My New Hobby: Bourbon & Whiskey

As I get older, the ability to continue past hobbies has either gotten to a point where I can't physically do those things anymore, or I have become a bit bored or disinterested. I've always been fairly athletic and enjoyed baseball, softball, and basketball (sometimes golf) over the years, but as aforementioned, my "physicality" at age 50 just isn't going to allow for those things any longer. I've collected baseball cards and as I've gravitated away from MLB, it just doesn't interest me like it used to. Vinyl albums are a hobby also, but other than a few discs that I'm on the lookout for, I have just about everything I care about musically. By the way, I'm looking for "Seed of Memory" by Terry Reid....so if  you see it when perusing a flea market, grab it for me! :) My growing older and waning interest in past endeavors has led me to start becoming a bourbon/whiskey enthusiast.

I've been a fan of the stuff since my mid 20's, as I'm not much on beer and while I do enjoy rum on occasion, it's whiskey that has more or less interested me as both an intoxicant and as an interest. I decided some months back to engage bourbon/whiskey as more of a hobby. I started learning about it; how it was first invented, how it's distilled, bottled, the terminology, and of course the different varieties one can find. 

YouTube and a few "review" sites on the 'net have had a large hand in my education. Nothing can beat actually tasting though as an education into the hobby. That has led me to a nearly full blown obsession with finding recommended bottles and giving them a try. I have a decent beginner collection (for want of a better term), but I'm not really a collector. If I buy it, I intend on drinking it eventually. I don't care about "investing" in it or just having full bottles sitting around, although they do make nice conversation and decorative pieces in a lot of cases. 

Here is a shot of my "better" bourbons (along with a bottle of Monkey Shoulder scotch, which I really like) and the highest cost of any bottle there is $80. Most of what I have shown here can be had for under $50 or more in the $40 range. 

I have become a fan of the McKenna 10 year old bottled in bond from Heaven Hill in the past year and it has won a couple of awards in 2018 and 2019 which has made it a little more scarce than I'd like. I used to be able to pick up a bottle at $30 any time I wanted and these days it takes a little more hunting and can run up to $50. I'm not inclined to pay more than $35 for it, so it may be a brand that I eventually  have to let go of. The "run" has inflated the prices and while I do enjoy it and will always try to have a bottle around, I can find some good value under $30 that I know I'll be able to get almost any time I want. So, there is an element of supply and demand when it comes to bourbon and it can be a little frustrating to know that there are "hoarders" that buy up stuff with the intention of reselling at a higher rate. 

I have found some of my favorites to come from the bottom shelf, which in whiskey terms is basically "the cheap stuff". Cheap doesn't always equate with bad though. Bonded in Bond bourbons (click the link to learn more) are generally cheap in price, but can pack a good punch and my entry into learning about bourbon started in that area. BiB is always going to be 100 proof, so the strength is there and while they are usually a little bit younger (they have to be aged 4 years at least) there is a decent enough flavor profile. I enjoy Fast Eddie's favorite, JTS Brown quite a bit, and in addition to the aforementioned McKenna, Evan Williams BiB is also pretty damned good for under $20. My cheap go to though is the Heaven Hill green label. Aged 6 years and I believe only sold in Kentucky, it's a great starting point for anyone wanting to put on the training wheels and get into the hobby. 

These are my favorite cheaper brands that I sip on....

I have found a couple of great resources for learning about bourbon on YouTube, my favorite being "The Bourbon Guild".  A group of four bourbon enthusiast friends do reviews and blind tastings of different brands and it's fun and interesting to watch them discuss and argue about flavor and aroma profiles as well as value. They may be my favorite YouTube program. Always entertaining and informative, I have learned the tendencies and preferences of each of them and that helps me decide what I may want to try and what I may want to avoid. Hats off to Dutch, Dillon, Jules, and Ben Richards the butcher of Bakersfield for putting together such a fun show to watch. 

