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Cake — Rock & Roll Lifestyle
Album: Motorcade of Generosity
Avg rating:
6.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 641









Released: 1994
Length: 4:09
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Well, your CD collection
Looks shiny and costly
How much did you pay for your bad Moto Guzzi?
And how much did you spend
On your black leather jacket?
Is it you or your parents in this income tax bracket?

Now, tickets to concerts
And drinking at clubs
Sometimes for music that you haven't even heard of
And how much did you pay for
Your rock 'n' roll T-shirt
That proves you were there, that you heard of them first?

Now, how do you afford your rock 'n' roll lifestyle?
How do you afford your rock 'n' roll lifestyle?
How do you afford your rock 'n' roll lifestyle?
Oh, tell me

Aw, yeah, all right
All right
Oh, yeah, all right, aw

How much did you pay
For the chunk of his guitar
The one he ruthlessly smashed at the end of the show?
And how much will he pay
For a brand-new guitar
One which he'll ruthlessly smash at the end of another show?
And how long will the workers
Keep building him new ones?
As long as their soda cans are red, white, and blue ones
And how long will the workers
Keep building him new ones?
As long as their soda cans are red, white, and blue ones

Aw, yeah, aw, yeah
Aw, yeah, all right, ha
Oh-ho-ho-ho
Oh, no

Aging black leather and hospital bills
And tatoo removal and dozens of pills
Your liver pays dearly now for youthful magic moments
But rock on completely with some brand-new components

Now, how do you afford your rock 'n' roll lifestyle?
How do you afford your rock 'n' roll lifestyle?
How do you afford your rock 'n' roll lifestyle?
All right, aw, yeah

So good, oh, baby

Excess ain't rebellion
You're drinkin' what they're selling now
Your self-destruction doesn't hurt them
Your chaos won't convert them
They're so happy to rebuild it
You'll never really kill it, aw, yeah
Excess ain't rebellion
You're drinkin' what they're selling, oh
Excess ain't rebellion, oh
You're drinkin', you're drinkin'
Aw, yeah, you're drinkin' what they selling
Aw
Yeah, all right
Aw
Yeah
All right
Comments (163)add comment
More Cake please, every Moto Guzzi is great.
Posted 7 years ago by musicforme    [ Reply ]
John McCrea was interviewed on NPR recently and talked a bit about this first album as being a response to the grunge music of the time.
Posted 13 years ago by scraig    [ Reply ]
Cake, great in smallish quantities.

(both the band and the dessert)

Posted 13 years ago by Queue    [ Reply ]
Cake...
is flat, off key, banal, sophomoric and so so so unjustifiably full of themselves.
cease already.
Posted 13 years ago by tphord    [ Reply ]
Aw, geez. This is not really worth the effort of listening, is it? Maybe there is a listenership out there, but why? Seems to me that Frank Zappa dealt with this sort of stuff around 1966 or so, and much more interestingly: 'plastic boots and plastic hat, and you think you know where it's at'. 
Posted 13 years ago by bam23    [ Reply ]
I always think I don't like Cake, and then I'll hear a song I kinda sorta think is ok, and it turns out to be Cake.
Posted 13 years ago by mmoyer    [ Reply ]
 Captn_Pea wrote:

Hey... I have a Moto Guzzi - I payed for it as my first significant gift to self after college.


 
You "payed" for it?  AFTER college? Hmmmmmm.


Posted 13 years ago by laozilover    [ Reply ]
 MJMJ wrote:
Cake, it's light and fluffy
 
And, they are masters of the VIBRASLAP! :)

https://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/atoz/cake_pageant_vibraslap.jpg


Posted 13 years ago by laozilover    [ Reply ]
I spent $38 dollars (plus TicketBastard) to see them two weeks ago at House of Blues in Chicago AND THEY DIDN'T EVEN PLAY THIS!!!! What a ripoff!!!! :(

Posted 13 years ago by laozilover    [ Reply ]
Cake, it's light and fluffy
Posted 13 years ago by MJMJ    [ Reply ]
 twitterpated wrote:
I can't really say why but I like Cake's style a lot.  I always get the feeling that the lead singer knows he is being annoying and really, really enjoys it, which speaks to the rogue in me.  To be fair, though, I can't listen to more than two or three of their songs before I have to turn it off.
 
