Musing Interruptus

It's a Valentine's Day special on Musing Interruptus on the state of limerance!! Is this happening to you? Can you do anything about it? Here are some thoughts...

Listen, watch, and read along: https://tinyurl.com/uer3p9y5  and share your thoughts [with me]. 

Voice and dialogue: Renée Valentina

Mix and master (sound charolastra)= Jesús Darío

Background Music: Blue Dot 

Hello, Welcome. I’m Renée Valentina and this is Musing Interruptus. Musing Interruptus is a podcast for sharing thoughts and stories and enjoying idiomatic phrases. You can read along; the transcription is in the description of this episode; click oncontinue reading to open a Google Doc with the complete transcription. The idiomatic expressions are in italics. Try to get the meaning from the context and then look them up to see if you were right. If you like it, follow, subscribe, and share it, but more importantly, continue the conversation. Drop a comment with your answers to today’s questions! I really want to know. The background music is calledLechuza by Blue Dot.

I’ve looked into the olive eyes of a young man who saw the object of his desire on my person.

I noticed him noticing me a few blocks away.

We were alone on the streets of Le Kremlin Bicetre, a comune in Paris. Mid-afternoon Sunday duringla canicule never felt more like a desertedmadrugada. There is no better word in my vocabulary.Madrugada is the word that encompasses the early hours of the morning. Dawn sounds too hopeful and would be misleading. Anungodly houris also misleading since I know the gods always watch from their kinky voyeur posts. Seldom interceeding. A conundrum weexplain away to protect faith.Madrugada is the right word to express the atmosphere of that afternoon in Paris. Etimologías de Chile, a website, provides further explanation. The Spanish,Madrugada, comes from the Latinmaturicare,which means mature and ripe, and also that which happens soon and opportunely or even precociously. The adjectivematurusmeans good and favorable. The adjectivemanis/manedescribes a family’s spirits, protective of their living relatives, who are worshiped in return. You can see whymadrugada fits my story best.Continue reading

Hello, Welcome. I’m Renée Valentina and this is Musing Interruptus. Musing Interruptus is a podcast for sharing thoughts and stories and enjoying idiomatic phrases. You can read along; the transcription is in the description of this episode; just click on continue reading to open a Google Doc. The idiomatic expressions are in italics. Try to get the meaning from the context and then look them up to see if you were right. If you like it, subscribe, follow, and share, but more importantly, continue the conversation. Drop a comment with your answers to today’s questions! I love hearing from you! The background music is called The Shoes They Wear by Blue Dot.

Picture this: you have an opportunity to cause a scene. It is coming down to the line. You either take the opportunity or regret missing out on having a new story. This is what I imagined raced through the minds of streakers. Streakers are people who go to public events, become nude, and run in front of everyone, exposing themselves. I thought this was funny and shocking. I mean, breaking the dress code of an event can be disrespectful.  My friend tells me it is strategic to have a variation of no more than 10% in either direction, dressing up or dressing down according to the prescribed code. A streaker breaks all protocol and puts on their birthday suit. What could be more natural or appropriate in this lifetime than wearing our birthday suits? It is counterintuitive, isn’t it? You should wear clothing, especially to cover what we call private parts. This is a social convention and a requirement in some finer establishments. No shoes, no shirt, no service. I promise I'm not as snobbish as I sound. 

There is an economic reasoning behind this. The distinction between our public and private parts favors the existence of a market, from erotic photos to downright pornography, and I dare say, it makes a space for those who find the need to expose themselves in public or for the voyeur crowd that is seeking an opportunity to watch. Possible false economic reasoning aside, there is more to it.

Hello, Welcome. I’m Renée Valentina and this is Musing Interruptus. Musing Interruptus is a podcast for sharing thoughts and stories and enjoying idiomatic phrases. You can read along; the transcription is in the description of this episode; just click on continue reading to open a Google Doc. The idiomatic expressions are in italics. Try to get the meaning from the context and then look them up to see if you were right. If you like it, subscribe, follow, and share, but more importantly, continue the conversation. Drop a comment with your answers to today’s questions! I love hearing from you! The background music is called Tajo by Blue Dot.

