Saturday, 28 February 2015

Goodbye To Bon

--- as given in the morning of Saturday February 28, at William Kipp Funeral Home in Paris at the funeral service for Yvonne Fountain

Hello, for those who don’t know me, my name is Christine Sweeton and Mrs. Fountain babysat my brother and I growing up. However, that description is far too casual for our relationship, as we have always considered her part of our family.

My mother is out of the country but I asked her to write to me about Bon. (I couldn't pronounce Yvonne when I was younger, I don’t know if my family is alone is using that nickname.) My mom described Bon as a third grandmother, which I think fits. I was always strangely jealous when she talked about her actual grandchildren, which she did often because she was so proud of all of them, and excited about their accomplishments.

Almost 30 years ago, my parents moved here and put an ad in The Paris Star looking for someone to care for their one and half year old baby – me. They interviewed people and Bon was the least likely candidate: gruff, a heavy smoker, and seemed old. (She may have looked older 30 years ago, when she wasn't, but then she didn't age. She has looked the same for as long as I have known her.) Well, my parents may have been skeptical but they were taken by how calm and caring she was – and I loved her right away, which sealed the deal. Toddlers often get what toddlers want.

She then became a part of our family. She came over in a moment’s notice when my mom went into labour with my brother, and took care of me. She was a regular fixture in our neighbourhood and often helped other families, like The Smiths, if a kid was home sick.

My family was devastated to hear a few months ago that Bon was sick. She never got sick – she was the one to look after us when we were sick. And the best part of that care, that she gave everyone in her family, was her laugh and her hugs. Her hugs were amazing! So much loved wrapped around you in a sweatshirt – she owned a lot of sweat shirts.

This is something I realized when I got older, thinking back to my childhood, and looking through Facebook photos of her. Yeah, she’s on Facebook and has been for a long time. Bon was always cooler than my parents. It was through Facebook that I discovered she was a night owl. I would be up studying in the middle of the night and she would message me. I couldn't believe she was up so late – she said she always was. When did she sleep? She used to be at our house early in the morning, and she walked there from Willow Street.

She walked everywhere. And when you were with her, you had to walk everywhere too – and not complain about it. She didn't really let us whine about anything, or stamp our feet, or ‘talk back.’ But I would not consider her strict – she was very protective.

 Of everyone I know, she was the most upset when my brother, Mike, joined The Military. In fact, the late night Facebook chats were usually on one of two topics – Was Mike still in the Army? and, When was I going to finally get married? And if you all want the report – it is ‘not yet’ on both fronts.

Becoming Bon's friend as an adult opened my eyes to how strong and dynamic of a woman she was. And also tiny! I don’t know how such a firecracker of a person fit in such a little package. But her love was huge!

It is wonderful to see so many people here to support her family. This is a heartbreaking loss and I hope the good memories of her joy and her strength can give you peace.

Friday, 27 February 2015

Lies Bayer!

I love that you can get adult chew-able vitamins. They are even better than the chalky ones I had as a kid too, they are like little gummie candies. When I go to Costco, I get the huge generic bottle because it is a great price. (Once when I was living with Kristen, despite our protest, Noah ate about half of this massive container in less than a week. I still can't believe he didn't get sick.)

When we run out of the big bottle, Jason and I buy the One A Day brand by Bayer. You would think that, as the name suggests, you would need one a day to provide the vitamins, minerals, and other nutritional elements you might be missing from your food. The 'A' of the title inside a big number one as well. But no. Directions: Have two gummies daily.

Also, I am home sick today with a terrible sore throat and cold. So, I am going to take three of the gummies in hopes that it gives me enough Vitamin C to boost my immune system into fighting this off.

A Funeral Tomorrow

Yvonne Luella (Seip) Fountain 

FOUNTAIN, Yvonne Luella (Seip) - After a courageous battle with cancer, Yvonne passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 17, 2015 at the Brantford General. In her 79th year.

