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Lebron’s recent off season antics have generated much criticism in the sport’s world. His highly publicized “decision” was labeled as pretentious and narcissistic. His wild party nights caused an uproar and had fans questioning his commitment to the game. Nevertheless, he is still the most dominating player in the league and is arguably the most gifted athlete to grace this planet. So I say let the man be. Let him enjoy his life a little. Check out his recent photo shoot with GQ. No negative criticism here. Man looks fly.
If you don’t know about TOMS Shoes yet, then I’m glad you’re here reading this post. I recently discovered these shoes and my feet haven’t parted with them since. I’ve started seeing TOMS show up on feet all over the place in the last few months – and for good reason. These babies are super comfortable, but the best thing about them is that buying a pair actually means helping out a child in need. With every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. One for One. It’s a no frills way to help someone who needs it, and in the process help yourself to a pair of comfortable go-with-everything shoes. Using the purchasing power of individuals to benefit the greater good is what they’re all about. Men’s styles range from the classic slip-ons to a laced-up boot style – in a variety of colors, patterns and materials (canvas, corduroy, and even vegan materials). Check out a few more styles after the jump.
A recent poll shows that 18% of Americans believe that Barack Obama is Muslim. I think we need to pause for a second and ask ourselves why Americans have become so dumb. Perhaps more revealing is that a third of all conservative Republicans believe this. Obviously this thought is closely tied to some sort of political judgement about him and maybe tied to his name. It’s scary to think how ignorant people are. What’s worse is that ignorant people make uneducated decisions; or even worse – ignorant people make uneducated decisions and believe in its soundness. Ignorant people change text books, oppose equal rights (gay marriage), start wars for no reason, oppose freedom of choice (abortion), and support racial profiling (Arizona). So why do so many Americans have the wrong information? The right wing media machine; spreading misinformation and fear in a way that we have not seen in history. Fox News, Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Sarah Palin are all over the air waves and unfortunately a lot of people are listening. These are popular people who have garnered quite an audience. These are people who believe that Barack Obama was not born in America; people who do not support the health care initiative (although it would ultimately benefit them). I think it is good to have opposing opinions, different sides, different viewpoints. It’s the key to greater innovation, more creativity, stopping groupthink. Two opposing sides should be able to reach a better conclusion, come up with a better solution, strive for higher achievement. However, it is now at a point where there is no better conclusion, no striving for higher achievement and greater good. It is polarized due to ignorance, greed, selfishness. We need to listen, collaborate, believe in each other, trust each other. We need to do for others instead of ourselves. Do for our children and their futures. Why do we make it so hard on ourselves? What do we get at the end of the day? Just realize, if the right wing gets its way then the left wing loses. If the left wing gets its way then the right wing loses. There is a win win solution out there. We just need to work for it, fight for it, die for it. By the way, Barack Obama is not Muslim and he was born in the USA; but even if he was – the poll seems to imply that it would be a problem. Perhaps we should also ask ourselves why that is. There are some dark and disturbing undertones in our society that are implicit in our conversations, our polls, our behavior. On a related note, a poll a few years ago showed that 1 in 5 Americans believed that the Sun revolves around the Earth. The fact that the two numbers are so close is not a coincidence.
- Jason
Dress codes have always been an indirect tool used to create a sense of order and unity, especially in the corporate world. One of my jobs, in particular, requires its employees to dress in “business” attire. This usually means a dress shirt, tie, slacks or dress pants, and nice shoes. I personally have no problem abiding by my job’s laws of apparel – however under certain circumstances I would think they might make an exception. What are these said circumstances? Working in a room where the ratio of people is greater than space available, the unexpected rise in temperature in mid-August, and the lack of any and all ventilation. But hey, I’m not complaining – you have to wear what you have to wear. Therefore, inspired by everyday need, here is a tip on looking all business while still staying cool. Guidelines for pulling off a short sleeve shirt: 1.If you go cotton, make it a poplin. It’s thinner than the more popular oxfords and twills, allowing it to breathe more and keep you cool. 2.The fit of a short sleeve shirt is crucially important, not only through the body, but also in the sleeve. It should hit about mid-bicep and there should only be one or two “fingers” of extra space in its circumference. A baggy, billowy sleeve will look sloppy, and will diminish those biceps you’ve been working on all summer.
Alexander Wang is amazing. And the new ad campaign for T by Alexander Wang, the designer’s line of wearable basic pieces, isn’t bad either. The campaign features Zoë Kravitz and model Max Motta in casual knitwear, shot in soft black and white. Do you like the look? More photos after the jump.
The Skyt Family has been making knitwear since 1931 in Herning, Denmark. The company was founded by Soren Nielsen Skyt, who took it upon himself to make what he considered the best sweaters in the world. The company still uses the same traditional techniques and machines that Soren Nielsen Skyt used – Jacquard Strapping machines from England and Germany and a complex system of punching holes in cardboard to act as a guide for the needle. These machines are old and take years to master and SNS only has three men who have mastered the techniques on these machines. The amount of care it takes to run the machine and create the garment is labor intensive but the final product is a beautiful reflection of seasoned artisans using proven techniques with traditional machinery. Each piece that is created is initialed by the artisan who created it, a small way to claim responsibility for the work that has been done. SNS Herning was originally designed for fishermen, and they stay true to this – creating knits that are warm, light, form fitting, and of the highest quality. - Jason
More after the jump.
Posted by Junya on 08.16.10 at 6:11 PM in Entertainment,Fashion,News and Politics,Photography,Sports
N IKE, Inc. and USA Basketball brought the world’s best basketball teams and top musical performers to New York City for the inaugural World Basketball Festival, a four-day celebration of the performance and culture of the game, an event that Nike has committed to reprising every two years. This ambitious and exciting undertaking by Nike Inc. and its three basketball brands: Nike Basketball, Jordan Brand and Converse should be a welcoming addition to the international basketball community where the immense level of competition has risen drastically over the last two decades. Over the course of 4 days, the World Basketball Festival contained multiple events being played out over some of New York City’s most important locations. August 12th saw the legendary Times Square transformed into a sporting venue as a 3,000 seat open-air arena was placed in it. Members of the US Basketball team put on an exhibition that day and one of the world’s largest recording artists, Jay Z, entertained spectators as part of the opening day’s festivities. The festival then transformed Harlem’s Rucker Park where practices and scrimmages from Brazil, France, and Puerto Rico’s National Teams took place. At the conclusion of the 4-day event, the United States took on France and China went at it against Puerto Rico in a double-header exhibition at the famed Madison Square Garden on Sunday, August 15th. The World Basketball Festival was definitely a much needed and refreshing change to the everlasting season of summer MLB. When ESPN’s top 10 features nothing but baseball plays, you know its been an exciting day in the world of sports. But all jokes aside, this event is a must see. Not only does it help bring basketball awareness and exposure to nations worldwide but it also allows USA basketball fanatics to better appreciate international ball players as well. |
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