Another great moment...when the camera is close up on Paul lying on the floor all stoned, who quotes rapidly, "This is the way the world ends, this is the way the world ends, this is the way the world ends, not with a bang but with a whimper." I almost fell off the couch in delight, as this is such a wonderful poem and I have quoted it so many times that I felt like E.T. making contact with home. OK, it's just a television show, but Mad Men is pure joy for analytical, type A minus types like me who took English Lit, advertising, marketing and journalism classes, AND who are detailed oriented.
That said, tonight has been one of those nights when all I can say the only highlight of this evening is that there was only ONE load of laundry, ONE dish switch out, and I am really tired though the sun is still high in the sky, mocking my pregnant self. My body lets me down so often these past few days I get frustrated, like a typist whose computer won't keep up with the words-per -minute. I remember it getting like this before, with our first one, but how easily we forget! Days and days now. Tomorrow by 9am I will be floating in the Gulf of Mexico, easing back pains, watching out for stray sharks, and eavesdropping on senior citizens discussing their AARP memberships, sunscreen usage and discounts at nearby cafes. (I love seniors, really!!) They are just everywhere down here. What is great about this week, though, is that FOOTBALL season begins again, and in under two weeks we will have parties, game days, and I'll have every excuse to yell really loud at something besides labor pains.
Keep us in your thoughts as you go about your evening, and I will also send good vibes your way.
Tata for now.
Monday, August 31, 2009
spoiler for Mad Men
Yes there are a million blogs that spread the word fast about how good/bad/mediocre or just confusing the latest MM episode is every Monday morning. I loved that show last night...the whole thing was surprising, tense and had more humorous moments than normal. I'm just going to list my favorite moments.
1. Peggy smoked "grass" with Paul and some office pals. It was awesome.
2. Pete and his wife did the Charleston at that really out-dated and forced "work party" at the country club. It was a surprising sentimental moment for them, as we are always led to believe that they are a doomed couple....maybe they are perfect for each other after all?
3. Joan FINALLY had that lightbulb moment in her eye looking at her husband while saving him during a crucial dinner scene with his superior doctor boss, realizing (maybe) that she may be marrying under herself after all (we already knew this). Here's to hoping she dumps his whiny, wussy, raping self.
4. Don jumped over a bar like it was the General Lee, mixing him and another hiding comrade a drink like a pro.
5. Bets got felt up... not really...but a tall handsome man did put his hand on her belly to feel her undorn child, and it was just at illicit, sensual and forbidden as a book by Henry James where a lady's ankles made men sweat.
6. The "Blackface" moment was so jolting, ugly and racial that I had to remember that kind of stuff was performed by older people I knew and relatives (sad to say) up until just decades ago. The truth stings but it also reveals how far we've come.
If you haven't seen Mad Men, please do yourself a favor and rent the older seasons to catch up. The details are in the dialogue, set design and characters. The action moves along slower than a bad day at work sometimes, but unlike a bad day, it's always rewarding to find the subtle clues and pop culture commentary layered among the plotlines.
1. Peggy smoked "grass" with Paul and some office pals. It was awesome.
2. Pete and his wife did the Charleston at that really out-dated and forced "work party" at the country club. It was a surprising sentimental moment for them, as we are always led to believe that they are a doomed couple....maybe they are perfect for each other after all?
3. Joan FINALLY had that lightbulb moment in her eye looking at her husband while saving him during a crucial dinner scene with his superior doctor boss, realizing (maybe) that she may be marrying under herself after all (we already knew this). Here's to hoping she dumps his whiny, wussy, raping self.
4. Don jumped over a bar like it was the General Lee, mixing him and another hiding comrade a drink like a pro.
5. Bets got felt up... not really...but a tall handsome man did put his hand on her belly to feel her undorn child, and it was just at illicit, sensual and forbidden as a book by Henry James where a lady's ankles made men sweat.
6. The "Blackface" moment was so jolting, ugly and racial that I had to remember that kind of stuff was performed by older people I knew and relatives (sad to say) up until just decades ago. The truth stings but it also reveals how far we've come.
