Check This Out

So I got a random friend request on Facebook today from someone I didn't know, and these are the ones that I usually ignore, but when I checked out his page and realized he was an artist, I decided I would check out some of his music. I went to his myspace and listened to two of his songs, "Never Met Her", and "Crashing Down." I have to tell you I really dug this dude's style. If you get a chance check out Moses Haughton Jr, or "Young Moses". I think you'll enjoy it. Here's a couple of links below.

http://artistmoses.wordpress.com

http://MySpace.com/MosesHaughton

What's On Your Man-Station?

I am going to admit something in the second sentence of this post that most guys probably wouldn’t on just their third post for a widely-read blog at their college. The inspiration for me writing this very column today came from a movie, which I am now admitting that I’ve seen, and actually liked, called “P.S. I Love You.” Wayy back in ‘07 when my friend and I first saw this movie (on separate occasions), we developed a name for something we saw in the beginning of the movie. My friend, Mark, told me about how when he gets married he and his wife (like Gerard Butler and Hilary Swank did) will have separate dressers (see the picture below). Shortly after, I helped Mark re-arrange his room, and born was “The Man-Station,” a masculine alternative to some sort of giant jewelry box with drawers.

Whether you know it or not, in your dorm, apartment, house, bedroom, hole in the wall, or wherever it is that you sleep at night, you have a man-station, even if you don’t call it that. Its function lies between what you do after your morning shower and before you leave for the day. Having something like this is essential, because it’s your one stop before you go out the door. I promise you, the man-station is key because us guys aren’t as organized as most females with their jewelry boxes and color coded closets. Ever since I dedicated a dresser in my room to all these essential items, I have yet to lose my keys, my wallet, my cell phone, or any of the other items on it. If you don’t already have this separate, set-aside, organized station, my suggestion is to make one – it makes starting the day a lot easier. Here’s some typical things to start with.

• The Classic Keys, Wallet, Cell Phone
• Cologne
• Glasses (if applicable)
• Important miscellaneous items that you need for the next day
• Picture of mom (just kidding, but if you tell her it’s there she’ll love it)

So the next time you lose forget your keys, can’t find your iPod, or are begging a professor to let you run home and grab that paper that you left at home, go home immediately, clear off a dresser, and fill it with the essentials. If you already have one, tell us…What’s on your man-station? Props to you if it’s as legit as Gerard’s here with a tie and belt hanger.

Gerard Butler's Man-Station in P.S. I Love You

Window Shop....And Then Go Online

Every time I pass by Harper’s men’s clothing store on College Ave., I look at the same item in the window, but never walk in and peruse the store, because from word of mouth I know there’s nothing in there that’s really affordable. Well I finally inquired about the price of the Lambswool Penn State “S” sweater that’s been in their window for as long as I can remember. Turns out it’s $158. Needless to say, us college kids are strapped for cash. And when I say strapped for cash, I mean the selling your plasma and working jobs we hate kind of strapped.

So what are the fashionistos and fashionistas of Happy Valley to do when it comes to looking good and saving money? One option is to raid your parents and grandparents closets for “vintage” clothing that no longer fits them. But another option is go go online and look for cheaper items that are pretty much the same. I started browsing the internet and came up with a similar “S” sweater for only $48 from Smart Turnout. Sure, the S is a little different, and you can’t get it in white, but it still gives off the same throwback vibe. Plus, when people ask you about it you can just say, “Yeah it was my dad’s back when he was an undergrad here at Penn State,” because we all know how sweet it is to have a legacy that passed down his or her favorite PSU memories to you. Check out the comparison below.

Here's Harpers' Lambswool "S" Sweater, $158

Here's an alternative from a great store, Smart Turnout $48

Buy It Here!

I know a lot of my friends that have passed by Harpers with me have always commented on the “S” sweater in the window, so I hope if you’re reading this and you’re the same way that this helped in some way shape or form. If nothing else, check out some of the other stuff that Smart Turnout has to offer. They’ve got some really cool watch straps, ties, belts, and a lot more that’s not too expensive.

