Welcome to my birthday party, fishy friends! Today I’m turning 36 again and I couldn’t think of a better way to spend 11:16 than sparkling up my fins and splashing around with you all. And…we have a very special guest with us today! His name is Turtle and he is the real, live, soul-rockin’ percussionist for the band, Adam Ezra Group! So the way I see it, this party needs three things: lots of fun, unending rounds of Shirley Temples, and presents! (Giveaway info at the end) The music is pumping and the grenadine and cherries are bobbing around in the 7Up so let’s get started! First I am honored to share this little talk I had with Turtle so pull up a lily pad and enjoy! (Pushes play on “She’s Just a Girl” by Adam Ezra Group)
Carlene: Hi Turtle! It was so cool meeting you on your birthday back in May so thank you so much for being here on my birthday and chatting about all things musician! As a musician (who I’ve seen give your all on stage-you rock!) how do you decide how much you’re going to keep for yourself and how much you’re going to share with the audience? Or is that never a question?
Turtle: That is really not ever a question with me, it’s not a conscious decision. It really depends on the crowd, the energy in the room. For me it’s all about that transfer of energy. You send something from the stage and the crowd turns it into something and sends it back to the stage. Hopefully that keeps happening until both party’s are exhausted.
Carlene: Very cool. So, do you as a musician have similar contrasting feelings about the evolution of music into the digital age as authors do with their books? Comparing holding a physical record or CD in your hands, something you made, to knowing the benefits that digital media offer as far as ease and speed of sharing your work with listeners/readers?
Turtle: I do have contrasting feelings. It’s great to have any song at your disposal any time you want it. On the other hand I still love vinyl! I love the size, the art work, liner notes, I love that you have to get up and turn Sgt. Pepper over after Mr. Kite, I absolutely love it!
Carlene: Me too! For me it’s Blondie’s Parallel Lines. Now, I’m curious, what is more powerful for you, a song about a moment or the big picture?
Turtle: I am a sucker for a song about the moment, especially reflecting on a missed opportunity.
Carlene: Well said, my friend. Last but not least, if you were asked to sing a song about an encounter with a mermaid, how would it begin?
Turtle: Well, I’m not sure what it would be about or how it would end, but I am pretty sure it would start with, “The sea was angry that day my friend.”
Carlene: You’ve got me smiling over here, that was awesome! Thank you so much Turtle. You rock!
The party is not over yet friends! You know, there’s another little soiree taking place today out in Cinema Land and these two guys apparently weren’t invited. Something about a certain toothy family who can’t let go of a grudge…So I of course extended a fin and asked if they’d join us here in the lagoon. Lucky us, they accepted and promise not to bite, although trusting them is entirely up to you. James ran all the way to San Diego and has returned with a platter of to-die-for rolled tacos and Laurent, well, he’s your go-to-guy for the Shirley Temples. Thanks boys!
(Laurent brought a snack, I had to hide him)
“A Question of Time” is pounding through the pond’s loud speakers now. What was that Depeche Mode? You want to take me under your wings? Awww, what sweeties. But only if you can fit me and all my guests in there! Next up on the 36 Again playlist? “My Party” by Kings of Leon.
Make sure you swim on over to the sea shell love seats where this cutie patootie is reading you your favorite stories. As birthday girl, I call first dibs. Sit back and relax while Dave Gahan enchants us with a reading of “Seize the Night” by Sherrilyn Kenyon. (Hey, a girl can dream, especially on her birthday! Disclaimer: this is a figment of my imagination…dave gahan is not really swimming around in a mermaid infested body of water, reading Dark Hunter books, or is he?)
So while the tacos and cherries are making their rounds and the festivities are in full effect, let me steal a second to say hi to all you fintastic guests and ask a few questions. Don’t be a party pooper, whoever answers these will have their name thrown into a hat to receive one of today’s two giveaways. The theme? “It’s my birthday and I’ll give away music if I want to!” I’ve purchased CDs by four of my favorite artists: Depeche Mode, Kings of Leon, Casey James and Adam Ezra Group! (Love writing to their music!) And lovely, generous, Alethea Mermaid has donated a very special signed copy of Adam Ezra Group’s “View From the Root” CD! So answer up for the chance to win:
Let’s create your fantasy birthday party…
1.) You can invite ANYONE you want, so share your guest list with us!
2.) Who serves the refreshments and what do they serve?
3.) If you could have anyone read to you, who would it be & what would they read?
4.) What’s your perfect age and why?
Thank you so much for spending my 36 Again birthday with me today friends! Turtle, you are THE BEST! Party guests have until the clock strikes 11:16 pm Eastern time on Saturday, November 17, to be entered into the giveaway drawings. At that time I will randomly draw two names, the first will receive the signed AEG CD, the second will receive Carlene’s Writing Music CDs. US addresses only please as I will be snail mailing you actual CDs. I’ll announce the winners at 11:16pm ET Sunday night. Good luck and Happy Un-Birthday to you all!
Fishy kisses,
Carlene Mermaid-the luckiest girl in the world
Happy, happy birthday, Carlene-Mermaid!
