I've been blogging with three fabulous women for almost two years and have been enjoying all the fun topics we come up with week after week. If you want to see what we've discussed in the past, check out our posts here.
This week, Moma Rock says: It's song dedication time! When you hear certain songs, who do they make you think of, and why?
Before reading ahead, first see what everyone else had to say on this topic:
Froggie
Mom of Many
Moma Rock
When Moma Rock first gave us this topic, I immediately thought of "I Go Back" by Kenny Chesney. "Every time I hear that song, I go back..." Some songs immediately make me think of people and others make me think of certain places or events in my life. Please excuse the randomness of this post (and the length).
First off, there are a few songs that remind me of "Will," in one way or another. The first is "True" by Spandau Ballet, since we would add "By Wally Lamb" into the chorus. (I heard it recently at my favorite Kosher pizza establishment and had a hard time not laughing.) Then there's "I Can't Get You Out of My Head" by Kylie Minogue, since he got me her CD when I visited him in Israel and then our bus driver on the Birthright trip would play that song every day, as well. "I Will Love Again" by Lara Fabian reminds me of all the times that "Will" and I would go to gay clubs and that song would be playing. Anytime I hear it, I think of dancing with him on a podium (and how he knocked me off one time). And of course, "Get...in...the...pooooool!" Really, a LOT of songs remind me of "Will," as we have so much history. There are songs from ABBA, Barenaked Ladies, Dixie Chicks, various Broadway musicals, Audra McDonald (probably the least Jewish song possible), etc.
There are also songs that remind me of "Jack." I was listening to Spotify recently and "Around the World" by ATC came on. I was instantly transported back to the days when we would work together and then go to gay clubs on weekends. I also think of him when I hear "Ice Cream" by Sarah McLachlan because we sang it together at Karaoke once. The Little Shop of Horrors soundtrack makes me think of him because we auditioned for a community theater production once and were practicing "Suddenly Seymour" in the car the whole way there. Just like with "Will," there are a lot of Broadway musicals that make me think of "Jack." He gave me the soundtrack from The Last Five Years shortly before my wedding (not the most fitting gift, but I still love it). Anytime I hear it, I think of when we sat in my car by Old Orchard mall and he explained the background behind each song.
Whenever I hear "Perfect" by P!nk, I think of Katydid because I know it's one of her favorite songs and also because she looks like Tina Majorino, who was in the music video for this song. Most Jann Arden songs remind me of her, as well. "AM to PM" by Christina Milian reminds me of Froggie because it's the only song she ever sang at Karaoke and we sang it together. New Kids on the Block and Debbie Gibson make me think of her too. And also, "Heaven is a Place on Earth" by Belinda Carlisle because I bought Belinda's record the first time she and I hung out when we were in sixth grade. (Also, we're a bit like Romy and Michele and that song was played in the movie.) Aside from Barenaked Ladies songs reminding me of "Will," I also think of Cass (a.k.a. Mrs. McCheese), a friend I met at my Voicestream/T-Mobile job. She and I went to their concert together and we'd e-mail each other lines from songs. I could really go on all day with songs that remind me of various friends, but I'll stop here.
Next up is "Big Girls Don't Cry" by Fergie, which I can't even listen to since the summer of 2007. It reminds me of the first (temporary) house we had in New Jersey and all the bad feelings associated with it. The main one being how horribly rude the shul president (at the time) was to us and how utterly unwelcome he made us feel right from the beginning. I think I go out of my way to make people feel welcome in my current community because I don't think anyone should EVER feel the way he made us feel at that time.
Some songs take me way back, such as "In Your Eyes" by Peter Gabriel, which I heard at a school dance when I was in eighth grade. It was a mixer dance from Snowflake (this special anti-drug program that all the schools participated in) and some people from my future high school were there. One in particular was this attractive senior named Vance. He asked me to dance to "In Your Eyes" and was telling me how much he loved Say Anything and how I had to watch it. He was really nice to me, which made me feel really good about myself. (Years later, I spent an evening chatting with an acquaintance about him, as it turned out she would "stalk" him at T.G.I. Friday's when he was working there. Small world?)
