Mix tape

For reference purposes only

Sure, the members of the current generation will have always had cable, iPods, and smart phones.  Yet, I feel sorry for them.  They will never experience the joy and significance of receiving/sending a mix tape.

Song selection on a mix tape is an art.  What was the intention of including the Psychedelic Furs?  Is there a deeper meaning behind the inclusion of "Bridge Over Troubled Waters"?  What the hell- "Enjoy the Silence"???  But, I digress.  Creating a playlist is too easy.  All one has to do is click and drag, then click another button to burn the playlist to a CD.  Where is the effort?  Where is the heart and soul of creating a mix tape for someone?  Before, one had to scour one's collection (or wait for the damn song to be played on the radio), queue up the song, and wait until the time was right to stop recording.  The creator had to pay attention!  It's a tragedy, really.  I would totally bring the art form back, but I haven't had a cassette player (much less a dual deck) in over a decade.  *Sigh*

As a reference for all you youngins out there, this is the significance... (Oh, some language in this one.)

So, to those of you who have ever given me a mix tape, thank you for taking the time to do so. You know who you are. ;)

368

I made a promise to myself that I would have something published by the time I was 40.  That clock just keeps tick, tick, ticking away.  I find myself creating excuses instead of words.  I can blame everything else (work, self-employment, kids, husband, house, sunshine, rain, migraines, James Bond, carpal tunnel, volunteer hours, meetings, teaching, bills, the baggage retrieval system at Heathrow), but deep down, it's just me.  If I'm truly serious about this, it's time to stop dicking around.  I have 368 days left to prove something to myself.  I need to get out of my own way and get it done.

How I Feel Watching Game of Thrones with Tim (who actually read the books and knows what's going to happen)

Me: Who kills King Joffrey?
Tim: What do you mean?
M: In the end.  Is it Robb?  Stanus?  Who?
T: No one.  No one kills King Joffrey.  He lives.
M: He wins?!?  Jesus, Tim, what'd you make me watch this for?
T: I think we'd better stop.  You're taking this very seriously.
M:  No.  I'm OK. I'll finish watching.

Old meme; new twist

She doesn't believe marshmalows are a main dish.
She'll make you put away your bike after every ride.
She'll make you eat what you asked for, even if you don't want it anymore.

She is...
The Meanest Mommy in the World

He can't remember what he did earlier today, yet...

Conversation with Flynn, while looking at a picture of a bee

Flynn: I was stung by a bee once. [This was last summer, BTW.]
Me: Yes, you were.  Do you remember why?
F: No.
M: You tried to move it to the other side of the yard.  Bees don't like that.
F: And Drake made me a Kraken. [Drake drew a picture of a Kraken to cheer him up.]
M: Yes, he did.  To make you feel better.
F:  What I really needed was an ice pack.

He's Serious

Flynn: Drake, I want some pretzels.
Me: Flynn, what is the "P" word Drake needs to hear?
Flynn: Paleontologist.
Me: hahahahahahaha
Flynn: [a little hurt]  You don't have to laugh about it, Mommy.
Me: But, it was a funny joke.
Flynn: It wasn't a joke.  I'm serious.

Where's the pause button?

I have a few minutes before the next class begins to sit still.  I haven't been able to do this much lately.  The new quarter started, and with it, I am teaching two classes and the business starts in nine schools.  Momentum is building.  I've never been so happy to be so stressed out.