On Becoming a Pirate.

Excuse me, I meant privateer, you know, the quasi-legal version of piracy. I recently had a conversation with a friend about the British and American hiring and supporting of privateers during the 17th and 18th centuries. It must have been quite the life to escape for your ordinary day job as a laborer, craftsman, farmer, or sailor to go carry out raids on foreign vessels (often owned by your enemies) and being able to keep whatever you could carry after getting the requisite tribute for your employer. I joked that I wish that was still a career option for those of us bored with the antiquated (or highly cyclical) thinking of academia and the business world. I further added perhaps the DoD would allow me to borrow old Ironsides to go around and antagonize the lesser foreign dictatorships of the world, causing mischief in a manner somewhat reminiscent of a 1970s cartoon gang. Well, a guy can dream anyway. Until then, I'll have to settle for admiring old model ships and drinking aged rum while wearing my skull and bones slippers.

Brooks and Bones

Brooks Brothers Golden Fleece Crossbones Tie

I'm not usually a big fan of logo ties, but this one is clever enough to get a pass. Plus it appeals to my weakness for things with crossbones in them. It's on sale right now for about $45. Also, I should add that I know Brooks Bros is starting to plaster the fleece all over their stuff ala Polo, but given that almost no one where I live knows what Brooks Brothers is (outside of my professors), I reckon it allows me to stay rather discreet.

And Now For Something Completely Different

That is, snow in the desert. Most of it had melted by the time I was able to get out and take this picture in my backyard. But it's still quite a rare occurrence around these parts so we enjoy it while we can. It certainly makes me want to go skiing.

Coat by Barbour, Tweed Coat by Chipp, Cashmere Scarf made in Scotland, Shirt by Land's End,

Tie by Briar, Sweater and Trousers by Polo Ralph Lauren, Boots by LL Bean

That's How Brooks Brothers Rolls

Brooks Brothers Classic 3/2 Roll Button Stance