Author: Upchuck

  • My Count is True

    Ten strong launched pre-dawn (and pre-WDOG) and set the First Watch of the day. Weather conditions remained steady at sunny and 70, exceptional for early December. The Q cannot find his actual watch, so Honey Do called “close enough” at 4:59:45. Apologies to any PAX who showed up on-time.

    Mosey around the parking lot and across to the front of the church for the COP

    SSHs
    Dead Man Hang
    Its
    Helicopters
    HRMs
    LBCs

    The PAX (well, those who are old enough to remember) were reminded of a long-ago Q with the cadence. “You can do it,” “stay with me now,” “my count is true.” Some PAX found this inspirational. Good for them.

    Mosey 10 Feet to the church steps for Touch-a-Tree

    Triple up for Touch a Triple Check. Directions…blah, blah, blah. There are 7 big trees (not bushes or little trees, Splinter). If the plant is shorter than you, it does not count. Touch every darn one of those big ones. Swap places with your partners. Do this three times. Non-runners do WWIIs and Derkins. This worked so well, YHC plans to do it again soon.

    Slow Mosey Around the Church Building. At each “sign,” meaning a thing attached to a pole or post in the ground and having standard letters of the Latin alphabet, stop, drop to the ground, and perform 5 WWIIs. If the sign is a handicapped sign, do 5 Lt. Dan’s.

    YHC drove around most of the building this morning counting signs. Alas, “most” and “all” are not synonyms. Turns out there are about 10-12 signs in a very small area that was not re-conned pre-Beat Down. Happily, the PAX pointed out that the bushes there are very well manicured. The PAX also adapted (and griped). YHC apologizes.

    Assemble on the back steps of the church for a triple check. One man carries a high-end tire (They are beautiful tires. The best. Lotta people are saying those are the best tires. Very classy.) to the fully bricked-in garbage area (again, very fancy) and back. Remaining partners do balls-to-the-wall and reverse crunches.

    Continue the mosey around the parking lot with 5 WWIIs at each sign.

    (At some point during this exercise, a small group assembled at W-Dog, patted themselves on the back for successfully awakening, and started to exercise. Good work, fellas. Way to get after it. You should take pride in starting second.)

    Mosey back to the parking lot for a little Lindsey. Or, Lindsay. Or, Lin-zee. Or, Lin-z. Or,…

    Pick up a block. Do a total of 40 flutter kicks and squats (with block). Debate with your neighbor the possible varieties of counting to 40. Run to roughly the 4th tree in the parking lot. Stop. Repeat the above. Do this again and again until mental exhaustion or time.

    Number-am-a, Name-a-ram-a, Announcements, YHC took us out.

    NMS:

    Lots of griping today about the WWIIs. Lotta griping.

    Anniversary of YHCs Dad going home to God on Friday. 10 years. Let’s keep Mom in our prayers – big day for her.

    OSOTW goes to eHarmony who has developed enough self-confidence at F3 to have his VQ next week. Way to go. Little #$*(er.

    UpChuck spits the bit.

  • Cooper Doesn’t Snarl Like That

    15 studs pushed aside the trip the tryptophan-laden Fart Sack and accepted the challenge of today’s version of the Dogpile. Temps were, once again, sunny and 70.

    COP – Mosey to the Carillon

    SSHs
    Russian Soldiers
    Dead Man Hang
    Don Quixotes
    HRMs
    LBCs
    Freddie Mercurys

    Mosey to the Ha’ Penny Stage and Grab a Block for Touch-a-Tree

    Partner Up. Rounds of 4, 6, and 8. Non-runner does thrusters, block presses, and curls.

    Bonus Round of 10 with block burpees.

    Mosey to the Carillon Picnic Table for a Lindsey.

    Start at the picnic table and run to the Valley of Despair (bottom). Exercises were monkey humpers and flutter kicks (4-count). Total 40 exercises on each side (35-5, 30-10, 25-15, etc.). Bonus hook: on each trip down the hill, do 5 derkins and on each trip up the hill, do 5 incline merkins.

