So, last night, while I was bathing Lila, an interesting thought came to mind. I wonder what kind of music she will grow to like? Not an odd thought since we always listen to music while she takes a bath. (Last night's soundtrack included selections from Neil Young's After the Goldrush, The Shins' Chutes to Narrow, and Wilco's Yankee Hotel Foxtrot) Now, I often wonder how my little lady will develop as a person. You know, what activities will interest her, which toys will be her favorites, what foods she will gravitate too, how she will do in school, etc. But the one that intrigues me most is her budding taste in music. The reason for this is obvious. Both my husband and I are music junkies and, quite frankly, music snobs. That's right, our taste in music is better than yours. We know a lot about music and we listen to quite a stellar repertoire. Yep, seriously, snobs. Like we will make fun of the fact that you listen to people like Rhianna or Bruno Mars. I don't care how many records they sell. They suck. Talentless, voice-corrected, mass-produced crap.
So anyway, that is why her music education is important to us. We have exposed her to all sorts of great music since she was in the womb. Literally. I rocked the headphones on the belly each day for a good period and each night before bed. She loved Otis Redding and Paul McCartney/Beatles (just like her Mama!) to get us through the work day at the office. While I was prepping dinner she jabbed and kicked my uterus to the beat of bands like Band of Horses, Avett Brothers and artists as varied as Sinatra, Jeff Buckley, and Beck. And before bed she liked to wind down with a little Pavarotti, Billie Holiday, or Edith Piaf. So you can see, good taste is in her blood!
After I finished her bath and read her a story, I put her to bed, setting her mobile for one rotation of the classic Brahms Lullaby. Like the good baby she is, she was asleep in 5 minutes. So, I sat down and flicked on the TV. Before I could get to my DVR, I decided to quickly log onto Facebook and check my messages. What a coincidence! The topic du jour of my internet "friends" that was blowing up the Newsfeed? Music! Or something claiming to be music - in the form of the MTV VMA awards. So I tuned in to see what everyone was talking about. After all, some of these new artists may have an impact on Lila's musical journey.
Before I continue I feel the need for a few disclaimers:
1. MTV is a TV network that claims to be based on music. This is no longer true. Turn on MTV anytime of day and try to find music. I dare you. Not. Even. Possible. Videos? Gone. Shows about music? Gone. But you will find quality programming that includes seventy-five reality show/ soap operas. Most of them starring ugly ignorant "kids" (if 30 can be considered a kid) from Jersey fighting and vomiting on each other, or even better, insecure, underage knocked-up girls pleading to be loved from their absentee parents and uneducated boyfriends. Uh, quality music television at its best? Whatever MTV. You've officially jumped the shark.
And 2. Despite the fact that they no longer show any music videos, MTV still continues to hold an awards show honoring....wait for it....music videos. WTF? Why don't you just give awards for the songs or albums? That is all we can base our opinions on anyway. I mean when was the last time you saw an actual video without looking it up online? Foolish.
Anway, despite my disdain for MTV and their fraudulent claims of being a network devoted to music, I started to watch the awards. Oh. My. God. What a freakin' train wreck. Now, I understand that every generation has their "hipsters" and that artists try to be daring and show they are creative. But what does wearing a block of cheese on your head (or whatever the hell Katy Perry was going for) or dressing like a man for the night have to do with your music? Oh right, nothing! It just helps you sell records and get media attention. For the art.....ya, ok.
Other than a few acts that were talented and could sing/play instruments (like Beyonce and Adele ) everyone else was pathetic. Gaga, while I admit she has talent and her songs are catchy, utterly ruins any chance of me being a fan since she feels the need to wear outfits made of meat, appear on stage in an egg, or have a 5 minute soliloquy dressed as Joe Pesce from Goodfellas. How is any of this related to music? Maybe she got confused when she fell asleep at career day in school? A little less acting Gaga, and I will take your music seriously.
