A Confession and A Thank You
by Jenners • 05/22/2009 • Confessions, Life • 29 Comments
Confession
So after I wrote about my recent trip to South Dakota on Tuesday, I sent the link to my family — thinking they might enjoy it. As usual, my blog postings were met with complete and utter indifference by my family — with the sole exception of my sister-in-law Tresa. She enjoyed it but wondered why I didn’t mention about how we played Guitar Hero-Rock Band version on our last night.
Why didn’t I mention playing Guitar Hero, Tresa? I think you know the answer to that question … BECAUSE I SUCK AT IT! I suck at it more than it is possible to suck at something. Allow me to expound at length upon my suckitude.
We first saw the arcade version at a local pizza parlor. We (meaning the three adults in our party) all took turns “rocking” to Foghat’s Slow Ride. We were terrible but could instantly see how this would be amazingly fun. Because all three of us are impulsive and instant gratification seekers, we immediately went to Wal-Mart to buy the Guitar Hero – Rock Band edition (it comes with drums and a microphone as well as the guitar). (Sidenote: I really shouldn’t say “we” went to buy it — I was merely the lead instigator and nag to buy it because I knew I didn’t have to pay for it but I really really wanted to play it on our last night together. Insert evil laugh.)
So we got home, put the kidlets to bed and settled in for an evening of rocking! (And nothing says “rock star” like two mothers wearing their comfy pajamas.) Things got off to a rough start for everyone until we actually took the time to watch the tutorial and learn that you had to “strum” the guitar while playing the notes. Amazing how learning to actually PLAY the game helps increase your score tremendously.
So after a bit of farting about and figuring things out, we were ready to jam. Well, I should say some of us were ready to jam because I — most assuredly — DID NOT JAM. No, my role was to stink up the place with my complete lack of rhythm, inability to follow along and general suckitude. Even though we all started out kind of bad, only I languished in the Land of Suck while my brother and sister-in-law got steadily better.
The thing about the game is that there is a little meter that tells you exactly who is doing good and who is doing bad. If one member of the band is bad enough, the “audience” will boo your band off the stage. How do I know this? Because whenever I was in the band, we were booed off the stage about 22% of the way through the song. Even if my brother was 100% perfect on the drums, my guitar playing dragged us all down.
And what was even more annoying is that both my brother and sister-in-law were drinking beer while I abstained and they STILL got better and better than me — even while drifting ever closer to complete drunkenness. (After all, it wasn’t me in the kitchen at 2:00 am making egg bake, was it Tresa?)
Even playing the easiest songs, I was unable to achieve rock stardom. It became hilariously amusing (to some) how consistently bad I was and how little I improved. I couldn’t even keep up on drums on Eye of the Tiger!
But Mike and Tresa, it is ON! I am going to ask for Guitar Hero for my birthday and I will practice until I rock (on easy level and on an easy song but still — I WILL ROCK). And then on our next visit to South Dakota, I will stand before you and I will lay down a flawless version of Slow Ride that will have you gasping and bowing before me. This I vow.
It is good to have goals, right?
A Thank You
I need to thank Erin over at Treasures Found: Inspiration Is Everywhere for sending me the coolest giveaway winner package ever! A while back, I won a giveaway on her blog — a custom made WOW pendant. (Did I mention she is a jewelry designer?) Well, when I got back from my trip, her package was waiting for me. Not only did I get the cutest pendant on the funkiest little necklace thingy (you can tell I’m not a jewelry person, right?) but she also sent me chocolate-covered Peeps!!! How cool is that? Let me show you!
The Complete PackageNote the adorable little box with ribbon! Note the lovely card! See the cool necklace and pendant! See the chocolate covered Peeps! (The Peeps were in existence long enough for me to take this photo and then my family devoured them like a pack of hungry wolves.)
The Front of the Pendant
I could pick any initial I wanted … I picked J because that is the first letter of the Little One’s name. Of course, it is also the first letter of my name. So either I’m a loving mom or a self-absorbed narcissist. You make the call.
The Back of the Pendant
Erin loves quotes and she included a quote on the back of the pendant. Isn’t this is a good one? I love it and agree with the sentiment completely.
A Lovely Model Wearing the Necklace
Who am I kidding? It is me … and models don’t have clearly visible double-chins, obvious sunburn (did I tell you I am a red neck now, literally?) and just way too many moles. Can you tell I hate photos of myself and pick them apart mercilessly?
Your adorable in a nerdy kinda way!!
:O)
We saw some kids playing guitar hero in Best Buy. I thought it looked fun. Now, I want to play it. Maybe my nephew will get it for Christmas. I like your necklace. How pretty.
Love the necklace! Youre so purrrty!
I basically hate the game and really haven’t tried much less vow to beat someone else.. but.. I did win the dang game from a Momfuse.com contest… so that’s something eh?
and…??? EggBake?? HUH?
Love that pendant. And Rock Band. I really enjoy it if I can talk any of my kids into playing with me.
Hey Jenners,
I love that necklace you received…that is an awesome prize. And a beautiful presentation with the box. May I also add that you should keep at Guitar Hero and totally rock it out : )
Hi Jenners, I left an award for you on my blog today
I’ve never played guitar hero but you just made it sound like SO much fun. And I would have been perfectly happy just sitting there and watching you make a fool of yourself. Maybe you should have had a few drinks…loosened up a little.
