August 6, 1974 was Tuesday

.....and home from Las Vegas trip for four whole days. All my rolls of 126 film were 'in the shop" as we use to say back then--and I waited, what seems like years to have them developed and returned. Let me say, those rolls of film might as well be crystal. Fragile. Delicate. One of those rolls held my my prized possesion photo of me with Donny Osmond.  Special cargo indeed!
**Let me back up a moment.  Dad, my cousin, and I were in Las Vegas until July 26. I hated the thought of leaving. I mean, I would be leaving the Osmonds!!  Plus, I'd met three girls who Greyhound it from outside Philadelphia to Las Vegas. We met in a hallway were the Osmonds would head to the backstage door. Those three girls and I had bonded and nobody wanted anybody to leave. Well, Dad wasn't feelin' any of that. Our next stop would be Phoenix, Arizona. So I had to say good bye to my new three friends--who remain y friend to this day--and to the Osmonds. Would the Osmonds even know I was gone? 
**** Yep. An aunt and cousins lived there. Once they lived just 35 miles from us, now they lived in another time zone. This was my closet cousin. I loved her. She was like my big sister, but she was NOT an Osmond. Once I got to Phoenix, I did have a good time. And I did talk my Dad into letting me stay a couple more days, while he and my cousin went on back to Iowa.  Those couple more days were August 2, 1974. Once I got back into Des Moines, I still lived another 35 miles away. My uncle was going to drive me from his daughter's place to my house. He just lived a few blocks from me. The thing is I had TO get home by 10:30 PM.  Why? Because the Osmond Brothers were to be on the Tonight Show and their new single, "Love Me For A Reason."  After some pouting and yawning, my uncle drove me home thinking I was just 'so tired from my trip."
***Sure, uncle. I made it with time to spare to watch guest host Joey Bishop introduce my fab five. I got goosebumps all over again.  Ya know, like any fan, I wondered if by some chance they remembered me...maybe? 
******To cut to the chase, I still had to wait a couple more days for my film to arrive. I don't think the kids of today could fathom we waited a week to see photos. My heart raced as I inspected each packets. I search for my infamous version of crystal. Where was it? Don't tell me the girl who took the picture didn't really take it?? Then:

Yea. My heart sank. Blurry. Right after my photo, there's the photo of the girl who took the picture with Donny. Her photo, that I took, was clear--although she was looking the off to the side. Donny was smiling right at ME....with MY camera. I did send the photo the girl as I'd promised. Here I was, sending her a gorgeous photo, even tho she looked off to the side, and I get Blur City in my Iowa small town. I just knew this was going to be the best there ever was. Would I ever get a chance to see Donny and the rest of his Brothers ever again--so I could get a better photo? And make more memories? Would I?
*************Stay tuned! 

July 24, 1974, Donny Osmond & Me

Today was the day, in that galaxy far far away, known as the 20th Century, I met Mr.Teen Idol King himself--Donny Osmond--for the very first time--sorta.  Yep. Somehow I talked my Sweet Big Daddy Don to take me to for a four night, three night stay in Las Vegas, so I could see The Osmond Brothers. Their younger sister Marie had just started performing with them too. 
***After some prodding, and I'm sure pouting on my part, Dad agreed.  He thought my ten year older than me cousin Jan could come along-sort of another female for me to hang with. Dad wasn't sure what we were getting into. Heck, me being the Osmond fan, all I cared about was seeing the Osmonds perform, for just my second time--and >gasp< MEET them? The teen magazine bible at the time, Tiger Beat, showed pictures of lucky girls who got their Deep Purple moment to meet them--plus I was really in the pen pal circuit then.
***Any of you have pen pals?  Ya know, we actually wrote letters, put stamps on them, and snail mailed them. About 99% of my worldwide 100 pen pals were also Osmond fans and even most of them had met Alan, Wayne, Merrill, Jay and just about everybody's hearthrob, Donny. I was bound and determined to be  part of the elite group too.
***OK, back to the story--The Osmonds were performing at the Tropicana. Due to some convention or something, the hotel was booked. Dad, Jan and I stayed down the street at the Hacienda--which had a leak in the ceiling hallway. Dad wanted me to stay with him and my cousin--I wanted to go to the Tropicana. I won.  We did breakfast at the Tropicana, on the 24th, and all I could think of is I wanna meet an Osmond....and I'm sure my Dad looked at those menu prices and wondered if a McDonald's was near by...
*******As we came out of the Tropicana  restaurant, Dad wanted to do something silly, like sight see--while I wanted to might see some Osmonds. I did know Dad wasn't feelin' that so something had to happen and quick otherwise I might be banished to the Hoover Dam. As if God heard my prayers, a fellow teenage girl asked me who I was and I told her. She began to smile and told me to look in this thick scrapbook on her lap.
******I saw a picture of ME and a short note I wrote to the Osmonds!  This other teenage girl was named Bonnie. She'd written me a few months prior, saying she was going to be Las Vegas for the Osmonds. Bonnie planned to give them a scrapbook filled with their fans and would I want to contribute?  Never, ever thinking I would meet her (Bonnie lived out East) now here she was! Bonnie, her sister (I have forgotten her name) and a few other teenage girls were waiting in the hallway, outside the restaurant. Bonnie said this spot was a great place to meet the Osmonds---they did have to eat. My eyes widened and I looked at Dad.  I'm sure he panicked. I wasn't even close to 21, this was before Las Vegas was kid friendly, and I wanted to be left at this hu-mungus hotel for as he said "a bunch of white boys."  I know Dad was about to say No. And he really probably should have---but something happened. Not sure exactly what.
***Maybe Bonnie's parents said something to reassure him. I do remember them talking. After what seemed like forever, Dad said I could stay, but I had to stay around Bonnie and her family. I had to be back at the Hacienda by such and such a time because we were going to see the Osmonds perform that night. Dad gave me taxi money and hesitantly left me there, only after I spotted my first Osmond--the eldest, Alan and his wife Suzanne. They had been married so far, at that time, a grand total of eight days.I got my picture snapped with him. Girls were going nuts, flashing cameras (way before digital) and all--I knew then I wasn't in Iowa anymore.
*****Then as if on cue, Wayne Osmond walked thru--hysteria again. I got my photo op with Wayne too.  I could not believe my good fortune!  I don't know how long we waited--minutes, an hour or so--I don't remember, and my diary doesn't tell me---SCREAMS. Some so high pitched only dogs could hear them--Girls were pushing each other. SCREAMS. Tears and why?

