This morning as I was driving from a week-long conference I cast a jaundiced eye at the fare that was coming through Roberta’s speakers. Absolutely inane best describes some of the fare coming courtesy of our radio stations.

The first gentleman pleaded thus:

“Row the boat,
row the boat,
row the boat,
row the boat.

Signal the plane,
signal the plane,
signal the plane,
signal the plane …”

He was followed in quick succession by another one telling me

“Big sh*t poppin,
and little sh*t stoppin,
big sh*t poppin,
and little sh*t stoppin,
big sh*t poppin,
and little sh*t stoppin  …”

There was barely time for the radio to cool before there was another one

“Stuntin’ like my daddy,
stuntin’ like my daddy,
stuntin’ like my daddy,
stuntin’ like my daddy … “

Followed in quick succession by this gent

“Snap ya fingers! Do ya step!
You can do it all by yo self!
Let me see you do it! Ay!
Let me see you do it! Ay! … “

Wasting no time another son of his father stepped up

“I make it rain,
I make it rain on them …
I make it rain”

The lady who took to the stage next clearly objected to her predecessor making it rain

Now that it’s raining more than ever
Know that we still have each other
You can stand under my Umbrella
You can stand under my Umbrella
(Ella ella eh eh eh)
Under my umbrella
(ella ella eh eh eh)
Under my umbrella
(ella ella eh eh eh)
Under my umbrella
(ella ella eh eh eh eh eh eh)

As I chuckled to myself I remember thinking back some dozen or so (give or take) years ago when I was an unwilling and annoyed passenger in a Peugeot 504 en route to the grandparent’s, squirming at the torture of the “ancient and archaic” music my folks forced us to endure by playing the tapes in the car radio. Mbilia Bel and San Fan Tomas made  me want to weep. Billy Joel, Eugene Wilde, Lionel Richie and James Brown were relics of yesteryear with tired, mundane and boring music.

I remember after a particularly bitter and eloquent appeal for something more up to date my folks gave me the old one two.

Mater: You know, when you grow older is when you’ll realize the value of this music, the instrumentation and the lyrics. Some of those things you listen to today …
Pater: Why am I arguing with a boy who thinks that limping like he has a jigger in one foot is “cool”?

{Note: My father, somehow can put quotes into his speech}

Well my wonderful parents, you were right. I’m not exactly sure when I crossed that bridge between youth and ” when you’re older”, but cross it I have.

Especially today, where x years ago (and x is an increasingly large number), unto us a child was born.

Special thanks to those who stayed up till midnight, promptly fell asleep and woke up later in a panic to wish me a happy birthday :) This means YOU.

Thanks to those who have sent me best wishes. (Sam, Njeri, Joze and others I’m too tired to type :) )

Thanks to my lads and lasses at work who dragged me from a conference in the middle of nowhere to present me with large quantities of delicious cake. I was profoundly touched.

And most thanks to my folks. Reviewing what I’ve accomplished so far, especially in the last couple of years … you’ve done something right.

PIC OF THE DAY

  Superman”

Batman … You’re my lad and all but dude — Robin?!! (Pic from http://www.superdickery.com)

Andrea Bocelli - Time To Say Goodbye