OMG, I secretly hoped that was a random rat you decided to befriend. Love this so hard. (hubster and I spent covid renovating a hoarder house complete with miles of dead rats and rat poo...) 🐀 Oh yeah, plus wrote an imaginary cookbook for the end of the world, with so many RAT RECIPES
Ha- thanks so much for your comment! It was in a way a random rat, but only in that it had survived the snake food test and was a lot friendlier than the other rats. Clearing out a hoarding situation like that (Ugh) sounds horrible and would make it hard for me to ever have a pet rat after that!;)
Nice one, Steve! When I moved from Houston to L.A. in early '80, I had two unusual (for me) pets, at separate times: I, too, had a rat that I kept in a cage, and only occasionally brought him out to play with. His name was Elvis (it could've been after either, but I can't recall...most likely the living one). After Elvis (the rat) passed, I got an albino cockatiel, whom I named Larry (for unknown reasons)! When I went back to college (at 28) in late '83, I gave him to a family who had a teen I had come to know.
It's probably a reference you might not know, but I thought of the Smashing Pumpkins song "Rat in a Cage" when I read your comment! "Despite all my rage, I am still just a rat in a cage!" Maybe you should have named your rat Billy, or Corgan, though you would have had to have been friends with his older brother in the early '80s as Billy would probably be 14 in '82. Or you could have named him Ben after the Michael Jackson song/movie.
What's bizarre is I can't even tell you what on earth possessed me to get them! It was as out of character for me even then as much as my 2023 self is convinced it shoulda been! Growing up, I was a perfectly happy to have cats and an occasional dog to play with in our family! And, nope, don't know from any Pumpkins songs, except one or two that might've gotten airplay and/or I heard at karaoke.
If this was Tune Tag (and don't you think it oughta be?), I'd follow your Pumping Smashkins song with "In the Cage" from Genesis' "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway"!🐑
I wasn't aware Nic could sing, assuming that's really him voicing! Well, I'm afraid you'd force my hand to counter with either a Cage the Elephant song, or Bonnie Raitt singing, "Nick of Time." (Picture me gently and thoughtfully stroking my chin)
Dec 25, 2023·edited Dec 25, 2023Liked by Steve Goldberg
Damn, what a great read! The rat song is awesome - never heard before. Love these photos. Especially that one of your wife with an armful of snakes 🐍🐍🐍🐍 Merry Christmas to you and your mini zoo 🎄
P.S. Fingers crossed for capybaras! I adore them too, since I had a micro version of it - guinea pig, when I was little. It was my first pet, you know. I absolutely loved watching her devour the greens, and how she squealed and grunted. I would be very happy if I could one day live with the queen of rodents
Thanks, Paul! Yeah, Neil’s original is great, I can appreciate the UB40 version now that the ‘80s are over. Even though they will never really be over. Merry Christmas to you and yours, too, Paul!
Not a fan of UB40 and preferred Seagram’s Wine Coolers over Schnapps.
We never had unusual pets growing up - my parents were too mainstream and unimaginative. Personally, I don’t understand any pets that can’t be snuggled, which rules out snakes I think?
When we moved into our current house, we had two cats, a very large dog, and two rabbits. That’s a lot of animals for a small house with four people already living in it! We’re down to three cats now.
I’m not sure if you’re supposed to actually prefer schnapps over wine, coolers or not. I think the idea was getting drunk fast.
Regarding pets, the exoticness was only a part of my life six years into my marriage! I didn’t even know my wife had such a wide rang animal background.
My sister and your wife are spiritual twins. I, on the other hand, am a firm believer that the only good rodent is a dead rodent. (Apologies if that offends.)
Regarding UB40, you have to admire their ingenuity and chutzpah. They’re a classic band in part because they do it their way with no f’s given.
Enjoyed the read, if not the visuals. Rat on my shoulder? Ewww...
It doesn’t offend me! I actually was far more comfortable with the rats than the snakes. But in the end, the dog wins out! I was impressed that they got Herb Alpert to play on “Rat in Mi Kitchen.” I had no idea it was him until researching for this piece.
I was a big reggae fan growing up, probably from the age of 13 or 14. While I wasn’t a huge UB40 fan I absolutely loved Rat In Mi Kitchen as well as Sing Our Own Song from the same album. I only had a handful of UB40 albums but my favorite was The Best of UB40 Volume 1. Some absolutely classic tracks in here: https://open.spotify.com/album/6sAVf5XQzZte21OP2rd3nU?si=0yN0_TvCRzi1AGDrtJPL_Q
Nice to see you repping Steel Pulse! Earth Crisis was fantastic but 1985’s Babylon the Bandit is the highlight of their catalog for me. I couldn’t get enough of that album that year.
