You learned when I revealed my #4 song that I love a love song. Now you’re going to learn I love vocals. Like watching someone win gold in the 200-meter dash at the Olympics or watching Michael Jordan play in the ’80s and win dunk contests … the reason we all line up, pay money, and pack into arenas is because we marvel at people who can do things we could never, ever do.
Whitney Houston’s voice, in my opinion, is top-3 of all time. Maybe top-2. Definitely top-5. Wherever you rank her among all-timers, for me, this was the 2nd-greatest vocal performance ever. Whitney’s own performance of the national anthem at the Super Bowl in 1991 is probably #3. And while we’re listing things, I’m gonna put it out there … Mariah Carey on SNL in 1990 singing “Vision of Love” … before she was THE Mariah Carey … is hands down the most ridiculous LIVE vocal acrobatic performance you’ll never see and hear. Watch it here and even tho this Blog entry is about “I Will Always Love You”, I’ve put Mariah on SNL performance at the end. Read More
Ya know how lots of Bloggers and Podcasters main-it-in on Fridays or put out a newsletter on Fridays with all their “best of” stuff from the week? I’m gonna do that. You’re reading the first installment of “Friday Firsts” where I’ll quickly give some highlights from the week-that-was of things I did for the first time. Things I experience for the first time. Or whatever … you’ll see.
Sleep Mask: Sleep experts say total darkness makes your sleep most restful. But our homes have so many little lights … nightstand alarm clock. Night lights. Lights from outside (my house and neighbors houses). I go to bed at a different time than my wife, so her nightstand light is on and then she comes up and reads. Got myself a cheap sleep mask and noticed IMMEDIATELY. Now I might start obsessing over sleep masks.
The Perfect Jean: My stylish friend sent me a link for a referral-first-time-buyer discount and said, “best jeans I’ve ever owned.” I think all clothing and all new, cool, life-changing brands are just the same clothes over and over … I gave them a shot. To my other point … do we REALLY believe the guys behind Muggsy Jeans, Read More
As I get into my #4 song, you’re going to realize I love a love song. I love sappy songs (but not too sappy). I like touching lyrics. Not many guys will admit stuff like this, but when the windows are rolled up in my car and a good ballad comes on the radio …oh, baby …I’m singin’ at the top of my lungs.
Cindy Lauper’s “True Colors” came out in 1986 and reached #1 on the Pop Charts in October of 1986. I was 13. I was in 8th Grade. My brother was in 5th Grade. My sister was in 4th Grade. They were still being forced to take piano lessons. I had been granted the right to quit piano. It broke my parents’ heart that I hated piano lessons and took lessons only for as long as they were forcing me. They said, multiple times, “I wish I had taken piano lessons when I was your age and I wish I could play the piano, now,” and, “you’re going to regret quitting.”
They were right. I deeply regret quitting. I wish I could play. But here’s the thing … I still have time to learn and maybe I will. Maybe I’ll learn to play “True Colors.” Read More
You’ll never believe this, because I kinda hide it from the world, but I’m still a bit of a math-geek at heart. Back in the day, I was good at math. I liked math. It’s because numbers are real. Numbers don’t lie. You can’t fake numbers. No. We’re not gonna talk “jobs reports” … even though we could … but am gonna use numbers and get a little political.
I want to use numbers to give myself hope. Hope that, while we think “everyone” thinks this, or “nobody” is doing that . . . I want to prove “most people” don’t really care.
Here’s a little life lesson … don’t use words like “everyone”, “noone”, “nobody”, “everybody”, “most people”,
Again, I’ll give you my theory and then set out to prove it. My theory is . . . Read More
Figures since I spend about 23 hours a week listening to Podcasts, I should wish everyone a happy International Podcast Day! I’m gonna celebrate by, um … listening to Podcasts about Podcasts because … drum roll . . . I think I’m gonna start my own Podcast with my friends.
I love Podcasts. I appeared as a guest-host six times on The Alpha Shift Podcast that may or may not still exist in the universe. I once appeared on an episode of Mel Robbins’ Podcast years and years ago before she became the Mel Robbins she is today. I’ve Blogged a few times about how I listen to too many Podcasts. But I love Podcasts.
I mostly listen and organize my Podcasts using the Pocket Cast App. It’s made by Podcast lovers for Podcast lovers.
I love Podcasts for the same reasons everyone does … I can listen while I’m doing other things. I learn lots of stuff. And I keep up with things like sports and current events. Read More
Never easy to do this, but it’s time to look back on my New Year’s Resolutions and Long-Term Goals and with 75% of 2025 in the books … assess how I’m doing. Adjust. Add some things. I think there’s more positive than negative here, so let’s goooooo….
This is taking longer than I thought, but it’s coming along. I spend about an hour every Saturday morning just tweaking things … categories, making some Blogs into Pages. It’s a hobby. And I like it. I feel good I’ll be done with this by Christmas
Forgiveness. It’s been on my mind alot lately. I’ve been thinking about it well before Charlie Kirk’s widow, in front of the whole world, told her husband’s killer … “I forgive you.”
My kids like when my Blog is funny and silly, but sometimes it can’t be. I hope they’ll forgive me.
“Forgiving” and “forgiveness” have been on my mind because I hold grudges. Sometimes, when I daydream while out on a walk, I think of people who’ve wronged me, tell those stories to myself again, and I waste precious moments justifying why I’m mad at those people or still get mad thinking about what so-and-so did or whats-his-name said. I daydream and think, boy oh boy, if I ever run into that person, THIS is what I’m going to say.
