My brother and I wear the same thing, every single day. White v-neck. Dark dress pants. Black shoes. Black socks. Black belt. Like clockwork. I don't believe we have OCD. I think my mom at once probably thought we did, but I don't think she thinks that anymore. Maybe she still does. I've never really asked. Some people call it my uniform. I like the sound of that.
Well. You asked for it, and now you hath received! Durkin's uniform. On sale at your local shopping centers. Here's what to buy if you want to pimp yourself out with the nicest, most comfortable, carefree yet BUSINESS style since sliced bread (I may be biased).
1. The infamous White, V-Neck Alfani shirt Where to buy them: Macy's
Price point: 5 shirts for $19.98. That's $3.99 per shirt. Damnnnnn sonnnnnnnn!
Nothing says comfort like a white v-neck, size large. Party up top. And business down below.
2. Dark dress pants Where to buy them: K&G Fashion Superstore
Price point: 1 pair of pants for $20.00
Hands down the best place to buy dress pants. K&G is actually owned by Men's Warehouse. It is a deep-discount clothing chain that sell's really nice dress pants for cheap. Shop here in person. Their online sucks, and I'll say it to their faces.
3. Jockey boxers Where to buy them: Jockey.com
Price point: $11.00
This is definitely pound for pound the most expensive thing I wear. I would think that underwear would be the cheapest thing I buy, but it ain't, and for good reason. All boxers hath not created equally.
There is one thing that always bothers me about boxers: dumpy butt. I hate boxers that make it look like you took a dump in them. It blows my mind that companies have not figured this out yet. The Fruit of the Loom boxers I've worn before all have dumpy butt. Just too much cloth behind the ass. It makes me look like a frump. And when I'm standing in them in front of my girlfriend, it just doesn't "feel" right. So, instead, I rock these Jockey "Fashion Boxers." They sound as good as they feel. They don't cut off my balls and don't hug me too tight. And they don't have dumpy butt. I'm a big fan. Wait for Jockey.com to put these puppies on sale. That's when I bought mine.
4. Black Calvin Klein socks Where to buy them: Macy's
Price point: 4 pack for $19.98
I'm a big fan of these socks. They are long, but not long enough where they approach the knee. They cover the ankle when you want to sit with your knee on your leg like a baller. The cloth feels phenomenal. AND THEY DON'T FALL DOWN. WOW! Amazing. They last a long time, and all in all, I give them five stars out of five.
5. Black Calvin Klein Horatio Oxford Shoes Where to buy them: Calvin Klein online
Price Point: $130. Damn. Shit's expensive.
I believe I buy my shoes at Off-Broadway. I can't remember, but I think that is where. Either way, I always buy the same shoe: Calvin Klein Men's Horatio Oxford. I really dislike wide shoes that look like you're wearing boats on your feet. I also really dislike funky shoes that have way too much shit going on. I like simplicity. Black dress shoes. With laces. A nice heal. Something I can put the shoe shine to that goes over real nicely. Something that breaks in as if you're wearing socks, but that has that heal click that reminds you you're rocking the shoe. That type of shit. And that is this shoe. I'm a big fan.
6. Black Dockers belt Where to buy them: Kohls
Price point: $18.00
I like really simple, black belts with a silver colored buckle. I've seen a lot of people rock some really crazy funky belts. Maybe that's their thing. But it's not mine. Go with a simple belt with a single clip and you'll be good to go. If your belt right now has a tear in it, doesn't latch for some reason, puffs out in a specific area for no reason, or is "broken," go and buy a new belt. It's cheap, and it will make you look better. Do it up.
I've been rocking this uniform for the past three years of my life. Every. Single. Day. Except for summer. Or if for some reason shit get's f'd up. And then I don't. It is perfect. It is me. It is style and comfort, all in one. And I urge people to give it a try, or to find their own style that works for them.
You gotta have fun at work. You just gotta. So you can do a few things. You can ask your buddies at Google what Google does to pimpify their pad, motivate their employees, and spicify everyone's lives on the job. You can buy a ping pong table, or kegorator, or XBox and Call of Duty. You can throw parties, throw happier hours, and start a Breakfast Club. All of this stuff is great stuff. But, it can often also cost a lot of money. And entrepreneurs and startups don't have a lot of money.
So, here's a thought. Have fun by utlizing the heck out of YouTube (for videos), Grooveshark (for music), and Hark (for movie lines). It's free. And it makes people laugh.
Here's what I mean.
1. People occasionally sneeze in the office. And when they do, someone usually says to them: "GOD BLESS YOU!" At which point, I respond by playing the following video.
