Sure, sure. I know. The term “mullet” is most certainly synonymous with certain 80′s flashback films and is one that folks tend to use in… ahem… jest. But that is not what I am doing here. No jesting at all, I promise you, so please read on.

Simon Le Bon

My dear Simon, you made the mullet HOT. You wore it so well back then. So well, in fact, that’s why people like my husband and other 30-something men who grew up around that era thought it was a good idea in the first place. It was cool as hell, and a little punk rock. It was toying with androgynous, probably somehow inspired by early 80′s Bowie, which pushed the envelope and challenged the norm. And women everywhere got all hot and bothered over breath-taking men with subtle (or not so subtle) women’s features. Like longish, well-styled hair. And that was a little crazy and dangerous and something our fathers did NOT like. And there was nothing wrong with that! Nothing wrong at all.

Sigh.

Ok, let me get to the point I am trying to make. I am thrilled to be one of the Duran Social bloggers and will be *giddily* attending your concert in Clearwater next Monday. My previously mullet-sporting husband will be there with me (after listening to HIS Duran Duran “best of” CD in the car on the way there… yes we have a CD player, lucky we don’t have an old tape going… and I would have had one of those if I hadn’t traded in my old Saturn last year… but I digress…). So, anyway, I was wondering. Is there no hope at all that you could grow out that mullet of yours again???

I know. It’s Wednesday. And the concert is Monday. These hopes and dreams of mine are damn near impossible. I know it can’t happen. But if it can’t, at least know this. I respect and adore your mullet days. Deeply. I promise you, there is not ONE ounce of disrespect or condescension in this post. I mean it. I loved your mullet. And I had a frayed poster magazine pull-out once upon a time to prove it. I swooned over you and your locks and, well, it kind of got me through puberty.

So, I guess if I can’t see your mullet next Monday, I can at least thank you for it. Right? So thank you. It. Was. Fabulous.

True Morningside Mom Duran Duran Facts:

• With teased hair, leg warmers and a red double studded belt on, I used to make up dances in my front yard to the song “Wild Boys” which played on my shiny new boom box. And I secretly longed for some Wild Boys in my life apart from what my Catholic middle school had to offer.
• I may have chosen certain guys to flirt with in High School simply because they kind of looked like Simon Le Bon. (Yes, they had mullets.)
• “Come Undone” was a college party panty-melter tune for me. No questions asked.
• My OB let me pick the radio station I wanted on during my second C-section. I picked the local 80′s station. And what song happened to be playing when my now five year old arrived into the world? “Hungry Like the Wolf.”  The child never stops eating, and it remains his anthem.

Thank you for over 20 years of fantastic music. I can’t wait to see you on Monday, and whatever is left of the mullet from so many years past.

Swoon and smooches,

Caroline

P.S. I’ll be the blond screaming your name in a spastic “Beatle-fan” froth next to a very tall, very mortified man who won’t be screaming at all.

P.P.S. For anyone who loved Simon and his mullet as hard as I did, Duran Duran tour dates are here.

P.P.P.S. Social media savvy super-fans, follow Duran Duran tweets at #Duransocial.

Awhile back, the Straz asked me if I would review “Shrek the Musical”. Being a freak for musicals (but that’s ok, “freak” works for this show, but I’ll come back to that later), I jumped at this opportunity. So, with our media passes in hand and a couple booster seats tucked under our arms, we settled into fantastic seats to watch the show.

What did I expect? I’ve seen a lot kids shows, you know. “Disney on Ice” stuff and the rest. They’re fun. Enjoyable enough. Certainly all about the kids. And I’ve seen every Shrek movie made so I already knew (and certainly already loved) this musical’s story line. So I was expecting what I already knew: the Shrek storyline, some fun costumes, some singing and happy tra-la-la usual kid-show carrying on. Weee.

That said, I had heard great things about the show too. It’s a big time musical, after all.

So I had kind of set myself up for failure. Nothing about kids shows would amaze me at this point, right? AND I had heard this would be good, so it had BETTER be.

So… how was it?

Folks, I loved it. It was better than I expected. I literally laughed out loud during every scene. I mean, lordy, where do I begin?

Yep, Shrek was funny. Oh and the Donkey was AWESOME. Really, really good. He managed to maintain – if not amp up – an insane energy level throughout the show. Fiona remains a fantastic brand of princess, no doubt. Her song about the morning, where she tap dances with the Pied Piper’s Mice, NEEDS to be my blog theme son.

Oh. But Lord Faquaad? He nailed it. I was dying. His carrying on, his delivery and his character were, I think, far better than what I remembered from the movie. And the thing about his height? The costumers decided to put him on his knees with fake legs hanging down in front. It doesn’t translate right here but, I swear to you, it was hysterical. He played off of it so well which made his “shortness” an absolute riot throughout the show as he navigated the stage, the dancing scenes and his horse.

