tall magazine - issue 3 2005
DESCRIPTION
A lifestyle magazine for men 6'2" and taller and women 5'9" and taller that was printed from 2003 to 2005.TRANSCRIPT
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a l i f e s t y l e m a g a z i n e f o r a h e i g h t e n e d c u l t u r e
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THE HURDY GURDY GALMusician Tricia Postle, page 6
ONCE MORE FOR THE GIPPERRemembering George Gipp, page 7
SPRING FASHIONSpage 11
““PPeeooppllee wwaanntt ttookknnooww hhoowwttaallll tthhee mmiillkkmmaannwwaass..””
Gary Gulman, pg 3
TALL 3 march–april 2005
tall magazine | pdf version 1:2 | april 2005TABLE OF CONTENTS6 Talk Back8 Top Culture11 Travel13 Watch Your Back16 Teen Talk18 Sit Straight, Work Right20 The Tallest Taboo23 Tall Things Considered26 Drink of the Irish28 Be Authentic31 Gary Gulman35 The Hurdy Gurdy Gal39 Fitting Room45 Shopping Abroad47 One More
for the Gipper50 TCI Calendar51 Size Matters
This version of TALL magazinehas interactive links that will takeyou directly to mentioned linksand e-mail addresses. Anotherbenefit from TALL magazine!
THE HURDY GURDY GALPG 33
ONCE MORE FOR THE GIPPERPG 45
PUBLISHING EDITOREverard G. Strong [email protected]
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHERChristina Strong [email protected]
ADVERTISING SALESp: 510.325.1689 f: 510.588.5430
General [email protected]
EDITORIALgeneral editorialEverard Strong [email protected]
travel editorKathy Witt [email protected]
tall teen correspondentKathryn Kelly [email protected]
size mattersMike Werling [email protected]
watch your backDr. Torsten Stein [email protected]
entertainment editorMelissa Lee [email protected]
contributing editorsDr. Paul Kennedy, Ryan Erisman, John Koster
PUBLIC RELATIONSChatty Girl PR [email protected]
STORY SUBMISSIONSTALL magazine welcomes and encourages story ideasfrom its readers... this means you! Send queries orcompleted manuscripts to [email protected] orthe address below. Please enclose a self-addressed,stamped envelope and contact information.All materials submitted without a stamped envelopewill be considered property of TALL magazine.
SUBSCRIPTIONSTALL magazine is distributed electronically six times ayear in PDF format. Individual copies are $3.95 (U.S.).Subscriptions are $14.95 ($U.S.), and can be orderedonline through TallMagazine.com, or by sending check ormoney order to TALL magazine, 360 Grand Ave. #474,Oakland CA, 94610. Monetary and food donations arealso encouraged and accepted.
LEGAL BLAH BLAHAll material contained herein is protected by federalcopyright law and cannot be duplicated or distributed,in whole or in part, without express permission of thepublisher.
COPYRIGHTCopyright 2004 Big E Productions.TallMagazine.comNumber 2, Volume 1 : January - February 2005TALL magazine : 360 Grand Ave. #474 Oakland, CA 94610The TALL logo is a registered trademark of TALL magazine/Big E Productions, Inc., 2005.
“Life may be short,but we’re not.”
pdf version. 1:3 april 2005
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TALL 5 march–april 2005
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What a blessing you all are. I went tomy mother's house to pick up mail (I recently moved) and amongst a stack ofmiscellaneous junk mail was a magazine with the word “TALL” on it.Well me being a 5’9” black woman andthe hassles I have gone through in life,it peaked my interest.
The web sites for tall women to shopthat are advertised in your magazineare a blessing (I am mostly legs andhips, and finding jeans and pants is anightmare) .
To find that there are even hotels thatcater to tall people (Hotel Monaco -page 17 - December issue) was amaz-ing to me. I will absolutely subscribeand read cover to cover.—B. Doss, Mount Vernon, New York
Thank you, Ms. Doss, for those very kindwords. Your letter gives me a great seguewhere I can give a heartfelt thank you tothe many advertisers who have madeTALL magazine possible and have support-ed its vision.
TALL magazine has a strict policy whenit comes to our advertisers. Any companyor individual interested in advertisingwith TALL has to offer a tall-friendlyservice or product.
While you peruse this publication, take
a second or two and check out what ouradvertisers have to offer. It was createdwith you in mind.
I saw information on your magazineand that you were promoting aware-ness of its problems starting at 6’2” formen and 5’9” for women.
Although I am only 6’2” and at thebottom of your range, I am legitimatelyso, as opposed to people I see whoswear they are [taller]. My lady who is6’1”, has also noticed the trend ofshort[er] men swearing they are 6’2”.
At 6’2” I am at the height where ceilingfans become a nuisance, trailers (yup, Iam Southern and have kin) and theirdoorframes are a constant reminder toduck, and many vehicles hardly everhave enough leg- or headroom evenwith the seat all the way back.
Basically, I want to offer thanks to youall for promoting our plight and I feel forall with my problems and more so forthose taller then me. Let the counters ofthe world rise to meet your hands andyour back to stop hurting from all thebending needed to be in such a “nor-mal” world.
—R. R. K. a.k.a. Heavy-Duty *<}:o)
Okay, ummm... great. Thanks so much!
shhh, the audience is readingTALK BACK
TALL 8 march–april 2005
TOP CULTUREit’s a tall world after all
JENNIE FINCH SAKKED
TALL magazine cover girl(July|August 2004) and Olympic
gold medalist Jennie Finch will be fea-tured in the spring 2005 advertising cam-
paign for The Sak’s new line of handbags. This has been an exciting time for
Jennie, both personally and professional-ly. In addition to winning her first goldmedal, appearing on the cover of TALL
magazine, and now becoming thespokesperson for The Sak, the 6’1” Jennieis soon to be married to ArizonaDiamondbacks pitcher Casey Daigle.
“This year has been amazing, and myassociation with The Sak has trulytopped it off,” she said. “I’ve always lovedTHE SAK and couldn’t resist the oppor-tunity to represent the brand on anational level,”explains Jennie.
This partnership is groundbreaking forboth Jennie and The Sak. This is thefirst time that Jennie will be featured ina fashion ad campaign, while the hand-bag manufacturer has never employed astar athlete or celebrity in its previousinitiatives.
