THE GERM-FIGHTING GYM TOWEL

Even the cleanest gyms in town can be breeding grounds for germs and cooties. So how can you protect yourself from the microscopic critters working out with you in the weight room? Start by exposing a bit less flesh.

Don’t believe us? Well, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, barriers like clothing or towels between you and shared surfaces (like gym equipment) can help decrease the risk of getting a staph or MRSA infection.

That said, we’re thinking we’ll start wearing a long sleeve tee shirt and workout pants instead of shorts and a muscle tee.

Next, we’ll top it off with the Safe Side Towel – a special workout towel has "gym" printed on one side and "face" printed on the other so that you won’t wipe your face or body with the gym side. Pretty clever, eh? Made from bamboo blended with a little cotton, the Safe Side Towel is naturally antibacterial, antifungal, eco-friendly, soft and absorbent – so the question then becomes, how many would you like to order?

To pick up a few, click to: http://www.athleteoutfitters.com/

COCKTAILS THAT CARE

These days, you gotta have a gimmick, and if it’s an eco-friendly one, then so much the better. Though we’ve rarely met a cocktail we didn’t like, we were even happier than usual to find ourselves face-to-face with a bottle of Modern Spirit’s TruVodka, one of the most eco-friendly alcoholic treats around.

How so? Well, they make the stuff in small batches, from good stuff like organic, locally grown ingredients. Then they wrap it up in recycled, recyclable or biodegradable packaging – all very admirable, but the real kicker is that for each bottle you buy, Modern Spirits will plant a tree.

To do that, the company works with non-profit groups like Sustainable Harvest International to plant new trees in tropical zones (where they are cut down in the greatest numbers) with the goal of passing on a better planet to the next generation.

Is that cool or what? In fact, we’re liking this idea so much, we’re going to dedicate ourselves to creating a small forest – over the next couple of years of course. Care to join us? Click to: http://www.truvodka.com/

BETTER SWEATER DRESSING

When a suit’s not required, most of us spend a fair amount of time in sweaters. Sweater dressing is easy, practical and looks good – it’s a no-brainer – but it’s a thin line between wow and whoa, so you need to know what to keep in mind.

How to do the sweater better this fall? Start here:

At the office: If you work in a business casual office, a dressier v-neck or crewneck sweater with a shirt and tie works well with or without a jacket. For a quirkier yet stylish office look, try a cardigan with shirt and tie. At the office, your best bets are sweaters in solid neutrals or classic colors like gray, brown, beige, and navy. Your sweater fabric should be upscale as well – meaning absolutely no sweatshirt fabrics or polar fleece. Instead, look for lightweight and streamlined fabrics, like cotton, wool, cashmere, either on their own or blended with other fibers to help maintain the sweaters’ shape.

At the game: Bust out the flannel and fleece it up – don’t hold back. You’ll need the extra warmth as outdoor sporting events in the fall can be astonishingly cold. If you want to upscale your look a bit – hey, you never know who you might bump into at the stadium – then try a beefier knit with a lot of texture for a more pulled together look. Our suggestion? Our very own Perry Ellis Raglan Sweater at http://www.perryellis.com/Sweaters/Raglan-Sweater/invt/49fg8211ps&bklist=icat,4,shop,pemen,pedmsweaters

For Sunday Brunch: Try a sweater with graphical interest like faded Argyle sweater or the sporty yet pulled together pip-mock sweater, which are, conveniently enough, available at Perryellis.com. The V-necks on both sweaters work particularly well on fellows with a slim or athletic build.

From now till eternity: Words to live by – avoid seasonal or holiday motif sweaters. Even David Beckham couldn’t pull off that now infamous reindeer print cardigan last winter, and chances are you won’t fare much better this year. Our advice? Stick to the simpler classics, meaning solid colors, color blocks, argyles and cable knits. If you must have a pattern, just be sure to keep checks and plaids on the subtle side. Then just for laughs take a look at http://www.uglychristmassweaterparty.com/ , which is dedicated to honoring and celebrating sweaters-gone-horribly-wrong.

ROCKING OUT IN BROOKLYN

We plan to be the first ones in when the doors open for Who Shot Rock & Roll: A Photographic History, 1955 to the Present, the traveling exhibition that touches down at the Brooklyn Museum on October 30.

Who Shot Rock & Roll is the first major museum exhibition on rock and roll to put photographers in the forefront, acknowledging their creative and collaborative role in the history of rock music.

Featuring roughly 175 images, the extensive exhibit shines a light not only on some of the world’s most famous rock legends, but also celebrates the photographers who created some of the world’s most iconic images (for example, the shot of Jimi Hendrix with his flaming guitar at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967).

On view will be behind-the-scenes shots of Ike Turner, Little Richard, Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, The Ramones, Tina Turner, and Amy Winehouse to name a few -- all seen through the lenses of high-profile photographers such as Mick Rock, Richard Avedon, David Gahr, Pennie Smith, Jean-Paul Goude, Henry Diltz, and Max Vadukul.

The exhibit runs through January 21, 2010 – but if you can’t make it to Brooklyn, you can pick up a copy of “Who Shot Rock & Roll: A Photographic History” the companion book to take you on a magic carpet ride through the last 55 years of rock and roll imagery.

TIE CARE 101

If you’re a neck-tie wearing guy, chances are you have a couple of favorites in heavy rotation, which is all well and good because most ties can last for years if you treat them right. How to give your ties a long, happy life? Here are a few pointers:

Hang it up, bro: Though they seem a little old school, it’s hard to improve on the tie rack – so use one to hang up your ties. While ties on hangers are OK for the occasional overnight, they’re definitely not a good idea for longer-term storage. A bunch of ties wrapped round a hanger will almost invariably get tangled up, slide off, hit the floor and commence wrinkling activities, so again, might we suggest a tie rack?

Knots so much: As soon as you come home, take 10 seconds to unknot (not pull apart) your tie to help it look better, longer. Don’t have 10 seconds? Then leave your tie knotted and lay the groundwork for permanent creases and wrinkles – just don’t say we didn’t warn you.

Hit the road, Jack: If you and your ties are hitting the road, there are a couple of ways to take them along for a virtually wrinkle-free ride. The gold standard for crush-proof, wrinkle-free ties is the classic tie case – it’s like a wallet for you ties. Next option: fold ties loosely and store them in the pockets of the suit jackets you’ll be traveling with.

Another option? Use your shoes as a carrying case – gently roll up your ties, lightly wrap them in tissue or clean socks and lightly tuck them into the mouth of the shoe (not jammed into the toe). Just keep it to one tie per shoe, and no matter which method you use, be sure to hang the ties up as soon as you arrive to keep wrinkles at bay.

Give ‘em some air: Chances are you own more than one tie, so change ties daily – never wear the same tie two days in a row. Just like your shoes, tie fabrics need a little time to breathe, let the wrinkles fall out and restore their original shape.

Waiter, is that a tie in my soup? Stains – they’re the sworn enemy of the tie. How to avoid them? It’s called a napkin, so get to know ‘em and wear ‘em high on your lap as possible but stop short of the napkin-as-bib look. You can also try wearing a tie tack to help keep the silk out of your soup. If you still manage to stain your tie despite your best efforts, get it to the dry cleaner as quickly as you can – and be sure to tell them what caused the stain so they can treat it with the appropriate antidote.