Why? Do other people do this? My guess is … yes. Otherwise, “forgiveness” wouldn’t be mentioned in the Bible as often as it is. Forgiveness is mentioned somewhere between 16 and 20 times in the Bible according to Bible Study Tools and Open Bible.
I write often on this Blog about things I’m going to do to improve my life … like take cold showers in the morning or wear and hike in my rucking vest. I wonder how the rest of 2025 would feel if I also worked on forgiveness? And then how would that make 2026, 2027 and every year after that better if I can really start thinking about an old boss that was terrible to me and many? Or a friend from 25 years ago that hurt me with is words? Or, as absurd as it is, all the people in the news, whom I’ve never met and will never meet …just forgive their toxic behavior and move on?
I’m confident it would feel wonderful.
Forgiveness isn’t easy. I’m not one of those Bible-quoters, but this is something I say often and mull around in my head and then … forgive me … I don’t live it out.
Matthew 18:21-22: Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.
I won’t just Blog about forgiveness, this time, and move on. I’m going to work at it. I’m going to write things down as past grievances and grudges float into my head. I’m going to think about it. Get to why that thing or person still bothers me. Then, my thing, I’ll say a few Hail Mary’s and Our Fathers and try to never …think …about …it …or him/her … again.
And then I’ll pray and hope the people whom I’ve been crappy to will forgive me.
Ephesians 4:32: Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
An Interactive Profile of the Michigan Whiskey Drinker
Distilling the Data
Welcome to our analysis of the American whiskey drinker. This interactive report first establishes a national baseline profile—who they are, what they prefer, and how they enjoy their spirits. Then, we’ll pour into the specifics of Michigan, highlighting the unique characteristics and local tastes that set the Great Lakes State’s whiskey enthusiasts apart.
The National Landscape: A Baseline
Gender Distribution
Nationally, the whiskey market still skews male, but the gap is narrowing as more women explore the category.
Age Demographics
The core consumer base is in the 35-54 age range, with significant spending power and established tastes.
Primary Whiskey Preference
Bourbon remains the dominant preference across the U.S., valued for its American heritage and smooth profile.
The Michigan Difference
Here’s where it gets interesting. While Michigan drinkers share some national trends, their habits and preferences show a distinct local flavor. Use the buttons below to explore the comparisons.
Brand Preferences
Demographics
Consumption Habits
Brand Preference: National vs. Michigan
Focus on the “Michigan Local” bar—it’s the key differentiator.
The most significant deviation is the Michigan drinker’s strong affinity for local craft distilleries. While nationally, craft spirits are a growing segment, in Michigan it’s a core part of the consumer identity, with nearly a quarter of drinkers prioritizing local brands over established national names.
Age Demographics: National vs. Michigan
Michigan’s profile skews slightly younger.
Michigan shows a stronger representation in the 25-34 age bracket compared to the national average. This is likely driven by the vibrant and accessible craft distillery scene, which attracts a younger, experience-seeking demographic eager to explore local products.
Purchasing Channels 🛒
National Profile:
Primarily purchase from large liquor stores and increasingly online. Decisions are driven by reviews, price, and brand recognition.
Michigan Profile:
A high percentage of purchases occur directly at distillery tasting rooms or at retailers who prominently feature local products. Community and “supporting local” are major purchase drivers.
Consumption Setting 🥃
National Profile:
Mostly consumed at home or in traditional bars. Classic cocktails and neat pours are the standard.
Michigan Profile:
Distillery visits are a common social activity. There’s a higher tendency to try unique distillery-exclusive cocktails that often feature other local Michigan ingredients, like cherries or maple syrup.
Key Takeaways: The Michigan Identity
Hyper-Local Loyalty
Michigan drinkers don’t just like craft whiskey; they love *Michigan* whiskey. This fierce loyalty to local distilleries is the single most defining trait of the state’s consumer profile.
The Experience Economy
For Michiganders, whiskey is often about the experience—visiting the place it’s made, meeting the distillers, and tasting unique creations. The distillery is a destination, not just a factory.
A Younger, Engaged Base
The slightly younger demographic in Michigan suggests a healthy and growing market, energized by the innovation and community-focus of the local craft scene.
Life in my 50s is very interesting, especially when it comes to the Internet. The Interweb knows I’m 52, that I have a high-stress sales job, I’m married, have a dog, love coffee, and that I must feel tired all the time and like bourbon. Hmmmmm … could all the bourbon be making me tired?
The World Wide Web is pretty much right, tho. So the latest thing it’s telling me is, “hey, you don’t need to exercise and lift heavy weights …just do Tai Chi.”
So, I’m gonna.
I’ll add Tai Chi to my early morning Rucking (1/2-hour) and/or Burpee Walk (this is my own invention) when I get home. My routine in 2025, which I’m proud of, is . . . Read More
Can you believe I’ve never Blogged about my fascination and belief in the Rosary? I’m not so disciplined that I say the Rosary daily, but I pray it often. I collect Rosaries, which is to say, I’ve never gotten rid of any of my Rosaries. I have my own. I’ve been gifted a couple. My Catholic School children (and Catholic School Teacher wife) have made Rosaries. Over the years, sometimes at Church, they’ll hand out Rosaries and I always accept the gift.
At last count, I have about 26 Rosaries. Also, at last count, I have 3 Rosary stories and now I have a 4th Rosary story and it’s practically miraculous.
Rosary Story 1 – The Origin Story
This Rosary-thing comes from my Grandma Lillian Kowalewski. She seriously prayed the Rosary. Daily. I know this because when I was a young kid, we’d spend the night at my Grandma and Grandpa’s house and on more than one occasion I woke up early and saw her sitting by herself whispering and praying the Rosary. Read More
Don Kowalewski 