I wanted to hear more about crotches. I'm a people-watcher. I definitely notice bunched crotches, or too tight crotches. I noticed yesterday a woman covering her crotch at a street crosswalk on Topanga and Sherman Way, and a guy itching his on Winnetka ans Victory. Now I'm curious what about crotches do YOU notice?
I came over from your latest piece I couldn't comment on (I'll have to upgrade). I love that you're feeling freer and confident enough to play upfront. In the 90s, when you and Dominique were recording at our house (Ian Gardiner's place), I saw you as individually artistic people, creating great songs. As a corporate cubicle dweller, I lived vicariously, dreaming of your cool confidence. Now, I appreciate your candid vulnerability--it makes you an authentic artist, but I really appreciate seeing you grow into your true understanding of your worth I, (a stranger) saw/see it.
May 1, 2023·edited May 1, 2023Liked by Kathy Valentine
I do think it's weird that I'm a 20-something human on the inside, but the (57-year-old) outside is showing some wear. I always remember seeing a Paula Poundstone show, where she said she looked in the mirror one day and was like, "Yep, the jowls have come in". So now I'm always looking at my jawline in the mirror, going "are those jowls?!"
I like to watch people in airports, etc, too. I have noticed how "dowdy" everyone has gotten. I wish I was a little more classy looking...but I have zero fashion sense, so I'm one of the frumpy ones, too.
Side note: I just watched the Go-Go's documentary again (for the 3rd or 4th time). One of my favorite parts is where you stay up all night learning the songs, and then you become a member of the band! I never knew the Go-Go's without you, so I'm glad it happened that way. Of course, some of the rest of the story gets depressing...but it's interesting, none-the-less. And I love that you all came back and did another album, and the musical, and the Hall of Fame! Also, it's totally awesome to read your writing and get to know other sides of you. :)
Today in Texas, the power was out yet again in south Texas. So we had down time. My coworker has been having waterheater problems for 2 weeks and is welcoming a baby this week. Since there were no phone calls coming in I turned to him and listening I caught myself doing just that. 😂
I love the new demo (and the solo) in "Can't Stop the World." I saw Johnny Thunders (on a good night) in the spring of 1981 at a club called Urban Noize in Portland, Or., and offered to drive his other guitar player (Luigi? Big Tony?) back to his motel. He was nice, although half of what he said was in Italian, so it was a little confusing...
"Can't Stop the World" has always been one of my favorite Kathy Valentine songs, along with "I'm the Only One," and when I first heard it, I thought "Cool! She likes the Small Faces," which is always a good thing...
And I like the whole jungle gym analogy, about cats (17 and 24 Lbs. in my case) trying to reach what's left of the human being at the top. A few years ago (pre-pandemique), I used to have coffee with a delightful woman who had been in charge of the ballet department at the local university, and had danced with the Ballet Russe in the late 1950s. At some point, she asked me what my cats' names were, and when I told her "Spike" and "Batgirl," she said "Oh Yvonne Craig! She was my roommate when we were in "The Unsinkable Molly Brown" on Broadway in 1961!" So that's my pop-culture reference for the day :)
Kathy, I especially enjoyed and really connected with everything you wrote as I see 65 approaching in 2 months. One thing I’ve learned is that we cannot control aging BUT we can control how we age. I was an athlete and musician my whole life. I never stopped exercising but modified what I can and cannot do. I think in the 60s an aerobic exercise(I’m one of those peloton cult people the last 5 years), yoga to stretch and light weights are great. Two months ago I dusted off a 1938 king zephyr tenor sax my sisters bought me when I was 12 and am having the time of my life. I forgot how music is a necessary food for the soul. Kathy you’ve got a great gift in narrating like. I hope you’re writing feeds your soul the way my sax feeds mine. (I’m presently learning Clarence’s solos. I figured life after Dentistry... maybe Bruce will give me a call). Lol.
Apr 29, 2023·edited Apr 29, 2023Liked by Kathy Valentine
The novel calls to my mind Philip K. Dick's novelette, "We Can Remember It For You Wholesale," (1966). The movie Total Recall is very, very, very loosely based on this story. His story certainly touches on the same themes, but from a much more paranoiac approach. Interesting read if you have the time.
During the pandemic I rekindled many friendships via phone, email, zoom, etc. Glad I did. Now that things are becoming more normal, I still try to maintain that level of being in touch. So I agree with you, appreciate those special people in your life.
