So last Saturday, Killian, Justin Not-Kevin and I went to the symphony. I know you're probably tilting your head to the side and squinting like I did when they first said they wanted to go. But then I found out that the symphony was playing The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King and it all made a perfect kind of sense.
It was, of course, awesome, because I love those movies just as much as they do. And the crowd was...diverse. There were the usual season ticket holders in furs and ridiculously expensive jewelry. There were the jeans and hoodie crowd (we fell into that group) and there were those who showed up in full Middle Earth regalia. While we waited for the show to begin, the guys played "Spot the Girls from the Island." There were, unsurprisingly, quite a few there.
As the film was ending and the orchestra was playing the closing number, Not-Kevin and Killian were wiping their eyes.
Me: You've seen this a million times. Are you crying?
Not-Kevin: Frodo left with the elves, yo. Merry, Pippen and Sam are never going to see him again.
Killian: Whatever. They're manly tears.
Justin: You didn't cry?
Me: Well, yeah. But I cry at everything.
Killian: True story.
He'd be right. In fact, I got a bit teary on the way there when I played a new song for them - one written especially for them.
Yep. There's now a Riding in Cars with Boys song.
Let me explain. a few months ago, Jen Armintrout had this adorable guy write her a little promo ditty. It cracked me up and stuck with me for days. Well, when I head that he had a new venture called Songs for Strangers, I jumped on it. I'd been wanting to do something special for the guys since graduation is coming up and I'm going to miss them like crazy. I'll still see them - but it won't be the same as driving them around every day.
So anyway, let me tell you about Tommy. He's freaking awesome - a great guy with a great sense of humor, not to mention incredibly insightful and a consummate musician. He read all of the Riding in Cars with Boys post to get a feel for his subject matter and listened to the songs I'd included as a jumping off point for sound. In about a week, he came up with a rough draft, sent it to me for my input and shortly after that - bam! I had a song. An AWESOME song!
Now, I'd fully intended to save the song until closer to graduation.
But I suck at waiting.
I ruin a lot of Christmas and birthday presents this way.
So on the way to the symphony, I handed them each a lyric sheet and popped the CD into the stereo. They were absolutely floored. I wish you could have seen the looks on their faces. They went from flabbergasted awe to laughing to singing along.
Justin: I don't even...
Killian: How did you...?
Not-Kevin: This is amazing. Seriously.
All three boys: Cancer bats!!!!
I think this is probably one of the most meaningful gifts I've ever given and I'm eternally grateful to Tommy. So grateful, in fact, that I'm having him write a song for my mom's birthday next month! If you know someone who loves music and you want to do something really special for him/her, check out Songs for Strangers. It's a fantastic experience. And yep, Tommy said I could post here and share it with you guys. :)
This is Existentialism in the Backseat!
Okay - here are the lyrics!
Existentialism in the back seat... you boys are wiser than your years
Seeing you on stage after daily transportation is bringing me to tears
I've learned so much in my time with you and I'm not even the one in school
If you guys have taught me a valuable lesson it's that teenage boys are so
freaking cool
It never fails to amaze me the way you study and analyze
The absurdity of what goes on in the average teenage female mind
It's like if Socrates was born in the 90's and Aristotle's mom drove them around
And sometimes Kierkegaard joins them when their rationale needs to be less sound
And riding in cars with boys has been the best part of my day
Waiting in the parking lot with anticipation of all the amazing things you'll say
The world's not ready for your brilliance, they better get out of your way
I just want you to know I'm proud of you boys, every single day
Like Vladimir and Estragon waiting endlessly in vain
To sail to girl island where babes love nerds it's a magical place
But they don't fall prey to the sirens in uggs and mini skirts
They’re too smart for that and frankly I can't think of anything worse
Making fun of Cancer Bats, Twilight and other teenage status quo?
Who names their band Cancer Bats, something that I'll probably never know
Calling bullshit on each other but you'll always got each other's backs
Friendships are powerful so stay together, this trio is one that needs to last
And riding in cars with boys has been the best part of my day
Waiting in the parking lot with anticipation of all the amazing things you'll say
The world's not ready for your brilliance, they better get out of your way
I just want you to know I'm proud of you boys, every single day
Showing posts with label The Lord of the Rings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Lord of the Rings. Show all posts
Friday, February 24, 2012
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Riding in Cars with Boys - Part Seven
Well, the school year has begun, and I'm slowly adjusting to dragging my poor body out of bed at the asscrack of dawn.
