Last night through no fault of my own I found myself in the most despicable position among concert goers: the old person in VIP seats who doesn't care about the band. As a devout concert-goer who pays for my tickets through the sweat of my brow, I hate these people. They don't deserve to be there. Why should they get good seats, free drinks, and complimentary food? It's not fair. What's even less fair is that the only time I will ever get this special treatment will be at a crappy Vanilla Ice/MC Hammer concert. By the hammer of Thor! My husband got these tickets from his work. I can only assume this is how the old people sitting in VIP seats at REM, U2, Sting, Neil Diamond, and other good concerts get there. Well, bully for them.
As I ate my free pork salad in reserved seating and surveyed the crowds (overstatement) below, I marveled at the enthusiastic kids dressed in [their version of] 80s regalia. I have to say, I don't really get it. I admit that I was never much of a Vanilla Ice or MC Hammer fan. Be that as it may, I think I can objectively say that neither of them was very good. Right? So I couldn't figure out if these teenagers were joking, or serious. Are they genuine fans? Or do they just like the idea of it? Did they grow up listening to MC Hammer and yearning for the 80s in the same way I grew up listening to the Beatles and thinking the 60s were rad? That doesn't sound right.
Anyway, you know those inflatable ghouls with a skeleton head and hands and a black cloak that people buy at Big Lots to put over their entries on Halloween? Vanilla Ice had one of those decorating his stage. I'm not saying he had, like, a really big version of one of those Halloween things on the stage. It was standard sized, just like the one you'd walk through to trick or treat at your neighbor's house. And everyone was dancing around and getting into it just like it was normal. This tells me that people are very accepting. It's really quite beautiful when you think about it. Me? I'd probably be too embarrassed to use one of those to decorate my stage.
And it went on and on from there and then I went home. Is this post kind of anti-climactic for you? Good. It's just like you were there.
PS Vanilla Ice seems nice.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
Frank Friday Photo: My Hair's Shadow
This is my hair's shadow when I don't make it go flat. I don't know how much you can tell from this photo--Frankly, I don't wanna know.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
I'm Tempted to Keep This One
Just in case you thought my blog was not going to turn into a boring report on me and my foster dogs, meet Mimi.
One of our Border Collie puppies was immediately adopted on Saturday and we left the other one with good prospects (a man desperately trying to get a hold of his wife to ask her for a puppy) and the promise of getting neutered this week. (Surprise!) I wanted a break from puppies so at the last minute we sprung the house-trained Mimi from her kennel and brought her home.
I've always been upfront about my prejudice against small dogs. I don't like them. They do not interest me. Can someone like me change my ways and accept these little annoying dogs? Look into Mimi's bulging eyes--they are saying, "Yes you can."
Easily contained, friendly, house-trained, and calm, Mimi quickly won me over. She's not annoying at all. In fact, she is less annoying than any of the bigger dogs I've had. You can adopt this easy and endearing dog Saturday at the Orem Petsmart at 1pm. See you there! (Wouldn't that be awesome if I actually had a blog stalker who went to Petsmart and adopted all of my foster pets?)
One of our Border Collie puppies was immediately adopted on Saturday and we left the other one with good prospects (a man desperately trying to get a hold of his wife to ask her for a puppy) and the promise of getting neutered this week. (Surprise!) I wanted a break from puppies so at the last minute we sprung the house-trained Mimi from her kennel and brought her home.
I've always been upfront about my prejudice against small dogs. I don't like them. They do not interest me. Can someone like me change my ways and accept these little annoying dogs? Look into Mimi's bulging eyes--they are saying, "Yes you can."
Easily contained, friendly, house-trained, and calm, Mimi quickly won me over. She's not annoying at all. In fact, she is less annoying than any of the bigger dogs I've had. You can adopt this easy and endearing dog Saturday at the Orem Petsmart at 1pm. See you there! (Wouldn't that be awesome if I actually had a blog stalker who went to Petsmart and adopted all of my foster pets?)
