Jersey Bros : The Portraits : On Sale Now!!

JERSEY BROS by David McCarty | Make Your Own Book

Bad Ass Axe

I posted this elsewhere, but couldn't resist. It's just too cool. Makes me want to head into the forrest and chop things down. Of course my chainsaw is a lot faster, but not nearly as cool. Sold by the Best Made Company.

Even The Packaging Is Cool

Looks Like Something Out Of An Apocalyptic Movie

PACKING TIME from Peter Buchanan-Smith on Vimeo.

Velorbis Bags

For a Dutch bicycle company, they sure make some cool bags. This might have to become a fall addition to my collection.

Now That's A Bike

The Velorbis Churchill Balloon

Perfect for tackling bumpy roads and curbs, the Churchill Balloon gents commuter bike is the robust, hard-wearing brother of the Churchill Classic bicycle model. With black Fat Frank balloon tyres from Schwalbe it rolls amazingly easily with full suspension effect. You can also upgrade your standard black Fat Frank tyres for distinctive cream or brown versions.

The Churchill Balloon upright retro bike comes complete with luxurious brown leather accessories by Brooks – saddle, handle grips and mud flaps. Additional features include mud guards, chain guard, enclosed 3W dynamo driven head lamp and dynamo driven rear lamp, integrated frame lock, kick stand, ‘ding dong’ bell and rear carrier.

The steel rear carrier has an innovative hook on the side so that you can carry laptop bags, gym bags or grocery bags on the side of your bicycle. When you place your bag handles over the hook and bring down the spring loaded top flap, a special locking mechanism ensures that your items are securely held in place when cycling.

This is my idea of a bike.

Even the accessories are cool.

Car Shopping

Jane and I are car shopping today. The lease is up on her truck at the end of the month, so this is our last weekend to do something. I think I know what we want, which is a Toyota FJ. I've liked them since the first time I saw one, which I believe was the last time we were car shopping. Only then, Jane wanted a pickup truck. The FJ looks, to me, like a Mini Cooper mated with a Hummer. Or at least a baby Land Rover.

The truck was nice to have, but it's just too big for her, and frankly, not practical for 90% of what she uses it for.

I thought we'd get a smaller SUV, something big enough for her to load stuff in, but something she can park. Then I'll look for a used pickup, something under $3k that we can beat around in when needed. Pick up mulch, straw bales, wood.

So, for now, the Toyota.

I hate car shopping. The whole thing skeeves me out. I'll overpay just to not have to spend more time with these people. I don't like haggling. I don't want to pit several dealers against one another to get the best price (which is the best way to get the best price). I just want to know how much the vehicle is, I want the vehicle I want (not necessarily what you have on the lot), and I want to spend as little time as possible doing paperwork. I don't want you to show me how to use the trunk, or explain the nuances of the sound system. I'll figure that out on my own. I've mastered complex computer software programs without ever having opened the manual. I think I can handle an automobile made for the American public.

It will be interesting today. The salesperson is a woman. And she sounds young, though you can never really tell from a voice on the phone. I sent a request in to the dealer and she's the one who called me back. So, I guess she gets the sale.

P.S. I still hate car shopping. The whole thing is a scam. If I had not pushed back I could have way overpaid. We love the car so far, though.

Scarves

I love scarves. It used to be I had just a few, but then I realized that all those scarves I had bought my wife Jane over the years (Paris, Dubai, London) were just as good for me as they were for her.

Recently, I purchased several Arab scarves, which are great because they are large and square. They're better than a coat. I can wear a hat and a scarf and be warmer than than wearing a light jacket.

Scarves have been big recently in fashion circles, but I think I'm hooked. I'll be wearing them regardless.

Which brings me to seasonal fashion as it pertains to my own body image. The older I get, the more I prefer winter, where I can cover my body in elaborate ways and still feel fashionable. In the heat of the summer, there's not much left to disguise.