Thursday, December 15, 2005

Like the coldest winter chill...

Yes Virginia, your teacher's a dumbass. I really wanted to find more on this story, (as in what possesses someone besides Maureen O'Hara's jaded mom in Miracle on 34th Street to tell a six-year old there's no Santa,) but I couldn't.

I realized that the reason I haven't had the news on is that I seem to have swung back to the music craving of my personality. Apple's iTunes loves me when I go through this phase. So I shall pass on some rec's:

1) I am in love, love, love with the new Goo Goo Dolls song "Better Days". It plays when you open the link to their site. It’s apparently part of a holiday compilation put out by NBC of all people. I shall have to get it.
2) Herbie Hancock has released a new CD: Possibilities, where he collaborates with some very well known artists that he has never worked with before, including Paul Simon, Annie Lennox, Joss Stone, and Christina Aguilera. Let me tell you something, even knowing how great a jazz musician Hancock is, this album blew me away. I bought it because I really enjoyed the single they released with John Mayer, "Stitched Up" but every track is outstanding. When you listen to it, the music just meanders about, taking you everywhere from Lennox's haunting vocals on "Hush, Hush, Hush", to Johnny Lang and Joss Stone smokin' so hot on "When Love Comes to Town" that B.B. King would be impressed. Seriously, one of the best of the year. Hmmm… maybe I should do a G's top 5 or 10 CD's of the year like the reviewers do. Oh, my beloved NPR did a feature on this as well.
3) That said, the other disc I downloaded recently is the "Gray's Anatomy" soundtrack. I love—and I think much of the "hip" demographic does as well, how much pop music has been tied into the television shows we follow. This show has brought it to the forefront like no other yet. Their website features an updated track listing for each episode, and some words from Alexandra Patsavas, the show's Music Supervisor.

4 comments:

hello jamie: said...

I love the Grey's Anatomy music, too. I was hooked from the pilot, when they played Rilo Kiley in the opening Seattle sequence. My two most-played are "Where Does the Good Go?" by Tegan & Sara and "What Can I Say?" by Brandi Carlyle. Angsty but delicious.

Gina said...

Wow, a dialog! Coolness.

Well Matt, I think the subtext behind the parent's response to the teacher's actions is that she undermined their authority with a child at a very impressionable age. On a base level it isn't that different from the reaction of a parent who found out her child learned about condoms in 5th grade health class but hadn't spoken to him about sex yet, or even a fundamentalist Christian upset that their child is being taught evolution. ;) But that's why I really wanted more context, because the story was put out there as a sensationalized, one sided AP blurb.

It's one thing to for nature to run its course, and you "grow up" to realize that there is no "Santa Claus," and another to have someone dispel the myth and create doubt and confusion. But YMMV, I can see kids feeling lied to and betrayed, but I wonder in some cases what else is going on in their lives then. I think many of us fall into the former category, and ideally (a play on words! Hee!)can appreciate the illusion our parents created to make Christmas a special, magical time; a spirit we in turn want to perpetuate with younger siblings and our own children. MK, I think if my children end up having a difficult time with the revelation that it is indeed my husband and I laying out gifts Christmas Eve, that is the way I would explain our actions, and hopefully they'll take pleasure in being included in the "secret".

LOL, your opening comment had me so confused until I just remembered my comment at your blog. Stay idealistic, it's a good thing, but I think your finaly comment is ironic in that it rings of pragmatic realism. :) Thanks for coming by.

Bored Housewife said...

You've sold me on the Possibilities album. Consider it done.

hello jamie: said...

Wait... you mean, Santa Claus isn't real? Thanks for bursting my 29-year old bubble. *wink*

I don't think encouraging childhood fantasy is lying. I have to throw it in, 'cause you know I love this quote:

"You can tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived could tear apart. Only faith, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond."

Yes, Giovanna, there is a Santa Claus.

Lisa, LOVE the pic.