Other things that irk me? How all of a sudden everyone is retro. 1950's & 60's hair, clothes, and rhythms seem to be what's cool again...key word being AGAIN. Get some originality will ya? The 50's and 60's have cycled back ten times already, so no Bruno Mars, you are not the first person to copy the Elvis look. And trapezes! Why does everyone need to invoke Cirque Du Soleil in order to be considered a "good act?" I'm talking to you Chris Brown. Go back into hiding - no one missed you after the whole "I beat up girls" thing anyway! We already had Michael Jackson and Usher, we don't need you. And the biggest offender of all, Little Wayne. Come on! Don't get me wrong I am not a huge fan of rap, so I probably am not a good person to judge performance, but I do know two things. 1. If you need to use auto tune for an entire song, you shouldn't attempt singing. And 2. If MTV needs to bleep out every other word - literally - you need to go out and buy a dictionary and beef up your vocabulary. And don't tell me that is the style of rap - tons of rappers can make it through an entire song using only one or two elements of profanity for effect. If Eminem can do it, anyone can.
And why are all these rappers "Little" anyway? Little Wayne, Little John, Little Bow Wow. Ok, I understand the last one because he was a kid rapper at the time. But the other two? And now that I think of it - don't they both have the Milli Vanilli dreads, hats, sunglasses, and grills? Hmmm....are they the same person? You know what - who cares, really.
By the time I got to the end of the show (I had to keep watching - it was so bad I couldn't look away!) I was too tired to even mock the scream fest that was Young the Giant. Um, who? Yeah - exactly. So many people I couldn't recognize. Even Katie Holmes had to pretend she knew who the nominees were for the best new artist award she was presenting. And we all know how good of an actor she is.....
So I see that I truly have an uphill battle to secure my daughter's musical education. I have to make sure she gets exposed to all the good music out there, past and present. I have to make sure she appreciates things like real melodies and harmonies, musical instruments that don't come out of a computer, and poignant and clever lyrics. Because if I leave it to current radio stations and MTV, she may think that Britney Spears actually does deserve a lifetime achievement award.
Seriously MTV? Go BLEEP yourself.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Mission Impossible
Lately I have an itch.
An itch to get the hell out of Dodge.
Both Ken and I have come to the realization that we have our own version of the 7 year itch. Except we are not itching to get away from each other. We are just itching to get away! Yes, we feel it is time to find a new location where we can settle and grow our family. A place a little farther away from all the hustle and bustle. A place with a few more trees and few less illegally parked cars. A place just a tad less congested, where my neighbors actually feel like neighbors and not roommates. Not that I don't love the sound of screeching car alarms and domestic brawls when I am trying to get my infant to sleep, I mean who wouldn't find that soothing? But seriously, as I get older, and now that I am a mother, I think I have outgrown the concrete jungle that is my current location and am ready for a little more open space. Give me land!
So we are looking. We are looking at, dare I say it, Towns! Nice communities with some action, but mostly grass and trees. Far enough away that people have to call to come visit, but not so far that no one ever will. Towns with friendly people, good schools, and a good community. Bigger houses, bigger yards, and smaller populations!
Sounds perfectly simple doesn't it? Well every dream has a price, and this one don't come cheap! All of those wonderful aforementioned criteria come at a cost. And seeing that we live in Massachusetts, a ridiculous, blow-you-out-of-the-water, kind of cost. I love New England, and I would never leave. But for the love of God, our housing market is high! Even in this recession! Lately, I obsessively watch that HGTV show House Hunters. It is somewhat depressing - houses across the country are HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS LESS than in Massachusetts. Three and four bedroom houses in the 150-250K range. Here, anything decent doesn't go below 350K! It's insanity. But it's the price we pay to be from a great Blue state, and you know what, to me it's worth it!
So what do you do? You tighten the purse strings. You sit down, you be an adult, and you financially plan. And we have. We've set up IRAs and Money Markets, and Savings Accounts and diligently put decent sums of money into them every month. And they are accruing. But not fast enough for me! Have you meant me? I am the woman that wants everything yesterday. When I have a goal, I lock onto it (some would say obsessively, I say passionately) and attack it from every possible angle.