2. Or on Friday's, I love to bump this beat super loud.
3. Or if a sale is made, I like bumping this.
4. Or sometimes I just bust out the god damn Christmas tunes in August or March.
You get the idea. Someone at your company should be responsible for fun! In fact, everyone should! Do everyone in the office a favor and bust out some funniness every once and a smileeee.
In the fall of 1727 Ben Franklin assembled a group of men. They shared a spirit of inquiry and a desire to improve themselves, their community, and one another. This organization prospered for nearly four decades and was known as the Junto. With few exceptions, the members of the group were practical men: entrepreneurs, merchants, and businessmen. Some were married. Some single. Some had children. Others not. And only a few had much formal education.
What they did bring to the group was a burning curiosity to learn about the world. They also brought varying backgrounds, interests, and passions. They knew much of many different things.
To become a member, four questions had to be answered:
1. “Do you have disrespect for any current member?” (No)
2. “Do you love mankind in general regardless of religion or profession?” (Yes)
3. “Do you feel people should ever be punished because of their opinions or mode of worship?” (No)
4. “Do you love and pursue truth for its own sake?” (Yes)
The Junto thrived. It was both an inquiry group and a mutual aid society through which members could borrow books and educate themselves, borrow money to support their business endeavors, and help one another. Mutual respect and support were foundational values, rooted in the core of each individual.
Everyone was required to contribute. There were no selfish bastards allowed here. And while membership could have easily grown very large, old Benny Boy limited the group size, and suggested instead that individuals form their own like-minded groups.
In order to succeed, he believed that to it's core, intimacy and true long-lasting friendship were required. Only then would the strongest sense of brotherhood and intellectual honesty prevail.
I've always believed in the power of the individual. The ability for men to do extraordinary things. But I've also believed in something that I think is far greater than the individual. The power that results when an army of individuals do extraordinary things together.
I've always been disappointed by the way the media seems to glorify sole individuals over their teams of individuals. You see it a lot in Boston. Particularly with regards to startups. Young, brash entrepreneurs being glorified in the spotlight as the leaders of tomorrow.
I can always tell a real winner from a real loser by the way individuals acknowledge their teams of men and women. With the emergence of Twitter and other public boasting platforms, it often times helps to amplify where individuals stand: are they for the people? Or for themselves?
And so I present to you a challenge.
I'm calling for a new age of entrepreneurs and businessmen and women in the city of Boston.
People to run this town.
And I'm looking for the best of the best.
And while I could say I am just beginning, anyone who knows me well knows that I have laid a few tracks of my own over the past eight years. And as this plan unrolls, I believe it will bring a smile to your face.
Back in the day, there were people who excelled across a wide range of talents. Like old Benny Boy. And men like Leonardo Da Vinci, Leon Battista, Thomas Jefferson, Michelangelo, Galileo, and Isaac Newton. Men whose names are remembered for the ages.
Men who excelled in art, and science, and music, and business. Men who people loved for their curiosity. Men who people loved because they wanted to build.
Killer, monster, murderers. In the greatest sense of the word. Work ethic to the max.
Well educated, athletic, articulate, gentlemen. And women of course. The type of people with potential to excel across anything they attempt. The type of people who grab life by the horns and pile drive it into the heavens. The type of people who make you proud. Who make you better by inspiring you. Who allow you to believe in something. And who make you say... I want to BE them.
I'm talking about Renaissance Men.
A new day is upon you in the city of Boston my friends. Welcome home.
I'm looking forward to building the greatest organization of people the world has ever seen. I say "people" because while I like business, I like people more.
I could just as easily focus my attention on building a business. But, I'd much rather build an organization.
I'm not talking about a nonprofit. And I'm certainly not talking about government. I'm talking about something far more free than both in terms of ambitions and impact.
Truth be told, the plan has already been set in place. It was set in place roughly eight years ago. And it remains in place today. Someday it will be the most glorious thing your eyes will have ever laid eyes upon. And you'll understand what I have started.
And someday... I hope you're a part of it. There's a good chance you already are.
I’m not really sure why some people end up being called by their last name, over their first. Or their first name, over their last. Why some people get nicknames, for better or for worse. Someday I believe I'll know exactly why. And someday you will, too.
I’ve always liked the name Benjamin Button. And Dalton Russell. And John Galt.
My name is Ryan Durkin. I write so that I will never forget where I came from and what I stand for. I hope that this will motivate young people to realize their potential and become more productive than they ever imagined. That would make me truly happy.
My name is Ryan Durkin. I write so that I will never forget where I came from and what I stand for. I hope that this will motivate young people to realize their potential and become more productive than they ever imagined. That would make me truly happy.
