My First Writing Award and My New Writing Job!

     Hello again, everyone. 

     I've been busy lately.  I won 2nd Place in Critical Review with the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association for my review of "Skyfall" in last winter's print issue of Austin Community College's Accent student newspaper.  Special thanks to my wonderful, talented editor, Era Sundar!  I've attached the scans of the piece below:

Page 1.

Page 2.

    
     I've also been given the opportunity to keep the blog and facebook page for Austin-based Last Act Theatre Company's newest play, "The Happy Couple."  (I'm also acting in it, as Billy.)  I'll keep readers and followers updated on character and play developments from the rehearsal process through the show's run.  Check out Last Act Theatre Company's blog, here, and its facebook page, here.

A Little Spring in My Step

     I'm excited about March 20th, the first day of spring.  I've enjoyed wearing lambswool sweaters, corduroy pants, camel hair flat caps, my beard and colorful scarves this winter, but I find spring clothing a lot more fun (and plentiful in my closet).  I love the texture of seersucker, the coolness of linen, the "pop" of pastel pinks and lavenders, and the refreshing, clean look of white bucks and accessories (like the Swatch White Rebel). 
     Being a hard-liner for things that mean nothing to others, I won't shave my winter facial hair until the first day of spring.  I'll also wait until March 20th to break out some very spring time shoes (I'm looking at you, linen) that I haven't worn yet: the Johnston and Murphy Ellington Wingtips.  Jos. A. Bank had a great sale on these that I stumbled across, so I had to get them.




Johnston and Murphy Ellington Wingtips

   I think these shoes will go well with this outfit...



     A little info: These Ellingtons started life as the Dolby wingtip saddle shoe last year.  I spoke to the manager of the J&M store a couple of months ago and she told me the only difference between the Dolby and these Ellingtons is the material used for the sole.  So glad they decided to keep this design because I didn't get a pair of the Dolbys in my size when I had the chance.
     So here's to spring!  I hope you all have a wonderful one full of good times and wonderful memories.

P.S.  If you've never checked out Jos. A. Bank before, take a look at their site.
    

GREAT NEWS!

     Thanks to the help of two reporters at the Austin American-Statesman and an old friend of mine, I recently received my first freelance automotive journalism assignment from the editor of the Marketplace Cars section (check it out here.) 
     I interviewed about 5 or 6 different tuner shops around town to find out what kinds of trends there are in the aftermarket scene given the down economy.  Fortunately, Austin has been in an economic bubble relative to the rest of the country.  Money is still flowing toward additional horsepower and performance in the ATX.
     I've learned a lot and have had a great time speaking with shop owners.  They've all been very pleasant and more than happy to discuss cars and mods with a fellow gearhead.
     My interviewing technique needs work (being smoother with my questions and integrating the use of my voice recorder) and I hope I learn how to attend events and do the work I need to get done, but still have fun and be myself.  Afterall, I'm going into automotive journalism because I really enjoy cars.
     If my editor decides to publish my article, I'll be sure to post the link on WW&W.
    

"And the Award Goes To..." : Oscar Fashion

     I've been acting in community theater plays and independent films for several years now, so you'd think I'd watch the Oscars.  You'd be wrong.  I never gave them a second thought.  I didn't even give them a thought this year, but, out of boredom, I ended up watching them.  I'm glad I did.  They reminded me of how many great-looking movies I need to see, and I got to see Daniel Day-Lewis win his 3rd Oscar.  (I fell in love with his acting after seeing this: Milkshake.)
     I also got to see Hollywood stars in their finest attire (most of the time.)  Below are some of the fashion hits and misses from the 2013 Academy Awards.  (Thanks to Esquire for the pictures.)

Black lapels, black shirt, sparkly black bow tie?  Looked like a hole full of night time below Jamie Foxx's head.  No pocket square?  Another chink in the armor.  Both jacket buttons buttoned?!  Come on, man - you're killin' me!  You're too cool a guy to look that goofy.    

Christoph Waltz kept it simple and classic with this one-button number.  No embellishment or excess here (unless you count his jacket sleeve length, which doesn't allow any of his shirt cuff to show.)  A very clean, classy look. 

I'm not crazy about skinny lapels, but some people are more able to wear them than others.  Steven Spielberg is one of those people.  However, his peak lapels were so thin that you could barely see the "peak."

I was surpised by how much I liked Chris Pine's tux.  I'm wary of double-breasted jackets as they are tricky to pull off.  Mr. Pine certainly did it right.  The lapels were wide enough to make a dramatic statement, but not wide enough to land a fighter jet on; the sleeves allowed him to flash just enough shirt cuff; the jacket fit his body perfectly; and he left his bottom right button undone.  The bow tie seemed a little too wide, though. That breast pocket looked like it could've used a friend, too.  And what was with the scraggly neck?      

