My High School Sweetheart

My boyfriend.

I was not much of a dater in high school. Not for lack of wanting, just didn't get asked. Then my one fumbly experience turned sour. So my real high school sweethearts were the pop stars that I fell absolutely in love with. First there was Sting. I was obsessed and had pictures of him everywhere. Immediately after high school and my terrible boy experience- I discovered the Smiths and specifically Morrissey. It was perfect timing- I was so disillusioned and scared of boys. Morrissey was there and completely caught my fancy beyond even Sting. Why? He was attractive, sensitive and well-read but mostly because he was gay and a self proclaimed celibate. He sang about unrequited love and never being able to find the right person, plus he was a little naughty sometimes in a British way. Each song was calling out to me and comforted me in a way that Sting never did. (He was much too grown-up for me- I now realize.)

It reminds me of a review I read of the Twilight movie- the critic supposed that teen girls love the vampire heartthrob character because he adores the girl character, but cannot have sex with her and she finds that ultimately non-threatening and romantic (as opposed to um- him being a blood sucking vampire?) But come to think of it, maybe that's why my "love" of Morrissey was so strong- he was safe. I knew that if I was caught alone with him, even though I might have wanted to totally make out with him or at least swoon- he wouldn't have touched a hair on my head. Gay and celibate- that's as good as a vampire to a girl. Oh, and then the fact that I could never possibly ever meet him.

What got me thinking about Morrissey? His new album- which is being heavily advertised right now. I have every Smiths album and the first few solo Morrissey albums that I still listen to frequently and can sing to by heart (it's in my DNA now- I'm sure my girls will know the songs too.) But somewhere around the mid 90's I lost track of my sweetheart and got involved with other bands, other genres of music, it became less about a late night companion to swoon over and more about really appreciating music. And maybe it had something to do with the fact that I was married to a real man.

So, today I went to Morrisey's website, inspired by Facebook and all that reconnecting with old friends. I listened to his new single- not knowing what to expect. And guess what? The music sounds exactly the same, his phrasing, his lyrics- still singing about the "absence of human touch." It's like he's in a time capsule! I don't know how to feel about it. Other artists from that era - such as David Byrne- have expanded and gone all over the place. But there's Morrissey, same hairstyle and haughty chin-up pose, just a little doughier around the jawline. Is it comforting or disturbing? The music is good- as I look back on other bands I was into- I realize that the Smiths were just a plain good band, they stand up to scrutiny. But my old boyfriend- he's caught in a time warp- rehashing his youth over and over. Should I be concerned? He seems happy, maybe I'll just let him be. We had some good times and he got me through some rough spots. I'll thank him for that. Next time I don't see him.

My boyfriend 20 years later.

Kind of Blue

This year is the 50th anniversary of the release of Kind of Blue. It still sounds fresh and cool. What geniuses. Witness the real thing--Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Wynton Kelly, Jimmy Cobb April 1959

An awesome way to start a day

Watch Hammerdance videos and dance lessons at DanceJam.com

As is often the case, I do not know how I ended up on this website watching this video. But I just had to share. It's fun, funny and this kid is pretty good at the Hammerdance. I couldn't figure out whether to watch him or his mom quietly knitting behind him on the couch. She seems unperturbed by her son dancing wildly and hopping around in front of a video camera inches away- this must be an everyday occurrence at their house. Also, he doesn't seem to think having his mom sitting behind him will lessen his cool. How he does this grand dance in that tiny space between the couch and the TV and his use of every available space is impressive!

And I just discovered you can watch many, many more people doing the Hammer dance by clicking on the link above. Quite entertaining indeed.

Another word about the Inauguration

After my heady week of watching non-stop Inaugural coverage, I'm ready to get back to work.  I swear, I just got weepier with each moment.  Maybe it was that I was tired.  One night I watched "The Daily Show" and found John Oliver making fun of Obama.  I didn't like it.  I didn't like it one bit, then I suddenly felt a shock of realization- is this what it felt like for Bush followers all these years?  Have I become a blind follower of what one person in the NYT called a "demagogue?"  I have to be honest, I had to look that up.  I mean sure I've heard that word a million times, but did I really know what it means?  I guess not- "a political leader who seeks support by appealing to popular desires and prejudices rather than by using rational argument."  But-- also in ancient Greece and Rome- "a leader or orator who espoused the cause of the common people."  So yeah.  I guess that could describe Obama, you could take it as a negative or a positive.  By the way, it's about time the spellcheckers of the world added Obama to their lists of correctly spelled words!  Just type it and see what I mean.

A peek into our morning...

Get Happy!

Update: I just found out that Rufus actually played at one of the Inaugural Balls, of course it wasn't one that the Obamas visited. Although I'd have given something valuable to hear Rufus sing "At Last."

Happiness

I'm so excited I'm crying!  

Square Pegs

I am so excited! I used to love this TV show and now you can watch it on Hulu.">!

Super fun with toys

Lots more videos here...
http://www.youtube.com/user/MadRuth

It's all about squirrels

Squirrel rumble.  Reds vs. Greys  From the Dining and Wine section of the New York Times.

What goes with a faux-hawk?

