Just a quick shout to the Massachusetts State Senators who, as we learned in today’s Boston Globe, were the lucky recipients of some rather handsome locally-sourced sunglasses.

When word came out that Sen. Bryan Joyce blessed you with gold-plated Randolph Engineering aviators, suggested retail price north of $200, I immediately thought: Those lucky bastards. As someone who was also gifted Randolph frames some time back – I was writing about such high-end products for a previous outlet – I attest that they have been outstanding. And they’ve lasted for years. The Senator has good taste.

All that said, I didn’t have to “negotiate with the manufacturers” to secure my sweet deal like Joyce, who copped his shades for the bulk rate of $74.50 apiece (the price includes monogrammed engravings for all 40 senators, plus seven pairs for his own family, according to the Globe).

Nevertheless, while these shades can take a beating, Randolph shouldn’t. Their goods are designed for fighter pilots, and with plenty of made-in-Mass chutzpah. Mine have been skydiving, swimming, and face-down in a few gutters. Though somewhat tattered, and missing the rubber bits that keep them on my nose, they’ve helped me keep from having to explain myself on several occasions.

Which should come in handy for Beacon Hill’s purveyor of fine eyewear right now.