FAREWELL...

Private services for Farrah Fawcett will be held today at 4:00 PM (Pacific Time) in Los Angeles. Her passing deprives this nation of a lovely lady with tremendous courage. I feel a great sense of sadness, along with millions of others who admired and adored her as I did.

BLOGGER EXPRESS RETURNS HOME SAFELY...

My driver opening the door on arrival in Phoenix

It was nice to catch up with everyone's Blogsites. We returned to Phoenix Sunday afternoon after a bus change in Albuquerque. I will resume regular blogging after Tuesday.

Have a very nice week!

BLOGLAND VISITS...

My Blogger Express

Good Morning! As you can see, I am out and about visiting your Blog sites and getting caught up. Thirteen of the sites I visited were boarded up when I reached the porch, and I was sorry to see some of our friends leave. But I've added a few new friends and look forward to gradually adding more along the way. Visiting in Blogland has never lost it's sense of fun for me. Many of us are everyday visitors, while others are good friends who stop by weekly or monthly. But we are there for one another, and I cherish your friendships. I'll try not to knock too early. Have a nice Sunday!

Michael

UNTIMELY...

During my second year in broadcasting, an aging hippie at the station reminded me of something so deceptively simple: "Any death is untimely", he said. I believe this is true of anyone with human dignity and worth. The deaths of Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson inevitably remind us about our own mortality because each was a significant part of our culture in the United States.

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FARRAH FAWCETT: It is tragic that we lost someone so lovely as Farrah Fawcett. I was a teenager when she burst onto the international scene and grown men flipped over her incredible beauty. How brave of her to become a replacement for Susan Sarandon in the West Side Arts Theatre's Off Broadway production of "Extremities", written by William Mastrosimone. A gritty play about violence and retribution, audiences in 1983 were left with no doubt that the gorgeous blonde we men came to worship was a force with which to be reconned with as a gifted actress. Farrah could tackle characters with a complexity and depth. "The Burning Bed" earned Farrah her first of three Emmy nominations and her second Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress.

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As an adult, I was smitten with her beauty and her grace; she captivated me. It is nothing short of heartbreaking for such a lovely lady who was so vibrant and young to be taken from a world that had become comfortable just knowing Farrah Fawcett was among us. Her bravery went beyond career risks. Her selfless desire to share her personal battle with cancer on television reached into the hearts of millions and provided untold numbers of cancer patients with the Hope and Determination to live life as fully and richly as possible. That is certainly a part of her magnificent legacy.

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MICHAEL JACKSON: Michael Jackson's death is tragic because he was only 50. Public figures whose lives are amplified, particularly when there are serious emotional issues can be handled a couple of ways. In the worst case scenario, television programs such as TMZ feed like piranha's on cheap sensationalism, and this was the case with Michael from 1993 to the present. I detest these programs and they cast a blemish on good broadcasting. In the best case scenario, my Eastern European upbringing taught me never to speak ill of the deceased, and if there was something positive about the person, that fact should become the focus. Michael Jackson's "Thriller" album was most definitely a time line marker of the 1980's. It can never be said that Michael Jackson lacked talent, ambition, dedication and creative genius. The considerations of his private life and his financial status is fodder for others to debate. To me, he was a human being who died young and his death is sad. That's all I really have to share for today. I'll be resuming where I left off next week after I have finished visiting your sites and getting caught up. Thank you for taking the time to catch up with me!

Michael

PASSING...

Farrah Fawcett

1947-2009

Rest In Peace

CATCHING MY LATEST MAGAZINE INTERVIEW!

Air Disaster Recovery

(Photo: Kenyon International)

Since 1994, I've been interviewing Chief Executive Officers of airlines all over the United States. I've been a very lucky guy, and I know it. I have enjoyed access to places where a vast majority of the public will never visit. But magazine credentials aside, these visits have been fascinating and insightful. The bulk of my work lies in the preparation and research of an article and interview. In previous BLOG Posts, I have described some of the wonderful people I have met and some of the circumstances I experienced.

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The reinvestigation into the accident that claimed the life of rock legend Rick Nelson haunted me for over 20 years. My best buddy and I were to have attended his New Years Eve Show in Dallas the night his Douglas DC-3 caught fire in-flight and made an emergency landing in DeKalb, Texas where Rick, his fiancee' and his band tragically lost their lives. Something never quite sat well with me about that event, and so I was led to review the forensic files of the victims, the National Transportation Safety Board Report, and the maintenance files of the aircraft involved in the disaster.

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When I think back to my interview with Astronaut and airline executive Colonel Frank Borman in a small airplane hangar in Las Cruces, New Mexico just days before 9/11, I can remember thinking afterwards how proud my Dad would have been that I landed this assignment, had he lived. From 2002 to 2006, I tracked the reports of the Indentured Trustee to bondholders of the Eastern Airlines Liquidating Trust in San Francisco. Glen Langdon, the Indentured Trustee could not believe that anyone in media would find his job interesting. But over time as we communicated, stories started pouring out that I think surprised even Glen. Some of them read like a Bruce Willis "Die Hard" movie script with dangerous confrontations and a feared kidnapping in a foreign country! I love people and I love visiting with them. If you click-on my feature "THE INTERVIEW" on this page, you'll read in short order my philosophy to approaching a Guest. This came from my radio and television experience and I must credit Andy McCollum in Dallas for teaching me this technique. I was a Guest on his FM Radio show called "Focus" twice and he was the best interviewer I had ever met. In fact, after you become interviewed as a Guest 47 times on radio, television and newspapers as I have in my young life, you get the hang of what people want and who you are in relation to the subject at hand. And that lends a wonderful authenticity to whatever subject we happen to have under discussion. In a delightful change of pace, I have been able to continue interviewing different personalities here on my BLOG Page and more Guests will be arriving soon!

