Tie a Day, Number 47

The last Christmas tie of the 2009 season is a tie with Santa on it. This is a musical tie that plays Jingle Bells. There is a little hidden button that activates the song.

By itself, I would not say this tie is remarkable just because it is musical. I am in awe that the tie is still able to play its song after at least 12 years! That must be some kind of Holiday themed tie record.

This time of year is exhausting, if you are like me you are still buying and wrapping presents. The video below came out last year and I couldn’t help but think about it as spent some time wrapping presents over the weekend.

No, I am not finished yet!

Tie a Day, Number 46

Red, bright red, with small Christmas trees spread across it- that is what Thursday’s tie was all about. The red in this tie is the enraging color that is known to send bulls into wild charging attacks. I tried very hard to stay away from all bulls yesterday. Since I was not gored, I must conclude that I succeeded.

The small Christmas trees on this tie easily fade into the overwhelming red background. While the tiny bits of yellow sprinkled on the trees adequately represent decorative lights and stars, they can be easily missed unless you stand very close to the tie.

Normally, I would never wear so much red. It hurts the eyes. But I have worn a festive tie and almost completed the Doss Christmas Holiday Tie Collection for the year.

Wednesday was a non-tie day. We could wear a t-shirt as long as we wore the color green and paid $2 to the Gator Aid fund, a fund to help families at my school. I wore my Grinch t-shirt and read How the Grinch Stole Christmas five times that day.

So, I only have one more Christmas themed tie to wear...

More Holiday themed fun- Make yourself, or your friend into a Dancing Santa! http://www.dancingsantacard.com/en/?santa=1523943

Also, I thought I would share some pictures of the beautiful Christmas trees that are on display at the Hotel Roanoke in Roanoke, VA.

I think they have some sort of contest there and different groups set up displays all over the hotel. I am not sure what the contest is all about or what the award is but if you scroll through the trees, I bet you can pick out my favorite display!

Tie a Day, Number 45

Looney Tunes and Christmas; what could be more fun than that? This parade of Looney Tunes characters marches across today’s tie in rows divided by Holly leaves. All the little figures are wearing Santa hats. I love all of them, but there is a special place in my heart for Taz…

The Christmas ties are going quickly, I think I only have two more, but I might be able to sneak in a couple of Christmas themed T-shirts to make up the difference before my school is off for winter break.

I have been reading How the Grinch Stole Christmas over the last week or so to students at my school, and it has gotten to be such a habit that reading the story is like 12 and half minutes of total peace; for me. It is a very strange experience, sort of like the Zen of reading How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

Most of the time it is like a Zen experience, except for last Friday. I read the story and it started badly because it was a last minute, unexpected event and I was rushing around right before I began. I became very upset with myself because I started the story out of breath, and I messed up 3 times. I also had my coordinator there and other adults kept popping in. I guess I am not perfectly in tune with the story, because if I was, none of that would have mattered.

I think I need to work harder at reading the Grinch.

A friend of mine shared this awesome lighted house video-

Amazing Grace Techno - Computer Controlled Christmas Lights from Richard Holdman on Vimeo.

It makes me want to go to Utah just to see it!

Tie a Day, Number 44

Today’s tie is a snowman themed tie. The background is black and snowmen from around the world appear on stamps. Pisa, Honolulu, England, Florida New York and Cairo are the locations on the tie. A fun holiday themed tie with amusing pictures.

I really like this tie, but if you say you don’t like a Holiday themed tie you are sort of saying that you don’t like the holidays, so I try to be careful. I do have some other holiday themed apparel- a couple of Holiday T-shirts (Christmas Vacation and, of course, the Grinch) and about 4 pair of Christmas themed underwear (is that TMI?), but I must admit to burning a holiday sweater one year. I hope that doesn't make me a holiday hater!

The year that Amy and I began dating, our school (we have always worked together in the same school) had a holiday party at a local restaurant. That day I decided to wear a sweater that I think my grandmother gave me, because my kindergarten class was also having the class winter party that day. It seemed like a fun choice and the kids did like it.

This was a red sweater with white stitching that showed little reindeer prancing merrily around the torso with jagged mountains in the background and little snowflakes all about. Not exactly the most manly of sweaters to wear out in public, but you can understand why the kids liked it.

Of course, at the party later that day, after the people from work started to loosen up a bit, you can probably imagine that the sweater mocking began. By the end of the night, I was over that sweater, and to ensure that I would never accidentally wear it again, I burned it.

