Hickory Snowmageddon!

Chad and Hank are back from the Holiday break just in time for the Hickory Snowmageddon! All included in this rendition, the one-and-only on-the-scene Downtown Hickory metrologist Harry Sprinkle makes a special guest appearance, the adventures in car buying for teenagers, the trials and tribulations of Dry-January, and a whole lot more all in this episode of BIG FAN!

Music included in this episode: The Beatles "Drive My Car"

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[00:00:02] what you want, when you want it, where you want it.

[00:00:06] This is The MESH.

[00:00:13] Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to episode 107, volume 6 of a special Feeling Alive in 2025 showing of big...

[00:00:22] Beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep.

[00:00:25] Breaking news, breaking news.

[00:00:27] We interrupt your regularly scheduled programming for a special Winter Weather Watch 2025.

[00:00:34] Hank, let's send it over to Harry Sprinkle on location in downtown Hickory, North Carolina.

[00:00:40] Thanks, Chad.

[00:00:41] Harry Sprinkle here reporting shortages of bread, milk, beer, and toilet paper knowing that a small dusting of precipitation is set to take place tomorrow in Hickory, North Carolina.

[00:00:53] Back to you, Chad.

[00:00:55] Thanks, Harry.

[00:00:56] Hank, whoa.

[00:00:58] Winter Storm 2025 right around the corner.

[00:01:01] Right around the corner.

[00:01:02] Yes.

[00:01:03] My name is Hank Imer, and I am not a big fan of taking two days off during the holiday season and having to use them to take care of tasks around the house that you've been neglecting.

[00:01:12] Looking forward to snow over the weekend and know that we'll only get a dusting and living in the middle of a kitchen remodel, and all you want to do is make a dang sandwich.

[00:01:22] Of course you do, Hank.

[00:01:23] Of course you do.

[00:01:24] And you're going to make a lot of sandwiches maybe after Winter Storm Winter Warning 2025 hits us tomorrow.

[00:01:30] Do you really think that it's going to be like a big storm?

[00:01:33] Because I was thinking about this the other day.

[00:01:35] I think it was like 2017 the last time we had real snow.

[00:01:39] Like real snow.

[00:01:40] Like a foot.

[00:01:41] Like a big one.

[00:01:41] Like a foot.

[00:01:42] Yes.

[00:01:42] And so last year, we were just talking about this an hour ago.

[00:01:45] We didn't get any snow.

[00:01:47] No.

[00:01:47] We got nothing, right?

[00:01:48] So this is what my prediction is.

[00:01:50] I've heard everything from a small sprinkle of rain to 12 inches, right?

[00:01:55] So I'm going to go right there toward the sprinkle of rain.

[00:01:58] Let's go half inch.

[00:02:00] We're all back to doing our normal stuff tomorrow.

[00:02:03] I think we'll get new.

[00:02:03] I think we'll get some stuff.

[00:02:04] I think we'll get two to three inches.

[00:02:06] Okay.

[00:02:06] That would be cool.

[00:02:07] That would be great for the kids.

[00:02:07] I think two to three inches.

[00:02:09] I don't think we're going to get a foot.

[00:02:12] And I like to dabble in meteorology.

[00:02:16] Of course you do.

[00:02:17] I like to dabble in it.

[00:02:18] Absolutely.

[00:02:18] And I don't think that we're going to get rain.

[00:02:20] I think rain's going to hold off towards Charlotte and south of us.

[00:02:23] Okay.

[00:02:24] Maybe the sand hills.

[00:02:25] That's what we like to call them.

[00:02:26] Okay.

[00:02:26] The sand hills.

[00:02:27] But I think we're going to get enough.

[00:02:29] I think we're going to get enough, and stay with me here, to piss us off.

[00:02:33] Okay.

[00:02:34] We're going to have to close down stuff.

[00:02:35] Right.

[00:02:36] You know, and then we're going to be out driving because you're going to be like,

[00:02:39] okay, let's get out and drive.

[00:02:41] And it's going to compact it.

[00:02:42] It's going to get icy.

[00:02:43] And then Saturday morning, nobody can do anything.

[00:02:46] Right.

[00:02:46] So you're going to sit around the house.

[00:02:48] So what does one do in dryuary when this happens?

[00:02:52] When you can't get out of the house, you're stuck in the house.

[00:02:55] I might build an annex to my house at this point.

[00:02:58] I mean, you know, every morning I wake up, and I am clear-minded, and my hands are ready

[00:03:04] to work.

[00:03:04] Good.

[00:03:05] Good.

[00:03:05] Ready to work.

[00:03:05] Good for you.

[00:03:06] How about you?

[00:03:06] How are you doing?

[00:03:07] Are you struggling with dryuary?

[00:03:10] It's killing me right now.

[00:03:11] Hey, but to be quite honest, I have not even thought about alcoholic beverages or anything

[00:03:17] that would cause a hangover for me for the last four days.

[00:03:21] Four days?

[00:03:21] Bone dry.

[00:03:22] We're on the ninth.

[00:03:23] I know.

[00:03:23] Bone dry.

[00:03:24] So I did not start.

[00:03:25] I'm not doing it.

[00:03:26] I mean, I just want to be clear.

[00:03:28] I was going to say.

[00:03:28] I've been to a lot of stuff going on at the house network.

[00:03:31] Too busy to even really think.

[00:03:32] Too busy?

[00:03:33] Too busy to even think about consuming an alcoholic beverage.

[00:03:36] Okay.

[00:03:36] Let's take it to breaking news, breaking news.

[00:03:39] Let's take it to Harry Sprinkle real quick.

[00:03:41] Now he's down at Angelo's, downtown Hickory.

[00:03:44] That's not even a store anymore.

[00:03:45] No one's going to know.

[00:03:46] How about cooks?

[00:03:47] No.

[00:03:47] Cooks.

[00:03:47] How about Randolph's is gone?

[00:03:49] Randolph's is gone as well.

[00:03:50] Tasteful Bean.

[00:03:51] Let's go Tasteful Bean.

[00:03:52] Harry, what you see down there, downtown Tasteful Beans?

[00:03:57] Thank you, Chad.

[00:03:59] Harry Sprinkle reporting here.

[00:04:00] We're asked the public how many inches we think we were going to get, and we just heard

[00:04:05] 16 inches.

[00:04:06] Back to you, Chad.

[00:04:07] Thanks, Harry.

[00:04:08] Hank, 16 inches?

[00:04:10] 16 inches.

[00:04:10] Could you imagine if we got 16?

[00:04:12] Oh, it'd be amazing.

[00:04:13] That'd be so, so cool.

[00:04:13] It'd be amazing.

[00:04:14] But I will say, the ground, I mean, it's been so cold, it is not going to melt like that.

[00:04:19] Like it normally does, because normally we get the snow, it melts, and it's gone, it's

[00:04:22] wet, it's terrible.

[00:04:23] It is not going to melt.

[00:04:25] Yeah, so we'll see.

[00:04:26] I mean, I guess we'll pray for the best.

[00:04:28] Which would be the worst?

[00:04:29] Whatever you want to pray for regarding weather.

[00:04:31] Like, the kids right now.

[00:04:33] I just talked to one of the guys that coaches junior high basketball, you know, Mr. Osteen

[00:04:38] at Northview.

[00:04:39] He said the kids are just on.

[00:04:41] It's like Christmas Day.

[00:04:42] Oh, yeah.

[00:04:42] They're so excited.

[00:04:43] Oh, yeah.

[00:04:43] You know, to maybe get a chance to sled.

[00:04:45] But they have remote learning these days.

[00:04:48] What?

[00:04:49] What?

[00:04:50] Are they going to have remote learning?

[00:04:51] Remote learning.

[00:04:52] Does Hickory?

[00:04:53] I mean, they're part of Hickory.

[00:04:54] I mean, that's what he said.

[00:04:55] You're going to have to check in, at least.

