NICK OFFERMAN FATHER'S DAY WHISKY FUN and wood

What is your favourite majestic beast of nature? (Animal)

Megan Mullally

Hey Nick, what is your favorite memory?

That time when I answered a redditor that my favorite majestic beast of nature was Megan Mullally.

Nick, what is your best hangover cure? asking for a friend...

Digging post holes by hand.

If you could pick a theme song for your life, what would it be?

Yikes, that's tough.. Tom Waits Get Behind The Mule/Come Up To The House Wilco I'm Always In Love They Might Be Giants Particle Man

Hello Nick! I love seeing pieces of your relationship with Megan; it seems so genuine and you always seem to be enjoying just being together. Is there anything the two of you do specifically to keep your relationship healthy that would also benefit other relationships? Thank you!

We enjoy engaging in humor, jigsaw puzzles and a regular diet of each other's genitalia.

In your recent Wood Support video you stated that you "dislike any finish" on your wood. What's your preferred way to... "finish" your pieces?

I prefer to build up thin coats of oil and wiping varnish. We use different products and recipes at OffermanWoodshop.com based on the function of the piece, but we generally shoot for the richest and deepest color and figure whilst leaving the wood feeling as naked as possible. Sometimes we just apply a soft wax and call it a day. A beautiful and fragrant day.

What's your opinion on veganism?

I applaud it for two reasons - 1) People can eat whatever they damn well please, and I understand that veganism can be very healthy both for the consumer and for the planet. 2) More bacon for this guy.

Did you actually make any of the woodworking items featured in Parks and Rec?

Edit: My most upvoted post ever is talking with Nick Offerman - I love it!

Most of the items were made much to quickly for any woodworker I know to pull off (except maybe JimmyDiresta.com) but I did make the canoes and paddles, as well as the large mahogany dining table Ron sold at Donna's school fundraiser...usually though I was too busy making the show to be able to make things like the Irish harp or the award-winning chair...

Hi Nick, I'm a real fan.

Do you have any advice for a young person about to graduate college looking for a first job?

Focus intently upon what it is you love to do, then find a way to get paid to do it. I have been much happier doing good work that I love for less pay. What good is wealth if you are miserable?

Hey Nick,

Do you ever get tired of people requesting Ron Swanson advice?

The kind interest of folks is vastly preferable to their indifference.

Do you have any advice for young people working their way up in the entertainment industry about remaining humble?

Hmm. Yes. Do that. The vocation of delivering medicine to others by means of entertainment is an immense privilege, like all work that is good to do. Thinking about that, and also maintaining a healthy relationship with my wife keeps me aware of my foibles and therefore humble. Also in my case looking in the mirror goes a long way towards fomenting humility.

Could you chuck more wood than a woodchuck could if a woodchuck could chuck wood?

I don't care to speculate about any of my abilities in the service of braggadocio, but I can certainly chuck a shitload of wood. Bring on your woodchuck.

What are your best facial hair grooming techniques and/or tips?

Don't shave.

My dad died several years ago to cancer. Fathers day has always been a little bittersweet since.

I have no remaining male ancestors. I often feel like I don't have any male authority figures I can approach on a personal level when I am feeling overwhelmed or just want to talk. What would you do?

Thank you for the AMA. Never stop being you!

Depending on where you live/what you do, I imagine there are some older fellows who wish they had a young person to talk to as well, so maybe start poking around down at the lumber yard or gravel pit. If that fails, I have never had any trouble finding an old boy to talk to at the tavern.

Who is your least favourite Spice Girl?

KellyAnne Conway Spice

What advice would you give someone thinking about moving from a midsize town in the Midwest to a major city like New York, LA, or Seattle?

I moved to LA in 1997 steeped in ignorance. Given the extreme convenience of the internets and social media, I would do a lot of research about your chosen metropolis, scrutinizing neighborhoods, amenities, transit systems, plus the affordability or not of these items, and then if you can, go stay there with some friends and soak up the vibe - try on the pair of shoes before buying, if you will.

First, you and your wife are glorious and I think you are both fantastic.

Second, is that the same shop used in the Parks and Rec episode when Mark visits to survey it? Did they shoot in your woodwork shop?

Third, I really enjoyed the song and subscribed to your channel. You can make your own ukelele, play it and then also accompany it and that's just amazing.

Fourth, what kind of whisky were you drinking with your Dad?

