On the radio

While I do proud myself on the music I listen to and the wide variety of genres I enjoy, there are several things in the music world that I cannot stand. One of these things is people who get snotty about their music the minute it becomes "popular."

I understand the feeling of betrayal and distress when you find out that one of your favorite small bands has just sold out by popping out a song or two for a soundtrack. I've felt it myself. But that shouldn't take away from the music that the band has made. Some people get too caught up in how mainstream music is, whether they only like mainstream, or they can't stand any band that's gotten a tune on the radio.

I get really exasperated with people who are like that. I don't like the whole attitude that something is good just because no one has heard of it, or that something is good because everyone has heard of it. I think it's insulting, quite frankly. People should pick what they like to listen to based on what they like listening to, not based on how popular it is or isn't.

I know today's post is short, but there's only so much I can whine about before I start to bore you.

Cheers,

-T.A.D.

Material world

So much focus in this culture is placed on what you own. Products and advertisements for products are everywhere. Commercials tell us what products are best; which products make us look sexier, feel healthier, get girls/guys easier, the list goes on. As a culture, Americans are obsessed with the material. I cannot say that I am blameless in this aspect, because yes, I buy into the whole birthday/Christmas product explosion too.

What really stinks about this whole culture mindset is that I am a part of it as well. I wish that I could say I wasn't, but I am. As I've mentioned previously, I'm an avid packrat with a bad habit of hoarding my stuff. But I do think that I have acquired at least a certain amount of skepticism towards commercials. My grandfather used to sit down with his kids, my mom among them, and say "Do you know what commercials are? LIES."

And it's true. Commercials tell us that buying this car will make us more successful. Using this shampoo will make us sexier/healthier. Using this acne product will turn us from spotted teens to super attractive supermodels. Buying this lingerie will make us a beast of sexiness. The truth is, what you own doesn't matter half as much as the people you have around you. What you own doesn't matter as much as your religious or spiritual beliefs. What you own doesn't matter as much as what you make of yourself and what you own.

We need to stop thinking that buying this product or that object will make us more successful in life, and focus instead on being all we can be as ourselves. We define ourselves by the things we own when we should be defining ourselves by who we are as a person/sister/daughter/friend/brother/son/father/mother.

I say all this and then go back to living a material life in the hopes that I can change my own habits and persuade others around me to change their habits as well. Getting the newest iPhone doesn't make us cool. Maybe it's a useful piece of technology, but owning it doesn't change who we are. But so much emphasis of the media is used to tell us that what we own is who we are, and so we fall for the same tricks over and over again.

Have a wonderful Wednesday, I know I will. Please take a moment to appreciate the time stamp on this particular posting and wonder to yourself, "WHAT? T.A.D. is posting at 6:37 in the morning???? WHAT HAS THE WORLD COME TO???"

Actually, if I have that much emphasis on how you think, you should probably take a step away from the computer screen and go enjoy the summer.

Cheers,

-T.A.D.

America's on sale

Today I don't have much to say that can't be captured by the lyrics to this song. I can't say that this is an upper, nor can I take credit for it, but unfortunately I have very little time this lovely friday afternoon. One of my best friends is over and I can't be too anti-social.

Enjoy, and I hope this gives you something to think about.

This is a song/poem by Alix Olson, a very outspoken lesbian feminist. Her lyrics always make me think.

[america's on sale]

ATTENTION SHOPPERS!!!
attention 9 to 5 folk, cell-phone masses,
the up and coming classes.
attention sports-utility,
plastic-surgery suburbanites,
viagra-popping, gucci-shopping urbanites.
attention george-clooney loonies,
promise-keeper sheep,
stockbroker sleep-walkers,
big investment talkers,
ricki lake-watchers.
attention walmart congregation,
shop til you drop generation,
ATTENTION NATION!
AMERICA’S ON SALE!

We’ve unstocked the welfare pantry
to restock the wall street gentry
it’s economically elementary
because values don’t pay,
yes, american dreams are on permanent layaway!
(there was limited availability anyway)
the statue of liberty is being dismantled,
ten dollars a piece to sit on your mantle
or hang on your wall
by the small somalian child
you bought from sally struthers
sisters and brothers, it’s now or never,
these deals won’t last forever-
AMERICA’S ON SALE!
(restrictions may apply if you’re black, gay or female)

And shoppers!
global perspective is ninety-ninety percent off
cause most of the world don’t count to us.
our ethic inventory is low
because moral business has been slow,
the values-company is moving to mexico--
and ALL ETHICS MUST GO!

It’s a remote control America that’s on sale
because standing up for justice can’t compare
to clicking through it from a lazy chair--
Answer: jerry, montel, oprah
Question: folks who really care!
for a million dollars!
in this new mcveggie burger world order
where the mainstream scene has an alternative theme.
where national health care is one hundred percent off!
and medicare is in the fifty percent bin,
so you can buy--half an operation
when AMERICA’S ON SALE!
There’s a close-out bid to determine
which religion will win
all the neon flashing signs of sin.
the Christian Coalition is bidding high
shoppers, you ask WHY?!
who needs a higher power when you’ve got
the purchasing power
to corner and market
one human mold.
That’s right - Real family values
are being UNDERSOLD!!

And it’s open hunting season for the NRA!
there’s a special oozie discount-- only today!
Gun control?! We say--
F--- it! Blow it all away!

Because inflation is up on the CEO ego
and power is deflated as far as we go:
Nike bought the revolution,
and law schools bought the constitution!
Tommy Hilfiger bought the red, white, and blue,
(a flag shirt for fifty dollars,
the one being burned is you!)
Marlboro bought what it means to be a man,
Lexus equals power- so get it while you can.
Maybelline bought beauty,
New York bought Rudy Guiliani,
Mastercard Gold bought the national soul
Broadway bought talent and called it CATS!
the Republicans bought out the Democrats-
they liquidated all asses in a fat white donkey sale-
now it’s buy one shmuck, get one shmuck free
in the capitalist party!
And there’s nothing left to get in the way
of a full blue-light blow-out
of the U.S. of A!
there’s a no-nothing back guarantee,
a zero-year warranty,
when you buy this land of the fritos, ruffles, lays..
this home of the braves, the chiefs, the reds, the slaves!
so call 1-800- i don’t care about shit
or www.F--- ALL OF IT!
to receive your credit for the fate of our nation-
(call now! Interest is at an all-time low)

But hurry shoppers!
because america’s being downsized, citizens,
and you’re all fired.

©2001 Alix Olson.

Chipper, no?

Cheers,

-T.A.D.

PS, I'm not sure why, maybe just because I was in a hurry, but this didn't publish yesterday. So today you get yesterdays and todays posts.