#83. Post Another (QUALITY) Video On YouTube

Sharp Dressed Man

It’s a gloomy, cold and rainy day in Austin. A perfect day to for impeccable dress. Well… at least for me. I can’t exactly put my finger on it but I’ve recently been completely consumed with what I’m wearing. I’ve gone through stages in my life where my style has changed but for the most part I’ve always cared about what I’m wearing. Something like a second skin. Some people are more daring with their color choice or patterns while other are more conservative. Our clothing of choice often time speaks for us before we even open our mouths, whether it be in a negative or positive light. And I’ve been no stranger to both aspects. But now; maybe because I’m on the verge of fatherhood, I’m again taking my clothing choice and style more importantly.

Growing up in a single parent household with siblings, dressing up wasn’t something that was often done. No, our “best” was in reserve for picture day or holidays and I looked forward to those opportunities. I can still remember my sisters talking about what I was planning on wearing for one holiday, good times. I don’t have any pictures at the moment, of my school-day’s but when I’m able to upload some, you’ll see a dapper young bloke. “G’d up from the feet up” well probably not the feet, I was still a sneaker kid. Yeah I rocked my sneakers with a sweater vest and tie before it was cool. My brother on the other hand had this thing for cowboy boots; ol’ boy would get down on those regardless if he was wearing shorts or sweat pants. But like many less fortunate kids we did the best with what we had in finding creative ways to make new looks.

Now a little more grown and more in tune with who I am and aspire to be for myself and my growing family, I have a look that I intend to perfect as the seasons change. If I had the gear (and the funds) the look that I’d like to be strutting around this town on this nasty Friday would be…

Naval Artillery Jacket - Heritage Collection.

Black Gingham Twill - Taylor Stitch.

Half Zip Collar Sweater

Ludlow Street Red Paisley Tie - Mountain & Sacket.

OR a Burgundy Polka Dot Tie.

Gray & Burgundy Plaid Wool Scarf - Fine & Dandy Shop.

Low Rise Boot / Dark Sandy Wash - AE Outfitters

Black Dress Belt

Florsheim Argyle Socks

Black Dress Boots - Girogio Brutini

Now I'm not a brand man, never have been and most likely never will be. So the brands listed here really aren't the focus. My concern is more towards the fit, style and functionality of the product. However I do love that jacket and can't even imagine where else one could find such a solid and what I think unique product. As far as Taylor Stitch goes, I'll probably never own one of there custom tailor made shirts but I do enjoy visiting there site. Even if it is just to create a custom shirt I'll never own. The same goes for Mountain & Sackett, beautiful ties that I'll probably never own, but hey who knows? The cool thing about putting this wardrobe together was that while looking for the perfect scarf I found The Fine and Dandy shop, I didn't browse the site much but I am looking forward to it.

In the end, putting this look together was a damn good time. Inspired by the clean lines of a form fitting military uniform and here with the Artillery Jacket and glossy shoes, I had fun dressing this up. With the shirt pattern, tie choices and argyle socks I added my own personal flare and fun to an otherwise cloudy day.

Watch out now, here comes a sharp dressed man.

#4. Start Recycling

This one took some time to actively happen... Not due to lack of effort, because I did save cans. Cans that started to overflow cause I never did anything with them. but hey that beats tossing them out just to take up space in a landfill somewhere right?

I can't remember, but at some point... Let's say early 2009 our neighborhood's garbage disposal service FINALLY offered weekly recycling pick up. Something I had looked forward to for a long time, since apartment life didn't offer it.

The first week came and I was prepared, but were the recycling guys? As I stated above I had been collecting cans for quite some time. long enough that in that time we had three different people living with us on two different occasions. Had several parties, drank too many beers and ate poop loads of corn. How's that for imagery? -Pause- Okay, shake that thought. That's just crass. Ahem, okay... Where were we? Oh yeah the first week. So, with a shiny new blue green tub in hand I emptied the contents of a garbage receptacle, well as much as I could. Filled the blue green tub to the TOP with with crushed empties; Sunkist, Lone Star, Coors, Big Red, Dr. Pepper, Bud & Light, Coke & Zero, and of course the before mentioned corn (Don't think about it), green beans and such. They christened the brand spanking new blue green tub in party like fashion, all out-to the top.

This was the norm for about three weeks. My recycling crew had to have thought we were some sort of soda-beer-canned-vegetable fiesta hosters. On a weekly basis. But soon the contents of my overstuffed, crushed can devoted garbage can was empty.