[00:04:58] I don't know exactly what that will mean.

[00:05:00] I just took Harris home, and he thought school was out.

[00:05:04] But maybe not.

[00:05:05] We'll find out.

[00:05:06] We'll find out.

[00:05:06] So, you have your sleds ready.

[00:05:09] Are they all polished up and ready to go?

[00:05:11] Or maybe your ice skates.

[00:05:12] No, they're always ready, bud.

[00:05:13] Are they really?

[00:05:14] Yeah.

[00:05:14] We always got sleddy ready.

[00:05:15] Good for you.

[00:05:16] We've got our two ready, too.

[00:05:17] We got them out of the basement this morning.

[00:05:19] They're by the door ready for Winter Storm 2025 to hit us.

[00:05:23] So, it should be fun.

[00:05:24] Where do you go?

[00:05:25] Because, I mean, I guess there's some pretty good hills over near you.

[00:05:28] But, like, some people go to the club.

[00:05:31] Some people go to different places.

[00:05:32] Where do you go?

[00:05:32] I thought we'd stay in our neighborhood because there's a lot of kids,

[00:05:34] and we have some great hills.

[00:05:35] You've got the hill that if you were to pull out of my driveway and take a left,

[00:05:39] it's not a really big hill, but it's literally.

[00:05:41] I mean, I'm there 50 yards.

[00:05:43] Two doors down.

[00:05:44] And then if you go right in front of Jason's and take a left, that hill is awesome.

[00:05:48] That's great, great.

[00:05:49] You could get some cars sliding into the intersection, though.

[00:05:52] You've got to watch out.

[00:05:53] You've got to have, like, a point person down there.

[00:05:55] 2017, that's almost exactly what happened.

[00:05:57] So, a car – so, I mean, we're sledding.

[00:05:59] It's nighttime, and a car decides to come up that street,

[00:06:02] not really being able to see kind of us coming down the hill.

[00:06:05] So, anyway, we avoided a disaster.

[00:06:08] They stopped, and then they just kind of turned around.

[00:06:10] Completely their fault.

[00:06:11] Completely.

[00:06:11] Well, this is our –

[00:06:12] Being on the road in a car.

[00:06:13] Exactly.

[00:06:14] This is our sledding hill.

[00:06:15] Yeah.

[00:06:15] I got it.

[00:06:16] You can't drive on this thing.

[00:06:16] I got it.

[00:06:17] Yeah.

[00:06:17] So, anyway, that's what we've got to look forward to, Hank.

[00:06:20] And so, that's in our future.

[00:06:22] Now, let's talk a little bit about our past.

[00:06:24] We haven't been with our audience since probably December 15th prior to Christmas.

[00:06:28] I'm sure it was a wonderful holiday season for you.

[00:06:32] It was great.

[00:06:32] Yes.

[00:06:33] Everybody got – Santa brought to everybody what they needed.

[00:06:35] It was great.

[00:06:35] Yes.

[00:06:36] It was great.

[00:06:44] We've got to pack in more stuff.

[00:06:46] And I'm not talking about like buying stuff.

[00:06:49] I'm just talking about like, hey, this family wants you to have a pop-in over here.

[00:06:53] Sure.

[00:06:53] And then you've got this over here.

[00:06:55] And then a work thing over here.

[00:07:00] Yeah.

[00:07:00] And it feels like you're getting pulled in a thousand different directions.

[00:07:03] Yes.

[00:07:03] And I feel like that's very – for me, it increases the anxiety because you're like, I've got to get it all in.

[00:07:11] And you don't want to get it in.

[00:07:12] And I've got to give it up to you because you make about every – I mean, this is a positive I'm saying.

[00:07:18] Like if there's a buddy's drop-in that you've been doing it for 20 years, it doesn't matter.

[00:07:22] You're going to be there.

[00:07:23] I'll be there.

[00:07:23] If it's this tennis thing that we're trying to play and you said you're going to be there, you are going to be there.

[00:07:29] If it's the Christmas parade, if it's the town, whatever it is, you are going to be there.

[00:07:34] So I can imagine that increases our anxiety levels during the holiday season.

[00:07:39] Stresses.

[00:07:40] Yes.

[00:07:40] Trying to make it to every single thing because you do not want to disappoint.

[00:07:44] Hank, again, take this as a positive because it is a positive thing.

[00:07:48] You are a pleaser.

[00:07:49] I am a pleaser.

[00:07:50] I am too.

[00:07:51] I'm a pleaser.

[00:07:52] I am a pleaser as well.

[00:07:53] We want to make everyone happy around us if we can.

[00:07:56] I like happy people.

[00:07:59] He is happy.

[00:07:59] Yeah.

[00:08:00] So anyway, I can understand your anxiety.

[00:08:02] Did Harris get his shoes?

[00:08:04] He did get some shoes.

[00:08:05] He got his shoes.

[00:08:06] He did get some shoes, yes.

[00:08:07] Olivia got what she wanted.

[00:08:08] The last thing that she ordered actually came last night.

[00:08:12] So she gave me her list back in November.

[00:08:14] She's a collectible of small miniature things.

[00:08:17] So she has little small houses.

[00:08:20] Sure.

[00:08:20] You know what I'm saying?

[00:08:21] Yeah.

[00:08:21] So she wanted a miniature sword.

[00:08:24] Sword?

[00:08:24] With a sheath.

[00:08:25] Okay.

[00:08:26] Can it cut something like it's like a real sword?

[00:08:28] It's a real sword, but I mean, it's so little.

[00:08:30] I mean, it might.

[00:08:31] It's like a toothpick.

[00:08:32] It's like a toothpick.

[00:08:34] Yeah.

[00:08:34] So we ordered it in November, and we basically had just forgotten.

[00:08:37] Did it come from Okinawa?

[00:08:39] It came from China.

[00:08:40] Okay.

[00:08:40] It came from China, and it was rerouted like 38 times, because I finally went through some

[00:08:45] tracking to see where it went.

[00:08:46] So it went to like China, British Columbia.

[00:08:49] Yeah, exactly.

[00:08:50] Newfoundland, and then ended up in Illinois, and went to Newton, and from Newton, it went

[00:08:54] back to Illinois, and then back.

[00:08:56] It's crazy.

[00:08:57] This is all the places it went.

[00:09:00] So it came yesterday, and she worked at Utterly, and she came back, brought everybody.

[00:09:04] Oh, she's working at Utterly, too?

[00:09:05] Yes.

[00:09:05] While she's been home, she's working at Utterly, so she brought everybody there.

[00:09:08] Oh, you said Olivia.

[00:09:09] I thought you said Lucy Rose.

[00:09:10] No, Olivia.

[00:09:10] This is Olivia.

[00:09:11] Olivia is a collector of small miniature things.

[00:09:13] Okay.

[00:09:13] I thought you said Lucy Rose.

[00:09:14] Yes.

[00:09:15] So she brought us our ice creams, and so what would you guess?

[00:09:18] Yes, because every time Olivia works, she's going to bring us back ice cream.

[00:09:20] Always ask what we want, but sometimes I just say, surprise.

[00:09:23] Surprise me.

[00:09:24] What would you ask for?

[00:09:26] If she said, all right, Hank, I'm coming by.

[00:09:28] I'm leaving Utterly at nine.

[00:09:29] I'll drop off your ice cream.

[00:09:31] What would you?

[00:09:32] Moose Tracks.

[00:09:33] Okay.

[00:09:33] Yeah.

[00:09:34] Top three.

[00:09:34] It's a top three choice.

[00:09:36] Okay.

[00:09:36] So it's birthday cake, she said number one.

[00:09:39] Moose Tracks number two.

[00:09:40] I think there's something.

[00:09:41] They have red velvet cake that's supposed to be out of this world.

[00:09:44] Birthday cake's number two.

[00:09:46] Birthday cake's number one.

[00:09:46] Oh, and then Moose Tracks.

