First off HAPPY 4TH OF JULY EVERYONE. Have a fun and safe one.
I think a lot of us have moments in our lives when we could have, would have, should have done something but just didn't.
Recently I was surprised by a "should have" moment that happened over 60 years ago and was long forgotten.
What brought it back was the new interest in Elvis and the new movie that is getting lots of buzz.
Several days ago, Joey, at Joey's Pad , posted a Youtube video of Elvis's Dance moves. Wow, I had forgotten how that man could move. Some don't look physically possible, especially that vibrating butt with his back to us. Next thing you know I bookmarked the video and have watched it several times. Thanks Joey--- I think:)
Interesting that I don't remember any special gyrations but did enjoy his performance. As we were leaving the theater, a friend of mine ran up and said, "Patti, come quick. Elvis is French kissing the girls at the stage door."
Have to add here that my boyfriend Bobby played on the school baseball team and was at that time on crutches after a bad slide into second base. He gave me a sad look but said "If you really want to go, I'll wait here,"
I did get in the line for the Elvis kiss but it was a long line and I kept feeling badly about poor Bobby leaning on his crutches so before I got there, I turned around and went back to Bobby. He was thrilled that I turned down Elvis for him.
I did do a post about it 10 years ago but hadn't thought about it till all the fuss over the new movie.
Then I thought as I watched the video---I really could have kissed Elvis, I would have kissed Elvis and I am not sure I shouldn't have kissed Elvis. But the more I think about it, I did the right thing. Still--the man could move. Maybe if he had done those moves that day, I'd have stayed in line:)
Ever have a coulda, woulda, shoulda moment come back to tempt you?
Hahaha! Patti, coming from a family who loved Elvis, this was such a fun read. I can't wait to share this with my sister. Y'know, I'm a fan of Joey's blog too but I didn't watch the 'Elvis Moves' video, I'll have to take a look. When my dad passed in 2001 and Mom asked my one sister & myself to help clear out his "mancave" (a shed behind the house) he had a giant, rusty Navy footlocker under a pile of blankets. Inside were bundles of love letters he and my mom exchanged while he was in the Navy and she was still in high school. In a couple of the letters, my dad is upset with Mom for being a fan of "Pelvis Parsley", and Mom telling him he needed to hear him sing because he sings like a colored and she knew Dad liked that kind of music. (My dad loved BB King, Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard.) My dad did come around and loved the man. Anyway Patti, your boyfriend was a trooper--and you should've gotten that kiss!
ReplyDeleteDoug,
DeleteWow, that had to have been such a treat to see those letters between your parents. Too often we only think of them as Mom and Dad and don't realize what came before.
That was funny about his nickname for Elvis.That is probably one of the nicer ones:)
Yes, Elvis was often perceived as being black when he first started. I was a huge R & B fan so he fit right in my wheelhouse.
Sometimes I wish I had stayed in line--like when I watch that video--but then others I am happy I didn't.
To this day I don't "care" for Elvis. Liked his songs/singing, but as a man, nope. I would've stayed with Bobby anytime. 😊
ReplyDeleteAnni,
DeleteI did love his songs and liked his generous persona but he was never a heart throb of mine. Bobby was at the time so I am glad I didn't mess that up.
Coulda, woulda, shouldn'ta. It sounds kind of icky to stand in line for a French kiss. Eeww. How many tongues di his tongue touch that night? I hadn't realized I have gotten so prudish in my old age!
ReplyDeleteOlga,
DeleteHa ha, You make a good point. Since I was a French Kiss virgin, think that was one reason I turned around:)
What a fun moment! I can't say as I've ever had that close a brush with anyone famous that there was a would/could/should moment occur.
ReplyDeleteOnce I was one number off winning $100K on a lottery ticket but I had no control over that. (it was a 7 digit number, I had the first and last three, just the one in the middle was off so I won a whopping $10 instead.)
Eileen,
DeleteAww bummer. $10 seems pretty meager for having 6 out of 7 numbers. That was so close.