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Our August edition of Airways magazine (pictured above) is coming soon to a Barnes & Nobles, Borders Bookstore and other fine newsstands near you. In fact, I passed an excellent outdoor newsstand in Encino, California recently where our magazine was being perused by a potential customer. We are truly international in our worldwide distribution, thus the moniker: "A Global Review of Commercial Flight". The people I interview are actively engaged in life in a way that serves others. While my current article is a delicate subject, it was in the discussion stage for years. I simply felt that it was important for people to understand what goes on "behind the scenes" when an airline tragedy strikes. It is also my hope that my visit with Bob Jensen in Houston will accentuate what positive steps we can take to help prevent airline tragedies in the future. I hope you find this interesting. Back in a wink!

A FEW THINGS WE'LL NEVER FORGET...

Johnny Carson...

Ed McMahon 1923-2009...

Full Service Gas Stations...

John Wayne...



Frank, Dean, Peter & Sammy...



Richard Crenna...

The Beatles on Ed Sullivan...

"The Wolrd's Most Experienced Airline"

1927-1991...

PAN AM...

Natalie Wood...

Steve Allen...

The Final Tour...

When Pontiac was led by John DeLorean...

Gilda...

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As I was assembling this BLOG Post, Ed McMahon died. God Bless him. Our country has changed. Long before we had phrases like "Deal with it", "We're not on the same page", "Whatever?", "Starter marriages", and "Collateral Damage", we had some modicum of normalcy. These photos remind me of better times, and they rekindle my hope that maybe we can at least try to get this feeling back again...someday.

KODACHROME 1935-2009

Kodachrome

They give us those nice bright colors

They give us the greens of summers

Makes you think all the world's a sunny day, oh yeah

I got a Nikon camera

I love to take a photograph

So mama don't take my Kodachrome away

-Paul Simon, "Kodachrome" (1973)
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On the evening of December 3rd, 1991 I must have felt a bit like a younger Bruce Springsteen. I was driving my nearly restored Pearl White Chevrolet El Camino with mag wheels along Eastbound Interstate 20 heading to Dallas from Fort Worth, Texas when I heard an exasperated Larry King exclaim on radio, "If you haven't heard the news, Pan Am ceased all scheduled operations this morning. Hard to believe. Pan Am...out of business". I was stunned. How could an iconic symbol that was second only to Coca Cola in worldwide recognition be allowed to fail? Eighteen years later, I still don't have an answer. But here's what I do know: One by one, uniquely American companies and their products are disappearing into history forever. Am I the only one who is shocked? Maybe we have become so numb as a people, that nothing galls us anymore. Heres another example.

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Yesterday, Eastman Kodak Company announced that it will no longer produce Kodachrome, which has captured some of the world's most iconic images for 74 years. The company introduced the 35 millimeter color film in 1935. It had a following among professional and amateur photographers alike who claimed that the palate of colors and hues with such striking detail was never so beautifully replicated by any other film brand. Some of the best-known color photographs of Marilyn Monroe were made with Kodachrome film. Another piece of America is gone. Granted, Kodak executives stated that the brand accounted for less than 1 percent of total sales. In the current commodity-driven marketplace this is a logical argument. But like the exit of Oldsmobile and Pontiac automobiles certain questions remain.

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Yes, change is inevitable. But when we stop to ponder the death of a company or product so closely associated with American ingenuity, the question becomes: Why did we let that company or that product go to hell? And: What was it that we could have done to reinvent and redeploy that product offering so that it remained relevant and job creation remained intact on America soil?

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It is an undisputed fact that there is no American company today that manufactures a camera or the spare parts to have it repaired. We are living in a "throw-away society". I would even argue that this mentality applies to human relationships. Two Blog Posts ago, I stated that I wasn't a Sociologist. I don't have all of the answers to what ails this country. I don't know why we are cannibalizing our manufacturing base and exporting jobs overseas. I have heard a lot of rhetoric about how this will ultimately benefit us. But the reporter in me can find no attribution for such statements. My point, of course, goes far deeper than a company liquidating or a brand product we all grew up with disappearing. Our social culture is in a tremendous crisis, not just the economy.

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As a broadcast journalist by training, I applauded Lou Dobbs for having the guts to launch what ultimately became his Peabody Award-Winning two-year investigative television series called "Exporting America". Lou was relentless. On several occasions, I actually saw him finish a newscast on CNN's "Money Matters" and sincerely thought "He's right. But they're going to fire him". Yet, he was unflappable. Lou made some valid points that went well beyond petty partisan politics. He had a "direction with affection". He loves his country and he called it as he saw it. But at the end of the day: Has it changed anything? Your thoughts please...

MY ANNUAL SUMMER RECIPIE!

It's Summer...

Good Morning!

(Newcomers: Welcome! This is a Michael Manning Tradition.):

It's that time of the year again where I post a drink that is--to quote the beach waiter in the Blake Edwards film "10" --"something cool, refreshing". This year, I've selected a "Raspberry Gelatini"!

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Face it: When you live in Phoenix and it's a weekend (or evening) , you need an icy beverage to chase away those "summertime blues" (a term which makes no sense to me).

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The Recipie:

Take 11/2 ounces of Raspberry Vodka

Add a splash of Raspberry syrup

Now add a small scoop of Raspberry gelato (must be home made)

Top off with Sprite

Voila!

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Benefit: The little kid in you gets a chance to enjoy the burst of flavor from a frozen treat, while the grownup in you (?) gets to sip on an adult beverage. Voila!

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(The BLOG before this one is fairly good too).

THREE CLASSICS CONSIDERED BY STEVE MCQUEEN!

Earlier this year, I mentioned the exciting news that Warner Brothers had released the DVD of Steve McQueen's film role in Ibsen's classic play "An Enemy of the People". However, along the way I discovered that Steve had considered three other classics to commit to the big screen. Here's a quick look at each one. If there's a lesson to be learned here, it is the importance of imagining all the possibilities we have before us in life to try something new.

Russian playwright and novelist Nikolai Gogol created this work in 1836 and revised six years later in 1842. This play is a true "comedy of errors". It centers on the themes of human greed, stupidity and the corrupt powers in existence at the time in Tsarist Russia.