    Mosey to the Amphitheater

    Going up, 5 V-ups on each step. Coming down, 5 jump squats.

    Mosey to the Circle for a Curb Crawl

    Bear crawl from outer to inner curb, 1 merkin, crawl bear back to outer curb, 2 merkins, repeato up to 6 merkins.

    Mosey 10 Feet to the Circle for Mary

    Fire hydrants
    WWIIs
    Snow Angels
    Reverse Crunches
    Oblique crunches (x5 each side)

    BTTF

    Announcements/Prayer Requests:

    Keep a family friend of Bubble’s in your prayers – they lost their 21 year old to an aneurysm. That’s way too young. Hold your loved ones a bit tighter and spend some quality time with them.

    Gomer Pyle reminded us how fortunate we are. The people of Honduras and Nicaragua may feel far away, but they are people like us, and they are suffering from multiple hurricanes / floods to go along with the challenges of COVID. Let’s keep them in our prayers and be ready to help when the opportunities arise.

    YHC asks that we keep my friend Al in our prayers. Went Home at the ripe young age of 90 on Thanksgiving. Spent a lifetime building opportunities for those willing to work hard.

    NMS:

    Nice to partner with BoBerry today.

    Good chatter today, mostly about thorough disdain for the Qs directions and counting, so generally par for the course. 4-count flutter kicks are clearly a Pax Favorite. When done in cadence, a flutter kick has 4-counts, and the PAX accept this. Yet, when included as an individual part of an evolution, calling a 4-count flutter kick causes the PAX to wonder what language “4-count” is. This fascinates YHC.

    “The six is in.” YHC finds Oyster to be funny.

    YHC does worry about the future of breakfast-time capitalism in Richmond. All worms crawled freely today as the self-proclaimed “Early Bird Biscuit Company” employees chose to nestle with visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads. Panera in Carytown apparently opens on the same schedule as Lally Construction’s Complaint Department (every other Thursday from 09:00 to 09:01 a.m.). ETs, of course, may declare themselves to be “Woke,” but certainly cannot manage to woke themselves up and start serving until the day is 1/3rd done. No bueno. Hard work produces winners. Can you imagine where the world would be if the Greatest Generation started at 8 a.m.? The invasion of Normandy started at midnight and was in full swing by 6 a.m. For that matter, Washington crossed the Delaware at midnight, surprised the Hessians, and was back in Pennsylvania before ETs let anyone buy cold bacon.

    On the other hand, McDonald’s has cheerful employees, hot coffee, and a 4 car line at 07:30 a.m. I’m lovin’ it.

    Good chatter in the ETs parking lot. Nice to see the newer guys setting goals and hitting them. It’s you-against-you, so keep pushing. Way to go.

    YHC thanks Gomer for his advice on warm feet.

    UpChuck spits the bit.

  • I Found My True Love On-line

    Nine men shook off the lure of the Fartsack and one FNG just never went to bed at all (heck yeah!) in order to celebrate one-year anniversary of F3RVA’s earliest sharefest, First Watch. To the surprise of no one, temps were sunny and 70. With a Hot Potato Q on order, the PAX launched for:

    Kubota-Q: Mosey to the front of the Church for the COP:

    Don Quixote’s
    Side-Straddle Hops
    Helicopters (??)
    Little Baby Crunches
    Hand-release Mercans
    Scorpion Kicks
    Reverse Scorpion Kicks

    Mosey to the Triangle for a Triple-Check:

    First Man: Run the triangle
    Second Man: World War II sit-ups
    Third Man: Lt. Dan’s

    Toss to HoneyDo and Mosey to the Parking Lot:

    Partner up and grab a block (to share).
    Timer: run to end of parking lot
    Second Man: Perform an exercise until the runner returns.
    Round 1: Swings
    Round 2: Overhead press
    Round 3: Squats
    Round 4: World War II + Press

    Toss to Splinter and Mosey to the Other Side of the Parking Lot for:

    Evil.

