I was feeling pretty ready for the week this week.
Starbucks Monday is always good incentive.
Today I had a grande soy toffee nut latte. I’m already over Pumpkin Spice, but I’m really looking forward to the other Starbucks holiday flavors…they should be here soon. Hooray!
Before heading out for work, though, I had a fried egg and Honey Whole Wheat toast with real butter. Hubby cooked it for me!
At work I got my fruit on with an organic banana.
And I brought leftovers of the Smitten Kitchen Best Ever Birthday Cake (click to view and for a link to the recipe) to the office to help get rid of it. I mean…so others could enjoy it.
It was a big hit. Everyone was really excited about the cake (you know how offices can be, right?).
Especially me!
The cake was still pretty moist one day after baking. The recipe is definitely a keeper.
I ended up working till 6:30pm today, so I didn’t get to run as many errands as I wanted tonight. Hubby and I only had time to pick up a missing supply for one of our Halloween projects and come home to make dinner. He wanted to use one of our Groupons for dinner, but I just wanted to raid the freezer and pantry.
I won and we had TJ’s soy corn dogs, Annie’s mac and cheese and steamed broccoli with a drizzle of melted real butter.
Plus we had wine (yes wine and corndogs…I know).
And this cake is calling my name right now, so I’m off to enjoy it.
***
Before I leave you, though, does anyone remember this video? I’m going to get a little deep on you guys for a minute…I almost didn’t publish this part of the post because I wasn’t sure what kind of reaction it would get, but…here’s hoping it helps someone…
It’s the music video for the song Jeremy by Pearl Jam – one of my favorite songs when I was a teen. I’ve been reminiscing on old songs a lot lately, including this one. Maybe it’s a mid-life crisis? lol…jk…at least let’s hope not! Anyways, I was googling about the song today, and I found an interesting interview snippet where Eddie Vedder discusses the story behind the song:
It came from a small paragraph in a paper which means you kill yourself and you make a big old sacrifice and try to get your revenge. That all you’re gonna end up with is a paragraph in a newspaper. Sixty-three degrees and cloudy in a suburban neighborhood. That’s the beginning of the video and that’s the same thing is that in the end, it does nothing … nothing changes. The world goes on and you’re gone. The best revenge is to live on and prove yourself. Be stronger then those people. And then you can come back. That’s kinda what I did. Now all those people who were my enemies want to be my friends. They don’t understand why, uh, I don’t respond to them.
Wow! All this time, for years and years, I thought the music video glorified Jeremy’s suicide. But after reading Eddie’s interview, I see now that he had a totally different message. That suicide doesn’t make you stronger, it just removes you from the picture. That if you feel bullied or otherwise depressed, to “live on and prove yourself” makes you the winner in the long run. I didn’t know Eddie himself felt so close to the story, and I think it’s great that he’s like living-proof of how things can get better. I wish Eddie’s true message would be more widespread because I think it could help some people. If you know someone who is going through a tough time, maybe you could share this story with them? I know Pearl Jam isn’t as relevant now as it was in the 90’s, but the message is still a good one.
Eddie’s point in his interview reminds me of one of my favorite quotes, which I’ll leave you with:
Success is the best revenge ~Eleanor Roosevelt
Have you ever enjoyed revenge by success? What’s your story?
What a beautiful message and way of looking at the song. Personally, I’ve never been bullied or felt left out, but I’ve worked with many kids who have, so I know how devastating it can be. My sincere hope is that those in difficult situations like this need to find the courage and strength to pull through and become determined to succeed, but sadly, it seems very difficult to do if they don’t have support systems in place. This is why I’m such a strong proponent of school counseling and after school programs – perhaps they can reach out to the kids who need this support that isn’t discussed in the classrooms.
It sounds like you’re a great person to help those troubled kids out! Go you…that’s truly wonderful and I’m sure your kindness and hard work is appreciated.
THANK YOU for posting about that – I like the original meaning he had for the song, and the quote – that is AWESOME.
I can’t really think of anything in my life… unless you count the ex boyfriend who poked fun at the fact that I took 6 years to complete my degree (I was traveling and teaching tennis), and said that my sociology degree “would not amount to anything”… I have had spa director positions that paid a base before bonus of $80,000… so HA, I suppose that could count? 😀
totally counts. as my friend would say…”take THAT…you son of b*tch” (you have to hear my friend say it – the way she accents the words is hilarious!)
