MKDaddy

Dad’s Log: Man vs … Metropolis!

Published February 29, 2012 | By MKDaddy

There are oh so many literary themes regarding man: man vs. nature, man vs. society, man vs. machine, to name a few. Maybe you are thinking this Dad’s Log is going a little high-brow … please… exactly who do you think I am?

Instead of literary, I’m thinking literally! One of my favorite shows is Man vs. Food! What a great show idea. The host, Adam Richman, takes on a gastrointestinal challenge… just him vs. food. Wonder what sort of health benefits he gets?

Anyway this past week there was a challenge of sorts in my castle called Man vs. Metropolis Train Table Set with Trundle. Pretty catchy… actually sort of a mouth full… not sure it would sell to a T.V executive…but it turned out to be a big hit with the local focus group!

This monster has been sitting in the ~~black hole~~ ~~storage room~~ ~~sewing room~~ ~~craft room~~ third bedroom for a few weeks. Yes, I was intimidated… maybe even scared when I first sighted the monstrosity taking up the landing of our front door. You see, any box or package left on the landing that my DW has not pulled into the house, torn apart and set aside for recycling usually means there is something a little more ominous in store for me.

So with Number 1 turning 2 it was time for the challenge! Box out, tools at the ready, coffee, set the clock…3…2…1..go!

SHOCK and AWE as I opened the box. I think the number of pieces in this box was equal to the national debt! How do they get all that in there?! Was I scared… yes I was, not the same scared I get when confronted by fast spiders… but scared nonetheless.

The slow and steady approach pays dividends with these construction projects. Especially since the instructions are wordless! Good thing I have minor in hieroglyphics. Slowly but surely the Metropolis Train Table Set with Trundle took shape. My only concern was my son seemed more interested in the box than the actual table. When not playing with the box or styrofoam packing or trundle he played the role of supervisor. “Daddee fix it” was his mantra. Yeah..workin’ on it, how about some coffee? “No tank you.”

With the table and trundle done the icing on the cake was the actual train set itself. Once again slow and steady wins the race. It is a pretty complex system.. but it went pretty smoothly. Although there were a few incidents involving Gigantic Son mercilessly re-fitting some roads and trying to fit through the double bridge tunnel. Love it when he thinks outside the box… no, seriously, get out of the box!

When the dust had settled on this one…I would have to say that this project went smoother than I had anticipated and most importantly the joy and smiles exhibited by my son and DW are proof positive that in Man vs. Metropolis Train Table Set with Trundle…

Man wins!!!!

Dads, (or Moms!) any triumphs or defeats when it comes to projects such as this? Please share!

Posted in Dad's Log, entertainment, humor | 4 Comments

Dad’s Log: Tribbles Part Doo!

Published January 13, 2012 | By MKDaddy

Now that the menace that is baby food jars has passed, a new breed of tribbles has put a stranglehold on Dad’s universe. A universe slowly shrinking. Is it the big collapse?…No it’s Cloth Diapers!

Hey, don’t get me wrong. I like cloth diapers….cloth diapers are a friend of mine…you sir, are no cloth diaper! Whoa sorry, sort lost it there with all the political hoopla going on. Anyways… the trouble with my new tribbles is they are mutating.

I am not sure how this happened, but this little cute pile of covers & inserts has grown and grown into this Frankenstein’s monster of interchangeable parts!

It all comes to a head when I lend a hand with the CD laundry. Inevitably, I get to a point where I think to myself…is this a pocket diaper or an all in one?…well here’s an insert…if I make a slit here with my sheet-rock knife…I could…HONEY…I think I need help!

Disaster averted…shields down. Although in my mind I still channel Korax…”Get out of here with that parasite!” Oh you CD’s with all your fancy snaps and inserty things and fancy names. As I attempt to do the CD laundry, it’s like I am on the “Island of Misfit Diapers” with inserts that no cover wants…how sad.

Well the tribbles are here to stay and…I don’t plan on leaving either. So we simply co-exist..all I ask is try to stay together in the laundry.

How many different cloth diapers do you have??

Posted in cloth diaper, Dad's Log | 8 Comments

Dad’s Log: Dadda’s got his GROOVE (Camel)Bak Giveaway CLOSED

Published July 13, 2011 | By MKDaddy

It’s been a long time but MKDaddy has his Groove. I’m not sure who was more excited me or my DW! Oh yeah baby!! Fresh, crisp, clean, refreshing and life-sustaining water! I can taste the non-flavor if you know what I mean. You do know I am talking about the CamelBak Groove Stainless .6L and not some weird mid-life crisis… right?

First off, a little bit about water. In some circles it is known as the “super solvent.” This moniker is due to its ability to dissolve a variety of materials due to its polarity and ability to hydrogen bond. Hey, I didn’t lose you with some science mumbo-jumbo… did I? Anyways, water dissolves many things and will ”pick up” stuff from the air or containers after a while. Of course most tap drinking water is “treated” with materials… you know like “chlorine.” Some areas of the country have “hard water” which is water with a high mineral content, usually salts of magnesium and calcium… the soap scum creators!! Sometimes you can detect a little bit of sulfur too! Ewww!

If, like me, you are a little snooty about drinking water (preferring bottled water quality), then this is where the Camelbak Groove portable filtration device comes in. It has a little filter … activated charcoal, I believe, that reduces chlorine, taste and odor for about three months.

The Groove also has a nifty bite valve to prevent spilling. Cool fact: this is the SAME bite valve used by NASA astronauts in space. If that doesn’t make you cool…well, at least the water you’ll be drinking will! In fact, a study by Pepperdine University concluded that these bite-valves actually help you drink 24% MORE water! (My wife agreed – and she’s a hard case when it comes to trying to get her to drink enough water, but she can down a full CamelBak bottle in no time!).