We ARE twins – I too get 100% in suckitude when it comes to Guitar Hero! I’m never allowed to play anymore…
Love that gorgeous pendant!
I’ve only played Guitar Hero one time, but it is SO much stinkin’ FUN! That’s hilarious that you instigated it’s purchase before you left, too. I love that! And WOW – what a cool giveaway that you won – I just love that pendant. And you need to quit being so hard on yourself, girl!
That is a great necklace!
I suck at guitar hero. I get booed off every time.
I’m hopeless at Guitar Hero, too… the original version. Must be way more humiliating to drag down your entire team. Practice… you just need to practice. Right?
The necklace is lovely, but the photo of you is great… really.
Sorry to hear you hate bugs as much as I do.
I love the picture of you, your smile reflects the saying on the pendant!
We’re going to an adults only karoake/rock band party. Please say a prayer for us.
I totally suck at that game too and my husband, who can play guitar, is quite good at it. This is why we do not have one. LOL
The necklace is really cool. I think that is a nice pic of you.
Very cute pendant! and lucky you getting chocolate peeps ;o)
Maybe next time you play you could set up the camcorder so we can all enjoy a little of your suckitude? hmmm?
I’ve tried to play Guitar Hero with my 10 year old nephew – he always gets frustrated because he has to win me back or whatever the phrase is. It is frustrating to me because I am a fairly musically inclined person and just cannot seem to get it!
And family is interesting – mine does not really follow my blog either. They will call and ask a bunch of questions and I just want to say – did you see the blog? Maybe they just want more personalization.
Looking forward to the next game!
Jenners-
YOu are so very funny! My kids are 11 and 8 and they have developed a taste for 70s stadium rock and 80s glam rock…and I couldn’t figure it out until they told me about Guitar Hero that they play at a summer program. But I love that I get to download MP3 of all my favorite tunes from then to their music players and listen to it on the car radio!
You are so very kind to spread the word about my pendant. And you do look lovely, I might add. I love having models for my work….you look divine!
I am glad that you got to sample the choco covered Peeps. I don’t even let my family have them. I just devour them in the car on the way home from my chocolate shop Sugar Cubed! It was my pleasure to make that for you and I too thought that the quote fit just perfectly with you.
I have been a blog-slacker for awhile, but I will be back on by next week, and I am planning a May giveaway so come on over!
Enjoy the day (and the long holiday weekend!)
Erin =)
I forbid my family from reading my blog… it’s worked nicely so far…
If you have a moment, I wrote a review on Guitar Hero (http://melaniemoyer.info/writing/2008/12/guitar-hero-review-its-genetic/) that you may enjoy… My son also lacks any rhythmic ability… or any real musical talent at all… hehe
The necklace (and the model) look fantastic! You are way too hard on yourself! Revel in your geekery!! lol
That necklace is beautiful! And I like that picture of you a lot! really!
My family is totally indifference about my blog too – oh well. Unfortunately I told them about it so I can rip on them in it (because that would be the one day they would read it.)
And I love the new necklace.
You look terrific in the photo! Cute giveaway gifts. Chocolate peeps, that has to be good:) My son laughs when I even attempt to try Guitar Hero. I like listening to the music. I know that I’ll never figure it out. I bet you’ll ROCK after practicing on your own. Looking forward to your next game!
looks great!
I’ve never played guitar hero. I hear it’s fun though. I’ve been wondering if I should get a wii.
looks good!
I so much enjoy reading your blog, you are so entertaining! LOL I too suck at Guitar Hero so don’t feel bad! And the necklace is cool, love it!! Never heard of chocolate covered peeps!! YUM!! Thanks for sharing this with all of us and enjoy your weekend!
What a beautiful mama!
I think it is awesome that you were able to spend time with your brother and sister like that. Sounds like you had a blast!
oh you’re adorable! love the necklace… i think that would make a great gift.
i am worried about this next game! i think they are ALL really hard… i can’t imagine what this will be like, if it is a ‘challenge’!
I think I would feel the way you do about Guitar Hero. Dunno, though. Never played. I do share your apathetic family, though. Well, I don’t share YOUR family, obviously (though I wouldn’t mind being related to you!), but almost no one in my family reads my blog either. Just gives you a big dose of the warm fuzzies to realize how much they value what you have to say, doesn’t it?! Geez. And I LOVE the necklace!!! LOVE it!!!!
Guitar Hero is a horrible, horrible game, haha. And of course I only say that because I also have no rhythm whatsoever, and I also get the whole band booed off stage every time I play….
…Unless I’m drinking beer! Really, you should look into that. Don’t ask me how it works, but beer makes Guitar Hero possible, even for the rock challenged!
Oh, I love Guitar Hero!! I’m not great by any stretch of the imagination, but it’s SO much fun!! I have faith in you. Get it and practice and I know you’ll be amazing!
And HOLY COW… chocolate covered Peeps?!?! Who would’ve thought to dip those in chocolate. I didn’t think they could get any better, but I’ve been proved wrong. I need to find some Peeps ASAP and dip them in chocolately goodness. I’m so jealous of your package!! (That pendant is WAY cute!)