Thing a Week 46 – You Ruined Everything
I was having a conversation with a friend who had recently become a parent, and she reminded me of something I had forgotten about since my daughter was born. She was describing this what-have-I-done feeling – I just got everything perfect in my life, and then I went and messed it all up by having a baby. I don’t feel that way anymore, but the thought certainly crossed my mind a few times at the beginning. Eventually you just fall in love and forget about everything else, but it’s not a very comfortable transition. I compare the process to becoming a vampire, your old self dies in a sad and painful way, but then you come out the other side with immortality, super strength and a taste for human blood. At least that’s how it was for me. At any rate, it’s complicated.
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Comments
Misty says
Good stuff. I like to tell my three baby girls how much they've ruined my life and body while chain smoking at the kitchen table in a too small bathrobe with mismatched slippers and a bottle of whiskey in my lap, just like my momma and her momma before her. Viva la South!
Actually it's a very sweet honest song.
Ryan says
Hmmm...the link to the MP3 ain't operational...
Matt says
I'm sure he's on it, but in the mean time, if you take out the %20 codes in the url after clicking the link it'll work.
Dave says
I take it this won't be on the children's album, then?
Matt says
Also, neat. There's no little Matt's running around now and won't be in the immediate future, but the song made me smile. Good job.
Ape Lad says
Vampires also get a cape out of the deal.
Damon says
This dovetails nicely with a blog (www.dooce.com) I just started reading Wednesday. The first link is very close to the message of the song:
http://www.dooce.com/archives/nubbin/04_27_2006.html
This next link shows how funny Heather's writing is:
http://www.dooce.com/archives/daily/05_04_2006.html
Cheers,
Damon
Cheyenne Wright says
Yay! I asked JC a few months back if he would be willing to write a song for my wedding. He turned it down, saying that this sort of thing was too personal and didn't feel comfortable with it.
TOO BAD SUCKA! Looks like you did it anyway... :)
Jeremy Henty says
Awww, how poignant. /me hopes that someday someone will ruin my life as nicely as that.
Tree House Concerts says
Great...just in time for my daughter's first birthday party tomorrow (8/19).
Keith says
Great song, JC. The funny thing is, that after the first couple years with the first kid, you start to develop a new sense of self beyond diaper changing and whatnot (I think the feeling directly correlates with the critter getting potty trained).
And that feeling lasts until you have another child, and then you realize that you have gone from a double-team defense to man-on-man, and that your life really won't be the same until you're much, much older, at which point you'll be much, much older.
I can't even fathom how folks do it with 3, 4, 8 kids. Oy. That said, I'm so happy that you captured the bitterSWEET! nature of adjusting to parenthood. Thanks for another great song.
Peace,
Keith
Len says
I can't even remember what how I lived my life before my five kids. I think I was always destined to have lots of kids. I feel that the person I am today is really who I was always meant to be. So it's kind of the other way around for me. Although, I can certainly relate to that whole "this is permanent" kind of feeling. And I was only 24 when I was having those thoughts. Good song.
Misty says
Well said Len. I feel the same way with mine. For me it more like "Thank God you've finally arrived to ruin everything, I've been waiting."
Patrick M~ says
Len, is that how you're able to churn out Things A Week + Hoboes at such a crazyalarming rate? You have five understudies, Jim Davis stizz.?
Glenn says
Sorry, I was off winning the US Open. Did I miss anything?
Bob says
Not to put a damper on things, 'cause I like the song and all, but the word "runied" is not enuciated enough. I never heard the word in my first casual listen and thought I was listening to the wrong song. I kept hearing "You and everything."
I'm afraid that anyone who hears this for the first time without knowing the title wouldn't "get" the lyrics.
Tabby says
That's just darling.
Piggy says
Well done JC. This song is really nice and touch. I love it very much.
Alex Diakonis says
I am normally not one to comment on older posts for anyone, least of all a person whom I never met. but The line about transition into a vampire; man I have been looking for seven years this december to find the right words on how it feels. you hit it on the head. Guess that's why your on that end of the microphone. keep on doin what you do and i'll keep downloading and buying and blogging about your greatness!
Jon says
...perfect...
ladybelle says
How is your life at an end??? it is a new begining..Embrace it.............