Sometimes, you need someone to write a song about you.

Stevie Nicks wrote a song about asking her special someone if anyone had ever written a song about them. Say that 10 times fast. 

The truth is you don’t need a song to be explicitly written about you to feel like you are seen or even connected with the rest participating in the experience being sung about. That is part of the beauty and my fascination with music. Love songs are understood and felt by at least 50 people at any given time, 100 if it is a Beatles song. That is a fact that I just made up and I hope will catch on. 

Basically, the more popular a song, the more common the experience. Again, I wonder if that is true. I’m making up a lot more things than usual today. 

Now, a piece of truth:  I’ve fantasized about communicating with lyrics and song titles. The farthest I’ve gone is in the lines of every other Musing Interruptus episode and on Twitter, where I add song titles when I retweet memes, random pictures, quotes, and news. Although I recognize it is annoying, I do it anyway. Maybe someone else sees what I see. It could be the beginning of a story. Imagine it is a good story. It’s best to let it happen.  According to my guesstimates, there are at least 50 other people at any given time who might get it. 

Nobody needs a song written about them. Just because I don’t need it doesn’t mean I don’t want it. 

There have been people who threatened to write a song about me. 

All talk and no song to be seen or had. This has inspired me.

So, guess what I’m doing today?

If you guessed writing a song in the style of Jarvis Cocker in his early years of Pulp, you would be right. I’m hoping that someone will pick this up and put music to it and then we can sing it together. 

I love Pulp, and I wish for a Pulp song about me, Mr. Cocker. Unfortunately, you don’t know me. If you did, you might not write a song about me either. I don’t think I could give you the stuff your Legendary Girlfriend has given you. Or that woman who you were inspired to take to the supermarket, because, you had to start somewhere. And Hardcore, well, don’t we all want to know what they do for an encore? But what about you, Mr. Cocker?

 After reading Good Pop, Bad Pop, I wrote this song inspired by the author, and I imagine Mr. Cocker could sing it. Perhaps there is a rule about not having to write songs about yourself and having to sing it. So. I’ve written it, and if Mr. Cocker never sings it, I may have to find a decent impersonator. 

In my defense, I will just remind you that imitation is a form of flattery. Whether it is good or bad is a discussion for another day.

A few notes for those of you who aren’t familiar with Pulp. The band’s music is a brilliant combination of late psychedelic rock narrated by a very sensual and self-aware lounge singer, I say this in the best possible way. All of it.

He has been deeply inspired by Elvis Costello, Barry White, the Beatles, the Velvet Underground, the Stranglers and the Fall, Pink Floyd, and so much more. 

Now, I will proceed to the most presumptuous part of this episode.  The story for the song.

Hello, I’m Renée Valentina and this is Musing Interruptus. I created Musing Interruptus as a space for my students and anyone interested in discovering idiomatic expressions in different contexts. Usually, I write stories and rants. On occasion, I do what I love doing most: interviewing interesting people. 

Today, we welcome Jordan McMillan Valenzuela: man, entrepreneur, musician, firefighter, and dear friend from childhood, the family our parents picked out for us. 

Today, he is in my hometown, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.   

Hello, Welcome. I’m Renée Valentina and this is Musing Interruptus. Musing Interruptus is a podcast for sharing thoughts and stories and enjoying idiomatic phrases. You can read along; the transcription is in the description of this episode; click on continue reading to open a Google Doc with the complete transcription. The idiomatic expressions are in italics. Try to get the meaning from the context and then look them up to see if you were right. If you like it, follow subscribe, and share it, but more importantly, continue the conversation. Drop a comment with your answers to today’s questions! I love hearing from you! The background music is called Tall Tell by Blue Dot.

