How Do I Measure Up?

Last week, it was confirmed by experts that One World Trade Center is the tallest building in the country.

Thank goodness.

For awhile, I had been under the impression - apparently, a false one - that something isn't actually a superlative until it is deemed so. 

Although the height of One WTC hasn't changed since its completion, it had to be debated whether or not we would count the spire, despite the fact that it is is a continuation of the building.
Apparently, just because the spire reaches 1,776 feet doesn't mean the building gets to do so, also.

I suppose it's kind of like that boy in third grade who gelled his hair up. (Or, if you're like Pauly D from Jersey Shore,  you still do.) Even though his hardened hair made him look taller, he wasn't actually taller than that boy whose mom made him comb his hair down. But, to experts - in this case, third grade girls - this technicality didn't matter. These gel-crazy boys got to stand in the back row on Picture Day (and we all know that's where the tallest ones were sent). At the end of the day, those boys get to look down on the heads of the Willis Tower comb-happy fellows.