So in addition to just saving, I thought it would be smart to also try and cut some of our expenses. Simple right? I figured it would be easiest to target the "expendable" household bills. Um, have you ever tried to do this? No matter who I called, these companies came up with some hitch or excuse, danced around the issue, and in the end left me utterly confused and saving nothing. They are definitely not in the business of helping you reduce costs. Don't believe me? Let me me enlighten you. I will now share a portion from my Cost Cutting Saga.
Act 1: The Cable Bill.
The curtain rises. Cue the theme song from Mission Impossible. A woman, Alyson, sits at her desk, phone in hand. She dials. After navigating her way through seven automated sub-menus, she hits "0" in frustration.
Representative: Good afternoon, my name is Sieisha. Thank you for calling [Name withheld] how can I help you today?
Alyson: Hello, my name is Alyson Dell Isola, my account number is xxx-xxxxx. I'm calling to try and see if there are any options for service where I can lower my monthly bill. It is a little high for my liking lately and I didn't know if there was anything we could do.
Rep: Mmm hmm, thank you for calling today Miss Doleesola. Can I have the account number you are calling about.
Alyson: (slightly annoyed) Uh, yah. Its xxx-xxxxx.
Rep: Mmkay, thank you. I have pulled up your account information here. It says you are currently paid in full and you are on the Super Savings Bundle!
Alyson: Right, but that is just it. I don't feel like I am getting any super savings. My bill is over two hundred dollars a month.
Rep: Yes Miss Dillosala, but for that price you are getting your blazingly fast high speed internet, your crystal clear voice landline, and 1 gajillion television stations!
Alyson: I understand but are there any other options for packages? I want to keep my phone and internet, so maybe is there something with less cable stations?
Rep: Well, there is the "Ghetto Bundle" but you will lose all movie stations, major cable networks, and you would have to pay extra for your cable boxes. Honestly Miss Delosilla, with what you have now, you get so much for the money, reducing your package would actually be like paying more!
Alyson: (frustrated) Oh, uh, I guess so, well I don't want to do that. And I also don't want to loose too much.
Rep: Yes, so you see your bundle really is the best option. (With false excitement) And because we appreciate your business I will give you 2 months reduced rate on your current package, bringing you down around $30 a month!
Alyson: Oh well that's great...
Rep: Of course after those promotional months, your bill will actually be $50 more than where you originally started.....
Alyson: Wait, what?
Rep: (interrupting) BUT did I tell you about the new amazing DVR features we offer with this package. You can record shows that aren't even in production yet! And now you can watch movies on your phone, your computer, your tablet, your toilet, and your microwave!
Alyson: (increasingly confused) Um, I am not sure I need all that.
Rep: But it is included Miss Doliola!! You would be throwing money away!
Alyson: (totally dizzy) Um, ok.
Rep: (speaking in hyper-speed) Great. So I am going to go ahead and enroll you in this new package and then transfer you over to billing. Is there anything else I can help you with today?
Alyson: (baffled) Uh, I don't know. I don't think so.....
Rep: Mmkay, then you have a great day. Thank you for calling [Name Withheld]. CLICK.......
Ok - so that is not exactly how the conversation went. But that is definitely how it felt! In the end I really ended up saving nothing. Instead I just wasted time! Those people are good. They talk and talk and confuse the crap out of you until you just end up agreeing. The CIA should train their agents with whatever methods these vendors are using.
Cut to this situation two more times with the cell phone company and gym membership. Yeah, three strikes, I'm out. I guess I will have to find other creative ways to save some more money.
So when do you think I should tell Ken I signed him up to sell his blood?
An itch to get the hell out of Dodge.
Both Ken and I have come to the realization that we have our own version of the 7 year itch. Except we are not itching to get away from each other. We are just itching to get away! Yes, we feel it is time to find a new location where we can settle and grow our family. A place a little farther away from all the hustle and bustle. A place with a few more trees and few less illegally parked cars. A place just a tad less congested, where my neighbors actually feel like neighbors and not roommates. Not that I don't love the sound of screeching car alarms and domestic brawls when I am trying to get my infant to sleep, I mean who wouldn't find that soothing? But seriously, as I get older, and now that I am a mother, I think I have outgrown the concrete jungle that is my current location and am ready for a little more open space. Give me land!
