Dress with Respect

If you knew me years ago throughout grade school (particularly high school), you would probably have laughed at the idea of me writing an article extolling the virtues of good fashion. If you didn't know me back then to notice how much my own fashion sense was lacking, consider yourself lucky! My fashion violations included (but were not limited to) white socks pulled all the way up to my knees, shirts tucked in without a belt, etc. My attitude at the time (based on a strange brew of defiance and ignorance) was that I was going to dress how I wanted and people shouldn't judge me solely based on my outward appearances, by golly!

Fortunately, I've come a long way since then. Case in point: While I got away for years with simple Puritan polo shirts mismatched with shorts, you're more likely these days to see me wearing Ralph Lauren sport shirts with dress pants. As I got older, I started to realize for myself the many reasons why good fashion is so important. As far as how to dress, there are plenty of fashion advice resources on the Web to help you find the right sartorial path. It's good to remember that, if nothing else, fashion is an indicator of respect: how much you have for yourself as well as others.

While it's true that one ought not be superficial as to try to judge a person's character based solely on their fashion style, how you dress can nonetheless affect people's first impressions of you. Dress in such a way as to project a confident image. In general, for both men and women, you can never go wrong with a classic, professional style from day to day. If you truly respect yourself (or at least want others to think you do), allow your fashion to convey that message. Doing so will have positive ramifications for both your personal and professional relationships.

Sometimes the importance of good fashion goes above and beyond one's own style and opinions. Regardless of how you may otherwise dress, you should make absolutely sure that your fashion conveys reverence for certain events. If you are attending a wedding or funeral, for instance, you should dress in such a way as to suggest that you have respect for the occasion and those involved. In other words, wear your Sunday best even if it's the only time you ever would. If you don't have the right clothes, you can easily find great deals (often on name-brands) at stores such as Stein Mart and Ross.

With these general rules in mind, remember that fashion is something that should be enjoyable and not dreaded. Once you are familiar with the essentials of proper dress and color coordination, have fun with it and don't look at it as a chore. If your fashion sense has previously been little more than an afterthought for you (believe me, my younger self can relate), then now would be a great time to make it more of a priority. So many people today dress in a manner indicating a lack of respect for themselves and others; you can easily stand out by reevaluating your outlook on fashion and making a few changes.

Dress with respect, and in turn, you'll earn it!

Debating the Debate

After having just finished watching the first presidential debate, which focused primarily on foreign policy and national security, I find that I know little more about the candidates than I did before. Much of the debate consisted of John McCain and Barack Obama carefully evading numerous questions which moderator Jim Lehrer repeated and reworded several times, with very little new insight gained from the candidates' eventual answers.

Still, McCain and Obama were respectful of each other and kept the focus on political rather than personal issues. Lehrer once again proved himself to be an astute moderator (though the question has been raised before as to when a presidential debate will have a moderator who is not a white male). The candidates may not have swayed undecideds tonight, but they effectively preached to their respective choirs (video and transcript).

Coffee Table Books: The Perfect Gift

If you're like me, you do a lot of reading (at the moment, I'm juggling three books) and you finish books on a regular basis. No sooner have I started one than I'm already on to the next. Almost all of my books come from the local library, which works out nicely because it saves me a lot of money and I don't end up with stacks of books at home that I'm not likely to read again. In fact, one of my favorite possessions is my library card! With few exceptions, I almost never buy books.

Earlier this month, I celebrated a birthday and received a variety of gifts from friends and family. Gift cards are always great for birthdays, and I got several of them. Being an avid reader, one of my favorites was a $25 card for Books-A-Million, and I knew exactly what I planned on buying with it. Actually, I couldn't think of anything better to use it on. I was going to buy...you guessed it...a coffee table book.

If you like photography, there is a book out there on any topic imaginable: artwork, space, bridges...even coffee tables! I have photo books pertaining to skyscrapers and New York City, and one day soon I may get a book on Charleston. Coffee table books make for ideal presents because, unlike a paperback novel that you may finish quickly and have no further use for, they have lasting value.

