Tina, Talking.

Crying ...

I don't cry all that often. I've cried twice today from laughing (plus once from being mad, which kinda makes it look like this has been truly an unusual day, which it has.)

The first time I cried from happiness was upon reading at Pulitzer.org that The Cleveland Plain Dealer's own Connie Schultz was just awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary. Really super nice. And no one from our paper's gotten a Pulitzer in 50 years.

The time I cried when I wasn't happy ... Well, the less said about that the better; Rest assured that I'm doing all within my power to prevent the situation continuing.

And then just now, surfing all around to fill the time during a longish download (I know -- I have nothing to complain about. 121 MB, about 10 minutes, I think. But that's long for me, and I still have flashbacks to 1996-ish when I was using a 14.4 dial-up AOL connection, and getting kicked off while trying to download a wallet sized photo. God forbid a program or music. And I remember standing with a friend watching her spend 45 minutes on a 2.4 dial-up connection, going into a chat room for our first time ... after all 45 minutes, she and whoever else was in there had gotten to 'What's your name?', and then we had to let her mom back on her computer. And it was amazing. Just the speed of light. Well, unfortunately, my impression of the speed of light has changed. And I'm kinda impatient.), I came across the following:

Lame Excuses Roommate Has Given for Breaking Dates or the Smiths Lyrics?

And just couldn't stop laughing.

It reminded me of another story, and that may be part of why I couldn't stop laughing.

The same friend I mentioned above and I were at another High School vintage friend's wedding. Talking to yet another old friend at the reception, I mentioned that I hadn't been able to stop crying on the way to the ceremony, and no, we hadn't been lost too badly, we had just passed the church by about a block, then turned around.

"So, why were you crying so much?"

"I just don't know! We were having so much fun driving out here, just listening to tapes, talking," (Yes, I am that old -- we were listening to tapes. It was about an hour drive.)

"Wait a minute, what were you listening to?"

"Oh, you know, The Smiths."

"Tina, listen to yourself! The Smiths? Crying? Hello!?!"

Turns out he wasn't exactly right, but The Smiths had definitely contributed to the outburst. We had fun talking and catching up.

And now, I'm happy for The Smiths, or a random mention of them, to bring to mind this conversation and evening from probably 7 years ago. We really did have a nice group of friends. I wish I were in closer contact with some of them.

And I love the list about the Smiths from McSweeney's.

****

In addition to finding that list and laughing about the Smiths, blah blah blah, during that horrifically long download, I also looked up the friend with whom I had that conversation (wherein he went on to gently remind me that The Smiths as a group, and Morrissey himself were not really the most cheerful bunch around) on Google, and though it was hard for me to find him, I did. His band's got a website Here:Kopaz. Which band name I truly should have been able to remember.

If he sees that he's getting references to here, and follows back (Or if someone else from there comes here) :

"Hi! Get that new CD out. I'll bring a group to a show this Spring/Summer. Let me know!"

T.

Testing the Air Supply

The other day it got to about 70 degrees here, and of course the girls wanted to play outside. It took only 20 minutes for the first accidental injury involving blood. I don't know if that's a record, but it sure seems like they lose a little bit of the agility required for summertime play over the winter. So we've got total spring fever, up at the crack of dawn wanting to do something, but then the same clumsiness previously associated with walking on ice is still here. It makes the snow predicted for this weekend seem OK. We can use some time to rest and recharge.

********

Often, people down at Mike's work want to sing along with him at the piano. He's pretty tolerant of this, and there are quite a few talented amateurs and even some pros that come in. A lot of Fridays, I go in and sing along. It's fun. Last week, a guy asked for some Barry Manilow, but not any that Mike knew; he wanted Mike to learn 'All The Time', and 'Even Now' -- both of which I think are fine songs. He additionally wanted to sing some Air Supply. Mike was perplexed as to why anyone would want to sing Air Supply, but, in asking around, he found that most of the staff not only liked Air Supply, but that many of them listen to it kind of regularly, and on purpose. They even own it. So, yesterday, Mike bought 'Ultimate Manilow' (I know! It doesn't even have All The Time!), and 'Ultimate Air Supply'. Are they running out of names for greatest hits collections?

Anyway, I remember and like most of the songs on both of these CDs. I make no claim to be a Rocksnob ,(though I really enjoy that site) or any other kind of music snob. And even if you don't like this music, if you're within 10 years of my age on either side, you probably have some memories attached to some of it. I knew the lyrics to all of them as we listened for the 'first time' of owning it. I think it's hilarious and fun, and it's so mid 80's lite-rock beachy family-friendly goofy stuff.

