Mark’s S/S 2012

February 1, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Last night, I got a peek at the Mark’s Spring Summer 2012 collection. Inspired by the spirit of a summer stroll or picnic in the park, the collection is bright and fresh and most of all cozy, yet fashionable.

Some of my favourite items from the mens collection are the DH3 selvage jeans, which come in a variety of fits to suit any style and the new collection of vintage button down shirts, the kind you want to steal from your boyfriend and wrap around you for the extra layer of comfort.

Of course, Mark’s is constantly pushing their innovations, such as the Perfectly Pressed shirts, for those guys that hate ironing, but new this season, Mark’s is introducing their Men’s Don’t Sweat it shirts, which is a special woven material that doesn’t allow for moisture to reach the surface of your garment. This translates to having a shirt that will never get sweat marks. I’ve seen it in action, and it’s quite remarkable.

Regardless of the innovations behind the collection, SS12 makes me want to hop on a bike, makes me want to hold your hand, makes me want to soak in the sun and hang out with that special someone. Until then, I’ll be dreaming of spring’s arrival. Less than two months to go my friends.

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PHJOSHUA ON SPORTS – 2012 SUPER BOWL PROP BETS

January 29, 2012 By 1 Comment
In case you hadn’t heard – the Super Bowl is next Sunday. All over the world friends and families will get together and watch the New England Patriots take on the New York Giants in Indianapolis.There will also be a lot (like millions) of people placing bets worth a lot (like billion) of dollars worth of bets.

They won’t just be betting on the outcome of the game or the total points or even anything that pertains to the game at all for that matter. Every year there is a list of amazing and entertaining prop bets that the public can get in on.

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Come Up To My Room 2012

January 27, 2012 By 1 Comment

Come Up To My Room (CUTMR) is the Gladstone Hotel’s annual alternative design event. It’s a collaboration of artists and designers showcasing their imagination in 11 rooms and 13 public space projects. The four day event is in it’s ninth year, and this year, the installations are outstanding. Below is a schedule of events happening at the Gladstone this weekend as well as some shots from the show.

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Red Leather, Yellow Leather, Roots Leather!

January 27, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Growing up in Toronto in the early 80′s meant that I had to own something from Roots. It was one of those brands that every kid at school had to have. I’m not sure what it was about having a beaver plastered across your chest, but it was very cool and very Canadian. In my teens, I still remember getting my first pair of Roots Tuff boots. They were rugged, black and totally took a beating to the Canadian winter weather and I loved them. Apparently, they still make them, which I think is pretty awesome and proves that they really don’t go out of style. Roots has been one of those brands that have been woven into my life since I was young, so when Roots invited me out to play, I was pretty excited to check things out.

Wednesday night, I was invited to an intimate gathering at the Roots store in Yorkville, where I got a sneak peak at some of the beautiful leather products coming out this spring. The majority of the goods were steered towards the female persuasion, but the new collection also featured some great bags, men’s jackets and shoes which I could totally appreciate.

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CB2 Comes to Canada

January 25, 2012 By Leave a Comment

This past Friday, I headed down to Queen and Bathurst to the old Big Bop building to check out the new CB2 store, the first one in Canada. CB2 is a more urban branch of the Crate and Barrel brand which first opened it’s doors in Chicago in 2000. This year, they are expanding into Canada, opening stores in Toronto as well as Vancouver (in February).

CB2 has done an amazing job and renovating and revitalizing the old building, peeling away the purple paint and showcasing the original brick. The store is large and spacious spanning two floors and is filled with some amazing CB2 merchandise.

Visiting the store last Friday, I bumped into a lot of friends and took mental added a whole slew of merchandise into my own mental wish list. If you haven’t checked out the store yet, it’s worth a visit. You can follow the Toronto CB2 store on twitter @CB2queenwest and don’t forget to visit their website for your chance to win a $500 shopping spree.

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GAY SOCCER PLAYER DAVID TESTO TALKS COMING OUT & MALECALL.CA

January 23, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Last week I was fortunate enough to sit down with Rannie and speak by phone with professional soccer player, role model, face of Male Call Canada and out gay man, David Testo.

