Tag Archives: rant

VH1’s The Greatest Songs of the 80s

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The following post was written by my lovely wife, M

a_flock_of_seagulls.jpgI’m a huge fan of 80s music and countdown shows (They could have a show titled “The Most Boring Moments Ever Captured on Film” and I’d just have to know what the most boring moment was) . So when I saw that VH1 was doing the top 100 songs of the 80s I was immediately hooked.

In general I greatly enjoyed watching the show, hearing other artists’ takes on the songs, and finding out what had become of the 80s artists. For the most part, I agreed with the songs that were included, but some of my favorite 80s songs were missing.

Also, before we watched it, I told K that my prediction for #1 was Thriller by MJ. I mean, come on, that song’s an 80s classic, not to mention innovative in the story/video format. It wasn’t even on the list! The song that was selected as #1 – “Livin’ on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi. What?! I mean, don’t get me wrong, I like me some Bon Jovi, such as “You Give Love a Bad Name” and “Never Say Goodbye.” I agree that “Livin’” should be on the list, but not #1. Here’s the top ten songs on the list:

10. “You Shook Me All Night Long” AC/DC
9. “Walk This Way” Run-D.M.C.
8. “Like a Virgin” Madonna
7. “Sweet Child O’ Mine” Guns N’Roses
6. “I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do)” Daryl Hall & John Oates
5. “When Doves Cry” Prince
4. “Billie Jean” Michael Jackson
3. “Hungry Like the Wolf” Duran Duran
2. “Pour Some Sugar on Me” Def Leppard
1. “Livin’ on a Prayer” Bon Jovi

While I agree with most of the Top 10, I would have placed these a bit lower:
“Pour Some Sugar on Me,” “Like a Virgin,” (I prefer “Get Into the Groove”) and “You Shook Me All Night Long.”

There were a few songs in the top 100 that I would not have included:

  • “Only in My Dreams” Debbie Gibson
  • “Straight Up” Paula Abdul
  • “Just Can’t Get Enough” Depeche Mode
  • “Ain’t Nobody” Rufus & Chaka Khan [I would have put in “I Feel for You” by Ms. Khan].

Some of my favorite 80s songs were not included in the list. These include (in no particular order):
1. “The Warrior” Scandal
2. “Der Kommissar” After the Fire
3. “Our House” Madness
4. “Come Dancing” The Kinks
5. “If This is It” Huey Lewis and the News
6. “Summer of 69” Bryan Adams
7. “Dirty Laundry” Don Henley
8. “The Tide is High” Blondie
9. “Break My Stride” Matthew Wilder
10. “Fast Car” Tracy Chapman
11. “Centerfold” J. Geils Band
12. “It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me” Billy Joel
13. “Abracadabra” The Steve Miller Band
14. “Always Something There to Remind Me” Naked Eyes
15. “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” Queen
16. “Smooth Operator” Sade
17. “Shout” Tears for Fears
18. “Missing You” John Waite
19. “Rock of Ages’” Def Leppard
20. “Don’t Stand So Close to Me” The Police

What about you? Do you agree with the songs on the list and their order? What are your favorite 80s songs not represented here or on the VH1 list?

Links:
VH1 100 Greatest Songs of the 80s
Ultimate 80s songs (lyrics)
Bradboard- Top 733 of the 80s

Coffee and Steak

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I feel similiarly about coffee and steak though they are not similar to each other. One is an acquired taste and the other, in my opinion, the pinker the better. Of course not every one makes their coffee with Frankenberry cereal.

But seriously, I think if you have to add something to coffee or steak to make it palatable, it’s not good coffee. Or steak. Everytime I order steak at a restaurant, the server brings it out and asks “Would you like any steak sauce?” I answer “I hope not.” Now marinade is a good thing. It’s very important and every chef has their own steak marinade secrets. It’s a slap in the face to the chef if you slather every meaty bite with A-1.

