We didn't blow our arms off...

We had a safe and fairly sane holiday weekend.  It was mostly devoid of sun, but of course it usually is here in the beautiful but gray and wet Pacific Northwest.

The girls and I came to the beach Thursday afternoon.  Traffic was fine, and the drive was okay except for the fact it was raining and rain + car = tired Megan.  But we arrived without incident, got settled then I took the girls our for dinner, and luckily their tastes still border on the simple, so they did not break the bank.  That night we had a mini 80's film fest with The Outsiders and Pretty In Pink, which I thought the girls would like since they had gotten into 16 Candles, Breakfast Club, and The Heathers (girls after my own heart)  They preferred the latter to the former and I'd forgotten how cute those boys were and how I was so in love with every one of them, especially C. Thomas Howell, Rob Lowe, and Emilio Estevez.

On Friday took them to see Eclipse, and since it was my favorite book of the series it only makes sense it was my favorite movie.  Taylor Lautner's abs were the star of the show and it didn't suck (haha, get it? Suck?) to look at the new vamp, Riley.  When we came out of the movie, the sun had miraculously decided to show itself so we hung out in the back yard, played badminton, and I bbq'd us some chicken, and it was good.

Friday night my sister and her kids came and we just chilled while watching Lords of Dogtown.  Which of course is the only way to watch Lords of Dogtown, if you're not chill, forget it.  Great movie btw, and I love Emil Hirsch and of course the late Heath Ledger.

Shopped around and laid in the sun all day Saturday.  Got the kids some pizza and my sister, her mother in law and I hit the casino.  Starship was playing (suddenly belts out *Jane, Jane, Jane!*).  We lasted about five songs as the wind was kicking and a glass of wine and Lobstermania slots were calling my name.  I dropped a $20 and it was good.

Then the grand finale, July 4th, the weather was crappy, like I said.  We just chilled, I made my famous (okay it's really Rachael Ray's) pesto pasta salad, we pretty much ate all day, bbq'd (I grilled the perfect hot dogs) then hit the beach for fireworks.  It was freezing, Thing Two and my nephew pretty much blew everything up while the rest of us bundled up in blankies or sat in our cars, and as soon as they were done, we were out of there.  I could not stay up for one more minute, so hit the hay.

Today me and the girls and whoever else wants to join us will take some garbage bags to the beach and help clean up.  Because sad as it is, people leave their trash for the tide.  Dead fireworks, bottles, cans, food wrappers.  We did the same thing last year.  It's a good lesson for the kids and we're doing our part, if only a little.

Hope you all had a great holiday.  I know I did.


Ciao,

Megan

The four songs that define the last four decades for me.

# 3 the 1980's

This was a little easier than the 70's. Music became a serious part of my life in the 80's especially in high school. I went from long feathered hair, to short with a tail. Traded my t-shirts and jeans in for stretch pants, oversized sweaters, and Raybans.

There were so many styles it made your head spin. I was in a new wave phase.
I shopped at the limited and wore Guess, Esprit, and had about 10 different swatches.

There were preppies with their izods and penny loafers.

Punks with their Mohawks and combat boots.

It was the time of stiff hair, Vans, trenchcoats, and paisley.

I played Rubik's Cube and Trivial Pursuit.

I went dancing.

Things were either awesome or bogus, and sometimes they gagged me with a spoon.

My favorite movies were Ferris Bueller, Pretty in Pink, 16 Candles, and Breakfast Club.

On TV I watched 21 Jump Street, Quantum Leap, and the Greatest American Hero.

I read Hawthorne, Kesey, Bradbury, Lee, and lot of Stephen King.

I listened to the Cure, ABC, Psychedelic Furs, Tears for Fears, The Clash, and the band that brings me back to the song that defined the 80's for me, The Smiths.

The song is How Soon is Now. The 80's is when I became angsty, and when I started wearing black on an almost daily basis. The song reminds me of high school, friends, and all the good times we had.

In 1989 I was 20 years old.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6YHpAgxcNY

How Soon Is Now

I am the son
And the heir
Of a shyness that is criminally vulgar
I am the son and heir
Of nothing in particular

You shut your mouth
How can you say
I go about things the wrong way ?
I am human and i need to be loved
Just like everybody else does


I am the son
And the heir
Of a shyness that is criminally vulgar
I am the son and heir
Oh, of nothing in particular


You shut your mouth
How can you say
I go about things the wrong way ?
I am human and i need to be loved
Just like everybody else does


Oh ...
Oh ...


There's a club, if you'd like to go
You could meet somebody who really loves you
So you go, and you stand on your own
And you leave on your own
And you go home, and you cry
And you want to die


When you say it's gonna happen "now"
Well, when exactly do you mean ?
See, i've already waited too long
And all my hope is gone


Oh ...
Oh ...


You shut your mouth
How can you say
I go about things the wrong way ?
I am human and i need to be loved
Just like everybody else does

Thanks for reading me.

Kisses :*

Megan