During my freshman year of college, I was becoming familiar with Toad the Wet Sprocket. Over winter break, I bought Dulcinea on cassette and listened to it non-stop. Hearing it now always reminds me of that time in my life. When I was a junior, I became acquaintances with a guy I had met through one of the online chat groups. He was also a TTWS fan and even made me a mix tape of some rare songs. A few other singers/groups that remind me of college are Jewel, Natalie Merchant, Stone Temple Pilots, Smashing Pumpkins (mainly because a friend and I would joke about Billy Corrigan being Jamie from Small Wonder, after hearing a rumor about it) and Hootie and the Blowfish...amongst a few others. There's also the soundtracks for Clueless, Reality Bites, Empire Records and Pulp Fiction. Jill Sobule reminds me of the summer between sophomore and junior year.
Then there's "One of Us" by Joan Osborn. The first time I ever heard that song, before it became really popular, was on my friend Dave's answering machine. When it started playing on the radio more often, he was back in Utah and it made me miss being able to call him so easily. We lost contact for a while after he moved, but now he's on Facebook. Recently, I heard a song playing at Chabad, where the music group used parts of "One of Us" in the instrumentals. Too funny!
Of course, there are songs that make me think of the most special guy in my life (aside from my sons). The first is "Wherever You Will Go" by The Calling. When we were first dating, I had liked that song a lot and on our first real date (where he picked me up from my condo and drove me to a bowling alley and then dinner), it was one of the first songs I heard playing in his car. Another encouraging sign at the time. On our honeymoon in St. Lucia, they kept playing "Hey Ya" by Outkast at the resort and we now associate it with that wonderful week.
Speaking of travel music, whenever I hear "Rock the Boat (Don't Tip the Boat Over)" by Hues Corporation, I think of my first Royal Caribbean cruise. I thought the song was written for the cruise boat and found it annoying. When I was back at school, I was out one night with my friends and that song came on in their car. I was so surprised to find out that it was a real song!
When I was pregnant with my older son, "Holla Back Girl" by Gwen Stefani would be playing a lot and hearing it now reminds me of those last few months before he was born. "Baby Girl" by Sugarland reminds me of the beginning of the pregnancy. (It's a wonder I had a boy with those two songs being associated so heavily.) Oddly enough, I also would listen to LeAnn Rimes' This Woman CD (with "Something's Gotta Give"). Carrie Underwood's Carnival Ride CD reminds me of my pregnancy with my younger son. I also associate Idina Menzel's I Stand CD and the Spring Awakening soundtrack with that period of time. And even though I got Adele's 21 CD after my daughter was born, I associate her music with my pregnancy. Maybe because I heard "Rolling in the Deep" on the radio all the time...
Finally, hearing Beyonce singing "Independent Women" with Destiny's Child again made me think of 2001, when that was my theme song and I'd blast it in my car on the way to the city for improv classes. I still love that song!
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
52 Stories: C'mon, get happy
Inspired by One Hundred Names by Cecelia Ahern, I've decided to ask people some thought provoking questions about themselves, as I feel that everyone has a story to tell. If you're just joining me on this journey today, please check out the previous posts from this series, as well.
I sort of met this storyteller at a book signing last summer. We didn't actually talk, we just noticed each other and commented it about online later, as we saw each others' profiles through some mutual friends. Since then, we've been e-mailing sporadically and I recently learned that she'd fit very well into my family. I hope we can meet up sometime in the near future, seeing that she doesn't live too far from me. She seems very sweet, just from what I can tell online.
Name you'd like to go by: JSully
Age: 38
Gender: Female
Location: Arlington, VA
What is an experience that is legendary for you?
I had difficutly coming up with something that would be described as “legendary” in my life, so instead I chose to describe a period of time that changed my life and the way I lived it. In 2009 I spent a month in Djibouti for work. It was during this time I realized I desired a simpler life. By simple, not “needing” extravagance. My experience was a real eye-opener. While I was fortunate to have a driver, a bullet-proof vehicle and a stay in the only civilized and modernized hotel, I witnessed the lives of thousands of Somalian refugees. Djibouti is a very small, but peaceful and independent country located in Africa. Even though living conditions on the streets of Djibouti (desert-like) are horrifying by our standards, the refugees’ lives are ideal in their safe haven where they have freedom.
Each morning I watched refugees awake in their homes made of four stakes in the dry desert floor with a piece of material tied to the top for a roof. The women and children washed clothing in a basin of water. Men… well, they seemed to sit there a lot. It’s so hard to imagine this life is better than what they had. It wasn’t long before I vowed to donate more once I got home. I simplified my life and I don’t shop for clothing and materialistic things like I used to.
