Archives for the ‘Blog Entries.Local’ Category

Retirement: One Year In

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Jun 1st, 2025
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
It’s now been a year since I retired. Though much of the past year has been marked by pain and limited activity, it has also been filled with joy and countless blessings.

It took a couple of months for the reality of retirement to truly sink in. At first, my thoughts were mostly centered around one simple truth: I no longer had to deal with the stress. The joy came from repeatedly thinking, “It's not my problem anymore.”

There is no peace of mind quite like walking away from an environment that left you drained, burned out, and exhausted. But that initial relief was only a distraction from the deeper, truer joy of retirement — knowing that my wife and I can now enjoy the life we spent so many years working for. I spent fifty years chasing a paycheck. No more.

Now, with healing well underway after back surgery — along with the relief it has brought — we are beginning to embrace this new chapter. It finally feels like the culmination of a successful career. And then there are the little things — like not having to spend Saturdays on chores, and enjoying our favorite lunch spots and avoiding the weekend crowds.

These days, I look forward to waking up in the morning. Interestingly, I rarely set an alarm, yet I still rise around the same time I did during my working years. Sometimes even earlier — probably because I can finally look forward to the day ahead. And sometimes, I just smile, roll over, and go back to sleep.

I like the AI-bot impression!

Cheers!


[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

Retirement: One Year In

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Jun 1st, 2025
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
It’s now been a year since I retired. Though much of the past year has been marked by pain and limited activity, it has also been filled with joy and countless blessings.

It took a couple of months for the reality of retirement to truly sink in. At first, my thoughts were mostly centered around one simple truth: I no longer had to deal with the stress. The joy came from repeatedly thinking, “It's not my problem anymore.”

There is no peace of mind quite like walking away from an environment that left you drained, burned out, and exhausted. But that initial relief was only a distraction from the deeper, truer joy of retirement — knowing that my wife and I can now enjoy the life we spent so many years working for. I spent fifty years chasing a paycheck. No more.

Now, with healing well underway after back surgery — along with the relief it has brought — we are beginning to embrace this new chapter. It finally feels like the culmination of a successful career. And then there are the little things — like not having to spend Saturdays on chores, and enjoying our favorite lunch spots and avoiding the weekend crowds.

These days, I look forward to waking up in the morning. Interestingly, I rarely set an alarm, yet I still rise around the same time I did during my working years. Sometimes even earlier — probably because I can finally look forward to the day ahead. And sometimes, I just smile, roll over, and go back to sleep.

I like the AI-bot impression!

Cheers!


[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

Weekend Update #19

Author: From https://odonnellweb.com/pelican/ • May 30th, 2025
   Category: Blog Entries.Local

2025 continues to suck in the most suckiest ways possible. I was let go from my job yesterday after only 5 months. It was the most productive opening 5 months I've ever had at a new job. In 2025, that gets you fired, I guess.

Anyway, enough of that. This week I wrote a couple of things.

I talked about our Memorial Day weekend camping trip.

I added a couple more entries into the Revisiting my MP3 Collection series.

Stuff I read, or at least saved with the intention of reading.

Why Gen Z loves 1990s Casio watches. I'm GenX and I have two old school digital Casio watches.

Video of Purdue student's robot solving a Rubik's Cube in a tenth of a second. That's faster than the time it takes you to blink once.

People used to sweep their yards to control pests, and eliminate tinder that could lead to a fire.

Profile of a guy that takes personal privacy to an extreme.

Apparently life in the US is now similar to life in cold war era Russia, in that normal day to day stuff that government does simply doesn't work, yet the citizens soldier on trying to live normal lives.

A collection of summer reading lists.

An argument that SpaceX's Starship rocket was doomed from the start, and that it will never work. Of course, I'm sure NASA will keep funding it.

And that is it for this week. Remember, in a world where you can choose to be anything, you can choose to be kind.


Five O’Clock Friday: Incoming Call

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • May 30th, 2025
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
Excuse me, I have to get this.



Cheers!




[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

Five O’Clock Friday: Incoming Call

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • May 30th, 2025
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
Excuse me, I have to get this.



Cheers!