If you haven't seen Mad Men, please do yourself a favor and rent the older seasons to catch up. The details are in the dialogue, set design and characters. The action moves along slower than a bad day at work sometimes, but unlike a bad day, it's always rewarding to find the subtle clues and pop culture commentary layered among the plotlines.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Sunday
In the end, a good cup of coffee always makes my day a little brighter. This is a great Sunday morning, the first one I have slept longer than 6 am in weeks. What a difference that makes! Also have enjoyed going to sleep around 9 lately saving up energy for later dates. Football starts this weekend, concert coming up in October, and FINALLY more going out, hanging with family and friends, and enjoying live music and entertainment again like we use to. I miss us being us...and pregnancy has a way of making everything very "household" centered which I have never been happy with. Houses are for sleep, protection and storage in my book, and backyards are for watching the stars, making food and getting fresh air. Soon, our family will be bigger but the fun will commence and our new son will enjoy the beach state park and all the sights and sounds of our life as much as we do. We are going to find a pop-up camper next year so we can get up and go travel whenever, wherever no matter who is in town to put us up in the inn so to speak (especially in Bay County)..... Can't wait!
Saturday, August 29, 2009
RIP Nick's pretty hair
I am writing this short eulogy for our son's beautiful silky blonde hair, which i just read is common among Aquarians, like he is. A few nights ago my husband and I took some clippers to his long shaggy do and tried to give him a cool funky trim with a short mohawk. This didn't work out so well, as he fought, squirmed and cried so much I had to call time out. So, now his hair is a mullet down the back with a very long mohawk (too long to be spikey or cute) and he looks like one of the lost children from "Peter Pan". We had good intentions, as he hasn't had a trim since Christmas and although I love long hippy hair on boys, it was just to shaggy looking and in this terrible humid weather was always sticking to his neck and ears. In the next few days, we'll have to wrestle him down to the floor again and try to finish the job we started, and my son will forgive us someday after a few years of therapy. Nick, we love you and are looking forward to chopping off that rat tail you have going (more like a beaver tail because it's 3 inches wide)...no one deserves to have a mudflap hanging down their neck especially sweet boys like yourself!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
IKEA- A mad mad world of fru fru, color, and dorm rats
So, the big new thing in Tampa right now is the "must see" IKEA store, so of course we hopped across our dirty little salty pond going East and pulled up to the new IKEA store with high expectations and some extra cash. It sits on the 'pretty" nicer end of Ybor city, the trendy part with a McCafe nearby and newly restored red brick that doesn't quite hide the two hookers lounging around, the man talking to himself at a bustop, or the empty projects that Tampa tries so hard to make tourists forget exist. Anyhoo, there was the IKEA store- a huge two story behemoth (I love that word!) that looks like a Costco or even a small airport. It was a Sunday, and I assumed it would look more like a smaller Walmart or Old Navy- silly me!
Phillip & I loaded Nick into a cart inside after being told outside when we tried to get an outside cart that we needed to grab a cart inside. Walmart this was not! Once inside, a crazy mob of shoppers whirled around, employees in vests with headsets directed foot traffic, and arrows on the floor told you were to start...like Candyland for adults! There was even a kids playground inside for moms who hate trees, sand and normal playgrounds that are outside.
So, we navigated through the store, sometimes getting frowned at for going the wrong way while trying to actually look up close at the little set-ups they create showing you how very cool, efficient and modern their shelves and sofas really are. We did need shelves and saw some nice wall size units for our art/music room - the kind with no backing like stacked cubes that can also be used as room dividers. The store is like a Bed Bath and Beyond with sofas, storage "solutions", colorful fabric items like pillows, comforters and rugs and anything else you could possible need for your home. We were secure in our knowledge that we have enough stuff in our house, new decorations, high quality cookware, nice furniture and we don't feel the need to replace and redo every year like some consumers. We moved on, going up a huge elevator to the second story, looking at rolling butcher block islands, bathroom gizmos, and of course the kid's area that they make look like a dream. I took mental notes, because I realized long ago that most things you see for kid's rooms are thing you can do yourself very easily, and I hate paying for someone else to do something I can do on my own- that's just stupid.
