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so I’m on a quest. a quest that has taken me far beyond my expectations.
I am on the quest for a black button up shirt. simple. light fabric. fitted.
who knew it would be such a pain to find.
I ventured to The OC since I was there doing a photo shoot anyway. My quest took me to south coast plaza. for the out of stater’s and friends over the pond who read this, South Coast Plaza is basically where rich people shop. I’m no where near rich…but I’m the sort of guy who just wants one of whatever I need, in this case, a black button up. so I came to the conclusion that spending more than $20 on a good shirt that I would wear at least 3 times a week would be justifiable to my borderline hippy heart.
anyway…back to the story. South Coast Plaza…found an amazing store. it looked like I walked right into Rock n Roll’s closet. I was surprised I didn’t run into Bono while I was there. and good news…I found my shirt. You see, prior to this store, every single shirt I saw looked like $$$. I have friends that have this certain look…I never quiet knew what it was, since I rarely venture past Target (out of USA clarification: normal people retail store) and the local thrift shops. But now I know. The look is $80 t-shirts and $400 jeans - all of which are designed to make it look like you found them in a thrift store…weird right?
BUT…the store…the rock n roll store. It’s clothes where so so simple. made for tall skinny guys with guitars…simple simple simple.
then I found the $300 price tag for my beloved simple button up shirt.
Now most people may be bummed when figuring out they cant afford what they want.
But I actually felt sick.
I still feel sick this morning.
I feel like being in a store with $300 shirts is right on par with being in a strip club…or some other gross sin-soaked - redemption void place of which I had no business being.
I will never go to south coast plaza ever again. I have no business there. I don’t think Jesus would want clothing to be such a priority in our lives to the extent that it would justify a $300 button up.
I really don’t understand materialism. I guess I was just raised in a very down to earth, even anti materialism home. My family once lost everything…and it is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I often think that when my family lost the American Dream, we gained our souls. We have never had excess…and have been completely happy without it.

success is equated with excess. The Ambition for excess wrecks us…
…like a puppet on a monetary string. maybe we’ve been caught seeing red, white, blue, and green

I have always believed that. but last night i tip-tied over to the other side…and I realized there is no freedom in money. no freedom in the latest an greatest. no freedom in what we as Americans seem to value. The modern day American Dream is a dream of excess…you get crap you “need” so that people will respect you, love you, accept you. Ironically enough….the richest people seem to be the loneliest. I’m tired of seeing the sons and daughters of rich folks messing up their lives simply out of sheer boredom of life.
The Orange County way of life is not, what I believe, the way Jesus dreamed and hoped his kids would choose to live. And that is a life I would like to avoid. A life of excess. I dont understand how anyone can read the bible and live like that.
I feel weird…and hopeless. how can we help people who lack everything when we spend our money on stupid things like clothing? I have met a girl or two who would think I was insane for calling clothing stupid….maybe they haven’t seen past the borders of orange county.
I will return to Target today and buy my $20 awkward fitting button up…and maybe get it tailored.

peace.
-daley

Matt Weybright and Jessica Grady have become my amazing underpaid helpers for weddings and other such photo shoots. And since they are underpaid, I figure its fitting to give them a little advertising. These kids (both older than me) are rad. please check out their work and hire them for something. I won’t be offended if you choose them over me. they both have great style and can tolerate my insanity….they deserve a few gigs. so hire them.

some of matt’s work
some of jessica’s work