10 Things I Learned from 30 Blog Posts in 30 Days: [30 DAYS OF WRITING: EPISODE 30/30]

The author, after 30 days of blogging: weary but none the worse for wear. So to speak.

This is day 30 of a 30 day New Year’s Resolution.

1. Thomas Edison famously said: Genius is one percent inspiration, ninety nine percent perspiration. I’d recommend a few extra-percent non-perspiring dedication.

2. Doing something important even when you don’t want to, especially when you don’t want to, is one of the marks of maturity.

3. The more creative you act, the more creative you are. Creativity is more about doing than about being.

4. Though ritual sometimes gets a bad rap in the modern world, daily repetition creates space for magic to happen.

5. It’s okay to put things on hold, even things you love, to focus on something special. But then, get back to those other things.

6. Worrying is a great way to paralyze creativity.

7. After exercise, your temperature, your mood, and your outlook improves for hours. True, too, after exercising creativity.

8. Creative expression brings people together. People to creator, people to each other.

9. Once we’re done with school, college, and grad-school, the feeling of “completing” something is rare and wonderful and needs to be cultivated.

10. Succeeding at a challenge you’ve given yourself sets you up for more challenges, more success.

Special thanks to all my readers, all my supporters, and especially to the blogger responsible for (and who supported me through) this month-long adventure.

Liquor is Quicker, but Dandy’s is Dandy: [30 DAYS OF WRITING: EPISODE 29/30]

This is day 29 of a 30 day New Year’s Resolution.

Since this whole 30 days of writing thing began in Austin, (click here to reverse time, 30 days), it makes sense that we should end up back in Austin. (Tomorrow’s post will be sort of meta, so this is my last chance to come full circle.)

What I did on my winter vacation.

Being a bit of a dork, before traveling to a new place, I like to gather suggestions – where to go, where to eat. This is not to say that I don’t love wandering. Believe me, I’ve found myself in plenty of bizarre travelling scenarios, all because of my penchant for wandering into the less-trod corners of cities. But I like to have some pins in the Googlemap, so to speak, before I get off the plane. So, since certain men’s style magazine featured a “must visit” menswear store, on my second day in Austin, I headed over to inspect their wares / wears.

Yup. It was very good. All the same brands I’ve seen at all the other “don’t miss them” menswear locations in Chicago, Madison, Los Angeles, San Francisco. The same mix of lumbersexual, high quality, rugged work-shirts and insanely expensive denim. Some blazers and ties. Also, gifts: leather holsters for coffee-jars. Cremes that smell like an old apothecary. Decorated with salvaged wood, exposed beams, brick. You know the look.

The same special stuff I’ve seen a hundred times.

Then, a few days later, driving in a cab to dinner, I did a double take.

Dandy’s is one of a kind, but their vision is one that I immediately connected to: vintage style, modern cut menswear. And when I say vintage, I don’t mean 70’s or 60’s or even 50s’s. I mean the period of the late 1800s through 1930s.

Now, I’m not talking steam-punk (you know, monocles and propellered top-hats). That stuff is amusing at best, and suitable only for Burning Man or maybe the Edwardian Ball. Rather, I’m talking about finely crafted clothing – not costumery.

After receiving excellent customer service from their staff, I spoke with Wendy, the co-owner, and her husband Chris, who rocks the vintage look as naturally as any Wild West saloon barkeep. The store started from a deep desire to create this vintage, gentleman’s look, and it began in the iconic way that every good company begins – out of a garage, a streetcorner trunk, or, in Dandy’s case, an elaborate sidewalk tent, complete with steamer trunks and velvet curtains.

“We wanted to recreate a look and a feel, not just put out stuff for people to buy.”

A few years later, now, Dandy’s is doing something that no other menswear place is: designing clothing according to this century old aesthetic, and choosing cuts and patterns not because they’re trendy, but because they’re handsome. For example, during this time period, many jackets featured four buttons – this created a broad, gentlemanly silhouette. Now, this doesn’t exist – outside of Dandy’s.

