I had the honor of seeing Blondie + Elvis Costello & The Imposters this past weekend at the BB&T Pavillion in Camden, NJ and it was a true treat for the eyes and ears. I want to say 85% of the crowd was my generation (Gen X) or older and you have to reason that the artists are getting on in years may not be as dynamic as they once were. Luckily, that was not the case here. Deborah Harry’s voice is still rich and luscious and her presence is that of a Queen – regal, knowing, with a wealth of experience that translates into an impressive stage show. Not to be outdone, Elvis was amazing – sometimes you forget the range of music in his catalog. Both artists played old and new stuff and it was fantastic.

The husband and I made a long weekend of it and stayed at a nice hotel in Philly. We had a nice dinner at a Brewery and then went to the show. We got there a little late so missed maybe the first 3 or 4 Blondie songs but I was there in time to hear RAPTURE, HEART OF GLASS, CALL ME and my absolute favorite, ATOMIC. At some point she did the song FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE while a fake presidential seal was projected behind her – the same seal that caused a ruckus and firing recently. I saw a bunch of people whip out their phones to take pictures but I wonder if they understood the real meaning behind the picture of the seal and Deborah’s music choice. I want to say no and my husband completely disagrees with me. He doesn’t think staunch presidential supporters of 45 would be at a Blondie/Elvis show, I don’t know but I don’t think I am wrong and I’m not here to debate the politics of the current administration. Instead I wanted to focus on the fact that it seems like nowadays, no one really pays attention. When I graduated high school the theme of our year book was “since feelings is first” based off e.e. cummings

since feeling is first
who pays any attention
to the syntax of things
will never wholly kiss you;
wholly to be a fool
while Spring is in the world

my blood approves
and kisses are a better fate
than wisdom
lady i swear by all flowers. Don’t cry
—the best gesture of my brain is less than
your eyelids’ flutter which says

we are for each other: then
laugh, leaning back in my arms
for life’s not a paragraph

and death i think is no parenthesis

My high school English teacher believed my generation was a bunch of whiners and all about emotions. She probably wasn’t wrong and more and more it seems like we live in a time that is more concerned with feelings over facts. And I’m not judging it but it does make me wonder about how things are going when no one seems to research anything and blindly follows a news channel or pundit and takes “opinions” as absolute fact. It worries me and concerns me and I try hard to instill in my kids to be people of honor, to mean what they say, to have their word be their bond and to be held accountable and own up to their mistakes and faults. I always tell them to sincerely apologize once and then keep it moving. Its extremely important to me that they grow up to be good citizens and decent humans….here’s to hoping for the best.