Last week I celebrated the holiday season by having Christmas in July. What I mean by that is that usually Christmas is the only time of the year when my whole family is together in one place. All our family photos have Christmas trees in them. Well now we have a couple of family photos without any Christmas decorations in them.
Tuesday we had a nice family day like on Christmas Day. We played games together and had a nice meal. The only difference was instead of a board game at the kitchen table we played arcade games at a Putt-Putt. The meal was not ham or turkey and we ate at a restaurant. An added plus was no cleaning up to do. Gotta love that!
The best thing about Christmas in July; knowing that another Christmas will come around again in December. Then we can take the picture with the tree in it. An extra Christmas in the year is wonderful. I propose having one every July with a regulation photo session.
I wrote about Michael Jackson fans last week. What I said was that Elvis Presley fans could relate to what the Jackson fans are going through with the death of their hero. Well, there is another thing that Michael Jackson fans will or probably already have in common with Elvis fans – the conspiracy theories about Jackson. I have already read claims that Jackson’s body was not in that golden casket. Can the rumor be far behind that Jackson isn’t dead? Elvis fans are very familiar with that theory. The first time I heard the story that Elvis had not really had died but faked his own death was August 17, 1977. I was on Elvis Presley Boulevard across the street from Graceland, spending the night sleeping in the parking lot of a shopping center. Some fans can’t accept the truth. Of course from time to time, stories would pop up about Elvis sightings; like in a Burger King. Remember how Grandpa Huxtable on The Cosby Show talked several times about Elvis being seen at a mall in New Jersey? If it hasn’t already this is going to happen to Michael Jackson fans. It is just amazing to me how far people will take these theories.
A couple of years ago I read a news report about a movie being released in August, 2007. The name of the movie was The Truth About Elvis. The film maker claims that this documentary was devoted to finding out if Elvis is dead or alive. People in the movie trailer swore Elvis was alive and even some claimed to have seen Elvis. A website was mentioned. Curious, I went to check out this website.
Okay, I know there are strange people in the world. I think this website is weird center. Not only was a movie coming out but the same guy was releasing a book. This book was to be composed of fan letters to Elvis. The film maker wanted all handwritten, present tense letters. In other words, the people writing the letters had to believe they were writing to a live person. People were sending them in. Wake up and smell the coffee. You wrote a book for this guy. He will publish it and get paid. You'll get nothing; expect maybe, to look foolish. Looking foolish is a very easy thing to do on this website.
Like all good fan sites, The Truth About Elvis had a message board. Not only were fans posting but so was someone claiming to be Elvis. He was nice enough to explain that he went into the witness protection program in 1977. The witness protection program didn't work for the presumed Elvis, so he dropped out. Over the years this person claims he made a few recordings. BMG might be interested in that piece of news. Elvis was under contract to their RCA division in 1977. He may still owe them a few recordings. If a record company isn’t going after this guy then he isn’t Elvis. Record executives would get what is owed them, as well as the profit to be made on releasing newly recorded Elvis material. People were responding to this person as if he really was Elvis. Now I'm not a genius but I do wonder if this poster claiming to be Elvis could be the result of the reward offered on the website for information that proves Elvis is not dead or a publicity stunt to promote the movie and book?
I loved Elvis. My husband said just the other day, he still misses Elvis. I do too, but I don't miss him enough to be convinced he didn't die on August 16, 1977. This guy, with his film and book, will make what money he can. In order to make that money, he'll need to spread the word about his project. The film was supposed to be released during Elvis Week in August, 2007. Since I never heard any more about the movie I went back to check on how The Truth About Elvis did at the book office. What I learned was the film has not yet been released. If you are curious, Google The Truth About Elvis. Now look, see what I've done. I've given the film publicity. Of course that may not matter since the film has never made it into release. It was kind of scary to read the fan board. Do all these people really believe they were writing to Elvis? Things that make you go mmm.
Watch out, Michael Jackson fans. This will happen to you. It is not only Elvis -- there are people who believe JFK was not assassinated in November, 1963. I always tell people that I know Elvis is dead because I don’t go to people’s funeral unless they have died. Who I really feel bad for is the people who truly cannot accept that someone has passed on. With Michael Jackson’s death being so new, it is understandable that fans may be dealing with accepting it as fact. After so many years, it would seem that people would accept that Elvis is gone. Maybe some never will. That still doesn’t give someone the right to make money off the pain and suffering of others. That will keep happening as long as there are people around to take advantage of others. Just watch out for these vultures.
Like most everyone I have read thousands or maybe millions of words written since the death of Michael Jackson. These words are just the tip of the iceberg compared to the television coverage of the event. In all this media reporting one group of people have been overlooked – the fans. Once in awhile some reporter will point out someone who had purchased tickets to a London O2 concert and planned to fly over from the United States. That story always turns into the issue of refunding ticket money. The group I’m talking about is not someone who bought a concert ticket. I am talking about die-hard fans; like the ones who stayed outside of Michael Jackson’s Los Angles home in the vans. I can so relate to these people because I was them in August, 1977.
