Friday Frippery

Today in history:

In 1227, Mongol conqueror Genghis Khan died.

(You know...in spite of all the carnage, I really gotta hand it to ol' Genghis Khan. At least he was all-encompassing...he killed everyone. No waste. No stereotyping...just mowed 'em all down. OK...that was a little more of my true personality than I wanted to express but I was on a roll.)

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OK - kiddies - listen up. I have absolutely nothing interesting going on other than going to a "granny shower" (a lady in our church will be a grandma for the first time) on Saturday, and a jazz jam on Sunday (possibly). I'll post about those later in the weekend.

Today it's simply mangling of the news and other things.

First, from the "Oh Mandy, my hips really hurt, yes they're achin'..." files...

OK. I admit it. In my younger days, when most of my musical tastes were influenced by my sister's collection, there were certain singers I had to listen to.

My sister is a latent folkie...she likes Celtic music, folk music, "sensitive" balladeers.

She also liked...*shudder*...Barry Manilow.

Therefore, I liked...*shudder* Barry Manilow.

She had many of Barry's recordings...including his "Live" recording, "One Voice", and the one with "Copacabana" and "Even Now" (I don't know the name of it off hand). I swiped them every chance I could. I am ashamed.

So when I heard how old he was AND that he was having hip surgery (as opposed to replacement), the first thought hitting me was "Oh my God...he's SIXTY!"

That thought led to "Oh my God...I'm THIRTY-SEVEN!"

One more connective thought..."Oh my God...my sister's FORTY-ONE!"

However, the little imp in my psyche responsible for my sarcasm made me realize that no matter how old I get, my sister and Barry Manilow will always be older than me. It's comforting. (HEHEHEHEHEHE)


Next, from the "Marvin Gaye and Barry White's School of Love" files...

According to this article, music tastes are linked to HIV risks.

OK, I'll listen...*Sudiegirl strikes indignant pose with hands crossed over chest*

According to this study out of Toronto, Canada, male Americans who like (or, per the article, are "hooked") on gospel, techno and pop music are connected to a higher risk of contracting HIV infection than fans of other styles of music. To quote the article:

Musical tastes may offer clues to rates of HIV infection, said researchers who tried to decipher the complex behaviors and attitudes of young men in the United States, at a global AIDS conference. A behavioral analysis divided participants into two musical groups: hip hop, reggae, reggaeton, rap and rhythm and blues; and rock, heavy metal, pop, techno, electronic and gospel.
The last two paragraphs of this article really intrigued me:

They found boys who listened to hip hop music were more likely to have vaginal intercourse and had more partners, but boys from church or New York club scenes (techno, pop, electronic) took the most sexual risks. "Boys who listened to hip hop had more sex and more partners, but it did not impact condom use," said Munoz-Laboy. "Those who are part of religious culture or the club scene used condoms inconsistently."

The article also mentions the impact of half-dressed submissive roles of women in music videos, dance styles, and fashion in general as contributing factors.

The music industry disagrees (just as they disagreed with "devil worshiping" charges and the merit of William Hung).

Personally, I'm not sure what to think. First of all, is "heavy metal" really a genre of music anymore? Maybe I'm just playing "antics with semantics" here, but I'm not sure if that's just a retro thing or what.

Secondly, I can't say I disagree completely with either side of the argument.

What person out there (no matter what your preference) doesn't have a connection to a particular tune and a significant sexual moment in their lives? Doesn't matter which team you play on or how many are on the team at one time, if you use animals, tennis rackets...WHATEVER...everyone's got "that special song". However, this applies with almost EVERY genre of music.

I know when you're in a dance club, the "ambiance" is one of total release. The music pounds, the lights are flashing, the club is hot and steamy, and the overall mood is one of total surrender to the beat. So yeah, anything can happen, and the spontaneity of it is such that condoms can be the last thing you think about - right up there with calling your mom and telling her how much fun it is to do Jell-o shots. Listen to the tune "Got To Give It Up" by Marvin Gaye (the long version) and tell me you don't want to get up and shake your booty. Then I will call you a big fat LIAR.

Maybe that's where country music doesn't have the same problem...you don't touch anyone when you line dance. It's pretty robotic. That's why I hate it.

The music industry's stance seems to be (and correct me if I'm wrong) is that they just package the stuff (for lack of a better phrase). They're a "manufacturer". That's what happens when you combine a creative element with a commercial element - the music is now a PRODUCT. If you use the product irresponsibly, does the fault lie with the company or the customer? Age-old question, but applied in a different way.

I'm not sure where gospel music fits into the whole spectrum, though. If anyone does, please advise me so I can be enlightened.

What do you think about this, gentle readers? Let me know in the comments...thanks!


From the "Hey, Mel...a kid that sees dead people kicked your ass as far as blood alcohol content was concerned" files...

This is Haley Joel Osment's blood alcohol level info:

Osment's blood-alcohol level after the July 20 crash was measured at .16 percent, twice the legal limit, said Jane Robison, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County district attorney's office.

Mel Gibson's blood alcohol level info:
A breath test indicated Gibson's blood alcohol level was 0.12 percent, Whitmore said. In California, a driver is legally intoxicated at 0.08 percent.

It's sad to see both Haley and Mel fight the booze thing, but my GOD! Osment's blood was twice the legal limit. He should have just passed out on the lawn like any other respectable child star.

However, they both employed drama in their busts...Mr. Osment hit a mailbox and Mel cursed an entire race of people.

I love Hollywood.

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Finally, today's quote and its mangled counterpart:

"The self-hatred that destroys is the waste of unfulfilled promise." — Moss Hart, American playwright and director (1904-1961).

"The self-hatred that prompts one to purchase expensive cosmetics is the guiding principle of Mary Kay Cosmetics." - Sudiegirl

Have a good 'un, y'all!