Another good program is "The Whiskey Vault". The "Somm" and the "Mooch" are also very entertaining and while they may not do the straight up review that other programs work from, they are very informative and dive into different areas that help one to expand their knowledge and understanding. They also get into a lot of different shenanigans....some miss, but most hit and they are an interesting pair to listen to. Their motto is basically like this; "the best whiskey to drink is what you like and the best way to drink it is the way you enjoy it"...I am paraphrasing, but that's the gist of it and how I try to approach my sipping! I would recommend either of these programs for people that want to learn more about the hobby or try to find out about some brands they may want to try. Most of the programs on YouTube that review bourbon are OK and can be fun to watch, but there are a few that just give arbitrary number scores to what they are sampling and without a discussion, I can't trust that what they like, I will like. 

Well, that's what I have been up to in recent months. I like to sip a few days a week while listening to music or whatever and I'm finally learning to pick up on flavor and aroma profiles. That has been a little difficult for me, but I feel like I would get disinterested in expanding my horizons if there wasn't a "game" to bourbon sipping. The nuance and discovering what I like and don't like in the profiles keep me coming back!

Take care.....and I'll leave you with a couple of videos....

From The Bourbon Guild, hilarious and informative, they have me sold on wanting this. It's out of my price range, but maybe Christmas? I swear, Ben Richards may be a long lost relative! 

The Whiskey Vault takes on Heaven Hill white label.....

Happy Birthday Nancy!

My wife is turning a certain age on 2/25/2019. Like most of us who finally get to this "life event", I think she is a bit dumbfounded that this is really happening. How did we get to be 50? Wasn't it just yesterday, we were graduating high school with the world and future ahead of us? Wasn't it just last night we were leaving college and marrying, with the prospects for our life looking limitless? It sure seems like it, but the numbers find a way of catching up to us. We are ahead of the game, or so we believe, for decades. Then, as the Pink Floyd song goes "and then one day you find, ten years have got behind you". The future gives way to the past, but we adjust and move on. We move forward, but the years pile up behind us and we take stock in who we are. Hopefully we all find peace, understanding, patience, and a willingness to share our love more readily as we grow older. 50 isn't just an age, it's a milestone. A move from one phase of life to another and I have found there is no reason to fear it. There is still time to be who you want to be ,experience what you want to experience, and to learn what you have always wanted to know. 

This is a love letter to my wife and an expression of my love for her, as I take stock in who she is and what she means to me. 

Nancy, I hope on this most significant of birthdays, you don't feel old. I hope you feel in touch with who you are more than ever and realize the value of being present in the moment as much as possible. The now is all we really have, for the past is a memory and the future is a dream.

I love you very much. Through some ups and downs, we have stayed faithful to one another and have never had a serious discussion about bringing our friendship, partnership, and marriage to an end. It's just not who we are. There are times we probably haven't liked each other very much, but there has never been a time when I haven't loved you. I hope what I am writing is a better expression than the way I bear out my love in a practical way day to day. I know me and I know that I can be distant, judgmental, and surly, so knowing myself means that I know I am not the ideal husband. I apologize to you and our children for that, but never let there be a doubt that I am yours. Love seems to evolve over time. There is being "in love" and there is "loving". I prefer the latter. It's real. It lasts. There is something tangible about understanding and knowing another person and, despite that, remaining loyal to them. I know your secrets. You know mine. Nothing is left to hide and despite all of that, we stick with each other through the difficulties that life can and has thrown at us. 

Happy Birthday Nancy! For over 30 years I have loved you and been committed to you and I want to express that in writing, because I seldom seem to do a good job of it verbally. 

What do I think of you? Who are you to me? Why do I love you? I can think of a reason or two.....or 50.

You are as beautiful as ever.

Your smile is warm and genuine.

You care for the well being of others. 

You listen and you hear...most of the time. LOL! 

You give more than you take.

You allow me to be me.

You are committed to your friends.

You love your family.
You like Pink Floyd.

You are independent in action and thought.

You support your family.
You are the family doctor and psychiatrist when we need it.

You are the most compassionate person I know.
You love hugs.

You don't turn your back on anyone in need.
You trust me. 

You make the house our home.
You let me choose the music when I drive and most times when you do.

You gave me two wonderful daughters.
You understand chicken wings make me feel better when I'm down.

