iPod Essentials #72: "I Am Love"--Jackson 5

For this week's Essential, I'm going to pick a great Jackson 5 song that was never popular for some strange reason: "I Am Love." Michael sings background on this, Jermaine does. The song begins, slow, sexy, mellow, and then turns into wild disco by the end. It's a surprising song because of the disco. Maybe it was too different for Jackson fans. Hopefully, it will be rediscovered.

Icons

On Thursday, part of my childhood and early adult years died, along with the passing of Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson.

So CHARLIE'S ANGELS was a T&A show, but to this twelve year old, they were strong, sexy, and independent. I proudly wore a pink CHARLIE'S ANGELS t-shirt until the decal wore off. With beauty and wit, Farrah Fawcett as Jill Munroe always got her man, just by simply pointing a gun at him and telling him, "Freeze, turkey!"

Farrah Fawcett made mistakes, as we all do since we were are human. Yet she fought her battle with that horrible disease cancer in public, not to glorify herself, but to shed realistic light onto it. There's nothing glamourous about it. In her death, perhaps she will save lives.

Michael Jackson--I used to watch the JACKSON 5 cartoon on Saturday mornings. Michael was a cool kid, full of adventure and song. The THRILLER CD--who didn't own it? Watching MJ dance and sing. A few Jackson and Michael Jackson songs are on my iPod; videos on You Tube now make me sad, especially "I'll Be There." How could someone so brilliantly meant for pop music self-destructed in the ways he did? He was human, and all humans have their breaking points. MJ, it seems, had too many and a few demons always in his mind.

Mourn our icons today. Remember that they always human, neither perfect nor infallible.

iPod Essentials #71: "Hot Fun in the Summertime"--Sly & the Family Stone

In honor of BURN NOTICE, which I am becoming addicted to, this tune is a wonderful companion piece. The TV show offers so many scenes of lovely, tropical, sexy Miami--how can you not think of summertime.

The Sly Stone tune is also sexy and a bit bluesy. Perfect for Michael Weston's latest predicament.

The CCWC

The first Calfornia Crime Writers Conference was held at the Pasadena Hilton last weekend. This conference was a joint production with Mystery Writers of America, So Cal chapter and Sisters in Crime/Los Angeles. Those who participated launched a fabulous conference, FULL of practical information on writing mysteries and selling them. The agents and authors, such as Laurie King and Robert Crais, were approachable and helpful. (Also, they were fun to sit in the bar with!)

Because of everyone's effort, I am so proud to be affiliated with both organizations. And hey, my new finished mystery is currently with one agent who attended!

Writing, by nature, is a private affair, but attending conferences is so important to developing craft and marketing work. I can't wait for the 2011 CCWC!