Devoted mother to Terry Fountain (Kim), Cherie Rose (Jim), Cheryl Rhodes (Brent), Paul Subject (Sonja), Richard Subject and Heather Tackaberry (Paul). Cherished Grandma to Cody, Austin, Karley, Taylor, Justice, Josh, Tina, Jamie, Samantha and Jason. Great Grandmother to Taylor, Kellan, Emily, Jacob and Tanner. Survived by her sister Nancy, brother Dale and sister in law Lois. Survived by many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her parents Roy and Madeline Seip and brother Eldon.

Yvonne was involved in Paris Seniors Group and longtime member of Paris Legion Ladies Auxiliary. Respecting Yvonne's wishes, cremation has taken place.

A memorial service to celebrate Yvonnes life will be held at WM KIPP FUNERAL HOME, 184 GRAND RIVER STREET NORTH, PARIS on Saturday February 28 at 11am with friends gathering from 10am - 11am. In leu of flowers donations to the Canadian Cancer Society and the Stedman Community Hospice appreciated.

- Obituary published in the Brantford Expositor

Mrs. Fountain, or Bon, was my 'nanny' or babysitter. Because of my parents strange work schedule it actually made more sense to have a private child care than to have me in a group style one that you usually had to pay by the week for. The term 'nanny' didn't come around until I was much older and I never felt comfortable with it when describing Bon; it made me seem spoiled and it made the relationship seem less personal.

Bon was a major part of my life growing up, she took care of me (and Mike) from when I was one and a half until well into my teens. Even after I got 'too old for a babysitter' she still cleaned for us and my parents had her 'house sit' if they were away, so that she could still watch us.

I love her so much and I am so sad that she is gone. She was so close with her family and it breaks my heart to think of the pain they must been in as they adjust to this.

Thursday, 26 February 2015

Slipped My Mind

I had a hard time falling asleep last night because I was fixated on the fact that I had forgotten a word for something. Even though I kept telling myself, "Go to sleep, the word will come to you in the morning," I could not let it go. Not because I didn't think that I would be able to figure it out easier in the morning - but because in the morning I might forget I was even searching for it.

A big piece of very stiff paper. Usually around 2' x 3' or so. It comes in a variety of colours. I buy it at the dollar store. Often used to create large posters or presentations, you can stick things to it (like pictures) and/or write on it (usually with markers.)

There was absolutely no reason why I need to figure out the name of this large stationary item at 10:30pm last night. I have no intentions of buying some any time soon. No one was talking about it. It just came into my mind and I could not remember the word. I went through a ton of options, some of them I knew were names for other/similar things, some I am pretty sure were not things at all, but everything I could think of was wrong: big paper, hard paper, hard board, card board, poster board, poster paper...

Then, as soon as I sat down at my desk this morning it popped into my head! (Just as I had been telling myself last night that it would.) It is called Bristol Board. When it first came to me I wondered if that was the brand name, like Bic, or when people say Kleenex but really mean facial tissue. I looked it up and it isn't a stationary brand, it is named after a city in England.

I wonder why it bothered me so much that I could not remember the name. I did just finish the book Still Alice by Lisa Genova so maybe it was a subconscious fear of early-onset Alzheimer's. Though I think this type of 'forgetting' is common at all ages, with healthy people. Just with aging I might be more worried about the capabilities of my mind. Or, I am just bugged by things like that, driven by the desire to know things - and know them instantly.

Ironically, at the start of writing this post I thought to myself, "Okay, so I figured out the thing from last night, but what is that smaller, slightly stiff, paper that comes in lots of colours. You use it for cutting and pasting." Of course it wasn't quickly coming to me, so I tried the technique of just writing out the post and hoping it would come to me later. It did - construction paper.

Wednesday, 25 February 2015

I Hate Short Turns

A Short Turn (from the TTC website) - When a vehicle is behind schedule, a decision is made by supervisory staff to make a service adjustment. Short turn means the vehicle will not continue to the end of the route but will be turned to travel in the opposite direction to balance service on the route.

