Farewell

It has been only hours since the world was told the news of the death of Michael Jackson. I must say a part of me was surprised about how much it affected me. I first heard of him being brought to the hospital in the 5 o'clock news headlines. 45 minutes later I logged in to check Facebook and a friend had said that he died...I at first didn't beleive it. I turned on the TV, and they were talking about it, saying that the news came in that he was pronounced dead. A split second of shock was followed by tears. No way...not yet, it can't be.... and then opened up reflections on just how much of an influence he was on my life. His passing on is like the marking of the end of an era, and end to my childhood. There is no doubt his influence will live on.

I remember the first time I was introduced to Michael like it was yesterday. I was quite young and at a birthday party for a daughter of one of my mom's friends, whose name was Sue. At some point in the party many of the adults were inside and going to watch something on the TV. It turned out to be Thriller. I remember one person telling me it was scary and I shouldn't watch it, but I was too intrigued to turn away. I fell in love instantly! Soon I was given the Thriller album on tape. I still have it, bearing a star my mom drew on the side with Billy Jean, which was my favorite song on the whole album. I had a little tape player/speaker combo that I brought with me everywhere and listened to the tape. I'm sure there are many people I subjected to my Michael Jackson infatuation over the years. ;) Later that same year for Christmas I was given a Michael Jackson Thriller doll, which I still have...though I have since lost his shoes, sunglasses, and silver glove. I had a poster of him at my bed. All by the age of 4.

Over my growing years I formed a life long adoration of singing and dance which I attribute to him. I realized last night just how much of who I am was influenced by my first childhood 'crush'. I used to dance and sing to his music in the backyard, imagining that I was also a famous singer. Such good times. I know that because of him I love skinny guys...so really Ryan has him to thank, too, ha ha... not to mention that I always that it was awesome when guys wear eyeliner, and even down to the fashion influence having me always loving black and a bit more of the goth style...I know it all surfaced from him. I also realized last night while watching some recaps of him and just mesmerized by his glittery outfits that my love of glitter must have been born through my love of him too. I even broke my arm when I was 8 because I was doing my own version of what I saw him do in the music video "The Way you Make me Feel"; he climbed through a window of a car, and I was doing the same thing only I decided it would be cool to sit on the window sill for a while. Next thing I knew I was hurt and on the ground. Whenever anything of Michael came on TV my parents would record it for me on what would be much used VHS tapes. I watched Moonwalker all the time. Whenever I see Joe Pesci I first associate him with the bad guy in Moonwalker. That movie was the first time I realized the Beatles could be cool, since he performed "Come Together" in it.

Even when his popularity waned during the 90s I never stopped loving him. I'd listen to his tape in my car all the time, not caring what others thought, though I just loved it when someone else enjoyed it as much as I did. Old school Michael is classic. You can't top it, and pop music could never escape his talented influence. Any time he is played at the dance clubs I'd get giddy and feel like a kid again. I used to love going to Disney's Pleasure Island while it was still open since they played him frequently at 8Trax. I even opened up our housewarming party last year playing the music video for Rock With You (woohoo, glitter)

I regret I will never be able to see him perform live. I was all set to do whatever I could to see him on his planned upcoming tour. We have lost an amazing talent, one I honestly believe will never be equaled in the field of pop music ever. Much love to Michael & his family, and many thanks for all he has meant for me.



















First photo: With my cousin Alyssa in Oregon listening & dancing to Michael on my tape player. Andrea was never much of a fan, ha ha.
Second Photo: Christmas when I got my MJ doll. You can see my tape player on the floor below him. Knowing me I was trying to play along with the song while pretending he was singing.
Third Photo: At Pleasure Island having a great time dancing to Billy Jean in 2008

Once Upon a Dream, part 2

Here is the video of Zelda singing in the little microphone as I wrote about in a previous post. The second part is a few days later; she is watching her reflection in the sliding glass door. Enjoy!

