It seems like everyone has an opinion of what I should be these days. Even those who have my "best intentions" in mind are letting me know of my "potential" that I am not fulfilling. Well, here's the thing... I like me. I think I'm a pretty okay person. Not perfect by any means, but not fallen or lost or any of those other stupid words you're using to describe me. I know exactly where, and who, I am.
So here is my request...Mind your own business. Let me live my life. Which I am enjoying for the first time in a long time. Just because I may not be following what you consider correct doesn't make me less than you. I will not ride into your delusional sunset.
There are a few things going on that are out of my control that have been making me kinda sad.
I haven't even really pinpointed the right song yet... but there are a few that have resonated with me lately. The first one I hesitate to add simply because it's on the radio quite a bit, but I love it. So, I'm gonna do what I want and play it anyway. The second one, I just like. It helps me to remember that I am cool.
God gave me style and gave me grace. God put a smile upon my face.
After a surprisingly long time digging in the trash, BTW- my manicure is sooooo not cute right now....I thought I'd go with something a little retro... I know you'll remember this one.
Oh yeah, baby.
You know you want some.
P.S. B Flow had better watch out- Ashley Angel is pretty fly.
So, I was sitting in my living room watching this one hit wonders from the 80's thing on VH1 while I was folding laundry. And for the first 40 songs of the countdown I unfortunately had My Girl Wants to Party all the Time by Eddie Murphy stuck in my head. But then, they played this little gem. Yeah, I stole that from Chops. Cause he's so awesome. As I stated in my last post.
Now, that's what music used to be. I downloaded and have been playing it on repeat for about an hour now. So great.
Oh what the hell...
You know you wanted me to. Enjoy.
P.S. Please don't ask me why I'm at home folding laundry on a Friday night. I might actually cry.
So, something weird happened to me today. I was playing around on my phone and an email came in from a post that Chops had done in April of last year. I know, it's a serious delay issue. But as I was reading it I recognized it as one of his old posts and I got to thinking about Chopsy and the person that he is. Here is what he wrote...
"Yesterday I was having a great day. We went for a walk with the whole family. It was warm but there was a cool breeze blowing. The kiddos all picked wildflowers and chased frogs and turtles in the bayou. We got back and I went to get something from the Harry Potter closet and bumped my head. As I was reeling Scooter came and started telling me something. I yelled her to "Shut up and go away!". She left crying.
The other day I was playing with Mo. I was tickling him and he was laughing that free careless open mouth all in laugh that only little kids seem to really have. We played cars too and he was having such a good time. Then I told him it was time for bed and he threw a HUGE tantrum. He was screaming and screaming and I spanked his mouth. He stopped screaming and just looked at me like I was a monster.
Am I a terrible Dad for yelling at my kids and making them cry? Probably. Am I a great dad for taking long walks with them and playing cars for hours? I hope so. Which one is the one I "really" am? Am I really a big meanie that does some nice things to look good? Or am I really a good person with some (serious) flaws?"
The truth is Chops is a really good person. He is caring and loving and hard working. He's also tender and sweet and funny as hell. He loves his family. Adores those little squirts and Mrs. McGee. And he's an amazing and loyal friend. He has the best stories and can make you laugh without even trying. Although I sometimes get disgusted by how much the man can pack away, it makes me laugh when he sends me a text to tell me what he had for lunch. He also has a strange love for bologna which makes me want to vomit as well. But I like being called a gem so I'll let it slide.
I knew we were destined to be friends forever the first time I met him. He was standing in the doorway to Cleos office and said..."Well, it was nice to meet you. I have to go home and pinch a loaf." I'll never forget that moment. Unfortunately.
Here are a few songs that will always remind me of Chops.
I selected a perfectly horrible song, showcased it, and got it STUCK in my HEAD all FRIGGIN' day and no one has even so much as glanced at it. Since I can no longer stand the fact that it's up there, I must now post another song which is much more pleasing unto me.
The Posies... now there's a band you don't hear from anymore. Close your eyes while I transport you back to 1993. You are in your bedroom watching 120 Minutes (remember when the "M" in MTV stood for MUSIC???). You are happy.
I can see me now, long, sunkissed hair tied up loosely at the nape of my neck, my glow in the dark Peace Frogs T-shirt, and the sand betwen my toes. The only care in the world I had was about Ian Quinn and whether he even knew I was alive. I figure he had to have, because we were in the same Government class and he stared at me. A lot. He had electric blue eyes and a perpetual tan from surfing all the time.
So, I'm in love with this song right now. I don't really know why. Maybe it's because I have kids on the verge of entering into this stage of life. Maybe it's because I'm grateful that I lived a pretty sweet childhood. I don't know. But I like it. A lot.
And there aren't any vampires or nipples in the video. Sorry to disappoint.
We have a vendor that we use at work that consistently has the best hold music I have ever heard. The other day I was stuck for like 20 mins and this came on. When I hear something I like I usually just google a phrase of the lyrics and pull it up. But this time I couldn't quite make out enough of it to find it. Luckily I had my new phone and used Shazam and it pulled it right up. I read the lyrics, listened to it a couple times and then did a little research on the artist, Kate Earl. I was all ready to do a post and share the magic with y'all. Then I got home and looked the song up on YouTube to find a video to share. That was three weeks ago.
