Bring on the Springtime! The Sweet Sixteen is finally here. About time, this dirty snow is killing my motivation. I haven't even checked but can you bounce a basketball on a clear court outside or does a pickup game still have the chance of getting broken up over a snowball fight?
At least there is youthful excitement on the television. Look at the fans pictured above, does fandom get any more hardcore? Powdered wigs, painted chests or sunglasses covering the red eyes of a pale albino? I don't know but that picture is the essence of March Madness. Looking behind the front row of March maniacs is where you saw me seated in my UMass days. Sure, I give the body painted fans credit for showing their allegiance but I was happy to sport my team's colors in t-shirt form. Nothing better than picking up a school's shirt that you will cherish for years to come. Like t-shirts from the merch table of a memorable concert, t-shirts are able to capture the good memories. I wasn't lucky enough to support a Marcus Camby at UMass but at least I can tell you I did see some great games with Anthony Anderson, a little known Boston-bred point scorer. I know I also upped my personal b-ball game while sporting UMass basketball shirts on the courts of Boyden Gym and the Southwest horseshoe. School t-shirts also are great conversation starters. I never knew a t-shirt would have found me fellow Minutemen alumni while living on the sunny beaches of San Diego. I even ran into an older couple that bought me breakfast in Kansas because their daughter was currently attending UMass Amherst. What is also cool is that the t-shirt can evolve. Sure it might have had short sleeves for the balmy Spring days of Boston but what good are sleeves for the warm Spring days of Mission Beach? Heck, my UMass shirts are still in my drawers but maybe a future Chocolate Lab puppy can be proud to rock the Maroon & White colors of my college days? No matter your team of choice, whether pro, amateur or college show your support by wearing their t-shirts. I might even order a Florida Gulf Coast shirt to show my support for the Cinderella underdog this year. It would have been better if Harvard made it to the 16, I think I have one of their tees lying in the drawer below my future UMass doggie t-shirts ;)
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I have a little downtime now on my Amtrak trip to Atlantic City so why not talk about an upcoming holiday? There is a lot of white scenery outside the window of the train so let’s talk about the jolly green holiday, St. Patrick’s Day! Ahh, St. Patrick’s Day enjoyed by young rosy-cheeked kids and jovial, loose-lipped adults. It can be the scene of community pride but also the scene of adult over-consumption. Either way it is a fun day and what better way to encourage others to join the fun than a t-shirt?
Some of the best pictures of kids are posted to Facebook by their parents for the green holiday. Is there a cuter picture than a brother and sister happily embraced with scally caps and green t-shirts? I think not. The dreariness of winter does not get to these young ones and it is good to share their enthusiasm. The choice of t-shirt is simply cute and does not need a witty comment. Everyone is Irish for this holiday and the kids will be the first ones to let you know. Next-up is the college students. They have graduated from the days of the parents bringing them to the parade. Look for the witty and sometimes lewd t-shirts from these guys. A favorite shirt of theirs is the ‘Irish I Were Drunk’ or ‘Irish Yoga’ tees. It is easy to have a chuckle at their choice in t-shirt and forget the negative stereo-types the shirts almost always imply. Also look for the team t-shirt mostly worn by fraternity brothers and sorority sisters. What better way to represent your fraternity or sorority than by wearing a t-shirt proclaiming you are an official member of the Irish Drinking team? Another cool t-shirt that makes an appearance around the St. Patty’s day holiday is the green major league sports tee. It is very cool to see classic teams like the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs go against the grain and sport Green & White as their primary team colors. Who knew that superstars like David Ortiz had a bit of Irish in him? If you are lucky you might be able to enjoy him doing a rendition of the Irish jig. As we get closer to the unofficial end to winter holiday it is important to choose a t-shirt that represents YOU. Sometimes a green shirt that proclaims Happy St. Patrick’s Day in celtic font is all that is needed to give thanks for your family & friends. So have a Guinness on Tully Ink this St. Patrick’s Day and enjoy the one time of the year you may sample a plate of Corn Beef & Cabbage. Slainte! |
Greg TullyWhen not printing then running along the Charles or at a Red Sox game soaking up the sun. Archives
January 2015
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