Cars

 Racing is life. Anything before or after is just waiting. -Steve McQueen

Inside all men lives a little Steve McQueen. The enigmatic icon who's on and off screen bravado fuels the imagination. Sounds of tires screeching and the resonance of a throaty exhaust replay in my mind as I recall the chase scene from Bullitt. I love cars. A symbol of power, freedom and a reckless abandon we all dream of. The American muscle car personifies that dream. From the glory days of the Motor City, car shows bring us back to a simpler times. That is where I found myself,  lost like a kid in a candy store at a local muscle car show. Surrounded by chrome and freshly polished paint. In between the ooh's, aah's and I want, reminiscent of a child weeks before Christmas, I did manage to get in a few photographs. I hope you enjoy them.

Railroad Tracks

When we set out into the world to work we are like new railroad tracks laid out on the line. We start of strong with purpose, shiny with enthusiasm and shaped for durability. Laid out on the line we carry our share of the load. Together we are the workforce that keeps America moving. Much like the railroad tracks we are grossly overlooked and viewed as an eyesore. I am a tradesman and I say it with pride. But unlike the men who have come before I will not allow myself to be worn down. Left out in the elements to bare the repeated burden that industry places on our shoulders. Until the steel that is our will has been rendered useless. Only to be replaced by a new piece of track. Then discarded in obscurity to collect rust. Because the truth is that the only thing I have become weary of is laying down and letting life roll over me. I am still strong with purpose and filled with enthusiasm. So it is at this time that I must make a choice. At this point I need a job that feeds my soul as much as my family. So when faced with the decision on whether I should make that leap or stay lying down, I jumped. I left the comfort and security of a job I held for the past sixteen years and it was liberating. I woke this morning invigorated with the possibilities of what is to come. The road won't be easy but then again neither am I. I know I'll have to work harder than ever to get where I want to be but there's still a lot of fight in this dog. My days of lying down and letting life roll over me are done with. Next stop, Los Angeles.

Brogue Style

I've heard it said that you dress for the job you want, not the job you have. Although my current position does not afford me the opportunity to dress in the manner befitting my stylish nature, I take it upon myself to express my sartorial side during the off work hours. Shoes have always played a pivotal role in showcasing my individual style. I feel they speak volumes of who you are as a man. I have always loved Allen Edmonds shoes but I could never decide on which shoes to buy. So indecisive I remained and  suspended my search indefinitely. Until a trip to  Nordstrom Men's Shop to look for pants led me to find these gems. I sent a picture of them to my girlfriend to see if she liked them. Not only did she like them but she told me to stop thinking about it and just buy them. It worked out perfectly because by the time I read her text I was already at the cash wrap waiting to pay for them.

The Allen Edmonds Neumok is an unlined wing-tip brogue oxford shoe with cord laces. Although I have not worn them for more than fifteen minutes inside the house they fit quite well and seem very comfortable. I did manage to take a few pictures highlighting the details from the stitching to the broguing. The craftsmanship is second to none proudly made in the USA. I look forward to years of good use and impeccable style.

Shokunin: The Artisan Spirit

I am a tradesman like my father was before me. I make a living from the use of my hands. I know what it is to work with sweat dripping from my brow and the sun beating on my back. Standing on my feet for long hours. In my years of working I've learned that you are only as good as your tools, so I buy only quality products. Tools that are made to last because I know that I have years of  toiling before I lay down them down for good. I believe in hard work, as I feel it builds character, but more importantly it feeds the soul. There is no better feeling in the world  than the feeling of accomplishment. A job forged together by the indomitable spirit of the working man.  But in todays world quality has given way to quantity. We live in the now and expect nothing less than instant gratification. It seems that everything these days is marketed like the ever changing world of technology. Where usefulness has become obsolete and the only thing that matters is new and improved. I myself am guilty of this crime but deep in my soul stirs the provocateur. Who yearns for substance, something with a soul. Made with the loving hands of a craftsman, perfected through years of dedication. The Japanese have a word for such dedication, shokunin. It encompasses not only technical ability of the apprentice but the social consciousness and attitude. A responsibility to their craft and to the people alike. This concept utterly fascinates me as I find it to be truly elemental. That is something that no machine can create because no machine can feel the love needed to create a work of art.

So how does this concept relate to me? How can I adapt the shokunin spirit in my everyday life? As far as my job goes, I've always taken pride in my work. That comes from working with my father at a young age. But there are things I enjoy doing outside of work that I feel could truly benefit from this approach. First off, would be my writing. I love writing but I don't have the discipline to write everyday. I struggled trying to find a direction to move my blog. By trying to focus on a target audience I lost sight of why I started writing to begin with. Cooking would be the second place as I could benefit from a bit more dedication. I enjoy cooking. It makes me happy to cook for my family especially when they look forward to eating my home cooked meals. Lastly, I have the urge to create something physical. I do draw which is nice and I could stand to learn new techniques. But I've always been drawn to wood and leather. Textures in general seem to speak to me. Whatever the craft may be, in whatever medium I choose, I will continue putting my all into it. Taking the time necessary to create from the soul because if you don't leave a piece of yourself  in everything you create then you are doing it for the wrong reasons.