Sunday, February 22, 2009
It's Called Show Choir And it has a Rich and Storied History
Today we watched Spectacular, Nickelodeon's crack at High School Musical. I didn't really see all of it but, as is always the case here at Every Day I Write the Book, I saw enough to blog about it. Let me say this straight up: Both shows are excellent. High School Musical will always be my favorite because it was first in this strange and exciting genre. But Spectacular is much more than just a knock-off. It's very good too. A few observations follow.
HSM's finale colors are red and WHITE. Spectacular's are red and BLACK. This symbolizes other ways in which the two differ. Spectacular is darker, it's hero a muscle-bound Greek who dreams of rock-stardom and encourages most forms of subversion, such as replacing jazz hands with sideways elbow pushes. He and his Greek brother live, presumably, on their own without parents. I know these two are Greek because their names are Niko and Stavros. This might remind you of the Greek would-be rocker Jesse Katsopolis played by John Stamos on Full House. I believe it is supposed to remind you of this and was, in fact, the inspiration for the character.
In contrast, Troy of HSM is an all-American boy from a two-parent home with a penchant for basketball and singing. He pulls if off a little better than Niko, but only because he is scrawnier so he seems more chaste. As a parent, this is important to me. I wouldn't trust that Greek, Niko, with my daughter. I'd totally let her stay out late with Troy. (Probably a mistake.)
Be that as it may, the main difference between the two shows is that in the end of Spectacular Niko has to choose between auditioning to be a rock star and performing in the Show Choir competition. Troy, on the other hand, has to choose between playing in a big basketball game and auditioning for the proverbial high school musical. Here's the thing though--and this is really weird considering their vastly different circumstances--both Troy and Niko figure out a way to participate in both activities, which is extremely gratifying for them, for their friends, and for the audience.
For the purpose of my discussion here I have limited myself to High School Musical and have not mentioned subsequent High School Musicals, i.e., II and III. They are both really good and rate in terms of quality about like Star Wars, Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi with the first and the third being the best but the second being somewhat worthwhile in terms of plot. You might argue that a better comparison might be Spider Man I, II, and III. But I would take issue with that comparison as Spider Man II is much more awesome than Spider Man III. And please do not even mention Camp Rock as I don't even put that in the same category as HSM and Spectacular. I can not abide the Jonas Brothers.
HSM's finale colors are red and WHITE. Spectacular's are red and BLACK. This symbolizes other ways in which the two differ. Spectacular is darker, it's hero a muscle-bound Greek who dreams of rock-stardom and encourages most forms of subversion, such as replacing jazz hands with sideways elbow pushes. He and his Greek brother live, presumably, on their own without parents. I know these two are Greek because their names are Niko and Stavros. This might remind you of the Greek would-be rocker Jesse Katsopolis played by John Stamos on Full House. I believe it is supposed to remind you of this and was, in fact, the inspiration for the character.
In contrast, Troy of HSM is an all-American boy from a two-parent home with a penchant for basketball and singing. He pulls if off a little better than Niko, but only because he is scrawnier so he seems more chaste. As a parent, this is important to me. I wouldn't trust that Greek, Niko, with my daughter. I'd totally let her stay out late with Troy. (Probably a mistake.)
Be that as it may, the main difference between the two shows is that in the end of Spectacular Niko has to choose between auditioning to be a rock star and performing in the Show Choir competition. Troy, on the other hand, has to choose between playing in a big basketball game and auditioning for the proverbial high school musical. Here's the thing though--and this is really weird considering their vastly different circumstances--both Troy and Niko figure out a way to participate in both activities, which is extremely gratifying for them, for their friends, and for the audience.
For the purpose of my discussion here I have limited myself to High School Musical and have not mentioned subsequent High School Musicals, i.e., II and III. They are both really good and rate in terms of quality about like Star Wars, Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi with the first and the third being the best but the second being somewhat worthwhile in terms of plot. You might argue that a better comparison might be Spider Man I, II, and III. But I would take issue with that comparison as Spider Man II is much more awesome than Spider Man III. And please do not even mention Camp Rock as I don't even put that in the same category as HSM and Spectacular. I can not abide the Jonas Brothers.
