At each high school football game, the team starts each half by tearing through a breakthrough banner…
Isn’t that exciting? Can’t you hear my friends and I singing the fight song? Check out this ecstatic crowd!
Ok. Maybe it’s not that exciting. But there’s nothing like a good ol’ fashioned homecoming half time show to liven things up:
Is it me, or do these marching band uniforms look like Star Trek costumes?
Our dance team is called the GALAXIES. They changed lives…one high kick at a time. And it looks like they are still using the same cowgirl uniforms they wore 10 years ago.
Band and color guard members are the COOLEST people in school.
Of course, my school won the game 30-14 or something like that. And of course, my friends and I sent off the team by singing our alma mater…
Imagine a DJ Battle…or a breakdancing battle…or the battle of the network stars. Now, imagine a battle of fashion wits where artists from all avenues battle the clock to create an impromptu outfit out of random things - this is what we like to call Style Wars.
So how did this all start? Well, it all started with Mary Jo Diehl and Roman Milisic of the New York based label, The House of Diehl. They started this thing called Instant Couture shows, where they would make garb out of recycled materials and have the audience model them. One thing led to another and VIOLA! Style Wars: The Style Battle Championships was born.
I haven’t been to one of this competitions, but it looks like a mish-mash of a grimey MC battle and a fashion show on speed. If you need a more visual representation of what it is check out the video by clicking here.
Think of it this way, if they made a movie based on this, it would be called “You Got Sewn!”
I know you’re DYING to hear about my trip to Texas. Actually, it wasn’t just ANY trip. I paid a visit to my old high school’s homecoming football game in honor of my 10 year reunion…
So Texas high school football is not like anything else in the world. It’s like this religion. It’s so hard to explain, because if you haven’t lived it, then it’s hard to understand why people are so obsessed with it. Just watch Varsity Blues and/or Friday Night Lights and you’ll get some sort of idea of what I am getting at.
Anyways, the football game was fun. Well, I wasn’t actually paying attention to the game. My friends an I were busy being obnoxious - more obnoxious than the high schoolers around us (if that’s even possible).
Sure the football game is fun, but the centerpiece of homecoming are mums and letter jackets.
To grasp the full concept of mums and the concept of homecoming, here’s a little bit from our friends at Wikipedia:
At many high schools, especially in the southern United States, homecoming dates exchange “mums” on Homecoming Friday, to wear to the game and the dance. These are very elaborate corsages (for the girls) or garters (for the boys, worn on the arm) that consist of a large flower (usually a chrysanthemum) surrounded by a ribbon ruffle. Long ribbons, decorations and trinkets are hung from the mum which indicate the students’ date of birth, name, class, interests, and messages towards other people.
In all honesty, mums are hideous. They look like a synthetic flower shop vomited on you - but they are a MUST have for homecoming. Usually, the more mums you had, the more popular you were. I hardly had any.
Of course, seeing as though the colors of the mighty JUDSON ROCKETS (my alma mater located in a suburb of San Antonio) were red, gray and white - mums and letter jackets were plastered in that palette:
This is the more “masculine” mum for the guy
Check out that huge one this girl is wearing. She must be REALLY popular!
And of course, there was the homecoming ceremony at the beginning of the game. Girls were escorted on to the field in hopes to become America’s Next Top Homecoming Queen:
Personally, I wouldn’t have chosen a white suit for a fall-friendly event. In fact, I don’t think anyone sould choose a white suit unless you are getting married beachside.
It’s nice to see that this girl took her future wedding dress out for the homecoming ceremony. This just shows how serious Texas homecoming is.
Then there was this guy…
I don’t think I need to remind you about my view on Crocs.
I can’t believe it’s that time again. It’s time for us to dress up and go trick or treating - even if you are 30 years old.
But with everyone’s busy schedule, I know it’s hard to go shopping for an outfit for this oh-so-important holiday of getting candy and/or getting completely sloshed out of your gourd.
That said, the folks at Collegehumor.com has some last-minute costumes for tonight’s spooky festivities.
Here are some of my fave suggestions from them:
Risky Business- REQUIREMENTS: A white collared shirt, tighty whiteys, tissue paper to stuff the underwear with, sunglasses, socks, candlestick. Just be careful that it doesn’t get TOO cold.
Sperm - REQUIREMENTS: White turtle neck, white pants, duct tape, white swim cap, willingness to admit you own a turtleneck. There’s nothing like combining science and Halloween for a night of educational fun.
Facebook Wall - REQUIREMENTS: Large poster board, markers, basic motor skills - and the tolerance to get written on all night by drunk people on sugar highs.
Ipod Nano - REQUIREMENTS: bright poster board, black shirt & pants, black hat, ipod, no fear of being hit by a car. Or you can go retro and dress like a walkman. This one is just too damn funny.
