A Sterling Tradition. . .

The current iteration of the sterling silver pen and pencil set by Cross, available via Amazon for a reasonable price.

Some people are fans of interesting and unique fountain pens. For instance, my wife, The Grand Duchess, owns and uses several routinely.

I, on the other hand, have never quite gotten the hang of them and prefer to spare my attire from possible mishaps with a temperamental ink reservoir. Far better, in my view, to use more reliable, though nevertheless interesting models of ballpoint pens and occasionally mechanical pencils. My collection is small, but includes a few such items by Cross and Parker, used each week, plus a couple of no name varieties, picked up here and there, which don't necessarily scream cheap conference giveaways.

Imagine my delight a week or so ago when I unearthed a long-forgotten sterling silver ballpoint pen and pencil set by Cross in a dresser drawer. These were given to me by good ol' Mom way back in June of 1985 when I graduated from high school. The black ink refill and pencil leads still function after all this time. That comes, I guess, from keeping the pen and pencil in their case largely unused for almost 34 years.

Cross pens and pencils have a bit of history in my family. My father, on completing stockbroker school in Manhattan during Spring 1974, purchased himself such a set -- a bit more elegant and refined than, say, a Papermate or disposable Bic -- as he geared up for a career in the financial sector and moved even further afield into Brooks Bros. territory. Not too long after, he presented my maternal grandfather (a Southwick man) with a similar pen and pencil set.

It seems that the apple didn't fall too far from the tree at least insofar as writing instruments are concerned. After a bit of polish this afternoon with a jewel cloth to remove the tarnish of three plus decades, my own pen and pencil are ready to go inside my inner left jacket pocket tomorrow morning. A sterling family tradition continues.

-- 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...

Friday on Campus Style. . .

S omewhat atypically, I was on campus for several hours today helping with an interview that is part of a larger documentary project on which a colleague and I are working. Although I am behind the camera (I'm the audio guy in fact), what better reason does one need to dress presentably? Exactly. Everything worn, barring the recently purchased University of Wisconsin socks, a gift from the Grand Duchess, has been in the rotation for a while now. And, of course, there was the Panama hat, which I'll wear until we pass October 1st when the felt fedoras reappear. -- Heinz-Ulrich

Tan Suit Tuesday. . .

W hile it's now after Labor Day here in the U.S,. we still have almost three weeks left of summer according to the calendar. And since today was bright, sunny, and pleasantly warm (though far from hot), it seemed like a perfect opportunity to trot out my tan cotton suit and tan loafers/belt. Slightly disheveled, yes. And the shoes need some Renovateur to moisten 'em up But not a bad overall look if I might be so bold. -- Heinz-Ulrich

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