Look forward to reading about your love of reggae at some point in the future!
Thanks, Mark! And I couldn’t agree more about Steel Pulse. Babylon the Bandit was a step up from Earth Crisis. Though of that period, I turn to True Democracy more than either. I saw them on the BTB tour and it was fantastic. I believe they are still around, though not sure how many original members.
No unusual pets for us (we had a dog that lived to almost 20, if that counts). Not really a fan of UB40, but don't dislike them, either. Their cover of "Can't Help Falling In Love" is probably my fave, even though I had to listen to it a bazillion times when the 'Sliver' soundtrack was on our store's mandatory in-store playlist.
Also: The pic of the Schnapps bottle made me reflexively shudder.
Creatures: Both my younger brother and I were into unusual pets. We domesticated two squirrels and my brother's died after he washed and blow-dried it for a "Show 'n' tell" at school. Not sure what happened to mine. I probably let it run wild. I wanted an otter ("Ring of Bright Water") and a raccoon ("My Side of the Mountain") and Dad gave a HARD NO to both. So, dogs (LOTS of dogs) and a couple cats. Petless now, but I'd consider an older cat.
UB40: Was introduced to them (via "Red Red Wine") through a former girlfriend. Liked them but they didn't stick for me, although all the Elvis Costello she played me ("Imperial Bedroom" was her fav) left a dent in me. After we broke up I went back and got all the EC back catalog, which I love to this day. Should revisit UB40.
OMG, I secretly hoped that was a random rat you decided to befriend. Love this so hard. (hubster and I spent covid renovating a hoarder house complete with miles of dead rats and rat poo...) 🐀 Oh yeah, plus wrote an imaginary cookbook for the end of the world, with so many RAT RECIPES
Ha- thanks so much for your comment! It was in a way a random rat, but only in that it had survived the snake food test and was a lot friendlier than the other rats. Clearing out a hoarding situation like that (Ugh) sounds horrible and would make it hard for me to ever have a pet rat after that!;)
But you would for sure be into the rat recipes, right? 😆
Add enough butter and I’ll eat anything!😝
Nice one, Steve! When I moved from Houston to L.A. in early '80, I had two unusual (for me) pets, at separate times: I, too, had a rat that I kept in a cage, and only occasionally brought him out to play with. His name was Elvis (it could've been after either, but I can't recall...most likely the living one). After Elvis (the rat) passed, I got an albino cockatiel, whom I named Larry (for unknown reasons)! When I went back to college (at 28) in late '83, I gave him to a family who had a teen I had come to know.
It's probably a reference you might not know, but I thought of the Smashing Pumpkins song "Rat in a Cage" when I read your comment! "Despite all my rage, I am still just a rat in a cage!" Maybe you should have named your rat Billy, or Corgan, though you would have had to have been friends with his older brother in the early '80s as Billy would probably be 14 in '82. Or you could have named him Ben after the Michael Jackson song/movie.
What's bizarre is I can't even tell you what on earth possessed me to get them! It was as out of character for me even then as much as my 2023 self is convinced it shoulda been! Growing up, I was a perfectly happy to have cats and an occasional dog to play with in our family! And, nope, don't know from any Pumpkins songs, except one or two that might've gotten airplay and/or I heard at karaoke.
If this was Tune Tag (and don't you think it oughta be?), I'd follow your Pumping Smashkins song with "In the Cage" from Genesis' "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway"!🐑
And I would have responded with this.
https://youtu.be/dZHfFhMxf-8?si=QVmDcVvMD9dvT7Ga
I wasn't aware Nic could sing, assuming that's really him voicing! Well, I'm afraid you'd force my hand to counter with either a Cage the Elephant song, or Bonnie Raitt singing, "Nick of Time." (Picture me gently and thoughtfully stroking my chin)
Damn, what a great read! The rat song is awesome - never heard before. Love these photos. Especially that one of your wife with an armful of snakes 🐍🐍🐍🐍 Merry Christmas to you and your mini zoo 🎄
P.S. Fingers crossed for capybaras! I adore them too, since I had a micro version of it - guinea pig, when I was little. It was my first pet, you know. I absolutely loved watching her devour the greens, and how she squealed and grunted. I would be very happy if I could one day live with the queen of rodents
Thanks! I’m assuming capybara are not indigenous to Poland;) Well you probably could get a snake or two or nine over there! 🐍
Steve told me it's all happening at the zoo
I do believe it
I do believe it's true...
I love the Red, Red wine song. Cool version by Neil Diamond.
I wish you and family a Merry Christmas.
Thanks, Paul! Yeah, Neil’s original is great, I can appreciate the UB40 version now that the ‘80s are over. Even though they will never really be over. Merry Christmas to you and yours, too, Paul!
