#SongoftheDay Bottom of the Pool (Bobby's World)
I have a very meaningful story that relates to this song. Hard to imagine, eh? But that's life. Sometimes you have meaningful stories about silly songs.
When I was in middle school, I still watched cartoons. Heck, when I was in high school I still watched cartoons. But we're talking middle school, here, when my friends also watched cartoons because we all had younger siblings and because we just plain liked cartoons.
We'd all seen this episode of Bobby's World recently when we went on a class trip to a museum. My friends and I started scream-singing this song as we walked around. We were fourteen and museums were boring and singing loudly was fun.
The museum lady came over and gave us a stern lecture, basically telling us to shut the hell up. This was a serious place of learning.
Our teacher, who'd been walking alongside us, rolled her eyes at the museum lady.
Our teacher rolled her eyes! At a museum lady! Who was getting us in trouble!
You know how sometimes someone tells you something, and it really changes your life, but you don't actually remember the words they said? You just sort of remember the message they conveyed?
That eye-roll was the message. My teacher did say something to us after the museum lady walked away, but I can't remember exactly what. Something like: don't listen to her, or sing if you want to sing, or you don't need to be quiet. Something empowering like that.
The reason that event meant so much to me is that, for as long as I can remember (up to and including adulthood), my mother has told me I am too loud. I talk too loudly. I attract too much attention. "People are looking at you!"
Fifteen years ago (give or take), I attended a seminar given by Farzana Doctor. She talked about queer people often being seen as "too loud."
When I was in middle school, I still watched cartoons. Heck, when I was in high school I still watched cartoons. But we're talking middle school, here, when my friends also watched cartoons because we all had younger siblings and because we just plain liked cartoons.
We'd all seen this episode of Bobby's World recently when we went on a class trip to a museum. My friends and I started scream-singing this song as we walked around. We were fourteen and museums were boring and singing loudly was fun.
The museum lady came over and gave us a stern lecture, basically telling us to shut the hell up. This was a serious place of learning.
Our teacher, who'd been walking alongside us, rolled her eyes at the museum lady.
Our teacher rolled her eyes! At a museum lady! Who was getting us in trouble!
You know how sometimes someone tells you something, and it really changes your life, but you don't actually remember the words they said? You just sort of remember the message they conveyed?
That eye-roll was the message. My teacher did say something to us after the museum lady walked away, but I can't remember exactly what. Something like: don't listen to her, or sing if you want to sing, or you don't need to be quiet. Something empowering like that.
The reason that event meant so much to me is that, for as long as I can remember (up to and including adulthood), my mother has told me I am too loud. I talk too loudly. I attract too much attention. "People are looking at you!"
Fifteen years ago (give or take), I attended a seminar given by Farzana Doctor. She talked about queer people often being seen as "too loud."
In that moment, everything came together: my mother's chastisements, my loud-ass queerness, Bobby's World, the museum lady, and my wonderful Grade 8 teacher, who told me and my friends we didn't have to be quiet. We could sing if we wanted to sing.
I say this often, but it's worth repeating: you never know when your words are going to change someone's life. Often, you won't even know that they have.
But, since I didn't get to say it at the time, thank you to Mademoiselle R. You probably don't remember that day 30 years ago, but I sure do.
If you're wondering how you can support me in bringing you songs and anecdotes, the easiest thing you can do is buy my books (most are for adults only!) or check them out from your local library.
I say this often, but it's worth repeating: you never know when your words are going to change someone's life. Often, you won't even know that they have.
But, since I didn't get to say it at the time, thank you to Mademoiselle R. You probably don't remember that day 30 years ago, but I sure do.
If you're wondering how you can support me in bringing you songs and anecdotes, the easiest thing you can do is buy my books (most are for adults only!) or check them out from your local library.
Supporting my AudioErotica endeavour on Patreon would also help me hugely.
I'm also an Amazon Influencer, so hopefully I can make a little pocket change when you buy stuff by clicking through my affiliate links.
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See you soon!
Giselle