[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

A Toast to John B. Keane

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • May 30th, 2025
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
Irish playwright, poet, and pub owner John Brendan Keane (21 July 1928 – 30 May 2002) expressed his love for drink with a wit and passion few could match. On the anniversary of his passing, let’s lend an ear to his words once more — then promptly raise a glass, as he surely would’ve insisted.
 


Cheers!



[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

A Toast to John B. Keane

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • May 30th, 2025
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
Irish playwright, poet, and pub owner John Brendan Keane (21 July 1928 – 30 May 2002) expressed his love for drink with a wit and passion few could match. On the anniversary of his passing, let’s lend an ear to his words once more — then promptly raise a glass, as he surely would’ve insisted.
 


Cheers!



[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

It’s Déjà Vu All Over Again — With Smoke

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • May 29th, 2025
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
Yogi Berra is reported to have quipped, “It’s déjà vu all over again.” That’s exactly how I felt when I stopped into Hogshead Cigar Lounge for a smoke on Wednesday afternoon. Just like last Wednesday, it was raining again — or perhaps more accurately, it was still raining. It’s been a wet week, punctuated only by the occasional dry spell.

 

This time, I selected a Black Works Studio NBK to enjoy. Different cigar. Same seat. Same beverage. And, as always, great conversation.

Cheers!



[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

It’s Déjà Vu All Over Again — With Smoke

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • May 29th, 2025
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
Yogi Berra is reported to have quipped, “It’s déjà vu all over again.” That’s exactly how I felt when I stopped into Hogshead Cigar Lounge for a smoke on Wednesday afternoon. Just like last Wednesday, it was raining again — or perhaps more accurately, it was still raining. It’s been a wet week, punctuated only by the occasional dry spell.

 

This time, I selected a Black Works Studio NBK to enjoy. Different cigar. Same seat. Same beverage. And, as always, great conversation.

Cheers!



[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

H. Upmann 180th Anniversary Churchill Cigar Review – A Bold & Elegant Smoke

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • May 28th, 2025
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
I’ve had several H. Upmann 180th Anniversary Limited Edition Churchill cigars resting in my humidor since last November. Released in July 2024, these cigars commemorate the 180-year legacy of the H. Upmann brand, founded in 1844 by German banker Herman Upmann in Havana, Cuba. I’ve been waiting for warmer weather to light one up — I didn’t want to risk a somewhat pricey cigar to cold temperatures or a rushed smoke.



The H. Upmann 180th Anniversary Limited Edition Churchill is an elegant 7 x 50 cigar. It features a chocolate-hued wrapper leaf, identified as rare Nicaraguan medio tiempo — a small, potent leaf that occasionally grows at the top of the tobacco plant. Harvested from only about two percent of plants, medio tiempo is prized for its rich flavor and concentrated strength, and is rarely used as a wrapper. The binder and fillers are also Nicaraguan, which adds to the cigar’s depth and character.

The cigar sports a striking primary band marking H. Upmann’s 180th year and an unusual, cap-like foot band covering the foot. While attempting to remove the foot band without tearing it, I accidentally cracked the wrapper at the foot. Thankfully, a quick touch-up with PerfecRepair resolved the issue. A straight cut at the cap delivered a smooth, open draw.



From the first puff, I knew this was going to be a flavorful and complex smoke. Even before it had a chance to fully warm up, it delivered rich notes of chocolate and dark raisins. Black coffee, pepper, and cinnamon soon followed. The bold, flavorful smoke was complex and full-bodied, yet never harsh. A layer of spiciness sat beneath the dark coffee and sweet, dark fruit flavors, adding complexity without overwhelming the palate.

I paired the cigar with a classic Negroni, as I often do when not drinking bourbon. The bitter, botanical drink pairs well with full-flavored cigars, especially robust Nicaraguan blends like this one.



The H. Upmann 180th Anniversary Limited Edition Churchill provided an hour and 50 minutes of rich, satisfying smoking pleasure. It’s likely as bold and complex as a cigar can get while remaining smooth and enjoyable. To say I enjoyed it would be an understatement. I held onto the tiny nub with my fingertips, trying to draw out the experience as long as possible. I’m already looking forward to lighting another from my stock — though it will definitely be saved for a special occasion.



[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

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