But as I'm listening, and laughing, I started wondering -- Mike thought Air Supply was a Male-Female duo of vocalists -- I of course know it's two men. But that doesn't make the music any less perplexing. Who were these guys allegedly singing to?

Sample lyric:

[Man1]I’m lying alone with my head on the phone
[Man1]Thinking of you till it hurts
[Man1]I know you hurt too but what else can we do
[Man1]Tormented and torn apart

[Man1]I wish I could carry your smile in my heart
[Man1]For times when my life seems so low
[Man1]It would make me believe what tomorrow could bring
[Man1]When today doesn’t really know, doesn’t really know

[Man2]I’m all out of love, I’m so lost without you
[Man2]I know you were right, believing for so long
[Man2]I’m all out of love, what am I without you
[Man2]I can’t be too late to say I was so wrong

I guess you could say they were just helping one another get the point across. Or that while there are two distinct voices, sometimes in harmony, we're supposed to consider it one. But doesn't it seem weird, thinking back?

I don't like them any less for my noticing this, some 20 years later. I only wonder what the actual point was. I have no issue with the songs, the sentiments or the singers either way -- it just seems like a pretty big oversight on the part of ... well, probably quite a few of the people who assisted in their mass popularity. It just doesn't seem like the same kind of thing would so much fly these days, what with Ernie and Bert, Tinky-Winky and SpongeBob being accused of being gay themselves, or furthering a same-sex acceptance or promoting gay rights agendas.

How about 2 men singing sappy love songs to one another, can we make them have some number one hits? What would those who 'come out' against cartoon characters and muppets who are at best ambiguously ambiguous have to say about that plan? But the anti-gay forces were around in the 70's and 80's, certainly. They seemed to make less noise, which could be because I was too young to remember, or because there was less about which to make noise. But not when you consider Air Supply!

I spent a good deal of time looking around online today for some evidence of who their imagined serenadee might be, and couldn't find anything. I also spent some time looking for criticisms, and could find none either. It is of course possible that I am the only one on the face of the planet who has considered the issue in this way, which means it's just a matter of time. Until whatever right-wing nutjob needs the press decides to petition Clear Channel ... Because really, there are entire coalitions against a cartoon sponge.

In short, I like Air Supply. In longer, if they were presenting poppy gay love songs to the general American public, and we (a whole lot of us) loved it, I like them even more.

**********

I've been weeping as I typed the last few paragraphs. Why? (Keep in mind, I typed this Friday evening, and did not post it until Saturday)

Stupid Adam, on Joan of Arcadia! How could he? What a ... ! Seriously awful, idiotic, but sadly adorable and talented guy. I don't care if it's a not so subversively Christian show, I do like it a lot. And I like(d) Adam. But, how could he? Joan was so good in Mock Trial. Kicked his ass. As it desesrved to be kicked. And when she got on the bus, and Mrs. LandingGod was there. I was bawling. This show has made me cry a lot, but tonight was disproportionately sad.

I'm so mad at him!

Have you heard of this little band?

They're called the Doors? Because really, regarding American Idol... I was totally disappointed that Bo Bice didn't sing Spanish Caravan, because I really think that's *the* 60's song for him. But he did so well on Spinning Wheel, which I also love. He's far and away my favorite.

Local boy Scott Savol picked it up after a couple shaky shows, and I think he did well.

Absence of Mario -- I'm for that. Some kind of Brainiac, that guy.

The rest, I'm pretty meh on. Sorry, girls. I hope you sound better next week.

But not better than Bo.

Valentines Day

Well, the busiest Valentine's Day I've ever had is about over. I drove the girls to school this morning, came home and worked on candy in between some research I'm doing (more on that later), picked Solana up, brought her home, made more candy, went to Sage's school, helped out with/attended two parties, drove home, made dinner for everyone, and now the girls are hanging out with my parents (who brought Sage's shoes over, that she forgot over the weekend, and cried profusely over not having this morning). Bedtime is soon, and after that, I've got more research to do, 'cause I need to make a 'case' for something by a meeting tomorrow morning.

I'm having a hard time deciding how to approach an issue with the research thing I mentioned. It's not something I've been asked to do, but I feel an obligation to at least provide for a friend the way out of a difficult situation they're in. I am able to give them the information they need to fix it. You know, I probably shouldn't even say any more about it. Suffice it to say that starting tomorrow afternoon, I'm going to be preacticing detachment. (Edited to add that the situation seems to be clearing up at least a little, and I'm still working on the whole detachment!)

All this, and I don't work outside the house.

