Thursday, July 31, 2008

There’s a Kid Around Here Somewhere

I know. Rick has been taking up a little of my time lately. I am fully aware that I have a child and this blog has been turned into a kind of homage to Rick Springfield. But have you seen what I’ve been doing this week? The concert! The CD signing! People, I MET RICK SPRINGFIELD. I spoke to him. And then we made out. Oh, sorry, I slipped into a narcoleptic daydream there.

In case you’re wondering, Monkey Man’s dad and I are still together and there will be a post coming very soon about what a KICK BUTT husband I have. I will return with stories and adventures of Monkey Man. But in the meantime, feel free to keep coming back to look at Rick’s eyes. And that smile. Did you see his arms? Oh, and his new girlfriend. Don’t we look so cute together? Yeah, he wants me.

Saturday, July 26, 2008

On the 12th Day of Rick Springfield...

My obsession gave to me:
Another concert!
TODAY! TODAY! Hip Hip Hooray! (Monkey Man's books are getting to me - I slipped into a little Dr. Seuss there for a second)

I hope to have another moment like this tonight:

Only maybe, with a photo that's a little more flattering? Nah, I don't care how flattering the photo is of me, if I get that arm around me and a kiss, I won't mind looking like a crazed fan that just had her dream come true - again. Because even if it happens again, I will be just as excited, elated, and euphoric with as many heart palpitations as that first magical time.

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Friday, July 25, 2008

On the 11th Day of Rick Springfield...

My obsession gave to me:
A concert necessity check list.

Things I need for the Rick concert, which, by the way, is TOMORROW!

  1. A babysitter – Thank you, Poppy and Aga, for not only loving Monkey Man and taking care of him, but for enabling my addiction.
  2. 4 tickets – one for me, one for my husband, one for the Rick Virgin, and one for her husband. I will be obsessively checking my bag throughout the car trip to make sure all are present and accounted for.
  3. Directions to Oyster Bay – oh, not only do I have directions, I have 3 sets! One from Google, one from Mapquest (this one is most likely to get us lost but I have it just in case), and one from the FOTA website. Note to self: Ask Santa for a GPS this year.
  4. An email from a college friend who grew up on Long Island suggesting places near the venue to eat, drink and be merry pre-show.
  5. Bug Spray – I’m hearing it’s buggy at the Planting Fields so I’ll have to make a run to the store tomorrow morning.
  6. 3 cameras – my new Canon, my old Sony Cybershot as a backup, and for the first time, my video camera. I knew there was a reason for dragging the hubbies along!
  7. My Success Hasn’t Spoiled Me Yet album for me and Working Class Dog album for the Rick Virgin plus a Sharpie for each of us.
  8. Monkey Man’s Buzz Lightyear spinning light-up thing – seriously, how could Rick resist giving the Human Touch to a mom using her son’s toy to lure a Rock Star to her? I’m shameless.
  9. A good night’s sleep – but that’s not really possible because on this Rick Concert Eve, I am like a child waiting for Santa!

Good night and Merry Rickmas!

Thursday, July 24, 2008

On the 10th Day of Rick Springfield...

My obsession gave to me:
My deeply religious side.

Dear Lord,
You have blessed me in many ways throughout my boy-crazy, star-struck life. At the tender age of 6, you put on my TV a telethon in which John Schneider (Bo Duke at the time) was working the phones. Because it was in your great plan for me, my dad called the telethon and I spoke to Bo Duke. Lord, thank you for that first experience with stalking celebrities.

Your presence was at its strongest when I was 16 and my friends and I got backstage passes to meet the New Kids on the Block. Although only Donnie Wahlberg showed up, and I cried great tears of joy and celebration, I know that it just opened the door for what you have in store for me on September 23, 2008 when I see the New Kids at the Izod Center (hint, hint).

Now, at this point in my life, a time when I should very well be over my hormonal, pubescent behavior, you have brought Rick Springfield to me. He was always there, an old favorite that sometimes got overlooked because of Kirk Cameron, Jonathan Knight, Tom Cruise, and other flavors of the month. But because I am older and wiser, I know that he is the one celebrity worthy of taking my attention away from work, husband, child, and other life responsibilities. You would not have made such a perfect specimen, a man almost 60 years-old, to look like that, to sing like that, to rock like that, if you didn’t want women to forget about their real lives and sink into the delusional world of believing that they are Mrs. Rick Springfield.