[00:09:47] Moose Tracks is number two.

[00:09:48] So anyway, I went with, and my family called me old grandpa last night.

[00:09:53] Butter Pecan.

[00:09:54] Exactly.

[00:09:55] We all know it's always, how you doing right when you said they call you grandpa?

[00:09:58] And it's so good there.

[00:10:00] I mean, I don't care.

[00:10:01] You can call me grandpa or call me whatever you want, but it was really, really good.

[00:10:03] So she brought the ice creams.

[00:10:05] We all sitting around, and we had it.

[00:10:07] The tree's gone, but we kind of had it, you know, like the Red Rider toy hidden behind.

[00:10:12] So, you know, I was like, what's that?

[00:10:14] Libby, what's that over there?

[00:10:15] And she's like, her eyes.

[00:10:16] That one inch by one inch box.

[00:10:18] Look at that tiny package over there.

[00:10:20] And so she was like, could it be?

[00:10:23] Could it be?

[00:10:24] I was like, let's open it and find out.

[00:10:26] And sure enough, she pulls it out of the package, unsheathed the sword.

[00:10:31] I thought you were going to say the sword came off when she unsheathed it.

[00:10:35] Did it come with a little stand?

[00:10:37] Absolutely, it came with a little stand.

[00:10:39] Amazing.

[00:10:40] I'll get her to take a picture of it for you.

[00:10:41] Take a picture of this.

[00:10:42] I've got to see this.

[00:10:42] Anyway, we had a big kick out of that.

[00:10:44] So the last gift of the season came last night.

[00:10:46] Now we're officially a wrap.

[00:10:48] Officially over.

[00:10:48] Officially a wrap.

[00:10:50] Prior to that, though, my youngest daughter, her birthday falls right around Christmas time.

[00:10:54] And this birthday happened to be her sweet 16.

[00:10:58] Yeah.

[00:10:59] Which you were going through.

[00:11:00] Happy birthday.

[00:11:00] Yes, thank you.

[00:11:01] Happy birthday, Lucy Rose.

[00:11:02] Which you're experiencing now, too.

[00:11:03] July.

[00:11:04] In July.

[00:11:05] Okay.

[00:11:05] So you still have some time.

[00:11:07] Yeah.

[00:11:07] You've been doing kind of some of the shopping that we have been doing.

[00:11:10] For sure.

[00:11:10] And we're talking about car shopping, Hank.

[00:11:12] Woo.

[00:11:14] Stressful.

[00:11:14] Which you talk about adding anxiety to a holiday season.

[00:11:18] Yep.

[00:11:18] So Lucy Rose turned 16 on December 13th.

[00:11:22] Been searching for a car for her for about four months.

[00:11:25] Yeah.

[00:11:25] Long time.

[00:11:26] We talked about that.

[00:11:26] Yes.

[00:11:27] So you know our adventures of found one.

[00:11:30] This fell through.

[00:11:31] We've got one.

[00:11:32] And then the engine blew.

[00:11:33] We got one.

[00:11:34] And it got blah, blah, blah.

[00:11:35] Yeah.

[00:11:35] So it's December 11th, Hank.

[00:11:38] On a Tuesday.

[00:11:40] Go to a mini auto lot in town and out of town to find the right car.

[00:11:46] And finally, we think we've located it.

[00:11:49] We speak to the representative selling the car.

[00:11:52] Again, it is pouring down rain.

[00:11:54] It's pouring down so hard you cannot see in front of you.

[00:11:57] And so.

[00:11:57] Didn't even see the car.

[00:11:59] Barely could see the car.

[00:12:01] So funny.

[00:12:02] Well, we could see it online.

[00:12:03] And so we looked at all its attributes online.

[00:12:05] And then I said, we can't test drive it, obviously, because the weather is just too bad.

[00:12:09] But I'll be back tomorrow at 10 a.m.

[00:12:12] This is a Wednesday.

[00:12:13] Her birthday is a Thursday, Hank.

[00:12:15] It's Thursday.

[00:12:16] So we're down to the nitty gritty.

[00:12:20] Get to the car lot Thursday.

[00:12:23] Thursday.

[00:12:24] Okay.

[00:12:24] 10 a.m.

[00:12:25] Just like I said I would.

[00:12:26] Let's do it.

[00:12:27] The car's there.

[00:12:29] Brilliant sun is out.

[00:12:30] Not a cloud in the sky.

[00:12:31] I test drive the thing, drive it to Jennifer's work.

[00:12:34] She loves it.

[00:12:34] It's a Volvo, one of those station wagon kind of Volvo safe car.

[00:12:39] Yeah.

[00:12:39] Especially for a new driver.

[00:12:40] Yeah.

[00:12:41] It's got everything that she needs.

[00:12:42] Its mileage is low enough.

[00:12:43] It's in our budget.

[00:12:45] So I bring it back to the.

[00:12:46] Win-win.

[00:12:47] Exactly.

[00:12:47] We're all winning.

[00:12:48] And Lucy Rose loves it too.

[00:12:49] I mean, because we've looked at 100 cars.

[00:12:51] She was not.

[00:12:52] Win-win.

[00:12:52] She wasn't picky with any of the cars that we look.

[00:12:55] Some she liked better than others.

[00:12:56] She just really liked this one.

[00:12:57] And so I said, sir, you got yourself a deal.

[00:13:01] Now here's the situation, sir.

[00:13:03] Let's just call him Joe.

[00:13:04] Joe, we want the car.

[00:13:06] I've got to be in High Point for a lunch meeting at 1230.

[00:13:09] It's 1030 right now.

[00:13:10] I said, I don't have time to do all the paperwork, but here's my money.

[00:13:13] Here's a deposit.

[00:13:14] Bam.

[00:13:15] Here's my car.

[00:13:16] Take it.

[00:13:16] This is my car.

[00:13:17] Bang.

[00:13:18] And he said, sir, thank you, but I can't take your card.

[00:13:22] I can send you a link to run your car.

[00:13:25] Like when you have a chance, you fill out the information, then I can take the money

[00:13:29] off the car through the link.

[00:13:30] I said, that works great.

[00:13:32] You just got to give me an hour.

[00:13:33] He said, no problem.

[00:13:35] So of course, Hank, cruise up, get to my destination.

[00:13:40] Try the link.

[00:13:41] The link has expired.

[00:13:43] One thing leads to the next.

[00:13:44] The next thing I know an hour later, the car is gone.

[00:13:47] It has been sold to another individual who happened to be on the lot after I left that

[00:13:52] another used car representative sold.

[00:13:56] You might find me on a very tall building in town with a high caliber rifle if that were

[00:14:02] going to happen.

[00:14:02] Yes.

[00:14:03] So, you know, long story short, I've told you this story.

[00:14:05] I don't want you to be bored with it.

[00:14:06] I'll just kind of keep it short or sweet for our audience.

[00:14:09] He said, Mr. Ace, my hands are tied.

[00:14:12] And I'm always cool and calm and collected.

[00:14:15] And I said, you better hope my hands are tied when I get back to Hickory.

[00:14:19] That's exactly it.

[00:14:19] And I hung up the phone.

[00:14:20] I was furious.

[00:14:21] Yeah.

[00:14:22] I was furious.

[00:14:24] So driving back to Hickory now, I have to figure out what I want to tell Lucy Rose

[00:14:28] and my wife.

[00:14:30] Jennifer.

[00:14:30] Because on my way to High Point, I said, y'all, we got a cigar.

[00:14:35] Take care of it.

[00:14:35] Daddy came through with flying colors.

[00:14:38] We have a brand new vehicle.

[00:14:39] It'll be sitting loose.

[00:14:40] Jennifer already had this big bow.

[00:14:41] So we were going to put it in the driveway.

[00:14:43] And then Lucy Rose wakes up in the morning.

[00:14:45] Bang.

[00:14:45] Boom.

[00:14:45] Bop.

[00:14:46] Bing.

