Dont Get Stranded by a Tech-Dependence

This weekend was alot of fun and pretty busy, Iam hoping yours was the same. Actually, at one point, I was having a little to much fun at a great bar in the Highlands called Noche. The drinks were great, the company was great, (music was just ok) and everything was cool until SPLASH, phone ruined in the bathroom. Ill keep it short and spare you the details but I will just say that texting and zipping up after a few beers and a few Jamesons can be a little tough. (Hey it was a friends birthday we were living it up-dont judge me haha). Needless to say, the phone is ruined and I have been technologically stranded but I plan to make the most of it. Alot of the short articles I write are tips, advice, and my ideas of what a gentleman needs to have. Well, in the pursuit of finding some good out of my current situation I have realilzed the importance of a good contact book. Others may call it an address book, black book or anything like that. Anyways, you never know when your phone is going to cease to exist but that doesnt mean that your life can cease to exist. You need important contact information whether for business or pleasure and a gentleman (or any adult) shouldnt make excuses-they should be prepared. Losing my phone has made me realize that not relying on technology and having a good old fashioned leather boud adress book in top shelf of my desk is priceless. All of your contacts right there in hard copy form so when disaster strikes you can move on with your daily life-Plus, I hate getting those facebook groups about once a day for "I lost my phone, I need numbers!". My advice: every gentleman should have a back up plan, go out and get a quality adress book and slowly copy your contacts from your blackberry to your book over the course of a week. Sometimes you just cant beat paper,pen and a dry drawer..far far away from the bar (ha).

Saturday Stlye Note: A new but regular addition to the MG Blog

(Photograph above by Tommy Ton, featured on GQ's style section)
(Photograph above by Tommy Ton featured on GQ's style section)

I think Men have a responsibility to not be trendy. There is a large differnece between being stylish and being trendy. I feel that (this is strickly my opinion) a gentleman is someone who always looks good, put together, but most importantly, timeless. There are few pieces of mens-wear that have withstood the tests of time and there is a reason for that. You cant go wrong when you wear them. Heres a quick list of some of those items:
*tie
*blazer
*wing tip shoes
*tailored dress shirt
*cuff links
*plain white v-neck t-shirt
ect...
Iam not saying that different variations of these items dont go in and out of style but its not the item itself. Its the fabric, the color, the fit and so on and so forth. Anyways, in my opion a man can achieve true style by utilizing timeless items in subtle ways. For instance, if your worried that the items that Iam talking about are to stuffy or formal then play with them in unique ways. A tailored dress shirt with the top couple of buttons undon, dark denim with the cuffs rolled slightly (sloppily), and an un-structured slim fit blazer with a pocket square reads as both stylish and timeless. Or lose the blazer roll your sleeves up slightly but add a slim tie. If you want to go more casual than that its just as easy but do it in a timeless subtle way. Slim fit trousers (not jeans) with a white, slightly v-neck t-shirt (made with a heavier fabric than your typical undershirt) and a pair of plain ankle high Jack Purcell sneakers (or a casual dress shoe)does the trick. The idea is to have a good fit and something that is mature and made of quality materials. You can look great with only a little effort.
I plan on regularly posting items that I have purchased that fall into this category to keep you updated on some of the great finds I have come across and how to pair them accordingly. Look up a picture of Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, James Dean, and tell me there isnt a "timeless" or "impossible" cool about them.

For Every Action There is a Reaction: Great New Spots to Dine In Atlanta

Recently I have been thinking alot about the cause and effect factor that helps to stimulate and create a demand for new business and the exciting new products and services that result. For the purposes of this piece, Iam referring specifically to the hospitality industry (restaurants, bars, hotels, etc...). Many people reject large Corporations and prefer to do business with only local producers and service organizations. That is all well and good but we cannot forget what large Corporations or Franchisors do for the communities that we live in. The presence of calculated, formulated operations that provide a repetitive dining, drinking or lodging experience are what allow independent, "Mom and Pop" organizations to thrive. The more we are inundated with chain operations and their, somewhat, mundane experiences we are presented with fresh innovative ideas. The increased production of these large operations spurr a desire out of us to find unique, one of a kind experiences that we can enjoy and make our own. There are two great examples of this in Atlanta right now that I think people will truly enjoy.

1. Dinner Party Atlanta
Brought to you by the same guys who operate Top Flr (a great spot to enjoy some interesting cuisine and cocktails located off Ponce on Myrtle St.) Dinner Party allows its patrons to experience unique one of a kind cuisine. You can expect a fantastic five course menu created by an Executive Chef that blends French and Vietnamese flavors. The most interesting part about this dinning experience? Its completely exclusive. They don't operate out of your typical brick and mortar establishment. The locations change for every dinner and some of these locations have included airplane hangars, empty office buildings, barns and locations for the future will include the Federal Reserve building off of Peachtree Street (tentatively). The only way to experience this supper club is to get on their waiting list on the website (click on Dinner Party Atlanta at the top of this section). The dinning experience is fantastic because the locations are constantly changing, a sommelier is present at every event and you can meet people you would have never met otherwise. A great example of the entrepreneurship that stems out of a response to the mundane corporately owned experience.