When this happens the driver announces, "This bus will now short turn at Queen." or wherever the planned turn around point is. You usually have a few stops to decide what to do. Often I choose to walk the rest of the way, depending when the stop is. Other times, I wait with the huge group of angry people for the next bus (or streetcar, because it happens on them too.)

I swear this is only a thing for the TTC. I never experienced it in Ottawa, or any city that I have visited and used transit it. It also happens to me all the time, and it is so annoying!

Tuesday, 24 February 2015

How We Met, In One Word

------------- from Facebook

I have changed the wording of this request so that it makes more sense for a blog. It also had phrases like "we will see who will take the time to read this message until the end," which I don't like. But I thought the general premise was interesting, and the responses to the friend who posted it were fun to read.

Please leave in the comments ONE WORD on how we met.

I am thankful for all the people that visit Always Standing and read my random musings. It makes me feel connected to friends, family, and even the occasional random internet person. If we haven't met, and you made your way here to my blog somehow, I will grant you an extra word. So, if we have never met in 'real life' please find TWO WORDS to explain how you stumbled on Always Standing (a search word, a link, mention from a friend, etc.). I am excited to see your responses.

Monday, 23 February 2015

Monday Morning

The Oscars ran late so I only got 5 hours of sleep.

I forgot my coffee at home on the counter.

Bus was slow which made me late to work.

Ran out of my ADD meds and I have no focus.

Sunday, 22 February 2015

Travel Fashion

Sunday Mornin' Coming Down - A post about my Dad each Sunday, named after a song that he loved.

Leaving Portugal - 2006
Dad And I
Photo Taken By Mom

Context: Photo taken in the Faro Airport after spending Spring Break 2006 in Tavira, Portugal, visiting my parents and grandparents. My Dad is making a frowning face because I had only stayed a week and was heading back to Ottawa alone. It had been a fun vacation.

Check out how young I look! I was about to turn 22. I also want to point out Dad's terrible outfit: two different grays, a golf shirt tucked into sweatpants, and pants pulled up way too high. At least he was on vacation, which gives him a bit of an excuse, however, I think he would totally wear this normally.

Saturday, 21 February 2015

Being Cute, While Being Bad

She is always so cute when she is doing something she shouldn't.

Iz'm Making Ze Hairs On Ze Jazon's Clothez, Yes
Two Sneaks Into The Dresser
Photo by ME

Friday, 20 February 2015

Aging In Place

I always say that my parents "designed The Cottage to die in," for example it has these features:
- There is a bedroom on the main floor
- All main floor doors are extra wide
- Main floor bathroom has a walk-in shower
- Laundry is on the main floor
- The main floor toilet is extra tall and in a configuration that it has walls on both sides to that, if needed, could have have safety bars installed

I mentioned this at work and was informed that it is usually called Aging In Place, which sounds much better. In Canada, it is actually called Aging At Home, and means, "the ability to live in one's own home and community safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level."

Tuesday, 17 February 2015

Back To Work

I love my job! It is a four-day work week and I am going to be swamped, but I am excited. This is the next couple of months for me - Forrec booth locations at our next three tradeshows - Hong Kong, Atlanta, and Duabi, here we come!

Monday, 16 February 2015

I Live In Canada

Jokes from Jeff Foxworthy about Canadians, from a recent appearance in Windsor:

If you measure distance in hours,
You may live in Canada.

If you've had a lengthy telephone conversation
With someone who dialed a wrong number,
You may live in Canada.

If you know several people
Who have hit a deer more than once,
You may live in Canada.

If you have switched from 'heat' to 'A/C'
In the same day and back again,
You may live in Canada.

If you install security lights on your house and garage,
But leave both unlocked,
You may live in Canada.

If you design your kid's Halloween costume
To fit over a snowsuit,
You may live in Canada.

If you find -2 degrees 'a little chilly',
You may live in Canada.

A Family Day Portrait

This Family's First Family Day
Avery, Aimee, Mike, and Iggy
Photo by ME

Sunday, 15 February 2015

Taped On Beta

Sunday Mornin' Coming Down - A post about my Dad each Sunday, named after a song that he loved.