[00:14:46] Bop.

[00:14:47] Boom.

[00:14:47] Bing.

[00:14:47] Bop.

[00:14:47] Boop.

[00:14:48] So it didn't happen.

[00:14:48] And the rest is history.

[00:14:50] I'm not going to talk about what else happened.

[00:14:52] It just wasn't a very good ending to the story.

[00:14:56] But I did get some closure because I went back to the dealership and just told them kind

[00:15:01] of how I felt.

[00:15:02] Yep.

[00:15:02] And then we have, fortunately, we have really good friends that have lots of cars in the area.

[00:15:07] And they helped put me in the right direction to find one the next day.

[00:15:11] So we didn't get it on her birthday.

[00:15:13] We got it on a Saturday.

[00:15:15] Her birthday was Friday.

[00:15:16] We got it on a Saturday.

[00:15:17] Hey.

[00:15:18] Hey.

[00:15:18] You know?

[00:15:19] All worked out.

[00:15:20] All worked out.

[00:15:20] She likes her car.

[00:15:21] She loves it.

[00:15:22] Great.

[00:15:22] She takes her.

[00:15:23] It's very safe.

[00:15:23] It's taken her to and from dance.

[00:15:25] She's driving there by herself now.

[00:15:27] It's breaking Jennifer's heart, though.

[00:15:28] Yeah.

[00:15:29] I mean, she's always taken Lucy Rose or Olivia to school for the last 16 years, basically.

[00:15:34] Exactly.

[00:15:35] So Lucy Rose went to school to start her Monday.

[00:15:37] 18 years.

[00:15:37] 18 years, yeah.

[00:15:38] Went to school Monday and drove off without Jennifer Tegger.

[00:15:42] Yeah.

[00:15:43] So kind of sad.

[00:15:43] But anyway, life advances.

[00:15:46] It progresses.

[00:15:47] It advances.

[00:15:47] Yeah.

[00:15:48] So you're going kind of through the same thing?

[00:15:49] Well, I've just experienced a similar thing.

[00:15:51] So Harris turned 16 in July.

[00:15:53] Yeah.

[00:15:54] And I might have done one of the best sales jobs I've ever done.

[00:15:57] And I pride myself on what kind of salesman I am.

[00:15:59] Yes, sir.

[00:15:59] So we have friends in the car business, and they've been looking out for a car and kind

[00:16:04] of like I've told them what I wanted, blah, blah, blah.

[00:16:06] And the car came in.

[00:16:08] He was like, hey, I think this is kind of what you're looking for.

[00:16:11] And I don't know what you're thinking, but here it is.

[00:16:17] So we wanted to get Harris in his car, get a car and have him driving around, feel comfortable,

[00:16:25] park it, everything.

[00:16:26] Get as many minutes behind it, hours behind it as we can.

[00:16:32] But I just don't want to buy a car and have it sitting in my driveway.

[00:16:36] Seems like a waste.

[00:16:37] Yes.

[00:16:37] So I went to my wife.

[00:16:39] I said, listen, Bray.

[00:16:44] Angel.

[00:16:46] We have a situation here.

[00:16:49] I bought a car two years ago.

[00:16:50] The last thing I want to do is buy my car and your car in the same year.

[00:16:56] Like we don't want to do this in the same year.

[00:16:58] Sure.

[00:16:58] What would be ideal is if we could get you a car this summer, right?

[00:17:03] So I've got a plan.

[00:17:05] Why don't we buy a car that in six months we could give to Harris?

[00:17:11] You drive it for six months.

[00:17:12] We can sell your car.

[00:17:13] And in July, we buy you a car.

[00:17:16] Brilliant strategy.

[00:17:17] Brilliant.

[00:17:17] Yes.

[00:17:18] Brilliant.

[00:17:18] So, so far this has worked.

[00:17:20] So, you know, we bought the car that we've got from our friend, like that we've heard

[00:17:24] from her friend.

[00:17:25] Reagan's driving it.

[00:17:26] She actually loves it, you know?

[00:17:27] And so she's going to drive it for a couple months and then Harris will get it when he

[00:17:30] turns 16.

[00:17:32] But it's kind of, we've been looking for a while too.

[00:17:35] And it's kind of like the anxiety of getting right up to that date.

[00:17:38] And that's what I didn't want to do.

[00:17:40] So, you know, we're, we're probably, I think the good thing is, is, you know, Harris is

[00:17:45] getting an opportunity to drive the car, but it's also dangling it out there being like,

[00:17:49] you could mess this up.

[00:17:50] Like, you know, I mean, this may just be mom's car and you might be staying on that bike.

[00:17:55] Exactly right.

[00:17:56] Right.

[00:17:56] Very smart.

[00:17:57] Win, win.

[00:17:58] Yeah.

[00:17:58] Win, win.

[00:17:59] You better keep the next six months tight.

[00:18:01] Yes.

[00:18:02] Very clean.

[00:18:02] Keep your nose clean, kid.

[00:18:04] Keep your nose clean.

[00:18:04] So I don't know if you experienced, I'm sure you did.

[00:18:09] Remember when we were buying cars or our parents were buying cars when we were 16?

[00:18:12] I swear.

[00:18:13] I remember a car.

[00:18:14] I thought when we were coming up, a car might cost 2000 bucks.

[00:18:18] 2,500 bucks.

[00:18:19] You know, 2,500 bucks and you're in a good accord.

[00:18:21] You're in a Camry, something reliable.

[00:18:23] That was my budget.

[00:18:24] 2,500.

[00:18:25] And there was 30 cars.

[00:18:27] Any car you wanted.

[00:18:28] 30 cars you could choose one.

[00:18:29] It was lowest, low mileage.

[00:18:31] Yeah.

[00:18:31] Clean.

[00:18:32] Dude, you look at a 2,500 dollar car now.

[00:18:34] You wouldn't want that for your worst enemy to drive.

[00:18:38] That does not get you floor mats in a car right now.

[00:18:41] You know what?

[00:18:41] You might, you still might be able to get that Mirage that Jeremy drove for 2,500 bucks

[00:18:46] right now.

[00:18:47] I think it was a, it was a Mirage.

[00:18:50] Don't try me on that one.

[00:18:51] It was a white Mirage.

[00:18:53] It was white.

[00:18:53] And I would tell you, this is funny.

[00:18:55] So I thought I stumbled on the deal of a lifetime.

[00:18:58] Ford Focus, not Focus, Fusion.

[00:19:01] Okay.

[00:19:02] Supposed to be comparable to the Camry, blah, blah, blah.

[00:19:04] Sure.

[00:19:04] It's our area.

[00:19:06] Is this a car show now?

[00:19:08] Is Big Ben turned into a car show?

[00:19:10] This is the last car.

[00:19:11] Because I don't even like, I don't like cars anyway, especially not buying them.

[00:19:14] But I just thought the story is too good to pass up.

[00:19:16] So Ford Fusion, one of the guys has been looking for a car for me, said, Chad, we got it.

[00:19:21] It's way under your budget.

[00:19:22] It's under the miles.

[00:19:24] One owner, a doctor's wife has owned it.

[00:19:27] He was like, come here.

[00:19:28] Because he said, I'm not even going to put it on the lot and we'll keep it in the back

[00:19:30] for you to look at.

[00:19:31] I was like, I'll be there in 15.

[00:19:33] Boom.

[00:19:33] Get in the car, drive over.

[00:19:34] There it is.

[00:19:35] It's really awesome.

[00:19:36] It's like black on black.

[00:19:38] The wheels are black.

[00:19:39] It's really nice.

[00:19:40] 2000, let's say 16.

[00:19:43] Mileage just a little high.

[00:19:44] But I was like, so I got in it, looked around.

[00:19:48] The person driving it didn't smoke.

[00:19:50] It's very, very clean.

[00:19:51] And I was like, well, why would you be selling it for this price?

[00:19:55] And he was like, I don't know.

