws that stop people from using common sense is just breeding a less than intelligent society that will rely more and more on their governments to tell them what to do. It’s just a matter of time before we have a law that tells us that we need to breathe daily, and that it’s illegal to hold your breath because it may result in your death…just saying.
Comment on This
