"Friends can make you feel that the world is smaller and less sneaky than it really is..."
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
My Sacred Life, Day 27
"Friends can make you feel that the world is smaller and less sneaky than it really is..."
25 Years Ago (10th Grade)
I can't remember how this came to me, I certainly know it changed my life forever!
I'd never danced with such free abandon before in my memory...
I fell in love with this amazing weaver of musical magic...
He lit my heart just like these sidewalk squares....
I say to you today, Mr. Jackson, thank you for rockin' my little world! The Universe is a better place for having you in it. I am completely in touch with my inner 15-year-old today, I am forever grateful and humbled by your amazing talent. I hope someday you find the peace and understanding you so deserve.
I'd never danced with such free abandon before in my memory...
I fell in love with this amazing weaver of musical magic...
He lit my heart just like these sidewalk squares....
I say to you today, Mr. Jackson, thank you for rockin' my little world! The Universe is a better place for having you in it. I am completely in touch with my inner 15-year-old today, I am forever grateful and humbled by your amazing talent. I hope someday you find the peace and understanding you so deserve.Videos + Billie Jean
Listen to the Anniversary CD
25 Thriller Facts
By Patrick Day and Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times Staff Writers
"Thriller," the biggest-selling album ever, wasn't the only Michael Jackson work released in November 1982. A few weeks before it was set to hit stores, MCA Records released an album of Jackson reading the story of "E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial" and performing the original song "Someone in the Dark." The album promotion, which featured posters of Jackson and E.T. looking very friendly, angered CBS Records, which felt it was stealing the thunder from "Thriller." Lawsuits ensued. Both albums ended up winning Grammys the following year.
"Thriller's" phenomenal success led to a breaking down of traditional racial barriers on FM radio at the time. New York's WPLJ, a "white" station, played Jackson's "Beat It" because of Eddie Van Halen's appearance on it. The song caused a wave of protests from some listeners who didn't want "black" music on their station. MTV also had a reputation for favoring white performers at the time, and its heavy rotation of Jackson videos helped alleviate the criticism.
The music video of "Thriller" played in a Westwood theater for one week in 1983 to qualify for an Oscar nomination. It opened for Disney's "Fantasia," much to the dismay of unsuspecting parents.
After the success of the "Thriller" video, a Hollywood production company began serious work on turning "Billie Jean" into a feature film. (In 1985, Helen Slater starred in the teenage drama "The Legend of Billie Jean," although there is no connection.)
In 1984, the National Coalition on Television Violence classified more than half of 200 MTV videos surveyed as too violent, including the videos for Jackson's "Thriller" and "Say, Say, Say." Dr. Thomas Radecki, chairman of the coalition, was quoted as saying, "It's not hard to imagine young viewers after seeing 'Thriller' saying, 'Gee, if Michael Jackson can terrorize his girlfriend, why can't I do it too?' "
Brooke Shields was Jackson's date to the 1984 Grammys, when he won eight awards.
"Thriller" video makeup artist Rick Baker already had an Oscar on his resume. He won the award for best makeup in 1981 -- the first time the award was handed out -- for his work on "An American Werewolf in London."
Baker actually appears in the video: He's the zombie seen stumbling out of the mausoleum.
Dance choreographer Michael Peters also had a role as a zombie in "Thriller," and shared a Tony Award with Michael Bennett for his choreography work on Broadway's "Dreamgirls." Before his death in 1994, he was an advocate of adding a choreography category to the Academy Awards.
Jackson's girlfriend in the video, Ola Ray, was Playboy magazine's Miss June in 1980, telling the publication that her favorite entertainers were "Michael Jackson, Donna Summer, Ben Vereen, Emry Thomas." She also listed her turn-ons as "music, men, dancing and romancing, health and nature" and turnoffs as "waiting for something that never comes."
Just as Van Halen's guitar solo begins in "Beat It," there's a noise that sounds like someone knocking on a door. According to rock 'n' roll myth, the knock is someone walking into Van Halen's studio. Another story claims it's simply the sound of Van Halen knocking on his own guitar.
"Thriller's" opening cut, "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'," is also the longest track on the album, clocking in at over six minutes. The radio version, however, is about two minutes shorter.
The movie theater seen in the beginning of the video was also seen in director John Landis' "The Kentucky Fried Movie." The posters seen in the theater are for the movie "Schlock," also directed by Landis.
Jackson's disclaimer at the beginning of the video, in which he discounts any belief in the occult, was prompted by his status as a Jehovah's Witness at the time.
