What's in a name, really?

Look, I find vests to be the peak of sophistication. It's not just the fact that they make me look like I am slim, read The Economist and carry a pocket watch; They are classy, a bit awkward and kind of tool-ish- much like myself.

I mean, would you LOOK at this thing?:

I'll take one, please. And the vest, too. Hey-o!

So here's the rundown: this is a simple little blog created to feel like I'm as cool as my friends that have started their own. I've wanted to do one for quite some time, but have never felt like I could be witty on a regular basis. Now, to explain the title:

Four years ago, I began the noble and ridiculous profession of teaching. On my very first day of school as a middle school teacher (we'll call it "El Dia del Shoot Me in the Face"), I decided that I needed to look the part because I (clearly) was not the part. I scanned my closet in our good 'ole Spanish Harlem abode and found the perfect piece to compliment by brown pants, blue shirt and tie and the look of absolute panic on my face: my vest.

It fit like a glove. A tight glove, rather- because I bought it a size too small to encourage me to put down the fifth slice of pizza. In any case, I started my first career post-college that day donning what I thought was the perfect outfit. Now, I don't remember much of that first day (or first few weeks, to be honest). People tend to block out traumatic events. What I do remember is the fact that my students called me by a different name for the first month because of this damned piece of clothing. Now, to be fair- my last name is very similar to "vest," but it still proved infuriating.

"Hey, Mr. Vest!"

"What's the homework, Mr. Vest?"

"Why are you hiding in the corner of your room so no one can see you crying, Mr. Vest? It's only Monday."

How clever of them.

This here blog will chronicle what its like to be a teacher in New York City- both in and out of the classroom. Expect stories centered on awkward exchanges with children and professionals, trying to balance work with being in my mid-20s in this incredible city, and probably including lists about what I ate that day. I'm not sure how frequent these updates will be, but I hope to GOD they are worth your time.

Here we go....