I'm Just a Girl

10 things I like that make me a girl

500 Days of Summer – I guess I can relate to being totally in love with a girl and not getting that feeling back. It’s not your typical rom com and maybe that is why I like this film so much.

Hall and Oates – Ok I am just going to own to it. Rich Girl, Sara Smile, Maneater, Private Eyes, Family Man, I have to admit I dig. Sure, they are poppy 80’s nonsense but they wrote catchy songs that are fun and not to be taken seriously.

Cranberry and Vodka – This is my go to drink at weddings. I know these are the main ingredients in Cosmopolitans as well and despite hating Sex in the City with a mad fucking passion, I have to admit I dig this drink and hey I won’t get a urinary tract infection which is nice.

George Clooney – Ok, I have a non sexual man crush on Clooney. I think the guy is a good actor. Sure he has made some bad movies (The men who Stare at Goats anyone) but when he is on he’s really good. I first dug him in From Dusk til Dawn and then thought he was great in O’ Brother Where Art Thou. I love the Ocean’s series (ok the middle one was weak) and overall just think the guy epitomizes cool.

Clean Sheets – I never knew how much I liked sleeping in clean sheets until I started to. When I was a younger man I really didn’t give a shit. But, nowadays, I must say there is something about slipping under the covers to the smell of a clean bed sheet that I really dig.

John Hughes – I grew up in the 80’s living in the suburbs of Chicago watching his films. I have to own to digging almost of all his teen flicks. Sixteen Candles, Breakfast Club, hell even Pretty in Pink, if I am at home and one of them is on I put the remote down. This is very difficult to admit.

Last Dance by Donna Summer – I don’t know why but for whatever reason this song comes on at a wedding and I on the dance floor busting a move, shaking my money maker like a dancing fool. I have no reason or defense for this.

The Food Network – I don’t like all the shows but I know more than most men about them and the hosts of each. Ask me about Ellie Krieger, I dare you.

Fabric Softener – I never used it back in the day. Hell I would usually get the cheapest laundry detergent I could find and use that. But, now I wouldn’t think of doing a load without adding some Snuggle.

Early No Doubt – Gwen Stefani has gone off the rails big time. But, Tragic Kingdom era I am all over it. I wore that cd out back in the day. I would jam to I’m just a girl and have no reservations about it. Get a couple of beverages in me and I will wail out a mean karaoke version of Don’t Speak with very little prodding.

Good Xmas Music?

My brother wrote a very funny piece on the five songs he hates at Christmas which you can read here, http://zombiedante.blogspot.com/2011/11/5-terrible-songs-for-xmas-season.html

I am a total Scrooge during the season and as such loath Christmas music. I go to the well often about my seven years of working retail during the holidays as having jaded me and even though the years have advanced I still cringe when I hear certain songs from the holidays. With that said I can appreciate music from any genre and that even includes Xmas tunes. Ninety percent of it is pure saccharine injected artificial bullshit that is ungenuinely trying to pull at the heart strings. But, still there are at least five jams I dig. Here they are.

Do They Know It’s Christmas, Band Aid – I’m a child of the 80’s. I will never apologize for that. So, with that said I will own to liking a lot of bad 80’s music simply because it will remind me of simpler times when I was young and was living it up. This song is an example of that. I won’t say it’s good but there is something about it that when I hear it always puts a smile on my face. My favorite line of course is Bono in all his Irish bravado butchering the Tonight thank God it’s them instead of you. Always puts a smile on my face.

Christmas in Hollis, Run DMC –I like Run DMC. Always have, always will. To a white boy growing up in the suburbs they were my introduction to the whole rap genre and showed me how good it could be. Christmas in Hollis is Run DMC at the height of their game. It’s not one of their best in any way shape or form but is still listenable which for a Christmas song is saying something.

A Holy Joly Chirstmas, Burl Ives – I really only like this one cause it is my go to during the holidays to add a little levity. The Francone Xmas Fest is massive with twenty conversations going on at once. It is as loud as an F16 taking off and inevitably at some point as much fun as we do have a small argument or disagreement may arise. It is at this point where I will go to my always reliable smile producer. I will when the moment is right bust out the line, and kiss her once for me and start singing the chorus to this Xmas classic. Usually any disagreement anyone might be having is quickly forgotten.

Frosty the Snowman, Leon Redbone and Dr. John – Growing up in a house with my step dad Lou every year around the holidays he would whip out the Leon Redbone Christmas album. You either like Redbone’s unique and unusual voice or you don’t. I like it so therefore I also happen to enjoy his swap land version of this Christmas classic.

Christmas, The Who – This is not necessarily a standard Christmas song, but it’s my list and I can do with it what I want. I’ve said it before and I will say it again. The Who might be the most important rock band ever. There was a time I listened to Tommy so much I could have played the lead character in a Broadway production of it and not needed to memorize one line.