Had an unusual gig this evening. It was a wedding reception, and the happy couple wanted me to blend in with the guests and use my magic to mess with people during the cocktail hour and reception. Now you’ve seen my normal costume, so I needed decent cocktail attire. Additionally, I’ve lost 35 pounds due to my last three months of being in and out of hospitals and my kidney stone surgery. All is well, but I needed new pieces that fit. So here’s what I came up with after a trip to Men’s Wearhouse: 2 white dress shirts by Pronto Uomo (their house brand). My collar has gone from 19” to 17”! I chose a 17.5” x 35 so I could move comfortably. New blue Kenneth Cole Awearneas vest (98% wool), Combined with: My existing tan dress trousers, and my old faithful Peter Millar midnight blue blazer. Finished with tan support socks and Light brown Florsheim cap toe Oxford shoes. The final photo is an extraordinarily flattering fashion-style drawing by an artist who was also working the wedding reception. All went well.

Just searched this command and found no posts with this phrase. I’ve been invited to a party for a friend’s 70th birthday and a welcome home to the USA (he’s been living mostly in Asia for years). The email invitation, sent by his nephew, says that dress is “Cocktail (tie optional).” What in the YSL is that?

Three weeks ago, I traveled up to Long Island to visit my girlfriend. Two days later, I was in the emergency room with a serious kidney infection. It was a near thing; I crashed three times that night. Had I been at home alone, I very likely would not have survived. But my ever-practical Daryle was quite firm, and got me to the ER in time. (I believe her exact words were, “We’re going to the ER. Now. This isn’t something we discuss.”) I’ve spent the past few weeks recuperating in New York, with excellent medical care and with a network of amazing friends and colleagues taking care of business back home. I expect to head back to Maryland this week to take care of some things before returning for the second of two surgeries that should clear up the problem. I’m feeling much better, and have finally regained my stamina. This may seem like too much information, but there is a message here. Pay attention to your body. If something happens that you don’t expect or understand, if you’re inexplicably fatigued or in pain, don’t “man up.” Don’t wave it off. Don’t ignore it. Get checked out by medical professionals. And if you live alone, especially if you’re a senior citizen, make sure to talk to friends and family every day. Make sure someone is checking in on you. You’re the only you there is. You’re one of one. We’d all like you to stick around as long as possible.

Despite the terrible AI voiceover, this is worth the 27 minutes to watch. https://youtu.be/zGvIcRUOPDE?is=1C9N-WFSzaJPvVvj

“There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure. “ — GEN Colin Powell, USA