1430 – Parade of Charades | Trending Tuesday

Episode 1430 – Parade of Charades | Trending Tuesday

SCOOTER: Friends beyond the binary, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, it’s time for the podcaster who’s here to keep you company and take your mind off of stuff, to be your friend in the deep, dark night. I don't know if there can be a parade of meanders. Or, there could be a meandering parade, though parades are not normally meandering. I mean, there are a couple parades with some winding, and then if you had a parade with wind-up toys…here’s an idea; a wind-up toy…that would be a winding parade. It could also…I don't know if that’s a pun. Also, if you're in…I don't know if that was Dion that sang Wa Wa Wa Wonder, but you could also sing Wa Wa Wa Winding Parade, my little winding parade. I wind my wind-up toys for my wa-wa-winding toy parade.

Now, if you're confused already, welcome to Sleep With Me, by the way. It’s a podcast to keep you company, take your mind off of stuff so you could fall asleep, to be your friend in the deep, dark night, your companion, your bore-friend, to just hang out with you so you could fall asleep, so relieve some of the…relieve whatever it is that’s getting in the way of you and sleep or whatever the feelings are around that. This show is very different, but I’m here to help, so see how it goes. It does take a couple tries to get used to. What we got coming up for support…what we got coming up is support, then a long, meandering intro to ease you into bedtime, and then our bedtime story. But I just want you to know if you're new or you only listen once in a while, don't worry about supporting the show.

But if you really like the podcast or you start to like it, you could just follow the podcast in your podcast app of choice, you could comment or like, you could spread the word about the show, let one person know about the podcast, and then if the podcast…you find yourself listening four, five, six nights a week, four more episodes a week, you've been listening for six months or longer, three years or longer, you fall asleep really fast, then, if you're one of those people, we really could use your support. So, not the people that listen occasionally, not the people who can't support the show, not the new listeners. But if you're one of those people whose life is changed by the podcast, think about supporting one of these sponsors or supporting the show directly. Thanks.

Intro: Hey, are you up all night tossing, turning, mind racing? Trouble getting to sleep? Trouble staying asleep? Well, welcome. This is Sleep With Me, the podcast that puts you to sleep. We do it with a bedtime story. Alls you need to do is get in bed, turn out the lights, and press Play. I’m gonna do the rest. What I’m going to attempt to do is create a safe place where you could set aside whatever’s keeping you awake. That could be thoughts on your mind, thoughts about the past, the present, the future, thoughts you're thinking about…so thoughts, it could be feelings, anything coming up for you, feelings about the past, the present, the future, thoughts, feelings that are just there, it could be physical sensations, it could be changes in time, temperature, routine, you could be going through something, you could be in the middle of something, maybe you work a different shift, maybe you just changed jobs or you're in-between or you got guests, you're traveling, you're in the middle of something, whatever it is.

I want to let you know wherever it is, there is someone listening right now that sees you where you are. Whatever it is that brought you here, there is someone holding a caring space, a listener — I mean, I’m trying to do it, too, but — that’s been through something really close to whatever it is that brought you to this show. I can only tell you that because I know there’s enough people listening that I hear from, and their favorite part of the show is this part of the show because they get to root for somebody that they don't even know, but they know what it feels like, and they're glad you're here and they're hoping you get some relief, because they know like I know you deserve a bedtime without rigmarole, without hassle, where you could get the rest you need so your life’s more manageable tomorrow or that bedtime doesn't feel…and the night doesn't feel so unmanageable.

Those listeners are really like me, like man, it’d be nice if you got the rest you need on a regular basis if it’s through this podcast or I can introduce you to something else. That would be cool, right? So, that’s what I’m here to try to do, is to just create a space where I could take your mind off of stuff so you could fall asleep, a very unique way of doing it. Because if you get the rest you need on a regular basis, you could be out there in the world flourishing, and that’s what our world needs most now, is you, really. It may sound trite, but it’s true. You in the world flourishing means our entire planet is a little bit better. Or, well, in your case a lot better. I mean, come on, let’s be honest, you're gonna…had a lot.

That’ll be nice, and it’ll also be nice…if this podcast is a regular part of you, your life, or it’s been a regular part of your life but you haven't participated in this part of the show…those listeners out there that are participating indirectly right now, they get a little bit of extra soothing joy when they're sending out their well wishes to all the new listeners and all the people struggling, and they know that when they're struggling or whenever they need it, not only can they send that joy, send that comfort, but they can receive it, that it’s kind of like a interchange or something or a Venn…like a Venn diagram of different warm sunshines. You say, that’s not…oh yeah, I’m gonna be on this part of the Venn diagram. I need a little bit…I’m gonna take both those suns, the Superman sun and the non-Superman sun, and, yeah, a little bit of that more magic-hour sunshine. I’m gonna put my feet over on those two…alls I can say is I’m not the only one that’s glad you're here or glad you're coming back.

That’s the important thing for me to point out. That’s the only reason this show exists, really, is to help you out. Then if it can help you out on a regular basis, then you get to wish that it helps and hope that it helps somebody else out. Maybe it doesn't even help them. You don't only have to root for people that are in the same spot as you or a similar spot. You could say, there’s somebody out there struggling with something totally different than me, but some of the feelings deep down we share of frustrations and loneliness or whatever it is. That’s the fuel of the podcast. The way it works…and that’s also the most serious part of the podcast, because I’m serious about it. But what I do is I send my voice across the deep, dark night. I use lulling, soothing, creaky, dulcet tones, pointless meanders, and superfluous tangents. So, I go off topic, I get mixed up, I forget what I was talking about, then I re-speak or reword stuff, double back, try to…whatever that was.

I wasn’t playing that game Charades, but I’m sure there’s been people that said, this whole thing’s a charade. How about…? Has there ever…? Here’s an idea. I just thought of it. Maybe I’ve thought of it before, or maybe it exists, and there’s two versions of it. So, are you ready for this? Parade of Charades and Charade Parade. Now, don't…if you make that game, sorry. You're gonna have to send me multiple millions, please. Charade Parade would be like you're playing Charades but you're in a parade. So, you're parading around the room. I’ll figure out the other rules. Maybe this…no, let’s…actually, we can't do it as a episode tonight 'cause of the intro…or maybe we can. I’ll just change…I’ll tell you what, whoever’s editing this — this is a little behind the scenes — let’s change the very beginning and we’ll make that as a part of another episode. So, this episode will be about those two games. So, now I don't even have to even go further.

Charade of Parades, Parade of Charade…Charade Parade, where I may or may not attempt to…I don't know what’ll happen. So, yeah, I’m glad you're here for that. I send my voice across…oh, lulling, soothing, creaky…this is a podcast that…I’m trying to get back to the intro of the podcast. I’m just watching parading charaders in my brain. So, this is a podcast — I kinda alluded to it earlier — that whatever brought you here, you are welcome here. But this show is very different and it does take, I guess, some acclimating or…and it’s just not for everybody. It is a taste thing. Not everybody…it’s not everybody’s thing, just like music or…particularly more like music or books. Or, some people are fiction people, some people are non-fiction, some people are genre fiction. They say, no, I’m just not into that. I say, okay, well, that’s cool. That’s the same thing with Sleep With Me.