[00:19:56] The boss man just said that's what to sell it for.

[00:19:58] And I was like, okay.

[00:19:59] All right.

[00:20:00] And I said, well, I'm going to bring my daughter here tomorrow and we'll test drive it.

[00:20:02] He said, no problem.

[00:20:03] We'll get in the back.

[00:20:04] We'll clean it up.

[00:20:04] So when she comes, she's going to love it.

[00:20:06] Next morning comes.

[00:20:07] I told Lucy Rose.

[00:20:08] Lucy Rose is up bright and early, ready to go look at the car.

[00:20:11] We get there at nine.

[00:20:12] On our way out there at nine, I get a phone call.

[00:20:14] He's like, hey, man, probably don't need to come out here.

[00:20:17] We just started her up a little bit.

[00:20:19] And smoke starts pouring out of the engine.

[00:20:22] It wouldn't even start.

[00:20:23] So anyway, that's why it was too good to be true.

[00:20:26] They always are.

[00:20:27] It's too good to be true.

[00:20:28] It's too good to be true.

[00:20:28] But what you were saying, you were talking about it at the end of it with making sure

[00:20:33] the discipline is there.

[00:20:35] Yeah.

[00:20:35] Teenage discipline is a funny thing.

[00:20:39] Because Harris is a freshman.

[00:20:42] And girls and boys aren't different.

[00:20:45] But they're different in disciplining.

[00:20:46] I mean, their emotions are different and everything else.

[00:20:49] And I think boys, I think I can only speak to this because I have a boy, have a tendency

[00:20:55] to gain confidence.

[00:20:58] They get in high school.

[00:21:01] Everything starts moving a little bit faster in their life.

[00:21:03] And they gain confidence.

[00:21:05] Which you want it to be.

[00:21:07] I want them to be confident in the classroom.

[00:21:08] I want them to be confident on a sports field.

[00:21:10] I want them to be confident with their buddies.

[00:21:13] I don't really want that confidence in front of me.

[00:21:15] Like questioning or like, you know, I want them to be independent.

[00:21:19] Sure.

[00:21:20] But I find it interesting when you start to see that independence and that confidence

[00:21:25] turn into questioning authority.

[00:21:29] And we all have good kids.

[00:21:31] And you want them to kind of push against it.

[00:21:33] But it has the last six months has been a very interesting experiment in confidence and growing

[00:21:46] and exploring and everything else.

[00:21:48] Let me add to that a feeling they're feeling more independent.

[00:21:52] Sure.

[00:21:53] You know, it's like, hey, I can handle this.

[00:21:56] Sure.

[00:21:57] Continue.

[00:21:58] Sure.

[00:21:58] So, I mean, I think that there's situations that are arising that I remember being in the

[00:22:03] same thing.

[00:22:03] Because we're starting to get to the point where maybe dad and mom don't know as much

[00:22:07] as I do.

[00:22:08] You know?

[00:22:09] Yes.

[00:22:09] I'm pretty strong.

[00:22:11] I bet you I could take dad.

[00:22:12] You know, these are all the thoughts that go through your mind.

[00:22:14] And I'm starting to get to the point where I'm thinking, you know what?

[00:22:18] These are going to be very fun times moving forward in the next few months and years.

[00:22:24] But it is something that I went through.

[00:22:26] It's something you went through.

[00:22:27] Your girls have gone, going, whatever.

[00:22:30] Harris is going through it.

[00:22:31] And I think that with good kids, they're very good kids, right?

[00:22:35] But they still need a nudge to stay in their lane.

[00:22:39] I love that.

[00:22:40] You know?

[00:22:40] Just stay in your lane.

[00:22:41] That's what we're here for is keeping you in that lane.

[00:22:44] And I feel like the last...

[00:22:47] There's been growth from middle school to high school that's been great.

[00:22:53] But it's going to be interesting.

[00:22:57] It's so interesting.

[00:22:58] You and I did not talk about what we were going to talk about today until we walked right in the door.

[00:23:03] Are you saying we come in ill-prepared?

[00:23:05] No, I'm not saying that, Hank.

[00:23:06] But we didn't discuss what we were going to discuss.

[00:23:10] Before I came in here, Jennifer and I just got off the phone an hour ago.

[00:23:13] We're like, you know what?

[00:23:15] It's been such a whirlwind since Lucy got her license in the car.

[00:23:19] The holidays.

[00:23:20] We haven't really sat down and had the...

[00:23:22] These are the ground rules.

[00:23:25] You know?

[00:23:25] These are the ground rules.

[00:23:27] Yeah.

[00:23:27] So tonight is the night we're going to have the conversation because all these things you've just described, now that you got it, now she got a car, she's got this sense of freedom.

[00:23:37] Yeah.

[00:23:37] She can do whatever she wants.

[00:23:38] Absolutely.

[00:23:39] That's not the way it's going to be.

[00:23:40] Absolutely.

[00:23:41] Because that car does not belong to you.

[00:23:43] That car belongs to me.

[00:23:44] Yes.

[00:23:45] Right?

[00:23:45] Yes.

[00:23:45] And so you are just borrowing it.

[00:23:47] I'm giving you access to drive it to and from school, to dance, to soccer, wherever you need to go.

[00:23:53] And if you want to spend some time with your friends, that's cool.

[00:23:55] Sure.

[00:23:56] But I need to know what you're doing.

[00:23:58] You can't just drive to Charlotte, you know?

[00:24:02] You need to let me know where we're going, what we're doing, who we're with.

[00:24:05] Right.

[00:24:05] So groundwork meeting is tonight.

[00:24:09] After dinner.

[00:24:10] That's funny you say that because I think, you know, Harris is an older freshman.

[00:24:14] And so he's grown up with friends of ours that were sophomore.

[00:24:17] He's a freshman.

[00:24:18] Friends of ours that kids are sophomores.

[00:24:20] And so when he got into high school, he had a really – it was really good because he has a good mix of buddies that are in the sophomore class, good buddies that are in the freshman class.

[00:24:28] And, you know, it kind of allows him to kind of know a greater – I mean a bigger group of kids.

[00:24:34] Yeah.

[00:24:34] But it also gave him access to those kids that had licenses already.

[00:24:38] And so he is getting picked up at our house as a freshman, which I thought I was going to be able to dictate his pace as a freshman.

[00:24:48] And that's not necessarily the case.

[00:24:50] And I don't care that it isn't.

[00:24:52] But, like, the first time one of his friends picked him up and he went out and he was like, okay, we're going to go eat and then we're going to go play pickleball and then we're going to go do here.

[00:24:58] It was about 9.45 and I looked at Reagan and I was like, we haven't talked about a curfew.

[00:25:03] What is the curfew?

[00:25:04] We have not talked about a curfew.

[00:25:05] And so, you know, it is funny to get to that point where you're like, holy crap, we've got to get these things in order quick.

[00:25:14] Yes.

[00:25:15] Yes.

[00:25:15] Because if you don't start it early, they're going to think they can do whatever they want to do.

[00:25:20] And then you get into teenage discipline.

[00:25:23] Exactly.

[00:25:23] So, anyway, I'm glad we're having this discussion.

[00:25:26] I can't wait to hear about your talk tonight.

[00:25:28] I'll let you know all about it.

[00:25:30] And, you know, anyway, Lucy Rose doesn't really take good to authority.

[00:25:35] All right.

[00:25:36] I'll leave it at that.

[00:25:36] She doesn't respond well to authority.

[00:25:39] Because I'll sound like it's heard.

[00:25:40] It's always kind of.

[00:25:42] What do you think?

[00:25:43] My curfew should be, Lucy Rose.

[00:25:46] I'm not going to give my secrets over the air because Lucy Rose might listen to this and say, Dad, you're so full of, you know.

[00:25:51] So, I'm going to keep it to myself.

[00:25:52] But, yes, the meeting is tonight.

[00:25:54] I'll let you know how it goes.