Also: cloth covered buttons, double-breasted waistcoats, hats far beyond the fedora, classic boots (some inspired by the otherwise extinct spats of yesteryear, and ties in rich colors and patterns than might have graced the neck of a gentleman from 1915.

Dandy’s designs are in-house, many products are made within a few hundred miles of the store, and the aesthetic is inspiring.

On your next trip to LA, certainly, stop by American Rag and General Quarters, in San Francisco, visit Union Made, in Madison, visit Forequarter, and in Austin, sure, visit Stag. But miss any of these places, and it’s not a problem. You’ll find the same items in a dozen other places.

But whatever you do, do not miss Dandy’s…even if you need to plan a trip to Austin, just to see it.

When is Enough Enough? : [30 DAYS OF WRITING: EPISODE 28/30]

This is day 28 of a 30 day New Year’s Resolution.

When I was 7, I got my first home game system, the Atari 2600. It already came with Combat and my parents splurged for Pitfall. Those two games entertained my brother and me for almost six months. When I was 9, I got my first Transformer, and it kept me occupied for, again, about six months. When I got my first record player, I had about three records, and somehow, those thirty songs kept me occupied for half a year.

You can guess where this is going. In the course of time, I collected many Atari 2600 cartridges, Transformers, and records. And in every case, the period of time between a new acquisition and the resurgence of my hunger for yet another acquisition would decrease.

The more I owned, it seemed, the less I had.

An actual photo of me in my clothes closet.

Now, I’m a grown-ass man, and I have many sweaters. And likewise, my first cardigans kept me pretty satisfied, for 6 months or more, before the sweater itch returned, so to speak. In the grand scheme of things, there are worse things to be addicted to. I have known people brought to ruin by their addictions. The only trouble my morass of sweaters has caused is that my shelf space has been completed colonized, as if by Tribbles.

That said, I am aware that I need to keep an eye on this. And I know I’m in good company. The book Craving: Why We Can’t Seem to Get Enough lays out some of the facts behind our insatiable hungers for what we already own (hint: we’re hard wired for it) and provides some strategies for dealing with it.

For me, desire has a shadow side, to be kept under control, but also, it speaks to a human need to grow, to be creative, to have options for expression previously unavailable. How are we, as people with many sides, many dreams, to make do with a limited number of anything?

The Buddhist “Wheel of Samsara” depicts the cycle of desire and satisfaction that is pretty hard to break. It takes some people a zillion incarnations to stop buying sweaters.

To begin with, we might recognize that it is entirely too easy to acquire. Newcomers to style will discover a proliferation of discount clothing websites and apps designed to get merchandise onto your shelves as easily as possible – generally with one or two clicks. I have erased all of these from my iPhone. Once you start to wonder if maybe you have enough, you have more than enough. Erase the apps.
Next, try to build personal relationships with all the items in your collection. If you love what you have, you’re less inclined to want more. And we only love what we spend time with. Figure out what is your favorite whatever, and wear it a lot.
Only acquire quality items. Part of why we acquire new things is to address perceived flaws in what we already have, even if we don’t mean to replace the old, flawed items. It feels like a fix. A lot of clothing is made cheap, feels cheap, and won’r satisfy you – sort of like the quick fix of fast food vs. the deep satisfaction of a home cooked meal.
Be aware that satisfaction, like hunger itself, is fleeting. Easy come, easy go. Wheel of Samsara, anyone?
Take joy in abundance. But the actual number of anything required for “abundance” is lower than we often think. 1 or 2 are perfectly decent manifestations of abundance.
After taking a good, hard look at yourself, don’t judge harshly. If your collection brings you joy and isn’t hurting anyone, then it’s a hobby. Like many others. But you might want to make your other hobby “getting rid of things.”

The Business Card You Wear: [30 DAYS OF WRITING: EPISODE 27/30]

This is day 27 of a 30 day New Year’s Resolution.

Really good heros and villians leave a card.

Sometimes, it’s actually a card (the Joker). Sometimes, it’s just a letter (Zorro). But no matter how cool the card, it’s always left after the dastardly (or heroic) deed is done.