To this day when I think of their lifestyle, I constantly look at mine and am thankful that we live here, in America with the “luxury” of freedom and the ability to live in a home – a real one.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Despite my feelings of simplifying my life, I have not been able to rid of ‘most’ of my boots. I have 25 pairs of boots.
What is something you've never done but you would like to do?
Go on a Safari.
If you could give someone one of your favorite things as a gift, what would it be and why?
Happiness. Can you imagine, bottling happiness and being able to give it as a gift? No explanation needed. J
What is something you did that changed someone's life?
Donate blood on a regular basis. I know I still change someone’s life, even if I don’t know who they are.
What part of your personality is now extinct?
The gullibility, being naïve. After being engaged to a con-artist and putting him in jail for ID theft, I have learned to understand what a gut feeling is, and to trust it.
What is one thing that you find really funny?
I can’t think of funny things on command! Perhaps I will come back to this, but I find a lot of things funny.
Tell me one thing you love about yourself (or a gift you'd like to get yourself, where money is not an issue):
I don’t feel I need any ‘items’ so I can’t imagine wanting anything I don’t already have or cannot get on my own. However, one thing I would like, that money cannot buy, is 100% hearing without the assistance of devices.
What TV show, book or movie is most like your life?
I dispute this and I’m telling you only because I can’t think of any on my own…. My girlfriends tell me Sex and the City; a cross between Carrie and Samantha.
What is something that not many people know about you?
I’m hearing impaired; severe to profound. I have never lived in a ‘deaf world,’ and thus this comes as a shock for anyone who has not known another who was hearing impaired.
I sort of met this storyteller at a book signing last summer. We didn't actually talk, we just noticed each other and commented it about online later, as we saw each others' profiles through some mutual friends. Since then, we've been e-mailing sporadically and I recently learned that she'd fit very well into my family. I hope we can meet up sometime in the near future, seeing that she doesn't live too far from me. She seems very sweet, just from what I can tell online.
Name you'd like to go by: JSully
Age: 38
Gender: Female
Location: Arlington, VA
What is an experience that is legendary for you?
I had difficutly coming up with something that would be described as “legendary” in my life, so instead I chose to describe a period of time that changed my life and the way I lived it. In 2009 I spent a month in Djibouti for work. It was during this time I realized I desired a simpler life. By simple, not “needing” extravagance. My experience was a real eye-opener. While I was fortunate to have a driver, a bullet-proof vehicle and a stay in the only civilized and modernized hotel, I witnessed the lives of thousands of Somalian refugees. Djibouti is a very small, but peaceful and independent country located in Africa. Even though living conditions on the streets of Djibouti (desert-like) are horrifying by our standards, the refugees’ lives are ideal in their safe haven where they have freedom.
Each morning I watched refugees awake in their homes made of four stakes in the dry desert floor with a piece of material tied to the top for a roof. The women and children washed clothing in a basin of water. Men… well, they seemed to sit there a lot. It’s so hard to imagine this life is better than what they had. It wasn’t long before I vowed to donate more once I got home. I simplified my life and I don’t shop for clothing and materialistic things like I used to.
To this day when I think of their lifestyle, I constantly look at mine and am thankful that we live here, in America with the “luxury” of freedom and the ability to live in a home – a real one.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Despite my feelings of simplifying my life, I have not been able to rid of ‘most’ of my boots. I have 25 pairs of boots.
What is something you've never done but you would like to do?
Go on a Safari.
If you could give someone one of your favorite things as a gift, what would it be and why?
Happiness. Can you imagine, bottling happiness and being able to give it as a gift? No explanation needed. J
What is something you did that changed someone's life?
Donate blood on a regular basis. I know I still change someone’s life, even if I don’t know who they are.
What part of your personality is now extinct?
The gullibility, being naïve. After being engaged to a con-artist and putting him in jail for ID theft, I have learned to understand what a gut feeling is, and to trust it.
What is one thing that you find really funny?
I can’t think of funny things on command! Perhaps I will come back to this, but I find a lot of things funny.
Tell me one thing you love about yourself (or a gift you'd like to get yourself, where money is not an issue):
I don’t feel I need any ‘items’ so I can’t imagine wanting anything I don’t already have or cannot get on my own. However, one thing I would like, that money cannot buy, is 100% hearing without the assistance of devices.
