Homage to SweaterWeek: Day 10 - The T-shirts

The T-shirts

By, Greg Sokol

As you all know, our dear friend Rob loved sweaters, especially in the fall and winter when paired with his favorite Christmas music. However, those of us that had the pleasure of rooming with Rob also know of the other garment for which he had a special affinity: the T-shirt. He must have done laundry once each college term, since he had enough shirts to wear a different one every day of the term.

These shirts didn’t always fit well in his various rooms. In our two-room triple, the shirts started in a wall on and around his dresser but gradually expanded, threatening to absorb the rest of the floor space and furniture. We pushed them back constantly. It was annoying then, but I’d give a lot to have to shovel back Rob’s T-shirts again now.

What a happy coincidence, then, that I discovered a suitcase of forgotten T-shirts from college in the same week that I became aware of this Homage to SweaterWeek. Naturally, I built a T-shirt fort in my basement. This fort contains 56 T-shirts, many of which were also with me in the spring of 2008 when I lived with Rob and James in South Mass. Two are also Dartmouth intramural championship T-shirts, if you were wondering about that. I also found a DREAM shirt in the pile that I either bought or took from Rob, so I put it on and wore for the project.

​

While building and relaxing in my T-shirt fort, I thought of those few months living with Rob and all the adventures it provided. There was a lot of late-night FoCo, a lot of singing Mika, a lot of time on the couch, a lot of time sitting in the hole in the couch pretending it was comfortable, and a lot of really wonderful friendship.

Also in an homage to Rob, I didn’t clean up my T-shirts when I was done.

It was a great success for everyone involved.

Homage to SweaterWeek: Day 9 - Confessions of a Middle School Girl

“Confessions of a Middle School Girl”

A Not So Fictional Documentation of a Friendship

By, Brittany Hedderman

7th Grade

Dear Diary,

There is this boy in my math class. I really like him. He is a tennis player and in band. He plays trombone. He wears all white sneakers and is super smart and funny. His name is Robert.

Dear Diary,

We took a field trip to NYC yesterday. I was so excited that Robert was on my bus. He has no idea I have a crush on him. We had so much fun. He even gave me his sweater when I got cold. I didn’t want to give it back, but I did.

 

8th Grade

Dear Diary,

I can’t believe I graduated 8th grade. It has been busy the last few days. My friends and I had an awesome time at Town Park Day. I wore my cute new Delia’s bathing suit. I hung out with the girls, Dan, David, and Robert. Robert had a Survivor bandana that somehow became our entertainment for a chunk of the day. He loves that show. I’ve never seen it but maybe I should watch it? We also had our boat cruise. The girls came to my house to get ready and then we took a limo! We danced a ton and I even danced with Robert. He still has no idea I like him.

High School

(High School is a blur. Chronology is estimated.)

Dear Diary,

Yesterday was Halloween. Everyone came to my house and then we went to Surrey Mall to go trick or treating. There were some great costumes. Flor was a detective and Robert dressed up as a Boy Scout in his old Cub Scout uniform. Some jerk stole my backpack full of candy, but no fear Robert and I chased him down and retrieved the precious cargo.

Dear Diary,

I love Monday nights. Catie, Robert, and I have Religious Ed where Mrs. Sellitti gets us pizza and lets us watch Fear Factor. Last night we made chocolates for charity. Not a bad night.

Dear Diary,

Last night was Junior Prom. I do not know what everyone was talking about saying that the highlight was buying your dress and it is all down hill from there. My friends and I all had a great time. Afterwards we slept over at Robert’s and ate so much food that his mom had made. We played Hide and Seek at 2AM and then decided to watch the movie SAW. I am way too big of a baby for that movie.

Dear Diary,

Yesterday was one of my last Cross Country meets up at Saratoga State Park. I got a PR and it was one of those truly beautiful fall days. After our races, Robert and I walked around while indulging in our favorite post-race snack – Ramen Cup of Noodles. He ate most of mine too.