What We've Been Talking About

What We've Been Talking About:

The J.Crew Timex Military Watch

Buy It Here

We've been talking about watches a lot this year, and Mike and I both really have the same taste in watches. For a while, I never really was a watch guy, and only recently have I really gotten into it, and given that I had the funds I'd probably have about 10 by now. Unfortunately I have two, one being a vintage Timex that my grandfather gave me last year. I recently purchased a Michael Kors watch over the holidays too. Black leather strap, larger silver face, black dial, chronograph, pretty basic. Not until catching up with Mike after Christmas did I realize I should have gone a different route. The watch I bought it basic but kind of dressy, and isn't what I'd call a "go-to watch". I think I got a little excited and wanted to be Clooney in an Ocean's movie, but I digress. Mike told me about the watch he got and needless to say, that watch is what we've been talking about. This Timex military watch from J.Crew is the definition of a go-to watch. It's casual enough to wear with anything and appropriate for the workplace too. The best part of this watch, though, is that for 30 more dollars, you basically get 2 more watches. J.Crew sells this watch for $150, which is probably a little more than it should be. But they have a 2 for $30 deal on the bands, which come in tons of colors. Mike says, "I wear the black to work, and can do the navy and white striped one too, and then can get something like orange for the summer time." Our advice is just that. It comes in black which is basic, but spend 30 more dollars and pick up 2 more straps. Get something that matches the other half of your closet, like brown, navy or whatever, and then something that pushes the envelope a little. Personally I'd get some kind of green.

What We've Been Talking About

Hey STATEtorialites,

So Mike and I have been having discussions about new stuff we could put on here, and one thing we decided to do for the fashion portion is to once a week, post a picture and a link of an item that he and I have been talking about, that we both like, or something we would suggest to buy (Even if we don't have it yet). This is similar to our post on the Clark's Desert Boot, which I have really been seeing quite frequently around town. (Must have been this years hot gift from Santa). Mike and I are always talking about something, and now since he's in Princeton, NJ doing a co-op, and I'll be in Happy Valley taking a rigorous schedule of 13 credits, including a ski class, and EGEE 101 online, all we have for the next semester is what we talk about over the phone when Mike is on his lunch break and I'm making my morning coffee. So here goes nothing; our first pick is something we've been talking about for a while, ever since I picked up a pair in a Bulgarian gypsy market.

What We've Been Talking About:

The Ray-Ban RB 4105 Folding Wayfarer in Tortoise Shell

Buy Them Here!

It goes without saying that the wayfarer is back, and has been back for a while. Im hoping that soon, the "Sunglasses bigger than your face" look will completely dissolve, but more recently everyone from hipsters to rap moguls have been rocking some sort of wayfarer. We really like any type of tortoise shell sunglasses, but the wayfarer is what's hot, and is our top pick. Now, I know as you read this it's January 2nd, and the tortoise shell look is more for the summer (They'd go with with a seersucker suit, not with your new years black tux), but we have been praising this pair of shades since July, so we thought it'd be fitting for our first post of this nature.

Celeb That Makes Tortoise Shell Look Fly:

• Daniel Craig as James Bond

Celeb That Sports Wayfarers Like A Boss:

• Jay-Z

Some Thoughts on College Football

Let's Geaux State! Congrats to the Penn State football team on being 2010 Capital One Bowl Champs!!! What a great win for our seniors, the team, and the Big Ten. It was an up-and-down roller coaster type season and there's nothing better than ending the season with a W. JoePa has done it again, an 11-win season is nothing to laugh at, especially playing in the Big Ten. (See article below for more on that). For Daryll Clark and his senior class, they ended a very successful career on a high note, they deserved nothing less. A new era is coming in Happy Valley and I am pumped. Period.

I would like to preface the upcoming thought by saying, yes, I am a very huge Penn State fan and love Joe Paterno. But, I am also a huge college football fan, so there may be a tinge of Penn State bias, but I'm saying this as a college football fan for the most part. I love Penn State I can't help it!