The handbags highlighted in the cam-paign are “Pixie,” “Mia,” and “Belinda.”You can find out more at TheSak.com.
WORLD’S SUPERMODELSTANDS TALL
F ord Model agency has nominatedCamila Finn, the 5’9” brunette
Brazilian native, to be their winner forthe 2004 Supermodel of the WorldContest. Narrowed down from more than60,000 applicants worldwide, 44 finalistsfrom 44 countries competed in New YorkCity to win one of three possible con-tracts with Ford Models.
Camila beat the other girls to win the
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TOP CULTURE
top prize, a $250,000 modeling contractwith Ford Models. Two other contractswere awarded at the final event; 5’9”Otilia Aionesei of Romania took homethe second prize of a $150,000 contractand the 5’11” Canadian Ingrid Schramsecured the third prize of a $100,000FORD Modeling contract.
“Recognizing raw talent has always beena priority for us,” said Katie Ford, FordModels’ CEO. “We are thrilled to havediscovered Camila, Otilia, and Ingrid andlook forward to representing them.”
The contestants were judged by a panelcomprised of fashion’s most influentialtastemakers that included Ford’s ownEileen Ford, Vogue’s Kate Armenta, ELLEmagazine’s Nina Garcia, The Fashion Police’sRobert Verdi, and supermodels Ines Riveroand Patricia Velasquez among others.
This year’s entrants submitted theirentries to the contest either by droppingoff photos at department stores, postingdigital pictures online, or participatingin events broadcast on local televisionprograms.
“All things beingequal, tall peopleuse more soap.”
tallmagazine.comTALL 10 march–april 2005
TOP CULTURE
Want to visit exotic locales,explore strange and newplaces, meet interestingpeople, without having to
worry about being squeezed into tourbuses or scrunched into taxicabs?
The Wayfarers might have the answerto your problem. Founded in 1984, thetravel and exploration company has setitself apart by offering people the chanceto see the world at a slower, more inti-mate pace and from a unique viewpoint:your own.
All you need is some sturdy footwear,very absorbent socks (a walking canewould come in handy too), and a willing-ness to tromp, trod, and tread your wayfrom one waypoint to the next.
The Wayfarers offers packages toexplore select destinations at four differ-ent levels. The Classic Walks are eightto 10 miles per day at a pleasant pace.They include frequent stops to admirethe scenery, culture, and history of thearea.
The Adventure Walks are more chal-lenging, averaging 12 to 15 miles per day.They are designed for those seeking anaccomplishment-based vacation.
Culture Walks combine shorter walksof four to five miles per day with careful-ly planned thematic explorations in gar-dening, art, or cooking.
Expedition Walks cover a large area,
and combine walks of four to nine milesper day with additional transportation byboat or railroad (if you’re over 6’4”, askfor more details about these trips).
Walks are seasonal, and planned foryou to get the most out of your surround-ings. Meals and lodging are all includedin the rates too.
Their 2005 schedule has vacationsplanned for The British Isles, Spain,Switzerland, Croatia, Italy, CzechRepublic, New Zealand, and France.There are also continental trips toCalifornia, Washington, Oregon, Utah,New Mexico, and Maine.
Find out more about The Wayfarers atTheWayfarers.com.
TRAVEL
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SLEEPING 101
Q: My wife and I are both well over6’ tall. She loves watching all these
home improvement shows on TV, andnow has come up with a plan to renovateand paint every room in our house. Doyou have any tips on how to get it donewithout messing up our spines?
A: Here are some tips to keep therenovations painless (at least as far
as your back is concerned).Stretch. Believe it or not, most peo-
ple don’t injure their spine by hoistingheavy loads, but by using improper form(like awkwardly trying to pick up a pen-cil that has rolled under a desk). See thesidebar for proper stretches to do.
Plan ahead. Prepare for the jobaccordingly; this goes not only for apply-ing the masking tape evenly, but also byselecting the right tools for the work. Youmay be tall enough to easily touch theceiling with an outstretched arm, butstanding on a small ladder or stepstool willlet you work easier, without straining yourneck and shoulder muscles. The morethorough you are before you start working,the less chances you have to hurt yourself,and the quicker the work will be done.
Stand straight. Maintain a propercervical curve in your neck by holdingyour head straight enough that your ears
line up with your shoulders when viewedfrom the side.
Keep the area between your shoulderblades flat, not humped or arched back.
Your shoulders should be pulled back-wards, with your chest sticking out.
Bend. While standing, bend yourknees slightly (never lock your legs in astraight position). This posture will helpyour legs absorb a lot of the strain thatwould otherwise go to your back muscles.
Use knee pads if you know you’regoing to be on them for an extendedlength of time.
Walk away. Take a break every
WATCH YOUR BACKby Dr. Torsten Stein, B.S., D.C.,
Dr. Stein stands 7�2�. Ifanyone should relate tothe physical problemsthat arise from beingtall, the good doctorwould be the one.
To reach Dr. Stein, orlearn more about hispractice and theGonstead Technique,visit his web site at72doc.com. You can alsoe-mail him [email protected].
TALL 14 march–april 2005
half-hour or so. Stand up, stretch, walkaround, move your arms and get yourblood flowing again. Go outside andbreathe some fresh air.
Protect. Make use of eye gogglesgloves and other safety tools. If you’reremoving paint or varnish, or usingchemicals for any other reason, keepyour skin, mouth, eyes, and nose well-protected.
Time it. Paint during daylight hoursso you can properly see where you paintedand where you missed. If you have topaint at night, use at least two differentsources of light—from different angles—to illuminate what you’re doing.
Ventilate. Make sure each room iswell ventilated, with a window or dooropen. If you are using a fan, have itblow the fumes away from the room(and you).
React. If you feel like you strained orsprained something apply ice immediate-ly. This not only numbs the pain, but theice will instruct the muscle to splint theinjured area and decrease any swelling.
If you feel yourself feeling faint orwoozy, stop whatever it is you’re doingand walk away, preferably to a placewhere you can breathe fresh air. Drinkplenty of water throughout the project.
Switch. Every half-hour or so (afteryour break), switch hands and the direc-tion of your movements (if at all possi-
ble). If you are right-handed and paintingin a left-to-right motion, try using yourleft hand and paint in a right-to-leftmotion.