Alls I can say is give it a few tries and see how it goes, 'cause when most people get here…maybe you searched for the show, maybe somebody told you about it, maybe you just stumbled on it. You had expectations, right? Then if you've struggled with sleep your whole life or a long time like I have, you kinda want relief but you're skeptical, right? You've spent a lot of money on things, you've tested stuff out, it’s worked once or twice, and then the third time it doesn't work at all. So, if you're skeptical or doubtful or frustrated, that’s the most…that’s how the majority of people get here; not everybody. But most people, they are like, what is this? I thought this was a sleep podcast. What is this guy going on about? So, that’s normal, and alls…so, give the show a few tries. That’s what most regular listeners say. Give it two or three tries and just see how it goes, 'cause if you're skeptical, you're doubtful, you're confused, you expected something a little bit more soothing or…there will be storytelling later.

I mean, I think there’s been storytelling the whole time. But there will be some sort of storytelling. Yeah, 'cause I think it’s a great opportunity to do the old story within a story within a story technique, where then I have three levels of stories to get lost within. But yeah, so, give it a few tries. See how it goes. That’s what most…people that support the show on Sleep With Me+, most of those people didn't like the podcast at first, and then the second time they didn't even…they were like, oh, man, what is…? I can't believe I’m listening to this again. I’m not saying any of this in jest or in irony or snarky. That’s what most people experience, and if that’s not your experience, that’s okay, but that’s kinda…oh, man. Then on the third time they would just wake up the next day, and they say, oh, wait a second, he was serious when he says the show is always going nowhere and never…always never getting started. It’s always…he’s riding the old story clutch. What’s…? It used to be a way to drive cars.

They still…most of the world, they still use it, I think. It’s…story clutch? Yeah. He doesn't even know what it means. He tried to learn a few times to drive a automatic…a manual transmission, but he never did. Should have just…he should have just rode the clutch, but…I mean, which he did. So, what was my point? Yeah, just give the show two or three tries. See how it goes. Now, if you find out it’s not a fit, right? Here, I’m gonna tell you this; you may not remember it but I’m gonna say it every episode…or if you already know this is not gonna work, sleepwithmepodcast.com/nothankyou or /nothanks has other sleep podcasts and sleepy stuff on there so you could still fall asleep. You could find another sleep podcast that works for you. So, just see how it goes. It’s really…you got nothing to lose. Again, if it doesn't work, you just…you could move on and kinda say, well, I guess, yeah, he’s just not…it doesn't work for me. You don't work for me. I say, okay, yeah, that makes sense.

I’m very few people’s cup of tea, but maybe I’m…I mean, that’s the thing with sleep stuff I’ve learned; maybe I’m your cup of tea. Let’s just see what happen…or you say, no tea for me. I’d say, makes sense. So, that’s one thing. The other thing is this is a show you don't really listen to. You just kinda barely listen, like a out-of-focus picture, a show streaming under your pillow, sand passing through your hands, a TV on in the other room, a book or a game or a audiobook or a podcast you're hearing but you're not listening. You're aware of some sort of warbling and it’s comforting and…but you're not paying attention to it. It’s relieving you and kind of distracting you kind of on some other level. Those are the prince…some of the principles behind the podcast, not the pleasure principle, which I don't even know what that was. I think that was Janet Jackson that sang about the pleasure principle. Honestly, I couldn't name any of the lyrics.

Even now I’m like, oh boy, maybe…she was talking about butterflies in the old tummy, I guess. So…but moving quickly on. So, it’s a podcast you could pay attention to but you don't need to, and that’s an adjustment, right? I’m a friend that’s hanging out with you. Here’s the thing; I’ve been making the show over twelve years. I think when you're hearing this it’ll be our fourteen calendar year of making the show. I’m not here to put you to sleep. I’m here to keep you company and I’m here…there’s no pressure to fall asleep with the show at all, no pressure to sleep or fall asleep. I’m here to keep you company. The shows are over an hour for that reason and for the fact that there’s people listening who can't sleep at all, who need a break during the day or in the middle of the night or who need something to listen to while they're working or studying or getting through their day. I’m here to keep them company to the very end and you company to the very end, so there’s no pressure to listen and no pressure to fall asleep.

My role is to be your bore-friend, your bore-bae, your bore-sib, your neighbore, your bore-bie, your boreman, your Boris Borelaf, your chairman of the boreds, your bore-sib, your bore-bruh, your bores, your bore…best bore-friend f’eva, to just hang out with you and be on call talking just like a friend would, but I can do it way more often than your friend cand…can, unless you have a friend named Cand. I’d be…say, that’s a cool name. I’m Cand. Were you recently…? No, no, just…were you ever…? I don't understand. Well, that’s my name. Don't wear it out. I don't know if I…I don't think I could, Cand. I mean, personally, I could. More…most people wouldn't, but as a sleep podcaster, that’s one of my specialties, but I won't do it now. So, that’s a few things you're gonna want to know about the show. The only other thing if you're new that…I like to meet you where you are…is explain why we structure the show the way we do, 'cause the structure of the show can also be very frustrating for new people or just regular listeners in general.

The show is very flexible. But this version that I’ll explain is what benefits the maximum amount of people we can. That’s why we put it out. So, the show starts off with a greeting; friends beyond the binary, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, so you feel seen and welcomed in and you say, oh, okay, I might be able to check that show out. Then after that part is a long…oh, there’s…then after that is support so that paying for the show is optional. It really comes down to the people that listen the most. If they support the show and the sponsors, the show is there for everybody else…or the people that kinda benefit from it, if they support some of the sponsors of the show. But if you're new, you're not in a position to support the show, you're not a person that supports stuff, that’s fine, too. Or if…and if you don't like that stuff, you could still support the show to skip all of it. But that’s what enables us to benefit the most amount of people we can versus it just being a paid service or something.

So, that’s what the support’s about. Also, it’s kinda fun. A lot of the support-related support we do, we have a lot of fun with it, so…but that’s the support. Then after the support, totally separate from the support, is the intro of the podcast, which we're like, twenty minutes into now. That’s a show within a show where I explain what the podcast is, but instead of introducing the same intro every time and it being flashy and short and effective and repetitive, it’s long and meandering and new every time so it’s familiar, it’s reassuring, but it’s fresh. That’s, in my experience with sleep stuff, what I need, is variety and freshness along with that reassurance and familiarity. If something’s too repetitive, it wakes me up or it just…I could just…if my…I could just record my friend and play the same thing over and over again. As you become a super listener, you might find that you have favorites and stuff, but…yeah. So, just see how it goes at first.

This is what benefits the most amount of people, but not all the listeners. The intro also goes on and on and on to ease you into bedtime. So, it’s not meant to put you to sleep. While it does put some people to sleep, most people are winding down, getting ready for bed, getting in bed, getting comfortable, petting their pets, chilling out, doing some wind-down activity, and this is meant to kinda…for all of us to hang out together and for you to have a buffer time, a wind-down time. That’s what works for me personally. That’s what studies have shown works the best. It doesn't work for me all the time; just most of the time. But it also gives me something…to quote…to bring it back to the pleasure principle, it does give me something somewhat…not…Janet, not that kind of pleasure, but something nice at bedtime. Well, I can't say no, not that kind, 'cause I don't know actually what the song was about. I mean, the only time I raised my hand in school was…I was daydreaming.