The ONLY videos of this song all have clips or stills of some stupid show or movie called Vampire Diaries. I have never heard of it but it looks disturbingly similar to those books Cleo is always reading. I just couldn't bring myself to post a video that cheesetacular. So I kept looking and found this one....
While I liked this video quite a bit more, I'm pretty sure I saw some nipple action right around the :49 sec mark and I'm pretty sure Mrs Chops would not approve.
So this is the one "safe" video.. But I dont really like this song as much as the other two.
Now that I think about it I probably should have put that one first....
My heart has been broken and I fear that I shall never be healed fully. Please don't get me wrong. Madonna is not my very favorite artist. I don't really even care for her new stuff to be perfectly honest.
But she's friggin' MADONNA.
There is a certain respect that most girls my age have for her. She's a pop icon. I still remember the year Santa brought me a boom box and the "Like a Virgin" tape. BTW- I also got Wham! "Make it Big". Apparently I was a very nice girl that year.
I fear that I have somehow let my children down. My 10 year old (remember asparagus girl?)came to me yesterday and asked me who Madonna was. I stared at her like she walked up to me and started speaking Latin (which would have actually surprised me less- this is one smart cookie we're talking about here). I thought she was making a joke concerning my age.
She wasn't.
"Mom, I know her name, but I just don't know who is actually is." I still continued to stare in disbelief. Kindly, she placed her hand on my arm and gently said that she would probably like Madonna, she just wasn't sure. After a few moments I got my wits about me and told her that Madonna was a very influential music artist; and while I do not think she believes in a lot of the things we believe in, she is very talented. Please keep in mind that this trauma comes on the heels of a conversation in which my 13 year old saw a current picture of Morrissey and asked "Who's the old dude?" (I am not ashamed. I did indeed weep a bit) Now, in all fairness, she knew him after I said his name because she has a lot of his stuff on her iPod. When she got the iPod, the rule was that if she was going listen to Miley and Hillary, then I was also going to put some good music on there for her. And I must say, musically she is quite well rounded.
I will cut myself a little slack because another time my sweet daughter came to me and told me that the song "Why Do I Keep Counting?" by The Killers helped her through a situation at school. So I guess I don't totally suck as a mom, I felt a little taste of redemption.
Apparently, this lack of knowledge and horrible parenting is not singular to my household. Gingie shared with me an instance where her 8 yr old asked who Nirvana was. Gignie's response was " OH HELLLLLLLL NO!" and they had to sit and listen to the entire discography after dinner.
So, my good friends, I leave you with a small selection of songs that says to me...
"This is Madonna."
Please enjoy.
I could go on like this for a while longer, but you get the general idea.
I don't have a lot to say, I know, shocker. But I wanted to post a couple of songs that make me happy when I'm down. The first comes from a movie that also makes me happy. I'm a hard hearted harbinger of haggis. I'm not ashamed. Don't believe me? I have the t-shirt to prove it. And we all know that if something is printed on a t-shirt it must be true.
And number 2. This one makes me think of Cleo actually and a Chrysler LeBaron that always smelled like wet dog when it rained. Remember that one time the window got stuck down in the middle of that huge down pour and you were totally drenched by the time we got home? That was awesome. That was my impersonation of Chris Farley. Don't be a hater. I have skills.
So there they are. Two of my happy songs. I have many more but these two never disappoint. So listen and be happy!!!
Today's selection was inspired by my daughter who loves to cook. She is 10 and cooks better than most adults I know. What can I say... This gene pool is totally slammin'.
Anyway, we were in the car and this song came on. I wasn't even really listening to it because well, it's Britney for one... also, I was driving. I am focusing on the stuff around me when all of the sudden, she starts talking to me and asking me why on EARTH this girl on the radio was singing about DINNER. Confused as I was, I made her further explain herself. "Mom, she is totally singing about dinner. She must really love to cook."
As if on queue, the chorus came on and I understood what she meant. "SEE! She is saying "Just like asparagus!" she is soooo weird, mom. You should change this song. It is really creeping me out."
So, without further adieu, here is Brit singing for her dinner....
You know what I really miss sometimes? Really cheesy songs. Not just kinda sappy, I mean CHEESY. I mean, 3 cans of Aquanet, smoke machine, over the top giant cheddar wheel songs.
Mrs Chops and I were watching Glee last night and the episode ended with a rendition of "Total Eclipse of the Heart". Man I love that song. It was enormous. And I am hard pressed to think of a modern band that makes giant songs like that anymore. Sure they talk about feelings and sex and what not, but is thier love gonna last till the end of time? Is it like living in a powder keg and they're givin off sparks? I dont think so.
So heres you assignment, gimme your favorite Monster Ballad. I dont care if its old or new, it just has to be huge
Hey y'all, just a heads up, cause I know you been wondering. Ra Ra Riot is finishing up their second album with a release date in the near future. Check out an interview with them and a clip of one of their new songs at Stereogum.
Also, if your in H-town in the near future you can check them out at the Free Press Summer Fest on June 5th. Cleo said she would buy tickets for anyone who came down to see them. Also, she said you could stay in her game room. She has a tent.
Just sayin...
Also, if you get bored, go back and re-read our review of their last show in Houston.
