Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Livin’ on a Prayer

  
Easter morning sky.

I’m not sure how else to live anymore. Except on a prayer.

I’ve been known to say about some of my endeavors that we’re flying by the seat of our pants, the grace of God, and the power of prayer.

I’m spinning so many plates right now … well … I’ve lost count but I think we’ve busted out the good china and the everyday and the salad plates and the holiday plates and the backup extra fun stuff for parties and a few paper plates on top of that. I’m buried in plates. And stress.

Relying on the power of prayer.

Some of those plates are being uncooperative this week. The thought of launching into a Greek dance while throwing plates against the wall crossed my mind, which led me to locate the following on Wikipedia, the reliable research source of everything …

The custom probably derives from an ancient practice of ritually "killing" plates on mourning occasions, as a means of dealing with loss. Breaking plates may also be related to the ancient practise of conspicuous consumption, a display of one's wealth, as plates or glasses are thrown into a fireplace following a banquet instead of being washed and reused.

In 1969, the military dictatorship of Georgios Papadopoulos, that had suspended democracy and ruled Greece autocratically from 1967 to 1974, banned plate smashing to the great disappointment of Greeks and foreign tourists alike. While it is no longer officially allowed at Greek nightclubs, it still happens occasionally. For private celebrations such as weddings, modern Greeks may purchase specially-produced plaster plates, which are less expensive and dangerous, while being more easily broken. Another modern variation on the custom is for diners at small Greek restaurants or tavernas to buy trays of flowers that they can throw at singers and each other.

[Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plate_smashing]

Trays of flowers. As in they throw the flowers only? Not the tray? Remind me to practice my flowerpot-ducking skills if I’m ever called upon to sing in a Greek taverna. Because this is a huge possibility. You know it is.

Did you catch the part about throwing plates and glasses into the fireplace to avoid washing them? My grandmother, may she rest in peace, would be appalled. She would have a full on conniption. A hissy fit even. She was well known for washing and reusing red plastic Solo cups. Everyone had their own assigned cup for yeeeeaaarrrrssss, with their name written on it in black Sharpie.

Frugality is admirable, especially when livin’ on a prayer, but hey.

Plates. Prayers. Jon Bon Jovi.

I have so many plates going this week that I told one of my writing partners in crime what she could do for me was … continue praying and … name the blog theme. Which she very kindly did. She has a few plates of her own spinning.

I just saw this on the same Wikipedia page. This is information you need to know, people. I’m here not only to inspire but to educate as well.

In Part I of The Love Boat S6 E18 episode (February 5, 1983) titled: "Isaac's Aegean Affair/The Captain and the Kid/Poor Rich Man/The Dean and the Flunkee," Gopher initiates plate smashing in a Greek restaurant.

[Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plate_smashing]

Yes.

From what I’ve found on the interwebs today, apparently there is some support for making “Livin’ on a Prayer” the official state song of New Jersey. Did you know New Jersey is the only state without an official song of any kind? The only one! A song was approved by the legislature many years ago but never signed into law by the governor. Any governor. Never. And nothing by Bon Jovi. Nothing by Springsteen.

It’s also worth noting in the midst of today’s stream of consciousness Wikipedia-researched musings that “Livin’ on a Prayer” appeared on the album “Slippery When Wet”.

Yep.

I’ll be over here keeping the plates spinning while sliding gracefully around the slippery floor.

Livin’ on a prayer.


Sometimes this tree lives on a prayer. It's got a nice bloom going now, though. Look for updates on my Facebook page.

Keep looking up.

For more thoughts on Livin’ On a Prayer and 80s hair bands from my writing partners, see Sue Bowles at bebold7.wordpress.com and Leisa Herren at life4inga.blogspot.com.


Once upon a time
Not so long ago

Tommy used to work on the docks
Union’s been on strike
He’s down on his luck…it’s tough, so tough
Gina works the diner all day
Working for her man, she brings home her pay
For love - for love

She says we’ve got to hold on to what we’ve got
‘cause it doesn’t make a difference
If we make it or not
We’ve got each other and that’s a lot
For love - we’ll give it a shot

Whooah, we’re half way there
Livin’ on a prayer
Take my hand and we’ll make it - I swear
Livin’ on a prayer

Tommy’s got his six string in hock
Now he’s holding in what he used
To make it talk - so tough, it’s tough
Gina dreams of running away
When she cries in the night
Tommy whispers baby it’s okay, someday

We’ve got to hold on to what we’ve got
'cause it doesn’t make a difference
If we make it or not
We’ve got each other and that’s a lot
For love - we’ll give it a shot

Whooah, we’re half way there
Livin’ on a prayer
Take my hand and we’ll make it - I swear
Livin’ on a prayer

We’ve got to hold on ready or not
You live for the fight when it’s all that you’ve got

Whooah, we’re half way there
Livin’ on a prayer
Take my hand and we’ll make it - I swear
Livin’ on a prayer


~ Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ On a Prayer”


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