And the final option for a costume is…don’t wear one. Just stay home tonight and watch “America’s Next Top Model” and turn off the lights in your house. This way, kids will think that no one is home and not knock on your door. You’ll get all the candy to yourself and enjoy a quiet evening with Tyra and friends. Everybody wins!
Well, actually, only you win, but you’ll be doing those kids a favor. You won’t be giving them candy, therefore, you prevent them from getting cavities. Thus, you lessen the risk of a visit to the dentist. Plus, their parents won’t have to pay a dentist bill.
Last night, while I was watching my DVR’d episode of America’s Next Top Model from last week (by the way, I read Susan Young’s post about it beforehand and it ruined the outcome for me - THANKS SUE!), I felt a rumble in my seat. No, it wasn’t gas - it was that earthquake that was felt EVERYWHERE in the Bay Area.
As I watched my glass of water quiver as if a T-rex were creeping up to my apartment (a la “Jurassic Park”), I had this quizzical look on my face. The chandelier in my dining room was swaying back and forth, the glasses in the cabinet were clinking and all I could think of is, “Why is Ebony quitting the show?”
Nonetheless, I was having an online chat with my friend Janet in Texas and it went a little something like this:
Me: OMG. There was just an earthquake.
Janet: Really?
Me: Yes.
Janet: You need to get under a table RIGHT NOW!
Me: Well, it’s over now.
Janet: Mmmm…this pad thai is really good.
It’s nice to know that she was concerned about my safety and fine Thai cuisine.
Anyways, goodbye Ebony from ANTM. I was rooting for you in the beginning, but like Tyra says, there’s nothing more unattractive than a person who gives up. I guess all my support is going to Heather the token fierce model who is rising to the challenge despite her medical disorder of aspergers.
Quitters never win Ebony!
Heather gets my full support! You go girl!… and yes, I just said “You go girl!”
It seems like the “nothing over $20″ retailer, Steve & Barry’s is finally headed to San Francisco - the Cannery to be exact.
The store that boasts discount collections from celebs like Sarah Jessica Parker, Amanda Bynes and now Venus Williams (set to be unveiled Nov. 14) will be opening their 2nd Bay Area location on Oct. 31 (a.k.a. Halloween).
SJP’s “Bitten” line
Amanda and her “dear” collection
Venus goes the sporty route with Eleven
The store is located at 2801 Leavenworth in San Francisco. Visit www.steveandbarrys.com for more info.
I sure have been blogging a lot about this store lately…
P.S. Just to clarify - Venus, SJP and Miss Bynes won’t actually be at the store opening - but their collections will!
When I got back from my relaxing trip to the Lonestar State, I find this blog comment awaiting my approval:
hey guys its amanda im so glade that everyone likes that costume! i had such a fun time playing her and the other people in the movie were great(: don’t forget that there are costumes for their charecters too well im going to go but i want to say thanks to all of my fans without you guys i wouldnt get to wear this costume so thanks!!
i love you all,
amanda bynes
Hmmm…is someone trying to punk me?
First off, there are so many typos and grammar errors in this comment. This make it obvious that it’s not her. Secondly, do you really think Amanda would take time out of her busy schedule to look at my blog?
Still, I doubt this is her commenting on my blog. Whoever it was, they need to go back to English 101. This comment reads like a poorly educated mall girl who’s diet consists of Orange Julius, soft pretzels and corn dogs.
But if it is Amanda, I’d like to tell her, “Thanks for reading my blog!!!”
Yes folks, I am going to be gone until Tuesday (hence the “Be Right Back”). It’s time for my yearly travel to the Mecca of High School Football: Texas. But this time, it’s special because it’s my 10 year reunion at Judson High School. Isn’t that grand?
Yes, I know what you’re thinking - “Traveling to Texas just to go to your high school homecoming? That’s unbelievably STUPID!” But if you didn’t live the culture of Texas high school football or you don’t watch “Friday Night Lights” you wouldn’t understand. But yes - ultimately it’s one of the dorkiest things to do with my vacation time.
Check out the fancy letter jackets from past travels to high school homecoming in Converse, TX (it’s located slightly outside of San Antonio):
My friends Janet and Jen stand beside me as we sing the Judson High School alma mater
And yes, I was a band geek - drumline to be exact. I was also a choir geek. Ok, I think I am sharing too much information with you.
See you next Tuesday!!!
P.S. Don’t worry, I’ll be back with PLENTY of pics! I know you’re DYING to see them!
Whether you are male or female, classic aviator sunglasses are a MUST HAVE in your accessory arsenal.
They go with every single outfit. You can dress them up, dress them down - and they just make you look “Top Gun” cool! In fact, you can wear them with an old raggedy house coat and Crocs and you will still look chic.
If you want to get a pair, I would suggest Ray-Bans. They are classic, stylish and are readily available at your neighborhood Nordstrom.
I have a pair that my dad used to wear when he was in the Air Force. I don’t think he was aware that he still had them - so I don’t think I stole them per se. Nonetheless, I feel like a badass muthaf**** when I wear them.