But who stole the show? The dragon. I wanted to leap out of my seat and cheer when her number was over (my four year, who had crawled onto my lap, kept me anchored, however). They did a fantastic job making her character come to life even for the short period of time she was on stage. And her voice was to die for. I think the dragon was my favorite part and I only wish they could have brought her back in the end again. She really was wonderful.

And so was Lord Faquaad.

And so was the Donkey and the Three Blind Mice who crooned a soulful Barry White/Marvin Gaye-esque love jam to Shrek and Fiona over a campfire.

And so was the end when we were all up out of our seats dancing.

“Shrek the Musical” totally captured the vibe of the movie – and then went a little further with it. It was just a bit funnier and different enough to make it surprising. The songs were all original (apart from the very final scene) and there were some new twists and turns in the plot along the way which only made the story better.

And of course I adored the overall moral of this fairytale. I think it was summed up best by the storybook characters who adopted the phrase “Let Your Freak Flag Fly” as their way of celebrating each of their unique fairytale traits. It was clearly the anthem of the show – and one I kind of want to adopt myself.

My only complaint? (Apart from not enough Dragon time?) It was a long show for little kids. Mine was asking me “Is it was over yet?” throughout the last last fifteen minutes. I don’t blame the show itself (even though a few singing numbers went on a bit), it was just late for them. I would suggest matinee shows for the really younger crowd. Nevertheless, both kids were glued for the majority of it and the Fiona vs. Shrek Fart/Burp contest? My kid almost slipped off his booster seat from laughing so hard.

Not to mention the fact that he felt inspired enough to let one rip himself later in the show leaving the audience members around us in hysterics. Way to feel the theater moment, kid.

Anyway, go with your kids if you can. If you don’t have kids, go anyway. I don’t really see it as a kids show with adult humor, but it seems more like an adult show with kids humor that they get and are able to watch without picking up on the adult themes.

Go. Love it. Let ‘er rip (it will only add to the show). And let your freak flag fly.

Oh I almost forgot. I have promo code info:

Save 50% off select tickets to see SHREK THE MUSICAL this week.  Use promo code SWAMP and you can save on performances Thursday and Sunday evening.  This offer is available in price levels 1-3 only and is limited to 4 tickets.  All offers are not applicable to prior sales, cannot be combined with any other offer and are subject to availability.  Service charges apply.

FTC stuff: I received four complimentary tickets to review the show however I was not paid in anyway for my opinions in this post.

I’m talking about music. All I knew about it up until that moment was Disco Mickey Mouse. And the Annie movie soundtrack. And some really good Frank Sinatra and jazz albums of my parents. All good. None of it, however, quite worthy of blowing my hair back. None of it quite made me want to jump around and scream and yell and sing until I was hoarse and ignited to the core the way this did. You know that kind of music when it hits you. And I’m afraid it puts daddy’s Frank Sinatra to shame.

So back to the story. We were hanging out in front of my friend’s house. It was a weekend I think because we had nowhere to be and lots of time to kill. There was a large community of Americans in Mogadishu in the very early 80s, and my family was part of it while my father was posted there. And so while we were in one of the most desolate and desperate parts of Africa, we were just kids making do and enjoying our weekend, no different from anywhere in the USA. Because there we were. In our dark blue Jordache jeans with skinny red belts, ringer t-shirts, wearing Lip Smacker lip gloss stolen off some sister’s dresser.

It was hot out and dust whipped our stringy hair around. We sad on old concrete blocks under a thorny Acacia tree. The Somali sun never retreated so we had. Goats ambled by, kicking up more red dust. There was nothing to do.

And then a car drove up. My friend’s older sister ran out of the house. She was only an 8th grader but she knew the really big kids who drove cars. We watched her bend in to say hi. A moment passed and doors opened up, they all stepped out. And then it happened. Music thundered from an old tape deck somewhere within.

We stared.

Do you know what song it was? The song that ripped into my heart and made me want to rock my head and smile and move and laugh? Cliche or not, it was Joan Jett’s “I Love Rock and Roll.”

I was mind blown.

We froze where we were and listened. As soon as it was done, the song was rewound and played again. And again. Eventually we shuffled quietly over to the back of the car and sat up against its bumper, swaying, nodding our heads, mumbling the words when we knew them. The big kids never noticed or never cared. But we hung there. The whole afternoon. Listening to “I Love Rock n Roll” and “Crimson and Clover”. Over and over.

Joan Jett became a constant by the community pool and at evening social get togethers and at sleep overs and before community movie screenings. Joan Jett’s guitar riffs transplanted a small piece of the U.S. right into an extraordinarily foreign world. She brought some normal, on a loop, over and over.

