Reality Versus Fantasy

I have been having this moral dilemma lately. I keep looking up pictures of models on the internet and thinking to myself, I just gotta have one. The beautiful curves, sleek and sexy. The way the light in the photographs dances off unblemished surfaces, making a glow that almost speaks to you in small, little tantalizing phrases. You think about what it would be like to grab hold and just... go.

But then I see another picture. And another. And another, until finally I just become so desensitized to them and one model just starts looking like another. The problem is it is all fantasy. There is no reality to these wants. I am too sensible, too conservative to go beyond the daydream. Or am I? I think to myself, what if I did? What if I just jumped in with both feet? Threw caution to the wind? Laid all my chips on the table? What would my wife think?

Well, in truth, my wife would kill me if I ever plunked down the sorta cash it would take to buy myself one of these babies. Buy one you say? You can buy a model? Yep, sure can. Of course, I am talking about the Lexus IS F, the Nissan GT-R, and the Infiniti G37. OH! You thought...? Oh, well, come on man, this site is PG-13 at worst. (Get your head out of the gutter.)

So, with all that fantasizing about luxury sports sedans and coupes, I had to get back to reality. Sure, I love those models I mentioned, but the reality of the situation is I am not about to plunk down 70 G's or more to live out my fantasy. Heck, I do not even want to go the "cheap" route- the G37- and drop $35K. So what's a man to do?

Well, I just caught site of Mazda's re-do for the 2010 Mazda3. And while it is not in the class of those luxury models I mentioned above, it's no "cheap thrill" either. By that I mean it is not some flimsy, economy car, but rather it is a sweet looking ride with a low price tag. No, you don't get 200+hp. No, you do not get AWD. And you certainly do not get the, cough, "prestige" of a luxury label.

But if looks are your thing, saving your pennies are your thing, and looking proudly at a Lexus or Infiniti owner when you paid half what they did for, essentially, 4 wheels and a comfy seat, then maybe, just maybe the Mazda3 for 2010 is for you. And it gets over 20mpg- for my daily commute, that makes it gold. Let's look at what this little beauty does have (courtesy of MotorAuthority.com):

The new Mazda3 will initially be launched with two new engines, a 148hp 2.0L four-cylinder with 135lb-ft of torque and a 167hp 2.5L unit with 168lb-ft of torque. Both engines employ advanced electronic throttle actuation. Mazda’s exclusive torque base control technology provides a highly linear acceleration response to every change of throttle pedal pressure.

Some premium features of the car not normally found in this segment include optional self-leveling bi-xenon headlamps, a multi-function display, satnav, electronically adjustable seats with memory functions, an ambient lighting system, dual-zone air conditioning, a 10-speaker Bose stereo, Bluetooth connectivity, iPod connection and Sirius satellite radio. Other options include rain-sensing wipers, heated side mirrors, leather upholstery, and heated seats.

So, luxury features in a value vehicle. Wow, a car company actually took notice of its potential buyers and realized there's a shift in perceived value these days (hello economic downturn). Now, the best part- early indicators are showing only moderate price increases- figure around $17,000 for a well-equipped 3i, heading up to close to $25,000 for a fully loaded "3s Grand Touring" (courtesy, Automobile Magazine). And here's Mazda's full press release from its launch around the L.A. Auto Show.

If you ask me, reality just trumped those models from my fantasy.

Take away the manufacturer's emlbem and name. Does this car look like a player to you? Damn straight.

The Best Dressed Real Man in America

According to Esquire magazine, his name is Kenyatte (ken-Yah-tuh) Nelson. He's a stylish cat living in Cincinnati, OH and is employed as a Brand Manager at Proctor & Gamble (ask him about NNE).

Kenyatte also has his own blog and he's about to leave his beta stage and go gold. Check him out at Tweed and Velvet. Anyone who can rock an orange corduroy blazer like T&V* does, deserves such praise.

*Kenyatte- feel free to copyright the "T&V" nickname I bestowed on you.

The Problem with Button-down Shirts

Something I have touched on before- and probably will again- is the contrast between the guy who is dressed well versus the guy who is stylish. Take my opinion on blazer and shirt cuffs, for example.

Look, fellas, I know we are not all of the barrel chest, slim waist mold- chiseled and strapping, or even the slim and fit models with 30-inch waists and shoulders practically just as narrow. But please understand that another example of poor style, again to do with shirts, is the excess material yielded by a traditional button-down shirt (often called "Classic Fit").

Unless you are literally filling out every last stitch of your "Classic Fit" shirt, please man, for the love of your pants (that are under duress from the constant tucking in by the way), trim that shirt! Buy a "Fitted" shirt (sometimes called "Athletic Fit"). The bonus? It also makes you look trimmer! Observe a simple diagram.


That's all it takes to accomplish the following:

• A better fitting shirt with less material hanging out of your pants.
• A slimmer silhouette.
• Less abuse on your pants (no more constant re-tucking, no more puffy waist-lines or bulk around your hip area).
• You can wear layers. A slim-fitting v-neck sweater or cardigan over a slim-fitting button-down, even together under a blazer or suit jacket. Now you're starting to resemble someone who cares a little instead of that guy from the office Christmas party who looks like Santa in his red cable knit sweater and "Classic Fit" Oxford that adds about 20 pounds to his frame

Again- being stylish versus being well-dressed (or not so well-dressed in this case) is all about the details. In this case, like the description says, it is all about "fit". I'll save the lecture about shirt sizing (sleeve length/neck width) for another time. Class dismissed.