The 1988 movie "Return of the Living Dead Part II" features a zombie dressed as Michael Jackson.
Forrest J. Ackerman, creator of Famous Monsters of Filmland magazine, can be seen sitting behind Jackson in the theater at the beginning of the video.
The video that popularized Jackson's "Moonwalk," 1983's "Billie Jean," was directed by Steve Barron, but it may not be the clip he's best known for. That would be the live-action comic book treatment he gave to A-ha's "Take on Me."
The song "Thriller" was originally titled "Starlight."
Producer Quincy Jones wanted "Billie Jean" to be titled "Not My Lover," so people wouldn't think the song was about Billie Jean King.
During the "Thriller" era, Jackson's plastic surgery became noticeable. His face changed from the time the photo was taken for the album cover to the filming of the "Thriller" video.
Real gang members were brought it to be extras in the "Beat It" video.
Although "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' " was one of the biggest singles off "Thriller," no video was ever made for the song.
The man who wrote the song "Thriller," Rod Temperton, also wrote songs for Boyz II Men, Herbie Hancock, Karen Carpenter and Michael McDonald.
The "Thriller" album has sold more than 104 million copies.
At the height of the song's popularity, MTV would run the 14-minute "Thriller" video twice an hour.
By Patrick Day and Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times Staff Writers
"Thriller," the biggest-selling album ever, wasn't the only Michael Jackson work released in November 1982. A few weeks before it was set to hit stores, MCA Records released an album of Jackson reading the story of "E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial" and performing the original song "Someone in the Dark." The album promotion, which featured posters of Jackson and E.T. looking very friendly, angered CBS Records, which felt it was stealing the thunder from "Thriller." Lawsuits ensued. Both albums ended up winning Grammys the following year.
"Thriller's" phenomenal success led to a breaking down of traditional racial barriers on FM radio at the time. New York's WPLJ, a "white" station, played Jackson's "Beat It" because of Eddie Van Halen's appearance on it. The song caused a wave of protests from some listeners who didn't want "black" music on their station. MTV also had a reputation for favoring white performers at the time, and its heavy rotation of Jackson videos helped alleviate the criticism.
The music video of "Thriller" played in a Westwood theater for one week in 1983 to qualify for an Oscar nomination. It opened for Disney's "Fantasia," much to the dismay of unsuspecting parents.
After the success of the "Thriller" video, a Hollywood production company began serious work on turning "Billie Jean" into a feature film. (In 1985, Helen Slater starred in the teenage drama "The Legend of Billie Jean," although there is no connection.)
In 1984, the National Coalition on Television Violence classified more than half of 200 MTV videos surveyed as too violent, including the videos for Jackson's "Thriller" and "Say, Say, Say." Dr. Thomas Radecki, chairman of the coalition, was quoted as saying, "It's not hard to imagine young viewers after seeing 'Thriller' saying, 'Gee, if Michael Jackson can terrorize his girlfriend, why can't I do it too?' "
Brooke Shields was Jackson's date to the 1984 Grammys, when he won eight awards.
"Thriller" video makeup artist Rick Baker already had an Oscar on his resume. He won the award for best makeup in 1981 -- the first time the award was handed out -- for his work on "An American Werewolf in London."
Baker actually appears in the video: He's the zombie seen stumbling out of the mausoleum.
Dance choreographer Michael Peters also had a role as a zombie in "Thriller," and shared a Tony Award with Michael Bennett for his choreography work on Broadway's "Dreamgirls." Before his death in 1994, he was an advocate of adding a choreography category to the Academy Awards.
Jackson's girlfriend in the video, Ola Ray, was Playboy magazine's Miss June in 1980, telling the publication that her favorite entertainers were "Michael Jackson, Donna Summer, Ben Vereen, Emry Thomas." She also listed her turn-ons as "music, men, dancing and romancing, health and nature" and turnoffs as "waiting for something that never comes."
Just as Van Halen's guitar solo begins in "Beat It," there's a noise that sounds like someone knocking on a door. According to rock 'n' roll myth, the knock is someone walking into Van Halen's studio. Another story claims it's simply the sound of Van Halen knocking on his own guitar.
"Thriller's" opening cut, "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'," is also the longest track on the album, clocking in at over six minutes. The radio version, however, is about two minutes shorter.
The movie theater seen in the beginning of the video was also seen in director John Landis' "The Kentucky Fried Movie." The posters seen in the theater are for the movie "Schlock," also directed by Landis.