Don’t read. Read as little as possible. Try not to read at all. This is what I think is going through some of my college students' minds. According to the INEGI (2024), the National Statistics and Geography Institute in Mexico, and UNESCO, and other sources, Mexico has a literacy rate between 95 and 99%. In 1975, 25% of the population was unable to read. The subway system in Mexico City is a relic of this. Instead of writing the name of the station, you see a picture. This is great for people who cannot read and makes traveling around the city easier for tourists. The public transportation system in Mexico City is great. I love using it, except during peak hours. Back to literacy, INEGI (2023) reported that 68% of literate people aged 18 years or more read -something- mostly online, some books. The average of books read in Mexico is 3.4 a year. That is two decimals less than a few years ago. 

Let’s remember, the country as a whole can read. This is a beacon of hope. However, as a professor of International Affairs at the National Polytechnic Institute, I have noticed a reliance on the use of artificial intelligence to write papers. This is troubling. Primarily because some of my students have been known to turn their papers in without reading the content or ensuring the activity is in line with the instructions. I have even had students who, not once, not twice… but many more times, have demanded a higher score for these activities, completely ignoring the content or objective of the academic exercise or my feedback.  Continue reading

Hello, Welcome. I’m Renée Valentina and this is Musing Interruptus. Musing Interruptus is a podcast for sharing thoughts and stories and enjoying idiomatic phrases. You can read along; the transcription is in the description of this episode; click on continue reading to open a Google Doc with the complete transcription. The idiomatic expressions are in italics. Try to get the meaning from the context and then look them up to see if you were right. If you like it, follow, subscribe, and share it, but more importantly, continue the conversation. Drop a comment with your answers to today’s questions! I love hearing from you! The background music is called Calisson by Blue Dot.

What kind of food would you want for your last meal? What kind of question is that? Some cruel and unusual game, aimed at putting you in the worst possible mood because it implies you won't have another. Thank you, by the way. My 3 am self salutes the person who asked me this. 

The many ways to feel the fire in the belly include actually putting irritating food in there. Spicy or fried or both. But we mustn't be literal, as we seldom are in the Musingverse.  

For those of us who celebrate January 31st as the last day of the year, we might experience a diminished version of this feeling. The last meal of 2024 is just a night away. Some traditions call for foods that symbolize or attract abundance, like lentils. To me, that is a healthy option, especially if you are having a late dinner. Others might stay away from the symbolism and have a downright feast. Perhaps the last feast before the festivals in a few months, the first to come next year. 

My younger self partied. The meal was irrelevant. The drink was circumstantial. The music was everything. And I had traditions with people I loved (and still love). It was a sort of conjuring of the good vibration. A summoning of love and good fortune. It never occurred to me to think of money. Just a beam of love. Like a carebear. I would forget that I am human and need to make money, pay rent, bills, medicine and insurance policies. Just love. 

Maybe if I had see Wolf Of Wallstreet my efforts would have been oriented to more lucrative endeavors. Would my family and friends have gone along with the festivities? I don't think so. Hangovers get worse as years progress. Singing and dancing for a few hours might leave you tired, hoarse, and full of endorphins. And circumstantially hungover. This is how I would concentrate a different type of fire in my belly. A meditation in movement and sound to harness motivation or maybe to prove that I can. Who is adverse to a little show of power? Especially if it is for a greater good? Outside the walls of myself. Continue reading

Hello, Welcome. I’m Renée Valentina and this is Musing Interruptus. Musing Interruptus is a podcast for sharing thoughts and stories and enjoying idiomatic phrases. You can read along; the transcription is in the description of this episode; click on continue reading to open a Google Doc with the complete transcription. The idiomatic expressions are in italics. Try to get the meaning from the context and then look them up to see if you were right. If you like it, follow and share it, but more importantly, continue the conversation. Drop a comment with your answers to today’s questions! I love hearing from you! The background music is called Child’s Play by Blue Dot.