Miami...my mammy

Zelda is sleeping in way late this morning, so I am going to take advantage of this and catch up on my blog. She is so cute, she stayed up watching the third Star Trek movie with us, eventually falling asleep toward the end although she tried to fight it. (I know, I'm actually watching Star Trek now…Shauna, I know you are proud ;) ) The cat also decided to sleep next to her…see how sweet:

Ok, so anyway, I've been wanting to write about my last little trip. My mom flew out on June 12 so she could watch Zelda while Ry & I went to a few shows in Miami. It was great to see my mom, she is looking good, and I know the trip was good for her. The drive wasn't too bad…about 3 hours. Our hotel was on the beach in North Miami Beach, right between the Trump Towers. No…it wasn't as posh as Trump, but the beach was so nice I could have stayed in a shack and have been just as happy. The weather was gorgeous, little rain in the afternoon that kept any insane heat at bay. The ocean water was a stunning turquoise, like the Keys, but unlike the Keys there were beaches to hang out on. Zelda was still a bit intimidated by the water, but she loved to try out every seat in every cabana, and wash the sand off her feet using the little sprayers.

She and my mom had a great time while Ry & I were at our shows. The resort we were at was very family oriented, so they always had something going on. There was almost always live music, which Zelda adored. She would go right up to the band to be able to dance. My mom even got hit on by a Cuban guy asking her to dance, too. Wish I was there!

Speaking of the Cubans…going to Miami was the first time I took a trip in Florida when I actually felt like a tourist, as in I didn't feel like I was in Florida. Very few people spoke English as their primary language. I really enjoyed the rich cultural difference. It was refreshing. We found an awesome Cuban restaurant nearby the hotel, one frequented by locals, and it was amazing.

So our first night Ry & I headed out to see The Cure in Sunrise/Ft Lauderdale. I was so blown away from their performance. Having recently come from Duran Duran, a band of about the same age, I was expecting a similar show…enjoyable, fun, but good enough to see once and be happy with it. I didn't expect to have the band full of energy that reminded me of seeing Placebo back in the day. They filled the whole arena with it. Robert Smith's voice was as clear and beautiful as can be. The music spoke with its own aura. Their opening act, 65daysofstatic, was quite impressive as well. After this show I definitely plan on going to see The Cure as often as possible. I'm so glad I actually had a chance to catch them this time around.

A camera phone pic of The Cure from our first seats...we eventually moved lower because the people around us were lame and sat down through the entire show

The next day we drove down to South Beach and I was immersed in memories from Grand Theft Auto 3: Vice City. I'm glad I wasn't driving, as I had impulses to ram into lights, buildings, and honk @ the hoes. ;) I love that game, heh heh! We stopped off at Escondido which was an area that was highly Spanish influenced, even more than the rest of the town. It was gorgeous, but not wanting to spend money we left after walking around a bit, heading back to enjoy our resort. Later that evening Ryan and I took the bus back down to South Beach, enjoying the variety of architecture and different neighborhoods. 

We then got to enjoy a wonderful show from Eddie Izzard, who was brilliant as ever, and who made a sure point in a tactful way that red-neck ignorant Americans need help ;) ha ha…even though that was just a little snippet, the rest of his act delved into daisy eating dinosaurs, the insanity of Moses and that his followers believed in a guy who talked to a burning bush, followed him from a desert to another desert, staying for decades…to the ridiculous fashion of the length of words in latin....believe me he made it work. A definite must see, I will so go to him again if the chance arrives.

Walking around South Beach @ night, we almost got hit several times, it was crazy, as was our bus ride back to the hotel which took half as long as the bus ride previously, since they were going twice the speed limit and had run some red lights. I felt like I was getting my just rewards for running people down and stealing buses in Grand Theft Auto. Karma! ;) We enjoyed the beach @ night, then the next morning the water was as still as a lake, which made for a wonderful end to a great little vacation.

My mom stayed a few more days, and it was not long enough…never is. Zelda had a wonderful time and easily recognizes who Grandma is now. Hopefully we'll all get to visit again soon….I'm trying to make a way to come out to Salt Lake again this year.

I've been craving going back to Miami since leaving. I just really enjoy going places that are exiting and tropical at the same time. Every time I see the sign on I95 showing how many miles to Miami, I think how awesome it would be to get some girls together and stay a weekend in South Beach. I'm going to start saving up for that very idea, and any of you ladies reading this that want to join in, you should! It would be a blast!

Ok, now that I've gotten that down, I'm going to go wake Zelda up before she sleeps through half the day. What a cutie.

