Lately I’ve been going backwards in time.
I’ve lost interest in what’s happening now. I’m much more interested in looking into things that happened in the past.
- I’ve been listening to music from the 50s 60s and 70s.
- The clothes I buy are vintage.
- My hat is 60 years old.
- At night I watch old Johnny Carson and Dick Cavett talk shows.
Maybe I’m looking for an escape from the current news cycle. Maybe I’m longing for my childhood. Maybe it’s just a phase.
I posted a photo of my new/used boots and vintage slacks on Instagram. One of my favorite people who I drunkenly stumbled into on a sidewalk 20+ years ago commented this: “Awww! Live your cheugey dreams Superstar!”
I didn’t know what Cheugy meant, so I googled it. Here’s what I found.
Cheugy: The opposite of trendy. Stylish in middle school and high school but no longer in style. Used when someone still follows these out of date trends. This may include but not be limited to fashion, habits on social media, usage of slang, etc.
Cheugy: A catch all word to describe anything that is basic, uncool or untrendy. According to The New York Times, “cheugy (pronounced chew-gee) can be used, broadly, to describe someone who is out of date or trying too hard.”
Urban Dictionary
I’m still not sure if she was being supportive of my attempt to be an individual or putting me down for not fitting in. (Or putting me down for fitting in with people who try not to fit in?)
I have no idea. But either way I think it’s great.
If Cheugy means I’m “off trend” or “out of style” that’s fine by me. I do my best to tune out from our current reality as much as possible.
- News? Who cares.
- Trends? They’re temporary.
- Fit in? Never did.
I don’t want to become one of those people who dress and design their entire life to look like it’s still 1960. I always thought they were oddballs. But now I kinda get it.
You get to do whatever you want with your life. And if you’re not happy with the way things are you can change them. And if things these days aren’t interesting to you, you can always investigate how things used to be.
You may find that you just aren’t made for these times. Maybe you’re actually a hippie, a greaser, a cowboy or the Brady Bunch. Whatever feels good.
Wear what you want. Bellbottoms and roller skates are fine. Want a mullet? Go for it. Listen to AM radio all day. Drink Tang with dinner. Let your freak flag fly.
And if someone calls you “Cheugy” thank them. Whether they’re congratulating you on being different or putting you down for not fitting in. It’s fine.
You only live once. So do whatever you want with this experience. One hundred years from today no one will remember you or anyone else you know ever existed.
It’s kind of freeing when you think about it that way. So be free. And feel free…
To live your Cheugy dreams.
But the beautiful native pines that your brother Jeremy planted at the Ada Sanctuary in April, 1993 are thriving and shall live for more that 100/200/300 years and then their seedlings will live on and on and so fort because Jeremy made a difference. He planted trees. He was funny, fun, outlandish, one of a kind freak and he died ‘forever young’, but he will live on in the spirits of the trees in Darras/Lafon Park.
I’ll have to add that to my list of things you can do to live forever. Art, music and… planting trees.
I freaking love it! Most of the clothes in my closet are true vintage, gotten from the Goodwill or yard sales. Some of them I’ve put together with my sewing machine. I’ve turned my old boot cuts into bellbottoms and I absolutely do let my freak flag fly! Thanks for teaching me a new word today. I used my dowsing rods to ask the universe what your friend meant with her comment about your Cheugy dreams and I got that it was meant as encouragement. Glad to hear from you and know you are well and living life like a free bird! Be happy and don’t ever stop flying that freak flag man! Tammie
I like your style… and thanks for asking the dowsing rods. I’ll ask a magic 8 ball and between the two of us we might just figure it out 🙂 Good to see ya, thanks for stopping by! M
I am searching through your site and had forgotten about the Cheugy dreams! How could I do that when it is actually the epitome of who I am? With that being said, I just read the comment from your friend Elizabeth Ross and it was beautiful. I’m hoping you see my request to use your Cowboy in the Sunshine as my intro for my vanlife Youtube channel coming your way sometime in the future. Lemme know what you think. If it’s not cool with you I’m fine with that. I would love to use it though. It sets the tone for what I want to put out there. I hope this finds you well! I put my request in your last song you posted which I just found today. It’s amazing and I love it! SYITF!
“One hundred years from today no one will remember you or anyone else you know ever existed.”
this hits so hard Malan!
Hits me hard too man… in a good way.
But the beautiful native pines that your brother Jeremy planted at the Ada Sanctuary in April, 1993 are thriving and shall live for more that 100/200/300 years and then their seedlings will live on and on and so fort because Jeremy made a difference. He planted trees. He was funny, fun, outlandish, one of a kind freak and he died ‘forever young’, but he will live on in the spirits of the trees in Darras/Lafon Park.