Flat irons and jeans

I will depart momentarily from my usual format to share a few random thoughts. Lest you think you are about to read something deep and important, please be warned that these thoughts are merely random and actually quite superficial. First of all, I've decided that there are some things that it is worth paying a ridiculous and exhorbitant amount for: flat irons and jeans.



I recently bought a new flat iron, and I will admit that I did indeed pay a ridiculous amount for it, but the dividends have greatly overshadowed the cost. It's sad to admit the effect that multiple bad hair days can have on your self-esteem. In a perfect world, even people with bad hair would feel good about themselves, but this is not a perfect world, and I have known my fair share of bad hair days. But all of that has been put to an end with the purchase of my new flat iron. It smooths and straightens like I never thought possible. My confidence has increased threefold due to the fact that I'm no longer walking out of my apartment looking like a fuzzy bush.


Now let's talk about the importance of good pair of jeans. My favorite place to shop for jeans is The Buckle, and if you are over 5'10" and haven't shopped there yet, please do yourself a favor and enter the abundant world of long jeans. I bought a new pair of jeans a few weeks ago, and it is now unpleasant for me to wear anything else. The new ones just look so cute...or maybe they don't even look so cute, but I FEEL like they look so cute, and so they make me happy.



These random thoughts came to me as I was thinking about some of the little things in life that I am grateful for and make me happy. There are lots of actually important things that make me happy as well, but I chose to feature the insignificant today. What insignificant things make you happy?

Reasons why T-Birds are the Best!

I was recently reminded that Timpview High School really is a world class institution. And no, it's not because of its world-class band program (although Mr. Fullmer would probably like to think so). You'd think that nine years later, I would have maybe let go of some of my high school pride, but I find that my orange-and-blue flame grows brighter by the year. Here are some of my reasons why:

10. T-Birds are EVERYWHERE. Here in the DC Metro area there are quite a few of us. We even had a sweet Timpview-Only party a few months ago. None of us actually knew each other in high school, but because we were all T-Birds at one time, the room was filled with love.

9. "That's alright. That's okay. You'll all work for us someday." Yes, this really was one of our cheers. Some people thought that only snobs would have a cheer like this. I think it is just a sign of our confidence in high-quality education we were receiving. And it's a snappy rhyme.

8. Rosalie Mackay. As a history teacher myself, I would just like to say that I learned more in AP US History with Miss Mackay than I did in my college US History classes. Also, I have such fond memories of Miss Mackay grabbing my ear and dragging me out into the hall. I doubt I really deserved such treatment. Sure, I was talking and not paying attention, but then I never paid attention in Government. And then when I went to point out to someone in the hall how to get to a different classroom, she thought I was trying to sneak away.

7. Stud Wall. Every T-Bird knows exactly what I'm talking about: the wall in the commons where the guys who thought they were really cool sat during lunch. I just think it's fantastic that it had a name. And I think it's fantastic that that name spanned generations of T-Birds.

6. Stoner Hall. This is where my locker was freshman year. That is unrelated to the fact that it was called stoner hall.

5. Alan Myrup. He looks like Rick Moranis, but teaches biology.

4. The Timpview High School Band. Let me paint you a picture...was a phrase often used by our band director, and was usually followed by some type of speech meant to convince us that people involved in band are the best people in the world. Most of the other kids around the room were eating it up. Not me. I was laughing at the ridiculousness of all his statements. That's probably why he didn't like me very much. I'd also like to say right here and now that I was "in" the band, but not "of" the band. An important distinction. But I couldn't write about Timpview without some sarcastic comment about the band program.

3. The Stereotypes. Timpview has the reputation of being the "rich-kids school." I just take this as a sign that other people wish they could have gone to Timpview. People only hate that which they want to be a part of, but aren't. If you look at the economic standings, all the high schools in the area are pretty much the same...so I can think of no other reason besides jealousy for such cruelty toward T-Birds.

2. The Journalism Lab. I spent many a happy hour in that tiny closet. The highlight was perhaps the time we were there working late, and my mom tried to give me a swirlie in the faculty bathroom. It's a good thing that it was locked! (You may or may not be aware that The Thunderbolt is an award-winning newspaper. We took state every year for about 5 years in a row.)

1. Timpview Car Wash. Okay this really has nothing to do with the high school itself, but I have some very fond memories at this car wash. Homecoming 1995...that's all that I need to say.

This entry was inspired by my recent trip home, where I was surrounded by T-Birds and reminded how much I love them all! So, now I need your comments. What is your favorite thing about Timpview? Who is your favorite T-Bird? What is your favorite thing about T-Birds? Please share.

The "L" in all its glory. I promise an update of the blog next week when I finish my classes!!