picante

Tuesday's in its rookie appearance.


Thursday's, a repeat from long ago.

belle cravate

When I told students that I purchased this silken wonder for $300 in a Paris shop, some of their eyes bugged out in amazement--probably because I don't often tell tall tales.

Real origin: unknown, but lately discovered at an Olympia Goodwill by one Matt Valloni. Approximate retail value $3.00. Prices lower in Canada.

cardinal and golden dragons

Here's the dragon tie I would have worn this past Friday, were it not for senior Andrew Kim, who urged me to wear his football jersey instead.

Tie's origin: China. Specifically, a business trip to Hong Kong. Not by me, but my older sister. Thanks, Cath.

steroid free

"Who would wear that tie?" a student asked.

"Hmm, maybe a D.A.R.E. officer?" I replied.

"Oh, yeah. Good point."

And we wonder why D.A.R.E. isn't working.

versatility

It suggests fish scales, pheasant feathers, origami birds, Toblerone chocolates, or blowfish spines. It is all those, and more.

are you ready? I don't think you're ready.

I deliberated for two days before deciding I could show you the tie below. It took one year of ocular therapy to restore my full color vision after first seeing it, and three years of training at a Tibetan monastery to be able to withstand the color combination.

It's a little blurry, and not just for your safety. I tried several angles and distances before realizing that my poor old digital camera simply couldn't handle the shock.

I'm warning you: what you're about to see is potentially fatal to small children and the elderly. Avoid if you have a heart condition, are pregnant, or wish to enjoy the rainbow hues of life ever again.

Also, those really are hot dogs. Thank you, bro-in-law.

silk road

Imported direct from Shanghai via an old college buddy. They don't have tariff on tacky.

as good as it gets

This is the least tacky tie I own.

I wore it while...

1. Teaching colons, dashes, and parentheses.
2. Correcting misspellings of "carnivore."
3. De-angsting students frazzled by IB requirements.
4. Driving past DuPont, City of Branding.
5. Judging speech rounds at Nat Quals.
6. Writing up a debate budget between rounds.
7. Surviving dramatic interps about eating, not eating, and hating those who eat without guilt.
8. Blogging.

dress like an Egyptian

Compliments of Rachel Hom (and friend--who that friend is, I can't remember, sorry), class of 2006. Originally from the Metropolitan Museum of Art gift shop, later recovered via garage sale.

so everybody put your best suit or dress on

So this is the new year. In silk.

I've got the power

Even when the power's out, this little number positively glows.