    AKA, Elevens.
    Bear Crawl across parking lot.
    10 Burpees.
    Crawl Bear back.
    1 Jump-Squat (which should really be called a Squat-Jump, but no matter.)
    Repeato 9-2, 8-3, 7-4, 6-5, 5-6, 4-7, etc.

    Toss to UpChuck for 5 Minutes of Mary.

    Flutter kicks (x20 4-count), hold 6 inches (normal and spread eagle), Hello Dolly (x10), hold 6 inches, reverse crunches (4 count x47), hold 6 inches.

    Number-a-ma, Name-a-ram-a, EF Hutton took us out.

    Announcements:

    Let’s keep Offshore’s family in mind. MIL passed away.

    Big day at the HoneyDo house. The PAX is behind you all – good luck, Erin!

    NMS:

    YHC arrived at 4:50 a.m. Already present were Hutton, Kubota, and a man who introduced himself as “Josh.” YHC has decided Josh is a Stud. Josh is 32, has 2 kids (including a 2 month old), and is friends with MARV and POG. YHC calls him a stud because Josh didn’t sleep last night – was up with his 2 month old daughter. Still posted to his first workout – alone. That sounds like our kind of guy. Josh found F3RVA through Google – we think he found his true love online. Welcome, eHarmony.

    He also won the Oversharer of the Week Award.

  • Breaking Bread: We Need You – Now TWO Nights Per Month

    Breaking Bread: We Need You – Now TWO Nights Per Month

    We talk about being HIMs. High. Impact. Men. This message is about asking for your help to make a real-life Impact – both in time and effort – on behalf of a group of people who F3RVA has sponsored for the last 4+ years.

    For those not familiar, F3RVA helps by feeding residents in the Medical Respite facility at the Southside Health Center. This is on the Q sign-up sheet as, “Breaking Bread.” 

    The PAX (sometimes multiple PAX and/or with their family/kids) sign up to bring dinner to 10-15 people recovering from injuries or illnesses at the Medical Respite Clinic on Belt Blvd. This is a place for those who have no other place to recover.

    Most of us will never need Medical Respite. For that matter, most of us will never have a reason to drive on Belt Blvd. Due to COVID, other groups have stopped providing meals. That is F3RVA’s reason to step-up. We are going to take TWO nights per month instead of one (fourth Saturday and fourth Sunday). That means your F3RVA brothers are asking you to step-up. Some PAX have already volunteered to take on the extra load (t-claps; you know who you are). YHC asks that you do the same. Look for the sign-up slots on the Q Sheet. Look for reminders from YHC, who thanks you in advance. And, for those of you who have a Q during the week, please make an Announcement that we need PAX to commit themselves to making an Impact. Sign up.

    For those who believe that making a group dinner sounds hard, it is not. 

    1. You choose the menu. 
    2. You make dinner for 10-15 humans. 
    3. You deliver it at 5:30 p.m. (even the time is perfect for F3). Note: due to COVID, we simply deliver the food – we are not allowed inside the building to serve. 
    4. The residents will open the door to take the food.
    5. The residents will thank you profusely. 
    6. You are done. 

    Boom. It’s far easier than a Spit Q, the IPC, a CSAUP, or any exercise that references murdering (or murderous) varmints. 

    These people need F3RVA’s help (meaning YOUR help). As YHC has said many times, if you want to impress your M with a monologue about an F3 event, your best option is to make and deliver dinner for Breaking Bread. Tell her about that. Unlike an incessant description of the length of Twin Team hill, how to count the number of reps times steps in the Amphitheater, or anything involving a “coupon,” this activity will impress her. Involving your kids will impress her more.

    Sign up on the Q sheet. Reach out to me with questions. Make an Impact.

  • It Smells Like Worms

    Indeed, Bodo’s “smelled the worms” when 7 prime suspects partnered in the Gloom for today’s edition of The Hoedown. Temperatures were, once again, sunny and 70 at F3RVA’s darkest AO.