So of course Joan Jett became my first rock and roll idol. Black leathers, black eyeliner, black shag haircut, bad ass guitar, and a chick-swagger like nothing I had ever seen before. She established in my soul what rock and roll should be, there amongst the Acacia trees and passing goats.

When I arrived home a year later, I snapped on MTV and discovered Cyndi Lauper, Annie Lenox, Toni Basil, Chrissy Hines, Ann and Nancy Wilson… and I got it. I knew it. I wasn’t afraid of it. I was moved and rocked and rolled by all of it. Without any reservation. How could I be, after Joan Jett popped my rock n roll cherry only a year before?

I watched “The Runaways” the other night. It was pretty good and about what I expected. The live show of “Cherrybomb” was sick. Awesome job. And my Joan Jett girl crush certainly never wavered. The 9 year old in Lip Smacker lip gloss lost inside came rushing back and rocked and got light-headed and wanted to scream, kind of.

“Saw him dancing there by the record machine…. knew he must have been about 17.”

OMG. Are you kidding me?

Swooning, feeling, nodding, singing, rocking, loving.

But I’ve been needing a little holiday pick me up.

Because all of these half unpacked boxes of Christmas “cheer” just seem to translate into Christmas clutter when I’m feeling all sick and sorry for myself. And that’s just not acceptable. Not with two wide-eyed wondering children in the prime of their Christmas magic years.

It’s time to buck up.

So after my husband bustled the boys off to school this morning, instead of going to my to-do list of blog tasks, writing tasks, and (holy unbought Christmas gifts) holiday tasks, I made a hot cup of tea and opened up my itunes. What was I looking to do? Well. Create the perfect Christmas music mix of course.

Because my Christmas cheer must be found. I NEEDED A CHRISTMAS CAROL…

SO. I made my Christmas mix. And you know what? I DO feel better. Buddy was right.

Speaking of Buddy, the Elf soundtrack is on my list of top ten Christmas albums. Wanna hear what my top ten list of Christmas albums are? Well, SURE YOU DO!

(A big BY THE WAY. While I was considering this post, I thought “Gee, if I only had an associates page so I could link my recs… Wait a minute. I should make one!” So I did. Each album is linked to it. But whatever. No need to click or buy or anything like that. Just sharing my favorites, that’s all…)

10. Now That’s What I Call Christmas!

Ok, so there are a few cheese-balls in here (maybe its just me, but Shaggy tunes don’t exactly scream holly or jolly – just saying). But the first part is fantastic – a nice overall collection of the must-haves.

9. Harry for the Holidays

While not quite a Rat Pack crooner, there are some beautiful songs on this Harry Connick album. He sings a really fun big band version of “Frosty the Snowman” and then a really pretty “Mary’s Little Boy Child”.

8. Have a Holly Jolly Christmas

What feels more Christmasy than Burl Ives? His “Holly Jolly Christmas” is the one from the animated “Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer” TV movie we all grew up with. (Which I own and force my kids to watch every December…)

7. White Christmas

Want to get your parents all misty with memories of Christmases past? Shoot, I well up hearing Bing Crosby croon “White Christmas” or “Silver Bells”. I think we had this original album once upon a time.

6. A Charlie Brown Christmas

Speaking of nostalgia, are you kidding me with this? Oh how I love the songs on this album, especially their version of “O Tannenbaum” and then the wonderful “Christmas Time is Here”.

5. Nutcracker

My mother used to take me to this ballet every Christmas. I remember patent leather shoes and a grand theater and peering into the orchestra pit to watch them warm up before the show. This music IS my childhood Christmas.

4. Barenaked for the Holidays

BNL rocks the holiday season out in this album. And I could not adore the BNL, Sarah McLaughlin “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” more. There are traditional tunes and fun, upbeat versions of old favorites. The whole album is terrific.

3. Christmas with the Rat Pack

Yes, this is the big band, crooner, collection of holiday favorites you’ve been looking for. I adore this entire album from start to finish. And let’s take bets on how many eggnogs were passed around for the live version of “A Marshmellow World”.

2. Christmas Portrait

Ok, you all may not share my adoration for The Carpenters but TRUST ME. Karen Carpenter has the voice of an angel. And this album gets me all kinds of choked up every year. Play “Christmas Waltz” or “Merry Christmas Darling” or “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” and YOU TRY not to get all melancholy and hold your loved ones close and appreciate the wonder of this season. I dare you. (P.S. Skip the first three tracks. They’re cheezy 70s soft jazz stuff I’m pretty sure her brother did and are totally lame compared with the rest of the album.)

1. The Elf Soundtrack

For all around fun, upbeat and jolly tunes – you have to get the Elf Soundtrack. I adore it. I do. It has something of everything. And oh SWOON for Zoey DesChanel’s “Baby It’s Cold Outside”. And Ella Fitzgerald’s “Sleigh Ride”? Perfection. Love it. Burn it. Buy it. Whatever. You gotta have it.

