"Someday's gonna be a busy day..."

Friday 12 June 2009

Enter Sandman


I swore to myself that this blog would not become a repository of baby-related rhapsodies once I gave birth. And I am going to stick to that promise. Right after I tell you that Jade has the biggest belly I've ever seen this morning. Geesh. That kid can eat. Apparently I AM a "high producer," as D says.

Anyhoo, in the interest of promoting reduced baby content on this blog, did I ever tell you about the time I attended a Metallica concert?

I was dating a guy who liked metal a lot at the time. He coaxed me into coming to the concert with a few of his friends, and a mutual friend of ours who was a rare breed: a female metalhead. I liked Metallica well enough, but I wouldn't say I was a huge fan. Sure, in the 80's, I had veered dangerously into metalhead territory with my growing penchant for bands like Motley Crue and Ratt, but I was saved by the punk and new wave music some friends introduced me to. It was like an intervention.

I thought Metallica did have considerable talent despite the screaming vocals and grinding guitars, so I bought a ticket and off we went to Copps Coliseum in Hamilton. When we got there, I realized I was dressed completely inappropriately: everyone - and I mean EVERYONE - was wearing black. Black shirts, black jackets, black jeans, black boots. I wore my favourite red shirt, embroidered jeans and running shoes. Oops.

The thing I remember most about that concert was the song "Enter Sandman." I'm still partial to the song because of the creepy lyrics and trance-inducing rhythm, but that night I was particularly excited about it as it was one of the few songs they played that I knew the words to. As I belted out the lyrics along with a coliseum full of other people, I decided it was time to try thrashing. My friends had been doing it to every song, and practically everyone else was doing it too, including the band.

Thrashing, for those of you who have never tried it, is the act of flinging your head (and preferably your long, dyed black hair) back and forth in time to heavy metal music. If you're good, you can lean to one side and get your whole torso going. If you're REALLY good, you can do this all while playing air guitar.

What I failed to realize was just how much neck muscle is actually required in order to thrash to more than one song. Encouraged by the thumbs up I received from my female metalhead friend, I thrashed enthusiastically for the rest of the concert. The next morning, I couldn't lift my head off my pillow. It felt like I had a pumpkin attached to my neck by a thread.

Why am I telling you all this, dear reader? Well, this was just one of the many random memories that's drifted across my mind during a 4am feeding. It seems particularly significant because Jade's head bobs around like a drunken thrasher if not supported, and because the Sandman is someone I have come to appreciate during these first four weeks of mummyhood.

I can't say I've ever appreciated the wonder of sleep the way I have lately. I can actually pinpoint the moment before I fall asleep, something I've never noticed before in my life. It's like I'm tiptoeing up to the edge of a very deep chasm - think Grand Canyon or Hoover Dam or Niagara Falls - looking down for a moment, then blissfully plunging over the edge. No screaming, no splat; just a delightful floaty feeling and poof! I'm asleep. It's glorious.

At first I was afraid I'd be irritable and resentful at having my sleep interrupted by baby. As lovely and wanted as she is, I am a pretty big fan of my zzz's. Thankfully I have come to view the 2, 3, or 4 hour stretches I get to sleep as exciting opportunities to nap, rather than whinging about the fact that I can't get a good night's sleep anymore. Napping is always a good thing, right? Thankfully Jade shares my enthusiasm for naps too. Enter Sandman indeed.

Guess I did end up talking a bit about baby, didn't I?

5 comments:

Gingham Skies said...

I thoroughly enjoyed the comparison of Jade to a drunken thrasher.
Bring on the baby bits - the more stories you share the better!

MrsS said...

Well I've learned a lot from that little story Kimber - thrashing eh?! I've seen it done - I've even participated a little in jest - but never knew it had a name! Like Gingham Skies I'm amused at your comparison!

You've taken a beautiful photo of Jade complete with the floral border - gorgeous - a real competition winner.

Can I also just say that I'm looking forward to hearing more stories about a day in the life of Jade - keep 'em coming! xx

Lois said...

Hey Kim!
You can talk about baby Jade whenever you want and I promise never to get bored hearing about her. The thing about being a mommy on matt leave is that you are suppose to nap during the day when baby does so you get caught up a bit on the sleep your loosing during the night. Not to worry, just think, in 4 or 5 months she will sleep through the night and you will wonder how time flew so fast. LOL.
Lois

Biddie said...

Ok, first of all, you at a metal concert? Lol. I have missed so much!
By the time Jessica was born, and I an old hat at midnight feedings, I actually began to look forward to our quiet time together.
We would sit in that great green rocking chair and watch the sun rise, just the two of us while the rest of the house slept.
These are among my treasured memories.
Keep the Jade stories coming :)

tanzi said...

I agree--Jade will be pissed one day if she comes across her mum's blog (the technology by then seeming ridiculously primitive) and you have barely mentioned her! I recall SOMEONE'S baby book ending around age 2, while her OLDER SISTER'S book proceeded till at least 5. Hmpfh.
I remember your Mettalica mirror you won at the fair. Thought you were bound fer hell for choosing it. I've since changed my mind.