TRACY MORGAN, MAD GENIUS

If you’ve enjoyed comedian Tracy Morgan’s endearingly whacked-out performances on “30 Rock,” “Saturday Night Live,” YouTube and beyond, you’d probably agree when we say that Morgan is either off his rocker or off his meds.

Be that as it may, he’s also something of a mad genius. So we hope you’ll excuse us this weekend, because we’re taking the phone off the hook and spending some quality time with Morgan’s just-released (Oct. 20) book “I Am the New Black,” his warts-and-all autobiography.

Chronicling his rise from the projects of Bed-Sty, Brooklyn to television stardom, amidst battles with alcohol and diabetes and a disintegrating 20-year marriage, Morgan tells all, in his trademark take-no-prisoners style. We listened to a free excerpt on Itunes the other day and were instantly sold. To listen to an all-too-brief excerpt, head to Itunes for the free download and listen up.

INCREDIBLY USEFUL SITES

Call us lazy, but if you give us a simple site, we’ll use it. ‘Save us some time or money and we’ll be friends for life. Our latest incredibly useful online obsessions do both, which is why we’re doing some heavy book-marking these days. Perhaps you might want to enlist the help of the following sites as well:

PerryEllis.com: Shameless self-promotion or super smart shopper? To be honest, it’s a little bit of both, but prejudices aside, the site has some great deals on at the moment, so you can get the jump on the holiday rush by shopping now for gifts for your dad, brothers and in-laws at great prices. You’ll also help them look a good bit more stylish to boot.

GasBuddy.com: Type in your zip code and presto, up pops a list of the best gas prices in your neck of the woods. Simply genius!

Cnet.com: We don’t buy any electronic or digital gadgets ‘till we’ve checked in to see what the brainiacs over at Cnet.com have to say. Written in plain English, with pros, cons and comparisons of one model over another clearly spelled out, cnet.com reviews are our go-to guides for all things gadget.

Lifehacker.com: Think of it as a post-modern “Helpful Hints from Heloise” for the hipster crowd. Put another way, it’s a great daily blog that features tips, shortcuts, and downloads that help us get stuff done smarter and more efficiently.

Translation.babylon.com: Simple translations, from English into 18 or so other languages, done in a split second. Individual words, phrases, whatever you like – they can handle it, quickly and for free. Comes in seriously handy when the Japanese relatives come to town.

FIRST DATE DRESSING

Dressing for a job interview is one thing, but dressing for a first date with someone you’ve had your eye on for months? Now that’s a challenge. Wildly over-dress and the first date may well be your last; under-dress and risk being branded an unpresentable schlub who won’t be getting a second date, much less anything else.

How to get it just right? Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Baseball or royal ball? Figure out where you’re going – is it a jeans and parka night at the stadium, formal black-tie gala or something in between? Before you think about getting dressed for the big night, have a very clear picture in your mind about the formality (or lack thereof) of the occasion. When in doubt, it’s better to err slightly on the side of over-dressed. For example, a blazer, jeans and sneakers worn with a shirt and tie can work well at a baseball game, whether you wind up cheering from in the nose-bleed seats or whooping it up in the corporate sky-box.

Hairy situations: Yes brushing, flossing, fresh breath and a shower are always appreciated, but don’t forget the little things either. Remember to groom your beard and sideburns if you’ve got em. Give the nose hairs and yes, dare we say it, ear hairs a trim. If your eyebrows are Andy Rooney-esque, may we suggest hedge-clippers? Just kidding – actually, we’d recommend a pro shaping – but firmly tell the aesthetician that you want to keep them as natural-looking as possible. To give them a point of reference, just tell them your brows should take their cues from American Idol – your brows should be a lot more David Archuletta than Adam Lambert.

Keep it simple: Your mouth should do the talking, not your clothes, so skip corporate logo tees, Def Leppard tees and sports team jerseys. In general, it’s best to keep writing, lettering and designs to a minimum – are you listening Jon Gosselin? Put it this way, your date may not notice a good shirt, but trust us, she will remember a bad one, possibly forever. Your best bet is to go with a fitted, solid color t-shirt in a low-key neutral that’s either totally plain, or has a subtle design, like the Organic Vines Tee by Perry Ellis.

Cover your assets:If you’re not a natural fashion hound or your body isn’t Ryan Reynolds-ripped, then head for the middle ground – your clothes don’t have to stop traffic but they should fit well. Shirts should fit close to the torso and tuck neatly into pants without a lot of overhanging fabric under the arms or bunching around the waist. You want to give her an idea as to the shape of the body underneath your clothes – not obliterate it. Pants should follow the lines of the body – again with the goal of finding the happy medium between “Dancing With The Stars” tight, and Lil’ Wayne baggy/below-the-butt loose.

Hold the headgear: On that all important first date, just say no to baseball caps, Axl Rose/Brett Michaels headscarves and cowboy hats – they won’t hide thinning locks for long. Instead, if you’re loosing your hair, get a good cut and let your bald flag fly. Chances are she’s figured out your follicular challenges already or if all goes well, she’ll find out soon enough, so skip the headgear – and keep it real.

POCKET-SIZED PHOTO PRINTER

When we heard last year that Polaroid film would cease production, we nearly shed a tear. Granted we hadn’t used our Polaroid camera in 10 years, but the news did make us nostalgic for the early 90’s – back when we were the hit of every party, shooting off photos and handing them out to drunken friends.

However, very soon we’re going to be back in business ‘cus we’re picking up a Wasabi – Dell’s pocket-sized, portable printer that instantly prints photos from most mobile devices onto cool little, adhesive-backed 2 x 3 inch prints.

All you do is send your images via a PictBridge, Bluetooth or wired connection to the Wasabi and in less than a minute, you’ve got a pretty decent full color photo to share or perhaps save for blackmail purposes down the line.

The actual printing process utilizes zero-ink technology (or ZINC for short), a process that uses heat to activate the crystals embedded in the special photo paper as it passes through the printer. The Wasabi comes in black, pink or blue and can be had for about $100, which includes a starter pack of photo paper. For more info, click to www.Dell.com.

KICKS FOR THE LONG HAUL: SNEAKER SECRETS

Sneakers, kicks, athletic shoes, trainers, whatever you call yours, there’s a right way to treat em and a wrong way. If you want yours to last and look their best for as long as possible, be sure to give them a regular dose of TLC. Here’s where to start:

Pick your pair and give ‘em air: The way we see it, your best options are either canvas or leather kicks. Unless you’re OK with sweat-soaked feet, skip the patent leather and weird synthetic combos no matter how cool they may look. Canvas or leather will allow air to circulate throughout the shoe and allow your dogs to breathe – thereby minimizing the opportunities for foot-funk to gain a toe-hold. Also, let your kicks breathe without you in them– air them out after every wearing, dose the insides with a foot spray before wearing again and give them every other day off.

Walk like a (clean) man: Want to peep your kicks pristine? Then treat them more like you would a dress shoe and keep them out of dirt’s way – side-step puddles, don’t stomp around in mud, stay out of the sandbox, avoid construction sites, barns and bars with sawdust-strewn floors.

Hey, just stuff it:The only way to prevent creases on leather kicks is to preserve them in amber, which does defeat the fun of ownership a good bit. Instead, bust out your kicks as often as you like, but stuff ‘em when you get home – either with a shoe tree, wads of newspaper or clean socks – anything to help maintain and support the original shape of the leather and to prevent creases from settling in.

