Merry Christmas!

MERRY CHRISTMAS, SHITTER WAS FULL!!!!!

The Versatile Barbour Rear Game Pocket

While some prefer the shorter length and closed sleeves of the Barbour Bedale, I'm personally a fan of the Barbour Beaufort. While I actually do prefer the longer cut of the Beaufort, the real reason I prefer the Beaufort is due to the rear game pocket. I've found this pocket to be infinitely useful. While originally designed for the field, it is just as versatile in an urban setting.

During my weekday Metro commute, I use it to carry a variety of things- the latest issue of Garden & Gun, LSAT materials, a vest-if I need an additional layer, beverages and snacks-basically anything I could need.
On the weekends, it is equally as useful- sneaking hooch into sporting/social events, carrying groceries or dog accessories- the game pocket really is the best thing about my Barbour.

Though the new Barbour Middleburn Jacket, despite not featuring a game pocket is tempting.........

James Mercer-Journey Through the Past

Neil Young is one of my favorite artists, but John Mercer's version blows the original out of the water, in my opinion. This song is yet another reason to see 180 Degrees South, if the adventure of journeying from Mexico to Patagonia via sail boat wasn't enough for you.

Christmas List

Barbour Storm Half Zip-Layering is key.



Smathers and Branson SEC Belt-Awesomely obnoxious.


180 Degrees South-Best movie I've seen in a long time



Cole Haan Innsbrook Camp Moc-Shearing Lined, need I say more?



LL. Bean Maine Guide Waxed Cotton Shotgun Case

RIP Yocona in Exile

Yocona River Inn

Earlier this year I was shocked to learn that one of my favorite restaurants in Northern Mississippi, Yocona River Inn, was closed indefinitely due to a fire. Yocona River Inn was known for it's Yocona Sauce(a wine and molasses reduction), delicious filets and brown bag policy. Yocona was a great place to go for a wide variety of occasions- birthdays, post grove celebrations, rush events, formals-so it was greatly missed after it's untimely destruction.
Thus, I was pleased to learn that the owners had opened a new restaurant, Yocona in Exile, which had the same excellent food and charm of the original location. I'm once again dismayed to learn Yocona in Exile is closed permanently as of Sunday, due to the lackluster economy. I can only hope that the owners are able and willing to open up a new location once the economy cycles again.


Yocona in Exile

'Tis the Season

Winter weather is rapidly approaching and while I have surplus of jackets, fleeces and vests for my upper body, the cold weather options for my lower body are currently limited to a few pairs of chords and heavier cotton/canvas pants. Due to this, I've been exploring lined pant options. Here are a few I'm considering:


L.L. Bean Signature Lined Canvas Cloth Pants


Mountain Khakis Flannel-Lined Original Mountain Pant


Filson Flannel Lined Tin Cloth Pant

Any other suggestions?

Hey Jude(Feat. Duane Allman)

Great song, great Duane guitar solo at the end.

Pheasant Valley Farm

I was fortunate enough to be invited on a pheasant hunt this past weekend, while I was visiting my girlfriend's extended family in Pennsylvania. The hunt took place at Pheasant Valley Farms, which is located right outside of Reading, PA. The hosts at Pheasant Valley will release birds ahead of time for you, provide a guide and dogs, and also clean your birds after your hunt.
We were lucky to go the day after a field trial, so there was an abundance of birds to be had.


Eager to go

Mountain Khakis

If any of y'all like Mountain Khakis, Altrec has the Original Mountain pant on sale for roughly $54.00 shipped. I find the cut to be a little generous initially, but after a few washes, they fit just right. Mountain Khakis are a perfect casual winter pant, they are durable, warm and look great with boots.

Widespread Panic-Don't Be Denied 10.27.2007

Awesome WSP Neil Young cover. I was actually at this show, since a few fraternity brothers and I drove to Auburn, AL for the Auburn-Ole Miss game that weekend. This was when Ole Miss was (more)dismal at football, so at some point on Friday night/Saturday morning, we drunkenly decided to drive to Macon, GA for the Panic show. It was well worth it and much more memorable than the football game since Ole Miss ended up losing 17-3.

Just to Clarify.......

http://www.saveolemiss.com/

Orvis Koozie

Even though this Koozie is more expensive than any beer it would be holding, I'm tempted.

Go Cocks!

While I always like an SEC team to be on top of the BCS standings, I'm glad the Ol' Ball Coach was able to dethrone Saban and the Crimson Tide. No team should be as dominant as Alabama has been the past year. This win adds some excitement to the SEC and BCS rankings, and as long as the eventual national championship winner is an SEC team, I'll be satisfied.
I'm digging this Spurrier headgear.

Orvis Land Rover Auction

I saw this Land Rover while browsing the Orvis website, Orvis had a similar Land Rover Series II available for sale last year, but this year's model will be auctioned off, due to it's rarity.
This car clearly has some pedigree, as the list of destinations and expeditions below can attest to.


