Maintaining a circle of friends costs work, sacrifice, and patience--it pays far more in kindness, support, and consideration.
Be good to your friends, they're worth it!
-The Young Man
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Friday, November 12, 2010
On A Gentleman's "Gang"
Your Gang defines you. Always remember that the company you keep is reflective of you and that the better your friends the better your life.
Maintaining a circle of friends costs work, sacrifice, and patience--it pays far more in kindness, support, and consideration.
Be good to your friends, they're worth it!
Maintaining a circle of friends costs work, sacrifice, and patience--it pays far more in kindness, support, and consideration.
Be good to your friends, they're worth it!
Saturday, October 23, 2010
On a Gentleman's Water...
Water is vital and necessary. It is also boring...
Try pellegrino, or put lemon juice in it, or best yet put a lemon wedge in it. Be adventurous, try it with a raspberry!
Try pellegrino, or put lemon juice in it, or best yet put a lemon wedge in it. Be adventurous, try it with a raspberry!
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
On a Gentleman's Little and Big Successes...
They ought to be celebrated.
Whether it is getting an interview with a company that you admire or completing the perfect four pass shave with an antique double edge razor, seize the moment of joy and be happy.
Often, I find myself annoyed and upset by the little problems I may face, like accidentally dropping a quarter in a storm cellar, yet I don't always apply this same positive emotional response to little successes. A gentleman's smile can be a most formidable weapon, and little things should always be a reason to smile!
On a larger note, I recently accomplished a short term goal on my way to a much longer term goal. I received an interview at a firm in my target field, in fact my number one choice in the field. As a gentleman, I must recognize and celebrate this achievement, for it is a significant experience in my life, however it will also be important to refocus my efforts in order to get the next short term goal accomplished. If my reader will permit me a financial analogy: it is important if you believe in a company (or yourself!) to reinvest dividends.
May you find joy in every little success, so that you can find your lifelong happiness in your great successes.
Whether it is getting an interview with a company that you admire or completing the perfect four pass shave with an antique double edge razor, seize the moment of joy and be happy.
Often, I find myself annoyed and upset by the little problems I may face, like accidentally dropping a quarter in a storm cellar, yet I don't always apply this same positive emotional response to little successes. A gentleman's smile can be a most formidable weapon, and little things should always be a reason to smile!
On a larger note, I recently accomplished a short term goal on my way to a much longer term goal. I received an interview at a firm in my target field, in fact my number one choice in the field. As a gentleman, I must recognize and celebrate this achievement, for it is a significant experience in my life, however it will also be important to refocus my efforts in order to get the next short term goal accomplished. If my reader will permit me a financial analogy: it is important if you believe in a company (or yourself!) to reinvest dividends.
May you find joy in every little success, so that you can find your lifelong happiness in your great successes.
-The Young Man
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
On a Gentleman's Pen...
I'm not hear to tell you to buy a fancy pen, but do buy a pen that isn't plastic. And carry it. Always.
-The Young Man
Monday, October 18, 2010
On a Gentleman's Newspaper...
One can easily picture a distinguished gentleman in the fifties sitting at his table with a cup of coffee and a paper, one foot resting on the tweed trousers of his favorite suit.
A paper is still a marvelous little rag, but the paper itself is less important than being informed. If experience is being gentlemanly, one must also not forget the second phrase of my Grandfather's favorite compliment "You are a gentleman and a scholar."
Being a scholar does not necessarily mean toiling through a PhD, although its certainly one route, however it means rather than voicelessly espousing the opinion of news pundits, that you are educated on a topic to a degree where you can comment on it in your own way.
A gentleman may not discuss politics at the dinner table, but that certainly leaves a lot of situations to discuss the news!
May you always have a passionate love for learning.
A paper is still a marvelous little rag, but the paper itself is less important than being informed. If experience is being gentlemanly, one must also not forget the second phrase of my Grandfather's favorite compliment "You are a gentleman and a scholar."
Being a scholar does not necessarily mean toiling through a PhD, although its certainly one route, however it means rather than voicelessly espousing the opinion of news pundits, that you are educated on a topic to a degree where you can comment on it in your own way.
A gentleman may not discuss politics at the dinner table, but that certainly leaves a lot of situations to discuss the news!
May you always have a passionate love for learning.
-The Young Man
Sunday, October 17, 2010
On a Gentleman's Way of "dealing with it"...
As I've said a few times before, I believe a gentleman's life is a life of collected experiences. When you try and find these experiences sometimes they don't go as planned. Things happen in life. Those things can suck. So how should one react?
