25 April 19

The integrated circuit, also known as a "microchip," was patented 58 years ago today (1961). I have some in my ears, on my credit cards, on my keychain, in my clocks and cell phone, all over my office, car and house. In my Beginning Philosophy class tomorrow the topic is "the Internet of Things," where we will explore everything from refrigerators and Roombas to contact lenses, brain implants and fingernail polish. Microchips make it possible to get all of those things connected to networks! My tie shows the basic design of a computer motherboard, full of integrated circuits.

24 April 19

It's Denim Day at EKU! It's a "Green Dot" project to foster awareness of sexual violence and support for victims, through the Ampersand of Central Kentucky. I'm wearing my denim jeans and denim shirt and denim tie, so I think I've got things well covered.

23 April 19

Methinks I shall celebrate William Shakespeare's birthday by adorning myself with a tie not worn for yea nearly two sun-cycles. He was born on this date in 1564 and died around the same date in 1616. The Chicago Shakespeare Theater sponsors "Talk Like Shakespeare Day" every 23 April. He coined or adapted thousands of words with new meanings, including one I just learned today: "congreeing," to mean "agreeing with itself, in all its parts." Thus far today my body congreeth well, forsoooth.

22 April 19

Happy Earth Day! This tie's design reminds me of gray and blue mountains.

21 April 19

For what is probably the longest tradition in my tie history -- predating my 11-year-long tie blog -- I'm again wearing butterflies for Easter! The complete metamorphosis from the land-crawling caterpillar to the free-flying butterfly has a long tradition as a symbol of the resurrection (although I haven't uncovered the earliest references).

18 April 19

Simon and Schuster published the first crossword puzzle book on this date 95 years ago!

17 April 19

On this date in 1839, Guatemala became an independent nation. Originally a Spanish colony in 1523, it became part of the Mexican empire in 1821 and then joined with Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua in the "United Provinces of Central America" in 1823. As that assemblage came apart, Guatemala became a republic on its own. My beautiful colored-stripes tie was handmade in Guatemala by a woman named Lily (according to its label), and was purchased at the Peace Craft Fair Trade store here in Berea.