Where Were You When…

The topic for this week’s Friday Flashback is What big cultural event occurred during your childhood/youth that you recall clearly? What was its impact on you?

Several “big” events immediately popped into my mind - the Challenger explosion (I was home sick from 6th grade watching the Price is Right- specifically, the yodeling mountain climber- when the show was interrupted by video images of the fiery explosion), Charles and Diana’s wedding (I watched it in my aunt’s basement in the wee hours of the morning, marveling at Diana’s train floating down the aisle and wishing to marry a prince one day), and Ronald Reagan’s assassination attempt.

However, the most vivid memories I have as a child were pop culture and fashion-related. (C’mon. Does that surprise you? It’s WHOORL we’re talking about here.)

Do you all remember these events as well as I do?

Watching the birth of MTV, with the inaugural video being Video Killed The Radio Star.

Classifying myself as a Valley Girl. “Like, you are tubular to the max.”

Hiding behind a pillow while viewing Thriller for the first time.

Drinking my first Jolt Cola.

My first pair of Jellies shoes.

Wanting to mack down with Charlie Sheen in Lucas. (That makes me cringe a little.)

Mix and matching the “perfect” Units outfit while getting ready for school.

The Three Men And A Baby ghost hiding in the curtain rumor. Freaked my shit out.

Dude, one word. FROGGER. (Also, did any of you play River Raid on Atari? My dad scored the highest score ever. We had to take a photo of him standing next to the good ol’ RCA television to send in. I would KILL for that photo right now.)

I remember distinct details of the above mentioned. What about you, though? What events from your youth are emblazoned on your brain? Anything goes!

Don’t forget to check out these other participants, as I can promise their posts are way more poignant than my banter about Jolt Cola. (Although, that shit was WICKED COOL. Admit it.)

Sweetney
Her Bad Mother
Mrs. Flinger
Mamalogues
Oh the Joys

Hair Thursday Coming Soon…Packing Hysteria Takes Precedence

Hair Thursday is going to be late due to the fact that I’m leaving for Boston at 5:45 IN THE MORNING. I’m not sure if you have noticed with Daylight Savings Time, but 5:45 IN THE MORNING is a very dark time. Very night-like.

My current packing situation looks like this:

In clockwise order from top left: D’s pile of shit, Whoorl’s pile of shit, Wito’s pile of shit.

This East Coast weather thing has me all sorts of confused. Temperature in the 40’s, possibly the 50’s, possible rain, possible snow, possible sun, possible wind gusts, possible GOD HELP ME JUST TELL ME WHAT TO WEAR.

All of my shoes were meant to be worn on bare feet. I don’t have socks, people. This is one of the side effects of living in the land of warm sunshine. You abandon socks! The liberation!

I was advised to bring gloves. Negative, Ghostrider. In fact, I don’t even own a winter coat that isn’t under 6 years old.

Anyhoo, mass confusion at this here point in time.

Maybe I’ll finish Hair Thursday tomorrow night when it’s midnight and I’m wondering why I can’t sleep.

(Another stressful issue: It is almost midnight in Boston! Yet, I just ate dinner here! Confusion!)

This Is Going To Be A Problem

Hello! I came this close to flashing my nether regions to my neighbors this morning!

I also went grocery shopping! Without my wallet! This unfortunate fact became crystal clear while standing in the checkout line. Did I mention it was 5pm? Clearly not the best time to interact with the masses while wrangling a toddler, since most early evening grocery shoppers HATE BABIES.

Let’s drink. And eat candy.

I’m forming a bad habit. A habit that involves Haribo Gummi Bears, which frankly, is surprising, given the lack of candy around our house.

You see, D hates candy. He loves chocolate, but the sugary Willy Wonka-type stuff makes him quite surly. In fact, I have a theory that he’s suppressed some horrible, nightmarish memory involving candy from his childhood. I mean, he’s just so WEIRD about it, all up in my face, “Did you BUY those Lemonheads? Huh? How did THAT happen?”

Freak.

During a parental visit several years ago, we happened upon a fantastic candy shop. Of course, MY family (owners of the infamous candy drawer) started salivating like dogs at the thought of salt water taffy, imported black licorice (blech, but my dad loves it) and old school delights. As we sprinted towards the candy baskets, D stood outside the entrance looking like he had just smelled a vicious fart. I asked him what his deal was, and he responded, “I think I’ll just wait out here. I mean, it’s CANDY.” (insert judgemental snobbery)

LIKE ENTERING THE CANDY SHOP WAS SO BENEATH HIM. He stood outside the entire time. (Probably checking out his reflection in the candy shop window.)

Sometimes, I wonder about my mental faculties on the day I accepted his marriage proposal.

However, I must admit, I think he’s on to something. Whenever I eat candy, I always feel like shit afterwards- my stomach cramps, my head aches, etc. So, we just don’t buy it. The end.