I had one of my sudden urges for water and spotted a cafeteria like line and made a dash into it. We realized fast this wasn't a regular fountain drink area, but a true restaurant, with a lit up menu featuring ribs, Swedish meatballs, salads and more. Ribs at an IKEA?? Seems like being a European design company they might serve lighter fare but maybe this was an attempt at targeting us fat redneck 'Mericans. So, after being told by a cashier to just grab a bottled water instead of a fountain cup and that I could get those at the BISTRO which was downstairs, I finally quenched my thirst.
So much work just pick up a colorful rug or something, right? My husband and I looked at each other, smiling at the whole crazy scene. There were so many people that you really couldn't see far ahead, like an outdoor concert. Once back downstairs, I asked an employee if it was always this crowded and she said only on the weekends. I know school started and it's also in a popular tourist area, so can't fault people for giving the place plenty of business. However, we left without anything but the water and both agreed it may be a while before going back, neither being a big fan of shopping for the heck of it anyway. Once home, we looked up the shelves to order online- and guess what- they are only offered in the store. Oh well...my husband has another homemade project on his hands. Good thing Sears still sells those Craftsman tools that we use so much of lately! In all, the IKEA store was more of an experience than a retail store, and that may be their goal. If that is the case, then they will be very successful here. After all, this is the land of Walt Disney, Busch Gardens and Bucs Games.
I liked the store, but like a first date, may need more information before going again...such as my interest to gas mileage ratio or IGMR (my new way of measuring my motivation for going anywhere into Tampa, since we live further away now). I am sharing this tip with you so you may steal it, and save yourself gas money also. Ta ta for now kids, the thunder is rolling and I am going to see if The Dude has dug any new holes in our backyard today, sneaky thing.
Phillip & I loaded Nick into a cart inside after being told outside when we tried to get an outside cart that we needed to grab a cart inside. Walmart this was not! Once inside, a crazy mob of shoppers whirled around, employees in vests with headsets directed foot traffic, and arrows on the floor told you were to start...like Candyland for adults! There was even a kids playground inside for moms who hate trees, sand and normal playgrounds that are outside.
So, we navigated through the store, sometimes getting frowned at for going the wrong way while trying to actually look up close at the little set-ups they create showing you how very cool, efficient and modern their shelves and sofas really are. We did need shelves and saw some nice wall size units for our art/music room - the kind with no backing like stacked cubes that can also be used as room dividers. The store is like a Bed Bath and Beyond with sofas, storage "solutions", colorful fabric items like pillows, comforters and rugs and anything else you could possible need for your home. We were secure in our knowledge that we have enough stuff in our house, new decorations, high quality cookware, nice furniture and we don't feel the need to replace and redo every year like some consumers. We moved on, going up a huge elevator to the second story, looking at rolling butcher block islands, bathroom gizmos, and of course the kid's area that they make look like a dream. I took mental notes, because I realized long ago that most things you see for kid's rooms are thing you can do yourself very easily, and I hate paying for someone else to do something I can do on my own- that's just stupid.
I had one of my sudden urges for water and spotted a cafeteria like line and made a dash into it. We realized fast this wasn't a regular fountain drink area, but a true restaurant, with a lit up menu featuring ribs, Swedish meatballs, salads and more. Ribs at an IKEA?? Seems like being a European design company they might serve lighter fare but maybe this was an attempt at targeting us fat redneck 'Mericans. So, after being told by a cashier to just grab a bottled water instead of a fountain cup and that I could get those at the BISTRO which was downstairs, I finally quenched my thirst.