If you follow sports and gay culture you may have heard of David. In November 2011 he made the decision to go public with the most personal information of his life… he’s gay. His family knew, many of his teammates, coaches and opponents knew, but the public did not.That changed last fall and when we asked him why, his answer was like many that we’ve all heard before – the time was right. His family knew, his friends knew, he turned 30 in August and yet he still wasn’t living his life to its fullest. He wasn’t part of the community that he feels he belongs in. He wasn’t being true to himself.

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PHJOSHUA ON SPORTS – TOP SONGS IN SPORTS!

January 22, 2012 By 1 Comment
If you have ever been to any kind of pro sports game you’ve heard the music that gets blasted over the speakers during time outs and intermissions and between innings. The music is a huge part of the fan experience. Fans get engaged and dance and clap and sing and stomp and generally get a lot more enthusiastic when the right track comes on at the right time.With that in mind I did a little research to find out the most popular and best arena/stadium songs out there.

Most of the songs I found have been around for a long time. They’re classics if only because they are so often heard at games.

There are songs on the list that I would never hope to hear on the radio. But when they come on at the ball park I’m all in. That’s the great part about this list. It isn’t about songs being good. It’s about them fitting in with live sporting events.I looked at 5 lists that ranged from Top 10 to Top 100 songs and came up with my own list of 20. I guess I’m pickier than some other people on the internet.

Here’s my list of 20.
  1. Blitzkrieg Bop – The Ramones
  2. Cotton Eye Joe – Rednex
  3. Don’t Stop Believin’ – Journey
  4. Eye of the Tiger – Survivor
  5. Final Countdown – Europe
  6. Get Ready For This – 2 Unlimited
  7. I Got You (I Feel Good) – James Brown
  8. I Wanna Rock – Twisted Sister
  9. Jump Around – House of Pain
  10. Let’s Get It started – Black Eyed Peas
  11. Na Na Na Na (Kiss Him Goodbye) – Steam
  12. Pump Up The Jam – Technotronic
  13. Rock & Roll, Part II – Gary Glitter
  14. Thunderstruck – AC/DC
  15. TNT – AC/DC
  16. We Are The Champions – Queen
  17. We Will Rock You – Queen
  18. Welcome To The Jungle – Guns & Roses
  19. Whoomp! There It Is – Tag Team
  20. YMCA – The Village People

Think I missed something important? Think I screwed it up altogether? Give us your suggestions!

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Hello 2012…

January 17, 2012 By 4 Comments

Can you believe it’s already 2012? Okay, we are already over two weeks into the new year. And it’s time I’ve pulled myself out of holiday mode, it’s time I’ve pulled myself out of feeling sorry for myself mode and it’s time I get myself together and start living life again. Easier said then done.

The last two years years have been a challenge, learning to be myself, learning to live with myself, learning how to be a single man. It’s had it’s up and downs. I’ve set in place coping mechanisms to get me through, and now I think it’s time to start shedding it all away. It’s time for me to grow up and becoming responsible again.

Not to say that the last couple of years haven’t had good times, I’ve sang a bunch, way too much, karaoke became my life, a way for me to cope with my feelings, with my loss, with my loneliness. It also brought me a bunch of close friends whom I love dearly and I’m grateful for.

In any case, a new year brings new things, I have resolutions and goals but I’m not going to get into them here. The one thing I do want to get back into which I will mention, is writing here on the blog. This past September I will have had a blogging for over 11 years. On the 3rd of January, I have been on Twitter for 5 years. And I think moving forward, I’m gonna be putting more effort here, sharing with you my images, my words, my life.

I don’t know what 2012 is going to bring for me. I do know it’s going to be a year of change, a year of challenges and it’s going to be a new chapter. Wish me luck.

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PHJOSHUA ON SPORTS – THINGS I DREAM ABOUT IN SPORTS…

January 15, 2012 By 1 Comment

I’ve been a sports fan for my entire life. I’ve been to games, watched on TV, played baseball, basketball, volleyball and more and I’ve dreamed big dreams.

Some of those dreams are just that – big dreams that are wonderful and fun to drift into. They exist in an alternate universe where I am a different person with different skills and opportunities.

Things I Dream About Doing In Sports…

Winning the Super Bowl: I actually had a dream the other night that I was playing in some weird practice type atmosphere against Tom Brady of the New England Patriots. I don’t like Tom Brady, I don’t cheer for Tom Brady, I’m jealous of Tom Brady. But it would be awesome to throw 3 touchdown passes and raise the Lombardi Trophy.

