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Wednesday, January 21, 2009

And Another Thing!

You know what I’d like to see more of?

Dancing. With or without costumes.

For cryin’ out loud, I’m not talking about something that costs money – or even requires talent! I’m talking about me. And maybe you.

And that guy over there.

People, why are we waiting for Saturday night? Why aren’t we gathering in the parks, at the homes of our friends, celebrating the ability to, well, celebrate?

I’m not suggesting we stop working or paying our bills. I’m suggesting that our work day ends when we leave work.

I’ve noticed lately that the more creativity I can cram into my life, the better I feel. Think about it: The more you sing/dance/rhyme/sculpt with food/make up stores about your scars, the more you push the edges of how it’s always been done and how it can be done.

We are hindered only by our lack of imagination.

Taxes, laundry, appointments of various duration and expense, all of these things would be more bearable to me if we could just meet in the park some afternoon with a couple of overturned five-gallon buckets and some drum sticks.

What do you think?

Just for an hour or two! We could pound out some rhythms, spin ourselves into thoughtless oblivion, laugh, fall down, get back up.

Then, we settle down to a picnic, introductions all around!

I’ll bring a hot dish. How are you with Tater Tots?

41 comments:

Kim said...

Count me in! Where and when? In fact, maybe I won't wait - I'm up and dancing right now. And it works, I feel better.

~JSW said...

I will bring some drinks, it will make the dancing, and playing a lot more interesting.

darsden said...

We all could use some "Face Time" too many text messages and cell phone conversations. We forget how important face time is. Count me in. (as long as there are NO bloody marys that is)

I dance every day with Ellen, even with my square knee. Could be why it's now healing. *smirk*

Douglas said...

I'm in favor of Tater Tots (one of my favorites!) plus applesauce, fresh greenbeans, corn (off the cob or on, creamed or not). And pork chops! Plenty of pork chops.

darsden said...

could be why it's NOT healing, sorry I get so excited when I start to comment I forget sometimes to proof read! Oh, Well, I am sure you got the drift of it.

Pearl said...

Under the Influence, I have the radio streaming through my computer right now. Love the new-fangled gadgetry!

R~, excellent idea.

Darsden, sorry to hear about the square knee. :-) And you're right about face-to-face communication. I went out with a friend last night and today, baby, is a BRAND NEW DAY! I can't believe how ridiculously happy I am today!

Skywalker said...

Dancing...will there a soul train line? I'm in if you got one planned.

I will bring Mac and Cheese...and sweet tea.

Pearl said...

Douglas, that sounds really good! And we can agree that if we're grilling it should be Briquets, not gas, yes?

Darsden, well now you need to heal! Summer's coming and you're going to need all your strength for the frolicking!

Pearl said...

Skywalker, I would love the soul train, yes.
Mac and Cheese? Definitely. Sweet Tea? That would be a "yes", too.
Oh, man. COME ON SPRING!

Douglas said...

Briquets, gas, ceder chips, I don't care. Whatever you choose. I'll get my apron.

darsden said...

I forgot, I will bring the cocktail wiennies...LOL

Dang somebody else better post soon, or I be up your butt all day Pearl. ;-)

Mary@Holy Mackerel said...

Great idea, and I LOVE tater tots.

Irish Gumbo said...

A little ketchup, a little hot sauce, Tater Tots are GO!

Pearl, if it helps, I have been listening to the radio and my iPod almost non-stop since I became 'employmentally challenged', and I have, on occasion 'shaken my moneymaker' while jumping around the living room. I had a great time, although the cats were unimpressed.

Creativity definitely helps push back the 'great grey wall of Life', and I have been using my time to write and think as much as possible. I LOVE IT!

If we could get society as a whole to be 'unplugged' from the cult of stuff-gettin' and dollar-chasin' it would be so much more enjoyable.

I agree, it would be so nice to just take a little time now and again to relax, make some noise, and maybe get our humanity back. Testimony out there! We have a witness! :)

Jess said...

I'm there. You had me at beverages and tater tots. My friend makes a dish with tater tots that is so lovingly known as Butt Hole Surprise...in honor of the surprise that comes the next day. Much the same result as the day after drinking cheap beer all night. But much like cheap beer, it is soooo worth it.

zipbagofbones said...

I am so down with the tater tots. They're the best potato format option available on the market today!

Pearl said...

Oh, my but you people are funny...

Douglas, you have a deal.

Darsden, it's not a party until someone brings the cocktail wienies. :-)

Mary Moore, I think sometimes we need to just stop, fall onto the grass and say, "Hey! You know what that cloud looks like?"

IG, I've been unemployed, against my will, in the past; and when you can find ways to enjoy it, it's a beautiful thing. I'm picturing you leaping about the room -- in time, of course -- while the cats watch from a haughty (and perhaps judgmental) distance... I agree with you regarding the stuff-chasin' -- and I think many of us are heading in that direction whether we like it or not! I've been asked to take two unpaid days off in the next month -- our company's way of making sure we all keep our jobs...

Jess, Butt Hole Surprise. Hmmm. It doesn't scream "try me" but it does scream "the cook has an impish sense of humor", so what the heck. I'll take a scoop.