Real Life

Dear Diary,

Last night was awesome. We had our traditional gathering at the Unity Clock and then went out to the most random bar downtown. It was so great to see all my friends from school. I hadn’t seen so many of them in years.

  

Dear Diary,

Today, after a year of training, I finished my half marathon. As I stood on the start line in my bright pink running shorts (required flare) and Robert’s jersey my eyes began to tear. A year ago, I lost one of the most intelligent, imaginative, comedic, and compassionate people I knew. I have spent the last year, like so many people that knew him, trying to make sense of it all. I decided I was going to do everything in my power to honor his life, and to start it would be through a love we both shared – running. It only seemed appropriate for it to be in Saratoga. As I lay here icing my knee I am not sure what I will do this coming year to honor him – probably something charity related. I hope he knows how much I miss him, but how I felt his presence so many times this last year. Whether it was out running, the random time “Sexo Por La Playa” played on my Pandora, Nicky and mines’ Ramen dinners, or whenever they played a swing dance song at a wedding. I miss you dear friend. The life you lived was nothing short of inspirational.

It was a great success for everyone involved.

Homage to SweaterWeek: Day 8 - For Robert

For Robert 

(In the Style of Robert)

By, David Schmidt

Please click on the link below.

For Robert (In the style of Robert)

Homage to SweaterWeek: Day 7 - From "Frazzled to Dazzled"

From "Frazzled to Dazzled": The Best Worst Board Game on Earth; How to Win After Losing Someone You Love

By, Lou-Lou Igbokwe

I met Rob in 06F (freshman fall). We both had signed up to do an alternative break trip for Hurricane Katrina relief, and on that fateful fall night in the lounge of a dorm (McCulloch?) Rob and I were entrusted to raise money for said trip by selling baked goods to inebriated students leaving Frat Row. Both deeply disgusted and greatly amused Rob and I spent the night hawking brownies, laughing at Dartmouth student's carefree DASH spending, and charging John Nolan $33 for a cake made from Betty Crocker mix purchased at Topside. Rob and I became fast friends.

Fast forward to our actual trip to New Orleans--- Much to our chagrin/amusement/absolutely absurd levels of delight we were put in a group of completely unskilled, unaware, unorganized underclassmen. Rob and I bonded over how inept we were at most of our volunteer assignments, laughed at the incredibly awkward group dynamic, and fell in love with a board game that truly encapsulated the trip. 

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Count Your Blessings

Question: How did we manage to find this treasure?

Answer: Fate

Question: Is it as good as those beloved self help books? 

Answer: Better

Question: How do you determine who goes first in this game?

Answer: The official rules clearly state, "the hungriest player goes first"

Bonus Question: Should I buy this as a stocking stuffer this holiday season?

Bonus Answer: Absolutely, especially if your secret Santa is Lou-Lou Igbokwe! 

Rob and I had so many beautiful moments together, but playing that game was really what first solidified our friendship. And this year without him, left me afraid that I'd never again feel such joy, enjoy such silliness, and remember to play earnestly while living absurdly. One of my favorite pictures of Rob is him wearing the glasses from the game. It always reminds me of exactly who he was to me.

​

Rob ever so fashionably sporting Look on the Bright Side Glasses for Chicken Soup for the Soul: Count Your Blessings

So partially in tribute, but mostly as a reminder of my forever friend and how he always made me better, I tattooed those glasses on my wrist. 

​

Question: Did it hurt?

Answer: Yes. I named every college class I took in chronological order to distract myself from the pain

Question: Do you regret it? 

Answer: Nope. I actually love it more every day, and find that it fills me with silly joy in a way that looking at a picture doesn't because sometimes that just makes me sad

Question: Does your mother know? 

Answer: ... Please no one tell her. I plan to break it very gently to her at Thanksgiving....or wear a long sleeved sweater!

