The George Hahn Show

The audio version of my blog post "Cheap and Chic Reading Glasses"
Link to the original article: georgehahn.com/cheap-and-chic-reading-glasses/

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgehahnnyc.substack.com/subscribe

The audio version of my blog post "I Can't With The Sweatpants."
Link to the original article: https://georgehahn.com/i-cant-with-the-sweatpants/

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgehahnnyc.substack.com/subscribe

On Memorial Day, I got tested for the coronavirus, both for the presence of the virus and for the antibodies. Results come in 3 to 5 days.

And speaking of coronavirus... I wonder if clothing companies that use an online custom/made-to-measure business model will get traction during a time when people can't go into stores or visit a tailor. I've personally had very good experiences with online custom. In terms of ease, quality and cost, it really solves a problem. In our new normal, I wonder if others might see it as a new, viable option when the in-person shopping and tailoring experience will be limited for the foreseeable future.

With a little autobiographical writing project, a return to work on the horizon, a fabulous streaming service for a cinephile like me, a crop of television shows I've enjoyed and a lot of gratitude to early contributors to the blog and podcast, I’m managing to get through this thing.

I’m not going to lie: the pandemic and the quarantine, isolation and loneliness that it has produced are taking a toll. Some days are better than others, certainly. And I have allowed moments or even entire days where I let myself off the hook and ignore the pressure to be productive or use time to make lemonade from sour lemons. Sometimes, it’s okay to say ‘fuck it’, do nothing and be sad. But when you go to that place, just make sure you don’t move in.

Let’s not paint an entirely dark picture, though. I’ve also had some really good days with my dogs and terrific conversations with old friends. It’s been a time of much reflection and introspection, assessing what I really need and what really has value to me, which has been cathartic - a much needed cleansing and a purging of things that aren’t working.

But peering through the lenses of these good and not so good days, I do have enough hindsight and experience to know that this, too, shall pass, and that there will be change. The key is to be open and adaptable, which I plan to be.

In the meantime, there’s much to read, much to listen to and so much to watch. I hope you enjoy the episode, and I thank you for listening.

Be safe out there. (And wear a mask!)

George

I know… It’s been a while. But since my office is closed and I’m self-quarantined at home, I figured this was a good time to catch up.

In this episode, I share a little update on life and work in New York City since I moved back in January. New apartment, new job, new beginning… there was a lot going on - all good - until the pandemic changed all of our lives very quickly.

Though I’m no stranger to working from home, I’m feeling very different about the current situation. The trick is to fight the blues and keep moving forward under these insane circumstances that seemed almost impossible only a few short weeks ago.

As I say in the episode, I want everyone to be safe, stay home, wash your hands, practice social distancing and keep calm. And also… be kind. To yourself and others. This is a tough time for everyone. Perhaps a time to reset. But in the process, remember to be kind.

Thanks for listening.

George

The idea of online custom suits can be a daunting and confounding prospect. Several readers and friends have told me as much. So I thought I’d share my own experience with online made-to-measure suiting, including how I started with it, some of the issues I’ve had and, ultimately, the overall benefit for men like me who are not rich but want to look good.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate. And THANK YOU for listening!

This is the second half of an interview I had several months ago with my friend and podcast co-host Amy Eddings. Specifically, Amy was curious about the origins of my personal style and about the blog. This interview was the first time anybody really asked me about how it all started, who were my idols and influencers, and such.

In addition to being a dear friend and my co-host of The Downtowner, a podcast about Downtown Cleveland, Amy was the host of All Things Considered for many years in New York on WNYC and, since moving to Cleveland, has worked primarily as the host of Morning Edition on WCPN. Basically, she’s a serious news person. Being on the receiving end of questions from such a serious news person was a really fun first.

Our conversation clocked in at a full hour. So I did some editing and turned it into a two-parter. This is part two. Enjoy!

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgehahnnyc.substack.com/subscribe

Several months ago, my friend and podcast co-host Amy Eddings sat me down for an interview to talk about… well… me. Specifically, Amy was curious about the origins of my personal style and about the blog. This interview was the first time anybody really asked me about how it all started, who were my idols and influencers, and such.

In addition to being a dear friend and my co-host of The Downtowner, a podcast about Downtown Cleveland, Amy was the host of All Things Considered for many years in New York on WNYC and, since moving to Cleveland, has worked primarily as the host of Morning Edition on WCPN. Basically, she’s a serious news person. Being on the receiving end of questions from such a serious news person was a really fun first.

Our whole conversation clocked in at a full hour. So I did some editing and turned it into a two-parter. This is part one. Enjoy!

https://georgehahn.com

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgehahnnyc.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, I ponder the question: is it better to own or to rent? Each option has its benefits and bummers. But as I get older, having been a guest and keen observer of many owners over the decades, I’m less attracted to the idea of “ownership” and more interested in traveling light as the renter I’ve always been.

I’m very lucky to live in an apartment in Downtown Cleveland that feels more like a customer service arrangement than the typical landlord/tenant relationship. Whenever I need something, it’s taken care of at no extra cost, leaving me to get on with the business of living and to focus my time and energy on things I’d rather do.

The same idea works for my approach to things like a car or media. Where I once prided myself as a collector of vinyl records and CDs, I much prefer access to everything I already owned plus much more music than I can wrap my head around let alone afford to buy with services like Spotify and Apple Music. And the space I save without dealing with the physical media? Fuggedaboutit. And the car? Nah.

Also in this episode, I give a little shout-out to my new podcast venture called The Downtowner, a new show about Downtown Cleveland that I co-host with the amazing Amy Eddings, our local host of NPR’s Morning Edition who also happens to be a native Clevelander who returned home after decades in New York City. She and I also live downtown, giving us much to discuss in this brand new production from ideastream, Cleveland’s public media company.

I jumped back onto the saddle this week after a brief but fantastic trip to Palm Beach, Florida last weekend. I have a client down there who showed me the ropes in their little universe both in Palm Beach and in the charming town of Lake Worth.

Also in this episode, I talk about helping my nephew, a recent college graduate, with his first suit. Following my advice, he got a terrific navy suit from Suitsupply’s Blue Line, which comes at a very reasonable $399. For that price, they will send you three suits in different sizes just to make sure you get the right one. My nephew ordered a 38R, a 40R and a 42R. As I predicted, it turns out my nephew is a 42R. Now it’s off to the tailor.

With lifestyle, I go over my morning ritual, which started this morning with a selfie posted on Instagram, indicating exactly what I look like when I get up. It ain’t pretty. Along with warm water with lemon followed by sufficient cups of coffee, it takes a village, spackle, sand paper, varnish and a soft buffing cloth to prepare me for the day.

To conclude the episode, I launch into a petty tirade about the hideous parking lots that scar Downtown Cleveland’s otherwise beautiful cityscape. I have ideas and solutions for these ugly black eyes on our urban center, and I let it rip.

Thanks for listening!