Léna is also a Regional Manager for Writopia Lab whose mission is to foster joy, literacy, and critical thinking in kids and teens from all backgrounds through creative writing.

"Well, the question is, what do you want to believe? Do you want to live in a world where things are possible, or in one where they aren't?" Cin, Edges.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Wierd Al . . . And Me.


Last night's bed-time story for the boys was another chapter of The Return of the King: The Ride of the Rohirrim. Tonight we needed something funny, so we eschewed Tolkien for Wierd Al Yankovic and Youtube. Yes, Weird Al, king of musical parody from the late '80's and early '90's slowly turned our giggles into hysterics as we first watched the original Michael Jackson's BEAT IT (hilarious in and of itself) followed by the timeless EAT IT.

"Can we watch more mom?" they pleaded, and I complied. (Yes it was a joy to share something from my youth, but it also helped me procrastinate from blogging!) We watched Nirvana's Smell's Like Teen Spirit, and then Wierd Al's Smells Like Nirvana. Kurt Cobain is known to have said that he knew they made it after hearing Wierd Al's satire.

Here is my thought for tonight: What constitutes my Wierd Al parody, and how do I not take myself too seriously?

I'll admit that I was anxiously avoiding the blog because I thought I had nothing to write about - especially since I had been so effervescent in my last blog about finishing the first draft of my WIP, and that I was going to start revising and ripping it to shreds. I printed it out, but haven't had time to even look at more than the first scene. I could write a long list of all of my other obligations, but I won't bother, because I know that you have them too, I am not alone in this balancing act.

I have to take my writing seriously, otherwise no-one else will, but I also need to keep a sense of humor, and wear life like a loose garment.

So thank you Wierd Al, for inspiring this blog and for reminding me not to stress out about blogging, that it is meant to be a fun, social networking, spiritual exercise. (Now can you help me find time to work on my novel's next draft?)

13 comments:

  1. Before theatre performances, my college friends and I would do our own little bizarre litany, including such greats as "Chaka Kahn, pray for us." I wonder if Weird Al can be our literary patron saint, or our sense of humor patron saint. I guess he is if we make him so. Weird Al, pray for us.

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  2. My son is obsessed with Weird Al. On our way to school every morning, that's what he wants to listen to. Sometimes I forget to turn it off and find myself all alone in the car at a stoplight listening to Yoda. I will admit that I also enjoy it--UHF being one of my fav films--but it's a bit much at 8 AM.

    That being said, I love walking up to my brothers and yelling, "You found the marble in the oatmeal! You lucky, lucky little boy! You get to drink from the--"

    And having all of them yell "Firehouse!" in response. Nice.

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  3. I forgot, the upside to the Weird Al thing? Gryphon then wants to hear the original songs. His playlist has become quite...varied.

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  4. Where have you guys been all my life? Honestly. Patron Saint? Love it! Varied playlists for kids? A complete necessity! The humor you two share? Priceless! (uh-oh, did I just sound like a commercial?)

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  5. I declare we've found each other at just the right moment! And yes, you sounded just like a commercial . . . for awesomeness :).

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  6. Ha! We've been heavy on the Weird Al in our house ever since Michael Jackson died. We've even been getting DVDs of his old TV show to watch.

    Blogging is hard! Sometimes I get great ideas that flow from my brain and through my fingers with little effort, and sometimes I'm stumped for ideas. I aim to post at least twice a week on my main blog (http://technoearthmama.com).

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  7. Thank you for humoring me, and for your humor! We have so much fun, don't we?

    And to technoearthmama - blogging twice a week sounds much more sane than every other day, but I'm growing through it! Thanks for letting me know you IDENTIFY!!!

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  8. "Wear life like a loose garment." I think that might have to go on my office wall. Too often I wear life that chafes and leaves elastic marks on my skin. Sentences like that one make me eager to read your book. Looking forward to December.

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  9. I need that reminder ALL the time!

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  10. Hey Lena! Great entry - I've had to catch up on a few at a time 'cause I've been out of the loop.

    I wanted you to know that "Weird Al in 3D" was the first tape I ever bought!

    When I got older I made up my own Weird Al cover; maybe this is some insight into what constitutes one: "I been cut shaving once...when I was five..." Jane's Addiction!

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  11. Steve - yet another reason we are so sympatico! I love Been Caught Shaving . . . I can hear it!

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