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The Plot: A group of corrupt bureaucrats in a small Russian town led by a dubious Mayor react with terror to the news that an incognito inspector will be arriving to investigate them for any infractions of the law. These bumbling idiots react with frenzied activity to cover up their actions. Paranoia begins to set in when the news is circulated that a suspicious person arrived two weeks earlier from Saint Petersburg and is staying at the local inn. Amusingly, the suspicious person is Khlestakov, a low grade civil servant with delusions of grandeur, and he plays it to the hilt! When the towns peopl learn that Khlestakov has been charging his hotel bill to the Crown, this only works to legitimize his authenticity as the Inspector. While admittedly a stretch, this is somewhat reminiscent of James Garner's role in the film farce "Support Your Local Sheriff". The impostor enjoys his new found powers to incite fear and begins demanding and receiving massive "loans" from the Mayor while flirting with his wife and daughter. The pressure is too much for the crooked bunch, and they beg Khlestakov to fire the Mayor. Acting "overwhelmed" by the Mayor's level of corruption, Khlestakov manages to keep a straight face and announces that the Mayor will be exiled in chains to Siberia. However, he takes no action and bags more "loans" from the merchants who play along right into his hands on the promise that Khlestakov will "clean house". In the interim, he becomes engaged to the Mayor's daughter but with the risk dangerously high that he will be discovered himself to be a fraud, Khlestakov's valet advises him to leave town fast while the getting is good. This leaves the Mayor humiliated for his years of shaking down criminals and infighting ensues among all the Mayor's cronies. While they argue away, the real Government Inspector shows up and asks to see the Mayor immediately. Steve McQueen considered approaching this play as a comedy, but decided against it. Next...

The Plot: Henrik Ibsen's play about Halvard Solness, a middle-aged architect who has clawed his way to social prominence also caught Steve's eye. A single-minded empire builder, Solness is so hardened by his desire to reach the top that he has eviscerated any semblance of a meaningful life and his wife Aline becomes ruthlessly alienated and cast aside. Knut Brovik is Solness's former employer who now serves as his assistant. Facing death, Brovik, who was fleeced by Solness in his drive to be the wealthiest and the best seeks only for his son Ragnar to have more independence within the architectural firm. This creates enormous defensiveness in Solness, who fears that Ragnar represents a younger generation of architects who will displace him. So, he refuses to allow Ragnar to design houses, forcing the younger architect to contemplating a letter of resignation to start his own firm. A young woman, Hilda Wangel enters the picture. She first idolized Solness a decade earlier after he built a large church in her hometown and climbed to the top of its tower during its dedication ceremony. Afterwards, Solness had promised Hilda, then 12 years-old "a kingdom" and of course she is in town twn years later to "collect" on his promise. Greed rears its ugly head when Solness finds a sympathetic ear in Hilda who urges him to do what he must to push Ragnar Brovik to leave the firm. Solness, believing he has tamed his inner demons by ridding himself of Brovik, builds a house with a tall tower similar to the church tower in Hilda's hometown. At Hilda's urging, Solness agrees to a repeat performance in dedicating the house by climbing the tower and he tells her that the two of them will achieve "the most wonderful thing in the world" together by building "castles in the air." Solness climbs to the top of the tower, but then falls to his death. The Old Testament Biblical references of the sin of greed is ample throughout this tale. Steve ultimately decided to pass on this play. Next...


Of the three potential projects Steve considered prior to "An Enemy of the People", I personally found the play "Waiting for Godot" by Samuel Beckett (1906-1989) to be the most compelling.

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The Plot: As "theatre of the absurd", "Waiting for Godot" (1952) follows two days in the lives of a pair of men who divert themselves while they wait in vain for someone named Godot to arrive. They claim him as an acquaintance but they neither know him. In fact, they wouldn't even recognize him if he were to actually show up! But such is life. To occupy themselves until Godot shows up, the pair engages in a monotonous cycle of eating, conversing on a wide array of subjects in an effort to remain sane: singing, exercising, even contemplating suicide—anything to sustain an existence while waiting for an event that never occurs. Among their subjects, to cite an example, the two discuss repentance as it relates to the two thieves crucified alongside Jesus, and make an observation that only one of the four evangelists ever mentions they were saved. Again, the Biblical references in this play are linked to the central theme of reconciliation with God, as well as salvation. One more than one occasion the duo cried out: "We're saved!" when they sense that Godot may be near. He never appears and the play ends with both men agreeing to finally leave, however, neither one makes the effort.

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Interestingly, Steve McQueen actually spoke with Beckett who was flattered by Steve's interest to commit his play to a fresh screen treatment. However, he reluctantly stated he could not bring himself to do so.

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Of Steve McQueen's 30 films completed in his short life I have 24 of them on DVD. A rather deliberate reader of books, I have--for better or worse--taken the same approach in getting caught up on just the films of McQueen I have not yet seen. However, it seems to me that a cursory look back at the noble themes presented in just these three examples is particularly revealing about where Steve was emotionally-speaking towards the end of his life. He sought a deeper meaning

in life than his competitive period with motorcycles and racing cars. With "An Enemy of the People", the central theme of uncommon courage and taking a stand on principle is borne out with this subtitle from a 2004 Norwegian film adaptation: "The strongest one is that who stands alone". It is, indeed, a fascinating departure from an already impressive depth of roles McQueen had amassed on film before this project. Today, with the wonderful news of public distribution by Warner Brothers of this DVD, it encourages me to wonder what goals each of us are capable of undertaking if we really set our mind to it.

KENYON: COPING AND CARING IN A CRISIS

Robert A. Jensen

CEO

Kenyon International Emergency Disaster Services

My Upcoming Magazine Article

In the summer of 1995, I joined Airways, the flagship magazine of Airways International Inc., as a Contributing Editor. The job was and a remains a "second gig" for me, and I have been very lucky to serve with what I believe to be the finest staff of writers ever assembled who cover the multi-faceted airline world. This includes the operators, the aircraft, the technology, the manufacturers, the airports and destinations, the people, and the airways. It continues to be a fun and unusual extension of my background as a broadcast news journalist accustomed to writing news copy and reading teleprompters for the better part of 19 years. My entire' to commercial aviation began in the early 1990's with the human drama that was unfolding at Eastern Airlines under former Texas Air Chairman Frank Lorenzo. It became a quest for me to study and understand exactly what drove this man from his meteoric rise as (briefly) owning the world's largest airline empire, to losing control of the very companies he founded. So, it was the human interest aspect of the people and personalities in this great industry that initially attracted me. Very quickly, my focus at the magazine became the no-holds-barred face-to-face interviews with Presidents and Chief Executive Officers of both domestic Low Cost Carriers (LCC's) and the fully-frilled "Legacy Carriers" with First and Coach Class cabin product offerings. I've seen a lot and so have my colleagues. From limo rides to and from the heavily guarded corporate suites, to Press Flights of newly inaugurated airlines and true life stories of adventure and intriugue--it's all been fun and rewarding!

