Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Album I totally forgot to listen to for ten years but is really super great, plus look how many crickets are in my sink! Wednesday

Sure, I know.

You're thinking this post sounds like a one-off. I mean, how many great albums are there that I used to love, but then totally forgot about for a decade? Am I really going to do this every Wednesday? Sounds tedious? You are yawning a little right now?

You underestimate me. I have an ipod that is totally bulging with 90s music, even though I mostly have to listen to Coldplay. I never listen to the radio (kids freak out, scream in high decibels over top of songs), so rarely is something ever reintroduced into my bean. My bean is like a cabin in Alaska. A cabin with the internet, but no radio. There is a whole world of music to rediscover.

Also, I often have crickets in my sink. Maybe you want to see them every week. I could even serialize it, like a cricket soap opera? Maybe they become so popular I install a web camera and you can see the crickets all day and night, if you want? If 'Album I totally forgot to listen to for ten years but is really super great, plus look how many crickets are in my sink Wednesday' turns out to be really popular (like 30 comments plus, but no pressure, gentle reader), maybe I'll make it a regular thing.

First off, look how many crickets are in my bathroom sink!

This is really going to freak out my sister, Jen, who thinks crickets are scarier than spiders. This is an irrational fear, because, hey Jen, spiders bite, and also, the spiders we have around here are huge and hairy. And they bite. And they are hairy. And huge. And they bite. Crickets just chirp, and hang around the sink, and jump in your hair when you turn on the water to wet down your toothbrush.

There were five crickets. That's a lot of crickets for one sink, right? I totally didn't stage this. None of those crickets are actors or stunt doubles. I went in to brush my teeth last night, and there they all were. There were also some on the floor and in the other sink. We are pretty much infested.

So, how about this album that I totally forgot to listen to for ten years but is really super great? Well, don't get over-excited. Remember, I didn't say that YOU had totally forgotten about it for ten years, or even that you ever liked it at all. You might think it is rubbish. Ancient rubbish. Like, partially composted stinky rubbish that I shouldn't have dug outta the landfill. Or, you might be some kind of youngster, barely legal, with boobs that are high and tight (I hate you, btw), and are all like, "I think my mom listened to that while she drove me to preschool and I was strapped into my car seat. But, I'm not really into oldies."

Who are you calling an oldie? Don't you know that I have Justin Timberlake's jeans on their way to me in the U.S. Mail? Well, you can just take me off your google reader, girlie.

No, wait, don't be so hasty. I'm sorry.

Is not your fault you have perky breasts.



So, anyhow, you should all go listen to August and Everything After by Counting Crows. It has aged well, like the finest Martinelli's Apple Cider. Or moldy cheese. I liked it, in 1993; but now, I think I've slowed down a bit, matured, maybe; and I appreciate it even more. My favorites songs are Round Here and Anna Begins. They are on the player over yonder.

Why was 1993 so long ago? Songs are bonifide oldies, as am I! Is horrendous news!

Stupid, high-breasted snippets, reminding me of my approaching dotage, and looming mortality.

Ah, well. I've enjoyed getting reacquainted with the Crows (Counting, not Black, although...I did enjoy me a little Hard to Handle of a Friday afternoon, back in 1992) so much, I'm ruminating on going to see them September 5 with Maroon 5 and Augustana. I should really go before bands join AARP.

What about you? Like(d) the Crows (either sort)? Have you recently rediscovered any treasures buried on your ipod or CD shelf?

Got any crickets? Other infestations?

Any irrational fears of any sort? Irrational fears are often entertaining.

Now, don't you all comment at once.

(Sound of crickets chirping.)

34 comments:

Pam said...

You had to have sweet talked those crickets somehow to get such an amazing turnout in one sink. Unless you crashed the party they were throwing while listening to your newly rekindled love for them Crows.
Love the Crows hate the crickets. Now I'm tempted to dig out my old music to see what treasures I've been missin'.

Varney Family said...

OK - so I love that album and haven't listened to it in I don't know how long...thanks for the reminder - be it funny and side splitting :) As for those pesky crickets - they are way better than spiders fat and hairy that bite...anyday! We have a great bug guy who has sprayed for my hubbies entire family for over 30 years...we don't have any bug problems over here (knock on wood) so his name is John w/ Safari pest control - his own company and no contracts and is really nice...# 480-833-2004...just ask the Grahams, Jacobsons, Bitters... Good luck!

Kristen said...

That album was the first cd I ever bought. Love it.

One Sassy Mama said...

As long as you don't rediscover Milli Vanilli -- I'm fine with your Wednesday theme. You are very retro to me with your Counting Crows love.

Oh--and you know what would totally get rid of those crickets? Some Seagulls. Of course, then you'd have the whole birdpoop problem.

cally said...