So we are looking. We are looking at, dare I say it, Towns! Nice communities with some action, but mostly grass and trees. Far enough away that people have to call to come visit, but not so far that no one ever will. Towns with friendly people, good schools, and a good community. Bigger houses, bigger yards, and smaller populations!
Sounds perfectly simple doesn't it? Well every dream has a price, and this one don't come cheap! All of those wonderful aforementioned criteria come at a cost. And seeing that we live in Massachusetts, a ridiculous, blow-you-out-of-the-water, kind of cost. I love New England, and I would never leave. But for the love of God, our housing market is high! Even in this recession! Lately, I obsessively watch that HGTV show House Hunters. It is somewhat depressing - houses across the country are HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS LESS than in Massachusetts. Three and four bedroom houses in the 150-250K range. Here, anything decent doesn't go below 350K! It's insanity. But it's the price we pay to be from a great Blue state, and you know what, to me it's worth it!
So what do you do? You tighten the purse strings. You sit down, you be an adult, and you financially plan. And we have. We've set up IRAs and Money Markets, and Savings Accounts and diligently put decent sums of money into them every month. And they are accruing. But not fast enough for me! Have you meant me? I am the woman that wants everything yesterday. When I have a goal, I lock onto it (some would say obsessively, I say passionately) and attack it from every possible angle.
So in addition to just saving, I thought it would be smart to also try and cut some of our expenses. Simple right? I figured it would be easiest to target the "expendable" household bills. Um, have you ever tried to do this? No matter who I called, these companies came up with some hitch or excuse, danced around the issue, and in the end left me utterly confused and saving nothing. They are definitely not in the business of helping you reduce costs. Don't believe me? Let me me enlighten you. I will now share a portion from my Cost Cutting Saga.
Act 1: The Cable Bill.
The curtain rises. Cue the theme song from Mission Impossible. A woman, Alyson, sits at her desk, phone in hand. She dials. After navigating her way through seven automated sub-menus, she hits "0" in frustration.
Representative: Good afternoon, my name is Sieisha. Thank you for calling [Name withheld] how can I help you today?
Alyson: Hello, my name is Alyson Dell Isola, my account number is xxx-xxxxx. I'm calling to try and see if there are any options for service where I can lower my monthly bill. It is a little high for my liking lately and I didn't know if there was anything we could do.
Rep: Mmm hmm, thank you for calling today Miss Doleesola. Can I have the account number you are calling about.
Alyson: (slightly annoyed) Uh, yah. Its xxx-xxxxx.
Rep: Mmkay, thank you. I have pulled up your account information here. It says you are currently paid in full and you are on the Super Savings Bundle!
Alyson: Right, but that is just it. I don't feel like I am getting any super savings. My bill is over two hundred dollars a month.
Rep: Yes Miss Dillosala, but for that price you are getting your blazingly fast high speed internet, your crystal clear voice landline, and 1 gajillion television stations!
Alyson: I understand but are there any other options for packages? I want to keep my phone and internet, so maybe is there something with less cable stations?
Rep: Well, there is the "Ghetto Bundle" but you will lose all movie stations, major cable networks, and you would have to pay extra for your cable boxes. Honestly Miss Delosilla, with what you have now, you get so much for the money, reducing your package would actually be like paying more!
Alyson: (frustrated) Oh, uh, I guess so, well I don't want to do that. And I also don't want to loose too much.
Rep: Yes, so you see your bundle really is the best option. (With false excitement) And because we appreciate your business I will give you 2 months reduced rate on your current package, bringing you down around $30 a month!
Alyson: Oh well that's great...
Rep: Of course after those promotional months, your bill will actually be $50 more than where you originally started.....
Alyson: Wait, what?
