Best of 2011: Shop/Shoppe? Steven/Stephen?

I am sitting in my favorite coffee shop with cute clothes and bad hair, because I have a hair appointment in about an hour and a half. I am seated at a table without an electric outlet, which means I have about an hour of battery power on my laptop.

All of that means, instead of writing another stellar post in my Freedom From Perfection series, I am going to do one of my stellar lists of random thoughts. I actually have a Perfection post half-written, partly in my journal and partly in my head. But I don’t think I have time to pull it together perfectly before my computer dies. But I do have time to ramble. I always have time to ramble. And rambling, by definition, does not need to be perfect.  Plus, the rambling will allow me to clear my head, which will, in turn, allow me to write a stellar perfection post. 

1. In my favorite coffee shop, I see three tables of people sitting near outlets who are not using computers. Isn’t there a law against this? Is it a violation of coffee shop etiquette to approach these people and ask them to switch tables with me? Can they tell that I’m stalking their tables from across the room? Must I start carrying an extension cord in my purse? Is that what it’s come to? Does spelling “shop” as “shoppe” make you feel like you should be wearing a corset and a giant hat?

2. Tonight my man and I are going to see James Taylor in concert. This was one of my Christmas presents to Jon. We love James Taylor. In fact, I had no idea there were people on the planet who didn’t love James Taylor. Until, our friend Kevin apparently gave Jon a hard time about it. Kevin is scheduled to guest post on my blog soon. I think I may have to accidently delete his post, just because he made fun of James Taylor.

3. Elliana’s preschool teacher doesn’t know who James Taylor is. I could see it on her face when I mentioned his name. I even sang a heartwarming rendition of “You’ve Got a Friend” for her at the threshold of the classroom just moments ago. Still, nothing. Oh, the humanity.

4. Oooo! A table with an outlet just opened up! Now I have battery power. But I still have a hair appointment. Enjoy this clip of James Taylor singing “You’ve Got a Friend” while I move my stuff.

5. I had a dream the other night that I was voted off American Idol. I didn’t see it coming. I really assumed I was going all the way to the finale. Did you ever wake up from a disturbing dream and feel disturbed in real life all day long? Yeah, that was me getting voted off American Idol.

6. My sister asked me (in real life, not in my dream) what I sang. I don’t remember that part of my dream. But if I had the chance to do it all again, I would sing “Total Eclipse of the Heart.” My sister said she thought I could really have a “moment” with that song. I agree.

7. Have you been watching it??? American Idol, I mean. I have to pull a Randy here and remind everyone that I’ve been watching the show for 10 seasons. That said, I can honestly say I have never experienced more bliss watching Idol as I have this season. I absolutely love the new judges. Without Simon there, the panel is so peaceful. I knew Simon brought a lot of negative energy to the table, but I had no idea how little I’d miss it until Stephen (Steven?) and Jennifer entered the scene. They are so encouraging, so professional—except for the occasional f-bomb from Steven/Stephen.

8. Jon and I were pontificating about why the talent over all seems so much better this year. My theory is two-fold. First, I think having Jennifer and Steven (Stephen?) picking the talent from day-one made a huge difference. They didn’t put through many goofballs in the various cities. When they did, they got rid of them in Hollywood. Second, this is the first year the contestants are working with producers each week instead of “guest mentors” or “no one.” They have big-shot-music people coaching them, helping them arrange their songs. It’s making a big-shot difference.

9. I bet it’s driving past contestants crazy that the contestants this year are getting the royal treatment.

10. Wednesday’s show was my absolute favorite so far. Not only did they sing MoTown, but they all did so well. Please tell me you’ve all heard of MoTown.

11. Thursday’s show had me on my feet. It was so stinkin exciting. As far as I’m concerned, the season could end today and I would be satisfied. When Casey made bottom 3 and THEN got voted off, I about died. As did the entire known world, I’m sure. I mean, next to the crisis in Libya, this is front-page news. EVERYONE thinks Casey is a contender for the Title. I knew the judges would save him. I predicted it when the bottom 3 was announced. However, I did NOT predict that they would cut him off while he was “singing for his life” to save him. The chaos. The drama. The emotion. I was so impressed with the judges at that moment. I loved when they said, “We know who you are.” You know, like he didn’t need to perform to win their approval. There’s a spiritual analogy in there somewhere.

12. We play American Idol during the show at our house. Elliana is Jennifer. Jon is Randy. Rebekah is Ryan. And I’m Steven/Stephen. Elijah doesn’t get to be anyone, because he always leaves mid-show to play the Wii. Traitor.

13. I’m going to have to pull another Randy here and remind you all that in 1995, I stood behind Steven/Stephen Tyler while waiting for ice cream at an ice cream shop/shoppe called Mad Martha’s in Martha’s Vineyard. He had on ripped up jeans with bandanas tied around his legs. He was with two pretty blonde girls. I was afraid to say hello.

14. I also saw Aerosmith in concert in 1986. Honestly, it was a little too loud for me. Even 17-year-old-rock-and-roll-me.

15. Please tell me you have all heard of Aerosmith. Am I gonna have to sing “Walk this Way?”

16. I went to a lot of concerts in grade school and high school. Most of them with my sister (see #6). My very first concert was Def Leppard, in 1982. I can’t even say that without laughing.

17. My favorite concert is a toss-up between Chicago (while Peter Cetera was still there) and Bruce Springsteen, Born in the USA Tour—row 52 on the floor. I thought for sure I was close enough for him to pull me up on stage and sing “Dancing in the Dark” to me.

18. It’s a good thing I have American Idol and James Taylor to keep me grounded, because our spring schedule is in full swing, and it ain’t pretty. Even with each child in one sport, I am losing my mind trying to remember who needs to be where and at what time and with what uniform. I’m in my brain trying to figure out when they all will eat, if they’ve completed homework and if I remembered to secure Elliana’s seat belt before I drove away. I’m losing my mind. And it just started.

19. Tip of the day? It is wise to know the full extent of the time involved in an activity BEFORE you sign up for it. Who knew middle school track meets would be 4 hours long?

20. Last week, we sat at the track meet when it was 38 degrees and raining. For four hours. That’s when I had a spiritual revelation: Hell is not hot. Hell is 38-degress and raining. I don’t want to go there.

21. This week, we had 80-degree temps and sun. It was glorious. Birds singing. Flowers blooming. My windows were open. I wore shorts and a tank top. I painted my toe nails. That is, until yesterday, when we had another track meet. Then it was 38 degrees. Winter coats and boots. Blankets. Hats, gloves, hand warmers. Is God mad at me for something? The Def Leppard concert, maybe?

22.  Today, I had my morning devotion time sitting on the floor of my laundry room hiding from my kids.  True story.

23. Well, I hate to cut this off at 23 items and 1400 words, but I gotta get these ends trimmed off my hair. But before you go, leave a comment and tell me: What was your very first concert?  or  Have you ever hidden from your kids?