Friday Retreat Style. . .

No teaching last Friday, but a two-hour professional development committee retreat with four colleagues between 10-Noon to plan a couple of events for the Spring semester. Which, naturally, resulted in another meeting for further discussion of the matter. Trying to schedule that now. Sigh.

Still, it provided a good reason to shower, shave, and don various old favorites before the drive into campus. Similar attire today (Tuesday) with a few differences. Photos to follow tomorrow.

But last week.

Friday afternoon, the Grand Duchess, Young Master, and I escaped up north for a long weekend of cross-country skiing in the Grayling-Gaylord area of Michigan. It was amazing gliding through in the snowy woods atop some fast new Madshus skis (ordered a year ago), which took a bit of getting used to.

Much to my son's pleasure, I took a number of spills during our ski trip, including a spectacular face plant Saturday midday near the bottom of one hill where I lost my edge on one ski, as I attempted a turn, and was catapulted face-first into the snow. Occasional falls will happen. It goes with the territory even for experienced skiers. This one was my best in a long time.

But you get yourself up, dust off the snow from your seat or side, and continue on your way. By day's end Saturday, I had found my ski legs and was skiing more confidently on the new two+ meter planks clipped to my feet. Another outing followed at a different ski area Sunday with a few hours late in the morning and early afternoon Monday before we headed south.

By 6pm, we were home, the car was unloaded, and dinner was heating in the oven. The Grand Duchess and I later enjoyed a glass of wine last night by the fire before retiring about 11pm, fatigued, mellow, and happy. The Young Master, for his part, was long asleep.

In about three weeks, we are heading up north once more, but to a different part of the state to explore another Nordic skiing center outside of Cheboygan. I C-A-N-N-O-T wait!

In the meantime, time now to get some real work done.

-- 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 attire any time you head into the

"If you see something you want. . ."

The above photograph has been "borrowed" from the J. Press website. "I f you see something you want," advised my late mother, "buy it. It won't be there when you go back later." A favorite (and wise) adage hers that I still follow whenever possible. So when this item appeared on clearance at J. Press, I mulled it over for a couple of days, and then clicked the requisite boxes to make the online purchase. Should be here within the week. Once upon a time, I had a similar jacket by Corbin that I foolishly purged before we left Central Illinois ('Illi-noir' anyone?) for Michigan almost 10 years ago. Not sure what I was thinking at the time since I did like the item and wore it routinely. This one will be a bit nicer and help me make sartorial amends. At least to myself. -- Heinz-Ulrich

The Average Guy's Guide to Classic Style Now on Ebay!!!

Another great old Laurence Fellows illustration of menswear from the classic era, the 1930s. T he Average Guy's Guide to Classic Style is up and running on Ebay. -- Heinz-Ulrich

Classic Style

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