Hugh Jackman is a tall man (6'2", according to Google) and has a great build, but his unique shawl collar double-breasted tuxedo jacket made his torso look absolutely HUGE.  Perhaps that's an accurate image.  A nice touch: his satin lapels matched those of his wife's jacket. 

Congratulations on winning Best Picture for "Argo," Mr. Affleck.  Your tux won't be winning any awards, though.  The peak lapels looked great, but given their width, they made your vest look like overkill.  Your bowtie was a mess, too.  It looked like it was, somehow, crumpled into a rectangle.       

The Wild Card: Samuel L. Jackson threw the Academy a style curveball with this luscious crimson velvet jacket with gunmetal piping.  I loved the rich color, the lustre of the fabric and the subtle color of the trim.  Points off for: the lack of a pocket square, the cheesy metallic shirt, the exposed bowtie band and the outfit's jarring contrast with the sea of black tie.  Mr. Jackson was a cardinal in a colony of penguins.

Tryin' Out This "Twitter" Thing for Oscar Night

     I've known for a while now that Twitter is the wave of the future of communication, social networking and promotion, but I've never really hit it hard.  I have accounts for my writing and acting (@DerekShiekhi and @DerekVandi, respectively) and post to them every now and then. 
     Tonight, I thought I'd tweet about celebrity style at the Oscars in real time as I watch them.  It seems as if a lot of social media-savvy cats do stuff like that.  Follow along at https://twitter.com/DerekShiekhi or @DerekShiekhi. 
     Enjoy the show!

Hustlin'

Thought I'd share with you some of the developments in my writing career:

-I held an informational interview with a top writer/blogger with the Austin American Statesman.  He asked me about my educational and professional background and gave me a few pointers about my blog:

• I should change the name to something more personal to me; perhaps a phrase that encapsulates my personality, as well as my interest in cars, menswear and watches.  Some new names I've been thinking of include: The Finer Things (hackneyed, I know...); The Dandy Lion (I'd have to explain my first theater role as Aslan, though); A Gentleman's Interests; Dandy By Design; and New Dog, Old Tricks.  Nothing really sweeping me off my feet, yet.  Feel free to share your ideas for the new name of my blog.
• I should incorporate things into my posts that give people who aren't necessarily fans of cars, menswear and timepieces a reason to care about what I'm writing and my opinions.
• I need to redesign my blog and its layout (I should be able to work in gingham somewhere, right?)
• I need to be posting EVERY DAY.  I'm working on it...

-This same journalist was kind enough to give me the name of the Marketplace (cars, RVs, motorcycles and real estate) editor for the Statesman.  He is also currently reviewing my portfolio.  (I will contact the Marketplace editor soon.)

-I spoke with my Copy Editing professor, who also works at the Statesman, about my blog.  He gave me some tips on it and the name of someone to contact at the paper about pursuing work.  (I will contact her, soon, too.)

-I started a new, part-time telecommuting job in which I edit annd write resumes for clients.

-I conducted an informational interview with the Editor in Chief of a highly popular automotive blog.  He, too, was very generous with his time and knowledge.  His blog works with freelancers and he gave me the greenlight to contact him again in May, when I graduate.  He also told me what he looks for in a portfolio.  I hope he likes my Ford Thunderbird review...

-Next Thursday, I will interview the head of ACC's automotive technology department about the department and what 5 things students should do to prepare their cars for the spring and summer.

-Next on the list: finishing my profile and applying for freelance work on eLance.com (or Helium.)

My First Road Test: 2005 Ford Thunderbird

    
      The Ford Thuderbird was first introduced in model year 1955 and was in production, off and on, for the next 50 years.  Over the years, it became an American automotive icon.  Arthur Miller and Marilyn Monroe were snapped by the paparazzi in a black T-Bird with the top down.  A 1961 "Bullet Bird" had the honor of being a part of JFK's inaugural parade.  Ol' Blue Eyes himself, Frank Sinatra, had a Thunderbird. 
     Unfortunately, that Hollywood luster faded by 1997, when the Thunderbird was discontinued.  Ford couldn't leave one of its most famous models alone for long, though.  By 1999, it had a Thunderbird concept vehicle ready for the North American International Auto Show.  The production version of the brand new Thunderbird was unveiled in 2001.  This time, it didn't need celebrity owners.  It was a star in its own right (and in the 2002 James Bond movie, "Die Another Day") and shone all the brighter when it was named Motor Trend magazine's "Car of the Year."
     I must admit that, as big of a 007 fan as I am, the coral T-Bird in "Die Another Day" didn't really stick out to me.  It wasn't until a year or two ago that I even gave the car a second thought.  I love products made my American companies with long-standing pedigrees and illustrious histories, like Brooks Brothers clothing, Johnston and Murphy shoes and Tiffany & Co. silver accessories.  It seems inevitable that I would be drawn to the Ford Thunderbird.  I fell in love with its looks and its nostalgia factor, but I knew I had to test drive one to see if reality would match my romantic vision of it.

