I Suck At Jack Link's Premium Cuts Chicken Nuggets

Okay. So it's been a little over a week since the last time I wrote a post. I'm trying to get back into the habit of writing posts. Writing this blog is like working out, just without the sweat. I always make excuses to put it off... but when I'm actually doing it, it's great. And if I do happen to sweat while writing this blog in front of my computer, then something is definitely not quite right with me.

Plus, I told my friend (Andrea) that I would post something today because she asked. Apparently, she has missed reading my blog posts. When I think about it, I guess that makes sense. With Facebook and social media all around us now, knowing what people are up to seems status quo. And since I don't regular check Facebook, I guess the only means for people to know what I am up to is through this blog. Perhaps some day I'll embrace Facebook and update my status based on my bowel movements like I had originally wanted. In the meantime, all of you can thank Andrea. So thanks Andrea!

Anyway, in case anyone is interested, here are the exciting events that have transpired since my last post:

1) Thanksgiving. Happy belated turkey day! I hope everyone took the time to give thanks, particularly to the Native Americans whose land we stole in return for booze and disease. Seems like a fair trade. Luckily, they are slowing getting us back by praying on our gambling vices. Good for them!

All in all, my Thanksgiving was quiet. Karen, our twenty month old daughter (Briana), and I spent the holiday with my parents and Karen's parents... at my in-law's. As usual, the food was delicious. At one point during the day, everyone was gathered around the dining room table looking at newspaper ads for Black Friday deals. I thought it was a comical sight.

Following Thanksgiving dinner, Karen, Briana, my in-laws, and I visited Karen's grandmother at the nursing home. We brought Nana a little turkey dinner. The interesting thing about the visit was that Nana actually mentioned Karen by name during the visit. In all of my previous visits with Nana, she had never called Karen by her name. So it was interesting, particularly for Karen. Luckily for me, Nana has no problem saying "Mike".

2) Black Friday. Every year, I look at the Black Friday ads and think about going out shopping in the wee hours of night. And every year, I stay snugly warm in my bed Friday morning. This year was no different.

I did not see any deals that jumped out at me this year. I'm still waiting for the day there are deals on Sony televisions. Maybe that will actually get me into the Black Friday shopping spirit of trampling people (or pepper spraying people as it may be this year) in the early hours of morning. Perhaps I'm too brand loyal.

Instead, Karen, Briana and I waited for the afternoon to go shopping. We actually had nothing to do, so we decided to just go shopping. And interestingly enough, we ran into Karen's parents while shopping. It was fun. For anyone curious, the highlight of my Black Friday shopping was purchasing a video game. It's not just any video game. It's Resident Evil 5 Gold Edition! Gotta go for the gold. There's a lot to like about zombies... like Lowell.

And as always, Black Friday night was spent at my friends' (Cass and Ellen) as they hosted the annual Black Friday potluck tradition. For anyone curious, the potluck involves everyone bringing their Thanksgiving leftovers. My like of potlucks aside, I have always thought the Black Friday tradition by Cass and Ellen was brilliant. What better way is there to get rid of leftovers?

Joining in on the potluck this year were my friends (Marc, Kelley, Garv, Leeann, Scott, Meredith, Andrea) and my BFF (Kerry). It was definitely a blast hanging out with everyone. Granted, having Briana around does make that difficult at times. If it's not me, it's Karen who will watch Briana run amok. So inevitably, one of us will most likely miss or hear only parts of a conversation. It's just how it is these days. This year, I spent some quality time with Ellen and Meredith (and Elyse and Xander).

As a side note, Garv gave Briana her first taste of a fruit roll-up. I mention this now because Garv will also be the first person to take Briana to a Taylor Swift concert. It will make his going to a Taylor Swift concert with his adult male friends less creepy.

3) Charming Petals Flower and Gift Shop. There's a lot to like about Lowell... like zombies. On Saturday, Karen, Briana and I headed up north to visit Karen's Lowell relatives (Denise, Paul, Matthew). Karen's Uncle Paul's mother recently passed away. As we could not attend the wake that was scheduled earlier in the week, we asked to stop by over the weekend. So off to the great white north we went.

