zissou

Final photos for the RoyxCone contest. One year, initial soak and five hand washes.

RNR- I bet that's gonna look like PBJ. Super slubby!

Those of you who are getting a dark burnished edge- are you doing it manually, or with a Dremel?

I've been mixing up a nice olive color lately...

It's great to see everyone's jeans showing up! They're all looking fantastic. It's fun to see all the different wear patterns.

I think I managed to take all the photos I want today, but now I just have to choose... The Roys actually spent NYE in the tub, as I decided it might not be polite to wear them to dinner considering how the smelled! A year in and they still stand up after a wash.

^Nice grab on the Mallory, TS!

Is that a quiche? Looks good no matter what.

Yup, veggie quiche with an apple danish!

OK, the last day in Roys continued with a fierce game of 1-on-1 soccer that ended in a 8-8 tie...

...followed by a game of catch. Getting my spitball ready...

Since almost all of my friends are out of town for the holidays, NYE will be spent with just a few good friends eating dinner and playing board games. No crazy parties for me...

I got to thinking today how remarkable of a year it's been. Aside from wearing the Roys all year, I managed to sell my old ball-and-chain of a house and find the perfect little house for me and E, which means we have a lot more time to do fun things together and spend time with friends. Plus, the promotion at work was nice. There's not really anything else that could go better for next year... except maybe I'll find a cute woman who likes denim So, I will sign out for 2011 and wish you all a very Happy New Year! Have a great one, and I'll post up some final photos of the Roys after they get their New Year's wash tomorrow. Take care, everyone.

One other thing- Those of you wearing a belt from me, remember that it's a mini contest! Post two photos of your belt once you've worn it for a full year. I think they arrived mid January, but it would probably make sense to post photos sooner rather than later...

Looking good, LITS! Last day for me! It's a Saturday, so you know the drill...

My New Years resolution is switch to W&C, with a little CXL and a dash of shell thrown in for good measure.

Love the new digs, dkatz! I can imagine it might get old after a while, but there's something very appealing about living in an airstream Have fun!

zissou, I assume there were some religious folks at the museum, able to gauge their reaction to exhibits that differ quite a bit from Mormonism's view of history?

Yeah, there were plenty of people who seemed to agonize over personal explanations for some of the timelines and evolutionary trees (especially that of humans). Some of the conversations were amusing to listen to, but they got pretty tired after a while. Mormonism is even quite different from most other forms of Christianity, so the explanations are even more colorful.

great pics zissou and dkatz! the museum looks amazing and right in the middle of nowhere. is it really what it seems like?

It's on the very edge of the city, in the foothills of the mountains. If I pointed the camera the other way, all you'd see is city. The outside of the museum is clad in copper and brass, and it's weathered enough that it disappears among the mountain side. It was almost like the scene in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade where Indy crosses that stone bridge on the way to the grail.

Quick question to all you royboys (and gals).

What jeans/chinos/slacks/tights/skirts etc will you all be sporting in 2012 once your time in the Roy's is done?

I'll mostly be wearing the Cabourn, ARN Mercantile, Beams+, and RRL trousers that have sat in the closet the past year. I'll still wear these jeans and my MFSCs from time to time, too.

On to the dinosaurs! I was impressed by this horned dinosaur evolutionary tree.

Poor, Barosaurus being pestered by that Allosaurus.

Somehow, I got tricked into smelling the dead dinosaur. Disgusting!

Aww, cute little dire wolf. I think I'll take it home.

It was a fun few hours, and we were all pretty worn out. We hit a few shops on the way out of town, and it seems everyone had a great time.

See you later!

In the home stretch now- where you people at?

For the first time in years, I'm actually enjoying the week off in between Xmas and New Year's, rather than working on a house. My daughter and I decided to take a friend of hers to the big city for the day. It all started with a hearty pizza lunch.

Heading across town, I snapped a photo of this mural ad for robbie.

Our primary destination was the brand new Natural History Museum of Utah. It was rather mobbed since it's the holidays.

The architecture is amazing. I pity the builders with all of these crazy angles and slopes.

Stopped by to see the ol' family.

I saw this pronghorn, and it stood very still in hopes that we wouldn't notice it.

Oh, hello!

Let's build some rivers

and be an archaeologist for a few minutes

With some naturalist thrown in for good measure.

