Swing high, batta batta
There’s just no accounting for the difference in taste, is there? I thought I’d leave yesterday’s post simmering for a couple days so you could savor the flavor in leisure; maybe even pop in every couple hours to reread it, and I was positive that I’d be fielding comments on it far into the night. I thought I might even end up with 163+ comments like Brando did the other day. I thought it was just that good.
Shyeah, right. If it hadn’t been for Jenn, I’d have been talking to myself all day. I’m not blaming YOU; I’m just saying. I’d been influenced by the voice Kaye Gibbons had used in her book Ellen Foster, and it was one of those posts that made me sit back and shake my head in satisfaction and amazement that I’d been the one to write it. It’s a good thing I’ve got a little of my humor back. A good thing.
So, today I’m going to do what I do best, and what will hopefully help me retain my popularity. It took me a long time to attract the five of you, and I don’t want to lose you. Thus, I shall proceed with random thoughtage:
@ We went to Hanes Mall in Winston yesterday. Torie turned 15 last Monday - she had birthday money - and she was itching to head for Hot Topic. The first thing you notice about the place is that it’s dark, like a cave. It takes awhile for your eyes to adjust, so for the first few seconds you pretty much bounce off things like a bat. You don’t feel bad about this, though, because everyone else in there had to do it, too, when they walked in. Currently, the store is emphasizing Alle Thinges Gothic, although this time last year I saw a whole lotta Hello Kitty (whatever’s the hot topic. get it? you’re so smart!). When we stumbled in yesterday, there were skulls everywhere and black t-shirts snarling the names of rock bands. Headbands, lapel pins, stickers, Harry Potter falderal, nipple rings, toe rings, belly button rings, studded belts - these are a few of their favorite things. And I’m here to tell you: I love hanging out in there. Not because I wear any of those items (as far as you know), but because every single person - from clerk to customer - who sets foot in that store is a card-carrying member of the friendliest 2% of the population of the world. Who wouldn’t gravitate towards the smiling kid with a safety pin stuck through his nostril instead of the snooty ponytailed young thing behind the counter at Belk’s? Okay, maybe lots of people, but how sad.
Besides the extreme pleasure we feel watching our son jump around onstage doing his thing at the Zombie Gutz shows, we enjoy meeting his friendly, caring, accessible young fans. Kids who don’t care if they’re cool. Kids who couldn’t be cool if they tried. Kids I used to be terrified of because I used to be a rather prissy ponytailed young thing. At Van’s shows, Scott and I stand out, but the thing is - the kids really like us, and it’s no wonder. How many adults care to enter their world? They bubble over with excitement when they talk to us; some of them bare their souls with incredible ease. It’s astounding. I really love them.
@ Not surprisingly, Jesse wants a tattoo for Christmas.
@ Rather surprisingly, even tiny little good tattoos start around $100.
@ Even more surprisingly, and completely off-subject, my kids don’t want to order cable again. We’ve been without for awhile now, which in our town means getting no reception whatsoever. We have no idea what’s going on with the castaways in Lost, or even how our favorite Bluth family is getting along. There’ll be no frantic voting for American Idol contestants this year. We’re current-media-telecast deprived and we don’t care. Together, we decided we’d rather spend money on movies and television series on dvd, sans commercials. Another strike for independence from tyranny for the Lowe family! Huzzah! Now who’s gonna rip me from this damn computer?
@ I feel on top of life today. I hope you do, too, chickies. Love to you all. xo
October 31st, 2005 10:36
Sorry Kel - I’m just not in a talkative mood right now. I am enjoying reading the posts however - especially about your daughter, cuz my daughter is 16 and they sound very similar… tho mine now has her drivers license. E-gads! As for Hot Topic and teens - I enjoy all things young right now. I love Carissa’s friends - and everthing about them. Gosh - I have to be careful I don’t stalk them….LOL.
