Self-Protection Devices

It's funny how when Girlfriend goes to school, I go to school, too.

Summer school starts for her tomorrow and that means I have to get up at 7:30 a.m. Gosh knows how I'm going to do that. Sheesh, I've been living it up for more than a few weeks and hanging out in bed until at least 8:10 a.m. before prying my eyes open.

Yeah, it's only summer school and I only have two participation days in the next few weeks, but I'm still dreading it. I guess it's because I hated school myself. I pretty much never fit in and even though some of my friends were the more popular kids, I wasn't popular.  I sort of straddled the line between the popular folk and the smart folk, and believe me, there was such a divide, you wouldn't even want to start laying out all the facts and getting a sociologist involved. Let's just say the fact that in Office Class I typed 113 words a minute and could take shorthand like nobody's business was the only reason the popular girls gave me a pass. I figure, If I had done those things miserably, they'd think I'd be some sort of competition and take me out. Or call me out, or whatever it is called these days. You know, give me the old One-Two.

Back in the 70's and if you were a boy, they'd do what they called "pantsing" you. That meant someone would yank down your pants when you were none the wiser, most likely when you're chatting up some cute gal or maybe hailing a buss with lots of books in your hands, or possibly combing your hair using both hands.

I always had this feeling that the girls in my high school probably wanted to "pants" me.

And it makes me wonder how the whole Pantsing thing would go over these days, what with the boys basically pantsing themselves with all those pants down around their thighs and all. So, exactly what look are they trying to achieve? A longer torso? Shorter legs? Is it they want to feel more grounded? Is the Waddle-Waddle-Hitch-Hitch their new favored walk style? Or, is it the belt makers are manufacturing belts with around-the-thighs sizes instead of waist sizes these days?

Or maybe they want to give the other guys the idea that they've already been Pants-ed and there's no need to do it again. Sort of a self-protection device for us geeky folk.

Like my hair-do in the photo. Who knew I went to beauty school? Maybe I'm sporting my own personal self-protection device, too. The kind of self-protection device that spares you from others knowing you quit college for awhile to go to Beauty school... (Hated that, too.)

BTW: The red shell pattern will be available tomorrow in sizes XS to 3XL.  I'm calling it "Sizzle."

Also, check out the Seas socks cruise. I know, it sounds too good to be true, and if I could afford it or leave girlfriend for more than a day or two, I'd go in a hot second. I hear that Eunny Jang and Amie, (RosebyAny), are going to be there and offer classes, too.

Comments

[Karen B.]

Funny thing is, I've often wondered about the thigh belt thing myself. One day, I was this-close to asking a kid who was so attired to tell me exactly how his pants stayed up.

I think he woulda clocked me.

[Donni]

Arrrrghhh - I often have gift envy when I spy all the cool things US bloggers send to US bloggers without the constraints of Air Mail Postage - now I have Cruise envy....way too far away...but I can dream

[Betty]

I love the new office! And I can't wait for Sizzle!

[taryn]

nice job on the office! i wish my desk looked that tidy. i don't get the pants thing either. the thing that is even funnier is the kids that wear them really low to show off their boxers and then wear BRIEFS UNDER THEIR BOXERS. um, boxers ARE your underwear. why do you feel the need to wear undies under your undies? (sorry, undies is Aussie slang for underwear. we shorten everything).

[Miz Booshay]

Droopy drawers are the bee-hive, the mini skirt, the fu man choo of this generation. There's no explaning it.

fo-shizzle!

[Liz K.]

I used to teach middle school, and let me tell you, if there is one thing you do NOT want to see, it is a twelve year old boy's booty. Blech! Pull up your damn pants, son!

[liz]

I went to an all-girls school and we "pantsed" people all the time. We wore these little pleated skirts and you'd walk down the hall and flip skirts up on people. Heck, I was a total nerd and even *I* pantsed people. The key was to wear your gym shorts under your skirt. I spent so many years wearing shorts under skirts that, even now, I have to wear a slip as a substitute or I feel naked. At least my mother is happy about the slip thing.

