Half Mexican Show At Java

I'll be playing at the NEW Java on Frankfort THIS THURSDAY from 7:30-9:30 pm. The address is 2309 Frankfort-it's 2 doors down from The Irish Rover. It will be just me (no mandolin or harmony this time), so I'm a bit nervous! I'll be doing originals and covering some 80's-licious tunes, so grab a cup of coffee and sing along.
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Also, a few more things are working on www.NikkiTatom.com so check it out! There's still a ton of work to be done, but it's better than a few days ago!
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So, today I was mailing some stuff at the post office on campus. One of the janitors is a Hispanic lady and speaks very little English. She was trying to mail something, so she was attempting to communicate with an older Caucasion woman behind the counter. It took me awhile to realize the miscommunication that was occuring, but the voice of the older Caucasion woman finalized the occurance. She called out to me "You look like someone who knows Spanish-can you help us?" I was cracking up! I mean, I am half-Mexican, so she called it, but it was just funny.

I played it off and with the typical "Sure-I can help." Little did she know that I grew up speaking NO Spanish whatsoever (except what my really white dad taught me-that's a whole nother blog, though). I took 2 years in high school and 2 years in college, but haven't retained much of it.

Anyway-I arrogantly walked up to the counter and said to the Hispanic lady "Hola! No hablo mucho Espanol, pero la familia de mi madre es de Mexico!" (Hi! I don't speak very much Spanish, but my mom's family is from Mexico!) I don't have a clue what the said back. It was fast, though. Really fast. I heard something that sounded like passport, so I used that and...I don't know. I didn't really help, but she mailed whatever she was trying to mail and the Caucasion ladies thought I was fluent in Spanish. Oh, the delight of being half Mexican! I can trick old Caucasion ladies in a heart beat!

I walked away with a half white/half Mexican smirk on my face.

American Myths

After reading Leslie's Blog, I have been thinking about the commercialized version of the Resurrection Day we call Easter. The pagan roots, Christian undertones, and American desire to make a buck have all swirled into the "Easter Holiday."

If I have kids one day, I will not lie to them for the sake of American tradition. I will not convince them that the Easter Bunny exists or that Santa is the reason for the Christmas season. I will explain to them the history of St. Nicholas and how his story evolved into a Western tradition, but I will not have them believe that an old, fat man climbs into the house through the chimney and eats our cookies! That's just weird!

Christmas and Easter are not about getting what you want (toys and candy). Yet, this is exactly what we are teaching generation after generation. Even after knowing that Santa and the Easter Bunny aren't real, people still retain the lesson that has been instilled in them from their parents: these holidays are about getting what you want. A friend of mine and his family celebrate their Christmas season a lot differently than the average American household. They keep with the spirit of giving, but instead of buying gifts for each other, they spend the money on buying useful gifts for needy families in their hometown for the honor of the Lord Jesus. It's a great idea.

I am wondering what the general consensus is about this topic. What will you teach your children (or do you currently teach your children) about these Westernized traditions? What are the logistics of it? How will they interact with children at school who have been taught that these things are true?

Add A Caption

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Okay, folks. Let's have a little contest. Who can come up with the best caption for this picture?

Your Birthday Song! Hey!

Flaming Pink Birthday Cake

Pedro has inspired my roommates and I.

It was around midnight when we snuck to John Patrick's apartment. We spent awhile decorating the flaming pink birthday cake (that Erin baked) with "3 HCG's Love JP." HCG's meaning, of course, Hot Calvinist Girls. We lit 24 candles, set the cake outside the door, knocked on the door, and ran downstairs middle-school style.

We were ready to run back up to the door taking pictures and singing the infamous "This is your birthday song. It doesn't last too long. HEY!" as soon as JP answered the door.

We waited. And we waited. John Patrick never answered the door. So, as the candles melted into the flaming pink icing, I ran upstairs and knocked again, this time with much more force and endurance. I ran downstairs and heard the door open. Alas! The flaming pink birthday cake (already lit) would be enjoyed by the birthday boy himself! We waited to hear his initial response before running up with our cameras. But all we heard was the door slam shut.

What in the world?! This was his birthday song! It wouldn't last too long! HEY!

We were confused. We went back upstairs, knocked on the door and just stood there. John Patrick's roommate opened the door and blankly stared at us like we had she-mullets or something.

Finally, John Patrick came out of the bathroom (in his pj's) and let us sing "This is your birthday song! It doesn't last too long! HEY!" Good thing, too, because a birthday isn't complete without a flaming pink cake and 3 HCG's singing you a song.

I have not been permitted to reveal the exact date of this occurance, but John Patrick's birthday has come upon us in recent days. He has attempted to keep it a secret for some time now, but through extensive reseach, the Texas Girls have uncovered the mystery. So, JP...

This is your birthday song! It doesn't last too long! HEY!

Bluegrass/Blues?

Photo by Cheryl Rupp


Thanks to everyone for your support at The Narrow Path show on Friday. I had a blast! Steve Moore joined me with his mandolin, guitar, and vocals. Lorie King provided harmony vocals on several songs and Chad Lewis added harmonica on a Bob Dylan cover. WOW! I seriously had so much fun!

To see a review of the show, go to Jive To The Monkey

I'll be playing at the new Java Brewing Co. (www.javabrewingco.com) on Frankfort Thursday, March 31 from 7:30-9:30pm. It's a free show, so please come out and support me. I take requests!

When people ask what my music is classified as, I never know what to say. After the show on Friday, I think I heard people classify it as "Bluegrass/Blues." Is that possible, seriously? Bluegrass/Blues? Those don't go together at all. But I guess it makes me unique.