Stretch. Again. When you are fin-ished for the day, stretch again. Thencongratulate yourself for a job well done.
PROPER STRETCHES
Here are some general stretchesfor tall men or women. Repeateach step five times.
NECK. Slowly look up to theceiling and then bring your headback into a neutral position.
SHOULDERS. Roll your shoul-ders forward and backward, andthen raise them to your ears.
CHEST. Stand in a doorway,placing your hands on each sideat chest level. Slowly lean for-ward until you feel a stretch inyour chest.
LEGS. Elevate one foot on achair or desk. While keeping yourlower back straight, lean forwardslightly. You are doing the stretchcorrectly if you feel a stretch inyour thighs and calves. If youfeel it in your lower back, you aredoing it wrong.
WATCH YOUR BACK
TEEN TALKby Kathryn Kelly
GOT MILK? GET TALL!
My grandmother, who has sponsoredmy dance lessons since I was three
years old, gave me a t-shirt for Christmasthat says “Got Pointe?” Now I can sayyes, and I’ve also GOT MILK!
Speaking of milk, is it possible that wewill begin to see famous talls such asNicole Kidman, John Kerry, BrookeShields, and the like with the signaturemilk mustache in magazines and on bill-
per stickers? Go tond see for yourself.
boards and bumWhyMilk.com a
TALL 16 march–april 2005
It’s about time the advantages of beingtall finally got the respect they deserve,and from such a wholesome campaign as“Got Milk?”. Who can argue with milk?With the help of this nationally recog-nized campaign promoting the benefits ofbeing tall, what’s to stop any of us frommaking the most of “The advantages ofbeing tall,” and going for it?
My question to you is, Got TALL mag-azine? Check out TallMagazine.com. Andkeep up your e-mails and support. Whoknows, with our growing voice, whatnational ad will feature us next?
READER MAILBAGSeveral of our readers have shared theirthoughts of being tall. Here is one read-er’s list of advantages and disadvantages:
Advantage: Get noticed. Disadvantage: Get noticed. Advantage: Gorgeous. Disadvantage: Never cute. Advantage: Above average height?
People are envious. Disadvantage: Above average height
people are envious. Advantage: Above average height? Guys
dig it. Disadvantage: Above average height?
Apparently tall guys don’t dig it.Advantage: Clothes look great on you. Disadvantage: You can’t find clothes
that fit.
Kathryn is TALL’s Teen Ambassador. Send yourquestions and comments to Kathryn [email protected].
TALL 17 march–april 2005
TEEN TALK
Advantage: You can be good at basketball.
Disadvantage: People think you “are”good at basketball.
Advantage: You can run. Disadvantage: You can’t hide.
Do you relate? I certainly do. I actuallylaughed at myself when I first read thislist. Thank you cheerlessleader for remind-ing us not to take it too seriously.
A 6’9” male college freshmen sentencouragement and said, “Don’t ever letbeing tall make you too frustrated. Iknow how hard it is to buy clothes andshoes, and I know that people make com-ments all the time. But once you get pastthe annoying comments, it’s fun!” Thisguy is one I would like to meet, and soon.
So would a 6’2” 16 year-old girl inWisconsin. She writes and asks how tofind a tall date. According to her note, areally nice 5’10” guy asked her to adance, but she doesn’t want to look downon him when she is dancing. There is apositive side of this situation: It takes alot of self-confidence for a guy to ask outa girl who is taller than he is. That meanshe knows who he is, and likes you for theperson you are. You might consider givinghim the same consideration and lookingat him the same way—for who he is.Whether you accept the invitation ornot, consider it a compliment.
She also says that she enjoys playingvolleyball, doing pilates, yoga, kick box-ing, and dance. She used to play basket-ball until her coach and team put toomuch pressure on her. Now she playsclub volleyball on an elite team and ismuch happier. Maybe that's what it real-ly is all about—following our own heartsand interests instead of other people'sexpectations of us and their definition ofwhat Tall is.
Being a teenager can be difficult atthe best of times and being tall can makethings even harder. But remember, it’s theway we view ourselves, and the expressionin our eyes and on our face that makes adifference in how we look. Everyone wantsto fit it, but it’s okay to develop your ownpersonal identity.
I have done my share of followingother people’s definition of being tall—Itried the basketball thing too, notbecause I like to play the game, butbecause my peers and coaches expectedme to. Like our friend in Wisconsin, Idecided to quit basketball and stick withwhat I loved—softball and dance. I ammuch happier on the field and in the stu-dio and the expression on my face showsit, which has a lot to do with the way Irelate to others and them to me.
Love ya, KathrynWherever you are, I’m Kathryn [email protected].
TALL 18 march–april 2005
SIT STRAIGHT, WORK RIGHTNine steps for good posture while at the computer.
Posture ranks at the top of the listwhen you are talking about goodhealth. It is as important as eat-ing right, exercising, getting a
good night's sleep, and avoiding harmfulsubstances. Unnatural alignment of thebody can cause head, shoulder, neck, andback pain, and compromise neurological,digestive, respiratory, and cardiovascularfunctioning.
Unquestionably, students and adultsalike spend more time at computers todaythan 20 years ago. Here are nine tipsdesigned to keep your posture perfectwhen you’re at the computer at home, atschool, or at work:
1. Sit up straight and deep in the seat.Feet should be flat on the floor or on afootrest.
2. Keep lower arms level with the deskand wrists straight. (This helps to preventcarpal tunnel syndrome.)
3. Sit close enough to your keyboard toeliminate stretching, but far enough toavoid leaning. Your shoulders should beback and your head should be directlyover your shoulders.
4. Tap the keyboard lightly; don’tpound.
5. Place your mouse within easy reachof your dominant hand. Hold the mouseloosely.
6. Place the monitor at eye level, 16 to
24 inches away.7. Take short stretch breaks every 20
minutes.8. Exercise your eyes frequently. Look
away and focus on distant objects.9. Periodically look up at the ceiling to
give your posture muscles a break.Good posture and body mechanics are
an important part of having a healthyspine, nervous system, and even highself-esteem.
Contents courtesy in part ARA content.
TALL 20 march–april 2005
TALL IN LIFE, TALL IN DEATH?
