Fashion, an intellectual pursuit

Several months ago I realized I wanted a new winter coat. And not any winter coat, I had a very specific idea in my head: a winter-white wool dress coat with buttons and a belt. I started my search, T.J.Maxx, Macy's, Zappos.com. It was not to be found. There were polyester blends galore, but no 100% wool. I had no idea it would prove this difficult, but my heart was set. I ordered four possibilities.

They were okay, but I didn't want to pay $400 for okay. This was before I realized my mom was going to buy it for me for Hanukah. Then I find the perfect looking coat, 80% wool, for just over $100. I order it. It's beautiful and there's room for a sweater underneath. I head to the second-hand shop and buy a 100% wool sweater for $20. I sew this inside my new coat. Yup, I can sew. I know, it's a shocker. I don't cook, but I sew. I sew well.

Tiger loves my new coat. He remarks,

"This sweater is amazing, it looks like it belongs with the coat. You did a really good job."

"Yeah, I lucked out."

"It wasn't luck. Thomas Edison said that 'Good fortune is what happens when opportunity meets with planning.' He tried 989 versions of the light bulb before he got it to work. You tried four or five coats? Before you found the perfect one."

Wow. Shopping gets the scientific validation it's been waiting for.

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