Cheers,

Heather

Its Official...

Well...I am now 28, and no longer a Duran Duran virgin. I stretched the birthday celebration over the past couple of days which has been fun. First on the 18th we dropped Zelda off with Julie, Helge, & their daughter so that Ryan and I could go head off to see Duran Duran for their Red Carpet Massacre tour. It was so awesome to finally see them! Our seats were pretty good, a little over on the side, but that is ok. The opener, Your Vegas, was actually good, but of course the highlight was finally seeing Duran Duran on stage. Simon's voice is just as good on any record. They performed a few songs from the new album, with Timberlake's influence really showing through. Naturally they played songs spanning their career. I was thrilled to hear View to a Kill and Come Undone. Halfway through the set the band lined up in a quartet of sorts and did a 20+ minute medley of songs played in a minor key, which included The Normal's Warm Leatherette...it was definitely the highlight of the show. Anyway, here is the setlist:

THE VALLEY
RCM
NITE RUNNER
HUNGRY LIKE THE WOLF
PLANET EARTH
FALLING DOWN
COME UNDONE
SKINDIVERS
THE REFLEX
SAVE A PRAYER
A VIEW TO A KILL

ELECTROSET;
LAST CHANCE/ALL SHE WANTS/LEATHERETTE
I DON'T WANT/SKIN TRADE/TEMPTED

NOTORIOUS
GIRLS ON FILM
ORDINARY WORLD
SUNRISE
WILD BOYZ

RIO

After having a fab time with Duran Duran, we headed back to get Zelda, and hung out with a tired Julie & Helge for a little bit. Next on Monday we went out for the traditional birthday dinner along with Eliza. We went to my fav, Wolfgang Pucks. It was so yummy! When we got home we danced the night away, previewing our convertable dance club before the grand opening next month. Kenna even stayed up past midnight dancing away. It was a blast.

Yesterday I woke up to the phone ringing, but didn't get to it due to my wanting to sleep in. An hour later I got up and it was a message from my Dad singing me Happy Birthday. I called him back and spoke with him and my Mom. It is hard being away from family on my birthday...birthdays are important with us. I realized this is the first one without any of my immediate family here. I've been spoiled the last few years; in 2005 my sister flew out here, in 2006 I got to meet all of them in Vegas, and last year my parents arrived early for a planned trip to surprise me. I love my family and miss them, but it was still great to be able to talk with them. How I wish I could be with all of my good friends and family now!

Later I met up with Jen @ a PostSecret exhibit in Melbourne. It was very interesting and spanned all sorts of human emotions and frailties. Most all were touching in many ways...some quite sad and desperate, and some funny. If you aren't familiar with it, go to postsecret.com. Zelda & I headed out to a few stores and I got her a little milkshake..she had such fun making a mess! Speaking of her and making a mess, when we indulged in my birthday cake Zelda's face was completely covered with chocolate. It was so cute. Anyway, Jen came back over later yesterday evening, and we played Worm's Armageddon for the XBox and watched some Flight of the Conchords...both of which were hilarious.

Well, thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes, gifts, friendship and love. I've now got 2 more years in my 20's...so I'm going to make them rock! So far I'm off to a great start.

Cheers,
Heather

U2 3

Saw U2 again for the first time in 4 years. This is my third time seeing them live...each other time has been 4 years apart, and each time has been an AMAZING communal and spiritual experience. Have I ever mentioned to you how just how much I love U2?

First time was in 97. This show had a lot of flair and showmanship....fabulously glam and yet it made everyone in the concert feel like one big giant family. I still feel this is the best show I've ever seen, and I'm sure the fact that I was front row (front row and center during the last two songs) really helped.

Then there was the second time in 2001. This was shortly after the September 11 attacks. This show was very emotionally intense for everyone. We were all still shaken up by what happened to this world, and Bono had just lost his father. "Kite" made him tear up while he was mentioning it reminded him of his father...and then when they performed "One" they projected all of the names of everyone who perished int the September 11 attacks.

This last show, here in Tampa, was good. I loved seeing the band, and they sounded great. This one, however, was VERY political. I figured it would be, but I could tell that some of the crowd wasn't getting into it. If only everyone would take just a hint of what was said back home with them, this world could change