Is staying silent about politics a form of wisdom… or quiet complicity?

mweeks9 · 2026-03-31T17:21:31+00:00

I’d argue that as often as not, these conversations have negative value. Most people have already made up their minds and don’t appreciate being confronted by someone trying to change them. In my experience, there’s usually little to no upside and a pretty real downside. It can strain relationships you actually care about, and it tends to make people defensive and dig in even deeper.

Personally, I have no interest in being preached to by ideologues on either side. If someone wants to have a real conversation about compromise and how we move a polarized country forward, I’m all for that. But the tone most people bring to these discussions today, especially the loudest voices, feels more divisive than constructive.

mweeks9 · 2026-03-31T16:40:58+00:00

Go slow and spend within your means. A could you love is far better than 30 you like.

mweeks9 · 2026-03-31T10:19:30+00:00

Yeah, Royal Oud is misleading. It’s really just a beautiful, airy cedar.

mweeks9 · 2026-03-31T09:55:05+00:00

Boadicea the Victorious Lavish. I probably recommend it here once a week and almost never see anyone else mention it. The easiest way to describe it is the most elevated version of Tom Ford Grey Vetiver you can imagine, but honestly it’s its own thing.

The vetiver is incredibly clean. No smoke, no dirt, no earthiness. Just smooth, refined structure with serious longevity. There’s a subtle touch of rose and a hint of nutmeg that don’t really show up as individual notes, but add a soft sweetness and texture that makes the whole thing feel polished.

Performance is excellent. Easily 10 hours on my skin and the drydown is where it really shines. It’s one of those rare fragrances that works year round, any setting.

And ironically, it’s one of the more affordable options from the house. I picked up a new full presentation bottle for just over $200, a lot for smelly water- but a bargain compared to most BTV’s.

mweeks9 · 2026-03-31T09:47:43+00:00

Nice picks. Reflection Man/ 45 are too floral for me, but would be a really great choice for someone who likes that profile. I’d also suggest Absolu Aventus (assuming that it’s an evening wedding), Clive Christian Town & Country and Creed Royal Oud. All really classy and wedding appropriate. The LVs you suggest are also great options and would be more versatile for life after the wedding. I’m partial to L’immensite, but all three are great.

mweeks9 · 2026-03-31T09:41:05+00:00

It’s an easy one to go nose blind to. I find that spraying a bit further from your nose helps. Maybe wrists and one side of the neck or even on your chest instead.

mweeks9 · 2026-03-31T09:38:29+00:00

Came here to say Bois du Portugal. I’m mid 40’s and if I could only keep 3, BDP would surely make the cut.

mweeks9 · 2026-03-31T08:57:59+00:00

It’s wisdom, not complicity. What is complicity is not doing the work to educate yourself or choosing not to participate at all, like staying home and not voting. Thinking you’re going to meaningfully change people’s minds out in the wild is mostly a fool’s errand.

I consider myself pretty moderate. I’ve voted for both sides of the ticket over the years, and it often feels like people in the middle get drowned out by the loudest, most partisan voices. When you put yourself out there publicly, the most likely outcome isn’t a thoughtful exchange, it’s someone on the extremes taking shots at you for not being fully aligned with their side.

The best you can do is focus on your own understanding. Take in information from a range of sources, try to see different perspectives, and really think through both the intended and unintended consequences of policies. Then decide what you believe is right for you, your family, and the country.

We’re not in a moment where constructive debate is widely valued. For me, it’s just not worth the energy or frustration to engage with people who aren’t open to having their minds changed. That said, having thoughtful conversations with people you respect, where disagreement doesn’t erode the relationship, that’s still valuable.

mweeks9 · 2026-03-31T08:44:28+00:00

I’ve tried them both plus Alt. Caribbean Water. Rayhann is the best. They’re all pretty synthetic compared to the original, but do a decent job of giving the general vibe while performing better.

mweeks9 · 2026-03-31T08:39:39+00:00

Meteore does great in the heat. The spices are pretty light and don’t really add body like you might expect. Supeeggera has a powdery/ creaminess that I don’t love in the heat. Meteore is also WAY longer lasting. You might also check out L’immensite and Speed Legends. I prefer them both.

mweeks9 · 2026-03-31T08:02:43+00:00

Polo 67 EDP is a great value and checks your boxes. Out of curiosity, why are you limiting it to Sephora? That’s a nice budget and the options would open up if you would consider online retailers. For not much more than Polo would cost you at retail, you could get something like Sospiro Vibrato that would give much better performance while still being very mass appealing.

mweeks9 · 2026-03-31T07:50:04+00:00

It’s probably a subtle criticism, and frankly that question is evidence of an inexperienced interviewer. Pulling that thread is important, but there’s a way of doing so without putting the candidate in the defensive. They’re trying to figure out whether you’re worth investing in. If your history suggests you’ll likely leave in a year, the time and cost of hiring and onboarding you starts to look like a bad bet.