Whereas you have an advantage: you have a card that goes before you into new places. It doesn’t require a macabre love of mayhem and death, nor training in rapier/whip combat.

It’s whatever you put on in the morning.

My “other” business card. The one I don’t wear.

Recently, I designed and printed some business cards in preparation for an Education Conference, and I was struck by a few things: notably, how much more ready for interaction I was, toting my new business cards. I’m a pretty approachable guy, good with conversation, but with cards in my pocket, I probably tripled the number of new folks I spoke with because I was excited to hand over a card.

It helped me feel accessible. It helped me connect to my professional me.

This, too, is true for your clothes. You’re at a meeting or conference. Or at the airport. You’re standing in a room full of people, all with limited time and energy. You want to leave a good impression, of course. But also, you want to create a good impression. Your business card says much more than how to contact you. It communicates why to contact you.

Or, to play with italics, why to contact you.

And whether you’re new to business or you own a brand-new business – if you’re young and trying to figure things out or starting a third career, now’s a good time to put some thought into your new business cards. This is not about “fake it ’till you make it.” It’s about make you into who you want to be.

And others will see that new you, too.

I always try to find a way to add one point of flair to my look, no matter what.

Some things to think about as you put together your outfits:

1. Some people are afraid to Style-Up because they work in a field where everyone dresses “comfortably” (you know what that means). In reality, though, in order to have a style-edge, you only need to kick it up a couple of notches. Start with a great fitting button up and good shoes. No one will think you’re getting snooty.

2. Once a week, go full-on styley. I suggest monday, when everyone could use a little extra glide-in-their-stride. I swear, nothing chases away the Sunday Night blues like a great outfit. Blue or otherwise.

3. When travelling, or at a conference, have an outfit or two that you know are your “power-looks.” Not only will it build confidence, but also it will help make you recognizable to folks who only see you now and then. Not only will you look familiar, you will look awesome.

4. A talented chef told me that she always tries to find a way to add “crunch” to a dish. I always try to find a way to add one point of flair to my look, no matter what. The red laces, the pocket square, the causal, denim tie – those things get noticed and set you apart. And you only need one.

5. If you are speaking in front of a group, have an amazing blazer to give you shape, definition, and to project confidence. It doesn’t need to be (and shouldn’t be) a stodgy, heavy suit-jacket. Pick something unstructured and light.

Our final word by the great author, Kurt Vonnegut:

“We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be.”

6 Things to Learn from a Hipster Dad : [30 DAYS OF WRITING: EPISODE 26/30]

This is day 26 of a 30 day New Year’s Resolution.

Joe wouldn’t volunteer to be called an Urban Hipster Dad, but let’s tally up the criteria:

1. Between the ages of 30 and 49

2. Has small kids.

3. Beard.

4. Cool glasses.

5. Works in design.

And if that doesn’t convince you, here’s one of his websites: Domesticated Daddy. Therefore, I feel like he’s qualified to speak about Hipster Dad style.

Many “domesticated daddies” (urban hipster dads) are styley at heart, but the doodies/duties of parenthood prevent them from dropping bank on expensive clothes or from wearing stuff too fussy and fancy to muss up.

Enter 6 things to Learn from a Hipster Dad.

1. Since, after day-care and babysitting expenses, Urban Hipster Dads don’t have the money for a Panerai watch, they splurge on a really great coffee mug. Urban Hipster Dads have a favorite mug they bring with them, everywhere they go. Usually it has coffee in it… it might have PBR.

2. Hipster Dads spend a lot of time covered in the muck and mire of parenthood. White T-shirts are their best friend. They buy ’em 3 at a time and wash the hell out of ’em. And when they go to the cafe to work on their Hipster Dad projects, they throw on a chunky, cuddly sweater.

3. Urban Hipster Dads don’t need expensive, gourmet denim, only availble from expensive, gourmet denim shops. They get their Levi’s from Target. They pick out the darkest denim they can find, and they run over to the toy section where their kids are opening up the boxes of Hungry, Hungry Hippos. Marbles everywhere!!!