Seriously, Round Here, Mr. Jones and I totally catch the Ghost Train to Sullivan Street and watch the Rain King jump from Perfect Blue Buildings while it's Raining in Baltimore, until Anna Begins to whine, then we go home to Omaha.

Seriously sweet stuff.

I needed to add my comment so you'll reach 30 something and bring back the crickets.

Crick-et-Cam! Crick-et-Cam!
(it's a chant. Or a cheer. whatever)

Jolene said...

First the crickets: If I were you Kelly B and I walked in to that bathroom, I totally would have wet my new sexy jeans. Just the picture made me scream a little girly scream. My brother is a bug guy by the way. I can totally hook you up.

Second the crows: I mean it. I second them and that album as one of the greatest ever. That was one of the first cds we bought as a married couple. Good Times. Anna Begins is the BEST SONG EVER -every word she says is nonsense, but I understand...

I'm going to go plug my ipod in right now!! Can't wait for next Wednesday!

Alyson | New England Living said...

Great album! I'm digging your taste. I, however, am rediscovering the '80s, even though I was a little kid then. I can't get enough of the new wave. Ipods are awesome for renewing love for old music.

Janell said...

Hey - I pulled this one out not too long ago too and realized how much I loved it!!! Sorry, but I agree with Jen in that crickets are way scarier than spider - things that jump freak me out.

Wonder Woman said...

"Sound of crickets chirping." LOVE IT! You are one funny lady! And I guess I didn't realize crickets had antennae that are twice the size of their bodies. Is that normal? Or just in AZ? Creepy.

And I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to veto your Wednesday theme because NONE of the words start with "W!" What about "Wicked music from Way back When and Wowzers! look at the Wild Wigglers in my sink! Wednesday"? =D

Ahh, the Crows. Actually what came to mind was the Shrek 2 song. (One of the only kids' DVDs we owned for a while.) I forgot that they sang Mr. Jones! Superman and I love singing to that one. It's a "back-in-the-day" song.

And Cally - uber clever. Seriously. I'm impressed.

Wonder Woman said...

I forgot to say that I've recently discovered an Alison Krauss CD from about 10 years ago that I'm LOVING. I keep it in the car because whenever I put it on, the kids fall asleep. Best CD EVER!!!!!

Gini said...

There is some great stuff at Lowe's in a blue container that you spray around the house.. but do it when the kids are out and be sure to have a hanky or something covering your face.. it will kill the crickets and maybe YOU if you don't do it fast and get out. The tenants love it!!!!

LisAway said...

LOVE that album! Bought there next one too, but never got into it. This is one of my favorite albums to sing along to.

And grasshoppers were originally my least favorite, until I lived in a place full of crickets and I HATE THEM! Look at those antennae! You never know where they're going to bounce. They're just plain evil. I would totally move out of the house, even before having it bombed or anything. UGH!

Wonder Woman said...

Oh, and I TOLD you that you would get the jeans!! I foresaw it!! I assume you got them on e-bay? That was fast.

I'm so happy for you! I'm not even jealous! (Maybe a little.) But mostly happy!

Okay, this is my last comment. For real. Till next time.

acte gratuit said...

Your post made me chuckle. Which made Gabey-Baby chuckle. Which made me laugh. Which made him laugh. Until suddenly we were both laughing hysterically in front of a screen full of crickets.

New experience for me!

Now, for the important part of this post: I also recently rediscovered this album...when I was secretly downloading my friend's copy onto my computer while staying at her house. (She's not sure how she feels about "Music sharing" and I didn't want to disturb her delicate sensibilities...so I just stole. (We used to be roommates which is practically like being in a common-law marriage which means I'm probably entitled to half of all her CD's and clothes anyway. Right?)

Anyway, while staying with afore mentioned roommate, I also became reacquainted with Ska since she was really into THAT back in the day. (I pretended to like it, but was pretty much just a poser.) Anyway, I was surprised how much I enjoyed hearing "The Aquabats" and "Squirrel Nut Zipper" again. Who knew?!?!

also known as shell said...

Yahooo for your jeans. As for the album to be honest with you I've never heard of it. You'll have to tell me a great song from it so I can go take a listen.

Brett and Shireen Olsen said...

We keep that album out and about and listen to it regularly - a great one indeed. We saw them in concert a few years ago and loved them, so if you go, enjoy! And being an oldie isn't so bad...

As for the crickets, for some reason they freak me out too, but perhaps not as bad as they freak out Jen. They are NOT as scary as big hairy biting spiders. But they do jump and that's freaky. Last night we went for a walk, and as we walked in the door, something large and flying came through the door with us. Brett had to find it and kill it, of course, because I would never sleep if it was inside and potentially alive. So did you kill them all, or just wash them down? And where do that many come from? Do you have a little cricket sanctuary somewhere?