Huh. I always got the feeling that the lead singer thought he was being clever, when in fact he's simply annoying.

As for the two or three song thing, I think that's because they just keep re-doing the same thing. Having to listen to a whole album (courtesy of a former officemate) is like having the same song stuck on repeat. 

Posted 13 years ago by rcurrier    [ Reply ]
Fun song, as long as I only hear it once every year or so...
Posted 13 years ago by MostTornBrain    [ Reply ]
I've heard this song more times than I can count, but I just listened to it for the first time.

These guys are damn witty! Me like!
Posted 13 years ago by Sullen    [ Reply ]
These guys are a riot.
Posted 14 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]

Hey... I have a Moto Guzzi - I payed for it as my first significant gift to self after college.


Posted 14 years ago by Captn_Pea    [ Reply ]
love me some Cake
Posted 14 years ago by Decoy    [ Reply ]
exactly...

 twitterpated wrote:
I can't really say why but I like Cake's style a lot.  I always get the feeling that the lead singer knows he is being annoying and really, really enjoys it, which speaks to the rogue in me.  To be fair, though, I can't listen to more than two or three of their songs before I have to turn it off.
 

Posted 14 years ago by mackerrow    [ Reply ]
I can't really say why but I like Cake's style a lot.  I always get the feeling that the lead singer knows he is being annoying and really, really enjoys it, which speaks to the rogue in me.  To be fair, though, I can't listen to more than two or three of their songs before I have to turn it off.
Posted 14 years ago by twitterpated    [ Reply ]
It wasn't to bad until ticket prices went over the top.
Posted 14 years ago by jmsmy    [ Reply ]
turn. it. up.  LOUD!!!   {#Drummer}

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawwwww ya!
Posted 14 years ago by amb599    [ Reply ]
can NOT wait to see them for the first time.......SLC, here i come!
Posted 14 years ago by techer2    [ Reply ]
 tapatia1072 wrote:


"William Shatner is positively tuneful in comparison" - LOL! Brilliant comment.

Speaking of which - wouldn't it be fun if Bill played Shatner's version of "Mr. Tambourine Man," just for a good laugh?
 
I like this song.  Go figure.  I also like the Shatner Common People song.  What happened to that one? I heard it for the first time on this site.
Posted 14 years ago by netskink    [ Reply ]
I'm a HUGE Cake admirer, and I hate this song.
Posted 14 years ago by DoctorHooey    [ Reply ]
annoying, like 90% of Cake's stuff.
Posted 14 years ago by scrubbrush    [ Reply ]
 fredriley wrote:
 keller1 wrote:


It's not singing ... whatever it is gets on my nerves too.

 

Quite. William Shatner is positively tuneful in comparison. I like some Cake stuff but this is seriously irritating. If you want to speak, do a talking book; if you're in a rock group, bleedin' well do some singing.

 

"William Shatner is positively tuneful in comparison" - LOL! Brilliant comment.

Speaking of which - wouldn't it be fun if Bill played Shatner's version of "Mr. Tambourine Man," just for a good laugh?
Posted 14 years ago by tapatia1072    [ Reply ]
 keller1 wrote:


It's not singing ... whatever it is gets on my nerves too.

 

Quite. William Shatner is positively tuneful in comparison. I like some Cake stuff but this is seriously irritating. If you want to speak, do a talking book; if you're in a rock group, bleedin' well do some singing.

Posted 14 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
file under 'hipper than thou'
Posted 14 years ago by rp1125    [ Reply ]
Decent music; absolutely terrible spoken-word delivery.
Posted 14 years ago by sdn    [ Reply ]
Hookers and blow?
Posted 14 years ago by nagsheadlocal    [ Reply ]
 Hodgie wrote:
What to say? These guys have always cracked me up...sometimes I even tap my fingers and toes.
 
I know.  HYSTERICAL!  Love me some Cake.
Posted 14 years ago by bhallmark    [ Reply ]
What to say? These guys have always cracked me up...sometimes I even tap my fingers and toes.
Posted 14 years ago by Hodgie    [ Reply ]
 TimMann wrote:
Blah. The lyrics are sophomoric — good point, but they hammer it into the ground. And the singing just gets on my nerves.
 

