I hope Mr. Seeger won't mind my use of his photo and wonderful words. It just seemed fitting today. Aren't we all experimenting somehow, every day?

Welcome to September.

SONG OF THE WEEK:  “Only the Good Die Young” by Billy Joel. Got stuck in my head on Monday and didn’t leave. All week. Funny song about a boy unsuccessfully trying seduce a Catholic girl.

The song was released in 1977 and banned by many radio stations. Of course, you can’t BUY that kind of publicity, and the song shot to the top of the charts.

“I’d rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints… the sinners are much more fun.” Ahh.

Here’s a great live version.

Not pretty but just delicious!

RECIPE OF THE WEEK:  Baked Macaroni and Cheese by Alton Brown. Yep, culinary god Alton knows how to cook comfort food, my friends. Big time. Don’t waste time reading all the comments, just make this dish and wolf it down and smile. Recipe is here.

PS – The only change I made was using dried onions (2 T) instead of the fresh chopped ones. I was lazy. Don’t forget to try frying the leftovers as Alton recommends. I couldn’t; we had no leftovers.

A RANT ABOUT SHOPPING CARTS:  I drive my daughter about 4 miles to school every morning. As we get close to her high school, we enter into a neighborhood that is a little more socio-economically challenged. My daughter pointed out an abandoned shopping cart forlornly occupying a corner we passed. It caused us both to notice more carts along the way, until we’d counted eight or so on sidewalks, lawns and alleys. My daughter asked about them, and I explained that when people don’t have cars they walk to the grocery store. They push the carts all the way home, and then just leave them. Sometimes the carts are retrieved by a cart service, other times they are vandalized or stolen for personal use. She was surprised and a little troubled. “Can’t they just buy a cart for themselves?” I told her many of them probably could – they sell the kind you drag along behind you fairly cheap at the swap meet – but they choose to use the “free” ones instead. After she got out of the car, I counted eleven more across the street from the school.

Why is that? Is it just a sense of entitlement? Or a minor sort of rebellion? Surely it costs the supermarkets money in retrieval, damages and flat out loss of carts, which affects us all.

I’ll stop now before I start sounding like Michael Josephson (for whom I hold the deepest respect) on Character Counts.

NO COMMENT PHOTO

AND WHAT THE JUDGE SAID…

He said it to Lindsay Lohan, but he meant it for Mel Gibson and Charlie Sheen, too, and anyone else who seems to think their notoriety gets them some special privilege in this world:  “You’re no different than anyone else. So please… don’t push your luck.” Hear, hear.

Many today will label this little film idealistic and fluffy. For all the obvious reasons, people have grown skeptical, disaffected and pessimistic, especially when talking about the future. But like the “half empty, half full” glass routine, it’s all a matter of perspective. Belief—and not just the religious kind—can be a powerful factor in raising optimism, and optimism in itself can initiate change. Yeah? So Rob (may I call him Rob?) has chosen to accentuate a positive, albeit commercial, outlook in creating this happy, uplifting (if you choose it to be) tune.

Take a look, and let go—for just that 3-4 minutes—of your worries. I, for one, am glad for idealism and fluff. Because there’s just too much of the other stuff these days.

I sat down on the edge of the couch, dishtowel still in hand, and watched Art and Paul singing “Bridge Over Troubled Water” together, the tall, Einstein-haired tenor and his less tall, white-haired partner in song beside him. My throat swelled, and I started weeping. I was overcome by the “Sounds of Silence” and “The Boxer.” Why?

The powerful lyrics? The memories of high school? The very fact that these two mega-talented performers are still so…mega-talented? Heck, they didn’t even need girl backup singers to hit the high notes! It was emotional, let me tell you.

The line up for the show was listed as Stevie Wonder, CS&N (Big fave of mine), U2, Metallica, Bruce Springsteen, Aretha Franklin, Simon & Garfunkel. But did they tell anyone in advance that also appearing was Mick Jagger, Sting, B.B. King, Jeff Beck, John Fogerty (CCR), Buddy Guy, Annie Lennox, Jackson Browne (another fave), Bonnie Raitt, Fergie, Ozzy Osbourne, Lou Reed, Ray Davies (Kinks), James Taylor, Patti Smith, Jerry Lee Lewis, Smokey Robinson… and I’m sure I’ve missed several. Oh! Billy Joel, too.