So much work just pick up a colorful rug or something, right? My husband and I looked at each other, smiling at the whole crazy scene. There were so many people that you really couldn't see far ahead, like an outdoor concert. Once back downstairs, I asked an employee if it was always this crowded and she said only on the weekends. I know school started and it's also in a popular tourist area, so can't fault people for giving the place plenty of business. However, we left without anything but the water and both agreed it may be a while before going back, neither being a big fan of shopping for the heck of it anyway. Once home, we looked up the shelves to order online- and guess what- they are only offered in the store. Oh well...my husband has another homemade project on his hands. Good thing Sears still sells those Craftsman tools that we use so much of lately! In all, the IKEA store was more of an experience than a retail store, and that may be their goal. If that is the case, then they will be very successful here. After all, this is the land of Walt Disney, Busch Gardens and Bucs Games.
I liked the store, but like a first date, may need more information before going again...such as my interest to gas mileage ratio or IGMR (my new way of measuring my motivation for going anywhere into Tampa, since we live further away now). I am sharing this tip with you so you may steal it, and save yourself gas money also. Ta ta for now kids, the thunder is rolling and I am going to see if The Dude has dug any new holes in our backyard today, sneaky thing.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Lighted Hearted Reading- NOT!!
I finished reading "Revolutionary Road" last night. SIGH. I have not seen the screen version yet, being more in the mood for comedy and sci-fi fantasy this summer so far. If you have not read this Richard Yates novel, written around the early 60's, let me give you a few brief but informative points without giving away the ending or the whole plot.
It's a really incredible novel, written in Hemingway's style- simple, masculine, harsh, sometimes so unsentimental you'd wish the author would have some sympathy for his flawed characters. Yet that is what makes you keep reading- the tension and the hope you have for April and Frank Wheeler (the main characters) leads you along their story like a tour guide through a messed up Disney World. What is truly scary about this story is how truthfully it reveals the cracks in a relationship that should have never consumated in a marriage or children (know any relationships like that?- I do! And no, not my own). The two characters dance around each other for years, fighting, making love, having children that they seem to regard as accessories (alot of Mad Men material here, and I am sure Matt Weiner the writer of Mad Men has read this book). You hope their love will hold them together, but then you start to wonder if perhaps, like alot of relationships, they married under the spell of lust, of wanting to escape their own dull lives, or just for the excitement of it. This is a very common reason why people get married- and in reality, sometimes it works out and they go on to have full, loving long marriages. Otherwise, the marriage starts to turn colors, it reveals itself for the truths people try to bury, and alot of good people with good intentions are left to figure out what to do with broken pieces, and broken hearts.
This is what "Revolutionary Road" deals with, among other themes of emotional repression, lost dreams and gender issues. At times, you hate Frank's spinelessness, while feeling sorry for his suffering wife, yet in another chapter you hate April for her coldness and sympathize with Frank's blundering. This is why the novel is successful, like any good story, nothing is black or white, and the characters are neither wholly bad or good. If I were a pre-marriage counselor, I would make every couple read this book, really! It would save alot of disappointed hearts and open dialogue to the reality of sharing dreams, a home, and longterm lifestyle with another person that you may be hanging some very unreal expectations upon.
It's a really incredible novel, written in Hemingway's style- simple, masculine, harsh, sometimes so unsentimental you'd wish the author would have some sympathy for his flawed characters. Yet that is what makes you keep reading- the tension and the hope you have for April and Frank Wheeler (the main characters) leads you along their story like a tour guide through a messed up Disney World. What is truly scary about this story is how truthfully it reveals the cracks in a relationship that should have never consumated in a marriage or children (know any relationships like that?- I do! And no, not my own). The two characters dance around each other for years, fighting, making love, having children that they seem to regard as accessories (alot of Mad Men material here, and I am sure Matt Weiner the writer of Mad Men has read this book). You hope their love will hold them together, but then you start to wonder if perhaps, like alot of relationships, they married under the spell of lust, of wanting to escape their own dull lives, or just for the excitement of it. This is a very common reason why people get married- and in reality, sometimes it works out and they go on to have full, loving long marriages. Otherwise, the marriage starts to turn colors, it reveals itself for the truths people try to bury, and alot of good people with good intentions are left to figure out what to do with broken pieces, and broken hearts.
