The Hinge Experiment: Why It Gotta Be Black? 🐓🍷
I made it to Columbia, South Carolina!
Traffic slowed me down a little, but I still made good time. I planned to meet Airica at 6:30 p.m., and I estimated I'd arrive at 5:15 p.m.
That left me with some time to kill. I'd planned to stop at Starbucks, mess around, and see some of the sights in West Columbia.
Then came the text.
"Where are you?"
I responded through Android Auto that I was about 15 minutes away, with an ETA of 5:15.
The response?
"Go on by."
Well, okay then! Starbucks and sightseeing would have to wait. I was heading to pick up Airica.
And that brings us to the latest chapter of The Hinge Experiment, featuring a steakhouse, a cheese board, some excellent conversation, and one very important question:
Why it gotta be black?
Great Minds, Steak Alike
Earlier, while I was packing for the cruise, Airica and I talked on the phone. She was driving and using Bluetooth, and we talked about where to go for dinner.
At dialysis, I'd done a little research. Airica likes steak, so I searched for steak restaurants in the Columbia area. One place kept coming up with great reviews on The Google: Black Rooster.
I mentioned it to her.
Her reaction? She was thinking the same thing!
As it turns out, she'd already been there by herself, taking herself out on a date.
I like that. Taking yourself out, enjoying a meal, and not waiting for someone else to make plans is a good thing.
But now I'm wondering: Are the planets aligned? Is the universe trying to tell me something? Did somebody at NASA change the coordinates?
Or did two people who enjoy a good meal independently come up with the same restaurant?
Let's not get carried away. I tend to overthink things, and I have a cruise to catch.
I picked up Airica, and seven minutes later, we were at Black Rooster.
Parking was easy, the interior was cool, and we were ready to eat.
The Cheese Board: A Very Important Discovery
The service was fantastic from the start.
Airica loves cheese, so we naturally ordered the cheese board.
It featured three distinctive cheeses: a soft cheese, a blue cheese, and a hard cheese. The server did an excellent job explaining and presenting everything.
I'm always impressed when someone takes the time to make the dining experience more than just putting food on a plate.
And when I’m dining with someone who appreciates cheese, I don't interfere with the cheese situation.
I just go with it.
For our entrées, Airica ordered the Steak Frites, while I chose the Shrimp and Polenta.
Both meals were enjoyable, and mine came with a little kick.
I'd asked about the heat level because one of the ingredients was a chile. I was warned, and I responded that I would "take my chances."
Famous last words.
It was bearable, but it was about as hot as I'm willing to go. Yes, I'm a wimp when it comes to spicy food. I know my limitations, and I prefer to enjoy my meal rather than have my taste buds file a formal complaint.
We also shared Brussels sprouts.
They were good, but I thought they could have used some bacon. Apparently, my culinary philosophy is that bacon can improve many vegetables.
I'm not saying that's scientifically proven.
I'm just saying the Brussels sprouts and I had a meeting, and bacon was one of the recommendations.
The Great Beverage Disappointment
Now we get to the one area where Black Rooster and I disagreed a little.
The restaurant serves Coca-Cola products, but it didn't have Coke Zero.
Strike one.
My second choice is usually San Pellegrino. No luck there, either.
Airica's preferred drink is a half-and-half. I learned that on our first date, so I already knew her go-to order.
Unfortunately, they didn't have iced tea.
Strike three!
Apparently, the beverage department and I weren't on the same page.
Of course, no restaurant can be everything to everyone. The food was good, the service was phenomenal, and we had a wonderful evening.
But if anyone from Black Rooster reads this, I'm just saying a Coke Zero would make me very happy.
And possibly a San Pellegrino.
I'm not asking for much. Just options for a man who has very specific beverage requirements.
Conversation, Connection, and a Cruise on the Horizon
The best part of the evening wasn't the cheese board or the shrimp and polenta.
It was the conversation.
We talked about our days, my upcoming cruise, all the preparation involved, and what I would be doing about dialysis while I was away.
Traveling with end-stage renal disease requires planning. Dialysis doesn't simply disappear because I want to take a vacation. I have to think about scheduling, treatment arrangements, and the potential risks involved.
I take it seriously, even when I'm joking about everything else.
We also talked about Halloween and whatever else came up naturally.
That's one of the things I've enjoyed about spending time with Airica. We can talk, laugh, ask questions, share experiences, and learn more about each other.