In addition to being entertaining reads, they also serve as great decorative and conversation pieces for your living room. Many are surprisingly affordable, more than you might think: the last one I bought was on sale for only $7; a good-sized book that was originally over $30! As you can see, whether giving or receiving, you can't go wrong with a decent coffee table book. Just remember to watch out for drinks!

UPDATE: The morning after this article was posted, I read in USA Today that Prince is releasing his first authorized book, 21 Nights, next week. Wouldn't you know it: it's a coffee table book! The pop superstar performed for 21 sold-out shows over 21 nights in London last year, and this highly-anticipated book documents those performances; it even includes a CD. Expect it to be a big seller!

Movie Madness

This past Saturday, I went to go see Samuel L. Jackson's new thriller Lakeview Terrace, which opened at #1 over the weekend with $15.6 million (I did my part, thank you very much). The movie was reasonably entertaining, and Jackson as always is captivating with his menacing on-screen persona which never seems to grow wearisome regardless of how many times we see it. Also, the sizable crowd in the theater was quiet and considerate, with very little talking and no cell-phone interruptions (this situation, of course, is the exception rather than the rule). My only complaint about the experience: the prices.

It's common knowledge that the cost of both tickets and concessions have grown increasingly ridiculous. For example, at my local theater, the matinee price is $7, and your movie must start before 3:00. Otherwise, you'll pay the adult evening price, which is $9. Once you have your ticket, you may decide you can't make it through the movie without a large bag of popcorn and a soda, which will easily cost you almost $10 more, give or take (give, most likely). This means that, per person, a movie ticket, snack and drink will cost roughly $20. That adds up fast for a family of four on a Friday night (how's that for alliteration?).

Even though my local theater offers incentives for using a proprietary rewards card (such as free snacks and the occasional free movie), it doesn't make up the difference. These excessive prices have caused me to become much more selective about which movies I see in the theater and which ones I forgo. If I do go to the theater, I don't buy any snacks whatsoever and haven't for years. Still, the no-charge tickets are certainly convenient (my admission to Righteous Kill last weekend was free), though it takes a long time to earn them. As I see it, a free movie is the least they can do for me!

Many others have cut back on theater visits as well. When you consider the state of the economy, one can hardly blame them. What's disturbing is that, while the major theater chains are making record profits, they also blame piracy for any lessening attendance rather than acknowledging that their own high prices have kept many people away. This stance seems to imply that the moviegoer is at fault. Whether due to piracy or corporate greed, we are paying dearly. Costs will no doubt continue to rise, and would-be patrons will start staying away in droves if they aren't already.

Netflix, anyone?

The Palin Factor

There's little doubt that John McCain's bold choice of Alaska governor Sarah Palin as his running mate has reinvigorated the Republican party, even as recent polls indicate that Barack Obama has reclaimed the lead. Her lively speech at the Republican National Convention a couple of weeks ago introduced her to the country at large (she has since been interviewed by Charlie Gibson and Sean Hannity), and she gives McCain an edge with young and female voters that he had previously lacked. This moose-hunting hockey mom's presence in the presidential race has added an enticing new twist to an already historic election year.

Unfortunately, Palin finds herself in the middle of an incredibly tight race that will only grow more intense between now and Election Day, which is less than two months away. Predictably, scandals abound already: Palin is under investigation for allegedly pressuring a public safety commissioner to fire her ex-brother-in-law, her 17-year-old daughter is pregnant, and her personal Yahoo! email account was hacked earlier this week, with emails having already been leaked on the Internet (though none politically damaging). She has denied any wrongdoing with regard to the abuse of power situation and has actually gained a great deal of sympathy relating to the other issues.

In some respects, Palin does for the Republicans what Obama did for the Democrats. While it's undeniable that Palin has relatively little political experience compared to John McCain or Joe Biden (Obama has endured similar criticism), her roles as mayor of Wasilla and governor of Alaska should not be trivialized. Such positions require critical leadership skills that she could take with her to the White House, and she has already proven herself to be a reform-minded maverick. Palin raised taxes on oil companies and ensured that Alaskans are compensated for the utilization of the state's fossil-fuel resources: each resident receives an annual rebate of roughly several thousand dollars from the state's oil revenue.

