Paradox

My Liv has always been a walking talking living breathing dichotomy. She is not one who will ever allow herself to be put into a box. Currently, Liv is a tree-hugging vegetarian peacemonger with a mad love for speed metal. She is putting together a band which currently consists of a drummer (that would be her), a pianist, and a cellist. Their intention is to play a fusion of metal, country and jazz. By damn, if anyone can make that work, it's Liv. They plan to call themselves "Paradox". Smart little chickadees.

I remember a time when Liv was probably around 4 (and still insisted on being called O-livia - emphasis on the 'O'). My parents were visiting and it was a rainy day so we packed the kids up and headed off to Barnes and Noble to kill some time. At some point we all ended up in the music section. O-livia was wearing a sweet little dress and two bouncy pigtails. She was brightness and sunshine and rainbows and lollipops and unicorns and baby bunnies. My dad was listening to some music with big headphones and asked if O-livia wanted to listen. She said, "Sure" and climbed up onto his lap. My mom came running over with a CD to scan. "Here, honey, listen to this. I think you'll like it. It's Yanni."

I smirked and turned away. This was not going to go well.

Liv - I mean, O-livia - happily put on the headphones, anxious to hear something new. I watched as her smile of eager anticipation turned to confusion then distaste. She screamed, the way one does when one is wearing headphones and one is pretty certain one is speaking in a reasonable tone but one is most assuredly not, "I no like Yanni!!!!! Bring me AC/DC!!!!!"

I thought the oh-so-trendy-cool guy working behind the counter was going to pee his oh-so-trendy-cool pants he was laughing so hard.

For years, Liv didn't want to go to concerts - didn't like them. Said she'd rather play music than watch someone else play. I sort of got that. When we took her to her first concert? She fell asleep in my lap. Second concert? Cried and whined till we had to leave early out of consideration for the people around us. Last concert? Wanted to be in the mosh pit.

She dresses like a scary little rocker dude (not at all like a little rocker chick), scores straight 'A's and is consistently praised by her teachers and peers alike for being thoughtful, kind and generous.

I'll let you know when "Paradox" schedules their first world tour. Tell them you know me, I'll see what I can do about getting you a backstage pass.