Paint one on:Check for scuffs and dirt every couple of wearings – before your kicks start looking dingy. Remove surface dirt on leather with a little bit of soap and a damp cloth. If you have scuffs, our favorite cover-up is Kiwi Liquid Shoe polish in black or white.

In a truly desperate moment we’ve even went so far as to hide a few small dings in the leather with a black Sharpie pen and White-Out. For canvas kicks, the classic Clorox Bleach Stick is great for cleaning up white soles and minor spots.

Another way to instantly freshen up your kicks? Wash your laces or buy a fresh pair if your old ones are beyond redemption.

GET YOUR INTERVIEW LOOK TOGETHER

Part of the interview process is for an interviewer to get to know you, check out your skills and try to determine if you might be a good fit for the company. Simple enough, but don’t kid yourself – they’re also being paid to make essentially a snap judgment about you, and to pick up on your more subtle clues – such as personal presentation, judgment and sense of appropriateness, etc.

So, as they’re the ones holding the keys to your future, you might as well dress for them – and save your more creative ensembles for those heady days after you’ve landed the job. Also, keep the following in mind:

Leave your sexy, back at home: Show no extra skin beyond your hands, neck and head. Shirts open at the neck and tight pants may kill ‘em at the club, but in the light of day, they can quickly turn off an interviewer. Your best bet? Unless you’re going for a job at ad agency or fashion magazine, err on the conservative side, at least for that initial meeting. By conservative we mean a suit, collared shirt and tie, with leather shoes (not your kicks).

Be fresh pressed:

…And well groomed. Well-tended facial hair is OK; a five o’clock shadow at 10 am is not. Brush your teeth and carry some mints along for a last minute touch up. And wrinkles, ah, wrinkles – you simply cannot walk into an interview in a wrinkled suit or shirt – you have got to look well-tended. Put it this way, wrinkles tell the interviewer you couldn’t be bothered and so why should they bother with you?

Clear the air: As in, don’t knock the interviewer out with the scent of coffee, cigarettes or cologne. Skip all three on the day of your interview to guarantee you won’t leave a trail they’ll remember for all the wrong reasons.

Shut it down: Turn off every electronic device in your bag – that means the Iphone, the Blackberry, the Nintendo – and whatever else can make noise or go off and disrupt the interview. Also, now we’re begging here, take the sunglasses off your head, pull the headphones out of your ears and power down the Bluetooth – none of them should be visible during an interview, no exceptions.

Go stealth: Carry a briefcase or high-end messenger bag, and have everything organized neatly inside so you look pulled together and in control, not scattered. Also, don’t carry extra stuff like newspapers, shopping bags, coffee cups, etc – again, the clutter you carry into the room with you will effect their opinion of you – and not in a good way.

HANGOVERS: GIVE ‘EM THE BOOT

Oops, you did it again. You got yourself a hangover, and we’re guessing you’re not all that happy about it. Can’t blame you though ‘cus hangovers stink.

The question is, how do you do to fight back once you find yourself in the thick of the hangover battle? While there’s no single cure-all for cocktail-induced illness, we can offer up a few ideas that might help speed your recovery – or at least help dial down the morning-after nastiness.

AVOID THE SUBJECT: Easy for us to say, but don’t get a hangover in the first place. Help stave one off by alternating every drink with a glass of water throughout the night to help dilute the effects of the alcohol and minimize the effects of alcohol withdrawal in the morning. Before you go to bed, drink another glass of water (or two) for extra measure.


START SIPPING: To combat a case of what we like to call "the dry thirstys," start sipping. Some people swear by Gatorade for its electrolyte-replenishing qualities, while others stick to fizzy drinks like ginger ale and 7Up or Sprite mixed with seltzer. Avoid drinks with caffeine as anything more than a cup of the stuff can add to the dehydration problem, which is about the last thing you need.


GO BACK TO BED: If it’s a weekend, try to sleep in and/or take a few naps during the day so your body wont have to work that hard and can start recovering from the abuse. If you’ve got to hobble through a work-day with a hangover, our heart goes out to you man – but push yourself through till 5 pm and go to bed as soon as after work as you can.

Also, do yourself a favor and keep the hangover news to yourself. No need to share it with your boss, your cube-mates or the coffee cart guy. If anyone asks, tell ‘em you might have a touch of the flu and they’ll probably keep their distance for the rest of the day.

CLEAN YOURSELF UP: Hit the shower, but don’t just stand there in a steamy coma. Instead wake up your body with the element of surprise – by switching back and forth between hot and cold water. Some say the technique helps clear the foggy brain that often goes hand-in-hand with a hangover.

DON’T POP PILLS: Yes, if it all possible, we’re suggesting that you white-knuckle it through your hangover and resist the urge to and take aspirin, Tylenol or ibuprofen for a hangover.
While they’re all relatively safe and effective drugs on their own, once you essentially mix them with alcohol, their side-effects include thinning of the blood, liver damage and stomach bleeding.



If you just can’t crawl through the day without some pill-induced relief, to minimize their potential damage, take ‘em as far into the next day as you can so you’re system has had some time to flush out the alcohol.

CARD SHARK: NEVER MISS MOM’S BIRTHDAY AGAIN

Greeting cards. Most of us remember to get them long after the occasion has passed and that yes, again, we’ve forgotten to send a card to mom and our little sister for their birthdays. Add in a few nieces and nephews – whose birthday months we can barely remember let alone the actual date – and well, one can see that family relations can get a little strained.

So, how not to look like a selfish, forgetful, ungrateful twerp of a son/brother/uncle? Check out jackcards.com – a "greeting card concierge service" – and never space on a birthday or special occasion again.

Here’s how it works: sign up with jackcards.com and load in the special occasion dates you want to send cards for. Select the cards you want and forget all about it.

About a week before the card is due in your relative’s mailbox, it will arrive in yours, stamped and ready for you to add a message, sign and pop in the mail.

The service costs about $3 -$6 per card, which if you ask us is a small price to pay for family harmony.

FIND NEW MUSIC THE LAZY WAY

Love hearing bands on-the-rise but too lazy to go out to a club to find ‘em? Well you could spend hours trolling the depths of YouTube ‘till you locate a couple of bands worth a listen or you could just ask your kid sister what she likes.

However, in this age of information overload, we’ve adopted three-pronged approach and invite you to do the same so you wont miss a beat. Here are our favorite combo of old and new school outlets for new and interesting tunes:

INTERNET RADIO: Try http://www.absoluteradio.co.uk/ for excellent new and classic "Brit rock" streaming live from London, try Absoluteradio.com. We’re fans because it’s helped us "discover" a bunch of great new bands we never would have found on our own. Better yet, when they toured the US, many of our discoveries played smaller venues where tickets went for less than $30 – and that totally rocks as far as we’re concerned.

MUSIC TELEVISION: And we’re not talking MTV, we’re talking "Fearless Music." We’ve been fans of this late-night, 30-minute, all-music show for a couple of years now because it’s simply brilliant – each episode features performances by 5 –to-7 up-and-coming bands, recorded live – with no fuss, virtually no patter and minimal introduction. Billed as "a real life concert brought straight into your living room with genres that span from Indie to Alternative to Hip-Hop and everything in-between," the show airs in over 200 U.S. cities, usually at 12:30 am on Friday or Saturday nights, but check your local listings – and set the TiVo.

