The Pioneer #47

a return to poor form

Apr 10, 2025

Aside from the ballcap…rarely will I accessorize. I do have a deep respect for the timepiece, some wrist ice, and Andrew Garfield’s chest pennant collection, but I tend to keep life a little simpler. Keep the metallics to a minimum, understand what’s essential, and only pop off with purpose. Turns out I found some purpose a few weeks back with an accessory I never thought to take out for a cup of coffee. An accessory that sits far north of the wrist, beyond the neck zone, and even above the optical region. That’s right. On the dome. Not to worry, though. I’m not rocking a Kangol like NCIS Cool J or a fedora like late-period Ving Rames. But (30 for 30 voice) what if I told you…

I started mixing in a headband.

I once believed the headband was reserved for ‘03 Becks, Slovakian power forwards, dudes at rock gyms who wear toe shoes to the brewery post-climb, and of course Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros. But as it turns out, a couple of skipped appointments with Rick, my hairsmith, called for necessary action. The stuff was untamable. Duel pipe exhaust in need of an oil change. Like Sean McVay with 12 men on the field, my hair needed a get-back coach. Enter the headband. It started with some R&D at the house. Found my Republican neck gator from 2020 and threw it in the feathers whilst washing dishes. Decided to keep it locked in while I watched The Pitt. Before I knew it, I was at CVS, challenging gender norms in the women’s hair aisle, picking up a slim plastic headband. That wekend, I hard launched the accessory at the Beverly Hills Bacari for Parad’s birthday brunch. It was a safe space for experimentation. 15 reformed frat guys deleting screwdrivers at noon. And (30 for 30 voice) what if I told you…

The look played like a six string fiddle.

So what lessons can we learn from my exceptional accessory instincts? Well as I mentioned above, I attempted to pop off with absolute purpose. Sure the headband had flare but that flare began with a spark. So if your wrist is looking a little lonely or a medallion calls to from the cabalistic algorithms of Pinterest or you’re interested in tailing my headband action - just be sure the moment’s right. You’ll know if and when it is. Necessity will warrant that accessory. And it won’t hurt to keep that ice on ice until then. Take it from me, fresh off the battlefields of Bacari. Just out here keepin’ it simple.

Words For the Weekend

26 Nup 133969 Stock Photos, High-Res Pictures, and Images - Getty Images

A few of us were at Thunderbird a few weeks back. A real system bar, if I may say. Get in there with a solid half court set and your group will get what they need for an hour or two. Free solo and try to Before Sunrise that shit? Have fun sucking down Allagash and chatting up every AWS salesman on this side of the Mississippi. Our plan was solid, though. A couple buckets of the Silver Bullet and the madness of dare I say MARCH. Yet as one hour became two, the conversation had run a tad dry. That’s when friend of the newsletter Mert hit me with a great question. A little talk juice straight to the jugular.

What words you gettin’ in the mix lately?

What followed was a brief exchange of words best left absolutely SAID. And written about right here. Because it’s about time we all expand our vocab. Pepper in a new word or phrase and see how it rolls off the tongue. You might just like the way it sounds. It could add some real color to your play by play. And what better time for a few verbal changeups than the weekend? Here are just a few to mess around with.

Reckon

Mert threw the word reckon in the mix a couple of times that night and it really began the conversation. Reckon fits like old leather glove. It sure doesn’t sound like mockery yet it’s just spicy enough to really give your preposition some much needed flavor. It pairs real well with plan making, if you’d like to give it a go. Try this out for size.

Friend: Where to next?
You: Well it’s a little late for anything too ambitious…I reckon we take down some 4 buck pints at Busby’s. Attack the felt like werewolves of London.
Friend: I like the cut of your jib. Uber’s on me.

Brilliant

Well shit…Who put down the white tablecloth? It’s about damn time we class up the joint (your inbox). If reckon was forged in the blood, sweat, and tears of the problematic pioneers who won The West, brilliant floats far above this dusty Oregon trail, in an air of whimsical elegance. Peppering in a brilliant every now and then will have you feeling like Mr. Monopoly. Or at least like Mr. Mosby. Leave great and nice at the fire station and pick up brilliant on your way out.

Faux Pa

I’ve snuck a couple faux pa’s into newsletters under your very nose. Translated to false step in French, it’s a real aristocratic way to judge a fool. Not too aggressive yet nowhere near disposable, good use of faux pa will land like a white gloved slap across the cheek followed by a hearty hoot! Faux pa sounds kinda funny. Just a little mischievous. And in the right circumstances, even a little promiscuous. So get in your Niles Crane bag and fire off a faux pa when needed.

Frasier Crane: DR. NILES CRANE - Biography

Summon

This one goes out to pops. He constantly lements over us youth not being assertive enough with our communication. Frankly, I think he’s got a point. We’ve reached maximum fake politeness. The if you can’s, all good’s, and I’m fine’s have had their day in the sun. But the next time you need to see someone for a business or personal matter, truly request their presence and summon them.

Groupchat: wanna just meet up at mine and hit Tinys ?
You: Good lord, not again. I summon you all to my place for negronis and Dark Knight Rises.
Groupchat: Brilliant.
Groupchat: Oh sure.

Oh sure…

I was with friend of the newslett AG a couple nights back. Took me to an early screening of The Accountant 2 (shoutout to my collider.com family). Upon entering the parking garage, I gave AG a ring to let him know I was there. When he picked up the phone, instead of hello AG hit me with a…

oh sure

It’s a signature phrase of his and he gets some dynamic use out of it. Oh sure is in no way derogatory. When used as a response, it can actually be quite complimentary. That’s how I’d recommend getting your feet wet with it.

Friend: Just started a new job at Amazon Web Services.
You: Oh sure. I reckon we head to The Galley on Main and celebrate with steaks and martinis.
Friend: Oh sure.

Once you're feeling its rhythm then maybe…just maybe…you can sub out a hey with an oh sure. But it might take years to get there. Years.

You: *calling a friend*
Friend: *picks up* Oh sure.
You: Oh sure.

Mr. Beast

Dwayne started calling ubers Mr. Beasts. No idea why. Never asked and probably never will. But guess what? I still remember it. I’ll never forget it.