Spectatorial spectacular

Lord Bassington-Bassington is notoriously bad at keeping up with the pace of the modern world. Not only is he chronically behind the times, he is also often out of sync with the seasons. This leads to posts talking about tweeds in late May - the time of year, even here in the North, where woolen clothes can safely be put into the cupboard for the summer.

So as Fall approaches up here in the North, Lord Bassington-Bassington naturally finds himself obsessing about footwear more appropriate for summer. Well, perhaps one could say that His Lordship is ahead of his time, and already planning next summer's wardrobe.

The co-respondent shoe - Americans call them spectators - is quite a foppish shoe. And as Lord Bassington-Bassington is a rather foppish Hound, it seems inevitable that His Lordship will at one point get a pair of spectators. So here, after some online research, are some of the long-eared one's favourites.

The Gerrard model from Crockett & Jones seems a safe bet, as Lord Bassington-Bassington is very pleased with the Oxford shoes he already has from C & J. But they are perhaps a bit on the dressy side?

Herring Shoes provide excellent shipping service, and Lord Bassington-Bassington has had a great experience buying from them. But buying shoes online is risky for one such as His Lordship, whose paws are starting to suffer from his preference for formal footwear with leather soles. But anyway - the Herring Jekyll is a more sober take on the spectator.

The Jekyll model, naturally, comes in a version called the Hyde as well.

A big issue in considering a spectator is what style blogger Simon Crompton points out, namely that it is a shoe that is hard to get to work with anything. So perhaps something like the Loake Sloane is easier to wear. It certainly feels less formal.

Even more wearable is the Lemmy two-tone shoe from what must be considered Lord Bassington-Bassington's favourite footwear outfitters (yes, His Lordship is aware that this might be a sign of dubious tastes).

Well, the research has been quite inconclusive so far. Which is possibly just as well. For as a thoroughbred Nordic canine, Lord Bassington-Bassington should know that the sort of footwear to be considering now that fall is just around the corner are a pair of rubber boots.

A rerûn(a)

French label Autre Que are working on a limited vinyl re-release of the Fire + Ice record Rûna. In Lord Bassington-Bassington's perhaps not so humble opinion, Rûna is a record that really deserves the luxury treatment.

They're now accepting pre-orders, it seems.

A Columbian canine

Bassets have of course played an invaluable role in cultural history, and quite a few of them have made appearances on television. But few Bassets have become greater media stars than the trusty partner of famous TV detective Columbo. This canine, with the simple, elegant name of Dog, was an important part of one of the most popular and critically acclaimed detective series of all time.



This study of Dog and his detective sidekick comes courtesy of the fabulous Tini Malitius.

Well, Lord Bassington-Bassington thinks there's room for another video, in which Dog displays typical Basset Hound superiority.

In defense of traditional marriage

As a somewhat Conservative fellow, Lord Bassington-Bassington is a staunch supporter of the institution of marriage. But unlike some Conservatives, His Lordship has virtually no objections to same-sex couples being joined in matrimony, as long as certain traditional standards are upheld.

Lord Bassington-Bassington could come up with some lengthy explanation of why His Lordship feels this way. Such an explanation would mention how extending marriage rights to same-sex couples will strengthen their unions, let sexual minorities express their love, undermine the most negative aspects of gay culture, and so on. In short, make society more stable and life better for everyone. But truth be told, what it boils down to is what can be seen in this picture from the marriage ceremony of Mssrs Smalley and Bonnette.

For Lord Bassington-Bassington, the real question of same-sex marriage is this: If we can't have same-sex marriages, how else are we going to get weddings where both parties wear bowler hats?

And what could possibly be more traditional than the wedding picture below?

The wedding pictures are reproduced with permission from the happy groom and groom. Many happy returns, gentlemen.

Bully bow

Well, after all, it is Wednesday.

A cultish approach

(Photo courtesy of Tom Eileen, who also filmed this live set of the band)

This is just small post to remind readers - and Lord Bassington-Bassington himself - that one of His Lordship's favourite bands in recent years have a new album coming soon. They're touring, too.

Some teasers are available on that Internet thing.

The art of contemporary heraldry

When the World’s Coolest Librarian makes one of his regular visits to Lord Bassington-Bassington, it is usually the start of some terrific (and slightly nerdy) adventure. Yesterday was no exception, when The Librarian gave His Lordship a short introduction to the subject of contemporary heraldry. Contemporary Canadian heraldry, to be exact.

As His Lordship takes a keen interest in the invigoration of old traditions, Lord Bassington-Bassington was all ears (and when one is a Basset hound, there are a lot of ear to be!)

His Lordship could only agree with The Librarian that heraldry needs more exposure in the media. And as the Lord Bassington-Bassington Chronicles is, at least in the loosest sense, part of the media, we will shoulder our responsibilities and hereby bring our readers a selection of some of the coolest Canadian coats of arms.

Dr. Missao Batts is a lady with an appreciation of felines, and a love of music (surely something we here at the Chronicles can relate to). And as for the good lady's last name, well, look at the wings of the cat...

While Mr. Pierre Masse's love of music gets combined with the national animal of Canada.

And Mr. Howard Berlind Ripstein shows what a superb coat of arms one can create when one is a military serviceman descended from Jewish bootleggers.

But the highlight for Lord Bassington-Bassington is, for obvious reasons, the coat of arms and flag of radio broadcaster Douglas Graeme Bassett.

In His Lordship's mind, this short run-through of contemporary heraldic masterpieces leads to one inevitable conclusion: It is high time for the Bassington-Bassingtons to create a coat of arms of their own. Perhaps The Librarian could lend a helping paw?