Back to high school II!

Burnsville High - I'm coming back!

So, I was asked to come BACK and give a class on "Wardrobing & Styling 101" PLUS! It was such a hoot last year - "Why not?"

Once we were able to get a date, reschedule that, cancel that, reschedule again, take a day off - hey, I needed to prepare and "that" crowd is NOT easy! - I finally made it there today! I'm glad it worked out for Monday vs Friday, definitely more attentive - perhaps.

Anyway....

I got up REALLY early today to start getting everything together...

references: Periodicals vs books, Metro, Details, Mpls/St Paul, Vanity Fair...

my "vocab" sheet - yup, I even created a "vocab sheet" for these kids... "trend, basic, foundation, icon, style, etc...."

my favorite "style" books: Channel, Audrey, Ralph, Kevin A, Manolo,

Quotables from Patricia Field, SJP, Coco, Tim Gunn, Rachel Zoe, my mom...etc

I already had the "outfit" picked out yesterday - of course and six other coordinates to break apart, change out and intermix...after all I was trying to explain how to create and build on basic wardrobe essentials....

On the extras: I only took five ties and five pair of glasses :-) I thought THAT was packing light!

I was REALLY feeling prepared this morning. Good night's sleep, great ensemble, organized, etc.

I had the 10:am class so I left at 9:15...how long could it take to get to Burnsville at that hr anyway??!!

The whole morning went to _____ as soon as I started to drive!

I had forgotten to take my speaking notes!

I had forgotten to take location info - such as ROOM #, hallway, parking guidelines,

I had forgotten to take my "Check-in" information and requirements!

And panic started to kick in because most of all I had forgotten my MN ID!!!

To calm down, take my mind off of the "forgotten" as I'm driving, I decide to call my mom - who's more calming than mama-la? in the 80's as "I" remember her :-)

"Ok, then" Why did I do this? :-)

Mama-la: "Hi there. How ya feelin? Whatchya doin? How waz yer wknd? Whatchya do?

I give her a rundown of my weekend, get hers, "why haven't I called sOOner?" Why are you calling at this hr? Is something wrong?"

"Dad and I are wokin on that rummage sale with Charles and Liz... I was called to work on Friday and Sat and I don't know how your dad and Charles are going to do this"

"Do what?"

"Run the rummage sale"

"It's just a rummage sale - not an end of season clearance sale at Dillards. I'm sure they'll do fine."

"I don't know. You know those two"

"Hey, there isn't anything in there that "I'd" want is there?"

"God no - this is just your father's crap that he's picked up "rummaging" himself. It's time he got rid of this ____!"

I love my mom! She just tells it the way it is and that IS the way it WILL be :-)

I tell her what I'm doing this moring and WHY I was calling at this hr..so, that meant I had to tell her I took the day off "Now Why would you go and do that?" "Are you sure you can do that?"

"That's what PTO/vacation is for."

"You just better make sure. I don't want you getting in trouble at work. You know how important a job is - any job."

"I am Mama-la. It's all good."

"Ok, then."

All I wanted to do was say hi and kill time on my way to Burnsville! Now, I'm even more flustered, trying to "remember" how to get to the high school so I ask my mama-la if I can let her go and I'll call her back afterwards...

"Ok, then. Good luck. Have a good morning at school Love you" - I am immediately brought back to 1986

WHY??!!!!!

It is now 9:52 :am and class starts at 10:05.... somethings NEVER change!

However - everything else DOES!

You can no longer "walk in to" the high school. Things have changed in the past year... A LOT!

I have to follow signs that are created with "clip art" and a format that "I" don't even understand - I don't think they're "Mac" based - and I mean Apple vs the cosmetics! :-) that say: "Use this door after this hr" "Stand here to be buzzed in" and when I pull on the door handle - because I have a garment bag and (really cool recycled feed/billboard signs tote from Anne) an over the shoulder book holder that is large enough to put 9 pair of shoes - boxed, on end...

I feel like an intruder trying to BREAK IN TO school.

The door didn't click in time, the woman in the glass office, in control of the buzzer is looking out at me like:

"Who or what the hell are you doing?" and finally I catch the right buzz and walk in.