4. Urban Hipster Daddies make ends meet with a single, all-purpose blazer. Chambray (feels and looks like thin denim) can dress up jeans and a sweater, or can step up to handle a tie at Maple Dale Elementary School Open House Night.

4. Urban Hipster Daddies make ends meet with a single, all-purpose blazer. Chambray (looks and feels like thin denim) can dress up jeans and a sweater, or can step up to handle a tie at Maple Dale Elementary School Open House Night.

5. Urban Hipster Dads know that how a clothes FIT is more important than what it is. Shoulder seams hit the shoulders, arms aren't blousy or puffy, and everything follows the contour of the body.

5. Urban Hipster Dads know that how a clothes FIT is more important than their designer. Shoulder seams hit the shoulders, arms aren’t blousy or puffy, and everything follows the contour of the body.

6. Urban Hipster Dads want to rock some flair, but need to maintain their Daddy Dignity. They employ a pop of color in the shoelaces, a tie, a pocket-square…Swag comes in many forms.

7. Urban Hipster Dads know that their greatest style accessory are the little things that make them a Daddy in the first place.

What’s the Truth About Pairing With Brown and Black? : [30 DAYS OF WRITING: EPISODE 25/30]

This is day 25 of a 30 day New Year’s Resolution.

Dear Style Maven,

If you wear brown shoes, should you wear any black at all? And vice versa? That’s what I’ve been schooled and I don’t know if there are hard and fast rules on that in this new hip era.

-Don’t Wanna Look Like a Jack-Ass

Dear DWLLAJA,

The answer requires us taking a deeper, dorky dive into the larger question, “what is brown?” — and not because brown is an unusually complex color (what its multifarious of “brown-ness” under the big, brown umbrella). Rather, every color has many varieties and shades, and in every case, we can’t talk universally about any color automatically going with (or not going with) any other color.

Indeed, the main principle to learn is not whether you should or shouldn’t mix brown and black. Rather, the principle to learn is that you shouldn’t match together two colors that are already too close.

Contrast vs. Monotone vs. Clash

Let’s break this down a bit. When pairing colors, a basic rule is that any two contrasting (sometimes called complementary) colors look great together, as long as neither of the colors is too “crazy.” For example, red and blue look great. Blue and yellow look great. Green and brown look great.

Richer, mixed colors, like orange and purple, are a little intense to pair with another “crazy color” – unless it’s just a little accent of color here and there. If you want to pair purple with yellow, keep that crazy combo in a pocket square, socks, or a tie – or risk what I call I “flair-up.” Too much flair makes you look like you’re wearing a costume. (For more on “flair vs. flair up, read the full post).

Then, we have deeply contrasting colors: white and black, yellow and black, orange and black. And no, orange is not the new black.

All of these are pleasing to the eye.

Monotone is fun because it allows you to get crazy with patterns. Blue on blue on blue is always great – as long as the varieties are blue don’t roam into turquoise or aquamarine. Or, what’s that Crayola color… “sea foam.”

Monotone, these days, is pretty common. People will pair 2-4 garments, all variants of the same color. Light, medium, and dark blue. Or grey. Or brown. I’d stay away from doing orange or purple or red, in monotone, because they get a little intense. Otherwise, go for it – pair as many shades of one color as you like.

Clashing is when you pair a color with something that is a different color, but which are too close together. Art nerds call these “analogous colors.”

For example, coral with orange. Sky blue with turquoise. Purple with some blues.

The rule is – if they’re different, great. If they’re the same, fine. If they’re close – they’re too close.

Complementary good! Analogous bad!

For this reason, and no other reason, some browns and blacks should not be paired. They’re too close together.

Which browns shouldn’t be paired with black? Dark brown.

Which browns look great with black? Lighter brown, tan, or reddish brown (sometimes called cordovan).

Black and Brown? SURE! If the brown is light enough!

Here are some do’s and don’ts of brown and black.

DO: pair tan slacks or dress-pants with black shoes.

DO: pair a light brown blazer with black pants and black shoes.

DO: pair reddish brown shoes with black pants.

DO: Wear any article of clothing that features black and lighter brown accents.

DON’T: Wear black shoes with a dark brown suit.