MUSIC NEWSLETTER: Written and edited by professional music fans with really good taste, the OhMyRockness.com weekly email newsletter is like having a super cool buddy in the business who gives you the heads up on bands you should check out.

We’re signed up for their weekly show list email which serves up a comprehensive list of bands, large and small, who are playing in our town in the coming week. Included in the email are links to their handpicked selection of tunes from the OhMyRockness.com podcast, which are always worth a listen – and it’s all for free, which is OK by us.

TIE-SHOPPING TIPS

Neckties. At some point in life, we all need to wear one, and when that day comes, it helps to know what to look for -- particularly if you’re doing the buying. For those of us who have to tie one on every day, the trick is to buy a good quality one that will last pretty close to a lifetime.

Where to start? Here are a couple of pointers:

THE FABRIC: Silk is your best bet in terms of durability and overall look. A close runner up is the silk and polyester blend. Knit ties, though they have their place, also have a tendency to loose there shape, so you need to understand going in that they’re probably not going to last as long as their silkier brethren.

THE FEEL: The fabric should feel smooth and luxurious and have a little weight to it. However the heft should come from a light-weight lining, as the lining is there to weigh the tie down a bit, give the back a more finished appearance and give the tie body without making it look like a cardboard cutout.

THE LOOK: A nice, high-end tie generally will be cut on the bias, which is a more expensive and skillful way of cutting diagonally across the fabric. This fancier cutting technique allows the tie to lie flat down the center of your chest once you’ve tied it. If you’re not sure what a bias-cut tie looks like, ask the sales people to show you the difference.

THE DETAILS: Look for loose threads and if there are a few visible, keep looking for one that’s been finished more carefully. If you do find a few loose threads after you’ve had the tie a while, then cut the loose threads – never pull them as one wrong pull can virtually destroy your tie.

THE TECHNIQUES: If you’re looking for a new way to tie one, then look no further than http://www.neckties.com/content/howtotieatie.html. There you’ll find illustrated step-by-step instructions on how to tie everything from the Windsor to the St. Andrew knots, plus a few even we’d never heard of before, such as the Plattsburg, The Atlantic, and the Kelvin.

The Road To Recovery (Sartorially Speaking)

By Contributing Blogger Glen Palmer

To merely state that the national economy has been in critical condition would be a massive understatement. Standing on the cusp of economic disaster, a financial flatline was narrowly averted. With market stability somewhat under control, the arduous journey out of recession has slowly commenced. As consumer confidence steadily increases, so should the gentleman's confidence in his stylish wardrobe.

This Autumn, Perry Ellis expertly utilizes fun fabrics, purposeful pattern, and charismatic color to reflect the progressive imagination required in today's work environment. As the nation proceeds forward with much needed innovation & creativity, the contemporary gentleman is sure to be concurrent with the latest trends & fashions. Perry Ellis is here for assistance.

The Professional Gentleman
The sartorial redundancy of Casual Fridays spreading into the rest of the work week and even weekends. The need to distinguish one's self apart from a competitive field in a recovering economy. The exploding popularity of the AMC's Emmy & Golden Globe winning series Mad Men. Whatever the case may hold, gentlemen are devoting much more needed attention to their attire. They should be. Workplace professionalism is paramount and it begins with the suit. Dark hues such as charcoal gray is huge this Autumn. Also, classic patterns like herringbone & houndstooth has been updated with a polished & modern appeal.

The Business Casual Gentleman
Sartorial confusion is a state of mind that the gentleman can ill afford. In times of job uncertainty, the gentleman's attire must be decisive and definitive. Now, the concept of business casual has left many men dazed and confused. For many years, we have watched an uninspired parade of polo tops and khakis. The time has arrived to blend out and cease blending in. Time to separate yourself from the flock.Your appearance is relaxed, yet the formality of your dress is never disputed. Always great options: v neck sweaters, flannel odd trousers, wool cardigans, and crisp cotton dress shirt. If your favorite suit is overkill for your office, the gentleman can simply deconstruct his suit. Your suit jacket, vest, or trousers can be worn as separates while adding variety to your look.

The Traveling Gentleman
With the possibility of numerous business commutes a reality, the gentleman must be fashionably adroit in his navigation. Style should never be sacrificed in the name of comfort. Combined with a houndstooth sport coat, a crew neck sweater layered over a sport shirt is both easy and smart. Your transit is as smooth as the wool blend trousers you are sporting. Now, cotton is very forgiving when it comes to cozy travels, so invest in fabrics like corduroy & gabardine. And don't forget the weekend bag or duffel carry on luggage. You have some important possessions to carry!

The Casual Gentleman
Opportunity knocks and you should be ready to answer the door. One never knows who has an watchful eye on them. From the boardroom to the game room, sartorial fluidity should never be disrupted. Look just as fantastic off the clock as you look on the clock. The soft touch of a velvet blazer in deep chocolate. Crisp and rugged denim jeans. A luxurious cashmere turtle neck. Casual is never synonymous with sloppy. The distinguished gentleman is at ease at work and play. And his style reflects it.

About Glen Palmer
While some attend prestigious powerhouse schools to gain a sense of fashion, style and poise, Glen Antoine Palmer is a gentleman who has an innate sense of what looks good on today's man. Mr. Palmer will admit to anyone that his sense of style was limited before meeting his lovely wife Stephanie, to whom he gives many accolades for steering him in the right direction. However, these days, Mr. Palmer is enjoying his seat firmly behind the fashion wheel. The Sartorial Everyman, Mr. Palmer has constructed a style ideology that reflects both classic and timeless sensibilities; while embracing modern interpretations. Mr. Palmer created The Gentlemen's Standard blog to usher in a sartorial renaissance for the well dressed and distinguished urban gentleman. Glen is also style contributor for Detroit Fashion Pages. Through these venues, Glen is able to touch upon a myriad of style and fashion details often missed by today's hurried gentleman. In the near future, Mr. Palmer aspires to open a business that not only sartorially educates; but also offers affordable & elegant clothing to add to a gent's blossoming wardrobe.

FOOTBALL AND FASHION?

Submitted By Contributing Blogger Joe Walsh

With summer long gone and your sweaters starting to work their way back into the rotation, we are already approaching the quarter-pole of the NFL season. Most of the big questions remain unanswered: Is Brady back to form? Jury’s out. Are Favre and the Vikes for real? Probably - as long as Adrian Peterson stays healthy. Can Shannon Sharpe continue to show consistent week-to-week improvement in his studio attire? Let’s hope so!

Sharpe might be the biggest surprise of all. After years of leading the league in fashion flags, the former tight end has tightened up his game. In spite of sporting an NFL frame, Sharpe was always working suits that were cut with shoulders too broad, making him look even boxier. That is to say nothing of the venal sin of knotting his tie so large it looked more like a chest protector.

But, Sharpe was not the first guy to throw fashion Hail Marys during fall football coverage. On-air fashion has been through several phases. Join me for a quick journey through football fashion history.

Monday Night Mustard in the 70’s
The Look: In the early days, networks were so keen on promoting themselves with their sports programming that we were treated to uniforms – not just on-field, but also in the broadcast booth. The whole broadcast team was decked out in the same gear, and it always sported a blaring breast pocket logo. Probably the most memorable of these were the Monday Night Football mustard yellow blazers.

