This morning, I finally realized the pregnancy hormones were in full effect when I got all choked up over Judy Collins’ rendition of Both Sides Now playing on the sound system at the Itaewon Starbucks.
You know, because I never really knew clouds … at all.
It’s not like I have any kind of youthful memories attached to the song. It came out in 1967, four years before I was born. I still went through a Judy Collins phase in junior high, wearing out my parents’ old copy of Hard Times for Lovers, which is probably what left me near tears.
The things I put them through.
I had a truly bizarre taste in music until at least late high school. In addition to the Judy phase, and my previously confessed dalliance with Loretta and Conway, the number of afternoons I spent playing ABBA’s Greatest Hits over and over probably drove my parents to secretly pray I’d fall in with the “wrong crowd” and take up some normal teenage activities, like illegal drag racing and underground tattoo art. At least it would have gotten me out of the house.
Fortunately, I proved to just be a late bloomer. My senior year, I started listening to REM, Sonic Youth, and the Smiths, mixing it up with a little Bon Jovi, on the side. (Hey, change doesn’t happen overnight! I still think “You Give Love a Bad Name” is a great song.)
That spring, my friends and I also discovered that the honor roll didn’t rate at all compared to the pleasures of skipping school to smoke and drink beer and amaretto sours out by the lake.
I’m gonna try to keep that in mind if this kid wants to spend hours in her room listening to nothing but Chris Isaak or the Miami Sound Machine.
{ 10 comments }
Kay 06.15.07 at 9:01 am
I can’t wait until Eli starts listening to music that I believe sounds like just noise. I know the day will come, but I do dread that. I hope that I can encourage his individuality.
However, he will never be allowed to wear anything with East Carolina University. Ever….
:-)
Your Little Brother 06.15.07 at 11:41 pm
Hilarious. Thanks for not mentioning who gave you the “how to smoke correctly” tutorial that year. ;)
Also, let’s not forget your Michael Jackson/Lionel Richie phase either…
Michelle 06.16.07 at 6:09 am
Her room? You know I’m doing a Snoopy dance.
Cat 06.16.07 at 7:17 am
Michelle,
Sorry. The “her room” should not be taken as a clue. We still don’t know. I just used the female pronoun because it was convenient, and I don’t like saying ‘it.’
Brother,
Eek! I think I really had blocked that out.
M- 06.16.07 at 7:51 am
I think the one we really worried about at the time was Prince. It was really confusing how a sweet honor student could be so infatuated with we weren’t sure what-but little red corvette didn’t sound very good, and what is purple rain anyway? I now (many years later) do appreciate his musical talent but that was after you were safe from the clutches of whatever we weren’t sure of.
Little bro’ has no room to talk-just remind him of MC Hammer & those parachute pants!
Love,
M-
Caro 06.16.07 at 8:58 am
See, this is why we know you are perfect for David! He and his sister used to filch collector’s quality Beatles LP’s at home. But there the resemblance to your family of origin breaks down a little: we ALL listened to the Rolling Stones (except WE remembered when Keith Richards was cute, sort of), and David’s mom-person was the connection to REM tickets way down up front for him and his sister. Anyway, you guys (and many of us in both families) enjoy many types of classical music. And we ALL love any manifestation of your pre-natal hormones you care to share. You humble us with your joy!
Michelle 06.18.07 at 9:49 am
You shouldn’t get my hopes up like that. ;
scotto 06.18.07 at 2:21 pm
i got a kid around here somewhere that your kid can play with sometime. LOL only like 9mos diff in age.
i’ll keep Yeun Soo updated on the countdown.
y’all are gonna dig it the most.
Your Little Brother 06.20.07 at 9:54 pm
HEY! You leave my parachute pants out of this! This is about Cathi and how weird SHE was…
And you still “can’t touch this”.
Uncle T 06.22.07 at 9:54 pm
Are there any photos of Little Brother in those parachute pants? I would love to see those!
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