This is not an easy time for these fans. Grieving is never easy for anyone but it is made harder by all the information and stories being reported every day. People don’t have much sympathy for fans. Understanding a fan’s loss is impossible for most of the general public, but it is a very big loss. Fans are part of a group people joined together by a common interest. When that interest is a person and not a sport or hobby, it is looked upon as strange. Other fans understand and support Michael Jackson fans at this terrible time. They become a surrogate family for each other.
In the coming days Michael Jackson fans will hear many disturbing things about Jackson. Things they will not want to believe or accept. All of this is part of the legacy of Michael Jackson. Nothing takes away from the talent he shared with the world. It is a great sadness that so many people with such great gifts suffer so much unhappiness and pain. Maybe that suffering is part of what allows a super talented artist to connect with an audience. We all have pain at one time or another. It’s a common thread running through life. Fame and wealth doesn’t take the pain away. It does provide the means to deal with the pain in a way not available to everyone and that is not always a good thing.
Take heart, Michael Jackson fans. His music will outlast all the stories. Remember that fans of other artists, who left us too early, like Elvis Presley, understand what you are going through. Your world is dark now but it’ll get brighter. Life will never be the same. You are the ones who are keepers of the memories. The reasons for you being a die hard fan are pure. Money and greed was not involved – only love. When the time is right, and you’ll know, the world will know your story. This is the story I’m waiting to hear.
My youngest son, Paul, visited his Dad and me last week. Both of my sons live in another state and their careers keep them on the road a lot. It is wonderful when whatever they are working comes close enough to us to spend time together. Most of the time we travel a couple of hours to see them but Paul was in a town only about thirty minutes away. He was even able to spend one night with us.
This was made extra special by the fact it was the week before Father’s day. My boys are Daddy’s boys; always have been. Why shouldn’t they be? They have a wonderful Dad. Paul even bought us a present- a GPS. That has been great. I can’t wait to use it on a trip.
Speaking of trips, one night we went over to watch Paul work. He is a sound engineer. This summer he is doing Christian youth camps for Student Life. The people who work with teen-agers in church youth groups are very special. Too much drama and hormones for me. Then add in the wild tale told by the lead singer of the band performing at the camp and it makes for one interesting evening.
Seeing Paul do the job he loves was the best part. He had to struggle to get where he is today but life is getting better for him all the time. I always knew he would overcome his problems because Paul is a strong person. At this point in his life, I think he is beginning to discover his strength.
Paul left yesterday. After this gig is over in August, he’ll be working with his older brother in the fall. I hope that tour comes close enough for us to go. If not, we won’t see Paul again until maybe Thanksgiving or Christmas. We keep up by phone and computer. I am so proud to see and know Paul as the person he has grown up to be. I have been so blessed to have been a part of the amazing journey of Paul’s life. I can’t wait to see what else he’ll do. With his talent and strength, the possibilities are endless.
I was reading a post on an email string the other day written by a lady who attended a lecture by Suzanne Somers on health, hormones, and all the other stuff Ms. Somers is pushing these days. Bless her heart, this dear lady threw out all her Febreze after hearing Ms. Somers speak. According to the lecture, Febreze has chemicals that can be harmful to the human body the same way as preservatives in food.
Ms. Somers, along with quite a few other celebrities earn a nice income by telling us regular folks how to look and feel young by following their recommended lifestyle. The buying of books, DVDs, and CDs are encouraged to teach the method used by the stars. Of course the number one secret of what Hollywood celebrities believe keeps them young is never discussed in any of this material. That brings me to my question- why is plastic surgery not harmful to the body?
Now I am sure stars like Ms. Somers don't want us to know about their plastic surgery. Let's face it, when your face no longer moves or resembles the face you had when you were younger,it is very obvious. The public is not blind or stupid. If the chemicals used in preserving food are bad to eat, how can putting chemicals, like botox, in your face, breasts, or thighs be healthy? Never mind putting your body through purely elective surgery. That can't be good.
Maybe since I don't have to depend on my looks, thank goodness, to keep my career going, I don't understand. That's why I'm asking. All I want to know is how someone like Ms. Somers can preach keeping chemicals out of your body and home but use them on her own body? Any type of cosmetic surgery is doing something to to the body that nature never intended to be done. Bodies are supposed to age, not be filled with chemicals to make them look plastic. (Note to all celebrities: all your "people" you pay are lying to you. You don't look younger - you look gross.)
I'll keep my Febreze. I like the way it makes my house smell. I look at it this way: if all the stuff that has gone into body over the years that I had no idea would harm me when I used it hasn't killed by now, a little Febreze isn't going to hurt. If anyone can answer my question about why plastic surgery is healthy and Febreze is not, I'd like to hear from you. Maybe Ms. Somers can explain it to me. If it involves buying one of her books I guess I'll never know. Unemployed blog writers like me can't afford celebrity self-help books.
Oh well, it's not like plastic surgery will ever be an issue for me. Just one of those things I was thinking about in my gracious amount of spare time. So I wrote about it. Maybe one day I'll write something and collect royalties checks like Ms. Somers does. I can promise you I won't be pushing some philosophy I don't follow. I'd rather be broke and honest. At least I'll be able to sleep at night.