Rep: (interrupting) BUT did I tell you about the new amazing DVR features we offer with this package. You can record shows that aren't even in production yet! And now you can watch movies on your phone, your computer, your tablet, your toilet, and your microwave!
Alyson: (increasingly confused) Um, I am not sure I need all that.
Rep: But it is included Miss Doliola!! You would be throwing money away!
Alyson: (totally dizzy) Um, ok.
Rep: (speaking in hyper-speed) Great. So I am going to go ahead and enroll you in this new package and then transfer you over to billing. Is there anything else I can help you with today?
Alyson: (baffled) Uh, I don't know. I don't think so.....
Rep: Mmkay, then you have a great day. Thank you for calling [Name Withheld]. CLICK.......
Ok - so that is not exactly how the conversation went. But that is definitely how it felt! In the end I really ended up saving nothing. Instead I just wasted time! Those people are good. They talk and talk and confuse the crap out of you until you just end up agreeing. The CIA should train their agents with whatever methods these vendors are using.
Cut to this situation two more times with the cell phone company and gym membership. Yeah, three strikes, I'm out. I guess I will have to find other creative ways to save some more money.
So when do you think I should tell Ken I signed him up to sell his blood?
Monday, August 8, 2011
A Hard Day's Night
Man it has been a while since I have posted!
Well, that is what an insufferably sick nine months of pregnancy and a newborn baby will do to you! Yes - being pregnant was amazing, wonderful, miraculous. But the everyday vomit-fest...not so much. I was quite unprepared for the intense Circ de Soleil that my body and hormones went through. They seem to leave that part out of the Hallmark section. I jest of course, because every nauseous minute was one thousand percent worth it. My daughter is the most amazing thing that has ever happened to me. That sounds cliche, but if you are a parent, then you know it's true. But it is also true that the whirling dervish that was my digestive system for those months made it almost impossible to focus. And in those few moments when I felt well, I had other important things to get to, like work, and Facebook. So alas the blog took a back seat.
And then, of course, with the arrival of my little Mouse, time really became precious. Everyone knows how much hands-on work a newborn requires! Plus I had to soak up every minute of Mommy and Me time, seeing that my maternity leave was temporary. And everyone knows what a new mother should be doing in the down time when their infant is sleeping: Internet shopping! So again, priorities being what they were and all, I didn't have much time to write.
But here we are four months later, and the Mouse is growing like a weed and settling into our life quite nicely. She is the happiest and most pleasant baby ever. She loves all the things we do - the outdoors, music, and watching hockey! You think I'm joking, but I have the pictures to prove it. She gets mesmerized by NHL games. I think it might have something to do with us always yelling about the Bruins while she was in utero. She also rarely cries and has even put herself on a perfect little schedule. That's right, every night, after dinner and a bath, she hits the sheets by 7:30pm. And she loves her crib! I'm not trying to brag or anything, but I seriously think either she is a really amazing baby, or I am quite the kick-ass first-time mom. Yeah, I'm pretty sure it's the former too. I can admit that my "mom" skills are still rough around the edges.
Here is a perfect story to illustrate how I know.
Last night, after finishing her dinner and taking her "tubby," the Mouse and I were sitting, rocking, and listening to music in her room. I looked her in the eyes and said, "Mousey, can you be a big girl tonight and sleep through the night? Mommy really needs a full night sleep." She responded by giving me her sly, little smile. Kind of like this:
I kissed her goodnight, and put her in her crib. This was at 7:15pm. I continued on with my evening with the husband, watching TV, playing with the dogs, and tidying up the house. Now, the Mouse usually gets up anywhere between midnight and 4am to eat, so I got into bed around 10pm, figuring I could get at least two to three consecutive hours before I had to feed her. 12am. I wake up - autopilot function I guess. But the house is quiet, no squeaks from the Mouse yet. 2am. I wake up. Still nothing. 4am. Damn it, I wake up again. Still nothing?! 5am. Silence. Ok, this time I get out of bed and rush to her room. Sleeping like an angel. What the heck? By the time I lay down again, the alarm goes off at 6am. Husband and Mouse arise all happy and well rested, while this fool resumes her intravenous coffee tradition! I couldn't believe it! I wasted a perfectly good chance at a full night's sleep! As I place the Mouse in her bouncy chair so I can drag my butt to the shower, she grins at me again. I swear - it is like she knew I wouldn't be able to handle it. She laughed at my request the night before, and she laughed at my failure in the morning. So it's like I said, Baby=Amazing, Mommy=Rookie.