Kaci said...

Oooo great album!! I agree and crickets gross! HAHA!! :)

Renae said...

Well, I'm embarrassed to admit that I had terrible taste in music before I met Justin. (rap and country. I'm so ashamed) Fortunately he introduced me to the "good stuff" including the Crows. Love them.
We haven't seen too many crickets over here. That would be because we have so many scorpions that the poor crickets don't have a chance for survival. :) I'll trade you?

Anonymous said...

You're a great writer.

Have a good one!

Natalie said...

I think crickets are cute. (there, i said it.)
We are afflicted with little creatures called Silverfish that are not cute at all. They have antennaes out of both ends of their bodies. Ick!


I love that album because it was one of those from the head-over-heels-in-love-with-the-man-I-eventually-married period in my life, and really, you always have a special place in your heart for those songs.
I recently rediscovered REM's Automatic for the People (that's the one with Everybody Hurts and Nightswimming, etc.) It's truly amazing.

Anonymous said...

This is one of my favourite albums of all time. I go weeks on end listening to nothing else, then I put it away from a year or two. :)

Anonymous said...

According to code 1456, section 1d of the Arizona Penal Code, you have way too many friggin crickets in your house, and I may never come over ever again! Cricket- Cam Wednesday will also prevent me from perusing your blog on hump day. I'm just saying...Crickets are freaky. Crickets en masse are devastating. You may as well just deed over the bathroom to them.

Beeswax said...

I forgot to tell you MY irrational fear: bug spray. I'll do it, but only when the house is totally overrun with critters (is possibly the case, now, with the crickets. We also have aforementioned hairy spiders, and also some earwigs).

Beeswax said...

Wonder woman, can't you see I'm consciously bucking the alliterative trend? Though you title idea is mutch catchier than mine....Where can I buy seagulls?Cally, that is some serious poeticalness.Acte, according to your definition, I am common-law married to my cousin Melanie and my sister. Which is creepy. But they have some good stuff which apparently I am entitiled to 1/2 of.Renae, rap, country and scorpions, ick.Told you all Jen would freak out, but many more of YOU seem to have irrational cricket fears than I suspected.I also have an irrational fear of fish. I'll blog about that sometime.

The Fear Fam said...

I would scream like my 4 year old if I went to brush my teeth and saw those crickets in my sink. Yikes!

That being said, this was a very funny post with a very funny title. And I have that album, too.

~A

Hailey said...

You are my blog idol. When I see you in real life again, I might blush and not know what to say.

Hailey said...

Also, I have totally met the guitarist of Maroon 5 because he came to a play I was in (because maybe he was and is the director's brother-in-law.)

Leslie said...

The title alone kills me! Love it!

Delightful...as usual. :)

Eric and Breanna Graham said...

Thanks for the Crow's reminder. I'm going to have to dig that one out. It's in the ol' cd collection somewhere. I believe it's time to put that baby back into rotation and put it on the ipod. I look forward to the day I can listen to music in my car. These days I'm stuck listening to movies. My dang kids are anti-headphones!

AdriansCrazyLife said...

Just so you can have 30 comments on your cricket/album post, I thought I'd leave you something totally unrelated.

How did you get your blogroll? I think that's cool how it shows the latest post on each blog. It would save me a bunch of time in checking blogs that never get updated.

kitchenditcher said...

I have neither perky breasts nor this album. But I do hear crickets outside at night. Glad I didn't have three strikes against me. :o}

Sherrie said...

Hmmm, just wondering if wonder womans 3 comments equal 1 or 3? After all you did just say it would take 30 comments to keep the wed theme going. I say make it 3 so we are sure to have enough. Can I encourage you to visit Jann Arden (sp?) for next wed. Never get tired of Insensitive. It is age old and always holds true. Oh and congrats on the Justin jeans but I must ask are they best for flat butts? Cuz I must say I have an "lucky" brand butt, definitely not flat!

Beeswax said...

I have found some luck with the luckys. But as I was shopping with my sister one day, and I patted some Seven jeans, she told me "Just step away. You do NOT have a Seven butt." (She knows. Her butt= mine, only smaller).

Shanana said...

I was in Mervyn's in the dressing room recently and finding that tune after tune on the sound system really SPOKE to me! I mean, I was rocking out! It was the only time I've ever had fun trying on bras (for my boobs... which are, I assure you, no longer perky). It then ocurred to me: "Doesn't Mervyn's typically play oldies? Didn't I gag every time I walked into that store when I was a teenager because they would always play my MOM'S favorite tunes?"

So not only did I have to concede that I had moved up another back size on my super supportive and not at all sexy over-the-shoulder-boulder-holder, but I had to come to grips with the fact that I was part of the generation inspiring an oldies station.