I said, excuse me, can you tell me what the pleasure principle is again? Then there was dead silence, then some giggling, and then…this was in math. I went into some sort of fugue state, you know? Or Janet Jackson…JJFS, Janet Jackson…JJRFS, Janet Jackson-related fugue…Janet Jacket-related imaginary…JJ…Janet Jackson-related imaginary fugue state…imagining…maybe I wasn't in a fugue state. It was…no, that’s different. Janet Jackson-related daydreaming is totally different. So…but they said, go…why don't you go to the principal? Huh, interesting. So, the principal’s gonna tell me…? They said, no, no. Just go to the principal. Oh, okay. Wasn't I introducing a sleep podcast? I forgot. Oh, I was talking about…oh, my…part of my wind-down routine is stuff I like; petting my dog, snuggling my dog, reading some fiction. That’s what the intro is a part of, to make it nice to go to bed.

Now, if you decide you don't like the intros, we have a separate podcast in every podcast app, Bedtime Stories from Sleep With Me, that just has the story-only portions, and then on Sleep With Me+ there’s even more story-only versions. So, if you just like the story-only versions, you could get that as well, or you want even more stuff. But yeah, the intro is meant to ease you into bedtime. You could set a sleep timer. There’s a lot of stuff you can do with a podcast app, especially a high-quality podcast app, which most of those are listener-supported, like independent podcast apps. So, yeah, try that out, too. But yeah, that’s the structure of the show. Oh no, that’s only the…then after the intro will be some support, and then there will be our story, which apparently is gonna be about…I don't even know. But yeah, it’ll be a Trending Tuesday-style show where…who knows? It’ll be nice. So, I’m glad you're here. I work really hard making the show. So do a bunch of other people.

If you want to support the show back, follow it in your podcast app of choice. Test out podcast apps to see…especially for situations. Like, if you're listening in one app and you have daytime podcasts you love, try out a different podcast app for your nighttime stuff and then your exercising or your walking or your music or whatever. Then you could use those apps also as backups. But yeah, try…whatever, follow, comment, spread the word about the show. If the podcast has changed your life for the better or continues to change your life, we really could use your support checking out these sponsors or supporting the show here directly. Thanks.

Alright everybody, this is Scoots here, and this is a…one of these tales never told, the old Trending Tues…Trending Tales Never Told. It’s funny how these kinda come up when I’m making an intro for something else. Then I say, wait a second, now I’m gonna have to use this intro for this episode, 'cause this reminds me of a tale never told. It’s tough to say whether this tale could be called the Charade Parade or the Parade of Charades. Probably the Parade of Charades, because Charade Parade in this story is used in a different context which would…it could be used in too many contexts, maybe? But this is a tale never told, a Parade of Charades. Now, this also has…now, once upon a time here in Central New York, there was a woman…and I’m gonna add in some extra words 'cause this is a sleep podcast and this story is not about her. But her name was Joan, and she was known as Wheat Germ Joy…Joyous Wheat Germ Joan, among other terms, and she had this…I think it was the Society of Joyous Wheat Germs.

Wheat Germ Joy…Joyous Wheat Germ Joy Society. The reason it’s important is 'cause…well, it’s important for two reasons; one, to make my siblings laugh. Not in this podcast episode, but continuously they remind me of a picture in the newspaper of me as an attendee, not as a participant, though there was one time I do believe I was a participant on a float, and Joan had a parade every year. Maybe later on in the episode we’ll talk about that. But it was…her parade was called…there was the day, where you were supposed to spend…spread joy. In the context, it was just cute to be wheat germs. Yeah, we're wheat…that was a thing. You'd sprinkle it on stuff. It was full of good stuff for you. So, spread that joy around. Oh, but in the picture I’m waving at the parade, but I have a typical look in my face like I’m not present in the present moment. But I’m also kicking my hip out and I’m…I mean, I was probably in third grade, second grade.

So, it’s like a picture that just makes people laugh in a sense at my expense, 'cause it’s just a interesting look. When you say kicking your hip out…you kinda say you're kicking your hip out like you're doing something on Broadway or something like that. But also, I think, yeah, I was on a float one time, some sort of wheat germ…but to spread joy. So, that’s part of this story, is that Joan was such an inspiration to people, but the kind of inspiration that once a year…you forget about that sits latent in your mind, but there’s other ideas of it. Free hugs is one of those big things. The only thing with free hugs is that for people like me, I’m just not comfortable…I’m not really much of a hugger unless we really…unless it’s…society says this is a hugging situation and…or it’s a close family member. But it’s not about…everybody has their different comfort levels, right? I’m just not comfortable getting or giving free hugs. I mean, occasionally I will be, but very rarely.

So, the cool thing about Wheat Germ Joy is that it wasn't…you could do it at any distance. That’s why I make Sleep With Me. It says, we have a indirect closeness, all of us here. But this tale involves someone named Venie, Venie, which is a unique name, Venie. Venie at some point indirectly had been impacted in a positive way by Wheat Germ Joy…Joyous Wheat Germ Joan. But Venie didn't really know it consciously, right? Venie went through those things we go through in life, like wondering…I don't know, Venie was a bit of a daydreamer, and I can relate to that, though Venie daydreamed different things. At the time Venie was really good at math and science at school, and just happened to excel at those type of things, particularly the math and science that a casual person like me would say is like physics. Then I say, is it astrophysics, too? Is there geo…? There probably is geophysics. They say, do you have to…?

Astro…and then there’s geosynchronous orbits and…but there was also always a layer of pursuit, right? Like, when we're on these journeys like Venie was on, Venie said…not directly to herself, but…when she would get praised for being good at math or science by her peers; pretty rare. By her teachers; a little bit more, though sometimes it didn't ring true, 'cause not everybody’s into math or science. But Venie…it’s like this cross where you have aptitude for something and you enjoy it, and so, then you spend time doing it and then you get better at it, and you're interested in it. It also helped boost Venie’s grades. Not every grade was…Venie was not a straight-A student, but a successful student. It kinda was a tough time though, because a lot of people, they have a misunderstanding that there’s a variety of intelligences in the world. It’s a easy thing to forget, 'cause…oh boy, that…the Hollywoodization of intelligence…I think that was a op-ed piece I skipped, 'cause I said, I don't know.

I don't like that title even though it was imaginary. But Venie got caught up in that, that it’s like, wait a second, you're telling me you're a A student…even from her family, they say, you're…you get straight As in math and science, but you don't get As in history, literature, language studies, Spanish at the time Venie was taking, and…they said, well, I get B+ in Spanish. Yeah, no, I didn't…it’s a little bit harder for me. They say, but I don't get it. You could do…how did you get…? You got 100% on this math test. You're taking your math with people two years older than you. So, that kinda served…that kinda misunderstanding and the celebration at the same time offered that waxing and waning, a little discomfort and then relief from the discomfort. All this to say that math and science kinda also took on a extra magical layer of the experience of it.

So, from high school, Venie was well-enough known that going to college to study math…well, would become sort of a confluence of math and science or science that uses math. We’ll just call it geophysics for now because this is just a story. It’s just easier to explain…to study geophysics. Say, I think that’s what I want to learn more about, the physics of the Earth and…within the Earth. Well, 'cause the other thing Venie…while Venie was a little bit more invested in our material world, not Material as been sung by Madonna, though Venie did like that song. Actually, Venie even won a science fair talking about the material in the material world, treaties on Madonna’s…the material that makes up materialism within Madonna’s…something. I can't quite read the sign right now as I’m seeing it in my memory, but that was pretty cool because Venie imagined…she took Material Girl and then analyzed all of the material items within Material Girl and then talked about the materials used to make those material…those material items and where they could have been sourced from.

