Dirty 30: I Don't Want A Lot. See, I'm Simple.

The Tie Bar Pocket Squares: The Tie Bar was born out of frustration—frustration that ties cost so much. So former lawyers Greg and Gina Shugar decided to do something about it: Greg learned design, Gina learned the retail business, and soon thetiebar.com had solved their sartorial dilemma. It turns out they weren’t the only ones who were having trouble finding well-priced, on-trend accessories, and their success with neckwear led them to expand into tie bars, pocket squares, and cufflinks. Greg’s original designs (“traditional,” “trendy,” and “trenditional”), in seemingly countless colors and patterns, help any professional add that little extra.

 

$8.00 Denim - Light Blue (Cotton PSq)

 

 $10.00 Solid Wool - Navy (Wool PSq)

$8.00 CotDots - Navy/White (Cotton PSq)

$10.00 Wavebone Wool - Orange (Wool PSq)

Mati & The Music: 52 Record Covers 1955-2005 by Serge Bramly: The 1960s and 1970s offered many options for mind expansion: psychedelic drugs, Eastern meditation, sex--and the art of Mati Klarwein. Klarwein (1932–2002) was a major presence in the New York art scene, admired by everyone from Andy Warhol and Salvador Dalí to Jimi Hendrix and Jackie Onassis (who commissioned him to paint a portrait of John F. Kennedy). His pop-surrealist universe of pantheistic religious harmony, sexual fertility and gender and racial unity gave visual expression to an era and to a generation of music, and was embraced by some of the most progressive musicians of his time. Mati & the Music presents Klarwein’s 52 paintings that appeared on album covers, a body of work that began in the mid–1950s and continued for half a century. The majority of the album covers Klarwein painted were commissioned by the musicians themselves, most famously by Miles Davis for his breakthrough fusion albums Bitches Brew and Live Evil and Carlos Santana for Abraxas. Others included Earth Wind & Fire, Buddy Miles and Gregg Allman. Major record labels also employed Klarwein, including Blue Note for Jackie McLean and Reuben Wilson, and Douglas Records for the Last Poets, Howard Wales and Jerry Garcia. With the trim size of an LP album, Mati & The Music will appeal to lovers of music, graphic design and psychedelic art.

$34.20 on Amazon

Commune Linen Throw: Saw one at the Ace Hotel & Swim Club in Palm Springs. Commune made this washed painter's linen throw for us with metallic stitching — distressed just a bit, it wears the telltale signs from its portion of weather with a humble grace we can't help but admire. It hangs from slatted walls next to the walking sticks. Versitile.

$200.00 at Ace Hotel Shop

Customized New Balance 574: Not to long ago the folks at New Balance launched the company’s new custom 574 program which allows you to take to the internet and create your own specially designed sneakers. It shockingly only takes five days for the special 574s to show up straight from the New Balance plant in Norridgewock, Maine. You can basically design the entire shoe all the way down to the color of the big N and the custom embroidery on the back of each sneaker. The possibilities are endless. So I trust you.

$114.00 at New Balance

Cuisinart Griddler GR-4N: Compact in size but big in features, Cuisinart's countertop Griddler offers five-in-one functionality as a contact grill, panini press, full grill, full griddle, and half grill/half griddle. The stylish brushed stainless-steel housing looks sleek and modern in the kitchen and features a wide panini-style handle and a hinged floating cover that adjusts to various food thicknesses. On the base, two temperature controls and a function selector are clearly marked and have indicator lights for quick reference and accurate, no-guesswork operation. Open the cover and customize the cooking surface with removable and reversible nonstick grill and griddle plates that snap in and out easily and drain grease to an integrated drip tray for healthier cooking. The Griddler also comes with gourmet recipes and a cleaning scraper tool. The cooking plates, drip tray, and scraper all go safely into the dishwasher. Limited three-year warranty.

$98.95 on Amazon

Or cash...

I will take giftcards also...

