Wednesday 14 March 2018

We can't always choose the music life plays for us, but we can choose how we dance to it.

I've been having a rather difficult time with ailing parents and teen frustrations and a debilitating physical pain that seems to be either a result of old age or from when I fell down the stairs in Thailand (completely sober, wet stairs, fell down the whole flight and almost broke my neck back in October). As I got in the uber to see Big Boi, I almost burst into tears because I forgot my ear plugs and last time I went, he was so loud. Now clearly, even I could see in my 'woe is me state', it was not about the ear plugs. Obviously I was more overwhelmed with it all than I'd been prepared to admit. So I sat in the car, tears in my eyes wondering why I'd bothered going at all, when my back hurt so much and I was so tired.

However, I turn up at the venue, trying to push past the 20 somethings showing ID, when the doorman stops me. "I need to see your ID".
'Not mine.' I reply.
'Yes, yours too.'
'Dude, I'm 107' Fortunately I had it on me, as I had just grabbed a zip purse out of my main bag.
This exchange cracked me up, and lifted my mood a little. It needs to be noted, the fact that I still say 'dude' shows my vintage. My kids constantly tell me how embarrassing that is because 'nobody says that anymore'.





Once the music started, I was dancing all my blues away (and the carefully timed painkillers had kicked in, so I was unhindered, and working up an endorphin releasing sweat). It was just what the doctor ordered. There was more bad news this morning but I've been merrily smiling and singing along to the music, taking it all in my stride.



I think Bob Marley was on to something when he said "One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain."









As for the 'Dad Rap' I was about 30 years older than everyone else there - the audience seemed even younger than before! So technically I was the only 'Dad' there.


I have no idea what this was about but I found it hilarious and kept getting distracted by the random phone off stage...(I love than in the picture on the right it looks like it's spotlighted)

The title of this post is quoted on the internet and pinterest but no one seems to attribute it to anyone. If anyone knows, please let me know.



Linking with Midlife Share the Love #MLSTL

43 comments:

  1. I found you via the Monday's Music Moves Me bloghop. I'm just doing my rounds from Monday's posts (where did the week go??) and I'm listening right now in my headphones to Lee Fields, your artist for the 4M post and I'll be over there in just a minute to comment but I had to read this post first. LOVE the title of it! That drew my attention and then I so related to your story. I know all too well about pain. I fell back in December and crashed my shoulder into the fireplace bricks, ended up with two massive "full-thickness tears" in my rotator cuff and have to have surgery on April 2 so I get it. I have chronic pain anyway so I'm always hurting. But, as you mentioned, music always seems to make it better. I love that Bob Marley quote too. Thanks for sharing that!

    Oh yeah, the other thing I can relate to: I was recently asked to show my ID too when I was buying wine!! I said to the girl, "You can't be serious? I'm 55!!" And she, around the same age as me, said "Sorry, I'm new and being watched so I'm asking everyone who buys alcohol." Well okay then... But it did give me a kick for a minute. At least she and her trainer both did stand there and tell me that they never would've guessed me to be 55. Oh thank you very much! :)

    Heading back to your Lee Fields post.
    Hope to see you over at my place...

    Michele at Angels Bark

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  2. Interesting! And well done for having a good time and not letting others being younger than yourself put you off.

    Soffy // themumaffairs.blogspot.com

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  3. I'm sorry to hear you've been in so much pain recently. That bouncer situation gave me a bit of a chuckle too. Love the 107 part! lol.

    But, dude is not over! I love dude. Oh wait, maybe I'm over too and dude is just a symptom of that. Oh God! Haha.

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  4. Thinking of you Lydia (I'm in a similar position at the moment, just not with a painful back). Good on you for still getting out there - I've given up!

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  5. I did not know that 'Dude' was out... Music is certainly a great way to cheer yourself up #globalblogging

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  6. Lol I still say dude too. Glad you had fun in spite of the hard times and pain xx

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  7. I hope your feeling better - falls are so dangerous. Take care and keep blogging.

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  8. Age is just a number! Thanks for linking up at NanaHood!

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  9. Dance to the beat of your own drum..no matter what the age.

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  10. Sorry to hear about the tough times - hope things improve for you... And soon!

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  11. That fall sounds awful. I hope the pain gets more manageable. Music is the best thing to cure anyway mood, especially live music. #TwinklyTuesday

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  12. I am so glad I am not the only one who still says dorky things like 'dude'. I was 23 the last time I got asked for ID, and that was in the woolies bottlo!

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  13. It truly is amazing what some familiar music can do for your mood! I'm glad you got carded--I only did once and I was 40-something with a younger friend who was NOT amused!! I was laughing my head off!

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  14. Music is so powerful. Cheers you up, makes you cry, brings back memories ... :)

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  15. I like the quote, it is important to remember. It's so great how soothing music can be. Thanks for sharing, have a great week!