An extreme reaction? Yes, but I was young and as a rule I do tend to run hot and cold. Besides, at the time it was funny to me. I am pretty sure that incident freaked Amy out just a little bit. I am very thankful that she allowed for my bad behavior that day and didn’t hold it against me! Hopefully that has not forever marked me as a "Holiday Hater."

Fun Christmas thing to share- On Saturday, I visited a stop on the Tacky Light Tour in Richmond. It was an incredible sight, two houses side by side, lit up as if they were trying to send a message into space! If you find yourself in Richmond, VA, at night, sometime in the month of December, be sure to stop by 9604 Asbury Ct Richmond, VA 23229 (Normally, I would not put someone’s address in my blog, but I have found this address on multiple Tacky Lights tour links. Also, judging by the line of cars going by the house on Saturday night, the place is not a secret!).

Seeing these two houses lit up has inspired me to seek out houses in my area that would qualify for a “Tacky Light” award. It is a fun free family thing to do, and that is always something to be thankful for- anytime of the year.

Tie a Day, Number 43

The tie I wore last Thursday was like a ghost of Christmas past. This tie has Santa on it. He is in front of a computer and printer set up, on a black background with little toy prints spread out all over. It also has a little red light on the front and at one time I believe it did play a song. The problem is that the battery in the tie is dead. There does not seem to be a way to get the battery out to change it without destroying the tie, so I am thinking this tie may have seen its last holiday season.

It is kind of sad, but a truth we must rediscover everyday; all good things must end. This is not a bad thing, though. When one good thing ends it makes room for the next good thing.

Fun Christmas thing to share- If you haven’t tried Jib Jab, maybe you should. It is a fun way to play with premade movies or scenes that feature you and your family and friends. My kids love it!

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Tie a Day, Number 42

The tie I wore today is a fun Christmas tie. All over the tie are cartoon pictures of dogs and who they belong to; Tiny Tim’s Dog, Scrooge’s Dog, Frosty’s Dog, Elf’s Dog, and of course, Santa’s Dog.

If I had to place when I got the tie I would have to guess 1997, although it could be a couple of years later. I am sure it was a gift. It may have been from a kindergarten student, friend or family member. I wish I had a better memory for these things…

Day two of the Grinch reading and I feel the need to share some fun- don't forget to Elf Yourself!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Tie a Day, Number 41

Today’s tie is special because it was a gift! I went to my mailbox at school last week and it was waiting there for me. The attached note mysteriously said, “From the Tie Santa.” What a great Surprise!

This bright and colorful tie has green, white and red stripes that zip diagonally across the tie from the right shoulder to the left foot. Large, bold snowflakes dance merrily on the fabric as if to say, “Tis the season to be Jolly!” The tie also has a little button to push, that when pressed, plays “Silent Night.” I could have sworn that Sammy was able to get it to play more songs this morning, but I haven’t been able to all day…

This tie was the perfect kick off to the Christmas Tie Collection. Over the next few days I will be wearing all of the Xmas ties I have- to make sure I get them all in the correct season! It would be a really strange thing to see me wear a Christmas tie in May. Not that I wouldn’t if someone was so bold as to dare me to do it!

This tie was also perfect for today because I started my annual reading of How the Grinch Stole Christmas with students at my school. I have not read the story in 355 days or so, but I remembered it perfectly and I am pretty sure I could have done it without looking at the pages (but then it would really be more like a recitation and less like a book reading). That is pretty good for a guy who has to really think about it before giving his home phone number!

Thanks Tie Santa!

Tie a Day, Number 40

Last Thursday, I was beat. I had just returned the night before from the VSTE conference in Roanoke, VA, and ironing was not something I was willing to do.

I grabbed my favorite Columbia shirt and started looking for a tie. I love the shirt but normally I iron it before wearing. Luckily it is one of those shirts you can wear without ironing as long as it hasn’t been balled up in a drawer or something.

The tie I chose was one that went with the colors I was wearing, and the design was perfect for distracting viewers from the shirt wrinkles. The cracked glass type of design worked nicely with the color and like of ironing.

Honestly though, I didn’t care. I just wanted my coffee. Soon after this picture, I began a continuous caffeine drip for the rest of the day. It took me two more days to catch up on all the sleep I lost at the conference.

40 ties down and a whole boat-load left to go!