Monday, February 16, 2009
These Is My Dogs
You guys are pathetic! I said a THOUSAND comments. No picture of my wrist for you. Enjoy these pictures of my wonderful foster dogs. Yes, they're available. (Saturday at Petsmart in American Fork.) I give you the contemplative Max Perry,
And the stalwart Charlie Bosley,
Both are delightful Border Collies (#1 most intelligent dog breed) and as a bonus:
Good with kids!
And next time I ask for a thousand comments--try a little harder.
And the stalwart Charlie Bosley,
Both are delightful Border Collies (#1 most intelligent dog breed) and as a bonus:
Good with kids!And next time I ask for a thousand comments--try a little harder.
Fostering Eccentricity
In the past few days I have started fostering puppies from the animal shelter and wearing an ace bandage. (These sorts of things always happen when Christian goes out of town. I don't know why.) I am fully cognizant as I take these steps into quirky eccentricity. I am telling you this so you can have a better understanding of those kind of weird people who have foster animals and wrap their joints--people I have undoubtedly made fun of in the past. In my rational mind, both of these situations are temporary or, at least, occasional. I'm still totally in control of myself, although I can't guarantee that the next time you see me I will not have fully evolved into a brace-wearing, cane yielding woman with a ferret on my shoulder.
While performing my cat towel duties, I became aware of fostering opportunities for the dogs of Lost Paws. You take a dog for a week in between adoption events. This seems especially nice for puppies, as they need a little more attention. My kids understand the deal completely, and we are bathing and teaching our puppies to behave with the hope that they will be the best and first dogs adopted next Saturday. I love having pets, but they don't always work out and are almost never convenient. Puppies on a weekly basis are just the ticket! Our puppies are purebred Border Collies, born on a charming farm, and too young to have any annoying habits. They are puffy and cute. We call them Max Perry and Charlie Bosley. They are yours for the taking if you show up at Petsmart in American Fork this Saturday at 1pm. One seems to be the runt and is slightly more anxious, but I highly recommend them both and fully endorse them.
Just so you know, if I were in a beauty pageant and had to pick a platform or if I were a rich celebrity and had money to donate to a cause (which is least likely? Don't answer that), I doubt I would choose animal issues. I eat meat and wear leather. (But I wouldn't eat puppy meat, tender though it may be.) I would choose to support a cause that helps humans. I just want you to know that.
As for my wrist, it just hurts whenever it moves--probably from lugging and twisting and placating 25 lbs of Ellen all day without a break which, I guess, is a testament to how much Christian does when he is here. Or maybe I'm just embarrassed to pull out the ace bandage when he is here.
I will post pictures of the puppies later today and maybe even a picture of my wrist if I get 100 comments--No! A thousand comments! Come on guys--do it for my wrist! DO IT FOR MY WRIST. DO IT FOR MY WRIST. . .
While performing my cat towel duties, I became aware of fostering opportunities for the dogs of Lost Paws. You take a dog for a week in between adoption events. This seems especially nice for puppies, as they need a little more attention. My kids understand the deal completely, and we are bathing and teaching our puppies to behave with the hope that they will be the best and first dogs adopted next Saturday. I love having pets, but they don't always work out and are almost never convenient. Puppies on a weekly basis are just the ticket! Our puppies are purebred Border Collies, born on a charming farm, and too young to have any annoying habits. They are puffy and cute. We call them Max Perry and Charlie Bosley. They are yours for the taking if you show up at Petsmart in American Fork this Saturday at 1pm. One seems to be the runt and is slightly more anxious, but I highly recommend them both and fully endorse them.
Just so you know, if I were in a beauty pageant and had to pick a platform or if I were a rich celebrity and had money to donate to a cause (which is least likely? Don't answer that), I doubt I would choose animal issues. I eat meat and wear leather. (But I wouldn't eat puppy meat, tender though it may be.) I would choose to support a cause that helps humans. I just want you to know that.
As for my wrist, it just hurts whenever it moves--probably from lugging and twisting and placating 25 lbs of Ellen all day without a break which, I guess, is a testament to how much Christian does when he is here. Or maybe I'm just embarrassed to pull out the ace bandage when he is here.