Not a fan of UB40 and preferred Seagram’s Wine Coolers over Schnapps.
We never had unusual pets growing up - my parents were too mainstream and unimaginative. Personally, I don’t understand any pets that can’t be snuggled, which rules out snakes I think?
When we moved into our current house, we had two cats, a very large dog, and two rabbits. That’s a lot of animals for a small house with four people already living in it! We’re down to three cats now.
I’m not sure if you’re supposed to actually prefer schnapps over wine, coolers or not. I think the idea was getting drunk fast.
Regarding pets, the exoticness was only a part of my life six years into my marriage! I didn’t even know my wife had such a wide rang animal background.
Also, you can cuddle rats.
I would accept rats as a cuddle-able pet. I’ve also heard they are very smart!
My sister and your wife are spiritual twins. I, on the other hand, am a firm believer that the only good rodent is a dead rodent. (Apologies if that offends.)
Regarding UB40, you have to admire their ingenuity and chutzpah. They’re a classic band in part because they do it their way with no f’s given.
Enjoyed the read, if not the visuals. Rat on my shoulder? Ewww...
It doesn’t offend me! I actually was far more comfortable with the rats than the snakes. But in the end, the dog wins out! I was impressed that they got Herb Alpert to play on “Rat in Mi Kitchen.” I had no idea it was him until researching for this piece.
I was a big reggae fan growing up, probably from the age of 13 or 14. While I wasn’t a huge UB40 fan I absolutely loved Rat In Mi Kitchen as well as Sing Our Own Song from the same album. I only had a handful of UB40 albums but my favorite was The Best of UB40 Volume 1. Some absolutely classic tracks in here: https://open.spotify.com/album/6sAVf5XQzZte21OP2rd3nU?si=0yN0_TvCRzi1AGDrtJPL_Q
Nice to see you repping Steel Pulse! Earth Crisis was fantastic but 1985’s Babylon the Bandit is the highlight of their catalog for me. I couldn’t get enough of that album that year.
Look forward to reading about your love of reggae at some point in the future!
Happy holidays Steve!
Thanks, Mark! And I couldn’t agree more about Steel Pulse. Babylon the Bandit was a step up from Earth Crisis. Though of that period, I turn to True Democracy more than either. I saw them on the BTB tour and it was fantastic. I believe they are still around, though not sure how many original members.
True Democracy isn’t an album I’ve heard before, I’ll check it out for sure (been listening to BTB since posting my comment earlier)
No unusual pets for us (we had a dog that lived to almost 20, if that counts). Not really a fan of UB40, but don't dislike them, either. Their cover of "Can't Help Falling In Love" is probably my fave, even though I had to listen to it a bazillion times when the 'Sliver' soundtrack was on our store's mandatory in-store playlist.
Also: The pic of the Schnapps bottle made me reflexively shudder.
I think “reflexively shudder” is the proper response to most of my Earworms. Oh to be young and dumb.
Ok, to recap...
Snakes: bad
Rats: bad
Peach Schnapps: very, very bad (if I remember right from my 17-year-old-very-over-indulging self)
UB40: mmmm, OK?
Capybaras: Very good
Doggies: The bestest
A wide-ranging and varied edition!
Very, very bad from what I remember as well. Only slightly better than MD 20/20.
Ha! My wife might argue with your math, and perhaps me too a little bit, but you’re pretty much right on! Thanks for reading and commenting!
Creatures: Both my younger brother and I were into unusual pets. We domesticated two squirrels and my brother's died after he washed and blow-dried it for a "Show 'n' tell" at school. Not sure what happened to mine. I probably let it run wild. I wanted an otter ("Ring of Bright Water") and a raccoon ("My Side of the Mountain") and Dad gave a HARD NO to both. So, dogs (LOTS of dogs) and a couple cats. Petless now, but I'd consider an older cat.
UB40: Was introduced to them (via "Red Red Wine") through a former girlfriend. Liked them but they didn't stick for me, although all the Elvis Costello she played me ("Imperial Bedroom" was her fav) left a dent in me. After we broke up I went back and got all the EC back catalog, which I love to this day. Should revisit UB40.
Great post, thanks Steve! MM
Thanks, Michael! My dog would love a pet squirrel, but I don’t think “pet” is the right word. We have a couple dozen of those “pets” in the backyard.
I wrote a piece about Elvis Costello several months ago that reminded me of your story. If you haven’t read it, here’s the link:
https://open.substack.com/pub/earworm/p/just-a-little-boy-lost-in-a-big-mans?r=1046qe&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Thanks for reading!
LOVED it. cheers, Mike