Yeah, the nights are hard, the days are hard. And I am sure there will be a whole lot more challenges ahead. But check out these images. Um, yeah, this is really what it's all about.
Well, that is what an insufferably sick nine months of pregnancy and a newborn baby will do to you! Yes - being pregnant was amazing, wonderful, miraculous. But the everyday vomit-fest...not so much. I was quite unprepared for the intense Circ de Soleil that my body and hormones went through. They seem to leave that part out of the Hallmark section. I jest of course, because every nauseous minute was one thousand percent worth it. My daughter is the most amazing thing that has ever happened to me. That sounds cliche, but if you are a parent, then you know it's true. But it is also true that the whirling dervish that was my digestive system for those months made it almost impossible to focus. And in those few moments when I felt well, I had other important things to get to, like work, and Facebook. So alas the blog took a back seat.
And then, of course, with the arrival of my little Mouse, time really became precious. Everyone knows how much hands-on work a newborn requires! Plus I had to soak up every minute of Mommy and Me time, seeing that my maternity leave was temporary. And everyone knows what a new mother should be doing in the down time when their infant is sleeping: Internet shopping! So again, priorities being what they were and all, I didn't have much time to write.
But here we are four months later, and the Mouse is growing like a weed and settling into our life quite nicely. She is the happiest and most pleasant baby ever. She loves all the things we do - the outdoors, music, and watching hockey! You think I'm joking, but I have the pictures to prove it. She gets mesmerized by NHL games. I think it might have something to do with us always yelling about the Bruins while she was in utero. She also rarely cries and has even put herself on a perfect little schedule. That's right, every night, after dinner and a bath, she hits the sheets by 7:30pm. And she loves her crib! I'm not trying to brag or anything, but I seriously think either she is a really amazing baby, or I am quite the kick-ass first-time mom. Yeah, I'm pretty sure it's the former too. I can admit that my "mom" skills are still rough around the edges.
Here is a perfect story to illustrate how I know.
Last night, after finishing her dinner and taking her "tubby," the Mouse and I were sitting, rocking, and listening to music in her room. I looked her in the eyes and said, "Mousey, can you be a big girl tonight and sleep through the night? Mommy really needs a full night sleep." She responded by giving me her sly, little smile. Kind of like this:
I kissed her goodnight, and put her in her crib. This was at 7:15pm. I continued on with my evening with the husband, watching TV, playing with the dogs, and tidying up the house. Now, the Mouse usually gets up anywhere between midnight and 4am to eat, so I got into bed around 10pm, figuring I could get at least two to three consecutive hours before I had to feed her. 12am. I wake up - autopilot function I guess. But the house is quiet, no squeaks from the Mouse yet. 2am. I wake up. Still nothing. 4am. Damn it, I wake up again. Still nothing?! 5am. Silence. Ok, this time I get out of bed and rush to her room. Sleeping like an angel. What the heck? By the time I lay down again, the alarm goes off at 6am. Husband and Mouse arise all happy and well rested, while this fool resumes her intravenous coffee tradition! I couldn't believe it! I wasted a perfectly good chance at a full night's sleep! As I place the Mouse in her bouncy chair so I can drag my butt to the shower, she grins at me again. I swear - it is like she knew I wouldn't be able to handle it. She laughed at my request the night before, and she laughed at my failure in the morning. So it's like I said, Baby=Amazing, Mommy=Rookie.
Yeah, the nights are hard, the days are hard. And I am sure there will be a whole lot more challenges ahead. But check out these images. Um, yeah, this is really what it's all about.
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