It was actually an interesting visit, because we did not even stay in Lowell that long. All of us headed to the Charming Petals Flower and Gift Shop located in Dracut. On the agenda... Santa... and not just any Santa... Victorian Santa. Charming Petals was having a free picture with Santa day. Needless to say, Briana was not a fan of the man in the red suit. She cried... and cried... and cried.

Following the tear-filled outing, Karen's cousin (Karlene) and her husband (Tommy) met up with us. We essentially just hung out before all of them left for an alumni hockey game. It was good to see everyone. I don't think we've seen the... Lowellians? or is it Lowellites? in quite some time. So it was good.

Saturday night was also a nice rare event. Karen and I had a movie/date night on the couch when Briana went to bed. We haven't had a night to just ourselves since her birthday back in October. The movie for the night: "When In Rome". Like all chick flicks, this one was predictable. It was an enjoyable movie. How can it not be? It stars Kristen Bell of Veronica Mars fame.

4) Cookie Swap. Sunday was the infamous Christmas Parade in Quincy. For anyone who knows me, they know that I dislike parades. Unless I'm in on a float or marching in the parade... or even inebriated, I find them very boring. Naturally, I begrudgingly attended the Christmas Parade in Quincy this year. My reason for going, of course, was for my daughter. It so happens that I don't think Briana cared much for the parade either. Who is Daddy's girl?

Anyway, attending the parade were my mother-in-law, my favorite sister-in-law (Janine), Janine's family (PJ, PJ and Kaleigh), Janine's BFF (Gretchen), my friends (Jen, Bill, Terry, and Hot Amy), Jen and Bill's mother, Terry's family (Dave, Gianna, and David), Hot Amy's husband (Mark), and Terry and Hot Amy's parents. It was definitely a motley crew of sorts.

For me, the highlight of the parade were the bagpipers and the clydesdale horses. They win hands down all the time. Not even former Bruin, Rick Middleton, who appeared in the parade this year could beat the sweet sound of bagpipes and trotting horses.

Following the parade, all of us headed to Jen and Bill's for a cookie swap. Much like Karen, Jen is into traditions. So this happened to be the second annual cookie swap. Needless to say, the cookies were amazing. Unfortunately, I did not partake in the swapping of cookies this year like I did last year. If I had to choose a winner for this year though, I would go with Bill's cookies. Design-wise, Jen had the cutest cookie with her snowmen, but I enjoyed the taste of Bill's the most which may be sad news for my BFF's ears.

Anyway, after the cookie swap, Karen and I actually had another date/movie night. Back to back nights is unheard of! Interestingly enough, we kept the Kristen Bell theme going by watching "You Again". I must say, it was another cute enjoyable movie. Ooh, shiny!

And finally, that takes me to today. Today I hung out with my friends (Marc, Kelley, and Andrea). It was our weekly get together, which Karen missed out on because she was feeling a little run down. And as the loving husband and father that I am, I immediately bolted out the door leaving a trail of dust behind me when she told me that she'd stay home and watch Briana.

For me, getting out by myself is few and far between these days. So I relish the opportunity to go out. Most of the time, I am watching Briana. And as much as I enjoy my daughter's company, I do occasionally need the break even if it's just to hang out for a couple of hours.

Sadly, nothing particularly happened on my thrilling night out. All of us just hung out, watched some episodes of Scare Tactics, Attack of the Show, and Man V. Food Nation. I may have devoured the majority of Andrea's booze-filled cupcakes. Speaking of food, I tried my first Jack Link's Premium Cuts Chicken Nugget. Now, I suck at Jack Link's Premium Cuts Chicken Nuggets. It was not exactly what I was expecting. The nugget was a little dryer than I thought it would be, but I guess that should have been expected since it is jerky after all.

Needless to say, I had a fun time tonight.