The Barn Coat

Waxed canvas, plaid lining, brass zippers. Stand up collar, a bit thin for truly cold weather, but a nice timeless design

Randolph Engineering Aviators

The new interview outfit

It's not 'standard issue' East Coast Navy Blue Blazer & khaki's...but it's still very traditional...

-Lee

Thumb typed on my iPhone

Preferred method of contact:

Email leeputmanjr@mac.com

Next best method of contact:

Text me at 847.687.7291

The Ups & Downs

It's important to mark the occasions of our lives, even when times are tough.

In fact, I think it's even more important to do so when life is challenging.

It's easy to celebrate when things are good, but during times of stress it can feel difficult to be 'up for it'.

...But the effort is worth it. In the same way that the spirit of giving is what brings us happiness, celebrating the good things reminds us that no matter how dark the hour, we all have things to be thankful for.

The Pink Slip

I always thought 'pink slips' were supposed to be...PINK?

In this day & age, apparently not.

Eleven and a half years has come to an abrupt end. I've had at least six different positions with CEC, moved halfway across the country for CEC, I've had some wonderful opportunities & I've met a lot of really great people.

I keep reassuring the people who reach out to me that this is...ok. It's the best version of a shitty thing.

It'll be ok, because I'll MAKE it ok. I don't know how that'll happen, and while that's a little scary, I have faith in myself.

I've been through worse times, and comparatively, I'm very lucky.

...but you're right. It still sucks...

Style Icon: Thomas Magnum

Pink rugby shirt? Hell yes! Where do I get one...?

It's that time of year!

A family tradition

Family History

A sad day

Little Booger

A Thousand years ago...!

Follow the leader

Our club’s annual Fox River Cruise, always a favorite of mine

Swapped

I swapped a few bands around, still not 100% happy, but it's improvement & I'm happy with the results.

Today's 'American Heritage' look

Yes, I know the belt doesn't match the shoes...shut it. I swapped the black belt for my vintage brown belt with the nice contrast stitching. 'Look' achieved!

Old vs. New

We’ve all heard the old saying, “They don’t make ‘em like they used to”.  Ray Ban Wayfarers have been around since before I was born, which gives us a good opportunity to test that old saying.  I cannot think of another style of sunglasses that’s been in production for, literally, decades.  That’s quite an accomplishment considering the fickle & disposable American fashion sense.  How did it happen? 

From Wikipedia: “Ray-Ban Wayfarer sunglasses have been manufactured by Ray-Ban since 1956, when their design was a revolutionary break from the metal eyewear of the past. Wayfarers enjoyed early popularity in the 1950s and 1960s. Though the sunglasses had faded from the limelight by the 1970s, a lucrative 1982 product placement deal brought Wayfarers to their height of popularity. Since the mid-2000s, the sunglasses have been enjoying a revival.”

An American company gets bought out, tastes and times change, and products evolve.  To stay current, a product HAS to evolve, right?  Here – we examine exactly what those changes amount to. 

The two tone Wayfarers are a current model, the black ones are at least as old as I am.

In the top left – notice the branding on the temple.  Apparently, we didn’t always have to have labels!  Also note the change in the joint geometry – the new pair has much more material on the main frame’s corner with a square joint to the temple arm.  The older pair has much less frame material and a 45 degree mitre cut.

Next row down – the printing on the inside of the temple arm not only discloses the country of manufacture, but the new pair has printing so smooth you can’t feel it, while the old pair has printing that’s stamped into the plastic.

Bottom row – perhaps the most telling difference is the quality of the hinge.  Look at the old pair, how many fingers overlap in that hinge!  That’s a seven finger hinge – compared to the new pair having just a three finger hinge.

Now note the two pictures with the side by side comparisons on the right hand side.  The top picture shows how the shape has evolved, and the bottom picture shows us more branding.  Again, part of the difference is how the marking is applied – the newer pair has the Ray Ban script printed on the (plastic?) lens, and the older pair has the Bausch & Lomb logo etched in the glass.

 

A healthier alternative

No preservatives, fewer chemicals, MUCH less sodium, and yet it tastes pretty good! It's also cheaper, and involves 95% less waste. No more plastic bottles or aluminum soda cans to recycle...and the C02 can be refilled.
I'm thinking it's a win/win...

Productivity!

End of the season

Eight Fiats & one Lancia - we had half the total attendance at The Chick 'n Dip's end-of-the-season Cruise Night

iOS 6 - First Impressions

Why yes, I do like the improvements!