Knot-Making Sense

Words and Pictures by Andrew Snavely via Primer :: These days guys like variety in their ties. Different textures, different fabrics. Once abhorred by sartorialists, these days a guy wearing a narrow cotton tie looks great at his boss’s barbeque. A textured wool tie can take some of the Wall Street edge off of your suit for the office, and transition perfectly for a less casual atmosphere out on the town. The problem is, with the combination of skinnier ties and thicker fabrics, our old standby knots don’t give us the results we need. Here are two suggestions for skinnier ties. The Nicky and The Kelvin.

The Nicky Knot

A Letter to Urban Liar

"But what I didn't want to have happen, and I made this clear to [Florida AD] Jeremy Foley, if I am able to go coach, I want to coach at one place, the University of Florida. It would be a travesty, it would be ridiculous to all of a sudden come back and get the feeling back, get the health back, feel good again and then all of a sudden go throw some other colors on my shirt and go coach? I don't want to do that. I have too much love for this University and these players and for what we've built." - Urban Meyer announcing his retirement on 12/8/2010



Dear Urban,

I'm glad you're feeling better healthier. It must have been those 11 months you spent with the family. That's why you walked away right?

Christmas Gift Guide :: Pt I

Here is part one of my Christmas gift guide. I could say "Holiday", but I recently read that 94% of english-speaking (also see reading) people celebrate or acknowledge Christmas. If you're Jewish, try to get [at least] eight of these items. As always, click the links below the photos to go to the product's page.

Schott Zwiesel Bar Glasses because they look amazing and are almost indestructible. And because solo cups should be left in the parking lot.

Thanksgiving :: The Schedule

Click HERE to navigate Thanksgiving successfully. [via Esquire]

Thanksgiving:: What to Wear to the Table

On the fence about what to wear to Thanksgiving? This outfit should apply in most situations. Dress it up with a v-neck sweater or unstructured blazer (like corduroy or tweed). Stick to solid colors. Don't mix up a lot of different patterns either. That's overthinking it. Almost like writing a blog about thanksgiving wardrobes. Don't forget clean socks as your shoes will probably have to come off at some point. Have a Great Thanksgiving. Enjoy your family's characteristics, it's what made you...you :) 

[click links below for product]

NFL :: What to Watch the Rest of the Year

Playoffs?! Playoffs?! These teams are just trying to win a game and you want to talk about playoffs?!  Ok. Using win percentage, home and away records, offensive ranking, defensive ranking, and overall power rankings from a few sites, here are the remaining regular-season games that you need to pay attention to because of the playoff implications in regards to rankings in both [AFC/NFC] conferences. Do you have any idea how much time/planning I just saved you and how much of my time I waste on football devote to you?

Week 12: 

49ers @Ravens: The Harbough Brothers collide in a coaching duel that pits the 49ers perfect road record against the Raven's undefeated mark at home. Both teams are legitimately in the hunt to earn first-round bye-weeks and win their respective divisions. Will they meet again in the Super Bowl?
Bears @Raiders: The AFC West is still up for grabs and Raiders could win it, grabbing them a 4-spot in the AFC playoffs, Bears are trying to keep it together after losing [starting QB] Jay Cutler. Chicago was beginning to look like a contender before Cutler went down with a thumb injury. Can [former Mike Martz/Rams QB] Mark Bulger keep them afloat?

Week 13:
Chiefs @Bears: No Cutler means Da Bears lose two in a row, allowing the Lions to get in with the 6th seed, replacing the Bears in the NFC playoffs.

Brooklyn State of Mind

Some tasty places to visit in Williamsburg [Brooklyn, NY]: 

Teddy's Bar and Grill. 96 Berry Street (corner of Berry & N8) (718) 384-9787

Great brunch/Bloodies. Huge Portion of Huevos Ranchos, Perfectly seared Steak & Eggs, freshly ground Chicken Burger, and coconut-encrusted "Jamaican French Toast" with maple rum glaze. Plus other standard breakfast/lunch fare. 

Irish Philosophy

Have a Fantastic Weekend. 