Tie a Day, Number 39

This is the only Thanksgiving tie that I own. Really it is a Tabasco tie with a Native American on it. I am not sure how an Indian and hot sauce go together, but I am sure the relationship is as defensible as my association of a plains Indian chief on a Tabasco tie with Thanksgiving.

You can just make out the Tabasco logo in a watermark kind of thing (how do they do that in silk?) patterned in the background.

I only wore one tie this past week and I will wear one next week after the holiday break. I will be at the VSTE conference in Roanoke, VA on three of my normal school tie days. I will not be wearing ties there, but maybe a mullet!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Tie a Day, Number 38

This tie is one of my favorites. I like it so much that I even gave it a name, “Red Hot Chilli Peppers.” Not very original, I know, but appropriate for the tie.

Today I wore this tie like a Coral Snake wears his colors, as a warning. The peppers tie could be interpreted as – Handle With Care.

I have been a bit fired up lately and feeling ultra protective of my family. This has altered my mood and made me less than pleasant in social situations. It is not good to be on red alert for an extended period of time.

I am sure that my disposition will change soon, but sadly, I am not convinced that I have ever truly been pleasant to be around.

Tie a Day, Number 37

Today’s tie is fruity, and by that I mean it has lots of fruit on it. I don’t normally like fruits, vegetables or even plants on my ties, but this tie is ok. I do think it is odd that the fruit is all leaning to the right but somehow that doesn’t attract the eye as much and leaves you with a feeling of color rather than shapes.

Another late 80’s Countess Mara tie made of fine silk with an unexpected thickness to it, I imagine that at one time this was an example of fashionable men’s neckwear. Sadly, this tie hasn’t escaped my closet in at least 12 years.

Not normally a tie I would choose to wear, but it worked for me today. It is surprising how many ties I have liked that I would not have wanted to wear except for this silly tie a day gig…

Now if I could only get my little photographers to line up the pictures vertically. Lately my pictures seem to lean a bit.

Tie a Day, Number 36

In celebration of the Redskins dominating win over the Broncos yesterday I wore my last football tie of the year. This football tie looks like a football. It even looks like it has the grippy, bumpy texture of a football. The only problem with this tie is that it is a college football (the white stripes).

I was totally shocked that the Redskins played such a great game against the Broncos. The two glaring mistakes that the Skins made were in coverage on Brandon Marshall. How they made the same mistake twice I have no idea. The man is huge, fast and has awesome hands. Why isn't your best cover man on him all day with safety help?

The turning point in the game was when Brian Orakpo tackled Kyle Orton and twisted both of his feet under him. Orton couldn't play after that and Chris Simms couldn't win the game. Simms was rusty and out of sync with the rest of the team. Orakpo is my new favorite player (Not that I like people to get hurt, I don't. He just proved to be the difference maker).

If you are not a football fan, or a Redskin fan, I am sorry, but Skins fans have had nothing to get excited about all year. Let me have my day!

It would have been the best football day ever except my fantasy football team lost. At least Maurice Jones Drew gave me a personal apology for not making my team tie with those 6 points he left on the field. Smart football play, but you don’t get smart points in fantasy football. Thanks Maurice for the personal message, you are forgiven! Don’t worry, I won’t bench you.

Tie a Day, Number 35

Tuesday I wore this little number. I guess it is ok. It looks like a bunch of ninja throwing stars in an Escher pattern.

It is funny how I notice little things about each tie. On this tie on the bottom left side right where the angle turns from a almost vertical line down to the point of the tie, there is a small cut in the fabric. It is a clean straight cut that was probably made by scissors.

When I taught Kindergarten I was expected to wear a tie just about everyday, and as you can imagine I used scissors a lot. I probably cut it myself and never noticed. My ties always did get in the way then. I always just slung them over my shoulder to work.

People always asked me why I never got a tie clip- I hate them. Nothing personal against the little clips, I just never thought they were for me. I believe in free range ties!

Tie a Day, Number 34

Today I decided to do something bold, out of the ordinary and quite frankly, a little crazy. It is just the way I roll with it. Flouting convention, I did what I knew to be wrong, something others said should never be done.

And I pulled it off!

Stripes and dots, together- mixing and mingling in the naughtiest of ways- right on my chest.

I thought for sure someone would call me on it, but no, it was as if I was wearing a protective shield. Perhaps this was the day when I could do no wrong and I wasted the magic on a stupid shirt and tie combination instead of the lottery.

Or maybe no one cared...

