Young Man/Old Man

Old Man: Sunday Style

2012-01-29T13:17:00.003-05:00

Nursery duty = jeans. Easier to wipe spit up off of than nicer pants.

The Cordial Churchman bow, LL Bean shirt, Jordan's tweed, RRL,

Florsheim boats. Green smartwool socks.

Polo gloves for pre-church ice-scraping duty.

In light of Anon's very helpful comment last week, I'll be trying out some new posts this week. Last week was pretty busy, but I'll try really hard to stick with posting this week. Style icons/inspirations, wish lists, favorite pieces, etc. Hopefully it will work.

Conor

Young Man: Selling Out

2012-01-22T21:06:00.002-05:00

OK, so here's the deal. I don't make much money. So I can't buy new clothes or gear very often. My small group is also reading Radical Together together, which advocates putting everything on the table and seeing what is truly necessary. So I've been thinking about it, and I've got a good base of stuff already. Most of it could be better quality, but I don't need to dress well for anything (like my job). It's more of a choice. I happen to think it's a good choice. But not a necessity (or at least buying new clothes isn't one for me now).

Here's the problem, and how all this stuff applies to the blog. One of the things I like writing about and reading about in other blogs is new stuff. Reviews basically. There haven't been many reviews or new stuff lately, but now there's probably not going to be any. I'm afraid the blog will get boring and no one will read it (not that many do now anyways), but even worse, that I'll get bored of writing it. I actually enjoy this thing.

So, how to rectify this? I'll do more reviews of stuff that I already have (I already have another Waskerd review planned, plus some posts on how stuff I use a lot holds up). But I only have so many things to review.

So here's my second solution: I'm calling all companies who want their stuff reviewed on a small to medium time blog to send me stuff. It doesn't have to be big things, and I won't even keep it if you'd rather I not. I just want more fodder for posts. I doubt any clothing companies read this blog, but if they do, get at me. For the rest of you readers, if you know any manufacturers personally or as acquaintances, talk to them on my behalf. Is there something you've really wanted to see reviewed? Get it touch with the company and send them this post and a link to the blog.

Want some ideas? Here's some stuff I've been wanting to check out.

Bedrock Earthquake Huarache running sandals - once my Vibram Five Fingers wear out, this is the way I think I'll be going.

Epaulet Rivet Chinos Service Pants - I know from experience that Epaulet makes awesome stuff, and these are about the only cargo-ish pants I'd ever wear.

Patagonia Snap-T - A classic piece. And Red Clay Soul's posts on them have made me really want one.

Prison Blues Correction Connection Yard Coat - A cool coat.

Woolrich Altitude Vest - I've been looking for a nice vest for a while, and this was on Five Mile a week ago and looked real nice.

LL Bean Signature Eastport Ranger Boots - I have the moc version and love them. These look like a nice boot that would be real versatile (and close to zero-drop, if you know what that means).

Oak Street Bootmakers Natural Beefroll Pennies - I've loved these since I first saw them. My buddy Andy just got a pair and they look awesome (it's partly because of Andy's new swag that this post came about).

So there are some starting points. But if you think you can get me some swag, then I don't care. I'll review anything (clothing or accessory related). And don't worry, I'll be as fair and impartial as I can.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend.

Conor

Old Man: Sunday Style

2012-01-15T14:18:00.000-05:00

This morning was brisk, so I broke out my (only) scarf, along with some tweed and an old Brooks sweater vest.

All buttoned up.

I took the scarf off in church. I found this sweater vest on one of my very early thrifting adventures. Not a bad score if you ask me. It has the old Brooks tag and logo and everything. I think it even still had the price tags.

Also included is a J Press Donegal tweed, J Crew pink oxford,

Epaulet chinos, and Allen Edmonds loafers.

A friend at church who just started looking at the blog suggested that I make a separate page that has a list of all the acronyms that I regularly use. It thought it was a good idea as people who read who aren't as into Ivy league/trad stuff (ie not super nerds) probably don't know what ocbd, tnsil, and other things mean. Until that gets up I'll try to cut down the acronyms.