The Urban Meyer saga has brought a lot of attention to college football coaching in the past week. The story goes that Urban Meyer is taking a leave from Florida because his health is failing due to the stress caused him by coaching at UF. A coach having health issues due to the rigors of coaching sports...a game for goodness sake! Personally, I think it's simple: Urban Meyer can't handle it, the health issues are good distraction, but I digress. All ESPN is talking about is how much stress is put on coaches at these high level "football factories." It's a shame. Not that these guys are under that much stress, but that it has come to this. The issue at hand is that College Football has become something that is bad for your health. Yikes! To Florida's fans, only National Championships are good enough them, the so-called upper echelon of college football fan, I feel bad for Meyer. If Urban Meyer loses a game and they don't win the Nat'l Championship, he's gotta be rushed to the hospital. Again I say, Yikes! It's coming out that UF Football is his life and that he sleeps in his office and watches film 24-7. That's great, it's nice to see a committed coach who loves his program and has some loyalty. I can respect that.

But, the reason he is having these health problems is that Urban Meyer has built nothing to fall back on if he loses a game at Florida. When he showed up there, he made his program about winning, nothing else. And by-golly, he's done it well. He's brought in kids to play football and that's it. Wanna dispute me on that? Check it out --> http://deadspin.com/5428266/uf-football-not-about-to-get-any-classier . Do these recruits really want to attend class? Maybe, but only if they can bring their 9 millimeters and make it rain on their sociology professor. And building your program to do nothing but win is fine, but don't sell out if you lose a game. He signed up for this. Meyer could have built a program that would have been about more than football, so don't say the stress is too much when your own experiment bites you in the butt. He's a great coach, I've heard a lot of great things about him, and a lot of not great things. But Meyer's decision to take a leave of absence is interesting, and brings up a great point...

What I meant about having nothing to fall back on if you lose a game can be summed up in 3 words: The Great Experiment. Joe Paterno's attempt to see if you can have both a successful team on the field and in the classroom. At the end of the season, Penn State had the highest graduation rate in the top 25, 89%, 14 points higher than the next highest. Also, Penn State led all FBS teams with 3 ESPN Academic All-Americans. Combine that with an 11 win season and...Mission accomplished Joe! Joe Paterno has done more than create a winning program, he created a lifestyle. The Penn State lifestyle; where kids come into the PSU football program and come out as better people. I am thankful for it, my dad is my hero, and I know that Joe has helped form the person he is. I am 100% sure about that. Joe hasn't done it through specific acts, he has done it over time by building a program that is committed to class and doing things the right way. He hasn't slacked on his recruiting standards and still continues to win. So if Joe loses a few games one year, let the moron PSU fans call for his head, those who get it know that winning a National Championship is tough, and it can't be done every year (Florida made us think differently, until Meyer had to quit). Joe does more than coach football and I have to credit Meyer for mentioning how amazing JoePa is in one of his recent press conferences.

Now that Bobby Bowden (has been forced to) retired, when Joe hangs it up, college football as we know it will be over. The Urban Meyers and Nick Sabans will only stay at programs for 4, 5, 6 years before a tough year will force them out because all they're expected to do is win. This isn't an attack of those 2 guys, but more of a change in the landscape of college football. Joe has mentioned it briefly and it is happening. I'm not saying it's a bad thing, it's just the way it is, I love college football enough to understand that. I just wanted to make sure to give credit where credit is due, and Joe, you deserve it.

Love ya Lions,

Mike Donchez

Big Ten vs. SEC

The following excerpt is from the Wall Street Journal's Darren Everson on the biggest misconceptions on college football. Thank you Mr. Everson!!

"One of the great misunderstandings in college football is that the Big Ten's bowl troubles are all-encompassing, that all of its teams look out of their depth against the Southeastern Conference.

