Time Off

I am enjoying a bit of repose for the time being.  It has been a hectic few weeks leading up to this, but I have this week between career moves.  The first few days were chock-full of sloth and idleness.  To be certain, I have been a slipshod blogger of late, but I intend to bounce back.  Thank you for visiting while I have been away.  Stay tuned as new posts are quickly flooding my mind.

BTG

Happy Friday

It's a day for fun socks.

I love these socks.  They have been cheering me up all-day despite the bleak DC weather.  


BTG

Not Nattering III

Given recent circumstances, I have taken to my Epictetus.  Below are some of the maxims which have been resonating with me lately.  Enjoy.

Thank you Wikipedia

"He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has."
"Difficulties are things that show a person what they are."
"It is not death or pain that is to be dreaded, but the fear of pain or death." 
"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."
"The key is to keep company only with people who uplift you, whose presence calls forth your best."
"You may be always victorious if you will never enter into any contest where the issue does not wholly depend upon yourself."
"Men are disturbed not by things, but by the view which they take of them."
"First learn the meaning of what you say, and then speak." 

Apologies for the delay in posting. 

BTG

Sartorial Icon: James Bond

James Bond has always been a male icon of virility, wit and style.  Here are some of my favorite Bond attire.  They are just a little something to think about after a casual Friday.

Notice those cuffs: Turnbull & Asser turnback button closure.

Perfect amount of collar, cuff and kerchief showing.

Courtesy of Google

Yes, they are all Sean Connery.  Even though the last two Bonds have been well tailored, he is still the best Bond.  But just for good measure: Q & Brosnan

BTG

Sunny Saturday

Hinting at the coming of Spring, yesterday was a beautiful sunny Saturday.  I decided a cigar and some reading was in order - with a scotch of course.  Among the many magazines I've been neglecting is the latest Garden & Gun.  More to come on that issue later.

BTG

A Gentlemanly Shave: An appeal to men

Too many men succumb to the mass appeal of a quick fix. The foams, gels and balms easily obtained surely do the job of a shave, but by no means to any degree of satisfaction.  Simply put, the shave hasn’t been significantly advanced by modern technology.  So, men stop looking for modern means.  The simple fact is an old-fashioned shave is far better for your skin.  As a bonus, it imbues you with a sense of old world luxurious pampering.  You’ll embark on your day with an extra hint of ancestral charm. 

Photo Courtesy of Google

For those who enjoy using precise products, you’re in luck.  The choices are seemingly endless.  You will have to experiment and seek out what works for you.  There are only a few shops that carry multiple brands of product so you’ll be visiting a few proprietors.  A few I recommend are:  Aidan Gill (New Orleans), Caswell-Masey (Select National), Truefitt & Hill (national), The Art of Shaving (national) Crabtree-Evelyn (national), L’Occitane (national), Saks, Nordstrom, Sephora and other purveyors of traditional or fine grooming goods. 

You’d find the following items in my dopp kit, which are listed in order of use.  After a thorough, yet gentle face wash, I apply Kiehls’ “Close-Shavers” Shaving Formula #31 oil to soften the beard, which also provides an easy shave due to reduced friction with the razor.  Next, I use a pure badger brush to apply a hearty lather of Crabtree & Evelyn’s Nomad Shave Soap.  Your prepping is complete.

The razor is the key ingredient.  It must be sharp no matter what you use.  I have a straight razor, but have only wielded it on a handful of experimental occasions, since it is seriously precarious.  Opting for safety and modern convenience, a multi-blade or safety razor will do the job.  Now, shave with the grain.  Clean your razor after each pass, then once complete reapply lather for round two, which should be against the grain.  *Skip this step if you are prone to irritable skin, as I am.*  Rinse, then observe thy countenance.  Surely, this will be among the closest shaves you have ever had.  I like to finish off with a few sprays of rose water hydrating toner to reduce irritation prior to moisturizing with pure aloe gel.

For traveling and days with little time for such extravagant formalities, use a real shaving cream.  You’ll find them in a tub or tube, not a can.  These creams are formulated for an instantly rich lather to moisturize your skin during the shave.  As a trick, apply it with the badger brush and you’ll use less with no loss of lather.

Sure, this seems like a lot of work for something so trivial.  Your skin and your beloved will thank you. Admittedly, I’m not able to take the time for the full treatment each day, but when I do I am a better man for it.  When you do have the extra time, find a reputable barber in your area and treat yourself to a shave under the tutelage of a professional.

BTG

Happiness 101

The Modern Traditionalist tagged me on this a number of weeks ago, but ambivalence has muted my response.  I actually had to think about what 10 things made me most happy.   I essentially spooked myself by thinking too abstractly.   That was more difficult than I had anticipated.   One often defines their likes by their dislikes.  To dislike something takes no sweat off one’s brow.  To like something or to derive happiness from it requires a serious understanding of a thing and its component parts.  With all this in mind, here are 10 things that make me happy in no particular order or classification.  Keep in mind; this is not a top 10 list.

Award Rules:

List 10 things that make you happy.

Tag 10 bloggers that brighten your day.

If you are one of the 10 bloggers awarded, link back to this blog and pass along.

1. Bow Ties and sundry formalities of a time forgotten.

Many of the items to follow can certainly fall in the later category. In an age of when widgets are merely assembled and created with its disposability in mind, I seek out the rather rare items made to last generations. I love when something is created with care and consideration.  Items with storied histories and blemishes of age attract my attention.

Fred and Adele Astaire in 1921 Courtesy of Wkipedia

2. Cigars & Fine Scotch


Nothing enlightens the mind and refuels the soul faster.

Photo Courtesy of Google Image

3. Fitted Clothes

There, I’ve declared it.  Clothes make me happy.  While confidence cannot be drawn from the clothes on your back, it can be enhanced.  This isn’t fashion by any means.  I really do not care what other people seem to believe is “in”.  Sticking to the well-tailored classics has always suited me well.

Courtesy of The Modern Traditionalist

4. Driving Cars

I simply love to drive. To me destination and distance don’t matter, but rather what I am driving.

Courtesy of Autoblog

5. Gadgets and Technology

I think it is a guy thing.  We all want to be James Bond for one reason or another.  Jet pack, grenade pen, laser watch, underwater car...you name it he had it.  Of course those are slightly more advanced that what is available to us today.  I should add that these things make me happy, when they work. My iPhone being the obvious exception since it only frustrates. 

Photo Courtesy of Google Image

6. Keeping Fit

Strenuous physical activity certainly clears the mind of the trivial and keeps the body functioning efficiently.  

Photo Courtesy of Google Image

7. Manly Pursuits

From shooting skeet to shooting the proverbial, you name the manly pursuit and I likely enjoy it.

Photo Courtesy of Google Image

8. History

"If you would understand anything, observe its beginning and its development."

Aristotle

Photo Courtesy of Google Image

9. Family and close Friends

Sure they exasperate from time to time, but there is little else more rewarding than the good times we have. The fond memories of shared experiences, inside jokes, and family dinners will always be some of the most influential ingredients of BTG.

Photo Courtesy of Google Image

10. Time with the Modern Traditionalist

Here are ten bloggers who add to my happiness daily:

Being Manly

Red Clay Soul

Young Man/Old Man

Southern Gent

The Art of Manliness

Unabashedly Prep

Wasp 101

Sartorially Inclined

The Modern Traditionalist

Easy and Elegant Life

BTG