Oh and just as as bonus consideration, I did check out the new Glee Christmas Album. I don’t own it (yet). It seems pretty good though, especially if you are a fan of both the show and holiday music. Some tunes seem a bit over the top but it might be worth adding to your collection.

Ok, so that’s it from me. Here’s hoping the incessant holiday music in the stores doesn’t drive you mad or force you to repel all of it all together. Christmas music always added to the magic as a child. And now sometimes, somehow, music can bring whatever magic there is left in this holiday right back. Enjoy it.

Do you remember watching that? On Saturday mornings in between cartoons? I adored Schoolhouse Rock. And (convinced as most parents are that their children should experience everything they did) when I saw the DVD on sale about a year ago I bought it and put it away for a rainy day. Of course, I promptly forgot all about it.

But a month or so ago my three year old’s teacher brought it up. She thought that since my kids are so into educational music, they might really learn from and enjoy Schoolhouse Rock. And wouldn’t you know it? They can’t get enough of it. So we “Conjunction Junction” and “Lolly Lolly” all around our house these days. Because Schoolhouse Rock…well, rocks. Truly.

Anyway, while watching it one afternoon with my boys piled onto my lap, we happened to be watching “Sufferin’ Till Suffrage” (a catchy little ditty all about the 19th Amendment, because Schoolhouse Rock actually has the skillz to make a song about such an amendment “catchy”.).

And my three year old turns to me and says: “That’s YOU Mommy!”

Oh. The little cartoon feminist within me blushed. And sat up a little straighter with chin held high. And thanked him profusely. What a compliment. My sweet boy sees me as someone jumping around, hollering, celebrating and singing about women’s rights in patriotic flare pants and a half shirt. With LOTS of hair.

(He wasn’t there with me in college but wow. I have to wonder.)

Love it.

Check it out and enjoy.

A few years back, when my eldest was a wee two year old watching Playhouse Disney at dawn while I stared half awake over my bowl of Cheerios, TMBG had managed it’s way in between Higglytown Heros (gah!) and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (oy…) for a few musical interludes. Somehow (and it took a great deal I tell you), I perked up. I probably paid more attention initially because these guys were on my college mix tapes. Oh yeah. TMBG. They’re doing kids music now. Cool.

But it was more than that. Their kids music was actually GOOD. And my two year old thought so too – staring, dancing, and staring again. This music wasn’t campy, not sing-songy, not condescending. It kept their usual ironic, quirky, intellectual flair – but styled it just right for kids.

Really, it makes so much sense. TMBG translates perfectly into children’s rock tunes. In the tradition of what they’ve always done for the past 25 years, they wind kooky story lines in and amongst educational concepts. And kids, who totally get kooky story lines, line up to hear about paleontologists and the periodic table and the vowel family. No they do, for real. It’s utter TMBG kid music magic.

I ordered TMBG’s Here Come the ABCs soon after hearing them for the first time. Finally. Music I could bear and my two year loved. Truly, he loved it. “Go for G”, “E Eats Everything”, “C is for Conifer”, “D is for Drums”… we couldn’t get enough.

(For the record, C has never been for cookie but always for conifer. And when we saw an actual conifer – look out, it was a crazy big deal. And you thought Santa was the only Christmas celebrity.)

Some years passed, I had another son and when he was about two years old, well what should come along?  Here Come the 1,2,3s of course. “Infinity”, “High Five”, “Figure Eight”. More magic. And suddenly, lo and behold, both kids loved their music. I was finally the proud mommy of two TMBG fans. Score.

This Christmas, Santa brought the most recent TMBG creation to the Morningside household: Here Comes Science. “I Am a Paleontologist”, “The Bloodmobile”, “Electric Car”. Crank it up, we were all jamming out once again. It’s a bit more mature this time, but isn’t that convenient – so are my kids.

And now both kids are old enough to take it upon themselves to jump online to watch bookmarked TMBG pod-casts, they know it all word for word, they’ve studied whose who in the band, “no Mommy, Marty plays drums and Danny plays Bass. Sheesh.” True kid fans.

So when tickets went on sale for a special family show in Orlando at the Hard Rock Cafe? I’m fairly sure I may have rattled the house with a jarring TMBG groupie squeel. And I was on ticketmaster’s site in no time.

They Might Be Giants! Here comes my family!!!!

(Well, minus my huz. He was away in NC. And he was missed. He would have been there rocking out with us in a heartbeat.)

So yesterday was the day. And in true groupie form, I made T-shirts for my boys and I. My 6 year old helped me design them, carefully over-seeing the entire process. I could have painted my car too. And made signs. But I didn’t. I’m totally not that TMBG freaky, mmmkay?

But the kids were so fired up. Their first rock concert. It was kind of a big deal.

