Flannel and Suede Tuesday. . .

Whew! Almost three hours spent reading and providing feedback for 41 self-evaluative reflections submitted by students at the end of last week for one of my two courses this semester/term. A largely thankless task since most will pay no attention to the probing questions asked and suggestions made.

There are ten such low risk (two points each) formative assignments between Week Two and Week 13 besides three collaborative projects (due at the end of Week Five, Week 10, and Week 14) and a semester capstone that students complete individually (due at the end of Week 15). The format is similar for all of the courses I teach whether face-to-face, hybrid, or asynchronous online.

So, why spend the time providing feedback for the ether? To create a paper trail of sorts. That way, when students come to me with either belligerence or crocodile tears (it rarely varies) and complaints that they won't be able to earn their A+ -- a foregone conclusion out ahead of the invariable medical or law school applications -- I can direct them to the feedback provided, which is visible in the little online window next to the file of, or link to, the work submitted.

To wit: "Have you read and followed up on the suggestions I made? What measures have you taken to improve the situation as a result? What can you do to think more deeply about and develop more detailed reflections on course materials and your related learning for a given week?"

Alternately, "What are some concrete steps you can take to collaborate more effectively with the members of your student learning team each week?"

Problems, either independent or collaborative, usually stem from a lack of forethought, careful planning, effective organization, poor communication, and/or follow-through. Usually a combination thereof. People would learn a lot more, and be able to demonstrate if not mastery, then at least familiarity, if only they would read and follow directions. Sigh.

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The attire for today includes items already in the rotation for a number of years although this is the first wearing for the light gray flannel pants. Purchased these on sale a year or more ago, but only managed to get them to the tailor for the usual minor alterations back in May or June.

So, warm and toasty for a chilly fall morning. Almost like pajamas, and certainly every bit as comfortable, but pressed and better looking. I remain convinced that if more men were aware that comfort can very much be a part of the dressing up equation, then more of them would take pains to attire themselves more presentably than has become the accepted norm in the 21st century.

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Early this morning while dressing, I put on one of my wristwatches, just back from the jeweler with a new battery, only to find it has stopped again. Argh!!!! Luckily they are two doors down from our son's Tae Kwon Do studio, so I can drop it off again tomorrow afternoon. But, darn.

And no. That's NOT what I thought to myself, but propriety you understand.

-- Heinz-Ulrich

Mid-November Monday. . .

A few minutes between classes this morning, so I snapped pictures of today's attire and accessories. The first wearing this season of the Optimo 'Dearborn' fedora, and the tie is a vintage number from Orvis, a nod to my late father's fly-fishing and fly-tying hobbies. It's been two or three years since this particular necktie's last appearance, so high time to pull it out and knot it carefully around the ol' neck. Managed to nail it on the first attempt too. Could this be the start of a trend? -- Heinz-Ulrich

The Problem of "Business Casual" Attire. . .

This is how it's done. Business Casual the RIGHT way, ladies and gentlemen. Even during the summer months. A photograph (taken by Studio B Portraits ) which appeared in 425 Business Magazine in May 2017. T his post on the problem of business casual dress began as a quick postscript to a previous blog entry last week but quickly grew and grew as additional thoughts occurred, were developed in more detail, and revisions made. So much so, that it seemed, eventually, like a better idea to make the initial P.S. afterthought into its own entry . Are ya ready, Freddy? Then, here we go. . . ------------ U nless you actually plan to sell beach snacks and trinkets on Cozumel, become a serial barista, or greet customers at a fancy nightclub after taking out huge student loans to attend university somewhere for four or five years, plus an MBA afterward, it's really a better idea to err on the side of (somewhat) more formal work at...

My Preferred Oxford Cloth Button-Down Shirts. . .

One of several light blue cotton oxford cloth button-down collar shirts in my rotation, worn here with a wool flannel navy blazer and a vintage Italian silk necktie once sold under the Rooster label. An orange-brown with silvery paisleys, ideal for the autumn. T he other day, a regular visitor to Classic Style for the Average Guy left a comment in which he asked for information and my recommendations on the classic oxford cloth button-down shirt, commonly abbreviated to 'ocbd.' "Me? Are you tawkin' to me?" Oblique Robert DeNiro references aside, let's talk oxford cloth button-down shirts. This particular type of shirt is one of the bedrock items every man should have a few of hanging in his closet, especially when he wishes to present himself to the world in a way better -- yes, I said better -- than what has become the sad accepted average among so much of the male populace. First things first though. Lots of people automatically...

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