Actually, it would have won the science fair if people realized where, at the time…'cause Venie was not born in the eighties…that at the time…you say, that’s pretty interesting. Not just where it might be sourced…okay, first of all, was that a silk dress or a satin dress? These are questions we need to establish based on the…based on research. Okay, we could determine that this is this, and at the time, the video was probably produced in this date range. Also, this gown was more than likely done in the style of the…I don't know, I would say Versace just 'cause my…say, that’s just…let’s just say it was a Versace gown. One of the things featured in the video was Madonna in a Versace gown. Oh, okay. Well, at this particular…now the question…and then Venie would…it was just too much for most…they said…even for the judges, which are…you know, judges of science fairs tend to be…you could change times and say know your audience, but that would mean that Venie did not do something awe-inspiring for those that were able to witness what she had done.

It also got her into an incredibly prestigious university with a geophysics program. But that the fact of the matter is most people, they said, huh, Madonna and science, eh? Interesting. Instead of saying, wait a second…you know what I’m saying? She really broke down…okay, is…was it a Versace gown or was it a costume? Okay, if…so, you’re seeing this science project where it has different things, kinda like something…almost like she was investigating. Now, the rule was…I mean, one, there was a time constraint and a space constraint, 'cause I gotta fit a science thing in a booth, but also that Madonna had to be wearing it in the video. Now, fun, imaginary fact; the gloves she was wearing and the dress she was wearing, two different materials from the material world. So, that’s always interesting. But so, that was a point in Venie’s life where…if you were looking…as some…not really any of her peers, though she had friends. They were in their own worlds, you know?

This is adolescence we're talking about here. It’s not a road without its own pot holes, as they say. The road through adolescence, holy moly…I think that’s the old saying. Oshkosh b’gosh, adolescence…also, Scooter has a question; which age is adolescence? ‘Cause then there’s probably another stage, right? Also, I’m not sure which stage I’m in currently. Is there twi…is there something called twilight adolescence or a adolescent twilight stage? ‘Cause I’d like to claim that…right now, at least, as I’m recording this, I say, yeah, I’m in a stage of twilight…I guess it’s not twilight adolescence, 'cause that would mean I’m in adolescence. So, it’d be…and then somebody said, yeah, you're in post-adolescence twilight. I say, no, no, I don't like that one. Twilight adolescence; okay, I can't do that? Adolescent twilight, I guess. But that’s also a song I may write and dance to, Adolescent Twilight. I guess it’d be more of a jazz number. It probably shouldn't have words.

You're right, brain. Holy…is that my left brain or my right brain? I say, you're totally right, Adolescent Twilight…that’s just something that grooves. Okay, so, this was one of the many…it’s just a place where we’ve stopped for a little meander, this science-fair project about Madonna’s material…the material in Madonna’s material world that makes…I think it was that makes up the Material Girl. Also, fun fact; it did makes its way to Madonna, and Madonna did see…Venie did it, made a kind of zine and sent it to Madonna about it, and Madonna enjoyed it, at least as far…even though this is a tale never told…and sent a follow-up letter. Now, unfortunately the follow-up letter never made it to Venie, but Venie did not send the zine to Madonna expecting a return, anyway. Now, could this have changed the trajectory of Venie’s life? I don't know. I think those questions are best suited to be asked here in the tales never told.

But probably not, 'cause there is a sense of inevitability to Venie’s journey, that her…this call to adventure…even if…'cause…I mean, here’s the thing; I don't know a lot about Madonna in the…whatever we were in, the twenties, but I don't know that she’s ever had her own personal scientist, so…or I don't know that she had…oh, this is my personal assistant, Brad Braderson, and this is my personal geophysicist, Venie. Just a tough line item for any performer to have. You'd say, okay, what is your personal…? Oh boy, what is it? Did she manage your crystals? Say, you can see the kind of snark. So, I mean, even if you…you’d be a undercover personal geophysicist, you know? She’s my GP. Then you say, oh, okay, your GP. That makes total…okay. Nice to meet you, Venie. Are you…? Venie at this time would have probably been…had a doctorate. Are you a doctorate of GP? Venie would just laugh. But Venie’s life took a different direction.

I mean, I guess if you were Madonna’s personal geophysicist and you had a good arrangement with Madonna, it’d almost be like you were an endowed professor or something. I don't know anything about that. But you say, okay, most of the time I’m doing research…and yeah, Madonna gets…kinda like when…all the problems that Dolly Parton solved I guess is a real-world example of this. While Dolly Parton never had her own personal geophysicist, she did say at a time in history, how can I help? What steps do I need to take to help everybody? Madonna did do that in a indirect way; just never…the mail got…went to the wrong address. Maple Lane, Maple Ave. Brad Braderson is the personal assistant. He’s also worked on this podcast before. That’s the only way I know about that part. But Brad doesn't need to regret anything because…I don't know. There was other things in the cards for Venie, which was going to school, studying, becoming acclaimed.

I guess for me, if…these are the kind of things that help…if I had all that information from Venie’s report and then I had to have dinner with Madonna, I guess I would over-lean on it, where she’d be…maybe in her head be like, this guy’s only talking to me about Venie’s science…and I say, well, I don't have…I don't really…this is…yeah, I gotta keep asking you questions. I don't know what else to talk about, and I don't want to talk about myself, so I’m just gonna keep asking you questions about Venie’s report. I have it right here in the zine. Or we could sit and eat dinner silently while we color in…we could have two copies of the zine and we could use Crayons and markers to color it in. But luckily that’s not a issue, so…okay, back to where we were. So, Venie’s…went off to schools. Obviously when you become a renown…renowned? Renowned or renown?

A geophysicist of renown…just…or well-known, well respected, some acclaim…not the world’s foremost…it always reminds me of Little Miss Sunshine, that the character was the second-most acclaimed Proust scholar in the world, I believe. I think that’s so…it’s just funny to me. Maybe I even imagined that. But that wasn't Venie’s thing. But so, Venie started this path, right? A path of science and the branching off of science. What do you want to do for science? What do you want to do for Earth? Well, who funds geophysical physicists’ projects? I say, okay, well, interesting. That’s not the important part of our story except for the fact that I guess a call back…what Venie didn't even realize at the time…and it may be missing in her educational journey at the time, was that kind of liberal arts piece. But don't worry, it’ll pay off later. But that even though she didn't directly realize it at the time, her science project about Madonna was a commentary on many things.

It was just so organic that it wasn’t a statement. It was so infused with Venie being Venie and Venie’s view of the world that she didn't know she was making commentary on things in the world. So, within…you know what I mean? We all have this thing within us that is connected to some sort of deeper thing within us or some deeper source in the universe or deeper source within the collective creative unconscious or whatever it is. So, I don't know, I guess that’s only important because there was this dissatisfaction, but it was a vague dissatisfaction. It wasn't directly tied to, oh, we're working on this project for this company. Eh, I don't know if that’s what the geophysics of the Earth are supposed to be…or, oh, okay. Oh wow, you're the department of this? But it’s a interesting thing to think about. Wow, okay, these are interesting geophysical questions to be answered, so I like looking into it. So, that’s just a part of Venie’s…this vague dissatisfaction.

