A Week in Review: Busy Days, Sports Highlights, and Sweet Treats in Chicago

Sleepy Oliver

What a busy week it was last week! The week flew by and it seemed like it was nonstop every day into the evenings. After being away for part of the prior week, I was playing catch-up at work. Carrie shared a picture of Oliver with me while I was away, showing him sleeping on the couch with his tongue out. I felt like Oliver after such a hectic week.

This week is shaping up to be busy too. Work will be demanding as I try to complete projects, and then we have the NCAA D2 tournament starting for Washburn, followed by the Big 12 tournament. It will be a fun week!

Washburn had a disappointing first round in the MIAA tournament this past week, so I'm hoping they can get off to a good start in the NCAA D2 tournament. Washburn went 26-2 for the season but experienced their third loss in the MIAA tournament. I'm hoping the loss in the first round of the MIAA tournament will help the team focus on the NCAA D2 games.

Kansas basketball has had a down year. After starting the season at number one, we lost 11 games in the regular season. We lost three games at home and are 4-8 in away games. The games this season have been tough to watch at times, and we have blown a few leads.

Staying on the topic of sports, I have enjoyed listening to many of the Royals spring training games. With spring training happening, it means it's time for fantasy baseball drafting to begin. I have my first fantasy baseball draft this week. I only participate in three leagues, and last year I struggled in all of them. I didn't draft well or make good decisions during the season, which left me at the back of the pack in all three leagues. Still, it's a fun time and I enjoy following players on the various rosters.

Dessert at Gibbsons in Chicago

At the end of February, I went to Chicago for a conference. The conference was great, and I hope to go back next year. It was my first time attending the Midwestern Higher Education Compact (MHEC) conference. I met many people from other Midwestern colleges and had good discussions. It was a smaller conference than I expected, with only about 65 people attending, but it was well worth the trip and time.

On Thursday night, the conference took everyone out to dinner at Gibbsons Steakhouse. The steak was excellent, but the thing everyone who had been in prior years talked about was the dessert. The dessert was shared with the table and it was fantastic. The picture to the left does not do it justice, as the slice was huge. We had a slice of ice cream cake and another of carrot cake. Both were really good. I want to take Carrie to Gibbons and also go back to Chicago. It was a fun trip and I ate well too.

A bit of a rambling post on this Sunday afternoon. I think that's all for today. Have a great rest of your Sunday and a wonderful week. Hoping we can keep the warmth and avoid any more cold or snow.

Celebrating a Championship Season: The Washburn Ichabods Journey to Victory!

Ichabods Celebrating

This has been a fun year to be an Ichabod fan. Carrie and I have had season tickets for Ichabods basketball for a few seasons. We made it to the majority of the games this season, but we also missed a few. We were able to make it to the last two regular season home games. Washburn clinched the title on February 22. We finished the season 26-2, going the majority of the season undefeated. We played the last regular season game on March 1 and are ready for the MIAA Championship to start on March 6.

Michael Keegan Cutting Nets

Attending games and then watching games when they are away, I have some good memories of our players. Michael Keegan will be graduating this year. Michael has a fan club that travels from his hometown of Dyersville, Iowa. They were at the last game of the season, and I remember them last year at a game where they were all wearing shirts and holding signs cheering on their hometown guy. Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to have lunch with Michael at an athletics event. It was fun to be able to talk to him and hear his insights on basketball, academics, and even his fan club.

Andrew Orr Celebrating

Another favorite from the team is Andrew Orr. Both Michael and Andrew are seniors this year. It is fun to see how Andrew progressed over his career at Washburn from his first year in 2021-2022 to this year. He is a force inside and can hit the short jumper. He has been fun to watch as an Ichabod, and I wish him all the best in his future.

Jack Bachelor Celebrating

Jack Bachelor has been a lot of fun to watch this year. He drives the lane with ease but is a big threat from the three-point line. He keeps opponents on their toes as a constant threat. I look forward to watching him play next year for his junior year.

It was great watching the team cut down the nets and celebrate. Following the team, it feels as though I know the players, and it is great to see their success this year.