    Short Mosey to the 3rd Church Parking Lot:

    SSHs x 20
    Dead Man’s Hang
    Scorpion Kicks (feel the wetness)
    Reverse Scorpion Kicks (feel more of the wetness)
    Hillbillies x10
    WWIIs x10
    HRMs x10

    Mosey to the corner of Lindsey and Forest for a duopoly of crawling.
    Partner up in 2s and 3s.
    Round 1: 3 rounds of bear crawl to the TES sign. Partner does reverse crunches.
    Round 2: 3 rounds of Army crawl. Flutter kicks.

    Mosey to the big tree for Touch-a-Tree.

    Touch each of the 5 trees. Do 7 merkins at each in-line tree and 7 burpees at the one off-set tree. Crawl between trees. Dealer’s Choice on the type of crawl. PAX varied the type of crawl between trees. YHC did bear crawl, polar bear crawl, crab walk, and Army crawl.

    Mosey to the Teacher’s Parking Lot for parking space repeats:

    Round 1: 3 merkins, 3 Carolina Dry Docks, 3 SSHs.
    Round 2: 5 WWIIs, 5 LBCs, 5 Hello Dollys

    Mosey out of the way of the Teacher and to the Brick Wall. Start doing Chicken Peckers, then stop, then start again. YHC apologizes.

    Mosey to the horseshoe for a Ring of Fire and Mary.

    ROF: Dealer’s Choice; no repeats. PAX chose: Regular, diamond, Peter Parker, Hitchhiker, YHC didn’t see whatever GP did, Chuck Norris, and HRMs.

    Mary: American Hammers, Rosalita’s, Box Cutters

    Announcements:

    Beer Mile to celebrate the life of Captain Shawn G. Hogan, USA Green Beret. This is now on Saturday, despite having been, according to Handshake, on a Friday for the first 7 or so years. Handshake is fine with this. Really. Bring 4 beers (if you don’t drink alcohol, bring O’Doul’s). Drink one beer. Run a quarter mile. Repeat this 4 times. Vomit OYO AYG.
    Shawn Hogan was a college friend of Faceplant and Handshake and a generally super-capable and accomplished guy. He died far too young in a training accident while serving our country. Side note: Faceplant has nearly killed several PAX, including YHC, doing “The Hogan,” a ridiculous workout that Shawn apparently considered a warm-up. Come out and celebrate someone who would have been an awesome PAX member.

    CSAUP October 23 weekend. Build a team. Run/bike/hike/walk/crawl to Williamsburg. Reverso. Done. The is an OYO event, so your team will plan for your team.

    For the last 4+ years, F3RVA has had one charitable activity that it semi-sponsors. If you are relatively new to F3RVA, this is on the Q sheet as,”Breaking Bread.” Fourth Sunday of every month. PAX (sometimes with a friend and surely with their family/kids) sign up to bring dinner to 10-15 people recovering from injuries or illnesses at the Medical Respite on Belt Blvd. This facility helps humans who have no other place to recover.

    Most of us will never need Medical Respite. For that matter, most of us do not have a reason to drive on Belt Blvd. Due to COVID, other groups have pulled out of helping provide meals. That is F3RVA’s reason to step-up going forward. We are going to take two nights per month instead of one (fourth Saturday and fourth Sunday). That means F3RVA is asking you to step-up. Some PAX have already volunteered to take on the extra load. YHC asks that you do the same. Look for the sign-up on the Q Sheet, and look for reminders from YHC, who thanks you in advance.

    If group dinner sounds hard, it is not. You make dinner for 10-15 humans. You deliver it. They thank you profusely. You are done. Boom. It’s far easier than a Spit Q, the IPC, a CSAUP, or any exercise that references executions or varmints. And, these people need your help. Also, if you want to impress your M with a monologue about an F3 event, do this one. Unlike an incessant description of the length of Twin Team hill, the number of steps in the Amphitheater, or anything involving a “coupon,” this activity will actually impress her. And, kids dig a dad who helps people.