It's not singing ... whatever it is gets on my nerves too.

Posted 15 years ago by keller1    [ Reply ]
 spigolli wrote:

Yes, grates on the ears like a Frank Zappa tune. 
 
Oh Man!
Just say Ahh Yea!
: )

Posted 15 years ago by MayBaby    [ Reply ]
 spigolli wrote:

Yes, grates on the ears like a Frank Zappa tune. 
 
I know... Its awsome eh!

Posted 15 years ago by fran_tarkenton    [ Reply ]
 TimMann wrote:
Blah. The lyrics are sophomoric — good point, but they hammer it into the ground. And the singing just gets on my nerves.
 
Yes, grates on the ears like a Frank Zappa tune. 


Posted 15 years ago by spigolli    [ Reply ]
Ahhh Yea! Ahh Yea!
Posted 15 years ago by MayBaby    [ Reply ]
The more i hear the more i wonder how i didn't get interested back in the day when i first heard them
Posted 15 years ago by Sloggydog    [ Reply ]
Blah. The lyrics are sophomoric — good point, but they hammer it into the ground. And the singing just gets on my nerves.
Posted 15 years ago by TimMann    [ Reply ]
 ruminatus wrote:
the message is clear and relevant but unfortunately the music doesnt escape the laziness and cliche-laden world being criticized, which just means it sucks.
 
Yeah

Posted 15 years ago by jtarp    [ Reply ]
Old Cake is the best Cake. It never gets stale! {#Hungry}

This album just about knocked me senseless when our station got it as a promo disk back in 94. Just wow.
Posted 15 years ago by lmic    [ Reply ]
Is this Bill's retort to my snarky comment re: the Morphine song? It was said in jest! We love you Bill! Been a long term listener. You guys rule, but you are obsessed with that song! :P
Posted 15 years ago by kickstartmyheart    [ Reply ]
 glydev wrote:

please leave this song out of the rotation, the lyrics are hideous, singing is affected, who knows how they put together the horn arrangements - is this supposed to be Lou Reed meets the Clash, with some uninspired rock-a-billy guitars?
this really is bad...


 
Hahaha, seems the boys from Sac Town have struck a cord with the boy from Brooklyn

Posted 15 years ago by scraig    [ Reply ]
 glydev wrote:

please leave this song out of the rotation, the lyrics are hideous, singing is affected, who knows how they put together the horn arrangements - is this supposed to be Lou Reed meets the Clash, with some uninspired rock-a-billy guitars?
this really is bad...


 
Wrong on almost every count {#No}

Posted 15 years ago by Stave    [ Reply ]

Ew it grows on you like a wart!


Posted 15 years ago by Bruster    [ Reply ]
These guys have witty and insightful lyrics ... with a trumpet and a vibraslap!  How could anyone dislike them?!
Posted 15 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]

please leave this song out of the rotation, the lyrics are hideous, singing is affected, who knows how they put together the horn arrangements - is this supposed to be Lou Reed meets the Clash, with some uninspired rock-a-billy guitars?
this really is bad...


Posted 15 years ago by glydev    [ Reply ]
I think a lot of us are now paying for people like this.  Lots of McMansions for sale suddenly. .. .
Posted 15 years ago by bindi    [ Reply ]
the message is clear and relevant but unfortunately the music doesnt escape the laziness and cliche-laden world being criticized, which just means it sucks.
Posted 15 years ago by ruminatus    [ Reply ]
actually, I like the music, beat and the horn backup...  but the lyics are sooo   stupid....   HMMMMM??

Posted 15 years ago by Gatlinburger    [ Reply ]
stupid song...  sucks... 
Posted 15 years ago by Gatlinburger    [ Reply ]
 RadioDoc wrote:
Someone left this cake out in the rain.
 
Too funny!  I used to like Cake more, but after an unnecessary reprimand from John at a show, naaaahhhh...


Posted 15 years ago by goodpunk    [ Reply ]
 redeyespy wrote:


Broad stroke there. I think the targets are more related to consumerism, the coveting of fame, the desire to fill one's life with artifacts and the desperate attempt to perpetuate a fascade of hipness. Applies to a lot of Americans, true, but I think the song's aim is more specific.
 