Head Coach Brett Ballard Celebrating

It has been so fun to follow head coach Brett Ballard. Every time I talk to my mom to tell her we went to a game or that I was watching them later in the day, she asks who our coach is and how much she likes him. Coach Ballard played basketball for the University of Kansas, and she remembers him each time we talk. He has done great for Washburn, and I wish the team all the best in the postseason.

Join me in following the Ichabods on March 6 for the MIAA tournament. Go Bods!

Switching Razors: My Journey from Dollar Shave Club to Harry's

Taking a bit of a different direction today, I am going to talk about men's products. For over five years, I have had a subscription to Dollar Shave Club (DSC) for razors, shampoo, deodorant, etc. Truthfully, it might be almost seven years that I have been a member and using their products. I liked the ease of having the items delivered and not having to worry about picking them up at the grocery store or running out, as I could control the deliveries.

The razors worked well, and I had a new razor as often as I needed. Then, one day, I got a notice from them that they were changing their razors. Not only the razor but the handle and the whole setup. They changed the connector used to connect the razor blades. The change did not go well in my view, as often when shaving, the razor blade would pop off the connector. Once this occurred, the blade could not be connected back easily to the handle; instead, I would have to connect a new blade and waste the blade I was using.

I reported this to customer support in June 2023, and they sent out a new handle. While a little better, the issue continued. I also noticed with the new design of blades that the shave did not seem as close as it was prior to the change. I stuck with DSC as I do like their deodorant and soap. The razors, though, often had me cursing in the mornings while trying to get ready for the day.

Back in December, when the razor popped off the handle, it was the last time. I decided that morning to check other options for razor delivery to my home. I had seen various ads for Harry's. Similar to DSC Harry's offers home delivery, so I ordered a handle and razors to test them out. I also ordered some of their shaving cream as I had been using shaving cream from DSC.

The new Harry's razor and shaving cream lived up to my expectations. Close shave, and I was surprised I really liked the shaving cream too. After a few days of shaving with the new razor, I went out and ordered a two-pack of blades to keep me supplied for a few weeks. Having shaved for a few weeks now with the new blade, I have swapped out three or four times to new blades for the handle, and it is working great. Close shave and precision blade for sideburns. I am really happy with the change.

You might be wondering why I do not use the disposable blades available easily from grocery stores. I have tried them but have never been a fan. Sure, they work in a pinch if traveling and I forgot my razor, but not for every day. I like having a handle I can reuse and swap out with new blades as needed. For now, I will be a Harry's customer.

No, I did not receive any compensation from either vendor for this post, nor have I had any contact with either vendor except for, as earlier mentioned, when I contacted DSC about the faulty handle and blades.

Surviving YouTube TV's Contract Disputes: My Experience

As many of you know, I have been a YouTube TV (YTTV) subscriber for several years. Like other services, including cable and satellite, YTTV occasionally faces outages due to contract disputes. Over the years, I've seen various channels disappear, from ESPN to MLB. The most recent threat was CBS (Paramount) potentially disappearing from the channel lineup. Similar to the ESPN situation, a significant number of channels would have left the service if the CBS contract wasn't renewed.

CBS's contract with YTTV was set to expire on Thursday, February 13. Leading up to that date, CBS shows displayed a running tagline urging viewers to contact YTTV to keep CBS. Meanwhile, YTTV sent out notices encouraging subscribers to contact CBS to finalize the contract. Both entities pointed fingers at each other, claiming the other was not cooperating to reach a common solution.

Fortunately, late on February 13, both parties reached a temporary agreement (USA Today Article). We continue to have access to CBS and all its channels. However, this is not a permanent solution but rather a temporary extension. I haven't found any information on how long this extension will last, but I'm hoping it will extend past March to avoid interruptions during NCAA basketball's March Madness.

This won't be the last contract dispute for YTTV. When we were Cox TV customers, they frequently had contract disputes. I recall channels disappearing or displaying scrolling text warnings, only to be resolved at the last minute. That was ten to fifteen years ago, and nothing has changed. These disputes will continue to be a part of the experience for both cable customers and cord-cutters.

