Regular Dad

Why is there a 20ft tall naked statue of my buddy Dave?

We hath returned safely from Italy!  And except for a few minor speed bumps (one being on Myles's face), the trip went shockingly well.  
Rome was, well Rome.  It was pretty similar to how I remember it being 20 years ago.  Very different set of activities than last time, but the kids aren't really down for just sitting in a piazza sipping wine for an hour or two.  
Pompeii is incredible.  Especially after learning more about the history, how the eruption went down, how long the city was just buried and forgotten, the excavation, all of it.  
Florence is now a very close 2nd to Rome in terms of my favorite Italian cities.  Real tough battle since I've been to Italy twice and have only seen 5 cities.  
Enjoy!

Do You Want to Hear Some Secrets?

But Only Over Signal Text.  {Title and that sung to the tune of Do You Want to Build a Snowman}We had a lovely weekend with Hayley's brother and his wife.  Talked, played games, cooked meats, the works.  
Once again, the Trump administration is caught operating outside of the rule of law.  And lying about it and making excuses for why it's not a big deal.  They just keep stacking up issue after issue.  And I don't know how people keep defending it.  But here we are.  
Squirrels!  They have once again proven to be more than just a worthy adversary.  This time by lulling me into a sense of security and then springing into action.  But fret not dear listeners, I'll up my game and win this war.  As I always do. 
Enjoy!

You're Playing Checkers, I'm Playing Tetris With Mosquitos

It was a mud bog of a week.  Just could never get any traction, never get momentum, constantly on my heels playing reactive.  
But hey, March Madness has officially started madening.  And Purdue hasn't sh@t the bed yet!  Although because of the stupid week I can't use my not-so-clever jokes about perfect brackets. 
Woodinville small batch is up for a review.  Pot still goodness?  Or hot garbage?  
Hayley checks in on me and we fight our way to the end of the episode.  Selling this well, ain't I?
Enjoy!

ToiletValves, Duncs Issues, BBC HighWheat, QAWorkBeef

It was a very enjoyable spring weekend here.  Watched some middle-school basketball in Villanova's arena followed by a grown-folks lunch at one of our favorite spots.  
The dark clouds with Duncs weren't nearly as bad as feared.  Just a minor reoccurance of some lingering things.  Now we need to teach him to play the political game so he stops being the fall guy every time.
Bardstown Bourbon Company is up again, this time their High Wheat offering from their origin series.  Does it stand up to the rest of the origins?
Who likes hearing about my vague work beef?  No one?  Well too bad!  If stubborn, unrelenting QA people are going to drag me down, I'm bringing y'all with.  But hey, I'm sure I drop a stupid hot take or 2.  
Enjoy!

Refocused, Union Suite, HighLine Bourbon

I'm getting re-focused this episode.  I feel like I've slipped from my 2025 mantra of better organization and less rambling.  
Apparently the Philly Union will let anyone into a suite, cause that's where our whole family found ourselves Saturday night.  Not surprisingly this was a Hayley connection. My degenerate friends can't pull this level of perk.  Were Duncan and I on our behavior?  Did Myles shun us like a typical middle schooler?  
High Line Straight Bourbon is up for a review.  Grabbed it while ordering something else since that 2nd bottle is essentially free shipping.  
And that's all, folks.  
Enjoy!

Kids Sports, Work Rant, Screaming Titan, Kids Boundaries

We had a very enjoyable weekend extended of skiing and sports here.  Duncan is now really good at skiing, his lack of adrenaline-seeking is the only thing holding him back.  Myles...can really ski.  I mean, he can really shred it up.  Not so much on jumps, yet, but he's got time.  And Myles's BBall team had an epic comeback victory Monday night.  Really impressive stuff.
How long has it been since I talked work?  Forever?  Probably.  I don't like doing it ever, but I've got some ranting to get out of my system and this is my vehicle for it. 
Redwood Empire is back in the review circle.  This time, Screaming Titan.  Do I love this one as well, or are we headed for a break-up? 
Am I being too hard on the kids, or am I just re-establishing healthy boundaries around their behavior?  That's a great question.  And how old is too old to spank?  
Enjoy!

Valentines, Malted Rye, Kendric, BBall Advice

Did something happen on Friday?  The 14th?  Seems like there was more pink and flowers and chocolate than normal.  Interesting.  Kidding, but it is my most ignored celebratory day of the year.  
New Riff 6-year Malted Rye.  I mean, am I really going to pass on a cool New Riff project?  But is it up to par...
How did I not discuss the SuperBowl Halftime show last episode?!  It kinda works out since now I've actually seen all of it and learned about some of the little things in it.  And I had a nice segway into my own pettiness. 
And more!
Enjoy!

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!