the yellow bracelet
Does anyone still remember back when freakin' everyone in America, hell the planet even, wasn't wearing those yellow braclets. I originally had the adjective silly included in that last statement, but I guess out of respect for the cause behind those bracelets I took it out. Yes, the cause, I wonder if the people who are now wearing (or still wearing) those bracelets (everyone but me it seems) even remember the cause that used to be numero uno, and not just the fashion statement.
I'll admit I once proudly displayed one on my wrist too, but I think I bailed on the movement in the nick of time - right before the exact moment they became trendy. Well maybe not before they became trendy, but certainly before they became a phenomenon and everyone from preschoolers to grandmothers were flossin'. I remember the moment it dawned on me. I was sitting at a stoplight alone in my car and happened to look over into the car in the next lane. It was a mom and three kids in the wagaon. I remember thinking, wow a wagon, not even an SUV, damn those poor kids, I wonder if they know they got parents who aren't even cool enough to to be uncool. Then I saw them... yellow bracelets! I haven't worn mine since.
It was back in the first week of June that I first got word of these infamous yellow bracelets. I was in a shoe store at the mall one afternoon when this chick flew into the store and raced straight for the register, instantly peaking my attention. I heard her asking if they had any of the bracelets and the guy telling her they had sold out. She was pissed because I guess she had inquired previosly and was assured the store would have some in on this day. Turns out they did, she was just a few hours late. Looking at her I thought to myself, judging by this girl's appearance and clothes she's certainly a somebody at her school, I gotta know what these bracelets are. And apparrently fast since they sell out in mere minutes. Long story short, five days later I had one of my own and I couldn't wait for people to notice.
Yes, I did just blast other people for only caring about a fashion statement a few lines up this page, but trust me, my fashion statement was a completely different monster. When I used to wear mine, back when mom and pop didn't wear theirs, I was eager to tell everyone who inquired all about Lance and his story. I'd gladly speak all about cancer, the foundation, and the man who inspired it all. Then within a few weeks I went from the torch bearer to one of the fraternity - those few who were cool/lucky enough to have acquired one. By then the Olympians were all wearing them. Then what two months later, every Tom, Dick, Jane, and gosh even Mr. Kerry was wearing one. Suddenly, I was one of the masses, but hey it was in support of a good cause so it was still okay.
But now, wow! What happened? Now they come in ninety thousand million colors and say everything from "Support The Troops" to "Princess". And I'm sure if you are opportunistic enough you could even have one of your very own reading whatever slick, but clever catchphrase you wish in that trendy but mass marketable color of your choosing. "Go Cards" right! Personally, I'm looking to flaunt the orange "just another pretty toy" one on my wrist. Then I too could be on my way to becoming one of those people running around with an entire rainbow up their sleeve. It might actually be fun to be completely clueless as one the biggest tools in the entire world. Then again, I like what I see when I look in the mirror. And Lord knows, if I ever lose that, I'm through. And I like to think I'm not completely void of personality.
It's just sad what the yellow bracelet has become. It's success is almost it's worst nightmare. I wonder if they knew then it would become what it is now, if they'd still do it? Yeah, your right, they totally still would have, you can't knock all the good they do. Still though it's just a bit bothersome that something that started with such a noble intention and grand purpose could be so mangled and practically stripped of all it's meaning.
I'm sorry Lance, I really am.
I'll admit I once proudly displayed one on my wrist too, but I think I bailed on the movement in the nick of time - right before the exact moment they became trendy. Well maybe not before they became trendy, but certainly before they became a phenomenon and everyone from preschoolers to grandmothers were flossin'. I remember the moment it dawned on me. I was sitting at a stoplight alone in my car and happened to look over into the car in the next lane. It was a mom and three kids in the wagaon. I remember thinking, wow a wagon, not even an SUV, damn those poor kids, I wonder if they know they got parents who aren't even cool enough to to be uncool. Then I saw them... yellow bracelets! I haven't worn mine since.
It was back in the first week of June that I first got word of these infamous yellow bracelets. I was in a shoe store at the mall one afternoon when this chick flew into the store and raced straight for the register, instantly peaking my attention. I heard her asking if they had any of the bracelets and the guy telling her they had sold out. She was pissed because I guess she had inquired previosly and was assured the store would have some in on this day. Turns out they did, she was just a few hours late. Looking at her I thought to myself, judging by this girl's appearance and clothes she's certainly a somebody at her school, I gotta know what these bracelets are. And apparrently fast since they sell out in mere minutes. Long story short, five days later I had one of my own and I couldn't wait for people to notice.
Yes, I did just blast other people for only caring about a fashion statement a few lines up this page, but trust me, my fashion statement was a completely different monster. When I used to wear mine, back when mom and pop didn't wear theirs, I was eager to tell everyone who inquired all about Lance and his story. I'd gladly speak all about cancer, the foundation, and the man who inspired it all. Then within a few weeks I went from the torch bearer to one of the fraternity - those few who were cool/lucky enough to have acquired one. By then the Olympians were all wearing them. Then what two months later, every Tom, Dick, Jane, and gosh even Mr. Kerry was wearing one. Suddenly, I was one of the masses, but hey it was in support of a good cause so it was still okay.
But now, wow! What happened? Now they come in ninety thousand million colors and say everything from "Support The Troops" to "Princess". And I'm sure if you are opportunistic enough you could even have one of your very own reading whatever slick, but clever catchphrase you wish in that trendy but mass marketable color of your choosing. "Go Cards" right! Personally, I'm looking to flaunt the orange "just another pretty toy" one on my wrist. Then I too could be on my way to becoming one of those people running around with an entire rainbow up their sleeve. It might actually be fun to be completely clueless as one the biggest tools in the entire world. Then again, I like what I see when I look in the mirror. And Lord knows, if I ever lose that, I'm through. And I like to think I'm not completely void of personality.
It's just sad what the yellow bracelet has become. It's success is almost it's worst nightmare. I wonder if they knew then it would become what it is now, if they'd still do it? Yeah, your right, they totally still would have, you can't knock all the good they do. Still though it's just a bit bothersome that something that started with such a noble intention and grand purpose could be so mangled and practically stripped of all it's meaning.
I'm sorry Lance, I really am.
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