It doesn't matter. When I tell this story, and I assure you I will, it will be a magical story of conquest over the fashion masters. How I screamed at the world, "Freedom!" with my face painted blue while riding my horse off to work.

Of course, I still can't top the horizontal red and blue stripped shirt with the green and white spotted camouflage pants combo my 5 year old wore out of the house today.

Tie a Day, Number 33

Today was, "Fight the Photographer" day. My 5 year old, Sammy, was dying to get in on the picture taking, so I tried to give a little extra time to get a good shot while I was coaching him.

"Hold the camera like this and try and get the top and the bottom of the tie in the picture. Ok?"

"Ok!" He says as he attempts to get one at an odd angle that includes the dog.

"Sam, you need to hold it like this so you don't block the flash."

"Ok, Daddy!" as he turns the camera at a 33 degree angle that captures his own hand.

I then try to hold the camera with him at the right angle while pointing out how he should get just the tie in the picture.

Flash!

"Alright buddy, that's good enough. Thank you!"

It is a good thing I crop these photos...

Tie a Day, Number 32

This tie has always been one of my favorites, maybe because it is black. I have always loved black, but since I was a teenager purple moved into the lead. I attribute this to a change in overall attitude.

Black is one color. Purple is a mix of two. I guess that means that as I have grown older I have come to accept that there is a duality to all things.

Or it might just be a thing I tell myself so that I can believe that I am complex and deep, when the reality is that I am totally full of it.

In any case, I have always loved this tie. Since the early 90's when it came into my possession, I have looked forward to wearing it. Now it is out of style and I still enjoyed our time together.

Yes, I am a dork.

Tie a Day, Number 31

The tie I wore on Monday was an interesting blue tie with a peacock feather design. Revenge of the 80's ties! I did not have to wear a tie at all on Tuesday- a tie day off.

This blue tie is not really one of my favorites, and not even a tie that I think I have worn before. This tie was only a space filler, although I have to say that I did select a good shirt to go with it.

I have taken an interest in ties lately (obviously) noticing the ties that people wear around me, and on TV. Combining this interest in ties and my love for football and I have really been noticing the football analysts ties.

One man beyond all others stands out to me. Not because of the ties, but the knot he uses. Merril Hoge has the largest tie knot I have ever seen. It is easily 5 times bigger than the knot I use every day. This thing is massive! It must take half and hour to get this thing right. I contacted him through his website to find out about this impossibly large knot. Hopefully, I will hear back soon.

This curiosity about Mr. Hoge's knot let me to investigate knots in general. I never knew there were so many different knots out there! I should have known, between sailors and their knots and Boy Scouts and all of theirs, somebody was sitting around thinking of new knots to tie ties with...

I found this nice site that explains how to tie a tie in different knot styles, and I realized that the knot I was using is not on the list! I thought I was doing the Half Windsor, but not so. I kept looking on the list and it is closest to the Simple Double knot but with only a single loop in there.

Seeing as I do not have a name for my personal tie knotting system, I have taken it upon myself to name my own knot. Because of my simple White Trash background, and the single loop that I use in my knot, I am forever naming my knot the "Simple Single Redneck."

Have you ever seen a knot as big as this? I think it is the Atlantic Knot...

Tie a Day, Number 30

Boy was I surprised today! I went looking for a tie this morning to go with the shirt and pants I wanted to wear and I found this little beauty. The surprising part was that I swear it was a new tie!

I don't ever remember seeing it before, and never remember wearing it, but as hard as it was to believe I must have worn it at some point and I have not received any new ties in forever. I mean it is not like I have a tie farm and and they are mating in the closet when no one is looking. Maybe my wife is messing with me...

This tie has all my favorite colors in it which guarantees that it will work with all of my clothes. The shirt is not a faded 80's jean shirt Cathy! It is a grey shirt that is fairly new - with in the last 5 years (I am a teacher after all and don't buy clothes that often because I can't afford to). Blue, purple, tan, black, grey with some green in there too. I really like this tie.

Maybe I just never looked at my ties like I do now, but I just can't shake the feeling that this is a new tie. Kind of like tieja vu...

Tie a Day, Number 29

This tie represents the only Halloween themed tie I own. I know, I am surprised too, but this is actually a very nice tie. The dark background has bats and spiders on it that are outlined in blue. The tie goes very well with this shirt and the blue outline is pulled out by the blue shirt.

The funny thing about this tie is that hardly anyone noticed what was on it! It was like wearing no tie at all. My youngest child took the picture this morning, that is why the tie looks extra long - I was leaning over, and he didn't notice it until this afternoon when I took him out of the car. "Oh cool! Bats and spiders!"

