Shannon’s Perspective:
"I've been aware of the time going by
They say, in the end, it's the wink of an eye"
Jackson Browne knows how to write lyrics that are classically timeless and for me, right now, the above lyrics not only speak to me but they are yelling a reminder to me.....the days are long but the years are short so make the most of it.
P.S. There is currently no "F" Larry but I will add What the "F'? to the list. As in what the "F' happened to my concept of time?
FINALLY! THE THEME I MIGHT JUST BE THE MOST PROUD OF HAS ARRIVED!
This theme has been on the Excel spreadsheet since the beginning and every time I opened it, it was like Kenji waiting at the front door to go on his walk. Running around; hippity-hopping excitedly; jumping up and down; all 115+ pounds slamming into you making sure you know not to forget him.
I know you're there "F" the (fill in the blank!)...I won't forget you...I promise...
"F" the Man!
"F" Politics!
"F" Pandemics!
"F" Organized Religion!
"F" Hypocritical People!
"F" people who are just honestly terrible human beings!
By now you can probably guess where we're going with this. That's my list - Shannon may have more, as long as it's not "F" Larry.
Ahhhh....The Pretender. This song lived rent free in my mind for probably my last year at Lbrands and it was tough to deal with the thoughts and emotions every time I listened to it. I had poured my heart and soul into helping build bigger, stronger companies - especially Bath & Body Works. I was literally there when the initial product was sold in Express as an experiment and then BBW grew to over 1,600 stores. In the moment that felt great but at the end I was questioning was it worth it? That last year, I won't say I coasted, but I didn't give my all either. These lyrics sum that time up the best:
"I'm gonna be a happy idiot - And struggle for the legal tender"
I take comfort in the fact that I witnessed this same type of downfall in other people. When you're young, invincible and professionally immature, you have a certain view towards those individuals. But spend 15 - 20 - 25 - 30 years working and then get back to me on your viewpoint. And "Social Influencer" is not a job.
Putting myself into my sons generations shoes, they can probably relate to this song at a much earlier age based on what I consider excessive corporate greed, corruption and a worldwide pandemic. Strange to think that the first one I ever experienced as an adult is the same one my sons experienced as an adult.
(Ah the laughter) ah, the lovers as they run through the night
(Leaving nothing) leaving nothing but to choose off and fight
And tear at the world with all their might
While the ships bearing their dreams
Sail out of sight
The story this song tells is simply a timeless masterpiece, and it's graced our presence since May 1977.
So here's to you, "F" the Man! and "F" the Pandemic!
This Pretender is going to keep on strolling...
The Pretender
Jackson Browne
I'm going to rent myself a house
In the shade of the freeway
Gonna pack my lunch in the morning
And go to work each day
And when the evening rolls around
I'll go on home and lay my body down
And when the morning light comes streaming in
I'll get up and do it again, Amen
Say it again, Amen
I want to know what became of the changes
We waited for love to bring
Were they only the fitful dreams
Of some greater awakening?
I've been aware of the time going by
They say, in the end, it's the wink of an eye
When the morning light comes streaming in
You'll get up and do it again, Amen
Caught between the longing for love
And the struggle for the legal tender
Where the sirens sing and the church bells ring
And the junk man pounds his fender
Where the veterans dream of the fight
Fast asleep at the traffic light
And the children solemnly wait
For the ice cream vendor
Out into the cool of the evening
Strolls the pretender
He knows that all his hopes and dreams
Begin and end there
(Ah the laughter) ah, the lovers as they run through the night
(Leaving nothing) leaving nothing but to choose off and fight
And tear at the world with all their might
While the ships bearing their dreams
Sail out of sight
I'm gonna find myself a girl
Who can show me what laughter means
And we'll fill in the missing colors
In each other's paint-by-number dreams
And then we'll put our dark glasses on
And we'll make love until our strength is gone
And when the morning light comes streaming in
We'll get up and do it again
Get it up again
I'm gonna be a happy idiot
And struggle for the legal tender
Where the ads take aim and lay their claim
To the heart and the soul of the spender
And believe in whatever may lie
In those things that money can buy
Where true love could have been a contender
Are you there? Say a prayer for the pretender
Who started out so young and strong only to surrender
Say a prayer for the pretender
Are you there for the pretender?
Say a prayer for the pretender
Are you there for the pretender?
Are you prepared for the pretender?
30th Anniversary
Our Story - Shannon's Perspective
Our Story - Larry's Perspective
Ghost of a Chance (Rush) and why?
Ghost of a Chance 