Me: "Hi. (smiley face) I'm Ken O'Brien and I'm here for Ms so & so for the 10:am Fashion Class.....

Warden/Secretary: "State issued ID"

Me: "I, I actually "forgot" that

Warden: Looks up at me...

Let me set this scenario:

I am 6'2" tall, bald(ish), 5 o'clock shadow at all times, wearing a suit, arms loaded with crap, smiling, knowing that "I" am running late, in a hurry because I do NOT want to be caught "navigating" the halls between bells because it's a SWARM of high schoolers....

Warden is... maybe all of 5' tall but she is sitting down at the desk, BLONDE hair - that can only from a bottle and that would HAVE TO BE PEROXIDE!, BIG glasses on the end of her tiny little nose, which she is looking over them, up at me as a only a Yorkie would a Great Dane.... size does NOT matter or intimidate her!

Her hair is curled back and slightly "feathered" and I ALMOST recall a comb holding back on one side....

Still, I smile politely and explain....

I know Ms so&so told me to bring that but I actually forgot. However, I did have my passport in my car!

And I hand that over VERY proud that I had at least THAT for identification.....

Warden: Your what?

me: "My passport".

me - in my mind: Those little blue booklet things that are issued by the FEDERAL government - not just the state which out ranks my DL.

Warden: I don't know if that will work.

Takes my passport, I watch her try to put it INTO the scanner - which it is obviously too large to do - and I immediately see this does not make her happy.

She is ACTUALLY going to have to TYPE my information in vs "scan" it. OH NO!

It is now 10:am and I decide to set my stuff down on a chair... and I turn back around to see how her progress is coming...

Warden: "Oh, that's why I recognize your name"

Me: in my head - OH CRAP! are we related? Does she know my cousins that live in B'ville? What?! I don't recognize her AT ALL!"

Warden: "You were supposed be here last Friday!" and looks up at me with this little grin like "I'm" off a day or week?!

Me: "Yes, I was supposed to be but plans changed and I'm here today. Didn't Ms so&so let you know that?"

Warden: "Yes, I believe she did but I just remembered your name...." hands me "hall pass" and buzzes the door!

Me: I don't even have my stuff gathered up yet and I feel like I'm trying to "beat the clock" as buzzes the door!!!!

Warden: "Over at that white pillar, take a left, down the hall til it "T's", another left, down the "ramp" and keep going. Do not stop at the hallway, it's after that.

OMG! I feel like I'm sprinting down the halls now, hugely unimportant "visitors" pass that luckily doesn't want to stick to my crepe wool suit and gratefully - my mind is photographic and "I" recall the way to the classroom from last year and make it in plenty of time BEFORE the bell rings and I'm surrounded by the student body and the class!

THIS IS ALL BEFORE 10:05 AM!!!

Wait until I get INTO the class!!!!

Next post to follow!

Manny Diaries 2010 Friday- part two "Only in Edina"

Ok, gotta finish Friday before I can cover the weekend - and that was a breeze!

It's everything that has transpired since then!!

Friday, Feb 5 "Only in Edina"

Ok, if any of you "know" me, Y'ALL know I'm all about "The Clothes!" Maybe sad for some but not me. Clothes DO make the first impression. Clothes CAN change the person (or the image thereof). Clothes CAN give you warmth safety. Clothes can even get you laid....HELLO?! Ok, not in "my" case but Why do think they have Frederick's, Victoria's? Reality! I'm just trying to say "Clothing play a VERY large part in all of our lives!"

AND, NO OTHER place is THAT more evident than in the Edina School system.... Abercrombie, Juicy, Rock & Republic, Chip & Pepper, Marc Jacobs, Dolce, Louis.... and this is the MIDDLE SCHOOL - grades 6-9!!!

HOWEVER - NONE of these brands even come close to the overwhelming, over marketed, over saturated, limited skus (items offered) and such a lack luster color pallet - WHO on earth can wear Kelly Green aside from drunken Irish and Irish wannabe's on St Patty's Day??!!! And WHY??!!! Than the EDINA SCHOOL SYSTEM and their very own LOGO wear?!!!!!!!