[00:25:56] All right.

[00:25:56] Let's change the subject.

[00:25:57] Let's do it.

[00:25:57] Let's talk about something else.

[00:25:58] What you got on your list of goodies here?

[00:26:00] Well, I think, you know, we talked about Christmas and New Year's.

[00:26:05] What did you do for New Year's?

[00:26:06] Oh.

[00:26:07] Let's talk about that.

[00:26:08] This is great.

[00:26:08] Okay.

[00:26:09] Let's talk about it.

[00:26:09] So, you know, New Year's, again, we've talked about this for years and years.

[00:26:13] New Year's is amateur hour at the Apollo, right?

[00:26:16] That is the, you know, for the people that don't really party and do much, that's the night they shine.

[00:26:21] Yeah.

[00:26:21] Well, for two old pros like us, I mean, it's just another whatever night that, you know, let's get together.

[00:26:26] Let's eat.

[00:26:27] We're not going balls to the wall.

[00:26:30] We're going to just have a cocktail or two if we even have that.

[00:26:33] Maybe watch the ball drop.

[00:26:34] Let's just get in the bed.

[00:26:35] So, that is the strategy and that's the strategy we implemented.

[00:26:39] We implemented that?

[00:26:41] Thank you.

[00:26:41] I was looking for that word.

[00:26:42] Implemented.

[00:26:42] One of our friends who's a tennis player rented out this great pickleball facility.

[00:26:46] Have you been to this place?

[00:26:47] I have been.

[00:26:49] No, I have not seen it since then.

[00:26:50] I know what you're talking about.

[00:26:51] Yes.

[00:26:51] It's awesome.

[00:26:52] Ten pickleball courts all under one roof.

[00:26:55] It's well lit.

[00:26:56] It's got, it's awesome.

[00:26:57] Brand spanking new.

[00:26:59] And so.

[00:26:59] He had the whole thing?

[00:27:00] The whole thing.

[00:27:01] Oh, wow.

[00:27:02] But it was dry.

[00:27:03] I did hear that.

[00:27:04] Yes, which I didn't know it was dry.

[00:27:06] So, here I come lugging the cooler in there.

[00:27:08] You always lug the cooler.

[00:27:09] Yeah, the cooler.

[00:27:09] I popped it right in there.

[00:27:10] Oh, you can't even bring your own cooler.

[00:27:12] I mean, I don't think you were supposed to, but I did because, you know, it's New Year's

[00:27:16] Eve.

[00:27:16] I just assumed.

[00:27:17] So, looking around for everybody else with the coolers.

[00:27:19] Hey!

[00:27:21] Everybody's just got their Gatorades and everything.

[00:27:23] So, I was like, I'm going to put the cooler back outside.

[00:27:25] I'll leave it out here.

[00:27:26] If somebody wants to come out and have a drink, I can tell people.

[00:27:29] We're tailgating out here.

[00:27:30] We're tailgating out here if y'all want to come.

[00:27:31] Blah, blah, blah.

[00:27:32] So, we stayed at the pickleball to 11, then came back home, rang in the New Year with

[00:27:37] the girls.

[00:27:38] I was asleep by 1230.

[00:27:39] That is the best I've felt on a New Year's Day since I was 15 years old.

[00:27:44] You know what?

[00:27:44] I mean, because nothing to drink and exercise, go to bed relatively early, get up.

[00:27:51] I felt like a brand new man, which leads me to why I have not had that many cocktails in

[00:27:56] January.

[00:27:57] I just have not felt like I felt so good.

[00:28:00] You feel so good.

[00:28:00] I don't really want to mess that feeling up.

[00:28:03] I probably will tonight.

[00:28:05] But, you know.

[00:28:06] You're going to mess that feeling up tonight?

[00:28:07] It can last forever.

[00:28:08] But anyway, that's what I did for New Year's.

[00:28:09] It was a new kind of New Year's experience for us.

[00:28:11] Yeah.

[00:28:12] How about you?

[00:28:12] So, we went over to our friend Charlie Zagaroli, Tisha Zagaroli.

[00:28:15] They cooked dinner.

[00:28:16] It was us and their son and my son.

[00:28:19] But, you know, just like teenagers want to do, they want to go find their friends.

[00:28:24] Their buddies.

[00:28:25] Yeah.

[00:28:25] And so, Max had a group of people from his school that he was itching to get to.

[00:28:33] And Harris had a couple people he wanted to get to.

[00:28:36] So, they went their separate ways.

[00:28:37] I think I caught Tisha yawning at about 9.50.

[00:28:42] And I was like, all right, this is our time to go.

[00:28:45] So, we packed up, went back to the house.

[00:28:48] I think we got back to the house about 10.15.

[00:28:51] And we barely kept it.

[00:28:54] Because Harris was gone all night.

[00:28:56] Barely kept our eyes open.

[00:28:57] I think I actually fell asleep and then woke back up.

[00:29:00] Woke up for the ball drop.

[00:29:01] What does a freshman and I think Max is 8th grade?

[00:29:04] No, Max is 10th grade.

[00:29:05] Max is 10th grade?

[00:29:06] Yeah, he's Lucy's.

[00:29:07] Yeah.

[00:29:07] So, what did they do?

[00:29:09] Like, did they just find their buddies and they watch, they play Madden or whatever video

[00:29:13] games?

[00:29:14] No.

[00:29:14] So, Max went to somebody not too far from his house.

[00:29:18] It was our friend Ben Dukes.

[00:29:20] Yeah.

[00:29:20] And he went to Ben Dukes.

[00:29:21] And I think Max's University Christian had a bunch of, there were a bunch of kids that

[00:29:26] were over there.

[00:29:26] Yeah, just New Year's celebration.

[00:29:27] And just hung out with them.

[00:29:28] Harris went to a friend that has, he had a couple of guys over.

[00:29:34] So, there was like six or so guys.

[00:29:36] He's got like a basketball court.

[00:29:38] He played basketball.

[00:29:39] Yeah, he played a bunch of basketball.

[00:29:41] He said they came in right before midnight and did that.

[00:29:44] And then they kind of shut it down.

[00:29:46] So, you know, it wasn't too wild for them.

[00:29:47] Cool.

[00:29:48] Because I can't remember back when I was a freshman what I did on New Year's.

[00:29:51] I know starting my sophomore year and junior year and so on and so forth, the things that

[00:29:55] I would do.

[00:29:56] I was always, it's like kind of always getting together with high school friends.

[00:29:59] It would always start with a dinner with my parents.

[00:30:02] So, we'd eat dinner.

[00:30:03] And then we'd check in the Swatch Watch.

[00:30:06] You know?

[00:30:06] Sure.

[00:30:07] At 8, 8.30, bang.

[00:30:09] Gone.

[00:30:09] Time to get on out.

[00:30:10] Love you guys.

[00:30:11] And then I'll see them tomorrow.

[00:30:13] But anyway, I was just curious if things have changed.

[00:30:15] It sounds like things stay the same.

[00:30:17] Stay the same.

[00:30:18] And I'm sure next year it may get more and more, you know, involved.

[00:30:24] But, you know, it's kind of funny.

[00:30:27] We're just starting to see.

[00:30:28] I think New Year's, I've always thought this.

[00:30:31] When I was in high school, I thought this.

[00:30:32] When I was in college, it's a trap.

[00:30:34] Okay.

[00:30:34] Like, it's a way to get in trouble.

[00:30:36] Fair.

[00:30:36] You know?

[00:30:37] I mean, I just feel like people are just like looking at that holiday to just find a way to get in trouble.

[00:30:42] If you can look at it that way, usually you won't get in trouble.

[00:30:45] Yes.

[00:30:46] Exactly right.

[00:30:48] Because some trouble has been had.

[00:30:50] Stay put.

[00:30:50] Yes.

[00:30:50] By some of our friends when we were in college, New Year's, came back to Hickory to celebrate,

[00:30:56] and just terrible things would happen.