In fact, the Big Ten does just fine year after year—in the early New Year's Day bowls that no one remembers, save for the schools involved. (It's the big games that have been the embarrassment.) Over the past dozen seasons, the Big Ten is now 13-11 against the SEC in the Outback and Capital One bowls. That's a winning record over a significant timespan against upper-level SEC teams in SEC country.

This dynamic was on display again Friday, as Penn State defeated LSU in the Capital One. And even though Auburn outlasted Northwestern in an epic Outback Bowl, the Wildcats amassed 619 yards to Auburn's 425. Anyone who watched the two games would be forced to conclude that the supposedly superior level of play throughout the SEC is an illusion.

Of course, the Big Ten might've dropped both games if coach Les Miles's team were better at clock management. Down two, LSU got the ball back at its own 41 with just under a minute left, but again the offense was bizarrely inept at the two-minute drill, just as they were in a loss against Mississippi earlier this season. This is the sort of bugaboo that enrages fans—who are always inclined to second-guess coaches—and could one day imperil Mr. Miles's standing if it keeps up.

Another myth that needs to die: the belief that Big Ten teams are boring and stuck in the Stone Ages strategically. Northwestern put on arguably the most entertaining bowl performance since Boise State's classic Fiesta Bowl victory over Oklahoma following the 2006 season. The Wildcats threw an outrageous 78 passes, tied the game on a trick-play two-point conversion that involved a reverse and a pass, and then tried to win the game on a fake field goal in overtime.

The Big Ten's year-by-year performance against the SEC in the Outback and Capital One games—which typically match the conferences' third- and fourth-best teams, since the top two often wind up in the Bowl Championship Series—suggests the depth and quality of play across the Midwest is equal to the sport's most-feared conference. If not better. The problem has been the lack of powerhouse teams at the top."

Article

Happy Holidays from The STATEtorialists

Happy Holidays everyone! Hope you're enjoying your time off from school or work, and are taking advantage of the time you have to spend with your families! Thanks again for reading, commenting, following, becoming a fan, or all of the above!

Finals Fashion

So, I've said before that your daily outfit should be based on your daily mood. So what do you do during finals week when all that's (hopefully) on your mind is crunching numbers for your accounting exam, or the conjugation for every single freakin tense, plus vocab for random words and how to compose your own sentence for each of the tenses for your spanish 3 exam. (Deep Breath). Sorry, Spanish is stressin me out, man. Where was I? Oh, what to wear, got it. Here's what you do. Wake up, go to your closet and.....DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT. If you're thinking about what your wearing this week then your priorities are not by any means in order. If you're really that nervous about fitting in here's a sure fire way to. Wear Penn State sweats and/ or hoodies. Grow out that finals beard even if you haven't been studying and you've been showering every day, it'll give you that, "OMG I've been studying so hard I haven't been able to worry about anything else," look. Keep the beard until you go home so even if you fail every final, your parents will see some evidence that you worked hard. Wear those sweats every day, they will get comfier each day. Each second you waste putting product in your hair is another theorem you pass up on studying for your econ class. And most of all stay off of Facebook, ESPN, Perez, and all those other tabs in your bookmarks that you only click on when you're procrastinating. Now that I've been writing for a few minutes it hit me, I have a final in 4 hours so I should probably stop bloggin'. Gotta go, meeting Mike at Dunkin' Donuts to do some studyin', I'll be the one in the Penn State sweats with the finals beard.

Good Luck this week everyone

Peace and Love,

Ben

Condemned to Repeat It...

“It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends on his not understanding it.” Upton Sinclair

Everyone take a minute to read Paul Krugman's take on what needs to happen to fix this mess we're in. It is a very broad base article that summarizes what has happened. We've been in a mess like this before with the savings and loan crisis and the taxpayers bailed everyone out. Again, a level of deregulation has lead us down the same path and again our money has bailed them out. When will we learn? When will they clear away all the B.S. in front of their eyes and take a look at what's really going on so maybe, just maybe some necessary changes in the greatest country in the world will take place.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/14/opinion/14krugman.html?_r=1&ref=opinion