You care for and love our children beyond yourself.

You are dependable.
I never run out of razors. I'm assuming it's not the razor fairy keeping me stocked up.
You can be tough when needed.
You take care of the bills.
You never complained about that pitiful engagement ring.
You try to see the best in everyone.

You forgive my insanity. 

You are honest.
You love our kids in a way that I would describe as admirable.
You turned me on to "Lost". 

You work hard. 

You humor even my craziest ideas. 

When I need you, you are always there.

You are intelligent. 

You honor your commitments. 

You are strong.
You are tender.

You are warm. 

You are a fantastic mother. 

You are a great daughter, sister, aunt and daughter-in-law.
You encourage me when I need it.
When we saw The Jayhawks, you encouraged me to get closer to the stage.

You are welcoming and kind to strangers.
You are trustworthy.
You are a fantastic wife.
You are empathetic.
You are my best friend.
You share your love unconditionally.
You have made me a better person.

I am proud to be your husband and there isn't anyone that I would rather spend my life with. I love you absolutely and that will never change. Thanks for being my friend and my wife. You have been a blessing to my life and invaluable in my evolution as a person. My life is complete and meaningful because of the love you give me.

Thanks for being who you are and I love you from the deepest depths of my heart and soul. Happy Birthday Nancy, you are the best person I've ever known.

Freddy

Gun Violence: Why Do We Resist Action?

As Americans, we live in a reality where gun violence takes nearly 100 lives each and every day. Those of us who are not directly affected seem to have accepted this reality and probably don't even give it a second thought unless we read about or see on TV, the news of another mass shooting. Why do we continue to accept this? Why are we resistant to action to reduce this number? My shot at answering those questions mainly touch on a few points (surely there are plenty more others can cite);  1) we cling to the 2nd Amendment in our Bill of Rights as if it's some sacred decree that MUST be given the broadest interpretation without regard to the present or future  2) we have become so ego driven and narcissistic in our politics that we are unable or unwilling to consider that we may be wrong at the individual level, which would mean something may be wrong on a mass level and 3) guns are woven into our culture in such a way that they are not only used as entertainment or recreation at a practical level, but also in our artistic expressions of television, film, and literature.

I want to touch on each of those points a little and along the way I will more than likely use quite a bit of personal opinion derived by analyzing this from my own world view. And at that, I fully realize I may well be wrong or even characterize an aspect incorrectly. For that, I apologize up front, with the realization that I am not saying my opinions are facts, but they are my musings based on statistics, observation, experience, and yes, even feelings. All I can ask is that this is read with an open mind. That even if you disagree, understand that I'm not attacking you. It's not personal and you could very well write in contrast and I hope you would expect the same open look at your opinions as I am asking for mine. We don't have to agree, but somewhere along the line we all need to try to see this as a social and human problem and not just a political one. I also want to add the caveat that I am not for repealing the 2nd Amendment. I am for sensible gun control. I choose the rights of Americans to live over the right of someone to own and possibly use a weapon that can kill or injure multiple people in a matter of seconds.

In his book "12 Rules For Life", noted research psychologist Jordan Peterson wrote a chapter on being truthful and part of that truth is not just in our relationships to others, but being truthful with ourselves. There is a short segment in that chapter that addresses why we need to be truthful and see things as they are. Not doing that can eventually cause suffering and/or continued suffering and lack of progress. This piece of the chapter stood out to me.

Peterson writes (emphasis is his) "Things fall apart. What worked yesterday will not necessarily work today. We have inherited the great machinery of state and culture from our forefathers, but they are dead, and cannot deal with the changes of the day. The living can. We can open our eyes and modify what we have where necessary and keep the machinery running smoothly. Or we can pretend that everything is alright, fail to make the necessary repairs, and then curse fate when nothing goes our way. 

Things fall apart: this is one of the greatest discoveries of humanity. And we speed the natural deterioration of great things through blindness, inaction, and deceit. Without attention, culture degenerates and dies, and evil prevails."

