My friend Otepoti has either ruined my life completely or improved it immeasurably, depending on how you look at it, by turning me on to the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain. She sent me this clip, and I was compelled to watch almost every single one of their performances available on Youtube. It almost makes me wish I was still writing my dissertation, so that I'd have something pressing to keep me away from them.
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Terrifying and yet infectiously watchable. It makes you wonder how they find each other. Seven ukeleles on one stage - seven! There were even women in the group!
I even noticed that one of the featured hands had a wedding ring on it, suggesting that I am justified in remaining hopeful for my own future romantic prospects!
Indeed, Fallen, I think being a member of such a group would make one extremely marriageable, since they kick so much a--. Check out their Theme from Shaft on youtube.
Oh, yes, Fallen Sparrow, I cannot stress enough the importance of oddball music groups in finding a compatible partner. Te Tane and I met because we were both (whisper it) change-ringers at our local bell-tower. So seek out your local Morris Dancing chapter today.
Otepoti
Otepoti, I love Morris dancing! (Well, I've never done it, but I have seen it. . .in fact, I stumbled upon it once while walking through Central Park.) And my husband plays the piano accordion, which is its own oddball thing, and totally disrespected by button accordionists. But when I was going out with him, a close colleague of mine who's a well-known (as far as these things go, anyway) English concertina player told me that I should certainly marry him, because people who play the accordion are, well, nice.
Fallen is an accomplished choral singer in an excellent small choir, Otepoti; is that too mainstream?
Yes, I know! I've been clicking on Fallen Sparrow's choir links for some time now :)
But what you need in matchmaking is a litmus test for radical self-forgetfulness. Dancing in knee-breeches with bells on while waving white hankies would definitely weed out anyone with an inflated sense of self. A date to go Morris Dancing could prove quite a saving in time.
However, dear Fallen (may I call you by your first name?), don't look for identical musical taste in a prospective partner, because that, as I can testify, isn't necessary at all.
Cheers
Otepoti
Otepoti, how right you are, and how wise -- and my, how you've made me laugh my etcetera off at the image of such a date . . . but honestly, it's just the sort of thing I would go for myself!
But what you need in matchmaking is a litmus test for radical self-forgetfulness.
Well phrased, Otepoti! I don't know about Morris dancing, but I've developed a keen interest in firearms and think a trip to the range would be a capital date.
As for musical taste, mine are diverse. I would like to start a heavy-metal band that plays exclusively classic Lutheran hymns, for example. Think "Nun komm der Heiden Heiland" cranked out on some over-amped guitars: hot.
Pentimento, I'm sad. I can't get over those buttons hating on their piano-accordion brothers :-(
It reminds me that the first time I met a Wiki page on lock-down for fighting, it was about Hungarian embroidery.
Rifle-range, Fallen? Much too competitive. Hath not Ethel the Merman said, "You Cain't Get a Man With a Gun"?
Remember a right-thinking woman is assessing you for how you'll be, rolling on the floor with a passel of kids. Try volunteering at the Animal Shelter instead.
Cheers
Otepoti
Ooooh, speaking of oddballs, Otepoti, anyone who quotes Ethel Merman is excellent in my book (though, of course, you're really quoting Irving Berlin.)
Well, if I were a guy, I might have serious emasculation anxiety about a lady who liked playing with firearms.
On the other hand, I'm seriously digging the death-metal Lutheran chorales.
AND, of course, Ethel the Great appeared on the Muppet Show BEFORE the show got really really famous.
Yikes! The verification word is "herse". I kid you not.
Not superstitious, not superstitious...
Otepoti
Ethel rocks.
Now the verification word is "supeate." Hmmm.
Otepoti, Dreshny is a connoisseur of vintage Sesame Street programs. This could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
This was wonderful Pentimento. I've said it on Maclin's blog before: I just can't believe that the ukelele orchestra could have possibly evolved out of the primordial soup with some help from God. Thank you.
I love the Muppet Show. When my eldest is visiting from college she tries to get her dear old dad choked up playing this clip from Sesame Street. I heard it before work one morning and went up to shower and memorized it right then.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjNteHSCCSg
and there is a favorite Sesame Street clip from 25(?) yrs ago with James Taylor singing
...without help... that is, sheesh.
use preview, use preview....
Well, if I were a guy, I might have serious emasculation anxiety about a lady who liked playing with firearms.
Ah! Not so - in fact part of the appeal (no kidding!) of Gov. Sarah Palin to a lot of guys is the fact that she shoots her own food. It's fitting with the image of a tough yet feminine pioneer woman. It's an extension of a protective mama bear looking out for her cubs. A woman in a combat situation, however, is a different deal if you ask me.
You'd be amazed at the number of YouTube videos (and the comments) of hot girls shooting guns. It seems to be a subset of redneck guy culture. I think metrosexual men would be severely intimidated, but guys think it's pretty hot.
Thank you for the JT clip, Dave! I absoutely love it! Dreshny, do you know this one?
Fallen, this is all news to me. I always thought guys dug the waif-like, Mia Farrow thing, but what do I know?
I'm no metrosexual, but a passion for guns always gives me the creeps big time, male or female. Hunting is honorable but really, really liking guns or thinking them a turn-on, ewww....
Mia Farrow - no way. I go for smart like, oh I dunno, Tina Fey maybe. Pentimento, you don't think we men are all the same now, do ya?
btw, Fallen: I love the stuff you write on your blog and have had some thoughts for you that I will add over there someday, from the point of view of a middle aged, happily married guy who's finally come to some terms with the things you struggle with. It may be weeks before I get the brain space to put it all down clearly.
my word verify is "smenita". That's a plausible word in Spanish or Italian - "she has 'unforgotten' it"
Fallen, this is all news to me. I always thought guys dug the waif-like, Mia Farrow thing, but what do I know?
Some great female action heroines come to mind:
- Sigourney Weaver as Ripley (Alien movies)
- Linda Hamilton as Sarah Connor (Terminator)
- Angelina Jolie in various roles (Lara Croft, Mr. & Mrs. Smith)
- Milla Jovovich (Resident Evil)
It's the mama-bear thing! I have my own theories that I'll be posting about soon, Dave, on the gun thing.
Dave, I'm glad to know you like reading me and hope to hear your thoughts whenever you feel like commenting!
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