Surprisingly, a blog...and a hoodie

Somehow, I have lesson plans and homework done on the same evening. So...

I've been pondering a theory in my head. It could quite possibly be preposterous, but we'll see what you guys think. I've been mulling around the idea that there are two types of jobs in this world--those you do because they mean something to you and those you do to earn money to buy nice things that mean something to you. I guess you could have a job that fulfills both needs. But I think maybe people, whether consciously or unconsciously, pursue one route or the other. Maybe it is still the novelty of my career that has presented this possiblity. Any comments?

Alright, so I've been investigating a sociological mystery to me at school for the past couple of weeks. One of my students from last year who likes to hang around and harass me has also been participating in these observations. I've convinced her I'm returning to grad school and writing a dissertation about these musings. I have cafeteria duty during my fourth period this year, so this means I stand in the cafeteria and attempt to keep order for an hour and a half each day. This gives me more than ample time to observe these strange creatures we call "teenagers."

I've noticed that a great deal of teenagers are fond of the "hoodie." When I was in high school, way back ten years ago, we simply called these things "sweatshirts," regardless of whether or not they had a hood attached. The hoodie has become the clothing staple of all teenagers, regardless of peer group or socioeconomic status. I've come up with a ton of observations about this staple, but I'll paraphrase here, as my observations continue.

So, today as my student partner (who we will call T) and I were standing in the gravelteria (this is what we call the area where students are currently enjoying lunch during the renovations at our school) I bet her that 5 out of the next 10 students to walk through the doorway would be wearing hoodies. I was exactly right! Although I think the number of students who wear hoodies each day may be a little higher in reality. Teenagers wear hoodies regardless of the weather. If it is 110 degrees outside with high humidity, you can still go to the mall and find a plethora of hoodies. If it is snowing outside, chances are you will find teenagers wearing only a hoodie as their primary means of warmth. So, I'm thinking weather has nothing to do with the hoodie.

Initially, my hypothesis was that the emo kids were the primary users of hoodies. And I proposed to T that these students wear hoodies to stay warm because of their cold, cold hearts deep inside. But turns out there are two types of hoodies. We will call these "band" hoodies and "preppy" hoodies. Band hoodies usually have some pop culture reference. Preppy hoodies are things you would buy at American Eagle or Aeropostale, or maybe even a sports team. The other variable is whether or not you wear a hoodie randomly, and have several hoodies to alternate or you have one or two primary hoodies that you were everyday.

T and I have decided the hoodie is now an integral part of the teenage identity. One wearer of the band hoodie informed that her hoodie was "like a security blanket." Now, I'm pretty sure most teenagers would not acknowledge the importance or social status implied by the hoodie. It's just "cool" or "comfortable" or "I get cold at school." But I am becoming more convinced with each day that I observe these creatures that the hoodie is identity. T demonstrated for me that if its a bad day and you want to hide from the world or indicate to others to leave you alone, you simply utilize the hood of the hoodie.

I know that some readers are thinking this post is shear cynism. It absolutely is not. I'm seriously fascinated by the hoodie and how attached teenagers are to it these days. I own hoodies and I'm trying to figure out if I'm cool enough to have a hoodie identity or if my old age has caused my circulation to slow down and led to me being colder. I have a different student, CC, who is currently composing a list of uses for the hoodie. She was just today informing me how much contraband can be stored in a hoodie.

I will continue my research into the hoodie and its various functions in our society. I love my student informants--I think we share a mutual awe of one another. They think I am crazy to be interested in this and I am intrigued by their unique perspectives.

Keep on rockin' out the hoodie...or looking good, depending on which group you fall into.

Alright, so school has started and I'm a complete blog slacker. I'm a little busy, but its no excuse. Here's the update of random facts about life in the present:

-I have to take an entire course on Canada this semester to finish my second MA. Who gives a flip about Canada? It's horrible and I'm already behind. My other class is Spec. Ed. and its not too bad.

-I saw a really cool line on a church marquee today. I usually hate those things, but this was good: Forgive your enememies; it messes with their head.

-We were talking about ancient Egypt in my Humanities class this week and I was explaining that King Tut died when he was 19. One of my students informed me that he was killed because Moses sent the bugs from the plague to murder him by burrowing a hole in his head.

-Added a tattoo this weekend because I think they are addictive and I can't resist.

-Loud music in my car is awesome.

-I think school should be from 10am-2pm. Maybe I'll start a petition. I hate mornings.

-My friends are the best. All of them. Even when we fight like siblings.

-I can't believe Tuesday is the six year anniversary of 9/11. Why is this not a national holiday yet? Doesn't seem like that long ago that my college roommate and I sat in front of the tv for the entire week watching the news.

-I am leaving the country next summer. I am. Anyone up for the travel is invited...

-Sheryl Crow was right: Everyday is a winding a road.

-Starbucks in Ashland = Grandness.

-I really want a new Ipod.

-I like to make lists on my hand of things I need to do. I do not like when this ink ends up all over me.

-Patty Griffin rocks

-I have an exchange student in one of my classes and everyday is an adventure. I told her she looked sneaky one day because she is always smiling. She looked this word up in her German dictionary and the definition was 'crawling around on the floor on hands and knees.' Go figure.

Yes, random facts are pointless. But if you are reading this, you must be slightly entertained by my slant on random things. Alright, I'm writing this to avoid writing a paper about Canada so I should get back to that so I can finally graduate, again. New blog soon to come--maybe even tonight when I attempt to avoid writing this senseless paper for this senseless professor. The readers are restless and have even given me an article about forced abortion in China to blog about. Be patient. It's coming.