We are allowing the past, a dead past, control our actions today. The Bill of Rights and the Constitution of the United States are two of the human race's greatest documents, but things change. We are not the society or culture of the late 1700's. Much has changed in regards to society, culture, and mechanism. To be able to review, debate, and come to a new agreement on our governing documents may be the way to start sorting through some of our greatest problems. We have to adapt to changing times and that means inspecting even our most sacred of cows.

 

Our politics has seeped into our social and cultural thought process. Hell, it's even wormed its' way into our sports and entertainment at such a pervasive level that it's almost impossible to escape the long tentacles of political ideology and the discourse it breeds when it permeates every aspect of our lives. We have really dug into our positions. We have started to believe that changing your mind or listening to a different opinion is a sign of weakness or capitulation. With that in mind, we don't seem willing to explore what is happening around the world in regards to guns. There are countries that don't put up with mass shootings. There are counties that don't put up with seeing double digit murder numbers in their cities over the course of a weekend. We consider Japan a free society and they have very strict rules and regulations on acquiring and owning guns. Homicide by gun shot is almost non-existent. Check out the link below and learn a little more about what nations have gun control and you can see how effective it can be. All it takes is just to set aside our rigid views a little and at least consider stricter gun laws. 

This Is How You Do Gun Control

I'm not an advocate of censorship, so it's difficult for me to want video games, music, film, television or any other artistic media to be stifled in what they can't and can show or have as a topic. I do, however, agree with the warning labels that are put on some media for language, violence, sexual content and the like. I'm not sure that art plays a huge role in gun violence, but there are a lot of instances where it certainly does glorify firearms and the damage they do. How much can that impact a young mind?  Maybe none. Maybe a little. In a few cases, maybe a lot. How much does it impact an adults mind over time? Everyone is different and we have to be aware that we should stay in touch with what our children have access to and even stay alert to what we are allowing our brains to become saturated with. Learn who our children are and know what they can handle. If you don't, how can you expect society to? You can't. If we are responsible to one another and promote open dialogue, that can't be a bad thing. 

Video Games & Gun Violence

Violent Media & Behavior

I find it difficult to dive into any of these facets very deeply. There is just so much to be said. So much to be shared. So much to hear. So much to learn. I guess, all I ask from anyone reading this is to perhaps have another look at what you believe. Do some research. It's too important an issue to not have all the information you can have on it. This is one of those issues that I don't think any of us want to be on the wrong side of, so putting the politics and ego aside is necessary in trying to figure out what's best. The majority eventually gets what it wants in this country. It takes time. We owe it to ourselves and future generations to start thinking and acting on this now. We have kicked this can far too long. It's time to think, act, and hold conversations like adults that care about the well being of others. Even if your view, pro or anti gun control, isn't changed, you can be honest in any conversation you have about your beliefs and can consider yourself educated on the subject. That's all any fellow citizen can ask, isn't it? 

So, in closing, you may ask what my stance is. Fair enough. I would like to see a much more stringent application process. Education is key and the more a person learns about guns in both physical use, statistics, and safety, the less likely the chance they will be involved in a gun event of a negative nature. Hold owners responsible if their guns are used by friends or relatives or even if they are stolen, which means that all weapons kept in a home should be required to be in a safe. Every gun that isn't a single shot rifle or shot gun, in my opinion, should be registered with local law enforcement. The more left leaning side of me is almost to the point of believing that if you want to use a machine gun or any rapid fire gun, that you should have to go to a gun range and use it on that premises. Mental health evaluations should be a piece of the puzzle and while that's not an angle I gave any time to in this blog, I do realize that should be a part of any serious gun debate. I guess I am to the point to where we need to change gun ownership from an undeniable right to a privilege. A privilege that will be fairly easy to earn if you are responsible and go through the process to acquire. That's some of where I am, but I don't know that I'm set in stone on all of it. I tend to sway a little on the right versus privilege thing, simply because I do take our Bill of Rights seriously and even though I THINK it would be wise to explore changing what doesn't work, I have a healthy respect for the fact they have worked to this point pretty well. 

As always, I welcome any comments, and admittedly, I'm a little bit all over the place with this particular blog post. The topic demands so much more than I am able to give, so this small piece will have to do for now. My mind is open on most any subject, so if you don't agree, let me hear it. 