I am trying to think of a CWS moment, and right now I can't come up with anything. I'm certain that I've had many of them and will spend some time today thinking about it. I was never an Elvis Presley fan, but he certainly could shake that butt and sing up a storm! I think you made a good choice, Patti.
ReplyDeleteRobin,
DeleteFunny, I was certain at the time I had made the right choice. It has just been all the attention he has gotten late with the movie that I wonder.
That post was such a light-hearted, fun post and it just made me knock 20 years off my life. I did see an Elvis concert when he was in Honolulu but so help me, I don't remember much about it. Wish I did. That man could move!
ReplyDeleteLatane,
DeleteYes he could move. The older, sick Elvis you saw in Hawaii was hard to watch. He had really let himself go. It was such a shame he couldn't have been rehabbed. He was a talent.
Wow!!! No one is going to top your story. That is pretty amazing. I am off to watch that video now. :)
ReplyDeleteAnon,
DeleteHope you enjoy the video. Warning--addictive.
Please just put your initials at the end of your comment if you don't want to put your name. Just so I will know which Anon I am talking to. Thanks.
No would could should. Come on, just do it. I am glad I traveled the world when I was young, because now I can't. BTW, I wouldn't have kissed Elvis, no way! Hahaha. Gigi hawaii
ReplyDeleteGigi,
DeleteThat is the smart thing to do--just do it. Then you have no moments to wonder if.
Thank you for putting your name at the bottom of your comments. Makes me happy to see a familiar face.
Ha! Your post's title made me immediately think of Judge Judy -- one of her favorite expressions. I'm with Olga on the sloppy seconds offered by The King. No thanks!!! I liked Presley but just didn't get the screamy audience reactions. As to your question, I actually regret more that I did rather than didn't.
ReplyDeleteFlorence,
DeleteYes, I have heard her use that phrase. I never understood the screamers either for him or the Beatles. I think I am missing that gene.
Got to agree with your last sentence.
An Elvis kiss could have been a big disappointment too. I mean kissing that many girls... You did the right thing as you noted. Hopefully no regrets.
ReplyDeleteAnon,
DeleteTalk about sloppy seconds? No have no regrets --just kind of wonder now that he is getting so much attention lately.
The previous one was from Inger at Desert Canyon Living. Do I have to go through all that extra writing every time I make a comment. I now remember that's why I took a blogging break, I was getting too annoyed. And I don't like being annoyed, life is too short. Please let me know why this is necessary. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteIf the last one was from Inger then I am guessing this one is also. Since I get a few, I can't tell one from another and since I respond to the comments, I have no idea who I am talking to. If you could just leave even your initials at the bottom of your comment, that can't be too much to ask. But if it is, I don't want to annoy so I wish you a good life.
DeleteHad to watch that video! I was definitely a fan of young Elvis back in the day. But I was never the screaming concert going type. I did really love his voice and his moves to me weren't 'sinful', but cute. IMO he didn't age well... and that was probably due to the lifestyle he ended up living. But as far as the kiss goes, I think you made a good call. "Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda moments"... probably there are a lot, but none that come to me at the moment.
ReplyDeleteRian,
DeleteMe too on not screaming. My goodness, they drowned out the singer. I know, I didn't get the sinful part of his moves either. He was energetic and that radiated to the audience. I hated seeing him deteriorate so in his later years. Such a shame.
I had a chance to go to a party celebrating something Ann Richards (the Texas democratic politician won. Next thing I knew she was giving a headliner speech at the Democratic convention. Always regretted that.
ReplyDeleteJean,
DeleteOh, I would have regretted that also. From what I have heard she was quite the trailblazer and a firecracker.
I have never been a fan of french kissing, so I would have skipped it, but I loved Elvis as a teenager.
ReplyDeleteDjan,
DeleteWell I was a French kiss virgin then and have to admit still am today even after leading a rather active social life. Elvis might have changed things:)
omg that is so funny. I never thought he was all that but then again you saw him in 56 and I was born that year. So by the time I was old enough to think about kissing him he was fat elvis. :-) But I still loved his music and so wish to see this film. I don't do theaters but it will be streaming on HBO Max later this summer. I can't wait!
