What does Memorial Day mean?

 

            Every last Monday in May we take the time to celebrate people who fought for us. The ones who sacrificed their own lives for ours, and for others that survived.

    

     So, how do we celebrate? We go to the graves of the fallen and the ones that survived and died. For me, I visited my grandfather's grave upstate. He survived WWII, but lost his life from an illness of Alzheimer's, Parkinses and others. Other people decide to take the time and escape the workday blues by going on a trip.

  Some beaches become crowded as flocks of people start to come. To some people, Memorial Day is the start of Summer Vacation. School isn't over yet, but some places, including school, banks and some businesses, count this as a day off. Some people take holidays while others remember.

  It's hard to forget about those who we lost in battles. From WWII to Korean to Vietnam and other wars, this day is in membrane of their bravery as they fought and died for what they believed in. How did the day start, and when? 

    It was observed around the end of May from the 1870's to the 1970's back before just making it on the last Monday of May. It's a day of remembrance. In the North and the South, everywhere in America, From Gettysburg, PA to Jackson, MI, they have their own way of honoring the lost soldiers.

   A lot of people take the time to enjoy the sun as well as having a cookout with family and friends. To them, sometimes Memorial Day is considered an early start to summer vacation as others stay home and celebrate with family while grilling burgers 

         Remember what Memorial Day is about. Not just a vacation off of work or school but remembering our loved ones that have passed one and some that have survived. Memorial Day is more than just a holiday, is a day of remembrance and for those who served for us. Happy Memorial Day everyone, especially to my Grandfather and Nana. 

Pizza Time- Poem

 

Everyone loves it,

enjoys the smell,

taste,

and even,

the toppings

It's time to enjoy,

a crust or two,

thin,

thick,

stuffed,

seasoned,

it doesn't matter

Every day,

is a pizza day,

it used to be on Fridays,

Now...

it can be anytime

what do you top,

on your pie?

Do you use,

mushrooms,

pepperoni,

meats of any sorts

Any time,

is pizza time,

even in the morning,

a cold pizza,

can be heated up,

for breakfast 

Do you prefer your pizza round?

or in squares,

Different sizes,

different towns,

one likes thick,

and another,

paper thin

the ooey gooey cheese,

as you pick up a slice,

the first time,

you receive,

your pie

ever tried,

a homemade pie,

a pie that's steaming hot,

once out of the oven,

or pizza stone,

anytime,

is pizza time,

it's not just for Fridays,

anymore,

enjoy the pie,

and I hope,

I didn't make you,

hungry

One hit wonders that sadly died

    I've talked about this before, so...I'll keep this short. We all know that one singer or band that is only known for one song. But I bet you didn't know some of them are no longer with us.

 

    Tommy Page was only known back in the late 1980s. Known for the song, "I'll be your everything,", he didn't have much of another hit after that. He did guest star as himself in a Full House episode where the oldest daughter starts dating him. Sadly, he was also suicidal, and we didn't even know that. He left behind a wife and three children.

    The band OMC was considered a one hit wonder band. With their hit "How Bizarre." being the only song they are known for. The lead singer, Pauly Fumana, was known for that song as he drove around in a yellow car in the music video. Nobody knew he had an illness that would end up killing him. He suffered from Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy. Dying of the illness in 2010 leaving only "How Bizarre" in our memories

   Biz Markie, the famous beat bop rapper, was known for one song: "Just a friend". He was also considered talented in hip-hop and other genera. Sadly, we would never know that since in 2020, he suffered from a diabetic coma and passed away a year later. He had some studio albums before "Just a friend" Not many of them were successful.

    Shannon Hoon was in a band called Blind Melon. In the 1990's, they came out with a hit called "No Rain". In the music video, there is a young girl (a year older than I am) dancing in a bumble bee outfit. The video is of her trying to find friends and does at the end. Sadly, there would never be another hit from this band since Shannon Hoon overdosed on cocaine at the age of 28. He left behind his girlfriend and daughter. 

   

   In the early 90's there were two boys that would dress backwards with their style of clothing and had a one hit wonder called, "Jump, Jump." Chris "Mac Daddy" Kelly and Chris "Daddy Mac" Smith were their names. They were never heard from again after that song. They vanished into thin air as their song kept going on. Sadly, "Mac Daddy" was found dead at his home. The motive might have been drug related as his friend; "Daddy Mac" is still alive today.

   If you have ever seen the movie "Amadeus", the life story of Mozart, then you have heard of the song "Rock me Amadeus" by Falco. He was known for other hits, but not in America. Falco would have a strange music video that involves him wearing a cotton candy colored wig and well...the rest is history. Sadly, at the age of 40, he would end up in a car accident that killed him.

    Back in the 80's, there was a band called Dead or Alive with a song called, "You spin me right round" This was long before Flo Rida made his own version. Pete Burns ended the band and changed his image. Getting his face done as well as his image. His lifestyle was not great as he ended up downhill with being in Celebrity Big Brother 4. He ended up suffering from health issues and passed away a few years later penniless.

  Chrissy Amphlett was in a band called the Divynals. They were known for their only hit, "I touched Myself" Sounding provocative and wrong, the song was a hit. Sadly, the band didn't have any other huge hits. Chrissy soon had breast cancer and died a few years later. Now the song "I touched myself" is more of a reminder for people to get checked often for Breast Cancer Awareness. Having a mother that survived breast cancer, this is one song that can be helpful.

