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I went to a catholic school for a year...
a half a year actually...
when I was in first grade.

the uniforms were just navy dress pants, a light blue button up shirt, and a tie (a bow-tie or a neck-tie)...

then we moved, and I went to public school...

it actually did not matter much to me what I wore to school.

I actually did not care until around 7th grade. Prior to that, I wore what was comfortable and what was available and many times wearing outfits that I would define as highly embarrassing in current terms.

when I reached the point where I actually cared about my image, I realize, now, the amount of stress that something so superficial as clothes puts on a young person... and the young person's parents' wallet and the young person's allowance (assuming (s)he had one).

there is something quite liberating about not having to buy trendy clothes all of the time, but of course, this is something that I realize only now...

if I was mature enough to realize this back then, I would have more nintendo games and comic books...

but that does not matter - in nature, animals show off in there own separate ways to attract a mate. Bright plumage, an auditory call, a pheromone, or a show of dominance... humans have taken these to the next level.

flashy clothes and accessories, make-up, hairstyles, pick-up lines and conversations, cologne and perfume, or a macho display.

yup... went through that phase... got over it pretty quick, because I found out that having fun was much better than looking good. well... that, and I am no longer looking to attract a mate (as I have successfully attracted one and I am now in the mode of not losing her through my vulgar displays and thoughtlessness... :-P )

of course, looking good can be fun, but only in short spurts...
any longer and it become tiresome and boring, besides - looks never last.

in any case, I used to be very much style before comfort.

in college I got into the habit of getting to class late, wearing sweats, a t-shirt, my glasses, and a baseball cap...

the only time I made an effort was when we went to a club or a formal or something... other than that, I almost considered wearing jeans a step up from my normal attire...

and now that I am working mostly, and do not obsess over my appearance anymore... (well... mostly) I am very much comfort before style.

because of work, it is all dress slacks and khakis, button-ups and polos, sweaters and vests, and non-atheletic shoes...

... ... ...

this is why every day should be casual day - because I think I would work much better if I were more comfortable.

... ... ...

tomorrow is casual day at the office. we get these once a month.

considering the speed at which time passes in the corporate world, that is actually pretty frequent.

I understand the need to look professional. We work in a world that judges by appearance almost as much as it does by results. This sucks, because you can look good while at the same time not getting things done and you can get things done while at the same time not looking very good.

I try to find the middle ground, because if you look good and get things done all of the time, then you have just raised the bar and you will never be able to slack off again. :-P

but why is it, now, that I get so excited to wear jeans at work for one measly day in the month?

maybe because work clothes are not comfortable to me...
not that I cannot relax in khakis, but I think it is more of what the work clothes represent.

it represents the realization that life costs...
you must spend to get anywhere...
it is time away from your loved ones...

I could go on forever...

... ... ...

youth is wasted on the young?

money is wasted on the work...

or something like that. :-P

... ... ...

but that all does not matter...

why?

because I can wear jeans tomorrow.

... ... ...

talk about a paradigm shift.