I had horrible news on the first day of school - Mitchell would no longer be riding home with us - except on half days. We were all completely bummed out. Riding without Mitchell? Who would ask the obvious questions? Who would touch Justin inappropriately to get his way? Who would try to lasso mailboxes as we drove by?
Killian, Justin and Not-Kevin were as bummed out as I was. Not-Kevin missed Mitchell so much, he named his backpack Mitchell and occasionally sticks his hand inside it and makes it speak - puppet-style. Interestingly enough, the faux Mitchell actually says very Mitchell-like things.
Though it's been an adjustment not to have Mitchell with us every day, the after school rides are still entertaining beyond belief. This was the conversation that took place Friday as soon as Killian, Justin and Not-Kevin piled into the car.
Justin: Mrs. Killian's Mommy, we need a Horn o' Gondor.
Me: I hate to break it to you, but the ring has been destroyed, there's no need to call together the Fellowship.
Not-Kevin: And that's why you're the cool mom. You know of nerd-like things. But we still need the horn.
Me: So why do you need the Horn of Gondor?
Justin: Not the Horn of Gondor - the Horn 'o Gondor. There's a difference and we totally need to call together the Fellowship.
Killian: There's a quest!
Not-Kevin: We need a boat!
Me: Does this have something to do with Girl Island?
Justin: How did you know? See, Johnny-boy-D is having some trouble with the ladies.
Me: The boat was a dead giveaway. What kind of trouble?
Justin: The kind where the girl he likes is love with this dude who doesn't know she's alive and she cries on Johnny-boy-D's shoulder all the time, and meanwhile, he's going "I'm here! Pick me! I know you're alive!" but...
Me: But...he's firmly in the Friend Zone?
Justin: Exactly! And even though there are epic tales of guys who have escaped the Friend Zone, we all secretly know it's impossible. They're just myths passed down to give nerds hope. So we need the Horn o' Gondor to call together the Fellowship and venture forth to seek Girl Island, the land of hot girls who love nerds.
Me: I thought we'd established that Girl Island was college.
Not-Kevin: Dude, you can't expect us to wait that long! Besides, the island is out there. It has to be.
Me: I think we've exceeded the maximum level of melodrama this car can contain.
Justin: I bet you know where the Horn o' Gondor is and just won't tell us.
Killian: It's probably in her purse.
After convincing them that the Horn o' Gondor wasn't in my purse, I suggested that they find a hot girl who loves nerds and just ask her the way to Girl Island. I suggested Justin's older brother's girlfriend.
Justin: No can do, Mrs. Killian's Mommy. It's like once they get here, they have no memory of Girl Island.
Killian: It's a brainwashing technique to keep Girl Island from being overrun by desperate nerds in need of love.
Me: So hot girls are sent forth from Girl Island with nothing more than a vague desire to meet nerdy boys who play W.o.W. and Starcraft?
Not-Kevin: And Halo!!!
Justin: Well, when you say it like that...
Me: Okay, no more disparaging of your mythos. Who's all in the Fellowship?
Justin: Well, me, obviously, Johnny-boy-D, Other John,
Not-Kevin: Me! Me! But not your kid.
Me: Killian can't be part of the Fellowship?
Justin: A.) He already has a girlfriend who's been brainwashed and can't tell us the way back to Girl Island and B.) I think said girlfriend would be very upset if Killian joined the Fellowship.
Killian: Uh...yeah. That would so not be cool.
Not-Kevin: Plus, that would just be greedy. Are you sure the Horn o' Gondor isn't in your purse?
I'm seriously tempted to make them a horn and bring it to school one of these days.
I had horrible news on the first day of school - Mitchell would no longer be riding home with us - except on half days. We were all completely bummed out. Riding without Mitchell? Who would ask the obvious questions? Who would touch Justin inappropriately to get his way? Who would try to lasso mailboxes as we drove by?
Killian, Justin and Not-Kevin were as bummed out as I was. Not-Kevin missed Mitchell so much, he named his backpack Mitchell and occasionally sticks his hand inside it and makes it speak - puppet-style. Interestingly enough, the faux Mitchell actually says very Mitchell-like things.
Though it's been an adjustment not to have Mitchell with us every day, the after school rides are still entertaining beyond belief. This was the conversation that took place Friday as soon as Killian, Justin and Not-Kevin piled into the car.