As I approach another Rick concert, I ask you to be with me in Oyster Bay, LI. Please let us arrive safely and within a reasonable amount of time given that we have to drive on the Long Island Expressway and you and I both know that Satan built that road. Please give me the strength to jump on chairs, over chairs, between chairs and any other stunt I need to pull in order to get another Human Touch. I do not mean to partake in the sins of Greed and Lust, but Lord, just allow me one more hug and a touch of his buttocks.

I have faith in you, Lord, that what is meant to be will happen. Please remember the awesome new camera that you blessed us with and what great pictures I can get if the aforementioned occurs Saturday night. I will even post the pictures on this blog for everyone to enjoy, because I know you would want me to share the joy you have given me with others. I have learned selflessness through you.

And please let me win the Mega Millions Lottery. World Peace would be awesome, too.

Amen.

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

On the 9th Day of Rick Springfield...

My obsession gave to me:
The possibility of meeting him!

If only briefly. I live about 40 miles west of New York City and there is a chance that I will be going to the Venus in Overdrive CD signing at the Virgin Megastore in Times Square on Tuesday, July 29. We (The We is the Rick Virgin, who by that date will have lost her virginity, and myself) have to get there by 9 a.m. to buy the CD to get a bracelet for the signing at 6 p.m. IF - and that's a big if - we get there in time to get the bracelets, then I will surely pee in my pants and throw up when I am looking Rick in the face to sign my CD. They should give me a bracelet just to see that show.

On the 8th Day of Rick Springfield...

My obsession gave to me:
The realization that I have responsibilities other than thinking about Rick.

I’m a day late on the 12 Days of Rick. My apologies, but this was my first go at writing everyday and it seems my life got in the way. That is, waiting on Monkey Man’s every need. Isn’t 3 when they are supposed to move out and get jobs?

The concert date is nearing and for lack of descriptive and flowery vocabulary - I’m getting so excited! It’s been 4 months since my last show, and even though this is the shortest span of time between concerts, I just can’t wait!

It’ll also be fun for my friend to lose her Rick concert virginity and for me to have a girlfriend along for the show. Before this, my husband has willingly and lovingly (eye rolls are a sign of love, right?) joined me and he has enjoyed the shows, but he was always willing to give up his spot to someone else. He thought he would get out of this one, but my friend’s husband wanted to come, too, so it’ll be the 4 of us. Me, the Rick Virgin, and the two guys laughing at their ridiculously silly, boy-crazy wives. We’ve already planned our outfits – no, not in the “Let’s wear matching shirts and shorts” middle-school way, but in the decision to not wear skirts because if we need to climb on chairs to hold Rick up, skirts are not really the best chair-climbing attire. And I do plan to climb on chairs or any other piece of furniture or human body that will get me closer to Rick – and get another kiss, hug, and signed album.

In time according to Monkey Man, I have just 3 more naps (those are bedtimes) to go until the big day!

Monday, July 21, 2008

On the 7th Day of Rick Springfield...

My obsession gave to me:
The perfect set list. Here it is, but it doesn't have to be in this order:
  • Jessie's Girl
  • Love Somebody
  • Love Is Alright Tonight
  • I've Done Everything For You
  • What Kind of Fool Am I?
  • Alyson
  • Rock of Life
  • Celebrate Youth
  • Don't Talk to Strangers
  • I Get Excited
  • Will I?
  • I'll Make You Happy
  • Affair of the Heart
  • Who Killed Rock n' Roll?
  • Human Touch - of course, because we all need it!
I like to stick with the classics, so this list might be "typical." I'm sure there will be some covers, and I know I probably won't get my entire wish list, but again, this is my perfect concert. I know there will also be What's Victoria's Secret since that's the single on the new CD. And what a CD it will be! I've listened to clips of each song on Amazon and Rick's voice sounds so sexy and the music is awesome.
5 more days - I can't wait!

Sunday, July 20, 2008

On the 6th Day of Rick Springfield...

My obsession gave to me:
Name that tune!

For some of you fans, this may be very easy. But it's just fun to sing the line and figure out the song! Don't google the lines - just try to get them on your own!

  • I was caught with my head in the sand /When the world came knocking
  • You got my body dancin' tangos / In three four time
  • But the gods or whatever make the world go round / Shuffled when they should have cut
  • The alley to her heart is a beaten track
  • You shudder and shake, sink your teeth in my skin
  • Now you know about everything / I'm turning you in for memories, you see
  • Don't worry daddy, Ill have her home at a respectable hour / Go to sleep daddy, you won't think about tonight (these lines make me laugh every time! Gotta love that Casanova Rick!)
  • Though the world may rage and storm / There's still one harbor where I'm safe and warm
  • Part of the pleasure was that it felt so wrong
  • She's got the teeth, she knows how to bite / Cause when you bit I bled

Saturday, July 19, 2008

On the 5th Day of Rick Springfield...


