Hello! Long time no post! Life has been pretty, pretty, pretty hectic for me lately. I have an amazing new job for a Sports Construction company, I got married to the love of my life, and have been busy enjoying life.

Let’s do a little highlight reel of where I have been in the months since my last post on BurkReport.com!

My last post was on September 21st, 2022.

So for the sake of ease lets start with October of 2022:

October 2022:

As part of my old job at River Radio, I had the honor of visiting St. Jude Children’s hospital with a couple of my old co-worker pals. It was a very very powerful experience, and you totally understand why people give up so much time and money for that amazing organization. Please donate, and if you do donate, make sure to give on behalf of z100fm.com. They have been a powerful force for good in Southern Illinois. Oh and I met Scotty McCreery at the conference! Audrey and I debuted some amazing Southern Illinois University football inspired gear through our clothing company SOE618.com! Check it out if you want! My parents came down, and the three of us enjoyed Howl-o-Wine at Starview Vineyards!

November 2022:

I had a first in my travel life, I flew on a tiny plane from Marion to STL (RIP that flight connection). It was hilarious, the pilot just screams back without the PA system. It was really convenient to do! We celebrated my then fiance’s birthday at Quatros and an SIU game. It was a real throwback kinda night for her. I also went to a great wedding with the whole Sirles fam. I had my first ever deer hunting weekend. I wasn’t successful in securing that deer, but it was a great learning experience.

DECEMBER 2022:

I experienced my first vendor show in Marion for SOE618. It was fantastic meeting all the other vendors and getting SOE’s name out there. The show 100% put me in the Christmas spirit. Audrey and I went to Braggin Rights, it wasn’t the best game for this Illini fan, but I adore this rivalry so much. There isn’t anything like it in college basketball. I visited my family in KC for Christmas, It was so nice being there after my car failure of the previous years holiday.

January 2023:

Audrey and I hung out with some Alto friends on a party bus bar crawl to begin the New Year. I have never heard of that before this year. It was a beautiful day and it was just perfect. I went to a good pals Taylor Swift themed surprise party, then I worked my last River Radio Elegance Expo. On January 16th I began my first ever non radio job with Byrne and Jones Sports Construction. This job has been a blessing. I will always have a deep love for radio, but this was the right move for me and my wife. I also went to the Illinois Parks Association Show and worked that in Chicago. It was a blast getting to know my new teammates. My side of the family threw a fabulous shower for Audrey and I. In this month I got diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. I did it to myself, I drank way too many sodas in my life. I’ll get to that in a bit. The Eagles also were crowned NFC Champions in the month!

February 2023:

I celebrated birthday #29. I dont know how I feel about turning 30 yet, but Ill cross that bridge when I get there. I went to Kansas City to watch the Super Bowl with my family and my sisters friends. I was super happy with how Jalen Hurts performed, but I don’t know if Ill ever be okay with Jonathan Gannon again. I also got to celebrate my nephews birthday, so at least he got a Chiefs win for his birthday. I went to the mountain time zone for the first time in my bachelor party! A big bunch of guys and myself went to Arizona. We went to the Scottsdale party areas, and a couple spring training baseball games. It was a weekend Ill never forget.

March 2023:

March was a St. Louis month for Audrey and I. We went to an Ian Munsick concert & the XFL St. Louis Battlehawks home opener. In March I also went to Indianapolis for the Indiana AD show. The highlight may have been this: A lighting company flew my team and I to Iowa in a private jet. I don’t think I ever envisioned anything like that in my life. To cap off the month, Audrey and I had our rehearsal dinner for the wedding.

April 2023:

Audrey and I had the most magical day of our lives. We got married! We can’t thank our friends, family and vendors for making this most special day ever. I may write a column about how to plan a perfect wedding, because I think Audrey and I had that. You definitely need to go to a Secrets resort. Audrey and I went to Secrets Akumal for our Honeymoon and it was incredible. So many friendly resort workers and guests, and it was so romantic. I also went to an amazing whiskey tasting at Havisham House. To cap off the month, I toured a turf manufacturer in Georgia.

May 2023:

I got to attend a Cubs game with my boss, which they won. Saw Miguel Amaya and Matt Mervis. (Maybe there is something there? I dont Know). I experienced my first ever Blessing of the Bikes in Alto Pass. Audrey and I capped it off with an amazing Memorial Day weekend. I also learned in May that I have put my diabetes in remission! Its been great to have a better diet and cutting out full strength sodas.

June 2023:

June started with an unreal trip to Iowa. We went to the Field of Dreams field in Dyersville. I played catch with my nephew on the field, saw him play the game he loves, and excel at it. I was one proud uncle. My brother came to Southern Illinois, and it was great to catch up with him. I got to have a night out with the in-laws to go to a concert at a new venue. I didnt know I would have a trip to Wrigley, but I got to see a Cubs win against the Orioles with my pal Brock. It was great to have a lake day on Father’s Day.

I know this probably felt like a journal, but I have loved all my new experiences and I cant wait for more. I’ll be more active here. I will have my Burklund Beliefs, foodie stuff, and whatever else catches my interests. I of course will have sports takes as well. Thanks for catching up with me, and thanks for following!