Great songs are timeless- as are exclusive clubs of the nautical nature. I attended the Vancouver Rowing Club a few weeks ago for a wedding. And despite the fact that my navy blue dress pants were two sizes too small it turned out to be a pretty fun evening. We mingled in the trophy room for a good solid hour and discussed the merits of being a member of a good old fashioned rowing club. Besides the exclusivity of such a club- it's the cups and saucers that do it for me. Small and perfect. And a navy blue stripe evenly spaced between two anchors. Coffee never tasted so good.
I have always enjoyed a good cup of coffee. And by this I mean an actual cup. There really is nothing like sipping a hot cup of coffee from a perfect cup. And nothing goes better with a perfect cup than a perfect song from none other than Mandy Moore.
Whatever happened to Mandy? This is the age old question isn't it? It suprises me how much we still talk about her. The reality is there really hasn't been much released by this gem in years. So let's take a minute and step back. Who is Mandy? And why do I want to see Moore of her?
It was 1999 and the millienium was just around the corner. I received a phone call from a good friend inviting me to Puerta Vallarta, Mexico. This is where it all began. One evening before "hitting up the clubs" we were watching satellite television and I noticed this sixteen year old blonde girl driving a lime green Volkswagon Beetle singing the chorus missing you like candy. I became curios, was she going to be the next Christina? What about Britney? Would she be so lucky?
As I watched I made a decision to keep close tabs on pop music's latest sensation. I felt a connection with this one. I enjoyed her song "candy." It was routine and simple. It was predictable and did the job. I followed Mandy throughout the next few years only to discover a string of lousy hits and annoying choruses. I shrugged this off only hoping she would give me something I could use. Something I could write home about. Hell, something I could write her about.
It would be three years later when she finally delivered her masterpiece. 2002 was a great year for me too. Sit me down and ask me sometime (I will need two cups of coffee- mind the cup- and an hour of your time). The movie "A Walk to Remember" was released this year starring none other than Miss Mandy Moore herself. This movie blew me away. At the age of 22, I had fallen for Jane. She did it for me (except for the whole dying thing). The most memorable scene from this blockbuster is when she performs a play and sings the infamous "Only Hope."
This song will make you feel alive. Everything about this song does it for me. It always will. Take the time. Make some dinner and turn this shit up. You will not be disappointed. I was so impressed with Mandy's peformance I had to say something. It would be a crime not to let her know how I felt.
With the help of my colleages at work, I drafted a letter to Mandy. I kept the content simple and to the point. I acknowledged her performance of being "better than expected" and even asked if she wanted to have a chai latte sometime. With excitement running through my veins I quickly grabbed her address from the internet and went about my life.
A few weeks later I returned from a trip from Vancouver. As I entered the kitchen I couldn't help but notice all five of my roommates staring at me and not really saying anything. What was all the fuss about? I looked down at the collection of mail and there it was. On the top of the pile: "Mandy Moore Fanmail Return to Sender." It was slightly embarrassing and went downstairs to file it under "undeliverables." Despite the lack of communication with the star herself, I still managed to follow her career in both movies and in television.
From what I've heard she is a great performer. She has also revamped
her old songs and jazzed them up. My only hope is that you take a minute out of your day and listen to this latest version of candy. She's got great banter with the audience and sounds sweet too.
So where does that leave me? I never did get that chai latte with Mandy. And in a way, I'm O.K. with that. I can proudly say that I am impressed with her over the last ten years. It's true that great songs really are timeless. It's no coincidence that we are still talking about her today. If I had the balls I would draft a new letter today and let her know that we haven't forgotten about her. But maybe I'll leave that for another day...
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
... and I liked it.
The year was 2008. The month was May. And Katy Perry just released her smash hit "I Kissed a Girl." How is this song still so hot?
I remember when this song came out. The most memorable line being "... the taste of her cherry chapstick." It reminds me of a trip I took to Winnipeg four years ago. My roommate dropped me off at the airport a little late and thus, I was literally running for the final boarding call. Everyone gave me the worst look as I stumbled on to the plane.
