Really: Happy Birthday!

(continuing from yesterday)

Of course, if you live in Memphis you've heard of Ugly Mug coffee (if you haven't, I am a little disappointed in you).

If fact, it was "Hardy Passion" that is partially responsible for getting me through my first semester of graduate school.

I’ve had my Limited Edition Elvis coffee too! (Sorry, obviously I enjoyed all of mine a while ago--you can just look at the lovely picture provided)…

Ugly Mug does have “Blue Suede Shoes” currently available if YOU are interested though.

Speaking of Blue Suede shoes...did you see Edison Peña's awesome shoes at the Grizzlies game last night? (Or maybe hear his rendition on television?)

Rescued Chilean miner, an Elvis fanatic, visits Graceland in Memphis

He's cutting the birthday cake at Graceland and everything else today. Very cool!

This year (to coincide with Elvis Week) the Elvis Mr. Potato Head became available, which means I got an Elvis spud for Christmas a couple weeks ago…

You can also see my "mini" Elvis ornaments (the big ornaments have already been packed away) and more limited edition wine in this picture too.

Between the pictures and the CDs and the doll (or this one) and the calendars and the aforementioned collectibles I've detailed already--I'd have to remind you:

ELVIS LIVES!

Thank you, thank you very much!

~~J

Happy (almost) 76th Birthday!

(to The King, of course!)

My Senior year of high school (let's erase the year) I remember being in my "Journalism" class (as co-editor of the newspaper) and one of my classmates came in with the answer to a very big and important question.

Kyle (a self-proclaimed U2 and Elvis fanatic) came in and wrote the following on the blackboard:

ELVIS = LIVES!!!

Oh yes, that rather famous anagram had never been pointed out to me before, so I was taken aback. I was impressed. I was sure THIS was the coolest discovery in wordplay ever (obviously, I was a bit naïve).

But, get this--it's still TRUE!

With over 15,000 Elvis-licensed products out there (according to a spokesperson at Graceland) it’s no surprise that Elvis Presley is always on Forbes Top-Earning Dead Celebs’ list. (He came in at number two in 2010)

Hey! The King is alive in our hearts, right? (alternative word for heart: wallet)

So this holiday season, just like every other holiday season in recent past, I was surprised with more fantastic, wacky Elvis-related collectibles. Obviously I AM one of the Elvis "people." At least I'm easy to shop for, right?

Here are a few of my relatively "recent" fun ELVIS collectibles….

like the Classic PEZ candy dispensers in 3 different Elvis Presley designs (as you can see) and there is a 3-track CD featuring a song from each era: '56--Hound Dog, '61--Follow That Dream, '70--The Wonder of You.

Dark chocolate (adorned with '68 Comeback Special black leather *purrr* Elvis), made locally by Dinsthul's (get you some!)

And lastly (for this post at least) that's a bottle of limited edition Elvis wine. We have a couple numbered bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon, which shan't be opened anytime soon, but we have actually consumed the Chardonnay--not bad, not bad at all!

~~J

Interperting the King*

*I mean, ELVIS (of course)

Everytime (or anytime) I am outside of Memphis, it amuses me to see/hear mention of Elvis Presley...

This year, in particular--I missed Elvis Week. Did I really miss it or was I simply not in town for it?

OF COURSE I *missed* it!

I wondered WHERE he was going to crop up, and I am always curious as to HOW he is portrayed.

Of course, I'm a fan--so I always cross my fingers that when I do "see" him that it's a positive experience (although I do have a sense of humor about the world as well).

So imagine my surprise when wandering around downtown MillHOTledgeville and seeing a sign advertising "The Velvet ELVIS Supper Club."

Then imagine my surprise when our little crew ventured in the other night (before the place really got hopping) for dinner and drinks. One person said it "was in honor of Janet" even. Awwww.

I took special care to notice the menu--looking for anything to "write home about."

It wasn't anything too special, but after some research I found out that the menu seems to have gone through a lot of changes. What I saw is just a tiny piece of all the Memphis/Elvis mentions that have previously been there.

I thought this was current menu item interesting:

Fat Elvis Burger: A hand mix of andouille sausage and ground chuck topped with blue cheese crumbles.