Are you ready to die? You’d betterbe, because for tall people, funer-als require more research, consid-
eration, and planning than a whirlwindtour of Europe.
By all rights, this subject should not begoing through my 29-year old head now. Inaturally assumed that when I do kickthe bucket, there would be an abundanceof resources at my family’s fingertips toaid them in finding an extra-long casketto keep me safe and warm through eterni-ty. Sadly, I’m coming to grips with thefact that I might not be able to rest inpeace unless I start planning now.
The Internet is always my first stopwhen I’m not accommodated by normalchannels of commerce, and shopping formy casket is apparently no different. Themorbid nature of my search guaranteedthat it would not be an enjoyable one-infact, the only thing that kept me onlinewas seeing the crazy caskets that somecompanies make.
There are caskets for young people, fatpeople, KISS fans, and guys who loveHarley Davidson.Veterans can have acasket painted and decorated that reflectsthem back in the days when they protect-ed us; egotists who want to offer mourn-ers one last, precious glimpse of the bodythanks to a casket made of Plexiglas.
Everyone is easily accommodated, itseems, except for tall folks like me (Istand 6’8”).
I’m not looking for a casket that ismade of gold, glows in the dark, or dis-penses lager from a tap (though that lastfeature would certainly ensure a largeturnout of my friends and family).Unfortunately, after visiting hundreds ofweb sites, I managed to find only fivecompanies that make extra-long casketsfor extra-long people—for an extra-largepremium, of course.
What brings a guy like me to thinkabout this grim topic? For that, I have tothank my co-worker for sharing a storyabout her Uncle Sam (not his realname), who was tall like me.
She explained that on the night beforeUncle Sam’s funeral, her family got aphone call from the funeral parlor. Itappeared that the funeral director was ina bit of a jam (no pun intended). UncleSam was simply too long to fit into thecasket that the family had purchased forhim. There were very few options for thefamily at that point, and the funeral par-lor wasn’t equipped for Uncle Sam’s“unique” situation. Finally, at the funeraldirector’s suggestion, Sam’s legs were bro-ken and he was squeezed into the nor-mal-sized casket. Problem solved.
Depending on your beliefs, what hap-pened to Uncle Sam’s body after his heart
THE TALLEST TABOOby David O’Connor
stopped beating may make no difference.For me, however, death is a part of life,and I believe that when people die, theyshould be able to rest in peace. I can’thelp but think that Uncle Sam can’t restin peace because he was tall, and thefuneral industry could not easily accom-modate him.
Ben Franklin once said, “In this worldnothing can be said to be certain, exceptdeath and taxes.” For people like us,death brings another certainty—the cus-tom price tag. I don’t like it, I don’t wantit, and I can’t afford it. As with the cus-tom clothes, shoes, and the like I’vecome to accept that, in life, I may never“fit in” with the crowd. But is it toomuch to ask that when I die, I can atleast fit in to my casket?
If history is destined to repeat itself, Imay not want to find out.
This is David O’Connor’s first column forTALL magazine. Dave O'Connor is 6'9"tall and lives on the shores of LakeChargoggagoggmanchaugagoggchaubunagu-ngamaug in Webster, Massachusetts. Sendhim your thoughts at [email protected].
THE TALLEST TABOO
“Let’s face it, a crowdedelevator smells differentto a tall person.”
tallmagazine.comTALL 21 march–april 2005
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TALL THINGS CONSIDERED
IT’S NOT EASY BEING BIG!by stephanie st. pierreRandom House/Children’s Television Workshop
If you have a little one who is looking not to be little muchlonger, this is a great introductory book for them to show that
they’re not alone in this tall, tall world.Cute and colorful graphics and simple messages make this an
enjoyable read. The illustrations depicting too-real situations willget a laugh even out of grown ups.RandomHouse.com
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product reviews
TALL 24 march–april 2005
ULTIMATE PILATES $19.95by dreas reynekeHay House Publishing
Pilates has taken the physical fitness world by storm,and if you are at all interested in this new exercise
program, read this book.Descriptive, easy-to-read, and full of helpful illustra-
tions, the book has tons of exercises you can do eitherwith minimal equipment or using only your body weight.Pilates is supposed to be very good for your posture andstrengthening your back muscles, and there are plenty ofexercises inside this book to do just that.HayHouse.com
TALL THINGS CONSIDERED
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OF GRUNGE AND GOVERNMENT$9.95
by krist novoselicAkashic Books
Krist Novoselic was the bassist for the culturally defining“grunge” rock group Nirvana. Since the band’s break up,
Krist has taken a political route in life, and been an activistfor political electoral reform.
This book is not only his own travelogue down that path,but an insightful, inspirational guide on how even those of uswho aren’t rock stars can go out and get our voices heard.AkashicBooks.com
TALL THINGS CONSIDERED
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DRINK OF THE IRISH TO YA!March 17 is St. Patrick’s Day. Celebrate it with style!
Though originally a religious holiday, March 17th has evolved into more of a secularcelebration of Irish tradition. If you want to host an authentic Irish dinner, serve Irishstew for your main dish, along with Corned Beef and Cabbage, or Shepherd's Pie; and tofinish, serve your guests this drink. It'll guarantee a memorable St. Patrick's Day.
MINT KISS:2 parts Irish Cream liqueurSplash of green crème de menthe 1 part cream or milk Chocolate syrup DIRECTIONS: Shake all ingredients with ice ina cocktail shaker and strain into a martini glass.Drizzle with chocolate syrup. It tastes like yourfavorite chocolate mint cookie!
The ever-rising pressures of mod-ern life—the speed, the energy,the technology, the demandsthat are placed on us and that
we in turn place on each other oftenmake it very difficult to keep focused onwhat is important. We lose sight of ourvalues and goals, our sense of meaningand purpose and find ourselves dazed andconfused about what we want versus whatthe world tells us we should want.
It doesn’t have to be this way. You canrestore and revitalize each day, and livewith real purpose and meaning.
Being authentic is the ultimate way tosimplify things and bring greater meaningand purpose into your life and your work.It’s about being honest with yourself,curious about life, willing to experiencethe discomfort of being a work inprogress, and staying true to a set of deeppersonal values.
