Shopping Urban by Jane Shore

Somehow, even though she's only six, I relate to this poem.

Shopping Urban

by Jane Shore

Flip-flopped, noosed in puka beads, my daughter
breezes through the store from headband to toe ring,
shooing me away from the bongs,
lace thongs, and studded dog collars.
And I don't want to see her in that black muscle tee
with SLUT stamped in gold glitter
shrink-wrapped over her breasts,
or those brown and chartreuse retro-plaid
hip-huggers ripped at the crotch.

There's not a shopper here a day over twenty
except me and another mother
parked in chairs at the dressing room entrance
beyond which we are forbidden to go.
We're human clothes racks.
Our daughters have trained us
to tamp down the least flicker of enthusiasm
for the nice dress with room to grow into,
an item they regard with sullen, nauseated,
eyeball-rolling disdain.

Waiting in the line for a dressing room,
my daughter checks her cleavage.
Her bellybutton's a Cyclops eye
peeking at other girls' armloads of clothes.
What if she's missed something—
that faux leopard hoodie? those coffee-wash flares?
Sinking under her stash of blouses,
she's a Shiva of tangled sleeves.

And where did she dig up that new tie-dyed
tank top I threw away in '69
and the purple wash 'n' wear psychedelic dress
I washed and wore
and lost on my Grand Tour of Europe
and my retired hippie Peace necklace
now recycled, revived, re-hip?

I thought they were gone—
like the tutus and tiaras and wands
when she morphed from ballerina
to fairy princess to mermaid to tomboy,
refusing to wear dresses ever again.
Gone, those pastel party dresses,
the sleeves, puffed water wings buoying her up
as she swam into waters over her head.

"Shopping Urban" by Jane Shore from A Yes-or-No Answer. © Houghton Mifflin, 2008. Reprinted with permission. (buy now)

Thank you http://writersalmanac.publicradio.org/index.php?date=2008/09/16

Photo Shoot Leads to Clarity

Today is a great example of how my worlds collide. My daughter and I are doing a photo shoot tomorrow for an article that VAIN Magazine is doing on me and BlueShoes Media. I am so very excited about this and honored to be asked to participate.

I work in media all day. I dole out advice to my clients regularly about their photos, how they came across in the last interview and have been known to say things like "please, don't wear your hair like that again on television, it may work in real life but on camera it doesn't do you justice." Oh how the tables have changed. I am usually very laid back but have spent most of the last two days looking for that perfect outfit that represents me to a T and shaves off 10 lbs. Half way through my frenzy today I stopped and asked myself "What am I doing? Why am I so stressed on this?"(literally, out loud in Banana Republic as I downed the rest of my third double-tall americano). I mean, what message am I sending to my little one? I am blessed to be receiving this coverage, and it's not for my appearance, it's for my accomplishments! Reality check.

Ironically, I just posted a tip on quality photos on my Music Publicity Blog yesterday.


Now, it is true that my daughter does not HAVE to be in the photo with me but honestly she's such a HUGE part of my journey, it would be dishonest not to include her.

I give thanks to the clarity received from this great opportunity.

The Hannah Montana Experience: Master Machine with Mixed Messages for Girls

The Jonus Brothers opened with "We're the Kids of the Future." They were lowered onto the stage by an enormous contraption, to the screams of 16,000 pre-pubescent girls, my five year old included.

Their set continued with well-choreographed staging and elaborate instrument changes between songs. This perfectly rehearsed "if we were a 60s British rock group that dressed like Duckie from Pretty in Pink, 80s glam, this is how it would go." I think the one in the red pants actually studied film of Mick Jagger's early years....the mannerisms are uncanny. Each lip-synched tracked (okay, maybe most were sung over the track, but it was a rather high track) was backed up by the "support band" who were at least 15 years older than any member of Jonus Brothers. A feature lost on most of the audience, except maybe the parents.

But I am getting a head of myself.

The venue was Seattle's Key Arena, home to the NBA Super Sonics and NHL Thunderbirds. I have been here before, but NEVER seen a frenzy on the grounds quite like tonight. Picture this, a line of bright pink tour buses with Hannah Montana's large face on both sides. Flanked with bright pink "red'" carpets and ropes, lining the way to a staged photo op with a Hannah Montana cardboard cut out (something kind of disturbing about this). Merchandise tents lined the path and the lines were staggering. The centerpiece was a spherical stand and a man with a loudspeaker hollering Hannah Montana trivia & encouraging crowd participation for candy prizes. All this BEFORE the doors opened.

Hannah Montana entered the stage with as much drama as the opening act, if not more. Being lowered from the sky by what I can only describe as a disco "cube" rather than a disco ball and exploding onto the stage with a pyrotechnics and a sequined consume. She was accompanied by two back up singers, rivaled only by Elaine on Seinfeld, Hannah Montana and her backup singers cannot dance. At times they were painful to watch (seriously...a kick ball change is quite challenge). There were however, eight back up dancers that could stay on beat. Every song was carefully choreography and accompanied by a costume change: pleasing to even the pickiest 12 year old.

About 3/4 of the way through Hannah Montana reappears as Miley Cyrus; A brunette alter ego, who is much more rock than pop. Dare I say, a cooler version (but just as sequined).

For those who've been living on a deserted island, the premise of the Disney-created Hannah Montana show is, that Hannah Montana is an international super-star that lives a normal life "undercover" as Miley Cyrus. (Blond wig = Hannah Montana, brown hair=Miley Cyrus).

To her credit, Miley Cyrus aka Hannah Montana is only 15 years-old and CAN sing. She must work very hard. You can just see the hours and hours of rehearsals, coaching and the management team, concert staff and investment behind her and this production. She is a professional and great at working the audience, there's somewhat of an endearing quality about her, whether nurtured or natural, it works.

Although I could admire the production, my stomach was in knots most of the show becuase I was concened about what beauty standards this scene was creating for my daughter. The concert was an excuse for 8 year olds to wear make up, diamond earrings and high heels. And for little brown girls to wear blond wigs (also disturbing), my daughter did not (and didn't ask to either...whew, guess we're safe for now). I like to think that my first concert, Madonna's Open Your Heart Tour, was a step above this one, but I have a feeling my mom was probably harboring some of these same thoughts.

Regardless what I may not appreciate about the Disney machine as a parent, as a music industry professional I cannot discount the pure genius behind it. One girl, two characters, twice the merchandise and twice the profit.

The cost of the merchandise didn't shock me, but it should have. $30.00 for a child's t-shirt & $20.00 for a concert program! I don't usually pay more than $15.00 for a 5T long-sleeve cotton shirt at Target and think the Gap is overpriced. Now keep in mind, most kids were begging for both a Hannah Montana AND Miley Cyrus t-shirt. But that's the point, right? I am more than positive the "evolution" of Hannah Montana into Miley Cyrus is on the five year plan. A closer look at the merchandise reveals that "Hannah Montana" is a Disney copyright, while Miley Cyrus is not. I wonder how long Miley is contracted to Disney and when we can expect her to break out on her own as an "artist."

Enjoy the pics!

LOADING UP ON SUGAR BEFORE THE SHOW

CROWD BEFORE THE SHOW

THE SHOW

HAPPY FANS (w/ COTTON CANDY)