From the Orvis Website:
This extremely rare 1959 Land Rover Series II Model 109 Station Wagon has been fully restored to its original factory condition by Lanny Clark, a man of remarkable reputation in Land Rover circles who devotes himself full-time to the restoration of these timeless vehicles on his farm in Vermont. This is the first year this model was built and it was only built for two years. Land Rover then changed to the IIA to reduce cost, so this model is not only rare, but even more substantial than its successors. Most restorations use aftermarket parts, but this car was fully restored by Clark with original parts, making it an even more rare and practically irreplaceable vehicle. This car is a 10-seater with tropical roof delivered at the factory in 1959 in Solihull, England. It then toured Europe and the British Isles in its early days before coming to Boston through the port in Newark. It was driven to the World's Fair in Seattle in 1962 and then returned via Alaska and Canada. For the next 20 years it was used on a farm in Massachusetts with annual fishing trips to Canada and the Northeast. It was stored in a barn until 2001 when it came to Clark, who recently brought it back to its original splendor. A winch was installed as an extra feature. This car is being auctioned through December 18, 2010.
http://www.orvis.com/landrover



Orvis is also offering Lanny Clark Rover hats, which I think look pretty rad.

Holland & Holland Range Rover.

i'll take two.....






• The most luxurious and exclusive off-roader ever – only one hundred will be produced each year for the global market

• Based on 2010 MY 503 bhp Supercharged or TDV8 Range Rover

• Completely bespoke interior and exterior, featuring:

• 31 piece gunstock walnut or special wood veneers for dashboard, consoles and door inserts

• Individually numbered build plaque hand-made by Holland & Holland's own gun engravers

• Holland & Holland style engraving to steering wheel spokes with option of bespoke engraving to match client's gun

• Complete interior in unique colour, extra fine hides, with recessed Holland & Holland signature line in contrast colour

• Unique four-seater layout featuring hand-veneered rear console with integrated refrigerator and Holland & Holland crystal ware

• Self-replenishing drinks cabinet featuring Pol Roger champagne, The Balvenie single malt whisky, Hendrick's small-batch gin, Ivan the Terrible luxury vodka and Willow Spring Water from the Lake District.

• Hand crafted gun cabinet to luggage compartment with fitted drawers for guns, cartridges etc.

• Four unique exterior colours – with optional Duo Tone paintwork


http://www.hollandandhollandoverfinch.com/

Friday Jam-Black Crowes-Jealous Again

East Bound and Down Season 2

Season Two of East Bound and Down premieres the 26th, and Kenny Powers is heading down South for Mexican Baseball, tamales and cock-fighting, not necessarily in that order.

HBO is also giving away Kenny Power's jet ski, so sign up and cross your fingers.

Brooks Brothers Friends & Family Fall Invite

For twenty-nine dollars, why not?

Starr Hill- Northern Lights IPA

http://www.flickr.com/photos/shyzaboy/3151673958

I love a good IPA and Starr Hill's Northern Lights IPA definitely fits the bill. It has substance and taste, but is not overly heavy. Starr Hill is located and brewed outside of Charlottesville, VA, so a brewery tour might be in order. The brewery has only been in existence since 1999, but they appear to be flourishing since I recently saw it on tap at Clyde's in Georgetown, which is quite an endorsement.

Pick up a six pack before the football games this weekend, and let me know what you think. Cheers.


heady, face melting brew, it's next on my list to try.

Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads

"Fall semester in a Southern college town has little to do with studying and more to do with football and fraternity rush. I didn't know much about the football team. Hell, at that time I was really an Ole Miss fan, and to this day I still can't figure out why I didn’t enroll at the University of Mississippi"-Jimmy Buffett

Fall is officially here and while I will not be partaking in rush or the Grove this year, I will be at the Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefers concert on saturday in Virginia. I'll see you at the tailgate.




I can't mention Jimmy Buffett without thinking of Coconut Pete

Wanted: Wilderness Systems Tarpon 130t

The Tarpon 130t has enough room for you, a lady friend and your dog. Perfect for weekend paddles on the Potomac, you can launch from Jack's Boat House, and afterwards enjoy a beer or burger on their dock.

Ole Miss vs. Tulane

Unfortunately, it looks as if I will not be able to travel to the Grove this year to see my beloved Ole Miss Rebels play, due to our lackluster home schedule and the travel involved.
However, I will be making the trip to New Orleans the second week of September to see Ole Miss play Tulane in the Superdome.
This should be a pretty rowdy weekend, since New Orleans is a short five hour drive from Oxford, MS, and the game is scheduled to have an 8pm kick off time, giving the fans plenty of time to be over served.
The secret to a successful weekend in New Orleans is creating a balance between downtown and uptown, too many people get sucked into staying on Bourbon at some tourist trap, when there are several nicer and just as "New Orleans" bars Uptown.
Here a tentative schedule for the weekend
Friday-Fly in at 9pm, meet everyone on Bourbon, probably at Paddy O's.