Bruce Weber :: Intrvw via "The Talks"

Bruce Weber is an accomplished photographer whose work has been in every major magazine for over 20 years and, unfortunately, he's probably best known for shooting the Abercombie & Fitch Quarterly Magazines. Some equate it to soft porn, others defend it as art signifying typical adolescence. At least the guy is photographing them for legitimate publications and not showering with them in college football facilities. (Too soon?)  Check out his interview with The Talks here. He talks about his photo work, his movie studio and productions, and the many books that come out bearing his photos. Some of which you've probably seen on your friends coffee table and thought, "I love black and white pictures, they look so familiar..." Here's a quick taste of Weber's work:

 

Moving Forward :: Danny Toumarkine

When I lived in New Hampshire, Danny lived down the street from me. He is a really positive, genuinely nice dude who loved to snowboard. His effortless style won him a lot of accolades on the East Coast, and before I left he was working in a snowboard shop and planning on riding all-season out west to get bigger sponsorships and ride full-time. I heard about his accident through Facebook updates and a blog that his friends set up, dannyisthebomb.com. I can't wait to see the movie and I'm glad that Danny is on a board again. *With a helmet this time :)

*I know at least 4 people who severely hurt themselves because they didn't wear a helmet. They are/were all great skiiers and riders too. Wear one.

HD Earth :: Time Lapse from Space

wow. 

Hip to be [large] Square? Or Rectangle?

<--This is what I want! I'm looking for an affordable home rectangular ice cube tray. I remember reading about a swiss-made, silicone tray with four rectangles. It looked like one that new planting flowers come in. Yeah, that's the best analogy I could come up with, so don't act like you've never seen one. It looks like this, but with four deep grooves that produce rectangles:

This is by Tovolo and produces 2" squares for a rocks glass. It's cool because it's under $8, but I don't think it's anywhere close to the MUJI ice ball that I featured on here earlier. 

A good drink becomes great if it can stay cold without losing it's flavor. You don't drink it too fast for fear of dilution, nor do you have to wince and slug the last watery sips down just to get a fresh one. You're welcome :) 

11/19 :: Sun King @ Triad Theater, NYC

In New York City next weekend? Want to see a contemporary band play great, authentic, original rock music? Not that trendy hipster crap you get thrown on you while walking through the NYU section of the City, but musicians whose commitment to songwriting is evident by the diversity displayed in every track? [Singer/Guitarist] Andrew Seminara, [Drummer] Fred Carleton, [Bassist] Keith Valcourt, and [Lead Guitar/Piano] Justin Pilat are extremely talented. I should know. I've been watching them play since we were 10 or 11 years old. Seminara's studies at Berklee School of Music show his adoration of songwriting from the late 50's through late 70's without ignoring the popular new sounds of successful acts like NY's own The Strokes. Carleton's time at Dartmouth College lent itself balancing between the acid jazz and southern-rock/jam music scenes. They later combined with Valcourt and Pilat, both involved in multiple projects around the Boston rock scene to form Sun King. Carleton's drum virtuosity, combined with Valcourt's thunderously proficient bass lines form a rhythm section that allows Pilat to sonically explore his guitar proficiency within Seminara's well-crafted arrangements. Their work was recently praised by Scorch (Rock 101 WGIR, PFG-TV) as "The best music I have truly heard in a long, long time!" Check out a few of their songs at the bottom of the page. Details from their website:

Sun King is pleased to announce on Saturday, November 19th we will be playing a show at the Triad Theater in New York City! The Triad is a recently refurbished 130 seat colonial style theater located at West 72nd street between Amsterdam and Columbus Avenues. The show goes from 10:30-12:30 and will feature songs from both The Elephant Upstairs and The Curve of the Earth as well as some old classic favorites. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased at the door as well as online. *Also please note there is a two drink minimum at the Triad.

12 bucks for a sick 2-hours of music in the Upper West Side. See you there.

Fall Thoughts

Fall in New England is unpredictable. 65-degrees and gorgeous one day, 38-degrees with 40mph winds the next. That isn't hyperbole either, it actually happened last week. Some of the good:

Taken w/ my iPhone! That's how nice it was outside.