Oh wait! Another total bonus to our TMBG experience was meeting up with Maria from Mommy Melee and Colleen from The Mess Potential is Exponential. We met at the Hard Rock and decided on lunch there. As fab as the company was, let me just leave you with these words of advice. If you want to eat somewhere before a Hard Rock concert in Orlando, the Hard Rock Cafe restaurant itself probably isn’t a great choice. We had a whole slew of issues. It’s a long story but just take my suggestion for what it’s worth. *Disappointed sigh*

Anyway, so in we went after lunch and we were over-joyed to find that our early purchases for TMBG tickets meant fourth row seats! Rock and roll, baby!

(Yes, yes, I’m such a mommy dork, but humor me alright? This was a big deal for my fam.)

Predictably, when the lights dimmed and Marty, Danny and the “Johns” all ran on stage… dude. Consider me totally star struck. And as they started in with the “Alphabet of Nations”, it all became surreal, crazy – my years as a parent actually flashed before my eyes. We’ve listened to these songs ceaselessly on repeat in my car and on the computer and on the DVD player and anywhere my kids will beg to have them on. And now live, before our very eyes, here were TMBG.

They played a ton of our favorites: “Never Go to Work”, “Meet the Elements”, “Electric Car”, “Seven”, “I am a Paleontologist”. Their sock puppets even showed up – but sporting their new “avatar” looks. Hysterical.

I tried to take a few pictures. But they suck. Want to know why? I was afraid I’d get booted for taking pictures so I took them far too quickly. I know. SO bad ass rock star of me.

So we watched and rocked and swayed and clapped and danced. My three year old stared, wowed – often asking “What songs next?” And my six year old remained in “wheels turning, soak it all in, must process this whole damn experience” mode. He said very little. He clapped only when appropriate. He never lost focus. Seeing his favorite band was serious business. And after retelling a few of his favorite moments in the car ride home, he has insisted that we try to see them again. Twist my arm.

Anyway, forgive this hella long post, it was clearly written in a fan crazed froth.

I’m just so happy I got to experience this music with my children. This music, so woven into our days and trips around town and moments home together, has become part of our lives more than I think I even realized. These are the moments, this is when you realize all the groundhog days are worth it, this is when parenting can rock you and roll you with your kids jamming along side.

Hold your lighter up to that and sway to it, yo.

(Oh yeah, disclaimer time. Apart from the free sandwich I got due to bad service at the Hard Rock Cafe, I received nothing for writing this. It was my pleasure entirely.)

Dropping off, car lines, picking up, grocery stores, baseball practice, stop hitting your brother, don’t kick the seat, up and down the same roads we go, cracker crumbs trailing behind, to infinity and beyond.

Knowing that I spend this much time driving, my brother happened to notice that I had the option for Sirius XM radio in my car. So guess what he got me for Christmas? Love him for being so thoughtful. It was the perfect gift.

So now I have the option of over 150 different radio channels to scan through during my time spent driving. As I make my way to my son’s elementary school everyday, I’m searching, searching, searching. Amazed and entranced when a song and station identification pops up my screen. Oooooh…. lookee there…

*Squeeeeal…*

Its been a slight…er …distraction I might add also.

Anyhoo. So. While scanning through the endless list of stations, what am I looking for?

Well, first off, music. And there is plenty of that. I’ve been ROCKING out to “good but bad but I listened to it back then” 80′s and 90′s music. Culture Club, Debbie Gibson, Def Leppard, Lisa Lisa and the Cult Jam, I’m shameless.

Oh and current stuff too.

“I brush my teeth with a bottle of Jack! Mommy, that’s SILLY!!!! …Whose Jack? …And whose P. Diddy?”

Tik Tok on the clock, but the party don’t stop, no.

My family truckster spins the tunes.

And then there’s the new wave channel. Loving some old Cure and Smiths and Pretenders and doing the “Molly Ringwald” to General Public’s “Tenderness”. Or the Coffee House channel – acoustic covers of everything, even Cory Hay strumming old Men at Work tunes. Reggae, Frank Sinatra, alternative rock from the 90s (when I met my husband, oh the “Sweater Song”, sigh).

And there’s Disney Radio. It’s there, if I’d ever let my kids KNOW it’s there. No Jonas Brothers for now, mmm k? Thanks.

But now and again I am looking for a little talk radio. Hoping for something that catches my attention and pulls me in for the duration of the car line still creeping forward at an snail’s pace.

There are all sorts of news options which I like. A slew of ESPN and sports channels (whatevs, never listen to those). Religion, health, weather. And Howard Stern of course.

(Sidebar: While much of what Stern spews is garbage, I find myself listening sometimes. I guess I’m one of those people that gets so irked by him I need to hear what he says next. Which is, of course, his magic formula and why so many thousands of people listen to him daily. However, I will begrudgingly give him one thing. He does one HELL of an interview. He can get a celeb to say just about ANYTHING. Barbara Walters has nothing on that guy. Nothing. So, yeah, I’ll listen now and then.)

