Movember Mustache/Beard Guidance

We're half way through Movember, and I'm betting you've got some mildly decent (like me) or wildly impressive (probably most of you) facial hair growth by now.

If you haven't already, it may be time to consider some grooming, in lieu of shaggy all-over growth.

Here are a few graphics to keep in mind as you choose your style, especially if you still want to be date-able and/or not scare mothers and small children while walking around the neighborhood.

Does clicking on this make it bigger? If so, it's worth reading the descriptions.

Is it cause for concern that I currently have the 'goatee + mustache', but I think it's more fun to have 'the horseshoe aka the Hogan'? You should talk me out of shaving my chin.

My dad has pretty much always been in the range of Tom Selleck to Burt Reynolds.
Great choice, dad. A classic 'stache.

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The Holstee Manifesto

I had never heard of the Holstee Manifesto until my friend Bree posted this video on her Facebook page.

From what I can tell, Holstee is a super-hipster company that sells some interesting stuff, but what I'm really interested in is their inspirational message in this video.

We all need to live life, be creative, and do more with the valuable time we've been given.

Here's the Holstee Manifesto in one graphic.

To the degree that you currently can, I hope you join me in heeding its charge and spirit.

So what is your passion, friend?

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Dressed to the Elevens

What's that? You say the subject line is confused and should be "Dressed to the Nines"?

Not so, friend. At the Mt Ida Elevenses (11-11-11) party, we were dressed even better than that.

We were dressed to the elevens.

Exhibit A:

Emily and I looking smashing in our cocktail attire

Exhibit B:

The lovely Mt Ida hostesses

Two of my friends played bartender, and they came up with some very tasty mocktails and a couple different non-alcoholic shots, which added to the festive atmosphere.

The bartenders, serving up some fierce ginger-loaded shots.

This group denied that they were being intellectual. I didn't believe them.

Check out this good-looking foursome.

Each hour on the 11 (8:11, 9:11, etc), people performed short acts for our entertainment. Songs, poems, reflective thoughts, etc, were among the talents shared.

Emily helped me put together a quick little poem after the 10:11 acts, so that I could share it right after the 11:11 countdown and celebration. This is what we came up with:

It's 11-11-11, here at Mt Ida,

And so, briefly, I just wanna try da

Share a few words from the bottom of my heart;

How grateful I am before we all depart.

Our wonderful hostesses, or is it hostess-eye...

Uh oh, I just used ellipsis, hope that doesn't make Amber cry.

We've had great entertainment, from reflective to funny,

While these gals stuffed shots into our tummies.

Handsome fellas abounded and ladies pretty as the heavenses;

Thank you all for coming to Mt Ida to celebrate the elevenses.

Nothing fancy, but I was happy to contribute and be involved in such a numerologically significant party.

See you all on 12-12-12!

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11:11 am on 11-11-11

Not sure how we got to the subject, but my friend Amber was telling me* how much she loves 11-11 and that she and her mom always call each other at exactly 11:11 in the morning. Aw, isn't that sweet.

Anyway, that got me thinking about how rare a day like this is.

Think about it; the next sequence of all the same number will be over a decade from now on 2-2-22.
But if you're a purist (are there numerology purists?), then that date might be considered 02-02-22 and wouldn't count. Then the next one wouldn't be until a century from now.

So I'm gonna make my wish, enjoy this magical day, and hit up the Mt. Ida Elevenses Party tonight.

*Note: I wrote this in October, but scheduled it to post on November 11th.

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It's Nigel Tufnel Day! Crank It Up to 11!

Today is a special day for Spinal Tap fans.
11-11-11 is Nigel Tufnel Day!

So why does this lead guitarist of a made-up band get his own day?
Because his amps don't just go to 10. He cranks them to 11!

In case you don't remember the scene from Spinal Tap, here it is:

So to celebrate Nigel Tufnel day, do what you do today with a little more zest and a little more zeal than you normally would. Crank it up to 11!

PS: Is Nigel looking kinda familiar to you, but you don't know why because you've never seen Spinal Tap?
Perhaps it's because Christopher Guest is also the six-fingered man from The Princess Bride.

Yeah, those worlds just collided. You're welcome.

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Say It Ain't So! [Joe Frazier, Joe Paterno, Lindsay Lohan, Notre Dame Football, Duggar Family]

Lots of craziness lately, so I figured I'd stuff them all into one post and just keep each short and sweet.

RIP Joe Frazier

His professional boxing career began right after he won the USA's only gold boxing medal in the 1964 Olympics. He dominated most matches, eventually becoming the official world heavyweight champion in 1970. Perhaps his most famous bout was against Muhammad Ali (pictured above), which he won to retain his title. Frazier lost his 29-0 win streak and the championship belt to George Foreman in 1973. He had a couple comeback attempts, most famously the "Thrilla in Manila" against Ali, but Frazier never regained his former glory or the title. Diagnosed with liver cancer in September of this year, he passed away on November 7th. RIP, Smokin' Joe.

RIP Joe Paterno's Coaching Career

Due his assistant coach being charged in an alleged child sex scandal, the legendary coach of the Penn State football program was fired effective immediately. He holds the record for most wins by a collegiate coach (409), but his failure to report knowledge of the sex scandal to legal authorities appears to have been deemed by the Penn State Board of Trustees as too large too overlook. While I loved him as an icon and coach, I have to agree with them. Farewell, JoePa, and best of luck in retirement.

Lindsay Lohan Continues Streak of Terrible Decisions

It's official. Her career is in freefall. The latest is that she's posing fully nude for Playboy. After her theft of a necklace from a jewelry store, she now has to work at county morgue for 12 days, and is required to attend 18 psychotherapy sessions along with her 53 days of community service [source]. Though unlikely, I hope even the paparazzi will start to pity her and leave her to fight her demons in peace.

Notre Dame Football Fashion Faux Pas

The Notre Dame football program has a proud heritage of excellence. They inspired the movie Rudy, for goodness' sake! When they already have great helmets/logos (solid gold helmets, the interlocking "N" and "D", and the boxing Irishman), it's just lame to use these shamrock helmets [source]. They must be hoping their next opponent's uglier helmets (poor Maryland) will be more distracting than theirs.

Duggar Family Resumes Energizer Bunny Impersonation

They just keep going and going and going and going. 20 kids? Really?!? I'm just flabbergasted by these guys. These guys aren't LDS/Mormon, just in case you were curious (I clearly was). They're conservative Baptists. I've never watched their show, but I've got to imagine it's a madhouse. Are any of you, my friends and readers, from a large family? Maybe 10+ kids? I'd love to hear your thoughts on the Duggars.

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I Got a Nikon Camera, I Love to Take a Photograph

You may not have noticed, but I couldn't take very many pictures over the past couple months.
The faded red (some called it pink, much to my chagrin) Olympus Stylus died back in July, and I'd just been using my camera phone since then.

Well, no longer! The friend historian is back in the game!

I went to Target a couple weeks back, picked up this Nikon Coolpix, and I've resumed my documentarian ways with a vengeance.

Aaaaah, it feels good to be whole again.

PS: Thanks to Paul Simon for inspiring this blogpost's title.

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