...I'll keep you posted

Yes...The List

Every year, I put my list up so there are no mistakes. I'm trying to help you.

Well, let it begin...


Profound Aesthetic Wood Bead Bracelets ($18): I need more. The first of their many efforts appropriately titled the ‘Wood Collection’ shows us the meticulously hand crafted wood beads with natural stone accents and metal pieces which highlight the “PA” signature engraving. Offered in four different colourways (Black, Natural, Red and Brown), these quality wrist pieces are available on their website. I have the Aqua and Olive. Looking to diversify.




Bergino Suede Baseball ($25): Specializing in finely crafted baseball related gifts, Bergino adds a touch of sporting legend to office or home decor. Their balls come in a vast array of suede and can also be customized for more individualized gifts. I am also particularly fond of their miniature baseball gloves – which are perfectly sized for use as a paper weight or business card holder. But the one that I have my eye on is the Ruby one (second to last row, far right). Website.




Tie Bar Pocket Squares ($8): The Tie Bar was born out of frustration—frustration that ties cost so much. So former lawyers Greg and Gina Shugar decided to do something about it: Greg learned design, Gina learned the retail business, and soon thetiebar.com had solved their sartorial dilemma. It turns out they weren’t the only ones who were having trouble finding well-priced, on-trend accessories, and their success with neckwear led them to expand into tie bars, pocket squares, and cufflinks. And I have fell in love with their pocket squares. Especially their cotton ones. There are a few I need to add to my collection;
Mini Gingham - Red, Solid White Cotton (Brown Border), and Denim - Light Blue. All three are linked up. See, making it easy for you.




Miles Davis Quintet: Live in Europe 1967: The Bootleg Series Vol. 1 ($35.24): If you're a seasoned jazz fan, you immediately understand: "Wait, isn't that the band with Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter? Ron Carter and Tony Williams? The one behind E.S.P., and Miles Smiles, and Nefertiti? The one with all those twisted, fourth-dimension harmonies? The rhythmically athletic swing? Those incredible tunes? And ... whoa, wait, you mean they're live, too?" That's how I felt when I first got my hands on the new of this piece of history being available for purchase. The five-man band he led from late 1964 to early '68 — the so-called "second great quintet" — was one of the best he ever had. Website.



Boyd & Blair Potato Vodka ($27.99): This is a small batch vodka made in Pennsylvania from locally grown potatoes by two guys using a copper still. The result is a softer, creamier style of vodka that is more mild on the palate. The quality of the spirit is obvious upon the first sip - this is vodka made by people who really care about quality and precision. F. Paul Pacult's Spirits Journal has ranked the Boyd & Blair Vodka as the 22nd best spirit in the world, making it the Spirits Journal's top ranked Vodka. Pacult opines, "The best small-scale vodka I've had since the 45th Parallel. So sumptuous and tasty that it's spectacular tasted neat. Best non-Polish vodka available. AWESOME ACHIEVEMENT!" -Five Stars Spirits Journal. Website.





Boardwalk Empire: The Complete First Season ($37.99): Boardwalk Empire is an American television series from cable network HBO, set in Atlantic City, New Jersey, during the Prohibition era. It stars Steve Buscemi as Enoch "Nucky" Thompson. The show was adapted by Emmy Award-winning screenwriter and producer Terence Winter (of The Sopranos) from a book about historical criminal kingpin Enoch "Nucky" Johnson by Nelson Johnson, entitled Boardwalk Empire: The Birth, High Times, and Corruption of Atlantic City. Boardwalk Empire has received widespread critical acclaim, particularly for its visual style and historical accuracy, as well as for Buscemi's lead performance. The series was nominated for 18 Emmy Awards; winning eight, including Outstanding Directing for Martin Scorsese. On October 12th, 2011 it was announced that the series had been renewed for a third season. Well, I need the complete first season in my life. Website.



