You Gotta Spend Money to...

...get stuff, like more money. Recently, I've been buying items that are directly related to work, most of which could be classified as attempts to update the old wardrobe. I was spoiled by working in a place where the dress code didn't represent a major priority across the organization. Jeans and a button up shirt was my typical garb back then, but these days require a little more formality. Which means... spend!

Good clothes tend to be very expensive, which is fine, I suppose. What isn't fine is the euphoria that comes after buying nice clothes - you want to buy more. "Hey, look... that Calvin Klein shirt is on sale! Look at those pants too... damn... it's for work... oh okay, let's get 'em." My consolation is that they are truly for work, which is a small consolation.

On top of the clothes, there's the toiletries that come with it. I stopped using hair gel and went with a more cultured series of hair care products (I'm not gay... I know what you're thinking. I've checked this with real gay men and I'm still straight.) in American Crew. I've got their Fiber molding stuff, as well as their shampoo and conditioner. That stuff ain't cheap, my friends, but the results are worth the cost. My hair looks a little more natural, as opposed to the action figure hair I had before.

From my understanding, American Crew isn't even made in "America." It's an English product. I suppose they felt it would be hard to market a product in the often stupidly patriotic country that is the United States, if it said "English Crew." "Afghani Crew" wouldn't work either. And I'd think "Shi'ite Crew" wouldn't inspire anyone to put what you sold, in their hair... or even bother smelling your product.

I kid. I have nothing against the Afghans or the Shi'ia... they are good people.

Beyond the American Crew stuff, there's the exclusive men's line of shaving and face care products that Nutrogena makes. Very good stuff, for you guys who care about how you look. Each product is about $5 a pop, so you can spend quite a bit pretty quickly, depending on your need. I bought two of everything - one set for home and the other for the gym.

That metrosexualness aside, I did buy something pretty cool and fun for work recently. It's a product from a line that has interested me for some time now. My interest will drive me to purchase at least a lithograph or maybe a desktopper for work as well. Without further text, here's my new mug:

www.despair.com