By being authentic you can improvehow you think, what you decide, and,ultimately, what you create for yourselfand those around you. Being authentic isall about deciding between what isimportant and what is non-essential. Thisone strategy can be life changing. Whenyou follow your passion and align withyour destiny you reawaken your sense ofpurpose. Magic can happen.
15 steps to being authentic
1. Do what you do each day as ifit were the most important thing
you will ever do.
2. Use more creativity in all that you do.
3. Leave each situation and person better than when you
encountered them.
4. Play more-with your children, friends, family, co-workers, and
yourself.
5. Help people; really be helpful, to other people, more than ever
before.
6. Celebrate your mistakes as well as your successes.
7. Express genuine empathy andconcern for others.
8. Champion truth. Use open and honest communication.
9. Practice forgiveness. Forgivepeople who make mistakes.
BE AUTHENTICTo be a better person at work and at home, the key is to be more authentic.
by George and Sedena Cappannelli
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10. Stop procrastinating about the things that matter to you.
11. Learn the difference be-tween knowing and believing.
12. Commit random acts of kindness and generosity-
anonymously.
13. Share what you know generously, and admit what
you do not know.
14. Be grateful for every opportunity, experience,
object and person in your life
15. Live each day as if it were your last day on earth.
BE AUTHENTIC
Find these and other great TALL wear items at
www.tallmagazine.com
Raise them right,with TALL wear
Spring up yourwardrobe
Great baby showergift ideas!
• bib• t-shirt
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TALL 31 march–april 2005
If you watched series 2 and 3 of thestand up comedy reality show LastComic Standing (NBC/ComedyCentral), you probably noticed comedi-
an Gary Gulman, who provided giantlaughs that matched his 6’6” frame. Theshow has brought him much success,including appearances on Late Show withDavid Letterman, as well as The TonightShow with Jay Leno.
Born in Peabody, Massachusetts, the cleanand clever Gulman has a new album com-ing out soon titled Conversations withInanimate Objects. Coming off the roadfrom his six-month “I’m Still Standing”tour alongside fellow comedians AlonzoBodden and Jay London, Gary found sometime in the middle of this hectic scheduleto talk to TALL magazine.
TALL: How has Last Comic Standingchanged your life?GARY: I haven’t changed; I don’t know ifI’m much funnier than I was last year, butI’m a lot busier. I’ve had at least fiveshows a week, every week since August. Iget recognized in places and I get e-mailsfrom people that I’ve never met, so therehave been a lot of changes.
TALL: Were you happy with how theshow represented you?GARY: I’ve seen reality shows and how
people behave on them, and I didn’t wantto come off like any of those people. I did-n’t want to be known as a whiner, orunderhanded, or anything like that. Iknew that I was going to have to comeback to my family and friends and have todeal with their reaction, so I tried to com-port myself with dignity and integrity.
Continued on page 4Gary Gulman, continued from front page
TALL: What are the downsides of being6’6”?GARY: I can’t fly coach any more. That’s aproblem because I fly so much. I can’t sitfor six hours in those tiny cramped seats,so that can get a little expensive. I’m fairlynoticeable in a room. I stand above thecrowd most of the time.
TALL: What’s the most annoying tall jokepeople tell you?GARY: My parents aren’t very tall. I dothis joke in my act where people find thisout and want to know how tall the milk-man was. I always found that ratherannoying, but it provided a good bit so itwas worth it all those years.
TALL: Does it take a little time for yourcrowds to adjust to your height?GARY: Usually I acknowledge the reactionwhen I first get up there. A few people sit-ting in front will usually mutter, so I’ll
LAUGH AT THE TALL GUYIt means 6’6” Gary Gulman is doing his job.
by Jatinder Dhoot
TALL 32 march–april 2005
“I’m fairly noticeable in aroom. I stand above thecrowd most of the time. “
TALL 33 march–april 2005
acknowledge that. It hasn’t really beenthat much of an issue but it’s probablynoticeable because I have to adjust themicrophone stand. There are some clubsthat have an overhang above the stageand I either have to duck or be very care-ful that I don’t whack my head.
TALL: What two words best describe youas a person? GARY: Thoughtful and nervous.
TALL: What two words best describe youas a comedian?GARY: Quirky and sarcastic.
TALL: Rumor has it you’re an avid read-er.GARY: I’m always reading. I’m a constantself-improver so I try to read a lot andkeep up on certain things; I always readnewspapers and magazines. I try and readas many books as I can while I’m awake.
TALL: What are you reading currently?GARY: I’m reading The Tipping Point, byMalcolm Gladwell (Little, Brown andCompany 2000). He’s really good atexpanding on small details of life that youreally take for granted. The book is abouthow social and medical epidemics spreadand trends take place and build. I’m alsoreading a book about Michael Jordan andhis work ethic that I find quite inspiring.
TALL: What’s the funniest show on TVright now?GARY: The Simpsons and Seinfeld reruns.
TALL: Which comic makes you laugh thehardest right now?GARY: I’d have to say Brian Regan. I justbought his album and I laughed so hard.He’s incredibly clever and original and yetcompletely clean at the same time; he’svery impressive. TALL
Gary Gulman
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TALL 34 march–april 2005
TALL 35 march–april 2005
Busking with her hurdy-gurdy on aToronto street one day, TriciaPostle was approached by a group
of young men. One thought himself a finecomedian as he asked, “Shouldn’t youhave a monkey with that?”
With troubadour-like sprezzatura, shereplied, “The position is presently vacant,sir. Do you have a résumé?”
His friends laughed at, not with, him ashe slunk away, while Tricia continuedcranking her hurdy-gurdy as she placidlylooked over his head from her regalheight of six feet.
A hurdy-gurdy is defined as “a lute-likeinstrument in which the sound is pro-duced by the friction of a resin-ed wheelturned by a crank at the end.” The namewas later applied to any instrument playedby turning a crank, and most specificallyto the barrel organ, which blows airthrough tuned pipes. This is the streetinstrument popularly associated with themonkey-and-a-cup routine.
In high school, Tricia played clarinet,studied piano under a concert pianist whohad been trained by Vladimir Horowitz,and sang in an all-female choir. But heraffection for classical music diminished.
“What can we make of a society,” sheasks, “that rewards artists for turningthemselves into little music boxes to playthe music of the dead?