Esquire The Rules: A Man's Guide to Life ($9.95): Just being a man was never more fraught with confusion and peril-and that's why this best-selling guide has been expanded.This is a perfect men's manual for life in the 21st century. This men's manual to life in the 21st century is now in paperback! Derived from the magazine's popular feature, Esquire The Rules provides plenty of light-hearted reading, manly musings and good advice. Its entertainment to live by, covering work to sex and everything in between, including Rule Number 581: If the bartender has a mullet, ordering a martini is probably a bad idea. Its probably one of my favorite columns from my favorite magazine. Website.




The Jazz Loft Project: Photographs and Tapes of W. Eugene Smith from 821 Sixth Avenue, 1957-1965 ($28.90): The most chaotic and soulful coffee table book I've seen in awhile, no contest. The book has a forlorn and gripping story to tell, about how Smith, the Life magazine photographer, left his job and his family to hole up for eight years in a dilapidated building in Midtown Manhattan. He was supposed to be completing a photo essay about the city of Pittsburgh. But as he became obsessed with the building and the famous jazz musicians who gathered in it to play at night (and as he became increasingly addicted to alcohol and amphetamines), the Pittsburgh project became a memory, and Smith began recording the goings-on at 821 Sixth Avenue full time. Website.




Who Shot Rock and Roll: A Photographic History, 1955 to the Present ($26.40): More than 200 spectacular, frenzied and authentic photographs from 1955 to the present catch and define the energy and intoxication of rock 'n' roll. The collection captures rock's message of freedom and personal reinvention to examine the effect of photography on the musicians, fans and culture. Many of the image collected here are now iconic - a young Elvis in 1956, tender and vulnerable, John Lennon in New York and the famous Jimi Hendrix portrait by Gered Mankowitz. I love this book, and not merely for the uniformly excellent and often unexpected photographs Ms. Buckland has chosen to illustrate this love letter to rock’s finest photographers (and performers). Website.



YES, one more coffee table book...



The Sartorialist ($16.50): Hi...My name is Gerald. And I'm a people watcher. I get so inspired...From their style. Scott Schuman and myself share the same pasttime. He just turned it into a profession and he's very good. Have you ever heard of him? He is the creator of the popular blog "The Sartorialist". After leaving his position as director of men's fashion at his showroom to take care of his daughter in September 2005, he began carrying a digital camera around NYC and photographing people he saw on the street whose style he found interesting. He then posted these to his blog, sometimes with short comments, always either favorable or open-minded...He is well known for photographing what have been described as "real people". Well, he has a book. Website.



Crosley Revolution Portable Turntable ($97.37): They took the record player "out of the box". Crosley's Revolution turntable truly fits the word in every way. Where my other turntables take up space, this one dances around a desk without ado. Where other record players must be kept in their designated place, this one practically begs to join you on every journey. And where other turntables tangle you in a web of wires, it effortlessly pairs with any FM radio for cordless, clear sound. It is a turntable of firsts-the first battery-powered Crosley turntable, the first with a platter smaller than a teacup saucer, and the first with a wireless transmitter for cord-free enjoyment. Website .


Well, that's it for this year. Let me know if you need mailing information. I also take cash, Banana Republic, J. Crew, Target, Pottery Barn, and Visa/Express gift cards. I would say check, but...Naw.

Well, I look forward to what you get me...



...I'll keep you posted


...Wait, you all keep me posted. :)

My Birthday Wish: Clean Water

On August 6, I'm turning 29. Twenty-nine years on this Earth. A blessing on so many levels. Especially knowing that millions of people don't live to see their 5th birthday. And why? Because they didn't have access to clean, safe water. A billion people in the world are living without clean water, but how much are they really living? Millions contract deadly diseases from contaminated water. 30,000 people will die this week alone. The lucky ones won't, but still walk hours each day to get dirty water to give to their families.