Obviously it was an ode to 1976 Elvis as opposed to 1956 Elvis (I didn't see "Hot Elvis" as a menu choice)--and I don't know what andouille has to do with The King (Louisana Hayride?)...and was he even a fan of blue cheese crumbles?

It was an attempt. It was in good spirit. It put me in a particular "mood" (but that could've been the jukebox or inexpensive adult beverages).

I'll take it (because for now, it has to do).

~~J

Happy Happy 74th!!

Forever my favorite picture of the King!

~~J

Elvis + Coffee = LOVE!

So I have another local coffee (my beloved boc) to rave about! A dear friend gave me a 12oz bag of Lamberts Coffee as a "thank you" for helping with her baby shower a month ago. The flavor: Buttermoon ("secret blend of sweet nut and a hint of rich caramel")...oh holy Elvis, it's some great stuff!

Yes, I've been drinking coffee despite the record setting temperatures...but I've been adding ice cubes to the mix.

Now that Elvis week is coming to a close, I am a bit sadden. I did get to watch some great shows yesterday--especially on TvLand. Ed Sullivan's Rock & Roll Classics: Elvis AND Elvis by the Presleys had me completely glued to the set. What an amazing man.

AND...

I even "won" a little competition based on Elvis with the prize of COFFEE! ELVIS coffee (Elvis's Last Jelly Donut" from Cafe Francisco) 1 love + 1 love = a cup o' happiness.

WOO! I might even give over the fact I have to work this Saturday.

~~J

Because I have nothing better to do:

(except work and sweat)

I was visiting my favorite 'New Mother' this evening and we found ourselves (while watching her wee little baby make funny 'almost asleep' faces) having a glorious conversation about one of our absolute favorite subjects: BOOKS.

(yes, nerds are usually found in pairs)

She talked about the book she is currently reading (this one, it was a gift from me) and returned the last one she read (this one). Then I borrowed one from her: The Dante Club by Matthew Pearl. Has anyone read it?

Since I haven't read Dante's Inferno I decided to brush up some in order the "get" the book. I just started looking over it online, but I know enough already to tell you I deserve to be permanently placed in the second circle of Hell. (look it up, you'll know my greatest personal sin--I'll be super impressed!)

So I'm studying over one of the greatest works of world literature so I'll be able to read and understand a more contemporary piece. Did I mention I was NOT IN an actual CLASS right now (they start on the 27th). I applaud myself for having such lofty literary goals.

Back to some Elvis Love:

Strangest Elvis Sighting: I was running (walking briskly) to the appropriate gate at the Atlanta/Hartsfield airport when I came upon an Elvis Impersonator (he was cute!) entertaining fellow travellers. It was the weekend before Elvis Week cira the year 2000. I was returning from North Carolina and waiting to board my returning flight to Memphis. Guess who else was on my plane? Elvis flys first class, just in case you had your doubts. I saw him as I walked to the back of the plane.

Coolest Elvis "wall" Moment: I was standing in line on August 15, waiting for my opportunity to pay tribute to the man, when I started reading messages on "the wall" (you know the one I'm talking about--it's completely covered in handwritten declarations of love). Guess what I noticed immediately when I started reading? The message I had left about 2 weeks before when I toured Graceland with a large group. My own little message lasted THAT long.

We've been listening to Elvis at work and I've been hunting down the Collector's cards at various Mapco locations around the city. Thanks Commercial Appeal, you've helped make my week complete!


~~J

he's still the King:

I know some will consider it a sickness.

I still don't know why I have SO MANY Elvis CDs myself, but it's around this time of year I have to take them out and covet. I feel no shame to bring on the Elvis Love.

At work, a few weeks ago my boss began quizzing me on a few Elvis facts he picked up in a book he was reading (no, not a book about The King, but the book featured a character who apparently loved him enough to know quite a few little things). Guess what? I pretty much knocked all of the answers off the top of my head.

He laughed. I simply asked, "What? Everyone knows that!" But he said, "No, no they don't."

Maybe my Elvis knowledge is more than most, but I still beg to differ.

I've read somewhere that 1/3 of all Elvis fans weren't even born when he passed away. Oddly enough, I was born 38 weeks after Aug 16, 1977--so I was in utero. So technically I fit into this category as well.

