We Are The World revisited

We Are The World revisited

by MichelleMcHatton

I’m all for charity, especially for the aid of much needed Haiti.

Although I think the re-recording of “We Are The World” was a good idea on the surface (for Haiti), I feel no version of the song will ever  be able to compare to the original.

Call me sentimental.  “We Are The World” is a song I grew up with.  I still have the 45.  I even have the USA For Africa album featuring “We Are The World”, as well as other songs by many of the artists that performed on that song.  This even includes Canada’s effort “Tears Are Not Enough”.  Shit, I still have the book!

Wow.  It’s weird looking at this album now and seeing all those artists.  All the Jacksons.  Ray Charles.  Smokey Robinson.  As much as I appreciate the music of today’s artists, it will be hard for me to hear their version without actually “hearing” the original.

So I wonder…are they going to do another Live Aid in July?  After all, it’s been 25 years for that too…

Christmas isn’t just for little kids…

Christmas isn’t just for little kids…

by MichelleMcHatton

it’s for adult “kids” too.

I recently had the privilege of spending an afternoon at a holiday party for some very special “kids”.  By kids I mean adults who will never grow up.  These are men and women from their 20’s well into their 60’s who suffer from some kind of mental disability–mainly autism or severe brain damage.

Some could not walk.  Some could not talk.  Many could not chew solid food and needed their meals pureed for them.  But when that fat jolly old man in the red suit entered the room, every single one of their faces lit up!  He certainly speaks the Universal Language of All People, doesn’t He?

There’s nothing more joyful than seeing a young man running around holding his gift from Santa declaring “He knew just what I wanted!”.  I have no idea what this guy got from Santa but it sure made his day–and mine.

And what better gift than to witness a young woman carry a HUGE box to her table, rip off the paper and find just what she loves inside–a basketball, a pair of sunglasses and a bag of M & M’s.  Life is good.  And my heart is full of love for these “kids” who don’t ask for much, who are easy to please and find love in the simple things in life.

Maybe if we all stopped what we were doing and spent a little more time enjoying the simpler things in life ourselves, the world would be a better place.

Christmas duets that just shouldn’t be

Christmas duets that just shouldn’t be

by MichelleMcHatton

1.  “The Little Drummer Boy” – Bowie & Bing

2.  “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” – Rod Stewart & Dolly Parton

3.  “White Christmas” – Bing & Frank

4.  Any song done with Elvis and another artist.  The King sings ALONE!

5.  “Do You Hear What I Hear” – Elmo & Rosie O’Donnell

6.  Any duet including Cyndi Lauper

Have a sunny day!

Have a sunny day!

by MichelleMcHatton

Today marked the start of the 40th season for “Sesame Street” and with it finally came the squashing of the forever-lived rumor of Bert and Ernie being gay.  Well, now I can sleep!

How unrealistic can some people be to actually believe that two muppets can have a sexuality of any kind?  Anyone who thinks this must be a moron!  Bert and Ernie are there on “Sesame Street” to teach children about letters, numbers, getting along and life in general.  If adults read further into that, then they just have too much time on their hands and need to get lives.