Online petition... signs in your yard... call your congressmen...

I know that I have discussed some important issues in this blog and I always have an issue that is of the utmost importance.  (Have you signed our petition at www.refuelourfuture.org?)

But, this is the biggest travesty yet.

Shoulder pads are back in style.

How did this happen?  Even when asking the sales clerks at the 18 stores in the mall that I went to, I came up with no answer except, "The 80s are back."  What a *&$@# disappointment.

You see, next week, I have one of the more important meetings of my career, in which we will make our first pitch to a member of the board of trustees.  I had dreams of a chic skirt, fitted top, and blazer over the outfit, to cap it off.  After the pitch, when we go out to dinner, I could casually take it off and throw it over my shoulder or drape it on the chair.  It would complete the outfit...  complete the pitch...  complete me!  So, I confidently trotted to the mall, ready to spend some money on this blazer that would make my career!

Store #1: No talls.  But, even when I tried the blazers on...  I somehow looked boxy and football-player-eque.  Not understanding the source of the problem, I just thought that this $200+ blazer was poorly made.

Store #2: Many 3/4 length sleeved blazers...  I could try it.  Why do I look like a football player?  What?  Shoulderpads?  WHAT?

Store #3-#10: More of the same. 

And then repeat...  as I visit store #2 for the second time, determined this time to find something, and the saleslady, sensing my panic, brings me blazer after blazer.  We finally find one that doesn't look hideous, but I realize, I cannot lift my arms because it is so tight around my very broad shoulders.
  Me: I can't lift my arms.
  Her: But it looks so much better than all the others!
  Me:  I can barely button it.
  Her: You don't have to button it!  Just leave it!
  Me: I am going to spend over $150 on a blazer that I can't button and in which I can't lift my arms?
  Her: Do you want me to put it on hold and you can think about it?
 
Disaster.  Tears flowed as I got in the car.  And disaster continued to strike when I realized, upon coming home, that Maizie had chewed my lucky underpants.  Failure was imminent.

However, showing once again that she is the partner I have been searching for, Stephanie sends me this inspiring message regarding the lucky underpants:
      "Maybe it's a sign... We don't need luck, it's all talent, and we already possess that?  A sign to wear them anyway, despite being ragged on the edges?  Or a sign that this is a new awakening to a new chapter in life, that requires a different sort of luck, so new undies are required?"

And a dress was ordered!  (Undies to follow, I suppose!)  Blazers be damned; I'm going for a dress.  And it fits and I love it. 

This new chapter in life...  I don't say this lightly... will be EPIC.

My "pitch" outfit

But please, write to your congressmen about the new influx of shoulderpads.  It's really a lack of oversight, intelligence, and the weak-shouldered girls club of the fashion world that is running this blazer show and it's time to put a stop to it.

P.S. Wish us luck on Tuesday.

P.P.S. And then wish me luck again on Friday when I present my internship findings in the morning then meet with the Vice President of Finances at JHU in the afternoon.  And then again on Saturday when I present my thesis.  But, mostly wish us luck on Tuesday.