I have talked about Beta a few times on Always Standing before, I have discussed it in 2009, and even mentioned it when I gave the speech at my Dad's funeral. One of the things that I remember watching was a taped copy of a SNL 15th Anniversary Special from 1989. We watched it so often. However, a lot of it were clips, which then Mom and Dad had to explain the context of.

Here is a hilarious segment from a Point/Counter-Point SNL sketch from 1979:
Jane Curtin: Dan, there's an old saying: "Behind every successful man there's a woman." A loving, giving, caring woman. But you wouldn't know about that, Dan, because there's no old saying about what's behind a miserable failure.
Dan Aykroyd: Jane, you ignorant slut!

Tonight the was the Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary Special, SO FUNNY!!! I think Dad would have really liked it.

Saturday, 14 February 2015

For The Moms

Sometimes Your Mom Is Your Valentine
Avery and Aimee
Photo and Edits by ME

Note: Yes, I asked them to pose like this and it has already been called corny multiple times on Facebook. I am not big on the whole Heart Motif, but it is Valentine's and this is much better than the 'Beiber Hand Heart' thing. It is cute. (I really wish I had brought my better camera, but I didn't really feel like we had room when packing.)

I Am So Lucky

Valentine's 2015
Clockwise from Top-Right
Brooklyn Bridge (NYC October 2014)
Roses (February 2013)
The Cottage (October 2012) by Marie
Central Park (NYC October 2014)
Avery (February 2015)
Unless otherwise stated, all photos by Me

Friday, 13 February 2015

Same Nose!

My brother and I have the same nose! I only noticed this when I was looking at the photo in the last post. Apparently, Jason, Aimee, and Mike all knew this, but I am pretty surprised by the news. I like Mike's nose, but always thought it was very masculine. I have never loved my nose and usually wish it was a little cute one. Avery doesn't have Mike's (our?) nose, he has Aimee's and her's is very nice.

And I Meet My Nephew

The Sweeton Kids
My brother Mike showing me his son, Avery
Photo by Jason, Edits by Me

Thursday, 12 February 2015

TB - Vaccines Again

These are the facts listed on the Measles page of the World Health Organization's (WHO) website:
-- Measles is one of the leading causes of death among young children even though a safe and cost-effective vaccine is available. 
-- In 2013, there were 145 700 measles deaths globally, about 400 deaths every day or 16 deaths every hour. 
-- Measles vaccination resulted in a 75% drop in measles deaths between 2000 and 2013 worldwide. 
-- In 2013, about 84% of the world's children received one dose of measles vaccine by their first birthday through routine health services, up from 73% in 2000. 
-- During 2000-2013, measles vaccination prevented an estimated 15.6 million deaths making measles vaccine one of the best buys in public health.

I have posted about vaccinations on Always Standing before:
- The Cost Of Sex
- Flu Shot - Get It
- Put My Arm Where My Mouth Is
- Look! No More Polio

Well, after a high-profile Measles Outbreak in the USA over the last couple of months, the "debate" about vaccinating children is front and center in the news lately. The thing is, it isn't a debate - get your kids vaccinated.

This Facebook Post from a York Region mother is heartbreaking. Her newborn son was possibly exposed to the measles virus when visiting the doctor's office. I appreciate that she isn't blaming the individual who was at the office and later developed measles, but instead says, "If you have chosen to not vaccinate yourself or your child, I blame you. I blame you. You have stood on the shoulders of our collective protection for too long. From that high height, we have given you the PRIVILEGE of our protection, for free... I PROTECT YOUR CHILD. We protect your child. By being concerned world citizens who care about ourselves, our fellow man, and our most vulnerable. So we vaccinate ourselves and our children... As an unvaccinated person you are only protected by our good graces. WE LET YOU BE SO PRIVILEGED thanks to our willingness to vaccinate ourselves and our children."

I wholeheartedly agree.

