Publicerad 17:50, 12 September 2014
400th Post – Sugar Cane SC1945
Well, we’ve reached another landmark in the history of this shitty little blog. The 400th Bleakest Day of my posting crap sporadically.
I mentioned not long ago that I’m not really sure if this post shall be my last. And, frankly, I’m still not sure whether to do so or not. While I do get some sort of moderate happiness from writing without a client standing over my shoulder discussing whether my prose is simply not ‘Swedish enough’ and will make people think they are agressive, or speak too highly of themselves, is that happiness enough to keep this crappy thing going?
As I’ve said before I have precious little idea of whether anyone reads it, aside from Mr Dixon who’s waiting for a reply to his email two years ago when I slated his watch (well, sort of). And with Nipper and the Missis being my only source of amusement would time be better off spent with them? There’s the aspect of ‘proper job’ as well I guess but it’s becoming clear that I’m basically unemployably.
Regardless, let’s say for the moment that I shall continue and see if we can get to 500 posts without a single comment. Let’s say that.
With this in mind we’ll discuss the fact that I bought (as usual with my own cashoosh) a new pair of jeans today. Fucking steal they were too, Sugar Cane SC1945’s a Lee homage from one of Japan’s foremost labels. About 70 nicker in English money was spent on a pair which haven’t been hemmed, and don’t even seem to have been worn! Plus, in the same boutique there was another pair of ‘Canes for the same price with the super-slubby cloth made from the fibres of the Sugar Cane itself, which gives the label its name. If someone wants to sub me then…
So my thinking right now is this.
They will get a shit homemade hem job (or maybe even a trip to Unionville for a decent one, assuming they’ll have me) and we’ll stick the date on the pocket bag. Then we’ll crack on with a special Bleakest Day evolution project.
The pair might have a quick soak (even though they’re sanforised) if I can be arsed and then we just wear the hell out of them for the Autumn and Winter, with regular posts that can be achievable without too much effort. Attainable in terms of regularity maybe?
The Bleakest Day will still remain a place for things other than denim but this shall provide a little more regularity and kick me up the arse to engage myself in something other than simply moping about feeling shitty, which happens alot.
Asch. Time will tell won’t it. If you see another post then we can assume The Bleakest Day will live on. Otherwise, thank you reader – for sticking with 400 shoddily-written pieces about things I like and don’t so much.
Publicerad 08:33, 10 September 2014
Apple Watch
Everyone will be talking the shit out of last night’s unveiling of the Apple Watch (mark my words, there will be an iWatch but I’m willing to put money on that being tv-related) so I’ll add my two penneth.
It’s likely I shall eat my words and give in somewhere down the line when the design faults are rectified that mean one can wear it operationally without having to be tethered to a massive iPhone. However, with no GPS it’s pretty much redundant without said phone. Fitness tracker… Glorified pedometer (as I think I’ve said before somewhere), map thingy – use the phone, emails – leave me the fuck alone I’ll use a computer, porn – perhaps were there a inertia charging system built in, otherwise you’re watching Super Mario fuck Sonic on a screen that size.
The band system is straight from an Ikepod, and the thing bears the stamp of Newson all over it, who I’ve never really liked. Plus his band never really realised its intentions and had a penchant for failing.
People can get it by all means, who am I to prevent people from getting a watch. Watches are great. Just my wrist space remains reserved for the beauty and form of mechanics. I actually think that it’s quite wasteful in terms of resources, energy for charging et al, materials, planned obsolescence but they’ll corner the market and pull more phone users in. Plus most watch makers get paid a decent wage and have decent workig environments.
That said, the early Apple watch concept was a banger and perhaps this might drive down some prices on the horological pieces that I still wish to own.
Publicerad 11:01, 30 August 2014
PF Flyers Hi-Pres Boot
Always liked
PF Flyers I did. Traditionally-styled sneakers that I used to wear when breakdancing! Really, I used to dabble in that pursuit for quite some time being all slim and flexible.
According to legend (well, reality) PF used to work with BFGoodrich, a US tyre maker to make these waterproof boots that PF has just put back into production. The boot is called the Hi-Pres and it looks like a pretty fine autumn boot to me.
I’ll add though that boots like these wear out the sole fast (or I seem to walk particularly abrasively) and are a bugger to fix so you’re looking at a boot with a single lifespan.
I’ll also add though that my mate Dave uses a puncture repair kit to lengthen the life of his duck boots, which share the same sort of sole.
Publicerad 12:18, 25 August 2014
Doxa 300t Professional Broken Lume
One of the main problems with a vintage watch with faded lume is that it can be a brittle substance, as I found out a night ago.
Sadly dear reader, there was a small amount of fine single malt involved and a slip of the wrist that saw the beloved Doxa drop to the floor from head height. While the Doxa showed its mettle as a proper robust tool watch and remained ticking without issue, the minute hand was less fortunate and saw the lume crack off. So it will be a trip to a decent watch store to see if it can be relumed, or a little bit of shopping for a new handset from Yobokies who makes replacement Doxa hands in this style. Shame but I’m damned if I’m going to wrap Doxa in cotton wool – for I am a man of action (and prone to booziness).
On a side note, I’m doing a bit of work for one of Sweden’s hottest start-ups and will have some new goodies to play with (and review) in due course. Because I am very easily bribed…
Publicerad 12:00, 24 August 2014
Waxing Wolverine Boots
Publicerad 11:29, 12 August 2014
Worn in Espadrilles
Ten days ago I wrote of my love for the humble Espadrille as being the most stylish, adaptable and usable holiday shoes.