Dreams do not always come true but in some strange ways, they can be fulfilled – just not in the expected manner. The dream of my heart when I was growing up was to see The Beatles perform live. I admit I am giving away my age, and yes, I am old: old enough to be a first generation Beatles fan. None of the Beatles’ tour came to the town I lived in so the local radio station promoted bus tours to larger cities taking fans to Beatles shows when the group played the US. I begged my parents to take me; always holding out hope that one would lose their mind and give in. Never happened.
This past week-end I went to see a band called 1964. The band is billed as a Beatles tribute band; the best Beatles tribute band according to a 2005 Rolling Stone review. This was repeated quite a few times during introductions and intermission. Think Beatles from their first Ed Sullivan Show appearance. 1964 wear the suits, ties, boots, and hair from the year the band’s name is taken. All the music is from the years The Beatles toured, 1964 – 1966, in the U.S. The band is very good. They should be they have been doing this for twenty-five years. It’s a fun show. The music is great. 1964 even stays in character between songs, using what sounds like vintage Beatle patter
The show I attended was outside in a park. A charity event, only 2000 tickets were available. Beatles shirts adorned quite a few concert goers; not only on older folks but on younger people also. A teacher brought his “Beatles class,” which looked like middle school boys. (It had to be from a private school. Our public system would never fund a class that cool.) Judging by the number of teen-agers who sang along, not missing a word, I’d say Beatle music is alive and well, even if it can’t be purchased on iTunes.
Time has changed the fresh faces of 1964 I saw back in the 1980s at a local university. I sat up front at the park the other night. Maybe the next time I see 1964 , I’ll sit further back, close my eyes and it will be 1964 – the year again. For a brief second, the wish of my ten year self will come true. I did see George Harrison and Paul McCartney perform in person when I grew up. So fifty percent of my dream came true. The moral, and you knew one was coming, is never give up on your dreams, no matter how they come to be fulfilled.
Once upon a time, back in the 1970s, everyone didn’t have digital cameras, small cam corders, or even cell phones, never mind ones with cameras. Unlike now, filming an event any time or any place was not available to everyone. Film was used in every type of camera. Home movie cameras using 8 mm film were the only thing available to the general public. Zoom lenses for these cameras were not even something most people thought about. Usually home movies were taken of family events. Some Elvis fans used their home movie camera to record a different, very important event in their lives – Elvis’ concerts. Quite a lot of these films are out floating among fans. I received a very special one recently.
March 17, 1976 is a day that holds very precious memories for me. On that day I received my first scarf and kiss from Elvis Presley. In was in Johnson City, Tennessee. Elvis played Freedom Hall behind the high school for three nights that spring. I was present for all of the concerts. My scarf and kiss happened on the first night. Also that night I gave Elvis a pair of sunglasses. He wore these glasses on stage and joked about them. For years I had great photos of Elvis wearing the sunglasses while he was talking to me. Quite a few wonderful photographers were in the audience that night. Sadly I only have one not so very good picture of Elvis kissing me. A policeman’s hat blocks Elvis’ and my faces. All that can be seen is Elvis leaning down and the back of my shirt.
A few weeks ago, after thirty- three years, I got to see the kiss and the scarf. Like I said at the beginning, the 1970s were like the dark ages in terms of filming a concert by a fan. Compared to the technology of today the 8 mm film that is on the DVD I received appears primitive. The most important thing to me is that the film exists! As a participant, I was there when the event took place, of course, but I could only re-live it in my mind. Now for the first time, I can see the actual event. I saw the scarf and kiss captured on film as it happened. The kind Elvis fan who sent my husband the DVD was actually trying to get us footage of Elvis with the sunglasses. He no idea of the hidden treasures the DVD held.
As for the sunglasses, there are very brief shots of Elvis taking the glasses from me and passing them to Charlie Hodge. (I was told by one of the bodyguards that Elvis kept the sunglasses and played with them in his hotel room.) The CD of the concert that came with the DVD contained another gem- Elvis talking to me! I had handed him the sunglasses over the heads of women standing at the stage while Elvis gave out scarves. After everyone was seated, Elvis looked at right at me. He asked, “did you give me these glasses?” Elvis put the glasses on and kept on talking about how they made him look like Elton John or Isaac Hayes. (A few days later I received a personal thank you written by Elvis for the glasses.)
These are wonderful memories that are as fresh for me now as they were that March night over thirty years ago. To be able to see and hear the events anytime I want is an amazing gift; a gift that comes from someone who only wanted to help a fellow fan. Only a fan could understand how much this means to have these DVDs and CD. Every time I watch or listen, Elvis is alive for a few moments. Sirius radio slogan for its Elvis channel is “we never forgot.” This is the way it is for all Elvis fans who saw Elvis perform live. The atmosphere and excitement of the performances were never captured the way it really was for the audience. Like most fans, I am thankful for what remains and all our memories.
