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Friday, December 10, 2010

Do These Pants Make Me Look Productive?

And so it is that we’ve come to the end of yet another fruitful and satisfying work week.

But what do you suppose will happen this weekend? Will it be as fruitful? As satisfying? Well, look no further than my Friday-morning commute playlist, my friend, long held to both make you move your feet and predict the immediate future.

Shhh. Let’s listen:

Tighten Up by The Black Keys
Shut Up and Let Me Go by The Ting Tings
Honky Tonkin’ by Hank Williams
Further Complications by Jarvis Cocker
Ziggy Stardust by David Bowie
Hollywood Swingin’ by Kool and the Gang
Frankenstein by Edgar Winter

Hmm. I see a frightening excursion into a number of malls, the bodily separation of me from my money, and several adult beverages.

Christmas shopping. Yikes.

Which reminds me.

I’m wearing a new shirt today.

What’s that, you say? Why yes, I find that to be true as well! New clothes do make life worth living!

As shallow and self-serving as it may sound, somehow, wearing something to work that I’ve never worn before makes my job more exciting.

Can you imagine? More excitement than I had yesterday! Is that possible? As if the giddiness of yesterday’s filing and repeated “Good morning this is Pearl how can I help you?” wasn’t enough!! And now I’m doing it in a new shirt?

How in the world am I going to top this? The mind. She reels.

It’s been a fact of my corporate/office-style existence since, oh, well, let’s see. I started working right after World War I – the War to End All Wars, we called it. At first, I was content to just draw lines up the backs of my legs to simulate nylons, but I wanted more. I wanted one of those mink-biting-its-feet stoles like you saw in the talkies. I wanted my cigarettes in those long holders. I wanted to draw arches into my eyebrows that said “beat it, wise guy!”. I wanted shoulder pads that would make Joan Crawford weep.

I’m a little more subdued these days. I no longer think that knee-high moccasins are appropriate for the office. You can no longer tell what my favorite bands are from the logos on my shirts. I no longer carry changes of clothes in the back seat of my car, just in case I don’t make it home before I have to work again; and I now put on new make-up every day, even if I woke up in yesterday’s.

How's that for upwardly mobile?

This new attention to my wardrobe might explain my rocket-like rise to power in the last 80 years from dance hall girl to vaudeville crooner to receptionist/copy drudge to World’s Best Lackey. (The title is self-appointed, but I’m sure HR will back me up on this.)

Anyway, that’s all I had to say today. Just wanted to let you know that I look and feel spiffy.

Carry on!

27 comments:

Joanie said...

New clothes make me feel good too!

Pearl said...

I am always happier to go to work when I have something new to wear. :-)

Oilfield Trash said...

I can't remember the last time I got me some new clothes. I think it was right before I went to Woodstock.

And I a loathe Christmas shopping.

Pearl said...

O.T., not a big shopper myself, but I do dig new clothes. I'd say half of my stuff is from second-hand shops.

I think it's the thrill of the hunt. :-)

Oilfield Trash said...

I used to hit up second hand shops. But then I got divorced and lost my second hand. Now I just hit up the clearance racks at Old Navy.

Simply Suthern said...

I'll bet you are right Spiffy Lookin today. Never had a doubt. Aint you lucky they didnt have sharpie permanent markers back in the day as you added the stocking lines? LOL

Now I have Ole Edger In my head.

I was going to write in the da da das but they are all spelled the same but you get the pic. Loved that music.

Kittie Howard said...

I think you should enjoy your day! And if one of those adult beveraages comes your way, well, cheers! Have a great weekend!

Unknown said...

Taking off new clothes is fun too!!!! :P

Anonymous said...

I felt that way yesterday, too. Spiffy. Like Colin and Stacy had gotten hold of me.

Unknown said...

Spiffy is as spiffy does! Work hard girl! lol

Kay Dennison said...

Hurrah!!!!! Looking good is a big step toward feeling good. When I was a resident (long story) in our local domestic violence shelter, one of the counselors told me that they could tell when we were getting better when we started worrying about our appearance. I need a push in that direction myself these days.

Notes From ABroad said...

Speaking of spiffy, I like the music list today .. I actually recognize most of them.
Kay Dennison ... back in the US.. I got great pleasure out of donating all my clothes ( longstoryshort- once upon a time- model-free clothes) to local Domestic Violence Shelters. Your comment made me feel so good all over again. abrazos

Cheeseboy said...

They make knee-high moccasins? Ding Ding! I now have my idea for my wife's gift.

Ting Tings. Nice. Love them.

Roses said...

New clothes are necessary for the continuation of the Earth spinning round.

Today, I bought sparkly things from the local branch of Marks & Spencer. Not exactly high fashion, but I'm happy.

Happy Friday honey!

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

Happy Friday and weekend, stylin' Pearl. xo

savannah said...

i'm sure you look marvelous, sugar! xoxoxoxo

SeaD said...

Oh Pearl, you do make my day!

Gigi said...

Yes, it's definitely the thrill of the hunt.

It makes me EXTREMELY happy to have something new to wear AND know that I got a great deal!

What can I say? It's the little things that make life in a cubicle bearable.

Christmas shopping? Only bearable with an adult beverage or three.

Have a great weekend, Pearl! You deserve it. So do I.

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Well it certainly sounds like your all done up right in your new shirt. You go girl!!! :o)

God bless ya and have a splendid weekend sweetie!!!

Anything Fits A Naked Man said...

Isn't it amazing how much a new outfit can do for your overall mood? You go, Girl! Have a great weekend!

mapstew said...

I am often greeted with "I like your new shirt/jacket/boots/jeans Dad" when I arise and go downstairs to engage with the family of an afternoon! Most of the clobber is stuff I find at the back of the wardrobe! I HATE new clothes! :¬)

Have a nice weekend my friend. :¬)

xxx

Tempo said...

Oh Pearl, you trendsetter you!

Irish Gumbo said...

Everyone likes to feel spiffy, Pearl! Very cool. and once again, I am in awe of your Magical Playlist Offerings: "Frankenstein"? DOUBLE PLUS GOOD!

Wow, that took me back. Plus, it allowed me to annoy my daughter, and then make her laugh, by playing that track and grimacing musically.

Ahh, good times....

Casey Freeland said...

You should lounge on the Chesterfield in your morning coat all weekend, drinking Mint Julips and reading Chaucer.

I have no idea who wrote that last sentence and I am deeply sorry it ended up on your blog.

Cheers,

Casey

that guy said...

you look great for an 80 year old!!!

the war to end all wars, except for the subsequent ones which are not really wars, but kinda big disagreements...

most likey over some arch-dukes new wardobe or nawg's grazing land, where they raise nawgs for naw-ga-hide..which also makes one look and feel very spiffy..

oh yeah and that second big war, which... well... what ever...

great post as usual, Pearl!

Bruce
bruce johnson jadip
And
evilbruce
stupid stuff i see and hear
and
The guy book
the guy book

Anonymous said...

If only new clothes did not become old clothes so quickly. I hate shopping. All shopping. I am supposed to be online shopping for Christmas right now. I am not. I am reading blogs. Oh, well. That is true bargain shopping.

Jhon Baker said...

those pants.... hummm, can't say enough good things about your pants.