“If we were Martians, would we notconsider this the strangest of cults? I havea big dislike of the classical music systemof putting students in solitary little boxes,like veal pens, and then sticking them onthe stage.”
As a 14-year-old 10th grade student,Tricia discovered the Society for CreativeAnachronisms, a world-wide “club” madeup of people who enjoy recreating theEuropean Middle Ages. Members createtheir own personae: knights, monks,princesses, serving wenches, cutpurses,scholars, and other pseudo-medieval char-acters interact at their regular meetings.Tricia’s personae included a keyboardplayer, because of her musical training,then both a rascally male—easy for a 6-footer if the shirts are loose enough—anda female hurdy-gurdy player.
Tricia first saw the instrument whenshe was 15. Inspired, she bought one thenext year, using money earned teachingpiano and waiting tables.
After high school, she moved from herhome to the huge and highly respectedUniversity of Toronto. “University was abig letdown for me. I had very highexpectations. I imagined a real communi-ty of knowledge, and to some extent Ifound it, but with a lot of other thingsgoing on there, too.
“Three years into my BA program, I
THE HURDY GURDY GALTricia Postle merges a unique personality with a unique instrumentfor a harmonious combination.
by Peter Mehren
THE HURDY GURDY GAL
decided to take a year off and traveledaround Europe with my gurdy for a fewmonths, and then came back to Canadaand went to Vancouver. It was an eye-opening experience for a girl who was stillbasically a suburbanite, even if muchagainst her will.”
Tricia completed her undergraduatestudies with a double major in Music andMedieval Studies. Her Music majorincluded Medieval Arabic and MedievalWestern/European music. These wereoften a fusion, combining Celtic/Bretonstorytelling, classical Arabic music, andpopular variations and combinations.
Staying in the safety of university lifedidn’t appeal to Tricia. “I don’t thinkbeing in an [academic] institution hasanything to do with anything except thatpeople get money and abuse in variousproportions.
“After finishing my Bachelor of Arts, Iknew I wanted to become an artist. I dida lot of readings, performances and suchin coffee houses, poetry open stages, andthe like.”
For Tricia, opportunities must berespected and chances must be taken.
“I tried to write, tried to make sense ofthings, and finally decided that I shouldeither pursue troubadourism or give itup.” So Tricia went to Egypt, studying theqanun—a zither-like instrument—andtrying to learn Arabic. She supported her-
TALL 37 march–april 2005
The Hurdy Gurdy Gal
self by teaching English as a second lan-guage.
Later, Tricia made another trip, thistime to Spain, to study Catalan, a minori-ty language related to that of many of themedieval troubadours. Tricia was oftenpractically alone when visiting the manyold, high-vaulted Spanish churches. Withno services going on, and inspired by theacoustics in these places (the churcheswere built to amplify and broadcast thevoices of the clergymen and the choirs insuch a way that the sound appeared to becoming down from Heaven), Tricia wouldspontaneously begin singing, usuallymedieval songs.
Webster’s defines a troubadour as oneof a class of lyric poets and poet-musi-cians who flourished from the 11th to theend of the 13th Century, chiefly inProvence, the south of France, and thenorth of Italy.
For Tricia, to be a troubadour was tohave an approach to being which consist-ed largely of joy, intelligence, and free-dom. It was multicultural, drawing uponthe experiences of the troubadours as theytraveled and met other poets and singers,exchanging tunes, styles, themes, andother aspects of art and lifestyles. Aboveall, it prized sprezzatura, an ease of man-ner, a studied carelessness, and an appar-ent nonchalance.
Back in Toronto, Tricia became more
active in working with other artists ofseveral backgrounds and nationalities,synthesizing a new, multigenre perform-ance art.
Day jobs allowed her the freedom torehearse in the evening and to travel orperform when opportunities arose. Triciaalso took classes in theatrical improvisa-tion. “I wanted to work on my sense ofspontaneous creation, collective action,taking guidance from other people, work-ing as a unit.”
In 2004, with her fiancé, artist andactor Ed Fielding, Tricia started TheMajlis, which literally means “a sittingplace.” She envisions it to be “a kind ofcarefully managed coffee house.” It willbe an intimate performance space forartists and audiences that will allow thekinds of expression and creation thatwould not normally develop in a bar ortheatre. Tricia looks forward to the multi-ple challenges of creating and performingwhile helping to manage the facility.
“I think audiences are just as good forartists as artists are for audiences. Peoplelike art, artists like to be heard. I want tocreate a space for that.” TALL
“I think audiences are justas good for artists asartists are for audiences.”
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TALL 42 march–april 2005
TALL 44 march–april 2005
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TALL 45 march–april 2005
LONDON CALLING
When people first left Britainto head towards the NewWorld, they probably did-n’t know that over the
next two centuries, they would grow inch-es taller than those they left behind.
By the end of the 18th century, resi-dents of the United States were one ofthe tallest people around, far beyondtheir British forebearers, from whomthey had recently gained independence.
But while we might want to hold on toour tall title (while denying expansion inother ways), other Europeans are gainingground. The Dutch already silently tookover the lead last century, with an aver-age height of more than an inch (amongboth males and females) above ours. TheGermans aren’t far behind.
The real shocker comes from the Brits.While not quite as tall as the Dutch,they’re creeping slowly towardsAmerican averages: men are at a steady5’7” and women at 5’3”, and growing forboth. While that might seem like smallpotatoes to TALL readers, those figuresrepresent only about an inch differencefrom American averages. Is it somethingin their tea, or in the biscuits?
This general shift in the UnitedKingdom’s height has not gone unno-
ticed amongst British fashion gurus.The availability of tall shops in Londonputs shorter European countries likeItaly or Spain to shame.
While in London recently, I did somereconnoitering for TALL, checking inon a couple of the town’s tall fashionhot spots. For those of you looking to fitin with the London chic during yournext visit, I found two great sources.
If you’re looking for posh and upscale,head towards Knightsbridge. Beforemaking a beeline to Harrod’s (where thefood court really has to be seen to bebelieved), stop by the elegant and well-stocked High and Mighty. Although thisstore is one of a chain (there are cur-rently 24 stores in the United Kingdomand seven others throughout Europe),the individual shops have all the feelingof an independent tailor’s.
