It takes a brave man to wear pink ...
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Today I'm wearing a pink shirt. It actually has vertical green and blue stripes as well, but for the most part it's pink. I only mention this because, when I wear it, people comment on it. Not when I wear white shirts, or green shirts, or blue shirts. But a pink shirt will make people comment. Why? What does an article of clothing say about you? Is it fair to make snap judgments based on what another person wears?
Example: About a dozen or so years ago I was at a large IBO event. The national Easter Seal child rep was going to be there on stage as part of a fundraising segment in the program. I was at the back entrance awaiting the arrival of the girl and her family when a limo pulled up. A phalanx of IBOs awaited this important VIP wearing dark blue suits, white shirts, and red ties. I remained leaning on a wall in my light green suit with floral tie. I can't remember what color the shirt was! Anyway, out of the limo steps Jack Kemp. He looked around and then walked right past a group of five or six IBOs and came to me, with outstretched hand. "I'm Jack Kemp, and I'm running for President of the United States of America."
I shook his hand and mumbled "welcome" or "hello, nice to meet you" or something like that. I didn't have the heart to tell him I was a Canadian citizen and cannot vote in the U.S. (which is still the case). I do think he singled me out for his first greeting because, when he surveyed the landscape, he viewed me as the one he still needed to convert.
When you see my picture on this blog, you might think I'm some sort of radical. In actuality, I'm really a pretty conservative guy in most respects. That picture was really meant to be a joke since it was counter to the portraits being taken of others at the photo studio party. I wanted to stand out, I guess.
When we relaunched the Opportunity Zone version of The REAL Quixtar Blog, the web designer found that photo on my Flickr site and used it. It's active, which is much better than a plain old "pose against the brick wall" pic. Plus it's kind of like a "coming out" photo since the previous version of this blog had my face hidden behind a piece of paper with a winking emoticon. Finally, deep down inside I really want to be a rock star. HA!
My wife wants me to change the pic on the front of this site. She thinks I look mean (and, I guess, she knows that I'm not and doesn't want anyone else to think I am because what would they think of her, then??). She wants me to use this one, which was taken a year later at that same annual party.
Anyway, you can't judge this book by its cover. While I am thankful this is a "business casual" office, I do own several suits. I have even worn my blue suit with a white shirt and red tie! Unfortunately, it hasn't attracted the attention of any recent presidential candidates. I may need to go to the attic and see if I still have that green one ...