Now, the only party our blue green tub hosts are those of laundry detergent & milk jugs, water bottles and the occasional wine bottle, with a few canned vegetables as the "OG's" of the party.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

Back in the Saddle Again.

I'm not one to maintain or even really care about my online presence, hence the reason I've temporarily abandoned this blog. Not only have I neglected SBoB, I also started a new blog with good intentions of maintaining and updating it. It was to be devoted to my yard and all the seasonal happenings that go along with maintenance and care for it. I had planned to blog with pictures and maybe post small reviews on products and/or tools I was using but just minutes ago I deleted that blog.

Some time while Brad(ford) was living with us he went on and on (and on) about this Twitter thing. To which I initially thought was a new media source that was completely full of shit. I mean really, who needs to know that you just clipped your toenails and now you're eating steak? Oh the joys of summing up a moment in 140 characters or less. Just the self absorbed, narcissistic crap we need hitting our hip or inbox on a daily. Breath... But as I do, I joined and even (Insert air quotes) tweeted a few times. Lame attempts to be clever in my allotted 140 characters. But soon grew extremely tired and even annoyed with constant -how do you say- bullshit posts of others. I even found myself falling victim to my own dislikes, posting craptastrophies from time to time. And so, with-out the announcement that so many attention craving people on social networking sites do, I quietly left. I haven't been happier.

Wow, that was more of a rant than anything else... And yet, here I am. Again. My feeble re-beginning at reaching the blogosphere.

Note: I'm already hating this! I'm trying to find a way to add music to this post and can't figure out how to do it.

Haiku

This is on my list of things to do, but I've lost track. With that said, I'm still gettin to it; less the tracking.

Today my wife's aunt had to put her dog (Winnie - Pug) down. I've never had to deal with putting a pet down, but have had to deal with the loss of pets. :( I may not not know what it feels like to knowingly give your family member (Pet) back, but to lose one that you love is a pain I'm sure we've all felt one way or another. When trying to think of something comforting to say when anyone loses something or someone close to them is a huge task in itself. I ususally start with, how I'd like people to respond to me. Most times I wouldn't mind just a simple word and nothing else. But I just don't know what a person is dealing with inside and how much they'd like to possibly talk about it. So, I thought some more and thought it would be nice to know that as much as you cared for your family member that they cared just as much about you. And decided to write a poem from our furry friends to us. Clonda this is for you...

We are not the same

You on two, me on all fours

But we are... Best Friends

#13: Vote in next election

Simply that... I stood in line for over TWO HOURS just to express my right to vote. I really wish there was more to it than that, but nope.

Crystal and I stood in line in downtown Buda, Texas on Main Street for over two hours. Two hours of wait time for only 5-10 minutes of booth time. Ugh! I'm just glad Crystal and I decided to eat before we stood in line, otherwise, some candidates would have missed my vote.

It's 2009! Can't they figure out a way for us to vote securely from home? Probably not in Flroida, but I think everyone else can manage.

#11: Vaccuum at least once a month

Not too much to say here. No exciting picture of me 'gettin my vaccuum' on either. Haha!
I made this a task to be done simply because I was slacking on it for too long. But now, I'm back and better than ever. That's right BETTER! Now instead of once a month I'm doin it every Sunday.

I know what you're thinking... "It's just vaccuuming." To which I say HA! I laugh at you! When it comes to me, nothing is "just" anything! When I do something it has to be melodically calculated for perfection. Yes, even vaccuuming! My belief is, if something deserves to be done it deserves to be done right and on the first go. I don't like doin anything more than it needs to be done.

And for those who are still reading this and are still thinking it's just vaccuuming, let me school you on my vaccuumin skillz! That's right, I spelled it with a Z, I keep it "clean" like that. Haha.

1. Dust from top to bottom. (Fans to blinds to decorations to table tops.)
2. Pledge to shine. Something about pledge reminds me of being a kid.
3. Remove and clean vaccuum filter.
4. Vaccuum furniture. (Not just what you can see, under coushons too!)
5. Move furniture for a complete and thorough vaccuum.
6. Hands and knees action. For the hard to reach spots get out the hose attachment and do work!
7. Put furniture back in place and admire the cleanliness.

There you have it. This sweat inducing total quality vaccuum is the thing Good Housekeeping dreams are made of.