[Couple Spotlight] Lambchop & Mr. Stroppy

We have a very special treat today. Instead of our regular Member Spotlight, MTaG is launching its first ever Couple Spotlight! :D

My first set of guinea pigs...uh, I mean...interviewees ( :o ) are the lovely Lambchop and her knight in shining armor Mr. Stroppy. :)

http://a716.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/54/l_20cd39503a4b1966994ec4bb9db5cab3.jpg

You think you know them well? :eek: THINK AGAIN! :evil:

Lambchop, what was the very first thing you noticed about Mr. Stroppy?

http://www.mindtheagegap.com/forum/image.php?u=366&dateline=1175659525:

It’s hard for me to describe it, but I’ll try… The first thing I noticed about him, in person, was a sweetness that was like an aura around him. Corny-sounding, I know, but that’s how it was. I’d long been friendly with him on our music message board and enjoyed his incredible wit, depth and intelligence for years. But that first in-person encounter was something very special. I saw his blue eyes and smile and before I knew it, I was wrapped up in a hug that I’ve never fully recovered from!

Mr. Stroppy, what was the very first thing you noticed about Lambchop?

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Having first met her online at a music chat forum, it didn't take long to see how bright and witty and vivacious she was. She has a wicked sense of humor and is very deep and thoughtful. And, even though I'd seen a picture or two of her before our first face-to-face meeting, I was totally knocked out by just how beautiful she is. Especially her eyes!

I understand that both of you are big music fans. What are some of your favorite bands?

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Well, I grew up in the sixties and I feel blessed for having had that experience. The Beatles will always be No. 1 on my list. I like the Who (which is what brought Lambchop and I together)...Warren Zevon...Roy Buchanan...Bob Dylan...Neil Young...et al.... But, I'm also very interested in hearing new music. Fact of the matter is, is that if I only had classic rock radio to listen to, I'd probably blow my brains out! I very much like Radiohead, Arcade Fire, The Shins (thanks to my sweetheart), Catherine Wheel, Sufjan Stevens (again...thanks to my baby...she's been very instrumental in introducing me to a lot of cool bands)

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One of the things I really love about my sweetheart is the way in which he's genuinely kept up with new music. It's also great that we are VERY alike in our musical tastes, although I know I leave him scratching his head sometimes when I get a bit TOO eclectic! (See the next question.) LOL

I grew up listening to opera, classical and showtunes, so I was kind of late getting into popular music. But I’m a big fan of all the people Stroppy mentioned, plus bands/artists like Rufus Wainwright; Gregory Page (despite Mr Stroppy’s latent desire to smash Gregory’s glasses…he’ll have to fill you in on that!), Sly & the Family Stone; Jeff & Tim Buckley; Joni Mitchell; Neko Case; Miles Davis; The Finn Brothers; Illapu; Lyle Lovett; The Flaming Lips; Love; DJ Danger Mouse; The Marginal Prophets; Caetano Veloso; Big Star; The Jam; Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band; Hem; Belle & Sebastian; Lucinda Williams; Smokey Robinson; Nick Drake; Traffic; Earth, Wind & Fire…and so on and so forth. I love soul, rock, indie, funk, “international”, mod, folk…I have a massive CD/LP collection!

When you guys get in the car, who gets to pick the CD or radio station? :D

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LOL! I don't think there will be much argument here in that when we're in the car, Lambchop has total and unqualified dominion over the music. And, that's perfectly okay by me. She has very good taste and we both like a lot of the same things with very few exceptions. It's rare that, in her unceasing punching of radio pre-set buttons, she'll pass over a song I really like and I will have to shoot her a wounded look when she goes on to something else. ;)

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*hangs head in shame* Oh, this is so true! I have wicked radio dial ADD, which I know I need to work out! Mr. Stroppy once relented and let me program the other half of his car’s radio presets…which were totally empty! So now the poor guy’s got an excellent array of soul, Mexican and R&B channels in addition to his usual rock rotation. :)

A little birdie tells me that you are both very talented people, artistically. Is that true?

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Lambchop is an extremely talented writer and poet. I had the pleasure of watching her create one of her poems when she was inspired by the view from our table at a restaurant in Big Sur. Her short stories are extraordinary and I have no doubts that she could take this talent as far as she wanted to in her life.

I, myself, have not painted for about 25 years. It was the one thing throughout school that I thought I had any talent for and in college and beyond had something of an intense work period before finally burning out. I belonged to an art group that had juried shows every month and I occasionally had one of my works selected for exhibition. Lambchop has made it one of her life's goals, seemingly, to get me to paint again. She has very persuasive methods as, for the first time in many, many years, she allowed me to put pencil to paper and do some sketches of her. I was pretty rusty...but she is quite the inspiration!

http://www.mindtheagegap.com/forum/image.php?u=366&dateline=1175659525:

You see how sweet this guy is? Sheesh. I’m so freakin’ lucky.

Well, Mr Stroppy is the kind of artist that makes aspiring artists envious. His talent is so immense that I’m not ashamed to admit that I’m *constantly* pestering him to take it up again – it is indeed a life goal! I had to do a lot to coax those sketches out of him………but it was well worth it! ;-p

And yes, I’m a writer. I have a degree in it and freelance for now, but I’d love to make it a real career sooner than later.

Lambchop, what is the favorite thing you've ever written? Show us, please!

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This is Mr. Stroppy’s favorite poem. It’s won a couple of awards, so I suppose that makes it my favorite, too!