Clothing ranges from basic, inexpen-sive tee-shirts to big-money, three-piecesuits. As the store caters to both “KingSize” and “Tall” shoppers, sizes are var-ied and highly specialized. Pant inseamsclimb to 40”, and shirt sizes go up to a2XLT.
If you’re feeling guilty about spendingyour time in London shopping instead ofseeing the sites (nothing to be ashamedof, darling!), walk your way towards yournext tall-friendly destination via HydePark. Make your way to the northeast
SHOPPING ABROADby lee ann cornelius
part of the park, where you’ll findSpeaker’s Corner, a place where anybodyand everybody can say his/her piece infront of a crowd. It’s free, and a goodway to get into the spirit of London, orat least learn some cool British slang.
If you manage to tear yourself awayfrom Speaker’s Corner (some days aremore exciting than others), walk out ofthe park and head towards ChilternStreet. You’ll have to wade your waythrough chaotic Oxford Street and lowerBaker Street, but the calm refuge thatawaits you will be more than welcome.This small, quaint, and quiet street ishome to Long Tall Sally’s, the biggestchain specializing in apparel for tallwomen in Britain.
Give yourself time to sort through thevariety of styles; the store has tops, suits,dresses, sweaters, and even robes. Tip:when shopping in Britain, subtract twosizes from what’s on the label. For exam-ple, Long Tall Sally’s clothes come insizes 8-20; that’s 6-18 for Americans.
Perhaps even more exciting is whatlies across the street from Long TallSally’s: three large-sized women’s shoestores. Each store has a unique style andfeel, but you can choose your favorite bystepping through the old British door-ways and trying on a pair at Crispins,Magnus, or the appropriately namedElephant Feet.
One of Long Tall Sally’s manyofferings for the tall ladies.
TALL 46 march–april 2005
SHOPPING ABROAD
TALL 47 march–april 2005
“I’ve got to go, Rock. It’s all right. I’m notafraid. Sometimes when things are goingwrong, when the breaks are beating the boys,tell them to go out and win one for theGipper. I don’t know where I’ll be then,Rock, but I’ll know about it, and I’ll behappy.”
Those were the famous last wordsof George Gipp—or were they?There’s no doubt that they werespoken by another famous
American, future President RonaldReagan, in the 1940 movie, KnuteRockne, All American.
6’2” George Gipp’s giant standing as anathlete in the early days of varsity footballis beyond doubt: He compiled a total of4,833 yards. In the 1920 season —despitean illness that culminated in his death atage 25—he rushed for 827 yards in 102carries. He scored 83 touchdownsbetween 1917 and 1920. No pass comple-tion ever made it through his territory.On November 30 of 1920 he learned—onhis deathbed— that he had been namedfullback on Walter Camp’s All-AmericanTeam, making him the first Notre DameAll-American.
Gipp’s career came at a time when col-lege football—for reasons beyond his con-trol, and perhaps beyond his understand-ing—was becoming a national obsession.
The first varsity game had been played in1869 between Princeton and Rutgers(then an Ivy League college), with plentyof assault and battery on both sides. Don’tever say this at Princeton, but Rutgerswon. The players, based on their age-range, were adolescent males just a hairtoo young to have taken part in the CivilWar, but old enough to feel a fierce envyof those who had actually “seen the ele-phant” and compensated by creating theirown conflicts on the football field.
By the turn of the 20th Century,numerous college boys were carried off thegridiron dead, and broken limbs were rou-tine. Andrew Carnegie thought collegefootball so lethal that when Princetonasked him for a new football stadium, hebought the school a lake for sailinginstead.
George Gipp, man and legend, enteredthe world of college football from a careeras a semi-pro baseball player. He neverfinished high school, not caring muchabout anything but sports, many of whichwere not played on green grass or in thefresh air.
Gipp was born in Laurium, Michigan,on February 18, 1895, one of seven chil-dren of a devout Protestant couple.
Gifted with a bright, analytical mind,George developed a lucrative careeraround gambling with cards and dice
ONCE MORE FOR THE GIPPERGeorge Gipp was a memorable man—on and off the football field.
by John Koster with Che Kim
while playingsports on the side.
The story is thatGipp came toKnute Rockne’sattention in 1916when, while play-ing baseball withhis buddies, he washit in the head bya football fromRockne’s teampractice, and good-naturedly kickedthe football backin street shoes, fora phenomenal dis-tance.
Gipp’s shrewd,analytical mindwon Rockne’snotice in the 1917Notre Dame–Army game. Hesurmised that thelong-passing Armyteam would fake akick and throw theball. “Watch out forthe pass!” Gipp sawit, blocked it, andkept Notre Dame’s7 to 5 winninglead.
TALL 48 march–april 2005
ONCE MORE FOR THE GIPPER
TALL 49 march–april 2005
A broken leg later in the season failedto save him from being drafted for WorldWar I, but the war ended before he couldbe sent overseas.
Sportswriter Paul Gallico wrote of thepost WWI era: “We emerged from a seri-ous war and now wanted no more realitybut only escape.”
Football and other sports, broadcast forthe first time on the radio, gaveAmericans this escape. George Gipp waspart of the escape mechanism—not justfor his superb athletic ability, but for hiscasual attitude toward the academic sideof college life.
Father O’Donnell, his English teacher,noted that Gipp always got 100 percent ina test: 50 percent from the student on hisleft and 50 percent from the student on
his right. He kept up expenses beyond freetuition and board by his success at cardsand dice: “I’m the finest freelance gamblerever to attend Notre Dame.”
“Nobody around South Bend could beathim at faro, shooting pool, billiards, pokeror bridge,” his roommate, Arthur ‘Dutch’Bergman remembered. “He studied thepercentages in dice rolling and could fadethose bones in a way that had the profes-sionals dizzy. At three-pocket pool, he wasthe terror of the parlors.”
Gipp’s questionable dedication to high-er knowledge didn’t escape envious rivals:after a tough game where Notre Damebeat Nebraska after Gipp used stall tac-tics, Nebraska Coach Henry F. Schultedemanded an explanation of Gipp’senrollment.
“What course do you take at NotreDame?” Schulte demanded.