[00:30:57] So, it's good if you stay put.

[00:31:01] Stay put.

[00:31:01] Let's just leave it at that.

[00:31:02] Stay put.

[00:31:03] Don't get in your car.

[00:31:04] Don't do anything stupid.

[00:31:05] Stay put in one place.

[00:31:07] Yes.

[00:31:07] Celebrate.

[00:31:08] Okay.

[00:31:08] Exactly.

[00:31:09] All right, buddy.

[00:31:10] We've got Hickory High Spring Sports kind of kicking into gear.

[00:31:15] Yep.

[00:31:15] Basketball team doing what they do.

[00:31:18] Won the Christmas Classic, I heard.

[00:31:20] Yep.

[00:31:20] They just beat Saint on Tuesday night.

[00:31:24] No.

[00:31:25] Yeah.

[00:31:25] Tuesday night.

[00:31:26] I was there for that game.

[00:31:27] It was good.

[00:31:27] It was a good game.

[00:31:28] You know, it's cool to watch Daniel coach his team because last year, you know, he's winning

[00:31:33] games by 20, 25.

[00:31:34] These are all going to be tight games.

[00:31:36] And it was a good game.

[00:31:37] And Saint came.

[00:31:38] You know, we're cross-town rivals.

[00:31:40] They want to beat us bad.

[00:31:41] Everybody wants to beat Hickory.

[00:31:42] Sure.

[00:31:42] In that Christmas tournament when I was there, you would sit in that arena.

[00:31:46] Everybody wants to beat us.

[00:31:47] Yeah.

[00:31:48] If it was Hickory versus Saint and Alexander Central person was behind you, they are rooting

[00:31:51] for Saint.

[00:31:52] Sure.

[00:31:52] Right?

[00:31:53] So it was...

[00:31:55] That's when you know you made it.

[00:31:56] Yeah, that's when you know you made it right there.

[00:31:57] You made it with everybody.

[00:31:58] But it's, you know, we're lucky we got a real deal coach.

[00:32:02] Yeah.

[00:32:02] And watching him in those last four minutes of that game proves he's a, you know, I mean,

[00:32:07] we didn't need validation of it.

[00:32:10] He's a real deal coach.

[00:32:12] But he's got some, he's got to play different and he knows that and it's cool to watch.

[00:32:16] But there are going to be a lot of close games.

[00:32:18] I mean, he's going to have to fight.

[00:32:19] Of course.

[00:32:20] But coach him up.

[00:32:21] But he's, you know, he's won some good ones.

[00:32:23] North Lincoln was a tough game.

[00:32:24] You know, that's a good team.

[00:32:26] And Saints.

[00:32:27] So now I think they're going to start getting into, you know, the rest of their conference

[00:32:31] and then they'll start that over again and see how far they can go in the playoffs.

[00:32:34] And your baseball is kicking into gear.

[00:32:36] I know that your son's been training very hard, working, working hard to get better.

[00:32:42] Lucy Rose still decided if she's going to try it because...

[00:32:44] It's next week, right?

[00:32:45] Yes.

[00:32:45] I mean, she's going to...

[00:32:46] Dance is kicking into like full gear.

[00:32:48] Yeah.

[00:32:48] And so I don't know how she's going to do this.

[00:32:50] Anyway, I don't know how it's going to work, but we're trying to make it work.

[00:32:53] So anyway, just busy as can be with the sports and the studies and all that fun stuff.

[00:32:59] And then our tennis, Hank, I feel like this might be our year.

[00:33:02] You think this is the one?

[00:33:03] I think this might be our year.

[00:33:04] Our spring season.

[00:33:05] I think sign up is...

[00:33:05] But you're 4-0.

[00:33:06] But I think it's combos.

[00:33:08] No, I don't think so.

[00:33:09] Oh, it's not?

[00:33:09] I think spring is when you're in your thing.

[00:33:12] So us just turned to I and you.

[00:33:14] Okay.

[00:33:15] All right?

[00:33:15] I mean, it's for you guys way down lower on the brackets.

[00:33:18] Good luck to your team.

[00:33:19] Well, you know, the high rollers up here.

[00:33:22] Well, I mean, the good thing is, is I'm going to get to play.

[00:33:25] I mean, when you're a low 4-0...

[00:33:26] Let me educate these people.

[00:33:28] Chad just barely moved up to the next level of playing.

[00:33:31] Don't believe that.

[00:33:32] And he is now to a point where he doesn't get to play, which is okay.

[00:33:37] It's okay to be the worst.

[00:33:39] My knee was hurting, Hank.

[00:33:41] My knee hurt really bad.

[00:33:42] That's why I missed the three weeks in a row.

[00:33:44] But anyway, yeah.

[00:33:46] So a lot of fun stuff to look forward to here in the...

[00:33:48] I guess in the upcoming months.

[00:33:50] So are you a winter fan?

[00:33:51] I mean, are you a fan of winter weather?

[00:33:53] I hate it.

[00:33:54] You know, we've talked about it before.

[00:33:56] You're a fan-ish.

[00:33:58] I like cool weather.

[00:34:00] Yeah.

[00:34:00] I like cool weather.

[00:34:01] I don't like frigid weather.

[00:34:02] I mean, tomorrow and everything, it's going to be cold, and I'm not looking to stand out

[00:34:06] there and do it.

[00:34:07] But I like the idea of a fire.

[00:34:09] I like the idea of football weather.

[00:34:13] I could live without the 30 degree, 25 degree, but I love 50.

[00:34:18] But I hate the short days.

[00:34:20] And I also noticed that you really like jackets.

[00:34:23] So when you came into the studio today, you had a big puff jacket on, right?

[00:34:26] You shedded that.

[00:34:27] Now you've got another puff vest underneath it.

[00:34:30] I've got a vest on.

[00:34:32] I'm going to go to the under armor.

[00:34:33] It's called a shirt.

[00:34:34] It's called a shirt.

[00:34:34] It looks like it's a little, like, you know, little.

[00:34:37] And do you have another one under that one?

[00:34:39] You have six layers on it.

[00:34:41] No, I don't have six layers on it.

[00:34:42] You have six layers.

[00:34:43] This is unbelievable.

[00:34:44] Don't worry about what I got on.

[00:34:45] I'm watching a man with six layers on it.

[00:34:48] I'm molting over here.

[00:34:50] I can't believe you're just not full of sweat.

[00:34:52] I do like it, Jack.

[00:34:52] Well, if I look over at you, my counterpart, if he lifts up his arms, he is perspiring.

[00:34:57] It is gross.

[00:34:58] Right?

[00:34:59] Oh, I had to give blood today, Hank, to make sure.

[00:35:02] That's not where you're sweating from.

[00:35:03] It's under your arms.

[00:35:03] I know.

[00:35:04] I'm just saying, but look, I had to give blood.

[00:35:07] Did you pass out?

[00:35:09] I cannot look at them when they do it.

[00:35:11] So, I mean, I don't pass out, but my heart starts beating so rapidly when I know it's getting

[00:35:15] rid of a prick, and so I just have to look the other way.

[00:35:18] That's all right.

[00:35:18] Yeah, okay.

[00:35:19] I mean, you've got to get through it.

[00:35:19] That's all right.

[00:35:20] You've got to get through it.

[00:35:21] So, anyway, hopefully a clean bill of health here.

[00:35:23] We're looking for low cholesterol.

[00:35:24] Oh, I thought you were being a good Samaritan and giving blood.

[00:35:27] No, no, no.

[00:35:28] This is for my health.

[00:35:29] Okay.

[00:35:29] My health.

[00:35:30] And we're checking-

[00:35:30] Is this your yearly physical?

[00:35:33] Well, this is the checkup following what I do my yearly in July, and so then I did these

[00:35:39] three months of blood because our cholesterol is just a tad high.

[00:35:43] Yep.