I'm not trying to predict the future or assign a meaning to every little thing. Well, I'm trying not to.
Sometimes I succeed.
Sometimes my brain opens a new spreadsheet.
But I appreciate that we're making time for each other and continuing to get to know one another.
The S'mores Were Calling My Name
We skipped dessert.
The S'mores dessert looked fantastic on paper, and under normal circumstances, I might have been tempted.
But after the cheese board, our entrées, and the Brussels sprouts, I had reached my food capacity.
Some moments in life require difficult decisions.
Tonight, the decision was between S'mores and being able to breathe comfortably.
I chose breathing.
The S'mores will have to wait for another day.
The Gift and My Suspicious Influence
After dinner, we headed back, and the drive was fantastic.
More conversation, more time together, and eventually, the inevitable goodbye.
Before we parted ways, I left Airica with a gift.
And here's where I'm going to be a little mysterious.
The gift was a hint that I'm beginning to introduce her to one of my addictions.
No, not anything illegal. Settle down!
I'm talking about one of those interests that can start innocently enough and then suddenly take over your life.
What is it?
You'll have to wait and see.
Let's just say that if she gets hooked, I may have created a monster.
And I accept absolutely no responsibility.
Okay, maybe a little.
The Return Trip Is Already on the Calendar
We also made plans for me to see Airica when I return from the cruise.
I'll fly back into Charlotte and land around 2:30 p.m. From there, it's roughly a two-hour drive, followed by dinner, some awesome conversation, and then the drive home.
Because apparently, I haven't driven enough miles lately.
My car is probably wondering why I keep calling it a vehicle when it has become my primary travel companion.
Still, I'm looking forward to seeing her again.
We have busy schedules, travel plans, and responsibilities. Finding time to spend together takes a little effort, but I'm grateful we're making it happen.
The Hinge Experiment continues, one dinner and one road trip at a time.
But Seriously... Why It Gotta Be Black?
Now, let's return to the most pressing question of the evening.
Why is it called Black Rooster?
I still don't know.
I also had no idea roosters could be black.
Of course, a quick reality check: roosters can absolutely have black feathers. Some breeds have entirely black plumage, and some even have black skin and other dark features.
So the name isn't biologically impossible.
But I still want to know the story behind the restaurant's name.
Is there a rooster involved? Was there a legendary black rooster in the neighborhood? Did somebody just think it sounded cool?
I may never know.
For now, I'll remember Black Rooster as the place where Airica and I independently thought of the same restaurant, enjoyed a great meal, had a wonderful conversation, and discovered our beverage preferences aren't entirely compatible with the menu.
Not a bad Wednesday evening!
And now, on to Tampa and the cruise.
Stay tuned. The Hinge Experiment is going places.
Literally. 🚗🚢
Buddy: When a Children's Movie Stops Being Child's Play 🦄
I thought Buddy was a kids' movie. An orange unicorn singing songs and teaching life lessons? I figured I knew what I was getting into.
I was wrong.
One of the movie's earliest lessons is that you have to be scared to be brave. A simple message, but worth thinking about: bravery doesn't mean not feeling fear. It means finding a way forward despite it.
But Buddy takes that cheerful beginning somewhere I wasn't expecting. The story gets increasingly unhinged, the familiar starts to feel strange, and by the end, I'm questioning what I thought I understood.
Sometimes the movies we overlook surprise us most.
🎬 Want to hear my full take on Buddy?
Watch my video review here:
👉 https://NielFlamm.com/videos
Come for the orange unicorn. Stay for the unexpected.
Or don't. 😉
The Hinge Experiment Meets Cruise Mode: Dialysis, Detours, and a Last-Minute Road Trip! 🚗🚢
It's Wednesday afternoon. Normally, after dialysis, I'd catch up on sleep, recover from treatment, and prepare for the rest of the week.
But apparently, I decided that a quiet Wednesday wasn't exciting enough.
Instead, I made some last-minute changes to my travel plans, and now I'm adding another road trip to The Hinge Experiment.
Why make life simple when you can add a few extra miles, a hotel reservation, and some logistical gymnastics?
The Cruise Is Calling!
Tomorrow, I'm embarking on a cruise out of Tampa, Florida!
Originally, my travel plans were pretty straightforward. I'd fly from Charleston (CHS) to Charlotte (CLT), then connect from Charlotte to Tampa (TPA).
