Skip to main content

Weird Al and Iowa

So a couple of weeks ago while watching TV, I happened to click on an A&E Biography of "Weird Al" Yankovic. Boy - did that bring back some fun High School memories. There were interviews with Dr. Demento (Weird Al started out on his radio show"), and snippets from some true comedy classics - for instance "Eat It", "Like a Surgeon", and others. I remember my best friend Jill really being into his "Polkas on '45" album.

I went to High School in Iowa (Go Hawks!), and one thing about the midwest is that someone like "Weird Al" really fits in there. It's the land of brats and beer, and polka (I mean, the Iowa marching band's favorite song is the polka classic "In Heaven There Ain't No Beer"), and people there have a sense of humor - they don't take themselves too seriously. They work hard, have a good time, and are all about community. They take care of each other.

When I get to heaven, there'd better be a polka and Weird Al. And it better be in Iowa!

"Is this Heaven?"
"It's Iowa."
"I coulda sworn it was Heaven."
"Maybe it is Heaven."

Comments

Unknown said…
I am so honored to make your blog! Weird Al and Iowa are the best! One of my favorite (yet lesser-known) Weird Al song was "The White Stuff" parody of New Kids on the Block "Right Stuff". It all about the white filling in the middle of an Oreo! And who could forget his classic "Yoda" (done to "Lola")!
Tracie said…
I love it! We're pretty passionate about our oreos - the only real debate is whether you prefer regular or double stuff. Weird Al certainly has his finger on the pulse of American pop culture!
plainoldsarah said…
i remember that beer song - i learned it on the piano and i remember my mom explained to me it had to do with football and iowa. cool!

Popular posts from this blog

New 'Do

For probably the last 10 years or so, I've had pretty much the same hairstyle. For the most part, it's been long, all one length, and I would eventually put it up in a ponytail almost every day, because I couldn't stand having it in my face. It drove me crazy, but I didn't know what to do with it, and at the same time, I liked that I could basically get up and go every day without a lot of effort. For the past several months now, I've been threatening to do something different and drastic, and finally, yesterday, I did. At the recommendation of Angel, I made an appointment with her stylist. It took several weeks to get in, but finally, the day arrived. Angel went with me, for moral support, and to be the photographer. I went in with some basic ideas, but after some consultation and looking at photos with Francine, this is what I ended up with. First, the "before" shot: In process: And finally, the finished product: I can't remember the last time
Hi, my name's Tracie and I'm a Mormon. That being said, I've provided enough context for the conversation I had with the receptionist at work today: Christy: (Showing me a photo) What picture is this movie from? Me: Mmmm, Serendipity maybe? Christy: No...you should know this. Me: I should? Christy: (Finally) It's from the movie "Charlie"! Me: How would I know that? I don't watch Mormon movies. They're dumb. Now that I've let the cat out of the bag, I guess I should also confess that I also don't listen to Mormon pop music (other than the original recording of The Forgotten Carols), or read Mormon fiction. So sue me. Let's face it, it's not like most of them are of real quality anyway. When it comes to Mormon music, I'll stick with my MoTab and the hymns of Zion.

Tracie the Anti-Craft

One thing about Mormon culture is that it seems most Mormon women "craft". You will find the majority of them knitting, crocheting, stitching, sewing, stamping, card-making, scrapbooking, painting, lace-making, sponging, etc. If it can be made, sold at a party, or demoed at a convention, they are working on it. Really - you should see the madhouse that ensues at Joanne's fabrics whenever they have their big sale coupon in the newspaper. I on the other hand do not do anything remotely crafty. When I was young I did the 4-H sewing projects (actually my Mom or the leader usually did it for me) but I didn't find it remotely interesting. For those rare moments when I did want to learn, no one would teach me because I was left-handed (how dare I be left-handed). And my Mom didn't know how to knit or crochet for the same reason, so she couldn't teach me. She tried valiantly to teach me to sew, but segue to Junior High Home Ec, where I sewed the pockets shut on