Talk about crying…Stevie Wonder paid homage to Michael Jackson, singing “The Way You Make Me Feel” – and broke down during the performance. It seemed to be triggered by the line, “My lonely days are gone.” Shiver! I cried too, just watching Stevie so broken up. But he recovered and finished the song with style.

Obviously missing was Eric Clapton, whom, I found out later, was ill. 2009 inductee Jeff Beck was hauled in as a worthy replacement. And speaking of Beck, he must sleep in formaldehyde – this guy doesn’t look a day over 40. Okay, maybe 50 (he’s 65).

Can you tell I’m excited? They really mixed it up, too, performers singing with other performers, things you’ve never seen nor ever will again.

So who was missing? Well, they couldn’t possibly have put all the inductees into one show, but missing for me was Tom Petty, Bob Seger, Steely Dan, Paul McCartney (remember him?), Carlos Santana, The Eagles, Bowie, Elton, Rod. To name a modest few, of course.

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Whew. When I go off on a tangent, I really spin out. Now a word from our sponsors.

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Okay, back to your regularly scheduled blog. I’m overdue on talking about ebook readers, so will try to fit that in later this week. BTW, on another topic, has anyone seen MJ’s “This Is It?” I’d really love to, and I’ve heard it will be out on DVD. Looking forward to seeing that. I just saw “Up” this week and what a cute movie that is! Might watch it again before it goes back into the red & white envelope.

Well, cheerio, must get dinner made…

Now, there’s never any question in my mind, he’d be on the cover every year if I was the ballot box stuffer. How is it that he has such appeal? I can’t think of any of my friends who don’t just find him the no-questions-asked-I’d-be-there guy to go to for dream-come-true-making.

Wordy today. Sorry. I’m so glad there’s no stupid rule about being SMA more than once, because Johnny took the title in 2003. The article mentions that he hid in the bushes the first day of daughter Lily Rose’s preschool (in France). She was crying so he took her home. Softy!

The article doesn’t say anything about Dark Shadows, the film he is reportedly making with pal Tim Burton (read about it here, but it does use words like “profound elegance,” “arresting magnetism,” and “timelessly hot body.” Somebody hand me a fan!

(BTW, for those who are dying to know, both Pitt and Clooney are also two-timers with PEOPLE SMA. Other listees this year include Josh Groban, Patrick Dempsey, all the new vampires courtesy TWILIGHT/NEW MOON, flamboyant gay/glam rocker Adam Lambert, Phantom Gerard Butler, hunks Will Smith and Hugh Jackman… you’ll just have to get this issue!)

Miley turns 17 today. I went looking for a photo of her and ran across some pix bordering on sex-kittenism. Disappointed, not surprised, but not too worried. Like I said on another blog this morning, she’s a teen, a very famous teen, it’s going to happen, get over it. She’s a product of the biz. I still think she’ll be okay.

Still thinking about song lyrics.  They’re not always about the happy times. There’s a lot of great heartbreak out there.

There’s the leaving…

“Oh, I know you’re going, but I can’t believe—it’s the way that you’re leaving.

It’s like we never knew each other at all, it may be my fault…” Phil Collins, In Too Deep.

The regret…

“And I’d have fought the world for you
If I thought that you wanted me to
Or put aside what was true or untrue
If I’d known that’s what you needed
What you needed me to do…”  – Jackson Browne, Sky Blue and Black

The apology…

“I’m sorry that I hurt you
It’s something I must live with everyday
And all the pain I put you through
I wish that I could take it all away
And be the one who catches all your tears…
…I just want you to know… I found reason for me… to change who I used to be… a reason to start over new… and the reason is you…”  -Hoobastank, The Reason

Ultimately, the goodbye:

“But I will remember you
Will you remember me?
Don’t let your life pass you by
Weep not for the memories.” – Sarah McLachlan, I Will Remember You.

And the bitterness:

“You took a hammer to these walls,
Dragged the memories down the hall,
Packed your bags and walked away.
There was nothing I could say.
And when you slammed the front door shut,
A lot of others opened up,
So did my eyes so I could see
That you never were the best for me.”  Daughtry, Over You. (Chris, BTW is one of People’s top 100…see pg 158)

Like I said, I’m wordy today. But I’ve been absent so feel I need to fill in some space. Do penance.

CAPE SEDUCTION is still coming, gang, I promise. Let’s blame it on the economy. Yeah, that’s it.

