See America: Yes, I Can!

Well, I'll have to have this playing when I arrive: Point Me in the Direction of Albuquerque.


After taking journeys each year to destinations like Paris, Switzerland, Mexico, Italy and Spain, Steve and I are off to, at last, see America for just over two weeks.

It's really humbling when you travel in Europe and people are more well-traveled in your own country than you are. Do places across an ocean seem more exotic?

I can't wait to see Sante Fe, and I'm really excited to be visiting the national parks. I haven't been to any. Have you seen any of Ken Burns' series on the National Parks? I just started watching some videos online, and could spend hours doing so.

"Parks represent the wildness inside us. They're the place where we can be lonely, where we can experience solitude. They're a place we go to as refuge, as sanctuary. It's the place we go out to, to come back in. It's the only place in many people's lives where that's possible," said writer Gretel Ehrlich in a clip on the Petrified Forest in Arizona, which I'll be visiting.

I've already started my book for the journey, which I found for 50 cents at the C.A.T.S. Resale Shop, "These Is My Words: The Diary of Sarah Agnes Prine, 1881-1901 Arizona Territories," by Nancy E. Turner, which was inspired by the author's great-grandmother, Sarah Prine. It is set in Territorial Arizona. Pioneer women keep calling out to me, telling me to learn and share their stories, and seek our own frontiers.

We're ending our Southwest journey in Vegas where, of course, I hope to see the King! Lawdy Miss Clawdy from the '68 Comeback Special.

While unlike Elvis I can't say "I won't be coming no more," I will say for now, "Down the road I go." Let's meet here again for the ongoing journey exploring history, the beauty of the land, continuing education and embracing a life of discovery.

I Can't Help Falling in Love...With The Music of Elvis Presley

My fledgling Elvis collection, I'm so proud! The Viva Las Vegas soundtrack and Elvis CD from a great local music shop in New Jersey, and two greatest hits CDs and photography book with CD, from Housing Works.

Who knew at 35 years of age I'd become such an Elvis fan. I have his Number Ones CD from years ago, but fell in love with his music after taking out Viva Las Vegas on a whim from the library. My sister reminded me of a great scene from one of our favorite sitcoms, The Golden Girls, where Rose and Blanche throw Dorothy out of their unauthorized Elvis fan club for mocking a pork chop once purported to be eaten by the King. Elvis would never leave that much meat on a pork chop, Dorothy winced! When Blanche suggested Dorothy join an organization less fanatical in its devotion, Dorothy remarked, like what Blanche, the PLO?

I think we use the term "star" far too liberally nowadays. Stars shine bright on us from above and light up our lives and the dark sky and bring us up. This star dimmed too soon, on August 16, 1977. Elvis was beyond a star. He was the highest point in the galaxy: an icon.

From the movie that started my obsession, C'mon Everybody.

If you're an Elvis fan, feel free to share your favorite songs, films and memories.

Retro Matinee Double Feature: Viva Las Vegas and Rebel Without a Cause

My new favorite four letter word: king. As in THE king!

Sometimes, all your Friday night needs is spaghetti, and a little Elvis Presley.


Immediately after watching Viva Las Vegas, I:
...felt like I've lived a fuller life.
...Could not believe I've never seen this before, and immediately wanted to watch it again. Several of the musical numbers I did watch again. I adored the dance scenes, and always think it's sad that though we're increasing watching dance on television, we don't dance socially really like we once did.
...Had red hair envy looking at Ann-Magret. I colored my brown hair blonde and then red over a decade, and could pay for an all expenses paid trip to Vegas with a stay at the Palms for a weekend with the money I spent (ahem, wasted).
...Wanted to go to Vegas! (which isn't high on my list usually, and I've never been to).
...Went straight to the library for an Elvis documentary and greatest hits. I do have one album of his number one hits in my CD collection. Must get more!
...Above all else, longed for days when Elvis and not Gaga (who doesn't seem very lady-like!) ruled the charts.

Save for maybe seeing some Elvis movies as a child on television which I barely remember, I haven't seen any of his films.

Have you seen many Elvis films? Are there any you think I must see? Moviefone listed its picks for top 10 Elvis favorites, and King Creole took its number one spot.

I didn't know Elvis idolized James Dean (imagine Elvis - idolizing someone!) and just happened to see Rebel Without a Cause around the same time. At 35 years of age, in less you really seek these films out or we exposed to them by someone, this just wasn't my generation, which is precisely why I'm exploring films trough this column (and to run, run far far away from today's reality-crazed culture). I still need to see Dean's other greats, like Giant and East of Eden. With so much bullying in the news lately, I couldn't help think of this film.


What was most eerie was a studio promo that came with the film, in which Dean was interviewed about reckless driving and looked into the camera and said something like, Be careful kids, the life you will save might be mine). It was chilling given his fate of death by automobile accident.

I also found this Wikipedia item curious when researching Dean:

Dean avoided the draft by registering as a homosexual, then classified by the US government as a mental disorder. When questioned about his orientation, he is reported to have said, "No, I am not a homosexual. But, I'm also not going to go through life with one hand tied behind my back."

I'm always finding reminders like this about not romanticizing the past, but if only we could take some of past back. Can't we have some of the innocence but not the ignorance?

Do you enjoy watching old films? Do you have any favorites you'd like to share?