I’ve just exited the preschool parking lot, successfully procuring
myself a few hours of kid-free time. Like
a dove sprung from its cage, my wings spread and catch on the sounds of The
Clash, which fill the car, once I dial away from the dreaded kids’ music
channel.
 |
| Sanity on Wheels |
Thanks to satellite radio, I can retreat to
the 80s anytime I want and remember what it was like not to have pockets full
of half-licked lollipops and used Kleenexes.
It is pure euphoria. I may have even peeled out a little when I
turned the corner out of the school. Go
ahead and judge me. But believe me, I am
a desperate woman.
My current, and seemingly losing, battle with the wild-and-woolly
will of a 2-year old and the independent, inconsistent one of an 8-year old is
doing me in.
This is
Radio Clash using audio ammunition
This is Radio Clash can we get that world to listen?
This is Radio Clash can we get that world to listen?
I turn up the volume until I feel the bass behind my
eyes. With each thump, thump, the images
of Elmo and Nemo are erased from my brain, beat by beat.
The baseline makes its way down my throat, scratching away
at the saccharine coating left by hours of subjection to Taylor Swift.
This is
radio Clash on pirate satellite
This is radio Clash everybody hold on tight
This is radio Clash everybody hold on tight
Thump, thump, it’s melting the coat of wax on my eardrums,
produced as a defense mechanism against DJ Lance and the Yo Gabba Gabba crew.
Thump, thump, it’s in my chest, loosening the clamp around
my middle, courtesy of Radio Disney.
Thump, thump, it’s in my spine, sending an electrifying tingle
down my back, alerting me that I am still a person, and not just a tackle buddy
for a toddler. Or the meanest-mom-ever
to a tween wanna-be.
Yes, there’s a real, live woman in there!
Never underestimate the healing power of a musical joyride.
This is so fantastically written and what an amazing topic. I wish I'd thought of it! I loves me some Sirius XM radio too. Thank god for it, because regular radio has pretty much cast our generation off. For me, it is also the Clash and it is London Calling. "...London calling...yeah I was there too, and you know what they said? Some of it was true!" shouted at the top of my lungs (with the windows closed). ;) Here's to hanging on to our younger more dangerous side during school hours!
ReplyDeleteI love the thought you driving along, yelling the words to London Calling at the top of your lungs!! Even better if you "accidentally" left a window open to share the love :)
DeleteI love driving with the music turned up super loud too. There is something so cathartic about it.
ReplyDeleteI know, when it's loud, it's finally drowning out the rest of life's noise!
DeleteSo true! I listed to the 80s channel all the time too ;)
ReplyDeleteMy daughter gives me grief about being stuck in the 80s, ha!
DeleteOh I feel exactly the same way when I drop the 7YO off. My music choice is 90s grunge but it's the same feeling.
ReplyDeleteI can totally do 90s grunge if the mood strikes :)
DeleteI was so happy when I finally got a vehicle with a CD player. CD's are still one of my indulgences, and I play them loud when I'm by myself.
ReplyDeleteI was a CD girl until I got satellite radio. I love the element of surprise of what's coming up next!
DeleteI adore when my husband insists I sit with his over the ear, essentially noise-cancelling headphones and just get lost in some sweet new song he discovered. Music heals.
ReplyDeleteGood husband, good husband!!
DeleteOMG I am so guilty....people probably look at the nerdy 30-something in the station wagon, blasting music, singing along (terribly) and thinking, weirdo. But those rare moments are possibly better than wine. But then I am pregnant so I miss wine. Either way its wonderful.
ReplyDeleteIf I saw you at a stop light, singing in your station wagon, it would make me so happy :)
DeleteHaha Boyfriend has satellite radio too! It's so much better than my normal crappy radio
ReplyDeleteSatellie radio has completely changed my life.
DeleteAmen, sister! This is *exactly* what I do when I'm pulling out of the preschool parking lot.
ReplyDeleteOoh, we must be the cool moms! :)
DeleteDamn straight!
DeleteAwesome post! The Clash are my favorite band of all time. I must have listened to London Calling 10,000 times. I actually cried when Joe Strummer died. My four year olds are into The Fresh Beat Band, but thankfully they also appreciate and listen to w/out too much dissention "real" music. I know what you mean, though, about driving w/ the music turned up. What freedom!
ReplyDeleteI hear you...we have a lot of Fresh Beat Band around here. And when Yo Gabba Gabba visited the Fresh Beats on one recent episode, it was nirvana for the 2-year old.
DeleteLoud music cures everything! I'll be happy if I'm not deaf by the time I'm 50. :)
ReplyDeleteHusband and I are definitely headed for hearing aids, as well!
DeleteYou know, not only do I have to listen to the music I like to escape some of the stuff my kids like, but also some that my husband likes! Very well written.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Oh yeah, I love it when Husband has been driving my car, and I get in and am treated to an ear-splitting Rush concert. Ha!
DeleteGreat story! I love being alone in my pickup truck with the music of my choice, at the volume of my choice.
ReplyDeleteYes, choice is the key word and always a good thing! Thanks for reading.
DeleteFor me, it's Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin, and yes, sometimes even Eminem. I have to do something, you know?
ReplyDeleteI love me some Led Zep! Ramble On is the best song ever to sing along to in the car, at the top of your lungs!
DeleteBrilliant! I love how you told this story and will crank up the music a touch louder in your honor when I pick up my daughter tonight. Well done!
ReplyDeleteYay! Spreading the hearing loss love, one mom at a time! :)
DeleteI love how you love music and how you write about it. I barely remember not having their snotty snotsy rags in my pocket. And the Clash? Oh, it's the best to peel out to. Go you!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I need to get a "Baby on Board" sign and a "My Child's on the Honor Roll" bumper sticker to make my peel-outs that more comical.
DeleteOh my word, what a great post! I could feel exactly what you were writing... you did an awesome job!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Dawn!
DeleteOh, you nailed it!! That thump-thump, rocking out to something that isn't MEANT to be listened to softly so there's just no point listening to it in front of your kid - you got it.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Michelle! There is such freedom is blaring that music loud without worrying about little ears!
DeleteI enjoyed this peek into your mind! Thinking back, I remember rolling my eyes at my mom for rocking out to Def Leppard with us in the car. But secretly? I thought it was pretty cool. Good for you, for keeping a grip on what you need to stay sane.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Yep, the eye roll is still going around with the young people. I get it from my daughter right before she reminds me that I'm stuck in the 80s.
DeleteSave me from Kids' Place Live! I mean, Absolutely Mindy is awesome, but I wanna give me Rebel Yell a workout every now and then!
ReplyDeleteI am not familiar with Kids' Place Live, and maybe that is a good thing? I am already pretty much brain dead from repeated exposure to Yo Gabba Gabba.
DeleteLoved this post. Of course, every time I see your blog name, I immediately sing in my head my own variation of the rhyming song from "Super Why!": Mamarific you're terrific!
ReplyDeleteI think that qualifies as irony . . . but I hope you take it as a compliment.
Ha, ha, thanks!! "Super Why" is a favorite around here, too.
Delete