Driving Notes

• Looks.  The 11th-generation Thunderbird is a great modern interpretation of a classic design.  The egg crate front grille is present, as are the afterburner taillights.  Ford brought elements of classic T-Birds into the 21st century without excessively aping ancestral designs, like the new Dodge Challengers.  The body tapers dramatically front to rear, giving the car the appearance of squatting down on its rear springs as it accelerates off the line.  A lot of these T-Birds have chrome wheels with 5 thick spokes, but, unfortunately, this 50th Anniversary edition comes shod with 16-spoke alloys that look too small under the amount of car that rides atop them.  I love the large, flat trunk lid because it reminds me of old-school American cars with trunks big enough to make into mobile apartments.  However, when you open this one, it looks more like a broom closet inside.  This car is definitely a weekend machine.        
• Interior.  I knew going into this test drive that the interior would make or break my love affair with this car.  I was already sold on its exterior.  Upon getting inside the snug, primarily black interior, my girlfriend loudly said, "It's like a cave!"  I was instantly put off, as well.  I consider myself statistically average height (5'10" with shoes on).  My hair was brushing the inside of the lined convertible top - an issue I've never had with another car, even the tiny Honda S2000.  The windshield was so short and steeply raked that forward visibility was impractically limited.  When the sun visors were flipped down, I could barely see the road in front of me.  When they were flipped up, they were right in line to chop the top of my head off under heavy breaking.  The insert in the driver's door panel and the panel surrounding the cigarette lighter was loose (see picture), bringing the mystique of this car down a few pegs.  However, I kind of expected fit and finish problems in an 8-year-old American car's interior.   
• Exhaust note.  I was pleasantly surprised when I turned the key.  I knew there was a V8 up front, but I figured, given its small size (3.9 liters) and the car's boulevard cruiser persona, that it wouldn't have the satisfying, throaty, low growl I heard.  It instantly brought a smile to my face.  Hearing the sound trail behind me as I drove around the block with the top down on a balmy, sunlit day was a simple pleasure that I believe many Americans have felt behind the wheel of a Thunderbird over the past 50+ years.
• Cowl shake.   I'd read about "cowl shake" (chassis flex and vibration present in convertible cars, which lack the structural rigidity of fixed-roof cars) in car magazines before, but I'd never experienced it.  This car definitely had it.  In my 5-minute drive through the neighborhood streets around Covert Ford, never exceeding 40 mph, I could feel the area around the firewall and the front end shimmy and shake when going over road imperfections.

VITAL STATS
Engine: 3.9L V8
Power: 280 HP / 286 LB-FT
Transmission: 5-Speed Auto

Drivetrain: Rear-Wheel Drive

Curb Weight: 3,781 LBS

Seating: 2

MPG: 18 City / 24 HWY

(Figures courtesy of ThunderbirdConcepts.com.)



Those chrome rocker panels allow you to see your saddle shoes before you get in and take your sweetie to the drive-in in this automotive blast from the past.

I love the afterburner tailights and the subtle, chrome-tipped dual exhausts.

Possibly the best view of the Thunderbird: big round headlight eyes and chromed egg crate grille smile.

The turquoise needles added an attractive splash of color to otherwise plain black-on-white gauges.

On the bottom right, you can see where the fascia panel had come loose.

The 5-speed automatic transmission delivered snappy, confident shifts.

While the metal-finish trim on the driver's door was attractive and relieved the dourness of an all-black cabin, it was also loose to the touch.

The brightwork touches lead your eye around the shrinkwrap interior.



Looks like a tight fit in there.  I like how Ford chose to use a tastefully sized engine cover that didn't obscure absolutely everything under the hood.

The little embroidered mat was a nice touch.  It didn't distract me from the trunk's lack of depth, though.

     A few shout-outs: Mitch Larkin at Covert Ford was a very friendly and accommodating salesman that let me fly this 'bird with him.  Go see him and find out if you fit into this car better than I did.  It's still for sale, here: http://covertford.com/Austin-TX/For-Sale/Used/Ford/Thunderbird/2005-50th-Anniversary--Car/15721164/.  All of the above photos are courtesy of CovertFord.com.

     Thanks to Media.Ford.com for some of the information used in this review.

     Finally, I must thank Autoblog.com and its Quick Spins for the design inspiration for this post.