   If you ever heard of a song called, "Lovin' You," you can thank Minnie Riperton. That song is now known for commercials as well as having the highest tone in the song. Minnie Riperton is also known for something else, being Maya Rudolph's mother. Sadly, she would die at a young age from breast cancer found too late. Her daughter, Maya, doesn't remember much of her, but seeing her and a picture of Minnie together, there is no comparison. They are definitely mother and daughter

  If you heard of the band "Cutting Crew", then the song "I just died in your arms tonight" would be in your head over and over. The band is still together, but they haven't made a huge hit since the 80's. They have other songs, but not as memorable as "I just died in your arms tonight" Mostly sung at weddings and parties. The lead singer Kevin Macmichael was known for that song, but in 2002, he died of lung cancer. He may be gone, but the band and that song still aren't.

 

   I bet a lot of one hit wonder singers past on, but there are too many to list, and I have talked about some of them before. The songs will always be there, even if the singers aren't. RIP to all that are gone

Remember "Parental Control?"

 

 Back from the early to mid 2000's, MTV was starting to show more reality tv and specials than they did with their music. It's true. Some of the shows were created by MTV. One of them...was parental control

 

This show was very entertaining, and I knew from the first time I saw it...it was all an act. What was this show about? It seems parents are in control of a relationship of their own child. Yep, it seems that they don't like their child's boyfriend/girlfriend and find others to date their child.

 The parents would interview the new replacement and pick between two. The boyfriend/girlfriend would have to be with the parents watching the dates happening. I felt, when I saw it first...it was all true, but I could tell how forced some of the parents were when they were talking about their child's boyfriend/girlfriend

They would describe the disgusting habits the boyfriend/girlfriend does. Like farting in public, picking their nose, not being able to drive and a lot more that would irk the parents of their child. Sometimes the wife of the child would not be with her husband. Mostly her boyfriend or remarried

Some episodes, the child would choose their lover, other times...they would pick one from their parents. One time, one got dumped by his girlfriend for not choosing someone else and broke up with him. 

  I feel this show is nothing but a fake. I mean the parents could be real, but I feel they can just do something normal like have their child break up with their date instead of humiliating them on tv. This show was even accused of being fake.

This show was ok. Did get cancelled for more stupider shows on MTV. Why couldn't MTV just keep music videos? Well, nobody watches those anymore. MTV made other shows that involve teenager and romantic relationships. Like a girl trying to find love between three guys. Going through their bedroom to find out who she wants to date.

   Till then, these shows will always be remembered as stupid yet enjoyable and entertaining at times. Parental control will always be remembered as a teen show that tried too hard. 

Kentucky Derby- Poem

 

The horses ride,

in the dirt,

as one wins,

and others lose

a most famous race,

for horses,

for people,

Kentucky,

everyone

every first of May,

on a Saturday,

the horses race,

and the people watch,

the colorful hats,

the women wear,

every,

single,

year,

signifying how rich they can be,

knowing that their horse will win,

the drink of choice,

mint julep,

a drink of alcohol and mint,

who wants one?

the drinks are one thing,

a party,

is another,

having a party outside,

as you bet on a horse,

and hope,

you win,

the money,

wearing the hat,

and being part,

of the fun

sometimes,

it will fall,

on Cinco De Mayo,

not only to celebrate,

the race,

but to enjoy with,

a sombrero on your head,

and more,

than a mint julep,

in your hand

this year,

it falls on,

the day before,

mother's day,

to celebrate,

we celebrate with our mothers,

who are there to watch,

and enjoy,

and even pick,

the winning horse

a celebration for all,

a celebration for some,

a day,

where the horses,

are the main event,

and one,

will come out,

a winner

Hootie & the Blowflish- where are they now??

 

     If you were a child in the 90's, like I was, you would know a band called "Hootie and the Blowfish". Who were they, and what happened to them? Well.... starting around the early to mid 90's they gave us such songs like: "Only wanna be with you" as well as "Let her cry" and "Time"

    In 1994, they came out with an album with all those songs I mentioned before. So... where did they go? Around late 90's to early 2000's, they were still there, but haven't made any huge hits like they did back then. Cracked Rear View is considered the only album that is known by them.

  By the end of 2008, it seemed Hottie and the Blowfish were no longer around. The lead singer of the band, Darius Rucker, went out to make country music while the rest just vanished. So... why?

    It seemed they everyone in the band wanted to do their own solo work. One of them is the lead singer of the group, Darius Rucker

      Darius Rucker, Born May 13th, and was becoming a star when he was a teenager. Around the early 90's, he along with a few others from the group. He went right into country music when he was a solo artist. For me, I don't know if I find Hootie and the Blowflsih to be considered a country group, but then again, they were a mix of both rock and country

  I have heard some of both Hootie and Darius. But the interesting thing of the band is how they got their name. I found out they got it from two college friends. The band was even featured in a magazine of poorly named bands. Having a name like Hootie and the Blowfish, I don't blame them.

           We all asked that question where they went and why they have a band name like that. Some questions were answered while others we still want. Was it their decision to go on hiatus? Who knows, but now they are back and have a new album.

   Sadly, it did not have many popular hits as the one in 1994. But they are back for now. Darius is the singer, and the rest are the rest. Well, their names are Mark Brya, Jim Sonefeld and Dean Felber. I don't know which is which. I only know Darius or Hootie

     Back in the 90's Hootie and the Blowfish also have a charity they started. It got bigger when 9/11 happened. The Charity is still there today, and it's called Hootie and the Blowfish foundation. From 2005 to 2009, when Hurricane Katrina hit, they benefited over $100,000 for animals providing them a spay/neuter program

   Why am I talking about a band that some people might have heard of? That used to play grunge and country music as well a foundation? A band that has a strange name? Well this is a band I listened to when I was young. I guess I just like talking about a band that came back from hiatus and played songs that we will all remember. Hootie and the Blowfish one strange name for a great band.