What TV show, book or movie is most like your life?
I dispute this and I’m telling you only because I can’t think of any on my own…. My girlfriends tell me Sex and the City; a cross between Carrie and Samantha.
What is something that not many people know about you?
I’m hearing impaired; severe to profound. I have never lived in a ‘deaf world,’ and thus this comes as a shock for anyone who has not known another who was hearing impaired.
Monday, February 4, 2013
Know Me Better...in 2013
I am a Reader, Not a Writer is a blog I've been following. The blogger's initiative (which she finally brought back...unless I've been sleeping for a long time and missing a lot of these posts) is to pick five questions off of her author interview list to answer. She invited her readers to share their answers to these questions, as well. One of the ways to do this is through our own blogs. So I'm going to do it right here.
This Week's Questions:
*Is there anything you would like to say to or ask your favorite author?
*Are you a dreamer or a realist?
*Theater or Rental?
*Share a family tradition.
*Favorite late night snack?
Is there anything you would like to say to or ask your favorite author?
I do it (almost) every week on my blog (since I'm not the only one doing interviews anymore). However, I don't think Wally Lamb will be visiting a chick lit blog and I'd love to tell him how incredible his books are and how She's Come Undone still sticks with me 15 years after reading it. I'd ask him why he doesn't write books more often, as he's such a talented writer.
Are you a dreamer or a realist?
A bit of both. I'm a dreamer in that I always look for the positive in everything. I'm also realistic in that I don't expect things to happen the way I wish they would. (Although it would be nice if I had full control over all things happening in the world...again, dreaming!)
Theater or Rental?
Ideally, theater...but only if I get a good price on movie tickets. I love the theater experience from the comfy seats to the smell of popcorn to the zillion (yes, I know that's not a real number) previews.
Share a family tradition.
Shabbat dinner. I light the Shabbat candles when my husband goes to mincha services. When he gets back, we sing, do blessings over our children, wine/grape juice and challah and then we eat. My husband reads the parasha to the boys from a children's book about it while I put the baby to bed. Then we have dessert and say Grace after meals.
Favorite late night snack?
Popcorn, but I am lacking the good kind of microwave popcorn, as the single-serve bags don't pop as nicely and usually burn before they even get all the way through popping.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You're welcome to do this question challenge in your blog and then post the link in the comments section. I'd love to read your answers too!
This Week's Questions:
*Is there anything you would like to say to or ask your favorite author?
*Are you a dreamer or a realist?
*Theater or Rental?
*Share a family tradition.
*Favorite late night snack?
Is there anything you would like to say to or ask your favorite author?
I do it (almost) every week on my blog (since I'm not the only one doing interviews anymore). However, I don't think Wally Lamb will be visiting a chick lit blog and I'd love to tell him how incredible his books are and how She's Come Undone still sticks with me 15 years after reading it. I'd ask him why he doesn't write books more often, as he's such a talented writer.
Are you a dreamer or a realist?
A bit of both. I'm a dreamer in that I always look for the positive in everything. I'm also realistic in that I don't expect things to happen the way I wish they would. (Although it would be nice if I had full control over all things happening in the world...again, dreaming!)
Theater or Rental?
Ideally, theater...but only if I get a good price on movie tickets. I love the theater experience from the comfy seats to the smell of popcorn to the zillion (yes, I know that's not a real number) previews.
Share a family tradition.
Shabbat dinner. I light the Shabbat candles when my husband goes to mincha services. When he gets back, we sing, do blessings over our children, wine/grape juice and challah and then we eat. My husband reads the parasha to the boys from a children's book about it while I put the baby to bed. Then we have dessert and say Grace after meals.
Favorite late night snack?
Popcorn, but I am lacking the good kind of microwave popcorn, as the single-serve bags don't pop as nicely and usually burn before they even get all the way through popping.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You're welcome to do this question challenge in your blog and then post the link in the comments section. I'd love to read your answers too!
Thursday, January 31, 2013
I've been branded!
I've been blogging with three fabulous women for almost two years and have been enjoying all the fun topics we come up with week after week. If you want to see what we've discussed in the past, check out our posts here.