Movies I Like That Most People Hate

Do any of you folks have something that you really enjoy that you have found most other people don't? I sure do. I have a few movies that are among my favorite that seem to be big turn offs for a lot of people. 

Revolver

I have liked "Revolver" right from the get go. In fact, after the first time I watched it, I immediately started it over again. There was something going on that I was trying to grasp. I had been studying up on self-awareness and ego and this movie hit those themes hard, but wove it into the story so well that the film begged to be seen multiple times to peel back the layers. The main character in Guy Ritchies most under appreciated film spends the entire movie trying to beat back that inner voice (his ego) that has kept him in trouble and caused him so much fear. Rotten Tomatoes has this one at 17% and Roger Ebert was scathing in his criticism; "It seems designed to punish the audience for buying tickets."  I suppose I've punished myself about 7 or 8 times since the first time I've seen it. Despite criticism of the film, I think I get a lot of it and that's why I love it. I see it as art and as something that isn't to be viewed once and tossed out. If you are interested in the message, it'll hold your attention and leave you thinking long after the movie has ended.

2001: A Space Odyssey

I can totally understand why there are people that don't like this movie. It's long, it can be boring in spots, and it's not quite obvious on the initial viewing as to what the purpose of the film is. That said, I think it's a cinematic masterpiece and Stanley Kubrick sure has a knack for dabbling in that rare air. Shot in the early/mid 60's, the special effects still hold up today. It was another 10 or so years (Star Wars) before anyone could duplicate what was done. The story is that of man, but only in evolutionary jumps. From our time barely surviving on plant life to transcending our mortal bodies, the film shows how those jumps could occur without being very specific. We just know that we started using tools and weapons and that kick started us into being meat eaters that developed a greater understanding of the universe and our place in it.

The Fountain

This film by Darren Aronofsky is one that a lot of people haven't seen. Generally, people get confused by it and it's a movie that will cause either reflection or revulsion from a viewer, I would imagine. There are three stories going on and each has a tie to the other, though the main character(s) is the same. It's beautifully shot and it's another one of those films that bears repeated viewings. It touches on loyalty, determination, love, death, and dealing with all of those things in the confines of a finite lifetime. In the end, the main character (Thomas) is able to transcend death and accept that we think of as dying is really just rebirth in another form. A different way for the universe to examine/experience itself apart from our conscience being.

Con-Air

This is one that many self-proclaimed, serious film buffs love to pick at and hate on. I won't defend it against assertions that it is text book action film making by Simon West. It is, but it's also a farce. A sort of parody that plays it close to the vest. It has all the elements of a block buster action film, but it isn't taking itself seriously. It throws everything at the audience. Every cliche' of the action film genre gets dealt with. A misunderstood, wronged hero who is just trying to get back to his family? Check. Menacing bad guys that have specialties in their criminality? Check. A wife and child just waiting for their hero to make it home? Check. A good guy that is trying to help out all he can, while having to fight off incompetence from those around him? Check. Corny self-serving dialogue? Check. Gun shots? Check. Shit blowing up? Check. Las Vegas? Check. Sappy and happy ending while a sappy song plays showing a family reunited against impossible odds? Check. It's an easy film to watch and a lot of fun. Remember, you can't watch this seriously.....it wasn't made to be watched that way. It's not taking itself seriously and neither should you! It's just a ride (to steal a phrase from Bill Hicks)!

My Pull Back To The Right

I made a comment last week to a friend that I was feeling a pull back to the right (politically speaking). My reasoning was due to how insane the left and liberals seem to have become in recent years. I have been influenced quite a bit over the past 10 years or so by left leaning writers and commentators such as Bill Maher, Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, Christopher Hitchens, and Dave Rubin. I also delve into philosophers like Alan Watts and Terence McKenna in an effort to "feed my soul" so to speak and try to keep from being overly accepting of the aforementioned influences. Naturally, being influenced by these people would definitely see me move towards a more overall liberal worldview. I still maintained that I wouldn't necessarily call myself a liberal, but I was done with conservatism as a worldview that I would adhere to in a staunch manner as I had for most of my adult life.