********Donny. DONNY.  I froze. The security guard stuck to Donny like glue. I took as many pictures as my little box 126 camera could take--- The guard let a couple girls get close to have their picture taken with Donny. That alone made the hysteria get even worse. The guard took Donny's arm and began to lead him away. I tried to get my picture with him, as the guard led Donny away. No luck. I did get Donny's autograph but no picture to really prove Donny and I occupied the same space. I was downtrodden for awhile until....

Donny Osmond on Wednesday July 24, 1974

On this day, in 1974 I met Donny Osmond up close and personal for the first time. This was at the Tropicana Hotel in Las Vegas. Way before Las Vegas was family friendly, I somehow got my Dad to take me to adult playground to see the Osmonds perform.

The Tropicana was booked, so we had to stay in the Hacienda Hotel. I was bummed about that, yet we did do breakfast at the Trop. After my we dined, a girl came up to me and asked me my name. Turns out, being in the whole pen pal thing at the time--real hand written letters sent through the mail for eight cents-Bonnie had written me to ask if if I wanted to be part of scrapbook she put together for the Osmonds. So I'd sent a note and a picture--and there she was right there in front of me. She was from.Oswego, NY. Anyway, a bunch of girls were outside the restaurant and I wanted to hang to. My dad really wasn't feeling it--however there were some adults there and he gave in--reluctantly. I'm sure the thought of his teen daughter in Las Vegas--alone-was not appealing. Anyway, after I met my first Osmond, Alan and his wife of eight days, Suzanne--I wouldn't have budged--period.

As I got to know the girls around me and saw my first pair of platform shoes--with sequins yet--I realized I wasn't in Iowa anymore. As us girls gabbed everything Osmond--I was amazed how many times some of them had seen the Osmond perform. For me, it was just once--in Des Moines, and tonight would be my second. Felt kinda outcast with concert going and being just one of the two black girls in the midst.

Commotion. Screams. DONNY! Girls crowded him, while the security guard tried to keep us at bay. Just few feet from him I stood. Regained consciousness enough to snap pictures. There is some picture of Donny holding a brush as he talks to a fan. Heaven knows where it is. Did I have some long, in depth chat with Donny, like; "Is purple REALLY your favorite color?"

Naw. In fact, we didn't chat at all. I don't even recall if I got my picture taken with him that day. I don't think I did. The picture came the next day, when that same security guard let us go back stage around 10am. All I remember is I made Donny laugh and I gave him some hat I had. A girl took our picture with my camera, with the hat donned on Donny's head. The picture came our blurry and I was heartsick. No digital in those day--so you know there would be a do-over.

On that first meeting--well, me meeting Donny than he'll ever remember meeting me--butterflies flittered in my tummy. I couldn't believe it. In PERSON! -if only for a moment as the security guard ushered Donny away.

As for the pictures-both are from 1977. The one above, I've shared before. It's from Las Vegas on the the 30th floor of the Hilton. I made Donny laugh again on that day. The one below is from Des Moines-when Donny and his family were on my turf for a concert! Just liked the the picture and I think Donny was calling me "Crazy" when saw me.

Now if Donny and I met today and I asked for an autograph? We'd both have to pull out our readers to make sure we could see what was going on! Gotta admit--would be fun, and I'm sure I'd make Donny laugh again. Then I was gonna let this day go by without a song--but it is Friday--plus I wrote about Donny Osmond, so why not the song that really made me notice him: The 12th of Never. See, Donny's voice had changed--and I liked it and liked him--finally. Up til then Donny was not my favorite Osmond. :)

Pass the Tissue Please...

