Tammi's World

The Long Good-Bye III

Parts I and II

"No Shirt No Shoes No Service"

I don't see that sign much down here. And I LIKE it. It's a more laid back world - well at least where I hang out. Oh yeah, you have your "corporate" patches, but even there, things are not as "rigid" as what I found in Chicago.

When I first moved down here I had over 40 suits. That was it. 40 suits, and shit load of tops and 3 pairs of jeans. 40 suits. That's just wrong.

My first summer I was working as an inside/outside sales rep. Holy Shit. Try making sales calls in a suit, panty hose, heels and full make-up in that heat and humidity. I was fine when I'd start in the morning, but by 10:00 I looked the like wicked witch of the west. Melting Melting Melting. And it only got worse. I finally realized I had to make a change.

I threw out the panty hose. Only wear them when I have to. I got rid of most of the suits....ok, I kept them but put them in the back of the closet. I bought skirts and sleeveless dresses with light jackets. Open toed shoes. Make-up?! Huh. A good tan, some mascara and a splash of lipstick and all done!

I was so uptight when I first got down here. All proper and buttoned down. I look back and just laugh at myself. I remember wearing my hair long and thinking I had to keep it pulled back/up. It looked terrible but it was "proper". And I was all about being "proper". Now.....well, things have changed a bit.

I still have suits...I'm in business, I have to. But I don't wear make-up every day. No matter where I'm at. I need to give my skin a break. I don't wear shoes. I carry them with me, but usually I am doing just that....carrying them.

And I LOVE walking barefoot. I love the feel of the earth beneath my feet. It changes the way I walk. It changes the way I feel. Sound Silly? I can't explain it.......it's just a part of changes I've seen in myself.

I told someone the other day, my biggest fear is that I'll become that person I was 10 years ago. That rigid, angry woman that was so worried about what was expected that she had no expectations of herself. I don't think it will happen. I'm going to do everything I can to keep it from happening. But.....

And honestly - it's all a part of the "Florida Experience". It's really hard to sit all proper and such on a boat flying through the bay. It kinda tough pulling off serious "look" when you have sand all over your feet.

I like the fact that I can throw on a hat and a big denim shirt over my bathing suit and run to the grocery store.

I love that all of my dinner and cocktail dresses are slinky and silky and not practical at all. I enjoy getting all gussied up and doing the dinner/theater thing then kicking off the shoes and walking barefoot on the beach.

Now I'm fully aware that people all over do these things, but I didn't. I couldn't. I didn't know how to relax. I learned that here. That's why, to me, it's Florida.

No Shirt No Shoes No Service........no fun. Sorry that doesn't work for me anymore.

Posted by Tammi at April 6, 2005 08:04 AM