October 31st, 2005 10:58
I’ve never set foot in Hot Topic. My daughter isn’t old enough and I’m WAY too old to go in there alone. Frankly, I’m terrified of that store. It makes me feel like I did in highschool - like I never really would fit in, no matter how hard I tried.
October 31st, 2005 10:58
Scary-looking people with accoutrements hanging off them are usually super-nice.
Those metal things on them- they’re like defense - like thorns on a rose.
They’re too vulnerable for this old world- they must have battalions of armour locked (or pierced or tatted) into place, to ward off the evil spirits hiding behind the masks of the Normals.
That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it…
October 31st, 2005 11:33
Karen - It’s okay if you don’t feel talkative. I’ll talk enough for both of us, okay? Torie started driver’s ed last week - gulp - so we’ll be dealing with the driving thing soon. I still think she’s three; it’s so bizarre; I keep wondering how she’s going to reach the pedals and see over the steering wheel.
Oh my gosh I’m delighted Torie has the friends she does; a happier group of kids I’ve never met. All three of my kids move mostly in dyed, pierced and tattooed circles, though they can fit in anywhere. Actually, I’m surprised I like teenagers as much as I do! They always used to scare me, even when I was one! xo
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Cath - Here’s your assignment. Walk into a Hot Topic, but arrange a pleasant look on your face, like you’re not terrified, so YOU don’t scare anyone. You’ll be amazed at how genuinely friendly these people are. Then walk by the perfume counter at, say, even Dillards, and mark the difference. People can fake friendly faces, but they can’t fake what shines - or doesn’t - out of their eyes. I’m telling you; people who no longer have anything to prove to the world are (generally) happier people, even if their home lives suck. Or they become serial killers, but we’re not talking about them. Have fun! I’ll give you an “A” when you report back to the class! xo
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Chrissy - I think you’re partly right. I mean, it’s not only goths who armor themselves in body jewelry and tattoos; the snooty ponytailer also armors herself, but in money & Gucci (or whatever). And then there are those in-betweeners who dabble in both (like my kids) - people who may not feel they need so much protection. Your story sounds like a fairytale, though, um, rather gothic, so maybe you ARE onto something.
xo
October 31st, 2005 12:26
Good aim- the snooty ones are way vulnerable, too, but to public opinion, not in their hearts.
October 31st, 2005 12:45
Wow - yes. I mean, that would be my guess, too, although not being in that situation, I don’t know for sure. But it does seem that they would have more a feeling of personal superiority, right? Hmm. That IS a rock solid defense right there. When you’re on the bottom, you’re vulnerable to everyone, not just the other rich folk.
October 31st, 2005 12:52
I have never been to Hot Topic or even heard of it. Now I want to go. I like new experiences.
)
I loved having my fake Harley Davidson tatoo last year. Too bad it washed off so soon but there is no way I would want a real one. I’m too changable, something I like today I would probably hate tomorrow.
October 31st, 2005 13:12
Yeah, I’ve gone back and forth about a tattoo for the same reason. I figure I’ll do it when I’m somewhere in the last trimester of my life; they’ll just have to work around the wrinkles. And hopefully I won’t die tomorrow, ’cause then I’ll be really mad that I missed out. When we go on our field trip, I’ll take you by Hot Topic. Knowing you, you’ll end up with a million new followers. Sheesh.
xo
October 31st, 2005 14:16
That’s so funny Kel - I have been going back and forth on this tattoo thing for a couple months. I think it would be so cool. And it’s funny - it’s like when you’re pregnant and all you see is pregnant women all of a sudden, I just keep seeing, and hearing about people who got cool tattoos, whatever. It’s a itch all right. It remains to be seen what I do with it. And if I was 50 pounds skinnier I’d get a belly button ring in a heart beat!
October 31st, 2005 14:24
Thanks for the note Kelly…point taken.
