Randomnessocitiation: Women Are Quoting For Themselves
Thursday, April 3rd, 2008 at 8:00 am
What the hell happened? Have I been asleep since 1990? A week ago, Eric, my co-worker, asked me if I knew who was in the Top 5 of the most #1 songs in the rock era. Always up for a music challenge I started to guess. He told me there was technically six artists on the list. I got Madonna, Elvis, Michael Jackson and The Beatles off the bat. I finally got the Supremes, but couldn’t come up with the artist was tied with Elvis at #2. To both of our shock, it was Mariah Carrey (he had heard it on satellite radio that morning). “Seventeen number one songs?” I say incredulously. “Did she have to screw every teen in America to achieve that?”
I knew that she had a new album coming out so was curious to see how the first single was doing. It was sitting around 55 and I thought that her time had passed. What I didn’t know was that the single wasn’t available digitally yet. Yesterday in my Billboard RSS feed, I read that Elvis had been unseated but not one, but TWO women this week. Mariah’s “Touch My Body” bolted to number one putting her three number ones away from beating The Beatles. The other woman to usurp the King’s throne was Madonna. Her new single with Justin Timberlake and Timbaland — “4 Minutes” — debuted in the Top 10, which makes her the Queen of Top 10 singles (Madonna 37, Elvis 36). Maybe it is time for a woman President. You go, girls!
But really… when did Marah have all those number ones? Geratol, anyone?
Speaking of women, I’m reading this great book called Who Are You People? about finding a fanatical passion like collecting Barbies or ice fishing. It’s about people who have found one single hobby that completely consumes them. Shari Caudron is a Denver writer who I will get to meet at a party this Saturday (granted that I’m awake from being put under for tests that morning) and can’t wait to gush all over her. The book is basically her search for understanding of those who have only one interest instead of a multitude say like a certain ADHD-riddled blogger named Howard. Let’s just say I understand where she is coming from.
I’m nearing the half-way point of the book and will probably go into more detail about it later, but had to share a quote from the book that is an inspired, insightful revelation about human nature.
“…you really don’t know a person until you know what zany combination of interests they possess.” [p.84]
I’m blinded by the truth of this. Thankfully, I took typing lessons so I don’t need to actually see the keyboard.
One more quote to share. I received a get well card from customers at the video store that has a quote from Ogden Nash:
There is not a shred of evidence that life is serious.
It’s my new religion.
Listening to: “Shut The Sun Out” - Donna Lewis
April 3rd, 2008 at 11:53 am
Major points for including a still photo from “The Women”, which I’ve heard they are re-making. No thanks.
I would love to give that book to my dad..he’s a bit like that except he is the only person I know who actually rotates hobbies with obsession. Golf memorabilia is #1 (his office is ENTIRELY covered, no more room), License plates #2 (he used to be the third biggest collector in the region), and now he’s taken to collecting Denver/Colorado post cards of places that no longer exist.
Is this the party I am going to be at? I’m excited to meet her too if so
April 3rd, 2008 at 12:00 pm
It is indeed the same party. The third biggest collector in the region? That’s quite the feat.
April 3rd, 2008 at 1:15 pm
I had a friend who was obsessed with collecting Pez dispensers and Lego sets.
She had her dad build this HUGE table that housed a Lego city.
I would say collecting music is my hobby, but I’m not all extreme about it.
April 3rd, 2008 at 1:17 pm
If you come to my graduation party at my parent’s house you will get a glimse of his collection…it gracefully adorns the garage walls. He sold 9/10ths of it back in the early 90s, but he does have at least one Colorado plate for every year since the car was invented. Now he has moved on to pink license plates throughout history. I spent my childhood going to the city dump, antique stores, and other weird collector’s homes in order to help my father find whatever obscure plate he was missing from a sub-collection. (Restoring them is a big deal to him too).
April 3rd, 2008 at 1:28 pm
BD: I’m into collecting music as well, but make sure my bills are paid, too. :)
Leslie: That’s dedication.
April 4th, 2008 at 3:59 am
Is there actually a way to screw every teen in America? I mean, is there a waiting list I can get on or something?
April 4th, 2008 at 7:54 am
If I were in charge of it, I’d put you on top of the waiting list. Coz I know you like it on top.
April 4th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
WTF?!? I can name maybe three Mariah Carey songs, tops! Good on her though, I guess.
MileHighGayGuy’s last blog post..Once again, Howard at The Web Pen says exactly what I’ve been thinking
April 4th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
And next time I’ll be sure to ask first!
MileHighGayGuy’s last blog post..Once again, Howard at The Web Pen says exactly what I’ve been thinking
April 5th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
If Mariah beats the Beatles at something (other than boob size) then the planet should just spin off its axis.
Speener’s last blog post..Philadelphia: the place that kicks your ass
April 6th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
Early on, I loved Mariah. But then she started sounding the same, song after song. Her achievement means nothing, IMHO. I think they should add another factor to the final ratings, and that’s the quality of the music.
Steve’s last blog post..R.E.M. & Laryngitis
April 7th, 2008 at 9:16 am
I haven’t read the book, but I’ve heard Shari Caudron, speak. Her photos were hysterical! She teaches writing at University College (DU) and Lighthouse Writers’ Workshop.
April 7th, 2008 at 11:38 pm
yo howard,
i recommend you check out the soundtrack to the movie ‘21′. it has your lcd soundsystem plus a cool band called MGMT. you’d dig it.
hope all is well.