1/31/2016

Sleep, sleep, sleep no more
Steps raining round masked, naked
Three times through the score.

Does anyone give a damn about value?

"How much does it cost?"

"Is it on sale?"

"I never pay full retail."

If you've never heard or used one or all of these phrases, you're dead or too damn rich to be wasting time reading this blog. Either get the hell off my blog or write me a big fat check. But I digress.

The above phrases are as pervasive in American, and probably world, culture as "hello," "goodbye," or "I would have gotten away with it too, if it weren't for you meddling kids."

You're probably wondering where I am going with this. Trust me, there's a point somewhere towards the end. I have been doing a good deal of thinking (GASP) lately about the concept of value and its correlation, or lack thereof, with price. Let's not beat around the bush, we live in commercial hell (professional irony acknowledged), and unless you wish to seclude yourself in Thoreau-inspired seclusion, consumption is a part of everyday life.

This thinking has been inspired by the announcement on January 13th that Brooks Brothers would be re-introducing their "original" unlined Oxford Cloth Button Down shirt. Opinions are mixed, to say the least, on this development. If you're unfamiliar with the trajectory of Brooks' largest contribution to American menswear, please visit Ivy-Style.com, where the terrific columnists have expounded on the past, present, and future of the shirt. Spark Notes: Brooks cut more and more corners over the past thirty years, and have been passing off a shit product as the real thing, while charging a price ($90) associated with the real thing. As of January 13th, they have acknowledged this and returned the quality to what it should be. To apologize for 30 years of deceit, they were nice enough to jack the price up to $140. Nice touch, eh? While I'm on this rant, I might as well add that the only thing worse than the product is the service. Walk into a store and you're greeted by a bunch of grumpy old bastards, who make it seem as if you are causing them major annoyance by shopping in their store.

The New (Old) Brooks Oxford Cloth Button Down

While the Brooks product, not just the shirts mind you, has increased in price and declined in quality, the company has also morphed into a mundane, everyday, sale-pushing retailer. This is best described in a great piece from The Hogtown Rake, where the magnificent Bruce Boyer is quoted on the topic, stating, "Today, Brooks Brothers seem to be a low-rent Italian department store. Brooks was never a high-priced store. It prided itself, and made it's reputation, on being good quality at a fair price, which along with conservative understated taste appealed to The Eastern Establishment. Today I'm not sure to whom Brooks appeals." 

Strangely enough, the company's increase in price has coincided with ever-present sales. Twice a year, dress shirts (the shittily constructed ones mind you) can be purchased 40% off when buying 4 at time. While this seems great from a consumer standpoint: "cheaper, hurrah!" It does beg the question, do we buy the shirts because they are good? Or just because they are cheap? I can unequivocally say the latter is the case.

The Brooks Brothers example is but a microcosm of larger society and culture. If you think I am about to say something about "the good old days" or "when America was great," go to hell, because I ain't. Like it or not, this question has been around since the dawn of human existence. Perhaps modern manufacturing, cheap developing-world labor, and short attention spans have thrust it to the forefront of our consciousness. I'm looking at you H&M. 

Would you like any shirt with your logo?

All is not lost of course. After receiving a pretty poor experience, particularly my treatment by sales associates, at 2 separate Brooks Brothers stores this afternoon, I stopped by Ralph's new 5th Avenue store on the way home. My dislike of logos has pushed me away from Ralph over the last ten years, but the product on the shelves (some logo free!) was clearly high quality, although somewhat overpriced. Even more impressive was the attentiveness and friendliness of the sales associates, who welcomed me, explained the layout of the store, and asked if there were any specific items on my mind. It was a thoroughly pleasurable experience, even if just for rubber-necking one afternoon. Hat's off to them.

Anyways, all of this leads me to a question for you dear reader, if for some reason unbeknownst to me, you have made it this far. When you head out into the marketplace, what is the highest priority, value or price? Would you rather buy one well-made pair of shoes, or five cheap pairs? Am I full of it? Would love to hear any opinions.

1/29/2016

Love's losing his head as his dreams come true
it was all due to the radio on joyous safari
are California girls that special to you?
as the party grew around you and me?

People singing and dancing and popping off
memorable moments from a literal party
funny bits, loose, talking and singing aloft
its fun, fun, fun and at that literal party.

It feels like we're listening to it for the first time
though we are changing drastically in style.
Did you have doubts when we couldn't find a rhyme?
Did the Capitol hold back or did they understand in time?

It takes you back and elevates your mood
you have a way of doing that, the soundtrack to our lives.

