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!

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.  

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!