Round up a bunch of preps and what’s the one thing they have in common excluding their keen sense of style? Jimmy Buffett.

That’s right, Jimmy Buffett. Jimmy is the common denominator that binds all preps together. Think about the last time you were in a bar, singing with a bunch of strangers. Chances are a Jimmy Buffett song was playing. Who can resist a rousing rendition of Fins or Pirate Looks at Forty? His romanticized views of sailing and island living have inspired many a prep. Best known for Margaritaville, preps come out in full force when a Jimmy Buffet song comes on.

A favorite urban legend surrounding Jimmy Buffett, is the claim that every preppy knows someone who knows him. The next time you are sitting in a bar and you hear a Jimmy Buffett tune, ask away, its guaranteed that someone knows him. The cute guy in the green polo shirt’s mummy is from Mobile, she is friends with his sister. Ask the bartender, she used to bar tend at the bar where Jimmy performed in Alabama.

So the next time you seen a bunch of preppies standing in a line, jump in, you might be missing your chance to buy Jimmy Buffet concert tickets. That…or gain entry to a Brooks Brothers secret sale, which wouldn’t be a bad thing either.

When I can’t convince anyone to make blueberry pancakes, my favorite Sunday breakfast is a mushroom and cheese omelette with thyme. Thyme is a easy-to-grow herb that loves hot weather, perfect if you, like me, forgets to water.

Ingredients:
3 to 4 eggs, I prefer a combination of 1 egg and 3 egg whites
1/4 cup of mushrooms, shiitake are good
1/4 cup of shreaded cheddar cheese
1 tablespoon of  fresh thyme
salt & pepper

1. Lightly cover a frying pan with cooking spray. Saute the mushrooms for about 2 minutes over medium heat, stirring occasionally.

2. Remove mushrooms. In a small bowl, mix the eggs and add the thyme. Salt and pepper to taste.

3. Pour the mixed eggs and thyme into the pan. Add cheese and mushrooms. Heat mixture until the eggs are gelled. Fold in half.

4. Serves two. Great with whole wheat toast and bacon.

Vacationing with my family at the Delaware beaches, I have come to the conclusion that people simply do not care any more. Sitting surfside, my sister and I were enjoying a nice day at the beach when a chubby father with gaggle of kids started digging a hole a few feet a away, despite the fact that most of the beach vacant. I thought to myself, “oh how refreshing to see a father playing with his kids inside of typing away on his Blackberry.” A few minutes later I got hit in the face with sand. I let it slide, after a few more sand attacks, my sister, the polite nursery school teacher, sweetly asked the kids to stop throwing sand at us. The father’s response, “uhhh, you can move.” Whatever happened to civility and good manners? Obviously, they have also taken a vacation.

Suffering from the occasional bout of writer’s block, I have compiled a top ten list of my favorite preppy movies. I am sure I have forgotten a few.

1. Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961) – Audrey Hepburn + Tiffany’s, can you ask for anything more
2. Wedding Crashers (2005) – crab cakes and football
3. The Philadelphia Story (1941) – Katharine Hepburn in classic prep style
4. National Lampoon’s Animal House (1978) – Otter, Bluto, and Boon vs. Greg Marmalard, Babs, and Mandy Pepperidge
5. Pretty in Pink (1986) – Blane and Steff infamous for giving preppies a bad rep
6. Love Story (1970) – Ryan O’Neal and Ali MacGraw
7. Dead Poets Society (1989) – 1950s prep school cool
8. Scent of a Woman (1992) – 1990s prep school acting like its still the 1950s
9. Cruel Intentions (1999) – aka NYC Prep
10. Clueless (1995) – California Prep

Yesterday, John Hughes, the director responsible for my favorite movies passed away. Hughes directed 80s staples such as The Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Weird Science, and Pretty in Pink. His directorial debut, Sixteen Candles, introduced us to Sam Baker, a.k.a. Molly Ringwold, and her beloved, Jake Ryan. Sixteen Candles made us believe that magic could happen and we could get our dream guy.  1985′s The Breakfast Club taught us that detention could be cool. Where else could you meet a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess and a criminal? And walk away with a valuable lesson. And then there is Ferris Bueller. I thought Ferris was sooo cool, Ferris could do anything.

Thank You, John. You made growing up a little bit easier.

I quote John Lennon, “I don’t believe in Beatles, I just believe in me.” Good point there. After all, he was the walrus. I could be the walrus. I’d still have to bum rides off people.
- Ferris Bueller