My first grader, aka The Wolfman's Brother, came home last week talking about how the boys in class have a special nickname for each other, but that it's private and he couldn't tell me more. I managed to listen carefully enough to learn that boys are called hot dogs and girls are called hamburgers. When asked the reasoning behind these nicknames, in all the sweet innocence he is, The Wolfman's Brother just said, "I don't know." Awww.
Also last week, my brother, Uncle Goalie, recommended Led Zeppelin's "Hot Dog" from In Through the Out Door as a good idea for spin class. The Goalie is right...Kashmir might not have enough BPMs. Yes, I know what BPMs are*. Do you?
Now that spring is here, it's almost summer, which means hot dog season.
Just don't eat too many.
Nitrates and nitrites are no good for any of us.
Even if it says all natural on the package, just remember they are fooling you.
*of course I didn't until it was pointed out to me! Now that I do, naturally I feel pretty ignorant since I claim to like music.
Everything happens for a reason. A cultural commentary with a lotta rock-n-roll, semitism, and parenting. See our Etsy Shop! Buy HeadyBands, Hoodies and more at www.wholephamily.etsy.com
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Stevie Wonder on My Mind Today...I Wonder Why?
The only recording I had from Stevie Wonder was a 45 record of "Ebony and Ivory," from my cousin's bat mitzvah. It was just eh. If only I heard his 1975 funk song "Boogie On Reggae Woman," I might have seen more of this Rock-n-Roll Hall of famer's greatness earlier on in the game.
I do sometimes harbor suspicions for reasons unbeknownst to me, and all I have to say at this time is that I hope that Stevie is doing ok.
I do sometimes harbor suspicions for reasons unbeknownst to me, and all I have to say at this time is that I hope that Stevie is doing ok.
Moms Need Nationwide Emergency Child Care Service
Now that you can find Bubbie's Pickles on every Whole Foods refrigerator shelf and eat at Bubbys* comfort-food restaurants in either Tribeca or Dumbo, the word bubby appears fit for mass consumption. In case you missed the memo, a bubby or bubbie is a Jewish grandmother. Today's bubby is not limited to the black orthopaedic shoe-wearing stereotype (but if she wore them, you can bet her hip would feel pretty good). In addition to making kraut and smoking meat, she can be found at the yoga studio, as a docent at the art museum, or working the counter at your local hardware store. She doesn't even have to be Jewish, and she doesn't have to be. She might have jumped onto the eco-friendly bandwagon. Meet Ruth Feldman, the Green Bubbie, for more on that.
Who of us saw the 1982 film The Electric Grandmother?
What happens when us moms get sick? Totally out of commission? Whether you work full time, part time, or fully stay home with your kids, you will need to call someone. Most of the time, you manage. But, has this stomach flu thing hit your house yet? It is really going around, and I hope for you that you don't get it. You will be wholly debilitated and need help.
If you are lucky enough to live close to family, or really good friends, you call someone. Ideally it is your own mother who will come to help out. Not all of us are fortunate to have that option. Not all of us have Maureen Stapleton in the form of the above-mentioned Electric Grandmother. And if your friends have children of their own, they aren't going to be in the house at 7:45am to help the littles with getting out the door in the morning.
The solution?
We need a National Bubbie Service! One where desparate moms can call in the troops at any time of day to take over. There isn't too much out there along these lines:
The answer for now is to stay healthy.
Wash your hands with warm water and soap.
And at least take a look at this clip where Martin Short was Academy-award worthy:
(Go to 3:40 for a reminder of where "welcome to the 90s" comes from):
*albeit fully treif (not Kosher)
Who of us saw the 1982 film The Electric Grandmother?
What happens when us moms get sick? Totally out of commission? Whether you work full time, part time, or fully stay home with your kids, you will need to call someone. Most of the time, you manage. But, has this stomach flu thing hit your house yet? It is really going around, and I hope for you that you don't get it. You will be wholly debilitated and need help.
If you are lucky enough to live close to family, or really good friends, you call someone. Ideally it is your own mother who will come to help out. Not all of us are fortunate to have that option. Not all of us have Maureen Stapleton in the form of the above-mentioned Electric Grandmother. And if your friends have children of their own, they aren't going to be in the house at 7:45am to help the littles with getting out the door in the morning.
The solution?
We need a National Bubbie Service! One where desparate moms can call in the troops at any time of day to take over. There isn't too much out there along these lines:
- New York City has a service On Call Sitters, but we don't know if they are reliable. Bubby is reliable, doesn't need a background check, and will bring over chicken soup.
- Do a Google search for emergency babysitter NYC and the top link that comes up is a New York magazine article from 2005!