Many challenges still lay ahead, but Palin has thus far risen to the occasion with confidence, grace, and a keen wit ("When the stadium lights go out, and those Styrofoam Greek columns are hauled back to some studio lot, what exactly is our opponent's plan?", she wondered aloud at the convention). A major part of her appeal is that she is a charismatic everywoman of sorts, a much-needed counterbalance to the often stiff image of the GOP as a whole. Also, she continues Hillary Clinton's trailblazing efforts toward breaking the glass ceiling for women in politics. However, she has a worthy opponent in Joe Biden, and the vice presidential debate on Oct. 2 will be, for many, the yardstick by which her political staying power will be measured.

Here is Palin's full speech from the convention on Sept. 3:

Scenes from Savannah

Below are some pictures I took during a day trip to Savannah, Georgia, a quintessential Southern city with a wealth of history and culture. I had been there when I was much younger but remembered very little about it, so it was a welcome return. I covered a lot of ground during the trip, but one day just isn't enough to do justice to Savannah.

Whether window-shopping along River St., enjoying hearty portions of Southern cuisine at The Lady & Sons, or visiting the city's many scenic squares, there's no shortage of fun and interesting things to do Savannah.

Some wallpaper-worthy highlights (click for 1024x768):

Skyline of Savannah:


Dome of Savannah City Hall:


Talmadge Memorial Bridge:


The Lady & Sons (Paula Deen's Restaurant):


One of Savannah's historic churches:


Sherman's Headquarters:


Another view of Talmadge:


Forsyth Park:


River St.:

Review: 'Righteous' reunion for Pacino and De Niro

It's been 13 long years since Al Pacino and Robert De Niro were last together on the big screen. In Michael Mann's 1995 Los Angeles crime epic, Heat, they shared only one major scene but were never in the same frame (according to Mann, this was to maintain the dramatic tension between Pacino's cop and De Niro's robber). Prior to Heat, they both starred in The Godfather Part II, in which they shared no scenes at all since De Niro's Vito Corleone was seen only in flashback as the father of Pacino's Michael Corleone.

Now, fans of both Oscar-winning actors have reason to celebrate: They are reunited in the highly-anticipated Righteous Kill (which opened in wide release yesterday), and they have ample screen time together while traversing their favorite playground from films past: New York City. Pacino and De Niro play Rooster and Turk (respectively), two veteran NYPD officers on the hunt for a serial killer targeting criminals who slip through the justice system after having committed crimes such as rape and murder. At every crime scene, he leaves a gun as well as a poem related to the victims' previous crime(s). Could the killer be one of their own?



While the movie has not fared well with many reviewers (currently, it has a 24% rating on Rotten Tomatoes), many of whom condemn it as predictable and dull, it is worth seeing if only for the generous helping of Pacino and De Niro. Watching them banter and crack wise back and forth like the two weathered veterans they are is highly entertaining for the viewer, especially given the fact that they are longtime friends off-screen. Also, there are plenty of surprises to be had, including one major twist that I for one did not see coming.

Righteous Kill, while not Oscar-worthy, succeeds as stylish yet gritty film-noir with solid performances all around (and very little overacting from its leads). The supporting cast impresses as well: Carla Gugino, Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, Donnie Wahlberg, John Leguizamo, and Brian Dennehy all add to the complexity of the story. Watch the movie with an open mind and enjoy the fireworks from the chemistry of the two titans that carry it; I'm grateful just to see them together, and I hope it won't be the last time.



Make no mistake: it's a dark movie. So, on a lighter note, here is a clip from their joint appearance on Thursday night's Late Show with David Letterman during which they read the Top Ten list. Here's hoping Al Pacino and Robert De Niro eventually decide to do a comedy together!

Top of the World

I was fortunate to have visited the World Trade Center (looming behind me like a ghost in the picture above, which was taken atop the Empire State Building) during my first trip to New York City in 1990. My parents and I went to the 107th floor of the north tower and explored Windows on the World, which was the highest-grossing restaurant in the United States before its destruction. Rather than the intimidating height of the towers or the splendor of this world-class restaurant, I only recall needing to use the restroom once we got to the top. In my defense, though, I was only 9 years old!