I've really begun to understand why people who are working might make the decision to come home and stay with the kids (as opposed to staying home from the start). I never thought it would be easy to work and be with the kids a lot, too, but even just volunteering a little bit like I have been for awhile, it could drive you crazy really fast. There's just so much driving. [based on where we live and what we normally do; I know it's not like this for everyone] It's interesting -- I think I run things in an organized way as far as the kids go, but I'm coming to see that if I'm out of the house for even a couple of hours a day, that doubles the amount of planning and organization I need to take care of the night before, or in the early morning. That's crazy! (I do realize that by the time I feel ready to work more, it will be easier, but this has been a surprising couple of weeks.)

One thing that's been very fun and exciting the past while has been listening with the kids to The Point!

I've loved this movie and album since I was a little kid, and I saw it at school. Ah, to be a kid in the 70's. It must have affected me a lot, and that's why I love to let the girls hear it. I may have to substitute an essay about Harry Nilsson in place of that Pink Floyd/Us and Them I was hoping to post. It's only not here because I may actually have it published elsewhere, and I don't want to mess that up before it has a chance to happen!

I leave you with Oblio (or is it?).

Us and Them

So, I’ve got my iPod Shuffle, and I’ve worked out the shipping charges issue with Apple. It wasn’t difficult at all -- they were reasonable and prompt. Yay Apple! I still love them, of course. Possibly more than ever. This thing is super fun.

Not that I don’t know all the arguments against it. It’s just that it’s the right thing for me, and the arguments don’t resonate so much here. So, you won’t find me debating the merits on any message boards anytime soon. I like it, and apparently so do tons of other people. And while I did mostly listen on shuffle prior to this, I did a lot of straightening up of my music library while I was anticipating delivery, and now it feels like I have a whole new set of music, too.

I spent some time transferring songs from my desktop that I’d never bothered to move before, and some time putting songs we have on CD in, too. Both mine and Mike’s. Mike has some Pink Floyd on CD that I didin’t even know he owned, that I put in. I like them just fine, it’s just not been a priority of mine.

My music library is smallish (miniscule compared to many people’s), and it’s heavy on vocal jazz and musical theatre. I have very little new music, and quite a bit from when I was in High School and College (1987-1994ish). A standard progression on shuffle could be Ella Fitzgerald, Blondie, P.I.L., Midnight Oil, Abbey Lincoln, Al Green, Donnie Hathaway, Soul Coughing, R.E.M., Dinah Washington, Blossom Dearie. It’s not everyone’s favorite, but I like it, and I’m used to it. I’m not at all thrown off when something from Big River or Forum pops up, or when Jamie Cullum or Peter Cincotti sneak their way in.

But even though I imported the Pink Floyd tracks myself, and I understand the nature of shuffle (iPod or otherwise), I was still thrown into gales of laughter and absolutely preposterous memories when I heard ‘Us and Them’ this morning.

I’ll explain why after I help the kids with a project.

The Keys Of Life -- take two

I don't know why this very simple post about my daughter and Klaus Nomi keeps getting screwed up, but here goes me trying again (It's working, as of now, if I don't add any links. So, sorry, but the gazillion links I had to Klaus and sites about Urgh! will have to wait until I get some sleep. I know you're sad!):

The Keys Of Life

Last year, while Solana was two, we continued the medical rules and restrictions that had been imposed on her diet since she turned one --she could have no milk or eggs, and we had to feed her as many calories as we could in an effort to cause her to gain weight despite the allergies. She had a supplemental beverage that was supposed to help her gain weight, too, and she was still nursing (and I was off milk and eggs, too).

She’s always had a healthy appetite -- some would say a large appetite. She eats as much as an adult at many meals, but stays very small. She enjoys her food and often ends up looking as though she’d been rolled or dipped in it rather than eaten it. She and Sage and I were having dinner at my parents house one night, and Solana started using the tines of her fork to scratch the tabletop. Not nice.

My parents didn’t think it was that awful, and it is their table, but I took her fork and spoon away from her right away. It’s not like she was using them for their designated purpose anyway. After a few minutes, I got up and found her a set of plastic utensils that she couldn’t hurt the table with. I set them down next to my plate and waited for her to either need them or ask for them. I didn’t have to wait long, as she’d seen me bring the plastic set over, and responded right away.

“Can’t I have my tensils back? I don’t want those tensils!”

“Your what?”

“Can I please have my tensils back?”, she used her best manners, and sat there wide eyed, hoping to con me into giving her the sharp metal utensils. She didn’t even realize that she’d been using her advanced grammar skills to totally slaughter ‘utensils’.

In a way, I was really proud of her, having ‘conjugated’ that noun on her own. And I was really annoyed that she thought I’d give her the metal utensils back. And most of me was stifling laugher. ‘My tensils’ -- that’s pretty funny.