This week, Froggie wants to discuss Brand loyalty: Is it a good thing? Bad thing? Is there a brand that it would take a vast shift in the universe to get you to stop using?
Before reading ahead, first see what everyone else had to say on this topic:
Froggie
Mom of Many
Moma Rock
This was an interesting topic for me. I don't really give brand loyalty much thought, but when it came up, I immediately associated it with food. I'm sure brands of clothing or brands of electronics could also fit in this category.
I don't really know that I've been loyal to all that many brands. After I started keeping Kosher, the Kraft macaroni and cheese had to hit the road. I also had to give up on Lean Cuisine, Campbell's soup and a few other products I had been using prior. For regular pasta, I just get whatever's on sale. There are Kosher ramen noodles, but they are more expensive than the non-Kosher brands. Most ice cream brands (Edy's, Ben and Jerry's, Breyer's, etc.) are Kosher too. I am even fine with getting the store brand from Giant (especially with Ande's mints inside). Nabisco Wheat Thins are not Kosher, but Target makes the same product for less of a cost, and it has a hecksher (Kosher symbol). When I bake, I usually lean towards Duncan Hines, but Pillsbury Funfetti cake mix is good too. I don't mind buying the store brand for most products if it's less expensive and also Kosher. It's usually the same quality or pretty close. Shop Rite chocolate chips are the only kind that are pareve, so I'll stock up on those when I want to do some major baking. I also go for store brands when it comes to buying soda. When Giant has a 79 cent sale for bottles of their soda, why not start hoarding them like crazy?!? It tastes fine and I can't even tell the difference between their diet cola and Diet Coke. And since we shop at Costco a lot, most of the stuff we get there is Kirkland brand (usually items that don't have to be Kosher, like paper goods).
The one thing that would shift the universe if it stopped being sold is Kellogg's Vanilla Almond Special K. When that goes on sale, I buy tons of it and that is on top of my Amazon subscription! There are other versions of this kind of cereal, but it's just not the same! I could never stop using it unless it stopped being sold....and I completely dread a time when that would be even possible. *Shudder*
What are the brands YOU stick by no matter what, if any?
This week, Froggie wants to discuss Brand loyalty: Is it a good thing? Bad thing? Is there a brand that it would take a vast shift in the universe to get you to stop using?
Before reading ahead, first see what everyone else had to say on this topic:
Froggie
Mom of Many
Moma Rock
This was an interesting topic for me. I don't really give brand loyalty much thought, but when it came up, I immediately associated it with food. I'm sure brands of clothing or brands of electronics could also fit in this category.
I don't really know that I've been loyal to all that many brands. After I started keeping Kosher, the Kraft macaroni and cheese had to hit the road. I also had to give up on Lean Cuisine, Campbell's soup and a few other products I had been using prior. For regular pasta, I just get whatever's on sale. There are Kosher ramen noodles, but they are more expensive than the non-Kosher brands. Most ice cream brands (Edy's, Ben and Jerry's, Breyer's, etc.) are Kosher too. I am even fine with getting the store brand from Giant (especially with Ande's mints inside). Nabisco Wheat Thins are not Kosher, but Target makes the same product for less of a cost, and it has a hecksher (Kosher symbol). When I bake, I usually lean towards Duncan Hines, but Pillsbury Funfetti cake mix is good too. I don't mind buying the store brand for most products if it's less expensive and also Kosher. It's usually the same quality or pretty close. Shop Rite chocolate chips are the only kind that are pareve, so I'll stock up on those when I want to do some major baking. I also go for store brands when it comes to buying soda. When Giant has a 79 cent sale for bottles of their soda, why not start hoarding them like crazy?!? It tastes fine and I can't even tell the difference between their diet cola and Diet Coke. And since we shop at Costco a lot, most of the stuff we get there is Kirkland brand (usually items that don't have to be Kosher, like paper goods).
The one thing that would shift the universe if it stopped being sold is Kellogg's Vanilla Almond Special K. When that goes on sale, I buy tons of it and that is on top of my Amazon subscription! There are other versions of this kind of cereal, but it's just not the same! I could never stop using it unless it stopped being sold....and I completely dread a time when that would be even possible. *Shudder*
What are the brands YOU stick by no matter what, if any?
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
52 Stories: Captain Awesome
Inspired by One Hundred Names by Cecelia Ahern, I've decided to ask people some thought provoking questions about themselves, as I feel that everyone has a story to tell. If you're just joining me on this journey today, please check out the previous posts from this series, as well.