Saturday- Bloody Mary's at Port of Call, head Uptown for lunch and margaritas at Superior Grill, the Cactus Cantina of the south, followed by heckling Tulane fans at traditional Tulane bars such as the Boot, Bruno's and Fat Harry's. Head back to Bourbon around 5 and start heading towards the Superdome. The latter part of the night will really depend on the outcome of the game, but I would love to head back Uptown for late night at F&M's, but we'll see.

Hotty Toddy.

Patagonia?

As JRS at Red Clay Soul already posted, Patagonia is having it's Summer Sale currently. I'm a huge fan of Patagonia's clothing and vision, but I'm pissed off about a few things.

1. I love Patagonia baggies, but we are totally getting screwed out of some rad patterns, which are only available in baby/kids sizing.
Here are a few examples.




2. My second rant is about the lack of Stand-Ups currently available from Patagonia. I've been to several Patagonia stores this year and Stand-ups, particularly the 5in variety, are virtually nonexistent. It's sacrilege, since Stand-Ups have been a staple of the Patagonia line for years. Let's not forget your roots, Yvon.


Great rant about the "Original Stand-Up Short"

Pickin' On Modest Mouse-Iron Horse

If you are a fan of Modest Mouse and blue grass, you should check out Pickin' on Modest Mouse by Iron Horse. This album is part of the "Pickin' On" series, which is collection of blue grass cover albums that features a wide range of artists and genres.


Iron Horse- Float On

New ride- 2007 E350 4Matic Wagon

Yeah, I drive a wagon.....I was originally interested in an SUV, but living in DC, I found it hard to justify the larger vehicle.
The E350 has every feature that I was looking for, a roof rack, extra cargo space, all wheel drive, GPS and an ipod connection. It also has plenty of "Luxury" features, that I don't need, but you won't find me complaining about. These features allow me to have all the advantages of an SUV, but with the superior handling and gas mileage of a smaller vehicle.
This post's real purpose is to serve as a justification to myself, since I am still adjusting to driving a vehicle, that is usually reserved for middle-aged soccer moms.

The papers called him "The Laundry-Room Rapist"

Will Ferrell as Randy Graves, Frat boy extraordinaire

Vest Season

The vest is an essential part of my wardrobe, perfect for the transition from warm summer nights to chilly fall ones, when a jacket is still excessive. It is hard to beat a vest, when paired with an OCBD, khakis and your favorite pair of boots or loafers.



Patagonia Retro-X Vest

Orvis Oxford Shirt


Orvis Twill pants


Red Wing Pecos

Drive-By Truckers- Acoustic & Otherwise

This is a awesome DBT acoustic compilation CD, it was put together by the folks over at A Truer Sound. All the songs are pretty epic, but check out Louisiana 1927, Heathens and Carl Perkins Cadillac.

Disc 1
Waterloo Records (Acoustic) August 22,2003
1-Intro/Outfit
2-Heathens
3-Marry Me
4-Decoration Day
5-(Somethings Gotta) Give Pretty Soon
6-Sounds Better In A Song
Smiths Olde Bar (Acoustic) May 1, 2004
7-Intro/Interview
8-My Sweet Annette
9-Marry Me
10-Outfit
11-(Somethings Gotta) Give Pretty Soon
12-Daddys Cup
13-Never Gonna Change
14-Sink Hole
Manchester England September 6, 2005
15-Louisiana 1927 (Hurricane Katrina Tribute)
Disc 2
KBCO Studio C August 16, 2004
1-Intro
2-Never Gonna Change
3-Interview
4-Carl Perkin’s Cadillac
5-Outro
Cooley’s House December 29, 2003
6-Zip City
7-Lookout Mountain
8-Decoration Day
9-Outfit
10-Where The Devil Don’t Stay
11-When The Pin Hits The Shell
12-Do It Yourself
13-Danko/Manuel
14-Goddamn Lonely Love
15-Never Gonna Change
16-The Day John Henry Died
17-Tales Facing Up

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=DJ2NHDTP
PW-1963

LL. Bean Signature Luggage

Here is my mandatory LL. Bean Signature Fall post- I think the whole fall line-up looks superb, and I hope to own at least a half dozen of the pieces.
The items that really impressed me are the re-released luggage pieces, specifically the Bean's Vacation Bag and Bean's Zipper Duffle.
I have been resisting the idea of a new travel bag, since my North Face duffle has been so faithful to me, having followed me on countless excursions, from SEC roadtrips to Europe and South-East Asia, and everything in between.


While I love my current travel bag, I feel that since I am now, a distinguished Alumni of the "Harvard of the South", no less, I need a bag that screams class and sophistication, for which I feel these LL.Bean bags are up to the task. If only my bank account was similarly, up to the task