And coffee? Why drink it if you have to dilute it with sugar and cream? Learn to enjoy the flavor of ‘bitter,’ people. Come on. I’m not a big coffee drinker, I’ll pour myself about a half a cup at work and drink maybe half of that. I’ll drink the coffee at home and at work but most other places, even the fancy expensive places, straight, black coffee is terrible. Sugar and cream just mask the burnt, chemical taste. I can’t drink the stuff. I’ll enjoy a frou-frou coffee drink from time to time. But gimme my coffee black. Don’t pansy it up because you can’t make a decent cup.

A Rant by Krista Vowell

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A friend and “sister” of mine just sent this out via email. I agree and feel the same way many times. Republished with permission.

Forgive me. You all don’t have to read this entire thing-or any of it-but I HAVE HAD IT and I have to vent.

A few minutes ago, I was in the University Florist. Small, confined space. Trixie Co-Ed walks in with her cell phone plastered to her ear. The person asks if she needs help. She never misses a beat with cell phone partner while answering “in a minute”. She’s looking around the store, gabbing away full voice.

“I don’t know, but she is a skank. She’s got an std or something, I know it.”
“Well, he kissed me on New Year’s Eve, but I told him he’s just got to get his shit together”.
“Oh, how cute-can you wrap this?”
“I’m trying to think of something for you to take, have you done Zicam yet?”.

And on and on. I left the Florist because I felt an urge creeping up from my ankles to take her telephone from her, tell her cell phone partner that Trixie has to be going now, and proceed to educate this little simpleton in basic human being etiquette.

I DO NOT care if Billy Joe kissed Bobbie Sue on prom night. It is none of my business. NOR, do I care that Elvira Mae has an unfortunate crotch condition. I have had it.

I have had it with ubiquitous cell phone conversations as loud as you please in public places. I have had it with fast food service being absolutely abysmal. I have had it with WalMart checkers treating me like they are doing me some huge favor and refusing to simply crack a smile or, God forbid, be friendly when checking me out. I have had it with screaming, ill mannered children in public whose parents “don’t believe” in spanking and “do believe” in allowing their children to “express themselves”. I have had it with people assuming I know who they are when they call me on the telephone and don’t bother saying, “Hi, this is…” but simply launch into what they need me to do for them.

Where are our manners? Where is our dignity? Where is our common sense, decency and courtesy?

Someone, anyone please tell me that this world is not going to hell in a handbasket. I am feeling like a crotchety old lady sitting on my porch yelling at the young whippersnappers to get off my lawn!

Generally, I am a very happy and well balanced person. Just so you know.

Two Wheelin’ Fools

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Crosswalksm.jpgBikes on the college campus annoy the crap out of me. And I don’t mean motorcycles, I mean legcycles.

Here’s why.

Bikes do not belong on the sidewalk or in other pedestrian areas. You know, WHERE PEOPLE ARE WALKING.

There I said it. Flame away you pedaling namby pambies!

Yet the bike riders zoom around on sidewalks and near about run people over. I don’t think they should be on the sideWALK to begin with and certainly not if they can’t pilot their vehicle well enough to avoid clipping people with their handlebars. I did see one bicycler start to lose control of his bike, swerve to avoid hitting a pedestrian and then crash awesomely. And lo, I did laugh. (He wasn’t hurt).

What really burns my biscuits is when they jet through a crosswalk and expect the cars to stop for them. The crossWALK is for WALKERS. People on foot. I will stop for a pedestrian in a crosswalk everytime but I ain’t brakin’ for no fool on a two wheeler. Half the time they are moving too fast for me to react anyway. Hey hey hey, don’t think just ’cause you in the crosswalk mean you is right. I stop for pedestrians and for things bigger than me. A bicycler is neither of those.

I think bikes belong on the road. How many times have I heard the lycra-clad masses whine “Same road, same rules” to the car driving folk? A LOT. They want car drivers to recognize them as legitimate road sharers. Yet, how many times have I seen a bike rider pedal right on through a red light or stop sign? A LOT. “I’m a bike, I don’t have to stop.” You don’t want me to run you off the road when I pass you? Then obey the same laws that I do in my car and I’ll respect you. I have been known to roll down my window and yell at these law breaking riders “same road, same rules, pal!” I mean, you can’t have your cake and eat it too.

I guess that’s about it.