Just Say No

I have never tried using illegal drugs.  Not even once.  Not even the whole “I smoked but didn’t inhale.”  Clinton nonsense.  When I say never.  I really do mean never.

I don’t even think I’ve ever even had a contact high.

Now that I’m older, I wonder what led me to stay so far away from the stuff and, more importantly, how can I use this knowledge to my benefit in keeping my own children drug-free.

I have come to the conclusion that there were 3 different role models that lead me down the drug free path.

First, there was the story of Len Bias. 

Do you remember him?  He was a basketball star from my home state who overdosed on cocaine after trying it for the “first time”.  I put that in quotes because who knows if that is really true.  Was that just something my mom said to scare me?  All I know is that it worked.  I didn’t want to die.  That story stuck with me for a very long time.

Then there was the story of Richard Pryor setting himself on fire from freebasing crack cocaine. 

I didn’t want to be set on fire.  I wasn’t really sure what freebasing meant (still couldn’t tell you what it means) but it just reinforced my belief that drugs were very dangerous and only for crazy people.

So the lesson here is to find ways to scare your children into thinking that drugs will lead to imminent death or catching oneself on fire. 

There was one other thing that I thought of that may have really sealed the deal for me.  I think it was seeing this very influential New Kids on the Block poster in my most impressionable teenage years:

Hey if Joey and Jordan are in the drug-free zone, I’m right there with them.  Now just ignore the fact they must have been smoking something to wear those ridiculous outfits.  Donnie’s overall knickers and Jon’s ripped jeans with white tights underneath are clearly the result of someone under the influence.

Not me, though.  I steer clear of the stuff.

The ironic thing is that I love a good drug song.  My favorite right now is the M.I.A. song “Paper Planes” that keeps playing on the trailer for Pineapple Express (Dumb movie, btw, but I couldn’t help but think James Franco was hot as a drug dealer/stoner.  I guess while we are on the subject, it may be a good time to mention that I also have a thing for drug guys in movies–Do I need to remind you of how hot Ryan Gosling looked in Half Nelson?). 

 

So I have this song on my playlist and I can’t stop listening to it even though it is about drugs and killing and stealing.  Obviously things I know nothing about. 

Why do I love you drug songs?  Why?   

Here is a little Playlist I made up including the aforementioned song and a few others (in the genre) that I love:

***PLEASE NOTE:  I am in no way endorsing or condoning the use of drugs in any way.  I just like the music people make when they are high. 

 

August 13, 2008 | Filed Under Things That Make Me Happy | 20 Comments 

NKOTB On The Today Show

It was hard to think of something important enough to write about after yesterday’s Darfur post.  I gave it a lot of thought, but in the end the answer was very clear.  I should blog about the New Kids on the Block reunion!!  This is a monumental event that can not go unnoticed (at least not by me). 

I’ll admit it.  I was a HUGE fan of New Kids on the Block.  I still remember the first time I saw the video for “Please Don’t Go Girl” on MTV.  I fell instantly in love with Jordan.  And Joey (how could anyone not love Joey).  There was no looking back.   Back in the day (1989 or sometime there abouts) I went to the concert and screamed so much I couldn’t talk for days.  I’ll probably be skipping the concert if they come to my town.  Because I’m kind of over it.   

In case you missed it, here are the videos from their Today Show performance.  They sounded a little rocky now that they’ve passed puberty, but I still got chills when Joey belted out “Please Don’t Go Girl”.  I know I’m pathetic.   Would someone please tell me what is up with the girls in the short shorts dancing on the stage?  Why did they need to be there sleazin’ up the Kids’ performance.  Annoying!!

 

You can watch their other performances by clicking on the links below:

Summertime Performance (New Song)  I’m not sure what to make of this song.  It is kind of corny, but it is starting to grow on me.  Yes, I have it on my iPod.  I’m such a dork.

Interview with Matt and Meredith (plus another new song)    I’m still crushing on Joey-such a cutie!!  The second new song is a even cheesier than the first, but I’ll forgive them.  

NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK FOREVER!!!!

 

 

May 17, 2008 | Filed Under Boy Crazy Forever | 5 Comments 

It Seemed Like A Good Idea At The Time

My best friend just sent me pictures of her new tattoo.  This is her second one.  I thought she had learned her lesson after what happened with her first one.  Her first tattoo was a cute little smiley face right next to her belly button.  It looked something like this:

We were in college and it all seemed like such a great idea.  I was even a tad bit jealous of her for having the guts to do it, but then things took a turn for the worse.   After poppin’ out three kids and being blessed with the gift of stretch marks, the once adorable smiley face has turned into something more like this:

That is why I was more than a little shocked to find out that she got another one.  This time she got smart and put it on her lower back where there will most likely be no stretching going on.  Hopefully. 

Again, I started to feel a little jealous of her coolness.  I know what you’re thinking.  I could easily get myself one if I wanted, but that just isn’t me.  I’m not “that girl”.    I accept it.  So, I’ll just go on being boring ole me and leave the ink to the cool kids. 

To make myself feel better I went searching for some pictures of tattoos that seemed like a good idea at the time, but now, not so much.  Let me just tell you-there were tons of great examples.   Enjoy!

So wrong. So very, very wrong.  I also love the look on the guy’s face behind Mr. Cool Ice.  You can just read his mind.

One of the reasons I don’t want to get a tattoo is that I have no idea what design to get.  I really don’t have anything that I feel that passionate about.  I guess the Hamburglar must hold a special place in this dude’s heart.

Hulk Hogan?  Really?  I  would have went with Jake the Snake Roberts.

I think I might ask this guy to come scare my kids into behaving better.  Do you think it would work?

This poor dead girl deserves better than this.  What a shame.

I was contemplating getting NKOTB on my arm, but reconsidered after they put out that Merry, Merry Christmas album.

Just in case he forgets the name of that great new website his friend told him about:

 Oh and there were more, so many more, but many included private parts and this isn’t that kind of site.  So, you’ll have to just look for them yourself if you are into that kind of thing.  If you aren’t sure where to start your search, I know just the guy to ask.

May 3, 2008 | Filed Under This Cracked Me Up | 4 Comments