Today I logged on and noticed that we had *gasp* readers! Not even my grandma saw this coming, and she is supposed to believe in me always. I'm sure many of those views come from me obsessively clicking on the blog to see how the words look on the fancy template thing, but we really appreciate anyone besides us reading this! I know it's too soon to have a thank you scene (It hasn't even been a week. How sad is that?) but I'm having one anyways. Hehehe! Sad for us though, no one has commented. Besides ourselves. It's almost like liking your own photo on Facebook, except in this case the comment was totally relevant and added so much to the story. Check it out, it really did. So here I am, inviting you to comment on our blog! Please guys? This is a map of my heart, and I am adding a new color for people who leave us comments. You are truly lovely.
Ok, I got the heart of the internet... So sue me. It's incredibly accurate and I still love it.
I'd just like to take some time today to blog about a topic very dear to my heart: track. If you don't run, you'll have no idea what I'm talking about. I suggest immediately logging off of the internet, putting on a pair of sneakers, and jogging off into the distance like the motivated human being I know you can become. For all of you who actually do run, or were just too lazy to take my suggestion and go offline, this is for you. I originally joined cross country as a freshman in high school because the team was 180 people strong and it was the only co-ed sport, thus making it a wonderful social opportunity. It turned out to be the most amazing thing I've ever joined, and that is on a list including Pinterest and the middle school student council. Seriously, check out my Pinterest sometime. Not to brag or anything, but I have 4 whole followers. I'm kind of a big deal. Anyways. Back to track. After joining cross country, I promptly fell in love with running, and we have been unhappily together ever since. Joining the cross country team inevitably led to me joining the track team, where I became a sprinter in order to avoid ever having to do mile repeats again. Track isn't one of those "fun sports" you hear people talking about; you know, the ones people watch? Football, soccer, volleyball, pingpong... Track is more of one of those mental torture sports for anyone not associated with the team that is forced to attend an entire 7-hour meet. It's also a very individual sport where you strive to improve your own times and then race against others to see who can run in circles the fastest. At this point, you're probably thinking I couldn't have possibly made track sound any more fun. But wait, it gets better! Our practices typically consist of running to a crowded track, where we are subjected to warming up with humiliating drills including "clap skips" and "zombie walks" in front of all present. We then commence the workout, which usually includes sprinting as fast as you can around the track, receiving your time and a skeptical eyebrow raise from the coach, and then jogging back to the start. This exercise is repeated several times until we can't feel our legs and our lungs are basically on fire. After that, we jog (walk) back to the gym where we meet our coaches, who drove back in their car, and stretch together. The one really lovely thing about being a sprinter as opposed to a distance runner is that our practices are usually much easier and we almost never have to do ab workouts afterwards. Ha! During almost every practice, I find myself wondering why I put myself through it. Why don't I just quit track and join badminton? I often think to myself. But then I remember that badminton is not a real sport and I'm also very uncoordinated at any sport involving a ball. Which is basically all of them. For those of you who are still hanging in there during this long rant-y post, I salute you. Ten points to Gryffindor! I'm also assuming a lot of people checked out already, so to them I just say this:
And no, Mr. Rogers did not get arrested for being a pedophile. That was Barney. Get your facts straight.
Another thing about track is that it monopolizes your social life. After spending two hours at practice, then having to go home and finish your insane school workload, your social life during the week will consist of sadly staring at Facebook photos of people having more fun than you. Friday nights usually consist of someone calling you to hang out and you saying, "Sorry, I'm actually at a track meet!" and then hopefully adding to the dial tone, "Some other time maybe...?"
After all this, why do I do track? Why do any of us? It's not because we have a deep passion for running in circles. It's because track is awesome.
No matter where I look, I could never find a better group of people than these. Even if you're not super close, everyone on the track team is like a super cool family that you get to spend every afternoon with. That's the best kind of family, because you only really have to see them for two hours a day and they mostly don't know where you live. At track I think you become really close to people you would probably otherwise never even talk to. And even though running is basically an individual sport, I've never seen that much teammate support anywhere. I think it's because your individual performance doesn't affect how they do so they just want you to be happy. Not like soccer, where I bet everyone secretly bullies the goalie when they let in a shot. That's the ugly side of soccer that the cameras don't want you to know about. A goalie probably experiences way worse stress-related hair loss than any other group of athletes combined. Except maybe ballerinas, I don't even know what they do.
Additionally, if you run track, you've got the best body. Also, running clothes are basically the most comfortable clothes on the planet. I suggest wearing some. If all that isn't enough for you, track is incredibly cheap compared to most sports (all you need is a pair of shoes) and requires no special training. You just kind of go for it. All runners exude and aura of happiness after running, also known as a runners high, which is caused by an endorphin rush to your brain. Endorphins are one of the hormones produced that make you happy. The other one is seratonin, which is found in dark chocolate. Runners can eat as much chocolate as they want because they work out. Think about it.
So consider running as a thing. Even if right now you just want to walk around the block a few times, a little goes a long way! RUN FOREST RUN! If he can do it so can you! And if you're in school, join the track or cross country team. It'll be the best thing you ever do for yourself besides home facials. But we'll save that for another time.
In case you haven’t noticed,
it has somehow become uncool to dress nicely. Among the younger generations
especially, it has become popular to look as if one does not care about their
appearance. Unruly hoodlums strut their outdated stuff in sagging pants and
exposed undergarments. Sophisticated arrow-part hair has been pushed out of
fashion by mussy, bedheaded looks. This, my friends, is a catastrophe. Where
are our Kerry Grants? Our attractively put-together, impeccably dressed icons?