I met this week's storyteller in 1994, back in my Rocky Horror days. He was genuinely nice and would even send me letters at school. He got married to another friend of mine from the theater where we saw RHPS. The wedding was at the same theater, right before the movie....the guys wore dresses and the girls wore tuxes. Definitely a memorable night! After that, I lost touch with both of them, but we reunited a few years ago on Facebook.
Name you'd like to go by: Captain Awesome (or Bill Napier is fine)
Age (or age range): 39 for a few weeks, but it still counts
Gender: All man!
Location: Illinois
What is an experience that is legendary for you?
Meeting KMFDM backstage. Certain unmentionable girlfriend moments. Meeting DRI. Rocky Horror Experience and getting married there.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Too many to list. Mostly a bunch of ordinary little things that are too ordinary to notice.
What is something you've never done but you would like to do?
Go on a real honeymoon. and travel out of the states but not combined.
If you could give someone one of your favorite things as a gift, what would it be and why?
My collection of personal writings, poetry, and art I guess would be my most invaluable gift (to me anyway)
What is something you did that changed someone's life?
Don't think one would really know that answer would they? Sometimes the littlest things one can do has a huge ripple effect on others. Dunno.
What part of your personality is now extinct?
Sorry if offensive, but loosing my asshole-ish religious persona. I really feel it drove some people away. And it allowed me to become human and lovable. So it attracted others.
What is one thing that you find really funny?
Tom Green, Mr. Bean, etc. that's two-ish things I guess.
Tell me one thing you love about yourself (or a gift you'd like to get yourself, where money is not an issue):
I'm funny. I give my comedy to others to enjoy.
What TV show, book or movie is most like your life?
I have a wide eclectic set of favs.
TV show: The Simpsons
Book (series): If I have to pick one it is the Foundation series.
Movie: Falling Down. It describes me so much and how close I can be to being a criminal for simply being an ordinary man.
What is something that not many people know about you?
*Censored*
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Having a Zack attack!
Recently, some friends told me they were going to a Saved by the Bell trivia night and I was totally jealous. I could have totally won a trivia game like that. I know this because when my husband and I were first dating, we kept quizzing each other on Saved by the Bell questions and I knew even the most obscure details. (A few years later, I made him a cake that said "Happy wrong number by the sea.")
Saved by the Bell is such a pop culture icon. If you went to high school in the 90s, it's almost a guarantee that you watched it. There was a lot of cheesiness throughout the series, but also some great heartfelt moments that just made it that much more special.
I found it interesting that Zack was the protagonist because he acted selfishly most of the time. He would do some manipulative thing in order to get Kelly to go out with him and it would somehow backfire. However, he'd still end up being the good guy somehow. Maybe because the show was from his perspective? If Slater had been the lead narrator of the show, Zack would have totally come off as a jerk. It's just amusing that Zack will do something appalling but then we'll cheer for him to come out on top, even when his friends are trying to teach him a lesson.
And really...his friends?!? I don't get how Zack, who was apparently the most popular guy in school, even with his giant cell phone, had the desire to hang out with Screech. I don't even get where Screech fit in, other than to be Zack's accomplice in his mischevous plans. And I recently found out that Lark Voorhies, the actress who played Lisa, is having some sort of nervous breakdown. Maybe it's because Screech was in her face all the time on the show. I would have a nervous breakdown as an adult too! I like geeks (I watch The Big Bang Theory, after all), but Screech was just over the top. He even stuck around for the new class in order to annoy Mr. Belding some more. Then there's Slater, who was apparently Zack's frenemy. They fought more often than they got along. I think the only time they started to become real friends was when Slater gave up his dreams of chasing Kelly in order to go out with Jessie instead.
In any case, Zack was a memorable character. Mark-Paul even brought his persona to Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, complete with the large cell phone.
There's something that just drew me in to watching every week. Maybe it was because I thought Mark-Paul Gosselaar was a hottie and would have totally played the role of Kelly and just threw myself at him instead of thwarting his attempts at courtship. Sure, Mario Lopez was cute too, but I had a thing for Mark-Paul. It also could have been wanting a show with people my age to whom I could relate in some way. Each character was diverse (maybe that's why they needed Screech, to add that balance in) and there was at least one that each viewer could identify with. I could relate to Jessie a lot. I still do sometimes. I know I could relate to DJ on Full House too, but this was just different. The vacation episodes helped a lot. I felt like I was at the beach club or in Hawaii or at some fancy hotel for Jessie's dad's wedding. I liked that not every episode took place at Bayside.
