Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Sparkle Power

So I think I'm the last person on the planet (aside from perhaps my Mom, who owns a computer but refuses to turn it on) to see Star Wars Trumpet Solo on YouTube. But it made me laugh so hard that I had to write something about it, if only to immortalize this moment in my own little cyber journal so I can access it again later on days when I'm feeling down.

You see, when I watch this video, I'm not laughing AT her, I'm laughing WITH her. I too have spent my share of time in the public eye doing some sort of performance or another, truly believing deep in my heart that the best possible attire included silver fringe dangling from my knees and elbows. (There are days when I still believe this, just ask my sister).

Now my spangled appearances never included musical instruments; I'm not that talented. But hand me a baton lit on fire, or the story of an angst-filled girl trapped on a tropical island dancing for her life (angst-filled girls trapped in dungeons don't get to wear sequins and sparkles, so there's no way I'd ever take that part...) and you'd have quite a show. The first time my father saw one of these extravaganzas, he was trying so hard not to laugh afterwards that all he could say was, "I've never seen anything like it!"

Now that I think about it, maybe the reason God sent me to law school when he did (within six months, I'd lost my sparkle, and every item in my wardrobe was some shade of black, navy, or grey) wasn't because I was destined to be a lawyer. Maybe it was part of a larger "Spangle Protection Program," where those of us with a flare for shiny costumes were hidden away before our early moments could be captured forever to be posted on YouTube?

But I'm telling you, if I can figure out a way to incorporate baton twirling into my book tour, I am SO making some sparkly elbow-ties to complete the look!

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

I hadn't seen this video before but this girl was in definite need of the Spangle Protection Program

Darlene said...

It felt good to start my day with a good laugh. Please tell me this was in the 8o's...

at the least...it is something to show her grandchildren one day!!

Thanks for the laughter
xox darlene

Angela Williams Duea said...

Nope, I think I was the last person to see this...you were the second to the last.

I used to have to wear spangles, fringe and sequins when my mom sent me to two years of torture in tap dance/ballet lessons. Those costumes still embarrass me.

Anonymous said...

"(There are days when I still believe this, just ask my sister)."

Confirmed.

I'd like to add that if any of my sister's batons were flaming, it was purely by accident. Mom wasn't always conscientious with where she left a cigarette burning.

Stephanie Kartalopoulos said...

This is hilarious. I've not seen it until now. Oh my goodness, it's as if Little Miss Sunshine were, oh, 7 years older and living in the mid-1980s or something...goodness gracious...

L Sass said...

I loved this video! The way she uses the trumpet to act out Star Wars battle scenes between her solos is BRILLIANT.

I was once a figure skater who used eyelash glue to affix ACTUAL RHINESTONES to the corners of her eyes. So clearly, I am in the Spangle Protection Program, too.

Unknown said...

you see? now this is one of the many, many reasons that I absolutely adore you!! the thought of you in a black leotard, with silver tendrils hanging from your body, twirling a baton.....well, it just makes me proud, gosh darn it!

btw, I had never seen that precious rendition of the star wars theme song. Thank you so much for passing the word - it has made our evening:) hahaha

Beck said...

Oh geez! That girl!

Alyssa Goodnight said...

Definitely go for the baton-twirling, signing gig! Most bookstores could use a little more sparkle... And so glad you pulled out of the unsparkly lawyer funk before it took!

Oh, and if you're interested, I tagged you! (Didn't know if you'd done the 'eight things' yet). :)

m said...

I went through a similar experience with band costumes. Played trumpet, had to wear ridiculous, frilly band costumes. High school is rough enough without a socially alienating sparkle-vest. (To cope, I switched to tuba one year...the bell of it curved down far enough to obscure part of my face, a feature I greatly appreciated).

Jess Riley said...

The Spangle Protection Program...I love it!!!

I think we need to take a page from Amy Tan & Stephen King, with their band of authors...only we'll form a group of author majorettes with silver fringes and sequins on our costumes.

The Dream said...

hilarious idea for your book tour! come on, we should never want to lose our sparkle!!! my dad planned law school for me, but i just couldn't fit it in.

Allie said...

Nope. I was the last. Thank you for making my day that much more special. I think the thing I loved the most was how out of tune that trumpet was! Just put the finishing touches on that whole wonderful routine!

LEstes65 said...

OH.

MY.

GOODNESS.

I'm sitting here, mouth still agape. I have no words. ME. No words.

Although...if I want to cop this act for my own personal gain, at least the choreography is right on my level.

Honestly. I would die if that were me.