The Miami Hurricanes are 4-0 and have knocked off two major rivals with a third coming on October 4th in primetime on ABC. Notre Dame- defeated. Florida- trampled. Florida State- we’ll see…
But with the
‘Canes on an off week us fans of The U have to find something to do with our newly found spare time. The Solid Verbal podcast loves the “window of opportunity” in which you can go out to dinner or see a local production of cats. Maybe you can even read about Katz or adopt a cat while you’re bored.
If you don’t like felines or pseudonyms you can try a few of these alternative ideas on how to spend your weekend during Miami’s first of two off weeks this fall.
1 Touch grass. Yes I’m aware that there are other games on besides Miami including FSU at UVA on Friday night and Oregon at Penn State on Saturday night. But unless you’re really desperate to see the brain trusts that are Lincoln Riley and Bret Bielema go at it at noon- that’s a fair window of opportunity to get outside and touch some grass and play ball with your son.
Caption: VW commercial featuring Emory Williams and his dad
You could mow the lawn so the spouse is less grumpy with you and your lack of accomplishing anything on the honey-do list. You can go to yoga in the park, hit the local 9-hole golf course, play softball or hike the Appalachian Trail for a minute. Anything that puts you in nature with sunshine, fresh air, sweat, West Nile Virus and grass.
If you just so happen to be allergic to grass, you’ve won the excuse lottery on hiring a yard crew. Maybe go to a putt-putt place and try to get the ball through the clown’s mouth, or race a go-kart.
2 Date night. Ah yes, date night. There’s nothing quite like an evening curled up with your favorite bottle of wine or cocktail, a little mood lighting, and your soulmate. For the thrifty ‘Canes fan I suggest a movie in and something easy like a burger and homemade fries (I bake mine in olive oil on a cookie sheet set to 425 for 18 minutes with salt, pepper, and a little garlic).
For the less fiscally conservative take your date out to a movie and buy the jumbo popcorn and XXL soda. Nothing says romance like buttery fingers and carbonation. And if you really want to splurge, there are still classic style Pizza Huts out there say in Louisburg, NC. Bonus points if you drop to a knee and propose after a trip to the salad bar.
Caption: Image courtesy of Yelp
3 Fall Photoshoot. Two guarantees that a divorce is imminent: 1- the wedding costs over $10K and 2- the couple has done a fall photoshoot at some point in their relationship. Look, I get it. Pumpkin spice is in their air in NC. No wait, maybe that’s just a sweaty high school jit in my 4th period.
While the fall photoshoot spells disaster for just about every couple ever, the beach photoshoot means they’ll withstand the test of time.
Fellas put on your starched jeans, boots, and button down dress shirt. Gals put on your Hans Solo boots, big hat, and scarf. Let’s hit the delay timer on our cameras and toss up a few leaves because it’s Gilmore Girls Season.
4 Cider Mills and Pumpkin Patches
If the leaves are orange and brown you’re in cider town. The perfect ‘off’ week plan just might be caving in and escorting Jenny or Jamal to the cider mill or the pumpkin patch. While Homer Simpson certainly hated his experience (he was missing football on the couch) Ned Flanders loved it enough to get a membership!
If you aren’t in cider town down because you are down in Florida you can always sweat through your cardigan at a pumpkin patch. Ride the big hay truck, walk around the mosquitos and pumpkins awkwardly while pretending to know what a “good” pumpkin looks like and take a few snaps for The Gram.
