the suit guy was right

I went back to Illinois for the holiday, and brought my suit along - because now that I've got a suit, I really have no reason to wear it.

Sunday I got suited up, buttoned up, took a look in the mirror, and thought "oh boy".

Back on the bike for me. I quick weighing at home last evening confirmed that I'm carrying about 10 extra pounds. It'll sneak up on you just like that.

The only question I have is was I ten pounds lighter when I bought the suit? It was only two weeks ago... seems unlikely. Was I impulsive? Probably. That's how I make major purchases.

In any case, the coat fits well, as long as I don't button up.

Idiot.

I celebrated my suit issues by eating something like 2 cinnamon rolls, then like 3 sausage cheese pastry things for breakfast yesterday, and a chicken breast, fettuccine, two pieces of lasagna, and two pieces of tiramisu for dinner last night. We had an Italian Christmas, and I ate like Fat Tony.

Tonight I'll be sweating with Coach Troy in my living room.

alterations to suit and bravado

You may recall my recent experience in suit shopping, where I failed to make a purchase after visiting various stores. I did eventually buy a suit at a Macy's in Greenwood. After fighting with finding the right suit for so long, I found something I was really happy with, and something I felt fit me quite well, right off the shelf.

The Macy's store was extremely busy when I made my purchase, and I decided it would be best to have my tailoring work done elsewhere. I had in mind a certain downtown location, close to work, in a very established looking building.

I've just returned from Leon Tailoring, a store filled with rolls of fabric, old hardwood floors, and a sort of old world handmade charm that should have clued me in immediately that I was in over my head. It was a Leon that I received a harsh lesson in how not to wear a suit from an Old Guy Who's Been In The Business A Long Time.

While he didn't call himself that, his demeanor said it all. From his no nonsense approach, his complete lack of hesitance in telling me I was wearing the wrong size, and his quick unbuttoning on my trousers (he unbuttoned them, held them in place and said "See, isn't this better?"), I knew I was in the hands of an old pro. I also knew that I felt like an idiot.

"You should have got the coat in a 39. Or a 40."

Actually, I tried the coat in a 40 and hated it. "I actually like it tight."

"You look like you've grown out of it."

"Ok..."

"What do you want me to do with this? The pants would be $40, the coat (some other number), the sleeves $28... I don't want to just take your money."

Although he was a full foot shorter than I, he had me completely beaten. He might as well have been screaming "Be a man!"

"I'd like to have the sleeves lengthened."

"Ok, when do you want it."

"I'm not in a hurry."

"Call me Thursday."

costume shopping

I spent a decent amount of my Saturday in the various department stores of St. Clair Square in beautiful and completely covered in ice Fairview Heights, IL. I was shopping for a suit, not because I need a suit, but because I read fashion magazine and they've taken over my brain. And because it's always good to have a suit.

I was looking for a navy suit, in a fit similar to a coat I purchased at Circle City Mall's H&M store earlier this year. I had done my required reading (an article from GQ on how to buy a suit), I knew the fit I was after, I had my color chosen... simple enough, right?

No, not really. Three stores later (Macy's, Dillards, Men's Warehouse) I was still without a suit.

My thinking is that the suit has to be the most wonderful looking piece of clothing I've ever owned, or there's a real good chance I'll never wear it. And then why would I bother spending the money (which happens to belong to my mother, actually. It's a Christmas gift)?

Anyway, I'll be in Greenwood this evening, trying on suits.

* * * * *

When it gets cold I suddenly feel the need to listen to Sufjan Stevens.

* * * * *

I've been thinking of various ways to improve myself, and here are some things I've considered:

This may look like a resolutions list, but it isn't, because resolution are meant to be kept. I'm just sort of daydreaming.

1) Never be mean. This one is going to take some work.

2) Take some classes at IUPUI. I can't speak any foreign languages, so that would be a good place to start. Single classes are surprisingly affordable. After I've mastered Spanish (In just 3 simple to complete classes!) I'm considering photography courses. I like photos. I just don't have a functioning camera currently.

3) Take up rock climbing. According to my good friend Dave, this is the most difficult thing ever. I'm 20 pounds overweight, sounds perfect. This is probably on hold for a while, I'm currently getting fleeced by the ongoing costs of my soccer league. No one's fault except the 10 people who said they wanted to play and then decided not to pay or show up.

4) Take a cooking class or ten. While this won't help my rock climbing, food is something I really enjoy and I think I'm fairly ok with. But wouldn't it be better to be spectacular? Anyone know anything about some locally available cooking classes? Suggestions?

5) Bike commute to work more often. Which conflicts with...

6) Stop spending so much money on bicycles.

7) Just get out more. I'm in a position where I can afford to not sit around the house, so why don't I take advantage of it? I can complain that the city is boring forever, but if I never actually do anything, then it's probably me that's boring.

YES. SO.

8) Stop writing about myself.