Because of these facts I decided to celebrate my birthday like never before. I'm giving my birthday up. I'm not only giving my birthday up, but I’m giving up the next 3 months to raise money for clean water. I'm asking for dollar from everyone I know. And every penny of the money raised will go directly to fund freshwater projects in developing nations. My goal is to raise $1,000 by October 28th. Please consider helping me.

All of it is going to build freshwater projects for people in developing nations. My birthday wish this year is not for more gifts I don't need; it's to give clean and safe drinking water to some of the billion living without it. I want to make my birthday matter this year. I want to give the rest of 2011 to something bigger, than self. Please join me. Because of charity: water's unique model, 100% of all donations go directly to direct water projects costs, and each donation is "proved" and tracked to the village it helped when projects are complete.

Nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something. I hope everybody can help me with this something. To find out more information about my campaign, "Greenbacks for Gui" (gui is "water" in the language of Bambara), and charity: water follow the link.

Love and thanks in advance,

GCH

Why did Ruth lay at Boaz’ feet? (Bible Stories w/ GCH)

In the book of Ruth we are told that a Bethlehem family left their town and country of Israel to go to Moab during a famine. The sons married Moabite women but they and their father died in Moab. Naomi, the widow, and her two daughters-in-law, were parting but Ruth refused to leave Naomi and returned with her to Bethlehem. To take care of her mother-in-law she went to work in the fields. She so impressed Boaz, one of the owners of fields, that he encouraged her to work for him only and rewarded her for her devotion to her mother-in-law, a near relative of his. Naomi instructed Ruth at harvest time to wait until the men were sleeping and quietly go to Boaz and put part of his covering over her feet and lay there. This was apparently a customary way of asking a man to provide the protection of marriage.

Boaz was impressed, as he says, because in his estimation she could have had her pick of younger men, rich or poor, but was not motivated by a desire for wealth or excitement. Rather, she was loyal to her mother-in-law and recognized that Boaz, as a near relative, was the choice of integrity in line with the law of Moses, which said that the near relative of a deceased man was to marry his widow and raise up children to his name. This was a way of ensuring that the land he had inherited from God remained in his family.

As it turns out, the descendent of Ruth and Boaz was David, king of Israel. It was God who had engineered this coming together of two godly believers to produce the greatest king Israel ever had.

It is unfortunate that some have suggested that Ruth uncovering Boaz’ feet was a euphemism for sexual intercourse. This interpretation is totally contradictory to the whole tenor of this book. It is designed to show the integrity and character of David’s ancestors. No one would have thought that Ruth having sex with Boaz showed moral integrity.

The moral of this story is: STOP BE RACHET TRYING TO CATCH YOU A MAN.

I’m tired of you all using Ruth to be reckless and thirsty.

*steps down off box*

...I'll keep you posted

Booker T. Jones X The Roots with live instrumental cover of Lauryn Hill’s “Everything Is Everything”= Perfect Saturday

...I'll keep you posted

To top off your Monday…Adele: Tiny Desk Concert (NPR)

I love NPR...They can do no wrong.

...I'll keep you posted

Jacking For Post (God Bless Roy Wood Jr.)

Apparently I Have a Drinking Problem
by Roy Wood Jr.

I’m not that big on weddings. I’ll only go to them if I’m in them. A longtime friend asked me to be in his. I’ve known him since ’92 so I didn’t hesitate in saying ‘yes’. Weddings put me in a weird mood. I guess it’s all of the rituals that you have to watch as two people pledge their lives to each other. Plus as a groomsman, there are too many people telling you what to do: “Stand here, Walk here, Wear this, Say This.” Does it HAVE to be that way?

I’m not knocking those who choose the traditional path but to be honest I could get married at the county court house with 2 witnesses and be content. Most women cringe at this suggestion. Maybe I’m just anti-tradition. I think it would be romantic if a couple battle rapped each other as a show of their love. LOL. Battle rap your vows to each other. ‘8 Mile’ Style. Plus that would be entertaining for the crowd. No profanity of course… You’re in the house of the Lord.

