Another Bargain
As complete as my wardrobe is, there are still a few items that I am still on the look out for. Among these are a black belt that can be worn casually, preferably with a black or oval buckle priced less than $40, a cotton sports jacket in green or blue and a new pair of running sneakers.
I took a stroll during lunch over to Saks to see about the belt and found nothing worthwhile (or cheap- honestly $117 for an ugly shirt by Jhane Barnes is no bargain). On the plus side, I did meet celebrity stylist Robert Verdi who I have seen out and about several times before. He was wearing a peak lapel, dark grey suit with white buttons and a pink cashmere turtleneck. Very chic. After exchanging a few pleasantries, I moved on to the task at hand. Walking back up to work, I decided to pop into Dunhill, home of the gorgeous and well made collections for dapper gents. Last year around this time, I found a beautiful dress shirt there for $40, which though it was an anomaly, was still a great deal. I can still remember the fellow in front of me in line commenting that it was a very nice pattern to which I thought, “yes it is, and it also is the cheapest thing in the entire store.”
I had already stopped by Dunhill twice since Christmas just monitoring the stock and pricing. Since most stores are getting rid of their Christmas merchandise by early February to make room for the full priced spring and resort collections, its mostly now or never to find the end of season deals. About mid way through the store, the 75% off sign on a sparse rack of jackets called out. And lo and behold...cotton sports jackets, in green, blue and brown. The brown was quickly dismissed and the blue unneeded. The green was a muted mid-range green, like the color of darkened money, unlined, which makes it perfect for travel and the summer, and two button, indicating a modern fit. The sleeves also featured working button holes (surgeons cuffs)- a nice touch which also adds to the laid back look. While I usually prefer side vents, the center back vent makes sense on a more casual jacket such as this.
With a cotton sports jacket, (as these are not blazers which would indicate a more formal item), I wanted the fit a bit tighter as its likely to only have a light oxford or short sleeve shirt underneath during warmer months. Personally, I don’t wear blazers or jackets over t-shirts as it is too much of a contrast and I think it is a look that screams “Hollywood Follower.” The Medium was all they had out which was a bit too big but I was in luck, there was one Small in the back that the woman remembered. She brought it out, I tried it on and it fit perfectly. The sleeves were the perfect length, the shoulders tight and the color was fantastic against my skin tone. The saleswoman smiled and said it looked great. One minute later I was handing over my credit card and she was lovingly putting the item into a garment bag for me to take back to work.
The price for this masterful wardrobe necessity: $103.75 down from about $425. Ideally I would have paid somewhere close to $80.00 but I was not about to pass this up. All it needs it a quick steam at home and it is ready for the spring/summer.
A word on cotton sports jackets: there is no need to think this can only be worn casually. With a trim fitting oxford shirt, think those by Steven Alan or Theory, skinny tie and slim fit chinos or dark jeans, this is a piece that can be easily dressed up. While a cotton cardigan can, many times, take the place of a cotton sports jacket for something like an art gallery opening, the cotton sports jacket makes a formal statement just that much more. Plus, it has more pockets to store things like a camera, pen or glasses.
All in all, this was a great purchase that has made me quite happy and even more ready for the winter to be over.
Screws and Nuts
No one ever gives the screw you sign anymore. You know the one, where you push your left wrist into the crux of your right arm as it’s formed into a right angle, but when was the last time you have ever seen a good “screw you” being thrown your (or someone else’s) way?
There are several reasons why this recent demise has occurred. One, who says “screw you” anymore? Screw you is kind of laughable. If you were in an argument with someone and they said, “go screw yourself” I think the immediate response would be a smile. I mean ok I could go screw myself but telling me to go f**k myself has much more resonance. With the dearth of the “screw you” phrase, obviously there is less of a need for non-verbal expressions of this sentiment.
Secondly, the gesture is really involved. I mean the middle finger, a direct and universally recognized sign only needs ONE FINGER. You could have a package in your hand and still express yourself with the middle finger pretty succinctly. The “screw you” takes both hands, arms and movement. Way too involved. How could you make a scre you sign when driving? You’d have to take both hands off the wheel entirely! It’s like sending a text message that says “I love you my darling” when only “luv u” will suffice. Today’s fast paced world has resulted in abbreviated communications and an expression that involves one half of your appendages is antithetical to our instant gratification society. Besides, the middle finger offers much faster gratification. I timed it- it takes less then one second to flip the bird and almost double that (an entire second) to form the screw you pose and then hold it so the recipient knows what you are doing.
Lastly, popular culture has all but done away with gestures in the first place. I mean if someone makes you upset don’t most young-uns post something on the Internets? Our daily interactions are blunted by portable music players, cell phones, video games, Blackberrys and the like. If someone cuts you off in traffic, most of the time you just curse out loud or complain to whomever you are on the phone with.
Thankfully, the term “you’re screwed” maintains its staying power. Its hard to say “you’re f**ked” to most people but if one is screwed there is less hostility and finality then being f**ked.
Sidenote: “Screw You’s” cousin, the finger circle next to the head to symbolize craziness has also been vastly diminished. This is due to more medications being prescribed to the general public and an overall reduction in homelessness in major cities.
General Contentment
29 years ago, my mom was sleeping and my dad was overly happy. Now, almost three decades later, my dad is sleeping and my mom is happy. This is not a general commentary on their disposition, but rather an announcement that it is my birthday. My mom of course was sleeping from labor and my dad happy that men do not have to go through labor at all.
Last night, I decided to stay up till 12:01am to wish myself a “Happy Birthday,” and I began cleaning. I filled up three Duane Reade bags of papers, nonsense and stuff that I no longer needed to have in my apartment- like the cardboard tray that held the Nintendo Wii controllers. After this massive purge, I began reflecting on the past year. New Years is traditionally the time in which to do so but since my birthday is a week later, and most people procrastinate anyway, I figured it wasn’t so much of a big deal.
First I started counting 2007 successes: good job, great girlfriend, started Columbia University, took exciting trips, enjoyed delicious food, biked over 500 miles during the summer, saw more than a dozen concerts, a half dozen plays and countless museum exhibitions and I was published in several newspapers and blogs and had my photography in Newsday on two occasions.
I also tried to come up with a list of things I might want for my birthday and I couldn’t really think of anything. And then it hit me: I am content. What is there in this world, aside from a new television, that I could possibly want? I don’t “need” anything. Part of the reason why throwing old stuff out is that you distill your stuff down to what you really need, use and want to keep. All the other stuff is superfluous or redundant. And when I took stock of my things, my lifestyle and my goals, I felt satisfied.
Even if Mick and the boys say satisfaction is something hard to personally ascertain, I have to say that I cant see any reason why this year wont be as great or better than the previous one. As I finally closed my eyes, my blackberry vibrated on the nightstand. It was a calendar message that I had put in around March of 2007 which read “Happy Freakin’ Birthday.” I smiled to myself and thought, “Indeed it will be.” Sleep came quickly after that.
