Monday, October 27, 2014

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Thriller" (Michael Jackson)

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Welcome to Tuesday and the 2014 Halloween edition of Tuesday's Musical Notes!  (Ok official disclaimer #1, so this is the first time the graphics dictated the theme...but it works!!!)  For our Halloween "10 On Tuesday" notes, we provide you with 10 handy, dandy tidbits of trivial tastiness and add just a sooper, dooper dollop of The Word to take away any of the spookiness that might possibly be lurking around the corners of your week.  Seriously, today's notes feature 10 links to make this "holiday" perhaps a bit less spooky, and a lot more fun.  Did you hear a door slam???

Some people remember where they were when JFK was shot (...wasn't born!), others remember where they were when they heard Elvis died (...White, with woodgrain sidepanels, 1973 Chevrolet pickup waiting on dad to close the barbershop), many others remember the first time they saw Michael Jackson's Thriller. (...University of Arkansas, Holcombe Hall TV room...December 2, 1983, the day of its debut on MTV). Our first link on "10 On Tuesday"

It was MTV's first world premier video and it would solidify in many people's mind the genius of Michael Jackson.  It was considered a music video by many of the populace, but was created as a mini feature film by Jackson and John Landis (Animal House, The Blues Brothers, An American Werewolf In London).  The film was inducted into the Library of Congress National Film Registry in 2009, confirming its iconic status and guaranteeing to "terrorize youse neighborhood..." for years to come.

Have you ever thought "Wow!  I would like to see "Elektra" (Jennifer Garner), "Gollum" (Andy Serkis), "The Incredible Hulk" (Mark Ruffulo) and that chick from the annoying Sprint commercials (Judy Greer)(she's going to be in Jurassic World and Marvel's Ant Man...ah redemption) in one incredible scene....No? Ok humor me and enjoy your treat at our #2 link from the "coming of age" comedy 13 Going on 30.  It utilizes "Thriller" as icebreaker meets party maker for Garner who plays a misplaced 13 year old from the 80's trying to come to grips with the adult life of her 30's in modern time.  Good movie....great dance scene!

Many followers of Jesus choose to abstain from focusing on the "darkness falls across the land" variety of Halloween observances, so this link provides at least 10 different fun activities your family can explore to have fun with everyone else without letting Freddy or Jason be involved.

"Have you ever been to Odyssey?  It's a real nice place to be...", Tuesday's Musical Notes highly recommends a weekend spent with the folks over at Whits' End.  Adventures in Odyssey harkens back to the days of radio dramas when the family gathered around and listened intently to the adventures of The Lone Ranger or The Phantom.  The series, which has been on the radio waves since 1987, is produced by Focus on the Family and  appeals to children of all ages.  (For current broadcast time and station listings click here:  Adventures In Odyssey - station listing by state)  Link #4 on our list gets you a start with Adventures in Odyssey and allows you to listen to the most recent episodes. (Adventures In Odyssey - free episodes to listen to online)   "What Are We Going To Do About Halloween" is an episode geared towards the history of the day and the traditions that come with it.  It is from The Lost Episodes pack and can be found at Amazon, iTunes, or the AIO website.

You knew we couldn't get through the special "10 on Tuesday" without featuring at least 1 Musical Note!!!  (Well, there is at least 1 more coming...)  This is Tuesday's Musical Note's salute to Halloween from 2012.  It features the Ray Parker Jr. Classic "Ghostbusters".  If the rumors are to be believed, the "Ghostbusters" reboot will feature ladies in the lead roles as they go about saving the world from the "not so nice" ghostly realm.  "Under the moonlight, you see a sight that almost stops your heart..."  "Who ya gonna call?"

And on with the countdown, that really isn't a countdown...it's more of a list...but I digress. #6 is a link to the greatest Halloween songs ever according to Billboard magazine.  Some are a little creepy, so be aware of those around you when you click on the link...official disclaimer #2 noted...can you guess what is #1?

If your tastes stray towards the more visual, but you really aren't into saws or hockey masks, you might enjoy our next link on the list at #7.  It provides a TV-friendly listing of specials that air annually at the end, or sometimes during the whole month, of October.  The main page on this link features child appropriate Halloween themed tv specials, a menu of links to other network-specific Halloween themes, and links to lists of 10 Halloween movies.  Get the popcorn and soda ready....anyone have any extra butter "'cause this is Thriller, Thriller night"!

7) Top Ten Halloween Movies for Kids - TV

What would this season be without costumes.  From ancient times, folks have been participating in the masquerade.  Costuming has always been a part of dramatic performance.  From the times of Shakespeare (or Christopher Marlowe as some think) when young boys were dressed appropriately for the female roles, to the masquerade balls of the 19th century ("Masquerade" from Phantom Of The Opera), to more current celebrations where the focus is on being quite honestly someone else.  Which in and of itself smacks of some dishonesty.    It seems that we as humans have a very easy time donning disguises or masks.  Sometimes this can be good...other times...not so much. Halloween provides the outlet for "dressing up" regardless of the rationale behind it.  Here is a list from Halloween Express of the most popular costumes of this year...(disclaimer #3, Tuesday's Musical Notes has no affiliation with or to the retailer Halloween Express, we just liked their site!!!)


It seems that as I get older (note...NOT OLD), traditions seem to become more important.  We enjoy times with extended families, yet it seems that with time the "extended" part of the families is getting stretched thinner and thinner.  So with each generation, you find a "bringing it all back home" time where the children who have become parents are no longer the focus of the holiday celebrations, but became the facilitators...sigh...That being said, our family has decided that after attending our church's block party on Halloween we will adjourn to our comfy chairs and couches of the homestead and start the season of feasting as we watch the classic "It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" followed by one our favorite actors, Cary Grant, in the classic "Arsenic and Old Lace"...CHARGE!!!! (Arsenic And Old Lace - trailer)  In the meantime, we might trip over to Tuesday's Musical Notes and see what the Notes were for last year..."It's Alive!!!"

9) Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Frankenstein"

Today's Musical Notes have featured a listing of 10 websites that you might find handy as you and your family gather to enjoy the season.  Unfortunately, Halloween has become a season associated with darkness, so the Notes would like to end our "10 Of Tuesday" list with a link to the passages of Scripture that speak about light.  The first chapter of the first book of the Bible (Genesis) tells about God speaking light into existence.  Jesus called himself the "Light of the world".  It just seems that as this season focuses on the weird and the really dark, we could use more light.  It is a physical fact that darkness cannot exist in the presence of light.  Perhaps that is what you should be for someone today.  Not an overbearing, burning out the retina kind of light, but a gentle, enveloping light that shows the people you come into contact with that you are different and that you chose to make a difference. By doing so you might even be able to rid someone of...the evil of the Thriller...(insert maniacal laugh)  

'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving You,
Randy

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