The answer for now is to stay healthy.
Wash your hands with warm water and soap.
And at least take a look at this clip where Martin Short was Academy-award worthy:
(Go to 3:40 for a reminder of where "welcome to the 90s" comes from):
*albeit fully treif (not Kosher)
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Kony 2012. Tikkun Olam at the Core.
Mark your calendar for 4/20. No, not for that. For something actually meaningful that will help change the lives of millions of people. And the world.
Jason Russell's film is so well-made...he got creative and got the message across that the world's top war criminal Joseph Kony needs to be captured by the United States military this year.
It's called "Cover the Night," and it's a poster campaign on April 20, 2012.
Reminds me of "Take Back the Night," but a different issue and one that is so timely there is no time to waste.
Unfortunately it's on Shabbes, but we're still gonna do our part now.
Spread the word.
Until I saw this video, I didn't know who Joseph Kony was.
Now I do, and I urge you to watch along with the 80 million others who have viewed it this past week.
Even Stango, who said he didn't have 27 minutes to watch it, did get captivated for 12 minutes.
That says a lot.
Jason Russell's film is so well-made...he got creative and got the message across that the world's top war criminal Joseph Kony needs to be captured by the United States military this year.
It's called "Cover the Night," and it's a poster campaign on April 20, 2012.
Reminds me of "Take Back the Night," but a different issue and one that is so timely there is no time to waste.
Unfortunately it's on Shabbes, but we're still gonna do our part now.
Spread the word.
Friday, March 16, 2012
Nobody Puts This Baby in Any Corner, Not Even Usher!
Why is it that when I want to use the iconic 1987 film "Dirty Dancing" as a point of illustration, all the good videos have disabled embedding, which means that I can not easily include the video as a linkable image here?
I fully believe in protecting Intellectual Property, but it only works against Lions Gate Films, the distributor of "Dirty Dancing."
Oh well, that's not the point of this post...
Here are some links to some clips of the great movie.
Nobody puts baby in a corner:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28A9Jgo92GQ
The final dance scene:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpmILPAcRQo
My point is, again thanks to trusty spin class that keeps me on my toes with new music, I get to hear a most atrocious tune entitled "Dirty Dancer" by Enrique Iglesias and Usher. The only good thing about hearing this song that hit all sorts of charts in 2010 and 2011 is that it reminded me of the aforementioned 80s movie, produced on a skeleton budget and yet a blockbuster nonetheless.
Honestly? Am I *that* old fashioned that I think this is awful and an embarrassment to the way popular culture has journeyed? I was embarrassed when I saw the original "Dirty Dancing" with my mom in the movie theater, and obviously that level of bumping and grinding was peanuts compared to the near-porn that appears in the video below. I present this video again only for pure illustration purposes (as in my previous post) and do not recommend watching it if you want to stay positive. I watched just a few seconds of the pole dancers to know that I'd had enough, but I guess it gives me pause to realize that in a couple of years when my children have free reign of their computer time they will be able to watch everything and anything.
Smartening up your children before they get to this narrishkeit and educating them as to what is good and what is not good to view is the key.
Check out Jennifer Grey's father, Joel. Now, that's entertainment!
I fully believe in protecting Intellectual Property, but it only works against Lions Gate Films, the distributor of "Dirty Dancing."
Oh well, that's not the point of this post...
Here are some links to some clips of the great movie.
Nobody puts baby in a corner:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28A9Jgo92GQ
The final dance scene:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpmILPAcRQo
My point is, again thanks to trusty spin class that keeps me on my toes with new music, I get to hear a most atrocious tune entitled "Dirty Dancer" by Enrique Iglesias and Usher. The only good thing about hearing this song that hit all sorts of charts in 2010 and 2011 is that it reminded me of the aforementioned 80s movie, produced on a skeleton budget and yet a blockbuster nonetheless.
Honestly? Am I *that* old fashioned that I think this is awful and an embarrassment to the way popular culture has journeyed? I was embarrassed when I saw the original "Dirty Dancing" with my mom in the movie theater, and obviously that level of bumping and grinding was peanuts compared to the near-porn that appears in the video below. I present this video again only for pure illustration purposes (as in my previous post) and do not recommend watching it if you want to stay positive. I watched just a few seconds of the pole dancers to know that I'd had enough, but I guess it gives me pause to realize that in a couple of years when my children have free reign of their computer time they will be able to watch everything and anything.
Smartening up your children before they get to this narrishkeit and educating them as to what is good and what is not good to view is the key.
Check out Jennifer Grey's father, Joel. Now, that's entertainment!
