Christmas brings out the stupid lyrics

Frankly, there is nothing more beautiful than a well-sung Christmas carol. Whereas I am accustomed to listening to the elegant as well as the traditional hokey carols, there are certain songs that I just can't hack.

The songs that grate my nerves the most are the ones with the stupid lyrics. Although, in saying that, I must add that songs sung by adults who pretend to be children, or, by adults who pretend to be animals, or, songs sung by cats, dogs or monkeys also bug the hell out of me. I also can't stand super sappy songs, like that one about the Christmas shoes. I understand that this makes me cold and insensitive, but, I never claimed to be nice.

The Beach Boys' "Little St. Nick" aggravates me to no end. The line that does it every time is: "Christmas comes this time each year." Um, yeah. It sure does. At least, that's what my calendar says. Why state the obvious? Were the creative forces behind the Beach Boys that hard up for a line?

In the 1980s hit by Band Aid, called "Do they know it's Christmas?" there are plenty of what I'd consider stupid lyrics. This song, released in the mid-80s, was written by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure, who collected a group of their British chums (including the likes of Sting, The Police, U2, Culture Club...) in order to create a song that would help to fight the famine in Africa. It was a nice idea, however, knowing that the song was written as a relief for the famine in Africa, one has to question the true meaning of these lyrics. The title, alone, wreaks of ignorance. "Do they know it's Christmas?" I'm assuming here, but, since Christmas is a holiday which celebrates the birth of Christ, and is, in fact, a Christian holiday (let's not even get into the history of that right now), it would be safe to assume that the Africans who were affected by the famine were not Christians (although, Western Religion has made its way to Africa, it's by no means the central religion of the region).

How is it that a song meant to raise funds to help the starving can also belittle them and still be played each year? Take a look at the following lyrics: "Well, tonight thank God it's them instead of you." Granted, this line was written so that the world (or Britain) would appreciate the fact that it isn't starving... but it still seems rather ill-intended. The next awful line (or two), "Here's to you, raise a glass for everyone. Here's to them, underneath that burning sun." is hideous as well. The message: Here are these poor Africans, starving, so, let's drink and toast to them.

Finally, and this is the worst line in the song... "And there won't be snow in Africa this Christmas time." Yeah. Um... would someone please tell Bob and Midge that Africa NEVER gets snow?

Now, before you go on to assume that I'm a complete Grinch, keep in mind that I love songs like "Silent Night" and "Hark the Herald Angels" and "The Messiah." It's not that I hate Christmas, I just hate stupid songs. And if I have to hear that hippopotamus song, or the freakin' chipmunks or "Grandma got runover by a reindeer" one more time, something's going down.

Not Made in America

As I go through life, I sometimes find things to be, well, not right. This bag of doggy treats is a prime example of something that is not right.

"American Rawhide Chews" that are made in Mexico.

Interesting, to say the least.

Just hanging out

Here I am, hanging out.

A Zetti style Deco

I had to make two Zetti-style Decos for a swap, and this was my paper-doll version! I loved making her skirt and matching hat! I really like the Zetti style and wish I spent more time making these things!

Annie's Birthday

Yesterday was Annie's birthday. She's now five-years-old! She asked me the night before her birthday, "When I'm five, when I wake up, will I be able to swim?"

I had to laugh. I seem to recall birthdays holding magic like that, too. It's too bad that magic has to fade. Wouldn't life be grand if it were magical?

My friends, Missi, Troy and Alli hosted the party for Annie. I am so blessed to have such good friends! The party became a pony pool party, and it was good fun for all!

As far as my broken relationship is concerned, each day is a struggle. It's very difficult to understand why this has happened, especially when I thought all was quite well. I wish I knew what was going through his head... but... I can't... and even if I could... I doubt that would change anything.

Life isn't always fair, but, at least it's life.

Life is not always great

Today has totally sucked, for lack of a better way of saying it. I can't believe my relationship with Ed is over. I can't believe he cheated on me. I'm no Hilary Clinton, and I can't accept it. (Well, I'm no Hilary Clinton for many many reasons... including her strength, intelligence and perseverance.)

So, I'm thinking about having to enter into the whole dating arena again, and it really sickens me. I don't want to do that. I like my comfort zone way too much! What I'm really saying is that I will be single forever now.

Why? Because this experience was one bad experience too many for me. I don't think I can handle any more.

The weather outside is wickedly thunderous. I think I'll go to bed and know that "tomorrow is always fresh, with no mistakes in it." There's some good "Green Gables" for ya!

A Homemade Whirligig

My father has been making these ever since I bought him a $2 "how-to-make whirligigs" book at a garage sale. He carves them himself, and, frankly, I think they are exquisite! My father is a perfectionist when he does anything, so these are as perfect as you can imagine! If you want one, contact me!

