every summer, i pick a cheap pair of shoes to wear trash.  i spend the summer nights and weekends trying my damnedest to get them dirty.  at the end of the summer, i take pride in the lived-in look that comes from all of the cookouts and trips to the beach and ballpark.  this year, i’m changing it up a bit by adding a pair of checkerboard vans slip-ons to the mix.  they look new and stiff now, but by the time september rolls around, i’m hoping a spin in the washing machine can’t get all the dirt off.  what kicks are you rocking this summer?

i saw the great gatsby last night against my own advice to skip it.  the reviews have been less than favorable, but i had to do it.  it’s my favorite book, and the first one i remember really reading.

i was in 9th grade when it showed up on our syllabus.  i read the whole book in one sitting.  the wealth obsessed people of the 20′s and the catastrophic fall of the protagonist weren’t tragic or disturbing to me at the time.  they were inspiring.  when you’re in 9th grade, money, power, and girls seem pretty f**king awesome (hell, they still do, but it’s different now).  in all honesty, i have to believe my 9th grade self would have loved baz lurhmann’s empty, mess of a movie.  

you see, old sport, the movie is not entirely awful (i’m being nice because some scenes looked great).  lurhmann captures the theme of excess perfectly.  each party scene is exactly how you pictured it in the book: big, elaborate, crazy, fun.  there just isn’t anything else in the film.  it’s as if he read it in 9th grade and never again.

the central themes that make the book a beloved classic are missing from this film.  there are hints here and there of the emptiness of wealth and the hollowness of the upper class, but you don’t get that from watching the movie.  each scene feels half finished and only there to show you just how big baz lurhmann can make it.

and god bless the cast, because they had very little to work with from the hack-job of a script that was given to them.  poor tobey maguire’s nick carraway was a recovering alcoholic stuck in an asylum writing a book called “gatsby.”  i cringed every time his doctor came in and told him to keep writing.  he also came across as more of a stalker than a casual observer.

leo’s gatsby was one dimensional, but again, it wasn’t his fault.  the screenwriters didn’t give him any depth.  when you read the book, you’re pulling for gatsby.  you want him to get the girl.  you want him to win.  in this adaptation, you just want him to quit saying “old sport.”  in fact, the girl next to me leaned over to her friend and said, “if he says ‘old sport’ one more time, i’m leaving.”  (she didn’t.  it was empy threat.)

bottom line: the film is visually entertaining, but lacks the depth and power of the novel.  i’m glad i saw it, but don’t think i’ll ever watch it again.  hopefully, we won’t have to wait another 39 years for another director to take this book back to the big screen.  the source material is there.  you just have to use it.

a leather jacket: no, i’m not having a midlife crisis (i’m only 32).  i’ve wanted a leather jacket since i was old enough to listen to rock and roll.  i’ve come to the realization that i couldn’t pull off a schott perfecto one star like the ramones wore, so i’ll probably stick to something like the above todd snyder joint.

daft punk in concert:  their new album drops at the end of this month.  have you heard “get lucky” yet?  if not, then you have been living under a rock.  it’s f’ing amazing.  i’m going to guess that they’ll play a few dates in support of the new record, but who knows for sure since they’re since they’re so damn secretive.  if i have to travel to paris to see them, then so be it.  i’m in.

gibson flying v guitar: again, i am not having a midlife crisis.  i love guitars.  they are pieces of art (and they’re great to show off when you have babes over).  the flying v has been on my radar ever since i saw noel gallagher play one in the video for “d’you know what i mean.”  and yeah, i still love oasis in case you were curious.

sam cooke live at the harlem square club on vinyl: this is the single greatest live album ever recorded.  period.  (post on why coming soon.)  if you don’t own it, download it immediately.  no one beats sam cooke – especially on vinyl.

what’s on your wish list for 2013?

i’m late to the pocket square party.  it’s not because i don’t like them (i think they look fantastic).  it’s because up until now i’ve been self conscious about my ability to fold them correctly.  no more.  i think i’ve got this s**t figured out, and just in time too.  local tie maker otis james has added handmade pocket squares to his repertoire of goods.  this thing is a beauty.  if you haven’t heard of otis james or seen any of his stuff, you can check out his website here.  his ties are phenomenal too.

if you haven’t heard of northern grade, it’s best to let them explain:

what is northern grade? we are a mobile menswear market open to the public consumer. we invite brands who are manufacturing their products in these united states, and provide well-made goods. at our markets you will find everything you need: clothing, footwear, gear, games, paddles, paper goods, grooming supplies + more things you did not know you need.

do i, as a consumer, have to pay to shop there? no.

is everything sold at northern grade made in the usa? yes.

check out that lineup.  what else do you need to know?  who’s coming with me?

who are these women?  where do they come from?  who the hell is taking all of these pictures?  are any of them single?  these are questions we may never find the answers to, but who cares.  these women are gorgeous and they’re all over tumblr.  here are a few of my favorites from the last couple of months.  most of them are street-styled photos or belong to blogs.  if you own the photo and want me to take it down or give credit, shoot me an email and i’ll do it.  now that that’s out of the way, here are the some women of tumblr:

it’s probably safe to say i have a type.  if anyone knows the chick in pic 11 (glasses, rain), please do the right thing and put me in touch with her.  thank you.

the weather in nashville was perfect this weekend which means spring no show sock season has officially begun.  i’ve tried almost every no show sock on the market and keep coming back to these: vans canoodle super no show socks (damn! that’s a mouthful).  i stumbled upon them by accident at a vans store in denver 3 or 4 years ago.  i didn’t realize they were technically women’s socks, but it doesn’t matter.  they do the trick.  they don’t bunch up at the toe or slip down your heel when you’re walking.  hands down they are the best no show socks you will find.  give them a shot this spring/summer if you’re looking for something to help keep your feet from being the smelliest on your block.  your lady will thank you.

if you’re a gq reader, then you may have seen these in the latest issue.  if you’re a sneaker freaker, then you most likely caught these in february via kicks on fire (where i jacked these pics.  thanks, guys).  and if you read both, then kudos for you for being awesome.  i missed out on those ball and buck new balances in november, so i’m going to work hard to snag a pair of these when they’re released this summer.

i’ve been admiring floral prints shirts from afar.  i didn’t want to jump too early on this trend out of fear they would go as quickly as they came.  a few minutes ago while scanning j. crew’s new arrivals section, i came across this beauty.  it retails for $148 and is currently listed as sold out.  i hope they replenish their stock before i change my mind on all of this floral print s**t.  i ain’t getting any younger which probably works in floral print’s favor as most people over 70 aren’t afraid of a few flowers on their clothes.

i’ve been looking for a pair of chelsea boots for the last couple of years.  i looked at frye (too trendy), r.m. williams (too pointy), blundstone (didn’t fit right), and several others before stumbling upon these gems this morning.  i never jumped on the wolverine 1000 mile bandwagon because i had a pair of red wings that looked exactly like them, but after trying these bad boys on, i regret that decision.  these boots are insanely comfortable as soon as you slip them on your feet (not like red wings).  i sized down .5 per wolverine’s recommendation, but might have been able to go down a full size.  either way i can’t wait to start wearing them.