My most recent discovery is the COSMO channel. Oh ho yes. Now that there is a GEM. You know, it’s COSMO as in the magazine, but for radio. And one particular program is call “Cosmolicious”. Cute, no? And the 20-something DJs who talk using question marks chatter ceaselessly about every topic you might find in COSMO magazine.

“I dunno, I mean I think I would tell my husband if I got botox? Because like he would be mad if I didn’t tell him? But he might not even notice? For like a LONG time? So maybe? If he didn’t know? He couldn’t get mad at me about it? And then when he gets the bill? I’d be all ‘I’ve been getting it for a long time so whatever’?”

(True story.)

Like Stern, maybe even more so than Stern, I can’t turn the dial. I NEED to hear what they will say next. How do I make sure (hex? train?) my boyfriend so that he knows exactly what kind of 3 carat engagement ring I want without actually telling him ? How do women get through Valentine’s Day WITHOUT (OMG you poor thing, it so sucks, I can’t imagine) A MAN? But if you DO have a man, what shape should you get your bikini area waxed for Valentine’s Day? A heart? Arrow? Landing strip?

So I’ll switch over to the Entertainment Channel now and again – which has some interesting stuff. But then there’s the Rosie Show. *Sigh.* I want to like it but, I’m sorry, it blows. The fabulous Deb on the Rocks called it a “Hot Mess“. And she is so right. And unfortunately its not even good enough to be that bad that I want to listen to see what variety of hot mess she’ll make today. Bored. Bleh. Next.

There’s always the Martha Stewart channel. Honestly? I think I tried it once. I felt like I had failed at all things Susie Homemaker just by flipping to that dial. Also, next.

And if you want to try and picture what a bunch of Playboy models look like, or what they like to *giggle giggle* do, there’s always the Playboy station. For the two seconds I don’t have kids in my car, that is.

Because Playboy isn’t the only station dropping F-bombs and verbalizing adult scenarios. That’s just what happens with satellite radio and so I take care to police what’s on with two wee sets of 6 and 3 year old ears tuned in behind me.

So back to the music I go. Which is totally fine because there is enough variety for sure. That and the family friendly comedy channel which cracks me up…

“Larry the Cable Guy is Tow Mader’s voice Mommy!”

…Ok, its not that funny.

But what am I really looking for? What is missing from the 150 station long menu of radio wonderment?

Well. Where the hell is MY station?

I want a women’s interest channel. Not Martha, NOT COSMO, not just news, not just sports. I want a women’s interest channel that talks about parenting and school and balancing work and kids and finding yourself after you’ve had kids and marriage and friendships and the dreaded post baby muffin top. I want a channel that debates current topics like Michelle Obama’s fight against childhood obesity or the fact that Florida still won’t allow same sex couples to adopt. I want a channel for smart women, who like to see things happen and change and work – but for women who also like to talk about the best padded bras out there right now to revamp all of what 14 months of breastfeeding took away. I want funny, I want witty, I want current, I want to think.

You know what? The blogging world might be able help Sirius out.

Because really, the perfect women’s radio channel on Sirius should be inspired by a combination of some of the best women bloggers out there. Take Aiming Low, Pundit Mom, Motherhood Uncensored,  MOM 101, Deb on the Rocks, The Bloggess, Redneck Mommy, Uppercase Woman (oh I could so go on, really I could, because I know there are fabulous bloggers out there ALREADY doing webcast shows, rocking it better than Cosmolicious EVER could), include all sorts of topics mentioned daily on BlogHer, mix that with a whole lot of The Ellen Degeneres Show, some political brilliance from The Rachel Maddow Show and a smattering of the debate style from The View and, well, you’ve got my station.

Oh and if there are a few F-bombs or adults topics of discussion, bring it. If I found a station that good, I’d invest in a couple pairs of earmuffs for the boys in the back and let them kick the crap out of my seats as much as they damn well please.

Until then, I guess I am left doing the “Molly Ringwald” at traffic lights. And considering heart-shaped bikini waxes. You know, since I was looking to do something meaningful this Valentines Day.

Yes. The concert was utterly amazing.

I was entirely overwhelmed by U2, their outstanding to the core talent, their mind-blowing state of the art stage, the energy of their fans and their incredible message. In fact, because I was so distracted by the music, this video is hardly a recap of the entire concert. No way. (And I’m not sure that’s legal anyway.) But it does give you a sense of it – and it does show you the entire earth to space conversation Bono and Guy Laliberte had that evening.

Too. Cool. Beyond. Words. I assure you.