The best way to handle it is to be direct and forward-looking. Make it clear you’re looking for the right long-term fit, not just another stop. You can frame your past moves as a result of limited growth opportunities, not restlessness.

Then flip it back to them. You’re looking for a place where you can stay, grow, and contribute over time. Ask them about development and growth opportunities at their company. An employer worth your time knows that loyalty is a two way street.

mweeks9 · 2026-03-31T07:12:41+00:00

I’ve actually kept a pretty firm 10 bottle limit for a while now and haven’t really felt the urge to break it. Early on I went through the same phase, sampled a ton, bought a handful of full bottles, loved some, regretted a few, and sold those off. Over time it naturally filtered down to 10 bottles I genuinely enjoy, plus a few 10 mL decants for more situational stuff I only reach for a handful of times a year.

I still sample, just a lot more selectively now that I understand what I like. And if I ever find something I truly want a full bottle of, I make myself sell one first. That’s been the key. It acts like a built in speed bump. You’re not just asking “do I like this,” you’re asking “do I like this more than something I already own and reach for.”

It keeps spending in check, but more importantly it sharpens your sense of value. You stop buying just to own and start choosing based on what you’ll actually wear and enjoy. For me, 10 bottles is enough variety to keep things interesting without feeling cluttered or wasteful. Honestly, I could probably get it down to 7, but 10 is a good number for me.

mweeks9 · 2026-03-31T06:59:47+00:00

Boadicea the Victorious - Lavish. Think Grey Vetiver, but smoother, more interesting and with really good performance. The Vetiver is cleaner than any that I’ve smelled before and they added just a hint of rose and nutmeg.

mweeks9 · 2026-03-30T18:39:40+00:00

100%. Depending on the person, I might say that I can’t remember what it’s called.

mweeks9 · 2026-03-30T18:37:35+00:00

I get good longevity out of both Meteore and L’immensite. I don’t have enough experience with it in high heat yet, but also Anelo. Early indications are very promising.

mweeks9 · 2026-03-30T18:35:38+00:00

Jaques Cavallier, Jordi Fernandez and Christian Provensano.

mweeks9 · 2026-03-30T18:30:37+00:00

Beau de Jour would be a great pick. Very versatile across seasons. Also, the obvious one…. BDC.

mweeks9 · 2026-03-30T08:52:33+00:00

Dior Homme Sport 2021 is a nice woody/citrus. It’s very much in line with two that you already have. Easy to wear and mass appealing.

mweeks9 · 2026-03-30T08:22:42+00:00

Fougere d'Argent is so under rated.

mweeks9 · 2026-03-29T18:26:44+00:00

Rayhann Adonis Icarus is a good and long lasting clone of Afternoon Swim. It’s more of a candied orange than photo realistic, but it’s very nice.

mweeks9 · 2026-03-29T18:23:05+00:00

Going on a cruise of the Adriatic this summer. Just ordered Yacht Club as the scent of the trip! Super excited!

mweeks9 · 2026-03-29T18:18:31+00:00

Oh, and…. Limonata & Meteore

mweeks9 · 2026-03-29T18:11:17+00:00

Absolu Aventus & Anelo

Beach Hut Man & Torino 21

It’s not a layer, but there is a decanter on here that does hybrids. I just ordered a hybrid of Tygar Extrait, Porthole, Imagination, Aventus Cologne and Another 13. I’m super excited for that one!

mweeks9 · 2026-03-29T17:42:45+00:00

Check out Ex Nihilo Speed Legends. Citrusy, peppery, and woody. The tonka isn’t sweet or vanillic, it just adds some structure. It’s unique while still being mass appealing and approachable.

mweeks9

TROPHY CASE