Year 2, Week 12 (Days 444 - 451)

Most of these bows were acquired on my own scavenger hunt throughout NYC. One stands out because of its distinct Native American-inspired pattern. Thanks to Monica Maria's Place for such an awesome tie!

Year 2, Week 9 (Days 423 - 429)

Bow tie spotlight:
This week I'd like to say thanks to the folks at Monica Maria who have been a great supporter over the course of my challenge. It is rare to find a good hand-crafted bow tie at an inexpensive price and Monica Maria bow ties offers just that. For $12.99 you get your choice of any bow ties in their huge collection of bow ties. If you've never owned a bow tie or are looking for a gift you should definitely spend some time checking out their site.

This week's featured sponsors:
Monica Maria
Ties.com
Knot Now

Year 2, Week 6 (Days 402 - 408)

Bow Tie Spotlight:

This week's featured bow tie comes by way of Monica Maria bow ties. I came across an ebay shop that   offers quality hand crafted bows at what I think is the lowest price online - just $12.99.  And with 754 different bow ties in their shop you could spend a whole day just browsing their collection. Check them out by clicking the link below!

This week's featured sponsors:

Louis Lien

Beau Ties Ltd. of Vermont

Forage

Monica Maria

Day 262

Today we celebrated Twin Day at our school. Teachers were invited to find a friend at school and dress as twins. Aside from wearing cool matching golf shirts, I had the privilege of joining a former homeroom partner in 3-legged race against other 6th grade teachers. You can see if my training has been of any use to me by checking out the 1-minute video below. Today's bow was handcrafted by Monica Maria bow ties.

Day 243

I'm excited for tomorrow's run. I'll tell you more about it tomorrow - promise. For now, I'll just say that I'm also excited to be giving out the first quiz of the school year. I can't wait to see who shows up ready to crush it this year. Yes, that's my college pic in the background. Not much has changed in 13 years,  I guess. Wait - I just realized I'm NOT wearing a bow tie in that picture! I might need to photoshop that one.

Today's bow was inspired by my sneakerhead days of old. The NIKE blazers actually came first. Thanks to Monica Maria and Bow Tie Expressions for keeping the swag alive.

Day 238

This evening I knew I needed to run. I didn't feel like it at all. My legs have been sore since I worked this ridiculous WOD yesterday but I actually haven't run since Thursday, when I might have sprained an ankle. It's been swelling up lately. Then I remembered I have a race this weekend. It's a Bootcamp Xtreme. I knew I had to push myself to continue training. On my way back from my run, during my cool-down walk to our apartment my calves started cramping and had to stop to stretch them out before continuing on. When I finally got home I sat down to check some work e-mails and came across this ESPN segment about an 11-year old disabled boy who pushed beyond his limitations to compete in a 400m race. Yup. I got choked up for so many reasons. Do yourself a favor and check out this video. 

Today's bow came by way of Monica Maria. 

Day 196

The day after a big workout is usually an interesting one for me. If I'm totally wiped out and sore, then it may very well be that I didn't train properly. I'm happy to report that I felt awesome today - nearly well enough to get back on my training regimen. Although I felt well enough to get a WOD in I opted to force myself to rest up, fuel up, get ready for the week ahead and plan for my next event.

Today's bow was gifted by Monica Maria over at Bow-tie Expressions. It features the Peanuts characters from my all-time favorite Christmas special where my main man, Linus, breaks it all down for Chuck. If you're looking for a great deal on a HUGE selection of bows, you've got to check out their site. For $14.95 and free shipping, it's really hard to pass up. Order 5 or more and you'll get a free "mystery" bow tie included with your order. How cool is that? 

Day 178

Today's bow comes via Monica Maria and is inspired by Native American art. I'm a huge fan of Monica Maria's ebay selection. Check them out here. Check out Lucas rockin' his Papa's gear.

Day 165

Peanuts on a bow tie? Yup. Is that Sally reading a book? You bet. I think Charlie Brown once said "Happiness is a warm puppy." I could be off. More times than not, happiness isn't defined by a beagle. It's what you make of it. It doesn't have to be a feeling. Feelings are fickle and deceitful misfits that come and go as they please. I'd argue that happiness is a state of mind. If you choose to focus your energy on the negative then the logical response will be that a negative mindset will set in and once that cancerous ball of negativity gets rolling, a person's whole perspective of reality can be skewed rather quickly. I encourage you, friends, take the high road. Take the road less traveled. Take the road that will lead you to happy thoughts.