Since I joined YTTV, the cost has steadily increased. However, it is still much less than what we paid for Dish satellite service. I never cared for Cox's television service, but I've been happy with YTTV despite the rising costs. Many people on social media claim to leave YTTV over slight cost increases or potential channel losses. Despite these issues, I continue to enjoy YTTV. The DVR options are solid, and I appreciate the layout and ease of use. I have no plans to switch services.

In my years as a YTTV customer, we've lost channels, only to have them return once contracts were resolved. The only exception is the MLB Network, which left YTTV on January 31, 2023, due to unresolved contract disputes. While it would be nice to have the MLB Network back, it's not a deal-breaker for me. However, for many, this was a deal-breaker, and they left YTTV.

For now, happy watching! I hope CBS/Paramount and YouTube TV can reach a long-term agreement so I won't be back here in a month saying we've lost CBS/Paramount again.

Austin Escapades: A Thrilling Weekend of Food, Fun, and Friends

Flight from KC to Austin

On January 31, Carrie and I headed to the airport for Austin, TX. Carrie and Corrie had tickets for Justin Timberlake on Monday night, so we decided to make a trip of it. We planned to meet Corrie (from Houston) and Javier (from Dallas). Javier and I planned to hang out Monday night and visit some beer spots while Corrie and Carrie attended the concert.

We rented a house for the trip and had a great time. We ate at wonderful spots and had drinks at some good places too. I'll share some of the spots we visited with recommendations if you find yourself in Austin.

Crawfish for Lunch

After Mexican food on Friday night to start the trip, we went for a late lunch at Shoal Creek Saloon, where we had crawfish. It had been a long time since I had crawfish, and it did not disappoint. Corrie had to remind me how to eat crawfish, and we made quick work of 2 lbs. We spent a few hours here enjoying the food and beverages. Corrie mentioned that her brother, Curt, and sister-in-law, Leah, met and worked at Shoal Creek Saloon, which was cool to hear. It was a good spot with good drinks and a fun environment.

Other food enjoyed at Shoal Creek Saloon included Jambalaya, which was fantastic, and a family platter that included soft shell crab. It was my first time having soft shell crab, and I loved it!

Selfie in front of The Garage

Saturday night found us at The Garage, a unique cocktail bar that Javier had found and made reservations for. The Garage is located in an actual parking garage. A good-sized bar with seats around the bar and edges made for a unique experience. It was a little chilly in The Garage because it was, in fact, a garage for parking cars. It was really cool, though. We had a great time trying different drinks and people-watching.

That night, we went back to the house and enjoyed the evening drinking wine and eating snacks. We kept it simple after being out most of the day.

Sunday found us at Jacoby's Restaurant and Mercantile, which was an excellent find by Carrie, I believe. Once again, this place had excellent drinks and food. I had chicken fried steak and waffles. So good! I couldn't finish it all, but we also had some appetizers. Before we left, we got some strawberry cake to take home. As our trip was coming to an end on Tuesday night, Carrie mentioned this was one of her favorite spots of the whole trip. It was really good, and I highly recommend a visit to Jacoby's Restaurant and Mercantile.

Oasis Texas Brewing Company

Sunday afternoon/evening found us at Oasis Texas Brewing Company on the Colorado River. Good beer and incredible views. We enjoyed watching the sun go down and seeing the beautiful views while drinking good drinks. The Oasis Texas Brewing Company was a cool spot with beautiful views of the river and, of course, the sun going down. A lot of seating with various bars and places to eat made for a fun place to watch the setting sun.

We did manage to get some culture while we were in Austin by visiting The Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum, which Carrie had been wanting to visit. We toured the museum for a few hours and made it to all of the floors. I am so glad we were able to tour the LBJ museum. His presidency was overshadowed by the Vietnam War. He did so many great things for the country, but the war took away from his legacy.

Empty Bottles From Trip

We had a great time with our visit to Austin, Texas. A fun town with a bit of crazy traffic, but we had a wonderful time. Thanks to Corrie for driving us around for much of the time. We usually try to snap a picture of the empty bottles at the end of our trips with Corrie, and we made it through a few bottles. Some really good wine that Corrie brought with her on the trip, which was great!