I was kind of bummed that no one noticed the tie I had been saving for this one special occasion, but maybe everyone was distracted by my bad hair day.

Tie a Day, Number 28

Today's tie has a pearlescent quality to it, it is a glossy tie that catches the light in a nice way. I am not sure what color it is. I thought it might be a pink color but I just couldn't decide.

I think I was matching today, but really, I have no idea.

Almost up to 30 ties! It seems like only yesterday I started this ridiculous parade of ties...

Tie a Day, Number 27

The last of the pink ties... I might find one more, but I doubt it. Really, the amount of pink in this tie was questionable to begin with, but I have found that most good ties have a lot of different colors in there so you can wear them with almost anything.

My father was color blind. I never really believed him in that annoying way children have, "Na uh!" But thinking back, I remember him checking out ties and asking people what colors were in them and what shirts the ties went with. Maybe that was why he gave me so many ties. After a shirt wore out, he just didn't have the patience to try and figure out what ties went with which new shirt.

This swirling paisley tie has brown, blue, pink, green, yellow and purple. I like this tie but the big purple part sort of looks like a hidden alien head tilted sideways.

Tie a Day, Number 26

This interesting tie has many small paisley designs all over it. Green, blue, pink, grey and white are all mixed in there. It is kind of busy to be matched up with this shirt, but life is about taking chances every once in a while.

I have been wearing pink ties in support of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month but I have failed to mention one important fact. Men can get breast cancer too. Even hard rocking, face painting, manly men.

I am almost finished with my pink ties... just one left. And somewhere in there next week I have to get my only Halloween tie in the lineup.

Side note- Every morning I have one of my kids take my tie picture before I leave for work. It is now almost a fight in the morning to see who gets to take a picture. I usually do a couple to make sure I have a clear shot. I guess I will just start having each child take a picture. One good thing that has come from this tie a day thing, each of my kids can use a camera...

Tie a Day, Number 25

Yesterday I attended a professional training activity on Tech4Learning products in Richmond, VA. I didn't think a tie was needed to learn about Pixie and Frames. So the ties stayed home.

Today's tie is a continuation of the pink tie theme for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

This tie is ok, I do like it, but I am just not that enthusiastic about ties today. I have this strange feeling like my tie and collar are conspiring to put a squeeze on my neck. I know it is only in my head because the shirt is pretty loose, but it feels like a boa constrictor gently squeezing me and I am about to jump up and rip the tie right off! Maybe I have had too much coffee today, or I am having a seizure or something.

I have worn about 1/6 of the ties needed to reach my goal of a different tie everyday for the whole year.

Let the Wild Rumpus Begin!

Tie a Day, Number 24

Pink with large paisley prints, this tie is not a favorite! But I support Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Please make sure all the women in your life know about things they can do to prevent breast cancer.

My only pink tie problem I have- I don't have enough to finish out the month.

Tie a Day, Number 23

Today I continued the Pink Tie Parade. The tie went very well with the shirt that I ironed on Sunday, so I wore it.

That is the type of thing a guy does when the power knocks the alarm clock out and you wake up late. He grabs the 1st thing he can get his hands on before running off to work.

Today's tie is a wrinkled Countess Mara tie, circa 1983.

Tie a Day, Number 22

Today’s tie is pink. I mentioned before that I am not a huge fan of the color, but if the NFL can wear pink, then so can I!

I am wearing pink to show support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Besides, I do have a few ties that have the color on them, so it is a win/win situation. I can wear my pink ties and show support for a great cause. Really, I was surprised that I didn’t have more pink ties than the few I found.

Bonus- the tie also has paisley in it!

This tie has the most pink of all the pink ties I could find, so I chose it to kick off my personal “Pink Tie Plan” for October. The tie is a Britches of Georgetowne tie. I tried to research a bit on this company, but I am not sure that it exists anymore. It doesn’t seem to have a web presence, and if it is not on the web, can it really exist? I think not.

Support Breast Cancer Awareness month, and wear pink!

Tie a Day, Number 21

My tie today is a dark blue and purple paisley tie with a hint of dark green. I love this tie! I saw it this morning and had to wear it.

I really like paisley as a design. It has a natural feel to it but the design isn’t flowery. Sure there are some bright paisley designs that I hate, but as a group I have to say I like them. There is also a spiritual something to paisley that I have always felt even before I considered that it resembles part of the Yin/Yang symbol or before I knew that it is believed to have its origins in Hinduism.