Also applies to a lot of Chinese, Russians, Japanese, Koreans, increasing numbers of Indians, plenty of Western Europeans, Brazilians, etc. and etc.

Also doesn't apply to a lot of the above, including a lot of Americans (including me.)


Posted 15 years ago by philbertr    [ Reply ]
 scraig wrote:
I was just thinking about this song...apparently I know too many people like this. ;)
 
I think a lot of them are here.  The sentiment being the more obscure the band that is your "favorite", the more you know about music, and anyone that likes something that has been on the radio is an idiot.

Posted 15 years ago by stewliscious    [ Reply ]
Don't know that I'd listen to it day in and out; but man, this sure hits the spot right now!

Great lyrics, a good bookend to Thrills
Posted 15 years ago by dedawson    [ Reply ]
Someone left this cake out in the rain.
Posted 15 years ago by RadioDoc    [ Reply ]
Wow, Bill found something worse than that Everclear song. Hardly seems possible.....
Posted 15 years ago by jhorton    [ Reply ]
 bobcat1963 wrote:
mmm 
some cake in the morning 
(8.13 in the netherlands...) 
i like it!!!!

 
tastes still good at noon in the country next door!

Posted 15 years ago by Baum74    [ Reply ]
mmm 
some cake in the morning 
(8.13 in the netherlands...) 
i like it!!!!

Posted 15 years ago by bobcat1963    [ Reply ]
Hmmm...I wonder how well this song went over with their studio?

Bet it was NEVER played on a ClearChannel radio station.


Posted 16 years ago by avidfan    [ Reply ]
snarky without being tight or clever - not up to cake standards

yeah, i'm not cool

Posted 16 years ago by lophrequa    [ Reply ]
 ryuujin23 wrote:
And people complain about William Shatner's songs. Sheesh. {#Rolleyes}
 
I don't!  I like that too.  {#Dance}


Posted 16 years ago by queenjill    [ Reply ]
 bobrk wrote:
Heh. He said "Moto Guzzi." 
 
"Is it you, or your parents in this income tax bracket?"

If you hate this, you are not cool.  Sorry, but that's the rule.
(Just to clarify, I like this - but am not cool - but didn't disqualify myself from a chance at being cool by not liking this song)
:)

Posted 16 years ago by veegez    [ Reply ]

Egrey wrote:
Cake has some nice songs, but sometimes the talk-sing thang bugs.

 
That's what I've been looking for: "talk-sing", I agree, it's not for me.