If I could invite anyone musically minded it would be three that start with the letter B: Bono, Barry Manilow and Barbra Streisand. I can’t help it! I’m a product of the 70s and 80s. I would also throw in there Taylor Swift because my kids and I love her, and she would keep it young! Then I might even throw in One Direction just to make me the coolest mom on the planet.
I would have Jon Stewart from the Daily Show serving some Mojitos and Margaritas because he’s hysterical and seems fun! I would have a gigantic seafood buffet featuring jumbo shrimp and Maryland crab cakes, but so much more.
If I could have anyone read to me, it would be Morgan Freeman. He could read me the dictionary and I’d be fine. I love that man’s voice!
I love 33! It’s my favorite number, and I loved my thirties. I think as a woman, twenties begin to lead to finding our identities, but the thirties are where we feel most comfortable with them. Too bad I’m not in them anymore. 🙂
Happy Birthday again, Carlene! I’ll buy you a Shirley Temple next time we swim up to the same beach. Love you!
Thank you Kim!!! You are the coolest mermaid on the planet for having One Direction and Barry Manilow at the same shin dig! I want to be there! Morgan Freeman has an exquisite voice. Love it! And I love you too my friend! xoxoxoxoxoxox
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR HEROOOOOOO,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!
Kerri-Mermaid happily throws glitter in the air as she twirls and twirls in the Mermaid lagoon. Sparkle smoochies to you, my friend!
1.) I wouldn’t invite a lot of people to my bday party because my bday is in the summer and no one is ever around anyway. But definitely my besties, D and Amber, and after that I would leave it open-ended. Come one, come all.
2.) I would like Daniel Craig to serve refreshments shirtless. He will be serving my favorite meal: pizza, wine and cupcakes.
3.) I would have that guy who plays Thor read me a Jill Shalvis sex scene. Ow ow!
4.) I don’t know about perfect but my favorite age was 9. Yep, 4th grade was a good year!
Happy Birthday, Friend!
One of these days I will get through something you write without breaking into the goofiest toothy grin. Kerri = FUH-NEE!
I have a feeling if James Bond and Thor are serving it up at your party, even if it’s in the summer, a few folks might show up…
Thank you, Friend 😉 xoxo
Happy Birthday Carlene! Here are some Irish blessings to make you giggle:
“May you live to be a hundred years, with one extra year to repent!”
“May you have the hindsight to know where you’ve been, the foresight to know where you’re going, and the insight to know when you’ve gone too far.”
“May all who love the Lord, love you and those who don’t love you, may the Lord give them a limp so you can see them coming.”
“Here’s to a long life and a merry one. A quick death and an easy one. A handsome lad and an honest one. A cold beer and another one!”
***
Let’s create your fantasy birthday party…
Yay!!!! You know I love a party.
1.) You can invite ANYONE you want, so share your guest list with us!
I love a block party without a guest list, come in come out, hang out as long as you want.
2.) Who serves the refreshments and what do they serve?
In my fantasy party is actually possible to get great Mexican food in the DC area. So everyone brings that.
3.) If you could have anyone read to you, who would it be & what would they read?
Can I cheat? I really want Prince to sing the book to me. That would rock my world.
4.) What’s your perfect age and why?
Every age because life is what you make of it. 🙂
Avery, hold the phone, I totally have a guy here who enjoys running cross country…just sent him out to get us some real San Diego taco shop rolled tacos…and oila! He’s back. 😉
Yum.
You liked Purple Rain, didn’t ya? me too 😉
If i ever drink a cold beer, it’s gonna be on the heels of this:“Here’s to a long life and a merry one. A quick death and an easy one. A handsome lad and an honest one. A cold beer and another one!”
Thank you!!!! xoxoxo
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Love your birthday party with all your faves! I feel like I’m there! Thanks for sharing with all of us! And how appropriate to interview Turtle in the Pond! 🙂
Answers:
1) You, Adrian & Aidan, my father JC & my brother Jay, G’ma & G’pa Bingham, Pops, Pres Kennedy, Elvis, Marilyn Monroe & Casey James.
2) Marilyn will be serving Dom Perignon & Elvis will be serving fried peanut butter & nanner samiches. Casey & JC will be serving golden music with their voices & guitars. Pops & Jay will be dancing with us!
3) Grandpa Bingham would read Hiawatha to me again.
4) 36 because I had my health back, and we had our independence. We made the most of each day. Successes & failures were finally mine.
My mom! Hi Mom! You know how to throw a fantasy birthday party! And I’m so glad that everyone knows now where I get my nuttiness from. Love you! Love the nuttiness!
How is it that Dave Gahan has not changed since I was a teen?
DAVE GAHAN! Oh, my God! Can’t believe you got to meet him.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!
Sorry, I just regressed to 15 again. I’m having visions of him on stage, spinning around, wearing his hiphugging leather pants, doing a few pelvic thrusts to punctuate the beat …
Oh, did you write anything after that photo? I appear to have lost track distracted by thoughts of Dave’s sexy voice and his cool vibe and hot body.