And since this is supposed to be Sweater Week, here is a clip I'm sure Rob would have had STRONG feelings about---

Couple Sweaters 

Homage to SweaterWeek: Day 6 - A Radio Documentary

Radio Documentary

By, Stuart Reid

Please click on the link below to hear a (mini) radio documentary about Robert, made by Stuart. 

A Radio Documentary

Homage to SweaterWeek: Day 5 - Sundays Are For Football

Sundays Are For Football

By, Matthew Amsterdam

September 18, I am watching football, as I do every Sunday this time of year. 

September 19 is my birthday.

September 20 is the last time I heard from Rob. It was a joke about how drunk I had gotten at my birthday. He wasn't there, as he had moved to Los Angeles. But a girl I had dated for about 9 hours beforehand showed up at the party, introduced herself to everyone as "the girl", made out with me, and tried to force me to drink water. As she kissed me, I looked at Hannah with full eye contact and gave her a thumbs down, which earned this girl the nickname "Thumbs Down Rosie." The next day, she sent me a long message apologizing-but-not-really-apologizing for her behavior, saying she was concerned that I was so drunk I would need a CT scan. Rob replied to our group thread "It's not a party unless there's a CT scan." It was a weird birthday.

Monday I will force a smile as everyone wishes me happy birthday. The rest of the week, we will see. But Sunday is for football.

Which leads us to my sweater, Amani. A couple years ago, my group of camp friends who meet every Sunday to watch the games together started getting each other Ugly Christmas Sweaters with the colors and logos of our NFL teams. There are cardigans, and vests, and pullovers. Amani came first. Red, white and blue, with the lowercase "ny" symbol of the New York Football Giants interspersed among Christmas trees and snowflakes, it is the sort of sweater designed to be ugly. It has four quadrants, which clash with one another gloriously. 100% Acrylic, it feels far cheaper than the Officially Licensed price-tag that came along with it, and it can never be worn anywhere but themed parties and football games. But our group of Adirondackees wears them on Sundays in the winter, no two teams the same, but unified in our love of football, of sweaters, of one another. It's a group that has not been complete for a year now, and never will be again, though Rob's aversion to both football and bars meant that he was never officially inducted into the Ugly Football Christmas Sweater club. However, I'm sure he would not have said no to something so gloriously tacky.

It's going to be 81 degrees on Sunday, but I'm going to wear Amani anyway, because Sundays are for football, and this week is for Rob.

That night, I'll look at my texts. The joke about the CT scan was sent in a group chat. The last messages I exchanged with Rob were the night of my birthday. He left me a voicemail singing Happy Birthday really slowly with a deep voice. When my hungover self finally heard it, I texted him "I love you so much". He replied "<3". It was a great success for everyone involved. 

Homage to SweaterWeek- Day 4 - NOW That's What I Call SweaterWeek

Commercial Script for: NOW That’s What I Call Sweaterweek: Songs from the Cutting Room Floor 

By, Dennis Zeveloff

ANNOUNCER: Hey there Sweatizens and Happy SweaterWeek! After years of primo Sweaterbrations, we’re forced to make an album off the SW B-Sides. Are you ready for hits like “Sweater Sweater”?

[Cut to David Bowie clip: “Sweater Sweater, you’re worn on a chest/ Sweater Sweater, you’re sure not a vest”]

ANNOUNCER: Or! How about Comfortably Snug?

[Floyd (I don’t see color) clip: “Iiiiiiiii have become, comfortably snug”]

ANNOUNCER: And I bet you’ve never heard “Wear Me”

[Aimee Mann clip: “If you could wear me/come on and wear me/if you could wear me/ with your jeans, or your cords/I’d suspect, I’d look good on anything]

ANNOUNCER: And also, there’s more!

