I held my first Monkee Spectacular magazine in my hand. My dad stood beside me as I sat on the floor. I recall we waited for the dentist to arrive. I also recall being mesmerized by man on the cover: Davy Jones.
I looked at my dad and asked: "Isn't he cute?" My dad asked me who the man was. I could not believe Dad didn't know! I'm sure my dad thought I was nuts. Yea, nuts in LOVE at eight years old.
This photo was taken in Des Moines, Iowa around 1987. Davy sang "I Wanna Be Free." This was the closest I was going to get Davy and the rest of the Monkees, to my own backyard.
Davy's pictures from the teenybopper magazines were the first I put up on my wall. And the first my Mom said I had TOO many pictures up and made me take them down. I hated Marcia Brady when Davy showed up at her house after she lied to everybody that she could get Davy to come their prom. She even got to kiss Davy on the cheek. Bitter. I STILL am.
The "cute" Monkee is now part of Heaven's choir. I am sure is Davy play the tambourine better than the rest. The deaths of Michael Jackson, and recently Whitey Houston, touched me. Yet, there's something about Davy.
Davy was/is such a part of my youth. Now he's gone. Davy's passing shines the light of mortality.
No matter what, Davy will always be that "Daydream Believer."
Friday. Finally. Made it to work by 7am, instead of my usual 8am. It was still dark when I left. Not feelin' any of that! Anyway made it there. Quite busy and I am tired. Yea, I gotta write some 1500 word paper on the History of Minority of Child Welfare US system...I left out a word in all that, but does it really matter? It ain't code for "your screenplay is being fought over by Spike Lee and Stephen Spielberg~ Naw, not quite. Even so it's Friday. I got cats. TV. Ice cream. And a smile from a long ago day courtesy of The Monkees---with Davy Jones, who was the first older' man I ever fell in love with..... It don't get any better than this!
The other day, I'd mentioned David Cassidy and Davy Jones were to appear in concert about 15 miles from my house. I really beat myself up I didn't spend the 82 bucks and change to go see them. After all, Davy Jones is still cute, even if he's over 60.
I pictured women, like myself, who wondered what color to cover their gray hair, but then were transported back to those great bubblegum pop days, where tomorrow's history test was the biggest trauma, plus you had to actually talk to your BFF--since texting and cell phones hadn't been invented heck. Heck, I remembered carrying a dime around for the pay phone. Anyway, I was pretty mad at myself for not going.
Then I read the concert's review. And I'm not so mad at myself anymore.
Oh well. I still have a sweet Bubble Yum kinda memory.
Are in Dallas tonight: Headliner David Cassidy, with opening act Davy Jones. I gave ALOT of thought to go and not enough thought of how flat broke I am. Last night, I tinkered on Ticketmaster to see where the best seats were. Section 102, row E.
Just right of Center. Just 5 rows from the stage. I could probaby be able to see the gray on both David and Davy. I stared at the total price of 82 bucks and change-for once ticket. I remember what a co-worker said on Friday: "You'll be so mad if you don't go." The venue was all of 20 minutes from me.
David and Davy. Almost pert near in my back yard. 82 bucks and change. In 2000, granted I spent 85 bucks to see Tina Turner with 20, 000 of my closest and dearest friends. I was so close to her, that when Tina was on the crane and flew over people, I could see her zipper was broken on her white slacks.
However in 2010. I decided I couldn't do the 82 bucks. Stuff I needed to pay stared back at me. Would David and Davy forgive me? Would they play somewhere that wasn't 82 bucks? I've never seen David Cassidy in person, but Davy-.saw him several times in the Monkees' Reunion tours.
Why wasn't Davy the headliner? Maybe that's what really bummed me. Davy was the first 'older man' I feel in love with. Sure I was eight at the time, but hey! OK, I coulda robbed from Peter to pay Paul, and then swipe from each of the deciples, to get the ticket money. Yet, I chose not to.
Good memory made with a good chum on this day Something to be said about being inside your own bungalow Doing what you want to do even if that do is---nothing Love having this week off. Rest. Relax. Reflect. Helped the day dream believer in me Just believe a little more And that's a good thing
Elvis Presley made his entrance on the world's stage--well, just Tupelo, Mississippi then. Today is his 74th birthday and the entire world remembers Elvis being on their stage. Granted, I wasn't a big Elvis fan. I may have been the wrong demographic. Alas, I saw those movies, and was jealous of some of those girls. I think my hormones started to pop in and out, because I did think Elvis was cute..for an older guy!
