Good Quote

I was buying cigars in NYC last week and saw this quote:

"A man's shoes will tell you if he has money, his clothes, if he has style. But if you want to know if he's a sport, see if he's wearing a good cigar." Nat Sherman, 1938

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Ryder Cup

So I've been watching the Ryder Cup the last few days and it is a quite a disappointment for team USA. The Euros are really playing like a team vs the group of individuals of the USA. It reminded me of some news recently about crazy football dads who demand their kids get more time, etc. God forbid anyone understands that there is a team and sometimes putting Jr. On the bench may help the whole team (either for that victory or to help others progress for the future). We all would love to have a Tiger Woods type protege as one of our children. The true is only a few can make it to the NBA/NFL/MLB, etc. We should encourage competitive spirit in our kids, however do not get carried away. Just because your little girl is great at soccer in the 1st grade, chances are she will not love it as much in the next few years and not make the Olympic team.

I'm no "everyone should win" guy. I think that is actually WORSE than pushing your kids too much. Humans love to win, win at work, win at weekend golf; win at the weekly poker game. And that all comes from healthy competition as a child. Don't lose that! BUT don't try to live your fantasies through your kids. Not every kid wants to spend 40 hours a week practicing a sport at the age of six.

For M.M.

I was too late for her preppy pup contest, but I thought I'd add our little guy!!

Official Last Day of Summer

I was driving this morning and the radio announcer stated that today is the last day of summer, of course it was 58 degrees this am so it was not a big surprise. I guess we may finally have to let go of the summer.... :(

Love the Flask

So as we were talking about the barn coat, the subject moved to drinking; real surprise for me! I love my flask (or should I say FLASKS). I have quite a few. From a very nice small one that can fit into you jeans pocket, it is hand made from England with leather outside of it, to a large monogramed flask (see picture above). To me the flask is a classic part of any man's accessories. And a perfect gift for husbands who enjoy having a little nip while walking through the woods or watching that college football game. My first flask use was during ski trips. After a morning of crazy skiing we would start to "enjoy" the day by warming up with a hit of the flask! Nothing is better than that.

The only question is what to put into the flask? I usually go for scotch or cognac. But in my opinion anything goes. So, dust off that old flask and fill it up with your favourite spirit and enjoy the fall weather...and if you don't have one drop the hint to the special lady in your life; she can even have the gift engraved.

The Essence of Autumn

I just got the Brooks Brothers email

"Prepare for the turn of the season with the perfect layering pieces. Start with a crisp non-iron cotton dress shirt, add soft touch of one of our versatilesweaters in cashmere or lambswool,and finish with the distinctive style ofour outerwear collection."

Although we all love our shorts, I'm ready for some nice sweaters and a barncoat (barncoats are great they have many pockets to hide your booze).

Busy and sick

So I headed to the Buffett concert on Thursday (I already had a cold) and then the Party and after party really wrecked my Friday. Of course I rallied and had a good day, however Saturday was a bust. Here I am Sunday morning couching my butt off and trying to choke down some coffee...Normally I would pass on going out if I felt a big cold coming on; but if anyone has ever gone to a Jimmy Buffett concert you know you try never to miss one if you can; luckily none of my children were born when I had tickets...

So, it looks like a football watching day. Time to stoke up the NFL Ticket and lay on the couch. It's kind of a waste, the weather looks great outside; maybe I can catch part of the 1pm games and take the dog for a walk...Don't get me wrong; on a good fall day I love to gather a few buds with too many beers and some hot wings and watch our favorite teams...just now it's still too much like summer and I would like to get the last bit of "good" outside weather...

Fins to the left...

Went to the Buffett concert last night...great show and finding it tough to work today...

Cigars

As the fall air is upon us it's time to start thinking of those long walks with a good cigar. I personally love a good cigar; heck I even get a few Cubans once in a while (although not a many as I wish). I have a few H. Upmann's left in my humidor and they are just ok. A tough draw and too mild. I have enjoyed a few Partagas last month and even my last Cohiba (Sligo VI), boy do I wish I could get more of them. I know some people are grossed out by cigar smoke, however it is a nice relaxation for me to take a long walk with a good smoke. Sometimes it is the only escape I can find.

I remember a few years ago with the big cigar "boom" it seemed everyone was smoking. That was good to get people to try different cigars because their favorites usually were sold out. Today, it is a bit back to "normal" and one can find a lot of variety at the local cigar store (if you are luck enough to have a cigar store near you). So, if you are the golf course or just walking around town or sitting on your back deck, take a nice cigar and relax and enjoy it. Having a nice cigar makes you slow down in this fast paced world and actually enjoy the moment, surely we all deserve a little down time from the rat race...

