TGIF 5
Long week. The kind of days that seem strung together just to remind you you’re alive, and of what’s most important: Family. Whether it’s the blood kind or the chosen kind, the homo sapiens or the cute and fluffy… it all boils down to what you make of it and who you make it with.
Aaaaaand now that I’m done with the 4 a.m. Jack Handey, I’ll knock out the five and then fall into bed. I never fail to properly appreciate the joy that is sleeping in. It is one of life’s greater pleasures, alongside staying up very very late.
- take a book you’ve read. now take the main character. put them in a band. what would the band’s name be?
Beeblebrox. Cause this is a dumb question, but it’s a good name for a band.
- what instrument would that character play?
Some sort of space-age French Horn.
- who else would be in that band?
The band from the Cantina in one of the Star Wars movies. I don’t remember which one.
- would they stay underground or get popular?
Oh, underground. Playing in mob pits, peering off the stage and over the high-stakes poker tables. With pinstripe zoot suits.
- why did you choose that book?
It was the first thing that popped into my head.
Last week came with two fives on the same topic: music. The first five are past, the second five present.
- What was the first album/CD/Cassette you ever bought?
Hmm. Bought for myself? I think it was Guns N Roses Lies Lies Lies. I occasionally got music as a gift (unlike Nintendo games, which I had to buy myself), so I didn’t buy much in the way of tunes. The first thing I remember buying was either Lies or Straight Outta Compton, both albums my parents didn’t think I should listen to at such a young and impressionable age.
The cassettes my parents thought were appropriate included Vanilla Ice, Biz Markie, Garth Brooks, New Kids on the Block, UB40, Carmen, Petra, Toad the Wet Sprocket, R.E.M., and Wham!. And I think I had some soundtracks.
- What was your first fave song?
Puff the Magic Dragon. Peter, Paul, and Mary.
- Which song gives you that “funny nostalgic feeling” everytime you hear it?
Oh, lots of songs. Music has always been something to remember things by. There are songs that remind me of old friends, songs that remind me of old lovers. Songs that make me think of summers and adventures and places I like to be.
Leader of the Band always makes me think of my dad; ditto for Mr. Jones. Anything by White Lion makes me think of this guy I knew in college; Lost Little Girl makes me recall a totally different ex. November Rain is a purple corvette and two best friends, one of whom I was dating and the other I actually liked. It wasn’t love, not then, not that young. Losing My Religion was my first summer away from home, not college but something like it. Closer still reminds me of that rough patch, but Carolina in my Mind and Back in Black bring back the most delightful halcyon days of young adulthood.
- Name the first concert you ever went to.
I worked out at the local ampitheatre in high school, and that’s how I got to see concerts. The first one I worked (and kind of got to see) was something really dumb like Billy Ray Cyrus or Jimmy Buffett. The first show I got to go to (off tickets scored by working there) was Mötley Crüe.
- What do you consider the worst song of all time?
Sweet Caroline. That song is vile and was put on earth to torture me.
- Name your fave song at the moment.
The Cure’s Burn or maybe All Cats Are Grey or perhaps Faith or possibly Wrong Number… this could go on a while.
- What is the most recent album/CD/Cassette you purchased?
I bought the new Avril Lavigne CD for K’s Xmas. And since that’s potentially embarassing, I’ll fess up: The last thing I purchased for myself was the Transsiberian Orchestra’s The Lost Christmas Eve which is Christmas music… and sort of heavy rocky guitary. But, like, hair band guitar not Slayer guitar. It’s very… enthusiastic. And for some reason I love it.
- Which song will you never get sick of hearing?
Probably Carolina on my Mind or The Boxer. Both songs I’ve adored for more than 20 years. And I’m certain I’ll never get sick of hearing any of The Cure’s songs. I can listen to them over and over again.
- What is your current fave music video?
Oh, that’s easy. The Wall.
- If you could be a famous music artist, what type of music would you produce?
Rock of some sort. Or folk songs. And if it was folk songs it might involve puppets. Because if you’re writing folk music, you might as well write it for children. They’re a much more appreciative audience than the grown-ups, who will mostly make fun of you.