The Lesson: Blazers are classic and can work well in fall especially because they are versatile enough for jeans or cords, can look good over loafers, sneaks or boots, and you can rock one with a long-sleeve t-shirt, Henley, or sweater. Go classic blue, but stay away from anything that might make its way into Craig Sager’s closet.

EPSN and the 80’s
The Look: Logo wear was largely abandoned in the 80’s as networks realized that fans were drawn more by personality than network loyalty (enter, John Madden). Letting the “talent” off-leash led to some horribly bad neckwear, just look back at some of the early ESPN Sportscenter broadcasts. In fairness, Chris Berman was not alone - the tie problem was a pervasive signature of the entire decade in all walks of life. Piano tie anyone?

The Lesson: Chances are you are confident in picking ties for your suiting, but what about trying a tie as an accent on the weekend? There are some great knit ties out there this fall that can add some color and texture to autumn ensembles that threaten to get too drab.

Getting Sporty in the 90’s
The Look: Everything old is new again, and the 90’s brought back the trend toward broadcast teams gearing up in signature unis. This time though, there were no blazers. Instead, many networks went with golf shirts. Check out some old college football broadcasts from the 90’s era especially. Hey, nothing says “professional broadcast” like logo wear that any two-bit local business could get for $14.99 a unit from the local screen and embroidery shop.

The Lesson: Odds are you won’t be wearing your golf shirts too deep into fall, but the rules apply for sports gear year-round. There is a difference between a trim-cut polo and breathable golf gear designed to wick away the sweat. Save the sweats for the gym. Your game jersey? Don’t even ask.

2000’s – Blame the Steve Harvey Show
The Look: Steve Harvey had a hit show, he has a bestselling book, and he even has his own clothing line. Two out of three ain’t bad. Harvey’s signature look (broad pinstripes, bold colors, gross overuse of the pocket square and A LOT of buttons) made in-roads on-air in the new millennium. Merril Hoge loves the broad pinstripes. Until this year, the aforementioned Shannon Sharpe always seemed to have about twenty buttons on every suit. Michael Irvin would pair both sins - and throw in a color, like fire engine red.

The Lesson: If you stick with classic looks, you may not feel quite as au currant in the club, but you will never look back at pictures and ask: “what in the…?” Also, be careful about over-accessorizing. Howie Long usually looks good, but he sometimes goes off the rails by pairing four and five-button suits with huge tie knots and v-neck sweaters. Is there a shirt in there Howie?

Silver Lining to the Recession Cloud?
So far, 2009 looks like a good year for fashion fans (and fans in Indy, N’awlins, NYC, Minny and Mile High). Even Shannon Sharpe doesn’t seem as set on “expressing himself.” Maybe the networks are buckling down a little bit on some of the more ostentatious stuff because of the economy.

Next week, I’m going to take a small break from hardcore fashion and revisit some favorite NFL uniforms from years past. Have a favorite, send me an email and I’ll make sure we get it in the post.

Based in Boston, Joe is a Brand Ambassador for Perry Ellis and works in the renewable energy industry. His views on the law, policy and politics of energy and the environment are cited by worldwide news agencies like Reuters and leading media outlets like the Wall Street Journal. His email address is energyworkscr@gmail.com

ANVIL ROCKS: THE LITTLE DOCUMENTARY THAT COULD

For a while now we’ve been taking our entertainment cues from Entertainment Weekly’s Owen Gleiberman and The New York Post’s Linda Stassi. They both have good taste, they know good stuff when they see it and rarely if ever have they steered us wrong.

So when we saw both of their glowing, drop-everything-and-see-it reviews of “The Story of Anvil” we had to check it out. Though we had no interest in 80’s heavy metal rock n’ roll, based on Linda and Owen’s raves, we took a chance and checked it out. What we witnessed was one of the most hilarious, heart-breaking and triumphant rock documentaries ever.

“The Story of Anvil” – the DVD released on Tuesday — is about a real live 80’s Canadian metal band whose career went nowhere despite their enormous musical influence on virtually every heavy metal band of the 80s’. Clearly a lot went wrong for Anvil, and lesser men would have called it a day about 20 years ago -- but not these guys.

Instead the two founding members soldiered on, got menial day jobs, and kept right on playing more often than not for just a handful of die-hard fans at a time. Now well into their 50’s, the Anvil boys are still dreaming of stardom and trying to hit the big time, regardless of their advancing age, their 30-year track-record of commercial failure and mortgages on the precipice of default.

Will they make it? Will they fall apart? Will anyone show up at their next concert? We’re not saying, but we will say that “The Story of Anvil” will rock your world, no matter what your taste in music. Don’t miss it. To see the trailer and find out more: http://www.anvilthemovie.com/

CHILL OUT DUDE

Flipping off too many other drivers on the way to work? Fuse getting shorter? Um, guilty as charged. Come to think of it, these days it seems like most of us are wrapped a bit too tight. While obliterating stress isn’t even an option for most of us, we can at least try to get a handle on it without having to join a monastic sect.

Here are a couple of ways you can help take the edge off your day:

GET A TOY: Grab a stress ball and squeeze it when you’re on the phone with the client from hell. Looking for something more manly? Stash an 8 or 12-pound dumbbell in your desk drawer and do a few reps in between emails. In a pinch, grab a bit of bubble wrap and pop a few cells for the sheer, juvenile pleasure of it.

KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS: If every meeting you go to winds up being a half an hour longer than you’ve planned, then you’ll probably spend the day trying to make up the time – and getting fairly tense as a result. How to combat the time crunch? Get sneaky – pad your schedule by 15 or 30 minutes, once in the mid-morning and once again in the mid-afternoon. This way if your meetings end on time, you’ll get a few extra minutes to deal with the business of the day, and if not, at least your entire day won’t get screwed up, just part of it.

GET LOST: At lunchtime, try to get a quick workout in – nothing fancy, just a fast walk around the office park to help break up the tension of the first half of the day, and re-energize you for the second half.

THROW THE BUM OUT: Got a time-sucking superior or subordinate who makes you uptight? Next time they sit down in your office, give them a minute or two to state their business, and then stand up like you have to go somewhere, or excuse yourself to go to the men’s room. The mere act of standing up and starting to move will help (literally) move the conversation along.

HOT STUFF: Home at last. One of life’s simple pleasures and tension reducers is a hot bath. Experts suggest water temperature of about 100 degrees is the sweet spot, but go with whatever feels comfortable for you. Unwind your muscles by soaking for about 15 minutes and do nothing. No calls, no texting, no TV, no radio. Go ahead – we dare you.

NO, NO AND NO: If you tend to create your own stress by overbooking yourself, give yourself a vacation. Politely decline or cancel our invitations for a week or two, so you can do what you want and need to do, like maybe get a bit more sleep, hang out with your kids or take their mom out for a quiet dinner.

MLB American League Division Preview: Boston Red Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

By Contributing Blogger Ryan Liss of The Sportmeisters

About The Boston Red Sox:
The 2007 World Series Champions look to regain their title after Tampa Bay knocked them out of the ALDS last season. They come in as the AL wild card, clinching it with a 95-67 record. This is a much different team than the 2007 Championship squad, but they have the tools to get back there. It starts with their pitching, behind Josh Beckett (17-6, 199 Ks) and Jon Lester (15-8, 225 Ks). Look for either Daisuke Matsuzaka or Clay Bucholz to get the game three start.