The bottom of a bottle is not the way to go--one can't benefit from an experience that one can't remember.
A violent rampage is certainly not helpful--unless of course prison is the next "experience" you'd like.
Perhaps vigorous excercise? If that's your thing...Absurd spending spree? If you got it...
In essence though, you have one of two options.
1) You could just keep on living, and ignore the experience.
2) The better option: revisit that experience, make it better, find a way to make it what you wanted all along. Don't give up. Like our mommas taught us: patience, stubbornness, and family.
May you always find a way past your failures.
The bottom of a bottle is not the way to go--one can't benefit from an experience that one can't remember.
A violent rampage is certainly not helpful--unless of course prison is the next "experience" you'd like.
Perhaps vigorous excercise? If that's your thing...Absurd spending spree? If you got it...
In essence though, you have one of two options.
1) You could just keep on living, and ignore the experience.
2) The better option: revisit that experience, make it better, find a way to make it what you wanted all along. Don't give up. Like our mommas taught us: patience, stubbornness, and family.
May you always find a way past your failures.
-The Young Man
Saturday, October 16, 2010
instead.
On a Gentleman's Friendship
Friendship is not an accounting equation, nor should it ever be treated as such.
I felt terrible that I broke a friend's sink disposal today, after they graciously allowed me to use their kitchen. Their compassionate and reiterated phrase: "No big deal, don't worry about it." Their kindness reminded me that its never about "fair trade" or balance--it's about giving, sharing and caring for one another. Don't keep track but do your best to give your friends your all.
May you have friends to overwhelm with generosity and kindness!
I felt terrible that I broke a friend's sink disposal today, after they graciously allowed me to use their kitchen. Their compassionate and reiterated phrase: "No big deal, don't worry about it." Their kindness reminded me that its never about "fair trade" or balance--it's about giving, sharing and caring for one another. Don't keep track but do your best to give your friends your all.
May you have friends to overwhelm with generosity and kindness!
-The Young Man
On what a Gentleman Learns from his Mother...
Life is started with the precious sacrifice of your mother, and thus we as gentleman ought to always honor this most important woman.
Yet, our mothers never stops offering us lessons! Here are a few of the small ones that my mother has shared with me, by verbiage and by example.
1. Life is precious...take care of yourself
2. Patience is the greatest virtue, not on its own, but because of its results
3. Making your bed is starting your day with a clean slate
4. Your family are the only ones who are always there. Never, ever give up on your family.
5. A meal is one person sharing their time and talent with another, and ought to be received as graciously as any other gift
--
And an extra one from my Aunt (and thankfully not from my mother):
Always wear clean underwear, you never know who'll see them!
To appreciation!
Yet, our mothers never stops offering us lessons! Here are a few of the small ones that my mother has shared with me, by verbiage and by example.
1. Life is precious...take care of yourself
2. Patience is the greatest virtue, not on its own, but because of its results
3. Making your bed is starting your day with a clean slate
4. Your family are the only ones who are always there. Never, ever give up on your family.
5. A meal is one person sharing their time and talent with another, and ought to be received as graciously as any other gift
--
And an extra one from my Aunt (and thankfully not from my mother):
Always wear clean underwear, you never know who'll see them!
To appreciation!
-The Young Man
P.S. To my reader in Austria, THANK YOU!
On a Gentleman's YouTube break...
It is obviously the "Most Interesting Man in the World" commercials
Most Interesting Man in the World Montage
and MOST CERTAINLY NOT FOR IMITATION (but definitely for laughs):
Oh The Horror!
To pleasant procrastination!
Most Interesting Man in the World Montage
and MOST CERTAINLY NOT FOR IMITATION (but definitely for laughs):
Oh The Horror!
To pleasant procrastination!
-The Young Man
P.S. To whoever my Canadian reader is, THANK YOU!
On a Gentleman's "Mission"...
This one's quite simple really. To quote the Dalai Lama (so cliche I know):
I try to treat every person I meet like an old friend, and that gives me a real sensation of happiness.
As I initially set out on this blog, being a gentleman is about experiencing life in a "stand-up" way. How then, could we not share those experiences in order to help someone else become a better gentleman.
I would like to share the experiences of three true gentlemen who I have the pleasure of knowing and the way that they havew shared their experiences.
First, I am reminded of Jonathan, my boss this summer at an innovative charity. Not only did he consistently answer my questions with patience and respect, he actively sought out ways to share his knowledge with me, and pushed me past barriers so that I could finish the summer a better person than when I started.