Thank you!

First, that is very generous, thank you. Second, yes, Ron's shop was filmed in my shop, OffermanWoodshop.com . Thirdly, thanks very much, I love my clumsy music fun and I would point out that that ditty was brought to you by Mark Rivers, who also wrote all the Mouse Rat tunes (and is their drummer!). I love collaborating with him and I do it often. Fourth, that glorious beverage is Lagavulin 16, for which the video is an ADVERTISEMENT. Pretty lucky fellow who gets paid to advertise his favorite drink making hijinks with his old man.

Who is the best kisser from Parks and Rec?

The answer may surprise you.

Jim O'Heir has tongue like a goddamn anaconda and that is no shit.

If you could pick any tool that resembles your personality best, what would it be & why?

The shovel, specifically the spade. It is not known for its finesse but can be relied upon to do its job with gravity and dogged persistence, and that job is: to dig.

Mr. Offerman,

Which is your favorite LOTR novel?

This is not a question that I can suitably answer as I rather consider them all of a piece. Favorite highlights include Gandalf and The Balrog and the character arc of Samwise Gamgee.

What's your advice to someone that's trying to get the courage and talk to that girl?

Dive in. We're human, therefore we will make mistakes, and yet people seem to love us anyway. So you might as well get started.

Mr. Offerman,

Been a big fan of yours and your wife for years! I just have a couple questions:

1. Do you use beard wash? And if so what is it and where can I get it?

2. When you do your woodworking do you have any specific music you listen to?

1. I do use beard wash, it is water and soap. You may find it in the creek and at the soap store, respectively.

2. We love music in the shop - it's a great blessing. On any given day you will hear: Nancy And Beth, John Prine, Warren Zevon, Wilco, Patty Griffin, Iron and Wine, Neil Young, The Mills Brothers, Gillian Welch, Kool and the Gang, The Gap Band, Parliament, Ween, They Might Be Giants, Laurie Anderson, Talking Heads, T. Rex, Liz Phair, Louis Armstrong, The Andrews Sisters, Tom Waits, Randy Newman, Radiohead, Arcade Fire, Rhett Miller, M. Ward, and like that. Willie, Johnny Cash, Dylan, Stones, Beatles, Beach Boys, Pink Floyd, The Who...we love it

What dorm were you in at Illinois? 6 pack/Hopkins Hall man myself.

Scott Hall, neighbor.

Thank you for doing this ama Nick. What advice/tips would you give to an aspiring woodworker?

That's a vast question, but I have been admirably served by the periodicals Popular Woodworking and Fine Woodworking, and also I wrote a book that should help, called Good Clean Fun, and I would just suggest that you start small and learn to sharpen and employ hand tools and make simple items - many pieces, as in the Shaker style for example, remain very simple in design and yet continue to provide great satisfaction even to masters like Christian Becksvoort. Just start getting to know the beauty of wood in a hands-on relationship - find a local sawyer and commune with the woods of your area - visit furniture shows/museums/craft fairs/tool shows and find other initiates, and also look at lots of work to discern the path you wish to pursue...

What techniques would you recommend to help me improve my precision with wood working, specifically for detailed cuts like box or dove-tail joints, and also specifically for cuts on a bandsaw?

Practice x3. Knowing my own strengths and weaknesses, I just cut close to my line with as much accuracy as I can muster and then pare down to the line with a chisel. The paring is the key - knowing you will always be coming in to finish refining by hand lends a sense of security that your bandsaw cut doesn't nee to be THAT good.

Do you watch game of thrones?

I have read the books voraciously and am wating to binge the show once the books have faded in my memory a bit to temper the inevitable disappointment from book to screen.

What was the subject of the most heated argument you've had with your father?

Canvas vs. Leather Converse High Tops in 6th grade

Mr. Offerman! Every time you do an AMA I try to catch you, but it's usually too late.

My wife once gifted me a signed copy of Paddle Your Own Canoe; you dedicated it to Misth. I've always wanted to hear about what prompted you to dedicate it to Misth (if any reason in particular) so I have some sort of connection to the book signed by you?

Also, every year my wife and I have a tradition of taking a road trip to New Mexico and listening to the Paddle Your Own Canoe audio book along the way. It always brings me such great joy and makes me seriously rethink my life choices and want to quit my job. Just thought you should know what an impact it has on me.