The windmill portion spins, the woman's arms go up and down, as does the churner, and it also spins from its base, so it acts as a weather vane, as well! These things are spectacular!

NYC Planet Hollywood

PenPals, Decos, FBs and more!

Click to join Andyspenpals

An Older Find

I found this doll at a garage sale years ago. I still don't know any more about him. Can you help me to identify it?

Flea Market Find

Look at what I found in a $3 stack of ephemera today!! Isn't this just the coolest? Based on the outfit and hair, I'd say this is Civil War era, for sure!! What do YOU think??? It's copper on the backside, by the way... and since my old photo knowledge is nil... would this be a tin type??? I wouldn't think so... but it is a metal photo.

Baby Tigger

This is the little guy Annie calls Baby Tigger. He's more of a beanie Tigger, but, he's soft and fleece like her other one. Gund is the company that made these. They've not been made since 2001.

Tigger

I wish I could make this bigger... but this is THE Tigger... the ONLY Tigger that Annie knows. When she watches Winnie the Pooh, she sees THAT Tigger, but he's not the same to her. Bless her little heart!!

Tigger and Annie

This is, perhaps, the oldest surviving photograph of Annie with Tigger. Her classic Tigger is still her best friend and I'm sure she'll treasure him forever. She loved him instantly, and we've gone through about six or seven of them. I don't know how they become lost, but, I'm always on the search for new ones... for prosperity's sake... and for Annie's sake!!

Must be time for bed!

My sweet little baby isn't so little anymore... but she's still sweet... when she wants to be!! These are about four years old!!

Just thinking...

I've often wondered if anyone reads my blog. I'm not so good at keeping up with it, though part of that has to do with the vertigo I've been battling for the past two weeks. Prior to that, I blame the end of the semester workload.

At any rate, I do like to know that people read this. I was glad to see someone commented on the India-Tibet Deco I'd made. Thank you for your compliments!

I'd like to keep links on this page, but, as a blogger newbie, I'm not quite sure how to create that type of a section. I have the feeling it has more to do with the layout I chose. If anyone can help me with this little task, please comment!

I've found some old magazines, old found photos and other ephemera as I was cleaning this past weekend, and I think I just might share some of the cool stuff with you. We'll see what happens...

poetry

Taken
Your eyes
-- flitting
Golden
and flitting
Not giving me a chance
to see them for
any amount of time
There in the gut
lies recycled adrenaline
which
nauseates and
irritates
Nothing is sacred when
you end my
sentences with
I
don't
care.
Goosebumps reach
each nook of flesh
and cause pit to squirm ill.
You wanted a pickle
I don't care.
(Something's awry when the pickles you purchase are wrapped in plastic and kept in a shoebox in the closet down the hall).

Apathy is
a sardonic
book allowing you
to speak but
showing your age and
lack of maturity and
lack of responsibility and
lack of respect.
A token of your
love reads
apathetic
indignity
indigent
apathetic
and the words
I write will go
unread
because
you will glance
or even read
but
you will never
understand
I want the adrenaline
to die or diminish
but it rests within
flowing more boldly
than blood.

-akalvig 2000

Alisdale Drive

-Alisdale Drive-

The wind whistles
a quasi-oriental lullaby
through the rusty steel-framed window
of my apartment and
I realize this is the first time
I’ve lived alone in this city.

I didn’t want a roommate.
I thought I’d get more studying done that way,
but this catharsis frightens me.
I can’t forget the feel of his hands
over my mouth
or his knees digging into my arms.

Plastic on the windows will keep out the draft.

By Amy Kalvig

A Poem For Memorial Day

Memorial Day

Picnics didn’t cease
when the dry pavement
became coated in mash.
Former life trickled
and mixed with it
while the cops
tried to figure out
what happened.

A fat lady with a pretty face
claimed a deer ran into
the path of the truck carrying oranges
so the driver swerved to miss it,
hitting the Budweiser truck
and forcing both off the road.

The cop took notes while the paramedics
placed two bodies on stretchers.

The Lincoln arrived on the scene
And the coroner jumped out.
“They’re dead,” he said. He handed the EMT
some papers, signed his name and headed back to his golf game.

“Let’s get this highway cleared,”
said the cop, kicking a few broken Bud bottles
off the pavement.

“What a waste,” said a man
in a dingy Monster truck t-shirt.
“What a waste.”

“Yeah,” the cop agreed,
picking up a broken Bud.
“Let’s get this highway cleared.”

New Decos and FBs

My artwork is sort of slipping, as I've been busy with the end of one semester and the start of a new semester! I'm not sure how I feel about the India and Tibet deco... but I know I love the Whitman one!