2. Lunacy Black Market
A creation of Chef Paul Luna, Lunacy Black Market offers affordable food in a unique space full of antiques and local art (that is actually available for purchase). The space looks like an average family room of an "artsy" speak-easy type of house but the eating experience is fresh and exciting. As Thrilllist reported this week the menu has items such as "Asian-style pork w/ ginger soy sesame sauce; chicken w/ spinach, tomato & goat cheese; braised beef w/ roasted peppers and Ricotta". This is just another great way to break of the normal, boring dining experience and get into something new. Plus it doesn't hurt to support your local entrepreneurs and idea starters.

"40oz's to Freedom" at the Independent in Midtown

While I dont always enjoy the refined flavor of a Miller High Life (haha) when I saw this classy offering at the bar last night I had to partake. Something about being served a 40oz with a nice chilled class was to good to pass up so I indulged myself. The only thing that would have elevated this experience? If they would have brought the 40oz in a champagne bucket filled with ice and set it up next to my seat at the bar. You can find this at The Independent in the Midtown Promenade shopping center near the midtown arts cinema. Not so gentlemanly I know, but alot of fun. Quick review of the bar itself, great place to go on an off night if you just want to get out. Its a strange scene (Nintendo 64 area complete with couches) but it does have some nice pool tables, darts, and a fairly attentive staff. Definitly not going to be the best time you have ever had but it is a nice filler for your middle of the week blues. Oh and by the way, the 40oz was six bucks so the break down is about $2 bucks for every twelve ounces just as an FYI.

The Worst Valentines Day Idea Ever

It is just as important to stay tuned into all things un-gentlemanly as it is to stay abreast on all the great things that there are out there to experience. This is one of those stories that is completely UN-gentlemanly and I cant believe it even exists.

Do you have Valentines day plans yet? Well don’t worry if you don’t because White Castle (kind of like Krystal’s for all you true southerners out there) has got you covered. Yes the fast food establishment serving up undersized frozen patties on rolls offers a candle lit dinner complete with flowers and table side service. I am guessing the table side service consists of, “another squeeze of your ketchup packet ma’am”? This "candle lit dinner" takes place inside of the fast food establishment so you can enjoy the fine atmosphere that White Castle has to offer. Apparently, this event books up so they require you to call ahead and make reservations…HA! I wonder if they will serve Boone's Farm or Franzia boxed wines with dinner? That would make for a great pairing.......RIDICULOUS

I don’t think I have to go into detail on this one of why it is the most un-gentlemanly things I have heard of in a long time. You know I guess theres the saying, “to each his own” but I cant let this one slide and accept that this is an acceptable thing to be a part of. I mean, come on. I think that for one day a year you can elevate your situation a little bit and go without fast food for one night

Listen, Learn and Laugh-In Person, With A Real Person

Over the past few days I have had the pleasure of meeting and speaking to a few experienced and high powered people. Included are the former Director of 3 of the largest hotels in downtown Atlanta, the former President of a large multinational firm and a marketing director. What did all three meetings have in common? It made me realize that actually meeting people face to face and just listening to their experiences is one of the most beneficial and entertaining things you can do. The people that I met had story on top of story, both funny and serious. Too often though we are victims of technology (funny because this piece of technology I am writing though is allowing me to voice this opinion) and it has made us bad listeners. We just don't have the patience for it. If we are actually meeting someone face to face most of the time the person on the other end of the table is to busy calculating what they want to say next that they miss what you are trying to say. People are the most valuable tools we have and we should appreciate them more. Not only that, but just spend some time listening to people. Its intriguing, and educational. Meeting someone and connecting with them is like plugging your laptop into the Internet....you are instantly tapped into their stories, their contacts, their experiences, and their advice. Why wouldn't you want to have as many of those connections as possible? I say we need to take the time to meet more people, and listen to what they have to say and what they have to offer. You never know how they could help you, how you could help them, or what you might learn in general. I was laughing my ass off at some of the stuff I was hearing....and if that's all that I got out of it (which it wasn't-there was much more) then so be it, I am ok with a new friend and a laugh

An Afternoon Salvaged Thanks to Chet Baker and Miles Davis

Well needless to say that since today is a National Holiday (Happy MLK day everyone) last night resulted in a spontaneous Sunday night party which, is my favorite kind of gathering. Anyways, a little to much Jameson on the rocks and about four hours of sleep made getting started on my day today a little tougher than usual. Even though I didnt have anything to directly report to today there still was some catching up to do to get ready for the rest of this shortened week. The one thing that got me going and kept me going? Miles Davis and Chet Baker. Iam not saying that jazz music is appropriate for every setting but there are plenty of opportunities to really get into the music. While sitting at my desk and working from home I put on some Baker and Davis and it really elevated the experience. It took what would have been a pretty mundane task and made it relaxing and enjoyable. Something about the tone and the pace of the music made sitting at a desk responding to emails and reading about CRM (customer relationship management) enjoyable. If your not familiar with jazz or with the artists that I mentioned above then I suggest experiencing it ASAP. Next time your sitting at home working, or cleaning or just relaxing go to pandora and create a Chet Baker station and just let it play. For twenty something-year olds like myself I feel that jazz may be an unexplored genre of music and underappreciated. The lack of words lets you do some thinking on your own and also to personalize the listening experience. Its uplifting to so when your a little tired and hung over its the perfect remedy to get through your daily tasks....plus its not bad for back round music at a party when you decide to get back on the horse and pour yourself another drink.