I just had this unexpected exchange with my boyfriend Michael:
Me: Have there been any other unexpected deaths, Michael?
Michael: No, Ann. It looks like everybody on the planet survived the night.
Me: That can’t be true.
Michael: Almost.
Everybody on this planet surviving any night is certainly unexpected.
I think my question this morning to Michael probably wasn’t unexpected by him, because we spent some time last night talking, processing, and trying to make meaning of the unexpected deaths of Prince and Patton Oswalt’s wife, Michelle McNamara.
Because of the number of unexpected celebrity deaths since January 1, people are already describing 2016 as a particularly horrible year. I guess that’s not unexpected.
I wonder if the content of this post, so far, is unexpected. People celebrating Passover might be expecting some mention about that.
Because I write these blog posts so spontaneously, it’s unexpected where any of them will begin and end up.
I suppose it’s not unexpected that I would now share some photos I took yesterday. I expect some of them might fit the unexpected topic of this post. If none of them do, that would be unexpected and unprecedented.
Those last two unexpected items are:
- the orange cup that my son Aaron has used at my cousin Lani’s Passover Seder for many years and
- an unexpected gefilte fish.
I suppose some music isn’t unexpected here, either. I expect that any Prince music I include might unexpectedly disappear from this blog in the future. However, it would be unexpected if nobody appreciated this performance, for now:
Any comment from you, whether unexpected or expected, would be most appreciated.
I shall end, now, with expected and sincere gratitude from me to you for visiting here, before I go out and party like it’s 2016.
The Year(s) of Living Non-Judgmentally 
What is unexpected is this; I had my ears tested a week ago and my hearing is perfect, but I just can’t understand half of the lyrics of that song. The rhythm is great, and so is the dancing but I just can’t hear the words.
I was dreamin’ when I wrote this
Forgive me if it goes astray
But when I woke up this mornin’
Coulda sworn it was judgment day
The sky was all purple,
There were people runnin’ everywhere
Tryin’ 2 run from the destruction,
U know I didn’t even care
‘Cuz they say two thousand zero zero party over,
Oops out of time
So tonight I’m gonna party like it’s 1999
I was dreamin’ when I wrote this
So sue me if I go 2 fast
But life is just a party, and parties weren’t meant 2 last
War is all around us, my mind says prepare 2 fight
So if I gotta die I’m gonna listen 2 my body tonight
Yeah, they say two thousand zero zero party over,
Oops out of time
So tonight I’m gonna party like it’s 1999
Yeah
If U didn’t come 2 party,
Don’t bother knockin’ on my door
I got a lion in my pocket,
And baby he’s ready 2 roar
Everybody’s got a bomb,
We could all die any day
But before I’ll let that happen,
I’ll dance my life away
Oh, they say two thousand zero zero party over,
Oops out of time
So tonight I’m gonna (party like it’s 1999)
Say it 1 more time
Two thousand zero zero party over oops,
Out of time
No, no (Tonight I’m gonna)
So tonight we gonna (party like it’s 1999)
We gonna, oww
Yeah, 1999 (1999)
Don’tcha wanna go (1999)
Don’tcha wanna go (1999)
We could all die any day (1999)
Thanks. I don’t understand why so much music is so hard to hear these days. But now I can go back and listen again.
Just listened again. I got it all this time. Thanks a lot.
My pleasure. Many thanks for reading, listening, and commenting.
Now that was unexpected Ann!
Prince and I were the same age. As I am not musically talented, rich or successful, that is where the similarity ends. I am, however, still here for the moment and am content with that. It is always unexpected when someone my age dies.
I am very glad you’re here for the moment.
Thank you. 😉
A good motto to live by, Expect the Unexpected. You never know what’s round the corner. Some unexpected and significant losses this year.
I was pleased to see that you were around the corner here. Thanks for the comment.
Life has always been uncertain and I think with so many celebrity deaths over recent months it reminds all of us that we do have an expiration date but it’s also a reminder that while we are still here to make the most of every moment. Thank you for this unexpected post 🙂 Have a nice weekend Ann!
Thanks for improving my moments today, Stephanae.
You’re very welcome Ann, and you can call me Steph 🙂
Most expected lyric…”But life is just a party, and parties weren’t meant 2 last”. 💔
Parties aren’t meant 2 last, but what you write lasts for me, Van.
Thanks Ann for this unexpected opportunity to listen to one of Prince’s great hits.
On the other hand, very much expected (and appreciated cause I can’t stand them) was that we didn’t have gefillte fish yesterday evening at the seder evening, which we held at the family (with Persian roots) of my boyfriend’s sister’s husband…
Thanks, Heila, for the unexpected opportunity to read another one of your great comments! ❤
Hi Ann, I know this might be a bit unexpected, having a visit from me. I have been in the midst of a blogging challenge, working, living, laundry. It is an unexpected surprise that I find I have time to come visit my friend, Ann’s, post. Hope all is well with you!!!!!
I like to expect the unexpected, SD, and I’m always grateful to see you. All is well here and I wish the same for you!
It is Ann! All is well here.
Lots of the unexpected here today Ann!! 💛
Another expectedly great visit from you, Val! ❤
I’d barely gotten over David Bowie and Alan Rickman, when this happened. Prince too? Totally unexpected and very sad. They were all geniuses in their own way.
I expected somebody to express what you expressed; I totally agree with you. Thanks for the comment.
Next year in Edinburgh!
I don’t know whether you would expect this, Maureen, but I said THE EXACT SAME THING at the Seder last night.
🙂
Unexpected gefilte fish is always welcome.
An unexpected guest at the Seder!
Hi, I like the general quirkiness of this post, I think Prince would have approved!
Your compliment is both unexpected and appreciated! ❤
Ah, thank you! :))
There seems to be more unexpected deaths this year because the Baby Boomer generation is starting to get OLD. And we tend to notice the deaths of those “our age” a lot more than someone 30 years older than us. I’m beginning to think, “There, but for the grace of God, go I..”
It’s not unexpected that we would have similar thoughts, Claudia.
Maybe we’re different sisters from different mothers twice removed on our great grandfather’s nanny’s side!
The unexpected is not always a bad thing. In my case, it has shifted my life into a path full of unexpected possibilities.
Another expectedly perceptive and interesting comment from you, Robert.
Ann,
As you party, expect to have a good time. If you don’t, that would truly be unexpected.
-Alan
I know it took a little while, Alan, but here’s the expected gratitude from me for your kind comment.
Ann,
Don’t feel rushed in anything. It is always good to hear from you, whether sooner or later.
-Alan
It was totally unexpected that you would follow my blog, but I appreciate it. It was unexpected that you, too, would be so affected by the unexpected deaths of so many celebrities in 2016 so far. Add to those celebrities’ deaths some local folks in my little town of less than 1000 Montana folks, and you’ll know I was deeply touched, too. And 3 of the 4 were related to pneumonia, and I am suffering residual effects of that same virus/bacteria right now! Write about what you know, they say. Yup, touched by death and grief. I know the emotion. You brought it home. Thank you (I think) 😢
Would it be unexpected if I tell you that exactly two years ago I had pneumonia, which kept me out of work for about six weeks? I expect we will discover we have more things in common. I am expectedly grateful that are paths have crossed here. Many thanks for the comment.
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