“Plumbing,” Gipp shot back.The end came much too fast. He played
when he was injured and suffering from aserious cold, and in November of 1920, hewas diagnosed with pneumonia.
Nobody to this day has agreed onwhether he uttered Reagan’s famous ver-sion of Gipp’s last words. When CoachRockne told him that he’d been namedAll-American, Gipp uttered a more char-acteristic phrase.
“That’s jake with me,” he said, andthen passed into football history. TALL
“When things aregoing wrong, when thebreaks are beating theboys, tell them to goout and win one forthe Gipper.”
ONCE MORE FOR THE GIPPER
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TALL magazine is not officially affiliatedwith the Tall Clubs International (TCI)organization, and lists the followingevents as a courtesy only.
For more information about Tall ClubsInternational, click on over to Tall.org.(Note: TCI membership may be requiredto take part in some of the followingactivities.)
APRIL1-3 • Color My World WeekendHost: Tip Toppers Club of DetroitPick a color and stick with it the entireweekend. Friday night costume party anddance, after-hours both evenings.Saturday Awards Dinner & Dance. Comejoin the rest of the April Fools! [email protected]
22-25 • Fort Lauderdale Spring BreakHost: Florida Skyliners of MiamiOn the beach is “Where the TALLSAre!” Ocean cruising, shopping, gam-bling, dancing, dining: we got it all and itis laid at your feet at our Spring BreakWeekend!(305) 947-TALL : [email protected]
22-24 • Palm Springs WeekendHost: Tall Club of Diamond Valley LakeTall Club of Diamond Valley Lake’s inau-gural TCI Weekend. Please join us for thetime of your life! [email protected]
MAY13-16 • Yosemite WeekendHost: Tall Club of Silicon ValleyThis event sold out last year so reserveyour spot early this time. Activities dur-ing the day and fun at night. (408) 255-9274 [email protected]
JUNE10-13 • Houseboat WeekendHost: Sacramento Tall ClubJoin your tall friends for a great outdooradventure of water sports, socializing, anddancing under the stars! [email protected]
JULY4-10 • The South Shall Rise Again2005 TCI ConventionHost: Carolina Tall ClubFireworks, friends, food, and fun. Eventsinclude the Miss Tall International 2005pageant, so don’t miss it.TCIconvention.org • [email protected]
AUGUST12-14 • Wasting Away inMargariTALLvilleHost: High Cincinnatians Tall ClubWith Cincinnati being the home of theJimmy Buffet Parrot Heads, we would liketo invite you into our colorful world offun while “Wasting Away inMargariTALLville” with other tall friendsacross the country.HighCincinnatians.com
TALL 50 march–april 2005
TCI CALENDAR
TALL 51 march–april 2005
Ihave a recurring dream. (Guys who likered heads know the one; alas, Ms.Kidman never calls.) I’m talking abouta wholly different dream, however; it is
less “Get into my car,” than “Get me thehell outta here.”
The dream wakes me up in cold sweatsand makes me wish I had eyes on top ofmy head. I’m not going to school naked,forgetting to show up for finals, runningfrom a bear but not moving, or discoveringthe meaning of life but trading it for a life-time supply of Guinness (which may, nowthat I think about it, be the meaning oflife). Dreams like that can affect anybody.My dream affects only the overly tall andhas an ending straight out of the movieHannibal.
This is my dream: I am trapped in whatappears to be a mansion; lush carpet,exquisite marble floors, the entire collec-tion of dogs-playing-poker paintings, aspiral staircase, a fountain in the foyer,and a hyperbaric sleeping chamber are allthere. The exquisiteness is evident. But amore thorough inspection reveals it is astructure built by short people “for” tallpeople—in much the same way that wel-fare reform was a law written by rich peo-ple “for” poor people. I always materializeinside the house so I don’t know its phys-ical locale; my guess is Short Gap, West
SIZE MATTERSby mike werling
Mike Werling writes and lives in the shadows of Colorado’s tallest mountains. You can e-mail him your comments at [email protected].
TALL 52 march–april 2005
SIZE MATTERS
Virginia, Shortsville, Pennsylvania, orShort Track, New York.
Doorframes are so short I have to duck,and ceilings are so low I have to crawl toget through the house—an obstaclecourse built for spelunkers and movedout of context. I go through door afterdoor, looking for the way out so I canstand up. My throat tightens, my heartpounds, and my panic meter jumps offthe charts. Focus on the Family’s JamesDobson couldn’t be more uncomfortableif Sponge Bob Square Pants were in hisbathtub.
I find no exit from the house—it’s theMunchkins’ “Hotel California”: “You canget comfortable any time you like, butyou can never stand.”
I get to a room large enough to standup in, but it is an illusion. A camouflagedceiling fan promptly chops off the top ofmy skull, leaving my brain exposed, andyet pleasantly cool. Random thoughtsescape my gray matter, floating towardthe ceiling in cartoon dialogue bubbles(this is a dream, remember): “Alwayslook up when entering an unknownroom. How much wood would a wood-chuck chuck. Of course I’ll respect you inthe morning. Objects in motion tendto… move, or, something.” I soldier on.
The walls in one wing of the house are
covered with murals of street scenes.People are painted from the waist down.Signposts disappear into the clouds. Doorhandles and knobs are at eye level.Vendor pushcarts are as big as armoredvehicles. Baby strollers appear spaciouslyoutfitted. I am viewing life as someonelacking in the vertical graces. I empathizewith Gary Coleman.
In another wing of the manse, funhousemirrors make me appear shorter than Iam, but M.C. Escher-ish sight lines andperspectives make everything around meappear tall. A doorframe I can jumpthrough suddenly smacks the bridge of mynose. A light bulb I should need a ladderto reach shatters in my hair (my skull hasreturned). Am I going up or down? Am Icrawling backward or forward? Is the spacearound me shrinking or expanding? Thecombination exacerbates my claustropho-bia. Shaquille O'Neal would feel this wayif he were reincarnated as a prairie dogand got total recall of his past life.
My fiancé’s wailing alarm clock savesme from my dream. Wait a minute, shenever wakes up before I do… it’s anotherdream—one that helps me escape themini-mansion. I doze fretfully until myalarm buzzes, at which time I open myeyes and notice the ceiling fan spinning. Ithink I’ll crawl to the shower.