Reddish brown (cordovan) or tan shoes look great with grey / black.

DON’T: Pair brown shoes with a black belt, and vice versa. Unless you do karate. Then wear your black belt with everything.

DON’T: Wear dark brown with dark blue without trying it and looking skeptically in the mirror.

And above all: Do NOT point out, to someone breaking any of these rules, that he is breaking a rule. He may not be stylish, but critique without invitation has no class.

STYLE STORY, JULIE V: [30 DAYS OF WRITING: EPISODE 24/30]

Above: Julie's Style-Up, Before and After.

“She’s A Gent” – a fantastic style blogger, describes herself as “sporty, classy, tailored, and clean.” She also uses the Oxford Comma (we approve) and is sweet to correspond with!: This is day 24 of a 30 day New Year’s Resolution.

What do you call someone who’s dapper, who wears a tie and blazer, and who rocks an amazing pair of wingtips?

Ma’am.

I suppose the title of the post gave that one away. (That’s also how I tell jokes. I say, “Speaking of mixed dancing…” Everyone who’s heard that one a million times rolls their eyes, and I don’t have to tell the joke.)

But all kidding aside, I’ve had a few readers ask why I haven’t done a post on women. And while I’ve proven myself adept at picking out sweaters, shoes, and the occasional dress for my girlfriend, I’ve never thought of myself as a maven of women’s style.

Until…a dapper colleague and I got to talking. We share similar taste, an admiration of men’s style, but she was interested in seeing what a Style-Up could bring her game.

Here’s Julie in her own words. The cartoons are mine.

Julie V., Fundraiser

WHAT WERE YOUR FEELINGS ABOUT YOUR STYLE “BEFORE?” WHAT DID YOU LIKE? WHAT WASN’T WORKING?

I have a good eye, I know what I like… I liked the tailored look, but I wanted to take more risks. I’ve spent my life being attracted to the tailored, crisp lines of men’s clothing. But only in the last ten years have I realized that if the clothes don’t hang on my shoulders tightly at the right spots, the clothes are wearing me.

WHAT’S ARE A FEW STYLE-CHALLENGES YOU DEAL WITH?

I spend a lot of time searching for women’s clothes that fit my 5’5″ frame and are also tightly tailored and buttoned down the way I like.
I’m still tempted often when I see something I love in the men’s section in a small size, but based on the criteria above, it’s a mistake most of the time.

WHAT DOES MENSWEAR TEACH US ABOUT STYLE IN GENERAL?

Only in the last ten years have I realized that if the clothes don’t hang on my shoulders tightly at the right spots, the clothes are wearing me.

For me, the intersection of men’s and women’s fashion is fit vs. form. Men’s clothing brings straight lines and economy – important to any aesthetic.

SINCE YOUR STYLE-UP, WHAT HAVE YOU ENJOYED/ NOTICED / LEARNED?

I can wear a tie! It’s valuable to let other people put your style in others hands and let go of your idea of what works and what won’t. Maybe there’s something to add [to your look]! The tie, that Rag and Bone jacket, precise tailoring ideas.
After trying on some pieces I wouldn’t have noticed before [the Style-Up], I’m ready to re-approach how I feel about my reflection in the world.

IF YOU COULD “CHANNEL” THE STYLE TRAITS OF ANY PERSONALITY, WHO WOULD IT BE?

[Ellen] is her own self, and since she’s her own self, she [is able] to help other people to be themselves.: I look to Ellen [DeGeneres]… Tailored and tight. She’s her own self — and since she’s her own self, she [is able] to help other people to be themselves.

Any photo of these shoes is automatically “shoe porn.”

Best Foot Forward

Julie didn’t need to be convinced that shoes are the place to start. We went to a great menswear spot in the Castro District of San Francisco called Citizen, which, I’ll admit, taught me a great deal about how to assemble a surprising and yet satisfying outfit. Citizen describes their aesthetic this way:

Specializing in clean, European-inspired lines, Citizen is for the sophisticated man who knows how to dress sharply without sacrificing personal flare.

