The Doodle-whats?
I'm ridiculously busy these days, so I'm posting less frequently due the fact that I've chosen to be both a student and an instructor. I'll be kicking or killing myself very soon. When I get the urge to write something on this blog I see it as a blessing even if it's not centered on Korea or an international issue.
Clearly, something has inspired me. There is an interesting and funny post from John Mayer's blog that just went up (it was 2:45am here and I was fast asleep.) It's about a kids TV show called The Doodlebops. I'll quote it in full here as he's a pretty good writer too, and I appreciate good writing:
I just got into my hotel room and started flipping through the channels when I became transfixed by this television show. It's about a young power trio struggling to make it in the crazy world of show business. I really related to that right off that bat, but what took a bit longer to sink in was that these guys (and girl!) actually have some pretty cool songs, if you're 4. And no, that's not a put-down. The song "Hold Your Horses" has a better melodic structure than most tunes on the radio these days, and "Get On The Bus", a thinly-veiled homage to racial segregation in the '50s, is a tune that, while seemingly condoning taking rides with strangers, is really more about just getting on a bus and then going somewhere.The post was funny to me and worth writing about because I thought I was the only one who felt like breeding when I see things for children that engage me. However, that feeling creeps me out as it's motivated by a thing, a song, a program or a pair of cute shoes and not a cute kid or tender moment (yes, of course, I have those too.) However, being motivated to have maternal feelings due to a thing shows me that I've been successfully programmed as a consumer. Not that I mind being a consumer, as I tend to generally favor the capitalist system, but that's another post.
The episode I saw, entitled "Hold Your Horses", is a refereshingly honest portrayal of band dynamics. Moe, the drummer, is less than subtle in letting it be known that he is upset that his solo was cut off at the pass by Dee Dee's guitar run. The conversation ends there, but expect to see raw feelings resurface again in a future episode revolving around the tumultuous task of splitting songwriting credits for "Horses".
I hope when I have kids some day that the Doodlebops are still around, even though history has shown that trios don't stay together for long. I wouldn't mind my kid's first exposure to music having some harmonic and rhythmic substance. Someone behind this show knows a lot about music, and very little about how to keep kids from having nightmares later in life.
The Doodlebops make me want to be a daddy. Right now.
(Attention journalists: I will not be answering any questions about this blog, so google harder.)
Another problem is, since I'm an only child, I see myself pushing my kid out of the way to keep whatever it is all to myself.
Forgive me, that was a joke that was too tempting not to resist as I am an only child whose parents doted upon me. I frequently get the "you weren't spoiled rotten, were you?" inquiry. I think my parents raised me well, for the most part, I hope.
Actually, I'm sure I'd be an affectionate, doting and nuturing mom like my mom was. I do have to say I think kids that grow up with great parents have a great start on life. I'm glad I was lucky enough to have that as I know many people who didn't. (That was my not so veiled homage to my dearly departed mother, of which, I'm sure there will be more.)
Okay, time for me to start my day. Sphere: Related Content
I love John Mayer's blog, too, though he's such a good writer it sometimes depresses me. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI'm not an only child, but my friends who are, and who have children, are wonderful, attentive mothers. --who buy their kids toys that make me want to have kids, too.
So, I guess what I'm trying to say is, "Great post!."
Hahahaha! See the benefit of being an only child is I tend to be confident to the point of being over-confident sometimes. Therefore, the quality of his writing doesn't depress me as much as it's just impressive. I see him as someone else blessed with the ability to write well because good writers are few and far between.
ReplyDeleteAs for only children being good mothers, that's a good thing to know ;-) It gives me some sort of faith that I won't completely muss it up when (and if it happens). I'm sometimes troubled by the fact that I don't have siblings, but I have to deal with it.
Thanks for your comment!
I'm an adult and just looking at the Doodlebops kinda scares me. I find it odd that children aren't a bit nervous of them. If my son met people who looked like this in the street I would rather he didn't approach them.
ReplyDeleteOn the subject of an only child, I am beginning to wonder if I should be having a second soon, as much for my son as for myself and my husband. As 1 of 4 I always have support and help, companionship and the knowledge that as my parents get older there will be 4 of us to help with anything required. I don't want to think of my son ever being on his own in the world.
Thanks for your comment!
ReplyDeleteWell, they'd scare me, but I'm scared of people in animal suits too. People in animal costumes simply terrify me. As for the Doodlebops, I think on TV they aren't so scary. You see them, listen to the music, grow to love them and only then do you want mom or dad to drag you to the mall to see them. You're acclimated by then ;-)
As for being alone in the world, I think you're right, in general. However, my parents had a huge number of siblings (12 brothers and sisters on each side) and they're not really that close. It seemed like sometimes all they had was each other (well, me too, but I was a child.)
However, how much do I envy those with siblings? Quite a bit, to be honest.