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The commercial aviation industry has traditionally been viewed (to my amusement) by investors as a sexy and exciting business. Much of this allure conjurs up images of having a "captive audience" aboard each flight where attractive flight attendants serve a dual role of ensuring passenger safety, while alternately providing the public with a sense of identifiable branding an airline endeavors to convey. I have been privileged. It's been very exciting to travel, meet and capture on audio tape some of the industry's most fascinating personalities--much in the same way my BLOG Page feature, "THE INTERVIEW" has functioned. A few of the airlines I've covered are sadly gone, including TWA where a former girlfriend of mine took my advice and left the company as a flight attendant (during it's second trip to bankruptcy court) to earn her Masters Degree in Public Administration. She is now working with a business consulting firm in Washington and we stay in touch. It's nice to hear of happy endings like hers in such a brutally competitive business.

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After 160 issues, Airways has gained a global reputation for its authoritative and often-provocative articles, insider knowledge, international outlook, and the wide scope of its coverage—always complemented by first-class photography. Our worldwide distribution is by paid subscription and through fine newsstands and specialized outlets.

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Very soon, Issue Number 162 (August, 2009) will carry my interview with Kenyon International Emergency Services CEO Robert A. Jensen. Kenyon is the only firm of its type offering comprehensive resources and experience for every type of aviation disaster, natural disaster, war or terror. Within 6 pages, Bob and I discuss the lessons lost from the tragedy of TWA Flight 800 (Boeing 747-100; near East Moriches, New York, on July 17, 1996; with loss of all 230 on board) and more recent crashes in the news. What happened? How well was the response handled? What are the considerations in this unusual business of caring for people, businesses and governments affected by a crisis? We deal with all of these questions and much more. This interview was very important to me.

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As a college Psychology major, my Fieldwork Practicum for two years was undertaken at a 24-Hour Suicide and Crisis Intervention hot line where I received extensive training in helping clients cope with depression, loss, loneliness, anxiety and life-altering events that were often unspeakable. In this magazine interview, Bob Jensen speaks with me about the sensitive and little-know role of Kenyon's services with unusual candor. Ultimately, I felt that with the times each of us are living in, this story needed to be told. I hope it provides you with an interesting "insiders view" of what happens in an emergency response, and perhaps most importantly--what we can do to help prevent more tragedies in the future.

A MID-WEEK TUNE...

Note from Michael: Good Morning. You'll need to turn your speakers up for this one, but it sure is worth it. I've even included the lyrics for a "Sing-A-Long" and this song is so well done. I think you'll love it!

Guy Clark is no stranger to my BLOG Page. I've said this before, but it bears a short repeat. I was fortunate enough to catch Guy Clark in concert soon after his Grammy Award Winning CD "Workbench Songs" was released. You could have heard a pin drop in the theater when he played "Magdalene". I was captivated immediately with his lyrical sensibilities.

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By the way, my best to Cosmic Crayola who has been in the hospital. I hope you'll drop by her site to send her your love for a speedy recovery.

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Magdalene By: Guy Clark

I ain't lookin' for trouble
I can't stay here tonight
I got to leave here on the double
If I want to see the morning light
Don't need no pistol for the tickets
I've got just enough to get us down the line
I don't know what happens next
Your guess is just as good as mine

Chorus

Move with me Magdalene
I'm tired of the same old scene
There's a Greyhound leaving at midnight
If you came with me it'd be like a dream
Come on Magdalene
Move with me Magdalene

Verse

I've heard Mexico is easy
I wouldn't stay here if I could
Don't come along just to please me
Let's go while the going's good

Chorus

Move with me Magdalene
I'm tired of the same old scene
Let's go down to San Miguel
Let's go be somebody else tonight
Come on Magdalene
There's a Greyhound leaving at midnight
If you came with me it'd be like a dream
Come on Magdalene
Move with me Magdalene

SOME MILD HUMOR!

Note to Santa Claus: Here's my List..early!

Good Morning! Well, as I mentioned here recently there was an elderly lady last year around this time who sat next to me in a nearby coffee shop and reminded me twice, "There really is a Santa Claus ya know". She was widowed and into her eighties. I loved her sense of humor and we had a great conversation about how much has changed in the world and how much remains the same. In the spirit of acknowledging my friend, I felt some mild humor was in order. Unfortunately, I haven't met Santa Claus yet or the lady pictured above. But before anyone takes aim at me for blonde's, I must point out a feather in NordicTrack's hat. Can you imagine NordicTrack not using a blonde model? Also, since I'm familiar with print ads and the television commercial game, I submit the following. You're waiting for your audition at your agent's office when an order is FAXED over for a "30-something woman, five-foot- eight who is physically fit". I ask you. What are the chances she used NordicTrack equipment to get into shape, right? With all deference to Chuck Norris television fitness commercials, you don't have to be Robert Shapiro to figure that one out. But I digress. Back to the day-to-day...

Today marks Week 3 after we've stretched my Recumbent Bike time to 45 minutes a day. I have tried a number of models (no pun intended), but this one (the commercial 400) suites me best. NordicTrack is seriously impressive. This of course, is not a BLOG Post of major social or political import, but then again, maybe I tickled your funny bone...maybe. After all: Who was it in "The Godfather" movie trilogy who said "Once...just once"? Come to think of it, maybe it wasn't "The Godfather".

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On a sweeter note: Check Trevor Tredaway's site for an update soon. There is some good news ahead and I think you will agree, "There really is a Santa Claus".

