No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems

There I was, trying to think of a clever something, anything I could do my second blog post on, trying to not pay attention to the better portion of my brain that was focusing on my chemistry midterm next week that I was going to fail, work, drama, and every other minor detail weighing heavily on my mind, when I sighed deeply and wished, once again, that summer was here tomorrow. Not that I haven’t wished for it before now, especially during winter, but with everything going on and being about six weeks away from that blissful, carefree time of year, life starts to wear on me. It’s not just me, but everyone else, I think, because everyone’s Facebook status lately has been concentrating on summer and seeing old friends again and the beach and sunshine and playing all night. As my mind wandered off, conjuring up wishful images about when I wouldn’t have to attend class and do homework and study everyday, “No shoes, no shirt, no problem” by Kenny Chesney came on my iPod. It was like a sign, giving me an idea for this blog as well as furthering my desire for summer. So, here I go analyzing the music video to this amazing song that makes me want summertime even more. ☺

Obviously, Kenny Chesney stars in the official music video of “No shoes, no shirt, no problem”. Essentially, the song is talking about how tired of work, everyday life and stress he is. He just wants to go to the beach and islands with the relaxed island-y atmosphere and an unlimited drink in his hand. (I mean, I can agree with him… who doesn’t love the beach?! It’s amazing, plain and simple!) He sung this song and made the video because not only does it make a good song (as well as a good video… I think that girls would agree with me on that one!), but everyone can identify with that need to “get away” sometimes. Going to the beach always seems to melt the stress away, at least for me. And Kenny Chesney, as he tells this to the viewers of his video in the beginning.

As you’d expect in a song/video about the beach, there is a lot of blue in it. All different shades of blue. And shots of the surf, palm trees, drinks, people having fun on the beach, speed boats, the locals, and a heck of a lot close-ups of a half-naked Kenny Chesney and his face. Which, I might add, his body looks extra toned and tanned for all of his close-ups. Those repeated a lot. However, I thought it was weird that there was a rocking chair in the surf for some of the video, as well as him wearing pants and a cowboy hat. I don’t know about you, but I sure don’t wear cowboy hats or pants when I am at the beach. Maybe to go out, but not walking in the surf casually wearing pants. Unless you’re on Lost, but that’s another story.

As for the function of this, he wanted to make a song and video about something everyone can relate to, as well as make money like every celebrity wants. The desire to go to the beach is also a function, as it certainly made me want to. This could even be a hidden function because perhaps, he had a deal with a travel agency and would make money if people used “Kenny Chesney’s” travel agency and island haven. This video would definitely encourage viewers to go to the beach and get away from it all. It accomplishes its intended function, because like I said, the video and song furthered my desire to go to the beach and for summer to get here. The lyrics, “No shoes, no shirt, no problems/ Blues what blues hey I forgot 'em/
The sun and the sand and a drink in my hand with no bottom/ No shoes, no shirt, and no problems” sound like an excellent motto to me right now! Too bad we still have six more weeks plus finals’ week to go.

First Day Blog Post!

I’ve always been so lucky to have a mom who will help me with my English classes. No, not in a weird, condescending way how some parents talk to their children. She actually enjoys helping my two brothers and I with our writing. Sure, most moms will help their sons and daughters with homework, but will most likely struggle unless it’s an area in what they majored in, work in, etc. My mom graduated with a secondary education English major in college. She went to University of Miami… lucky! She got to study outside, year round, on the beach. She always seemed to brag about this whenever I complained over the winter about the massive amount of snow that fell onto Ohio. You know, just to rub it in a little, but as to how much studying she actually did, we'll never know!
I’ve always felt extremely fortunate to have someone who will correct my grammar, tell me how to use proper punctuation, and even help me brainstorm. She has an extensive and large vocabulary that always has my friends and I, as well as other adults, questioning her as to their definitions. This is always helpful as she is literally like a human thesaurus, at my own beck and call! She will also read over my writing and help me try to make it better without being snobby about it, like some teachers can be. While she doesn’t help me in college, she definitely helped me in high school and middle school. She probably helped me in elementary school too, but I don’t remember that because really, how much formal writing can little kids actually do before middle school? They just learn how to write letters and cursive, which they swore we would use, and we don't. Anyways, she's always helped and for that, I'll always be grateful. Although it also would have been beyond helpful if my dad could have been a chemistry or calculus genius!

I am practicing!