My choice was to stop identifying with one or the other and go issue by issue and stake out positions based on as much information I could get from both sides of any issue and my own personal parsing of that info. That's who I want to be and who I have attempted to be for quite some time now. With that said, I feel like at this point, I need to acknowledge that I am rethinking how openly I support liberalism as a whole. I could always forgive some of the economic things I didn't agree with because I felt that there was more open compassion from the left, because there were more people that could identify with how others lived based on their past and socio-economic position.

Over the past year or so I have been introduced to Jordan Peterson, Michael Shermer, and Ben Shapiro.  I wouldn't call any of them far right, but Shapiro is definitely a conservative, Peterson isn't a classic conservative, but he leans that way in how he attempts to make sense of our social/cultural constructs, and Shermer only appears to be right leaning because of how insane the far left has become. Shermer is probably where I am (or possibly Dave Rubin) speaking comparatively. I may not have shifted as much as the fact that the spectrum has moved under my feet. I don't even know if I'm speaking politically unless we are going to focus on specific policy/issue. This writing is geared more towards my rejection of political correctness and the general attempts of the "regressive" left to impose their fascist inclinations on everyone else. 

Dave Rubin has recently started rejecting his identification as a "liberal", simply because of what it seems to imply at this point in time. I strongly feel that a dishonest media, along with people who believe they need to be offended for others in an effort to gain power or some sort of misguided moral superiority are moving us backwards as a nation. It's going to turn out to be a phase, as we are already seeing a correction, as level headed liberals are moving towards the right and we have a president that is anything but politically correct. People are being driven into the arms of Trump in the same way that moderate Republicans were pushed to Obama or a more libertarian view by the George W. Bush years. I love freedom of speech, even when it offends me (which doesn't happen often, because I need to feel the hit personally) and I don't think anyone's communication with others should be stifled or made against the law. I want to hear from people I don't agree with. I can't understand when others don't want that. It's a chance to sharpen your own beliefs and more importantly, it's a chance to try to understand another person viewpoint. That's been very important to me for awhile. If I have a "fault" when I participate in group political/social discussion, it's that I seem to waffle, but that's really because I am trying to find out how it feels to hold each position. What about a persons worldview, up bringing, or person experience makes them stake out a particular position? I truly believe it's made me a better person by triggering critical thought and patience. 

I would really like to write more on the influence of people like Joe Rogan, Jordan Peterson, Dave Rubin, Austin Peterson, Larry Elder, Michael Shermer, and Sam Harris have had on me, but that would make for a small book. I have kept an open mind, as much as possible. Anyone that knows me or knows my past writing should understand that I try not to live in a bubble. I cull info from a lot of different places and I trust the words of people more than I do any information that comes from a for-profit organization. 

The bottom line for me and what I've picked up from Jordan Peterson in a big way is that none of us have a right to not be offended. If a person is offended, it's a choice. Words have no power that we don't give them as individuals. That's been a position of mine for a very long time. I'm much more interested in seeing our country move forward on the basis of fact than feeling. When people (or a group of people) call others fascists and then seek to shut down those people's ability to speak freely (going so far in some cases as to try to create law limiting speech), the true fascist is revealed. If the middle and moderate right is where I have to identify and where I have to speak to others from, so be it. I accept freedom, personal liberty, and fact as the most important influences on how I think and act, and right now, the left side of the spectrum (and largely from those further on the left) isn't living up to being the progressives that they think they are. They rely on stifling the speech and freedoms of others as a way of making the country better and I firmly believe that is misguided and it eventually will lead to the authoritarianism, and yes, fascism that they fear. 

I'm going to stick with what seems tangible and real. I know that being correct on so many things is subjective and I accept that as truth. On the other hand, there is also fact on many other issues and there is intellectual honesty and working from those areas has to be the best for us all. Maybe I'll have more on this later. Maybe someone will challenge me with a comment. Either way, I will do my best to be honest about how I feel and respond to what is swirling around me every day in the world. 

The Rubin Report

YOU TUBE: The Rubin Report