Welcome to Total Dadass! I’m James, and I guess since you’re on this page, you want to know a little more about me. Take notes, there will be a quiz at the end.
Why did you start a dad blog?
It’s meant to be more of a guy’s lifestyle blog than just a dad blog. That said, I definitely focus more on my family than my work, my hobbies or anything else. At the end of the day, they’re what’s most important.
Why is it called Total Dadass?
I definitely see a lack of manliness in society these days, so if I can educate one young person to be manlier, then it’s all worth it.
Total Dadass is meant to be a tongue-in-cheek resource for the “family man”— husbands and dads who want to grow closer to their families and maybe even find a cool DIY or some good grub to try.
The Family
I’m married to the only woman I’ve ever loved, my high school sweetheart. We’ve been together for 22 years now—since high school, and we’re both in our late 30s. She’s a work at home mom, and you can find some of her blogs here and here. She should be considered for sainthood for putting up with my shit over the years.
We have one son, and he’s the funniest kid I’ve ever known. (I realize I’m probably biased.) He makes us laugh every day. We’d love to have more kids and are considering adoption in the near future.
A Little Background
I was raised and still live in rural Appalachia. After graduating college where I majored in Sociology and minored in Social Work, I worked as an in-home services provider for an organization that partnered with our local Department of Social Services. I worked in homes where children had been removed (or were on the verge of being removed) to help their parents improve their parenting skills and to serve as a mentor of sorts for the kids.
I went on to pursue a career in the criminal justice field a few years later.
Is this blog your job?
Nope. I still work in criminal justice. I’m a supervisor in my current role. I’m certified in hostage negotiations and SWAT. I’m the shield man if negotiations break down.
What do you do for fun?
Can being sarcastic or snarky be a hobby, because that is really what I enjoy doing. It seems like I spend more time in a day trying to be funny than anything else. I’m the guy in a bad situation that cracks the atomic bomb of a one liner when stress and emotions are boiling over. Besides being snarky, anything outdoors suits me just fine. I enjoy hiking, ATV riding, woodworking, fishing, archery, shooting, knives, axes and other typical “manly” things.