Michael

AMELIA BY JONI MITCHELL

This has really been a helluva two weeks. How often I have thought back to a telephone conversation I had one night with Denny Shane! He asked me this question very slowly and deliberately: "Do you have any earthly idea how long it takes me to create a blog?" I guessed vaguely, and of course I was wrong. His answer was "Try over three hours". I believe it, because I live this reality myself more often than not.

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Last night, I was contemplating many things. My copy of Guy Clark's CD "Workbench Songs" arrived in the mailbox. I was playing it through half-way and created a short humorous BLOG to post. Then circumstances being what they are, I stumbled upon this video. It made sense, so I posted it. Consistency has it's place, sure. Why not stay with a theme and round out the week? But this video is just amazing for so many reasons to me. Amazing to see Joni Mitchell performing this song "live". Amazing to see a guitar played in a way I've never seen before by anyone. Amazing for the complex sonic quality of chords that come from God only knows where? Amazing lyrics woven together with breathtaking validity: Aviation, Amelia Earhart, and the emotional landscape of our own archetypal journeys. That's why I posted it. Have a great weekend, and as an elderly widow told me at a nearby coffee bar last year", "You know, there really is a Santa Claus".

Michael

WOODSTOCK IMAGES IN BRIEF

Joni Mitchell saw friends David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Graham Nash off to Bethel, New York for the Woodstock Music Festival but had to remain behind due to a scheduled appearance on The Dick Cavett television show. She wrote the hit song "Woodstock" after watching news clips of the chaotic festival on television. Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young would later record it on the album "Deja Vu", and Joni has a nice live version of her song on her CD "Miles of Aisles". I was a tot and only really learned about the event years afterwards. I did see the unedited film about six years ago on the big screen in limited theater release.

This couple was profiled on television two years ago, and believe it or not they are still married.

This is a nice shot of Carlos Santana and band mates performing "Soul Sacrifice". Drummer Michael Shrieve was only 19 at the time.


Jimi Hendrix took the stage during the last day of the event, after many in the crowd left the concert.

A newly formed band: Crosby, Stills & Nash. Their "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" was Stills' ode to former girlfriend Judy Collins.

Janis Joplin here in the performers area backstage where the crowds, weather and near anarchy conditions forced festival organizers to use U.S. Army helicopters to bring in the musical artists backstage. Her performance does not appear on the original soundtrack release.

En route to the Festival: I've read a book on Woodstock written from the perspective of the original organizers, who actually lost money after hundreds of thousands more showed up and simply overwhelmed the logistics plan they had in place. The U.S. Army stepped in to assist with helicopters, medical support and food supplies. This was 40 years ago.

5 JEWELS FROM JONI MITCHELL

A brief look back in my own words...

"Clouds" was Joni's second recording in 1968. She uses only a guitar to accompany herself, but it is interesting how she uses the guitar with remarkable expressiveness that is subtle to the ear. In 2009, Joni collaborated with the Alberta (Canada) Ballet in a piece called "The Fiddle and the Drum". I haven't seen the production yet. The original song appears on this album as a protest to the Vietnam War with a metaphorical reference to a bitter friend. In what came to mark her recordings, romantic vulnerability and uncertainty is present in the striking and unforgettable "I Don't Know Where I Stand". It is impossible for me to even consider anyone else attempting to cover this song. A stint at West Virginia University brought forth "Chelsea Morning" and the classic "Both Sides Now"--written when Joni was just 21 years old. It is in this album that a more strident singer emerges with subtle and sweet harmonies and another characteristic I still find compelling--her use of impressionism in the same manner that a painter handles this period with oils and paintbrushes. In what has become a welcomed pattern, Joni painted her self portrait that became the album cover. Yes, I have also enjoyed "Michael from Mountains", and frequently used this song title to encourage people not to call me "Mike"--which I dislike tremendously. It's "Michael", as in "Michael from Mountains".

Autobiographical and a Classic

Blue is the fourth album from Joni Mitchell that was released way back in the summer of 1971. And yet, this is the seminal album that has influenced modern day musical artists like Jewel Kilcher and Aimee Mann, among others. One of the amazing aspects of this CD for me is that 38 years later, it is considered the most important female singer/songwriter album in the history of music. "Blue" charted on the Billboard Top 20 where it stayed for 28 weeks! Simply stated, it is a creation of pure genius that I can only suspect became evident on some level during the writing and recording sessions. This CD is an Opus of the soul with 10 unforgettable songs that are complex, emotionally open and bold. "All I Want" opens the song list with a light dusting of a guitar and dulcimer. Joni's vocals and strong lyrics that hit the ground running: "I want to have fun/ I want to shine like the sun/ I want to be the one that you want to see/ I want to knit you a sweater/ want to write you a love letter/ I want to make you feel better/ I want to make you feel free". There is the gentleness and heartbreak of "Little Green", a song about a child put up for adoption--Mitchell's real-life daughter to "This Flight Tonight": a fast rocker about how she shouldn't have boarded a flight. This resembles for me a frenetic song that is a metaphor for a turbulent relationship heading for disaster. Then comes the masterpiece, "River" which paints the Christmas Holiday atmosphere as a backdrop against emotional underpinnings the singer wishes she could escape by skating away on a frozen river. "A Case Of You" is one of Joni's most beloved songs about the intoxication of new love. The CD closes with the last conversation had with a lover that becomes the Finale--signaling the death of the relationship in "The Last Time I Saw Richard". The song finishes with Joni's heart and voice both clearly breaking. I have shared this before, but it bears repeating. Singer/songwriter Kris Kristofferson is said to have told Mitchell after hearing this album, "For God's sakes Joan, hold back a little"! There has never been--to my knowledge--a more vulnerable or better crafted CD that is as balanced or deserving of praise than this CD. I highly recommend it to new Joni Mitchell fans.

