Hip Hop Yoda

Sorry, more Star Wars. This time, a rapping, dancing Yoda. Well done, computer animators, well done.

Arrrr! Happy Halloween, Matey!

Rosa Parks (1913-2005)

Nobody Likes Baseball Anymore

The first two World Series games between the Astros and the White Sox got terrible ratings. Desperate Freakin' Housewives and a half dozen CSI shows got better ratings. The bad news is that this will just embolden Fox and ESPN and Major League Baseball to continue turning all focus to the Yankees and Red Sox, at the expense of other teams. Too bad, especially considering that each of the Astros-White Sox games has been very exciting.

Clothing Advice for the Well-Dressed Man

RULE #1: "Good" clothing is all about fit. The closer it fits your body without being tight, the better. This is true no matter your size or shape.

RULE #2: It is always better to be overdressed than underdressed.

RULE #3: Do not be afraid of color, but use it sparingly. (And buy a pink shirt. Everyone looks good in pink.)

RULE #4: Do not wear wrinkled or soiled clothes unless you are homeless.


PANTS: Flat front pants only. No tapered pant legs under any circumstances. Buy several pairs of lightweight wool blend pants in dark brown, charcoal gray, and black. For summer, get a pair of cotton trousers in white or light blue. Your pants should break slightly where they meet your shoes. Get pants hemmed if they seem too long or too short.

JEANS: Buy slim cut jeans with a straight leg or a very slight flare at the ankle. No tapered pant legs under any circumstances. No fake-creased or "distressed" jeans; get thrift store jeans if you want the worn-in look. Do not cut or fray the bottom of your jeans. Do not cuff your jeans unless you are going for the rockabilly look.

DRESS SHIRTS: Do not buy baggy dress shirts. Long sleeves should end between your hand and your wristbone. For a button-down shirt, tuck it in and roll up the sleeves to your elbow. Avoid the trendy multi-color stripe shirt that is in every store right now. Instead, go to a thrift store and buy a few solid, brightly-colored dress shirts from the 60s or 70s (but make sure the collar is not too big, and make sure they are not 100% polyester). Now go to Banana Republic or Kenneth Cole and buy one or two slim-fitting white dress shirts and a black dress shirt.

CASUAL SHIRTS: Do not buy baggy casual shirts. Short sleeves should not reach your elbow. A casual shirt should end at your hips, not your butt. Get a couple of solid color polo-style shirts from Ben Sherman or Penguin or Izod. Get a black guyabera shirt at the thrift store. Buy a couple of cheap, plain ringer t-shirts or solid color t-shirts at American Apparel or Target. Get a couple of graphic design t-shirts from Threadless or a local designer (or even better, make your own t-shirts with iron-on transfers and letters and fabric paints). Avoid "ironic" t-shirts and clever slogan t-shirts unless you are in high school. Avoid henley style shirts, band-collar shirts, and mock turtlenecks at all costs.

SWEATERS: Avoid bulky sweaters. Avoid sweaters with fitted waistbands and wristbands. Avoid sweaters with loud designs or patterns. Buy a couple of thin, crew-neck merino wool sweaters that you can layer over your dress shirts. Get a thicker cotton or wool sweater in black or gray that zips in front and has a collar.

SUITS/BLAZERS: Get a slim-fit corduroy or velvet blazer at the thrift store. Wear it over a dress shirt or a nice t-shirt. Go to a department store, spend $300+, and buy one very nice suit that fits you well and will last for 20 years. Black or charcoal, with or without pinstripes, is most versatile. A three-button jacket and flat front pants are best; pant cuffs are optional.

DRESS SHOES: Spend at least $75 and buy a nice pair of black leather lace-up dress shoes. They should have no embellishments (complicated stitches, flaps, buckles, designs, etc.) and they should narrow slightly toward the toe (not boxy or clunky, and not trendishly, freakishly pointy-toed). Later, buy a similar pair in brown. Now keep them shined and scuff-free. Wear them with any pants you own, not just dress pants. Replace the laces each year.

CASUAL SHOES: Do not wear clunky jogging/athletic shoes unless you are jogging or being athletic. Avoid trendy shoes that look space-agey. Instead, get a pair of black or brown low-top Chuck Taylors and a pair of brightly-colored retro Nikes or Pumas. Do not be afraid to wear your casual shoes with dress pants in a casual setting. Avoid wearing sandals unless you are at the beach or pool; no one wants to see a man's feet.

OUTERWEAR: Go to the thrift store and buy a lightweight wool overcoat that goes to your mid-thigh, a cool leather jacket, and a James Dean-style short-waisted windbreaker. Avoid giant overstuffed winter coats; go for warm layers instead. Do not get a matching hat, gloves, and scarf set, but buy separate pieces that complement each other.

ACCESSORIES: Don't wear trucker caps or wristbands. In fact, avoid baseball caps altogether unless you are playing baseball or otherwise spending lots of time outdoors. Buy a cheap pair of aviator sunglasses at the drugstore. Get a couple of nice, simple, not-too-thick leather belts (one black, one brown) with simple-looking silver buckles. Buy a studded rock-n-roll belt for fun. Avoid jewelry. If you have to buy jewelry (wedding band, cufflinks, etc.), buy silver, platinum, or white gold.


FINAL ADVICE:
In general, thrift stores are the best places to buy clothes. Unique. Cheap. Slimmer fitting. Thrifting does, however, require frequent visits and patience to find quality stuff. Make the time. You'll look better AND save money.

Literature

The Paris Review has made available its many (long) interviews with literary figures, organized alphabetically and by decade. Includes interviews with William Faulkner, Truman Capote, Robert Penn Warren, Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac, John Steinbeck, Arthur Miller, Eudora Welty, and Gabriel Garcia Marquez. (FYI: All interviews are in PDF format).

Speaking of literature, I'd like to take this opportunity to recommend anything by Walker Percy (interviewed above, in 1987), one of my favorite writers.

Hooray for reading!

Chewbacca Throws Out First Pitch

If this had happened at a game when I was a kid, I could have died happy right there in the stadium.