Now, the vague dissatisfaction was also playing out in Venie’s personal life. We're not here to get into it, but Venie was looking for connection, right, and had some friendships from connection and some ups and downs with connection of the heart, and…but nothing…and unfortunately nothing that cleared it all, right, that cleared the board. I don't know, this is where I most relate to Venie, even though our journeys are so different…was like, at some point I’ll be totally okay on the inside and the outside if I just do A, B, and C, or maybe I change D, E, and F within me, and H, I, and J, and I get a handle on L, M, N, O, P. Q, R, S, what can I do? No need to C, U, P or whatever. You know, then I’ll deal with X, Y, and Z. I’ll be all set, all…and those aren't things we say to ourselves directly when we're…if you're like me and you rehearse your whole life before you go out the door, but they are things that exist…maybe they don't exist within everyone, but they exist within me, and I can hear it when I went around collecting Venie’s tale, trying to…I said, this is a tale never told?

Well, I only know part of it. Well, thanks, Brad Braderson, for your…Maple Lane, Maple Place or what…Maple Ave. Holy moly. One number different on the zip code, and you could have got a letter from Madonna. Not just a one-pager, either. Or, you know, the missed…the old missed romances, missed chances. Okay, well, now I gotta make up for it. Oh, wait a second, now I got that. Got the…I got the lab. I don't need a lab partner anymore. I’m fully funded. I got a mentor and mentees. But still, Venie said, huh, something’s not there, something I’m looking for. Venie was searching within the confines of her world, right? Geothermal…whatever. I don't know. Again, I say, man, if I could get myself some of that…I mean, I think me and Venie would both agree if I could tap into that geothermal energy, especially some sort of geothermal heated flooring, maybe a hot tub or a hot spring…I don't see how anything else could cause me…you’re telling me my home is geothermal, cooled and heated?

Is that…? No, it’s not a radiant heat. The floor is geothermal. Wow. Okay, yeah, I’m…I’ll be fine, then. But even as Venie and other scientists she worked with or even had rivalries with did unlock some of the great geothermal mysteries, there was something missing. One piece of it, though, that never seemed real to Venie was the fact that…I almost got to this earlier and then I went off topic…is that Venie believed in the magic beneath the earth. Not just the real magic, right, which is magic enough. She would say that all the time. The core of the Earth is magic enough. But I really like reading fiction that involves under…worlds with…under the earth. I even thought for the longest time Middle Earth happened in the middle of the Earth. Even when I heard about the stories or people told it to me, I said, how is there sky in the middle of the Earth? But that’s pretty cool if there is. So, Venie also wondered and wa-wa-wondered if there was a magical world within the Earth, beneath the Earth.

Her science brain would say, okay, pipe it down or whatever. Then she’d read about some big discovery like this, whatever, the innermost briny shrimp. That’s an imaginary being that lives…they say, well, that leaves deep within the Mesocrust, which — Venie’s already corrected me — doesn't exist. But I’d say, yeah, just like a, whatever, a geosynchronous…I’d say, keep it up, Venie. You'll be a geosynchronous scientist, and you'll be out there in a lab circling Earth if you keep interrupting me about the innermost briny shrimp. Venie was hoping there’d be…oh no, no, no, we didn't just…that’s…the innermost briny shrimp are actually the sea moneys of the…of Middle Earth. We finally discovered it. Middle Earth doesn't just have a sky. I don't know. Venie would always wonder, how would that even work, right?

Her theory was that some part of molten rock with some sort of pathway to other universes…so, when she would daydream or try to find either hard sci-fi or looser, more imaginary-based sci-fi, she would look for stuff where it’s like, okay, in the…somewhere in the molten rock, something happens, or molten rock is not what it seems. So, something exists within it and beyond it, beyond our understanding. Then another thing was and/or micro-worlds, 'cause she really wanted Middle Earth…not just the one from the books but something like that, something fully transformative but also familiar; sky, regular physics, horses, Aragon or whatever, magic, mostly good stuff. Okay, what if it was a micro-world somehow? Different things. But that wasn’t quite enough because, you know, as you learn…once you learn…this is not something Venie ever said, but once you learn that the meso-Earth or whatever…meso layer of Earth…mesosphere is not real, it takes away something.

So, it was like, once she knew that the briny…innermost briny shrimp was only innermost briny shrimp, it was kind of like a slow let down. Just like Scoots, she said, once I reach a certain point in, whatever, Earth and physics or whatever you want…I mean, I guess that’s what she was gonna be if she lived within Middle Earth. That’s what they would…Earth in physik, with a K. I say, well, would I be a smithy or a….? But that’s what I’m gonna call it, or some sort of potion maker. Probably a smithy. So, she did make one last try, which was…'cause it was a bigger let down than it really sounds. Okay, this is…that was the big discovery; okay, some sort of briny shrimp. You don't even…you can't even prove how it even got there, and we haven't found any more populations of them except for that pocket. Okay, great.

The water could have been somebody’s…you tell me it could have been actual sea monkeys that at some point hit a pocket of the perfectly…perfect temperature of salty water, went through a bunch of cracks, and ended up down there in a perfectly temperate pocket? That’s a bummer. I said, well, I’ll wait ‘til the data’s in. But so, Briny got into…not LARPing, 'cause Venie wasn't really into the action part so much as the living part. She did get into ren-faireing, and eventually got into work…having a booth as a decorative wearing thing, like things you would wear decoratively, smithy with different…I don't know what that’s called. So, different metals, maybe jewellery, maybe other stuff. Venie got into that. But then what happened was there was…at the ren faire Venie was going to, there was also a little love connection there for a time, but like they say, this ren faire only runs for six weekends in September. They say, there’s not six weekends in September.

They say, this ren faire only runs six weekends in autumn or the summer, or if there was six weeks in September, six…if there was a six-weekend September, that’s what it felt like. That would be the song I would have sung about our last ren faire together. But Venie’s interests, they moved on to different ren…maybe they moved on from ren faires. In the next autumn people saw that Venie was a little bit different, a little bit more withdrawn, and people noticed it at work or whatever. Finally someone said…they didn’t say, ye lass name of Venie, but they kinda did. They said, hey, what’s going on? Seems like you've lost all joy in creating jewellery, casting…I don't know, is that…? And even science. They said, is it that…the person you were in…? Venie said, you know what? No. Innermost briny shrimp is what really…I mean, yeah, that one, it’s not easy getting over love lost. But I don't think Middle Earth is real.

They laughed, then they laughed again, and they did what all…any of us would imagine in a cinematic moment like this the person would do, and who knows if this person was Elvish or Orgish or looked burly or they were wearing wings, whatever it was. They laughed heartily and they said, oh Venie, oh Venie, Middle Earth’s right here, right here all around us, but most of all…and they said, yeah, right there in your heart, Venie. Come on. Look at this. People come here, they watch you work. The joy is already here. You just…it was never the briny shrimp. The briny shrimp was only…at first, Venie didn't get it. I mean, most of us…say, yeah, typical. Of course; Middle Earth’s right here in my heart. Then I can't even go there. So, like a lot of us, instead of it being immediate, this rebound to joyousness, it kind of got where…I don't know. I mean, Venie…Scoots could be a bit of a grouch and a bit of a withdrawn grouch that still participates but scowls and exists on periphery of things.