I am reminded of my Uncle Jim, who has repeatedly shared his wisdom with me, including teaching me about traditional shaving methods (and hopefully he'll write a guest blog post, but until then check out Badger and Blade) and loose leaf tea.
And I'm reminded most of all of my father, who year after (ungrateful) year has continued to coach first mine, then my brother's, then my youngest brother's basketball teams--sometimes 3 or 4 teams at a time. Why? So that he could share his experience in basketball and in life with a group of young men.
It can also be simpler. It can be telling someone that you tried a recipe or a restaurant, or just mentioning that someone's shoes are untied. The best way to find new experiences, and more importantly, new friends, is to share your own.
To friendship!
I try to treat every person I meet like an old friend, and that gives me a real sensation of happiness.
As I initially set out on this blog, being a gentleman is about experiencing life in a "stand-up" way. How then, could we not share those experiences in order to help someone else become a better gentleman.
I would like to share the experiences of three true gentlemen who I have the pleasure of knowing and the way that they havew shared their experiences.
First, I am reminded of Jonathan, my boss this summer at an innovative charity. Not only did he consistently answer my questions with patience and respect, he actively sought out ways to share his knowledge with me, and pushed me past barriers so that I could finish the summer a better person than when I started.
I am reminded of my Uncle Jim, who has repeatedly shared his wisdom with me, including teaching me about traditional shaving methods (and hopefully he'll write a guest blog post, but until then check out Badger and Blade) and loose leaf tea.
And I'm reminded most of all of my father, who year after (ungrateful) year has continued to coach first mine, then my brother's, then my youngest brother's basketball teams--sometimes 3 or 4 teams at a time. Why? So that he could share his experience in basketball and in life with a group of young men.
It can also be simpler. It can be telling someone that you tried a recipe or a restaurant, or just mentioning that someone's shoes are untied. The best way to find new experiences, and more importantly, new friends, is to share your own.
To friendship!
-The Young Man
Friday, October 15, 2010
On a Gentleman's Cooking Ability..
I must ask where did the stereotype of men not being able to cook from.
Stop and consider the usefulness of cooking, the artistry, the passion, and the potential conversation. Male chefs are routinely at the top of the world rankings--the stereotype that men should be bad cooks is a negative and horribly inaccurate assumption.
This being said, perhaps Duck Confit is a little out of all our leagues. Instead let me suggest a simple recipe (the first in a series!) for a simple, yet simply perfect, meal between friends.
First, lets start with what every neighborhood pizzeria knows: start the conversation and the dinner with two things. Bread and something refreshing.
For bread, please don't try and make your own. Go to some local bakeries, try different places, and find your favorite. Then, ask the baker around what times s/he makes fresh loaves, and go get it fresh! However, even if you pick it up fresh, stick it on a high temperature in your oven for 3 or 4 minutes before you put it out on the table, it will be crisp and warm, which we all know equals GOOD.
Then, forget about the butter. Put out two different olive oils, or two bowls of the same olive oil with different herbs. Try anything, it will always taste good, but it turns your simple bread repast into an interesting, unique experience for your guests.
Then, for my over 21 crowd, how about a cheap Chilean sauvignon blanc? Under 21? make your own simple Italian soda with a little lemon juice, sugar, and club soda.
Now you've got conversation! Next, its time to bring out the real meal. Here's my suggestion: two types of pasta--a vegetarian and a not so vegetarian option.
Let's cover the simpler of the two today: Linguini Aglio e Olio with Prosciutto.
Here, we take the simplest of pasta sauces, and kick it up with the salty goodness of prosciutto.
Hopefully this recipe shows that anyone can make a simply perfect meal! Finish with some berries and whipped cream for dessert, and always have warm coffee made just before dessert (you can set up your coffee pot ahead of time to make it easier).
Bon appetit my readers!
Stop and consider the usefulness of cooking, the artistry, the passion, and the potential conversation. Male chefs are routinely at the top of the world rankings--the stereotype that men should be bad cooks is a negative and horribly inaccurate assumption.
This being said, perhaps Duck Confit is a little out of all our leagues. Instead let me suggest a simple recipe (the first in a series!) for a simple, yet simply perfect, meal between friends.
First, lets start with what every neighborhood pizzeria knows: start the conversation and the dinner with two things. Bread and something refreshing.
For bread, please don't try and make your own. Go to some local bakeries, try different places, and find your favorite. Then, ask the baker around what times s/he makes fresh loaves, and go get it fresh! However, even if you pick it up fresh, stick it on a high temperature in your oven for 3 or 4 minutes before you put it out on the table, it will be crisp and warm, which we all know equals GOOD.
