As I've mentioned in previous posts, a true gentleman needs several people in his life to keep him properly maintained; a reliable and quality shoe repairman is one such person. Whether you need a simple polish or new soles, a good shoe man is a must in any gentleman's life. If it's true that women pay attention to a gentleman's shoe, and often make a judgement call based on their assesment, then I always want to look polished.

I purchased this pair of Ralph Lauren split-toe spectators nearly 15 years ago. Originally, the surface on top was done in a white suede; beautiful to behold, but a headache to maintain. It seemed as though each time that I wore them, invariably, I'd spill water onto the suede! Eventually, I took them to Deluxe Shoe Repair in Newport Beach and asked if they could replace the suede with a white leather. They did and I've never been happier with my spectators. I loved the suede, but paying $20.00 for each cleaning was becoming rather tiresome and expensive. For now, I'm back in business. As with all of my shoes, because I'm diligent about using cedar shoe trees and I take them in for routine  polishing and heel replacements, as needed, after 15 years, these spectators really do look nearly brand-new.

In most third world countries, the water that is being consumed is most often the same water being used to clean  bodies,  clothing  and livestock; teeming with bacteria. charity:water is but one charity pushing forward in the fight to combat the lack of clean water in underdeveloped nations. A $20 donation (less than the cost of two movie tickets) will allow one person to receive clean drinking for 20 YEARS! $20/20 is clearly an idea which anyone should be able to see how such a small donation can make a major difference in the life of someone less fortunate.
 
I think two of the main reasons why we don't give to charity is, 1.) We assume a small donation won't make a difference, and 2.) With so many in need, how do we decide where to give?  If not to charity:water, then please take a look at www.charitynavigator.org or www.guidestar.com, which are just two trusted websites that provide credible information on charitable organizations to help eliminate the guesswork when giving. So now, I'd like to think that it's not a matter of if you will give, but to whom. 

"Every time you stop a school, you will have to build a jail.
          What you gain at one end, you lose at the other."             
  Mark Twain  (November 1900)

How can we live in the richest country (at least for now) on Earth and allow our public school system, as well as many of the actual school buildings, to deteriorate to such a deplorable  state? It seems like the more we've progressed in areas like technology, the more we've equally regressed in just as many areas, like education; one step forward, two steps backwards. The idea of having to be subjected to a lottery to allow your child a fair chance at education is more than inexcusable. Since when did education become a gamble in this country?

This documentary is directed by Davis Guggenheim, who also directed Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth. Seems as though this film could have just as easily been titled An Inconvenient Truth II! 

         (Opens Friday, September 24th, in New York and Los Angeles.)

This is a perfect example of how children should dress; like children and not little adults. Kudos to Ralph Lauren for always getting it just right.