world statement shirt day

the latest il jointman creation

today is world shirt statement day. let me get that straight. world statement shirt day. there. fair enough, i made that up. but who says i cant make up my own holidays and celebrate 'em. so for all intents and purposes, (and not "for all intensive purposes", mind me) today, the last day of september, is hereby declared world statement shirt day. and, i just have the perfect shirt for it. not to mention the great occasion to wear it

im getting tired of all this kami-kami ["just us"] exclusive mentality. i think the world needs less of it. time for people to integrate more with other different people. less barriers, more bridges. and more open-house parties! (not to mention, free beer and free cash, of course)

here's the background—weeks back, i got an invitation to an ateneo alumni gathering happening tonight at the philippine consulate here in new york. as usual, there is that "wear blue" [our school color] note at the end of the invite. im sure there's nothing wrong with it and that im just making a total fuss out of an innocent footnote [classic jason, but of course], but i really think this exclusive stick-with-your-own thinking has got to end now. or at least, lessened.

the world has enough silos. and exclusive this and that clubs. and chinatowns (and traditional families only wanting their kids to marry and have relationships with people from their own status). and morroccans living in holland refusing to learn the language and adapting to the culture (but let's not get there as i dont want to end up as another theo van gogh). and jasons imposing their thoughts on others (so alright, maybe i do sometimes). enough silos! more interactive openness.

dont get me wrong though. i see the practicality and convenience of sticking with your own posse (especially in an oh-so-tough world such as new york). but i do have a strong feeling that a lot of opportunity is lost with an extreme sense of needing to stay within the comforts of ones established group. and so from now on, with a firm resolve, i shall meet more people. celebrate people's differences more. integrate more. learn more. share more (as long as its not monetary obviously). and the integration/celebration of people's individuality starts tonight (im sure there's a contradiction here somewhere). armed with my green shirt, i shall brave the sea of atenean blue.

SHIRT ON! celebrate statement shirt day! take to the streets, wear your coolest of them all shirts, and let the world know how you feel! or if that's not your cup of cake (yes, i know its "cup of coffee". ha...), make your own holidays and let the world know of it. who knows, maybe hallmark just might hear about it and give you a cut to their greeting card sales.

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[context: ateneo is my old university. green is the school color of our archrival, la salle. LS is to ateneo as bosox is to the yankees or george bush to the rest of the world] i guess it's a good shirt after all. it's already been complimented by an officemate, and that's even without her knowing what in the world "ateneo" means.