Friday Fragments - Pop Culture edition

What a day it was yesterday, and continues to be today. While I was congratulating myself for being so cool as to be "in the know" about two events via twitter before they made official headlines (I'm such a geek that way) ... it really registered as to how historically sad it was.

Farrah Fawcett, an original Charlie's Angel. And then Michael Jackson, the icon. Two celebrities who touched the world. And me.

*****

I was a huge fan of the Six Million Dollar Man when I was a kid. And then when I found out that he was married to this blonde goddess in real life, I was totally awestruck. I'll be honest, Farrah wasn't my favourite angel (Jaclyn Smith was my idol) but I did sketches of the Angels and hung them up on my wall. And I couldn't draw, but I loved them, and the show and what it stood for (three beautiful, smart, female DETECTIVES? Catching bad guys? Wow!).

Sure, they bounced around a bit as they ran around, and were always so cutely flirty chatting with Charlie...but to a young girl, they were certainly something to aspire to. Even a little skinny Chinese girl.

I did feel a bit betrayed after she left the show, but looking back, it was a very strong, gutsy move, made by a strong, gutsy woman. From what I've read about her battle with cancer, she was an inspiration.

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Michael Jackson. I still know so many of the lyrics to so many of the songs. From the time I used to watch the Jackson 5 cartoon series on Saturdays mornings .... to the days in the basement when I used to prance around to "Shake your Body to the Ground"... to the "Thriller" album that I won when my Dad spent who knows how much $$ at a Fairweather shopping spree for me and my sister... to the first dance I ever choreographed in high school to "Billie Jean". Watching his videos over and over, jumping up to dance whenever I heard his distinctive voice.

I can't believe he's gone.

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I took the kids with me to Dad's grave site, after picking up up some annuals to pay our respects. It's tradition to visit before July 1. And it was the first time I'd been there since the winter.

The foundation for the monument has been set. The site is gorgeous in the summer, with a lovely tree and bench right by. I think Dad must love it, it's beautiful.

I spent a half an hour digging because the spot that my brother had cleared had been re-sodded again for the foundation (unbenownst to us, they just put it in yesterday). Digging with the girlie's garden tools, because that's all I brought (d'oh!).

It was a bit of work, in the hot sun, cutting through the mud and clay. But a labour of love...it was the least I could do ... the flowers make it look so much prettier.

After a quick watering, I took the kids' hands and we stood in front of my Dad's spot. My boy bowed his head and said a private message to his Granddad in his head... and then he shook with sobs. I teared up too. We all miss him so.

So after our traditional three bows toward Dad, we packed it all up and walked back to the car.

Into the shiny weekend that I know my Dad would want us to enjoy.

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For more fantastic fragments, visit the home of Mrs. 4444 when you get a chance.

Short, not so sweet, trivial thought for the day

Okay, is it just me or have I not failed blogging 101 big time?

Have you seen how LONG my recent posts have been? I guess it makes up for how quiet I can be in real life. Well, at least on the surface, the rest of what I'm trying to say is being sent telepathically, like the girl in the original "Witch Mountain" movies. But seriously, for those of you who made it through my mammoth posts, kudos to you.

So the thought for the day is this: I always wondered what a seemingly sweet, classy girl like Sandra Bullock would see in Jesse James, descendant of the infamous bad guy; the tattooed, tough, creator of "Monster Garage". I mean, he's rich and successful and all that, and I suppose you should never judge a book by its cover. But still, I never really got it.

That is, until I started watching this season's "Celebrity Apprentice". Props go to him for the best line ever, a line uttered two weeks ago, and so profound that even as I think about it now, I cannot help but suppress a giggle.

"These cupcakes taste like ASS."

He's hilarious.

And I'm so mature.

Any other celebrity "mismatches" you can think of?

(he's also quite bright, if the show is any indication, and there's any "reality" involved at all.)


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Maybe I'm too sweet to pimp, but Canadian girls, don't forget to check this out...