Well, as I was perusing the aisles of Target a couple of weeks ago, I notice some Haribo Gummi Bears beckoning me from afar. I figured what the hell, threw them in the cart, and brought those puppies home with me.

Somehow, these Gummi Bears have become candied encouragement while practicing my guitar. (Did I mention I am taking classical guitar lessons? And that it’s killing me slowly? Yet, I CAN’T QUIT YOU, RAMÓN.) Every time I screw up (which is A LOT OF THE TIME), I pop one in my mouth and carry on like a wayward son.

My whole point is this:

My tummy hurts. Send help.

Friday Flashback

Some very fine ladies started a discussion this week about starting a new feature on fridays, entitled Friday Flashback, with the the first topic being “How [insert band here] Changed My Life”. There was no need to twist my arm, as I was in like Flynn. (Of course, when Catherine and Tracey come a-callin’, you don’t ask questions.)

(Except, um, I did ask many questions of Catherine. MANY QUESTIONS. How? What? When? Why are we all here, Catherine? What in the hell is going on with Penny and Desmond?! TELL ME NOW.)

On first thought, I was sure this would be a breeze! So, I started thinking….

How The Cure Changed My Life.

I was a sullen mess who only wore black with ripped-up jeans. I liked boys with long hair on one side and short hair on the other. The End.

Hmm, not much more on that one.

Okay, okay. How Red Red Wine by UB40 Changed My Life.

Spring Break Padre Island 1989. I kissed a hottie Senior when I was a Freshman. My plane was also struck by lightning on the way back - I figured it was my punishment. The end.

Wait, but that doesn’t encompass me as a whole! How about Hold Me Now by the Thompson Twins? When I didn’t get picked to dance at my youth assemblies? The REJECTION.

Good Lord. At this rate, we could be here all day. (It’s so hard! SO HARD.)

So, without further ado, I give you my altered Friday Flashback topic of the week (because, obviously, I ask too many questions AND can’t follow the rules) :

Songs From My Childhood/Young Adulthood That Have Made Deep Imprints On My Tiny Brain. (With bonus YouTube videos!)

When I was a weee little one

Lido Shuffle - Boz Skaggs
Taking It To The Streets - The Doobie Brothers
Hey Nineteen-Steely Dan

Grade school rocks

Maneater - Daryl Hall & John Oates
Gloria - Laura Branigan
We Got The Beat - Go-Go’s
I Love Rock-n-Roll - Joan Jett
Love Is A Battlefield - Pat Benatar
Time - Culture Club

Middle school through high school

Glory of Love - Peter Cetera (HELL YEAH MR. MIYAGI)
Never Tear Us Apart - INXS
I Touch Roses - Book OF Love
Careless Whisper - Wham
Blue Monday - New Order
La La Love You - Pixies
Fascination Street - The Cure
Angel - Morrissey
Step On - Happy Mondays
Bring On The Dancing Horses - Echo & The Bunnymen
Come Back Down - Toad The Wet Sprocket
The Only One I Know - Charlatans UK

College Years

Things - Paul Westerberg
The Mango Song - Phish
Goodbye - The Sundays
Diner - Widepsread Panic
Crash - Dave Matthews Band

This has GOT to be the world record for linked YouTube videos.

Looking for more musical flashbacks? Check out these other kick ass participants:

Sweetney
Her Bad Mother
Oh The Joys
Mamalogues
Mrs. Flinger
IzzyMom
Girl’s Gone Child
Mom-101

What about you? What songs/artists have branded your brain for life?

Barracuda Blowout

Seriously, Barracuda is my new anthem. Within 1.24 seconds of opening my eyes this morning, there it was.

BumbadadumbadadumbadadumbadadumBABUMBUM….

I hopped out of bed, showered, and proceeded to blow my hair straight for the first time since last year. (On a RAINY DAY, no less.) Turns out, it’s not so 70’s rocker when I blow it straight.

Suddenly I morphed into Simon Cowell, brazenly critiquing my hair for playing it too safe. I mean, COME ON, are you going to bring it OR NOT?! At least the Ann Wilson has some originality!

Whatevs.

All in all, I’m pleased- it’s like the best of both worlds. Meeting with world dignitaries? I think I would go with the blowout. A normal day at the beach followed by margaritas? Totally rocking the Ann.

And the world is right again.

Barracuda

Hair Thursday will be postponed until next week, giving Whoorl ample time to mourn the loss of her dearly beloved subtle layers, resulting from an extremely rare miscommunication with her unbelievably awesome stylist. She requests time to become acquainted with her new Ann Wilson quasi-mullet hybrid.

Currently, Whoorl’s mental state is touch and go. She was last seen drinking many glasses of wine, repeatedly murmuring “Is this your doing, Ramón? Is it? I’m just trying to understand, are you my magic man?”

Whoorl’s front quarter sections of hair will be dearly missed. Respects may be paid throughout the day in her comments section.

Hey Nancy, is that my hair twin?

The Universe Is Talking

It’s urging me to reconsider the title of “Hair Expert”.

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