My obsession gave to me:
The name of my dog when I was 7.

I picked out an adorable German Shepherd/Collie mix puppy and my parents entrusted me with the name of the dog. At the time, I was a Rick Springfield fan AND a Dukes of Hazzard fan, so I needed a name to honor the two. The logical choice? Jesse. Spelled like Uncle Jesse from the Dukes of Hazzard but also giving a nod to Jessie's Girl.

It's a good thing that I already had a dog named Jessie, because Monkey Man may very well have ended up with that name. But after your dog has had the name already, it doesn't work well on the humans in the family - or at least that's what my husband thought.

Friday, July 18, 2008

On the 4th Day of Rick Springfield...



My obsession gave to me:
Actually it took something away. 1 hour and 33 minutes of my life I'll never get back.

My wonderful husband ordered the Hard to Hold DVD and gave it to me as a surprise a few weeks ago. I think I saw the movie when it came out (1984), but can't be quite sure so I was excited to watch it. I had very low expectations for it, knowing it wasn't a cinematic masterpiece. But, hey, what the hell, I thought, Rick is in it and so is his naked butt so how bad can it be?

In honor of my 12 Days of Rick Springfield, I thought this would be the perfect time to watch it and give a review. And it was a Thursday night without The Office so I had some spare time.

For all the die-hard fans out there, I sincerely apologize about this review. I am by no means a movie critic so I will now give you my layman's review - This movie was bad.

Rick's acting was decent, but honestly I couldn't pay much attention because of his mullet. He could almost pull it off because he is Rick Springfield. But still, it was a mullet. And his love interest? She looked old enough to be his mother. It was unbelievable to have those two together. Rick, sorry "Jamie Roberts", would not have fallen for this matronly woman.

Thank God Love Somebody is one of the songs in the movie because that just happens to be one of my favorites, but I had to wait through 1 hour and 30 minutes of excrutiating dialogue and bad kissing scenes before I got to the song.

I think Rick did the best he could for what he had to work with, but he didn't have much to work with, unfortunately. It was enjoyable to see that smile and those eyes for 1 hour and 33 minutes, but after that, I was ready for another episode of House Hunters.

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Milestones

Monkey Man and Poppy went to one of the local farms today. This is what I heard Monkey Man tell Walt, our dog, when he arrived home:

“Hi Walter. I peed in the grass just like you do!”

Poppy laughed and told me that, yes, Monkey Man did in fact pee in the grass. He had to go potty, and since we are doing REALLY WELL in the potty training department, Poppy made sure he didn’t have an accident in his big boy underpants. So he let him drop trow right there at the farm.

Ah, public urination as his first misdemeanor. Let me get out the baby book to document. I’m so proud.

On the 3rd Day of Rick Springfield…

My obsession gave to me:
A tear-filled breakfast. Let me explain.

I went to Rick’s show in Pennsylvania in December 2005. My husband and I stayed at a hotel that was close to the venue. We arrived to the hotel early, about 4 p.m., to check in and have dinner in town. When we arrived, the hotel was sponsoring a Toys for Tots toy drive for the holidays, and I entered a raffle to win a backstage pass to Rick’s show later that night. $50 for the kiddies and a chance to meet Rick? No brainer. I didn’t win. Bah Humbug.

We ate dinner in town then off to the show we went. This show was my first in many years, and to my sheer delight, Rick came out into the audience! Please don’t ask me how quickly I left my husband at our seats on the side so that I could sprint and leap down stairs towards the middle seats. I did not have a camera at this show, but I did touch his butt. Hey, it was during Human Touch and he was RIGHT THERE, as in, Holy Freakin’ Crap, Rick Springfield is standing in front of me. He was having some trouble walking on the chairs, and I didn’t want the man to fall and hurt himself. I think I learned in First Aid that if someone looks like they are about to fall, if you hold said person by the buttocks, all will be well. All was well, at least with me.

I was on Cloud 9 from that point on. The concert ended, and I chattered like a butt-touching school girl about, “Did you see me touch him? I touched him! I think he dripped sweat on me!” My husband deserves some kind of medal. Or at least to touch Jessica Alba’s butt.

