Ally suggested: Tell us what you think about 80s music, footwear, different brands of orange juice, karaoke and the colourful clog things people are wearing these days!
Eighties Music: Here’s how I put it the other week when I was having this conversation with Dad. “It’s not like I don’t want to like the Eighties. I almost feel obliged to. But I try and I try and I just don’t get it.” Dad replied “That’s because you were only a nipper when they were happening,” and I had to disagree, pointing out that if that were the case, I certainly wouldn’t be so head over heels in love with Sixties music, as I wasn’t even born when the Sixties were happening. “I really, really want to like Eighties music,” I concluded sadly, as we watched the end of the music video that had prompted this discussion, “but I just do not get it. I love the Sixties, I like Seventies, and Nineties music will always remind me of happy childhood times. But the Eighties… I just can’t. I’m sorry.” Incidentally, this was the video that we’d been watching on a music channel…
I think they’re probably right. They ain’t nevva gonna be respectable.
Footwear: Here’s something you have to know about me. I do not care about fashion. I will not pay for brand names, I haven’t got a clue what’s ‘in’ right now, I would rather go grocery shopping than clothes shopping, and I will never, ever purchase a fashion magazine. Therefore, my opinions re: footwear are quite simple and easy to follow. (1) Footwear should be comfortable. (2) Footwear should not cost the same amount as it would take to feed a small impoverished African village. (3) If footwear looks ridiculous and/or is impossible to walk in, it is not OK to buy it just because it’s “trendy”. At present, I own one pair of incredibly battered trainers, one pair of decent-ish boots for work, a couple of pairs of ‘nice’ shoes, and some flip-floppy things for the summer. That’s it. My one slightly confused area of opinion in the shoe realm actually involves the very example Ally cited - the colourful clog things everybody’s wearing these days. You see, I think they are vile. Really, truly, honestly and genuinely horrendous-looking. People, in trying to be ‘fashionable’, are subjecting their feet to utter humiliation. “Ha-ha, look at the state of you!” all the other feet would be crying gleefully, if feet could talk (which would be weird, but - I can only imagine - quite entertaining). However, I have actually been informed by several reliable sources that these monstrosities are the most comfortable things you could ever hope to put on your feet. I am, as I have mentioned, all in favour of comfort before fashion when it comes to footwear. Hence my dilemma. I suppose it all boils down to your motives for wearing them. If it’s to be ‘fashionable’, then I must shake my head sadly. If it’s because you’ll choose comfort over aesthetic beauty, then I applaud your bravery. It’s all political, really.
Brands of orange juice: I don’t really have a preferred brand, as they mostly taste the same to me. However, I must just say one thing: when it comes to ’smooth’ vs. ’with bits’, smooth wins every time. Never with bits, NEVER. Why on earth would you purposely drink something that has stuff floating around in it? Like dirty dishwater, or a glass a small child has been drinking from. Ugh. Turns my stomach, that.
Karaoke: Oh, yes. I love karaoke. I was bitten by the karaoke bug in Butlins when I was 12 years old. I watched dozens of middle-aged men make complete and utter asses of themselves as they tried and failed to be superstars, and realised that I could (obviously) do much better. Which is probably what prompted me to go up and sing Lipstick On Your Collar by Connie Francis (I was an unusual child). Anyway, that was it. Nowadays, if there’s a microphone, someone’s usually trying to wrestle it from me. Sister and I do a mean version of American Pie, incidentally, should you be looking to get an early booking in for your office Christmas party. I’ve even been known to disappear when visiting McBouncy, only to be found sitting on a pink beanbag in McGinger’s room, singing my heart out on her junior karaoke machine (think McFly and Pink).
What a diverse range of subject material, Ally. I shall call upon you for inspiration again some day…
PS - I hope no one was too traumatised by the music video. No harm was intended.
Filed under: Butlin's, Eighties music, confusion, footwear, karaoke, memories, orange juice, singing, songs, weird
Don’t buy the colourful clog things. They’re dangerous. All clogs are dangerous. They are like house slippers - only to be worn whilst shuffling about in the safety of your own home (as long as you don’t use the stairs).