Jason Bay is the new Manny Ramirez, and has shown up the former star quite well, with a .267 average and 36 home runs in 2009. He once again takes the pressure off of David Ortiz, who after struggling, bounced back with 28 home runs and 99 RBIs. Mid-season acquisition Victor Martinez, hitting .336 since being acquired by Boston, fills in nicely with Dustin Pedroia, Jacoby Ellsbury, and the rest of the Boston squad, who are stacked from top to bottom.

Despite some middle inning bullpen issues, if they can get to the eighth inning, look for Billy Wagner to set up nicely for lights-out closer Jonathon Papelbon (1.85 ERA, 38 saves).

About The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim:
The AL West winner is still looking for title number two, but those pesky Red Sox are in the way again. The Angels finished the season at 97-65. Opting for a more patient at the plate approach has worked out for them, as they are second in the AL in runs scored and sixth in walks. Howie Kendrick has hit .379 since the All-Star break, but the addition of Bobby Abreu (.293, 103 RBIs), and the emergence of Kendry Morales (.306, 34 HRs, 108 RBIs), has helped the squad adjust to a declining Vladimar Gurerro.

The starting pitching is so deep, 11-2 Matt Palmer is coming out of the bullpen. John Lackey needs to shake off his past performances against Boston (3-7, 5.00 ERA), so he can get out of game one with a win. The Angels bullpen is suspect, which explains why they lead the majors with six complete game shutouts. Look for some of their deep rotation to be thrown in middle and long relief.

The Matchup:
The Red Sox seems to have the Angels number in the playoffs, winning the last three series by nine games to one. However, Los Angeles isn’t worried about the past, as they took the season series 5-3, scoring 47 runs, a much greater output than the 16 they put in the three playoff series. Boston has a great pitching squad, and the Angels will have to preach heavy patience in order to tire them out.

The Red Sox arguably have one of the best teams from top to bottom, but the Angels have a strong pitching presence, that, if they can work them into the late innings, will work in Anaheim’s favor.

The Pick:
This series could start Wednesday or Thursday, depending on the play-off game in the AL Central. Either way, both teams are ready, and Los Angeles is extremely excited to shake off the three-playoff series losing streak. However, I don’t see Boston letting that happen, and Boston wins it in five.

BOOT SMART: DRY, HAPPY FEET

Though chances are the first snow-storm of the season is a long way off, this winter is supposed to be a cold one, so we say get the jump on the weather before you have to dig the car out. The first order of business? A good pair of bad weather boots – preferably ones that look reasonably stylish and keep you feet warm and dry.

Here are a few tips for happier feet this winter:

SHOP NOW: The early bird gets the good boots, and the good service, so shop now before the first flakes fall.

LINE ‘EM UP: Look for boots with an insulating liner for warmth. The liner should also be designed to wick moisture away from your feet. If the liner is removable, it will be easier to dry and air out as needed.

LOCK ‘EM DOWN: Look for sealed seams. Sealed seams will help prevent freezing water and slush from shooting in through the needle holes in your boots.

MAKE TRACKS: We’re big fans of the classic Vibram rubber sole – they give you traction in snow, slush and water, but truth be told, they probably won’t help much on patches of ice. To conquer the ice, walk with care, stay indoors till May or invest in a set of crampons.

TREAT ‘EM RIGHT: Treat leather with a dose of silicone to help repel water and force it to bead up and slide off the boot, rather than soak in. Better yet, before the first snow falls, have your shoe repair shop prep your boots for winter with silicone or boot oil (depending on the fabrication), then you can do the touch-ups on your own for the rest of the season.

MLB National League Division Preview: St. Louis Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

By Contributing Blogger Ryan Liss of The Sportmeisters

About The St. Louis Cardinals:
The NL Central Champions return to the playoffs for the first time since 2006, when they won the World Series. Behind the bat of possible NL MVP Albert Pujols (.327, 45 HRs, 135 RBIs), the Cardinals were already powerful. This season, they added Matt Holliday (.353, 13 HRs, 55 RBIs since joining St. Louis), to complement him.

This will help in avoiding the Dodgers pitching staff walking Pujols during the NLDS. The Cardinals also have arguably the best 1-2 punch in their pitching rotation behind Cris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright. The two combined for to only give up three runs in 21 innings against Los Angeles. Carpenter alone is 5-0 with a 2.20 ERA for his career against the Dodgers. Closer Ryan Franklin holds down the back end of the bullpen, earning 43 saves, but this is his first postseason appearance, so it remains to be seen how he will perform.

About The Los Angeles Dodgers:
The NL West winner, who also clinched the top NL record at 95-67, are hungry after losing in the NLCS to the eventual World Series Champion Philadelphia Phillies, and would love a rematch. First though, they need to get past the top pitching of St. Louis. They’ll do that in part thanks to Manny Ramirez (.290, 19 HRs, 63 RBIs), as well as from contributions from Andre Ethier (.272, 31 HRs, 106 RBIs), and Matt Kemp (.297, 26 HRs, 101 RBIs).

This three-headed machine is a big reason why the Dodgers ranked third in runs scored in the NL this season. The pitching staff has a bunch of quality starters all fighting for a rotation spot. The Game 1 start will go to Randy Wolf (11-7. 3.23 ERA), and Game 2 will go to Clayton Kershaw (8-8, 2.79 ERA). The bullpen has two strong closers in George Sherril and Jonathon Broxton, and having a deep bullpen will be key if St. Louis tees off offensively.

The Matchup:
The Cardinals won the season series 5-2, and the offensively-minded Dodgers struggled mightily, scoring a mere 19 runs in the seven games. The Dodgers also could be limited by health concerns to Wolf, Kershaw, and other members of the rotation, which could affect their deep pen. However, if they can get around Pujols and Holliday, the rest of the Cardinals lineup is beatable. For the Dodgers, Manny Ramirez hasn’t been his old self since returning from the suspension, but he is a monster in the playoffs, and L.A. could use the post-season Manny to play up to his skills. Closer Ryan Franklin blew three saves for the Cardinals in September, so he will need to get those out of his head quickly and shut down Los Angeles in the late innings.

The Pick:
This is a series of history, dating back to Stan Musial and Duke Snider. They meet for the first time in the playoffs since 2004, when St. Louis won in the NLDS. Look for St. Louis to repeat history and take down Los Angeles in four games.

BOOK ‘EM DANNO

Our moms believed that politeness was a virtue and insisted that we “always bring something for the host,” um, particularly if we wanted to be invited back.

Though we still have a tendency to mess-up a bit in the thank-you note department, we can honestly say that we never arrive at a house empty-handed. The tricky bit is what to bring, as you never know who is allergic to what or if they’re fresh out of rehab.

So next time you’re invited to “be their guest” leave the bottle behind and bring along an entertaining read instead. Here are a few reasonably priced gems:

-- For the know-it-all host, try any one of the trivia game books from the “Obsessed With” series, which includes “Obsessed With TV”, “Obsessed With Golf”, “ Obsessed with Baseball”, “Obsessed With Star Wars” and “Obsessed With Hollywood”. Each book features 2,500 questions on the chosen subject, plus an interactive feature that lets your host keep score.

