Regular Dad

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!

Thanksgivings LittleBookRye Dem'sHubris

It's already December.  Somehow, someway.  I know a lot of people are saying it, and I say it every year, but I have no idea where the year went.  
2 Thanksgivings in the book.  4 turkeys, 4 pies, 2 batches of gravy, 2 pans of stuffing, 2 custards, 2 cranberry sauces.  And it was all great.  Thanksgiving itself was very chill and uneventful.  And we won't talk about the hours of 12:30-4.  Party Thanksgiving was another huge success.  Slightly smaller crowd (~40) but just as much merriment as always.  
A Booker's product that didn't let me down!  It's a Thanksgiving miracle!  Little Book ch8 - Path no taken.  The rye blend.  
But yeah, I did have a ... lively conversation about the democrats and how things went wrong.  And their views and attitudes towards the bulk of the country just reinforce how we got where we are in the first place.  
Enjoy!

Election Recap Recap, TDay Plan, RareBreed, Mitzvahs

I try to summarize my likely-rambling soliloquy about the election and where the democrats are going, but probably just do more damage.  And make things more unintentionally offensive.  If I ever run for public office, someone burn all of these recordings...
It's Thanksgiving week!!  One of the greatest weeks in the history of weeks!  I've got all my turkeys, I've got my cooking plans, all my ingredients, watched 15 gravy videos, chopped my mirepoix, made my custards (and trolled Hayley's nephew), made some of the pie crusts.  Let's f'n go!! 
What's the perfect review for this week?  Wild Turkey Rare Breed!!  Such a great bottle and one of the first things you get into as soon as you take the game serious.  
We had Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, house guests, great conversations, and somehow it was an eventful but uneventful weekend.  I guess that's good?  I don't know any more. 
Enjoy!
 

FB Pergatory, Russells 10yr, Election Thougths, Hot Showers

Turns out it's possible for my football teams to disappoint and hurt me even further.  I don't know what else to say that I haven't tearfully muttered into my pillow at night.
But we start a whiskey review theme and drink on some Russell's Reserve 10yr.  Such a classic bottle and a necessary inclusion in a collection.  
Boy do I have some thoughts on the election.  And I'm sure it all spills out wrong.  Like usual.  So I probably said things really poorly, sound like an ass, and upset someone.  I'll address it next week like I always do.  Right now the Democrats are like the 49ers.  They have talent, and should be able to win, but just got out-strategized and tried to get too smart for their own good.  
Wanna hear a story about my morning workout and shower routine in winter?  Too bad!  
Enjoy!