I have several comments for today.
1. Mel & Kim.
They ain’t never gonna be respectable! That song takes me right back. Rhonda had that on cassette. I do believe it was the only cassette she had, as it was the only one I ever heard! She had dance routines and everything. Fabulous memories. I do believe father couldnt stand it one minute longer and disposed of the cassette!
80’s music is so good because of the “cheese factor!” Do you think I could pitch that as an idea to Simon Cowell? “I’ve got the Cheese Factor” could become the latest chant. Anyway I digress. The naff clothing, awful dancing etc is what makes it sooo good! Takes me right back. Oh, and I know this should not be a boast, but, I am a child of the 60’s and I dont get them as much as you do. (That’s if October 69 counts.)
2.Mice.
I just cant seem to get away from the subject. Yet again, I am at work, with my trousers tucked into my boots and my feet up on a heater! There is no sign of McLovely today. Im not sure if he has been attacked by a mouse before I arrived or has just decided to get away from it all in the comfort of a customers house. Anyway, there are no mice in the traps! Is that because they are learning from the mistakes of friends or because I have managed to catch all the little darlings that decided to make this place their home? In the absence of McLovely, I have asked Kimberly and Michael to join me today. They are making me more nervous, so unless they settle down soon I will be forced to evict them.
3. Returning to past blogs.
Am I the only person, who reads back several of your blogs everyday, just in case I have missed an interesting comment? I even revisit them before reading the latest blog. That way I get to keep the excitement of reading the latest one for a few more minutes. It’s kind of like watching Grand Designs Revisited. 55minutes of a programme I have already watched, just to see 5 minutes of new stuff. Did they ever finish the house? Is it still standing? They normally air these programmes just before the new series. Can you see the similarities?
Sorry for the long comments. I promise not to do it again.
Oh, just noticed. McLovely has bought me a thing that plugs in and emits a noise which freaks mice! Do you think that’s why I dont have any today?
I am with you on the orange juice issue. Always smooth, always. There should be no bits.
Now, when it comes to peanut butter, of course, you need to reverse that rule.
McBouncy, I read over a few days worth of posts every time I come on, too! But only after I’ve read the latest one. I could never wait that long. Some people are addicted to coffee… i am addicted to Coffee Helps!!
Clarissa,
I get really disappointed when there is not a new blog, so I love to savour the excitement of anticipation for as long as possible.
Joey,
Who are you? I can work out most of Hails’ readers, but not you.
I love 80s music! Now the 70’s thats a whole different kettle of fish. I do not get the 70s, especially that whole glam rock thing. What is it? WHY is it?
I am also very disappointed when I look and there is no new blog and I always check the last couple of blogs for new comments. So Hails I think the answer is for you to give up your day job and become a full time blogger so that McBouncy, Clarissa and I are no longer disappointed when there are no new blogs!
American Pie is a really low song to sing for karaoke. I love that song, though. Best line - “I can’t remember if I cried when I read about his widowed bride, but something touched me deep inside the day The Music died”.
Those “colourful clog things” are called Crocs - and they’re really comfortable and good for warm days. That’s why I don’t understand why people in NI are still wearing them, especially in October.
Crocs!! thats the name of them thingys!! haha
i stood in complete confusion watching flocks of people buy these in Castlecourt, belfast one day, it was fantastic! I wanted to yell at them all “BUT THEY LOOK SO STUPID” instead i just stared like an eeejit
Now, Ally. Who do you think looked more stupid? Them, wearing “colourful clog things”, or you, standing at the checkout, open-mouthed, wide-eyed and staring in wonder at the amazing things they can do with plastic these days?
Only Sleggggin’
I haven’t replied to these comments because you all seem to be getting on perfectly well without me, and also because I have been working flat out to get the next post up, thus preventing a protest of some description…
McBouncy - I am an enigma.
“You’re a cute little enigma!”
Ha ha! Didn’t expect anyone to get that reference. Nice!
I’m lost…
Sometimes your blog is like a trip away from reality, Hayley.
Thank you.