Silly Bandz

Over winter break my friend Michelle, her mom (Joanne), and I decided to take a little trip to NYC to do work. Now when I say “do work” I really mean do some shopping and roam the naked city unattended. And that was precisely what we did.

The trip in general was quite a success, but before we made our way home Jojo insisted we take a little detour through Great Neck, Long Island.

I’ve never been to Long Island before, but I knew it was going to be dangerous. Especially since Jojo was a longtime native.

While doing work in Great Neck, we came across a small accessory shop with a lot of diverse merchandise. Being the animal lover she is, Michelle came across these scented animal shaped rubber bands. “Look Celine! Aren’t these so cool?” Naturally I responded no, but she insisted on buying them. So she gave me a purple animal band as a friendship bracelet. I shockingly began to sympathize for this silly band and wore it everyday until I accidentally lost it. Then one day I began to notice that some of my friends were wearing these strange silly bands. I told Michelle that we weren’t the only ones who knew about it, and boy was I right.

Little did I know these “silly bandz” had made their way to town via every 4yr old & up. Of course once I saw all of the new ones that had come out I had to get more for myself. It’s too bad that when I went to the dollar store, Michael’s Crafts, and Target THEY WERE ALL SOLD OUT. Of course they would be!

Apparently these things have been causing a serious scene across the sates. Some schools have even gone far enough to ban them because they are too much of a distraction! And I’m not just talking about elementary… I’m talkin high school.

It wasn’t until a week later I noticed a girl in my Philosophy class was wearing some really cool multicolored ones. I couldn’t help it so I asked her where she got them from. She told me they were impossible to find, and that her mom bought them for her in Boston or something like that. But she also got word that they’ve been selling them at the gas stations. Since I wanted them so badly I convinced my friends to come with me to get them. I dropped 10 dollars on these bands, and wore them with pride. I had also gone on a business trip to the city and was able to hustle some 8yr old for a TYE DYED GLOW IN THE DARK UNICORN AND DINOSAUR (rare as hell).

Just when I thought I was the coolest kid on earth Michelle’s neighbor Natalie tried to call me out in the middle of my trade! This 10yr old was trying to accuse me of trading fake silly bandz! Who had any idea that silly bandz could be fake!? I tried to reassure her that mine were completely original, but she wasn’t buying it. I didn’t want her to completely blow my cover (in case there were more traders around) so I kept her quiet by having her explain to me why she thought mine were fake. She told me that the texture wasn’t the same, and that they were easily breakable. I couldn’t believe I was played by the gas station! How typical…

It wasn’t necessarily the end of the world for me, I mean I liked the fake ones just as well, plus people were still willing to trade for them (when I say people I mean kids 7 & under).

Anyways I started to get my A-Game on with trading. I got some really cool ones, like tye dyed microphone, baseballs, castles, and even Alfred Hichcock. Yeah I said it. Alfred Hichcock.

Why am I into these silly bandz you ask? I literally couldn’t tell you. The best thing I could come up with is that they’re a fun & cheap thrill. Honestly… why not? It kind of brings out your inner child, and don't be ashamed. Cause even if you don't have any, you know you secretly want some. And so does everyone else :)