Posted 16 years ago by choiceimage    [ Reply ]
And people complain about William Shatner's songs. Sheesh. {#Rolleyes}
Posted 16 years ago by ryuujin23    [ Reply ]
Heh. He said "Moto Guzzi." 
Posted 16 years ago by bobrk    [ Reply ]
Cake has some nice songs, but sometimes the talk-sing thang bugs.
Posted 16 years ago by Egrey    [ Reply ]
Love the guitar & the horns. Funny lyrics, too! "...Oh yeah....All right...!!"
Posted 16 years ago by Danimal174    [ Reply ]
flyboy wrote:
I love America for the land and the people. Even if we were dirt poor, it would be a great place. We won't be dirt poor, at least for a long time, because of the opportunities here and the the bounty of the land.
I've observed that it has more to do with the overall ratio of cooperation verses competition that determines whether a society is prosperous or in decay. Where would you put the USA under those terms?
Posted 16 years ago by MonkeyPod    [ Reply ]
Smoove_D wrote:
awesome, funny lyrics
Hello fellow wisconsinite
Posted 16 years ago by jdpinball    [ Reply ]
awesome, funny lyrics
Posted 16 years ago by Smoove_D    [ Reply ]
I'll take more yummy Cake any time.
Posted 16 years ago by ginger    [ Reply ]
I was just thinking about this song...apparently I know too many people like this. ;)
Posted 16 years ago by scraig    [ Reply ]
flyboy wrote:
We won't be dirt poor, at least for a long time, because of the opportunities here and the the bounty of the land.
Well, it's this attitude that allows people (worldwide, although it is very American) to rapaciously consume until this planet's resources are dried up and we really are poor, or worse. The "bounty of the land" won't last long at the rate we're consuming it. And ask someone from a minority community in the US about the "land of opportuniy" thing.
Posted 16 years ago by musikalia    [ Reply ]
ziggytrix wrote:
That line about red, white, and blue soda cans really bothers you, doesn't it? Patriotism is not about brand loyalty. Do we love America or do we love the US Dollar? Just something to think about while putting another mass-produced-in-Taiwan ribbon sticker on the bumper...
I love America for the land and the people. Even if we were dirt poor, it would be a great place. We won't be dirt poor, at least for a long time, because of the opportunities here and the the bounty of the land.
Posted 16 years ago by flyboy    [ Reply ]
mojoman wrote:
He says while enjoying all the freedoms his location in America affords him. There is no end to hypocrisy in the world.
That line about red, white, and blue soda cans really bothers you, doesn't it? Patriotism is not about brand loyalty. Do we love America or do we love the US Dollar? Just something to think about while putting another mass-produced-in-Taiwan ribbon sticker on the bumper...
Posted 16 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
I saw Cake at the 930 club in DC a few years back, and Cheap Trick opened for them. It was an interesting show, that's for sure. Oh, and screw the cowbell, more vibroslap!
Posted 16 years ago by joeychick    [ Reply ]
These guys are almost as bitter as Tom Petty. I love them though.
Posted 16 years ago by jwb    [ Reply ]
emerald4 wrote:
this is my very favorite cake song. especially love it towards the end when he just starts hollering.
I like that they mention my favorite motorcycle: Moto Guzzi!
Posted 16 years ago by egruben    [ Reply ]
MUTE
Posted 16 years ago by Krow_Pie    [ Reply ]
this is my very favorite cake song. especially love it towards the end when he just starts hollering.
Posted 16 years ago by emerald4    [ Reply ]
Freakishly off-beat and avante garde. Very eccentric. puckish, touched.
Posted 16 years ago by gjeeg    [ Reply ]
pleseq wrote:
Refreshingly anti-American.
Broad stroke there. I think the targets are more related to consumerism, the coveting of fame, the desire to fill one's life with artifacts and the desperate attempt to perpetuate a fascade of hipness. Applies to a lot of Americans, true, but I think the song's aim is more specific.
Posted 16 years ago by redeyespy    [ Reply ]
HEY! I used to have a Moto Guzzi, and I'm nothing like that!
Posted 16 years ago by CafeRacer    [ Reply ]
The only thing dear and holy is Morrisey
Posted 17 years ago by superfido    [ Reply ]
Pot!!!!!! I sell my body and soul...
Posted 17 years ago by superfido    [ Reply ]
HELL YES!!!
Posted 17 years ago by agnes    [ Reply ]
blueyedmerle wrote:
How do I afford it? SELL POT...of course :
Where? When?
Posted 17 years ago by marmelock    [ Reply ]
How do I afford it? SELL POT...of course :
Posted 17 years ago by blueyedmerle    [ Reply ]
Vocals: kinda Lou Reed -ish I think. I still don't like Cake, though. Course, I don't much like Lou Reed either.
Posted 17 years ago by bev    [ Reply ]
aaah yeah, aaah right, aaah he's trying really hard to make this one work
Posted 17 years ago by araujokrl    [ Reply ]
