Archive | 4:15 pm

Tie One On

20 Oct

Since it’s officially fall, allow me to announce that today is the first Tie Thursday of the 2005–06 season. From now until May (or, depending on the weather, June), I’ll be wearing a tie every Thursday, just as I’ve done for the last few years.

The origins of Tie Thursday, at least as far as I’m concerned, are quite simple: I like wearing ties, and felt that as long as I work in a place where every day is casual Friday, then one day a week I should put in some effort and dress up — or at least dress nicer than khakis (or jeans) and a shirt. Of course, when I first started celebrating Tie Thursday at my previous job, it was also to throw people off so that when I went out on job interviews, they wouldn’t be suspicious of my wearing ties or dressing nicer. But since I’m not in the market for new work right now, it’s back to the original raison d’être.

In fact, today I’m wearing jeans and a white oxford shirt — definitely not interview attire. More importantly, I’m wearing a brand new, really stylish tie that my sister and her fiancée bought me on their recent trip to Italy. The brand is Asole & Bottoni, and I’d link you if I could, but the company doesn’t seem to have a web site, and there doesn’t seem to be much about them online. So enjoy the picture instead (if you can see it clearly enough).

In years past I’ve been able to get other people in my office to join me in celebrating Tie Thursday, and I’m hoping this year will be no exception. I know at least one guy was bummed that I didn’t tell him yesterday so he could also wear a tie today. (No kidding.) We have more men here now than we did a year ago, so prospects are good for Tie Thursday catching on this year.

Anyway, that’s enough metrosexual posting for today. Happy Tie Thursday!

T Time

20 Oct

So here’s an etiquette question: Let’s say two guys standing in the middle section of a car on the T (i.e.: not on top of anyone) are having a discussion. Not a loud one so that it’s disruptive to those around them, but admittedly one about a topic that everyone seems to have an opinion about (i.e.: Theo Epstein remaining the general manager of the Red Sox). Do you interrupt and join in on the conversation?

If you’re the random guy who did just that to Todd and I last night, well, I guess you thought there was nothing wrong with this. But Todd and I surely didn’t want to talk to this guy, and we didn’t appreciate his butting in. Were we wrong to act not all that interested in what he had to say? Did we perpetuate the unfriendly image that so many people seem to have of Bostonians? Or were we perfectly justified to not really indulge his desire to add his two cents to our conversation?

Personally, I think the guy should have minded his own business. Call me rude, but we didn’t care what he had to say. We certainly weren’t forcing our opinions down anyone’s throats (the T wasn’t that crowded), and we were amusing ourselves quite well until this guy stood up and joined us. And then he wouldn’t leave us alone! Blah, blah, blah, Theo’s parents won’t let him leave town. Blah blah, I once heard Dan Shaughnessy speak, blah blah blah.

Suffice it to say, the guy was good for something: He gave me something to write about today. But really — am I wrong? Is it alright to butt into someone else’s conversation on the T?

Word.

20 Oct

I think I may have coined two words during dinner tonight.

monoblogamist (mon-o-blog-a-mist) n. A person who regularly only reads one blog, either by choice, or due to time constraints or lack of interest, or because the blog he or she has found is so entertaining that no other site can compete. David likes reading “Martin’s Musings” and has decided not to read any other blogs out of loyalty to Martin. — also: monoblogamy, the practice of only reading one blog

polyblogamist (pol-ee-blog-a-mist) n. A person with the habit of reading multiple blogs regularly. Heather is a blog fan who reads “Martin’s Musings,” “Planet Gordon” and “Universal Hub” daily. — also: polyblogamy, the practice of reading multiple blogs

Use these today and help spread the word(s).

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