Whatever is in the air tickles my nose,. Hence the sneeze that follows could blow the house down. Throat scratches some too. Soup will smooth out that scratchiness. Heck, I just woke up from a nap. Cats stuck to me like glue. Which was sweet yet I couldn't move. When a cat is in a deep sleep they're nothing but bricks made of fur.

Thought about my business idea again--when I was awake that is. In my dreams it was all ready done. Last night I told Movie Man, over burgers at the best burger place in Dallas, Burger Island, if I don't pull off this business idea by year's end, I will be so ticked at myself. Need to get the numbers down and focus.

OJ did it. Oh wait....what year is this? And what was he convicted of? His kids are the victims in all this mess. What have their lives been like? Just need to pray for them, and even OJ. I bet he wishes he kept on his search for the 'real killers' instead of doing what he did in Vegas. OJ did it--then and now.

On a lighter note: the wind through my window has slight hint of autumn chill. Feels so good. It also has whatever tickles my nose in it. Drat! My tissues are in the other room. I'll fetch them on my way to kitchen. Gotta heat soup so it can me watch my soap, the Young and the Restless, and whatever else tinkles my fancy and not my nose.

Friday and The Osmonds

Since I announced Donny Osmond was not my original favorite Osmond, the response from folks has been, "WHAT?!?!?"

Gotta be honest, I wasn't that thrilled with Donny's voice UNTIL The 12th of Never. What I mean is---that song, I first heard on a Sunday night years ago, was the first song after Donny's voice changed. Yep. Being honest. However until then and even know--the first to have my heart was older brother Merrill Osmond. He's the only Osmond who ever called me by my first name. OK-granted, I wrote it in a note and gave it to him. And the next time Merrill saw me--he whispered it. I nearly passed out--yet I digress. :)

The top picture is from Vegas '76. After a midnight show and in the service elevator. The bottom picture was from August '76 in Ft Washington, Pa. He and Alan had just come from a walk. Very gracious!

Thank you is all that I can say.

It's Friday. Say our prayers for those in the path of Hurricane Ike.

Well--maybe one more Tuesday Thought...

OK--I had to make a quick mention when I realized Donny and Marie Osmond open their Vegas gig tonight---a Tuesday night at that. My chums who read this blog just chuckled, rolled their eyes and said, 'Yep, I knew it--Donny Osmond--again!"

Yes, there are 'grown up' things on everyone's mind. Our troops, so faraway from home. This history making election--if strategies will back fire. Sure, I wish Tom Hanks would call and say, "I like that story--lets get a movie deal together and make us some magic." I do agree only if Whoopi stars. So, yea, I got all this 'grown up' AARP stuff in my head---but....

Then there's the whole Osmond thing. What can I say? Good memories. Good times. No apologies. This picture was taken in Des Moines, about forever ago. My glasses could be mistaken for blue stop signs. The day this pic was snapped was a good day. Donny and family were pretty much in my own back yard. Meeting him- again, made up for our yuck concert seats that night. But ya know, I bet those concert tickets were probably at best, 10 bucks.

In Las Vegas, on this Tuesday night, I bet there a bit more than $10.

So I do need Tom Hanks to pay me movie rights for a movie that will win us the Oscar. Then I won't care about the cost of concert tickets or the fanciest cat food on the market.

Oh, and did I mention that Donny was not originally my favorite Osmond?

Stay tuned.

Still some 70's stuff....

OK--so I'm taking another break from packing. I realize cats do NOT help.

For a moment, I'm back onto this 70's thing. For all you fellow Baby Boomer writers, there is a contest for your most memorable concert experience. Has a 500 word limit and due April 15--yep, tax day. I'll put the link here, which you might have to copy and paste into your browser.

http://www.nabbw.com/display_news.php?nid=12&PHPSESSID=3876cf689a18f5e6947a36ed71dc0716

Yes, yes...you know I'm thinking about my stint with the Osmonds. Folks have asked me--including my family--WHY? Well, first off, the Jackson 5 didn't come much through Iowa. The Osmonds seemed approachable, eventho I had no clue if that would ever meet them. I desired to meet middle brother Merrill--not Donny. I didn't get the whole hoopla about him. I mean, back then--his voice hadn't changed yet. So I can say, I wasn't a Puppy Lover.

However, around the mid 70's--that began to change. My dad's hard earned money went for air fare and hotels from Las Vegas to Pennsylvania was summer tradition for a few years. He hated I spent it--yet he loved telling folks about me 'and those Osmonds!' :) During the journeys, I seemed to have more access to Donny. We were close in age--and frankly I was about the only Bronze Goddess following them. During that 70's Hey Day, I called him "Good Lookin'--while he was on stage, and he would call be "Crazy"--as he stood on stage.

Yes, I ate it up. :) Friends I met in Las Vegas 1974, I still have. If not for the Osmonds, I doubt that friendship would have been planted. And yes, I know about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I took a few lessons, yet chose not to join.

The picture above is from May 1978 in Las Vegas., about eight days after Donny and his wife, Debbie married. This is one of the many memories I have. A good time. Good friends. And some silly things too--yet that's another post.

So when I'm asked--WHY? The Osmonds---I say, "Why not?"