Tuesday

*Stuff* Tallahasseeans Say


Have you ever seen those hilarious videos on YouTube about "Stuff [Fill in the Blank] Say"?

Here are two of my all-time faves:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVA-A0RqkhM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUFL2GT1-2g&feature=share&list=PL09CCE065B7C58594



Okay, so I was kind of in a creative mood several weeks back, and I made my own list for my hometown of Tallahassee. I must warn you: unless you have lived here for a few years, these might not mean much to you.  But enjoy!  Since I have no time to film them, you'll just have to imagine the context.  


(on the phone) Yes, I know it looks like a giant phallic symbol.

(in traffic) Traffic's horrible! Students must be back.
(in traffic) I see reporters. Must be time for Session.
(in traffic) Will this construction ever be done? I'm just trying to get to the stadium!
I'll bet you that's a Miami driver.

I miss Bobby Bowden.
(sadly) I miss King Love.
Ion Sancho's the MAN! (fist pump)

Are you going to TMH or Capital Regional? (pauses, concerned) I wouldn't go there!
I remember when Governor's Square Mall first opened.
I remember when Tallahassee Mall was the PLACE to be!
I remember when the Northwood Mall was a mall! We had, like, two restaurants then.

(happily) My friend's son got into SAIL!
(warily) My friend's son is going to SAIL.
What school are you zoned for?

I am not gonna pick him up! He lives all the way out in Killearn!
She lives all the way out on Highway 20!
He lives all the way out to the Miccosukee Land Co-op!
I went to Woodville, and I got so lost.

Dude, we can't go to First Friday tonight. We're tailgating!
(movement Tomahawk Chop)

(proudly) I just went to the Film School for an audition. Yep.
I knew Creed before they were famous!
Has Gulf 104 always had the same DJs?

Are you going to Springtime this year? I am totally protesting the Andrew Jackson float again.

Lovely. It's 80 degrees on New Year's Day. That means we'll get carried off by mosquitoes this year.
(sick) My ALLERGIES are killing me!
(thoughtfully) This time, I don't think it's the pollen. I think it's mildew.
I don't know why you went outside then. You know it rains at 3:30 every day.
A tree fell in my yard again.

Are you going to New Leaf?
Are you going to Black Dog?
Are you going to Bullwinkle's?

I mean, I would go to Tom Brown Park, but it's just so BIG.
Is Southwood considered its own town?
Gotta go to Thomasville today. Gas is 10 cents cheaper there.

They sell Bradley's Country Sausage here?
My momma used to run naked through Landis Green.
I remember when Tharpe Street was, like, the edge of town.
THIS is the Democrat now?

I remember Sunnyland. No joke: that place was haunted.
I don't care what they're calling it now. It's the JUNIOR Museum.

Monday

Why I Wear Modest Swimwear

I live in Florida, where people swim outdoors for much of the year.  Spring is approaching, we're going on vacation, and it's about time to get back into swimming mode.

For several years now, I have avoided showing a lot of skin when at the pool or the beach.  Sometimes, I have just worn a long dress or short pants and waded in the water rather than getting in a swimsuit at all.  In fact, I don't think I've worn a swimsuit in the past two years.  I do have one, though, and it would be considered a modest one.  It looks somewhat like this:
 

Part of the reason why I enjoy modest swimwear is that it is no fuss.  I don't like to pull and tug at my swimsuit and worry about something coming off.  I am usually chasing after kids, and the last thing I want in front of other people is a wardrobe malfunction when I'm bending over to pick up a wayward toddler.  A modest suit is a practical solution.

I am also pressed for time so I don't have the opportunity to worry about things like my bikini line.  (Heck, I barely have time to remember to brush my teeth!) The modest swimsuit takes that silly worry away.  Further, I don't like to get sunburned, and the more I can cover up, the less skin I have to slather with sunscreen.

Finally, there is the matter of looking sexy.  I don't come to the pool or the beach to impress anyone - man or woman - about how sexy I am.  (Yes, you can laugh heartily at that.)  I just want to swim and hang out, not show off.

I'll admit, there is some controversy when it comes to women covering up.  Some people fear that encouraging women to use modest clothing is oppressive to their freedom.  After all, women should be supported in wearing whatever they want!

I wholeheartedly agree.  I have just seen both sides.  When I was younger (and my body was much better looking, pre-motherhood), I enjoyed wearing more revealing swimsuits.  I did all the time. In fact, when I was eighteen years old, my photograph was on a postcard, and I was wearing a yellow "slingshot" swimsuit that left little to the imagination.  (Think of the movie "Borat" and that swimsuit.  My apologies for the visual!  Also, only search for the term "yellow slingshot swimsuit" at your own risk.)

I liked the way I looked then, but in the end, I didn't like all of that attention and pressure put on me.  Even then, I still mostly wanted to swim and hang out, not worry about what was *hanging out* on me.  I would rather leave more to the imagination now.  I am married, and frankly, my husband has seen it all before.

I can't say that I would necessarily wear a very modest swimsuit like this one, but I do like the high SPF of the material.  No need for much sunscreen!



 Bottom line: wear whatever makes YOU feel beautiful, comfortable, and secure.  I will wear something modest, because that is what I enjoy.

For more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/21/modest-swimwear--_n_1590746.html