Monday, November 05, 2007

Manic Monday

I’ve joined Manic Mondays to provide myself some inspiration for NaBloPoMo … I fear I am already lacking in material after four short days!

Today's word is “earth” and the only thing that popped into my mind initially was “Peace on Earth” which is a great thing, and I could go on about that, but it would remind me that Christmas is coming up. And although I am quite excited about that, it also means that December is just around the corner, my baby will be turning three, and I’m not ready. Just not ready for that yet. My life feels like it’s passing by so quickly already, we need to slow it down a bit.

So what I’ll post about today is "Red Earth" a CD released in 1990 by a now defunct band by the name of Crash Vegas . Or more correctly, I’ll post about the memories conjured up by the melancholy sound of that band. The CD still gets its fair share of play from our collection, even to this day.

When the album came out we were instant fans. And no wonder, as there were definite links of their sound to those of another band that figured largely in our relationship – Blue Rodeo. The lead singer of Crash, Michelle McAdorey, was the girlfriend of Greg Keelor at the time. Songs that were the basis of the band’s repertoire were songwriting collaborations of the two.

Heady days, those were, back in the late 80’s, early 90’s. when it was just me and Ian. Done with university, not really in a long-distance relationship anymore. We were working full-time, so making some money, travelling in sin and having fun on weekends doing the couple thing. Busy enjoying being in our 20’s, being with friends, laughing, drinking; drinking and laughing.
Thinking about the future, but not too seriously just yet. This was the phase in our relationship just before it got a bit strained. You know, the difficult part, when you've been together for a while, when the biological clock starts gonging at the female’s head and the male doesn’t want to jump off a cliff into the abyss called marital commitment? Yeah, that ugly stage came just a little after this album was released.

But back to the heady days again. We went with friends to the venerable Lee’s Palace to see Crash Vegas live one night. A fantastic venue to experience a live band. I remember having a such a great time. The beer was good, the company was fun, the music rocked. Me and the other girls of the group (remember how we always went to the ladies' room in at least pairs, if not packs?) even had a celebrity pee -- the woman’s washroom was so small, we were in line with the lead singer just before she got on stage. She was so tiny and unassuming, we had no idea it was her until we came out of the bathroom and saw her get on stage with the mike! And of course her supportive grizzly-bearded boyfriend Greg was also in the room, we saw him through the smoky haze too. Celebrity sighting numero deux. So that was quite cool.

Flashforward to this past weekend. We had a couple with three children over for dinner on Saturday evening. With the daylight savings, we were able to have an extra hour. Turns out not to sleep, but to sit with friends, have great conversation and some lovely wine while listening to some great retro tunes. Like the following:


Our kids all got along so well, we were left to our own devices for most of the evening. Drinking and laughing again. Not quite Lee's, but our own palace complete with a prince and princess.

A lot of things have happened in 17 years. Including 14 years of marriage and two children.

Crash Vegas split up in the mid-1990s. But thankfully, Ian and I, well, we’re still rockin’, at least in our own minds.

15 comments:

Durward Discussion said...

Such a wonderful description of fun, food, and friends that I wish I were there... You have my sympathy about your baby leaving baby hood. The only consolation, they get even more precious as the years pass.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful post--so well-written! And to think . . .it all came from the word "earth". Bravo!

thirtysomething said...

Very good piece. I LOVE to hear of music I haven't been exposed to, or heard of. I am going to hunt this one down, and hopefully add it to my collection, thanks!
I am impressed at the 17 years together, by the way. That is a feat in today's world, where everything, including relationships, is disposable.

Anonymous said...

great post for MM! Have a wonderful week!

Badness Jones said...

That was a great post. And you added me to your blogroll! - have I told you yet you're purdy?

;) Sarah

Sandee said...

You write very well. I hope this jump started you for your writing. Have a great MM. :)

Cherry said...

Great Post!
I loved how you so easily moved from the present to the past and back to the present.

I can't see how you'd have any trouble with content. You always have great stories.

robkroese said...

Never heard of Crash Vegas. I liked the song though.

Melissa said...

I love it when the kids can all hang out and socialize while the grown ups do the same. Some of my best memories of childhood come from hanging out with family friends like that. I hope my kids can get the same.

Gina said...

Great post Karen! It seems like every major event in my life has a song that somehow ties into those memories. I'm fascinated by other people's personal soundtracks. Thanks for sharing one of yours.

Family Adventure said...

I love the last line...beautiful! You are very lucky, Karen :)

Heidi

Karen MEG said...

Hi Jamie, thanks for popping by and your kid words.
Shawna, thanks, it's getting tougher by the day!
30: I was trying to find a songclip but Crash are fairly obscure. Thanks about the 17 years, we've actually been together over 20 (gulp!).
Thanks tegdirb92!

Karen MEG said...

bj- thx, you're purdy too;)
Hi Sandee, prompts do help!
Cherry, that's so sweet, thanks!
Hey Diesel, yeah, that tune's the Manic Street Preachers, I didn't even realize the irony of including them in the post - we really did listen to their album on the weekend. I bet you'd like Crash Vegas too.
Melissa, we've been lucky that our kids have been pretty easy to get along with all our friends's kids; and vice versa!
Hi Gina, one of the big connections between me and DH is our taste in music. It's figured largely in our relationship. We find that some couples we know have such opposing tastes, it's kinda funny. We'd be divorced by now if that was us LOL!
Heidi, I know, I am VERY lucky.

Heidi said...

I love thinking about the "old days" because we are sooo old! And I especially love listening to old music with my hus. We didn't know each other in the '80's but we like most of the same music.

Karen MEG said...

gmcm: it is fun just to listen to the tunes isn't it. I think I caught the term "vintage" coined for 80's music a little while ago. Ugh!

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