We're from Oklahoma and seriously hope to run into you some day! Cheers!

I am very grateful that my work has had positive repercussions for you and your bride, thanks for saying so. I often sign my books to oak, or to pith, or bacon, but in your case, that would be "to mirth". I apologize for what was apparently a crap-ass "r".

NICK what is your best fathers day meal??

One at a table with my family in Minooka, Illinois.

Oh my goodness I actually have a relevant question! What type of wood would you recommend using for an axe handle? For Father's day i'm restoring one of my Grandpa's axes for my dad. Got the head done, but the handle is proving tricky. Initially i was going to use a baseball bat because i thought it would look cool, but after giving it a second thought, that may be prone to turning in the hand while swinging so i figure i'll just make a more traditional handle. Thoughts?

Traditionally (in the states) Ash or Hickory is used for an axe handle because of the intense and ultra-badass hardness contained in their cells. I have found great inspiration in many makings including axes on the YouTube channel of Jimmy Diresta.

Hi Nick! I love all of you're books and was curious as to if you will be writing a fourth?

Thank you very kindly, I love writing my books. There will be a fourth (according to my contract and my affections) but first my beautiful bride and I are writing a book together due out next year. HAVE YOU SEEN HER SHE IS MAGNIFICENT I highly recommend you peruse NancyAndBeth.com to see her incredible videos and purchase her astonishing music record. I love books!

Nick! big fan! :)

My dad is too!

What should I get my dad for father's day?

Make something. No matter how large/small/simple/complex, giving a gift into which you have put the effort of your hands and mind and heart carries more weight than most purchasable items. In short: Love. Give him love.

What would you say the defining moment was in your relationship with your Dad? What advice would you give to new parents?

He's a great Dad, so it's a lifetime of moments. He (with my Mom) taught me to be polite, work hard and be honest. I didn't always succeed, but fortunately I'm not done, so I get to keep improving my batting average, and I'm grateful he's around to see my improved swing. I have also grown fonder of the bunt.

Oh, he also taught me to play baseball. And basketball.

Mr Offerman, I'm a novice woodworker slowly making my way through Good Clean Fun.

What is your favorite wood to work with which most of us would find affordable?

If you can find a local sawyer who knows what he/she is doing, the removal of any middleman/woman really brings the price down. In Los Angeles, our pals at Angel City Lumber provide this luxury for us with a lot of Live Oak, California Sycamore, Black Acacia, Elm, Silver Maple and others...

What is your favorite brand of whiskey?

It is with sincerity and a bit of discomfort that I say it is Lagavulin 16, because while that's the truth, I am also involved at this very moment in an advertising relationship with them, which is a funny circumstance. Scott King bought me my first glass of it in 1999 at the Chicago Film Festival and I have never found a drink enjoy quite so much. What a lucky bastard then, me, to land on a show (Parks & Rec) where they paid me to enjoy it, and then on top of that, the fine folks from the lovely island of Islay now shake hands with me when I go to visit the distillery and the neighborhood sheep with whom I am happily (and platonically) friends.

Hi Nick, neither my Father nor I are overly fond of Whisky, how do I fix this?

Nothing wrong with that. Your livers are probably pretty happy about it.

Nick I am sorry I like your wife better than I like you...

Anyway what does it feel like to be the father figure of the entire reddit community?

I also prefer my wife to myself, there is no shame in it.

Nick, what's your favorite book of the past five years?

Lincoln in the Bardo by George Suanders, easy.

Dry Aged or Wet Aged Steak?

Yes, please and thank you.

Nick! My husband and I are big fans. He is a first time father this year, got any life advice for him in honor of Father's Day, or a favorite memory of your own father to share?

Just keep applying your affection to good work, for it is a project that never ends.

My best Father's Day treat - read Wendell Berry's short story MAKING IT HOME (and while you're at it, read all of FIDELITY, the book it is in)

Hey Nick! We love Lagavulin too, tell us more on how you're planning to celebrate Father's Day this year! What's your favorite way to enjoy Lagavulin?

Gosh, you sound like you really enjoy Lagavulin based on all the mentions of Lagavulin in your post. It was sincerely my fave Scotch before Parks & Rec came along and afforded me way more Lagavulin (Mike Schur the show's creator also prefers this nectar of the gods), and so my favorite way to enjoy it is in my mouth mainly, and then my breadbasket.