What Hat Are You Wearing Today 1?

[delectans]

A delightful weekend of hats and photos. Very well done, gentlemen!

David: Nice Playboy to start the week off with a bang.


Perry: Fine looking Whippet.

 

[Short Balding Guy]

Stetson Open Road 25 this morning. I recall vividly the day it arrived from Eric (Iowa). Man it rocked my world. The felt and general feel still bring that sensation. Indeed I worried that I would "never" be able to wear that cowboy like wide brim. It feels good now.

Out and about early with dogs. We awoke to the screams of our local owl and headed out for a couple of hours. Once the sun was established in the low sky the crows came and chased the owl away. In the meantime chores done, dogs and I are inside warming up.

Off to work. Best, Eric -

 

[hatophile]

And it looks great on you, Eric!

 

[Chepstow]

Very nice Hats today, gents.

 

[Shohei]

Nice Lids all around! Eric that wide brim looks perfectly natural on you, as do you under it! I thought the same thing but I have a couple of larger brim and they are growing on me.

Cheers!

 

[delectans]

Beautiful Open Road, Eric.

 

[delectans]

The First Weekend Of 2012


We rushed over to Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis Friday evening immediately following work, for the Minnesota Orchestra's annual Future Classics concert. Optimo, Silverbelly.



Following the wonderful concert, we crossed the Mississippi River, to Northeast Minneapolis for some late night Fish 'N Chips at The Anchor.



The burgers here are incredible, made with Thousand Hills Cattle Company(which we have visited) grass-fed beef and very, very tasty. I chose the excellent shepherds' pie...



...but could not resist taking a few bites out of Lydia's mouthwatering, wild Alaskan cod.



Saturday morning found us visiting an old friend, Dr. Li Gu, an esteemed and distinguished traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner and professor who was responsible for drafting the Acupuncture Point Standards in China. It is always fun and insightful to visit with him, and he had just returned to Minnesota from a three month stay at his home in Beijing. The cabinets behind me hold dozens of varieties of Chinese herbal medicines.



Following lunch we stopped by my friend and luthier John Waddle's shop to examine and study an 18th century violin by Giovanni Battista Guadagnini.



Taking in a movie worthy of more than one viewing: "The Artist", our favorite film of the past year, perhaps the past several years. Barbisio "Lugano".



We arrived early at the Edina Cinema, built in the 1930s, contemporary with the story of the film. The theater would be packed with an appreciative audience within a few minutes. If you have not yet seen "The Artist", I would strongly urge you to do so. It is a marvel of film making, and much more than a mere homage to the silent film era, with outstanding and very nuanced, sensitive actors and a lush, rapturous musical score. Did I mention there are hats galore?

 

[delectans]

In the skyway, heading to Orchestra Hall once again on Sunday afternoon. Millard-Hirsch "Twenty-Five".



On the program this afternoon, Tony Award Winner Brian Stokes Mitchell, with the Minnesota Orchestra.



We purchased a copy of Mr. Mitchell's book, "Lights On Broadway", with all proceeds to benefit his charity, The Actors Fund Of America.



Lydia, who is a fantastic soprano, adored the Broadway icon and legend, as did Ryan and I. Fabulous baritone voice with incredible charisma and stage presence. With a program featuring memorable Broadway tunes, it was...some enchanted evening...

 

[Aureliano]

Great, great, great as always, Al. Hey, is that thin ribbon a stratoliner?

 

[Short Balding Guy]

Great hats guys. Never a boring, staid hat.

Al, great story about the weekend and marvelous hats. A pleasure to see the activities and corners of MPLS/St.Paul featured so well.

Eric -

 

[Short Balding Guy]

Off at work wearing my dark moss VS. I suspect that you folks are getting tired of seeing my mug in this hat. I truly love the hat. In respect, here is a different pic, perhaps offers a respite from my face in the inevitable hat of this early winter. I am troubled by showing the color...man I got to take a class on how to operate my camera.

Eric -

 

[delectans]

...is that thin ribbon a stratoliner?

Thanks, Ale! My bad, I forgot to mention in the captions that the thin-ribbon hat is my Barbisio "Lugano". Exquisite felt and construction every bit on par with Borsalino's best...if not better.

 

[m0nk]

Great hats everyone! Delectans, you seem to have such a classy collection!

 

[DRB]

AL: That Optimo Silverbelly brings a tear to my eye. Wonderful.

 

[alanfgag]

Great, great, great as always, Al.

+1. These are worthy of a magazine spread. Always a pleasure to travel with you.

ps - love that heather sportcoat - fit and finish.

 

[delectans]

Off at work wearing my dark moss VS. I suspect that you folks are getting tired of seeing my mug in this hat. I truly love the hat. In respect, here is a different pic, perhaps offers a respite from my face in the inevitable hat of this early winter. I am troubled by showing the color...man I got to take a class on how to operate my camera.

Eric -

Thanks for your kind words, Eric. I for one would never tire of seeing you in that stunning VS, or any of your fine lids, for that matter.

May I suggest checking your White Balance setting on your camera, and adjusting your exposure and WB setting to match the ambient lighting conditions?

 

[hatophile]

Once again, great photos and hats, Al. I look forward to your pictoral logs each week.

 

[Aureliano]

Thanks, Ale! My bad, I forgot to mention in the captions that the thin-ribbon hat is my Barbisio "Lugano". Exquisite felt and construction every bit on par with Borsalino's best...if not better.

The Lugano, certamente un cappello magnifico!

 

[Chepstow]

Eric, stunning VS. Those beauty to see is never boring.

Al, Wonderful trip you share with us. So much live style, and great Hats you wear.
I wait for the next Series. Please let us not to long wait.

 

[jlee562]

Hollywood brim looks good on you. :eusa_clap

Jlee, your individualistic hat shaping paid off: confidence and 'tude, what a combo!

And Jlee-- I don't know how you pull off wide and stingy brims equally as convincingly. The OR wannabe looks great.

As usual, you gents are too kind! I really enjoy this Resistol. It originally had a Cattleman's crease which I reshaped into a diamond/kite crease.

Al, that Optimo Silverbelly is breathtaking!