-- For the 35-year old gal with a campy sense of humor “God’s Gift: Over 100 Studs, Stallions and Dreamboats from the 70s and 80s,” is a loony compilation of cheesecake photos of famous guys from way back when. Featuring horrendous outfits, hair-don’ts, gold chains and mustaches galore, “God’s Gift” is a book that will liven up even the dullest gathering.

-- For the alt/indie rock music dude, you artsy sister-in-law or design-conscious neighbor, go on the hunt for Nick Di Fonzo’s hysterically funny “Horrifically Bad Album Covers,” a celebration of album cover art gone terribly wrong.

From the less-than-chart-topping “Business Letters Dictated at Various Speeds” by Stenodisc to “Shiver My Timbers” by Captain Hook and His Christian Pirate Crew, the book’s 200 album cover photos and Di Fonzo’s satirical commentary makes this book one very memorable host/hostess gift.

MLB National League Division Preview: Colorado Rockies vs. Philadelphia Phillies

By Contributing Blogger Ryan Liss of The Sportmeisters

About The Philadelphia Phillies:
The Phillies clinched their third straight NL East Division Title with a record of 93-69. As defending World Series champions, they have a lot of targets on their back. However, they field a team that is strong in many areas. Offensively, they led the National League in runs scored and home runs, thanks to contributions from Ryan Howard (45 home runs, 141 RBIs), and Chase Utley (26 home runs, 93 RBIs, .282 average).

They also boast one of the strongest pitching staffs, with two legitimate aces in mid-season acquisition Cliff Lee (7-4, 74 Ks, 3 Complete Games since the trade) and 2008 World Series MVP Cole Hamels (10-11, 4.28 ERA, 168 Ks).

They are also deep, and could use mid-season replacement Pedro Martinez in the bullpen, allowing Joe Blanton or J.A. Happ to get the third game start. However, with 11 blown saves, closer Brad Lidge is not who he was in 2008. Happ or Ryan Madson could take the role from him in the playoffs.

About The Colorado Rockies:
It’s another season of Rocktober for the Rockies, who clinch the wild card spot with a 92-70 record after being left for dead earlier this season. The Rockies rely heavily on young pitching and defense, knowing full well that their offensive stats are inflated due to the high elevation of their field.

The team finished sixth in the NL in ERA, a fine stat considering where they play. They are led by Ubaldo Jimenez (15-12, 3.98 ERA) and Aaron Cook (11-6, 78Ks). All five of their starters had ten or more wins, giving them great depth for the playoffs. They are a young team though, with no real power hitters, and spent a lot of energy getting themselves into the playoffs. It will be tough to keep that momentum up, but if anyone can do it, they can.

The Matchup:
The Phillies won their series 4-2, but Colorado won the previous two matchups. Colorado had one of the best home records at 51-30, and opponents usually claim extreme fatigue after a few days in the thin air.

However, Philadelphia counters that with a major league leading 48-33 record on the road, and the fact they didn’t lose a single playoff game at home in 2008. Both teams boast strong pitching records, but Philadelphia easily has the power advantage, and can capitalize on one or two mistakes. However, if Philadelphia does not figure out their bullpen situation soon, they could open the door for a comeback or two from Colorado.

The Pick:
Philadelphia seems to have all the necessary tools (and a few extra ones) to give them a great shot at being the first repeat World Series winner since the New York Yankees (1998-2000). Philadelphia in four games.

Agree? Disagree? Let's hear from you!

TEE SHIRTS, INSIDE & OUT

When we were growing up, the only time a tee shirt saw the light of day was when dad had to mow the lawn. Otherwise, the tee shirt, available in white, white or white, was kept under wraps, locked down, underneath a suit or sport jacket.

Fast-forward a few decades and the tee shirt has busted out all over. Here’s how to wear ‘em with style:

THE CLASSIC WHITE TEE: Worn under a shirt and suit jacket, Don Draper-style, the classic white crewneck tee shirt hides chest hair, sweat, lipstick stains and martini spills. It is, perhaps, man’s most perfect garment. How to wear it well? Snugly. As the white tee shirt is the foundation of your outfit, the smoother the tee fits, the better your dress shirt and jacket will lie over it.

KICKING IT CASUAL: It they don’t expect you to wear a suit and tie to the office, then a solid color crew neck in a muted tone can work well on its own under a sport jacket or blazer. Choose a slightly fitted tee, preferably long-sleeve, to add a hint of formality without sacrificing comfort.

HIPPER THAN THOU: For weekend wear, we say the more tee shirts the better. For day, we like a ringer or v-neck short-sleeve tee, layered over a lightweight long-sleeve tee shirt. For a casual night out or date with someone special, a solid-color, slim-fitting tee over a button-down shirt looks pulled together but not like we’re trying too hard. If the night is super casual, then we’ll go with jeans, a vest (no denim, please) and a fitted long-sleeve crewneck, you know, to show off our guns.

GOOD GRAPHICS MAKE THE MAN: How to gussy up a basic tee? Add an interesting graphic, a pair of jeans, and head out for a casual lunch. A bit more stylish than a solid-color tee, the graphic tee is a good Saturday daytime look. Sidestep the John Gosselin look altogether by avoiding oversized, neon tiger graphics. Instead look for muted colors and designs drawn with a light hand. Not surprisingly Perry Ellis has a few to choose from.

Our favorite? The Organic Vines Tee. Have a look: http://www.perryellis.com/Knits+Tees/Organic-Vines-Tee/invt/49fk5157ps&bklist=icat,4,shop,pemen,pedmknitsandtees

TEE SHIRTS THAT SPEAK VOLUMES: The classic “I’m With Stupid” tee shirt has become the gold standard of awful/idiotic/tacky message tee shirts. Though we’re not huge fans, we don’t rule out “talking” tees altogether, we just ask that you do wear ‘em with care.

Follow these three rules and you won’t go wrong:

(1) the message has to be brief, say, no more than 2 words

(2) words should be PG enough to wear in front of your mother or a member of the clergy without embarrassing either of them

(3) the shirt should be worn only when off-duty, never to the office.

OH NO! IT’S A MUSCLE TEE: How to send the object of your affections running in the other direction? Try a muscle tee or tank top. Can you wear a muscle tee to work? Yes, if you work in a gym, all-night disco or at the World Wrestling Federation. Stonewashed jeans, mullet and “cans o’beer” hat are optional.

How To Get Your Small-Market NCAA Team On TV

By Contributing Blogger Ryan Liss of The Sportmeisters

Some time ago, I had the chance to meet with Randy Spetman, Florida State Athletic Director, and he told me the way to get into a career in sports, was to be able to sell your product. So, it’s time for me to earn my marketing degree and explain how to get your college football team some better exposure.

Back in 2004, ESPN hyped what was arguably the greatest time for a football fan, and that was 19 straight days of at least one live football telecast (college or NFL). Now, we’re used to Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and the occasional Thursday game, which is now becoming a weekly standard, and even a Friday game is becoming commonplace.

But games being played on Tuesday and Wednesdays? Yes it happened, and with 119 different FBS teams, there are thousands of fans who I’m sure tuned on those days to see their small-market school that don’t quite get the prime-time love on a Saturday night. Which, right there, is the key.