Wednesday, 11 February 2015

Let's Get It Trending

After sending a detailed email this morning answering some event questions, one of my coworkers replied to me with simply #christineforthewin in the body of his email. I thanked him and mentioned that I wished I could get that trending. He then sent the image below, which has basically made my day!

Tuesday, 10 February 2015

Not This Month

I had been doing fairly well with my Work Week Goals. However, I have been no where close to putting effort into my appearance everyday. For the most part it had been 3 times a week or so. The most common thing would be to wear my hair down, or if not that, than throwing on some make-up once I got to my desk in the morning. I have been wearing necklaces a fair amount too.

The main reason that I have not been doing the 'put in contacts' option is that I am spinning three times a week - minimum. When I spin I wear contacts, so I have them in my eyes way more than I am used to anyway. Having them in for a full day plus a work out would be pretty drying and painful.

However, the main reason for this post is to say that February is not a month where I can put any effort into my appearance. Firstly, I need a hair cut and my amazing hair dresser tragically died over the Christmas break. I don't really have the time or energy to look for a new place right now. Also, when I wear my hair down, I am often coming to work with it wet - but Toronto has been so cold lately I don't want to do that. Lastly, my mood is a bit low.

I am lucky that spinning keeps my mood stable or I am sure I would be crashing. Jason and my friends are supportive and I have been working hard to eat well. After working out I have a bath, so that has been keeping me clean. I also did a nice little shopping trip with Mom in Edmonton and buffed up my winter work-clothes wardrobe so getting dressed in the morning has been pretty easy too. When the weather warms up and when I finally get a chance to go get my hair cut, I will start putting more effort into my appearance again.

Sunday, 8 February 2015

A Purse Pet Peeve

Sunday Mornin' Coming Down - A post about my Dad each Sunday, named after a song that he loved.

My dad hated when my purse was open. If I was using a purse that didn't have a zipper he would always comment that I should get a different one that did. It wasn't about deterring theft or pick-pocketing, he was always worried something would fall out as I flung my purse around. After a few years of his warnings, and a couple incidents of accidentally dumping the contents of my purse out on the floor, I started to only buy ones with a zipper.

However, even if my purse has a zipper, I rarely would close it. So when ever were we spending time together, Dad was forever zipping my purse closed. Sometimes I wouldn't even notice he had done it, and go to grab something. Sometimes he would do it while it was under my arm.

He would not be happy about my current purses. My "Nautical Spring Purse" just has a clip closure, it was a gift. I love it though, and get constant compliments. I feel like it is a deep enough design that nothing will fall out. My "Winter Grey Purse" has a broken zipper pull and is very difficult to close because there is just a little nubit to use. I rarely close it now.

I think of him when I look down and see my open purse. He might be frowning about it - but it makes me smile.

Saturday, 7 February 2015

Cat Calendar

I got the cutest cat calendar from a colleague at work for Christmas. All the cat-shaped cardboard pieces fit together and stand up in the little plastic stand.

Friday, 6 February 2015

Travel Vicariously

My mom is gone again - spending two months with my grandparents in a place called Céret in the south of France. She has already started to post updates on her blog and it looks stunning. The pictures make the cold and snow here a bit more depressing. Her blog is always available under Some Lovely Links in the left-side column of Always Standing. Or find it here:


Check regularly, she is away travelling in France and Spain until early April.

Finally A Bed

Two Approves Of The New Bed
Photo by ME, with my phone

So, after all our bed drama, I think that things will finally calm down when it comes to Jason and my bedroom furniture. Last month, Kristen and Noah helped us move the boxes from West Elm to Rrunuv Bayit. We had tried to do it in my mom's SUV like with the other one, but it was way too big. The headboard and foot-board were in a box each and they are big - like king-size big. In fact, I used to call the bedroom The Room Of Bed because Jason's king bed takes up the whole thing in an almost overwhelming sense, and now with this new modern-sleigh style frame it is even larger. (See Image to Right - there is only about an inch or two clearance for the door.)