I love your Dilbert calendar!! I had a Garfield one years ago when my friend gave it to me as a gift and I adored it so much. Just wanted to let that out, haha 🙂
Never heard of the song title but what a message!
omg i can’t believe you’ve never heard Jeremy! I guess it is pretty old now. lol
Your photo edits are so fun && I love your follow icons – too cute!!
Not mid-life, a quarter-life crisis 😉
I loved that video too! One of my faves of the 90s!
ahh good point…”quarter”! lol
Ha, I think it dates our years roaming the earth to remember when “Jeremy” & Pearl Jam were what it was all about. I still love PJ, not just because it reminds me of a more simple time, but also because time has lent me the ability to understand the music on a different level. It’s always interesting to hear the stories behind songs & artists, how often there is a different meaning than a fan is aware of.
Now that we are older, it is very true that those who were mean to us (in years past) often want to be friends with us now, even if we are not Eddie Vedder. It’s interesting to see how those who were not so nice, are doing ten years later…
Totally agree!
“It’s interesting to see how those who were not so nice, are doing ten years later…” I went to my 10 year high school reunion this year. It WAS interesting. 😉
I’ve never heard that song, but when I was in elementary/middle school “Adam’s Song” by Blink 182 was a similar song that I thought had the same message. I was pretty depressed at the time, and it always made me think about maybe the only way to get attention was to die. As I got older, I realized that no…your memory lives on, but YOU aren’t there anymore. You’re dead. I’m not trying to sound boastful or mean when I say that I’m so much better off in life than the girls who bullied me as a kid…most of them dropped out of school and the like. Life will always give you another chance, if you let it 🙂
You are a living example of Eddie’s message! Good for you! 🙂 You show those bee-otches! Just wait till you get your 10 year high school reunion!
I’m way old enough to remember ‘Jeremy’. Very topical now (unfortunately) with all that’s going on with your people in our society. Thanks for bringing it up.
Oops. That should say “young” people. Not your people. Proofreading is not my strongpoint.
haha I gotcha. And you’re welcome!
I didn’t realize that was the message in Jeremy, but it makes sense.
And it’s very random that you posted this today, because they made a reference to this song on How I Met Your Mother last night…
Really!? Weird!
Excellent message AND may I add – this applies to all ages! I used to have a job where a certain *office bully* backstabbed me and talked bad about me behind my back constantly. Probably because either I showed them up or they wanted to push their own work off on me and liked to slack. Well, I found another job where I am appreciated, I work for NICE boss who is secure with themself and I feel like I am successful even though I’m not earning big bucks. I’m happy and calm and word got out that I’m doing a really good job. Wish I could see their faces! Success OR even simply being HAPPY with yourself is the best kind of revenge!
You go Marie! 🙂
That’s so wierd that I read this post today of yours, because that song’s been in my head the last day or so. It was popular when I was in junior high so I’m “old” enough to remember. 🙂 I’m glad you posted its real meaning. I think that makes the song more endearing to me than the meaning I originally thought, like “lets treat everybody better or they might kill themselves.” Suicide is a really, really tough subject, and I’ve had several people very near me take that way out of life, for many different reasons. It’s not always because of being mistreated of course, but in every case, it is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Thanks for posting this.
You’re welcome Kenley.
I love that song! Never knew that story behind it, but it is very interesting.
Thanks for sharing this!
You’re welcome Monica.
It’s been ages since I heard the song or the video. I somehow always thought it was about a kid who killed the others in the school and then killed himself? Oof, I am probably confusing it with something else.
But, I remember feeling very powerfully affected by it, and I love the meaning that you dug up for us 🙂
A lot of people had the same misunderstanding…including (I think) me the first time I saw the video. It is definitely a powerful video.
I have a small revenge/success story.
In middle school and even through high school I was not the most popular. I often was teased about my weight (I was a heavy child) or my pointy nose… I was never with the “in” group and it hurt. Now I feel like I am on top of the world. Not that I have the best job, nor did I turn into a super model, but now the same people who made fun of me are now wanting to be my friend and asking me for advice. I understand that kids are kids and I do not hold grudges but I still get a little smirk on my face when I see a friend request on facebook. =)
Love it! Thanks for sharing! 🙂