UAE Healthy Kidney 10K.

Size: M
Where: New York Road Runners



Why: Free with race entry.



Comment: I signed up for this race without reading about it too carefully, as I didn't realize until I showed up that the UAE was for the Emirates, and was not the name of some kidney health organization. I have a little problem with the Emirates, as I think they ride on their reputation of "hey, we're not as bad as those other guys" a bit hard and willfully trick a lot of people into thinking that they're some sort of party-country, when in fact conditions there are still pretty heinous.

But, I'm certainly not going to get all political on a t-shirt blog of all places.




It's a little bear with a stethoscope!

They also gave out a free sack-pack at the race, another thing that I think you can't have enough of. Inside the pack, though, I found these:


Weird.

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart.

Size: M
Where: I bought it at their show at Irving Plaza earlier this year, but looks like you can also order it from their website here.



Why: Pains is one of my favorite new (to me) bands that I only found out about late last year. They put on a really good live show, too.

Comment: I don't usually care for white T's, but it was either this one or some gross pastel baby robin's egg blue, which we all know I care for even less.

Who Watches the Empire?

Size: M
Where: Teefury



Why: Watchmen + Star Wars. Come on. :)

Comment: One of my favorite, completely nonsensical shirts.

ING New York City Marathon 2010.

Size: M
Where: New York Road Runners



Why: It was in the swag-bag for marathon runners.



Comment: Just thought I'd continue on with the marathon theme. A nice long-sleeved running shirt. I can't say I care much for the design in front, but again, it was free.



Even after all these months, it still feels weird to say it, doesn't quite seem real. Marathon runner. I am a marathon runner. I ran a marathon. I ran the freaking New York City Marathon. It's weird! Running in this shirt is a good reminder, though, especially when you see someone else wearing this shirt, too, running in the opposite direction. It's happened a bunch of times, first one of you sees the other, then the other sees the first, then you make eye contact and just give the tiniest little smile and nod. Because you know. And nobody else does. :)

FF. Nicholas Rossomando 2

Size: M
Where: The Nicholas Rossomando 9/11 Memorial Scholarship Fund



Why: Hey, remember when I ran in the marathon? This is the shirt that they sent me to run it in.



Comment: Not to look a gift-shirt in the...neckhole...or whatever...(have I used that joke already?)...(oh look, I have)...but this really is not my favorite design. The shirt itself is nice, but the design somehow manages to be both completely anonymous in front (plain white with tiny black text) and a bit...overly earnest, let's say, in back.



Anyway, it was free, and one really can't have too many tech shirts.