Day 244

So, I got to start off my day by running an obstacle 5K for charity today. It's called Xtreme Bootcamp and was organized to help fight childhood obesity. Although the event itself was a bit disorganized (according to officials, 150 volunteers signed up, but only a couple dozen showed up, and there were no time chips or finisher trophies to name a couple of disappointments), it was still a great workout. The best part about it was getting to run alongside some really cool people. We're all somehow connected to the guy kneeling to my left. He's the inspirational and motivating coach behind us all who pushes HIMSELF far beyond what we think we're capable of. It's great when leaders lead by example. 

Today's bow came courtesy of ties.com. Have you checked out their amazing selection? What are you waiting for?

Day 224

See the house behind me? That's actually the former dwelling place of jazz great Louis Armstrong. I can't believe I get to visit (actually, just walk by) every Sunday since our church is just about a block away. After all, it was Satchmo's bow ties that inspired me to start wearing them so many years ago. The house is now a museum and they have this life-sized cardboard cut out that is usually posted right out front. Our 3 year old always says "Hi Louis!" whenever we walk by. It's awesome.

Today's bow is equally awesome. It was a generous gift from Le Noeud Papillon.

Day 202

I spent the day with what Mama Bear would call my little minions, enjoying them for one more weekend before I reunite with my teammates for an offsite and strategizing how to spend the next seven days of my vacation. Oh, and all while wearing a bow tie of course. Today's bow of the day came via the great folks at ties.com. They have an enormous collection of neckties and other accessories as well. If you like this particular sailboat bow tie, you can find it here. 

Day 153

It's a beautiful morning in NYC. The humidity is gone and there's a cool breeze and warm sun. It's a great day to celebrate what we call a "balance" day at work. On Fridays we normally dismiss the kiddos at 1PM and stay at school for meetings and professional development. Every once in awhile we get to leave with the kids at 1 so we could celebrate work-life balance. The sad truth is that many professionals, not just teaching, don't know how to balance their professional and personal responsibilities. I don't know that I've completely mastered this thing, but I know it's possible. If you want it badly enough you'll get it - just ask any unruly five year old. I can't believe it's taken me nearly all of my first 12 years of teaching but I've designed lesson plans, quizzes and homework through the last day of school - three weeks ahead of schedule. What will I be doing after work today? Getting my work out done with the Mrs. Is that balance? I don't know. I don't make scales for a living.

Today's bow came via the man behind LouisLien bow ties. This guy does some awesome work. Do yourself a favor and check out his collection. I'm a huge fan of polkadots and diamond point ends so this number really is one of my faves.

Day 33

Happy Thursday, friends!

Today's wonderfully polka-dotted bow comes by way of Marcus Brown over at LouisLien.com who has an array of stylish hand sewn ties that you should check out. Not only are the chocolate and red dots popping off the warm yellow cotton, they also feature that diamond point that I am such a fan of.

Kids, if I had it my way, our uniform would consist of button-downs and bow ties. Best kid-question of the week: "Mr. Vasquez, do you wear bow ties to go to sleep?" My response - "Not yet, my friend. Not yet." I wonder if I can get a bow made out of my Snuggie.

Day 29

What a great Sunday! I got to play my guitar alongside some family members (both my brother-in-law and my cousin play the guitar with me in our church's rondalla), got to sit in the between my sister and my wife under some much needed preaching from our uncle/pastor, got to take advantage of a few great deals at Target and all while wearing wearing this fantastically fabulous bow tie donated by a new friend from Sydney. Nothing brings people together like a common interest and a common goal. I'm truly blessed to have a growing support network to keep this site and this cause running. Thanks again to everyone who has had a hand (and a bow) in inspiring me to just keep on keeping on.

Today's bow comes by way of Nicholas Atgemis over at Lenoeudpapillon.com. Do check out their collection of fierce ties. I hope you're ready for an awesome week, kids!

Day 27

Yes, kids, you too can combine three different patterns and keep it fresh at the same time. My favorite kid quote today was "When did demerits look so fly?" Thanks, Omar. Oh, Fridays. When did you become the new Monday? Perhaps I'll get around to composing a soliloquy about my least favorite day of the school week. 

Today's tie comes by way of a generous donation from ties.com and I'm glad I got to pair with my old Nike SB Golf Pack lows. I hope you'll agree that the combo really works. Today also happened to be "Nerd Day" in the 6th grade world at my school so I've included some snapshots of some of my scholars dressed up in their own bows and thick-framed spectacles. My sons also celebrated their 100th day of school and decided to wear bow ties to school, too. Check out the pics below!