So, this is my blog! I almost forgot what it looked like! I know I’ve been scarce around these parts the past couple of months. I think I am averaging about 1 maybe 2 posts per week, where it used to be a daily happening, and sometimes several times per day, not to mention the banter we have in the comments.
Many things are happening in my life right now that seems to be pulling me in about a gazillion different directions at one time. First, this unemployment thing is getting annoying. I have been applying for jobs all over the country, trouble is, there aren’t too many positions available in what I do (Transportation Planning) and mostly they give the positions available to people locally who fit the bill. Also, I’m a bit of an anomaly in that I do transportation planning, but most of my experience is in rural areas. Most positions for transportation are in your larger metro areas. Leave it to me to make a career out of a job that has no demand!
So about 3 months ago I decided while I was looking for a planning job, I’d also begin the process of trying to open my own craft beer store and restaurant. I thought this was a great idea, because it combines two things I really love, craft beer, and food. Just ask Jim, I’m pretty sure he never got any dessert growing up as a kid. That endeavor has gotten off to a rocky start. We are now in negotiations on our third possible location. Hopefully three times is a charm. We have also had to shift our focus from Nampa, the town 20 miles west of Boise, to Boise itself. This isn’t as fantastic for my commute, but at least it is a job. Lets hope it comes through.
The last several weeks have been loaded with other challenges too. About 20 years ago now, my wife had back surgery to remove a squished disk. Ever since she has had pretty good success with it, only being laid up on occasion with back problems. Well three weeks ago she put it out, really bad! So I have been tending to things around here while she recuperates. Things are getting better, and improving slowly so she is definitely on the mend. That has been rough, because she couldn’t lift much, and had to be on bed rest throughout the day. She hates that!
Finally in my list of lame excuses for not posting more regularly, the kids are out of school and noisy, intrusive, etc. I know that this blog isn’t English Lit by any means, but I’m a bad enough writer that the distraction that comes from kids roughhousing, playing video games, needing this and that is just enough to make me crazy and stare at this screen until I get the call for the next fire that needs to be stomped out!
Combine this with a Grandson that is about to be born and all the preparation for the arrival, a Daughter in law having premature contractions, a yard sale, a kid in football camp, Sports meetings, Senior Parent Meetings, Trips to the doctor and dentist, and couponing at the grocery store (yes, we had to go there) everything is crazy all the time. I have a ton of posts that are backed up now, and I hope to get to them all eventually, but I thought I would give you all an update so you know I’m not dead.
-Don
Beer & Whiskey Brothers 
Hey, this is a beer blog, not a wine site.
How would I know that with you putting up all the posts?
Obviously you neither write, or read, you just cook up excuses!
Why would I waste my time reading the crap you write?
Check the stats – you might not be alone!!
Also, you forgot to mention psoriasis, a hang nail, and iron poor blood for reasons you haven’t bothered writing.
So what’s your excuse for phoning it in lately? 😉 Thought I didn’t notice that you recycled your post yesterday, hmmm?
Hey, I threw that up there last night so I could link to it from this week’s value-conscious today.com post, big fella. I “phoned it in” right after I worked a 10 hour day, rushed home, did a bottle photo shoot in my dining room for my Today post, and photoshopped the dickens out of it (it turned out good, i must say!). I wound up staying up way later than I should have and not having time to eat dinner.
In other words one of us is hustling to write about booze on the Internet, and the other is complaining that lack of anything to do is keeping him from doing stuff!
Now who’s crushing Grapes Jim? I’ll have a nice Pinot with some Camembert.
How dare you, Don. I prefer my Camembert with a nice saison!
When it rains it pours, doesn’t it buddy. Here’s hopin ya’ll dig out from that mess real soon.
Thanks Wayne. Good to know someone has my back…right Jim! 😦
I haven’t SEEN your back in these parts, buddy!
Take care of the important things, bro. All us degenerates will be here for your triumphant return.
He does have a large and loyal degenerate following…
I resemble that remark!
Hey nice post and lets us in a bit of your real life. As another crap beer blogger myself I can also attest to it being harder in this economy to find the right job. We moved back to Sydney nearly two years ago due to IT contracts disappearing on Canadas west coast. I had been cut twice from co’s but 3rd time lucky. Though now im going through a divorce so we all have different issues in our life.
Chin up mate there are others out there like you too.
Thanks. Sometimes I just need to get motivated! Jim helps with that. Tough love, you know. 😉
At least I didn’t call you a “crap beer blogger”… 🙂
I like beer (this is a test of WordPress comment-to-email functionality actually, but I DO like beer!).
I am still looking forward to the rest of the great whiskey challenge. WE DO NOT FORGET!
Me too – I’ve been thinking about that. He stopped posting regularly around the time that happened. Coincidence, or did the challenge push him into unofficial retirement? ;(
Good luck on the job prospects Don. Maybe you should move to Denver just to make Jim jealous of what you’re drinking 😉 By the way, have you guys tasted anything from Peach Street Distillers yet? We bought a bottle of their bourbon when we were in Western Colorado last week after being blown away by how good it is.
Remember to keep your chin up and a stiff upper lip. I’m sure those precautions prevent beer drool or some such.
As duly noted previously, keep up on the important stuff, we, hoi polloi, will be here.
SSSSSSSSSSLLLLLLLLLAAAAAAAAAAACCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKEEEEEEEERRRR!!!!!!
All will get better when your holding that grandchild in your arms Don. It’s the best!
Excuses are like A-holes Don, everyone has one…just yours is named Jim. Good luck buddy.
Ha!! 🙂
Haters gonna hate.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless Phone
Those are not lame excuses. My excuses for not posting are lame. Take care of yourself. We’ll make fun of your brother for you. No worries.
My next drink is for you Don. I’ll even make it a good glass of bourbon (Woodford Double-Oaked perhaps?)