In the early 80's I was teaching in a middle school, when popularity meant everything to kids. At a parent conference, the mother of a frequently scapegoated boy asked me what the cool kids were wearing. I told her, "Sweats by E.B.E., but his wearing them may just compound the problem. Two days later the poor kid showed up wearing a no-iron knockoff of the cotton originals. His classmated were not kind.

It’s all I wanted; blue with a red stripe. As the youngest of seven kids, I thought my older sisters would come thru for me. But they didn’t…instead I got a pair of the knockoffs! I was crushed! I’m still waiting for the real deal! Is my wife listening?