STARS: Dealing with side effects of the 2nd shot of the COVID vaccine (Moderna)

I definitely did my research and homework before I decided to pull the trigger on getting the COVID-19 vaccine. Moderna was the one offered to me. It was either that or Pfizer for me. The first shot simply resulted in arm pain and slight nausea. 

I had heard and seen horror stories of the 2nd shot. I wanted to prepare myself the best way I knew how.

I ensured I had medicines and ailments that would treat the side effects, but not kill the profiency of the vaccine. Shortly after my 2nd shot, I took Ibuprofen and Tylenol. My pharmacist and several others before me recommended this. 

I also took it easy on Day 1 and part of Day 2. I consumed elderberry, local honey, orange juice, a tablespoon of moonshine, and my regular vitamins. Day 1 was pretty smooth outside of light nausea. Day 2 I actually saw a burst of energy. I cut grass and even gathered with a small group of friends. Again only side effects were light nausea and arm pain. 

I am currently on Day 3 entering Day 4 and am feeling awesome. I got ahead of the symptoms and effects. I actually communicated with 3 other people on their 2nd Moderna dosage. I do realize everyone reacts differently to vaccines. The other 3 suffered a range of side effects, including body aches, chills and even fevers. I was fortunate not to have any of that. 

I noticed that I got ahead of the game far as taking the recommended ailments and the others did not. The one I definitely recommend is Tylenol or equivalent. Take it immediately after the 15 minute waiting period. I'm confident if you do these things, the vaccine will not affect you as badly. 

STARS: Looking for good coffee

I won't lie, I'm a snob on certain products despite having an easygoing, down to Earth personality. One of these is coffee. 

I've gotten to where I can only drink certain brands and types of coffee. Most other types, especially pre-ground, store brands, make me sick to my stomach and give me a headache. 

I look for the roasting and producing source when researching coffee. Like who is the person roasting the coffee. And how is it roasted? I'm a micro batch guy so I need to know that information. Lastly, where is the coffee sourced from? Does it come from Africa, Central America or from Akron, OH. This is also important since coffee is only grown in a few places. 

I also ask is the coffee pre-ground or grounded fresh. This is also a game changer. Think about when you go to a restaurant to eat. Most people, even at a fast food place, want their food prepared as fresh as possible. Coffee is much more better tasting and potent when it's ground fresh to made, opposed to when it's been sitting for hours. 

I also look at the blends and addictives. First off, anything that is artificial is a red flag. White turtle (white chocolate) is a popular flavor but it is artificially made. Nothing organic about this. That's the type of products I want to see in my coffee. Same with syrups of any type.

Also, I look at the name of the coffee/business and if I see if caters to a certain group or a gimmick, it's not going to be as good. Coffee is everywhere, I'm a business/marketing guy. If you have to resort to a gimmick to market it, it likely isn't going to be the best choice. I know it's not mine.

I've been looking at this for a few years. Cheap plug but the company I have found that embodies all I prefer is Con Cafe coffee. Look at their website for further details or to order a bag www.concafe-sc.com.

STARS: DOT Certification

*DISCLAIMER: I have only undergone and am showing the first process. I am not a CDL, box truck or a step van driver.  I will be teaching drivers how to drive step vans soon so I did have to go through the initial process of obtaining a medical card. *

Transportation careers are becoming more popular as they are very lucrative, high turnover and good job security. The DOT physical, however, can be a challenge, especially as you get older. 

I would suggest first to schedule a regular physical with your MD. Ensure all of your medications and any afflictions you have are on point.  This especially goes for your vitals. If you have hypertension, sleep apnea, or are on certain medications, your DOT certification process will be delayed at best. 

I would then find a testing center if your own MD or private practice doesn't do this. DO NOT utilize an urgent care facility. I say this because many of them aren't on the same page, your wait will be longer due to them being backed up with COVID exams and vaccinations. 

The average exam and process without waiting or extra items should be two hours. This is why I suggest receiving a clean bill of health before then.  If things such as your eyesight, blood pressure and medications are questionable, you will not be issued a card. For those renewing your card, this could keep you off the road and your place of employment may not compensate you for it. 

I have definitely found out time is money and regardless of where you go, your time may not be valued. Therefore, stay vigorous and persistent until you receive your card. I'm noting the date on mine and any other recommendations. I find the date to be of great importance as I plan on preparing 30 days out so I can be good to go and recertification will not be strenuous. 

I want everyone undergoing this to have the best and efficient process possible. It was two months start to finish for me since I wasn't informed. Many folks are two hours same day. I want the latter for all. 

STARS: Grilling a Good Steak

It's officially Spring and with more folks getting vaccinated, we're about to be having more cookouts. At worst, more people will be grilling on their own. 