But let me get back the message part of this entire experience. As you all know, I was there on behalf of the Poetic Social Mission from Space which was set up by the One Drop Organization. So while a U2 fan, I was extraordinarily excited to witness a concert experience performed by a band who clearly cares about its global community. And unless you live on the moon, you already know how much Bono has done to raise awareness about various causes such as the AIDS crisis in Africa, famine relief and now our global need for clean water.

And I wasn’t the only one busting at the seams over their commitment to so much more than just their music. The woman sitting next to me was a huge fan (keep an eye out for her and her husband in the video). While certainly a hard-core fan of their music (and Bono, swoooon), she has also been moved by all of the good that Bono and U2 have done worldwide. This is what seems to set U2 and their fans apart from the rest of the music industry – and it is perhaps a large part of what has ensured their longevity too.

I would also like to make it very clear just how honored I was to be there that evening. My husband and I happened to be celebrating our 9th wedding anniversary that week. So being able to see U2 and honor our day by being part of the Poetic Social Mission was more than we could have asked for. On behalf of the two of us, thank you to the One Drop Foundation, the Poetic Social Mission, Cirque Du Soleil and Flip Video.

Without further ado, here is my night with U2 and, most importantly, Bono’s earth to space meeting with Guy Laliberte – the first clown in space and founder of the One Drop Organization. Enjoy!

Oh and one quick P.S…

If you would like to watch the entire Poetic Social Mission Broadcast, click the One Drop website here.

And Tampa, if you want to learn how you can do more to conserve clean water here in Florida, please visit this website for some excellent tips, water use calculators and even an option to request free water conservation materials for you home.

Ok, well not maybe right away. I was extraordinarily awkward and hardly drew attention to myself in public. I had these horrid tinted glasses in big brown frames, a blond mop of usually unbrushed hair and teeth too big for my face. I was shy, I was insecure, I seemed made of glass and ready to shatter if a teacher called on me in 5th grade. I had friends of course, but usually I just hoped my catholic school uniform would act as camouflage, and I could just melt into the background.

So shouting to the world for all to hear that I was a Michael Jackson fan was extremely unlikely in those years.

But if you happened upon me back at home, downstairs in the security of my basement or up in my kitty postered bedroom – you would know that I adored Michael Jackson. Why? You’d hear why. My Thriller tape seemed perpetually on repeat on one of those small cassette tape players (you know the rectangle shaped ones with one speaker and big chunky buttons that you had to really push down on). I had his posters up too, next to the kitties. I had pins on my jacket. I had worn copies of special edition People and Life magazines – Michael pictures splashed on every page. I even had a glove. It didn’t have sequins, it was picked up at the the Goodwill store down the road, but it was white and I wore it. Often.

I also spent my days perfecting the Michael Jackson “Billie Jean” dance. I think I even had a hat. The high water pants were (unfortunately) not hard to come by, I wore those too. With white socks. And penny loafers.

And, lost in the fog of my 10 year old imagination, I used to day dream Michael Jackson’s limo would happen to be driving by on a dark and stormy evening when suddenly, right in front of my home, it would break down. Oh no! He would need to call a mechanic! Well, he’d run right up to my house and ring the doorbell – sequins glittering in the rain. And I would answer – tinted glasses, blond mop of hair and all. And while we waited for the tow truck, we’d roll up the carpet and he’d show me how to perfect that dance in the middle of my living room. And he’d be stunned by my talent. Oh yes he would be.

(Lordy, it pains me to write this. How mortifying. To the core, these memories make me criiinge and wish to camouflage myself in my catholic school uniform once again. But. I’m afraid it’s true. All of it.)

A few days ago we learned Michael Jackson had passed away. No doubt, the news was shocking. And I have been going into my MP3 archives and even blipping some favs to play in his honor. He was a fantastic performer. He set the bar for pop music stardom. Few, if any, have met the standard of being “as big as Michael Jackson” – or at least as big he was during those years in the 80s. A true phenomenon.

But here’s the strange thing. I was not all that blown away when he passed. And I have been trying to figure out why. He clearly made a very strong impression on me growing up. So why am I not shedding any tears and lighting a candle? Or something?

I think it’s because many of us had already lost him years ago. Adulthood left him confused and unsure. Fame swallowed him. Fans and stardom sent him running into seclusion. Being told he was so fabulous for so long clearly affected him. He turned inward, changed himself physically, he became consumed in reclaiming the childhood he never had – and was simply lost. A lost boy, like Peter Pan. In Neverland. Dulling himself with painkillers, bringing children into his world, determined to stop time. Hoping to never grow up. That’s what he wanted for himself. No doubt about it.

We lost Michael Jackson – the Thriller dancing, glove wearing, hee-hee singing, sidewalk lighting, glitter and magic making Michael Jackson that we all fell in love with – long LONG ago. And I had already said good-bye well before he actually passed away.

