Me. I did. And it was glorious. I'm sure I looked at least slightly foolish, since I can't really dance. But I will say that I haven't gone out dancing in a long time. Went out with some girlfriends and we ended up at a bar with a bunch of other buddies, including the ex and his girlfriend. Those encounters seem to get easier every time, which is nice. Plus, I was having way more fun, so that's always a perk.
So the bartender announces that ladies who dance on the bar (I think to a Bon Jovi song that just came on) get free shots. Melissa and I jumped on up and had a pole to work with to boot. It was a little tough balancing on such a small space with such high heels, but we managed. SO FUN. The whole night was a great way to blow off steam. Things have been extra tense lately. Here's a brief list:
1. Changing jobs in February. Not ready now, not going to be ready then. Currently preparing for disaster and working 14 hour days & weekends.
2. Planning and preparing for a big ceremony this weekend. Worried about how everything will go, but trying to go with it.
3. My mom, dad, stepmom, and 2 sibs are coming into town for the ceremony. We're all going to hang out together, which we never do, and I feel like I need to play hostess and keep everyone happy. It's going to be weird.
4. Mom gets married in less than three weeks, and in addition to the song the boys and I are singing at the ceremony, she wants me to sing again at the reception. I don't have a gift for them yet and may not fit into my dress.
Ack! So last night's party-fest was really helpful. OH! And first we went to a beach party at a friend's house, and they had a room blocked off, full of popcorn packaging - you know those little styrofoam pieces? It was filled up 3-4 feet high, and it was soooo fun playing in that room!
Overall a seemingly unproductive weekend that really helped me out. And now... back to reality. Wish me luck!
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Friday, January 11, 2008
Bringing the Protest Songs Back
This year for Christmas, one of my favorite presents was a songbook called "Rise Up Singing." Lots of folk songs, some standards, and lots of good memories for me. I've started listening to more protest songs lately, and here's a great one by John Prine that's in the book:
While digesting Reader's Digest In the back of a dirty book store,
A plastic flag, with gum on the back, Fell out on the floor.
Well, I picked it up and I ran outside Slapped it on my window shield,
And if I could see old Betsy Ross I'd tell her how good I feel.
Chorus:
But your flag decal won't get you Into Heaven any more.
They're already overcrowded From your dirty little war.
Now Jesus don't like killin' No matter what the reason's for,
And your flag decal won't get you Into Heaven any more.
Well, I went to the bank this morning And the cashier he said to me,
"If you join the Christmas club We'll give you ten of them flags for free."
Well, I didn't mess around a bit I took him up on what he said.
And I stuck them stickers all over my car And one on my wife's forehead.
Repeat Chorus
Well, I got my window shield so filled With flags I couldn't see.
So, I ran the car upside a curb And right into a tree.
By the time they got a doctor down I was already dead.
And I'll never understand why the man Standing in the Pearly Gates said...
"But your flag decal won't get you Into Heaven any more.
We're already overcrowded From your dirty little war.
Now Jesus don't like killin' No matter what the reason's for,
And your flag decal won't get you Into Heaven any more."
"Universal Soldier" is another good one - Donovan, I think, if you want to look it up. I've been having a swell time singing old songs and those that are new to me. Corny as it sounds, it is SO fun when the family gets together over the holidays and sings. A few people get their guitars out, and all kinds of good songs start. Old, new, pretty, dirty, silly.... I wish I had that here at home, too, with some friends, but the rarity of it certainly makes it a special occasion.
Two of my childhood favorites: "Marvelous Toy" and "Daddy, What's a Train?" If you have kids, look 'em up!
While digesting Reader's Digest In the back of a dirty book store,
A plastic flag, with gum on the back, Fell out on the floor.
Well, I picked it up and I ran outside Slapped it on my window shield,
And if I could see old Betsy Ross I'd tell her how good I feel.
Chorus:
But your flag decal won't get you Into Heaven any more.
They're already overcrowded From your dirty little war.
Now Jesus don't like killin' No matter what the reason's for,
And your flag decal won't get you Into Heaven any more.
Well, I went to the bank this morning And the cashier he said to me,
"If you join the Christmas club We'll give you ten of them flags for free."
Well, I didn't mess around a bit I took him up on what he said.
And I stuck them stickers all over my car And one on my wife's forehead.
Repeat Chorus
Well, I got my window shield so filled With flags I couldn't see.
So, I ran the car upside a curb And right into a tree.
By the time they got a doctor down I was already dead.
And I'll never understand why the man Standing in the Pearly Gates said...
"But your flag decal won't get you Into Heaven any more.
We're already overcrowded From your dirty little war.
Now Jesus don't like killin' No matter what the reason's for,
And your flag decal won't get you Into Heaven any more."
"Universal Soldier" is another good one - Donovan, I think, if you want to look it up. I've been having a swell time singing old songs and those that are new to me. Corny as it sounds, it is SO fun when the family gets together over the holidays and sings. A few people get their guitars out, and all kinds of good songs start. Old, new, pretty, dirty, silly.... I wish I had that here at home, too, with some friends, but the rarity of it certainly makes it a special occasion.
Two of my childhood favorites: "Marvelous Toy" and "Daddy, What's a Train?" If you have kids, look 'em up!
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