I handed her the plastic utensils. She wasn’t happy, but she didn’t go into her normal tantrum response. She was too confused by the fact that we were all kind of giggling.

“But, these aren’t my tensils!” She laughed. She got it. We all laughed, and finished dinner, and no one scratched anything anymore. But Solana realized that it was fun to be funny, and she could do it. And she hasn’t stopped trying since.

She gets a laugh a lot of the time, but it’s mostly basic kid-joke stuff. She still hasn’t figured out that it’s not just the punch line that makes a joke funny, it’s the part before that, too. So, if she comes up with a knock knock joke that gets a laugh (whether it truly deserves it or not), she’ll rearrange it with another something knocking, and expect the same reaction when she gets to the punch line. It’s absurd.

Knock-Knock.
Who’s there?
Nutmeg.
Nutmeg who? Olie the robot.

Real funny, huh?

Her big thing lately was ‘Nobody’. The answer to every question was ‘nobody’.

“Who drew a face on the basement door?”
“Nobody.”

“Who’s ready for school?”
“Nobody.”

“Do you want cheese on your pasta?”
“Nobody.”

I don’t laugh at it anymore. I didn’t laugh too much at the beginning of it either. It’s pretty annoying, actually (I’m sure it’s obvious that it’s annoying, but you know how parents get about their own kids annoyances). She knows I think it’s annoying, and she’s been trying to find a guaranteed laugh getter for awhile. I’m a tough audience, and I’m tougher on her than I am on Sage. Why? Because I know she’s capable of delivering a line about ‘tensils’ with a straight face. And that’s good comedy.

So, she’s been trying to alter the line, to get a better response. Last night, I forget what I asked her, but she said ‘No-me’, a new variation on ‘Nobody’.

And I started laughing a ton. Because while she means ‘no-me’, I hear ‘Nomi’, as in
Klaus.

I started calling her all around the upstairs, ‘Come here Nomi!’. It was all of a sudden great, because I could think about Klaus, who, while exceptionally talented (yes, really!), was also, in his own way, kinda super funny, and also respond to her ‘comedy’ positively. It was excellent for a few minutes.

Then she said “I’m not Nomi, I’m no-me!” Leave it to the kid who still says her favorite color is ‘lellow’ to find a distinction between ‘Nomi’ and ‘no-me’.

So, she’s not responding to her new nickname anymore, but I’m still laughing off and on, and having a lot of fun running around online finding out how many people besides me and my friends liked Klaus Nomi. I had a 1984 Dodge Charger that I named Nomi, and wrote it’s own name in the back window in the ‘font’ Klaus is holding in this picture. Good car.

My friends and I probably spent several weeks watching nothing but Urgh! A Music War,visiting each other at our assorted campuses around Ohio. And I’ll never be able to get enough Klaus Nomi. Seriously. To this date, his is the CD I’ve spent the most money on. I don’t know why I haven’t listened to it in a long time, but I sure will this week. It’s kid friendly, too. And maybe Solana will start to appreciate her new nickname. And start to really take advantage of ways to use her inherited absurdist sense of humor.

Totally Rockin'!

Wow! A real live comment! And from someone I don't know! Thank you so much! Now, if I can only get one more, that'll equal my total on my old blog!

Seriously, I'm really thankful that Correll took the time.

And now, I'm going to post the results of this playlist meme that I've been seeing everywhere. Turns out it's a decent way to get the idea of what someone will be posting like -- either in content or style or whatever. You should check it out if bloggers you read have done this -- does their list of ten shuffled songs give an indication of how they write, or what they write about?

Here's the deal --

1. Open up the music player on your computer.

2. Set it to play your entire music collection.

3. Hit the “shuffle” command.

4. Tell us the title of the next ten songs that show up (with their musicians), no matter how embarrassing. That’s right, no skipping that Carpenters tune that will totally destroy your hip credibility. It’s time for total musical honesty. You can put the list in the comment thread, or write it up in your blog or journal and then post a link in the comments.

5. If you get the same artist twice, you may skip the second (or third, or etc.) occurances. You don’t have to, but since randomness could mean you end up with a list of ten song with five artists, you can if you’d like.

Here are my ten (I got no repeated artists, so I didn't skip any in the list):

1. Glide -- Various Artists -- Gone Phishin’
2.Lay your Hands On Me -- Thompson Twins
3. More -- Madonna -- Dick Tracy Soundtrack
4.Something’s Gotta Give -- Ella Fitzgerald
5.Only The Lonely -- The Motels
6.I Feel The Earth Move -- Carole King
7.Polythylene Pam -- The Beatles
8.Under The Bridge -- Red Hot Chili Peppers
9.Skylark -- kd lang -- Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil sountrack
10.For All We Know -- Donnie Hathaway