We got back to our hotel at about 11 p.m. I got ready for bed and then we just relaxed and watched TV. Somehow, the TV landed on the History Channel and we got sucked into a documentary about Jeffrey Dahmer. Just what you want to watch before drifting into slumber. As we watched, I heard some noise down the hall. I’m usually nosy about these things and would’ve popped my head out to see what was going on. However, I was too lazy and enjoyed the fact that I had potentially 12 hours of sleep ahead of me and wouldn’t have to get up before the sun rose with our 9 month-old Monkey Man the next morning.

I awoke the next morning refreshed and giddy and happily remembering my evening and did I mention the butt touching? I laughed and joked with my husband about the concert and how much fun it was, and then off to breakfast we went down the hall. While enjoying our waffles, the owner pleasantly chatted with us. Conversation follows:

Owner: “Did you go to the show last night?”

Me: “Yes, it was great!”

Owner: “Did you meet Rick?”

Me: Thinking, what an odd question, why would I meet him? Is that usual standard concert happenings in these parts of Pennsylvania? I stated bluntly, but with a very quizzical look on my face, “No.”

Owner: “Oh, he stayed here last night and after the show he hung out in the lobby until about 2 a.m. talking with guests and people that were at the concert who stopped here to see him. He was also here yesterday at about noon taking pictures with Santa in the lobby.”

Me: This is where the tears start. “You are kidding me, Really?” Because clearly this was the meanest joke anyone could play on me and there had to be cameras on me waiting to put me on some practical joke show.

Owner: “Yeah, it was great. He stays here whenever he plays at that venue. He is always so nice.”

Me: “Awesome. Want to know how Jeffrey Dahmer began his career as a serial killer? No? Neither did I.”

UNBELIEVABLE. I still get a little misty-eyed thinking about it.

The breakfast area where my heart was broken.

The lobby where everyone - EXCEPT ME - but including Santa, got to hang out with Rick. And hey, guess what's behind that fireplace and down the hall? A girl not nosy ENOUGH to poke her head out.

Ugh. And this guy? Dude, you did some really horrible, heinous, disgusting things. And because of that they made a documentary about you. And because of that, I didn't meet Rick Springfield! You're an even bigger jerk than I thought.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

On the 2nd Day of Rick Springfield...


My obsession gave to me:
An iron-on t-shirt for Rick's concert when I was 8 years-old!

I have my mom on a special mission to go through all of my childhood pictures to find the photo of me at my first concert ever – a Rick concert in August 1982 at the Garden State Arts Center (now PNC Arts Center). I want that picture for this blog! I was wearing a baseball-type t-shirt, white with lavender sleeves, with an iron-on of Rick circa the feathered hair days. Let’s not forget the white carpenter pants (on me). Very stylish 8 year-old I was. Loving a 32 year-old man.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

12 Days of Rick Springfield


There are only 12 days until my next Rick Springfield concert! In honor of this, I will begin a countdown to July 26. This countdown will give you useless information about my infatuation with the man, as well as trivia you couldn’t care less about.

You may recall from my March post that Rick signed my Working Class Dog album and I got a hug and a kiss from Rick at his concert at the State Theater in New Brunswick, NJ. My heart still flutters thinking about that. On July 26, not only will my husband accompany me on my pilgrimage to Long Island, NY, but I am bringing along a friend (and her husband) who is a Rick concert virgin. I ordered her a Working Class Dog album (I’m bringing my Success Hasn’t Spoiled Me Yet album) and I’m hoping for her sake (and, selfishly, mine!) that we’ll get more hugs, kisses and signed albums. Oh Virgin Friend, let the deflowering begin!

And now, the 12 days of Rick Springfield:

On the 1st Day of Rick, my obsession gave to me…
An idea for my Life's To-Do List - Before I die, I want to sing Jessie's Girl on stage with Rick Springfield. Trust me people, this will happen! I have other, less lofty goals like paying my parents back for college and spending my retirement traveling the country in an RV. But this one is at the top, because how much fun would that be?

Every wedding, bar, party, place I go to with music, I request Jessie's Girl (just because it’s the only Rick song they know!). I even request Jessie’s Girl at the Dueling Piano Bar, Jellyrolls, in Disney World. It took about 3 years before they finally learned it, but learn it they did, and I tip them generously! I've had DJs and piano men and band singers look at me like I have 3 heads, especially in college in the early 90s when I was in the minority while the other girls were swooning over Kurt Cobain, Gavin Rossdale and Eddie Vedder. That’s okay, just more Rick for me!