I’m particularly struck by the overlap of Citizen’s description (“Clean…lines”) and Julie’s description of her own tastes (tailored, crisp lines). It seems that Julie and Citizen agree that inspiring menswear is at once minimal (tailored, crisp lines) and yet, Citizen speaks of something I’ve written about: flare.

The word itself describes fire, the beginning of a process: maybe something a little dangerous. Flare is about light, brightness, catching the eye — but too much could burn or destroy the crisp lines.

With that in mind, Julie and I looked for shoes which would be at once classic and also edgy. Something she would recognize and admire if it was at J.Crew or Banana Republic, and yet, something new, never seen before. Somethibg which no one would have seen before.

We found it.

These shoes are by Sperry Top-Sider. What could be less exciting than the company which makes the boat shoes that everyone already owns?

A color and finish never, ever seen before.

This approach, mind you, is not new.

Allen Edmonds, after a century of being shoes for Bankers and former military men now makes shoes that are so fly, I’m jealous every time a client bags a pair.
Florsheim, which used to make nurses shoes, teamed up with Duckie Brown to make shoes so fly, my style mentor wore them on graduation day.

Sperry Top-Sider nailed it with this line, and it got Julie and I off to a great start.

Knot Withstanding

Julie typically rocks an air-tie, which is a sharp, styley, casual way of wearing a shirt, buttoned up to the top – without a tie. It’s kind of a hybrid. A little edgier, a little more class than leaving the top button open.

But what would happen if we added a tie? Julie didn’t want to dress like a banker – she wanted to add a little unexpected edge to her outfit. We hunted for a tie that would be thinner (thinner ties are more casual, more styley, and work better on a woman’s body) and we found one in a material that had some glint (for flare +1) and a loose, textured weave to play against the blue in her shirt.

This tie is made by DIBI. They’re unique and yet classy, surprisingly affordable, and they donate from profits to purchase school supplies for schoolkids, worldwide.

In the Pocket

Besides the tie, Julie and I wanted to pair her classy, Ben Sherman blazer with a little pocket-candy: a handkerchief. Usually, I go for the tight, neat folded cotton or linen look, but I wanted to add a dose of disorder to the abundant clean-lines of her outfit.

This handkerchief, with it’s Americana red, white, and blue, contrasts the blazer’s navy-blue formality with maritime, vintage playfulness, sort of like the rockabilly women’s dresses of the 50s and 60s. Call it an homage. Or a femage, if you will.

Final Comments

St. Harridans is designed to fit women and transmen and is damn styley.: If you’re a woman who wants to wear “masculine” clothes, you might need to be persistent and get lucky and find something that happens to be cut just right. And that can be frustrating. As Julie pointed out in her Style-Story above, a men’s size small might “fit,” but it won’t fall in the right places. And putting on garment after garment which looks lousy in a dressing room is – let’s face it – not fun.

Another option, she can buy something that’s really close to her size and spend a bit of money at a great tailor. And truth is, once anyone starts to step up his or her style game, he or she gets used to the idea that after the trip to the store, the next trip is to the tailor. So join the club, and enjoy the benefits that a pro with a needle and thread can provide.

She’s a Gent.

Some designers and labels make clothing exclusively for dapper women and transmen. I am particularly inspired by St. Harridan, which adheres to ethical manufacturing practices (in Massachusetts and North Carolina) and which designs those “clean, tailored lines” that Julie clambers for.

Two other labels: androgyny (think comfy plaids) and marimacho which makes androgynous bathing suits – very cool.

My advice, though – poke around online. Google a few choice terms and find a blogger or stylewriter who matches your tastes (I recommend She’s A Gent, one of my favorite women style writers). Read what they write, and maybe drop them a line; many of us are happy to share our secrets.

Ready for your own Style-Up?

I won’t hold your hand, but I will guard the fitting-room door.

Live in the bay area? A style-up is painless. Maybe even fun. And it might help you land a date / job / both at the same time. Email Me and we’ll get you on your way!

Outside of the Bay Area? Through the miracle of the interwebs, we can arrange an on-line consultation. You’ll end up with a handful of great items, some new looks, and a spring in your step. Click to Email Me.