Then, forget about the butter. Put out two different olive oils, or two bowls of the same olive oil with different herbs. Try anything, it will always taste good, but it turns your simple bread repast into an interesting, unique experience for your guests.
Then, for my over 21 crowd, how about a cheap Chilean sauvignon blanc? Under 21? make your own simple Italian soda with a little lemon juice, sugar, and club soda.
Now you've got conversation! Next, its time to bring out the real meal. Here's my suggestion: two types of pasta--a vegetarian and a not so vegetarian option.
Let's cover the simpler of the two today: Linguini Aglio e Olio with Prosciutto.
Here, we take the simplest of pasta sauces, and kick it up with the salty goodness of prosciutto.
Linguini Aglio e Olio with Prosciutto
Over medium heat, crush several cloves of garlic in a pan with a small amount of oil
Add several thin, chopped slices of pancetta or prosciutto, allow to crisp
Add a generous cup of olive oil, simmer slowly stirring the garlic into the oil
Add parsley--avoid burning it by keeping it moving
NO BOIL, Lower heat if necessary
While the oil is warming put up linguini, cook it Al Dente. Turn off the oil pan.
Pour the strained linguini into the pan and while flipping it around to coat it, add parmesean and manchego cheese(optional) for extra flavor.
Salt and pepper to taste
Serve Homestyle!
Hopefully this recipe shows that anyone can make a simply perfect meal! Finish with some berries and whipped cream for dessert, and always have warm coffee made just before dessert (you can set up your coffee pot ahead of time to make it easier).
Bon appetit my readers!
-The Young Man
Thursday, October 14, 2010
On a Gentleman's Vocabulary...
Quote of the Day: "He went Machiavelli on your ass."
...is polite to the point of stylishness
...has creative uses for profanity
...uses more adjectives than "awesome"
...Does not overuse the word Dude
...the word "lol" is not in it
...has at least one go to word in a foreign language
...uses the phrase Q.E.D. as a period
Any further suggestions? Leave a comment!
...is polite to the point of stylishness
...has creative uses for profanity
...uses more adjectives than "awesome"
...Does not overuse the word Dude
...the word "lol" is not in it
...has at least one go to word in a foreign language
...uses the phrase Q.E.D. as a period
Any further suggestions? Leave a comment!
On a Gentleman's Bookmarks...
A Gentleman's bookmarks folder should certainly contain:
And, they would be remiss if they didn't also include:
(Thanks to Charles Huff for pointing out this great site!)
-The Young Man
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
On What a Gentleman Might Gain From This Blog...
I am no James Bond, nor do I claim to be the perfect Gentleman. So why might you want to listen to my musings on life and my recommendations on how best to brew your tea? The answer is quite simple really, I enjoy life.
This blog is about one main principle. Men who enjoy life, go through it with a special style, a flair, a confidence, and a swagger. Whether its Bono or Jay-Z, Thomas Crown or Mr. Ocean, Franklin D. Roosevelt or Winston Churchill....they've got a way of living. I plan on living, and living with style, and I hope this blog will share some of my recollections on the matter and give anyone a place to share their unique style.
Gentlemen, live life, for it is all you have to live.
This blog is about one main principle. Men who enjoy life, go through it with a special style, a flair, a confidence, and a swagger. Whether its Bono or Jay-Z, Thomas Crown or Mr. Ocean, Franklin D. Roosevelt or Winston Churchill....they've got a way of living. I plan on living, and living with style, and I hope this blog will share some of my recollections on the matter and give anyone a place to share their unique style.
Gentlemen, live life, for it is all you have to live.
-The Young Man
On a Gentleman's Notebook...
As you may have realized, I am an opinionated fella...My problem is that I watch men walk around with notebooks that they carried around in 3rd Grade. Do you really still need a race car notebook? And would you please stop snapping the rings on your binder to add more loose leaf, it's just going to fall out as you leave!
So let me share this with you. It seems that a man should have 3 options in a notebook. A legal pad, a Moleskine Notebook
, or an old school composition book. They're functional and look good on a shelf, because, damn it, if you're going to take the time to write something down, it is probably worth keeping somewhere.
, or an old school composition book. They're functional and look good on a shelf, because, damn it, if you're going to take the time to write something down, it is probably worth keeping somewhere. On a Gentleman's Tie...
A tie should only be as bold as the man wearing it.
Today, I watched a British man walk into a room with a purple polka dotted full Windsor knot tie (with matching pocket square artfully tucked into his left pocket)...and not once after he began to speak did I look at his tie. Cuff links flashed as he gesticulated a successful endeavor, without ever showing a hint of hubris.