    NMS:

    Hitchhiker – these are hillbillies.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CC-13JtWu1w
    The guy at 1:35 with the pocket protector is my favorite.

    This is Jin Suk Lim. Not the same guy as the one I know, but still a Suk.
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lim_Jin-suk

  • “Yo. Were You Serious, or Just Picking on Me?”

    20 riders and runners spun their way up-and-back on Grove for the First Annual, First Inaugural, First Ever, un-proctored, not-yet-certified, wind-assisted (so unofficial) Yo-Yo Run. Weather was sunny and 70. The clock struck 05:30 and the PAX were on their way.

    Route:

    From MM, run west on Grove to Lexington-Albemarle. Take a left (toward Cary) and run the loop around Lexington-Albemarle, returning to Grove.

    Right onto Grove and return to Mary Munford.

    Right onto Westmoreland (at the traffic light).

    Left onto the gravel trail at Mary Munford, except for anyone who has been told to avoid trail runs. PAX ran one full loop on the track, then returned to Westmoreland and ran back to Grove.

    That’s 1 loop.

    Repeato:

    The Loop was just under 2 miles. Runners repeated The Loop according to each PAX’s desired distance:

    4s ran 2x.

    6s ran 3x.

    5s ran 2x, then on 3rd loop, ran to Lexington, stopped and turned around at Lexington without running the Lex-Albe loop. PAX then re-traced the route to MM, and ran the full school track on the 3rd lap, then returned to MM parking lot.

    Early Risers wove themselves into the route along the way.

    Yo-Yo:

    Lots of “Yo!” as the PAX went back-and-forth on Grove. Thanks for indulging YHC. Good chatter among the PAX, and YHC enjoyed catching up with Handshake, Saab, TYA, Bone Thugs, Swirly, and others along the way. Thanks to Handshake for pulling YHC along.

    For those who missed the Pre-Blast, The Loop appeared, to YHC, like we were yo-yo-ing (spinning back-and-forth along a string).

    Announcements:

    2nd Annual, First Inaugural tomorrow in Amelia. PLEASE DO NOT SHOW UP UNTIL 2:00 p.m. There will not be a pre-event work party. Please do not arrive early.

    October 23-25, back and forth to Williamsburg Weekend. Specifics posted elsewhere. Form your teams.

    Day after Thanksgiving, the 3rd Annual Loop-til-You-Drop-or-Don’t-Care-Anymore at Forest Hill Park. 4 mile loops. Start a new loop every hour on the hour. AMRAP. Grab your big boy pants and your mental fortitude. Finish what you start. Last man standing. BYO supplies and family members.

    Prayer requests for YHC’s brother-in-law and sister-in-law and her family. RIP Bill Davis.

    Let’s keep in mind the several PAX members who are going through family loss or illness these days. Best to Phonix & Family.

    NMS:

    Each generation of Americans has its defining events. For my father, it was where he was when he learned that Pearl Harbor was attacked. For my mother, it was her location when she learned that Kennedy was assassinated. For YHC, it was the Challenger disaster, and then later, where YHC was when he learned about the attacks on 9-11.

    For TYA, well, there are some things that he can’t un-see or un-smell, and that happened 4 years ago. Glad to see Saab is back to normal.

  • Pre-Blast: RAMM Route

    Come one, come all to RAMM tomorrow.

    If you have a yo-yo holster, bring it. Much yo-yo-ing shall be done.

    Route:

    From MM, run west on Grove to Lexington-Albemarle. Take a left (toward Cary) and run the loop around Lexington-Albemarle, returning to Grove.

    Right onto Grove and return to Mary Munford.

    Right onto Westmoreland (at the traffic light).

    Left onto the gravel trail at Mary Munford, except for anyone who has been told to avoid trail runs. Saab can run on the grass. Run one full loop on the track. Return to Westmoreland and run back to Grove. That’s 1 loop.