This is what "Revolutionary Road" deals with, among other themes of emotional repression, lost dreams and gender issues. At times, you hate Frank's spinelessness, while feeling sorry for his suffering wife, yet in another chapter you hate April for her coldness and sympathize with Frank's blundering. This is why the novel is successful, like any good story, nothing is black or white, and the characters are neither wholly bad or good. If I were a pre-marriage counselor, I would make every couple read this book, really! It would save alot of disappointed hearts and open dialogue to the reality of sharing dreams, a home, and longterm lifestyle with another person that you may be hanging some very unreal expectations upon.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
some people will always have their "hands held"...no matter how old they are. I have had issues with these kind of people my adult life because I cannot relate to them but can only observe in wonder and think "how sad they will never really grow up, because they are treated like children and not adults." Sometimes, I don't think about them at all but there they remain, in the close periphery of my life, always walking through life like grown people, but when times get tough, take the first hand that is offered without trying it out for themselves. I cannot respect them, but can still like them or even love them if they need it, and they often need alot from certain people in their life, and expect alot of "help." They make me squint in frustration, but I have to relearn my technique of letting it all go.
Monday, August 17, 2009
The best ad agency in the world....
I watched Mad Men last night- the subtexts on that show are outstanding and so much fun to think about after a viewing. Nothing on the show is simple, although the action and plotline can move like syrup that's great for those of us who love complicated and well-written stories and that unfold like yummy little surprises after weeks of watching.
I love the character of Pete- he's a jerk but a complicated one. He pitches fits like a whiny spoiled brat and openly shows his true colors like on last night's episode where he asks his wife why can't he get everything at once- the true symbol of a person who believes he is entitled and wants instant gratification. He's the person, that today, would sneer at the lower class peers but would have no problem taking handouts from mama Gov't, because, after all- it's "owed" to him. A true "limo liberal" in the making. That's not why I love him- i like the way his character is so vulnerable yet he finds his way through the political sphere of MM like a chihuahua in a pinball machine- nipping at heels, yelping at anyone in his way, simpering the corner with a Scotch after Don Draper puts him back in his place.
My favorite scene with Don and Pete ( I think season 1) was the one in which Pete thought he could use his newfound information on Don's past to threaten Don's job status, and in a tense but lovely showdown with few words and lots of closeup facial shots, Pete ultimately gets shot down by their mutual boss. The boss simply doesn't care about Don's shady past, because Don gets his job done well, and that's all the matters in their world of lateral moves and shifting moral values. Pete's face when he realizes he never thought of that angle is priceless- he actually thought someone would care!
Of course every character on the show is so rich I always wish they could all get more air time each episode (Joan, Peggy and Bets being the most interesting women on cable in a long time). I love Joan's underlying intelligence, she's dismissed by those who don't know her well, yet respected by the office pleebs who realize how much power she actually has. Her only problem is that she doesn't use that power in her private life- ahem- letting your fiance rape you in your boss's office isn't exactly a show of confidence in yourself. But then you see her the next episode swaggering around in her red lipstick and hourglass dress like everything is just fine...and as the audience, we haven't yet gotten into her head about that rape- yet anyway. The writers are so good about saving nuggets of storylines for later, savoring the moment of now, and letting you wonder for a while when or if the characters are going to get their revenge, their absolvement, their moment of truth, or if they will just continue to live like most of us do today- letting some dark secrets lie in the closets forever while their spirits affect how we treat our loved ones, how we see ourselves and how well we sleep at night.
Ahh- Mad Men...a true symbol of America at it's best and it's worst.
I love the character of Pete- he's a jerk but a complicated one. He pitches fits like a whiny spoiled brat and openly shows his true colors like on last night's episode where he asks his wife why can't he get everything at once- the true symbol of a person who believes he is entitled and wants instant gratification. He's the person, that today, would sneer at the lower class peers but would have no problem taking handouts from mama Gov't, because, after all- it's "owed" to him. A true "limo liberal" in the making. That's not why I love him- i like the way his character is so vulnerable yet he finds his way through the political sphere of MM like a chihuahua in a pinball machine- nipping at heels, yelping at anyone in his way, simpering the corner with a Scotch after Don Draper puts him back in his place.
