Just Keep Smiling
Category: Style
Frosty the Mohawker Punk Rocker
Earmuffin’ and Big Pimpin’
Snowball fights
Greeks Raise The Roof
I am as excited as the Saturday Night Live Target lady today! Not only did I procure another ancient history yearbook for my collection, but it cost ONE DOLLAH. Yippee!
It was during this 1963-1964 school year that JFK was shot and killed. But honestly I don’t know if that was enough to make these Oklahoma Sooners put down their cups for one second. The fraternities and sororities sure knew how to party:
I didn’t know “raise the roof” was a popular term fifty years ago, but these fun-loving Greeks were clearly raising it.
And they partied like rock stars. Even Bo Diddley got in on the action.
But partying can get out of control. I think Roger got a little too fresh with Jeanne…
Pi Kappa Alpha partied like Royals at their Dream Girl Party. No red solo cups here.
Old or young, it didn’t matter. DEKEs liked to have a good time.
Eileen could barely contain her excitement at the TGIF Party.
Linda screamed when a zebra-jacketed matador sat on her lap at the Bowery Ball
These Delta Gamma gals showered Ned with Christmas cheer.
Sigma Delta Tau knew their second amendment rights.
And Zeta Tau Alpha wore their sunglasses at night. Too cool for school, you guys.
Late December Back in ’63
This may have been the first Ugly Sweater Party in history.
Don’t You Dare Change That Beatle Album
Evidently, there was only one Beatle in 1963.
Bienvenido A Miami, Part Tres
First off, let’s give thanks to the hardworking yearbook photographers, who not only captured this great winter wonderland, but would have had to do serious bicep work to carry those old school cameras.
Remember that this was an era before Liquid Paper. Imagine all the retyping that had to be done.
The editor proofs some copy, smoking what appears to be a redskin headdress feather, but may well be a blurry pipe.
And check out the fly neckties on these fellows.
Cheers to the yearbook staff of the 1949 Recensio–may you all have your own blogs on WordPress, if you are still alive.
Bienvenido A Miami, Part Uno
When you think of Miami, you probably think of Miami, Florida. I do. Or the Will Smith song that speaks of the coastal city. You probably don’t think of Miami University in Ohio, of all places, where this picture was taken in 1949. Here is a portrait of dorm life–before cell phones, before TV, before rock ‘n’ roll–where women could look attractive in penny loafers and saddle oxfords instead of 5″ stiletto stripper heels.
I’d never even heard of Miami University, the 10th oldest public university in the United States. The university, which offered classes in 1824, existed long before Miami, Florida was incorporated as a city in 1896. And that’s one to grow on!
These fellas seem to be enjoying campus life as well. They didn’t need no stinkin’ Blu-Ray or mobile apps to be content. Just a book and a lamp and some swanky robes. 
At the time, the mascot was the Miami Redskins, but a politically correct climate necessitated a change to the Miami Redhawks. Lame.
Back then, it was also cool to smoke, especially while sunbathing–or turning your skin red. Yes, I said it.
Nowadays, it’s inadvisable to start a family while in college. And who could afford it under this administration anyway? But in the post-war years, students were often married and raising families. And evidently living in ramshackle cabooses with picket fences built by unskilled laborers.
This next gathering is a group of gals in the “Outing Group.” It’s not what you think; they went on picnics and hikes together over frostbitten leaves. And apparently, they were keen on swastikas as well.
Perhaps after a long day of hiking and antisemitic rallies, the girls would hit the town. ( To be fair, swastikas meant “it is good” for years before the Nazi party used it. Let’s take it back, people!). Downtown Oxford, Ohio offered up restaurants as well as a movie theater.
The Miami-Western Theatre (oooh, the British spelling!) prided itself on being the only diversion in a “rather dull town.”
No worries if you spilled soda pop or melted Junior Mints on your glad rags at the cinema; you could just take them on down to Redskin Cleaners.
They’ll clean your dirty cords.
Stay tuned for Part Dos!
Let’s Hear It For The Tigers
I love this shot for these reasons:
- the joy on the faces of the cheerleaders
- the animated boys in the background, chock full of increasing testosterone, apparently holding up the roof with their palms
- the cat’s eye glasses
- the multiracial shoulders jam-packed against one another
- the unadulterated glee on that girl’s face to the far left, and her friend who should have had a V-8
- the girl on the far right with her hand to her chest, as well as the boy above her clasping his hands, both of them silently saying, “MY stars…”
I was born in the wrong decade.
In My Country, Too, We Like Its Speed
I like the vagueness of the token foreigner’s words, “my country” because that could mean anything. Perhaps he is a successful businessman, since he is well-dressed and has access to slick hair creams. I like his grand gesture as well. It’s like he’s welcoming Barbara Bush to Fantasy Island.
Perhaps some of you are programmed to be on the lookout for racism, so you can’t possibly enjoy this. Let’s find an opportunity to be offended; won’t that be fun? But break down his words; there isn’t anything pejorative there. He’s not represented in a demeaning way. He’s not dressed in rags or carrying a water vessel on his head–or a towel–or a sombrero. He’s simply declaring that all countries can appreciate the merits of Convair. And if it still existed, perhaps I could, too.
Camel And Flare Red
There’s no denying the magical combination of camel and flare red, and no better time to cover your body with it than fall. Autumn. November. And that’s NOW. So go get your camel and flare red on!
The youth of today love Taylor Swift, and even she proclaims, “Loving him was red.” Look at those models and how interested they are in that gawky adolescent boy, holding a strawberry malted. Loving him is undeniably red.
WOW–even the sign is in camel and flare red! What a power couple–like Kim and Kanye, without the limitless ego and shameless self-promotion.
Jessica Simpson knows what time it is: time to carry a Fendi leather bag. In camel and flare red.
Nevermind that she’s still in character as Daisy Duke in those ratty shorts that are binding up at her crotch, and please overlook the shoulder-padded jacket she stole from Melanie Griffith in Working Girl. The point is the BAG. The neutral and the POP of color.
But let’s not get distracted. It’s not the Hump Day Camel.
Nor is it Jennifer Aniston’s flair in Office Space.
And certainly not these flares.
It’s camel and flare red! You must admit there’s no denying the magic of camel and red.
See how happy he is?
I Don't Get It 