NEVER FORGET

September 11th. This is the day we need to take some time and remember all those brave souls that where murdered for just going to work. No matter who you are this affected you and you are lieing to yourself if you think this attack did not. On September 11 please remember all those wives who's husbands never came home. Husbands still waiting for their wives to walk in the front door. All those moms and dads and brothers and sisters who will never get another day with their sons or daughters or brothers or sisters. And especially remember all those children who lost their dads and moms. Those children will never have a chance to look up to that parent for advise, never pass another football around, never have all those memories.

Please take some time today and remember those we lost. If you think we don't need to think about this any more take a moment and look at a list of the names or this list .

God Bless the victims. God Bless America. Never Forget!

Get a Sense of Humour !

OK, I was not even going to bring this up; figured I'd just ignore some of the rude comments here and else where and just continue on my fun little blog. But I'm pissed off this am for some reason, maybe because I burnt my mouth on my Dunkin's coffee or maybe because one of my kids will not stop yelling today (you know those days!). So I just sat down and figured I'd start writing...that is what you do in a stupid blog(told you I am crabby). LIGHTEN up; it's a blog not national policy. I write this stupid little blog because I thought it was fun. And that's how I write. I write about stupid things that mean something sometimes like the war on terror or politics; then I write about things not as important like how I like to pop my collar and enjoy sailing. I truly enjoy most comments, and it's kind of nice to have people visit the site and share their feelings. Even if you disagree, who cares...we are having fun...this not out job, or our life, it's a fun thing to do from time to time. I actual enjoy dumping my stupid ideas out there in cyberspace...BUT IT IS FOR FUN...I enjoy, when I have a few minutes jumping around and reading other blogs. From Preppy stuff to politics to hard news; my goal in writing a blog (I now have diarerra of the keyboard) is just to download from my brain to the computer. So, sorry if i mis-spell or f-up my grammar. This is not my thesis or a business plan. Many time I just find a subject and ramble on, and on, and on (like now!) If I offend you because I'm too preppy or not preppy enough or too old fashion or too whatever; sorry but who really cares. I enjoy all those blogs out there and some of them make me wonder why i read them (i read because IT"S FUN and entertaining).

Sorry if you are offended because I am boorish at times. Like to drink all the time. Love to smoke cigars and drive fast. I dress preppy a lot. I watch sports, I even gamble (oh, my scary huh?). Don't worry, I let the priest win a few holes once and a while, that might help. I'm conservative, and think people should have some certain civility. I am not a snob, but I have a good sense of humor (and yes, sometimes I bust peoples balls.) and if you wear pajama bottoms with a 10 year old Red Sox sweatshirt to the supermarket you should expect people to bust on you.

If you want to read this blog, great I really like people to read it. I'm thankful, truly thankful that you took a few minutes out of your day to stop by. And if you leave comments, wow even better. Maybe something little old me wrote about made you think about something. Even if you disagree, no problem. Just don't be an ass. who needs someone calling you a fag, dick, loser, repulsive, etc. Did they ever take a debate class? I'm up to talk about anything; hell we can spend a week talking about Red Sox vs Yankees or old Coke vs New Coke. (a little 80's flashback for you). just have some stupid class.

Again; Please keep coming to check out my stupid rants and raves. Just bring your sense of humour.

Sharapova in the finals...good news for guys!

Read the tennis analysis on sportsline . Or just look at the picture!

Check Please

So you are with a group of old college friends, or maybe high school, or even just a group of guys from around your neighborhood. Someone sets up a dinner out. It turns into just one laugh after another. A few appetizers, good food (hopefully a steak), and even some wine may be added to the few cocktails everyone has been enjoying.

Then the check, there are different personalities and it shows when a check arrives at the table. I've even experimented by just sitting back when the check came and wait for someone else to figure out what we all should pay. It fails most of the time and it seems there are one or two people at every gathering who are given the check (not to cover on your own, unless you are with family, your event, etc) to made the determination of the split. I know it's not a math thing, some of the people I will be with are computer programmers, even teachers, so I know they could figure out the cut (I would not even look down on a guy who took out his cell phone to do the calculations for a big group). Just people seem to want someone else to "be in charge", maybe?