[Other titles scroll by:

·         The Star Spangled Sweater, sung by America and Americle

·         Don’t Sweat Wearing me Tomorrow [to Don’t Stop Thinking About Tomorrow], sung by Big Fatty

·         Sweaters in the Night [to Strangers in the Night], sung by The Compliment

·         Closet [to Beat It], sung by the Anamaloy

·         Angora [to Panama], sung by the Lion

·         Nothing Sweater [to Nothing Better], sung by Emo

·         No More Tears [to the Duet between Barbara Streisand and Donna Summer of the same name, but Tears here is about fabric and not eye drops], sung by Los Jumeaux Fraternos]

ANNOUNCER: Order now, and we’ll throw in free SW Scrunchies, Squeegees, and Slurpees! We guarantee a Great Success for Everyone Involved.

Homage to SweaterWeek: Day 3 - The SentiMENTAL (TM)

The SentiMENTAL (TM)

By, Hannah Mercuris

Folks - the SentiMENTAL(TM) is a sweater to end all sweaters. 

One of a very limited edition, only three such sweaters exist. With a design dreamed of by the visionary sweater designer Daniel Armando Nassar and executed by the only person he would dare to trust with his creation (his mom), the SentiMENTAL is a gorgeous cascading light blue ocean of memories.

Constructed from a giant one-size-fits-all turtleneck sweater adorned with two emotionally significant iron-on appliques, the SentiMENTAL covers both our childhoods and our college years in one extremely itchy swoop.

Only Dan, (Matt) Amsterdam, and I are in possession of these treasures, because Robert and (Matt) Garaufis betrayed our foolproof plan to attend both camp and college together and attended lesser institutions such as Dartmouth (more fun than Columbia) and NYU (infinitely cooler than both). Thus, upon graduation they did not receive these gifts representing our foreverfriendship.* Nevertheless, they participated almost constantly in all things Columbia (and of course all things camp).

Adept sweaterspotters will inevitably notice the two insignia added to this light blue ocean of fabric, both a slightly off-center Columbia "C" as well as the Adirondack Camp emblem (an award in the form of a backpack patch, which was handed out like candy to almost all campers for essentially the most basic form of participation/attendance.**) 

What is most impressive about this sweater, however, is how it manages both to be such an incredible thing of beauty while simultaneously being the most uncomfortable sweater known to any gender non-specific person or animal. The fully ribbed body and sleeves are absolutely in no way breathable, rendering the wearer immediately sweaty with no possibility for relief. The turtleneck itself is strangling and extremely long, requiring a full foldover unless you would like only your eyes to show, which...you might. Thankfully, this sweater is also mini-dress length and entirely shapeless, doubling the hips-width of any person wearing it. The sleeves are so long that the wearer's whole hand is easily covered, and each sleeve is detailed with a delicate thin navy stripe. Please see the photo below for a clear depiction of this rare and unique three-of-a-kind masterpiece. 

Especially this week, when I am overwhelmed with memories, the SentiMENTAL is perfect. No other sweater could better combine some of my most treasured experiences with a sheer ridiculousness that few people - really only the Sweaterans - can fully appreciate. 

It was always a great success for everyone involved.

*It is clear that they have always been extremely jealous of this.

**Most 8 year olds win this award. I never won this award.

Homage to SweaterWeek: Day 2 - We'll Find Our Way

We'll Find Our Way

By, David Peterson

Robert and I met in first grade. Ms. Normile's class. Two nerdy boys who liked school a bit too much. We lucked into the same class for 2nd and 3rd grade (where we co-starred in a play called Water, Water, Everywhere, which was maybe about conservation?) and then Mrs. Parry's for 4th and 5th. We tested into the same math class in middle school and sat next to each other in band so that pretty much tied us at the hip from 6th grade through senior year.

We somehow ended up at Dartmouth together, as well. Never imagined we could both get in, but we applied early anyway and hoped for the best. After school, I landed in Boston and he landed in NYC. But within 2 years, I made my way to the city and all was right with the world once again. We often joked that we'd probably grow old together inadvertently...live on separate coasts but then move into the same old folks home without realizing the other was there. We were fated to find our way back together, eventually, we'd say.