No one is doing the Cha cha slide at my wedding. No cha cha slide, no bunny hop, no electric slide, no Lean with it rock with, or any other Urbanized form of Country line dancing. Any dance that a 4 year-old and an 86 year-old person can do at thee same time is just weird to me. Instead I want people to break dance.

The ultimate for me would be before my wedding to have a funeral. An open casket tribute where I lay my single hood to rest. In the casket would be condoms, pornos, raggedy mismatched clothes, my cell phone (* With numbers of other women*), pictures of ex-girlfriends, dirty underwear, Hot pockets and anything else that can be commonly associated with a single man.

People would come up to the casket funeral style and say goodbye to the “Old Roy”. Pallbearers would close the casket and carry it out and then walks in the “New Roy” and the Groomsmen. The regular wedding traditions could proceed after this. All jokes aside. I HONESTLY would like a wedding like that.

I know no sane woman will ever agree to this, which is why I never suggest it. A funeral / wedding goes against every wedding a woman has daydreamed about or seen in those bridal magazines.

Weddings are for the bride anyways so it’ll be in my best interest to just go along with whatever the woman wants.

It’s not specifically weddings that annoy me. I think it’s pretty much any ritualistic ceremony. People singing the birthday song at restaurants drives me up the wall. The ONLY reason I went to my college graduation is because a gig cancelled in South Carolina. Even Bachelor Parties I don’t understand. I missed the Groom’s bachelor party because I was in Vegas. I would’ve gone, but when you really sit back and analyze a Bachelor party it’s really selfish of the groom.

GROOM: “Hey Fellas I’m getting married. So to celebrate I want you to gather up naked women and pay them to dance for me. Some of these women will want to have sex, but I wont do it…because I love my fiancé”

In any other setting this would seem to be counterproductive. A group of single men finding sexually charged women to dance for a friend THAT DOESN’T INTEND TO HAVE SEX WITH THEM? HUH? Seems a little selfish of the Groom. How about YOU go round up women for us. You know as a little thank you for covering the costs of your tuxedo rental.

One wedding tradition that I didn’t know about was the groom giving a gift to all the Groomsmen. The gift was a pleasant surprise. The Groom’s gratitude was more than enough for me but nonetheless for being well behaved during the most important day of his life I was rewarded with a 4oz. flask, which had my name, engraved on it. When someone gives you a flask it’s one of those gifts you have to sit and think about. I don’t have a drinking problem. I average about one crown and coke a month. No beer, no wine. The entire time I’m holding the flask thinking… Do I have a drinking problem? Does the Groom see something that I don’t see? And if he does, why would he give me an alcoholic to-go cup? What kind of friend is that? And to give me a flask is one thing… But to give me one with my name engraved on it? Am I that much of a drunk that I can’t remember my own name? I have to look at the flask before I introduce myself?

It’s like getting someone an engraved crack pipe and you don’t know if they smoke or not. What do you say? And hell if you don’t smoke crack now you have to start smoking it, because you don’t want your friend to think that you’re not using it. He’ll come over from time to time he’ll want to see the Crack pipe out on the dresser and in use.

The flask was a wonderful gesture from a great friend. Who knows, I might need to sneak 4 oz of Crown Royal into a Cubs game one day and it’ll come in handy.

Another touch to my wedding is that everyone is going to get an invite to my divorce proceedings. You can even come to the house and get your wedding gifts back. Which I think should be a new tradition. If I get you a wedding gift and you and this chick are screaming divorce after 2-3 years. I want my $60 gift card back. Or at least invite me to court so that I can root the groom on as he tries to keep the woman from taking half his finances. Let ‘em argue it out in court and then decide custody of children and assets via a battle rap.

It makes sense to me… Which is why it’ll never happen.

Wood Jr


Go check out RWJ's page...He's one of the most underrated comedians! Go check out his New Faces of Black History. Hilarious!

Well, have a great weekend...

...I'll keep you posted