But, I digress, the reason I think is that every group wants someone powerful enough to shut down the inevitable "But I only had the Salad" guy! We all know what I'm talking about. I like many people find ourselves in a new group from time to time; either a new job, new town, who knows and we bump into the "my share is..." guy. I and most of friends have weeded them out of gatherings a long time ago, so it's the new situations that are tough. Why is it that in every group there are people who just feel cheap? I'm not saying that if two guys hit a pub and one guy gets a huge dinner and drinks and the other just a pint or two they should split evenly the bill. If you have a "friend" who does that you need to find a new drinking pal. But when you go out to dinner with a group of guys you should expect to pay an equal portion or the bill. If you eat/drink light one time, you might eat/drink heavy the next. It should all equal out! The only caveat is the guy who always orders the $200 truffles on his pasta when everyone else is just eating $50 steaks. This guy too needs to be culled from the herd.

Crocs on CNBC tonight

I know a lot of people just love the Crocs; and you can't argue with the success of the company. You know they have made it when I saw knockoff Crocs at a store last week...I'm sure there are many imitators out there now.

The company trades on the NASDAQ under the symbol CROX, came as an ipo on Feb. 7th 2006 at $21.00 per share. It went as high as $37 and is trading today around $26.85. They seem to have had a nice run. It is a stock that a lot of people have been shorting(betting the price will go lower).

Anyway, I just saw an ad for the show "on the money" on CNBC( at 7pm and replayed at 11pm ) and they are doing a focus piece on Crocs and the success of the company. I think I heard that they may be expanding into clothing, etc to diversify.

So, if you like Crocs or want to learn more about the company you may want to catch the show.
(fyi: no, I don't have a long or short position in CROX; I just know a lot of people have talked about them in the past.)

Welcome to the Fall !!!!

Ok, I know there is a lot of people out there in preppy land very upset that the summer is over; however the changing seasons just mean more challenges to live the preppy life!

I was surfing this am and saw a few people out there talking about the summer end and the packing away of clothes. I too was thinking of this. So, here are a few things that are being put at the end of the closet (unless we have a Summer in January party again!). First the Nantucket Reds are being washed and stored away. With them go the madras, and the flip flops. I know some people wear flip flops later in the year but it's time to call it quits. Labour Day is the end of the Summer and with it the tradition says time to put away the white shoes. (I do not have any white shoes, but the white/light pants/shorts etc should be stored for Memorial Day. One thing that hit the garbage this morning was the sailor rope bracelet.

Now, people think that wearing white after Labour Day is ok now. Maybe it is, but I'm a classic guy and I think some rules should not be broken. As for drinks, I still have a little Tanqueray left as well as a few limes so the G&T's will still be flowing (although in the privacy of my own home, not at the pubs). I'll also call it an end to the Cape Codders and the Margaritas. SAD DAY!! However, now we can officially relaunch Martini Time : Boy do we love a good Martini!

So what are you saying goodbye to as the seasons change???

Hippie vs. Preppy

So, getting back to our couple day jaunt to Cape Cod. The family decided to sneak away to Cape Cod for two or three days to enjoy the only forecasted nice weather and a last break before school starts next Tuesday. We pack the puppy away to his favorite dog camp and we head to Cape Cod. Well I think that maybe living were we do has melted my mind into thinking everyone is preppy or at least "normal"...Boy am I wrong...

First stop, an aquarium in upstate CT that the kids loved in the past. It was just a few hours to break up the trip and it's fun to see whales/sharks etc. Well we saw a whole lot of Disney tee shirts, bad fitting shorts and slurring speech (and that was the adults!). I can't blame a kid for wearing a grubby tee shirt if that is what mom and dad wear. There should be a rule: No adult should ever wear a tee shirt with cartoon characters on it (I actually believe no adult should ever wear a tee shirt outside of the gym or chores, etc). Who puts on a Huge black Eor tee shirt with matching black strech pants and looks in the mirror in the morning saying "I look good today, let's go to the all you can eat salad bar"? And why does everyone have to mumble? Doesn't anyone pronounce their words anymore...Annunciate please America...

Then there was the day trip to MV. I know it was only for the afternoon, but OMG Vineyard Haven is like a Hippie/white trash haven. My Muffy wife suggested that all the normal people are in Edgartown; this makes sense since Vineyard Haven is a dry town (for those of you outside New England, yes the Puritan influence is still alive in parts of MA.). We, since we were there only for the day, did not venture out of Vineyard Haven. I was taking my wife's idea about the preppies hiding in the other side of the island, but the ferry! No preppies on the ferry! Actually when we returned to Woods Hole, a hippie couple were looking at my cute kids commenting, then they noticed the Muffy with her whale skirt and popped collar, they visible were disgusted. They even huffed and puffed (of course the Muffy just turned to them and laughed!!)

So I know I'm rambling, however what happened to the Vineyard? Did we just go on a bad day, or as Muffy suggested the "Clinton influence": once President Clinton started going there all the tree huggers (an actual bumper sticker we saw) followed. Instead of Vineyard Vine flipflops we saw Teva and birkenstocks.