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Know Your Zosos from Your Ziljians
Everyone from Bob Lefsetz to your brother has lamented how bad the new music is today. It doesn't take a rock star to come to this realization.
Ah, spin class, the trusty go-to for exposure to new music. Spinning today to LMFAO's "Party Rock Anthem," which hit #1 on charts last year throughout Europe, the UK, the US, New Zealand and Australia, got me wondering:
What the heck is up this dreck?
The lyrics: empty, offensive and below fraternity house antics.
The electronic beat: catchy but gets annoying.
And the chutzpah to make a Zeppelin reference.
Where, exactly, is the skilled musicianship?
Nary a drum kit to be heard.
Oh, right, that is the definition of electronica.
And, shouldn't everyone in this tune be doing the Hollywood Shuffle instead? Now, that is quality shufflin'.
The part that bothers me is the thought of the millions of kids listening to this as their early exposure to music.
Oy.
I don't even want to watch this video.
But for pure illustration purposes, here it is.
Ok, I do like to focus on the positive. I appreciate the club kid influence as evident in some of the outfits in the video and the dude with the big fro's huge white glasses, reminiscent of Laura Biogottis from the 80s. I like the acting in the beginning. And, nice fancy steps at the end of the video. That's about it.
Still, I continue to lobby for real music like Kashmir in spin class.
Robert Plant. Now there's a rock star.
Then I can envision myself as Jennifer Jason Leigh in "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" and rock it out on the spin bike like it's 1982.
(they cut out at 2:00 when Kashmir comes on the scene.)
This scene is the reason why I bought Led Zeppelin IV on tape, one of my earliest music purchases.
And we all know that Kashmir ain't to be found on that album!
Oh, Cameron Crowe, the film's screenwriter, is a genius culture maker of my generation.
Good thing the Allmans let him tag along as a teenager.
It sounds so cliche to think it was all better when you were a teenager, but I do think that when it comes to music and popular culture, I was better off without the acronym and certainly the band LMFAO.
Ah, spin class, the trusty go-to for exposure to new music. Spinning today to LMFAO's "Party Rock Anthem," which hit #1 on charts last year throughout Europe, the UK, the US, New Zealand and Australia, got me wondering:
What the heck is up this dreck?
The lyrics: empty, offensive and below fraternity house antics.
The electronic beat: catchy but gets annoying.
And the chutzpah to make a Zeppelin reference.
Where, exactly, is the skilled musicianship?
Nary a drum kit to be heard.
Oh, right, that is the definition of electronica.
And, shouldn't everyone in this tune be doing the Hollywood Shuffle instead? Now, that is quality shufflin'.
The part that bothers me is the thought of the millions of kids listening to this as their early exposure to music.
Oy.
I don't even want to watch this video.
But for pure illustration purposes, here it is.
Ok, I do like to focus on the positive. I appreciate the club kid influence as evident in some of the outfits in the video and the dude with the big fro's huge white glasses, reminiscent of Laura Biogottis from the 80s. I like the acting in the beginning. And, nice fancy steps at the end of the video. That's about it.
Still, I continue to lobby for real music like Kashmir in spin class.
Robert Plant. Now there's a rock star.
Then I can envision myself as Jennifer Jason Leigh in "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" and rock it out on the spin bike like it's 1982.
(they cut out at 2:00 when Kashmir comes on the scene.)
This scene is the reason why I bought Led Zeppelin IV on tape, one of my earliest music purchases.
And we all know that Kashmir ain't to be found on that album!
Oh, Cameron Crowe, the film's screenwriter, is a genius culture maker of my generation.
Good thing the Allmans let him tag along as a teenager.
It sounds so cliche to think it was all better when you were a teenager, but I do think that when it comes to music and popular culture, I was better off without the acronym and certainly the band LMFAO.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Davy Jones, Goodbye, Let's Meet the Walrus
Listening to Soundcheck with John Schaefer on NPR right now, and I can't believe that I missed the news from last week that Davy Jones passed away at age 66. I must have been raging the Purim festivities too much which kept me out of the loop. As a great contributor to 60s popular music, he will be missed. Not that I watched the Monkees when it first came out. I was too young.
I also can't believe that Stango doesn't recall this episode of the Brady Bunch with Davy Jones. It was always one of my favorites.
Here is where Marcia tries to bust into the recording studio to confirm that Davy will perform at her prom, only to be turned away.
Here is where Davy comes to the Brady house and meets her, finally, and satisfying every rock star's dream.
All thanks to the Beatles, the Monkees were a cultivated, made-for-TV band inspired by the Beatles that actually turned into something.