I can't think of the word, but as this group of people who had gotten connected through this one ren faire and…that was big enough that it kind lasted a significant part of the year, and then they stayed in touch and got together in-between. As time had passed and Venie’s…kinda cut back, the dissatisfaction meant a withdraw from the career, too, which people were never…they didn't realize Venie knew how to manage things. They said, you're gonna give up your…? You gotta, whatever, your…whatever you call it, tenured, or you got this thing from this council of whatever. You gonna work at a ren faire? Venie said, I could do both a little bit. They said, I don't think you can. Venie said, well, I’ll find a school where I can do both a little bit, then. But I know I have valuable knowledge. I know I’m good with the students. Oh, okay, okay, don't worry, we’ll make it work with your ren faire schedule.

She said, I wish you wouldn't call it that. That’s not what I call it. But anyway, I gotta move on. But it was one fateful night not too long after they said Middle Earth’s within your heart that Venie was on the periphery particularly feeling it, right? For a while she had taken it out on or projected it, as they’d say, or blamed the people closest to her. Particularly, she had just gone through this phase where she kinda was almost in the ostrich…ostrichization — you know what I’m saying? — of her friends, her closest friends from this friend group. She had had a couple people she wasn't speaking to or spoken to with no uncertain terms, and they were gathered around the fire one night.

The boisterous people were being boisterous and the funny people were being funny, the singy people were being singy, the dancing people were being dancy, but it was one of those nights where Venie’s glaring but also people’s love of Venie were…had both in equal measure, and that something kinda cosmic did happen, where all of the noise kinda died down and everyone in this group around the fire…hearty ales and big chunks of bread and whatever, it got quiet. Each person got quiet, and they didn't know…no one knew what to…nothing organically was coming up. Maybe somebody was plucking their lyre, but they weren't playing a song, even. It’s hard to say that this really happened, but it did. One by one, everybody started to notice Venie, not on purpose, and Venie started to notice everybody noticed, but not on purpose.

Then everybody noticed they noticed Venie not in purpose, but they all noticed it together, and that Venie was glaring and that this was rid…we just…and Venie even said, it got awful quiet all of a sudden, and said it in a way to acknowledge the tension based in absurdity. Then people started to laugh and laugh and laugh, and Venie started to laugh. Then Venie waved off their laughter in a way that seemed very, very serious. Everybody…oh boy, this…maybe this went…took…I thought things…I thought we had a laugh…this was laughter of relief. But Venie said, no, no, no. Venie even made a scowl…a very childlike scowling, fist-clutching, shaking motion, and patted her chest. Then she got an idea, and she did…she put up one…her finger. Then people said…they were doing it, and then she shook them off again, but definitely in a way that it’s like, oh, okay, I think the tension…what’s happening? The tension may have been relieved, but I’m not exactly sure.

She shook them off again and then she said…she counted out…she made it seem like she was doing something, so she counted on her hand. Okay, okay…and she said, oh, okay. She said…she did this thing with her hand where she’s kinda saying…and then people started…and she put up four. They said, oh, okay, four words? Four words? Venie did a thumbs-up. Then Venie did one. Okay, first word, right? Okay, first word. Then Venie started pointing at herself, and they said, you, Venie. Then Venie said, no, no, no. First word, and pointed to her eye. They said, I. Okay, okay. Then Venie said, okay, okay, fourth word, fourth word, 'cause the first and second…second and third word seemed tough. First Venie scoot stuff up from the ground, and they said, dirt, sand, sod. Then Venie dropped it, patted the…ground. Then somebody said, earth, earth. Venie said, okay, okay, yeah, yeah, yeah. Then she said, oh, okay, okay, third word.

First she pointed to her abdomen, and they said, abdomen, okay…hip. Then she said, no, no, no. Then she counted one, two, three. They said, one, two, three. She said, no, no, no. She said, okay, third word. Then she did one, two, three again, and then she pointed to the person, two. Then she pointed to one and three, and then she kept pointing at two. They said, Zeeni, Zeeni No, no, no. One, two, three. Two, two, two. Then somebody said, middle. Okay, Middle Earth. I am Middle Earth. Then Venie said…stood up and then made a tearing motion. They said, cry, cry, cry. Then said, no, no, no. Then she waved goodbye and cried, cried, and then she started to back off and skip off. They said, miss. You miss Middle Earth. I miss Middle Earth. I miss Middle Earth. Then she started skipping through the fire thing, and then she said, come on, come on, come on. This is how it started. Now, this was at night, right?

But first they just parade following her, but then she was going backwards, and then she finally said, okay, wait a second. Then she explained it to them, 'cause she…they were like, oh boy, Venie’s going over the top or something. But then she invented this game, Parade of Charades. But the cool thing was it became a thing at this particular renaissance festival where they would…'cause they normally have one to two parades anyway, at least one parade, but then they have the Parade of Charades. But it started at this ren faire, and I guess, again, just to put a button on it, it was that Venie’s parents had been into this Joan’s joyous wheat germs. They were wheat germs, joyous wheat germs, but Venie didn't even remember it. But so, at the renaissance festival that these…that all these people would go to or they attended and worked at, they would do it, and they could do it, but they would do it with the audience watching the parade, if anybody watched. But you can kinda do it anywhere, is the thing.

You're just in a parade, and there are a couple different methods. One is the make-up game where it’s not actually Charades. So, this is like exquisite Charades, where each person in the parade is making a word, then the person makes a word behind them. So, you're trying…the first person of the parade is trying…so then you're trying to make a story or make the charade work. So, technically it’s Charades, but you're not…the answer isn't set until it becomes clear. What’s in a good example of a movie with…a movie with multiple words in the title? Like Return of the King. Like, if the first person did ‘return’ and then…I don't know why anybody would do ‘of’ and ‘the’, but…so, it’s probably not a good example. But they could think of it. You could whisper if you're in…everybody’s…in the parade is on the team. So then it’s like, oh, ‘of’; how do I do ‘of’? So, that’s one way to do it.

The other way is to actually do it…like, each person has…you're trying to get through the whole parade as fast as you can with the parade-watchers, but then what happens is the first person that guesses the answer, they go to the end of the parade. So, it’s audience participation where you get to join the parade. So, this is what they did at the ren faire. They kinda made it easier on the audience. They came up with rules like Turkey Leg, Horn, Ale, Knight, Queen. But then anybody in the audience…they said, oh, a queen. Then they’d say, okay, great, you're at the end of the line. So, then soon the parade would become all participants. There was always a piper leading…that wasn't a part of the parade but they were leading the parade. It just became this legendary thing that ended up…I mean, this is a tale never told. So, it’s happening…it just hasn't got to your area yet. But it’s this huge source of joy where you just…you don't need to be at a renaissance festival to do it.

You start a parade doing Charades, and it’s very fun. You can even do it…you say, okay, well, I don't have a parade-viewing area. You say, okay, this is interesting; you gotta do it outside or slowly indoors. But so, then the first person is trying to have the last person guess what it is, but you…and you have to…the first person gets both their hands, but everybody else is using one hand to hold onto the shirt of the person in front of them, and then you're parading around. You should use easier things because it’s harder for anybody to see, but actually, everybody in the line is trying to guess, technically, not just the last person, but they have the best view. So, the people in the middle are like, what are they doing? How many was it? It’s kinda like even harder Charades. But yeah, that’s the tale of Venie and the Parade of Charades, and I hope you enjoyed it, everybody, 'cause we got another tale never told, a journey…trending journey of Tuesdays. Goodnight.

