Very nice, Dr K. This is the first song we put on too, and everyone who walked by said the same thing: "Oh, I remember that song, great song, makes me happy to feel that way today instead of the way I generally feel about the world." So that's a good thing.
Yes, RossK we ought not be crying--he is truly free now...
So, I was surprised at my own tears that sprang to the surface--
In 1975ish, as a young not-yet-hard-bitten woman I was mightily impressed by the story a work friend related to me about the experience of her South African friend who was visiting Canada, the young visitor: Prisca, stood back to let everyone else on the bus before her. My work friend had to explain that in Canada she did not have to do that.
Not long after that, on a lunch break from work, I was at the mall grocery store when I saw they were selling grapes from South Africa, I decided then and there, I would muster the courage to ask the produce manager to stop carrying South African grapes, and why he shouldn't. He listened politely...
So returning to the the tears: they were for my lost idealistic self, and the golden age of Davey, blind hope, and in retrospect Pierre.
Upon reflection (and knowing what I know of you in the here and now)...
I'm not so sure that young idealistic version of yourself is gone.
As for the real golden era...Don't forget, we've STILL got a lot of that good stuff left that the bastards are STILL having to work their asses off to destroy.
(wonder how that store owner feels about it all now?)
Because there are still some ladders down that folks who need them can grab on to...And there is still an ALC and an ALR and our car insurance rates are still lower...And a lot of our kids from working class families still do have a chance to get their eyes opened (sans total corporatism) at a post-highschool place of study of all different shapes and sizes.
So...
That 1975 version of yourself is still very much with us.
I played that song right after I heard the news.
ReplyDeleteRIP Mr.Mandela.
Thank the creator for bloggers!
ReplyDeleteThank you Ross for bringing this song into my world today!
In light of all the despicable men I'm reading about in the news, we can dance in celebration of the life of a great man.
"Freeeeeeeeeeeee Nelson Mandela … "
I thank you for sharing this too. It's wonderful. I'm going to spread it around.
ReplyDelete(Doesn't seem to keep me from crying though...)
2112 (that you again Geddy)--
ReplyDeleteYa, it's the whole thing when you think about how the world should be...Heckfire, the whole world should just be The Specials.
______
You're most welcome Anon-Above.
Except, there are all kinds of non-blogging folks listening to this song today, I'm sure.
.
Karen--
ReplyDeleteThere will be no crying!
The guy did it all.
And that is (way) more than enough.
.
Very nice, Dr K. This is the first song we put on too, and everyone who walked by said the same thing: "Oh, I remember that song, great song, makes me happy to feel that way today instead of the way I generally feel about the world." So that's a good thing.
ReplyDeleteChris--
ReplyDeleteYa.
And I just like thinking about even the idea of The Specials.
.
Yes, RossK we ought not be crying--he is truly free now...
ReplyDeleteSo, I was surprised at my own tears that sprang to the surface--
In 1975ish, as a young not-yet-hard-bitten woman I was mightily impressed by the story a work friend related to me about the experience of her South African friend who was visiting Canada, the young visitor: Prisca, stood back to let everyone else on the bus before her. My work friend had to explain that in Canada she did not have to do that.
Not long after that, on a lunch break from work, I was at the mall grocery store when I saw they were selling grapes from South Africa, I decided then and there, I would muster the courage to ask the produce manager to stop carrying South African grapes, and why he shouldn't. He listened politely...
So returning to the the tears: they were for my lost idealistic self, and the golden age of Davey, blind hope, and in retrospect Pierre.
ps anon 12:23=SH
ReplyDeleteSH--
ReplyDeleteOK.
That's OK.
But.
Upon reflection (and knowing what I know of you in the here and now)...
I'm not so sure that young idealistic version of yourself is gone.
As for the real golden era...Don't forget, we've STILL got a lot of that good stuff left that the bastards are STILL having to work their asses off to destroy.
(wonder how that store owner feels about it all now?)
.
'try' and destroy.
ReplyDeleteI left that important qualifier out, above.
Because there are still some ladders down that folks who need them can grab on to...And there is still an ALC and an ALR and our car insurance rates are still lower...And a lot of our kids from working class families still do have a chance to get their eyes opened (sans total corporatism) at a post-highschool place of study of all different shapes and sizes.
So...
That 1975 version of yourself is still very much with us.
OK?
OK!
ReplyDeleteThey haven't looted it all, yet.
SH