This album cover grabbed me (and never let go)

Sandwiched between "Blue" and the FM Radio staple, "Court and Spark" is an expansive and beautifully evocative work, "For the Roses". More electric guitar is applied here from legendary session guitarist James Burton to Stephen Stills. It is Stills, by the way, who lays down a bluesy tapestry reminiscent of an obtuse lover whose identity remains in the shadows while his music is stark and familiar in "Blonde in the Bleachers". This is for me--a song about a woman who tries in vain to love a musician who is always in motion. "You Turn Me On, I'm A Radio" is a memorable and always in-demand concert song that makes ample use of Mitchell's lovely multi-octave soprano. "If you're lying on the beach with the transistor going/ Kick off the sand flies honey, the loves still flowing/ If your head says forget it/ But your heart's still smoking/ Call me at the station/ The lines are open". "Woman of Heart and Mind" challenges a materialistic lover with some sharp words about superficial crap devoid of meaning, while "Judgement of the Moon and Stars (Ludwig's Tune)" is an ode to Beethoven. This complex composition requires several plays for the listener to fully appreciate it. I have a memory of a neighborhood musician in my native Ohio (who resembled a bearded and bespectacled John Lennon) running up to a few of us with excitement, "Have you heard Joni Mitchell's new record? 'For the Roses'!" Exactly.

An old flame introduced me to Joni Mitchell's music with "Court and Spark". For me, this album was bold, vibrant and filled with a longing to live life as much as it served notice that Jazz was Mitchell's new direction. It is of course her most commercially regarded album with the FM Radio staples "Help Me", "Free Man in Paris", and the rocker "Raised On Robbery". On this outing, Joni brings in Tom Scott and The L.A. Express, a jazz/rock band with an ample horn section that cooks. David Crosby, Graham Nash, Robbie Robertson, Jose Feliciano, and even Cheech & Chong appear on this album! At the heart of this spirited effort is an "up close and personal" exploration of Mitchell's thoughts and feelings about herself, her close friends, relationships and the world at large. It always felt to me that she pressed down harder on melodies and acoustic guitar arrangements wed to strings, horns, and piano work that steps out of her previous efforts with "Blue" and "For the Roses" with a sense of hope "hitting on all cylinders". This was the essential album of the 1970's that rocked, caressed and even took in a laugh with her rendition of "Twisted". A terrific studio album, Joni toured it in 1974 with a double live album called, "Miles of Aisles". Fans would have to wait for the video "Shadows and Light" for a live concert this energetic. However, by then her music evolved even closer to jazz and blues, with newer concert staples.


Rolling Stone magazine's pick as No. 11 of Best Album Covers of All Time

We'll end with an album inspired by a car trip by Joni from Maine to California. After nine years of releasing critically acclaimed albums of the rock era, Joni Mitchell was one of the most prolific female singers in the world when this LP debuted in 1976. Her popularity may have peaked with the release of her hit album "Court And Spark" 24 months earlier. But with each subsequent release, the lonely folk artist was gradually transitioning towards modern Jazz. This album cover jacket--shot in Black & White--opens with "Coyote," a driving guitar melody about "the journey", hence the album's Arabic title-a veiled theme with plenty of subjects built around it. Central to life is the struggle Mitchell notes between the temptation towards marriage tempered by the feeling that a career takes as much dedication. There is no conclusion, and no real happy ending. In fact, it took me years before I discovered the beautiful and haunting "Amelia" to be a song based around the American airplane pilot Amelia Earhart, whose flight in the Pacific mysteriously vanished in July, 1937. Joni sings about "seeing six jet planes leaving vapor trails across the bleak terrain" as she drives "down the burning desert". The psychological impact of both the stunning imagery and raw guitar work captivates the listener. "And I slept on the strange pillows of my wanderlust. I dreamed of 747's, over geometric farms. Dreams, Amelia, dreams and false alarms." This song was one I had initially interpreted strictly as involving romantic disappointment. And some of that may be true. But there is so much more here. The album shook the music world at it's release with mixed feedback from those who yearned for Joni's pure folk music period, while others frowned on the blues-laced Jazz influences Joni employed with bassist Jaco Pastorius and sax player Wayne Shorter of the fusion band, Weather Report". "Blue Hotel Room" and "Refuge of the Road", indeed, this entire album project represented for me what "Exile On Main Street" was for The Rolling Stones. A wonderful recording that is tranquil and leads the listener to question their mortality with evocative impressionism and complex chord structures that lend an ethereal quality to a very rich portfolio of recordings. In fact, I ordered a copy of "Shine" (previously mentioned in a recent Blog) and yes, "Hejira". It's one thing to have the vinyl LP, but it's also nice to have the CD for longer car trips. See you tomorrow!

ARABIAN NIGHTS...

Sunday with a new pal...

Yesterday, life was good. I spent the afternoon soaking in all I could about Arabian horses, riding, observing, listening and learning after a very long absence of them in my life. The afternoon was power-packed with more learning than any clinic could deliver. My instructor is a friend who is patient as she is awesome on horseback. It was incredible watching her work with a young horse who was not exactly thrilled with her new bit, let alone riding in the arena. But my friend has a solid and consistent background of experience with horses that began in childhood and was never interrupted. This is not an unimportant point, no matter what you enjoy doing.

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Once a month I read through Hemming's Classic Car magazine and then recycle it by mailing it off to my brother. We have enjoyed cars since I was six years old and reading about car restoration is always interesting. I mention this only because a car owner featured in this month's edition spoke about how life's responsibilities interrupted his restoration project for twenty years. A monthly horse magazine that I also enjoy reading carried similar reflections from a woman in her early forties who (unlike my cousin) survived breast cancer. She too wrote about being away from horses for twenty years before a clean bill of health gave her a new lease lease on life and she returned to dressage competition. This of course brought back memories of my cousin who was a saddle bred gal, and her spirit was with me in that arena through the entire afternoon. For some reason, I experienced a thought about her that I never considered in the nearly nine years since her passing.