How 'bout a busted top and bottom lip? Sounds like that would complete the ensemble. I've got them now, since Hazel accidently slammed her head into my mouth as we were both bending down to look at hermit crabs at Petsmart. I wasn't in some sort of punk rock mom rumble at a club. It hurt terribly bad and my lips were bleeding as we checked out with our cat food and litter. If I didn't feel like a weirdo already, that cinched it. Plus my hair doesn't really look like a faux hawk now, it just looks like I have a bad haircut. Which I guess is the same thing. Ha! Oh, I guess it's not that bad. Off to get dinner and laundry done...

My Mid Life Crisis

Stupid? Immature?  I am 40 after all.  Can I really pull of a faux-hawk?  My hairdresser thinks so.  I asked him for something edgy and this is what he came up with.  It's also easy to push down or even make more hawky.  What's going on?  I figure, it's only hair.  Next week my life is changing drastically I needed to have something in my pocket to hold onto. I might go into surgery with it fully spiked.  Why not? Well I guess it wouldn't be too comfortable to lie on. It would give the nurses something to talk about.

How we feel

Obama TV, originally uploaded by bossamama.

Still processing the news. Every time I hear it again, it thrills me, and tears nearly shoot out my eyes. My favorite moment, when I told Hazel the next morning. She was very excited- although I'm sure she doesn't understand. She just thinks that we were on team Obama and had a sign in our yard. I told her this was very historic, she asked-Why? I told her he was our first African American president- she said- What does that mean? I said- He has brown skin. She said- Really? That's silly that he's the first. Why hasn't there been any other? She has no concept of racism or what this all means. I've tried to explain things to her in the past, they talk about MLK at school, but it doesn't stick. And the labels definitely don't stick. I hope that goes for the rest of us soon. This is a start.

THINK PINK!

Dedicated to Lora and Andy...

Happy Halloween!

This movie has freaked me out since I was a child and somehow saw it. Just recently recorded it, but don't know if I'm up to watching it! Scarier than any gory thing they've been putting out lately. Really scary if you turn off the lights and open the windows- I don't know what it is about opening the windows. All I know is I did it once and completely wigged out while watching this! And you have to watch it loud, because it's the noises that are the scariest part. Boo!

Where have I been?

Gosh, it's been a while since I blogged. And I miss it. I started this whole project in the summer and I had lots of time. Since school started time has gotten a little tighter. Have to help with the homework, go to piano on Wednesdays and go to school twice a day. Also, I have been working a little at English Gardens. I take Lilah with me and we answer the phones and help around the place. It's been an interesting time learning how to juggle schedules. I've found that I'm not very good at it! My house is suffering, my hair is suffering, and for some reason the pores on my nose are growing larger each day. Don't know what that has to do with it all, but it certainly is disturbing. I don't know if anyone is even reading this or visiting anymore. People tend to forget when you don't update. If you're there, give me a little shout! There are so many things to talk about, but I can't think of them right now- I'm a bit tired and tomorrow is Halloween. It's going to be a crazy day. Trying to just take it all in and not miss anything.

Take a look at Fred and Ginger

This routine is so effortless, these were two extremely cool people. I love how they laugh and make it seem so natural that one could just break out in tap dancing. Fred Astaire is the most confident person I've seen on screen and Ginger Rogers is effervescent.

Greetings from Caterpillar Land

caterpillar 2008, originally uploaded by bossamama.

It's been a busy month. I'm trying to get back to blogging, I enjoy it too much to stop. These caterpillars are eating the Butterfly Weed I bought a few weeks ago. I haven't even planted them in the ground, just set the pots in the garden. The caterpillars found them and started to feast. The fat little guys just couldn't wait. This somehow symbolizes the way life has been going lately- but can't quite put it into words in these few minutes I have. I'll think about it.

I wish I was asleep

You're not the boss of me.

I have been gone for a while, practically the whole month of September! Adjusting to school, new schedules and working a little myself, all while dealing with a two year old (see photo.) It's been tiring and in my free time I've been working on my yard and house. I'll be back soon when I figure out how to fit blogging into my new schedule. I do miss it.

Left alone with loud music

I actually got very hungry for cookies and brownies while making this, advertising works!

"College" scene, complete with giant soda and boom box.

Well, I was asked to make a giant poster and some sandwich style signs for the PTA fundraiser. Had to get it done by yesterday evening and, as usual, I waited until the last minute.  I spent all of yesterday working on things.  I had gotten a lot of help starting out on Saturday from a friend, but there was a lot left to do. Anyhow, I was laboring away and turned on some music.  With the acrylic paint and the metal ruler out I was transported back to college- well, college with two antsy kids getting underfoot.  Then Daddy took the kiddies away to go swimming for a few hours.  I turned the music up loud and even put on The Smiths, my high school sweethearts.  I was really feeling it, singing along loudly- and realized, I hadn't been in this situation for a long time!  Blasting music, painting and totally alone- immersed in art.  Even though I was painting giant chocolate chip cookies and coffee mugs- it still felt great.  Either that's really sad or somewhat inspiring.  If I only had a little room- no!- building, of my own, what could I do? Besides paint giant chocolate chip cookies of course.  When the family got home, Hazel said "It sounds like you're having a party in there!" 

Update:  Saw the safety patrol kids in car line this morning wearing their signs, they were so cute and all the PTA moms were waving at me appreciatively. Nice!