Regular Dad

Fitness Update, ECBP C924, Trans Ban, Black Doves

The Eagles have completed their revenge tour and are once again Champions.  And boy was it definitive.  They did to the Chiefs what no one else has been able to do.  Straight domination. 
How's my fitness journey going?  I'm glad you asked!  It's started about as quickly as an earth mover, but we're going to keep speeding up.
While I'm had many batches of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, this is the first ever review.  Does C924 live up to previous hitters?  Or did I just buy an $80 cocktail mixer?  
Trump signed an executive order to ban trans girls from girls/women's sports.  And this is conflicting.  I do agree with the purpose, but definitely not in the place this is coming from.  I'll just stop there.
And we've named the recommendation segment!!  Chef Recommends!  And so I naturally have to recommend something to go along with this momentus occation. 
Enjoy!

LongWeek, Replacements, Bulleit10, PolBehavior

It was a long, busy, strange week.  I won't spoil the surprise, but it was pretty early on when I first said "whew, this is a long week".  New activites, days off, skiing, just non-stop things.
But!  We had family movie night and watched one of my favorite movies.  The Replacements!  I'm going to have to find an excuse to watch this every year.  Maybe like the first week of the NFL season or something.  
Have I reviewed Bulleit yet?  Nope.  So here we go with their 10-year.  Does it hit or does it quit?  (I know no one reads these, so I can be horribly douchy).  
And finally, politicians (and their appointees) are displaying some behaviors that really get on my nerves.  And set a really bad example for the rest of society.  But also, if this administration doesn't slow down, my politics segments are only going to be relevent if I record the same day I post.  Sweet Jebus, man.  Slow down.  
Enjoy!

FB Follow-Up, Speakin Sports, Penelope EC, Household Stuuff

Quick follow-up to the social mania segment from last time.  I'm healthier, which is good.  But I don't like where this segment is heading...
Speaking Sports!  I've built up a bunch of sports topics.  Brady, rookie QBs, Bears, oh my!
Penelope Estate Collection!  I got a bottle (or maybe 2) and I review it.  Did MGP turn over their rickhouse(s) to the right dudes? 
And then an abbreviated Household news, cause I prattled on too long on the other stuff.  Still adapting to this new format.  Also known as the format that literally every media outlet uses for literally everything.
Enjoy!

UnexpectedWeekend, Social Mania, CoopersCraft, KidsPossessions

Well it wasn't the weekend I expected, but it was a good weekend none the less.  Much less mentally and physically exhausting, but still busy.  
It's been a hard couple of weeks on the ole Book of Faces.  I've finally come to some hard conclusions, ones that I really should have fully accepted long ago.  I guess sometimes I'm too optomistic.  But it's time to be realistic. 
Cooper's Craft is up for a review.  It's a special Brown-Foreman release, and poorly timed.  They just kinda got rid of all of their cooperages.  Sold some, closed some.  Probably will never see this particular label released again. 
Do my kids appreciate all the wordly possessions they have?  Nope!  I've hinted at this, and talked a little about it.  But it's really taking up a bunch of space in my head lately, so let's just air it out. 
Enjoy!

New Format! Lucky7 Review, Evacuation, Chernobyl

I'm ushering in a new era of RDP.  Dare I say this will be my Segments Era...  No, I don't dare.  That's dumb.  But I'm going to make this mess a bit more organized and structured.  
Lucky Seven, The Frenchman, is up for a review this week.  I believe this is the first of the Chicago bottles to make an appearance.  No, it won't be the last. 
You've got 1 day to evacuate your house and only what fits in 2 cars.  What do you take and why?  What if you only had 1 hour?  My choices might surprise you...
What have I been watching?  Super uplifting mini-series Chernobyl.  Definitely gives you the warm fuzzies every episode.  
Enjoy!

Lost Sleds, Ulterior Motives, Amburana, XMas Movies

Well we got the first snow day of the year this week.  And Myles managed to lose 3 out of 4 sleds because he just couldn't be bothered to bring them home during their snack break.  Did I just buy 2 of those a few months back so we'd have plenty?  Yup.  Did I buy the other 2 last year after the kids both insisted we get this kind?  Yup.  Outstanding!
Can an 8-year-old really have complex ulterior motives?  Mine sure can.  He's always hiding something and it's becoming a problem as it now breeds mis-trust.  When is he really asking something for no reason and when is he just trying to lure us into a trap.  Again.   
RD1 Amburana finish is up for this week's review.  Amburana wood is very controversial, will I like it or leave it?  
You probably wouldn't guess it, but I really do love watching generic Christmas movies.  It just...makes me happy inside.  Maybe it's watching the joy of Christmas, maybe it's seeing people become better people.  I don't know, but I like it.  
Enjoy!

2024 Recap, XMas, Barrell NY, 2025 plan?

Well, 2024 is done and dusted.  In the rearview.  Not a whole lot I feel needs to be said about it.  I made some great strides and really am in a better place than 12 months ago.  
Christmas in Chicago was a huge success.  And with my expectations set correctly, it was more enjoyable.  Kids had fun, adults had fun, travel was completed with only a near-miss in disaster.  
Got my hands on Barrell Bourbon's 2024 New Years batch.  Is it a proper start to the year, or do we already trip and fall?
Not making any sweeping plans for 2025.  Let's be realistic about what can and cannot be accomplished and just keep striving for incremental improvements.  
Enjoy!

2024 Whiskey Spectacular with Dr Steve!

For the 2nd annual Whiskey Spectacular we're trying something new; a special guest!  My friend Steve has been asking when he gets to be on the podcast, and since he's one of my few friends that's really into whiskey it only made sense.  
Yes, my interview skills need work, but we had fun talking fatherhood and whiskey.  And yeah, it's a long one.  And this is editted!  I meant to get it out prior Christmas ended, but I just didn't have the time to edit while I was back home.  But at least it's still 2024 when it comes out.
Enjoy!

Holiday Prep, Skiing, Duncs at Shake Shack

Coming down the (mountain \m/) home-stretch!  I procrastinated way too many things to the literal last day, but that's what makes this engine run.  Fire up the stress and get ready for over-night trek to Chicago!
Me and the boys got out for the first day of skiing this year.  Last minute, no less.  Was it stress and complication free?  Ha!  But did we pull it off and everyone have fun?  Yes.  Mostly.  Wish I would have gotten 1-2 real runs, but such is life with kids. 
Do I sometimes use Duncan as a tool to do my dirty work?  You betcha! But he needs tasks and sometimes I need helpers.  Win-win
Enjoy!

Home Alone, Healthier, Smooth Ambler Contra, US Health Care

I've finally been publicy vindacated on something!  Better yet, something that Hayley totally didn't get when I mentioned it.  (Spoiler alert, maybe I should stop being completely honest with her about everything...)
And I have proof that I'm getting mentally healthier!  Seems stupid, but it was a nice bellweather for me to see real progress and change. 
Another Smooth Ambler is up for review.  Contradiction.  I've talked about them before and really like what they do.  Let's see if this lives up to the reputation.
Wanna hear my thoughts on the US health care system?  Too bad,  you have to.  It's a mess and as a country we can't really decide what we want.  But we don't want this.  But we also don't want the other options.  
Enjoy!