And cheap.
Today, being the final day of this particular trip I post a few images of the little slappers all worn in and used. I think I’ll keep these ones rather than throwing them away but they’ve really taken a kicking. Today they acted as makeshift running shoes as I jogged 3k with the Nipper to try and get him to sleep (failed miserably), earning me not only very sore feet but a number of ‘bon jours’, a zootaloor and a high five for my efforts. I’ve got to say though that the whole bare foot running thing leaves a lot to be desired and I seriously doubt I shall ever do such a thing again.
Five more posts and we’ll have had 400 on TheBleakestDay. A landmark perhaps? Maybe five more good ones and I shall duck out to begin another project? Or not. We’ll see how I feel.
Publicerad 17:08, 8 August 2014
Doxa 300t Professional at the Villa Baobab
Yesterday I wrote of the chance uncovering of information that I’m staying in the same town that Jacque Cousteau lived for a number of years.
Today, using the knowledge gleamed from my research during the evening, I journeyed to his Villa to pay homage to the chap who made quite a mark on the diving watch in general but also a phenomenal contribution to ocean exploration. Much has been written on the fellow, for example – he was the only person other than Michael Moore to win an Oscar for a documentary feature film!
And let’s not forget that Bill Murray took him as inspiration for his character in Life Aquatic.
His villa seems to have also been lived in by a noted writer during the Second World War, so it bears only a plaque to commemorate said writer, yet the little porthole with the name of the Villa is the only visual signifier that Cousteau lived there, which I think is a shame.
Yet I laid my Doxa on the ledge by the porthole and took some photos; toying with the notion of perhaps knocking on the door and seeing if someone might have granted me entry.
The journey itself is a pretty arduous one in the 30C degree heat, snaking its way up and along the cliffside with some great views of the bay, so it felt a little bit like a pilgrimage of sorts – yet one that I doubt many have taken for these purposes. However, I was glad to have done it, paid homage as it were to the guy whose touch can be felt on the watch I wear quite proudly; the quirky, undervalued Doxa.
Publicerad 17:08, 7 August 2014
Doxa 300t Comes Home
As holidays go, this one has been full of adventure. As it happens, the Missis’ parents have an apartment in the south of France, a wee town (if one can call it that) going by the name of Sanary-sur-Mer.
I’ve not really read so much into the history of the town itself but it turns out to have very deep roots in the development of modern scuba diving. It’s regularly swept by the Mistral winds, which probably gives its waters a very crystal like clarity, like those off the coast of Cornwall in the Scilly Isles – the flow of waters sweeping away debris.
I’ve seen that there is a museum in town dedicated to diving and thought I’d pop by on the off chance of seeing some cool diving watches. With that in mind, I googled the museum and kapow, I find a wonderful connection between this little French town and my newly beloved Doxa.
For this was the home for some time to the mighty Jacque Yves Cousteau – the guy who strapped Doxas to his wrist on so many an occasion. He carried out many underwater experiments in the waters in which I’ve been swimming these past few days.
I even know where his villa is, so we’ll be out that way before the trip is out to make sure we get a snap of the 300t by La Villa Baobab where he used to live.
Damn, this has got me all excited. Here’s Jacque and his Doxa to get the juices flowing.
Publicerad 15:15, 6 August 2014
D.R.Harris Windsor Eau de Toilette Review
Before I set off on me’ hols, I was lucky to have taken receipt of the parcel of goodies I’d ordered to tide me over the summer.
Fifty new Feather blades, the only double-sided safeties worth using in my opinion and a new EDT to try out from D.R.Harris, the Windsor.
A small yet punchy scent that comes in a relatively humble glass bottle with a cheapo sticker on the front. It’s not like unboxing a Tom Ford, but then it’s not knocking on 60 or 70 nicker either so let’s not dwell on that. Besides, it’s only a bottle and if you have such things on display in your bathroom for purposes of impressing the opposite sex then that is not the thing that’s going to impress them.
So we’ll hop straight to the smell. It’s great. Splash a bit on and you’re hit with citrus, reminds me of Eau Savage a bit. It lingers too, a very welcoming summery poke that warms slowly to open into the realms of manliness – leathers, peppers and vetyver.
I find it familiar and welcoming. Not sure why. But it’s an alluring scent and I’m enjoying wearing it. Definitely my new go-to and certainly nothing I can imagine encountering on the streets of Stockholm.
Publicerad 13:01, 4 August 2014
Doxa 300t professional update
Although a review has been promised, or indeed some form of more detailed writing in praise of the new (old) Doxa 300t, it will have to wait as I’m in no position to spend a prolonged period of time at the keyboard.
Alas The Nipper is demanding a fair proportion of our time at the moment (leaping apparently). We’re also on holiday. When I bought Doxa, the gent who sold it to me mentioned that the previous owner had given it a pressure test and that it was happy in the water. I take it as being this seller had not given it one and, with no service history, I’ve stayed on the side of caution and traveled with two watches, the Doxa for the balcony and dry larks and the trusty Obris Morgan Nevon, which I still think is a terrific little watch for the money.
So the Nevon goes in the water, selflessly putting itself into the perils of the sea for its orange counterpart. Orange and blue faces though make these traveling companions well color matched, so everyone’s happy.