Hit a Big League Home Run: I’ve hit home runs in little league and playing rep baseball as a teen and playing fastball in my 20s… but I’ve never hit one 405 feet to straight away centre field off a 90 mph fastball. I know what it feels like to really hammer a ball on the sweet spot of a bat. I dream about rounding the bases, shaking the third base coaches hand and giving out some high fives in the dugout.

Score a goal on a breakaway: I didn’t play organized hockey when I was a kid. In fact, I’ve only had full equipment on once in my life. However, I can skate. I skated a lot on the pond at home when I was younger and I have a little confidence in being able to play some pick up puck. I would love to feel the speed of my blades and the puck on my stick and maybe I’d go with a triple deke (Charlie Conway style) before going top shelf on the glove side.

Dunk a Basketball: I’ve dunked before, but with the help of a stage riser. I can still get a hand on the rim when I jump, I can still handle the ball and I can even shoot a little bit. I would love to be able to get the “ups” to throw down a thundering dunk. Perhaps I’d add in a little stare down or trash talk after.

Be Awesome on the High Dive: I don’t do much diving. In fact, I’ve never been on a high board and I’m okay with that. But, it would be cool to do some twists and tumbles and flips on the way down and enter the water without so much as a splash.

Hit a Hole In One: I’ve golfed. A little. I used to spend some real quality time at the driving range. But I’ve never come close to hitting a hole-in-one. I’d love to exerience that feeling. I’d love to have to buy my playing partners a round at the 19th hole. I want to bend down, pick my ball out of the cup and hold it high over my head proudly and scream “yeah bitch!”

I’ve dreamed some crazy sports dreams in my life… these are just a few of the things that it would be really cool to accomplish.

Here’s hoping that you dream too – it’s a great way to live.

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PHJOSHUA ON SPORTS – SH*T ATHLETES SAY

January 8, 2012 By Leave a Comment
There have been a lot of great Shit People Say pieces floating around the internets lately, but I haven’t been able to help but notice the lack of love being shown to athletes.

For decades we have been listening to professional athletes talking to reporters and teammates and saying some of the most ridiculous things ever. There are some great lists all over the web and I couldn’t stop myself from grabbing some of the best (worst?) quotes and putting my own list together.

Please note the Mike Tyson did not make my list because most of his most memorable quotes are offensive to the point that I don’t feel comfortable sharing them. But if you want to find them it’s really easy on the google.

Big shout outs to former NBA star Shaquille O’Neill who starts the list and makes a second appearance a little further down the post.

While their primary job may be to entertain us on the field, court, course or in the ring – these athletes have crossed the boundaries and have entertained us with their words as well… for that I thank them.

Enjoy.

Reporter: “Did you visit the Parthenon while in Greece?”
Shaquille O’Neill: “I can’t really remember the names of all the clubs we went to.”

“We’re going to turn this team around 360 degrees.” – Jason Kidd

“Left hand, right hand, it doesn’t matter. I’m amphibious.” – Charles Shackleford

“I’ve seen George Foreman shadow boxing and the shadow won.” – Muhammad Ali

“The sun has been there for 500, 600 years.” – Mike Cameron

“I don’t want to shoot my mouth in my foot, but those are games we can win.” - Sherman Douglas

“I made a 1,600 minus 800 minus 200 on the SAT, so I’m very intelligent when I speak.” – Shaquille O’Neal (again)

“Nobody in football should be called a genius. A genius is a guy like Norman Einstein.” – Joe Theismann

“You guys pair up in groups of three, and then line up in a circle.” – Coach Bill Peterson

“My sister’s expecting a baby, and I don’t know if I’m going to be an uncle or an aunt.” – Chuck Nevitt

“Football is, after all, a wonderful way to get rid of your aggressions without going to jail for it.” – Heywood Hale Broun

“I’m not an athlete. I’m a professional baseball player.” – John Kruk

“Me and George and Billy are two of a kind.” – Mickey Rivers

“I may be dumb, but I’m not stupid.” – Terry Bradshaw

“I quit school in the sixth grade because of pneumonia. Not because I had it, but because I couldn’t spell it.” – Rocky Graziano

“(We) should be allowed to wear shorts. God almighty, (LPGA) women are allowed to wear ‘em, and we’ve got better legs than they do.” – Greg Norman

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