There also seems to be a strong relationship between paisley and fractals. I am not sure how that applies to me liking the design…

The tie is a Countess Mara tie and I know that my father bought it when he worked at Franco’s in Richmond, VA, in the late 1980’s. So, the tie is a classic or perhaps a dinosaur, if you think I have no taste. Anyway, I like it!

Tie a Day, Number 20

The tie I chose for today is one that I like. It is interesting in another important way- it is one of the few ties that I own that were manufactured in this century!

I was not completely sold on the shirt/tie combo, but I was feeling bold this morning and took a chance. The tie is made from high quality silk and has a really beautiful iridescent appearance. The design on the tie is nice, but to me the striking quality is the way the tie plays with light. This is not a flat, dull tie. The light and dark duality gives it a feeling of never knowing what you will get from this little number.

I felt like I couldn't wear a solid color shirt with this tie because it would overwhelm one color all by itself (although with a suit and a solid color shirt it would be great). The pinstripe shirt was a gamble, but as I mentioned, I thought I could handle it today. I also should mention that this tie goes with my favorite colors, black, grey, blue and purple.

Too bad I can't wear the tie again this year!

Tie a Day, Number 19

This morning I woke up excited for Friday and no ties! Awesome!

I searched for the one collared shirt that I have with a school emblem on it without any luck. I was really bummed, but my closet full of ties did not let me down. Bonus tie day!

I found a comfortable shirt that would not require a lot of ironing, and pants worthy of a Friday. The tie that popped of the rack worked with the colors, but the tie is not one of my favorites.

I was in for a surprise as I found that the tie came from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I was not only surprised where the tie came from, but that the museum has been in the tie business for years! Shouldn't I have known that?

I really should pay more attention to the world around me. I have always just thought the tie was ugly.

Tie a Day, Number 18

My school will be holding its 4th annual blood drive today, so I dove into my closet looking for a tie with red in it. I found this classic Countess Mara tie. I had no idea that the little CM on my ties meant much of anything, but it seems that this is a well known and respected maker of ties.

This particular tie is at best, ok. The red is the background and the blue spots are leaves. It is hard to pick out exactly what the tan areas are supposed to be without getting really close. Those spots are animals, specifically, deer, rabbits and foxes.

The little loop in the back that normally holds the back part of the tie down with the front part has come detached on one side. I now use a small piece of scotch tape to hold it down so it doesn't flop all over the place. Classy!

The tie countdown continues (Or is it a count up?).

Don't forget to give the gift of life! I am down for double reds today.

Tie a Day, Number 17

You may not remember this, but in the 80's and early 90's paisley was very popular on ties. At least it was very popular with my father. I have many of these ties hiding in a dark corner of my closet like a nest of vipers waiting to remind me of the fashion of yesteryear.

This tie has a design that is acceptable, but it is a bit in the thin side. Also, I have to say that the tie is a bit wrinkled. I should have ironed it but my father always told me you don't iron silk ties. If that is true, how do you make a wrinkled tie flat again? I would turn the steam function off...

Does it even matter if I ironed it? Ironing won't take the ugly out of it. Wrinkles just underline the age of this serpent. Maybe it is best that I left the tie as it is.

Tie a Day, Number 16

Today's tie is one of my all time favorites! The tie has a repeating pattern of Calvin and Savannah sitting in a little car. Calvin was 4 years old at the time, and Savannah was only a year old (he is 11 now, and she is 7). Amy gave the tie to me in 2003, as a beginning of the school year present.

Needless to say, but I will do it anyway, I think this tie is beautiful. It has made me smile all day. People have stopped me to look at the tie and I am allowed to talk about my children. There isn't anything better than that.

I have two ties like this, the other tie has a younger Calvin that repeats all over the tie. But I don't have a tie with Sam on it. I think I might need to break down and buy one- I already know the picture I want to use. I can't have Sam feeling left out on the ties!

If every tie made me feel this good, I would wear ties every day of the week- including the weekends. And with nothing else on- even in the shower.

Tie a Day, Number 15

Today's tie is a black knit tie that has little multicolored dots spread across the tie in a diamond type pattern. The dots are pink, light blue, dark blue, and purple.

It is not a truly hideous 80's knit tie with a square bottom. It is tasteful, understated and is acceptable with the shirt I wore today. Not the ugliest tie in the world and not the best. The tie of the day is unremarkable- I almost feel sorry for it.