[Sarah]

Great, I've been waiting anxiously for the shell pattern!

Frankly I don't understand the self-pantsing thing, either. I passed a guy walking on the street last week who was having a really hard time making forward progress--and I quicly realized it was because his pants were about three inches above his knees. I've heard of us girls sacrificing comfort (and sometimes the ability to walk at a normal pace) in the name of cute shoes, but this was just ridiculous.

[veronique]

I saw a homeless person the other day that sported the exact pants down with the undies showing look. I was thinking to myself, this person is really stylish! That sock knitting cruise sounds soo great. I was just on a cruise and I knitted 2 pairs of socks, and to my surprise, I was not the only one on board doing the same thing.

[Judy]

You think you go to school now -- wait till she's in elementary school. I swear, when my kids were in 2nd and 3rd grade I had more homework than they did.

[Leslie]

I love your office, very serene. I could never figure out the no-shoe-lace look, with the boys walking out of their shoes with every step. How do these things start?

[anne]

I'm with you on the school thing. My son is in middle school, and I go there every stinkin' night in my dreams. Last night was a double whammy: 1) I was late to class, and 2) it was gym class. Aaarrrgh.

[Miss Scarlett]

Oh man! Now I want to book that cruise! I just booked a cruise for next September - but it doesn't come with any yarn. Maybe I can rationalize booking both somehow...it is a repositioning cruise so it costs less. We could drive down the Oregon Coast to LA...we do end up one hour from home...Tempting. Very tempting.

Your office looks incredibly serene. I have office envy.

Oh I am so excited about Sizzle!!

Those pants kill me. And those shoes without laces? I know a toddler who insists on the same thing because he has a teenage brother - he never falls and he runs and climbs all over the place. Go figure.

[laurie]

i AM a jr high teacher and live in fear of a free shot! the good thing is that those jerseys are long enough to cover, i think.
love the office Wendy. good thing it wasn't done when your guests were there you may have accidently locked yourself in!

[dris]

Love your new office space -- and congratulations on your forthcoming book!

[Jeanie]

Wendy, your office is fantastic!!! Can't wait for Sizzle!!! Oh, and your hair looks fine to me ;-)

[Isela]

The office is inspiring...very clean, tidy...very nice Wendy.

The pants: my theory is that they are having so much fun that when they have to go to the bathroom, they don't want to take the time to pull down their pants, so they just do them half way so they can just "wip it out" in a hurry and go. hahahahaha...silly theory, I know.

[Charity]

Woo Hoo! Can hardly hold in the excitement I'm feeling for Sizzle!

The new office looks great... very peaceful but not so peaceful you'll fall asleep or start dreaming too much about cruising.

[Gina]

I like the way the flower seem to be part of your hair -- photo perspective. I though maybe you were channelling something Geisha.

[Isela]

I saw it, I saw it...Sizzle that is. It is beautiful, the pictures look fantastic!

[Cheri]

On a regular basis (only at home) I pants my middle son. I keep telling him that if he wore his pants where they're supposed to be he wouldn't lose them so easily. I have offered to buy him and his friends suspenders.

I still have my shorthand book from high school, it's a great conversation piece. I think my top speed in typing class was 105...

[Gina L.]

Your new office is very sleek and organized beautifully. That is the "Wendy Lou Who Do" you're wearing! I like it. Summer school --- eeks oh well, Girlfriend is a an age where she can just play and have fun. Plus it's a good chance for you to have some alone time.

[Darci McGrath]

Your office inspires me...I have the room just not the order...must make that a priority.

Yea for Sizzle.

[Julie]

The office looks wonderful. I can't wait for Sizzle - what an appropriate name!

[StacyZ]

Your office looks fantastic! I actually have a table almost exactly like yours, mine just has dark wood base/horses (that is what they are called right)
Well I am too excited for sizzle! yummy!!!!!

oh and come on the cruise...did you see daycare is available bring girlfriend!!!!