Speaking of which, I played one of my favorites, "I am the Walrus," for the kinderlach today. When I asked their feedback, Concealed Light replied, "He said I am the egg man." We all agreed it is weird and different.
When I asked about the line "sitting on a cornflake," I lost them.
Finally, you should watch this pretty awesome animated interview with John Lennon called "I Met the Walrus" which is actually the reel-to-reel interview done by Jerry Levitan as a 14 year old when he snuck into Lennon's Toronto hotel room in 1969.
I also can't believe that Stango doesn't recall this episode of the Brady Bunch with Davy Jones. It was always one of my favorites.
Here is where Marcia tries to bust into the recording studio to confirm that Davy will perform at her prom, only to be turned away.
Here is where Davy comes to the Brady house and meets her, finally, and satisfying every rock star's dream.
All thanks to the Beatles, the Monkees were a cultivated, made-for-TV band inspired by the Beatles that actually turned into something.
Speaking of which, I played one of my favorites, "I am the Walrus," for the kinderlach today. When I asked their feedback, Concealed Light replied, "He said I am the egg man." We all agreed it is weird and different.
When I asked about the line "sitting on a cornflake," I lost them.
Finally, you should watch this pretty awesome animated interview with John Lennon called "I Met the Walrus" which is actually the reel-to-reel interview done by Jerry Levitan as a 14 year old when he snuck into Lennon's Toronto hotel room in 1969.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
A Rangers and Flyers Fan All at the Same Time
Growing up, we were Rangers fans. My dad had season tickets in the yellow section of Madison Square Garden. My grandparents lived on the same street as one of the Rangers and had a neighborly friendship with him. My dad also had a college friend from Canada, a country where hockey is practically a birthright and is called Hockey Night in Canada. Let's say it was ingrained from early on.
I went to two games during my childhood since my dad only had two seats and the "real" hockey fan (i.e. my brother) in the family had priority on the extra. Those were good games. Thanks for bringing me, dad!
Early on I learned the French-Canadian hockey phrase "slap de puck" and the Rangers' cheer "Potvin Sucks." This not-so-nice taunt originated when Islander Denis Potvin collided with Ranger Ulf Nilsson in a 1979 game, causing a broken ankle and shortening of Nilsson's hockey career. This incident occurred around the same time Potvin's wife came forward with allegations of abuse, so the rowdy, obnoxious Rangers fans really ate it up whether or not it was proven in court. It is interesting that the previously-referenced NY Times article alludes to "Potvin Sucks" as an "uglier version" without getting into the discussion if it was true. I do not know the truth and have no access to court documents. Yet, the cheer is a part of Rangers history and is worth knowing about, even if it is considered to be very rude to chant it at the Garden, or really anywhere for that matter.
Keep in mind I don't watch hockey anymore. It was more of an osmosis experience: it was on tv as a young girl, so I watched it. No turning the channel the shows I wanted.
Now I live in Philadephia, and I want to be a Flyers fan without giving up my Rangers connection.
There is no way we will start rooting for the Phillies or Eagles, so at least we can go with hockey and develop some local loyalty.
Here are the things I know about hockey:
I have heard of Bobby Orr and Mario Lemieux and Brian Leetch and of course Wayne Gretzky.
For a while, I had a Bobby Orr hockey card in my dresser (that's what ya get for having an older brother who played and loved hockey).
I know about power plays.
I know about the penalty box.
I know about slap shots.
I know that Rangers fans love the fights. Isn't that part of the game?
I know that 1 and 30 are traditional goalie numbers.
I know about the Bauer hockey gear company.
I know that NHL players prior to 1980something didn't have to wear helmets.
But I don't really know about hockey.
Here are the things I now know about the Flyers:
I learned that there is Rangers-Flyers rivalry. (And all these years I thought it was just with the Islanders!)
I learned about the Winter Classic.
In the mid-90s I saw a Phish concert in the Philly Spectrum, where the Flyers played.
That's about all the Flyers knowledge I have.
And yet,
I have long been attracted to the Flyers logo.
How could this be if we were Rangers fans?
Maybe because black and orange were my high school colors.
Maybe because it is aesthetically pleasing, and good design speaks to me.
Maybe because, compared with the newer hockey teams, it is old school and I remember seeing it as a young girl and liking it.
Can't I be fans of both?
A couple of years ago I noticed people at Phish concerts at Madison Square Garden wearing Flyers gear, more so than Islanders or Rangers, which would be more appropriate for being in a New York venue. I thought, "Wow, these music fans not only have the same great taste in current rock-n-roll as me but they like the same great NHL logo, too! What are the chances!" Oh, Rachel how innocent and uneducated you were!