My favorite scene with Don and Pete ( I think season 1) was the one in which Pete thought he could use his newfound information on Don's past to threaten Don's job status, and in a tense but lovely showdown with few words and lots of closeup facial shots, Pete ultimately gets shot down by their mutual boss. The boss simply doesn't care about Don's shady past, because Don gets his job done well, and that's all the matters in their world of lateral moves and shifting moral values. Pete's face when he realizes he never thought of that angle is priceless- he actually thought someone would care!
Of course every character on the show is so rich I always wish they could all get more air time each episode (Joan, Peggy and Bets being the most interesting women on cable in a long time). I love Joan's underlying intelligence, she's dismissed by those who don't know her well, yet respected by the office pleebs who realize how much power she actually has. Her only problem is that she doesn't use that power in her private life- ahem- letting your fiance rape you in your boss's office isn't exactly a show of confidence in yourself. But then you see her the next episode swaggering around in her red lipstick and hourglass dress like everything is just fine...and as the audience, we haven't yet gotten into her head about that rape- yet anyway. The writers are so good about saving nuggets of storylines for later, savoring the moment of now, and letting you wonder for a while when or if the characters are going to get their revenge, their absolvement, their moment of truth, or if they will just continue to live like most of us do today- letting some dark secrets lie in the closets forever while their spirits affect how we treat our loved ones, how we see ourselves and how well we sleep at night.
Ahh- Mad Men...a true symbol of America at it's best and it's worst.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Baby Penitentaries
So Slate has this amusing article this week about the whole baby play pen debate. If you don't have children, be assured that in these politically correct times, every single thing you do with your baby is up for debate, and somebody somewhere out there in the big ole world wide web will not like how you are doing things, or has posted their opinion of everything baby. The latest debate is the whole baby pen thing. Ok, we have a baby play pen- actually two now- an older one for the beach that we can just stick in the sand or in our backyard while we're grilling out (did this alot in Nashville when Nick was under 1 year old). He was safe, secure and always had some toys in it to play with so as not to let his growing brain cells lapse into mediocrity and status quo. The new one we just purchased has a built- in bassinet on top for babies under 30 lbs and will be great for when I need to get a few things done in the house and for when baby needs to be "confined" in a safe place for a while, a good alternative to always sticking him back in the crib. The playpens have that mesh so the children can see through them, and of course are not meant to be used as all day babysitters (just like television..not a good replacement for parent's floortime and attention).
The debate is simply over whether parents should use these at all. I understand that some parents can and enjoy letting their children go completely free all day on their floors. I just can't do it- with our bouncing gangly dog around, and my own selfish desire to have a few 20 minute increments of time during the day to bathe, brush my teeth, get dressed and make some dinners without having to worry wether my newborn has rolled himself under a couch or is eating my eyeliner in our bathroom, I use the playpen as an easy way to keep everyone from stressing out. The article in Slate is fun to read, because it gives the history of the old-school baby fences of past generations, and gives a few doctors' advice on the play pens for current use. Now, they are called cutesy names like Pack-N-Play, and as the name suggests, we always packed ours up and used it when visiting relatives who don't have toddler beds or cribs to use. (We never got into the habit of letting Nick sleep in our bed..so far so good! We love cuddling with him but he is way too restless and needs all his props for anyone to sleep well in our household).
Basically, the advice in the article was that whatever is best for your own family's lifestyle is what is best for you..Good advice! I also like how the name "free range" was used, like our children are all herbivores grazing on some peaceful pasture while us mothers are out picking daisies and smelling the roses...if only life where always that peaceful with young babes. So, don't feel bad if you need to stick little tot in the pen every now and then, she'll be fine. And if you just don't like the idea of baby confinement, kudos to you and I envy your energy. Have a happy Sunday!