Cat -- "best potato format option". Oh, I so wish I'd said that...

Irish Gumbo said...

"...in time, of course..."

*sniff* Pearl, you are so nice to me!! Thank you!

Cameron said...

Tater tots are ok, but hash browns...the shredded kind that are really greasy....those are the schizzle. I'm in.

Kavi said...

In the mood for saying, "Yes We Can" !!

I am going to hunt partners here. And maybe i'll share a story over here..!! Soon !!

:)

MJenks said...

Can this be something like in Dead Poets Society where I can exercise my individuality by not dancing?

Cannwin said...

Sign me up... as long as I can leave all this stupid nausea at home am I allowed to do that? Is this like one of those happy sunshiney park days when I don't feel like I was involved in a love hate relationship with food.

If it's like that then I'll bring some of those cheese sticks that you get as an appetizer at restaurants and attack with zealous guiltlessness.

rtju said...

OK, sounds like we have lots of dancers and food. I'll bring some drums.

When and were is Pearlfest happening?

People want to know. I just over heard a couple talking about it at the post office. They sounded very excited, and who can blame them?

How about Nicollet Island? If peoples feet get to hot from all the dancing they can go dip them in the Mississippi to cool 'em off. I can see the Soul train line moving across the Stone Arch Bridge now.

OK Pearl, pick a date

Pearl said...

IG. :-D

Cameron, oooh, you're right about the hash browns! Dammit. I want hash browns. Now. Brought to my desk.

Kavi, now why do I suspect that you have a good story to relate here?
And yes, Kavi, we can. :-) And we will.

the iNDefatigable mjenks, absolutely. You can be on some sort of percussive instrument. Passive observing will not be allowed as it may result in self-consciousness and will be dealt with a handful of cocktail wienies heaved in their general direction.
But you would never laugh at us -- would you?

Cannwin, do bring the cheese snacks! We're going to drop all our personal issues in the street and proceed as children. Just for a while, just for fun. I think that's what a lot of us miss -- the opportunity to PLAY.

Pearl said...

mbuna, are you trying to move me from a virtual party to an actual party?! Hmmm. The logistics! I will think on it. Truly.
(And I have two sets of bongos and a tambourine...)

rtju said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
rtju said...

Is there something wrong with that?

I did not realize Pearlfest was only a virtual party.

I'm boogieing right now!

Why can't we have a real Pearlfest in the Spring to? I'd show up for it.

Time to move on to yogafest! Hopefully we will do dancer pose today!

Party on Wayne.

Pearl said...

mbuna, I hadn't really thought about it! I was primarily picturing a bunch of goofy folk in a field, Douglas at the grill, Cannwin bringing the cheese sticks, Jess serving up the, uh, Butt Hole Surprise, me and UTI and Darsden and R~ and Skywalker and Mary and Cat and IG dancing and spinning until we fell down and then just staying there until we found a cloud shaped like a bison or something...
Hey. How long has it been since I had a vacation? :-) Wow.

Unknown said...

I am SO there! Kmme knowwhen. You are right.. this world would be a MUCH happier place if we were just allowed to get our ya-ya's out without being taken to the funny farm! Great Idea! I'll bring the Tequila

Susan said...

I'm all in. Except I think we should stop working and paying our bills.

Dr Zibbs said...

I'm with you! I dance all the time.

(stops dancing and catches breath)

As long as it't not the Charleston. That would just be gay.

Douglas said...

You are going to need one big patio.

Steve said...

I tried wearing leg warmers today to get into the spirit of the dance but all my work colleagues asked me if I was (a) cold or (b) depressed. I have limbo'd myself under my desk and am staying there.

Thinkinfyou said...

What a great idea!! I'm putting on my dancing shoes now!!

De Campo said...

I’ve been incorporating “jazz hands” into all of my military operations. It’s a little known fact that terrorist have no rhythm and this makes them insanely jealous.

So in essence, every time you break into song and dance a terrorist cries. You’re a damn fine American Pearl.

Anonymous said...

LOL at De Campo!

Everybody should be required to dance at least once per year...Like the government could make us dance for our W2's or something. You want your refund?...do the Hustle...
:)

The Retired One said...

Since I have been dreaming about Jerry Seinfeld....maybe Elaine will come too and do her oh-so-special dance. I mean, even I will look pretty good compared to THAT!!!!

Ann Imig said...

Yes, more dancing and more singing. Out loud. Not reserved for ear buds or insane people.

Jeanne Estridge said...

I've always loved that scene from "Educating Rita" in the pub, where everyone is singing. Why don't we do that in American pubs?(Karaoke doesn't count -- that's more about performing).

♥ Braja said...

Tater tots are fine with me--I know about them cos Ann from Rants did a post on them, so I'm sweet.

And I'm wearin' spangles, girly...

Captain Smack said...

I can dig it. There was a study that came out recently that found that dancing every day was better for curing depression than medication.

Ok, I just made that up. But it's probably true.

Michelle said...

Pearl hi!!! I want to dance!!! Do you think i can dance with nine toes?? Because if yes i am there!!

And i would love a tater tot!!! Or two!!!

:O)