64 was a pretty good year for me. Though I did not have Vera, Chuck, and Dave on my knee, I did meet many interesting people, both new friends and old ones. I did make a memorable overseas trip (including Russia and Ukraine, before the war, of course--so tragic to see what has happened to such a beautiful country and its people) and still managed to go through my planned itinerary, though at a slower pace than I did in my younger days... I keep busy and do what my body permits. Yes, I notice the decline in me, but I hope keeping active will forestall the inevitable as long as possible.
I bring a book with me when I am at airports waiting for the next leg of my journey. So, my nose is usually buried in reading material. But when I do look up and notice what's going on, I seem to remember mostly how children behave trying to cope with the pressures of long-distance traveling. Or how American food franchises have dominated the air hub world. When I was waiting in the Amman airport, I could not help noticing a family dressed in local garb chowing down at a Kentucky Fried Chicken outlet. Sometimes when I close my eyes and rest, my ears pick up a cacophony of strange sounds reflecting the various languages spoken--but then interrupted by an airport announcement always with English as one of the spoken languages. Then it's back to that multi-lingual cacophony...
P.S. I did manage to get a ticket to your May 19th event! I will be waving at you from the right side as you face the audience.
Reading your thoughts on aging and being focused on your face/head made me think about it and I had a similar thought that my brain is my favorite part of my body. As I thought on this, i suddenly realized who was telling me this.
I am absolutely a noticer. I was a checker for years and it can be a bit mundane so you notice things about people, write their stories. And yes, crotches included. The stories I have both real and written in my mind! I feel ya and keep noticing it keeps your curiosity robust which usually we're the beneficiary of that bi-product!
yes, there are some calls that need planning because the wormhole opens and time is forgotten, and forgotten, and forgotten.
meaningful pasts - yes
I marvel that my two feet... (just like yours)
have walked me to and fro for almost 60 years...
Those two feet.
The same two feet that I took my first steps with as a lil' one.
the noticers - love
"I bet I lose a lot of subscribers today"
haaaaa perfect counterpoint
the olds - love
funny i got a camaro when we went to LA a few weeks ago. it was the only car available. cool, but not built for comfort.
Can't Stop The World shreds
you are marvelous
I wanted to hear more about crotches. I'm a people-watcher. I definitely notice bunched crotches, or too tight crotches. I noticed yesterday a woman covering her crotch at a street crosswalk on Topanga and Sherman Way, and a guy itching his on Winnetka ans Victory. Now I'm curious what about crotches do YOU notice?
I came over from your latest piece I couldn't comment on (I'll have to upgrade). I love that you're feeling freer and confident enough to play upfront. In the 90s, when you and Dominique were recording at our house (Ian Gardiner's place), I saw you as individually artistic people, creating great songs. As a corporate cubicle dweller, I lived vicariously, dreaming of your cool confidence. Now, I appreciate your candid vulnerability--it makes you an authentic artist, but I really appreciate seeing you grow into your true understanding of your worth I, (a stranger) saw/see it.
So what did you jot about crotches?!
I do think it's weird that I'm a 20-something human on the inside, but the (57-year-old) outside is showing some wear. I always remember seeing a Paula Poundstone show, where she said she looked in the mirror one day and was like, "Yep, the jowls have come in". So now I'm always looking at my jawline in the mirror, going "are those jowls?!"
I like to watch people in airports, etc, too. I have noticed how "dowdy" everyone has gotten. I wish I was a little more classy looking...but I have zero fashion sense, so I'm one of the frumpy ones, too.
Side note: I just watched the Go-Go's documentary again (for the 3rd or 4th time). One of my favorite parts is where you stay up all night learning the songs, and then you become a member of the band! I never knew the Go-Go's without you, so I'm glad it happened that way. Of course, some of the rest of the story gets depressing...but it's interesting, none-the-less. And I love that you all came back and did another album, and the musical, and the Hall of Fame! Also, it's totally awesome to read your writing and get to know other sides of you. :)
Awesome bunch of randomness.
❤️
Loved the entry Kathy! Thank you for sharing! And the demo!! XX
Today in Texas, the power was out yet again in south Texas. So we had down time. My coworker has been having waterheater problems for 2 weeks and is welcoming a baby this week. Since there were no phone calls coming in I turned to him and listening I caught myself doing just that. 😂
I love the new demo (and the solo) in "Can't Stop the World." I saw Johnny Thunders (on a good night) in the spring of 1981 at a club called Urban Noize in Portland, Or., and offered to drive his other guitar player (Luigi? Big Tony?) back to his motel. He was nice, although half of what he said was in Italian, so it was a little confusing...