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For reasons I can't explain, I tried remembering whether or not my cousin ever suggested to me as a kid that I participate in a 4-H club. This is not a disturbing thought much less a major consideration. But it was the first time I had ever thought about that question while riding and it stayed with me on and off through the evening after I returned home. Who knows? Perhaps it came to me from my continuing work with kids today and the concerns I have about what passes as entertainment on television that they absorb. Some of you may recall my blogging about the three years I spent pitching a cable television program called "When Dreams Come True" to 300 producers. That was an excursion in futility I don't recommend to anyone with a bank account and any degree of common sense because invariably you wind up losing both! But I digress. The 4-H Pledge is very cool:

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I pledge my Head to clearer thinking,
my Heart to greater loyalty,
my Hands to larger service,
and my Health to better living. . .
for my club, my community, my country and my world.

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Speaking of common sense, this pledge appeals to me. Perhaps if my hometown in the Mid-West adopted programs like this, it might not be over-run with gang activity as it is today! Back to reality in Arizona: I had a great day. I drove home and napped for hours. The air conditioning was a welcomed relief to the hours spent in the sun. Still, it was a gorgeous day and I remember thinking as I slept on and off just how long the sunset took. Dusk remains my favorite time of day, just as breakfast is my favorite meal.

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I have a new pair of riding boots that my physical therapist will look over Tuesday when he returns from out of town. Foot surgery from a few years back has caused me to make some adjustments, and one of them is an inability to wear my Tony Lama boots any longer. Not a huge loss, just a need to adapt to the new reality of post-surgery orthotics, and this can be challenging. The poor guy who fitted me for my boots was a young college student studying film in the southeast part of our state. He had a lot of patience, as I tried on at least 14 pairs within an hour. Thank God the store was empty. The last pair I tried on seemed to do the trick. I hope the new boots pass my physical therapist's approval for next week's ride. Phoenix weather on Sunday was in the 90's and very nice.

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Even after waking up from my nap, I sat down and tried again to recall whether or not my cousin ever mentioned 4-H to me. If I were a betting man, I would tend to think she did, although I have no clear recollection of anything beyond her phone calls to my parents' home asking if it was okay to stop by and drive me to the stables where she boarded her horses and those exciting car trips. I still laugh today as I think about her red two seater Triumph convertible and later, her orange MGB convertible--she drove her sports cars fast and rough. However, I also remember her as being able to handle a car in any situation the way Steve McQueen could. My cousin could have been another Danica Patrick! She was no different on a horse--very confident and competent. Next month it will be an amazing nine years since she passed away. Basically, she and I were a couple of black sheeps in my family, so I can still laugh about our good times together, including some of her more amusing observations about life I won't repeat here. Have a nice week!

SUNDAY WITH JONI MITCHELL...

In 1977, like many young guys, I developed a crush on this world wise lady. I have all but three of her CD's today; "For the Roses" is my all-time favorite along with "Hejira". She transitioned from Folk to Jazz in the spirit of being true to herself. In that process, she may have lost some fans. That is a risk anyone takes in being true to themselves. Her musicianship with the guitar is an enigma for me as the lady herself. For decades, I have long wanted to sit down with her over coffee for a day and exchange world views. There is simply no one like her; artist Jewel Kilcher (another lady I enjoy) and others credit her seminal CD "Blue"--a masterpiece that influenced them. That CD prompted friend Kris Kristofferson to intone: "Joan, for God's sake, hold back a little". I was glad she didn't. Her musical explorations sonically were helped by the late bassist Jaco Pastorius and jazz saxophonist Wayne Shorter--both of the band Weather Report whom I saw live in concert. Joni's paintings--for me--both rival and surpass Picasso. But the great joy for me is her newest CD, "Shine" which opens with a beautifully expressive piano solo.

IN EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE...

A time to pause and remember...

This morning and tomorrow the reality for me is that a tough week has come to a merciful end. I pause and remember those who were lost on Monday aboard Air France Flight #447. May God Bless them, their family members and their friends who are grieving terribly. As a member of the media for 14 years, I have covered the loss of life and I don't miss that part of my job. As a contributing editor of an international commercial aviation magazine I have spent a lot of time traveling to various airline headquarters in the United States and sitting down with CEO's for interviews. I have dated women who are pilots and flight attendants alike and today, we speak on a regular basis as friends and colleagues. It is impossible not to be empathic when an industry-related loss occurs. My heart is also with the staff at Airbus Industrie and with those who are involved in the dangerous recovery efforts underway in the Atlantic. They can all use our prayers and good wishes. David M. Bailey's new composition (below) is appropriate to help me close out this week.

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In Every Circumstance

by: David M. Bailey

Watched the sun go down beside the golden gate

The fog had started rising off the bay

Had a cup of Peets keeping me company

A perfect end to a less than perfect day

Now, blue skies have a way of lifting spirits

Then again, I’ve always loved the rain

I think if we could learn to just be grateful

We’d all be far less likely to complain

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That’s easy to say when the sun is shining

It’s easy to say when you wanna dance

Everybody knows that life ain’t easy and;

The Good Book says be thankful in every circumstance

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That kinda makes me stop and think:

There must be some exceptions to the rule

Surely it didn’t mean *every* single one

I may be dumb but I am not a fool

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But I wonder if there’s meaning in the sequence

Perhaps it deserves a second glance

It’s worth noting that the order to be thankful

Comes first – before the circumstance

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I mean, if gratitude is laid as the foundation

Maybe the house we build can stand up to the storm

We could give still give thanks when the cold winds blow

It wouldn’t be the exception; but the norm

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And yet, still, I find myself resisting

It’s easier to simply sing the blues

But the easy way doesn’t mean the right way

Yeah, the easy way often means you lose

The right way can be hard to choose

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Which brings me back to my golden sunset

I was grumpy bout the trip: it was hard and long

Had I known of the beauty that awaited

I might have sung a very different song

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In retrospect I should have been more thankful

But maybe that’s part of what faith is all about:

Believing there will always be a reason to be thankful

Even when your vision is clouded by your doubt

david m. bailey

6-4-09 - Berkeley, CA

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Amen.

Michael

VISITS WELCOMED!

Trevor, Tredaway age 4 with his sister Morgan, age 2.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/trevortredaway

JUST WHEN I THOUGHT

David M. Bailey in concert!