Simple, right?
Well, I started looking at the numbers.
What would it cost to change my flight? What about a hotel? Could I use some points to make the arrangements work? Was there a better way to get where I needed to be?
After reviewing the options, I came up with a different plan.
I'm removing the middleman.
Instead of flying from Charleston to Charlotte and then connecting to Tampa, I'm driving toward Charlotte, staying at a hotel near the airport, and flying directly to Tampa tomorrow.
A little driving, a hotel stay, and one less flight segment.
And the best part? I actually enjoy driving!
Of course, that means I have to get organized, pack everything, drive, check into the hotel, and get ready for an early airport departure.
All while coming off dialysis.
What could go wrong? 😂
But Wait... There's a Columbia Detour!
This is where The Hinge Experiment comes in.
The following weekend, Airica is heading to Las Vegas. With both of us on busy schedules and separate travel plans, I made time for another visit.
So, before heading to my hotel near Charlotte, I'm driving to Columbia, South Carolina, to spend some time with Airica.
Yes, you read that correctly.
I'm going to drive to Columbia, spend some time with her, and then head toward Charlotte to prepare for tomorrow's flight to Tampa.
Somewhere along the way, I should probably eat something, too.
I'm beginning to think that my car deserves its own frequent-flyer program. It may not fly, but it certainly accumulates the miles!
What's on the Agenda Tonight?
I'm not going to overcomplicate the plans.
I'm looking forward to laughing, enjoying some food, spending time with Airica, and doing a whole lot of driving.
That's a pretty good Wednesday evening if you ask me.
It's been fun getting to know Airica, sharing experiences, and finding opportunities to spend time together despite our schedules. I don't know what the next step will look like, and I'm not going to pretend I have it all figured out.
For now, I'm enjoying the journey.
And apparently, the journey involves a lot of interstate highways.
I'll be trading the Columbia roads for a Charlotte hotel, then an airport, then Tampa, and finally a cruise ship.
Not exactly a restful week, but it should give me a few stories to tell.
And you know me. If something funny happens, it’ll probably end up here on the blog.
A Quick Message to Any Would-Be Burglars
Before I go, a little public service announcement.
If you're thinking about robbing the house while I'm away, don't.
My father is still in the house.
And there's also a giant leopard.
No, I won’t explain that any further. You'll have to use your imagination. 😂
Let's say the house is occupied, and this is a very poor time to test your luck.
Consider this your friendly neighborhood travel advisory.
Stay Tuned!
For now, I've got a road trip to Columbia, some quality time to enjoy, a hotel near CLT to get to, and a flight to Tampa to catch tomorrow.
Then it's cruise time!
I'll share more as it unfolds, including the cruise, the travel logistics, and whatever other surprises life throws my way.
The Hinge Experiment meets cruise mode. 🚗❤️🚢
Stay tuned. There's more to come!
Selena Gomez’s Vaping Admission Deserves a Bigger Conversation
I heard on the radio that Selena Gomez had spoken about vaping and how it affected her voice. Her honesty matters: when a public figure describes a personal consequence of nicotine use, it can help others take the risks seriously.
But I’m uneasy when the story becomes something to celebrate without enough attention to the harm behind it. The Fox News article describes concerns doctors have raised about nicotine dependence and vaping’s possible effects on breathing, sleep, anxiety, heart rate, and blood pressure. Gomez’s reported experience is a reminder that vaping is not harmless.
I also want to be careful about the timeline. Claims online that Gomez started smoking at 14, switched to vaping at 22, or vaped for 12 years are not confirmed by the article linked here. Her kidney transplant at 24 is public, but I haven’t found a reliable source confirming that vaping was discussed as part of her transplant care. Those details shouldn’t be presented as fact without stronger sourcing.
What we can talk about is the gift of organ donation and the seriousness of receiving a transplant. For people awaiting an organ, health decisions can carry enormous weight, and transplant teams counsel patients based on their individual circumstances. I’m a potential organ recipient myself, so this feels personal: I hope the conversation includes the care, commitment, and support involved in protecting a donated organ.
I respect Gomez for speaking candidly. At the same time, the media could do more to connect stories like this to nicotine dependence, prevention, quitting support, and the extraordinary gift of organ donation. The most useful takeaway is honest information, compassion for people struggling to quit, and encouragement to make choices that protect our health.