[End of recording]

Transcription performed by LeahTranscribes

Trending Tuesday / Tales Rarely Told

 

Pleasure Principle

https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychpedia/pleasure-principle

https://dictionary.apa.org/pleasure-principle

https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-the-pleasure-principle-2795472

 

Charades

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2008/nov/23/7

https://www.paullettgolden.com/post/charades-riddles-and-literary-societies

https://shannonselin.com/2017/01/charades-duke-of-wellington/

 

Wheat Germ

https://www.healthline.com/health/wheat-germ-benefits

https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-wheat-germ

https://www.bobsredmill.com/articles/what-is-wheat-germ-and-why-should-i-be-eating-it

 

Geophysics

https://www.eegs.org/what-is-geophysics-

https://www.cpp.edu/sci/Newsletter/geophysics-helps-us-understand-our-world-and-beyond.shtml

https://entechonline.com/basics-of-geophysics-for-teenagers/

 

DOWN TO BUSINESS

Could there be a meandering parade? A parade of meanders?

Wind Up Toy Parade

Wa-Wa-Winding Parade

Was that Dion who sang that?

 

PLUGS

Sleep With Me Plus; SleepPhones; Story Only Feed; Emily Tat Artwork; Crisis Textline

 

SPONSORS

Helix Sleep; Zocdoc; Progressive; Coyuchi; Warby Parker

 

INTRO

Thoughts and feelings about the past, present, and future

Maybe you just changed jobs

Someone else listening sees you where you are

Rooting for you

You deserve a bed time without rigmarole

The world needs you flourishing right now

An interchange of comfort

A Venn diagram of different warm sunshines

Give me some of that Superman sunshine, please

The fuel of the podcast

Respeaking and rewording

I wasn’t playing charades, but some people probably think this show is a charade

Here’s an idea or two

Parade of Charades

Charade Parade

If you make that game, please send me millions

Okay, that’s what the episode is about now

There will be storytelling later

Some Sort of Storytelling

The old story within a story within a story technique

Most people don’t like the show at first

There goes Scoots, riding the old story clutch

Maybe I’m your cup of tea, maybe not

Relieving you and kind of distracting you

Podcast Principles

Not the pleasure principle, but I don’t know what that is

Moving quickly on…

I’m here to be your borefriend on call

I can be on call more often than you friend can

Your friend, Cand

We have a lot of fun here

Explaining the show structure

Variety and Freshness with Reassurance and Familiarity

To quote Janet Jackson, it does give a kind of pleasure at bedtime

Janet Jackson Related Imaginary Fugue State (JJRIFS)

Janet Jackson Related Daydreaming (JJRD) is very different

The wind down routine

I guess our story will be about…I don’t even know

 

STORY

One of the old Trending Tales Never Told

I don’t know if it’s called the Charade Parade or Parade of Charades

Once upon a time in Central New York…

Joyce Wheatgerm Joan

Opportunities to be joyous

A picture of me in the newspaper attending a parade

A day to spread joy

It’s fun to be wheatgerms

Kicking my hip out

I’m not much of a hugger

Wheatgerm Joy was great because you do it at any distance

This tale involves someone called Veni

Veni had been indirectly impacted by Joyce Wheatgerm Joan

Veni was a daydreamer, which I can relate to

Veni was really good at math and science

Geophysics is a thing, right?

A layer of pursuit

Veni was successful, but not straight A successful

A variety of intelligences

The Hollywoodization of Intelligence

Science that uses Math

We’ll just call it Geophysics for simplicity’s sake

The Material in “Material Girl”, a treatise

Veni was not born in the 80s

Was it a silk dress or a satin dress? Let’s do some research

I’m assuming this gown was done in the style of Versace

When it comes to science fairs, know your audience

But it did get her into a prestigious university

Fun Imaginary Fact – Madonna’s gloves and dress were made from 2 different materials

Osh Kosh B’Gosh: Adolescence

I might be in my twilight adolescence phase

“Adolescent Twilight” is a jazz number I may write

Veni made a zine of her project and sent it to Madonna

Madonna did write a follow-up letter, but Veni never got it

Veni’s inevitable journey

Your Own Personal Geophysicist

Undercover Personal Geophysicist

Explaining Brad Braderson

Did Dolly Parton have her own geophysicist?

Veni would become acclaimed

Veni goes off to school

A geophysicist of renown

That reminds me of Little Miss Sunshine

The 2nd most acclaimed Proust scholar in the world

But that’s not the important part of our story

The liberal arts piece was missing from her education at the time

Connecting to a deeper collective creative unconscious

But for now, Veni felt a vague sense of dissatisfaction

Veni is looking for connection

Changing your inner alphabet

The old romance missed chances

If only I could tap into that geothermal energy for myself…

You’re telling me my home is geothermal?

Veni unlocked some of the great geothermal mysteries, but something was missing

Believing in the magic of the Earth

The core of the Earth is magic enough

I like reading fiction about civilizations under the Earth’s surface

Innermost Briny Shrimp

Don’t tell me that’s not real, Veni

Veni would daydream

Looser, more imaginary-based sci-fi

Maybe molten rock is not what it seems

She also obsessed over microworlds

Shoutout to Middle Earth

The briny shrimp is just a briny shrimp

A little bit of a letdown

Perfectly Tempered Pocket

She did get into Ren Faire-ing

A smithy for decorative wearing

Six Weeks in September

The next Ren Faire, they noticed Veni was a little more withdrawn

What’s going on, Veni?

She reveals she’s sad that the innermost briny shrimp is just real

Middle Earth isn’t real

They laugh heartily

Middle Earth is real here, Veni!

Rebound to Joyousness

Veni and I are similar

Scowling on the sidelines

Veni wants to find a school where she can do Geophysics and Ren Faire stuff

A couple nights later, Veni was on the periphery, feeling her feelings

The Ostrichi-ization of a Friend Group

Gathering around the fire

Veni glares, but people love Veni

The noise dies down

No one knew what to say

People begin to notice Veni, not on purpose

They all realize it’s ridiculous

God Awful Quiet

An absurd tension

They all laugh

Veni waves it off, seriously

A childlike, scowling fist-clutching motion

Veni gets an idea

She puts up one finger

Is the tension relieved? What’s happening?

She then put up four

Veni expresses herself with charades

First word: I

Fourth word: Earth

Third word: Abdomen? No, Middle

Second word: Cry?

She waves goodbye and cries

I Miss Middle Earth!