Julie TRIED to warn me!

I spent last year "grooming" Wyatt: Khakis, NICE jeans, an array of polo shirts and an array of long sleeve t's - as "uniform" for him. He actually wore Converse tennis shoes too.

coercing , bribing, convincing him that you should CARE about the way that you present yourself to your peers and classmates..... BREAK THROUGH! So I thought! Julie was even impressed when she returned last year and he KEPT dressing like that......

OMG - NOT this year!

It's EDINA WEAR! Hoodies - multiples!...in case one gets dirty (God forbid) in black and that lovely shade of Kelly Green, winter hats - again, the SAME two color offerings and we can't forget the simple T's, long sleeve T's, and I can only image what else is in that store. Which happens to be the only RETAIL establishment reporting PROFIT last year!

THEN, in addition to these "sweats" and I don't mean chocolates - I mean "S-wets" are the track pants and/or "athletic" pants that HAVE to be worn together... AS AN OUTFIT! TO SCHOOL!!! Where have we gone wrong with this children!? So young, so moldable, and this is what they PICK?!

Julie - you need to take Wyatt out of the "Edina School System" - I don't care what is "socially associated" with the suburb OR it's school system - if "Edina Wear" is all that worn - do you want him to look and dress like the donor the REST OF HIS LIFE? Tell me NO! Let me get him a little suit or at least a black blazer to go with jeans and a printed t or something!!!!

So, anyway - that was my "finishing" thought for Friday.

And no, not even offering to take him jean shopping and BUYING him a NEW pair -would Wyatt concede to or change his School Attire - damn school spirit!

Now for the weekend!

Manny Ken

Manny Diaries: 2010..12 is the NEW 13!

If I may refresh memories....

Manny Diaries are the "logs/blogs" of my experiences, conversations and life stepping into a role that I know little about - Parenting! Yup, it's that time of year again where I get to be "Manny Ken" to my now 12 yr old 'nephew' - for lack of a better term. He's the closest I will ever have to "nephew" and that's all that matters to us.

Wyatt is the son of my very best/dearest friend Julie. I've known Wyatt since he started cell dividing in Julie's womb and now he's 12 going on 15! Tweens! Who invented them?! And WHY???

In either early February or early March I am asked to stay with Wyatt, the dogs (3 are now 2) and watch over the house when Julie and Greg go on their winter vacation. Greg has learned that it has to be at least two weeks BEFORE my birthday or a week AFTER my birthday. I do one thing, ok two, in February - EVERY February. I plan, create, throw and host my own birthday party. It's been that way for YEARS! That way, "I" know I can't disappoint myself.

But we're here to talk about Wyatt and our time/experiences with each other - what we both learn this week!

Oiy! I can hardly wait......

So, here I am. Year two. 11 is now 12 and by that definition... I have my very own "Tween" on my hands...

Friday, Feb 5

An early start!

I know I have a hard time with time, time management, telling time, judging time... you get the point.

Mostly, my biggest beef with time is being anywhere ON TIME!

So Julie and Greg decide to get the very FIRST flight out this :am....5:AM! WHO flies that early - WHY?

That means that they had to leave the house by 3:AM. In any case that meant SOMEONE had to be here with Wyatt. That someone was ME! I couldn't stay Thursday eve as I had plans. So, I promised I would get up and be to the house for Wyatt when he got up. Agreed time was 6:am.....I don't get up at 6:am, especially lately - I'm lucky if I've just fallen asleep by then. But for Julie and more so Wyatt - I said I would....FOR SURE!

Ok, so I didn't go to sleep until 1:30. If I were as smart as Julie - I would've stayed up all night like she did. Why not, we were emailing at 1:am. But NOOOOOOOOOOOOO, I just HAD to lean back, put my head down and "rest my eyes"....utnil 5:50 AM!!!! Where'd my alarms go?! Why is it 5:50 and NOT 5:30??? What the H!??