Ahah, good eyes, guys! They are the black alpine LWBs with the double oak sole. I've been wanting some black calf shoes for everyday wear, and santa came through!

thanks for sharing them! E has grown up quite a lot and is turning into a fine young lady! happy holidays, you deserve the break after a crazy year!

Yeah, what a year it's been! All for the better, though. The crazy thing is, E's only 8! She's up to my armpit, and I'm 6'2". People ask me if she's 11.

Nice zissou, however that 'little cottage' would be a mansion for most people in Britain! We live in the smallest houses in Europe, apparently.

That house is probably about 1500 sqft, so not too big (by US standards). There is siomething to be said for living in small houses, though. Mine is 950 sqft, and it's the perfect size.

To the esteemed Mr. Hill,

I commend you on your transformation! I was in the process of posting a cheque directly to you when I noticed that the size of the organ did not increase due to your regimen. I think it could use some improvements before it can be marketed to other men folk.

Sincerely,

Mr. Z

(in case there was any question as to wtf I was talking about late last night, I was referring to the wooden organ... in the background!)

OK, finish up a few Christmas presents...

And we're ready!

Christmas Day was mostly a blur of presents, cooking, eating, and playing. Someone is enjoying her mustache eraser, while the other someone wants to chew it up.

The highlight was a new guitar. Now E just needs lessons....

Time for some down time, enjoying one of her presents.

We had to get out of the house the next day, so we enjoyed our first day of the season on the slopes. Despite the snow not being that great, we tore it up. (no Roys, unfortunately...)

Happy Holidays, everyone!

On the way back, I thought I'd give you all a tour of some of the houses in my neighborhood. I live just a half block off of historic Center St, which is always a pleasant stroll. I enjoy looking at, and especially enjoy no longer owning, the historic homes.

This beautiful Italianate apparently has a bizarrely renovated interior.

The other Italianate across the street is E's favorite- she calls it the 'Ivy House'.

This old mansion had fallen into disrepair while unoccupied for the past two years. Thankfully, a young family purchased it and have been making renovations. I couldn't help but think 'suckerrrs" as I walked by. Beautiful house, though.

This massive stone Victorian is owned by the family that has had a jewelry store on Main St for the past 120 years.

Two more beautiful Victorians.

I love this little cottage on the corner. it's what I imagine all of you Brits live in.

Turn the corner, and there's my little mid-century shack

I hope you're all having a great holiday week! Love the christmas card, riff 12/23 marked the last day of work for the year for me, and as the year winds down, I'm very much enjoying the lazy days that often come with this time of year.

E and I spent an afternoon melting down various Godiva chocolates into holiday molds. Of course, this required much sampling, and we both had a stomach ache by the end.

Ready to give to friends!

I was on my own for Christmas Eve day, so I made the Saturday pilgrimage to the bakery on my own. The shadows were still long, and it was maybe 10F- chilly!

It's always so hard to decide, but I settled on a couple pastries, and a tall mug of coffee.

And the angels of heaven shone down upon the Roys, blessing them with heavenly joy (despite the fact that they smell pretty bad at this point).

Christmas ain't Christmas without a loaf of their pumpkin spice bread.

Yeah, great to hear you're doing well, doc!

I don;t know why some of you are submitting final photos just yet. there's plenty of drunken denim destruction and other adventures to be had between now and 1/1.

Wouldn't it make the most sense for folks to email all final submission photos to you, Daniel, since you are tallying the votes? Then you could create an album in flickr/photobucket/whatever, and then post a link to the album?

I'd be happy to help with compiling the photos if you want.

God, my forearms and hands are killing me! Believe it or not, but I've had to make stuff up through last night to be sent Express today. It's officially the last minute to send stuff in time for Xmas, so I think I will take tonight off...

Great photos, Daniel! It looks like you had a wonderful time

I received a very nice secret santa package in the mail yesterday! There were even gifts for my little girl! In it were:

five pack of MUJI recycled yarn socks (yes!)

polka dot handkercheif

pocket knife

collection of Eric Khoo movies that I haven't seen

Wooden xylophone (this was a big hit. I am working on Joy to the World)

Tasty cookies and chocolate strawberry marshmallows E was on a serious sugar high yesterday!

Thank you, secret Santa! You rock!!!

Hahaha, that's the funniest thing I've seen all week.

Oh, and I sent out my package a couple days ago! It's supposed to go to the UK, but I don't know if it will arrive by Xmas. It should be there by NYE, though.