Thanks for reading. Carry on.

Conor

Young Man: Gigs, pt. 2

2012-01-11T19:57:00.002-05:00

A while ago I told you guys about a benefit concert I was playing with Emerald Road. Some videos turned up on youtube, so I thought you might want to check out the tunes. In all the videos I'm the one kind of in the middle, pink shirt, brown cap.

(the fiddle player tricked me here - she didn't tell me I was starting the set until right then)

Several things I noticed from watching these: I need more practice, particularly on the flute (tone, volume, projection, etc.), and I do a really weird rocking thing. It really annoyed me watching it. I think it comes from tapping my feet alternately. Anyways, hope you enjoy.

Conor

Old Man: Sunday Style and New Traditions

2012-01-09T15:46:00.001-05:00

Lots of blue.

This year has been great, because my wife and I have been starting a lot of new traditions for our family (since we have the little one and want to be consistent). We cut down our own tree, spent Christmas and Thanksgiving in Clemson, went to bed at like 10 pm on NYE (well that's been going on for a while), and now, with the tree, we had to start a new tradition: Christmas tree burning.

We live in a condo, so even a small grill is out of the question. We have friends in Six Mile with a good bit of land, and they invited us over after church to burn our tree along with theirs. Needless to say we accepted gladly.

The base.

Our wee tree.

Their properly sized tree.

Great fun. It was wet and drizzling out, which worked out well and made me less nervous about spreading.

Conor

Young Man: Paracord Bracelets

2012-01-04T10:59:00.001-05:00

Head over to the Cordies facebook page to see some bracelets I thought up yesterday and made up this morning. They're still in development but they might start showing up places. Look out for announcements here and at the facebook page.

Conor

Young Man: New Music

2012-01-04T00:02:00.001-05:00

Unfortunately it's American folk music that hasn't really progressed. But I love it.

Willie "tea" Taylor

"Life is Beautiful"

Tom VandenAvond

"Even the Olives Are Bleedin'"

Beards, banjos, Ireland, four string guitars. Man it's all good.

Conor

Old Man: New Year's Style

2012-01-01T12:45:00.001-05:00

Well I don't suppose there's much new about this. But it is new year's day, so...

Jordan tweed/JCrew card/LE shirt/ADG tie/RRL officer chino/Florsheim ankle weights

In church the pastor spoke on Christ's resurrection. An appropriate topic.

Enjoy the holiday all (or what's left of it). I will celebrate the new year by going for a barefoot (truly barefoot, mind you) run this afternoon.

Conor

Old Man: (Saturday and) Sunday Style

2011-12-26T20:18:00.001-05:00

Here's what I wore for Christmas Eve and Christmas morning, respectively. We served in the nursery Christmas morning so I wore something more simple.

Christmas Eve:

Jacket and bow: J Press
Shirt: BB
Cords: PRL
Pennies: AE

This bow baffles me. It has almost no lining, so it ties really strangely. I like it a lot though.

Christmas:

TCC bow

Replaced the navy EP chinos with black EP jeans for lunch with friends and lost the bow.

Hope it was a great holiday for everyone.

(I added some new photos to the Cordies FB page - if you've bought Cordies or are interested in them, check out the FB page and like it - and share it with your friends. Thanks to everyone who has bought them so far and supported me in this endeavor!)

Conor

Young Man: Knives and Tea

2011-12-23T20:00:00.000-05:00

We got back from Florida yesterday. I got some nice gifts. Here are some of the more visually interesting gifts from the trip.

My wife's grandmother usually gives the guys knives or tools as gifts. This one was particularly cool. I thought I would try and wrap it (which turned out OK at least). This is now my running knife (around the neck). Works pretty well. Don't worry, the knot is simple slip knot, so no threat of hanging.

My mom made me some chai tea. That's tea, cinnamon sticks, dried ginger, black peppercorns, and some other things I'm sure. It's magic. Drinking some now.

