Top 7: Places and Ideas for Spring and Summer dates

The warm weather appears to be here to stay for a few months. Many folks go outside more often and enjoy the beautiful, sunny weather. There are many exciting things to do outside with that significant other. That is my top 7 for this week.

1. Beach

This is always a popular one, especially in my state, home of one of the most famous beaches in the country, Myrtle Beach, SC. You can take a walk alongside the beach as the sun goes down, sit on the sand together, and of course swim together. The list goes on when it comes to the beach. Thus even includes:

2. Picnic

Yes this may seem corny to some. However, simply pack a picnic basket, or have some food available, and just eat outdoors with your better half. Relive your childhood and play on the swings. You can also have picnics at the beach, national parks, even your own backyard if you live in the country like I do.

3. Walk/run together

Getting out and exercising period is simply good for both parties. However, this is a good chance to explore the neighborhood and simply talk. You can even be a little competitive and have a small race with that person. This is all in good fun of course.

4. Festivals

This is another staple in South Carolina, and even parts of North Carolina and Atlanta. It seems there is a festival happening weekly within driving distance. There is typically lots of fun for all ages. One of my best friends actually met his wife at a festival.

5. Going to the river/possibly camping It's hard to go wrong at the river. They are typically free and public. Speaking personally, Broad River in South Carolina has several different areas and parts across the state. It is a relaxing place. You can have a picnic, fish, swim, build a bonfire, go tubing, and just sit back and relax. It's a good load off and very cost effective and practical. You can also camp out at many river spots, making it a mini-getaway. People do not look at the river in this fashion, but there is a lot more than meets the eye. 6. Theme Park (Carowinds , Six Flags, etc)

These can include Carowinds, Six Flags, Kings Dominion, Busch Gardens, or even a standard water park. You get to really see the adventurous side of your mate. Riding the various rides, playing the games, going to shows, etc. It also establishes intimacy as you hold on to that person on the roller coasters and you hold hands as you circle the park.

7. Cookouts

You cannot leave out cookouts when its warm weather. This is something else that usually happens somewhere every weekend. Cookouts are typically one of the most relaxing warm weather gatherings. People playing cards, dancing, playing cornhole, the smell of the delicious food, and just the overall atmosphere. You can even experience this in your own home if you have a grill. Don't wait on a cookout invite to try and show off your grilling skills and invite a few friends over.

The warm weather will last for a few months, but it still flies by.  So get out from under that air conditioner, grab your sunscreen and have some fun outside!

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Cornhole: Catching on fast, and leaving horseshoes in the crosshairs

This game once seemed like one for young children, or even for yuppies. However, it seems folks of all ages, walks of life, and even races are playing cornhole.

Cornhole is a game similar to horseshoes in many fashions, including the scoring.  Two boards with a hole near the top are placed a few feet from each other, just like horseshoe pegs. One, however, tosses beanbags with corn in them, attempting to hit the hole at the top of the board.

This game has really taken many areas by storm. There is recreational and competitive play.  You can now see people playing this game at bars, cookouts, tailgates, birthday parties, and even family reunions. There are also many local, regional, and even national competitions everywhere. Competitions can be held indoors or outdoors. The outdoor competition seems to be the most popular, especially during spring and summertime.

I have many friends and relatives that not only play, not only buy their own cornhole boards and bags with sports logos of their choice, they make them as a side hustle. I know of a couple of people, including family members, that construct cornhole sets and pocket anywhere from $150-$200 per set. Not bad if you're good with your hands, wood, and can paint.

So where does this leave horseshoes? I know many horseshoe players that will not go near cornhole. Others play both, liking the new thrill cornhole offers.  Horseshoes is more of an old school game but relies more on strength than cornhole does. Cornhole is more of a game of accuracy. However, you can play cornhole virtually anywhere and it is overall safer than horseshoes. It basically has more versatility than horseshoes, but not necessarily a better game. That is all a matter of perception.

Nonetheless, cornhole doesn't seem to be going anywhere soon. Horseshoes will always be around as well, but appears to be to cornhole what pinball machines are to video games.  It is simply the next step in recreational and competitive gameplay.

So now what will the next big game be like?

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Basic etiquette for events, parties, etc

*DISCLAIMER* I am not a party or event planner. But based on my past experiences as an RA in college, having uncles that have ran clubs and bars, and being friends with and helping event planners and promoters, I do have some insight.

I'm doing my best to be tactful and not step on any toes. I just like to see events ran smoothly.

Many parties, socials, cookouts, weddings, etc, are taking place right now. You have white parties, swimsuit contests, car shows, and the like. Here are some rules of etiquette to follow so that your guests feel more welcome and will always support your endeavors.

- Begin on time. C'mon black people, let's cut the CP time crap. It's merely an excuse. An adult function should be able to start on time, period. Don't wait around on special folks to make an entrance or you may lose your crowd.

- Advertise early, often, and effectively

This especially applies if its a birthday party, wedding, or other extraordinary event. These events should be planned and promoted preferably 2 weeks to a month in advance. Also, give people a reason/purpose to be there. If its a birthday, indicate that its a milestone age, like 21, 25, 30. Additionally, be sure to highlight that its a going away party, send off, or even a welcome home. You want people to show up, and cannot assume that folks will just do so.

