This song put me in a great mood this morning (quite a feat, while stuck in rush hour traffic). I dare you to watch this video and not tap your foot and sing along. Happy Wednesday.
La la la, singing la la la. I’m so happy I’m singing la la la…
La La Blues, by Pokey LaFarge
I was in line at a clothing store this afternoon, waiting patiently to make my return. In front of me in line was an adorable little girl, waiting for her mom to make her purchase. The little girl was probably about 8 years old, and had far more fashion sense then I’ve ever had. Skinny jeans, chambray shirt, wingtip oxfords, and the perfect high-top bun.
The little 8 going on 25 year old diva was passing the time by oogling the racks of jewelry near the checkout, pausing occasionally to sing along to a song on the radio.
I don’t have kids. I’m not even married, so kids or how kid-appropriate something is rarely enters my psyche. But as I watched this little girl, singing along to the Top 40s hits on the radio, I realized how odd it is to have an innocent little human not only dressed like a 20-something, but also singing lyrics about lost love, drinking in clubs, and one-night stands. It was one of those scary moments that made me terrified to have children.
But then, a Bruno Mars song came on: Just the way you are…
The little girl’s eyes lit up when this song started, and she sang along louder and with more energy than all of the other songs. She owned the lyrics:
When I see your face
There’s not a thing that I would change
‘Cause you’re amazing
Just the way you are
And when you smile
The whole world stops and stares for a while
‘Cause girl you’re amazing
Just the way you are
Cool huh? What great words for a little girl (or any girl) to hear, to sing, and to own.
You are amazing just the way you are.
Feeling grateful today. Things aren’t perfect, but they are pretty damn good. Here are a few pictures of the things that make life that much more awesome.
(Even though 50% of my bobble-heads are no longer wearing green and gold…)
(Everyone needs a few folks who really understand them – even if they live miles apart.)
(Smile.)
(Haven’t quite outgrown roommates. Embracing it.)
(Love this little person. And her mom.)
(Will always be home.)
While at the grocery store, deciding which bunch of bananas to buy… an elderly man walked up behind me, singing, “Please don’t squeeze the banana, please don’t squeeze the banana! If you squeeze, officer please, squeeze the coconut!”
I was only slightly less concerned after I googled it…
Is it just me, or do people in my generation (Millennial hat) have an annoying verbal crutch. I’m quite sure we have more than one (speaking acronyms, for instance… lolz), but my eyes were opened to one in particular while at a conference this week.
Many of the young, hip, likeable speakers followed every few sentences with the word, right. Sometimes it would sound inquisitive as in, “am I right?” but other times it would be purely declarative in nature as in, “obviously, I am right.” Strange.
Once I became aware of the this verbal tick I began hearing it all over the place. TV, friends, videos, young professionals… I even caught myself saying it. But why? Is it a blatant display of narcissism? Have we all turned into sleazy business men from the ’80s? Or maybe, and most likely, this is a product of the lowest common denominator pop culture. Sort of like the modern-day Valley Girl… Totally, for sure, I even got a manicure… the sun, I swear, is bleaching out my gorgeous hair!
(I can’t believe my brain retained that cheer from elementary school, but for the life of me, I can’t remember the stupid 3 digit security code on the back of my Visa card.)
#hatbyhat
I love music (music lover, that’s a hat to wear proudly). I like to think that I inherited my impeccable taste in music from both my mother and my father… though, throughout my twenties, my father and I forged a special bond around music.
Sometimes things get a little weird between fathers and daughters when daughters go to college–the once innocent little girl gets a drinking ticket her freshman year (officer, it wasn’t my fault…) or moves in with her boyfriend in a far away city. When it got difficult to talk about the ways our relationship was changing, we latched onto our mutual appreciation of music. Not just any music– but good music. He and I generally have the same musical taste, and are both drawn to musicians that pair interesting composition with poignant, precise prose. Example A: Please Come Home, by SHEL (a video my dad shared with me, only a few hours ago). Enjoy!