Jackson's disclaimer at the beginning of the video, in which he discounts any belief in the occult, was prompted by his status as a Jehovah's Witness at the time.
The 1988 movie "Return of the Living Dead Part II" features a zombie dressed as Michael Jackson.
Forrest J. Ackerman, creator of Famous Monsters of Filmland magazine, can be seen sitting behind Jackson in the theater at the beginning of the video.
The video that popularized Jackson's "Moonwalk," 1983's "Billie Jean," was directed by Steve Barron, but it may not be the clip he's best known for. That would be the live-action comic book treatment he gave to A-ha's "Take on Me."
The song "Thriller" was originally titled "Starlight."
Producer Quincy Jones wanted "Billie Jean" to be titled "Not My Lover," so people wouldn't think the song was about Billie Jean King.
During the "Thriller" era, Jackson's plastic surgery became noticeable. His face changed from the time the photo was taken for the album cover to the filming of the "Thriller" video.
Real gang members were brought it to be extras in the "Beat It" video.
Although "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' " was one of the biggest singles off "Thriller," no video was ever made for the song.
The man who wrote the song "Thriller," Rod Temperton, also wrote songs for Boyz II Men, Herbie Hancock, Karen Carpenter and Michael McDonald.
The "Thriller" album has sold more than 104 million copies.
At the height of the song's popularity, MTV would run the 14-minute "Thriller" video twice an hour.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Unconsious Mutterings
I say ... and you think ... ?
1. Score :: win/win
2. Luxurious :: chocolate
3. Party :: Birthday
4. Limited edition :: Me
5. Security :: No Fear
6. Betty :: Boop
7. Under construction :: Perpetually
8. Pest :: Fear
9. Director :: Me
10. Express :: Gratitude
1. Score :: win/win
2. Luxurious :: chocolate
3. Party :: Birthday
4. Limited edition :: Me
5. Security :: No Fear
6. Betty :: Boop
7. Under construction :: Perpetually
8. Pest :: Fear
9. Director :: Me
10. Express :: Gratitude
There's been an accident at the rumor mill...
Today's discovery: Scotty is part of a radical right wing religious cult.
..............Let that sink in a bit........................
I know! I found it a little shocking too.
Imagine all this time and we never suspected.
If you suspected you'd tell me, right? 'cause if *I* suspected, I'd sure tell you!
Most shocking, once you get past some serious oblivion on most of our parts, is that he would choose a Radical Rightwing Religious Cult when we have so many others to choose from, right here in Oregon.
There's one commune where only women are allowed, including no male children.
Maybe Scotty wants to suck me into that one so he can sell H on the Black Market?
There's another one called Friends Landing; it sounds like a very Tom Cruise-like approach to life.
Ah! that's it! Scotty wants his own version of Katie!!
There are MANY freaks in town with FSM stickers on their cars, pins on their jackets and even cookies shaped like piles of noodles.
Scotty really wants me to be touched by noodly appendages! And he wants to watch, maybe even take pictures :::gasp:::
There is a bible-of-sorts laying around my house, though maybe it's just his cover story, a diana diversion, it's called Church of the Subgenius.
That's it! Scotty wants us to join Bob's Movement, though the prescribed Slack actually prevents us from doing just that.
As for me, I'm gonna send Bob $30 so I can be ordained. Then I'll be able to do an official *triple bless* (like the Pope, a damned fine Cult Leader if I ever saw one!) on said Gossip, while releasing the Karma Hounds who will bring her a Life of Her Own so she can stay outta mine. Amen.
..............Let that sink in a bit........................
I know! I found it a little shocking too.
Imagine all this time and we never suspected.
If you suspected you'd tell me, right? 'cause if *I* suspected, I'd sure tell you!
Most shocking, once you get past some serious oblivion on most of our parts, is that he would choose a Radical Rightwing Religious Cult when we have so many others to choose from, right here in Oregon.
There's one commune where only women are allowed, including no male children.
Maybe Scotty wants to suck me into that one so he can sell H on the Black Market?
There's another one called Friends Landing; it sounds like a very Tom Cruise-like approach to life.
Ah! that's it! Scotty wants his own version of Katie!!
There are MANY freaks in town with FSM stickers on their cars, pins on their jackets and even cookies shaped like piles of noodles.
Scotty really wants me to be touched by noodly appendages! And he wants to watch, maybe even take pictures :::gasp:::
There is a bible-of-sorts laying around my house, though maybe it's just his cover story, a diana diversion, it's called Church of the Subgenius.