ReplyDeletePeg,
DeleteOh yeah, had I only known the fat elvis, there wouldn't have been a moments thought.
I hear the movie is great. I am just having trouble with the young actor making me believe he is the King. We will see.
That vibrating butt speaks of belly dance training along with several other styles he has mixed in, a little tap a little whatever it is that Michael Jackson did, I saw Elvis doing a little moonwalk in there, so Michael Jackson can't claim he invented it.
ReplyDeleteI do have a coulda, woulda, shoulda memory involving a work opportunity which I allowed to slip through my fingers thinking I wasn't good enough. I found out too late I had scored very high on the test given and the missed opportunities haunt me now and again.
River,
DeleteGood to know there is an actual history for that butt vibrating and good catch on the moon walk.
Sorry you miss out on something you could have nailed.
Such a cool story but I think you did the right thing.
ReplyDeleteMargaret,
DeleteSo glad you enjoyed and years later, pretty sure I did too.
I am sorry but Bobby would have to wait until I got my Elvis kiss. Sadly my life was so boring that they closest I got to Elvis was watching him on the Ed Sullivan show. My dad, a preacher, allowed me to skip evening church to watch that TV show. I remember squealing my lungs out.
ReplyDeleteAnnie,
DeleteHa ha, that is funny and hey, he was willing to wait.
That was cool of your preacher dad to let you watch that sinful fellow:) I see you got your squeal gene. I didn't get one.
I just couldn't get too excited by Elvis, so I think I would've also stuck by Bobby (and I actually did...). I'm sure there have been lots of shoulda's in my life, but none I'm really bummed about. Love your story telling Patti!
ReplyDeleteBarb,
DeleteWell when I saw him he was still a beginner Elvis. Had no idea how big he would get.
Thank you so much for the compliment and for all the reading you did today. Glad I didn't bore you too much.
You made a wise choice, I think. I remember when Elvis was playing a lot of little towns in '56 and friends went to see him. They liked him. About all I can say for Elvis is he got black performer music accepted in a part of the country where people had previously mostly rejected it. I never really cared for him. I can't recall any CWS events but there may have been some along the way.
ReplyDeleteJoared,
DeletePeople were surprised when I said I saw Elvis perform in a movie theater in 56.
Later he became big enough to buy the whole town:)
He did make black music acceptable to all. I had been a fan of that sound even before that.
Dear Patti, I so enjoyed this posting. You have such a gift for sharing your life's story and finding the humor of it. I think you're a born storyteller. Another Mark Twain.
ReplyDeleteAs to the could of, etc., I can't think of any situation off hand. Well, I can think of a couple of times when I "shouldn't have" something hurtful to someone. That was before I learning to really think and consider before I spoke! Peace.
Dear Patti, I'm still unable to figure out how to leave comments that aren't anonymous. Also how to respond to comments on my blog. So, just wanted you to know that this "anonymous" is Dee Ready.
DeleteDee,
DeleteDon't know why that is happening but I recognized your style even without you telling me it was you but I appreciate your coming back to let me know for sure.
Thank you so much for your lovely compliment and I am so glad you enjoy my stories. I certainly have enjoyed yours.
Dear Patti, I can't figure out the way to comment with my name. The comment "anonymous" above is from Dee Ready.
ReplyDeleteYou have the most amazing stories to tell, Patti and you tell it so wonderfully. And yes, I think you made the right choice. You gave your boyfriend at the time something he could be proud of for the rest of his life.
ReplyDeleteKay,
DeleteYou know I never thought about it that way but you are probably right. I am sure he has bragged about once dating a girl that turned down kissing Elvis for him. That would be quite a feather in his cap. Thanks for letting me see that.
Also thank you so much for following the link to my original post and leaving a comment there. I am delighted you enjoyed it. Think the old post gave you a better picture of Bobby.
I'm so grossed out with all those girls getting an Elvis kiss ! Talk about spreading diseases ... he was taking a big chance and you were wise to not join in !
ReplyDelete