Thank god I'm a creature of habit and had laid my "tomorrow's" outfit out, along with shoes, belt and scarf! I'd be screwed! Shower? Didn't even cross my mind. I flew out of bed, jumped into that outfit, sprayed some cologne and was out of there in RECORD time - until I got down to the garage and realized that I had left my work "murse" (man purse) up in the condo AND Oliver - can't forget him.... so I run back up, grab those two most important items and back to the garage to my car. Which is FULL of anything and everything. My first thought was "Oliver, you'll just have sit on my lap" and once we were in the car my next thought was...."where the hell am I going to put Wyatt????" Oh well, we'll figure that out when we get there. Throw the car into gear, pull up to the garage door, the garage door opens and WTF?! When did it SNOW???! It's NOW 6:AM! Panic and adrenaline start kickin in and that's not a good combo for ME when it's snowing with "my" car - I forget that my "Peppy VonPassat" is not an SUV as I fishtail onto 1st street trying to step on the gas and Peppy just shows me this little blinking symbol of squiggly lines and the back of a car....like now is the time for "symbols" telling me that I'm spinning, or it's slippery or whatever that symbols means - JUST GO!!!!

I know my in's & outs and multiple ways to and from Julie's. We have to, but that's another story....

So I'm thinking River Road?? Nope too many hills and stop signs, campus cops that THINK they're actual cops but somehow THEIR tickets are for real! and Minnesota Early Morning Runners - god they bug me! It's winter IN MN AND it's SNOWING!! Take a friggin break will ya! Talk about addicted - or committed or whatever - I call it sick!

So I opt for Washington to Hiawatha to Julie's. You know what REALLY bugs me about going to or from Julie's when I have Wyatt? The flippin LIGHT RAIL! Sure it's convenient if you have FOUR hours in a morning to take it ONE WAY!

Light rail? ABsolutely nothing related to "LIGHT SPEED" that's for sure! Nothing like waiting at a light on Hiawatha - THEY NEVER TURN because there is constantly a "light rail" train coming or going in either direction! Just not the direction I need because I have to CROSS the rail!!! ARGHHHHHH!

Anyway - I come whippin down 42nd, roll through the stop at Minnehaha - no one is really out that early - except ALL THE SLOW PEOPLE!!!!! finally turn into Julie's alley - why doesn't the city HAVE to plow the alleys in Mpls?!!

Spittin and spinning through the alley, turn into their driveway - barely missing the neighbor's "This STAKE means THIS patch is MY property so I'm putting this here so you know it's MY PROPERTY AND you can't drive over, on or barely around it!" It's up all year round. If it weren't for Greg, the stake probably wouldn't exist...

Oh yeah - back to Wyatt....

It's NOW 6:30. That's what time I was supposed to WAKE him at.... I slam my car into park, jump out, look up at his room - lights are on! Dang it! Wait - Wyatt's already up? What's that? He's looking out his window down to me? He's doing something.... what?! WYATT!!!! I got the big ol "L" (finger/thumb) to the forehead! I deserved that one.

The first thing I hear when I walk in...."You're late!" ........... "But it's snowing" doesn't cut it when you're supposed to be the "responsible" one :-)

No denying that one! I'm a late loser! half an hour late!

Wyatt on the other hand is up, showered, dressed and wondering what "I'M" going to make for breakfast! ME? Cook?

I think I need to rent "Mermaids" w/ Cher. A little "culture" and understanding...."I" don't cook. I open. I microwave. I eat.

I look at him, impressed that he's everything this morning that I'm not - READY!

"The only thing I know how to make this early...ok, at all, is cereal. Here's some Apple Jacks. Eat fast, we gotta fly."

"It's snowing!"

And that was just the beginning of the morning......

more tomorrow....... "What kids are wearing to school today" (kill me now!)

Manny Ken :-)

Happy NEW Year!

So,

Been away for awhile - my New Year's Reso is to focus on what will BUILD ME, GROW ME and HELP ME.... so I'm back on this blog thing to see what I can do with it in the coming year.

Thank you for believing, being so patient and of course, READING what little ol me has to share!

So...............

DRAMA!!!!!!!!!!!

