Despite considerable anxiety, I attended the staff holiday party last night, in a gently used denim vest over a flannel shirt. I wanted to look like Dan Conner, John Goodman’s character from the classic show, “Roseanne.” Throughout my party-going past, I’ve occasionally worn unusual outfits to break the ice, mark the special occasion, and just for fun. Its strange how memory works though… somehow in my decision to wear the denim vest, which I thought would be fun (and it was,) I’d apparently forgotten the role that heavy drinking had played in all the fantastic parties outfits from the past.
Being sober, my special denim vest actually served to amplify my anxiety rather than dampen it. There were many comments. Dave and Peter agreed that it was a women’s vest. Suzanne noticed from the perfect hemlines that it wasn’t a cut-off… it had always been a vest. Mr. S. asked what was wrong with me, godamnit, and didn’t I know that it was a dress-up party? I have the feeling that he kind of liked it, however. The most helpful commentary came from my main man EZ, who that night celebrated his ten year anniversary at the restaurant. He said, “You have to honor the guy who owned that vest before you. I bet that he got more done in that vest than you have in your whole life so far.”
Roseanne: That is not funny! You’re grounded until menopause!
Darlene: Yours or mine?
Roseanne: Your father’s!
The plan had been to dress up like Dan Conner, and from that mountainous posture to deflect anxiety. The reality was that the vest drew more attention to me than I would have liked but the party was good times. The main purpose of these staff parties (other than the drinking) seems to be to mark time at midpoints in the year. I think the team is ready to bring it in 2009, and big congratulations to El Jeffe for making one decade. Ten more years!
fantastic homage to dan conner man! i can’t wait to show C this post as you know she’s the biggest roseanne fan in the bridge. we were actually staying up ’til 2 last night to catch some of the late night episodes and they were playing the coach show instead and she was so bummed. 🙂
Looking sharp AstroB.
i had no idea this shirt was used to hide anxiety! i thought you rocked it. when i woke up, i thought i was ok, but my hangover kicked in after a nap in the late afternoon?! totally unfair. it was a creeper. believe me you missed nothing!
i enjoyed meeting everyone’s + 1’s (dates/spouses/friends). the outfits were all great but i think brenda should win the DIVA prize. amazing! and the kitchen crew, many of whom sported ties and jackets in a multitude of stripes…was classy, brassy.
really?! these are the only holiday pix you’re posting? awww, shucks.
Uhhh I think so but I will show you more sometime
first off, when did this blog become a fashion blog? every other post is about something you are wearing!
secondly, i am 100% certain that the denim vest was made for a woman – did you steal that from renee belleville in fifth grade? or perhaps this was lifted from aunt judy’s closet? (even that is insulting to your aunt judy who i am sure has better taste in clothes then that godawful thing)
thirdly, the only vest i ever saw dan connor wear is one of those khaki vests that every man from maine owns.
fourthly, remember when you had that shirt that was like half flannel/half white denim, complete with a fag tag? and how i hated that shirt with all my might? did i secretly throw that away? i can’t remember. in any case, i still hate that shirt…at least you didnt wear THAT to the party!
finally, i would have yelled at you too if you had come “dressed up” like that! THE.WORST.