October 31st, 2005 14:30
changed the address also. Thanks G
October 31st, 2005 15:31
Karen - This is probably WAAAAY too much information - but seeing as I showed my entire group of about 20 friends immediately after surgery - there may no longer BE anything near too much information regarding this: I have a scar that runs from my bellybutton to my bikini line, due to a burst appendix when I was 19. All that to say, I’ve always thought a cool vine, or Celtic cross, or some such design would cover it so I could wear a bikini again. It’s far far too late for that, but it would be nice to wear those belly shirts that are so popular, you know? If you get one, I’ll get one! Haha! (though I’ll have to save about $1,000 bucks for it, and I kid you not…)
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Gats - Does this mean I can run right over to your place and see your response to my last comment? (I’ll give you a few minutes….). ~ It DID make me wonder, but remember this is from the one who just told the world that I have a scar that runs from my bellybutton to my bikini line. Don’t gauge what should remain private by ME.
October 31st, 2005 16:20
Kelly you are so refreshing. No really. So refreshing. Of course your kids’ friends love you. You are so real, so passionate, so fun, so you. You are definitely in the top 2% of the friendliest people on the planet.
October 31st, 2005 17:05
OH how I’ve missed you, Miss H! I hope you had fun in your chocolate bridesmaid dress, over in that sticky, smoggy ol’ LA. Aren’t you glad to be back in the sticky, muggy ol’ south? (though it’s butt cold now.) ~ I’m fakin’ it. Fakin’ it all. Just ask Jean; I’m cranky as a jack-in-the-box.
~ Oh, and if I’d had a loose $20 jingling around in my pocket, I would have bought you a Gryffindor family crest t-shirt from Hot Topic. I wanted to. xo
October 31st, 2005 17:14
So far half our family has tattoos. Dan has two and I have one. Both of Dan’s are memorial pieces. I have my old rose, but am getting it redone next month. Dan and the tattooist are working together on the new design.
October 31st, 2005 17:17
I concur with what the lovely Heather Anne just said.
Sorry I didn’t comment yesterday, Kelly. Nothing wrong with your posts - I was just so tired I couldn’t really understand anything I read well enough to reply. But today’s a different kettle of fishy things.
Hey, I’m a tattooed person, and I say go for it. If you need it you’ll never be complete without it. That’s what I think.
Two of my three rock chick daughters are tattooed, too. Well, the oldest one has several celtic design ones (although she keeps them covered in her real estate agent job in case horrified would-be customers run away and don’t buy houses ever again) and the youngest is awaiting her 18th birthday in January, when it’ll be legal for her to get permanently painted. The middle one isn’t interested.
Yes, I’m babbling. Trying to compensate for my inattention yesterday. Going to have an early night tonight, in preparation for tomorrow’s writing insanity.
Night night. xx
October 31st, 2005 18:19
Kel -
I had a ruptured appendix too that they didn’t catch until I was way, way sick. That’s a whole other story. Yep I have the scar too from the belly button down. Plus a few others from the second surgery I had a week later. Whatever. Guess I’ll never get that belly ring huh? But the tattoo…..
October 31st, 2005 19:03
Roddy - Jess has been working and reworking the design he wants. It’s going to cost BUCKS, especially because he wants to go to someone good, natch. There are some amazing tattoo artists out there; thankfully he has enough friends who can recommend the best. It is definitely the THING nowadays, and it doesn’t bother me at all. Now that face-mutilation thing, and the forked tongue dealie? Eeveel. The fru-its of the deveeeel. Shudder. xo
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Dav - Oh, that’s okay. Don’t worry another minute about it! It was a strange, Ellen Fosterish type post anyway and I don’t think anyone got it. Whatevah, is what I say!
~ I’ve told my kids I have no problem with them getting tattoos - once they’re 18 - if they get them where they can’t be seen in shortsleeves or skirt; basically, business clothes. They’re all fine with that. It’s funny I’ve attracted all these rocker parents to my site, isn’t it? We must have some special encoding that draws us all together. Coooooool. Shiny. ~ I hope you get lots of rest for tomorrow’s writing frenzy! xo
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Karen - Maybe we’re the same person!!
