Gentlemen's Quarterly

Let me begin by saying that GQ is Gentlemen's Quarterly, yet it is published monthly, and this confuses me. I suppose Gentlemen's Monthly wouldn't sound as good, and GM was taken. Quick research from my usual source explains the history (originally quarterly), which eases my mind, but leaves me with my following issues, pun not intended (but pretty cool, anyways).

My friend Camille has been promoting GQ for the articles, and finally won me over with features on breakfast. I have picked up the last few issues, and have mostly been happy with them. Wikipedia suggests that GQ has been closely associated with metrosexuality. To a point this is forgivable. It's slightly more acceptable to buy a largely naked Jennifer Aniston or Megan Fox on the cover of a GQ than it is FWM or Maxim, but I don't worry about this too much. The problem, which is much harder to justify, is that the last two issues have had Robert Pattinson and Zac Efron on the covers. This is a no-win situation. I went ahead and purchased the Robert Pattinson issue because there was a Barry Bonds article. When I saw this most recent issue with a very metro Zac Efron on the cover I didn't even take a closer look at the front cover for contents.

I am forced to reconsider, however, when I see a tweet from Camille regarding America's Newest - and Gutsiest - Food City. As luck would have it, it's Portland. This is a weak spot for me. I'm already there in my head, but appreciate any form of validation that I'm heading someplace wonderful. Now I have to buy the magazine. Zac Efron and all. At dinner I make a feeble attempt to have a female friend go purchase the magazine for me, but it doesn't work out. So yesterday I go to the supermarket and decide to try my luck. Pride won't let me roam the aisles of the store with Zac Efron staring out of my cart, so the magazine lies face down. I choose the checkout line with the homeliest looking checker--the one least likely to give me the "really" look, and place the magazine face down on the conveyor belt. There are plenty of other items, so there is little chance to focus on the magazine. I check out without event. Out of the corner of my nervous eye I am pretty sure that the only part of the magazine visible throughout it's voyage is a back page Hennessy ad. I am relieved. I have escaped judgement. And it's a good read. Maybe I should just read it online next time.