The story of these Chilean miners is absolutely nothing short of a miracle.
My brain’s made a connection between that and this song.
“Sing a song” / Earth, Wind & Fire (1975)
This week I will make a journey into the deepest, deepy depths of the unknownest unknown:
I’m going to my storage unit.
When I moved back here over a year ago, my intentions were clear: this was just a way station, a brief layover between my latest and greatest adventures. Living at home with the folks would be nice for awhile, I figured, but it wouldn’t last long. So I stowed an apartment’s-worth of belongings in a space that would probably not even comfortably hold a Smart Car. I left out the things I thought I’d need – clothes. Shoes. Toothbrush. Glasses – and bid my things adieu. I assumed I’d be seeing them again shortly, when I loaded them back into a truck for my next move.
And see them shortly I did. When I moved back into my childhood bedroom and unpacked one or two suitcases, I realized that there was a lot of things I’d be needing that were now about 2 miles down the road.
I made twice-weekly trips back to the unit in those first few weeks, and became frustrated to the point of near-rage each time. The labels I’d so carefully applied to each box turned out to be useless. I could not find anything, and ended up tearing through eight boxes just to find, say, my computer’s mouse. I dreaded returning and stopped going altogether. I would remember something that I needed but didn’t have – earmuffs, for example – and the thought of having to go back to that musty old metal box was enough to drive my blood pressure up sixty dozen notches. Because of this, I’ve learned to live without much of the “stuff” that I previously thought I “needed” so badly.
This is great on two levels: First, it’s nice in that tree-hugging-hippie kind of way. Though I’m not currently possession-less by ANY stretch of the imagination, I’m realizing that I’ve blown much of my money of some pretty frivolous junk in my day (shampoo and conditioner?). Second, and perhaps more exciting, is that if I ever do end up moving this crap into another living space, it’s gonna be like freakin’ CHRISTMAS when I unpack. I honestly cannot remember half of what’s stowed away in there, just that it’s basically whatever I (thought I) needed to furnish an apartment for six years. Dishes? Pots and pans? Silverware? I assume it’s all there, and yet I’m starting to forget these things exist.
The purpose for my journey this week is to dig out some winter clothes. Thankfully, I’m about 97% sure where they’re located within the storage unit’s bowels. Having not seen any of these items since about March, I plan on being pleasantly surprised when that duffel bag spills open.
Merry Christmas to me!
A special song for a special day! Ha!
“Why Don’t We Get Drunk?” / Jimmy Buffett (1973)
Also, this song was stuck in my noggin because I’m preparing a list of songs for some friends’ wedding reception. The jury’s still out on this one. (to C-Dawg: just kidding!… maybe…) 😉
I’ve got the Concert in Central Park album and it’s grrrrreat (Tony the Tiger voice). Also, this is a nice video if you’d like to watch and perhaps roll yourself a joint and pretend you’re there, just ignore the scrolling credits.
“Late in the Evening” / Simon and Garfunkel (1982)
I’ve heard this song a lot lately. Sorry for the crap video, but this is the version that’s been stuck in my head – not this “Live at the Mirage” schtuff.
Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down) / Cher (1972)
I love Buddy Holly. And yes, I know that I rarely start one of these posts by saying “I hate…” or “I don’t like…”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veyPHzxNjog
“Not Fade Away” / Buddy Holly and the Crickets (1957)
Also, if I was alive in the 50s, I’m pretty sure I would be one of those girls who swoon to see him in concert. Like, literally pass out.
I don’t have nearly enough showtunes on this.
This is also my favorite musical.
“What’s the Buzz” / from Jesus Christ Superstar (originally 1970, this is the 1973 film)
lyrics by Tim Rice, music by Andrew Lloyd Weber
goes down smoother than… something really smooth. gotta love that sweet Philadelphia sound, no?
“La La (Means I love you)” / The Delfonics (1968)
“Eyes” / Rogue Wave (2006)
I now have two friends of my approximate age that have not one, but two offspring – these are children they birthed themselves, not unattended babies taken from grocery stores.* These are also women who have jobs for which they had to study very hard for a number of years. They are in the process of (or have recently finished!) studying for another degree. They live in houses with their husbands and pets and are productive members of society. They are, in a word, superhuman.
To Mellie and Kate, I tip my hat to you today -and every day. When I grow up, I’d like to be like you.
And while it hopefully goes without much saying, to all of my friends who have somehow found it within them to have a child and/or secure gainful employment and/or find the love of your life and wed – I’d like to be like you, too.
*Don’t laugh at that, that’s not funny.
the sloppy copy 