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My Gen X Playlist: Help – The Beatles

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Daily writing prompt
What skill would you like to learn?
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I wish I was handy around the house. I’m just not. I defer everything to a handyman we occasionally hire and it’s much easier and efficient to rely on him. He is trying to encourage me to jump in and try doing more things myself, though. Once, the water spout for the ice maker inside our freezer popped out. Water sprayed everywhere and entire freezer froze over. After defrosting the freezer, I looked at the water spout and the ice maker. I gave a half hearted attempt to fix, but we had already scheduled the handyman to come over later that week for a few other things. Perfect timing. I’d add this to the list.

We both stood in front of the freezer, door wide open and I explained the issue.

“I think it just clicks in there,” he said waiting for me to reach in to do it.

“Yep, you are probably right,” I said as I handed him the plastic piece.

“I think you could just reach in there,” he continued.

“Yep, it would seems so,” I said staring straight ahead, arms folded.

Then there was a very long silence. It became a tug of war of wills, neither of us budging. We both stood there looking at the ice maker in the freezer. It was a standoff. Finally, he blinked. He reached in, we heard it snap into place and I exhaled.

“Thanks, dude.” And I really really meant it.

Yes, I am lame and not handy at all. I need to develop more skills.

Fortunately, I’m secure enough to ask for help. Even John Lennon had his moments of need. The Beatles were commissioned to write a song for a movie and Help was born out of Lennon’s struggles.

To claim that ‘Help’ contains a hidden message would be inaccurate – there’s nothing hidden about it. . . Lennon was struggling with his weight, his relationship. . . and his songwriting ability. . .

“When ‘Help!’ came out, I was actually crying out for help,” Lennon says. . .  “Most people think it’s just a fast rock ‘n’ roll song. I didn’t realise it at the time. . . But later, I knew I really was crying out for help. So it was my fat Elvis period. You see the movie: he – I – is very fat, very insecure, and he’s completely lost himself. And I am singing about when I was so much younger and all the rest, looking back at how easy it was.”

– Far Out Magazine

Freezer water spouts, not quite the comparison, I know. Still, we all need a little help sometimes.

–

For a complete playlist, please click here.

For the Spotify playlist, please click here.

Help! I need somebody
Help! Not just anybody
Help! You know I need someone
Help!

(When) When I was younger (When I was young) so much younger than today
(I never need) I never needed anybody's help in any way
(Now) But now these days are gone (These days are gone) and I'm not so self assured
(And now I find) Now I find I've changed my mind, I've opened up the doors

Help me if you can, I'm feeling down
And I do appreciate you being 'round
Help me get my feet back on the ground
Won't you please, please help me?

(Now) And now my life has changed (My life has changed) in oh so many ways
(My independence) My independence seems to vanish in the haze
(But) But ev'ry now (Every now and then) and then I feel so insecure
(I know that I) I know that I just need you like I've never done before

Help me if you can, I'm feeling down
And I do appreciate you being 'round
Help me get my feet back on the ground
Won't you please, please help me?

When I was younger, so much younger than today
I never needed anybody's help in any way
(Now) But now these days are gone (These days are gone) and I'm not so self assured
(And now I find) Now I find I've changed my mind, I've opened up the doors

Help me if you can, I'm feeling down
And I do appreciate you being 'round
Help me get my feet back on the ground
Won't you please, please help me?

Help me, help me
Ooh

21 thoughts on “My Gen X Playlist: Help – The Beatles”

  1. As a handyman myself I get what you mean, I see it quite often. I actually sometimes see some things that leave me questioning why some one would call me out to do something simple, especially if its some one that is a younger person.

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    1. I do give things a try, but somethings are better left to the professionals! The thought of getting fixed properly so I don’t have to worry about it is worth it. I wish I had the skill!

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  3. Mostly we just look at a problem and say, “Yea… we need to call someone for that.” But unless it is an urgent, pressing need, we find ways around it or do without it all together. There is a recessed light in over the bathtub that has been out for over a year now. My husband had a nasty cut on his finger from replacing another one in the house. So we’re just kind of let that one go. He sounded like he might roll his sleeves up and get to it the other day. But alas, bath time is still a dark time. Oh well. The funny thing is that our neighborhood actually has a handyman to come do these things for us for free, but we never use them.

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    1. You are so right. It’s funny how our tolerance for things can change. Our water filter is a little loose and I need to tighten it up a bit. Like your husband, I almost rolled up my sleeves the other day. Maybe tomorrow, I thought! Free handyman? Sounds great!

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  4. OMG! I laughed so hard at your story of the standoff between you and the handyman! I can totally picture that. Thank you for the laugh. I really needed that today. I have been trying to do more things around the house now that I am home every day. But, some things I just have to leave for my husband to fix. I don’t have the expertise. He is pretty handy, but just doesn’t have the time.

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  5. I understand where the handyman was coming from, trying to empower you, but if I were in that position I would have probably done the same thing… except for different motives, if I waited this long and am paying you, I’m not going to do the work too 😂

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