I have NO idea where these writers came from with these "Winter Season" Premieres but OMG! Do you think they could've WARNED US? Or at least given us a chance to replenish our meds - for those of us that NEED them.... for what they clobbered us with this evening?

1st: Desperate Housewives: HF! What one of us did NOT think "what if?" tonight? What one of us did not reflect back and THANK GOD (or whomever) for what we have? AND What we have going forward?!!! Am I the only one that thought this? I thought my heart was going to be ripped out over these - what I thought last December, selfless hussies! I was right there with Susan - when they put "Monica's" fat suit on her, I thought I was going to bust a gut but in retrospect, look about what she thought about, her family and blah, blah, blah! Then there was the whole Gabrielle and Trans-America friend ------ WHO would've thunk THAT one???!!!!! I almost consumed my entire bottle of "Brother's & Sister's Reserve" over that show!

THEN! Did anyone see tonight's episode unfolding like it did?! I love to hate her, even in real life because I didn't like her on 30-something - But Holly sitting there when that Ryan came in....I KNEW his balls were on the chopping block! BUT, I'm sure that Stoic Nora will make everyone forgive and forget his evil doings because he saved Kitty's life!!! And OMG! Can you imagine an more IMPLAUSIBLE and HOAXY relationship than Kitty and Robert??? And the fight with Kevin??? Never judge a book by it's cover! OMG! I never thought I'd be rushing to Walgreen's in the "am" BEFORE work but I need to make sure that I have my antidepressants IN HAND before I walk in and greet the New Year after an evening of heart ache, REFLECTION (in reality) and self, as well as family, reassessment as far as values, contempt and FORGIVENESS! Who woulda thunk that ABC would've and DID in an evening that no therapist, NOR my trip home for the holidays, could've fixed????!!!!!!

Happy New Year Everyone!

Ken & Oliver

Ken's Big Barn Adventure

http://www.muddlake.com/

Still just planning and organizing for the event. 

Meeting with Bob tomorrow to go over the marketing avenues and contacts and getting ready to blow this out of the water! 

This is going to be FUN!!! 

It's a great combo - Ken and Bob! Somewhat an unlikely one but nonetheless, a GOOD ONE! 

Working on a phenomenal one :-) Thanks Bob - you're the best! 

More info on the artists and the event to come. Gotta get back to that planning! It's all in the details people! Details! 

OMG! Where do I begin?!

I have been working on a "Ken event" for the last month. It has finally come to fruition and I couldn't be happier! 

The event is at Mudd Lake  at the end of May. 

May 30 & 31 to be exact. Thank you Bob for this opportunity!!!! 

Bob has let me hand pick TEN artists to be a part of the "Ken Event". 

My artists are: 

1. Westy Caswell Copeland:
2. Linda Thiltgen
3. Todd Waters: Link to come
4. Kathryn Capone Chermak: Link to come
5. Tanya Garvis: 
6. Susan Piazza: 
7. Sue Christiansen:
8. Doug Talalla: 
9. To Be Announced! 
10. To Be announced! 

Here is the event: 

Of course, MORE details are to follow!!!!!  As well as artist's updates and links!!!! 

This IS the LAST weekend in May and should be a great turn out!!! 

If YOU'RE NOT THERE.....well, I don't know .... YOU OUGHT TO BE!!!!! 

THIS is what I have been so excited for! This is our FIRST Bi-Annual event! There will be another come fall and THAT is going to be Spectacular....JUST as the first one is PROMISED to be!!!! 

Stay tuned - there is SO much more to be announced!!!! 

Hope to see everyone there! Stay tuned!!!! 

Ken (and Oliver of course!) 

P.S.

ENJOY! Sorry to have been away for so long! 

Who said: "Do you know how popular I am? I am so popular. Everybody loves me so much at this school."?

So, I guess there's no context as to why I posted what I posted regarding my experiences yesterday at Burnsville High - is some feedback. 

First: I was asked to come to Burnsville High to share my wealth of knowledge on clothing, the basics - such as "wardrobing" and closet organization all based off of the Startrib article that was run back in February. 

Yesterday, I went to Burnsville High to teach two classes. They were "Fashion Studies" classes and they were a riot! 