Today's bow comes by way of Monica Maria. If you haven't check out their ebay site, you're really missing out on a fantastic selection of bows.

Day 152

Here's a throwback bow from early March, with a totally different haircut. I'm not one of those chaps that likes to stay committed to a particular style of hair. I don't know why, necessarily. I've had my head completely shaven, colored, braided, spiked, shaped into a mohawk and many styles in between. Perhaps this one will stick for a while.

Today's bow comes via Monica Maria. If you haven't yet, please check out her shop on ebay. She's got a HUGE selection of cool bow ties. If you're looking for something unique in a bow, you'll find it there.

Day 96

  

In just a few more hours I'll get to enjoy more than just a couple of hours of quality time with my boys, my wife and all our toys. I'd be lying if I said I could wait another day for a break from school work. Students are getting restless and I find my thoughts drifting in between teaching periods. I'm feeling healthier today - yesterday was a break through day for me that ended with an amazing time of soccer with the students. The teachers played the students again - 6 a side, indoor with 4 teachers playing alongside 2 5th graders - one in the goal. I'm happy to say we won by a score of 7 to 3 and that I contributed to the win by scoring 4. Aside from what I do with Barca on the Xbox, this is the closest I'll get to resembling Messi - and that's ok by me.

Today's bow was a gift from Monica Maria and features a pattern of school busses, whose wheels just go 'round and 'round. 

Day 87

I wish I would've listened to you last year, Riley. This is such a great read. It took our 2nd grader Luis - who's class is apparently hearing it read aloud during the day - to inspire me to pick up and check out what all the fuss was about. I am not dissappointed. The adventure, the layers of character stories and the flowing narrative - so very enjoyable. I also just love hearing my son saying "Papi, I'm glad you're reading the hunger games. What did you learn by reading chapter 20?" Good times.

Today's bow is another instant classic from Monica Maria. I love the pop art/ super hero feel it sends off. Plus, I'm a big fan of blues - in case you haven't noticed. Now, what were you saying, Katniss? 

Day 86



I don't always wear sneakers to work, but when I do they must bring something more to the outfit than just wider laces and a squeaky sole. I found these zebra-print Nike blazers years ago and recently picked up this bow from Monica Maria on eBay. Since I'm trying to comfort a tweaked ankle and inject some more joy into my Monday morning I thought this would be the perfect one-two punch. Was I right?

Day 81

Ah, with Spring upon us it's now time to get back to my running game. Please don't make fun of your teacher rocking the running gear after work, kids. I think I tweaked my ankle last week playing softball, but no matter. There are math goals to achieve, character to nurture and bow ties to be worn!

Today's bow comes via Monica Maria and features shades of red with turquoise highlights on a rising sun Navajo Indian rug design. Way cool.

You know what's not cool? Check out what my students did when I wasn't looking ... I see how you are ... I hope you're ready for that pop quiz tomorrow.

Day 74

Happy Pi Day, friends!

Oh, that's right - besides being big on bow ties (and alliterations) I'm a math teacher! Every year I purposely choose to teach a unit on Circles right around this time of year (we're currently talking about finding the area of a sector of a circle given a central angle, radius and using a formula) so my students can make the connection to today's holiday (Pi can be estimated to 3.14, hence the connection to today's date). Good times.

Today's bow is another delightful diddy from Monica Maria . I've been a Peanuts fan for as long as I could remember and when I saw this print I knew I had to rock it with my red Vans. Yup, I can just hear Charlie's teacher applauding my efforts. Can't you? Who's my favorite Peanuts character, you ask? It's got to be Linus, hands down. Check out the confidence in which he delivers his famous Christmas speech.

Day 73

Is anyone else enjoying this warm weather we're having in NYC? My vibram five fingers beckon.

Speaking of footwear, I love me a good pair of argyle socks. Why are they so hard to find for people with small feet? Argh.

Today's bow was part of a small sample I found on eBay handmade by Monica Maria. She generously donated a tie to the cause and I look forward to debuting it later this week. Thanks again to all my supporters! If you're looking to start wearing bow ties yourself or know someone else is please check out my supporters page. Every link will take you to bow tie awesomeness.