"Can't Stop the World" has always been one of my favorite Kathy Valentine songs, along with "I'm the Only One," and when I first heard it, I thought "Cool! She likes the Small Faces," which is always a good thing...
And I like the whole jungle gym analogy, about cats (17 and 24 Lbs. in my case) trying to reach what's left of the human being at the top. A few years ago (pre-pandemique), I used to have coffee with a delightful woman who had been in charge of the ballet department at the local university, and had danced with the Ballet Russe in the late 1950s. At some point, she asked me what my cats' names were, and when I told her "Spike" and "Batgirl," she said "Oh Yvonne Craig! She was my roommate when we were in "The Unsinkable Molly Brown" on Broadway in 1961!" So that's my pop-culture reference for the day :)
Thank you again for your wonderful stories!
Kathy, I especially enjoyed and really connected with everything you wrote as I see 65 approaching in 2 months. One thing I’ve learned is that we cannot control aging BUT we can control how we age. I was an athlete and musician my whole life. I never stopped exercising but modified what I can and cannot do. I think in the 60s an aerobic exercise(I’m one of those peloton cult people the last 5 years), yoga to stretch and light weights are great. Two months ago I dusted off a 1938 king zephyr tenor sax my sisters bought me when I was 12 and am having the time of my life. I forgot how music is a necessary food for the soul. Kathy you’ve got a great gift in narrating like. I hope you’re writing feeds your soul the way my sax feeds mine. (I’m presently learning Clarence’s solos. I figured life after Dentistry... maybe Bruce will give me a call). Lol.
Best. Lou
The novel calls to my mind Philip K. Dick's novelette, "We Can Remember It For You Wholesale," (1966). The movie Total Recall is very, very, very loosely based on this story. His story certainly touches on the same themes, but from a much more paranoiac approach. Interesting read if you have the time.
During the pandemic I rekindled many friendships via phone, email, zoom, etc. Glad I did. Now that things are becoming more normal, I still try to maintain that level of being in touch. So I agree with you, appreciate those special people in your life.
64 was a pretty good year for me. Though I did not have Vera, Chuck, and Dave on my knee, I did meet many interesting people, both new friends and old ones. I did make a memorable overseas trip (including Russia and Ukraine, before the war, of course--so tragic to see what has happened to such a beautiful country and its people) and still managed to go through my planned itinerary, though at a slower pace than I did in my younger days... I keep busy and do what my body permits. Yes, I notice the decline in me, but I hope keeping active will forestall the inevitable as long as possible.
I bring a book with me when I am at airports waiting for the next leg of my journey. So, my nose is usually buried in reading material. But when I do look up and notice what's going on, I seem to remember mostly how children behave trying to cope with the pressures of long-distance traveling. Or how American food franchises have dominated the air hub world. When I was waiting in the Amman airport, I could not help noticing a family dressed in local garb chowing down at a Kentucky Fried Chicken outlet. Sometimes when I close my eyes and rest, my ears pick up a cacophony of strange sounds reflecting the various languages spoken--but then interrupted by an airport announcement always with English as one of the spoken languages. Then it's back to that multi-lingual cacophony...
P.S. I did manage to get a ticket to your May 19th event! I will be waving at you from the right side as you face the audience.
Thank you for all the reads and comments! I will get to the rest tomorrow.
Great post. Interesting and very amusing!
This installment made my week. You’re really astute at articulating the nuances and humor of human-ness. Love.
Reading your thoughts on aging and being focused on your face/head made me think about it and I had a similar thought that my brain is my favorite part of my body. As I thought on this, i suddenly realized who was telling me this.
I am absolutely a noticer. I was a checker for years and it can be a bit mundane so you notice things about people, write their stories. And yes, crotches included. The stories I have both real and written in my mind! I feel ya and keep noticing it keeps your curiosity robust which usually we're the beneficiary of that bi-product!
Love your emails!
Wait - what shoe wear do you travel in, Kathy? Blundstones here, causing me to notice all those sneaker wearers around me, too...
Am I a noticer? My daughter and I live by the motto: Always Watching, Always Judging.