Elvis CDs in my Collection: at least 30
Graceland Visits: 3
Vigil Appearances: 1 (very sad)

My Favorites:
Photos/Book: Elvis at 21: New York to Memphis
Movies: G.I. Blues (although I really don't like the movies)
Lullaby: Hawaiian Sunset (from Blue Hawaii)
70s era Song: Suspicious Minds
60s era Song: One Night
50s era Song: Such A Night
Movie Song: Wooden Heart/Pocketful of Rainbows (from GI Blues)
"Special": The 1968 Comeback Special
song About Elvis: Elvis is Everywhere by Mojo Nixon


And that's about the sound of it.

TCB~~J

a little Top Ten:

I wish I would've done this weekly, but instead I have a compilation to present to you now.

For 10 weeks (that's actually 50 mornings altogether) this summer I spent ample time driving to class. It really wasn't a lot of "car" time because I live relatively close to campus, but nevertheless I made sure to listen to a lot of different music along the way. Even though I pride myself on liking loving all types of music, I noticed a little trend amongst my "listening habits".

So I want to offer up my top 10 songs from my morning drive rotation aka Janet's "Summer School 2007" Greatest:

01) Afraid by Nelly Furtado ft. Attitude I seemed to really listen to this especially on the mornings I was nervous, be it exam days or speech days. Something about the line "I'm a survivor/look how strong my mind is" really got me READY.

02) Belief by John Mayer I've seen John Mayer twice in concert and his guitar playing ability never fails to impress me. This song has the most hum-a-ble opening and it makes me want to pick up a guitar. Then I remember how easy he makes it look and change my mind.

03) Black Horse and a Cherry Tree by KT Tunstall Otherwise know as the song I really got sick of when it was on the radio every 2 minutes, but it's perfect when you're running late. No speeding. Just speeding along MENTALLY.

04) Give it to Me by Timbaland ft. Nelly Furtado & Justin Timberlake I could seriously listen to this about 10 times in a row and never get tired of it. Anything featuring Nelly AND JT is perfection.

05) Over my Head (Cable Car) by The Fray It's the perfect "everyone knows I'm in over my head, over my head" song to sing VERY LOUDLY along to...two classes in one session? OVER MY HEAD!

06) Big Wheel by Tori Amos She's back, after a horrible record the original alternative goddess REALLY came through on her latest. I don't understand HOW this song hasn't become a complete and total summer success. Everyone I play it for loves it!

07) Dancing in the Dark by Bruce Springsteen When in doubt, dance it out with the Boss a'la Courtney Cox style. There are not enough words. Brilliant.

08) Let Go by Frou Frou Garden State was such a wonderful flick and I thank Zach Braff everyday for his wonderful ability to take a moment and give it the perfect song. This is a prime example--besides there is beauty in the breakdown.

09) Remedy by The Black Crowes It includes one of my favorite moments in actual recorded history about three minutes into it...sometimes you can definitely over produce a song. This one has enough raw energy to last a lifetime.

and finally.....

10) One Night by Elvis Presley What good "southern" girl would go without mentioning The King? There are a ton o' songs I adore, but for some reason I was completely enthralled with this one for a while. Maybe it was the image of him sweating in black leather. Maybe? I think we have a winner!


Now I wanna know your favorite driving songs...and WHY?


~~J

The Final Count Down!

It's Wednesday night and I am trying to recover from:

work

(the first of the month equals lotsa prescriptions in the world of pharmacy and we have inventory tomorrow, fun times!)

&

school

(I was given study guides for both of my finals and I've hit panic mode,

which doesn't really suit me!)

First and foremost, the study guide for the Algebra Final (which is actually created by the department and NOT my professor)...really made my brain hurt. ESPECIALLY since it's multiple choice and for some reason, a multiple choice math exam does nothing but confuse me. Seeing ALL of the problems together from the "semester" is a bit overwhelming.

The Final for Oral Comm should be manageable BUT with another speech looming (there's actually a Final speech AND a Final Exam), I've become exceedingly nervous. I "know" what I want to do, but somehow everything is getting jumbled up and coming out incorrectly.

The only thing that can make me smile right now is the thought of Elvis Week:

YUM!

~~J