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  16. Thanks for making me smile and yes sometimes I feel like I'm 107! Hope your pain improves and I can relate to dealing with aging parents as we have lost my FIL and had to relocate my MIL to an aged care home over the last 18 months. At least I don't have teens but my daughter is about to have her second baby so that is another story.

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    1. Thanks for linking up at #MLSTL and hope you have recovered from your fall. Take care.

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  17. Aaaah the power of music. Here's hoping for some positive pain management...and yes, I still say dude too...

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  18. Dude, if you're 107 I must be 188 or something! My kids would roll their eyes at me too for saying dude. Same as when I say 'groovy'. LOL So glad you felt better once the music started. Music can be so therapeutic! #TeamLovinLife

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  19. I'm psyching myself up to be able to do this one day. To just cut loose and dance like no one's watching at a concert. Watch this space!

    SSG xxx

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  20. Sounds like you had a great time despite the pain. I hope you feel better soon #fortheloveofBLOG

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  21. I used to go to concerts almost weekly in my younger days. Now when I go I too feel old. But it doesn't stop me from having a great time! I'm to read that you enjoyed your evening. I often turn to music when I'm having a low time. It never fails to brighten my mood!
    ~Jess
    #StayClassyMama

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  22. I love that quote! It’s definitely one that fits into pretty much most of what life throws at us I’d say. Fancy being asked to show ID haha! But I’m glad it gave you a little lift. Music definitely has a way of transporting us to another place in the moment. A fab read. Thanks for joining us for the #dreamteam

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  23. Music is so powerful for being able to change our mood. I hope your pain subsides (although I broke my foot 10 years ago and still get twinges!) Thanks for linking up with #globalblogging

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  24. I'd been hoping to go to an 80s disco at a local pub / club here last week. I've not been out dancing for a loooong time and was excited about Madonna and WHAM and Michael Jackson. Alas the friend I was going with went through something bad and so we had the night in instead. But I very much agree that music has the ability to take us out of our lives and into something else.

    And, importantly, that we can choose how we react to things and force ourselves to respond differently etc. x #teamlovinlife

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  25. Great to hear you could dance your blues away Lydia :) x

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  26. This is a feel good post! I was only thinking the same thing a few days ago when I found a spare 10 minuties to listen to some music whilst my little girl was napping, I couldn’t understand why I didn’t do it more often. It is so uplifting and one of those forgotten joys from the pre-baby days! #KCACOLS

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  27. And how true that quote is! Our reactions are what make us or break us. And your reaction is what you needed. #kcacols

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  28. Glad you had a goof time. I can relate to the pain, I have had back issues since I broke my back in 2010, I've since fractured it twice over due to weakness in my spine now, its a nightmare! #KCACOLS

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  29. Here's to the power of good music... and painkillers! Hope you're feeling better soon. Thanks for linking up with #TwinklyTuesday

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  30. I still say dude! Haha, this made me laugh. Glad you had a good night. Thanks for sharing with #fortheloveofBLOG

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  31. Love this! Music can lift you mind, body and soul! Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next time.

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  32. I can relate and I decided to listen to some my kids music and find at least one song that I could deal with and build from there. #MLSTL

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  33. Well I'm in my 50's and you couldn't drag me into a concert like that, so either you're much younger than me (and shouldn't be partying at #MLSTL!) or you're a braver soul than I am - so maybe you are a cool dude after all!
    Thanks for linking up with us at MLSTL and I've shared on my SM :)

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  34. Thoroughly enjoyed this post! I've had times as well when the tears come as a result of a combination of things building up. I suppose we all have. Music is a great balm. I'm so glad you were able to have a fun evening in spite of it all. And I still hear people saying "dude" all the time. #MLSTL

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  35. You had me at the title (truly)! Music truly does lift the soul!
    It's a pleasure to meet you at #MLSTL.

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  36. I understand the tears I have been there many times. One of our daughters is mid-40's and says dude all of the time.

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  37. Interesting read...I don't share your taste in music, but I can relate to being the oldest in the room and having to shake off your aches to join in the fun.
    Visiting from #MLSTL

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  38. Great thought provoking post. I'm also the oldest at all the concerts I go to. I've even older than my husband, who's usually with me! Apart from the aches and pains (sorry to hear about your fall down the stairs, I imagine that was pretty scary), getting older is an adventure that brings so many positives, don't you agree? Thanks for a great read. Visiting from MLSTL and pinned. :-)

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  39. Such a fun post (apart from the news you almost broke your neck last year) and well done on the quick thinking response to the doorman asking for ID! #mlstl

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  40. Visiting from #mlstl and so glad I did. Pinned this joyful post. Go girl go!

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  41. Life can definitely be challenging, but music makes everything a little better. I'm glad you went to the concert and ended up having such a good time. #MLSTL

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