I recently bought tickets to KISS in Saskatoon for John's milestone birthday (okay his 50th). This normally is not my kind of music and the last time I bought him 'rock' concert tickets, I sent his son in my place. Due to the fact that I like their costumes and 'sort of' enjoy some of their music, I felt I could muddle through the evening, if not just to share the experience with John.
I donned my ear plugs and entered the event. Now I didn't just crawl out from under a rock, but the number of kids there (with and without their parents) was insane. How can they afford tickets to this was my first question and then I thought why are they allowed to be drinking? I don't think I'm THAT old, but the 'kids' buying drinks looked like they were 12 years old.
To top it off, I had to endure over an hour listening to some hard rock opening band, whose lyrics I could not understand! Whatever happened to singing along with songs and sharing in the band's success? The concert performance was on Sunday and the ringing in my ears didn't stop until Friday, even though I wore ear plugs. Yes, for five full days I felt as though I were in a tin can and everything had a wa, wa, wa sound. I purposely didn't get tickets close to the stage FOR MY EARS SAKE.
There were hundreds of 'kids' packed close to the stage and I swear they will be deaf before they hit 40. Seriously, this isn't just concerts. They need their TVs, their phones, their vehicle music, even their voices waaaaay louder than when I was younger. I don't know how many times I have had to say "use your inside voice, please". I don't know if they spend too much time texting on their cell phones so that when they actually have real interaction with others, they don't realize how loud they are!
I have had a lot of input on this subject, and my friend Rick came up with the best idea. Everyone my age should be investing in hearing aid companies because in 20 years (or less), we are all going to be rich as there are going to be a lot of 40 year-olds with hearing difficulties.
To stay current and up-to-date, I've decided to change my Maxine saying to Facebook sayings. I will pick a few this week and then add one or two per column.
Here are a couple of my favourites.
- Calories are the little buggers that get together at night in your closet and sew your clothes tighter. My closet is infested with the little beggars.
- My greatest wish is that my children will always know just how much I love them and for the rest of their lives will know that no matter what, I will always be there for them, anyway I can. My children are a gift and I will treasure mine forever.
- Your beliefs don't make you a better person, your behaviour does.
- Show respect even to people who don't deserve it. Not as a reflection of their character but as a reflection of yours.
- Dear God, I know that I'm not perfect. I know sometimes I forget to pray. I know I have questioned my faith. I know sometimes I lose my temper, but thank you for loving me unconditionally and giving me another day to start over again.
- My kids call it 'yelling' when I raise my voice. But I call it 'motivational speaking' for the 'selective hearing'.
And my favourite this week.....Being someone's first love may be great. But to be their last is beyond perfect.
Pet peeve of the week: My pet peeve is supplied by a reader who had a comment on my last column concerning how young "ladies" are dressing.
She said, "I don't normally express my feelings in the papers. After reading your 'pet peeve' from July 5th, I could not refrain any longer. You see I too am disgusted with these young girls that can't seem to put clothes on. You made some great points but there is more to be said. There are consequences to actions. Attracting the opposite sex is the goal. What a shame that they lack the self confidence to be themselves and feel they need to attract males with their 'hot' bodies. When a million racing hormones get turned on and these girls get raped and humiliated, guess who gets blamed? Certainly not the girl! When you play with fire, you get burned. There is nothing left to the imagination. You display yourself as an easy target. Thanks for letting me vent."
Maybe that's just me.let me know what you think!