    Repeato:

    The Loop is just under 2 miles. Repeat The Loop according to your desired distance:

    4s run 2x.

    6s run 3x.

    5s run 2x, then on 3rd loop, run to Lexington. Stop and turn around at Lexington without running the Lex-Albe loop. Return to MM, and run the full school track on the 3rd lap, return to MM parking lot.

    Early Risers join at any point/time. Late Arrivers join at any point/time.

    Yo-Yo:

    When you see a PAX tomorrow running the opposite direction say “Yo!” They will respond in kind. Nice community building step.

    And, on a map, The Loop looks, to YHC, like we are yo-yo-ing (spinning thing on a string up-and-back).

  • Sisyphus Meets Hades de Tuckahoe

    4 Corinthian warriors of the Ancient Gloom volunteered to take up the First Watch, today consisting of Zeus’ perpetual mountain penance, “The Sisyphus.” (Credit: Mr. Holland) With several FW regulars called away on various forms of Family Duty, the PAX set off precisely at 05:00, collectively commenting on the particularly pleasant, precisely sunny and 70, weather conditions.

    Mosey 30 yards to South Westham, Ridge, and some other street.

    SSHs
    DQs
    S’s DMH
    Downward Dog (right leg high, then left leg high)
    Hip and hamstring stretch

    Note the First Orange Disk marking the Top of the Hill. That’s the Return Point for each round.

    Round 1: Run downhill on South Westham to the Second Disk. Bear crawl uphill to the Return Point.

    Round 2: Run downhill to the Third Disk. Pick up a block. 25 curls. Leave the block. Run uphill to the Return Point.

    Round 3: Run downhill to the Third Disk. Pick up a block. Continue downhill to the Fourth Disk. 25 Downhill Facing Derkins. Leave the block. Run uphill to the Return Point.

    Round 4: Run downhill to the Fourth Disk. Pick up a block. Continue downhill to the Fifth Disk. 25 Uphill WWIIs. Leave the block. Run uphill to the Return Point.

    Round 5: Run downhill to the Fifth Disk. Pick up a block. Continue downhill to the Sixth Disk. Quadra-Triple Check. One PAX runs back to the Fourth Disk. Other PAX rotate through Flutter Kicks, Box Cutters, and Block Presses. Leave the block. Run 20 Yards to the First No Parking Sign.

    Park in the No Parking Zone – Complete 5 WWIIs at the next four No Parking Signs. Run to the Last No Parking Sign. Return to the Blocks.

    Round 6: Pick up a block. Carry it up South Westham BTTF. Accumulate any Orange Disks and Blocks along the way. YHC thanks the PAX for their clean-up efforts.

    Announcements:

    YHC is taking up a collection to buy Handshake’s wife an electric toothbrush.

    Ts&Ps for Florence’s MIL and Handshake’s Grandmother. Also, the entire Kubota Residence has been put under one of those 1970s Insect Infestation Nets for Fumigation purposes. YHC assures the PAX that no actual organisms will be harmed in this process; rather, they will be captured humanely and offered sanctuary on the Hardywood Family Farm, where the guineas, chickens, goats, alpacas, and bats will simply consume each organism to the point of its natural death.

    NMS: YHC has been itching for several years to attend and/or Q this workout ever since Mr. Holland introduced it at Twin Team. YHC thanks Mr. Holland. Good stuff. Each round brought an additional level of grip-i-tude from the PAX.

    For more on Sisyphus, https://www.ancient.eu/sisyphus/

    UpChuck spits the bit.

  • First Stand Around and Watch

    4:55 a.m. two PAX sat in their cars, reading.

    YHC approached. YHC invited the PAX to a solid beat down. The PAX declined, preferring a restful morning at First Watch.

    YHC confesses that Kubota did invite YHC to “double post,” apparently counting a 10 minute stretch-fest at First Watch as a “workout.”

