The Great Ska Compromise of 2004

 

An historic reenactment of the gift given at The Great Ska Compromise of 2004. 

 
 
MINUTES OF SUMMIT

(Hereafter known as “The Great Ska Compromise of 2004″) compiled by Courtenay Bluebird on November 3, 2004.)

Location:  An area near Bluebirdistan and Husbandola called “the couch” in native Bluebirdian and “the sofa” by Husbandolas everywhere.

Meeting called by: The Bluebird and The Husband, jointly, per agreement from prior engagements, specifically, “The Futurama Timeslot Debate of 2001.”

Type of meeting:  Two-party mediation.  With snacks!

Note Taker:  The Bluebird.  (Notoriously biased.)

 

AGENDA TOPIC:

The Joint Territory called “the stereo” that borders both Husbandola and Bluebirdistan.
 
A hotly contested space, the stereo has been the site of many skirmishes and ambushes of an auditory nature initiated by both sides of this border.

This meeting has been called to discuss the latest skirmish, a non-stop playing of a certain Cocteau Twins album on the stereo.

A request for radio silence (“My ears are bleeding!”) was made by Husbandola, but Bluebirdistan responded by playing Sad Girl Music, the rude slang Husbandola for any soundtrack native to Bluebirdistan.

In retaliation that evening, Husbandola later put on music known only as That Guy Yelling With A Bass Line to the residents of Bluebirdistan.

 
 

A rare photograph of Bluebirdians preparing for the last skirmish on the border known as the stereo.

 

DISCUSSION:

AN IMPORTANT FRAME OF REFERENCE:  Even though these two countries share some common space, they do not speak the same language.

Visitors to either of these countries should be aware that though they are culturally similar at a glance, further encounters with the natives of these two countries will discover that they are, in fact, quite different.

But, to speak ill of Bluebirdistan is to raise the ire of Husbandola, and vice versa.  These are two proud countries with a long, shared, if aesthetically-troubled, history.

 

On November 5th, 2004, A musical cease-fire was called for two days after the initial skirmish.  During this time, the two countries played Esquivel recordings non-stop, which both countries agree is “neat.”

The concern of outside pundits is that both countries will not find common musical ground beyond the playing of Esquivel and Frank Black.

Recent advances in recordings may prove to be either a boon or a bane to the shared border known as the stereo.

Informal advisors debate the outcome of Bluebirdistan's unusual strategy.

 

Bluebirdistan tried something new to pre-empt stalling on both sides of this compromise.

A purchase of an album called History of Trojan Records 1968-1971 to honor the birthday of the nation of Husbandola was in the mail.

Informal advisors were divided on the outcome of this unusual strategy.

Either Husbandola would be pleased and the border called the stereo would be at peace for the moment, or Husbandola could view this as a further act of aggression on the part of Bluebirdistan, and retaliate by sending Bluebirdistan a recording of ’80s classic rock through the mail, knowing this would be an affront to the ears of Bluebirdian nationals.

Advisors and pundits of many nations waited nervously to witness the outcome of this gesture in the mediation process.

 

The border in question was a small, but important territory.

 

CONCLUSION:

The gift of History of Trojan Records 1968-1971 on the birthday of the fine nation of Husbandola marked a history-making change between the two nations.

Though neither Husbandola nor Bluebirdistan could anticipate these results, this compilation album, produced only two years previously, caused dancing in the streets and a general social mingling around the stereo.

Successive acts of goodwill have included the playing of both Sad Girl Music and Angry Man with Bass Guitar far, far away from the shared border, as well as joint purchases of more ska, reggae and rocksteady classics from the 1960s and early 1970s from Trojan Records.

An additional unexpected result has been the annual dance party on the birth of the nation of Husbandola featuring the original ska music purchase. 

As Husbandolas do not dance, per se, this is quite astonishing.

 

Husbandola has been a proponent of new technology since the latter part of the 20th century.

 

ACTION ITEMS:

While outside advisors have been buoyed by the success of this moment, skirmishes around the second shared border, known as “The TV,” have been on the rise since 2005 when Bluebirdistan discovered the uses of this technology.

Tentative inroads have been made after the introduction of the Roku device in 2009, a palliative gift from a near-by country called affectionately and accurately by both nations “the Mother of Bluebirdistan and the Mother-in-Law of Husbandola.”

Additional measures are being sought, but great hope has arisen from the general populace of both nations on the release of the entire collection of The Andy Griffith Show on the Roku device.

Netflix declines to comment on this activity, but informal viewers have noticed an increase in both laughter and shared food resources around the TV.

 

Andy Griffith, shown here surrounded by costars, has become unexpected ambassador of peace for both Bluebirdistand and Husbandola. Griffth plays the national instrument of Bluebirdistan, a tuba, as a show of goodwill.

 
All advisors are cautious, but hopeful in recent times.  The introduction of Hulu on Roku in the last year (2011) seems to have preemptively and unexpectedly provided an additional soporific effect for these two countries.

Both nations appear to have a growing awareness that shared technological resources can be an opportunity for positive change.

The stockpiling of upgraded versions of Sad Girl Music and Angry Man With Bass Line has come to a standstill.

The nearby nations of Ilsavania and the Duchess Monkey Southerlands can be heard rejoicing at this latest development in the foothills surrounding both borders using the common language of howling at the moon.

 

A local Ilsavanian eschewing the attentions of local press on the matter of the two nearby nations.