Nom de plume / Nom de guerre

The author, for reasons not known to him, is considering taking a nom de plume or more specifically - de guerre. Up for consideration (and vote) are the following names:

1. Bennet Mainsheet
2. Dallas Parks
3. Knox Overstreet
4. Derek Warren
5. Rainier Elliott
6. Landon Gentry

from Dead Poets Society

Prep Props

The author owes a debt of gratitude to the exceptional blogs, "The Daily Prep" (http://thedailyprep.blogspot.com/) and "The Trad" (http://thetrad.blogspot.com/), without which, he would yet to be re-awakened, re-inspired, and ready to re-join the ranks of his prep heritage. And so the prodigal son returns.

Where has the author been lo these many years (approximately 17 years, marked by a few moments of prep/trad lucidity)? Like so many people - trying to make his way in the world. 

New jobs, new relationships, new locations cause one, at times, to want to fit in with the environment, to hold the Present and the Future in higher regard than the Past.  Each has its place; each is always making you who you are. The Past is Prologue. 

"You are only what you are when no one is looking." Robert C. Edwards

The Sideboard (or liquor cabinet)

Perhaps no other affectation represents a person's life or life experiences better than that of their liquor cabinet.  Through its contents (or lack thereof), one may glean some insight into one's current or past struggles, religious leanings, educational background, level of interest in the liberal arts, in travel, in sport and fitness, etc.

So then what does a classic prep have in his or her sideboard?

• Several Single Malt Scotches
• Highland
• Speyside
• Island
• Lowland
• Islay
• Campbeltown
• Gin
• Plymouth, Gordon's London Dry, Hendrick's
• Dry Vermouth
• A few of the classic liqueurs, e.g., Campari, Cointreau, Pimm's No 1
• Mount Gay Rum
• Why? Because of their affiliation with US Sailing and the National Offshore One-design (NOOD) Regatta circuit



The elusive red Mt. Gay Rum hat

•  Classic bitters, i.e., Angostura Aromatic
• "The Savoy Cocktail Book" or "Mr. Boston: Official Bartender's Guide"

What does a Cascadian prep have in his or her sideboard?

• A few Scotches (single malt and blended)
• Bowmore, Cutty Sark (attracted to its nautical theme)
• Talisker (from the Isle of Skye, which, incidentally, is the name of the author's daughter)
• Small-batch Gin from a regional distillery, e.g., Dry Fly, Bend Distillery, Aviation
• Vermouth (French or Dry)
• Fernet-Branca (from a recent trip to Italy or Argentina)
• Cachaça (from a recent trip to Brazil)
• Crown Royal (from Duty Free at the US-Canada border crossing)
• A several liqueurs, e.g., Campari, Cointreau, Pimm's No 1, St. Germain, Liquore Strega 
• Homemade Limoncello using organic lemons (from a recipe found in a preppy publication)
• Bitters, e.g., Regan's Orange No. 6, Fee Bros.
• Classic cocktail recipes scratched on a napkin at The Zig Zag Cafe in Seattle, WA

the author's liquor cabinet


NB: The author realizes there could be several oversights in the lists above - brandy, for example, was not mentioned - so please provide feedback, if you would be so kind.

The Cascadian Prep Manifesto

• It is NOT about money, nor about those with a substantial amount of it or those who pretend to have a substantial amount of it, and it does not exclude, necessarily, those without a substantial amount of it.

• It is NOT about wearing a brand or possessing a wardrobe in which the intention is to feel superior to another.

• It is NOT trendy, yet it may have a style which appears/reappears as a revolving fashion trend.

• It is NOT a place or an institution, yet it respects and pays tribute to its origins.

• It is a mindset and a lifestyle, steeped in American and Northwestern traditions.

• It is quiet confidence.

• It is a world view seen through an ever-positive lens.

• Membership will be granted only to those who honor and respect all that Cascadia has to offer.

Disclaimer:  The author is not a native of one of "The Thirteen Originals" nor did he attend a prep school in that region or an Ivy League school. He is a native Texan who has spent the last several years in the beautiful Puget Sound region.  This blog contains observations and accounts of the struggles one may encounter along the way to cultivating, maintaining, and preserving a prep(py) lifestyle in the Pacific NW... or anywhere else for that matter.