3 Secrets of the Double Breasted Suit : [30 DAYS OF WRITING: EPISODE 23/30]

This is day 23 of a 30 day New Year’s Resolution.

The Dapper Teacher : [30 DAYS OF WRITING: EPISODE 22/30]

This is day 22 of a 30 day New Year’s Resolution.

Mike and I were talking.

I’d sat down at his empty table to bang out day 21 of my New Year’s Resolution, and he struck up a conversation. After a few minutes of good shmoozing, I pulled out my card: Style For Dorks.

See, I’d meant to bring my magnetiCClassroom cards to Educon, but they didn’t arrive in time. Fortunately, I had my SFD cards.

Mike and I shared a good natured chuckle: what could be more polar than education and style? As it turns out, being a good educator and a sense of style have a lot in common.

Person vs. Persona

In order to survive in a classroom, and in order to be accessible, unbruised, and authentic, teachers (like anyone in a challenging, human-giving line of work) need a persona. Your persona is composed of the best parts of who you are, really – but only whatever is relevant to the classroom. It’s your best, most teacherly you.

Mike and I talked about how a sweatshirt and jeans may be comfortable, but it won’t put the glide in your stride that will get you feeling ready for a challenging day, or which will broadcast these essential messages to the students: I am put together. Our class time, too, is put together. I care about the small things, and I care about you.

“I care enough to wear a uniform of excellence.”

At Educon, I’ve met brave, brilliant, inspiring teachers. Many of them are quite dapper, and many are as brilliant with trailblazing as they are with a blazer.

We teachers confront our fears and insecurities about our own human limitations and about the vulnerabilities of the next generation, daily. We use 99% of our brains. We give all we have.

And many of us show how much we care about putting together a great learning experience by putting ourselves together in the morning.

Here’s to the dapper teachers of Educon, 2.7.

Keeping The Tags On?! : [30 DAYS OF WRITING: EPISODE 22/30]

Zamboni Driver

This is day 21 of a 30 day New Year’s Resolution.

I’m going to contradict myself, here.

Yesterday, I made a case for curation as part of growth: throw it out, so you can become the person you want to be.

But the Hegelian in me needs to offer the antithesis of this idea.

Let me tell you a story…

I’m in Philadelphia at a teacher’s conference. Yes, I’m a teacher. We’ve already gone over this.

I was fortunate enough to participate in a film-making session. We learned how to storyboard, we made up an absurd story, and we got to filming.

It involved forming a make-believe Zamboni out of chairs.

Zamboni Driver Shirt

It also involved filming the same sequence over and over, flicking the lights on and off, dropping a broom. Over and over. When I asked why we couldn’t move on, the most camera-savvy member of the team explained: you never know if the first shot will work. Always film more than you need.

This was not a good thing for a notorious clothing hoarder to hear: the same principle could be applied to my closet, and it’s the rationale I use for keeping shoes I haven’t worn in a year. Or a sweater in a color I can’t find a use for.

What if I want to put a look together, and I need those black Chuck Taylors – with the rubber strip peeling off.

What if I finally find the mustard colored tie to wear with the periwinkle sweater?

What if I suddenly decide that there is such a thing as a selfish phase, in life?

If I get rid of these things, I’ll be left without the option.

Zamboni Driver Shoes

I puzzled over this until I ran it by a friend – and it seems that the Hegelian Dialectic – Thesis/Antithesis/Synthesis is not yet complete.

Thesis: Throw is out so you can grow.

Antithesis: Keep it – you might need it.

Synthesis: Throw out things that are harming you. Make space for the rest.

My shoes? I’ve worn them to the beach enough times to know that they’re real useful, they dry fast, and they don’t take up space.

The sweater? I’ll give it another year. Maybe I’ll find the mustard-colored tie of my dreams to match the periwinkle.

My selfish phase? The concept doesn’t fit, it’s wrinkled, it’s stained, and it’s super out dated.

Throw it out.

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Our final word by the great author, Kurt Vonnegut:

“We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be.”

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Julie V., Fundraiser

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