The boxes for the new bed sat in our dining room for a long while and then last week the old frame fully broke. It happened in the middle of the night, woke me up, and couldn't be fixed. We decided that we would sleep on the futon in the office and that would inspire us to get going on setting up the new bed. As our nights' sleep got worse and worse, we continued to have little time to get going on the task. First we needed to dismantle the old broken bed, find a place to keep the huge king mattress for a while, then pile up and put aside all the storage bins we keep under it. Secondly, we needed to clean. Thirdly, this past weekend, I applied Scotchgard to the pieces, since the whole thing is fabric. I did three thin coats, leaving it to dry for 12 hours between each. Lastly came putting it together, when Jason reviewed the direction he discovered that the slats all had to be screwed into the frame (instead of just rolled out and laid on top like last time.) So last night we decided to tackle the task and the two of us, using screwdrivers, got the whole thing put together and the 64 screws finished. Now we have a bed again!

(See Image to Left - Jason gingerly sits on our freshly assembled bed, "Please don't break, please don't break, please don't break.")

Thursday, 5 February 2015

Nosy At Work

My friend at work, LG, was discussing meeting room space with a colleague. I assumed that it is regarding this afternoon, during which I have some space booked.

Me: But, I have a meeting in there. At 2:30? Who wants to move who? I don't know if we will fit in the other room. 

LG: Hey, this is an A, B conversation, so you can C your way out of it.

I love it! Such a cute little phrase, said with a smile and gesture to her and the colleague, and then a waving hand. I definitely need to stop being nosy and making random assumptions. (Also, I found out, they were talking about Friday.)

A Little Yellow Pooh Blanket

Asleep On Dad
Mike and Avery
Photo by Aimee, Edits by Me

Wednesday, 4 February 2015

The Talking Cure - Post 3 of 3

The responses that I got from people that I sent The Talking Cure article to were incredible, I asked to hear their thoughts and they delivered. I was happily reminded about the fact that I surround myself with extremely intelligent people. Here are some small clips from the wide range of people who sent me their ideas. (Again, I am keeping these anonymous, since those that replied did not necessarily consent to being posted on Always Standing.)

What is interesting is the link they are drawing between television watching, low income house holds, and low IQs. I like that they did point out that they have not found a causational relationship but rather a correlation. More TV watching means less talking which makes sense, but why would a child not pick up on the words being spoken by the characters on TV? Maybe low income parents are not as good of teachers? Or maybe they are not as present as much since they generally have to work more hours at low wages to get by. 

Not surprisingly, this article states exactly what my mom always told me from the time I was a little girl. She noticed the difference between my brother and I. She knew that it was with me being the second child, she spoke a lot more to me/us as my brother was older and could talk, etc. And she had me on her knee from newborn as she would read to my brother, books way older than for a newborn. As a result, she noticed I talked much quicker than my brother and my reading skills were off the charts. 

I wonder about what difference a large family makes with all the conversations that kids can observe and engage in. 

I liked what it had to say about cultural relativism vs imperialism and whether we should be telling poorer people how to raise their children. Some very interesting philosophical issues involved! I'm not sure how I feel about that...obviously we want to break the cycle of poverty , but is that the way to do it? 

It's not a matter of low-income families not having the words to speak with their children, but rather connected to other bigger issues of secure attachment, food/income/housing security and the depilating effect hopelessness and helplessness can have on a person. There is a lot of research about the level of mindfulness and self-awareness in low-income versus high socioeconomic individuals and I think that impacts how a family might connect with their children as well. 

I can see that poverty could be related to less verbal language in their home. I think that poverty affects peoples lives in so many ways - they have less time and energy for their kids. To me, what i think about - is parents attachment to their kids. The article discussed that a little. Attachment/bonding with your kids brings so much to your kids. And i am sure if your spending a lot of time with your kids, your talking to them a lot too.

I was also very touched by the number of personal stories people shared with me, about growing up, or their own children or their work. I am not posting those, but that gave an even deeper perspective into the issue.