My sister Reba told me that Trey, the lead guitarist, is a Flyers fan, and there has been a lot of talk in the past about his connection to the team. A lot of those folks were wearing it in allegiance to Trey's preference. Poseurs!
Stanley Cup playoffs begin in about a month.
It's time to slap de puck.
 |
| My brother, the Rangers fan and hockey player himself , with my sister Reba. Early 1980s. |
I went to two games during my childhood since my dad only had two seats and the "real" hockey fan (i.e. my brother) in the family had priority on the extra. Those were good games. Thanks for bringing me, dad!
 |
| Thank you to my brother who saved this stub my from dad's yellow seats. It was a tie, Rangers Islanders 2-2 in overtime |
Early on I learned the French-Canadian hockey phrase "slap de puck" and the Rangers' cheer "Potvin Sucks." This not-so-nice taunt originated when Islander Denis Potvin collided with Ranger Ulf Nilsson in a 1979 game, causing a broken ankle and shortening of Nilsson's hockey career. This incident occurred around the same time Potvin's wife came forward with allegations of abuse, so the rowdy, obnoxious Rangers fans really ate it up whether or not it was proven in court. It is interesting that the previously-referenced NY Times article alludes to "Potvin Sucks" as an "uglier version" without getting into the discussion if it was true. I do not know the truth and have no access to court documents. Yet, the cheer is a part of Rangers history and is worth knowing about, even if it is considered to be very rude to chant it at the Garden, or really anywhere for that matter.
Keep in mind I don't watch hockey anymore. It was more of an osmosis experience: it was on tv as a young girl, so I watched it. No turning the channel the shows I wanted.
Now I live in Philadephia, and I want to be a Flyers fan without giving up my Rangers connection.
There is no way we will start rooting for the Phillies or Eagles, so at least we can go with hockey and develop some local loyalty.
Here are the things I know about hockey:
I have heard of Bobby Orr and Mario Lemieux and Brian Leetch and of course Wayne Gretzky.
For a while, I had a Bobby Orr hockey card in my dresser (that's what ya get for having an older brother who played and loved hockey).
I know about power plays.
I know about the penalty box.
I know about slap shots.
I know that Rangers fans love the fights. Isn't that part of the game?
I know that 1 and 30 are traditional goalie numbers.
I know about the Bauer hockey gear company.
I know that NHL players prior to 1980something didn't have to wear helmets.
But I don't really know about hockey.
Here are the things I now know about the Flyers:
I learned that there is Rangers-Flyers rivalry. (And all these years I thought it was just with the Islanders!)
I learned about the Winter Classic.
In the mid-90s I saw a Phish concert in the Philly Spectrum, where the Flyers played.
That's about all the Flyers knowledge I have.
And yet,
I have long been attracted to the Flyers logo.
How could this be if we were Rangers fans?
Maybe because black and orange were my high school colors.
Maybe because it is aesthetically pleasing, and good design speaks to me.
Maybe because, compared with the newer hockey teams, it is old school and I remember seeing it as a young girl and liking it.
 |
| My friend Adam at a Flyers game this season |
Can't I be fans of both?
A couple of years ago I noticed people at Phish concerts at Madison Square Garden wearing Flyers gear, more so than Islanders or Rangers, which would be more appropriate for being in a New York venue. I thought, "Wow, these music fans not only have the same great taste in current rock-n-roll as me but they like the same great NHL logo, too! What are the chances!" Oh, Rachel how innocent and uneducated you were!
My sister Reba told me that Trey, the lead guitarist, is a Flyers fan, and there has been a lot of talk in the past about his connection to the team. A lot of those folks were wearing it in allegiance to Trey's preference. Poseurs!
Stanley Cup playoffs begin in about a month.
It's time to slap de puck.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
That's What I Said...Booby Traps
How can I resist!
Phish Summer Tour 2012 Announcement from Phish on Vimeo.
Jonathan Fishman, you are the one and only.
And in case you had a jonesing due to the blog title post...
Phish Summer Tour 2012 Announcement from Phish on Vimeo.
Jonathan Fishman, you are the one and only.
And in case you had a jonesing due to the blog title post...
Music in Preschool
If you haven't yet caught Portlandia, here is your chance, you music lovers with young children!
Fine, it's a lot of punk references (and as you might know I am into classic rock and jam bands), but it is too funny to hide from you.
Did you catch the recent profile of Carrie Brownstein in The New Yorker a few weeks ago?
Fine, it's a lot of punk references (and as you might know I am into classic rock and jam bands), but it is too funny to hide from you.
Did you catch the recent profile of Carrie Brownstein in The New Yorker a few weeks ago?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)