- Give brief but pertinent details via invite, evite, website, etc

Specify and provide every cost (admission, drinks, coat check, VIP, parking) Give an exact address and even say where its near. We're in the GPS era, but that info is still valuable and necessary. Also, provide contact info such as your phone number, email, FB/Twitter, and a contact # for the venue.

- Choose an affordable but appropriate venue

It's not necessary to choose the Westin when Allure will suffice. Also, choose your VIP area carefully. It should be merely a room or section. An entire floor or building is unnecessary and pompous unless its the President, Michael Jordan, LeBron James, or another notable celebrity. We are all special but be humble and don't ostracize your guests.

- Be prepared for the worst and to offer refunds

If not refunds, at least another free party and/or free food and drinks within 30 days of the failed event. A written apology is also necessary.

-Make sure the heating/AC is working adequately.

Self-explanatory but plan in advance for this.

-Make sure everyone is having a good time, and has had enough to eat and drink.

Even if food and beverages are free, don't be stingy. Let your people induldge, and have 3-4 times what you expect to have. Also, being friendly, courteous, and cordial is expected. You must be a good host/hostess, proving that your guests aren't just dollar signs. Treat then like people.

-Use PayPal for advance ticket sales.

Very convenient, effective, and clears up a lot of confusion about admission, VIP, etc

-Send your thanks to everyone for coming out no later than 3 days following the event.

-Listen to constructive feedback, and continue improving your events.

We're all human, so some mistakes are okay and acceptable. Just strive to rise above these and improve.

-Also, just have fun, enjoy your guests, and make them drool in anticipation over your next event.

Reputation precedes us, so keep everything positive. You will then always have folks flocking to your parties.

These are simply basics. Stick to these, and you're already on the right foot!

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It's A Thrill To Grill

There are many great things about summertime.  School's out, the beach is the hot place to be, 4th of July, summer movies, baseball, the Olympics,  and many more.  One of the greatest things is cookouts.  Whether going to them, or hosting your own, it is an easy way to get friends and family together.  The next best thing is when you purchase your own grill, get your own  tools, meat, and start grilling yourself. 

Granted I will start grilling out myself around April and will grill up until (and even after) October.  But during the summer months is grilling season, where most folks will show up to eat your food, and you can just sit outside and relax while your meat cooks and simmers on the grill.  It's not only a great stress reliever, but a huge satisfaction to cook healthy, delicious food that people enjoy.    However, I still work to perfect my craft, and have become quite adept at grilling over the past few years.

This will not be an article filled of grilling tips and dos and don'ts.  However, there are some things I've learned that are more effective than others, and things I refuse to do while grilling. 

1.       I have to use charcoal.  I feel that using gas is the equivalent of cooking on the oven inside the house.  There's nothing like that smoky, chargrilled taste. 

2.        Absolutely no foil on the grill frame, except for a few exceptions.  One, if I'm using a public grill at a park or something.  Two, if I'm cooking a certain meat that may dictate that foil is better, such as fish or vegetables.  I mean, let's be honest, if you thoroughly clean your grate after (and even before) each cookout, you should not need foil 90% of the time.  Foil is annoying, messy, and takes away from that beloved charcoal flavor (or greatness as another grill master friend of mine refers). 

3.       Furthermore, one must take care with certain meats.  Just like cooking, not all meats are grilled the same.  Linked meats such as hot dogs, brats, Italian sausages, and  Rogerwoods, will typically not take long and will require one to carefully watch them.  Burgers and steaks vary in technique and style, but one must not grill too long on one side depending on how you want the meat cooked.  Closing the grill can also help.  Chicken can be hard to cook, as it is better cooked on a slower, indirect heat.  I personally take a hammer or mallet and mash down my chicken breasts to assist with that.  Ribs are something that takes the longest but plenty of precision, a proper grill, and a good temperature.  Ribs are easy to burn, especially if you don't pay attention to what you're doing.  Since they take so long, it's easy to abandon them for hours and forget you're still grilling them. 

I still feel like I'm learning but I've gotten good enough to cook many of the more popular meats well.  I can host my own cookouts with confidence now.  I continue improve my grilling skills to a higher level, and eventually buy a bigger grill with a smoker.  My small, kettle grill does the trick but I'm ready to move on to something else. 

The Food Network is always a nice source for those that care to learn more about grilling.  There are plenty of cookbooks and how-to literature available in Wal-Mart and bookstores.  One of my personal favorite tutorials is The BBQ Pit Boys on YouTube.  These Southern fellas give step-by-step visual instructions on grilling a variety of dishes, and are very thorough.  Look them up; they can help take your grilling to another level. 

It has been a couple of weeks since I last grilled, so I'm a little anxious.  Plus I know there aren’t many good days left for grilling this year.  It's something that I feel blessed and privileged to be able to do.  I hope to continue it when I'm older, and pass my expertise to my younger cousins, and maybe someday my children.