And a huge amount of books. Enjoy the holidays.

Conor

Young Man: New Music

2011-12-19T23:47:00.002-05:00

My brother and sister in law got me an iTunes gift card for my birthday. This is the kind of thing I love. I've been using Spotify for a while, but there are some albums that aren't on there that I really want, so iTunes gift cards are great.

With my gift card I got:

Gillian Welch: The Harrow and the Harvest - really nice album. I haven't given it a really detailed listen (with lyrics and all), but it's a great listen, like all of her albums I've heard.

Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh: Fáinne an Lae (Daybreak) Muireann is a great singer and fluter/whistler. A nice iTrad album.

and the best one, Mick O'Brien & Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh: Deadly Buzz - Caoimhin and Mick are two of the best Irish trad musicians around. Caoimhin plays mostly fiddle and fiddle-like instruments, and Mick mostly uilleann pipes. But Mick also plays flute on a track, and Caoimhin plays whistle as well, with a couple of really great whistle duets. This is one of the best trad albums I've heard.

Enjoy the music, always.

Conor

Young Man: Two More Gifts

2011-12-14T19:03:00.000-05:00

First, if you like Louis CK, he has a new standup special for only $5. Support an awesome comedian doing a good thing.

Next, read this, The Oral History of Menswear Blogging. Sounds about as interesting as it is.

Then read this, An Oral History of the Time We Read GQ's "Oral History of Menswear Blogging."

Then enjoy.

(And ya I'm probably just bitter nobody mentioned me)

Conor

Young Man: Barefoot Running

2011-12-13T21:17:00.002-05:00

Here's my gift to you. Jason Robillard (of Barefoot Running University) has released his book, The Barefoot Running Book up for free as a PDF download. He put it up on his site, but it expired a while ago, so I found a link to a share site here, another blog.

If you're looking to get into barefoot or minimalist running, this is the book to read. And Jason has encouraged others to share this as much as possible. Here's the quote from the eBook forward.

"Send this file to all your friends, colleagues, and relatives. Send it
to your local newspaper and TV reporters, running clubs, and running stores. Post it on
your favorite social network and online communities. If you have a website, feel free to
host the file (just remember you cannot charge for it!) It's my $9.95 gift to you! The
best way you can repay me is by sharing it freely!"

So here you go. I'm sharing it (this is also my Christmas present for you all). Enjoy. I'm just going through it and really enjoying it. Remember if you do start running the way we were made, go slow. Your foot muscles and bones have atrophied over years of running in traditional running shoes.

Merry Christmas

Conor

Old Man: Sunday Style

2011-12-11T15:05:00.001-05:00

Chilly morning here. I broke out the gloves and Dunderdon scarf again. No picture of them since it warmed up after church.

I cropped my face out because my daughter was at the glass door and I was making an incredibly goofy face at her.

Almost too matchy for me, but I liked it.

Love these cords.

Bonus shot of me hauling our Christmas tree away. We got ours at Hilltop Christmas Tree Farm in Six Mile. A great place and it was a lot of fun to pick ours out and cut it down ourselves. It will definitely be a tradition from now on.

We're leaving for Florida tomorrow morning very early (like in twelve hours) so I might not post quite as much, but I'll try to have some posts up. If anyone is within driving distance of West Palm Beach, let me know.

Enjoy the Sabbath and the holidays.

Conor

Young Man: Birthdays, pt. 2

2011-12-09T12:55:00.001-05:00

I forgot the best part of the birthday celebrations. My girls took me out to The Smokin' Pig, the best barbeque around here.

Their brisket is legendary. We have some friends from Texas and they say this is the closest thing to their favorite Texas brisket. I used to be a pork man but I think this is starting to convert me.

Conor

Young Man: Birthdays

2011-12-08T10:17:00.001-05:00

Yesterday was my birthday. I have the best wife and daughter ever. They got me awesome gifts.

