…like just now. I’m at home, cleaning house, sun is shining, working on an iTunes playlist…
Start blaring one particular song – because it’s meant to be played loud. Great Big Sea’s “Straight to Hell”.
Cue doorbell.
Actually, cue dog barking hysterically, so I shoo her out the back door, then answer the front door. To find a lovely older man in a tweed coat who’d like to talk to me about God.
Who knew there were Jehovah’s Witnesses in Ireland?
So there I am, trying to plead my spiritual case with “No, really, we’re pretty Catholic here.” and “Yes, we do own several Bibles.” I did not go all Eliza Doolittle on him with a “I’m a good girl I am!” Nor did I state “I swear, I’m NOT a heathen!”
But he was a lovely man with a lovely accent, who nicely told me a few things about his faith, and then we chatted about the sunny weather, wished each other a good day and he went on his way. I’m not sure he bought the fact that I can be religious, and I don’t blame him. Not with the lyrics floating out of my windows.
Ah well, it gave me a giggle. And I’ve cursed in front of nuns before, so I’m going to hell anyway.
…this is the song…you’ll understand why I needed to play it loudly…
Today, our second boy – the spare to our heir, better known as Josh’s Clone – turns 14. Sure, I’ve hit this milestone before with his brother doing the same thing two years ago. Doesn’t mean I’ve gotten used to it.
The night I went into labor with Sean, there were tornado warnings. Which should have been a sign about how things would be with this child. Collin was the textbook baby – if the book said a child should do this and then that, Collin did this, and then that. Sean didn’t know there was a book to follow. He’s been doing things his way since birth, but always with an easy-going demeanor.
While Collin was more hesitant, Sean flew into everything he could as a toddler. Sometimes literally, which would explain the three scars on his forehead by age 2.
One of my favorite stories about Sean as a toddler was when he was just over the age of two. We had a rocking airplane (think rocking horse in the shape of a Red Baron-esque bi-wing plane). Now most kids? Rocked on it. As one does. Sean however, tilted it up on its tail end, then climbed up and into the framework.
This is how we ended up with one of Sean’s first sentences. Which was “Help! I’m tuck! I’m tuck!”
This also lead to a phone call to Josh at work. “Honey, where’s an allen wrench?”
“Why?”
“Because I need to unscrew Sean from the airplane, and the screws take an allen wrench.”
I was nice – I did lay Sean down, propping him up on pillows while I made the phone call. And then I made note of where I put the allen wrench afterwards. Because sure enough, Sean did it again the next week.
He’s less likely to run into a wall these days, or get stuck in something. He’s actually mellowed out since his toddler days. But there are still times, when we’re out and exploring, I’ll look and he’s scurried up some rock. But his method of keeping me on my toes now is more psychological. Basically, the boy is too smart for my own good.
As for the song (hey, it is Monday) –
I’m certain I’ve posted this before, but I’ll do it again. It’s Great Big Sea’s “Walk on the Moon” – which Miriam and Sean have photo cameos in (they asked fans to send in photos of accomplishments – I sent in a few, and those two made the cut.) Sean is the rock climbing boy at 1:05 – and yes, I remember the day. We were at a festival, and there was a rock climbing column. Sean – who was about 7 at the time – wanted to try it. He made it straight to the top. We knew he would.
A few weeks ago, I posted about the song “All the Rowboats” by Regina Spektor. I heard hte song, and then thought “Wait, I know her, I know her voice, but where from?”
And then my kids watched “Prince Caspian” and I went “OH!”
The song at the end of the movie is also by Regina Spektor and when I first heard it, I hit reverse to re-read the credits to see who did this song, because I had to have it. And then Life happened and distracted me. Then I discovered Regina Spektor through “All the Rowboats” and loved her instantly yet again.
So for this rainy mellow Monday, today’s choice is “The Call” – just a lovely song, which truly fits the Narnia series as well. Have a hot cup of tea as you listen…
So, we all know I love the band Great Big Sea. One of the band members, Alan Doyle, is putting out a solo album and the first single is out. Of course, I had to listen to it. And it lived up to the hype that I built up in my head.
“I’ve Seen a Little” has been put out on iTunes today for sale – the preview of the forthcoming album “Boy on Bridge”. Why yes, I did instantly buy it. I think it’s going to be a summer song – you know, one of those songs you put on in the car, windows rolled down, volume on high, wind in hair, going maybe a little over the speed limit? Yeah, this song is for that situation. And if I’m not in the car…well…I can pretend, right?