I will post pictures of the puppies later today and maybe even a picture of my wrist if I get 100 comments--No! A thousand comments! Come on guys--do it for my wrist! DO IT FOR MY WRIST. DO IT FOR MY WRIST. . .
Monday, February 09, 2009
The Fightin' Walrus/No Regrets
Here's Stephen Colbert with Paul McCartney in his Better Know a Beatle series. It starts a little slow but watch the whole thing. It's worth it, and we need to be on the same page. Look, I acknowledge the genius of John Lennon. I know he's the smart/cool choice for favorite Beatle (we've been over this before), but I'm going to stick with Paul.
My favorite part of this clip is when Paul unexpectedly describes himself as "Witty, attractive, musical, no regrets!" This made me think about having no regrets and inspired the following thoughts:
I have only a few regrets as I look back over my life. I sort of regret some of the boys I dated, but I really feel that their extreme jerkness informed my choice of a completely non-jerk husband. So I can't say for sure that I'd do that differently. I said "no" to a church calling once and have always regretted it. Of course, I had my reasons--but they weren't good. I regret pushing my oldest son academically when he was little because it caused unnecessary stress and frustration and I regret that I was unable to enjoy Ben a little more when he was a baby and toddler. But that's just water under the bridge at this point. I like my kids and they seem to be turning out OK in spite of my mistakes. I wish I would have gotten to know my friends and their families better in high school because people are interesting. I'm not happy that I'm a fat person but there's no food or period of inactivity or pregnancy that I regret. I regret some purchases, like the Sigg bottles I bought for everyone in the family. But most purchases make me very, very happy--happy, attractive, witty, musical, no regrets!
My favorite part of this clip is when Paul unexpectedly describes himself as "Witty, attractive, musical, no regrets!" This made me think about having no regrets and inspired the following thoughts:
I have only a few regrets as I look back over my life. I sort of regret some of the boys I dated, but I really feel that their extreme jerkness informed my choice of a completely non-jerk husband. So I can't say for sure that I'd do that differently. I said "no" to a church calling once and have always regretted it. Of course, I had my reasons--but they weren't good. I regret pushing my oldest son academically when he was little because it caused unnecessary stress and frustration and I regret that I was unable to enjoy Ben a little more when he was a baby and toddler. But that's just water under the bridge at this point. I like my kids and they seem to be turning out OK in spite of my mistakes. I wish I would have gotten to know my friends and their families better in high school because people are interesting. I'm not happy that I'm a fat person but there's no food or period of inactivity or pregnancy that I regret. I regret some purchases, like the Sigg bottles I bought for everyone in the family. But most purchases make me very, very happy--happy, attractive, witty, musical, no regrets!
Monday, February 02, 2009
What is the Coolest Album Title?
I'm not asking what the best or coolest album is. I just want to focus on title of album--Disregard quality for the time being, if possible. What is the best album title? Liking the title doesn't necessarily mean you like the album. Here are some of the best album titles of all time:
Disraeli Gears by Cream
Eponymous by REM (Clever, no?)
Physical Graffiti by Led Zeppelin
Icky Thump by The White Stripes
Viva Hate by Morrissey
And here is the dumbest album title of all time:
Californication by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Stadium Arcadium is also very dumb. I would say the Chili Peppers have the most disparity between album title quality and quality of album.
Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy is a very memorable title by The Who. Back in Black is also cool in the context of AC/DC. Tigerlilly is an extremely apt title for Natalie Merchant's album, but not a stand out in terms of being cool.
Disraeli Gears by Cream
Eponymous by REM (Clever, no?)
Physical Graffiti by Led Zeppelin
Icky Thump by The White Stripes
Viva Hate by Morrissey
And here is the dumbest album title of all time:
Californication by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Stadium Arcadium is also very dumb. I would say the Chili Peppers have the most disparity between album title quality and quality of album.
Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy is a very memorable title by The Who. Back in Black is also cool in the context of AC/DC. Tigerlilly is an extremely apt title for Natalie Merchant's album, but not a stand out in terms of being cool.