On a side note, I do remember that we hailed a cab after leaving the trade center, and from there we headed uptown to have lunch at the Plaza Hotel. I was too young to appreciate it at the time, but it happened to be that Donald Trump was seated just a few tables away from us, dining with business associates. I didn't approach him, but we did make eye contact. One of those "only in New York" moments!



Several years after that unforgettable trip, I saw the movie The Wiz (based on the Broadway play) for the first time. In this 1978 adaptation, the Twin Towers served as the Emerald City, and the massive plaza at the base of the towers came alive with a vibrant display of color, music, and dancing. This scene, I would later hear, was one of the most elaborate scenes ever filmed for a musical.



Seeing the towers on film at an older age was the first time I was truly able to visually comprehend their majesty, even though I had once seen them in person. I looked forward to the day when I could go back to the city and visit the observation deck of the south tower, maybe even after having enjoyed a fine meal at Windows on the World in the north tower. I figured I had plenty of time to go back, and that the World Trade Center would be there waiting.



On the morning of 9/11, I was at the Carolina Coliseum at the University of South Carolina in Columbia. Close to 9:00 AM, while passing the time in a computer lab in-between classes, I visited an Internet forum I frequented when I saw a post about the first plane crash, which for all intents and purposes looked to be a joke, but then someone posted a picture of the massive gap in the north tower's facade. I then tried to access CNN.com but was unsuccessful; the Internet was very slow due to the heavy volume of traffic related to the unfolding events.

After reading the latest developments on the forum and processing what little I managed to ascertain, I went to several different classrooms to spread the news. Most classes were then cancelled for the day; one of mine was not, and I did go, but none of us could maintain focus. Afterwards, I went back to my dorm room and watched CNN for the rest of the day. Like so many others, I just couldn't turn it off; I remember not even feeling safe in my own dorm. Right before my eyes, the Emerald City from my childhood fell to the ground...over and over.



Seven years later, the horror of that awful day feels fresh. Truth be told, I hope it always will. While we await the completion of the World Trade Center Memorial, today sees the opening of the Pentagon Memorial. Also, the 400-acre Flight 93 Memorial is under construction and, like the trade center memorial, is expected to open on September 11, 2011...ten years after the event it commemorates. I had the privilege of signing one of the steel beams that will be used in the trade center memorial when it passed through Columbia a year ago.

Since 9/11, my respect and adoration has only grown for the city that captured my heart eighteen years ago. Its residents have taught all of us a lesson in resilience and compassion (my hometown of Columbia did it's part to help), and it refused to succumb. New York City is, as David Letterman's announcer Alan Kalter has reminded us every weeknight since the tragedy, "the greatest city in the world".

Of course, I had known that long before 9/11.

World Trade Center Remembered

On Thursday, which will mark seven years since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, I will post about my one and only visit to the World Trade Center as a child, as well as my own 9/11 experience. Ahead of the anniversary, I want to remember the trade center as it was and, if just for a moment, separate it from the tragedy that doomed it.



When compared to the value of even a single life that was lost on 9/11, the World Trade Center was nothing more than a group of office buildings and a mall. Against the backdrop of that day, it needs to be viewed in that context. However, it should also be remembered in its own right: as a major New York City icon and American symbol. At 110 stories and almost 1,370 feet tall, the Twin Towers and the 16-acre complex that housed them (which included Manhattan's largest mall) were an astonishing engineering achievement, the likes of which the world had not seen since perhaps the Pyramids.



After the World Trade Center (designed by Japanese architect Minoru Yamasaki) opened in the early 1970's, it was met with a great deal of criticism in architectural circles. Many decried the towers' bland appearance and massive windswept plaza, among other things. There was even a joke among many New Yorkers that the Twin Towers were the boxes that the Empire State and Chrysler buildings came in. Over time, the trade center slowly but surely came to be accepted (if not embraced) by most doubters and embedded itself in our popular culture.