There's a crispness in the air today that makes me think of sweaters, which of course makes me think of Robert, and in particular, makes me think about Robert in the fall, a special breed of Robert we all know and love.

I'd often catch a ride with him back to Dartmouth after Thanksgiving. One year, and I really don't remember why, I was in a crappy mood. But what I do remember is sliding into the front seat next to Robert and seeing that twinkle in his eye. Because it was finally Christmas music season. 

I was not in the mood to listen to Christmas music. But, as I'm sure you can guess, we listened to Christmas music for 3 hours straight. No repeats (that was forbidden) except for All I Want for Christmas is You (to be played while driving up West Wheelock) and Santa Baby (did you know, he's related to Eartha Kitt?). And by the end up the drive, I was belting out Mariah Carey along side him. 

When I think about Robert, these are the moments that bubble to the top. He was the rare person who could create joy through sheer force of will. He was silly and witty and kind, but most of all, he was unabashedly and insistently himself.

To my friend, Robert. Eventually we'll find our way back together again.

Homage to SweaterWeek: Day1 - The Shepherd's Companion

The Shepherd's Companion

By Abbe Cart

The more observant among you may have asked yourselves in the past, "What, really, makes for perfect Irish castle weather?" 

When viewing historical respites from Viking siege, do you choose "golden hour" late-summer sunlight to cast ancient stones in a fiery glow? Perhaps the gentle breeze and soft purple tones of dusk in spring? If so, I'm afraid you would be dead wrong. Friend and fellow traveler, the ideal castle weather is melancholy, with shrieking winds, overcast skies and maybe even light hail. For to truly appreciate the shelter provided by these dark, drafty, structures, puttering around inside must be a clearly preferable option to exposing oneself to the surrounding elements. 

"But surely," you protest, "one cannot truly ruminate on these worn and barren buildings in such conditions! Along that cold and gloomy coast, one must have some protective garment to keep the harsh environs at bay!"

Reader, you'd be right. For me, at least, one vestiment proved to be a true difference-maker: The Shepherd's Companion. This light-taupe beauty was purchased at the Dingle Wool Shop in Ireland in December 2014. Heavy - some might say heirloom quality - it features a reinforced crew neck and a mix of traditional Aran Diamond and Honeycomb stitches. Inspired by classic fisherman's sweaters, this piece was clearly constructed to provide its wearer ample protection from blustery days on the Wild Atlantic Way.

                              

"But daily, in our world of central heat and creature-comforts, are such qualities truly necessary?" The answer to this query is also a resounding yes. In any situation where hearty flannel warms its wearer's core, a sweater such as this one offers a stylish alternative. Long enough for office modesty, tailored enough for a respectable afternoon of spectator sports, The Shepherd's companion is truly a modern classic. For a festive evening look, it can even be garnished with imitation-velvet bows and bells from a Chinatown dollar-store. Throw another in your hair for extra holiday cheer!

          

At parties, at castles, in life, we all know the most valuable accessory is a good friend. 

A loud laugh and kind heart bring their own warmth. A joyful spirit, unlike the fierce and mercurial trends of woolen-wear, doesn't go out of style. Find yourself, fellow traveler, with even one of these, and consider yourself lucky. 

Know that your journey has been,

"a great success for everyone involved."

Contribute to Sweater Week 2016

Hello Sweater Week Community,

This year, to honor and remember Robert, we want to put together an Homage to Sweater Week. We're hoping that all of YOU will consider submitting an essay, collage, video parody, or ode to share with the entire group. Together we can remember Robert's silly wit. keen observations, and earnest love for knitwear.

Here's how it works!

1)  Compose / Create / Draw / Film your Sweater Week Submission

2)  Email it to me by September 20th willa.johann@gmail.com

3)  I will email out one a day to the whole Sweater Week List starting on September 21st. 

4)  Sweater Week 2016 will continue as long as there are submissions to distribute.