I’ve lain upon sleepy Kansas prairies
Curve beyond curve
Down to earth’s lazy zenith
Grass yawning and stretching
Beyond the edge where the wind,
Like fingers through long hair,
Bends and combs wheat and weeds.
I imagine that the stars are stretching
Out across the sky, like I stretch
across my twin bed upon awakening,
lover’s hands in my hair,
my spine, the Milky Way,
centerpiece of the view
thin, crooked, full of nerves and stars.

Mr. Stroppy, what is the favorite thing you've ever painted? Show us, please!

http://www.mindtheagegap.com/forum/image.php?u=368&dateline=1175611242:

This painting is Lambchop's favorite as it is mine. I feel it encompassed everything I wanted to accomplish in a painting. Hope you like it!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v32/waywardwind/PaintingI.jpg

Tell us two truths and one lie that apply to you as a couple--the other members will be asked to guess which is which. ;)

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1. We both love to go out dancing! The coolest thing about San Diego is the nightlife and all the fabulous dance clubs. I generally prefer Latin-flavored stuff (like merengue), while Stroppy goes for swing.

2. We are both very good cooks! We each have our specialties (eggplant parm, deviled eggs, marinated steak, pasta sauces, etc.), and love to make dinner for one another.

3. Initially, neither of us wanted to have a family. As our relationship has grown, we’ve completely changed our tune. This was especially remarkable for Mr Stroppy, as he’d made up his mind that he didn’t want kids waaaaay before I was ever a thought in anyone’s mind myself!

#2

Hmm #1.

And WOW!!! Both the poem and the painting are amazing. The painting reminds me of home.. bah.. here come the tears.. beautiful both of you.

#1

Very cool couple I might add.:cool:

Very cool!!!

Beautiful, handsome, interesting, talented people!

Gosh, I don't know which one of the three might be the lie....
They all sound very plausible to me.....

I'm leaning towards #1 or #3.....
or.....#2....LOL! :D

Ok.....#1

Wow, great to get to know both of you a little more. I LOVE your tastes in music - really matches my BF and I!! You two rock - your poem and painting are really good too.

I'm going with #1.

I'm picking #1.

Ooo...a wide variety of guesses! ;)

What a talented couple! You should write a book of poems and he can illustrate it. :)

I say #1 is the lie.

I pick #1!

Stroppy didn't mention anything about swing when he was talking about his favorite music. :skeptical:

I pick number 3...I am thinking you guys are very out going and love each others company...and kids haven't even crossed your minds! You two are romantics!;) :D

I pick #1!

Stroppy didn't mention anything about swing when he was talking about his favorite music. :skeptical:


Yes... I'm cagey in that way... :D

I mean... Look at our picture!!! Do we not look lak zee dancing fools???! :scared:

number 3 :)

It is good to know more about you guys!

I am guessing #3

I LOVE the poem and painting...you guys are indeed a very talented couple!

I'm guessing #3 for the lie.

~Crysania

:hmm: I dunno.

I'm going to guess #1. No logic, just guessing.

I hope it's not #3 cause you all would have one good-looking, incredibly talented child!!!

What a cool, cool couple!

I say #1 is the lie. For some odd reason lots of people who love music and have great taste in music don't dance and even hate dancing.

Em, are we supposed to give the answer now? :)

Em, are we supposed to give the answer now? :)
That depends. Was my answer correct? :D

Oh, guys, you are wonderful! And I love the painting SOOOO much!
Well, I don't know where's the lie... say #1... but I'm so not sure :hmm:

Lambchop and I decided the time has come to reveal all. :yay:

But first! Thank you...every last one of you... for your very kind comments and compliments. We're humbled and really appreciate how supportive and welcoming you all are.

And......



You are all quite astute, judging by how many of you guessed the lie as being...........yes........................YES.....................











... #1 :award:


We both would basically have to be dead drunk to want to go out on the dance floor. Which, now that I think about it, doesn't sound like such a bad idea. :D

Anyway... nothing gets by this crowd... so congratulations to those of you who chose that selection. :applause:


The No. 3 selection was as good a diversion as we could come up with. And, it's all true. I've lived most of my life feeling like I would never want kids. Lambchop changed her mind about kids after she met me. I resisted for awhile...but a very, very good friend of mine sat me down and explained what the experience of raising children was like in a way I could finally understand and, more importantly, how it applied to my love for my SO. It all became connected for me and now...we'll see where this all goes! :)

Thanks again! You guys are the best! :yourock:

Lambchop changed her mind about kids after she met me. I resisted for awhile...but a very, very good friend of mine sat me down and explained what the experience of raising children was like in a way I could finally understand and, more importantly, how it applied to my love for my SO.

That is really sweet. :)

Isn't it funny how when you meet that special someone, much of your previous thinking about how your life should be goes out the window? ;)

:giggle: That's a good way of putting it, Em...

My friend who talked to me about raising children asked me if I thought I'd ever meet and come to deeply love someone as I did with Lambchop. Of course, I never thought anything like that would happen to me. My friend told me it's the same way with having children because you can see your SO in that child. So..the wheels inside started turning... ;)

Sweetheart, you are just too much! Oh, jeeze... :love:

Thanks to everyone for their very kind words. Now that you know that we are two of the worst dancers *evah*...well, I shouldn't say that Stroppy is, 'cos I've never seen him dance. But, trust me; if I'm dancing, it's a sure sign that I should cut myself off! ;)

Sweetheart, you are just too much! Oh, jeeze... :love:

Thanks to everyone for their very kind words. Now that you know that we are two of the worst dancers *evah*...well, I shouldn't say that Stroppy is, 'cos I've never seen him dance. But, trust me; if I'm dancing, it's a sure sign that I should cut myself off! ;)

Well, you're not the only couple that can't dance. LOL! We tried to bust a move at a club together once and the generation gap definitely showed.:blush:

You two are such a sweet and awesome couple!;)