Then she starts skipping around the fire

They start following her

Then Veni invented the game Parade of Charades

This became a thing at this Renaissance Festival

Veni’s parents had been joyous wheatgerms, funnily enough

But you can do this parade anywhere

This is kind of like that game Exquisite Charades

Then the audience can join the parade

This tale and parade just hasn’t gotten to your area yet

The parade of charades is very fun

I hope you enjoyed this tale

 

SUMMARY:

Episode: 1430

Title: Parade of Charades | Trending Tuesday

Plugs: Sleep With Me Plus; SleepPhones; Story Only Feed; Emily Tat Artwork; Crisis Textline

Sponsors: Helix Sleep; Zocdoc; Progressive; Coyuchi; Warby Parker

Notable Language:

• An interchange of comfort
• A Venn diagram of different warm sunshines
• Parade of Charades
• Charade Parade
• Some Sort of Storytelling
• The old story within a story within a story technique
• Pleasure Principle
• Cand
• Janet Jackson Related Imaginary Fugue State (JJRIFS)
• Janet Jackson Related Daydreaming (JJRD)
• Joyce Wheatgerm Joan
• Veni
• The Hollywoodization of Intelligence
• Fun Imaginary Fact
• Osh Kosh B’Gosh: Adolescence
• Twilight Adolescence
• Undercover Personal Geophysicist
• Innermost Briny Shrimp
• Looser, more imaginary-based sci-fi
• Perfectly Tempered Pocket
• Six Weeks in September
• Rebound to Joyousness
• Ostrichi-ization
• God Awful Quiet

 

Notable Culture:

• • Dion
  • Superman
  • Charades
  • Janet Jackson
  • Joyce Wheatgerm Joan
  • “Material Girl” – Madonna
  • The Material in “Material Girl”, a treatise
  • Versace
  • “Adolescent Twilight”, a jazzy song
  • Dolly Parton
  • Little Miss Sunshine
  • Marcel Proust

• The Lord of the Rings / Middle Earth

• Exquisite Corpse

 

Notable Talking Points:

• Thoughts and feelings about the past, present, and future
• Maybe you just changed jobs
• Someone else listening sees you where you are
• Rooting for you
• You deserve a bed time without rigmarole
• The world needs you flourishing right now
• An interchange of comfort
• A Venn diagram of different warm sunshines
• Give me some of that Superman sunshine, please
• The fuel of the podcast
• Respeaking and rewording
• I wasn’t playing charades, but some people probably think this show is a charade
• Here’s an idea or two
• Parade of Charades
• Charade Parade
• If you make that game, please send me millions
• Okay, that’s what the episode is about now
• There will be storytelling later
• Some Sort of Storytelling
• The old story within a story within a story technique
• Most people don’t like the show at first
• There goes Scoots, riding the old story clutch
• Maybe I’m your cup of tea, maybe not
• Relieving you and kind of distracting you
• Podcast Principles
• Not the pleasure principle, but I don’t know what that is
• Moving quickly on…
• I’m here to be your borefriend on call
• I can be on call more often than you friend can
• Your friend, Cand
• We have a lot of fun here
• Explaining the show structure
• Variety and Freshness with Reassurance and Familiarity
• To quote Janet Jackson, it does give a kind of pleasure at bedtime
• Janet Jackson Related Imaginary Fugue State (JJRIFS)
• Janet Jackson Related Daydreaming (JJRD) is very different
• The wind down routine
• I guess our story will be about…I don’t even know
• One of the old Trending Tales Never Told
• I don’t know if it’s called the Charade Parade or Parade of Charades
• Once upon a time in Central New York…
• Joyce Wheatgerm Joan
• Opportunities to be joyous
• A picture of me in the newspaper attending a parade
• A day to spread joy
• It’s fun to be wheatgerms
• Kicking my hip out
• I’m not much of a hugger
• Wheatgerm Joy was great because you do it at any distance
• This tale involves someone called Veni
• Veni had been indirectly impacted by Joyce Wheatgerm Joan
• Veni was a daydreamer, which I can relate to
• Veni was really good at math and science
• Geophysics is a thing, right?
• A layer of pursuit
• Veni was successful, but not straight A successful
• A variety of intelligences
• The Hollywoodization of Intelligence
• Science that uses Math
• We’ll just call it Geophysics for simplicity’s sake
• The Material in “Material Girl”, a treatise
• Veni was not born in the 80s
• Was it a silk dress or a satin dress? Let’s do some research
• I’m assuming this gown was done in the style of Versace
• When it comes to science fairs, know your audience
• But it did get her into a prestigious university
• Fun Imaginary Fact – Madonna’s gloves and dress were made from 2 different materials
• Osh Kosh B’Gosh: Adolescence
• I might be in my twilight adolescence phase
• “Adolescent Twilight” is a jazz number I may write
• Veni made a zine of her project and sent it to Madonna
• Madonna did write a follow-up letter, but Veni never got it
• Veni’s inevitable journey
• Your Own Personal Geophysicist
• Undercover Personal Geophysicist
• Explaining Brad Braderson
• Did Dolly Parton have her own geophysicist?
• Veni would become acclaimed
• Veni goes off to school
• A geophysicist of renown
• That reminds me of Little Miss Sunshine
• The 2nd most acclaimed Proust scholar in the world
• But that’s not the important part of our story
• The liberal arts piece was missing from her education at the time
• Connecting to a deeper collective creative unconscious
• But for now, Veni felt a vague sense of dissatisfaction
• Veni is looking for connection
• Changing your inner alphabet
• The old romance missed chances
• If only I could tap into that geothermal energy for myself…
• You’re telling me my home is geothermal?
• Veni unlocked some of the great geothermal mysteries, but something was missing
• Believing in the magic of the Earth
• The core of the Earth is magic enough
• I like reading fiction about civilizations under the Earth’s surface
• Innermost Briny Shrimp
• Don’t tell me that’s not real, Veni
• Veni would daydream
• Looser, more imaginary-based sci-fi
• Maybe molten rock is not what it seems
• She also obsessed over microworlds
• Shoutout to Middle Earth
• The briny shrimp is just a briny shrimp
• A little bit of a letdown
• Perfectly Tempered Pocket
• She did get into Ren Faire-ing
• A smithy for decorative wearing
• Six Weeks in September
• The next Ren Faire, they noticed Veni was a little more withdrawn
• What’s going on, Veni?
• She reveals she’s sad that the innermost briny shrimp is just real
• Middle Earth isn’t real
• They laugh heartily
• Middle Earth is real here, Veni!
• Rebound to Joyousness
• Veni and I are similar
• Scowling on the sidelines
• Veni wants to find a school where she can do Geophysics and Ren Faire stuff
• A couple nights later, Veni was on the periphery, feeling her feelings
• The Ostrichi-ization of a Friend Group
• Gathering around the fire
• Veni glares, but people love Veni
• The noise dies down
• No one knew what to say
• People begin to notice Veni, not on purpose
• They all realize it’s ridiculous
• God Awful Quiet
• An absurd tension
• They all laugh
• Veni waves it off, seriously
• A childlike, scowling fist-clutching motion
• Veni gets an idea
• She puts up one finger
• Is the tension relieved? What’s happening?
• She then put up four
• Veni expresses herself with charades
• First word: I
• Fourth word: Earth
• Third word: Abdomen? No, Middle
• Second word: Cry?
• She waves goodbye and cries
• I Miss Middle Earth!
• Then she starts skipping around the fire
• They start following her
• Then Veni invented the game Parade of Charades
• This became a thing at this Renaissance Festival
• Veni’s parents had been joyous wheatgerms, funnily enough
• But you can do this parade anywhere
• This is kind of like that game Exquisite Charades
• Then the audience can join the parade
• This tale and parade just hasn’t gotten to your area yet
• The parade of charades is very fun
• I hope you enjoyed this tale