There was a bleach blond woman that sat across the isle from me and one row ahead. From a distance of seven feet she looked like she had a pretty smile. All standards are out the window anyway when it comes to flying so it didn't really matter. I was interested. At least I thought I was. A couple hours into the flight I got up to use the washroom. As I passed her section she tugged on my vest and stated the rhetorical question "how about you sit next to me?" The seat between her and the window was empty and I glady accepted, and why the hell not?
Regrettably, I sat down and was hoping for some good old fashioned conversation. It became apparent that she was quite intoxicated and decided to kiss me (not in a good way) prefusely whether I liked it or not and insisted we engage in a full on public make-out session. And here I was, poor innocent Cam: "Ummmm why don't we get to know each other first? What's your favourite colour? I like blue." I will never forget two things: 1) the man who actually had the window seat. He was so awkward it was almost comical and 2) the taste of her strawberry chapstick. Thank goodness, for the sake of this song it was not cherry. So you can see my interest in this verse. The end of the story is a little less dramatic. I eventually returned to my seat and hid behind large pillars at baggage claim until someone picked her up.
I guess the only real difference between Katy Perry and myself is she actually liked it (the kiss and the cherry chapstick). The song and video are quite catchy. It's too bad her newer song "California Girls" kind of sucks. I haven't given up on Katy quite yet. I was just told about another hit she has, "Teenage Dream." It's actually kind of catchy (of course it pales in comparison to "I Kissed a Girl"). The video is quite the site. Take a look, but maybe not at work. So what does it all come down to? Katy needs to take a minute to sit and reflect. Let's see what else she's got. She needs to take the passion and make it happen, just like Irene Cara did so many years ago.
I remember when this song came out. The most memorable line being "... the taste of her cherry chapstick." It reminds me of a trip I took to Winnipeg four years ago. My roommate dropped me off at the airport a little late and thus, I was literally running for the final boarding call. Everyone gave me the worst look as I stumbled on to the plane.
There was a bleach blond woman that sat across the isle from me and one row ahead. From a distance of seven feet she looked like she had a pretty smile. All standards are out the window anyway when it comes to flying so it didn't really matter. I was interested. At least I thought I was. A couple hours into the flight I got up to use the washroom. As I passed her section she tugged on my vest and stated the rhetorical question "how about you sit next to me?" The seat between her and the window was empty and I glady accepted, and why the hell not?
Regrettably, I sat down and was hoping for some good old fashioned conversation. It became apparent that she was quite intoxicated and decided to kiss me (not in a good way) prefusely whether I liked it or not and insisted we engage in a full on public make-out session. And here I was, poor innocent Cam: "Ummmm why don't we get to know each other first? What's your favourite colour? I like blue." I will never forget two things: 1) the man who actually had the window seat. He was so awkward it was almost comical and 2) the taste of her strawberry chapstick. Thank goodness, for the sake of this song it was not cherry. So you can see my interest in this verse. The end of the story is a little less dramatic. I eventually returned to my seat and hid behind large pillars at baggage claim until someone picked her up.
I guess the only real difference between Katy Perry and myself is she actually liked it (the kiss and the cherry chapstick). The song and video are quite catchy. It's too bad her newer song "California Girls" kind of sucks. I haven't given up on Katy quite yet. I was just told about another hit she has, "Teenage Dream." It's actually kind of catchy (of course it pales in comparison to "I Kissed a Girl"). The video is quite the site. Take a look, but maybe not at work. So what does it all come down to? Katy needs to take a minute to sit and reflect. Let's see what else she's got. She needs to take the passion and make it happen, just like Irene Cara did so many years ago.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
I'm a simple man.
The Grouch was on to something with his Simple Man track. My roommate and I have been referring to his verses since 2003. I like beans and rice. I'm a simple man, really. I like it. It's clear. It's catchy. And best of all, it's true.
It is with this mindset that I discuss, or rather I expand on khaki pants. As mentioned in an earlier post, khaki's are quite possibly the perfect pants given their versatility and comfort. Some may argue jeans are the way to go. And I would probably agree with them to some extent. But let's not forget about those 100% cotton khakis hanging in your closet.
