Express...Yourself

 Last week my wife and I drove down to Salt Lake for lunch. We'd eaten at this particular restaurant before, the original Red Iguana, but we have not been there in years. I'm going to blog about the reason for the lunch later, because that reason is amazing. Today, I wanted to show you what the front of the building looks like...

Or, doesn't look like.

I think in every city in every state--maybe in every country--someone decides to take a thousand bumper stickers and cover their car with them, to the point the original color of the car is hidden. If they do this to attract attention, at least for me, it works. I always check out the car and if I'm close enough, I'll try and recognize any of the stickers. With enough time, I know I'll see some of the stickers from places I know.

Same with the windows and door at the Red Iguana.

I could look at the front of the restaurant for a long time. Just looking at the pictures I took, I want to see where the stickers came from. Since it appears this is a home-grown movement created by patrons and passersby, I'll bet people have traveled all over the world and when they're there, they think about picking up a bumper sticker to add to the restaurant's collection.

I have no idea how many stickers are on the walls and door...there must be thousands. So many people expressed themselves by adding to the collection. And since the restaurant has allowed people to participate, the restaurant is expressing themselves as well.

The end result, is a sight to see.

The Thrill Of Victory--The Agony Of Defeat...In Ties

We all give off signals. Some purposely, some not, but because we are social animals and use verbal and non-verbal communication to survive, we're constantly giving off signals.

Even with neckties.

In the space of one week I went from elated to deflated, all because of two football games. On November 20th, my beloved Utah Utes beat USC in California. A great win by any metric. Seven days later, Utah was destroyed by Oregon. I'm not bitter--Oregon is one of the best teams in the nation and if you can't match them, the better team wins. I did not watch the game, but I'm sure (based on decades of watching Coach Whittingham do his job...) Utah played with heart and determination. There's no shame in doing your best and getting beat.

On November 21st, I wore my Utah football tie to church.

A week later, I wore all black.

I was in mourning.

I don't think anyone noticed. I moved from an area where there were many Utah fans to an area where Utah State is the predominant school--lots of Aggie fans. Heck, I'm an Aggies fan. I always wish them well, unless they're playing Utah. When I wore my Utah football tie where we used to live, I received several comments, both from Utah fans and fans of other schools. This time--nada. No one said anything. Nor did they say anything yesterday when I donned the color of despair (Les Miserable reference...).

I'd like to wear the Utah tie more often. If I wore it every time the Utah Utes football team won, I'd wear it more than any other tie time during the season, such is a testament to their success. Here's to me having the option for many years to come.