Great song! My first exposure to Cake. The point of the song, in case you missed it, is that you think you're all cool and rock n roll, but you're just buying into what the corporations are selling you.
Posted 17 years ago by hippiechick    [ Reply ]
I haven't heard this song in forever... I love it! Great way to start the day!
Posted 17 years ago by lild    [ Reply ]
Oh Yeah............
Posted 17 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
Still and always their best CD, imho!!! A big 9-er
Posted 17 years ago by lmic    [ Reply ]
you are on a roll Bill.
Posted 17 years ago by Wizzuvvoz    [ Reply ]
This takes the cake. I'd let them eat cake, but they can't have their cake and eat it too. I can just ignore it -- piece of cake!
Posted 19 years ago by radiojunkie    [ Reply ]
In a most recent interview on Fresh Air (NPR w/ Terri Gross) he tell us what he was thinking about when he wrote this song. Not anti-American at all. Anti-consumerism is more like it. Of course many of you will equate consumerism with Americana.
Posted 19 years ago by kimmer    [ Reply ]
mojoman wrote:
He says while enjoying all the freedoms his location in America affords him. There is no end to hypocrisy in the world.
It's not necessarily hypocrisy. I see it more like irony.
Posted 19 years ago by Tarquin    [ Reply ]
pleseq wrote:
Refreshingly anti-American.
He says while enjoying all the freedoms his location in America affords him. There is no end to hypocrisy in the world.
Posted 19 years ago by mojoman    [ Reply ]
JamieR wrote:
I have grouped the world into 2 categories, people who like cake and people who don't. I myself LOVE CAKE, both the band and the flour/sugar kind.
Cake is great... in small doses. Is there any way we can create a spinoff RP devoted only to the songs of Cake? As it stands, I hear forty or sixty Cake songs every day now. RP never repeats any of them, and they STILL all sound the same.
Posted 19 years ago by Trustocity    [ Reply ]
pleseq wrote:
Refreshingly anti-American.
:nodhead:
Posted 19 years ago by Danny_G    [ Reply ]
"excess ain't rebellion" you tell it baby. love. this. song. too.
Posted 19 years ago by jamiezocean    [ Reply ]
Refreshingly anti-American.
Posted 19 years ago by pleseq    [ Reply ]
The guitar sounds like that "Hot Rod Lincoln" song from 30 years ago...
Posted 19 years ago by coding_to_music    [ Reply ]
catmaven wrote:
Sharp, articulate satire. 8)
Wow! I thought Catmave totally hated the use of brass in rock songs. yet here she is saying nice things. Mmmmmm.
Posted 19 years ago by Marr    [ Reply ]
excellent seque out of no doubt's "bathwater" :D
Posted 19 years ago by rah    [ Reply ]
Priceless song! The lyrics alone warrants this song a "10" in my book.
Posted 19 years ago by Darkmatter    [ Reply ]
I love this song.
Posted 19 years ago by talus    [ Reply ]
veegez wrote:
If there is one thing that I don't understand for sure, it is people trashing this song/band. Why more listeners don't think that this isn't cooler than cool itself, is beyond me. Whatever, rock on completely with some brand new components.
Perfect post. I never expected this to age well, but it has. Cake is truly a love-it-or-hate-it thing, moreso with each album. Put me in the former camp.
Posted 19 years ago by redeyespy    [ Reply ]
I am at a Cake crossroads... the stuff was great for a while... but now I think I have heard the schtick. Cake is starting to resemble a one trick pony.
Posted 19 years ago by thermion7    [ Reply ]
At least he as one good song. This song is to much like a punk rock sound a like. I do not like it at all.
Posted 20 years ago by dyoung    [ Reply ]
This is awesome, after all I like "Cake" so if you play more I wouldn't mind at all, thanks!!!
Posted 20 years ago by unclesherman    [ Reply ]
As satire, I could stand to hear this once. As music to hear more than once, however, sucko-barfo. And no, I am no rock concert groupie, far from it. My idea of good satire is Zappa's "Trouble Every Day", now that NEVER gets old. In fact it seems to get more relevent every day, funny huh?
Posted 20 years ago by tld    [ Reply ]
Sharp, articulate satire. 8)
Posted 20 years ago by rKokon    [ Reply ]
I have grouped the world into 2 categories, people who like cake and people who don't. I myself LOVE CAKE, both the band and the flour/sugar kind.
Posted 20 years ago by JamieR    [ Reply ]
Is it just me, or does this song bear a resemblance to "Instant Club Hit (You'll Dance to Anything)" by the Dead Milkmen?
Posted 20 years ago by runchadrun    [ Reply ]
I. Love. this. song. Cake is amazing...they're fantabulous live as well.
Posted 20 years ago by serenity5    [ Reply ]
Since the days of The Distance I've been in love with Cake.
Posted 20 years ago by ObsidianInfinity    [ Reply ]
Don't hate the CAKE, in a world of carbon copy alternative wanna be's they are one of the few bands you can actually call oriiginal on the airwaves.
Posted 20 years ago by Vandy005    [ Reply ]
I haven't heard a single song from these guys that I could tolerate longer than a few lines.
Posted 20 years ago by MsJudi    [ Reply ]