Elvis came through Iowa a few times, and I never ventured to a concert. He even performed in Des Moines on June 23, 1977--just two months shy of his passing. I remember my chums and couldn't decide if we should see him. After all he was so OLD! You talk about a big regret there!
In the Summer of '68, I vacationed in Los Angeles. Thoughts of the Davy Jones, lead singer of The Monkees and Sajid Khan, an actor that India gifted us with, laced my mind. Wouldn't it be something if I saw either one of my hearthrobs on the day my cousins had me in the back seat, as we sprang for a quarter or so for a map of the movie stars' homes? I know we drove around and honestly, I don't remember much. No Davy Jones or Sajid Khan, so who cared?
But then, as we drove through Beverly Hills, I noticed a beige Chevy with a Tennessee plate. It peaked my interest because, the car looked exactly like my parents' car back in Iowa. Except ours was blue. Plus what was a car with Tennessee plates doing in Beverly Hills? As we drove closer to the side of the Chevy, and I pondered this in my 10 year old brain, my cousin, Sue started to scream: "It's ELVIS! It's ELVIS!" Her husband, I remember kinda slowed down and tried to look out Sue's as he tried to not wreck any thing in Beverly Hills. When Sue screamed I looked up.
Sure enough! Elvis was behind the wheel of the Chevy. He smiled as he held an ice cream cone! My cousin instructed me to wave. Sue waved so hard and fast, I thought she might fly from the window. All the time she giggled like some teenybopper. But then Sue was only about 20 at the time. I waved at Elvis. Then I fell over in the seat, ELVIS! A REAL movie star!! I sprung back up, and we were still even with him. I stretched to see Priscilla on the passenger side. I want to say Elvis raised his ice cone to us. Just with the biggest smile on his face. He then accelerated and we just drove in silence. ELVIS! To relive that moment again, I'm sure we may have tried to get him to stop for a picture. What a memory that would've been.
Later on that Autumn, I was clueless about Elvis and and any comeback TV special. Thoughts of Davy Jones and Sajid Khan may have been back on my mind, or the newbie on the block, Bobby Sherman. As years ticked by, especially after Elvis passed. I saw bits and pieces of the show, and eventually the entire '68 Special. Saw how good and happy Elvis looked, draped in all black--that he was ready to take on the world. Maybe no more of those same kinda plot movies. And I'm sure, maybe not one Vegas jumpsuit was in Elvis' sight. When I feasted my eyes and ears as I watched Elvis perform this song on the '68 Special, I witnessed real passion when someone truly uses the gift God gave them.
Happy Birthday, Elvis. I'm sorry I missed your aquaintance.
4-2. Hope the Dallas Cowboys are in their December Slump in October. Then we get it over with and get it done to where we all wanna go. Hafta admit, I hit the DVR when the Cardinals went up 21-14 early in the 4th quarter. Wanted get my walk in. I journeyed through neighboring neighborhoods where I realized I loved some lawns more than others, then my mouth watered as aroma of bar-b-q met my nostrils and finally, a ferocious brown Chihuahua barked at me. Reminded me of the childhood years in Iowa—Sunday, soak it up.
As I strolled toward home, I passed a house where a folks sat outside, in their driveway/garage with a TV. I thought sure the game was over—then I heard Troy Aikman’s voice. The Dallas Cowboys were up for a field goal. The folks hooped and hollered—almost asked them if I could invite myself. However, I figured the game must be in OT and got excited. Maybe the Cowboys pulled it out. I quickened my pace.
Made it home. Two cats rested in the window. The first I did when I entered was look at my clock. I smiled because I lasted a little over two miles in 54 minutes, without a stop on a bench. Plopped on the couch and thanked God, for once upon a time, being winded after just enough steps to fill up 10 minutes was common place. The scar on my chest reminds how it use to be. On the couch, I took off my tennis shows, gulped down water, wiped the sweat from my forehead and hit the DVR with the anticipation.
Not to be this day. Blocked punt. Arizona scored a touchdown. 4-2. This why they play 16 regular season games. Yep, please let this be the December Slump in October. Just gotta get over it and get it done.
In the meantime, I’ll remember the best time of the day…a little Pleasant Valley Sunday in a positive I had a real big crush on Davy Jones kinda thing.
I held my first Monkee Spectacular magazine in my hand. My dad stood beside me as I sat on the floor. I recall we waited for the dentist to arrive. I also recall being mesmerized by man on the cover: Davy Jones. 