It’s coming down to the line. I’m sorry, but our ideas haven’t given us the desired results. One person suggested we parent-trap Santa and Mrs. Claus. You know, Lindsey Lohan style. Let me tell you, they both saw straight through it. They were having none of it. Someone else suggested we dose them. But we would just lose time waiting for the effect of the drugs to wear off, and honestly, that is not ethical. We can’t do anything illegal. A singer floated we organize a live aid for Christmas Spirit. But we all know what kind of reputation those events get, and it becomes all about the divas. Raúl thought we should just go to the North Pole and take over, but I reminded him that we don’t have the magic Santa has. He knows if you have been naughty or nice. He sees us when we are sleeping and knows when we are awake and who we are thinking of in the shower. He knows who ate those marshmallows in the cupboard and how many you can stick in your mouth at once. And why your mother’s favorite vase actually went missing. Did you scratch someone’s car and not leave a note? Santa saw that, too. Did you needlessly break someone’s heart?

You’re getting coal in your stocking for that one! How about taking Saturn’s name in vain? Tks… Were you speeding on a deserted highway? Did you break out of Hotel Califonia? How about throwing a brink through a window? Ghost your friends? Sadistically mistreat your underlings at work? At least three of you know what I mean. He saw that, too.  He also saw when you helped a complete stranger and supported your friends and family with no expectations. He saw when you took care of yourself when you needed it most. All of that. So, no, Raúl, we can’t just take his place. I don’t know… 

Wait a minute. This in, we just got news from Santa. He wrote a, a what? He wants us to read a statement. Of course will. Ladies and gentlemen, my dear listeners in the Musingverse, this is certainly unprecedented. It is my personal pleasure to transmit Santa’s message. It reads:

Ho, ho, ho! Dear boys and girls,

I have recently learned, through Musing Interruptus, that you have been sticking your nose in my personal affairs. That is naughty. You should know better by now, since you are all adults. Gossiping about people’s personal business is not only unkind; it is inelegant. I need to set the record straight here and now. The relationship I have with Ms. Mariah Carrey is and always will be of respect, as she is key to the miracle of Christmas cheer and Merriment. You should be ashamed of yourselves. As for Mrs. Claus’ visit to Acapulco. If you must know, we have an arrangement, and I think no one has the right to speculate or pass judgment on her or anyone. Continue reading

Hello, Welcome. I’m Renée Valentina and this is Musing Interruptus. Musing Interruptus is a podcast for sharing thoughts and stories and enjoying idiomatic phrases. You can read along; the transcription is in the description of this episode; click on continue reading to open a Google Doc with the complete transcription. The idiomatic expressions are in italics. Try to get the meaning from the context and then look them up to see if you were right. If you like it, follow, subscribe, and share it, but more importantly, continue the conversation. Drop a comment with your answers to today’s questions! I love hearing from you! The background music is called Turning to You by Blue Dot.

You need to know this, we have a confirmed sighting of Mrs. Clause sunbathing in her birthday suit on the coast of Oaxaca. The sighting was this morning, she and her companion were doing sun salutes at dawn at Playa Zipolite. This beach on the Southwestern coast of Oaxaca, Mexico, is famous for its hippie culture, nude beaches, and surfing, and now, it will always be remembered as Mrs. Claus’ place of retreat this year. She has been spotted painting the town red with her companion, Mr. Miguel, who has been perceived as being very doting and romantic. They appear to be two start-struck lovers on the dancefloor and tantric yoga on the beach. 

These two love birds are letting it all hang out, figuratively and literally. When it comes to modesty, there seems to be a shortage when they are in the neighborhood. However, I am of the opinion that modesty is overrated. Let them have fun, we should be doing the same. 

We were able to interview Mrs. Claus’ AIR BNB host. She says they bake Christmas cookies daily. They are cooking up a storm. Furthermore, the host reported they stay out late, until all hours. The word on the street is that they have even created a trend on the main street. Apparently, when bar hopping, they do a reverse Santa, instead of sitting people on their laps, like Santa does, they spank their bottoms and give them lollipops laced with who knows what, if they can prove they have been naughty this year. You get extra points for breaking social norms. One of the participants in this trend exclaimed: there are new perks to being naughty! Another mentioned that they were shunned for breaking the law. It seems like there is still room for ethics, even if it is from a utilitarian perspective. Breaking the law is bad for more people than just being naughty. There is a difference and Mrs. Claus has made a point of that. Mr. Miguel is said to have been her special helper. He was seen carrying around lollipops and asking for evidence of mischief. 

