Orange

Hello world. My name may still be Timothy Danger Kineke (my middle name may or may not be Danger), but I will henceforth be known as Timothy "Badass MS" Danger Kineke. That's right. I walked across the stage, shook the hand of a giant pumpkin (shown below) and left the boring world of not having mastered anything.

Walking out of my apartment in Syracuse for the last time, I pondered two things. First, how fitting is it that the last things I brought with me were a Frisbee, a Strongbow cider, and food. Three of my favorite things on my way to leaving one of my favorite places. Second, I thought of orange. I have had an affinity for the color orange for a very long time, since middle school at the very least. It helped set me apart and find an identity. When applying to schools, obviously it seemed fitting that Syracuse was on the list. In the past, the application essay was open-ended but by the time I got to applying, I had to write some nonsense about obstacles or an influential person or why I wanted my parents to set up a direct deposit into Syracuse's bank account. I would have taken the opportunity to write the best college essay of all time if they had let me.

Since they didn't, I have to thank the Internet for allowing me to get my thoughts down on paper...which they will be after you print this post out, ask me to sign it, frame it, then tell your kids how you used to read the blog of the National Frisbee League (or the "NFL" for short) commissioner/coach/all-star Timothy "Badass MS" Danger "The Puma" Kineke. So in the interest of not having you slip into a nice coma, I will convert my essay train of thought to a loose list-esque form. Here are three reasons why the color orange has impacted my life.

3. The color itself defies definition, much like myself.

Seriously. Think of a color. Any color at all. Chances are it's going to have all kinds of meanings and emotions attached to it. Black is fear and death, yellow is sunshine and happiness, red is passion and warmth, whatever whatever. Orange is...a color. Or a fruit. It's in the rainbow but it's always an afterthought. It's shades aren't really that popular and it doesn't strike an emotional chord with many people. It's like when you think of me. Am I an accountant? Nearly. Am I a freaking boss at Frisbee? Hell yes. Maestro? Probably not. Neurosurgeon? Maybe someday. But at some point or another, I've been nerd, geek, jock, overachiever, slacker, and so on. If you don't believe me, the nerd will make a pie chart of it, the geek will challenge you to a duel, the jock will shove you into a locker, the overachiever will actually follow through with this threat, and the slacker will...whatever.

2. I now have a dope wardrobe.

Walking through the outlets of Myrtle Beach, I was left with no choice but to go into Abercrombie, Ralph Lauren, and all kinds of other awful, soul-sucking stores to track down a friend. What? I was looking for my friend. Shut up. So while I was in them, I couldn't help but notice that there were tons of items of orange clothing everywhere. I have it on good authority that those stores are "cool." So orange is coming. I of course got on this train years ago with my plain orange sweatshirt, my orange shorts, orange shirts, orange everything. I thought these were cool back when fake glasses were for Halloween only and skinny jeans were because your mom messed them up in the wash. My clothes help set me apart, help me express my inner being, and compliment my beautiful blue eyes if I do say so myself.

1. It's given me a gateway to childhood that I frequently utilize.

A few examples of this spring to mind. Orange has helped keep me involved in Halloween. I was a pumpkin in high school (Seriously, pumpkin is a perfect costume for me...and babies who can't walk or talk. Like pumpkins.). I was candy corn in college. Awwww!!! So cute, I know. These instances help me avoid dressing like a slutty cat or god knows what else if I'd succumbed to society's idea of the holiday. Also, jokes like orange you glad I didn't say banana? Classic. Perfect for my sense of humor that is equal to that of a five year old. Speaking of which, that seems to be the perfect way to end this. One orange joke to rule them all.

Why did the orange go out with a banana?
It couldn't find a date!!!!

Forever orange. You will be missed, Cuse.