Day 124

Yes that's another Redbull to the neck. Yes, I know it's the second time this week I had to kick off the day with some extra Pantothenic Acid. I took so long a nap yesterday afternoon that I wasn't able to sleep until after 3AM. Craziness. Here's the thing, though. When I plan as thoroughly as I do for an instructional day, these physical setbacks seem pretty minimal. I remember during my first couple of years of teaching - the amount of distractions that were available to me as I tried to adjust to living on my own coupled with the stress of being a young, immature teacher - I would be a total mess trying to put lessons together the morning I was to teach. No, I'm not proud of the person I once was, but I'm glad I was able to learn how to treat this profession and think farther enough ahead that I could begin to gain a new perspective of what I get to do everyday, and be ready for it even when I didn't feel like it.

Today's bow was acquired at Century 21 and features a bold paisley with lots of shades of blue. Tomorrow marks my 125th consecutive day at this thing. Guess what 8 x 125 is. Yup, 1,000. If I wear the ties I've already worn 8 times each I'll get to my goal of wearing a bow tie for 1,000 consecutive days. Or I could keep trying to rock a different tie for the next 875 days, but I personally think that's just cray cray. Stay tuned to see what I decide to do. And don't be surprised if you see another Redbull tomorrow morning.

Day 123

Today's bow was acquired many moons ago (actually, probably just two years ago) at a local Century 21. I don't have many solid color bows and not many solid bows come without a matching cumberbund and flimsy tuxedo shirt. This here is certainly one of my faves. Speaking of faves, there are just a couple of more days before I start to narrow my collection down to a rotation of sorts. I'm looking forward to revisiting some of my earlier bows and will be sad to say farewell-for-now to some others. Happy Wednesday, folks.

Day 117

Day 2 of Math testing. Woo to the Hoo. Of all of the roles a teacher plays in the life of a child, proctoring a 90-minute exam is among my least favorite.

Today's bow is among the many I've found at Century 21. It's rather simple, giving it the versatility to wear on days when I feel like wearing a suit or days, like today, when I feel like wearing little aliens on my shirt.

Day 80

Feeling a little under the weather this week - gotta keep hydrated. Since this self-imposed challenge began I've totally lost track of the initial goal I set for myself in August of 2007 - when I decided I was going to stop taking days off from work. If I were to guess I'd say I'm at least 50 days more than 1,000. Looking back, I really can't believe I've gotten this far. In fact, I think it's only by the grace of God that the times when I was seriously ill, to the point where my body demanded rest, came over weekends and extended vacations. If I could walk a line and construct a sentence I could come to work. I vividly remember some of my colleagues setting me up with a microphone and an amp this one time that I had lost my voice. Good times. Make no mistake. This isn't martyrdom. It's what I consider my responsibility to do and in a world where young men lack a consistent male role model I aim to be at least one of their constants.

Today's bow is another great find from Century 21. It features a lovely paisley print that I think is perfect for the first days of Spring. Happy Tuesday!

Day 65

I love a good sale don't you? I got this sweater for 30% of what it retailed for. Movies, sweaters, bow ties, and the right person to be your spouse - some things are just worth waiting for. 

Today's bow came by way of Century 21. I found a few of these paisley pieces about a year ago when I was looking for coordinating neckwear for our Rondalla. I'm a fan. Aren't you?

Day 55

Words of wisdom for my married friends: If you don't have the car keys, don't assume your spouse does. We left our keys locked inside our minivan last night and had to wait over an hour for Triple A to send help to IKEA's parking lot. Thank God the boys had their dinner and there was a warm place for 4 out of 5 of us to wait while I kept watch by the car.

Today's bow was another great find at Century 21. If you haven't checked it out yet, their tie (neck ties mostly) selection is sick. Lily found these coordinating wingtips at Urban Outfitters for me and besides being my favorite color combination they fit more comfortably than anything in my arsenal of footwear - including my sneakers!

Day 52

I don't always wear sneakers with my bow ties, but when I do I prefer wearing Nikes. For my second day of privileged denim wearing while at work (normally denim is frowned upon) I paired purple pigeons and an old Kid Robot cardigan with a clean, solid purple bow that I found at Century 21 for less than $10. That is definately the spot for any bow tie afficionado on a budget.