They have waned tragically into obsolescence, replaced by messy haired, saggy
jeaned, sleepy eyed models. It is appalling that such an event has taken place.
Passing the fashion torch to such style challenged underachievers is like
electing your class dropout to the presidency! We must band together, my dear impressionable fashionistos,
and reclaim fashion for what it used to be: the ultimate refinement of men’s
apparel design.
Now, don’t get me wrong: a
little style savvy smudge to give your outfit some dramatic flair is good.
Spontaneously placed belts and precariously cocked fedoras are what give men’s
fashion edge and life! But drooping pants, wrinkled tees and unlaced sneakers
are the antithesis of fabulous. So hike up your britches, iron that shirt, tie
those shoes, and let’s talk about fashion. Rule number one for a streamlined
outfit: absolutely no sneakers with dress pants. Loafers and jeans are fine,
sneakers and denim are completely acceptable, but runners and khakis are a
no-no. Rule two: when in doubt, vote for a button up. If your dresser drawers
are just too tough to handle at the moment, don’t dig through them for last
week’s Dr. Who tee (though that is definitely a marvelous piece to have on
hand) instead grab a crisp collared shirt.
This universal piece is like
a blank canvas; you can do whatever you want with it! First, there are the
colors and patterns. These witty shirts are famous for their various styles,
and their universal shape allows nearly any pattern to flourish. Next, there
are the buttons. The possibilities are endless! Unbutton the top clasp or two
if you just want to relax. Undo three buttons if you want to wear a necklace
(don’t worry, necklaces are manly and way under appreciated). I do discourage
you from pulling a California beach boy move (*ahem* David Hasselhoff) and walking around with 5 or
(gasp!) all buttons undone. This is an extremely cocky move and I can assure
you all girls will steer clear from you by any means possible. Finally, if you
are just too amazing for words, button that shirt all the way up to the collar!
This is perhaps the best of all button possibilities, not only does it make you
look like Jay Gatsby (a stylish fictional billionaire who threw the best parties and is now being brought to life by none other than Leonardo DiCaprio) but it also opens the possibility
of wearing a tie, which, aside from dog, is man’s best friend.
Ties, ties, ties! Let me
tell you something about ties: They are the epitome of bazinga. They cause the
wearer appear suave, polite, and cool. Not to mention, they come in a goldmine
of varieties. Whether you opt for bolo, ascot, bow, or classic cravat, these
little buggers will add desired flair to any outfit. Each variety says
something different about the wearer. Bolos suggest a southern gentleman; bows
scream distinguished sir; ascots propose psychedelic dude; and classic cravats
claim timeless beau. Match your personality (or desired aura of the day) to the
style and hit the ground running!
Once you have chosen your
style of tie, be sure to pick the proper color or pattern for your outfit. Bolos
are simple: change the charm to fit the occasion. For ascots, I would suggest a
paisley print or brightly pigmented shade; if you are brave enough to sport
this tie you have to go all out, no neutral browns for you. If you choose a tie
of the bow or cravat persuasion, then you’re in luck; these ties are by far the
most versatile of the cravat family! With such straightforward designs, these
ties tend to work with most any color or pattern. However, choosing the perfect
tie from such an overwhelming realm of possibilities can be intimidating. How
could one possibly sift through the infinite options and pick the perfect tie?
Our dear friend Mills, tie extraordinaire offers some advice.
Bella: First, what is your
preferred style of tie?
Mills: Personally, I’m not
very interested in Bolo ties, while they work for specific occasions, I don’t
vouch for their everyday wear. When I dress up, I will wear a Cravat, though it
is too dressy for a casual occasion. Neckties are quite versatile, and many
people use this tie all the time. However, they are quite businessy, therefore
I steer away from them. I personally prefer Bow Ties, they work for any
occasion (you can wear them with jeans or a tux) making them extremely
versatile. In addition to this, they are a unique way to add a splash of color
to your outfit. Also, just knowing how to tie one is cool!
B: When did you first start
wearing bow ties?
M: I first started wearing bow
ties on a regular basis about half a year ago. I literally spent half an hour
on youtube figuring out how to tie one before I could get it!
B: What colors would you
suggest for bow ties?
M: It really depends on the
outfit. With a white shirt, nearly any tie will work, whereas if you are
wearing a patterned shirt, it can be very difficult to match a tie to it. Basically,
just don’t clash. With basic white shirts, bright colored bow ties work best.
B: What patterns work best?
M: In my opinion, everyday
casual bow ties should be worn in patterns, as solid colors can come off as
uptight. Dots are my personal favorite, though the one rule with dotted bow
ties is; don’t mix them with a patterned shirt! With striped bow ties, color
coordination is especially important, as multiple colors often mix in a striped
bow tie.
B: Are there any no-nos
regarding bow ties?
M: The only real no-no for bow
ties is their width. In general, thinner bow ties are better. You really don’t
want to be wearing a clown-sized tie to school.
B: What kind of ties are in
your possession?
M: I have a wide range of bow
ties (about 20), about half of which are black and white or vintage. The other
10 are my fun ties (with patterns, etc).
B: What is your favorite
tie?
M: I have this one vintage bow
tie, it was my grandpa’s, that I especially like. It’s red, white, and black
plaid and while it is a bow tie, it does not look like one. Instead of flaring
out at the ends like bow ties usually do, it narrows. It’s a very unique tie!