Something to laugh at in the morning...

I saw this this morning on Pink cupcakes's blog. I thought it was too funny not to copy....

Two Cows
Socialism: You have 2 cows and you give one to your neighbour.
Communism: You have 2 cows; the Government takes both and gives you some milk.
Fascism: You have 2 cows; the Government takes both and sells you some milk.
Naziism: You have 2 cows; the Government takes both and shoots you.
Bureaucratism: You have 2 cows; the Government takes both, shoots one, milks the other and throws the milk away.
Traditional Capitalism: You have 2 cows. You sell one and buy a bull. Your herd multiplies, and the economy grows. You sell them and retire on the income.
American Corporation: You have 2 cows. You sell one, and force the other to produce the milk of four cows. Later, you hire a consultant to analyse why the cow dropped dead.
French Corporation: You have 2 cows. You go on strike because you want three cows.
Japanese Corporation: You have 2 cows. You redesign them so they are one-tenth the size of an ordinary cow and produce twenty times the milk. You then create a clever cow cartoon image called Cowkimon and market them Worldwide.
German Corporation: You have 2 cows. You reengineer them so they live for 100 years, eat once a month, and milk themselves.
British Corporation: You have 2 cows. Both are mad.
Italian Corporation: You have 2 cows, but you don't know where they are. You break for lunch.
Russian Corporation: You have 2 cows. You count them and learn you have five cows. You count them again and learn you have 42 cows. You count them again and learn you have 2 cows. You stop counting cows and open another bottle of vodka.
Swiss Corporation: You have 5000 cows. None of which belong to you. You charge others for storing them.
Chinese Corporation: You have 2 cows. You have 300 people milking them. You claim full employment, high bovine productivity, and arrest the newsman who reported the numbers.
Iraqi Corporation: Everyone thinks you have lots of cows. You tell them that you have none. No one believes you and they bomb your ass. You still have no cows, but at least now you are part of a Democracy.......
Irish Corporation; you have two cows. You ask for an EU subsidy for your failed breeding programme.
Milton Keynes Council; you have two cows and no concrete leads on who stole the others.
Dublin Aviary; you have two black cows and a broken perch
Counter Culture: 'Wow, dig it, like there's these 2 cows, man, grazing in the hemp field. You gotta have some of this milk!'
Surrealism: You have two giraffes. The government requires you to take harmonica lessons. Fatalist: You have 2 doomed cows...
Hong Kong Capitalism: You have 2 cows. You sell 3 of them to your publicly listed company, using letters of credit opened by your brother-in-law at the bank, then execute a debt/equity swap with an associated general offer so that you get all 4 cows back, with a tax deduction for keeping 5 cows. The milk rights of 6 cows are transferred via a Panamanian intermediary to a Cayman Islands company secretly owned by the majority shareholder, who sells the rights to all 7 cows' milk back to the listed company and proceeds from the sale are deferred. The annual report says that the company owns 8 cows, with an option on one more. Meanwhile, you kill the 2 cows because the feng shui is bad.
New Zealand Corporation: You have 2 cows. That one on the left is kinda cute
Indian Corporation: You have 2 cows. You worship them.
Australian Corporation: You have 2 cows. Business seems pretty good. You close the office and go down the pub to celebrate

Cool Kicks in the back of the car

So it's raining outside, kids are playing, wife is shopping and the football on tv is boring right now...on to a couple funny trip stories.

So we are driving home yesterday afternoon when I come up to a VW going kind of slow, I am stuck behind him for a few minutes. I see two sets of sneakers on the back ledge of the car. First I think the people must be moving and there was no room for their shoes...No, the car was pretty empty..so the only reason his shoes were in the back window was the show them off...Yup, in the back window he had two sets of new sneakers , err sorry "kicks", neatly placed so everyone who drove by saw how awesome it must have been?!?! It reminds you of all the old men with their WWII caps in the back window, or worse all those stuffed animal!!!..

I'll tell you if you are ever bored just take a trip on I95 and look at the other cars!

A few more funny thoughts involve MV. When did preppies become an endangered special on the MV ferry? It looked more like the love boat to Woodstock....more on that in awhile...

We got the only two days of sunshine!

My Muffy wife, kids and myself snuck away to Cape Cod for two days. It seems we got the only two days of sun in the last week (or this weekend). I wake up this am to rain again. It's no wonder we all drink so much! Well I'm off to Dunkin's to grab a coffee then the paper; I have a few funny stories from the trip hopefully I can write them down later.