Tuesday, 3 February 2015

The Talking Cure - Post 2 of 3

I was amazed at the number of responses that I got to sending people The Talking Cure article. So many people replied and wrote about their thoughts on the issue - some were quite lengthy emails. I can send a message to my closest of friends, about a party or some other fun activity, requesting an RSVP of some type, and I get less people responding.

One of the main things that I noticed was that people found the article long, which I warned them about by stating in the original email that it was Long Form, and many didn't finish it.

Here are some direct quotes about the length of the article (which I am keeping anonymous, since those that replied did not necessarily consent to being posted on Always Standing.)

Wow those New Yorker articles are long! I didn't quite finish  

thanks for the article. i didn't read the very end. 

I will admit that I ran out of time to read the whole article you sent but did get through half.

Very interesting article. Too long for me to read it in full right now but I got through a good chunk of it.

What was really impressive, was that despite the fact that most didn't finish it, everyone that responded had really interesting perspectives about the issue. Stay tuned tomorrow to see what people thought about what they had read.

Monday, 2 February 2015

The Talking Cure - Post 1 of 3

I rarely send articles or things to friends over email. So, it was strange that I did so a few weeks ago with one that I found interesting about talking to toddlers, even more interesting since I am not a big kid person. I also sent it to a large, and strangely selected group of people. I was almost in a daze when I clicked though my email list and sent it to a wide range of contacts. This is the email that went out:

Morning! 

Yes, this is a bit of a weird and random email. I ran across this article on Buzzfeed - I am addicted to Long Form articles and they curate a collection of them each week, picked from various sources. 

This one is from The New Yorker: The Talking Cure - An article about the “word gap,” the disparity in words learned by poorer children compared to their wealthier counterparts. 

Love to hear your thoughts! 

http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/01/12/talking-cure 

Much love, Chris

Stay tuned for the even more interesting responses (which I will keep anonymous, since those that replied did not necessarily consent to being posted on Always Standing.)

Sunday, 1 February 2015

Music Detective

Sunday Mornin' Coming Down - A post about my Dad each Sunday, named after a song that he loved.

I have heard this song played at spinning a few times, often accompanied by the music video during a class that features those (most classes either show nothing on the TV at the front of the room, or have bike races playing.) Every time I hear it I am reminded of two things: 1. my dad 2. some another song that I struggle to place.

The song at spinning is:

The song is by an Australian rock band called Jet. I only know this because I looked it up. In fact, I didn't even know the title - though I should have been able to guess it. The part that sticks with me is the line, "Oh, 4,5,6, - c'mon and get your kicks - now you don't need that money when you look like that, do ya honey." I am surprised that it reminds me of my dad so much since it was it was recorded and released in 2003, which is the year that I graduated from high school and moved away to go to university. I guess Dad had added it to his regular playlist of songs and I heard it enough in the car or when visiting home that it stays with me as part of my memories of him.

Every time I hear it I am also reminded of some other song and I keep thinking, "Man, they are so similar, what is that other song?" It always takes me a while to figure out what song something reminds me of. So today I decided to try to figure it out. All that was in my head was "dun dun dun revolution, talking bout a revolution" or something like that. I had to go through three songs before I figured it out. (Interestingly, the first two - incorrect - songs, also reminded me of my father.)

So, the song Talkin' bout a Revolution, is by Tracy Chapman. My dad liked her, or my mom liked her and my dad played her a lot. I remember this song, as well as Give Me One Reason, being played. But this wasn't the right song, too slow and soulful. Also, I was pretty sure that the song I was looking for wasn't sung by a woman.

The only other song that came to mind that it could be was Revolution by The Beatles. I knew that there was a part that went, "You say you want a revolution." However, I knew that how they sung that part was also too slow to be the song I was thinking of. I listened to it anyway, thinking that maybe I was forgetting about some faster chorus part or something. Nope, not the song.

Then somehow I figured it out - it wasn't "revolution" it was "generation" that I was looking for! Then it was really easy to find - My Generation by The Who. The line, "Talkin' bout my generation," was what was stuck in my head, and Jet was definitely inspired by this song/band for Are You Goin Be My Girl. The sound is very similar.