Small market schools from conferences such as the WAC, MAC, Sun Belt, C-USA, MWC, and so forth, aren’t top tier teams. Granted, the MWC is slowly making a name for themselves, but that’s semantic detail. Financially, they don’t pull in the big bucks that the bigger teams do, and in today’s cutthroat environment, especially for coaches, those with smaller budgets have to think outside the box to pull in the top recruits.

What else says free publicity like a weekday game nationally televised by ESPN? For example, both Tuesday and Wednesday games for two weeks during the 19 days of Football Television, were played by C-USA schools. That’s eight teams getting a national audience to show their product. What team wouldn’t take that opportunity?

In the earlier days of football, teams could use the prestige angle and the exposure of being a big-time school to help lure recruits, because it was only those handfuls of schools getting the attention that would turn the head of NFL scouts. Now, those same teams that used that recruiting pitch can’t anymore, because we’re having these smaller schools get attention because they play games on “off-nights.”

Twenty years ago, how many NFL scouts and high school recruits would have been interested by the fact that Kevin Smith from UCF ran for the 2nd most yards in a single season, with 2,567? He ended up being televised twice on national television, with one of those games coming on a Sunday night. A night not designated for football, and on that night, 3rd round draft pick Kevin Smith rushed for 175 yards and two touchdowns. Would anyone have cared otherwise?

I know, I’m focusing heavy on one specific conference, but let’s face it, all the smaller conferences are using the fact that they will be televised to market themselves, and they’re playing harder than ever for the recruit’s attention!

The following mid-major teams have played at least one game on a non-college football day: Ball State, Louisiana Monroe, Tulane, SMU, Florida Atlantic, Middle Tennessee State, and so forth.

Even for the smaller schools in the bigger conferences that don’t get a lot of attention, they take advantage of this opportunity. We hear the ESPN pundits’ discussing the Thursday upsets of Vanderbilt over South Carolina, TCU destroying BYU, Colorado over West Virginia, and, obviously, Oregon State over USC. I find it hard to believe the lights of being the only game in town not weighing a little heavier on the underdogs.

The funniest thing of all, some of the BCS schools are realizing this untapped potential. Let’s look at the Louisville Cardinals. Ever since Petrino left and Brian Brohm fell off the map, we haven’t heard too much of them. So what do they do? They schedule HALF their games on a non-primary college football night. That’s six games of guaranteed television, and an easy way to tell their recruits, you will be shown off in front of the entire world, if you come sign and play football with us.

If I was an Athletic Director, and I needed to market my small-market team, I’d do like Louisville, only take it one step further: Every game is a weekday game. Outside of the one or two non-conference games (to earn the big paycheck for getting whooped, and some of those games get televised), I would just play them all on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, and promote to my recruits that we can get you the national exposure to help get you to the next level, and win you the big awards, and all the while, the school rakes in the dough from it. A complete win-win for all members.

So there you have it, my plan to make even the smallest mid-major conference school just as competitive as the big boys, and I for one, always look forward to sitting down and watching a football game, regardless of the date, time, and who’s playing.

ONE-SHOT VIDEOS TO LOVE

Lately, it seems that clever little one-take videos have been popping up all over the net. Whether it’s a gang of twenty somethings lip-synching around the office, a band trying to create some buzz or a filmmaker showing off his mad skills, the one-take video genre is becoming something of a legitimate art form.

The “one-take” is usually pretty ingenious and more often than not forces you to say, “how did they do that?” even though, without editing, there really aren’t any tricks of the trade involved. Now that’s what we call reality programming! Here are a few of our current favorites:

1) "Subterranean Homesick Blues" – one of the original one-take wonders featuring the too-cool-for-school Bob Dylan in 1965 lip-synching "Subterranean Homesick Blues," while staring blankly at the camera and tossing cue cards onto the street. Click to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PedxiosPF8U2.)

2) “C’etait un Rendez-Vous” – a heart-stopping ride at roughly 60 mph through the streets of Paris, complete with the sounds of screeching tires and revving engines. Made in 1976 by director Claude Lelouch, it’s a passenger’s eye-view of the City of Light moments just before dawn – simply breathtaking. Click to: http://www.vimeo.com/2840720 <http://www.vimeo.com/2840720>

3) “I Gotta Feeling” – a recent entry by 172 students at the University of Quebec who all turned up to lip-synch a loosely choreographed, fairly exuberant version of the Black Eyed Peas hit, “I Gotta Feeling,” playing off the now infamous flash mob version that debuted on Oprah’s season opener a few weeks back. Click to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXpQqU3-0q

4) “Let The Beat Build” – an amazing one-take that features live music, with a large cast of singers, violinists, drummers, pianists and other musicians while Nyle, a rapping NYU college student, rhymes his way through three-plus minutes of surprisingly positive lyrics about making it as an artist in spite of tough economic times. Listen to it a few times and you won’t be able to get it out of your head, nor will you want to. Click to: http://vimeo.com/4189528?sec=&hd=1

5) “Here It Goes Again” – Previously unknown, rockers OK Go made a name for themselves with their show-stopping video for “Here It Goes Again.” Simple, cheap and brilliantly funny, OK Go’s astonishingly well-choreographed dance routine, performed entirely on moving treadmills demands repeated viewings.

6) “Mediate” – Call it a loving tribute or a wee bit of petty thievery, in 1987 Aussie band INXS borrowed heavily from the Bob Dylan video playbook with the video for their song “Mediate.” Though there’s one intentional cross cut at the start of the video, once Hutchence starts singing and hurling cue cards, all is forgiven. Click to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFUEgFdP5zE

Honorable Mention: Hats off, and a bit more, goes to the electro-rock duo Make The Girl Dance whose slightly scandalous yet amusing video for their dance track “Baby, Baby, Baby” features beautiful French models strutting down the streets of Paris lip-synching the lyrics, clad only in high heels and strategically placed blackout bars. Granted, the song is a bit lightweight, but watching the reactions of pedestrians is half the fun. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x99ein_make-the-girl-dance-baby-baby-baby_music

HAPPY FEET: SHOE CARE 101

If you want your shoes to last a while, you’ve got to treat them with a little respect, and a bit of TLC. Here are a few pointers on how to keep them in top form:

Take it easy: Don’t jam your foot into your shoes; get an assist from a shoehorn. As retro as it might seem, an old-school shoehorn will preserve the shape – and the look – of the back of your shoes.

Give them a vacation: Wearing the same shoes day after day is a recipe for feet that reek. Rather than gassing the guys at the office, rotate your shoes. Switching shoes ever other day will help the shoes maintain their shape and give them time to air out between wearings.

Stuff ‘em: In a perfect world, wooden shoe trees are great for helping dress shoes dry out from daily wear, tear and sweat. In a pinch, say if you’re traveling, you can always stuff shoes with newspaper to dry them out and help them keep their shape. If you’re really short on time, a few quick shots with a blow dryer on low heat, aimed inside the shoe can speed things up, but use a blow dryer only as a last resort, as too much heat can hurt the leather.

Handle with care: If your shoes get soaking wet, dry them off as best you can and stuff with newspapers, re-stuff with dry newspapers every few hours and place them in front of a fan – but never in front of a heater as too much heat will crack the leather.

Once they’ve dried a bit, take them to your shoe repair shop for a full buff and polish treatment, and re-blocking