I want to thank the gentlemen who attend the lounge meetings. Although I attend to listen and learn and make only occasional comments, just being included and in the presence of fine upstanding members of the community who have shared values and mindsets is a privilege and brightens my day. If, like me, you feel disappointed in the behaviours and attitudes you see around you in our society, pop in for a dose of sanity and decency.

Greetings, Gentlemen of the community, It is my pleasure to share with you all the enduring litany of tie knots one can tie himself, either lost or found, either enamored or resistant, either inquisitive or repulsed. Yes, there is more to sartorial wear than the traditional schoolboy knot your dad or older brother taught you. In this vein, I have curated a collection of YouTube videos demonstrating a variety of necktie knots that may just fit your occasion. The efficacy of each knot depends upon the material and length of the tie itself, as well as the collar spread. The renowned Gentleman’s Gazette has produced a wonderful series of tie knots that every discerning gentleman ought to know, let alone master. Below you will find a video for each celebrated knot. Please note that not every knot is meant for everyone. For instance, I dislike the traditional Four in Hand (or Schoolboy) knot; however, I much prefer the wide and asymmetrical Shelby knot, also known as the Pratt knot. (For instance, the small knot simply would not fit nor flatter my English face.) Please peruse the following videos to learn more about the knot(s) that may be best for you! Four-in-Hand Tie Knot (aka Schoolboy) - https://youtu.be/FZxwm47rTvk?si=WSh8xAxYZ2Ksd5Lo Oriental Knot (aka Small) - https://youtu.be/Tn4AyDnoHu4?si=BzHrXyykNaOp2o-4 The Kelvin Knot - https://youtu.be/SJnqDVve0GU?si=gH_iaCZdLM-e3Pe9 The Windsor Knot - https://youtu.be/mo0x58ckX_k?si=XyZP15uX7FMlV8yI The half-Windsor Knot - https://youtu.be/TEA96aV2f6E?si=xoBpM1wr3MEpS8fP The Shelby (aka Pratt) knot - https://youtu.be/okdrUZ3hiLY?si=FrcrIyD7XaYcq5Xp The Victoria Knot

Greetings gentlemen, I recently watched a thoughtful video from Gentleman's Gazette (linked below) that articulates something many of us have sensed but perhaps not fully expressed: the greatest barrier to dressing well is rarely knowledge. It is fear. Modern society quietly enforces a subtle uniform. Walk through most professional districts and one observes a curious paradox. Men are encouraged to express themselves in almost every dimension of life except the one most visibly under their control: their dress. The result is an unspoken conformity sustained by a herd instinct that discourages deviation. Yet classic style has never been about vanity or elitism. Properly understood, it is an expression of intention. To dress with care is simply to present oneself to the world with deliberation rather than accident. Two realities follow from this. First, dressing differently will occasionally provoke discomfort in others. Some will assume that dressing well implies judgment of those who do not. The correct response is not defensiveness but courtesy. A gentleman disproves the stereotype of arrogance through humility, warmth, and good humor. Second, confidence in style emerges through practice. One will make mistakes. One will experiment. One will imitate the great examples of the past before gradually refining a personal signature. There is also a subtle social function to dressing well that is rarely discussed. Every man who chooses to present himself with dignity slightly expands what is considered normal. When one gentleman does it, he stands alone. When several do it, a culture quietly begins to shift. As a member of the Society of Ordinary Gentlemen, we hope to exemplify this cultural shift in our world as leaders of sartorial acumen. In that sense, dressing well is not merely aesthetic. It represents deliberate action. So if you feel the quiet inclination to wear the jacket, the tie, the polished shoes, or simply to take greater care in your presentation, do not hesitate. Step forward with composure and good humor. Do so not to impress, but to embody self respect.

Apparently, China just created "Moya" - the most realistic robot/android so far. Features? - Cameras in the eyes - Most accurate expressions so far - Biometric human-temp warm skin - Walking gait 90% accurate to human Proposed uses? - Healthcare - Therapy - Customer service (general) - "Companion" While some consider it creepy in the uncanny valley between human and machine and fear the singularity, and others fear loss of jobs, some praise it as a step toward necessary replacement when it comes to the more challenging aspects of human interaction (especially since social media, let alone the sheer number of predicted geriatric population to need care in the coming 10-20 years). What are your thoughts?

Going on date.