The Grand Alliance

The Grand Alliance is the name given to the consortium created in 1993 at the behest of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to develop the American HDTV specification, with the aim of pooling the best work from different companies. In essence, THEY created High Definition TV.

Look, not all men (and women) of science can discover a cure for cancer, develop a time machine or even come up with a new flavor of Snapple. Some are left to invent what many consider less important things. But one man’s frivolity is this man’s messiah.

HDTV is the A-1 Sauce of technology. The old television advertisement for the self-described “traditional thick sauce, seasoned with a robust blend of spices and seasonings” used to claim it turned “hamburgers” into “STEAK burgers.” Well, High-Def turns television into the equivalent of “STEAK burgers.”

Going from Low-Def to High-Def yields the same reaction as I would imagine José Feliciano would have should he regain his site. This weekend it turned March Madness into MARCH MADNESS. In fact, I might even go as far as to say watching the game in HD is a clearer view than you get live at the game! I’ll let you know if I finally decide to go that far. But until then, we still must salute the great men and women of The Grand Alliance!

THE MAN BAG

Made popular by Jack Bauer in season 5 of 24, this versatile accessory is a must have for all men on the go.

Though roundly ridiculed and laughed at, The Man Bag is as functional as it is stylish. Ofter called a “messenger bag,” The Man Bag gives men the opportunity to carry their daily necessities and important belongings in an over-the-shoulder fashion that up until now, only women enjoyed.

Whether its today’s Wall Street Journal to read on your morning commute or sophisticated weaponry to save the world, The Man Bag is an absolute must for today’s man.

So, everyone, ignore the finger pointing and obnoxious snickering, and forget for a moment that your buddies are questioning your sexuality and join me in a hearty Dr. Blogstein salute of The Man Bag.

JOHNNY HOLIDAY

You may be asking yourself, who is Johnny Holiday and why salute him? If so, I’m just one damn sentence into this post and you’re already asking questions? Give me a freakin chance to explain!

Johnny Holiday was born in San Francisco on October 28, 1912. He owned a bar, was married three times and was retired for 25 years when he was asked by his doctor to pose for a biotech company’s annual report, featuring a drug for osteoporosis that Holiday was taking.

That’s when the then 87-year-old was discovered. A few years later, the old coot picked up and moved from San Francisco to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career!

Now, at age 93, Holiday plays the old guy (a real stretch for the actor) at the end of all of Miller Lite’s Man Law ads. Here he is doing his finest work to date:

So, everyone, please join me in a Dr. Blogstein salute and a Miller Lite toast to Johnny Holiday!