1/28/2016

We could walk up the beach
Bathed in sand surf and sun.
Surf lapping at the shore
I prefer to walk, you to run.

Brown hair dancing in the wind
Sun scorched toes digging in the sand.
Sprinting falling into waters edge
A ballet scripted on end of land.

Sprinting embrace and laughter
Crashing, breaking, falling on the beach.
An endless day that ends too soon
Amongst the memories, too far from reach.

1/27/2016

Vertical stripes
Smiling faces
Hair gel from ear to ear
Happiness in unrequited form.

Ba bum bum
Jungle juice.
Hobesmind years before.

1/26/2016

Led Zeppelin rocks
Their groovy tunes are epic
This haiku is crap.

1/25/2016

Today was the start of a journey
A journey that began yesterday.
I saw someone's face in the mirror
And whose it was I couldn't say.

It takes such feeling
It takes such virtue
It takes a cold hard look inside to your core.

It takes evolvement
And discernment
To ever let it go

And it flies
And if soars
And it runs over mountains' edge
And it crushes
And reveals to you
The self screaming inside.

Today was the end of an ocean
An ocean without depth or a shore.
I saw who it was in the mirror,
And felt terror to my core.

It takes such feeling
It takes such virtue
It takes a cold hard look inside to your core.

It takes evolvement
And discernment
To ever let it go

And it flies
And if soars
And it run over mountains' edge
And it crushes
And reveals to you
The self coming alive.

Come alive in the endless dawn.
Come alive in a rapt'rous song.
Come alive and reveal yourself.
Come alive and become yourself.

1/24/2016

In lieu of an original composition this evening, I wanted to share a poem (song) by one of my favorite bands, Taking Back Sunday. For anyone who relishes the opportunity of new beginnings, and starting strong anew, this one's for you.

Well my dear what long arms you have
All the better to hold you down
Slap my wrist with that sweet consequence

What are we, what are we to do
What are we to do with you
(Hey hey)
What are we what are we to do
What are we to do with you

Well I am, I'm ready to be new again
I'm ready to hear you say who I am is quite enough
(Quite enough)
Well I am, I'm ready to be new again
I'm ready to hear you say who I am is quite enough
(Quite enough)

Well my dear what deep roots you have
All the better to hold you down
We'll live inside the branches
Your family's nest asks
Boy where have you been
Well you don't know where I've been

What are we to (to do with you)
What are we to (to do with you)

I am, I'm ready to be new again
I'm ready to hear you say who I am is quite enough
(Quite enough)
Well I am, I'm ready to be new again
I'm ready to hear you say who I am is quite enough
(Quite enough)

Don't (don't) know (know) where I've been (where I've been)
Don't (don't) know (know) where I've been (where I've been)

My dear what long arms you have
All the better to hold you down

I am, I'm ready to be new again
I'm ready to hear you say who I am is quite enough
I am, I'm ready to be new again
I'm ready to hear you say who I am is quite enough
(Quite enough)

You don't know where I've been
No you don't know where I've been
You don't know where I've been
You don't know where
You don't know where, no

I am, I'm ready to be new again
I'm ready to hear you say who I am is quite enough
Well I am, I am, I'm ready to be new again
I'm ready to hear you say who I am is quite enough
(Quite enough)

Beard 2016 - Should it stay or should it go?

Four months into my second beard experience...and starting to get the 'itch' for a shave. Votes?

January 2016

Christmas 2015 - with Glad Roy, superstar artist extraordinaire

Boston Logan Airport gets bearded

Horizon Holiday Party 2015

Some people wake up like this

1/23/2016

Caged and unchained she walks through the wall
Surreptitiously takes in the scene
Guaranteed safety, orchestrates the fall
Demonstrating secret thoughts, convene.

Windowless echoing down a vacant lane
She hands out desserts to those deserved
Trafficking out mistakes filled with pain
Guiltless endeavors underserved.

1/22/2016

Echoes falling down
Snowflakes on a dragon fly
Wonder glowing bright

1/21/2016

Bullets
Flowers
Memories faded
Granite against a rushing sea
Echoes
Whispers
Rings encompassed
Speakers for the dead
Crickets
Cabins
Badges tarnished
Ghosts and Gates
Ghosts and Gates.

1/20/2016

There was an explorer from Qarth,
who never left fireside hearth.
but he met a fair dame,
who had all of the fame,
for being ugly as Brienne of Tarth.

1/19/2016 - Limerick

There was a great bearded buffoon.
Who shortchanged his bets all too soon.
He wouldn't bet high,
So he lost all the pie,
And his friend was granted the boon.