The World Trade Center's Twin Towers were major movie stars, having been featured in dozens of films (see link near bottom of post). Before their destruction, their enormous presence on the big screen could take our breath away. Now, seeing them in movies can have the same effect, but for far different reasons. Here are two highlight videos which lovingly recall some of their many memorable movie appearances (with a fantastic soundtrack including songs by Simon & Garfunkel):





The new World Trade Center is under construction and is expected to be completed in 2014. Whether it will become just as beloved as its predecessor remains to be seen, and the rebuilding process has been mired in controversy from the beginning. Seen below is a rendering of the new complex including the 1,776-foot-tall Freedom Tower and the Reflecting Absence memorial pools marking the footprints of the Twin Towers:



Below are 7 Web sites that commemorate the World Trade Center as we knew it. If you had the privilege of visiting, these sites will bring back memories, but they will especially be enlightening if you never did. For example, you can take a 3D tour of the complex, learn some impressive facts (Did you know that each Twin Tower had its own zip code?), view an extensive collection of photos, or read about the legendary tightrope walk between the towers which endeared these seemingly cold structures to a skeptical public and instantly made its way into New York City legend.



101 World Trade Center Facts
The Cliff's Notes on the trade center, with facts and figures showing just how unique and innovative it was.

World Trade Center in 3D
After installing a small browser plugin, you will be able to tour the complex in a highly-detailed 3D simulation.

The Mega WTC Picture Thread at SkyscraperCity
Five years old and still going, it contains one of the best World Trade Center photo collections on the Web.

World Trade Center Observatory
This archived Web site gives a "walking tour", with pictures, of the north tower's observation area.

Philippe Petit's Tightrope Walk Between the Towers
Petit's spectacular feat was six years in the making. For many who saw it in person, this event is their fondest memory of the towers.

World Trade Center Dossier
Created by the Skyscraper Museum in New York City, the dossier has detailed information on the trade center's history.

10048: The World Trade Center Movie Project
This site chronicles media (not just movies) in which the World Trade Center appeared in some capacity.

An 'Army' of Will

I've known for a long time that my 22-year-old brother, Will, has a love and talent for acting. That was always evident, whether he was making home movies with friends or starring in one school play after another in college. Though his major was Marketing, his passion was clearly Drama.

Now, a national television audience will have the chance to see what those of us who know him have observed for years: a star in the making. This Sunday (Sept. 7) at 10pm, he will be seen as an extra in the first of a series of appearances on Lifetime's Army Wives.



For almost a month now, Will has gotten up at 4 in the morning and driven to Charleston once or twice a week to film. He tells me that he has become well-liked by much of the cast and crew (not least of all, the casting director). At the rate he's going, I think it's likely that a speaking role may be right around the corner, on this or another show (or film). He's on his way: he recently got an agent!

I remember one Christmas years ago when Will, a toddler at the time, was asked about what he wanted Santa to bring him that year. His response: "Columbia Mall!". He has always been one to dream big, and it looks like many of those dreams are about to be realized. Soon enough, he'll probably be able to buy Columbia Mall (or Columbia Place, as it's now called...but I'm too old-school for that).

Coincidentally, there is already a William McNamara (pictured below) working in Hollywood. I was slightly surprised given that our last name is not too common, much less having someone in this business with the exact same name. Unfortunately for the established William McNamara, he's about to get some unexpected competition!



I must confess that I've never watched an episode of 'Army Wives' just because I don't tend to watch much television. I always hear good things about the show from the people who do keep up with it, though. Now, I have a worthwhile reason to as well.

Congratulations, Will!

Google Enters the Browser Wars

For years, Internet Explorer and Firefox have dominated the Web browser landscape. After today, that may very well change. Earlier this afternoon, Google jumped into the fray with the beta release of its Google Chrome open-source browser.

From what I can tell so far, it renders pages even faster than Firefox. The interface is much more minimal than either IE or Firefox, which is a good thing; in this case, less is more. Chrome also uses multi-threaded browsing, which means that each tab is a separate instance of the browser and is capable of utilizing multi-core processors.

Not surprisingly, Chrome gets most things right. Being a Google creation, it is sure to be a hit that tastefully merges style and substance, especially once it is out of its beta stages. For more information on Chrome, check out this web comic.