Wear your clothes Gentlemen, and wear them well.
Today, I watched a British man walk into a room with a purple polka dotted full Windsor knot tie (with matching pocket square artfully tucked into his left pocket)...and not once after he began to speak did I look at his tie. Cuff links flashed as he gesticulated a successful endeavor, without ever showing a hint of hubris.
Wear your clothes Gentlemen, and wear them well.
Want an extra boost of confidence? Put on a power tie and let yourself live up to the name.
On a Gentleman's Politics...
Politics are divisive. Regardless whether you're Liberal or Conservative or Moderate, 2/3 of the country will disagree with you. So instead of talking politics, do causes. If you want to have things to talk about, stop talking and do something.
A gentleman's cause should be near to his heart, and if a tear comes to a man's eyes as he describes his summer in the Chinese countryside or when he talks about his experiences caring for dementia patients, than his passion will ignite the conversation.
A gentleman's cause should be near to his heart, and if a tear comes to a man's eyes as he describes his summer in the Chinese countryside or when he talks about his experiences caring for dementia patients, than his passion will ignite the conversation.
A gentleman without a cause is a man without a country.
Find your cause, here's a suggestion.
On a Gentleman's Role Models...
What does it take to be a role model? To put it simply, character. Let's picture some of the gentlemanly role models worth copying:
On a Gentleman's Glasses: 70 years of iconic style doesn't lie. That's why you should wear a pair of glasses the same way that John Lennon does, with confidence and proper sizing.
On a Gentleman's Drink: Be like Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca. Drink with class, and with a friend.
{Also, be like Humphrey Bogart in anything if you choose to wear a hat.}
On a Gentleman's Extracurricular Activities: Even if crashing yachts is not your thing, you can still learn something from Thomas Crown's clever detentes with the law.
On a Gentleman's Suit: Go watch the Godfather. Now update with a touch of whimsy.
On a Gentleman's Watch: Your father is the best role model here.
On a Gentleman's Glasses: 70 years of iconic style doesn't lie. That's why you should wear a pair of glasses the same way that John Lennon does, with confidence and proper sizing.
On a Gentleman's Drink: Be like Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca. Drink with class, and with a friend.
{Also, be like Humphrey Bogart in anything if you choose to wear a hat.}
On a Gentleman's Extracurricular Activities: Even if crashing yachts is not your thing, you can still learn something from Thomas Crown's clever detentes with the law.
On a Gentleman's Suit: Go watch the Godfather. Now update with a touch of whimsy.
On a Gentleman's Watch: Your father is the best role model here.
On a Gentleman's Coffee...
If one has trouble saying the name of the coffee that one is drinking, it should be because they've found a miraculous roaster with a funky name, or coffee beans that are hand plucked from a shady African grove. It should not be because Starbucks changed the way they name their sugary, over-infused concoctions.
Let's be honest, it sometimes seems like being a gentleman is expensive. When it comes to coffee, this just isn't true. Gentlemen, meet the Chemex 6 Cup Coffee Maker
. It is a marvel of design and produces the most exquisite coffee you've ever tasted. And here's the kicker, you actually brew coffee. Just insert one of the natural unbleached filters with a well-rounded tablespoon of coffee and pour near-boiling water over the top. Aromas fill your kitchen, and before you know it your waking up with the smell of a perfectly brewed coffee experience. No more lines at Starbucks, now its you and a velvety smooth cup of coffee, made the way the pros over at Intelligentsia
and the other fancy coffee shops do it.
Pour it into a mug with a drop of milk and leave the house with a smile, and an extra $4.17 left in your pocket.
. It is a marvel of design and produces the most exquisite coffee you've ever tasted. And here's the kicker, you actually brew coffee. Just insert one of the natural unbleached filters with a well-rounded tablespoon of coffee and pour near-boiling water over the top. Aromas fill your kitchen, and before you know it your waking up with the smell of a perfectly brewed coffee experience. No more lines at Starbucks, now its you and a velvety smooth cup of coffee, made the way the pros over at Intelligentsia and the other fancy coffee shops do it. Pour it into a mug with a drop of milk and leave the house with a smile, and an extra $4.17 left in your pocket.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
On Being a Modern Gentleman...
While being a gentleman no longer necessarily means wearing a suit to work, it is still defined by style and by confidence. It is this style, in dress, in food, in life and in conversation that this blog wishes to share so that you can have the confidence to be that guy at the bar with the effortless look of sophistication (sitting next to the guy from the Dos Equis commercials).
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