As such:

From the wife: a whole plate of sweet and spicy bacon (that's cayenne pepper mixed with brown sugar and applied liberally to baking bacon - so awesome), and the opportunity to walk around my favorite bookshop, McClure's, for almost an hour (I got Tinkers and Gilead - enjoying Tinkers so far). Since I had to work last night she's making me cake (with coffee in the cake and icing !) tomorrow. Awesome.

From the daughter: She started saying "Dada" yesterday. Best birthday present ever.

I hope you day was as blessed as mine. Enjoy the week.

Conor

Young Man: Waskerd: The Video

2011-12-05T21:43:00.001-05:00

I've posted about Waskerd before. Great stuff by a great guy. Derek just recently completed a video about how he makes a wallet, all the way from cutting the leather to finished product. Very nice. Check it out.

Waskerd Handcrafted Leather Goods

Conor

Old Man: Sunday Style

2011-12-04T12:43:00.001-05:00

Well that turned out better than expected. Our power (apparently all of Clemson's power) went out right at the start of the second quarter though, so I found out the results this morning.

Hilton suit, AE wholecuts, Bass shirt, Clemson tie and square.

Ya I know, matching square and all that, but for the first championship in 30 years I'll make this one exception.

Conor

Young Man: Gigs

2011-12-03T16:00:00.001-05:00

This is what you wear to a gig. Or it's what I wore at least.

With a white Brooks bd up top.

Conor

Young Man: Cordies

2011-11-28T19:32:00.001-05:00

Cordies are now up at Palmetto Shades in Downtown Clemson. If you're around, go in and check them out.

Also, The Cordial Churchman now has a full restock, with new colors! They now have Orange, black, camo, blue, olive green, and red. Get some there too!

Conor

Old Man: Sunday Style

2011-11-27T12:33:00.001-05:00

Cord du roi by BB

The Starry Plough/The Tricolor

Conor

Young Man: I Resemble that Remark

2011-11-27T09:53:00.001-05:00

Me.

Da.

His brother bought him the sweater a long time ago. I thought it was the coolest thing ever. All wool. Also a nice wool check shirt.

He's had these Rockports longer than I've been alive. Resoled and restored again and again.

Conor

Young Man: Post Thanksgiving Hike

2011-11-25T21:51:00.001-05:00

Out in Fants Grove. Nice place, good. Five minutes away, even better. On the lake, good, better, best.

Beautiful day.

Enjoy the holidays.

Conor

Old Man: The Dillard House, Pt. 3

2011-11-23T10:36:00.001-05:00

The Grounds in the morning.

The place was pretty in the evening, but was really nice in the morning, particularly in the low 40's. Lots of pictures here.

This is the Rock House, where we stayed. Middle right was our room.

The view from the porch.

A fire burning in the dining room of the Rock House (complete with coffee and pastries - all free).

This is one of the available inns. Very nice view.

Horses, available to ride.

The goat pen.

This is the look I was going for with the goatee, apparently.

Comfy rocking chairs.

See ya next year (hopefully).

Heartily recommended for everyone, especially for families. Very fun. Enjoy your holidays.

Conor

Old Man: The Dillard House, Pt. 2

2011-11-21T10:12:00.001-05:00

The Breakfast

Here's the good part. The Dillard House restaurant is an all you can eat style restaurant, where the waiters bring out plates of: all manner of pork, pancakes, gravy, grits (the creamiest grits I've ever had), biscuits, etc. They also have a continental breakfast where you can get fresh fruit, fresh baked bread, and pastries. Oh man. I want to go back right now. Onto the pictures.

This was the first thing brought out: raspberry jam, apple-cinnamon butter, and fresh honey with the comb. Then fresh biscuits and other stuff in the basket.

A well-balanced breakfast. Heavy on the all important grease and fat. Pancakes, potatoes, bacon, two kinds of sausage, country ham, scrambled eggs and coffee. Not pictured: grits, gravy, fried pork.

A late attempt at a little redemption for my body. Fresh strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries.

The aftermath. Seriously grease-drunk. Only thing that kept me going was the coffee.

Part three tomorrow.

Conor