Some onlookers were reported to have disapproving stares and whispered about Mrs. Claus’ antics. They don’t consider her excentricities or extramarital escapades to be amusing. I guess people will always have and share their opinions. That is the way it goes. It is the people who have the strongest will and character who are able to withstand the petty comments made by people who should be busy with their own lives. Also, I don’t think that Santa and Mariah are doing things very differently. This is the season to be kind. If we have been unkind, create the opportunity to rectify it.  Let us remember that each person is a universe. May he or she who is free from sin cast the first stone. Continue reading

50.  The Saturns

Hello, Welcome. I’m Renée Valentina and this is Musing Interruptus. Musing Interruptus is a podcast for sharing thoughts and stories and enjoying idiomatic phrases. You can read along; the transcription is in the description of this episode; click on continue reading to open a Google Doc with the complete transcription. The idiomatic expressions are in italics. Try to get the meaning from the context and then look them up to see if you were right. If you like it, follow, subscribe, and share it, but more importantly, continue the conversation. Drop a comment with your answers to today’s questions! I love hearing from you! The background music is called Greyleaf Willow by Blue Dot.

I’m concerned about how we left things last Musing Interruptus. I’m not sure there is much we can do regarding others' private affairs. Emphasis on affairs. Even if the affected include the -collective us-. How selfish of us to expect someone to suspend their development to satisfy our needs or our childish expectations. But it’s Santa, you might say. Who else should be that man, the one we expect so much of,  other than Santa? I, for one, feel a bit devastated. 

I’ve been considering a plan to get Santa back to his shop. Is the solution an expedited divorce? Does he want a new Mrs. Claus? Would Mariah go for it? I wonder what her endgame is. If this is just a fling, could it have come at a worse time? And what’s up with Santa just going awol on the elves? Is there anybody at the North Pole taking care of business? These questions have plagued me, and probably you, since we got the news that the big guy has been distracted from his duties. Aren’t we all entitled to change our lives? Moving away and starting over? After all, we only have one life to live. Then again, aren’t we entitled to Christmas cheer!? It’s been a long year, and for some, a very hard year. Where does Santa get off? To answer that question we need to ask a more important question. If you want to know why someone acts the way they do, you need to know where they have been, where they come from. It is possible he doesn’t know. Or! He has discovered his origins and decided to revel in his own myth. 

This is something that can happen with our creations. The nightmare is for them to have self-awareness. The monster or angel we created develops the ability to rationalize. Should the temptation to create be stifled? How far could it go?

A long time ago, in Roman times, the festival of Saturnalia was held to celebrate Saturn, the Roman god of wealth, time, dissolution, agriculture, and liberation. A week of indulgence from December 17th to the 25th. Festivities included role reversal amongst men and women, slaves, and owners. They even selected a Ruler of the events, master of disaster, who, according to one source, would be sacrificed at the end of the week to restore order. You can imagine the level of revelry and overindulgence. It's like the Purge movie. Which, by the way, I couldn’t finish watching. 

The master of disaster would call out commands impulsively to instigate chaos and absurdity (according to Wikipedia…). Can you see it?! Throw a pie in his face! Everyone jump in the pool! Oh! It's filled with Tequila! You’re welcome! Merry Saturnalia! I’m so ready to celebrate, and I nominate myself as the Grand High Empress of Debauchery!  

There was also gift giving on December 19th, toys for children, and gag gifts for the rest. This went on until year 3 or 4 after the common era and eventually fell victim of a syncretic process with Christianity that ultimately became Christmas. Again, according to Wikipedia. Continue reading