100 Days of Ties: Day 88 with Jimmy Eat World, Gant Rugger, and those Gitman Brothers.

I need to use a better camera for these shots. Next 100 Days of whatever...

To combat, or at least make use of my insomnia, I have decided that getting in a 3-4 mile run before 6AM is a good idea. Not that it really does anything to help me return to slumber, it’s a good use of time that would otherwise be spent staring at the ceiling. So I’ve been strapping on my new Lunarswifts and hitting the cold pavement and brisk air. I haven’t run in a good long while, so I haven’t listened to those workout mixes I made oh so lopng ago. Dusting off an old iPod, they were still on there and ready to be played. I forgot how stocked with Jimmy Eat World they were/are. I forgot too how much I liked Jimmy Eat World. Instantly transported back a few years, I shadowboxed through most of my run today to Bleed American, or S/T, depending on when you bought it….So, join me in a bit of classic nostalgia, won’t you?

I was stoked, too, for the 20 degree morning versus the 5 degree one yesterday. It was downright TROPICAL out there today!

100 Days of Ties: Day 87, continuing with the bow ties, Jimmy Buffett and dreaming of boat drinks.

Astute at the desk reading Jimmy Buffett lyrics.

I don’t really care how hokey people think Jimmy Buffett is. I have always liked his catchy feel-good tunes. Hell, I’ve even had a cheeseburger in paradise… Or so, up until just recently, I thought I had. From Wiki: According to Buffett’s Margaritaville web site, the myth of the “cheeseburger in paradise” was inspired by a boat journey Buffett once took in the Caribbean. Buffett states that while subsisting on canned food and peanut butter, he envisioned eating a “piping hot cheeseburger”. He reports that upon finally arriving in Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands, he was surprised to find a restaurant serving American cheeseburgers.

Feel Good Mustached Man

All the while I thought the one I had in Cabbage Key was the famous meat. Regardless, the burger I had was that good. Heaven on Earth with an onion slice good. I liked mine with french fried potatos and a big kosher pickle. However, I was only 13 so no cold draft beer. Only Coke. Which worked fine as well. …Now back to dreaming of warm beaches, bikini girls, boat drinks and writing island-inspired jams… while it’s 7 degrees outside my window.

100 Days of Ties: Day 86, a long overdue bowtie and one. cold. morning. commute.

Panthers: On my chest and neck. One a tattoo, one a bowtie.

Hard to believe that out of the last 86 days of this 100 Days of Ties project, I’ve only worn a bow tie one other time… I used to be such a champion for the neckwear. I don’t know what happened. That changes today. Or, well, at least I think I need to wear more bows. They’re sharp. I paired today’s Rugby offering with a j Crew pinpoint oxford and Animal’s Official jacket. It was so effing cold this morning though that I refrained from the self-timer and did a quick shot on the bus.

To speak of the panther right quick: Since my youth, the animal has had a special place in my life. Although one of my best friends gave me a homemade tattoo of the beast on my chest, and it is covering that of my bowtie today, I kind of want to get more ink done of it. Professionally. Problem is, I’ve only seen it done so very cheeseball-esque. Tribal style or way too over the top. I need someone to draw up some wicked design for me. Any takers? Also, on the bowtie front, I shall be ordering meself some Pierrepont today.Their 2K11 sale is on…

Quality and Quantity: Purge to fill with the Yuketen Country Ranger and more.

Cuffed and ready.

I acquired my first pair of Yuketens this last week by way of the Country Ranger and winning an eBay auction. After first wear of said mocs, I made the assertion that I’d rather have a closet full of 9-10 pairs of ultra-high quality shoes, such as the Yukes, versus the 30-35 pairs of mediocre jams currently cluttering my space. These are the real deal…

100 Days of Ties: Day 85, J. Crew wool, and natural human reactions.

That chloride is gonna ruin the Bean mocs.

I didn’t mean to laugh. And I didn’t do it so loud that he heard me. But on the icy, icy walk this morning from uptown to downtown to catch the bus, I ended up waling behind a guy who slipped, fell flat on his ass, spilled his recently purchased coffee from 7-11, and generally kicked off the week with a pretty crappy bang. What did I do? I did what anyone who grew up watching America’s Funniest Home Videos would do: I laughed. I quickly covered my mouth because, man, that sucks for him. But my natural reaction was to laugh…and hear Bob Saget narrate the entire thing in some goofy voice. I helped the gent up and said sorry about his coffee and went on my way.

Why do we laugh at things like this? I just needed to see a dad get hit in the jewels by his kid in some facet and then a cat try to jump onto a table and fail miserably, and my morning would have been complete. Well, the day is still young, I suppose…