And really? It’s a great anthem for me as I am dragged screaming towards that 40th birthday. I’ve seen a little of life, I want to see more. As I told a friend, after living in Dublin, making that dream a reality, well, I don’t think I could ever settle for ordinary again. Not that my life was ever really ordinary if you think about it. A girl who came blazing into the world in the back seat of a Mercedes isn’t going to have an ordinary suburban life. That’s part of what moving to Ireland was all about – getting out of that rut we found ourselves in, taking that chance to experience a side of life you don’t always get to. Okay, sure, I’m actually living in a very suburban area of Dublin, lol! What can I say, we still take the kids needs into consideration. But now I see all the things I haven’t done and want to do. Mid-life crisis? Maybe. Except I’ve always wanted to have a book published. I’ve always wanted to sing with the band. I’ve always wanted to travel, own a Mini and a Vespa, worn black nail polish and big earrings. I’ve just always been so hesitant. Now? Not so much.
Wow. That’s an awful lot to put on one song, lol! This is what you get on a sunny Monday morning in Dublin, a cup of coffee consumed, and a new song for the soundtrack of my life. Which, for the record, that soundtrack? Is awesome.
Anyway, check out the song, if you like it, buy it. Then roll down all those windows in your car on the next sunny day and blare it.
Moving to Ireland, I had to find new radio stations. I loved my Michigan radio stations, and honestly, I found the Dublin stations to be a bit…scattered. You could hear The Clash one moment, then they could play Celine Dion the next, and then some Four Tops after that…then fifteen minutes of chatting.
I have settled on one primarily, Phantom FM, which in looking it up, started off as a pirate radio. How awesome is that? It plays mostly alternative music, lots of stuff I haven’t heard before. So new music discovery is always potential.
Today, I flipped it on for my drive home from the grocery store and heard this song. Rarely do I have a “love on first listen”, but I prayed they would tell me who was artist behind the song with this one. And they did. Needless to say, I shall be buying this one very soon!
I think the first time I was exposed to this song, sadly, was while watching “Shrek”. The next time I really noticed it was when KD Lang sang it during the Winter Olympics. Then, somehow, it left my radar again.
It came back on my radar again, and I realized I needed this song – and then realized there are dozens of covers of it as well. It was originally by Leonard Cohen – which is a much more bluesy feeling song than the covers I’ve been exposed to. The Jeff Buckley cover seems to be very popular version, one that the newer ones seemed to be based off of. There’s even a cover of it by Bon Jovi. The one from “Shrek” is performed by Rufus Wainwright, in case you were wondering.
But the version I went with was Kate Voegele’s – the simplicity of the guitar and the fact that her version’s in my range sold it to me. You know, usually, I’m not big on covers of songs – but with this one, it makes sense that someone who loves to sing would want to cover it. And this way, a person can find their favorite version, like I did.
No, not the penguin movie that Maura loves and I’m certain has undertones of anti-religious establishment (why do all the old penguins sound like angry Scottish ministers?)
I’m talking about Kermit the Frog here and his happy feet.
There’s a commercial on tv here for some product that comes on about once an hour it seems. I have no clue what the commercial is advertising, but the musical track is Kermit singing “Happy Feet”. Maura loves this commercial for the song, and will dance to it (which is probably why I never notice what they’re trying to sell me.) I love Kermit the Frog, so have found myself singing this song in my head.
And then I thought “Why should I be the only one with this song in my head?”
So with the Power of YouTube, I can put this earworm into everyone’s heads! Woohoo! It’s okay, it’s Kermit and the Muppet Show. It’s all kinds of good.
It’s Monday. Who needs a song to get them moving today? Well, Train (one of my favorite bands) has a new song coming out tomorrow, and it’s out on their site now, so check it out!
If you check out other “Music Monday” selections, you’ll find a bit of Train in there. Josh called it once, when describing why our musical tastes are so different. Josh loves a good beat. The more bass the better in his world. But I like good lyrics. I do like a good tune, something to dance or jump around to, but I love good lyrics. I like a song with a soul. Train delivers that for me.
Meanwhile, in our world, the craziness of Christmas holidays are over. The kids have all gone back to school, Josh has gone back to work, and I’m here, alone, in my house. Just me, the puppy, and a huge mound of laundry to keep me company.
Zoey the Puppy has been keeping me busy all morning – she tries gnawing on things like the puppy she is, I stop her. She sneaks upstairs, I get her back downstairs. She wants out, I let her out, then back in, then out, then in again. It is a bit like having a toddler, except Zoey can’t scream “NOOOO!” at me and I can legally lock her in a cage.
The one thing I’m noticing about her is her eyes. Because she’s a blue merle collie, she has one blue eye and one brown eye. And I swear, those eyes tell different stories.
The brown eye is the happy-go-lucky good puppy eye. The blue eye though shows her disdain for the rules, her intelligence mocking us.
The brown eye says “Oh, look at me! I’m a cute little puppy! Pet me! Rub my tummy!”
Meanwhile, the blue eye is saying “That’s right, bend to my will slave. I will own you!”
Or maybe I need to just interact with more humans today.
I will collect my award for "Most Patient Mother" whenever the tween finishes her homework assignment. Which will hopefully be before 12 am 22 hours ago
watching "Life on Mars" - because it is awesome. 1 day ago