My favorite episode of all time is when Jessie takes caffeine pills to keep up with her stressful life. It had such a real moment, when Zack finally figures out that she really was taking the pills and Slater wasn't lying after all. Then he tries to get her to stop taking them and she sings "I'm So Excited" but then says she's so scared and breaks down crying while he hugs her. Then he tells her all these things she used to do as a kid to show her how she'll get through this rough patch in her life. I actually cry during that scene every time I watch it. For a cheesy and campy teen show, it was an incredibly heartfelt moment between two friends and I wanted to savor it for as long as I could. (You can watch it right here.) Another reason is because I feel like Jessie sometimes and want to scream "there's no time!!" (And sometimes I do!). Also the music video was pretty advanced with all the costume flips and the song was good too. (Of course, when you put it up against "Let's Go to the Mall" from How I Met Your Mother, suddenly there's some competition.)
The runner-up favorite episode is "Zack and Kelly's Prom." Kelly has to give up her dream of going to the prom when her dad loses his job and somehow relies on her for money (although it's irksome that a dad would do that to their teenage daughter....maybe he didn't want her to give him the money, but she felt compelled and he took it anyway.) So, she's sad about not going to prom and avoids Zack. He's worried though, and when he finds out the truth, he creates a prom for just the two of them, right outside the real prom. That way they can hear the music and dance together. It was so sweet and romantic, making me wish I had a boyfriend in high school.
I could go on and on about this show. It was such a staple of my teen years and something I'll still watch in syndication. I'd love to hear about your favorite SBTB memories and episodes. I'm sure it will bring back even more memories for me.
Saved by the Bell is such a pop culture icon. If you went to high school in the 90s, it's almost a guarantee that you watched it. There was a lot of cheesiness throughout the series, but also some great heartfelt moments that just made it that much more special.
I found it interesting that Zack was the protagonist because he acted selfishly most of the time. He would do some manipulative thing in order to get Kelly to go out with him and it would somehow backfire. However, he'd still end up being the good guy somehow. Maybe because the show was from his perspective? If Slater had been the lead narrator of the show, Zack would have totally come off as a jerk. It's just amusing that Zack will do something appalling but then we'll cheer for him to come out on top, even when his friends are trying to teach him a lesson.
And really...his friends?!? I don't get how Zack, who was apparently the most popular guy in school, even with his giant cell phone, had the desire to hang out with Screech. I don't even get where Screech fit in, other than to be Zack's accomplice in his mischevous plans. And I recently found out that Lark Voorhies, the actress who played Lisa, is having some sort of nervous breakdown. Maybe it's because Screech was in her face all the time on the show. I would have a nervous breakdown as an adult too! I like geeks (I watch The Big Bang Theory, after all), but Screech was just over the top. He even stuck around for the new class in order to annoy Mr. Belding some more. Then there's Slater, who was apparently Zack's frenemy. They fought more often than they got along. I think the only time they started to become real friends was when Slater gave up his dreams of chasing Kelly in order to go out with Jessie instead.
In any case, Zack was a memorable character. Mark-Paul even brought his persona to Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, complete with the large cell phone.
There's something that just drew me in to watching every week. Maybe it was because I thought Mark-Paul Gosselaar was a hottie and would have totally played the role of Kelly and just threw myself at him instead of thwarting his attempts at courtship. Sure, Mario Lopez was cute too, but I had a thing for Mark-Paul. It also could have been wanting a show with people my age to whom I could relate in some way. Each character was diverse (maybe that's why they needed Screech, to add that balance in) and there was at least one that each viewer could identify with. I could relate to Jessie a lot. I still do sometimes. I know I could relate to DJ on Full House too, but this was just different. The vacation episodes helped a lot. I felt like I was at the beach club or in Hawaii or at some fancy hotel for Jessie's dad's wedding. I liked that not every episode took place at Bayside.