Thanks again for coming out. I would love to see everyone at the new Java on Frankfort on March 31!

Be There With Bells On

Press Release

Lawrence created this rad press release for the concert on Friday. I will be opening for Chad Lewis (www.ChadLewis.net) THIS FRIDAY at The Narrow Path. Show starts at 7:00, so get there early! There's no cover and it will end around 9:00. You really have no excuse NOT to go.

I'll be covering Bob Dylan, Patty Griffin, The Beatles, Buffalo Springfield, and Sandra McCracken and doing some originals too. Chad does all originals and his songs are excellent.

Also, check out www.nikkitatom.com! Well, there's only a picture on there now, but it will soon be a wealth of information and fun.

The Narrow Path
1829 Bardstown Road
502 459-4001

This Friday, March 18. 7:00pm (on the dot) until around 9:00pm.
No Cover.
Parking behind The Narrow Path or curbside.

Be there with bells on.

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Oh, and if you want something to read, scroll down to the post "A Little Problem." It's the poor middle post between Bert's question and Bert's poll. Poor post. Ya'll read it. Alex Forrest has a hilarious comment on it.

Not For Ruby

"Three weeks ago we got word at our church that Ruby Eliason and Laura Edwards had both been killed in Cameroon. Ruby was over 80. Single all her life, a nurse; she poured her life out for one thing: To make Jesus Christ known among the sick, and the poor in the hardest and most unreached places. Laura was a widow, a medical doctor, pushing 80 years old, and serving at Ruby's side in Cameroon. The brakes give way, over a cliff they go, and they’re dead - instantly. And I asked my people: is this a tragedy? Two women in their 80’s, a whole life devoted to one idea, and twenty years after most of their American counterparts had begun to throw their lives away on trivialities in Florida and New Mexico… is this a tragedy, I asked? It is not a tragedy.
I’ll read you what a tragedy is. I’ve got a little article from readers digest. This is a tragedy. Title of the article, “Start now, retire early.” "Bob and Penny took early retirement from their jobs in the Northeast five years ago when he was 59 and she was 51. Now they live in Punta Gorda, Florida, where they cruise on their 30 foot trawler, play softball and collect shells." THAT’S a tragedy. And there are people in this country that are spending billions of dollars to get you to buy it. And I get 40 minutes to plead with you, DON’T BUY THAT DREAM. The American Dream: a nice house, a nice car, a nice job, a nice family, a nice retirement, COLLECTING SHELLS…. as the last chapter before you stand before the Creator of universe to give an account with what you did. Here it is Lord! My shell collection! Look Lord, my shell collection! And I’ve got a good swing! And look at my boat, God…. .look at my boat. Well, not for Ruby."

This is a quote from John Piper's sermon at One Day, 2000 in Memphis. I wasn't at One Day, but I heard the sermon. Ruby became my hero after hearing it. "Not For Ruby" has become a life quote for me. Give in to the American Dream? Not For Ruby.

Dr. Magnuson is my Ethics teacher here at Southern. He started to tell a story about his Great Aunt Ruby. The more he told of the story, the more I became convinced that my hero, Ruby, was the same Ruby that he was talking about. So, I raised my hand and asked. Sure enough, it's the same Ruby.

I talked to Dr. Magnuson after class and told him that I love Ruby. Her story has given me a new perspective on life. I asked if I could sit and talk with him and his family about Ruby. I want to know more about her life, her philosophy, her theology. I want to know this hero on a personal level. Dr. Magnuson agreed to let me in on his Great Aunt Ruby's life.

I am SO EXCITED about this! A woman in her eighties who gave her entire life to the Lord and was a single missionary to the unreached people of this crazy world. Eighty years old and still going overseas!!

The American Dream has been seared into our minds. It has stolen our knowledge that true satisfaction is not found on earth. It has dangled a ploy before our eyes and we have greedily snatched up the illusion. This "dream" claims to be the treasure of life. So, was it a tragedy for a frail old woman to give her life to the Lord in missions? Was it a tragedy that she never married? Never retired on the beaches of Florida? Never experienced the American Dream?

Not For Ruby.

Class President

Who Would You Vote To Be Your Class President?

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Random Questions

Here's a list of random questions that I've been contemplating for quite some time now. Enlighten me with answers.

1. Why do we have two small nostrils and not one big nose hole?
2. How come everyone can't roll their "r's?"
3. What significance do freckles have?
4. Why do chewable Pepto-Bismol tablets turn your tongue brown?
5. What does the "H" stand for in Preparation H?
6. Why is there braille on drive-up ATM machines?
7. Why don't guys shave their armpits?
8. Why do 3/4 sleeve sweaters exist?
9. How did different accents start in different parts of the country?
10. Why is the word "chunky" so nasty sounding?
11. Why does cilatro taste like that?
12. How does Britney Spears get away with wearing a t-shirt that says "I am the American Dream?"
13. Why do we consider ties to be decorative clothing? It's just a long piece of cloth (or silk) tied around your neck.
14. Why do mullets still exist?
15. Why do people say they'll be somewhere "with bells on?"
16. Why do hiccups sound so weird?
17. Why do people drink decaf coffee? Is it really for the taste?
18. Why doesn't gum dissolve?
19. Why are most Pop "Tarts" sweet?
20. Why do we have ear lobes?
21. Why can't I stand when people say "I sliced my flesh?"
22. Is there another word for "synonym?"
23. Can chickens actually run around with their heads cut off?
24. Isn't it hilarious when a "psychic" goes bankrupt?
25. What exactly is the "The Sign" that Ace of Base sang about?