Who would've thought that "I" would be going BACK to High School???? to TEACH! 

The following is mental interpretation of how I saw the classes, how I saw myself and why it was such a trip. 

I hope this clarifies the context of my writings. 

My motto is: All 80's, All the Time! 

OMG! Going BACK to High School was a total trip today! 

I graduated in 1988....that would make it 22 years ago! (I graduated in 1988 as a member of that class but I left in 1987 to start college...vocational school at that but nonetheless - I was out of there a whole year early!) 

ANYWAY - I thought I had stepped through a time-warp in all seriousness. 

First, I was so nervous Tuesday night, preparing, picking out the "perfect" teacher outfit and thinking of witty ways that I could express what I was trying to get across to teenage girls and ........yes, there was actually a LITTLE ME in the class - I looked at that kid and thought - "Kenny, How brave of you to take a FASHION class in High School!" A kid after my own heart. AND THEN, when he asked me where to find these hole things that you used for lacing a shirt up - I was like - this kid IS ME! For some ODD reason I knew exactly what he was trying to ask me and I told him they were "grommets" and he could get them at JoAnne's or Michael's. You would've thought I pointed him the direction of Mecca! 

So back to B'ville High. 

My god it was like I was living a John Hughs film in REALITY! 

How can I put it visually??? 

This is how I felt! With my cool outfit and knowledge just waiting to pour out of me! 

My outfit was pretty damn cool AND I got to show them how three pairs of glasses can change an outfit along with a simple pocket square! And trying to convey MY themes to them? Glossed over! 

In scanning each class, all I could think of was: 

 +   +   +   +    = Ken's Day in a nut shell! 

I had the delinquents from "Take the Lead" :

Infax, a couple of these girls wanted to know what "my wife" thought of my spending and all of these clothes.... 

I sid: I'm single. I aint got no wife and that's the reason I kin afford my clothes. Umhmmmmm! Snap! 

"Stay in school and become sumthin!" 

Then I thought....for a brief moment that I had a couple gals from:   &    but then I remembered I was at B'ville High, NOT Edina. Times have certainly changed in ol B'ville. Not what it once was.... 

In my first class, I had this girl that as soon as I saw her, I thought: !!!!!!! 

Totally. She even put her head down and rested for a while but then something made her tune in...maybe it was my take on Michelle Obama or my character change with just THREE different pairs of glasses. Regardless, she was awake the rest of the class and I was afraid to keep looking at her because I was so transfixed that I was talking to Ally Sheedy from THe Breakfast Club!!!! I just wanted to be Clarie and teach her "not to put so much black shit on her eyes". 

 - You can't have ANY High School without THESE girls. And of course I loved them and picked them out immediately!!!! Ummhmmmm. Again, needed a little more work than I thought but I totally had these girls pegged in the second class.....irony in that last statement but true. See, I reverted BACK to High School today and I though I was NEVER going to go back!!!! 

 I had to throw this in because I swear this was the kid from the first group - How can escape your high school past? NEVER! 

Then while I was there, I couldn't help but think of these. My ego may have placed me in Ferris Bueller's Day Off but I also quoted it.....why? It just happened. After asking if there were anymore questions I fell into "Bueller, Bueller, anyone" totally went over THEIR heads but the teacher and I got the inside chuckle. So I hit it off with the teacher as well. :-) Always a plus. 

This dude came to mind too....when looking at the wall of teachers - THIS GUY STILL EXISTS!!!!!! Ieewwwwwww. 

Lastly, these are some of the other girls that were in both classes. Take a look at the covers and yup, all of them could be pin pointed out of my classes. It was such a hoot. Who needs to picture people in their underwear - not to mention that it's illegal with high school students - when you've got the entire decade called the 80's?!!!!!!! 



Did I mention that I get to go back???? That was the best part! A FREE CALL BACK!!!! Or would that be a Call back for FREE?! Regardless - it's an outlet to spread my knowledge and permeate the minds of the young and uncorrupted...still WRONG school! Sorry! 

Live! Laugh and have a cocktail! The hard part is over!