That's it! Scotty wants us to join Bob's Movement, though the prescribed Slack actually prevents us from doing just that.
As for me, I'm gonna send Bob $30 so I can be ordained. Then I'll be able to do an official *triple bless* (like the Pope, a damned fine Cult Leader if I ever saw one!) on said Gossip, while releasing the Karma Hounds who will bring her a Life of Her Own so she can stay outta mine. Amen.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Dreams DO Come True!
End to writers strike near as union leaders endorse deal
LOS ANGELES (AFP) — The Hollywood writers strike edged closer to a conclusion on Sunday after union leaders formally endorsed a new contract to settle the bitter three-month long dispute.
Writers Guild of America (WGA) board members in New York and Los Angeles approved a new contract and will now hold two ballots of members to end the most damaging US entertainment industry labor dispute in decades.
The first vote, to be held on Tuesday, will see the strike declared over, allowing writers to return to work on Wednesday. A second vote on the contract itself will be held within 10-14 days, union officials said.
My Sacred Life, Day 25
The mantra speaks in favor of the goodness for every living existence in this world.The literal translation says:
“every living being should have a fearless life, pain-less life, misery-less life, knowledgeable life, healthy life, successful life, achievement-oriented life and rich life.”
The five-different colors of Prayer Flags represents the five different postures of Buddhaalso known as Pancha Buddhas or Buddha Families:
-Blue symbolizes Akshobhya Buddha and represents Space.
-White symbolizes Ratna Sambhava Buddha and represents Water.
-Red symbolizes Amitabha Buddha and represents Fire.
-Green symbolizes Amoghasiddhi Buddha and represents Air.
-Yellow symbolizes Vairocana Buddha and represents Earth.
May all beings benefit from the activity of our continued blessings for all beings.
Saturday, February 09, 2008
Book Meme
I found this at Doc's Blog, where she tags everyone on her blogroll who hasn't done it yet. I was happy to find a meme I've not done and very sad to find myself not on her blogroll. And simultaneously elated that the freaks, er, scary people that read her blog won't trickle over to mine ;)
Here goes:
Pick up the nearest book (of at least 123 pages).
Open the book to page 123.
Find the fifth sentence.
Post the next three sentences.
Tag five people and ask them to do the same
today's book: Where the Red Fern Grows (personal favorite)
Page 123, sentence 5: My dogs covered the field.
Next 3: They circled and circled. They ran up and down the barbed-wire fence on both sides.
I knew the coon hadn't walked the barbed wire.
~♥~ ~♥~ ~♥~ ~♥~ ~♥~ ~♥~ ~♥~ ~♥~ ~♥~ ~♥~ ~♥~ ~♥~ ~♥~ ~♥~ ~♥~ ~♥~ ~♥~ ~♥~ ~♥~
Mitch gave me his copy of that book on our first date. The copy he stole from the library when he was 9. I came home and read it, realizing at the end, when my tears were dripping so steadily onto the page I could no longer read, that I just might fall in love with this guy.
Hayden's now 9 and totally in love with the idea of getting a dog.
His newfound love of reading can connect him with the young-boy who became his father, with another young boy who understands burning doggy desires, and with who-he-is in relation to these stories and the story he's writing of himself.
Here goes:
Pick up the nearest book (of at least 123 pages).
Open the book to page 123.
Find the fifth sentence.
Post the next three sentences.
Tag five people and ask them to do the same
today's book: Where the Red Fern Grows (personal favorite)
Page 123, sentence 5: My dogs covered the field.
Next 3: They circled and circled. They ran up and down the barbed-wire fence on both sides.
I knew the coon hadn't walked the barbed wire.
~♥~ ~♥~ ~♥~ ~♥~ ~♥~ ~♥~ ~♥~ ~♥~ ~♥~ ~♥~ ~♥~ ~♥~ ~♥~ ~♥~ ~♥~ ~♥~ ~♥~ ~♥~ ~♥~
Mitch gave me his copy of that book on our first date. The copy he stole from the library when he was 9. I came home and read it, realizing at the end, when my tears were dripping so steadily onto the page I could no longer read, that I just might fall in love with this guy.
Hayden's now 9 and totally in love with the idea of getting a dog.
His newfound love of reading can connect him with the young-boy who became his father, with another young boy who understands burning doggy desires, and with who-he-is in relation to these stories and the story he's writing of himself.
Friday, February 08, 2008
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