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More Reps, Less Weight
It is a philosophy I completely agree with. I hear of middle-aged men tearing tendons and having ACL issues; all due to too much weight and jerking their weight s around while doing a circuit. I almost think machines are better for older men because you can manage the motion better.
This is a good read with some pointers for middle-aged men.
P.S. – I am not 60, but these tips still apply!
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It Never Hurts to Ask
…for help.
I have two pair of Maui Jim sunglasses. I love them! The style, the fit, the lenses – everything about them. However, I didn’t love the scratches. I don’t know if it was a flaw in design or just a care issue, but both sunglasses got marred on the inner lens where the earpiece folded onto itself. So upon wearing them, I would see blurry out of the bottom corners. Well, I decided to give Maui Jim a call and describe my situation. Their custom support was extraordinary. I received return instructions, packed and shipped those babies and in less than two weeks, I had them back; completely repaired for a nominal expense. I can’t say how happy I was with their customer care. So… whenever you think you don’t have an option but to toss out a pair of damaged sunglasses, call the manufacturer. You just might be surprised!
Incidentally, I did the same thing with a set of D&G sunglasses and they are sending replacement lenses for a major scratch in one lens. $20 bucks for shipping and handling – and Lenscrafters will replace them for free. Whoo hoo!
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Advice for Aging from Men’s Journal
Many of the behaviors suggested in this article should be rote for all men, but a gentle reminder is a good thing.
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Maintain, Don’t Change!
Men are funny about admitting they’re self-conscious about aging. Some just tell it like it is and wear their wrinkles with a smile and others are a bit more reserved and try to stave off aging. The reality is, no one can escape aging; but you can do things to maintain or improve your looks.
I was waiting for a haircut when I happened upon this article in Esquire magazine. Model Nick Wooster talks candidly about his problem chin and what he did about it. I’ve considered Kybella, but just haven’t taken the time to talk with a certified provider. If you check into it, you’ll discover that it is a chemical substance found in bile; which makes the thought of injecting it into your skin a bit unsettling
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Darts in the Back
Not the kind you throw, but the kind you sew.
For years, men’s clothes have trended towards fitted, rather than loose. However, if you’ve kept an eye on style trends, you’ll notice that in some fashion circles, larger, free-flowing shirts and jackets are starting to find their way back into retailers. Personally, I’m not a fan of the look. IMHO, a man’s shirt or jacket should always be well fitted. If you work hard to keep in shape, you’ll want to show off your best asset; your fit and trim body. That’s where darts come in. Darts make a shirt or jacket contour your body, leaving a svelte image.
I’ve said before that men should always have their clothes tailored. It is not often that you can pick up a shirt off-the-rack and have it fit you well. It is just too challenging to find a well-constructed shirt that fits great in all the right places. The fortunate thing about darting is that it is not a challenging enhancement for shirts. I’ve experimented with a sewing machine and was able to dart some test fabric with ease, but I wasn’t quite willing to take the next step to sacrifice an expensive shirt to my kill set. I’m considering a trip to Goodwill to buy some cheap shirts so I can try my skill, but admitteldy, I am a little weary of the idea and usually just run my shirts to a tailor. Generally, I’ll pay about $20 a shirt for professional darting. A tailor will mark or pin your shirt, then run a single dart down each flank; widening the dart in the middle for a slimmer, more tailored fit. It is often cheaper than having a custom shirt made, so take that into consideration the next time you’re out shopping.
For those in Austin, here are a few personal notes about tailors that I am familiar with. Ask your friends for references, because sometimes you can find a person who does tailoring as a side business and they are most always less expensive than a professional shop.
Oliva Tailors
3513 Jefferson St Austin, TX 78731
(512) 454-2525
Sleeves – 20, Sides $20-30Sasa Esquivel, mother of Daniel Esquivel, the fashion designer. She works out of her home in South Austin.
(512) 441-2287Alex, he works out of a studio in his apartment near S. Lamar on Manchaca.
(512) 703-7445
Sleeves 25, Sides 25Art Alterations on South Lamar (just north of Ben White)
3720 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 448-9996
Sleeves 26.50, Sides 48.50My Cleaners & Alterations
3100 Guadalupe St Austin, TX 78705
(512) 465-9500
Sleeves 32, Sides 32Hope Tailor Shop
4315 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78745
(512) 447-4673
Sleeves 34, Sides 43Marfiels Alterations has been around for a long time. She isn’t quick, but she is very good.
2703 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 478-3639
Sleeves 30, Sides 35-55Austin Alterations
700 N Lamar
(512) 276-7474
Sleeves 35, Sides 40-55Lee’s
718 Brazos
(512) 480-0046
Sleeves 28, Sides 30I don’t recommend Fine Stitch as I have had a bad experience with her.
Ace Tailors is ridiculously expensive (I expect they have to charge a lot to pay for the expensive real estate they occupy).Keep it classy!
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Hopfields Gastropub in Midtown.
First and foremost, if you try to find this place coming from the South, don’t listen to your car’s navigation. The restaurant is not anywhere close to where you’re told to go. However, where it tells you to go, park immediately if you can find a spot! Once you’re out of the car, walk to the Northeast corner of the building and you’ll be right where you should be. I loved the bar menu. The cocktails were superb, albeit a tad sweet for me. Our table dined on a variety of entrees; the mussels were excellent, the steak as well and the pasta dish all received high marks. Of course, the bottle of wine may have helped with those rave reviews.
The place is cavernous and leads to back rooms and nooks that make you feel like you’re in an English pub. It is a well conceived space. Intriguing, actually. If my memory serves me correctly, with tip included we averaged about $60 per person. If you are on a cheap date, you might look elsewhere. If you want a fun place to hang out, the bar is great for people watching or waiting on your table. Call for reservations, trust me.
Craft Cocktail -
A Changing SOLA: Welcome “EL Burro”
Bwahhaaaa… the place is already closed and gone. Awaiting the next iteration.
Last month, South Lamar (SOLA) lost a 15+/- year old dining establishment. A a “cheap and cheerful” go-to spot called La Feria. It wasn’t expensive, it certainly had character, however, it was not a hopping place. The neighborhood was sad to see it go.
So out with the old and in with the new. Venture a few blocks up the street and you’ll find El Burro, a sister restaurant to Vox Table. Being a resident in the hood, I had to give it a whirl, of course. The place is cute, has a great bar serving super-effective margaritas and the menu is what I would call “upscale Mexican.” The menu is limited in scope, but there’s certainly plenty of items to choose from. Our waiter was exceptionally well-engaged with our table, and most notably, he took the time to explain the menu, options and dining concept. It was certainly more costly than you’d expect to pay for a typical Mexican dinner, but this is Lamar Union after all and I am sure they are being placed over a barrel paying for rent. It’s obvious that the Italian restaurant, Cantine, located across the street from El Burro struggles to bring in guests and I hope the same fate is not shared with El Burro. It is worth a visit and know that you’ll get a delicious and stiff margarita from the bartender. My meal was really quite delicious. It isn’t TexMex, but it isn’t Fonda San Miguel either; it’s something in between.
Gorditas, reinterpreted.
