Monday 29 November 2010

Fishy Business

Guest post #2 by ZY of LazyFshng




So one day, I was staring out my office window (at other office windows, come to think of it), trying to deal with a quarter life crisis. You know, the one where you don't have enough money to buy a sports car and you can't get a drum set because you live in your parents house and they'll never allow it. Yes, that quarter life crisis. I decided that the city was too small for me. I needed more space to swing my arms about.


So I went to Penang.


Where the girls are pretty, but the char kuay teow is so awesome that you don't even bother to look. Penang. Bridge. Island. Sea. Seafood. Fish. Fish? Fishing! There's a leap of logic in there somewhere, but the char kuay teow is so awesome you won't even notice.


Fishing. Why not? I bought some basic gear and set off.


You can read all about my very first fishing experience on my blog.


Five hours later, the salt had gone into my brain and it was too late to turn back. This next picture is dedicated to all the concrete jungle monkeys like me out there. Because for one short moment, I get to be a sea monkey instead =D.


Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime. Wrong I say! Teach a man to fish and he'll never do anything else in his life!


He will go fish in a lake.






He will go fish in the sea.






He will go fish from the shore.




He will go fish at a kelong.




He will go fish at a fishing pond.





He will spend all day surfing fishing forums.


He will go shop at big fishing shops and spend lots of money.




He may even start his own fishing blog, and from time to time hijack his friend's fashion and lifestyle blog to share his fishing experiences with the non-fishing (but very fashionable) world. (By this time, he's a lost cause, so please, just let him be. He needs not your pity =D)


But I'm not the only one!


Hemmingway wrote of an old man's epic struggle against one of God's sea creatures:


84 days without a fish, the old man sets out to sea, his faith in his skills and that the laws of probability won't screw him for forever (probably). He was right. He had hooked into a giant marlin. For three days and nights the old man fought the marlin. Though in pain and agony, he old man had naught but respect for his foe, a creature of such dignity and poise that it was as a brother to him. The old man won in the end, and lashed the marlin to the side of his boat to tow back to port. But his prize was eaten by sharks on the way back. When he returned, the old man went to bed, promising his apprentice that they would fish again.


For the old man, it was not about the value of the fish - though his livelihood depended on it. It was not  about bringing the fish back to port as a trophy. It was about doing what he loved best. And in doing so, he experienced something we city monkeys seldom do - nature in all its splendid glory, and a connectedness to God's creatures with which we share this watery rock.


The scent of the sea, the salt air in your face. The battle between you and the monsters of the deep. Going to places untouched by man - that insufferable creature with the opposable thumbs.


That's why I go fishing.


Especially since I don't really like to eat fish anyway. Happy fishing!






Bookmark ZY's fishing blog at http://lazyfshng.blogspot.com

Tuesday 9 November 2010

The Romantic Dinner: A Survival Guide (Part One)





The Romantic Dinner


A prerequisite for any modern relationship. 


Candlelight. Vintage Wine. Wagyu Steak. Fine Linen. Exorbitant Prices. Strolling Violinists. 








What should be a delightful time for two persons attracted to each other coming together for a meal can also be a high-pressure bubble about to burst at any given moment.


Specifically, high-pressure being the pressure to enjoy yourself amidst such formal surroundings and seemingly skyrocketing expectations from both parties. And this becomes counterproductive because more often than not, when you try to have a good time, you end up not having a good time at all. 


Thus, Straight Eye for the Straight Guy presents: 

"The Romantic Dinner: A Survival Guide".








Tip #1 - Be The Best Version of Yourself


Don't feel the need to be anyone other than yourself. In the long run, if she likes you, she should like you for you. That being said, during the Romantic Dinner, let her like you for the more cultured, informed, behaved you












Essentially, be yourself - but put these basic gentlemanly etiquette rules into practice:


1. Hold the door for her
2. Pull out her chair for her
3. Maintain a good posture
4. Speak slowly and make plenty of eye contact
5. Avoid brain vomit ("errr... ahhh.... ummm...")
6. Listen more than you speak (but not to the point of it becoming a one-sided interview. Offer your opinion every once in a while.)
7. Don't swear/berate others/be rude to the waiters
8. Focus on positive topics and avoid contentious/negative landmines (politics, death, criticism, etc)








Tip #2 What Not To Order



Apart from anything that contains more than a hint of garlic, these are the five dishes you might want to pass on:



1. Spaghetti Bolognese
Red sauce. Slurpy. Splatter. Expensive. Clothing.


Those 5 words alone should be convincing enough for you not to order the aforesaid Italian dish. Instead, if you must have something Italian, go for a healthier (and more hip) alternative - Spaghetti Aglio Olio.


2. Fried Chicken
Greasy. Impossible not to eat with your hands. Not attractive.


If you're dating a health-conscious chick, it gives her the impression that you're a person who doesn't really give a rat's bottom about health... before that premonition of you as a lardy 50 year old with a 40 inch waistline comes into her mind. 


Go for some grilled chicken breast instead. 










3. Spare Ribs
For the same reasons as item #2. 


4. Veal
The only thing worse than ordering meat while dating a PETA advocate is ordering meat that has never gotten the chance to experience a relatively full life. Even worse if the menu states "Baby Veal". 


5. Lobster 
Avoid for the same reasons as item #2 and #3. Unless you're both ordering it. 
Then again, nobody really looks good in a bib. 





To be continued.














Contains excerpts courtesy of "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" by Ted Allen, Kyan Douglas, Thom Filicia, Carson Kressley and Jai Rodriguez.





Thursday 4 November 2010

Black Trousers & Brown Leather Shoes






I'm starting to doubt myself. 

I've always been a big fan of brown leather shoes, be it dress shoes or loafers, and have worn them with almost any outfit (except black tie).

But recently, I've encountered a spate of online resources telling me that I'm guilty of multiple counts of a heinous crime. Mixed with some opinions that it's "standard decadence attire" and a "crazy sick look when properly done".



Observe:





Read:









Any opinions?



Tuesday 2 November 2010

Style Tip #260: Standing Out at a Black Tie Event









At a dinner party where the dress code is Black Tie, 94.5% of the men present are going to look generic, i.e. they are going to wear black leather shoes with a standard suit/tuxedo in black.


Now, as Straight Guys, we want to stand out. But in doing so, we tread a fine line between standing out and overdressing.

"But Rudi, how do you stand out if you don't 'overdress'?" you ask.

By subtle nuances. 

Otherwise translated as:


Satin Lapels









French Cuffs






White Silk Pocket Squares











Patent Leather





Remember - it's all in the de...wait for it... tails.


Sigh.

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