Monday, July 14, 2008

Best Weekend Ever!

Call VH-1 because my weekend was way better than Angelina Jolie giving birth to Knox and Vivienne! Mommy usually writes these posts about me, but I'm filling in for her because I wanted to tell all of you about my weekend because it was just so much fun.

Mommy said that for a 3 year-old, my weekend rates right up there with a mommy’s weekend in the Caribbean – a weekend full of lying on the beach, reading a good book and dinner and dancing at night. Actually, the real reason I’m writing this post is because she’s on the other computer booking her trip right now. I’ll miss you Mommy, but thanks for the rockin’ weekend!

So here’s what I did...

Friday night:
I went to my big cousin’s birthday party and ate pizza and cupcakes. My big cousin was sick and in bed, so I got to sit in his birthday chair while everyone sang Happy Birthday to him, but it was really me! Then I got to blow out the candles! It wasn’t even my birthday!

Saturday:
I went swimming with cousin, aunt, uncle, Mommy, and Daddy. The water was freezing cold and Mommy didn’t want to go under water, but because I am the CEO (whatever that is, but that’s what Mommy calls me) I told her to go under water and she did. Her lips were this weird blue and purple color after. I’m not sure why. Oh well, I love to swim!

After we went swimming, Mommy and Daddy took me to see Kung Fu Panda. It was funny and I liked when the Panda said, “Skadoosh!”

I didn’t take a nap. This still comes as a bit of a surprise to Mommy and Daddy. Poor things, they try so hard to get me to “rest” but I have too much to accomplish in a day! If I nap, that’s like one hour that I can’t drive them nuts! When will they learn?

My aunt, uncle, and cousin met us at a fair in town after dinner. I rode on the carousel two times and I also rode on the train ride with my cousin! I didn’t think this day could get any better, but it did! We went out for ice cream and I had a mint chocolate chip ice cream cone with sprinkles! Am I the luckiest kid ever or what?

Sunday:
There’s MORE?? It must be Christmas in July! I went to Sunday School with Grandma and Papa. When I got home, Mommy and I took Poppy on a Caboose train ride for his Father’s Day present. I got to sit in the top of the caboose with Mommy and wave out the window.

After the train ride, I met some of my friends at a park and I ate COTTON CANDY. Have you had this stuff? Wow, I can’t believe after eating cookies Mommy let me have this pink sugar on a stick. I also watched Daddy play volleyball and Mommy said she was happy he didn’t have a heart attack. I’m not sure what that is, but she did mention something about life insurance.

How are the most wonderful parents in the world going to top that next weekend? They said something about needing a break and letting the grandparents try…

Friday, July 11, 2008

Monkey Man - The Early Years

I keep getting threatening emails from Kodak telling me they are going to delete my pictures if I don't order prints from them NOW. So I went back to my pictures and started getting all, "awwww, oh my God, look at Monkey Man. I can't even believe he was that little."

All the pictures are pretty much from his first year, and even though he's the cutest preschooler ever now, wait til you see the baby pictures! Makes me want to have 10 more! Sorry, that was the crack talking.

One of Monkey Man's first smiles - April 2005

This one is my absolute favorite! Could his head be any rounder? August 2005

We call this his "Bubba" face. August 2005


The beginning of his silliness! October 2005

Sunday, July 6, 2008

Sunday Funnies

What is wrong with my husband and where does he come up with this stuff??? I swear he's a great dad, really!
popculturecomics.com

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Cloudy Vision


Upon gazing out the car window yesterday while waiting in the parking lot for the “big town pool” (as Monkey Man likes to call my parents’ town pool) to open, Monkey Man made a few observations:

Monkey Man: “That cloud looks like a dinosaur. I see its tail there and its head.”

Mommy: Looked up at the clouds and actually saw the one at which he was looking. “Yes, it does look just like a dinosaur!” It really did. Pretty cool!

Monkey Man: “That cloud looks like Woody.” He was referring to Woody from Toy Story – he’s a big fan. “Only some of his parts are missing.” (I have no idea what that meant.) “Mommy go up there and put back the parts.” Huh?

Mommy: “I can’t go up there. Those clouds are high in the sky!”

Monkey Man: “Yes, you can fly. You’re Super Mommy!”

And Monkey Man, you are one Super Kid. For all your terrible three-ness, you really do rock! It is because of moments like these that I decide yes, you may continue to live in my house and eat my food.