Long, long ago, my best friend in Junior High School made a casual observation that proved to be hysterically funny.  "Have you ever noticed," Jeanne Marie asked, "that you either wear blue or you don't?"

It was one of those things that seemed so profound for a moment, before it sank in and we both said, "Duh!"  The saying's become a sort of touchstone for the obvious truth between Dan and I.  An oft repeated joke.

I was reminded of the saying today as I went through the entrance process for prison once again.  The guidelines for visiting prisoners in California tells one not to wear blue chambray shirts but includes the phrase "clothing...in any shade...which resembles "prisoner clothing.

Enter my turquoise and blue striped shirt with white piping.  I bought it, at Dan's suggestion, for the cruise and it's a great shirt.  Comfortable, zips up the front, allows for a breeze to pass through its open weave without being see-through.  A perfect shirt for visiting prison.

Except some folks call turquoise blue.  It would be more dramatic to tell you that I was turned away due to the shirt...but no.  They let me in just this once with the admonition to "stay away from blue" even though the guard admitted that the shirt was highly patterned and not really blue. 

Dan's theory is to find an article of clothing that passes muster and wear it to the prison every time.  Eminently logical.  However, I've decided on a theory of my own.  For the next 13 months, I will be on the lookout for the wildest blue shirts known to mankind.  I will wear them to prison just to see how close to the line I can get.

Of course, I'll take a backup shirt.  It's more important that I see our friend than prove a point by tweaking "the man."  But I will also be doing a field survey to test Jeanne Marie's theory...to prove that sometimes even when you wear blue...

you don't.

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