One of the things that people love but can struggle with is properly grilling a steak. It's not as hard as it seems but you do have to pay careful attention. 

I make sure my heat is medium at least on the grill and the coals are evenly distributed. I prefer to cook other items first to allow the coals to settle and burn some more. 

I also marinate the steaks the night before, regardless of the cut. I simply buy a marinade out of the grocery store and add some Worchestire sauce, and balsamic vinegerette. I also season them with basic salt, pepper, steak seasoning and Tony Sauterisseire. 

I then place the steaks on no more than 6 at a time, preferably 4. You need more room on your grill for the heat to evenly distribute. 

I tend to do around 10 minutes per side for medium rare or medium. I may do an extra 2-3 minutes per side for a well done steak.  

I have found through trial and error that doing these things will get you a tasty steak. There are always other techniques and such to really up your steak game. 

STARS: How To Post Spoilers Respectfully

This should be the easiest and most unnecessary STARS post I've had to write but here we go. This past weekend proved people still don't respect each other and possibly themselves. 

I like to give the masses a weekend, preferably a week,  before posting any movie or TV spoilers.  Everyone cannot see a viewing right away and do not need anyone messing that experience up for them. 

I look for and even form groups for posting spoilers and bonding. Group chats work wonders here as well. I also like what one of my social media friends did: made a post and said don't respond if you haven't seen the movie yet. I get that you're excited or disgusted and want to discuss what you saw. Here are some ways to do it. 

I also rely on talking to my personal circle as well and not posting at all on public forum. I also post reviews on Rotton Tomatoes, Yelp and other popular sites and apps. 

I cannot stand spoilers and doing these methods can mitigate them and enhance the overall viewing experience.

STARS: How To Really Portray a Toxic Love Story

*DISCLAIMER*: the following post contains spoilers and sensitive information. Proceed with caution before reading.  

I have received a lot of flack simply because I didn't share the same emotion and thoughts from the dramatic Netflix film "Malcolm and Marie". Not once did I say it was a bad film nor it wasn't displaying a toxic relationship. 

My main deal was based off of my personal experience and being a writer, I saw more effective ways to really bring home what the couple was feeling.  It came off like a overly dramatic back and forth when it could have been much more. 

I would have shown the awards show scene and the moment Malcolm admitted Marie's name. I wanted the audience to really see what Marie was feeling when she was omitted and any internal feelings that had been building up. I get the format but I feel the audience deserves a little more depth regarding how the couple got here. 

I would have had a little more face to face contact rather than the yelling across the room. I also realize this was filmed during a pandemic. There are workarounds to simulate the true drama.

I would have sent further shockwaves by showing some violence and not necessarily towards the characters. The point was to show verbal and emotional abuse.  Maria made the mac n cheese for Malcolm and he ate it while he continued to go in on her. Maria could have came up to Malcolm, taken the bowl and smashed it on the ground. She would have challenged his manhood and sent the message that if you don't appreciate what I do, I'll destroy it.

Also the love/makeup scene was too soft and middle school like. When two people are in love but are feeling butthurt emotionally, that emotion should be shown sexually. We got a passionate kiss and some hugging.

I feel this would have made for more of a 3D experience of a potential classic or a 4K versus a standard resolution.  

STARS: Promoting Your Event/Place With Stiff Competition

We have seen, especially just over the past week, how the little guy can beat the big guy in a financial war. Point is, things happen all the time for good that shouldn't in the eyes of some. 

Think about in the case of Borderlands having a huge sale during Super Bowl weekend. Now many haven't heard of Borderlands first off. Secondly, this is one of the hardest weekends to get folks to your store and not just due to COVID. Bath and Body Works has made their sales work for many years due to a number of factors: timing, zoning in on their key market and starting early and often. Trust me, they're planning already for their next big sale and how to promote it. 

I would definitely buy a small TV spot, as well as social media time. I would do this at the beginning of January. I know a month out is a decent time frame for allowing the masses to know. 

I would have a campaign to add and recruit as many people to my store and possible. Visibility is also important. I would have characters like the squiggly creature seen at car lots and Lady Liberty at tax preparation centers.  People don't know you exist if they can't see you. 

I would offer plenty of online deals as well and would extend the in-store sale to an online venue that lasts throughout February (peak tax season). One is first or last in this scenario. 

I would go to investors and brokers (speaking of that topic) and gain partnership and sponsorship. Everyone in the big city will not know what goes on in small towns and vice versa and I would want to bridge that gap. Modern stores such as Borderlands are finding themselves on the chopping blocks due to the online retail giants. 

I take my lessons learned from Belk and BiLo: adapt or cease to exist. I ensure my events and market are well informed before any huge event and beyond.