Back to the Bike....... or Not.

Holy Crap. I rode Mikey's new bike today for the first time, and it was awesome. Maybe it's just that it's so lightweight, but I felt like it was so much easier than riding my old Target bike. I can't wait for him to go to St. Louis this week so that I can take it out for a spin.

I admire his gung ho bike-riding routine. I don't think that I could do it. Then again, he has to take up to 4 forms of transit in one day, and my ass just rides the subway and walks, so I guess it's a different set of circumstances.

Besides, I can be more of a priss than him. I don't think I could deal with the elements and risk showing up to work looking less than fabulous.

I've noticed that there's a palpable difference in the amount of respect I get from a company based on my initial attire. That's why I always try to look extra-sharp at first rehearsals. I've certainly noticed that it's a bit harder to command a room in shorts and a T-shirt than it is in a jacket and my nicer jeans.

Bullshit? Give it a try. Granted, if you don't, like me, have the opportunity to work with entirely new groups of people all of the time, you probably will get more responses of the "What are you all dressed up for?" vibe, but I'm a fan.

My friend, Josh, went through a period when he started a new position recently. He said that he wanted to find what worked for someone at his level, so that he was neither over- nor under-dressed, and so that he was dressed in attire that suited his role. He wanted to dress "like management, not like an engineer."

So cultivating a specific look can also be a good thing. I've been rocking the T-shirt/ tie thing for a while now, although I've found it's harder to pull it off when I do it less frequently. Going for a distinctive signature look is certainly good branding, but it only works when you're consistent. I need to work on that.

I think it might be time hit the thrift stores. Anyone want to join me?