Last weekend I was fortunate enough to assist a friend with his hunt for the perfect pair. Given the fact that I have become quite the khaki expert, I was thrilled at the idea of lending some support and adjustments to his khaki experience.
It was a warm day in late August and my friend had been struggling with an outfit for work. "Business casual" he kept saying, "that is what I need." I felt his pain. For it was not that long ago that I too needed to step up the business casual ensemble. In an interview, I asked him "when did you first feel the need to wear khakis?" to this, he responded with unbridled enthusiasm, "it was the time we had dinner- you in your khakis and that oxford cotton blue collared shirt; it was a perfect match between comfort and style." Well, you get the idea. He was hooked. Hooked on the khakis. And I was overjoyed to walk him through it.
We arrived at the mall and quickly scanned a few stores for deals. And then it happened. On entering one of the shops we were inundated with customer service representatives pushing a 30% off sale. Brilliant. We became excited and quickly ran to the back to see what we could get our hands on. My friend ended up trying on four pairs and purchasing two. I confirmed they were a good fit and gave him the two thumbs up. Luckily, the pants were perfect (one can always have a post-purchase alteration but it's not my cup of tea). Driven by my interest in these pants, I inquired to the cashier about his latest purchase, "tell me, is it the colour or the fabric that makes a khaki? and what's the deal with khakis anyways? " I have always wondered about this issue. I have conducted some research on the subject. And I will probably write about it at some point. But I am always interested to hear people's responses. After staring at me blankly for a few seconds, she answered with "that's an odd question... I think it's the fabric." Well, I don't know about that. But I appreciated her input.
A simple pant for a simple man. So it turns out The Grouch had it right all along, it really is all about good taste, expensive or not. So if I were you, I would crank that Bonnie Tyler, throw on a pair of crisp, clean khakis and call it a day.
It is with this mindset that I discuss, or rather I expand on khaki pants. As mentioned in an earlier post, khaki's are quite possibly the perfect pants given their versatility and comfort. Some may argue jeans are the way to go. And I would probably agree with them to some extent. But let's not forget about those 100% cotton khakis hanging in your closet.
Last weekend I was fortunate enough to assist a friend with his hunt for the perfect pair. Given the fact that I have become quite the khaki expert, I was thrilled at the idea of lending some support and adjustments to his khaki experience.
It was a warm day in late August and my friend had been struggling with an outfit for work. "Business casual" he kept saying, "that is what I need." I felt his pain. For it was not that long ago that I too needed to step up the business casual ensemble. In an interview, I asked him "when did you first feel the need to wear khakis?" to this, he responded with unbridled enthusiasm, "it was the time we had dinner- you in your khakis and that oxford cotton blue collared shirt; it was a perfect match between comfort and style." Well, you get the idea. He was hooked. Hooked on the khakis. And I was overjoyed to walk him through it.
We arrived at the mall and quickly scanned a few stores for deals. And then it happened. On entering one of the shops we were inundated with customer service representatives pushing a 30% off sale. Brilliant. We became excited and quickly ran to the back to see what we could get our hands on. My friend ended up trying on four pairs and purchasing two. I confirmed they were a good fit and gave him the two thumbs up. Luckily, the pants were perfect (one can always have a post-purchase alteration but it's not my cup of tea). Driven by my interest in these pants, I inquired to the cashier about his latest purchase, "tell me, is it the colour or the fabric that makes a khaki? and what's the deal with khakis anyways? " I have always wondered about this issue. I have conducted some research on the subject. And I will probably write about it at some point. But I am always interested to hear people's responses. After staring at me blankly for a few seconds, she answered with "that's an odd question... I think it's the fabric." Well, I don't know about that. But I appreciated her input.
A simple pant for a simple man. So it turns out The Grouch had it right all along, it really is all about good taste, expensive or not. So if I were you, I would crank that Bonnie Tyler, throw on a pair of crisp, clean khakis and call it a day.
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