My favorite episode of all time is when Jessie takes caffeine pills to keep up with her stressful life. It had such a real moment, when Zack finally figures out that she really was taking the pills and Slater wasn't lying after all. Then he tries to get her to stop taking them and she sings "I'm So Excited" but then says she's so scared and breaks down crying while he hugs her. Then he tells her all these things she used to do as a kid to show her how she'll get through this rough patch in her life. I actually cry during that scene every time I watch it. For a cheesy and campy teen show, it was an incredibly heartfelt moment between two friends and I wanted to savor it for as long as I could. (You can watch it right here.) Another reason is because I feel like Jessie sometimes and want to scream "there's no time!!" (And sometimes I do!). Also the music video was pretty advanced with all the costume flips and the song was good too. (Of course, when you put it up against "Let's Go to the Mall" from How I Met Your Mother, suddenly there's some competition.)
The runner-up favorite episode is "Zack and Kelly's Prom." Kelly has to give up her dream of going to the prom when her dad loses his job and somehow relies on her for money (although it's irksome that a dad would do that to their teenage daughter....maybe he didn't want her to give him the money, but she felt compelled and he took it anyway.) So, she's sad about not going to prom and avoids Zack. He's worried though, and when he finds out the truth, he creates a prom for just the two of them, right outside the real prom. That way they can hear the music and dance together. It was so sweet and romantic, making me wish I had a boyfriend in high school.
I could go on and on about this show. It was such a staple of my teen years and something I'll still watch in syndication. I'd love to hear about your favorite SBTB memories and episodes. I'm sure it will bring back even more memories for me.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
My library
I've been blogging with three fabulous women for almost two years and have been enjoying all the fun topics we come up with week after week. If you want to see what we've discussed in the past, check out our posts here.
This week, Mom of Many asks: What do you collect? Why is this a reflection of you?
Before reading ahead, first see what everyone else had to say on this topic:
Froggie
Mom of Many
Moma Rock
**Giveaway is now closed**
This pretty much speaks for itself. If you don't know what a bookaholic I am, then what rock have you been living under all these years?!? Notice how there are two rows of books on some of my shelves. This picture was taken in October (2012) and the collection has expanded since then! And this is even with giving away or loaning out some books! I really don't need to go to the library because my bookshelves are a library already! There are still a lot of books I want to read from several years ago and I hope to make some time for them amongst the books I review.
If you think THIS is insane, you haven't seen my Kindle for PC yet!
Normally, I do book giveaways on Chick Lit Central. Since I don't have any giveaways going on there this week (shocking!), I'm going to give away ONE book (of my choosing...it will be a surprise) to a lucky reader anywhere in the world. I'll pick something based on the winner's interests, once they have been chosen.
How to win:
Read some of the blog posts from the other women in my group and tell me something that struck a chord with you from any of them. (Keep in mind that their posts from this week may be up at different times than mine, as we're all on different schedules, but read their past posts in the meantime and talk about those!)
Please leave your e-mail address or another way to contact you if you win. And if there's a certain genre of books you like, feel free to let me know that too.
Giveaway ends January 30th at midnight EST.
This week, Mom of Many asks: What do you collect? Why is this a reflection of you?
Before reading ahead, first see what everyone else had to say on this topic:
Froggie
Mom of Many
Moma Rock
**Giveaway is now closed**
This pretty much speaks for itself. If you don't know what a bookaholic I am, then what rock have you been living under all these years?!? Notice how there are two rows of books on some of my shelves. This picture was taken in October (2012) and the collection has expanded since then! And this is even with giving away or loaning out some books! I really don't need to go to the library because my bookshelves are a library already! There are still a lot of books I want to read from several years ago and I hope to make some time for them amongst the books I review.
If you think THIS is insane, you haven't seen my Kindle for PC yet!
Normally, I do book giveaways on Chick Lit Central. Since I don't have any giveaways going on there this week (shocking!), I'm going to give away ONE book (of my choosing...it will be a surprise) to a lucky reader anywhere in the world. I'll pick something based on the winner's interests, once they have been chosen.
How to win:
Read some of the blog posts from the other women in my group and tell me something that struck a chord with you from any of them. (Keep in mind that their posts from this week may be up at different times than mine, as we're all on different schedules, but read their past posts in the meantime and talk about those!)
Please leave your e-mail address or another way to contact you if you win. And if there's a certain genre of books you like, feel free to let me know that too.
Giveaway ends January 30th at midnight EST.
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