80's Anthems

The 80s. Oh dear reader, were you there? Do you remember the the bad perms...on the guys? The spandex? Neon? Shoulder pads? Fringed coats? Ladies, do you remember when we all thought the generic rocker with big feathered hair was sexy?

Love is a Battlefield, Heart of Glass, Another Brick in the Wall, Bette Davis Eyes, Take On Me, Jesse's Girl, I Love Rock'n'Roll, Eye of the Tiger, Beat It, Maniac, Every Breath You Take, Footloose, Jump, Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go, Like a Virgin, Money Ain't For Nothing, How Will I Know, Broken Wings, Walk Like an Egyptian, Livin' On a Prayer, Heaven is a Place on Earth, Pour Some Sugar on Me, Straight Up, Every Rose has It's Thorn, Down Under, I Wanna Know What Love Is, You Shook Me All Night Long

What about the videos? Do you remember all the facial expressions which were supposed to look broodingly (is that a word?) intense but which now just look pained? All the gauzy curtains blowing in the wind? The original Emo incarnation? The back lighting which made the damaged and frizzy hair look even bigger?

Total Eclipse of the Heart. Everyone knows that soft background whisper of 'turn around, bright eyes' and the crash of 'every now and then I fall apart'. Have you ever seen the video? I must admit, I hadn't until about a half hour ago. What is supposed to be going on there? Demon eyes? Gauzy curtains? Fencers? Gymnasts? Ninjas? Please, take a minute right now to watch the original.

...ok, 5 and a half minutes later. Reaction?

Now check this out.

Ha. What's with videos these days? I think they just might make too much sense. Let's get back to the senseless classics.

Finding tweets and peeps.

Social networking media...amazing how much can be done these days. I just spent the last 45 minutes sifting through twitter postings, networks, and various listings just to find out how much I don't know. The strange thing is that, right now, I'm in a position I've never experienced before...I actually have more computer knowledge than my students. Usually it's a game (or a desperate scramble) to stay caught up with students who are half my age; this semester I can top off my use of technology in the classroom with a few podcasts on my iPod. Crazy.

Still no news...those of you who know me, know what I'm talking about. Please - someone - put me out of my misery!! I hate waiting with all my heart but am trying to accept my lack of power in this particular situation. Maybe it's a test?

Frank McCourt died today. It's been a bad month. Perhaps Michael Jackson was more popular and Romeo LeBlanc more political, but McCourt was able to bring a smile to my face when I picked up a book...that's a unique skill. Teacher Man is one I regularly flip back to when I'm feeling out of sorts with my job. Everyone needs a pick-me-up like that one.


My Jiffy Pop awaits so....

I guess that's it...'good night' from the 3 hearts and ten feet which inhabit my tiny Ottawa abode. Oh ya, and Scarlett and Gryphon say 'hi'.

KISS Update...

When I was in high school, I was not a card-carrying member of the 'KISS Army' that is so often referred to; although my friends and I would feign interest in Kiss, AC/DC, Metallica, etc., our hearts were definitely more invested in Boy George, Madonna, and Tiffany. After last week's concert, though, I think I'm hooked. I don't think there's anything better to get you up and going in the morning than the 'do do do d'do d'do do do' of I Was Made for Loving You? It now holds a very prominent spot in most of my iPod playlists.

Favorite quote of the night? There were a few, but this had to be the best...

Paul Stanley: I see there's a little mash-pit forming here in front of me; you guys enjoying yourself? (screaming ensues) If you want a mash-pit, take yourself to a bloody death metal concert. (even more screaming ensues) We don't want people getting hurt at our concert so, if you want a mash-pit, take yourselves out there (motions to the other side of the fence barrier) and mash your heads up against each other.

...I think the 'pit' dispersed.

You know, I always thought of Gene Simmons as the head of the band...the leader. As it turns out, he's not too vocal in the show - he generally just waves his tongue aroung a lot. Paul Stanley is the guy who keeps the crowd hoppin'. Starchild, as he is known in all KISS circles, still prances aroung with his hairy chest framed by a pair of suspenders, spandex, and a lot of crazy 80s hair. Classic.

Gene, The Demon, is definitely something to behold. With his bat wings, spiked gauntlets, and metal scaled boots, the blood smeared on his chin and dripping down his chest is merely the icing on the crazy devil cake. He is, and always will be I believe, a true performer. He plays to the crowd and gives them a way to escape...how else can you explain the continued success of a show like Family Jewels? A blood spitting rockstar, a former Playmate and their two kids. In one house.

Catman, formerly Peter Criss, is awesome. Eric Singer's his name and, well, you know the rest. He definitely keeps the beats in line to anchor the show. This clip (start it at about 2:20) isn't from the Ottawa show, but it's from the same tour...this is the same solo he gave at Bluesfest, same space-like moving platform. Very cool.

The last one, Spaceman, is also a replacement...Ace Frehley was the original and he definitely knew his stuff. I must say, though, that Tommy Thayer has had no problems replacing him. This clip is also from the same tour which reached Ottawa. Other than a few solos, he stays out of sight.

A simple blog can't really convey the taste, the smell, the sound, the sight, and the overall feeling of a live concert nor can a youtube clip give you a front row seat; however, at least by writing it, I get to re-live it. They rocked the night away in a conservative city with the Parliament Building right behind them...somewhere I have a pic of the cone-shaped parliamentary library. It was definitely a night to remember.