Posts tagged 052422
Clever copying

In studying early Dylan songs, it's interesting how many of them were adapted (or stolen) from hymns and so on.

He would take melodies and write new lyrics to them, or copy the structure of existing lyrics and create a new melody. He also mimicked Woody Guthrie's singing style.

This tactic obviously worked out pretty well for the guy. Taking the long view, all that copying was a shortcut to developing his own creative voice.

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The myth of worthiness

When I was single, I heard it and read it over and over. I saw it represented in movies and TV shows.

It was the idea that, if I worked on myself enough and learned to be "okay with being alone," I would be ready for a relationship, and the perfect mate (eww, mate - that word is the worst) would show up.

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Even if you don't need help, you might want it

Growing up, I was exposed to some very strong messaging for girls and women.

It showed up in books and magazines, TV and movie plots, and conversations with adults and peers.

The message was that you don't need a boyfriend (or husband) to be a complete person.

Since I hadn't been around during the days when marriage was a woman's top priority, I had no context for this message.

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Not everyone is good at their job

My husband and I used to go to a burger chain that had insanely delicious burgers, really good french fries, and thick milkshakes made with real ice cream.

This burger chain had counter service that was always incredibly slow. The people who worked there seemed to be in a daze.

What's more, the place was always running out of things. And there were often little handwritten signs around that were meant to correct other signs that had been created by the corporate office.

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