The debate is simply over whether parents should use these at all. I understand that some parents can and enjoy letting their children go completely free all day on their floors. I just can't do it- with our bouncing gangly dog around, and my own selfish desire to have a few 20 minute increments of time during the day to bathe, brush my teeth, get dressed and make some dinners without having to worry wether my newborn has rolled himself under a couch or is eating my eyeliner in our bathroom, I use the playpen as an easy way to keep everyone from stressing out. The article in Slate is fun to read, because it gives the history of the old-school baby fences of past generations, and gives a few doctors' advice on the play pens for current use. Now, they are called cutesy names like Pack-N-Play, and as the name suggests, we always packed ours up and used it when visiting relatives who don't have toddler beds or cribs to use. (We never got into the habit of letting Nick sleep in our bed..so far so good! We love cuddling with him but he is way too restless and needs all his props for anyone to sleep well in our household).
Basically, the advice in the article was that whatever is best for your own family's lifestyle is what is best for you..Good advice! I also like how the name "free range" was used, like our children are all herbivores grazing on some peaceful pasture while us mothers are out picking daisies and smelling the roses...if only life where always that peaceful with young babes. So, don't feel bad if you need to stick little tot in the pen every now and then, she'll be fine. And if you just don't like the idea of baby confinement, kudos to you and I envy your energy. Have a happy Sunday!
clearing the air
I recently posted a blog that named Dylan as the author of the lines "This is the way the world ends..." but it's actually TS Eliot who wrote those famous words. My Bad! I thought about it last night after reading some poetry and a lightbulb went off in my drowsy head. I write on this blog without doing alot of double checking or editing, as I had to do so much during my professional career in zine ad sales, radio sales and in journalism school. But there is nothing worse than just giving the wrong person credit for something.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
You make me very very sad
If you've ever watched the fun circus of wanna- be designers that is "Project Runway", you may recognize this quote from one of the judges and the host, supermodel Heidi Klum. With her cute German accent, she actually says it like this, "You make me vewy vewy sad," like she's talking to one of her Seal pup babies in foreign baby talk.
Anyway, that is exactly what I wanted to say to my son's motor skills therapist this week during our session. I was sitting on the floor in her room while she played with him, mostly doing activities like stringing large beads, placing things in size order and stacking items by color, all of which he's perfectly good at. The therapist noticed that upon recongnizing letters, he started humming the alphabet song, and then I joined in with humming "Hey Jude". Instantly, he got excited and we both started singing the words outloud, skipping over parts until the chorus ending of nanana na! Hey Jude!. She looked slightly confused and while I totally enjoy these moments, I explained that we were glad he liked that song since that is going to be our other son's name. Also, that we are trying to get Nick used to having a baby brother around by saying "Jude" and or "baby brother" as much as possible. Much to my heartbreak and shock, the therapist, who looks about 18, said, "Is that a nursery rhyme? Or is Jude a family name?"
I did a bent head look- up like I do at people I just don't understand.
"No, it's the popular Beatle's song, "Hey Jude"...we just have always liked it..." my voice trailed off as I realized with horror she didn't know what I was talking about.
No Beatles? No "Hey Jude?" how could this be?? So, she's very young, and maybe all she knows about music is what MTV tells her to listen to, like pop music of today. I realize the Beatles catalog of music dates back to over 30 years, but their music is still so prevelant and is widely used in television ads, blasting over shopping centers, and simply coats our mainstream lives that my ears sometimes have tuned it out, due to "Beatle fatigue." (this a term I created in the 1990's to also describe the overuse of really really good music like songs by Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, and REM.)
"I've never heard of it," the young therapist nailed the coffin with such painful thrusts that my heart instantly broke into a million little pieces.
I left our session sad and played one of our Beatles CD's on the way home, as if to remind myself they still existed.
I thought of the last lines of the Dylan poem..."This is the way the world ends....not with a bang, but with a whimper."
I patted by pregnant baby belly and reassured our son that world was still a kind and loving place and that no matter what, we would always play Beatles music in our home.