[00:35:43] And something about lipids and triglycerides and fatty liver tissue.

[00:35:48] I thought you had to eat food to actually have a problem with that.

[00:35:51] Yeah.

[00:35:52] But, anyway, hopefully everything will be cool, which I'm sure it will be.

[00:35:54] Well, I've got my physical coming up this year.

[00:35:57] And, you know, I mean, physical of 50 is a different ballgame than what you've got going on.

[00:36:02] You're getting ready to get into some serious business.

[00:36:04] I mean, like real serious business.

[00:36:07] But, you know, I always try to schedule mine in January.

[00:36:12] Oh, smart.

[00:36:13] I get a good runway.

[00:36:14] You know?

[00:36:16] Yeah.

[00:36:16] They'll be like, this guy's the healthiest guy we have seen in eight years.

[00:36:20] Right.

[00:36:20] Yeah.

[00:36:20] I did have it in December, and it happened to get pushed off a month about a couple of

[00:36:25] months ago.

[00:36:25] So, yeah.

[00:36:26] Yeah.

[00:36:26] I'm looking forward to giving blood.

[00:36:27] That's awesome.

[00:36:28] Walking in there very confident.

[00:36:29] It's good for you.

[00:36:30] So, today being January 9th, you got no problems getting through.

[00:36:35] You got three more weeks to get through.

[00:36:37] I am golden.

[00:36:39] I am soaring.

[00:36:40] No problem.

[00:36:41] Good for you.

[00:36:42] Well, I'm proud of you, Hank.

[00:36:43] We do have a friend, though, that's involved in this.

[00:36:45] Yes.

[00:36:47] Struggling.

[00:36:47] What?

[00:36:48] Struggling.

[00:36:49] He's texting every night.

[00:36:50] He's texting.

[00:36:51] He was like, I don't understand.

[00:36:54] I'm not feeling better.

[00:36:57] I'm angry.

[00:36:58] I'm having to do more stuff with my family.

[00:37:01] Does this gentleman's name start with an M?

[00:37:03] Of course it does.

[00:37:04] Yes.

[00:37:05] It does.

[00:37:05] I can hear it right now.

[00:37:06] It does.

[00:37:07] And we have another friend who's doing this and just doing remarkably well.

[00:37:11] But his increase of root beer at night has gone through the roof.

[00:37:17] They can't keep root beer on the shelves at Lowe's.

[00:37:20] Two root beers a night.

[00:37:21] Two root beers a night.

[00:37:22] Two root beers a night is what he's going through.

[00:37:24] I can't be healthy for you.

[00:37:25] And I'll tell you one last dry wear story.

[00:37:28] So one fellow that we know very well would be the last person in the world that you would

[00:37:34] ever would think would attempt this.

[00:37:36] But he's trying this for his new family.

[00:37:39] Okay.

[00:37:40] Saying that he was going to give it a whirl.

[00:37:42] So he calls.

[00:37:43] He texts me January 2nd at about 830 in the morning saying, I can't do this.

[00:37:51] There's no.

[00:37:52] There's no.

[00:37:52] So it started on the 1st.

[00:37:53] Okay.

[00:37:54] The 2nd.

[00:37:54] It's 830 in the morning.

[00:37:55] He was like, why?

[00:37:56] He was just angry.

[00:37:57] Why do people even talk about doing this?

[00:37:59] Why should I have to do this?

[00:38:01] Blah, blah, blah.

[00:38:02] A million excuses.

[00:38:03] And then he said, but I'm going to do it.

[00:38:05] So anyway.

[00:38:05] Okay.

[00:38:06] And I haven't checked back with him since the 2nd.

[00:38:08] What are the chances?

[00:38:09] Zero.

[00:38:10] Zero.

[00:38:10] Zero percentage that he's made it this far.

[00:38:12] Okay.

[00:38:12] But I'm going to text with him this weekend.

[00:38:14] So I'll see how it's going.

[00:38:15] So to all you other dry, you wary guys and gals out.

[00:38:18] Yeah.

[00:38:19] Dry, you wary.

[00:38:20] Good luck to you.

[00:38:21] I hope you keep up the, stay strong.

[00:38:22] Just stay strong.

[00:38:24] Right?

[00:38:25] Hank, we'll get out of there with this.

[00:38:27] But let's, again, let's give our over under on snow accumulation.

[00:38:31] Right?

[00:38:32] Okay.

[00:38:32] So we're going to set the bar at two inches.

[00:38:35] Two inches.

[00:38:36] Snow and hickory for our storm that's upcoming.

[00:38:40] Where are you putting?

[00:38:41] Where are you going?

[00:38:41] I'm going over.

[00:38:42] You're going over the total.

[00:38:42] Barely.

[00:38:43] Two and a half, three.

[00:38:44] Yep.

[00:38:45] I'm going to go under the total.

[00:38:47] Under the total.

[00:38:47] And one and three quarters.

[00:38:49] And Hank, we're going to send it over to Harry Sprinkle.

[00:38:51] Harry Sprinkle is now at Hong Kong Cafe.

[00:38:54] Harry, are you there?

[00:38:55] Harry, are you there?

[00:38:56] He walks barely across the street.

[00:38:58] Oh, thanks, Chad.

[00:38:59] Yeah, Harry Sprinkle here.

[00:39:00] Over under for the snow accumulation by me, I would guess.

[00:39:06] We're going for 23 inches, Hank.

[00:39:09] We're going to break on a state record, 23 inches.

[00:39:11] Thanks, Harry.

[00:39:13] Harry's been at the wine shop.

[00:39:14] Harry's been at the wine shop having a couple too many.

[00:39:17] But anyway, glad we're back in the studio.

[00:39:19] It's been a bit a bit.

[00:39:20] But now we're ready to kick it into full gear.

[00:39:22] Right.

[00:39:22] Full gear.

[00:39:23] Look forward to bringing you guys many a podcast every other week.

[00:39:27] We're going to move our days to Thursday now.

[00:39:30] Some business things has come up.

[00:39:31] I can't be in Hickory on Wednesday, but on Thursday.

[00:39:34] So we'll bring the audience what they want to hear, Hank.

[00:39:38] Consistency is what they want to hear.

[00:39:40] Consistency is what they want to hear.

[00:39:40] Oh, we have to give somebody a shout out.

[00:39:48] Miss Maggie Hines.

[00:39:49] Oh, Lord.

[00:39:50] My gosh.

[00:39:51] She's our loyal.

[00:39:51] Listen.

[00:39:52] Most loyal listeners.

[00:39:53] One of our most loyal listeners out there, every road trip that this family goes on, which is usually just to Tennessee.

[00:40:02] They never go anywhere else.

[00:40:04] But when they go, they save our podcast for the entire ride.

[00:40:09] Because Maggie Hines loves the big fan.

[00:40:14] Yes.

[00:40:14] All right?

[00:40:14] She's excited about it.

[00:40:16] Every time I go to their house, I was there the other day, I was talking about big fan with her, and she asked just to be a part.

[00:40:25] Yes.

[00:40:25] And so, Maggie, you are an official host today.

[00:40:29] All right?

[00:40:29] Maggie, we love you.

[00:40:30] This one's for you.

[00:40:32] We will dedicate this podcast to Miss Maggie Hines, and we hope you enjoy the snow tomorrow.

[00:40:38] It's going to be a blast.

[00:40:39] And to all our other listeners who like to sled and ice skate and throw snowballs and build snowmen and do snow angels, we wish you the best.

[00:40:46] This is the time, Hank.

[00:40:48] I'm starting to get excited.

[00:40:49] Are you?

[00:40:49] Look at me over here.

[00:40:50] I'm feeling.

[00:40:50] You're sweating.

[00:40:51] I'm changing.

[00:40:52] Yes, I'm sweating.

[00:40:52] I'm changing my under the total.

[00:40:55] We're going over the total.

[00:40:56] Yes!

[00:40:56] We're going to four inches, Hank.