And of course the bottle is re-useable…duh! And BPA-free… because it’s made of stainless steel. (The Groove also comes in BPA-free plastic).

I have to admit the Groove lives up to its billing. It definitely reduces the chlorine taste and odor in our tap water. I can taste and smell the chlorine in our tap water when I brush my teeth. (Of course, do not swallow fluoride toothpaste! Fluoride is bad for you… unless the government says its o.k. to have in your drinking water… Think!)

I know someone out there is saying… “Why did I read this?” or “They let this guy have kids?” or more to the point, ”Why not get a large scale household filtering system?” O.K., finally a good question. Answer: Are you always home? If you are active and out and about quite a bit, the Groove gives you fresh, crisp water where ever you are! Like at that public water fountain. Or camping. Try hauling a reverse-osmosis system around with you… yeah… thought so!

CamelBak also has great children’s bottles. Our son loves his dinosaur stainless steel bottle. And we, of course, love the no-spill bite valve…especially after the baby-opened-the-sippy-cup-of-milk-in-his-car-seat incident!

BUY IT: Online at CamelBak’s website, or outdoor gear retailers like Cabela’s, REI, Eastern Mountain Sports, Dick’s Sporting Goods, etc. The Groove retails for $35, and the Kid’s Stainless Steel bottle retails for $20. For more details, follow along with CamelBak on Facebook !

WIN IT! One lucky reader will receive 1 CamelBak Groove Stainless Steel water bottle!

TO ENTER: Leave a topic-related comment on this post. How would you use this kind of water filtration bottle in your life? What do you currently use for drinking water (tap, bottled, home filter?), etc. Generic comments like “Enter me” or “Cool!” will be disqualified – I really want to hear your thoughts!

I’d be thrilled if you’d share this giveaway (easy share buttons below!), although no extra entries! Please, share the love!!

Giveaway Rules: Giveaway ends 11:59 EST, Monday July 25, 2011. Winners will be selected by WP Plugin and emailed directly; winners have 48 hours to respond. Fulfillment handled by CamelBak. Must be 18+ to enter/win. Open US only.

Disclosure: I was sent a product to facilitate this review, and was not compensated in any other way. All opinions are 100% my own.

Posted in camping, Giveaways, outdoor, review

Dad’s Log: Same Feet – New Balance 890 ~ Giveaway CLOSED

Published June 8, 2011 | By MKDaddy

So… a big step for me (pun intended): A review post. Somehow I was able to get away with not doing one. For good reason. Most of the reviews have been… well, for girls or babies! Another reason: my critical eye, great taste, and high standards… I did marry my DW, after all! What sponsor would want to undergo my scrutiny?

First… a confession. I am particular with my feet. I’ve had them all my life. Maybe they look a bit Hobbit-ish but, we have been through a lot. We have done 10k’s, play basketball, hiked Mt. Washington, and most importantly… achieved a 3rd degree black belt in Tang Soo Do. They have given me a lot, and I treat them the best I can. So what I put on them has to meet quality control inspector #1 – ME! By the way…my feet have even survived a pedicure!

So it would take a company with courage to have MKDaddy review a product that would please my dogs! Fortunately, it’s one of my favorite shoe brands: New Balance. Here we go… the New Balance 890.

4 great colors each for men and women!

Active dads will love this shoe – at a mere 9.65 ounces (men’s 9.5), the New Balance 890 is the lightest shoe of its kind in the neutral cushioning category. Instead of sacrificing cushioning or construction, the New Balance 890 uses a RevLite midsole to give a surprisingly light running experience that is also comfortable for high mileage training.

My first impression was the New Balance 890 are light…deceptively light. Usually size 12′s tend to be clod-hoppers. Ever try running with swim fins?? That’s how most athletic shoes feel on my feet. The lightness of the NB890 made me wary if these shoes would hold my 6’2” frame at 200 lbs. (how many other bloggers give their vital stats?)

So light, even a baby can carry it!

The next thing that caught my attention was the fit. I really liked the fit… snug, with give. Second skin-like. I tried to get my feet to slide around like in my basketball shoes… but this shoe was not having it. The New Balance 890 hugs my feet perfectly. The technical terminology for this kind of fit… well, New Balance says it best:

a dialed in midfoot wrap, an open and rounded vamp, and comfortable, irritation-free flex points

I am not much for the long distance stuff anymore. Now, I stick with shorter distances, sprint work, and throw in a little plyometrics. True to form… these shoes are holding up to the pacing I put them through. I am looking forward to using them the rest of the summer.

And the little guy – well, he just can’t wait to fill his daddy’s shoes!

Athletic shoes like the New Balance 890 make a great Father’s Day Gift idea!

Buy it: Check out the New Balance 890 - check out this cool video that shows just how light it is! ARV $100.

Win it: One lucky reader will win pair of New Balance 890s (men’s or women’s)

How To Enter -1 entry each / 1 comment per entry (5 total)

Make a Topic-Related Comment: How do you treat your feet? Does the shoe you choose matter to you?
Connect with New Balance on Facebook -AND/OR- Twitter
Connect with our blog via Google Friend Connect -OR- Email (see left sidebar)
Like/Follow our blog via Facebook -OR- Twitter (username please)
Share this giveaway one time via Facebook -OR- Twitter (share buttons below!)

GIVEAWAY RULES: You do NOT need to leave your email – it is collected in the comment form! This giveaway ends at 11:59, EST, Wednesday, June 15, 2011. A winner will be chosen via And The Winner Is… WP Plugin. I will email the winner and they have 48 hours to respond. Open US. Must be 18+ to enter/win. Fulfillment handled by DKC Public Relations.

Disclosure: I was sent a product to facilitate this review. I was not compensated in any other way, and all opinions are 100% my own.