    4:56 a.m. YHC departed.

  • V-J 75

    7 gathered for a prime time celebration of the 75th anniversary of the end of WWII. Temps were sunny and 70. According to the After Action Report, something somewhat like the following might have happened.

    Mosey to the Near Circle, with a recon mission to the Amphitheater and a loop around the Circle for the COP.

    COP:

    SSHs
    4 burpees
    Hillbillies (5)
    2 burpees
    Dead Man Hang
    Arm Circles
    Freddie Mercury
    Flutter Kicks
    HRMs

    Mosey to the Edge of the Circle

    Burpee Road, only without the Burpees. Pucker suggested LBCs, so the PAX did 20 LBCs at each lamppost, illuminated or otherwise.

    Circle Up at the Small Parking Lot for a Prime Time Curb Crawl

    7 Pax. One Pax bear crawls across the parking lot and back while a different PAX suggests an exercise. Selected exercises were:

    Carolina Dry Docks
    Lt. Dans
    Flutter Kicks
    Mercans
    3 Other Exercises that all involved rocks in Swirly’s back.

    Mosey to Park Ave. for Burpee Road, this time with the Burpees.

    The PAX knows the drill. 3 burpees at each lamppost, run in between the posts. Turn around at the Police Memorial. Return to the Small Parking Lot.

    Circle Up at the Small Parking Lot for a Second Prime Time Curb Crawl. To enhance our mental dexterity, this time, the PAX switched it up. The PAX a) started at the opposite end of the lot and b) went in reverse order, thus creating a level of confusion just slightly lower than when YHC calls “Touch a Tree.”

    7 Pax. One Pax bear crawls across the parking lot and back while a different PAX suggests an exercise. Selected exercises were:

    WWIIs
    Arm circles
    Several Other Exercises that all involved rocks in Swirly’s back.

    Mosey to the Carillon for 14 HRMs, one for each year of the war (1931-1945).

    BTTF for 1 MOM (Freddy Mercuries, Gumbo-style).

    Annoucements:

    Shiplap wedding and reception at Lake Monticello on Saturday at 4. All are welcome with a +1 and kids. Remember to provide the code phrase to the guard at the gate: “We’re with the bride.” YHC also recommends any prospective attendees learn his birth name prior to crashing the party.

    Convergence on Monday, 07:00 at Gridiron, which is on Pouncey Tract way out in Short Pump. Light breakfast and coffee to follow. Donations for Crossroads Medical are the way to show your appreciation. Bring $$$$ on Saturday. Also, remember that the locals are an older group, so please wear your masks, observe social distancing, and be prepared to take long, slow walks around the parking lot with them while sharing stories about your grandparents’ experience in “The Old Country.”

    Second Annual First Inaugural is October 3 somewhere near where The Hardywood’s live (Think Cumberland Gap area). Clown cars encouraged. Sign up at a place that YHC is not familiar with and has no information about (check with Vinny). If you have ever been to a church retreat, this is different. If you have been to a 1st F, this is different. If you have been to a field with friends who are relaxing, having a beverage of their choice, tossing bean bags, and generally taking a break from 2020, this is that.

    NMS:

    Today marks the 75th Anniversary of the end of WWII (V-J Day). Many of you know that YHC’s father was a part of that generation (Great Depression, WWII, etc). The first international trip of his life was in 1943 to an exercise-laden summer camp in Canada. The second big international trip of his life was a 1944 all-expenses paid cruise to England, then a walkabout through France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Holland, Bavaria, and Potsdam.

    Let’s remember a generation of men and women who united around a righteous cause and then took the time to put their country first, and their own needs second.

    Speaking of which, Handsy joined us this morning from Memphis. He’s working with his in-laws to move his brother-in-law to Tennessee. His brother-in-law is a chemical engineer (Master’s) and an MBA. He also is blind. Hats off to a guy spending his time to help his family. We look forward to welcoming him back soon.

    UpChuck spits the bit.