Note from Michael: Yesterday morning, I had no idea how to proceed with the rest of my week of blogging after experiencing such a heavy heart over news of the Air France disaster. Then I checked my e-mail and as always, I was glad to see a note from my good friend (and a Guest who appeared on my Blog site feature "THE INTERVIEW") David M. Bailey. He is a singer/songwriter and a friend I never hesitate to call "Brother". He is a wonderful person and a great musician who lives life to the fullest. I respect David and his journey in life so much that I felt it would be best to post his latest lyrics to a new song he wrote. It is called: Just When I Thought. It conveys exactly how I am feeling. I hope it reaches you too.

Just When I Thought

by: David M. Bailey

Just when I thought I had nothing left to say

The new morning brought

A few more words my way

Again I was taught

To celebrate each day

It’s always worth a shot

When hope shows up, let her stay

Now me, I used to have a lot

Of reasons I’d delay

But time is shorter than I thought

Don’t wanna let it waste away

So at the break of every day

I wanna live what I been taught

I’ve seen the games that people play

It don’t take much to get distraught

And be that as it may I guess that’s why

I still jot down what I’m trying to say

Even when I just cannot

Be certain things will go my way

But I’m sure there’s still a lot

To do before I hit the hay

Creeping up in my blind spot

Is something we call yesterday

Don’t let it be an afterthought

There’s time to try another way

Oh – and I almost forgot

Shout it out with me: Anchors Away!

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Visit David M. Bailey's website

on my blogroll

REFLECTIONS...

Front Page News in Brazil

Brazilian Military Search & Rescue


Reporters at Tom Jobim Airport
Rio de Janeiro

Waiting at Charles de Gaulle International Airport
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No words are adequate for reflecting on Monday's tragic air disaster involving the complete loss of life aboard Air France Flight 447. At the outset, a tremendous coordinated effort involving both French and Brazilian military personnel, special application helicopters, low-flying turboprop aircraft and ships is a sobering reminder that in the worst tragedies, it is then where the most tender and bold acts of mercy from others reveal themselves. The search for wreckage of the Airbus A330, the voice cockpit recorders and flight data recording devices are merely part of what will likely be a very lengthy investigation to arrive at a possible answer concerning what happened three hours into a routine eleven-hour trans-Atlantic flight.

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I wish that I could offer you a blog post about a romantic trip I took with a beautiful young woman, a new guitar riff I learned, the excitement of visiting a friend's Quarter horse, or some literary projects I have underway. I can't do this. This news is so annealed in my consciousness. May God be with the victims, their families, the search and rescue teams working 24-hours non-stop--and to the crisis counselors attempting to bring a perspective to those whose loss is seared in shock and emotional pain few of us can comprehend. Yesterday afternoon, I spoke with two pilots---a husband and wife who fly Boeing 727-200 freight aircraft. They were familiar with Airways magazine and some of my articles. I asked them many questions and listened carefully. We agreed that the pilots of Flight 447 were stricken by an immediate catastrophic event. I've exchanged meaningful e-mails with my long-time magazine editor and have tried to read every updated news report. "Why?" and "What happened?" These questions are on the lips of thousands today in France, Brazil and around-the-world. We search for answers, each of us in so many circumstances in our lives. I believe this stems from our desire for justice and to make sense of events, even when they are often beyond the ken of human imagining. Tomorrow, I will do my best to move beyond this focus for other topics that you may find lighter, and more interesting. But for today, I have written these sparse reflections here to share what vexes both my head and heart. I trust that many of you must feel as I do. Thanks for stopping by.

SINCERE CONDOLENCES

My thoughts and prayers this morning are with the 216 passengers and 12 crew members of Air France Flight 447 and their families. I extend my sincere condolences for your loss with a very heavy heart.

Michael

MICHAEL MANNING'S OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF SUMMER!

A Date with the Judge?

Judge Marilyn Milian

All rise!...Please be seated. Yesterday afternoon, I received an e-mail from a reader in Finland (of all places) asking if I had received a response to my Blog Post of April 28th ("Top 10 Blogs of April Past" #3). For those of you who missed it, this was a tongue-in-cheek countdown of 10 Blog Posts that I randomly selected from my years of Blogging. It just so happened that "Number 3" involved the recounting of a hilarious dream I had about four years ago involving Judge Marilyn Milian, who presides over television's "The People's Court". A friend of mine suggested that I mail a copy to her. For the record, ( no pun intended) I did compose a nice cover letter to Judge Milian. This Blog Post was a humorous poke at myself, and of course I just couldn't pass up that opportunity. So, to answer the reader's question in Finland: So far, I have not received a reply from Marilyn. However, I have relied on good counsel who informed me that the Judge has a wonderful sense of humor, and yes--had a good laugh at it. You are more than welcomed to "relive the dream" by going back to my April 28, 2009 posting, and remember. "Mi Casa Es Su Casa"! Moving right along...

Gabrielle Anwar

This photo of Gabrielle Anwar reminds me that (a.) there is a God, and (b.) not all people over 39 are jaded! That said, I have not seen the television show "Burn Notice" yet. But as soon as time permits, I'll gladly watch an episode.

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Secondly, I'm pleased to announce that for me, Summer Officially begins today and extends through the last day of September. You may ask: "Why?" Well, my timing was deliberately undertaken to allow we romantics (who are not jaded, by the way) more time for...well, romance! Also as a kid, I considered June, July and August "Summer". As an adult, I get to add on an extra month. Next...a new topic...

Dog lovers: How many times have you been out driving your car when this scene appears in the vehicle ahead of you? Clearly, dogs love to have the wind in their face. This is an adventure, of course!


But in Michael Manning's car? We "ride" like this (see photo above). It's just safer, that's all. And you can still have one or more windows unrolled just in case you stop at a Red light with a dog seated in the adjacent car; they can exchange greetings. This is not my dog, by the way. I was dog-sitting yesterday for a friend of mine so she could go hiking in Sedona.

Checking out the neighborhood...

Unsafe at any speed: Once in a while I see this scenario, where a dog is dangerously at risk for falling out of a moving car or truck. But even once is too often. On a lighter note...


In the spirit of welcoming Summer, this pooch is prepared for Monday, June 1st!

MAY THIS BE YOUR

BEST SUMMER EVER!