What is “I Love…”? I Love… …knowing my brother-in-law Bruce had a band in high school named Psychotic Referendum and that in order to get booked to play Bozo the Clown on WGN in the late 60’s, they were forced to change their name. And The Inscrutable Ambiguities being the name settled upon for their one and only television performance.
I went to see Bozo in person as a kid. A last minute seat shuffle had me switch with my friends mom so I could sit next to my friend. The magic arrow to play the toss in buckets game LANDED IN MY OLD SEAT 😡. 55 years later I am still sad! 😂
About 20 years ago I had the good fortune of becoming a step-father to three children, ages 14 through 19. Having grown up in a family that rarely, if ever said "I love you", I was a little discombobulated to hear my wife and her kids do just that at the end of every call or parting. As the first few years went by, more and more I too was on the receiving end of those expressions from my step-kids. That was, and still is, a great thing for me, as I am periodically plagued, like many people, with insecurity. Rather than the repetition being rote, it has been constantly affirmational. I am not surprised that what Jeff Tweedy described is part and parcel of his everyday life, given the warmth that comes through in so many of his lyrics (OK, not Bull Black Nova).
Our family does the same on phone sign-off. As my niece has said many times, "You just don't know what will happen as soon as you hang up, and I want those to be the last words you remember."
Wait wait wait. What do you mean you are not a french wedding planner? I'm here for wedding planning enlightenment and for no other reason. Please do meet my expectations.
Bozo the Clown! OMG take me back. I attended the show as a kid growing up in Chicago in the 70s. Sadly, I missed the The Inscrutable Ambiguities. I actually don't remember attending the show, but only know I was there from the picture of me awkwardly shoved up against Bozo with a scared look on my face because, I mean... look at him. Today Bozo would be the star of a gruesome horror series on Netflix but in the 70s... . I'm not sure if I don't remember the show because I was too young, or if my brain is protecting me from Bozo trauma. Either way, thanks for the memories, I think. And see you at Sky Blue Sky in January (fingers crossed). And, I love you.
My two 20-something sons also end every phone conversation with "I love you." And they too express the same brother to brother. It makes me feel like I did ok as a parent and have unleashed some kind hearts into the world.
My kids are exactly the same! I have been telling them I love them their entire lives. And at the end of every phone call or visit, our last words to each other are “I love you”. Without fail. And now they have kids!
What I love… that my 10 year old nieces get made at me when I put myself down.nibbling the burned garlic stuck to the pan. When I open my backdoor on beautiful, sunny morning. Oh yeah, and Wilco. I love Wilco a lot.
Wow! I really loved this, Jeff. I have to admit I cried in the middle of a Tuesday afternoon after reading it. What lovely sons you have in every sense of the word lovely. Also, no wonder love is a word that pops up so frequently in your work.
I love….the part about your sons!
I love reading these love notes during my lunch break at work.
And I love that my two 20-something kids are sweethearts like the Tweedy boys who voice their love. ❤️
I went to see Bozo in person as a kid. A last minute seat shuffle had me switch with my friends mom so I could sit next to my friend. The magic arrow to play the toss in buckets game LANDED IN MY OLD SEAT 😡. 55 years later I am still sad! 😂
About 20 years ago I had the good fortune of becoming a step-father to three children, ages 14 through 19. Having grown up in a family that rarely, if ever said "I love you", I was a little discombobulated to hear my wife and her kids do just that at the end of every call or parting. As the first few years went by, more and more I too was on the receiving end of those expressions from my step-kids. That was, and still is, a great thing for me, as I am periodically plagued, like many people, with insecurity. Rather than the repetition being rote, it has been constantly affirmational. I am not surprised that what Jeff Tweedy described is part and parcel of his everyday life, given the warmth that comes through in so many of his lyrics (OK, not Bull Black Nova).
Our family does the same on phone sign-off. As my niece has said many times, "You just don't know what will happen as soon as you hang up, and I want those to be the last words you remember."
If you find the … gif please share!
Wait wait wait. What do you mean you are not a french wedding planner? I'm here for wedding planning enlightenment and for no other reason. Please do meet my expectations.
Bozo the Clown! OMG take me back. I attended the show as a kid growing up in Chicago in the 70s. Sadly, I missed the The Inscrutable Ambiguities. I actually don't remember attending the show, but only know I was there from the picture of me awkwardly shoved up against Bozo with a scared look on my face because, I mean... look at him. Today Bozo would be the star of a gruesome horror series on Netflix but in the 70s... . I'm not sure if I don't remember the show because I was too young, or if my brain is protecting me from Bozo trauma. Either way, thanks for the memories, I think. And see you at Sky Blue Sky in January (fingers crossed). And, I love you.
My two 20-something sons also end every phone conversation with "I love you." And they too express the same brother to brother. It makes me feel like I did ok as a parent and have unleashed some kind hearts into the world.
My kids are exactly the same! I have been telling them I love them their entire lives. And at the end of every phone call or visit, our last words to each other are “I love you”. Without fail. And now they have kids!
Is that *the* Bozo or were there others?
Sibling Love is a sign of successful parenting. Congratulations!
You know what? I think I already love Starship Casual.
…whirlwind comes to mind ? ☺️
What I love… that my 10 year old nieces get made at me when I put myself down.nibbling the burned garlic stuck to the pan. When I open my backdoor on beautiful, sunny morning. Oh yeah, and Wilco. I love Wilco a lot.
Wow! I really loved this, Jeff. I have to admit I cried in the middle of a Tuesday afternoon after reading it. What lovely sons you have in every sense of the word lovely. Also, no wonder love is a word that pops up so frequently in your work.
Cooky would have been cool with Psychotic Referendum
(Also, I just now learned it was Cooky and not Cookie. Kinda disappointed?)