Tragedy! It made me very, very sad. So, of course, I had to play "Let it Be" and let it go.
Anyway, that is exactly what I wanted to say to my son's motor skills therapist this week during our session. I was sitting on the floor in her room while she played with him, mostly doing activities like stringing large beads, placing things in size order and stacking items by color, all of which he's perfectly good at. The therapist noticed that upon recongnizing letters, he started humming the alphabet song, and then I joined in with humming "Hey Jude". Instantly, he got excited and we both started singing the words outloud, skipping over parts until the chorus ending of nanana na! Hey Jude!. She looked slightly confused and while I totally enjoy these moments, I explained that we were glad he liked that song since that is going to be our other son's name. Also, that we are trying to get Nick used to having a baby brother around by saying "Jude" and or "baby brother" as much as possible. Much to my heartbreak and shock, the therapist, who looks about 18, said, "Is that a nursery rhyme? Or is Jude a family name?"
I did a bent head look- up like I do at people I just don't understand.
"No, it's the popular Beatle's song, "Hey Jude"...we just have always liked it..." my voice trailed off as I realized with horror she didn't know what I was talking about.
No Beatles? No "Hey Jude?" how could this be?? So, she's very young, and maybe all she knows about music is what MTV tells her to listen to, like pop music of today. I realize the Beatles catalog of music dates back to over 30 years, but their music is still so prevelant and is widely used in television ads, blasting over shopping centers, and simply coats our mainstream lives that my ears sometimes have tuned it out, due to "Beatle fatigue." (this a term I created in the 1990's to also describe the overuse of really really good music like songs by Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, and REM.)
"I've never heard of it," the young therapist nailed the coffin with such painful thrusts that my heart instantly broke into a million little pieces.
I left our session sad and played one of our Beatles CD's on the way home, as if to remind myself they still existed.
I thought of the last lines of the Dylan poem..."This is the way the world ends....not with a bang, but with a whimper."
I patted by pregnant baby belly and reassured our son that world was still a kind and loving place and that no matter what, we would always play Beatles music in our home.
Tragedy! It made me very, very sad. So, of course, I had to play "Let it Be" and let it go.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
SONS OF MOTHERS COMING SOON
Our son is running after his father in a warped game of hide and seek...screaming like a wild banshee and running like a bowlegged ET. This is my time of the day, when "Daddy" gets home and I get to do whatever I want. All day sometimes I think of all the things i can go "do" when he gets home...I could paint, shop, go to the beach, call friends, make a neat homemade pie (yeah right) or do some heavy meditation in my personal corner of our bedroom (that would be where my antique dresser is that holds my vintage jewelry collection, candles and magazines)...but no, most days after a day like today, I just can't concentrate anymore like I can at the crack of dawn and my head is full of a day's worth of screaming, laughter, shrieking and general 2 year old communication. Oh wait......they're going on a run in the jogging stroller right now!!!
BYE! Love you! Be careful! Watch out for the old people driving cars!! Whew- now what???? Maybe I'll just sit in silence and again remind myself that very very soon there will be TWO little sons of Jennifer's running around. I need a strong shot of herb tea- fast. And a free nanny.
BYE! Love you! Be careful! Watch out for the old people driving cars!! Whew- now what???? Maybe I'll just sit in silence and again remind myself that very very soon there will be TWO little sons of Jennifer's running around. I need a strong shot of herb tea- fast. And a free nanny.
FYI
Cool website....www.esty.com
It's full of original art, handmade purses, crafts, jewelry, prints, stationary ( I still believe sending snail mail is very classy and underated) and other unique household artware sold by their original artisans for great prices. You can collect pieces from as yet "unknown" artists who sign and authenticate each piece before sending it to your home. Just sayin! It's pretty cool.
It's full of original art, handmade purses, crafts, jewelry, prints, stationary ( I still believe sending snail mail is very classy and underated) and other unique household artware sold by their original artisans for great prices. You can collect pieces from as yet "unknown" artists who sign and authenticate each piece before sending it to your home. Just sayin! It's pretty cool.
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