I think what has happened to him is almost a syndrome of stardom I think our culture needs to consider very carefully. I think many celebrities have come to the brink of losing themselves this way. Watching a recent Britney Spears special, I remember saying “she’s turning into another Michael Jackson”. Sure, she’s not sleeping in oxygen tents and playing with little kids. But she is just as isolated. She has nothing real around her. She seems just as lost.

So, my point here is that yes, I am certainly mourning Michael Jackson. But I don’t think the person that was Michael Jackson in recent years was the same person in the days of Thriller and sparkly socks. How could he be? I just know I wouldn’t have wanted his limo stopping in front of my house these days.

Because as much as he was a fabulous performer once upon a time, in my heart I have to wonder if he abused those children.  Nothing was proven but… this man was just not right. Whether it was fame, wealth or some emotional psychosis -  this man was broken.

And you know what else? Secretly, I am somewhat relieved for him. I truly hope he is finally at peace now. I hope he has now found the Never Never Land he’d been searching for all along.

Rest in peace now Michael. And I will try to remember THIS Michael Jackson and all that he was as a performer.

In case you hadn’t noticed, I am very excited about the upcoming inauguration of President-Elect Obama. And as a mom, I think it is only fair that I share the excitement of this historical event with my children too. I also think this is the perfect opportunity to teach our children about the United States presidency and the purpose of an inauguration. So, after doing some research, I have found all sorts of fun ways to engage our children in this historical event.

Where to begin? First, and depending on their age, you might want to explain to your children what the United States President is actually responsible for. Ben’s Guide will give your kids a simple but fairly thorough explanation.You may also want to show your children our nation’s past 43 presidents. White House.gov provides a list of past presidents along with interesting facts about each. And what better way to remember our presidents than to learn a rap about all 44 of them? The song and lyrics can be found here.

The inauguration is as much a celebration as it is a learning experience for our children. Parents should think about explaining what this inauguration is for and what it means for so many people. Here are some excellent books which will teach children further about the presidency and the inauguration process:

• “I Do Solemnly Swear” by Phillip Morledge
• “Democracy’s Big Day: The Inauguration of Our President 1789-2009″ by Jim Bendat
• “U.S. Presidential Inaugurations” by Andrew Santella
• The Presidency by Christine Taylor-Butler
• “Change Has Come,” by artist Kadir Nelson
• “Yes We Can” by Garen Thomas

Our President-Elect represents a great deal to our country. His principles, his history as a politician and recent election can teach our kids many important lessons. Princemensah at Ehow wrote a wonderful article about the inspiring lessons children should learn from Barack Obama. One suggested lesson reads:

“Point out the lesson of working with different people.

The President-Elect has a history of working with people with differing views. From Harvard to the Hill, he has established faith and friendship with people who do not share his views. This attitude is critical to a nation sharply divided over war and worries over the economy. Your children need to know about the value of being able to gain the respect of your enemies.”

While teaching our children about the inauguration is important, there are plenty of fun, interactive ways to include them in all the celebrating too. Active learning with lots of cutting and pasting always gets the brain moving. As I mentioned in a post before, Kaboose.com has some excellent craft ideas for children. More crafts can also be found at Amazing Moms.com.

Does your child dream of becoming President of the United States someday? Scholastic.com has a fun game for older children where they can decide what they would do if they were president.

If you have an inauguration whiz on your hands, perhaps the whole family can sit down and play this inauguration quiz found at pbs.org

Or do you have a musician in the house? Have them try playing “Hail to the Chief”. The sheet music can be found here if you click on the “score” icon at the top left of the page.

Are you looking for coloring pages? So that your young ones can stay busy coloring up a storm on Tuesday, we’ve got plenty of links to share:

• Sparkplugging
• My Barack Obama
• Coloring Castle
• Apples 4 the Teacher (online coloring)

While the rest of your household readies for the inauguration, you may be wondering how you can engage your tween or high schooler further. Nickelodeon, The Disney Channel and MTV will all be hosting events with many favorite performers like the Jonas Brothers and Miley Cyrus.

With millions of visitors expected to converge on the capitol next week, it is likely that some of you are headed there as well. Due to all of the security restrictions, I am sure you are frustrated to hear that it may be very difficult to bring your children to the inauguration itself.

That being said, there will be so much to do in the DC area for families. Be sure to check out Go City Kids for all of the city wide activities. And did you know that there will be, in fact, a Children’s Inaugural Ball?

And for those families like mine who are scrambling to figure out how to celebrate inauguration day hundreds of miles away from Washington DC, be sure to check locally for events and activities for children on the day of the inauguration. I know that Borders will hosting inaugural events in some cities, so it’s worth doing further research online.

So strike up Hail to the chief, hang your coloring pages proudly, maybe do a little presidential rap, and enjoy celebrating the inauguration with your entire family this coming Tuesday, January 20th.

Crossed posted at Type A Moms.