1/18/2016

Cascading brown and
twirling round and
soothing all the while.

Crinkled nose or
yoga pose or
woolen socks in piles.

Flannel sheet but
too much heat but
comfort can't be beat.

1/17/2016

Rushing now,
Circle round.
Bruce spinning,
Game winning.
Monday off,
Hacking cough.
Minute left,
Missing cleft.

Know where it was and it is,
Know where you'll be when you've been.

1/16/2016 - Haiku, Part Deux

Breathing air outside,
Looks great on television.
Hypochondria

1/15/2016

Friends snap,
Boo hoo bap
Saber snap
Spinal tap.

Hey now
All around
Saving how
Echoes drown.

Evil lord
Hooded Tord
Marching horn
Hero born.

Epic duel
Killing fool
Devils tool
Saber cruel.

1/14/2016

Researching castles across autumn skies
Life changing alone.
Decompressed in altitude highs,
Flying above.

Moustached highlights and chomping chewing.
Gravel and aggravating, destroying my senses.
Chimp. Chimp. CHOMP.

Cereal.

1/13/2016

Down, up, and around again
plagued by doubt and worn too thin.
Let it be and hot to trot,
Endless pain and endless thought.
Never ceasing, never found,
Gone to evening, gone to ground.

1/12/2016 - Haiku!

Rubbing her sore feet
Aching muscles melt away
Morning comes with light

Boom - 1/11/2016

Champion

Bang, bang, boom, boom
Battle cries fill the room.
Window left, window right,
Coaches call, autumn night.
Window down, quarter four,
Winning kick, hit the floor.
Trophy raised, newfound fame,
Cheap champagne, won the game.

1/10/2016

Swaybill

The sand and clay were mixed and new but worn.

when ice and night forswore their souls to light.

An echo screams between the columns scorned,

a lantern glows between them shining white.

Two coat tails whipping 'round the bending aisle,

a tempest growing romance budding new.

Midsummer blinds while smoke and wine beguiled,

unfounded tables found are set for two.

Alas a famous two sit down to note,

their subtle scratchings on a parchment page.

her ghoulish phantom now and then is wrote,

his Triumph lost and gone before its age.

He writes to join them now in modern way,

in hope of clearing clouded mind of grey

1/9/2016

Journey through the stars,
chasing dreams and hopes and fears.
Paths are fraught with danger, joy,
loss, fear, ceaseless noise.
Greed and need and duty's call,
lightning surging, fingers pall,
Forest ghosts and deserts' glare.
Swampy, misty, city's core,

Keep me grounded, keep me fair
until true balance fills the air.

1/8/2016

Out of time,
Can't be late.
Seal the night,
Seal the fate.

Childhood song,
Evening fright
Pale lit day,
Risky flight.

Growing close,
Laughter still.
Epic quest,
Windows' sill.

Fading now,
Slipping dark.
Job is done,
Missed the mark.

1/7/2016

She's got a ticket to fly
Bloody Sunday Monday night
Dancing soreness
Prancing sadness
Feels good in the moonlight and rain

1/6/2016

Altitude

Altitude 
shining above platitudes
pedantic semantics
breakfast on display
robed in golden threads of silk
made and made again well
perhaps a different size
or confusion running riot
or angry buzzing noise
or sashes crossing chest
or eagles screaming nest
or anything that lies below
altitude.

1/5/2016

For CM

Foggy nights and whispering stars
Who forever sing me to you
All these chances all these dances
Bring me to you, and you to me
Bring me to you, and you to me

Brassy walls and frigid nights
Hedges grow across fruited lane
Radiating right beside me
Bring me to you, and you to me
Bring me to you, and you to me

Iron light and glowing core
Who forever sing me to you
Dances, glances, and romances
Bring me to you, and you to me
Bring me to you, and you to me

1/4/2016

Castles in the wind
Glasses on the mend
Badges, guns and pens
Jacks, queens and tens

Alabama going South
Across the pond, across the mouth
Meet internal, going dark
Taking aim, hits the mark

1/3/2016

Tick,
Tick,
Tick,
Tick,
Tick,

Tock.

1/2/2016

Six days on a Saturday night
pavement pounding, jostled walk
cold wind and blinding light
seven language, rapid talk

Watch the city go by - breathe it in

1/1/2016

Nothing ventured, nothing gained
how you know to be unchained.
Follow stars across the sky
flock to fabric on the fly.

Skewer the old and cheer the new,
Trusted to the chosen few.
Chasing dreams beneath the air,
uncover that which isn't there.