Yesterday was one of those days that turns me into a cat with a Cheshire grin. It had everything. Rest. Good friends. Good food. Good wine. Good laughs. And never to be underestimated in its relevance to good times: s p e c t a c u l a r weather on a national holiday. I woke up early and without a plan, kicked my feet over the side of the bed and never looked back after they hit the floor. Took in Canada Day festivities, hit Ribfest at Whistler's, TTC'd to the Pride Parade (serioulsy... the happiest place on earth yesterday), got my first look at the wonderfully re-purposed Maple Leaf Gardens, walked (yep, walked) to Allen's for supper on the patio (try the Mike Weir 2009 Sauvignon Blanc with the goat cheese dip & garlic toasts if you're in the 'hood), and then against a perfect summer night's sky, watched the fireworks display at Stan Wadlow Park that was anything but "small community" (as it was billed) in scope. And finally, a night cap on the back deck preceded a brilliant, self induced exhaustion. It's been a month of yesterdays... things have been crazy...
As I sit here today on the same back deck with a cup of coffee updating the blog, I can honestly say I have no clue where the month of June went. A month ago I was in a totally different place in life than I'm in today, and for some reason, that very moment in time also feels like six months ago rather than just one; time flies. Another reminder to just get out there and kick every day right in the pants, I figure. Owing to this level of uhm over commitment, I have - it seems - been neglecting my blog. So it's time to get cracking.
First up, my June effort for the Celebrity Musing column for Inside Toronto. I've always been a bit intrigued by Lisa Marie Presley, and when I learned she had another studio album dropping in May, I thought it would be gratifying to poke around and find out what motivates her to continue pursuing a career as a singer and songwriter. The link is here, but for you non mouse-clickers out there, here's the story. Hope you enjoy it.
CELEBRITY MUSING: Lisa Marie Presley, A Question Of Motivation
I was recently asked what I'd do if I had the backing needed to pursue my great passion in life.
To be honest, I've been so busy living that I'd never really considered the possibilities. Nobody was more shocked than me when "write" shot out of me like a long-tensed projectile released from its anchor.
In hindsight, I've always loved words and taken great joy out of using the language. As a student I loathed Shakespeare being thrown down as an educational benchmark, so I sustained myself by savouring the sweet reward of the creative writing segments attached to the sometimes months-long study of the pretentious, literary clap trap of England's leading bard.
I digress.
Albeit late in life, I embraced my latent passion and began writing for an audience. No loitering in Venetian cafes sipping artesian wine while scribing literary masterpieces for this girl; I have a career I love that pays the bills, and in my spare time I write for pleasure. Sometimes my stuff is good, sometimes it's utterly deplorable, but for better or worse it's out there for the world to judge and that's just spooky.
Out of this came the realization I do have an audience, and if something I write makes even one person look at another in a softer light, then I have achieved something wonderful simply by risking my pride.
Enter Lisa Marie Presley.
Her third studio album 'Storm and Grace' dropped May 15.
It's impressive that in the shadow of her father she's maintained her determination to have a career in music, given that she launched her career after marrying musician Danny Keogh, raising two children, divorcing him, and marrying and divorcing Michael Jackson - all of which was done without any outward signs she might have musical aspirations of her own.
After releasing her debut album in 2003, she married and divorced Nicholas Cage, and around the same time she released her second album in 2006, she married for a fourth time, this time to musician Michael Lockwood.
In addition to two adult children, she is also the mother of three-year-old twin girls and has relocated to Kent, England. Appearing to have found peace, we arrive at 'Storm and Grace', her first album for the Universal Republic label, produced by 12-time Grammy winner T. Bone Burnett and meticulously packaged by her new manager Simon Fuller, the brain trust behind the 'Idol' franchise.
It's a safe bet nobody asked her what she'd do if she had all the money in the world. She has inherited enough money to do as she pleases and in addition to being a philanthropist and a tireless advocate for children's causes, she has chosen to make music.
Critics and the music buying public maintain their lukewarm reception of her offerings, but she persists caring more for her art than her image.
Celebrities whose agents talk them into cookie cutter careers as 'musicians' (the ultimate Hail Mary pass in celebrity pop culture) are a dime a dozen. But there's something different about Lisa Marie Presley. Perhaps because she makes no apologies, doesn't pretend to be somebody else's kid, blames only herself for her failings, embraces her lot in life and doesn't court the spotlight despite having made a few interesting choices that landed her in it anyway.
So what motivates the daughter of Elvis Presley to stand up and be counted among the musical talent out there, the vast majority of which many would say exceeds her own?
With a modicum of talent, no need for monetary gain and at the risk of humiliation for laying herself bare in an often harsh public eye, Presley offers this: "I'm compelled to do this because I'm a music lover...That's what drives me - pouring your heart and soul into something and hoping that it can change someone's life in some way."
Modest goals born out of manifested passion that might change one person's world for the better. You're OK, Lisa Marie. You're OK.
Erin - very interesting blog!! You are doing an excellent job.
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