A tie for Mondays...

Tie a Day, Number 14

The other day I mentioned that I don't like floral patterns, but I really like today's tie! I went looking for a tie this morning and came back with a perfect match for my drab grey pants and shirt combo. I picked the shirt and tie out because I was tired, running late, and they required the least amount of ironing.

When I put the tie up to the clothes, it screamed, "Yes! You have kept me hidden for 20 years for this very moment. "

I couldn't argue against that, besides I would scare my family if I was caught talking to my ties.

And so begins the 2nd month of my mission. October is a long month- 16 more ties to come...

Tie a Day, Number 13

Today I didn't have to wear a tie. If I paid 2 dollars I could wear a collared shirt with a school emblem on it. The only problem, I have one shirt that fits that requirement and I save it for Fridays!

So I paid a dollar, since it was all I had. After all, it is for a good cause- our students, and I wore a tie today.

This is a Disney themed tie with Mickey, Pluto, Goofy and Donald climbing a ladder to no where. I chose this tie because it went with the shirt and pants combination that I ironed.

I do remember that this tie was a gift from one of my Kindergarten students from years ago. I treasure that I mattered so much to a child to be worthy of a gift. That means the most to me.

Tie a Day, Number 12

Today’s tie is a surprise to me. Once again, this tie is 15 to 20 years old, just like the majority of my collection. I have worn it a few times, but it has never been one I was crazy about. The tie has yellow in it and I don’t normally wear yellow, but today it was the perfect match with my shirt.

The shirt I wore is not really a tie shirt but it is comfortable and big, just the way I like my shirts. Tight shirts make me want to squirm all day. I picked the tie long after picking the shirt and strangely the tie was drawn to the shirt like a magnet.

The yellow in the tie brings out the yellow pattern in the shirt, and in my opinion, they go great together. The grey leaf like pattern is confusing when you look at it up close. The first thing my daughter said when she looked at the tie pattern this morning was, “What is that?”

Somehow it all works for me. I thought I would have to go to work with an ugly tie outfit today; it is nice when you get a good wardrobe surprise!

Tie a Day, Number 11

When I was growing up, I spent countless hours in front of the T.V. I sat too close, and in darkened rooms and miraculously my eyes are still pretty good. No glasses for me! I wonder if the adults knew they were spreading bad information…

From the time I was first able to crawl across the floor to turn the channel, all the way up until college, I watched the Bugs Bunny Road Runner Show every Saturday morning.

Today’s tie is a group of bugs bunny pictures cut out and sprinkled all over the tie in tiny squares. I love this tie! It is colorful and fun. It reminds me of a simpler time in life when there were only 3 channels, and the day could not officially begin until the little pig said, “That’s All Folks!”

Tie a Day, Number 10

I have to apologize first today as this is a very negative Tie of the Day review. One of the problems with wearing a different tie everyday is that there are some days that I have to wear a tie that I don’t like just so I can reach my goal of a different tie everyday for the entire school year. Today is one of those days. Even though I wear brown shoes and belt, I am not a big fan of brown ties. This tie is nearly all brown. It was suggested that I wear a blue shirt to bring out more of the blue in the tie, but I am sure I would still not like this tie.

I am also not crazy about floral patterns in general and this one really rubs me the wrong way. Wearing flowers on a tie does not challenge my manhood the same way that pink does not frighten my manliness. I don’t care what others think about me for wearing flower ties or the color pink, I just don’t like either.

Based on the width of the tie, I think it is from the 80’s part of the “Dad’s Hand-Me Down” collection. It is a very soft tie made of beautiful Italian silk, but it is a bit on the thick side which combined with the nearly universal width makes it difficult to tie just right. It took me 5 shots this morning just to get it right. Annoying!

I think I have only worn this tie maybe one other time in my life, and after today, probably never again. On the bonus side, the Tie a Day dream is still alive and Monday I can wear a tie I like.

Tie a Day 9/23/09

The tie I chose today is one of my favorites, but not because of the design. As a tie design it is a bit much for any combination of shirt and tie. Loud and proud, this tie screams, “Look at me!” It is one of my favorites because it is a Save the Children tie. As a professional I have devoted my life to helping children. It is easy to stay in our safe little world and think only about making our own lives better, but this tie reminds me that it is all about what you give in life. Not what you receive.

This tie was designed by Daniel, age 13, who really captured the feeling of “My Favorite Sports.” I can only guess at the date I received this tie as early 90’s.