I have a 23 lb turkey and two hams in my fridge. I’m going to attempt to make an apple pie, ala Alton Brown. Were that Alton could be here to help!

Have a fantacular Thanksgiving, all.

I can’t speak for other writers, but music inspires me so much that I’ve been known to play the same songs again and again—and again!—while I’m working on a  manuscript. The visions conjured by certain a lyric, mood, even pacing mesh with the scenes I am trying to capture. Here is an example.

In STARCROSSED HEARTS, my lengthy, soap-opera styled first installment of the StarCrossed trilogy, there is a scene between hero Dane Pierce and would-be lover Jessica Taylor. The sexual tension between them is high; they’ve had a one-night stand that she’d hung her heart on, and he’d buried in the past. He wants her back, but she’s interested in someone else.

They are on location, a tiny island in the Caribbean, filming a potential blockbuster on the beach. There is a small cantina where the cast & crew unwind in the evenings. It’s dim, smoky, tropical, with a jukebox and a tiny dancefloor. It’s also hot and humid. On this particular night, Jessica is still giving Dane the cold shoulder, and he can’t put up with it much longer. Another guy asks Jessica to dance, and she accepts, with barely a glance over her shoulder at Dane. The dance is decidedly dirty, and Dane gets up and dismisses the young man.

Jessica watched the scene unfold with irritation. She hated Dane for interfering, hated his possessive way with her. She turned from the dance floor as Dane approached, but he caught her by the wrist and pulled her back. “If you want to dance like that…” he said, grinning as the next record to drop on to the player crooned a torchy tale of lustful blues.

Dane took her into his arms, skillfully moving her around the floor in a blatantly shameless exhibition for the watching crowd; his hips moved against her, his thigh sliding between hers as he dipped her backwards in an erotic maneuver that would have challenged Patrick Swayze’s own moves. He held her there for a dizzying length of time. Jessica stared up at him, her hair wet and sticking to the perspiration on her face; she could feel her damp shirt stretched down and taut across her breasts as her chest heaved with emotion. It was a picture of perfect control, Dane’s control over Jessica.

He whipped her back up, spinning her a half turn before stopping with his lips not an inch from hers; she moved as if mesmerized, seeing only Dane, responding to his touch; programmed only for him.

The song ended, and with it, the “spell.” Jessica walked purposefully, if weakly, to the table and sat down. Dane followed, shouting his request for a drink to the bar and straddling a chair facing her.

The song? “I Put a Spell On You” by Creedence Clearwater Revival (click for 1:30 sample from MySpace). Like Dane to Jessica, it was a perfect fit.

So take a look at a sweet, sexy, youthful Edwin as he shares my favorite song. Try not to drool on the keyboard!

Not many years back, you couldn’t find a positive word about “Jacko” in the media. After all, the King of Pop had fallen from grace on more than one occasion, igniting controversy and prompting outright disgust from a formerly adoring public. His bizarre behavior and questionable antics made him suspect; accusations of child molestations, false imprisonment and endangerment tainted his stellar all-American good boy image. His fans felt betrayed, and those who loved him best quietly turned away while others slung arrows and mud.

Why, then, the outpouring of love and grief, now that the King is dead? Suddenly, this once much-demonized individual is, instead, deified, mourned, and remembered for his best days instead of his worst. And that’s the point.

As I sat watching Michael perform “Man in the Mirror” yesterday (having followed a YouTube link so thoughtfully passed on by a Facebook friend) I found myself smiling, being pulled in and engulfed in that mesmerizing talent that only he could bring. Yes, I thought, this is the Michael we loved. Images of chalky-white face and clown-painted lips faded away. Memories of an infant dangling over a balcony dissolved. Here was the real Michael Jackson, doing what he did best, entertaining with a passion and unmatched devotion to his craft, his public.

Death gives us a stopping point. Michael Jackson stopped being bizarre yesterday, giving his fans the opportunity to “erase” those bad years. His life took on a new image, one truncated and abridged to include mostly the good stuff. Although his true fans will still feel his struggle to survive in a world that couldn’t, wouldn’t understand him, they can now focus on that part of him that loved and adored them, without wincing at his sullied reputation of recent times.

Isn’t that how we always want to remember our lost loved ones? The good times?

Rest in peace, Michael. I hope you’ve found complete love and acceptance.