Sources
The Medicare Kit Is Back! Apparently, MyChart Really Wants My Survey Answers 😂
Well, well, well. Look what showed up in my inbox today.
Remember that email I received offering me a supposedly free Medicare Kit in exchange for completing a short survey about my MyChart experience?
Apparently, the first invitation wasn't enough.
They're back for another round!
This time, the email arrived with the subject line “Fw: Some Recent News.” It came from someone named Jessie Gaines, using a Gmail address, and included four attachments—two text files and two PNG images.
And right there in the message is the familiar offer:
A completely new Medicare Kit!
All I have to do is complete a short survey about my experiences and preferences with the MyChart portal.
How thoughtful.
My inbox is apparently determined to improve my healthcare experience, one suspicious email at a time.
Déjà Vu: The Medicare Kit Edition
The message uses the MyChart name and logo, addresses me as “Dear MyChart Customer,” and claims the survey is part of a special feedback program designed to thank people for participating in their digital healthcare journey.
The promised reward? A Medicare Kit.
The call to action? A big green START SURVEY button.
The pitch is simple: answer a few questions, share your feedback, and claim your reward.
But here's the thing: the email doesn't establish that MyChart or any healthcare provider actually sent it.
The sender's Gmail address doesn't demonstrate an official connection to MyChart. The message also doesn't identify a specific healthcare organization sponsoring the promotion.
And the fact that it arrived as a forwarded message doesn't make it any more trustworthy.
Why Does This Raise Red Flags?
A few things caught my attention.
1. The sender isn't using an official healthcare domain.
The email comes from a Gmail address. That doesn't automatically prove it's fraudulent, but it certainly doesn't verify the sender's claimed connection to MyChart.
2. The offer uses a familiar healthcare brand.
MyChart is a recognizable patient portal. A familiar name and logo can make an unsolicited message seem more credible than it is.
3. The reward encourages me to click.
Who doesn't like a free gift? The promise of a Medicare Kit gives the recipient a reason to act before asking whether the offer is legitimate.
4. The email includes unexpected attachments.
There are four attachments, including text files and images. I haven't confirmed what's in each attachment, and I'm not going to open suspicious files just out of curiosity.
5. This offer has appeared before.
I've now encountered a very similar Medicare Kit pitch in another email. Repeated messages using the same reward and survey formula make me even more cautious.
I can't confirm the sender's identity or where the survey button goes from this screenshot alone. I also can't say definitively what happens if someone clicks it.
But I don't need to click it to recognize that the offer deserves independent verification.
What Would I Do If I Really Wanted to Check?
I'd open the official MyChart app or go directly to my healthcare provider's website.
If I had questions about a promotion, I'd contact the provider through a phone number or contact method I already knew was legitimate.
I would not use the link in this email to verify the email itself.
And I certainly wouldn't provide my login credentials, Medicare information, payment details or other sensitive personal information to claim an unverified reward.
If the offer is legitimate, I should be able to verify it without trusting the message that brought it to my attention.
My Inbox Is Becoming a Rewards Department
Let's review the recent opportunities my inbox has presented:
A supposedly free Medicare Kit for completing a survey.
A USPS Cart offered in exchange for feedback.
An unsolicited loan offer advertising up to $40,000.
A mysterious recruiting message promising an exciting job opportunity.
Now the Medicare Kit has returned for an encore.
I'm starting to wonder whether my inbox has mistaken me for a professional survey participant with an unlimited appetite for suspicious freebies.
Maybe next I'll receive an email offering me a free hospital, a complimentary postal truck, and a corner office with a $300,000 salary.
One can dream.
But I prefer to keep my personal information, my healthcare accounts, and my money out of these little adventures.
The Bottom Line
An email featuring the MyChart logo is not proof that MyChart sent it. A free gift is not proof of a legitimate promotion. And a survey button is not an invitation I need to accept.
Verify the offer independently. Don't click first and ask questions later.
Have you received an email offering a free Medicare Kit or another reward in exchange for completing a survey? I'd like to hear about it.
Send screenshots and your experiences to niel@nielflamm.com. Please remove sensitive personal information before sending anything.
I'll keep documenting what shows up in my inbox. Apparently, the freebie department isn't going out of business anytime soon.
Until next time: stay curious, stay cautious, and don't let a green button make decisions for you.