This is tie number 9.

Tie a Day 9/22/09

I wore this NFC tie today to celebrate the first weekend that I was able to enjoy a win by the Redskins and my fantasy football team, the Dogman Funk All-Stars. Considering that the Redskins won with 3 field goals (score Wash 9- St. Louis 7) over a team they were supposed to handle easily, and that fantasy football is cruel game of high expectations and low achievement, I thought it would be wise to wear this celebratory tie this week. Neither team may win anything for the rest of the year. I am a fan and a realist.

While I am on the subject of the Redskins, I think it is important to say that I reserve the right to boo my team whenever I feel moved to do so. I have paid for that right. This “Dim Wit” doesn’t particularly care what anyone, even a large linebacker, has to say about how I express myself when my team can’t play its way out of a paper bag.

Back to the tie. I was trying to figure out how old this tie is and I know that the Panthers came

into the League in 1995. I also know that Tampa Bay switched uniforms in 1997. So, I must have received the tie in 1996.

Yes, my life is this fascinating. This is tie number 8.

Tie a Day 9/21/09

Today's tie is like something a Ninja might wear if he was trying to blend in with everyone else in a crowded office building while stalking his target. Urban, blue collar camouflage. It is not ugly, but not good looking. It is simply a tie.

Don't get me wrong, it is not that I don't like this tie, I do. We all need things that go with other stuff that we don't have to think about in a Garanimal kind of way. It makes Monday mornings much easier.

This is the 7th tie of the year.

A Tie a Day

As a teacher it is important that I look professional in my dealings with the public, but this term “professional” is open to interpretation. I have thoughts about what this means, the school board has a dress code, parents have feelings about proper dress, but above all, my principal has the most important say in this matter.

Personally, I am not sure why a tie is professional looking. I can say this because I have some ties that make me look like a clown, but they technically count as a tie. If wearing a ridiculous tie is the look for a male teacher, then I can always be safe and professional.

When I first became a kindergarten teacher I was told that a tie was not an option. I had a few ties then and when my father heard that I had to wear ties, he began giving me all the ties he no longer wanted. This was the early 90’s so I acquired some of his ties from the 80’s.

Since I was a kindergarten teacher, I began to get ties from my students as presents. Some were serious, but most were funny or holiday themed. And I wore them all.

This is the tie I wore today. Plain blue
it goes with almost anything. I like it
but I think the logo is presumptuous.

In the 90’s I rediscovered my love for football, and you guessed it, I started receiving football themed ties.

When I became a computer resource specialist, the technology themed ties became birthday and Christmas gifts. Then I had children of my own, and with them, ties with my kid’s pictures as the tie pattern.

At some point I forgot all about my manly attire and went to the opposite extreme and tried to never wear a tie. Perhaps it was an extended bout of rebelliousness, or even laziness. Maybe the extra few minutes it took to prepare for the day was taken up with my children’s needs in the morning grind. It could have been the perfect storm of all these things combined.

But somewhere deep inside, I missed them. The cartoon characters, the bazaar patterns that never go with anything, styles that were cool, and even the styles that were never cool. Ties are an expression of fun, just like themed boxers, except everyone gets to see them!

I used to joke that I could wear a different tie every day of school. I do have a lot of ties. I have so many that they are in different spots all over the closet. I can’t see them all at once.

Last week I began wearing ties again and I remembered my old boast. Today I decided I will do it. My math is very rough but I think I can. Today I counted over 100 ties and then got bored with the task. I had about 30 more to count. There are 183 days of school, but Fridays I don’t have to wear one. So that leaves about 145 days of ties…

Somehow, I am sure I will make it. Let the parade of ties begin!

The Tazmanian Devil Technology tie is an instant classic. The black background with the the spattering of brown makes the tie go woith just about any color combination. I wore this one yesterday. Everybody loves Taz!

Monday I pulled out the mouse and @ symbol tech tie. The pattern is nice and it does attract a bit of attention.

At some point last week I wore this tie. Not exciting. A conservitive choice for sure.

I don't remember which day I wore this tie. Another boring tie. I like it, but boring.

This is one of my all time favorite ties. It is a Jerry Garcia tie from the 90's. Bold and colorful it reminds me of the two times I got to see the Grateful Dead in concert. The funny thing is I think I gave this one to my Dad for Christmas one year and he promptly gave it back to me in one of his tie purgings that followed in early February.