Did you inadvertently show a guy up who was waiting for you at a restaurant the day after your appendix burst? I did! He wouldn’t speak to me after that. He was a lawyer; what can I say? Oh, maybe I should have told him I was in the hospital… Hmmm…. ~ Yeah, no belly rings, but tattoos. If you come up with a design, pass it along okay? And vice versa… xo
October 31st, 2005 22:09
Over a hundred dollars for a tatoo?? Ker-A-zzy.
Give me a hundred dollar pair of leather boots any day.
November 1st, 2005 02:38
ooh, you know, that was the whole point of my post. the better the writing, the fewer the comments. your popularity is retained, rest assured.
November 1st, 2005 08:23
Wow, you write a post about me being your only TRULY faithful (just kidding everyone else) Harvey and I disappear on you. I have an excuse. Just go read Charlie’s blog and you’ll understand. It’s been a tad bit crazy around here.
I had a belly ring for awhile. It wasn’t done deep enough and so it “grew out” meaning that I have a scar. I’d like to get it done again, properly, but I’ll wait till after I have kids. By the by, getting a good tattoo artist is important (I’m with Jesse on that one) and so it getting a good piercing artist.
I’ve thought about getting a tattoo but I vacilate about what I’d want. That and I’m too fickle. I’ve had henna done a couple of times and about two days later I think, “gee, I’m bored of this”. One of my tattooed (is that how you spell that?) friends told me never to get a tattoo where I can see it in the mirror. So I’d probably get it on my lower back.
Whew! I got it all out! Sorry for being chatty.
November 1st, 2005 08:59
Jeanie, you already HAVE the damn boots. Time to move on. Let’s go tattooing, okay? But if you really want to stay on the boot kick (heh heh, SO witty), you can always buy ME some. Really, I mean it. xo
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Brando - I was hoping that was how it worked. We all just want to read crap, don’t we? I DID notice you disabled comments yesterday, like you told me you would, but unfortunately, it really made me mad because I was going to write my best comment ever to you. Oh, as if - don’t worry. I can never leave comments on your posts without feeling like an abject idiot. You have some smart-cookie readers. Yesterday’s post WAS excellent. xo
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Jenns - I was going to write you a weepy email because I totally felt abandoned by you, especially after I’d try to suck up so obviously. I’m glad you’re back, snookums. ~ Honestly, I don’t think anyone under the age of, say, 35 should get a tattoo, because we shift and change so much until then. We’re still changing afterwards, of course, but at a slower pace and with more fixed ideas. I completely agree with the keeping it hidden idea, which pretty much negates its function then, doesn’t it? That’s why, even though I’m talking like I’m actually considering it, I’ll probably never get one. ~ You know, the other day I was THIS close to writing to ask for your phone number, so I could chat you up. Jean is probably screeching in amazement right now; I HATE chatting on the phone. That’s how much I love you, apparently.
xo
November 1st, 2005 09:51
Hello Kelly!
The more I read from you I just freak out. We have sooooo much in common. I also have 3 kids. 2 sons and a younger daughter. My oldest son is in the military, heading to Iraq in April. My middle son plays in a band called “Worlds of If” (you can check them out on myspace.com) and the band members love it when we’ve showed up to their gigs. My daughter is 16, and I bet you can’t guess where she likes to shop??! Too much. Oh, another thing, I too belong to Jesus but have become very disillusioned with church. Anyways, God bless you today Kelly. Hangeth thou in there ‘kay.
November 1st, 2005 10:22
Obviously, there is some very fancy, subversive cloning going on, Nance, because you and I and Karen could be triplets. I have a friend here who’s the same. Her name is Karen, too. So strange… but really, really fun at the same time. And if WE all found each other - on this one blog amongst millions - I wonder how many MORE of us there are out there! Woohoo! I wish you and Karen had blogs so I could get to know the two of you better. Could you get right on that?
xo
November 1st, 2005 12:44
a girl needs more than one pair of boots! Sheesh!