I realized I did not post any pictures of Justin Timberlake. Well, I will leave that for Carrie to provide. Carrie did say it was a fun concert and they had great seats. I am good with missing the concert and instead touring around Austin with Javier, drinking good beer.

From Bike Rides to Weight Loss: My Fitness Milestones

Starting February, I look back on my workout history since restarting this process in December. I continue my twice-a-week workout routine. I always work out on Sunday mornings at 11 a.m., usually with a live class. The other day is typically Wednesday, though I've moved it around as needed due to other events. I'm enjoying the process and routine. My rides are typically 30 minutes, but I've done a few as long as 45 minutes.

I'm approaching 400 total bike rides since we got the bike. I'm currently at 392 and expect to hit the 400 mark in mid-February. I typically ride one longer ride of 30 minutes and then one or two cool-down rides of five minutes or so. I'm hoping to time it so I can be in a live class and maybe even get a shout-out from the instructor.

I've only been focusing on bike rides so far. Although the stats above show other categories, I haven't been doing anything other than bike rides. I do want to add weightlifting and other cardio into my workout routine, but for now, I think it's good to focus on the bike.

In the spring, I intend to start running again. I was on a good routine a year ago, into the spring and summer, where I was running regularly. It didn't last long, unfortunately, due to summer trips, and I never got back into the swing of it after those trips. I enjoy running, and it also helps keep Oliver in shape, as I take him for walks after my runs.

My weight loss journey is progressing well. Since November, I've been on new medication that, combined with my exercise routine, has been instrumental in my weight loss. I've lost 30 pounds since November! I can definitely see the difference in my face and how my clothes fit. They're much looser now! I still have a way to go to reach my target weight, but I'm excited to continue this journey and see even more progress. I'm also focusing on improving my eating habits. I'm enjoying the foods I'm eating and making conscious choices to avoid less healthy options. All of these factors contribute to my progress. While I experience the normal aches and pains that come with getting older (like in my knees and back), I feel better than I have in a long time.

The last time I was at my current weight was in 2017, which was the lowest I'd been in years. I'm below that weight now. Again, I have a way to go to hit my target weight, but I'm making good progress.

Until next time, have a great rest of your weekend and a great week! Watch for future updates on my health journey. What are your favorite workout routines? Share your fitness journey in the comments!

A Day in Kansas City: Art, Culture, and a Delicious Dinner

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

On Saturday, we took a trip to Kansas City to spend the day. We stopped at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, which I hadn't visited since grade school. We had a wonderful time exploring the exhibits and taking in the sights. We barely scratched the surface in the couple of hours we spent there, and we didn't even make it to the second floor! One of my favorite pieces we saw was Chance Meeting, a sculpture depicting three individuals who unexpectedly encounter each other on the city street.

The view from the steps of the museum facing the lawn is stunning. No longer covered in snow, the lawn now showcases the famous Shuttlecocks sculptures. I've driven past the museum countless times, so it was refreshing to see the view from a different perspective. Since it wasn't a cold day on Saturday, we were able to step outside and cool down after walking around indoors.

Following our cultural immersion at the museum, we had reservations at The Campground at 5:15 PM. We had dined at The Campground almost a year ago by chance. We were in the Stockyards District last year and stumbled upon The Campground, where we enjoyed a drink. We knew we wanted to return for a meal, and Saturday was the perfect opportunity. The drinks are fantastic, and we thoroughly enjoyed the appetizers and main courses. The Brussels sprouts were exceptional! For my main course, I had the Arctic Char, which was also delicious. I also sampled the Double Smashburger, which was equally impressive.

Quivering Forest Drink

One of the drinks I had was the Quivering Forest, a delightful concoction of Black Currant Mezcal, Smoked Paprika, Campari, and Lime. I highly recommend it. The Campground regularly updates its menu, and we unfortunately missed out on a pork dinner they had recently featured on their FaceBook page. We had a fantastic time and thoroughly enjoyed the drinks, appetizers, and main course.

It was a fun day of cultural enrichment and culinary exploration in Kansas City.