**sigh**
Yes, I see that you posted a few questions for us to answer. Silly, distracted me. I think the water is a bit hot in this lagoon. May need to turn the temp down a bit. 😛
But before I forget, here’s a BIG Happy Birthday to you! You know, I thought you were a lot younger. You look fantastic. Must be the great music that you’re enjoying. It’s keeping you young. 😉
Here are my answers:
1. I’m going to steal some good ones from some of the other amazing chicks. Besides my husband, family, best buds and my writing friends (because writers are the BEST party guests), I’d love to have John Stewart, because he’s hilarious and so on the mark. I think he’d be highly entertaining and have great conversations with guests. I’d also want Joss Whedon, Nathan Fillion, Seth Green, and Seth MacFarlane because I respect all of them and think they’re highly talented writers and actors and so hilarious. Do you see a pattern here … hmmm? And let’s add Depeche Mode for entertainment. 😛 Maybe Dave could sing happy birthday to me? (Yes, the water is getting really hot in here. May need a cold shower after this one.)
2. Daniel Craig dressed as Bond serving Martinis. Shaken, not stirred.
3. It is a toss up between Liam Neeson, Morgan Freeman and Alan Rickman. I guess it depends on the story. 😉
4. I really liked 30, thought I came into my own and I started focusing more on my goals. But I shouldn’t just pine for the past. I agree that the best year is the one you’re living now.
Hope you have an amazing day! You rock!
Jenn, hubby is whisking me off to birthday dinner but I will return…and we will talk about DAVE 😉
Jenn, now a proper welcome to the lagoon which yes, is a little hotter than normal…(fans self)
Sooo….that pic with Delectable Dave was taken in 2006…how good was it? All I have to do is close my eyes and there’s his hand, right there on my hip. Can still feel it to this day. Umm….oh yes, forgot this is a public forum, I will go ahead and stop there. 😉
How could I have forgotten Alan Rickman??? Love his voice and he would kill some Sherrilyn Kenyon books (in a good way)
I love your fantasy party and now I’m even more excited about the real one coming up 😉
Yep, I agree that the best year is the one your living now…Be Here Now
xoxoxoxo
Hi Carlene – I’ve just returned from watching you tube videos of Adam Ezra Group, I was not familiar with their music but loved the interview with Turtle and wanted to hear more. There are some pretty fun fantasy parties being planned here, how about I just crash your mom’s party, it sounds pretty fun!
Hahahahahaha, Aunt Terry, you can crash my mom’s party with me….we’ll go sneak in right now….
Adam Ezra Group is outstanding. They are so kind and excellent musicians. Alethea Mermaid introduced me to them and now I’m hooked. And Turtle is priceless. Totally generous souls. My favorite song by them is She’s Just A Girl. It’s like a little miniature five minute long romance novel!
Love you!!!!
Thank you Diana!!!! Hehehe, I see I need to scroll down…someone was distracted 🙂 xoxoxox
I am weird, you are weird, WEIRD is AWESOME! Diana, one day I hope to be as cultured as you…I love your fantasy party. I love your answer about your brother reading to you. Very sweet.
Thank you so much for making this little shindig part of your journey today! xoxoxox
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CARLENE!!
Hope it’s not too late to crash a party.
1) Invites:
My family, friends, would be invited to a big beach party on the North Shore of Hawaii. I would also have the cast from Hawaii 50, Hugh Jackman, Robert Downey Jr., Gerard Butler and Scarlett Johannson for my hubby.
2) Refreshments:
Kaluha Pig–Luau!!! Leis for everyone and lots of Blue Hawaiians, Mai Tai’s, Pina Coladas and of course non-alcoholic versions for those who prefer them without. Who would serve? Guys and gals in traditional polyanisian garb.
3) I would love to have Hugh Jackman read me ANYTHING! I’m sure he could make a car repair manual sound romantic. (I would also love him to give me a lap dance like he did for Barbara Walters during one interview years ago. Gotta find that on You Tube again.)
4) What age? Age is a number–it’s how you feel at the time. We are always saying, “I can’t wait until I’m 18, 21, etc.” or “Do you remember when I was 18, 21, etc?” I want to feel happy and celebrate every year. I just like to celebrate!
Hugs to you!
It’s never too late, especiall for you, my dear mermaid sister Loni! After Hugh finishes at your party, send him on over to mine! Cue-Tee!
I also love that you thought of your hubby! See, that’s why I love you 🙂
And I totally agree with age being just a number. That’s why I’m such a goofball. 🙂
I”m now wishing I had at least a can of crushed pineapple in my cupboards. May have to raid kiddo’s tropical punch juice boxes for a taste of this delicious Hawaiian themed party you’ve created. Love it!
Our Birthday Present Giveaway is officially closed for entries. Thank you so much to all our lovely party guests! I will announce the winners tomorrow at 11:16 pm. Happy Un-Birthday to you all 🙂
Fishy Kisses
Oh, what the heck! I’ll go ahead and announce our winners now! Congratulations go out to Terry whose name was pulled for the signed Adam Ezra Group CD. And another congrats to our second winner, Jennifer Bock, who takes home the Writing Music CD bundle. Your prizes will be on their way to you very soon!
Hope to see you next 11.16 for another fabulous lagoon party! Cheers!
Congrats Terry and Jenn!!!!!!