May 28 2012

Categorical change and reclassification

One of the interesting aspects about going through all of the former posts on my blog is that it allows me to continuously re-evaluate the applicability and sufficiency of the categories. For instance, I realised that having a category of “Scholarly / Serious” lead to a lot of ambiguity and cross-posting. For that reason, I decided to split the two categories, and reassign posts accordingly. I think that this change will allow for my fine-tuned searching and grouping, both of former posts, and for future ones as well.

As another quick update, I’m about 65% or so through the tagging process. I can’t believe how long it takes to go through previous entries, and tag them. One of the challenges of that task is coming up with tags that are universal enough to allow for multiple posts, yet specific enough to make sense in a hierarchical classification system. Coupled with that challenge is the vague distinction between tagging and categorising. Categories, in my opinion, are very broad and are applied to the post overall, whereas tags are more about smaller components therein and less about the broad meaning.

Anyway, I’m hoping to be finished with these blog updates sometime soon, as they are getting to be a bit tedious and mundane. There are a bunch of other (more interesting) things about which I’d like to write, but it makes sense (in terms of efficiency) to get these tasks out of the way beforehand.

Cheers,
Zach

May 27 2012

Brooks Brothers clearance centre in Garland, NC


Yesterday, I decided to make quite a drive to the Brooks Brothers clearance centre in Garland, NC, USA. There used to be another clearance location in Olathe, KS, but it closed years ago, leaving the one in North Carolina as the only one of its kind. Anyway, as many of you know, Brooks Brothers is my favourite brand of clothing, and so going there made me like a kid in a toy store! Basically, when particular items don’t sell for one reason or another (unusual sizing, unpopular styling, or just overstock), they are put in the “Sale” section of the Brooks Brothers website. They are generally marked down by 25% – 60% from the original tag price. However, if the items still don’t sell, they are ultimately sent to the clearance centre in Garland, NC (which is, naturally, right next to the Piggly Wiggly):

Brooks Brothers clearance in Garland NCPiggly Wiggly Garland NC

Fortunately for me, I’m a somewhat unusual size. Therefore, there were many items that fit me nicely. The prices at the clearance centre are unlike any other deals that one can get from Brooks Brothers. For instance, I got a sport coat for $29.00 USD instead of the tag price of $598.00 USD (nothing like approximately 95% off :)). Anyway, I left there with a huge amount of shirts, sweaters, some pants, and even the previously-mentioned sport coat for a mere fraction of what I would have paid for the lot in the store!

Brooks Brothers Garland NC purchases

Not too bad if I do say so myself… and I do. I’m hoping that I get another opportunity to go to the clearance centre in Garland at some point. I would also like to just spend a day or so in the area, because it is a beautifully quaint little country town, with fresh produce stands lining the roads, Mom & Pop shops, and crafts all around.

Brooks Brothers Garland NC tags

Cheers,
Zach

P.S. I would imagine that BB chose Garland, NC as the primary outlet centre because they also own the Garland Shirt Company, which manufacturers many of the Oxfords, dress shirts, and sports shirts that are nearly synonymous with the quality that is Brooks Brothers.

May 25 2012

Signed up for my first wine class

Seeing as I really enjoy a nice glass of wine with dinner, and that I’m highly interested in the process of wine-making, subtleties of the different varietals and vintages, and many other aspects of the wonderful grape-born beverage, I have signed up for my first wine class. It is a two-and-a-half-hour introductory course on categorical distinctions of varietals, vineyard keeping, the growing and making processes, and much more. It is coming up on Thursday, 07 June 2012, and I have to admit that I’m pretty excited about it!

At first, I thought that $36 USD was pretty steep for a class, but with the tastings, the intimate setting / small number of participants, and seeing as it is supporting a local business, I am fine with it. I will certainly post some of the interesting things that I learn in the class. 🙂

Cheers,
Zach