Justin: Mrs. Killian's Mommy, we need a Horn o' Gondor.
Me: I hate to break it to you, but the ring has been destroyed, there's no need to call together the Fellowship.
Not-Kevin: And that's why you're the cool mom. You know of nerd-like things. But we still need the horn.
Me: So why do you need the Horn of Gondor?
Justin: Not the Horn of Gondor - the Horn 'o Gondor. There's a difference and we totally need to call together the Fellowship.
Killian: There's a quest!
Not-Kevin: We need a boat!
Me: Does this have something to do with Girl Island?
Justin: How did you know? See, Johnny-boy-D is having some trouble with the ladies.
Me: The boat was a dead giveaway. What kind of trouble?
Justin: The kind where the girl he likes is love with this dude who doesn't know she's alive and she cries on Johnny-boy-D's shoulder all the time, and meanwhile, he's going "I'm here! Pick me! I know you're alive!" but...
Me: But...he's firmly in the Friend Zone?
Justin: Exactly! And even though there are epic tales of guys who have escaped the Friend Zone, we all secretly know it's impossible. They're just myths passed down to give nerds hope. So we need the Horn o' Gondor to call together the Fellowship and venture forth to seek Girl Island, the land of hot girls who love nerds.
Me: I thought we'd established that Girl Island was college.
Not-Kevin: Dude, you can't expect us to wait that long! Besides, the island is out there. It has to be.
Me: I think we've exceeded the maximum level of melodrama this car can contain.
Justin: I bet you know where the Horn o' Gondor is and just won't tell us.
Killian: It's probably in her purse.
After convincing them that the Horn o' Gondor wasn't in my purse, I suggested that they find a hot girl who loves nerds and just ask her the way to Girl Island. I suggested Justin's older brother's girlfriend.
Justin: No can do, Mrs. Killian's Mommy. It's like once they get here, they have no memory of Girl Island.
Killian: It's a brainwashing technique to keep Girl Island from being overrun by desperate nerds in need of love.
Me: So hot girls are sent forth from Girl Island with nothing more than a vague desire to meet nerdy boys who play W.o.W. and Starcraft?
Not-Kevin: And Halo!!!
Justin: Well, when you say it like that...
Me: Okay, no more disparaging of your mythos. Who's all in the Fellowship?
Justin: Well, me, obviously, Johnny-boy-D, Other John,
Not-Kevin: Me! Me! But not your kid.
Me: Killian can't be part of the Fellowship?
Justin: A.) He already has a girlfriend who's been brainwashed and can't tell us the way back to Girl Island and B.) I think said girlfriend would be very upset if Killian joined the Fellowship.
Killian: Uh...yeah. That would so not be cool.
Not-Kevin: Plus, that would just be greedy. Are you sure the Horn o' Gondor isn't in your purse?
I'm seriously tempted to make them a horn and bring it to school one of these days.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Six Degrees of Separation and Cover Art
So I was hanging out with the lovely Brynn Paulin the other day and she was helping me make promo stuff for the upcoming Romanticon 'cause technology and I aren't best-ies.
Anyway, we were talking about what images we'd use on the postcards and wondering about what EC would do with the cover art for my upcoming print anthology for my three Torrid Tarot books. She brought up my author page on EC's site and started smirking when she hit the cover for I Put a Spell on You. Before I show you what amused her, let me show you what I had envisioned for my character.
In my head, this is Gray Foster.
In the artist's head, this is Gray Foster.
Now check out what Brynn found.
Gray Foster on my book cover bears an uncanny resemblance to Elijah Wood who totally looks like Hester Prynne. I think there might be fewer than six degrees of separation between I Put a Spell on You, The Lord of the Rings and The Scarlet Letter.
Well done, Brynn! :D
Anyway, we were talking about what images we'd use on the postcards and wondering about what EC would do with the cover art for my upcoming print anthology for my three Torrid Tarot books. She brought up my author page on EC's site and started smirking when she hit the cover for I Put a Spell on You. Before I show you what amused her, let me show you what I had envisioned for my character.
In my head, this is Gray Foster.
In the artist's head, this is Gray Foster.
Now check out what Brynn found.
Gray Foster on my book cover bears an uncanny resemblance to Elijah Wood who totally looks like Hester Prynne. I think there might be fewer than six degrees of separation between I Put a Spell on You, The Lord of the Rings and The Scarlet Letter.
Well done, Brynn! :D
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